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Minutes: September 16, 2009

383rd MEETING OF THE MEDICAL SCHOOL COUNCIL

3 p.m., Wednesday, September 16, 2009
School of Medicine Administration, Board Room 103

PRESENT: Drs. Abuav, Ahn, Armstrong, Barker, Bastian, Carroll, Chou, Comfort, Goldstein, Gottesman, Ishii, Matunis, Meffert, Pavlovich, Reading, Resar, Schramm, Shapiro, Stivers, Williams, Wolfgang, Wong, Mr. Mandell, Mss. Bicket, Fairman, Foy, and Matthys

ABSENT: Drs. Brayton, Chuck, Cooke, Cromwell, Fine, Green, Herman, Leahy, McCarthy, McGrath-Morrow, Molinaro, Nyhan, Regan, Tis, and Tufaro

GUESTS: Dr. Perl


I.  Minutes

The minutes of the June 17, 2009 meeting were approved. 

II. Introduction of New Members

As this was the first meeting of the academic year, new members elected for two year terms and returning members were introduced.

III. Review of Medical School Council Responsibilities and Function – Dr. Armstrong

Dr. Armstrong circulated the Medical School Council Charter and reviewed the responsibilities of council members. She encouraged members to communicate MSC issues with their constituents via departmental meetings and circulation of MSC minutes. A summary of MSC topics discussed during 2008-2009 was presented.

IV. Other Business

Dr. Armstrong is working on scheduling a time when Dr. Lloyd Minor, the recently appointed provost, would be available to address the council.

The role and function of the Agenda Committee was discussed. Volunteers were solicited for membership on the Agenda Committee for the coming year.

Ms. Jennifer Fairman, the representative from the Department of Art as Applied to Medicine, has agreed to continue working on the MSC website.

Agenda items for future meetings were solicited. The following suggestions were made:

- a presentation of the new curriculum

- an update on the JHOC Simulation Center

- a report on recruitment of underrepresented minorities and the impact of financial aid policies on matriculation

- a presentation of the master plan for development of the medical campus

Dr. Sarah Reading summarized the results of an MSC sub-committee review of sick leave and vacation policies undertaken during the last academic year. A survey of peer institutions showed half do not have formal school-wide policies. Because of the complexity of the issue the MSC sub-committee decided not to recommend formalizing school-wide sick leave and vacation policies at this time while recognizing not having written policies may not be equitable. It was recognized that formal regulations may inhibit flexibility that departments now have.

There was also brief discussion regarding the impact on part time faculty of the revised Conflict of Commitment Policy.

V. Election of Officers

Drs. Armstrong and Herman were nominated for another term as Chair and Vice-Chair respectively. Inasmuch as there were no further nominees, they were elected by acclamation. It was determined that the member-at-large serve a two-year term as do other members. As Dr. Linda Regna was elected in 2008-2009, she will continue as member-at-large for 2009-2010.

VI. Review of the Process of Infectious Outbreak Investigations- Dr. Trish Perl

Dr. Perl circulated the “Outbreak Management Plan” from the Infectious Control Manual. Dr. Perl reviewed the Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Control (HEIC) procedures that are implemented when an infectious disease cluster is suspected or when a patient is suspected of having a highly contagious pathogen.

If there is a cluster of infections in a department, Dr. Perl works with leadership to do brainstorming about what needs to change, then works with the department to do an investigation, and put controls in place to avoid further incidents.

Dr. Perl addressed efforts in conjunction with Occupational Health and CEPAR to develop policies for seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccinations. She indicated that health care workers would be prioritized first followed by high risk patient populations; then low risk staff. The vaccine for H1N1 is expected in mid-October and will be available on a priority schedule to those who received the seasonal flu vaccine. It is estimated that up to 50% of staff may acquire the H1N1 virus verses the usual 20-30% who acquire seasonal flu.

Dr. Perl responded to questions concerning vaccine distribution policies and other related topics.

There being no further business this meeting was adjourned at 4:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary E. Foy

Secretary

Future Medical School Council meetings:

All meetings will be held in the School of Medicine Board Room (SOM 103), 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

  • Oct. 21, 2009
  • Nov. 11, 2009
  • Dec. 9, 2009
  • Jan. 20, 2010
  • Feb. 17, 2010
  • Mar. 24, 2010
  • Apr. 21, 2010
  • May 26, 2010
  • June 23, 2010
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