Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science

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Bulletin - February 2006

Message From The Provost-COO/Acting President

Thomas Yoshikawa, MD
Interim President

I have passed the
half-way point in my first year as your Acting President. I wish to apprise you of what has been achieved during these past 7 months and also what lies ahead for Drew University.


	Achievements:
	A new Administration was recruited to assist me in guiding the University through this period of transition. Mr. Randall Foster was appointed Vice President (VP) for Development, External Affairs and Administration, and assumed responsibilities previously directed by several different VPs. Dr. Keith Norris was recruited to the new position of VP for Research - research is a top priority for me. Dr. Ronald Edelstein replaced the previous Dean of College of Medicine in an interim capacity. Dr. Nancy Hanna became the new Designated Institutional Official and Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education (GME).

We began the academic year with 9 department chair vacancies within the College of Medicine. We have completed negotiations and recruited 4 new chairs in Neuroscience, ENT, Psychiatry and Anesthesia. In a short period, it is anticipated that we will fill the vacancies in Pediatrics and Family Medicine. Thus, the College of Medicine will then have only 3 department chair vacancies during this academic year. This is a credit to our Interim/Acting Dean, Dr. Ronald Edelstein.

There were 3 graduate medical education (GME) residency programs on probationary status in July 2005. Recently, we learned that Family Medicine received full accreditation. Anesthesia had their residency program review in December, and all indications point to a good outcome - an official decision will be made in April 2006. Thus, we could possibly
have only 1 program on probationary status
this year. Finally, the institutional (ACGME) site visit on January 17, 2006 was very successful, and we anticipate a favorable report on April 14, 2006. These successes are the result of the hard work and leadership of Dr. Nancy Hanna and her GME staff, as well as the faculty, program directors and residents in
these departments.

	College of Science and Health (COSH) opened their new research building annex to house their new 4-year bachelor degree program for Biomedical Sciences. Student total enrollment increased by 33% from the previous year, and COSH continues to garner increasing amounts of research funding. COSH has initiated preliminary plans to begin a nursing education program and school of nursing. It is anticipated that the program will start in 2007. Dr. Gary Sayed, Dean of COSH, has been most responsible for these successes, and we commend him and his entire faculty/ staff.

	The Office of Research, under Dr. Norris, continues to support and facilitate investigators in performing their important research. Our extramural research funding has remained reasonably stable despite losses of some key faculty. We will be implementing a policy of returning some portion of indirect costs from investigator-initiated NIH grants to the department of origin. As our financial status improves, we plan to also have some indirect costs go to the College of origin and Office of Research. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) functions well, and a new Director of IRB, Shannon Seward, has been appointed. We anticipate an improved process of grant reviews by the IRB under Ms. Seward’s leadership.

	The Saturday Science Academy II (SSA) program has flourished under the leadership and direction of Ms. Lorraine Grey. Our most recent SSA event was the Junior White Coat Ceremony, at which Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was our special keynote speaker. Staff and leadership from the National Library of Medicine attended this event. SSA is a model program to assist our children in developing the interest and early knowledge and skills to pursue careers in medicine and science. We hope to expand this program.

	There has been a concerted effort among most Drew employees toward a more cohesive and collegial working relationship as evidenced by our productivity and responsiveness. Faculty have commented to me that they have noted improved quality and timeliness of service, as well as a highlevel of professionalism. Thanks to all of you for your commitment and dedication!

Future Challenges:

We must be able to negotiate an improved Medical School Operating Agreement (MSOA) with the County of Los Angeles. This MSOA provides the College of Medicine the major source of funds to support residency training through salary support of the faculty. The current MSOA covering 2004- 2006 was reduced in funding causing a shortfall of $4.5 million. This must be rectified.

A Life Science (Research) building is necessary so that we may expand our research capacity (research is a major source of new funds for the University through its indirect cost revenues). We are committed to erecting this structure, but we must be able to obtain enough funds to pay for its construction. Drew is working diligently in finding funding sources to complete the project.

A faculty practice plan is essential for the University to be able to attract and retain faculty. It will serve as another revenue stream so that Drew can fulfill its mission and goals. Establishing a practice site and/or construction of a building to house the practice is one of many challenges the University is facing at this time. We are committed to meet the goal of having some type of faculty practice plan this calendar year.

Government reductions of funds for many of outreach, education and community-based programs this year (and perhaps next year also) present challenges for us to keep at the current level of activities. We will continue to work with staff and program offices to minimize as much possible the reduction in employees, services and programs.

All of the above will require a doubling of our efforts in fund raising. This Administration and the
Board of Trustees will be working feverishly to obtain the necessary money to fund these programs.
However, we need your help also. This year is Drew’s 40th anniversary. We will be having several
fund-raising events in celebration of the University’s existence and its importance in providing quality
education and training. Key among these events will be a major employee contribution effort for which your involvement will ensure our success in keeping our programs strong and effective. If we are to continue to fulfill our mission and become one of the top health science universities, we all must join together in this effort.

YOUR FINANCIAL HELP IS NEEDED AND MOST APPRECIATED.
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

“We are Drew….Making a Difference”