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Minutes: December 10, 2008

376th MEETING OF THE MEDICAL SCHOOL COUNCIL

3 p.m., Wednesday, December 10, 2008
School of Medicine Administration, Board Room 103

PRESENT: Drs. Armstrong, Barker, Brayton, Chou, Chuck, Cromwell, Fine, Goldstein, Green, Halushka, Herman, Maragakis, McCarthy, McGrath-Morrow, Molinaro, Mooney, Nussbaum, Pidcock, Reading, Schramm, Wong, Yaster, Zhen, Mss. Fairman, Nguyen, Oliver, and Foy.
 
ABSENT: Drs. Allaf, Bennett, Bergles, Cooke, DeLeon, Efron, Flynn, Huang, Ishii, Leahy, Magaziner, Pomerantz, Resar, Robinson, Sargent, Stivers, Tompkins, Tufaro, Yehia, Messrs. Chen and Feng,

GUESTS: Mss. Craven, Heiser, and Langbaum.


I. Minutes

The minutes of the November 12, 2008 meeting were approved.

II. Welch Library Resources – Catherine Craven, Clinical Liaison Services

Ms. Craven presented an overview of the services offered by the Welch Library and circulated a “Guide to Information Services and Resources.”’

Ms. Craven reported each department has an assigned librarian who is available to faculty and staff to help maximize access and effective use of the library resources and technology. She outlined the various electronic on-line resources available and noted the variety of classes sponsored by the library to assist users. Small group and individual consultations are offered as well as in-depth literature searches for research projects. There is off-campus access to Welch resources that allows members of the Hopkins community to access from remote locations. Welch staff are available to work with faculty to create electronic information suites to meet particular needs for subject-specific resources. 

Ms. Craven offered the services of the Welch staff to meet with departments to outline the services available. For library services see http://www.welch.jhu.edu.

Ms. Craven responded to questions regarding copyright issues. Linking Welch resources to the School of Medicine Faculty Portal was discussed.

Dr. Armstrong thanked Ms. Craven for her presentation.

III. Oncology Multi Disciplinary Clinics – Ms. Terry Langbaum, Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center

Ms. Langbaum described the Multidisciplinary Clinical Evaluation Process for newly diagnosed pancreatic cancer patients which began in November 2007. This process brings patients with known or presumed pancreatic cancer to Johns Hopkins for evaluation by specialists from several departments for a one day comprehensive evaluation incorporating all the resources available for education, diagnosis, treatment, and research of pancreatic cancer. Patients have access to specialists in medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgical oncology, gastroenterology, and pathology in a structured setting, avoiding the waiting times experienced if each specialty was scheduling evaluation and treatment plans independently. Patients are also provided with an overview of the available support services, nutrition, nursing, social work, etc. and information on the National Familial Pancreas Tumor Registry. 

At day’s end, after a team conference, the patient leaves with a plan of treatment from a multidisciplinary team of Hopkins experts. Patients are very satisfied with this approach as it provides immediate treatment planning based on multidisciplinary consultations with experts in the field.

Ms. Langbaum reported on a 2008 published study of 203 patients evaluated in the first year of the program. Twenty-two percent had a change in clinical stage, 3% a change in diagnosis, 24% a change in therapeutic management, 79% enrolled in the tumor registry, 25% were offered clinical trials participation, and 5% enrolled in a clinical trial.

It was noted that 90% of the patients came through the pancreatic cancer web-site.

In response to questions, Ms. Langbaum addressed billing issues and noted insurance specialists are on staff to assist patients.

Dr. Armstrong thanked Ms. Langbaum for her presentation.

IV. Report on Dean’s Retreat – Dr. Joseph Herman

Dr. Herman reported each Dean’s Retreat has a focus. This year’s theme was faculty. Department Directors were asked to consider strategies on “How to Maintain Faculty in Hard Economic Times.”

V.Other Business

A revised Conflict of Commitment policy is being developed and will be an agenda item for a future Medical School Council meeting.

There being no further business this meeting was adjourned at 4:40 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.

  • January 21, 2009
  • February 18, 2009
  • March 18, 2009
  • April 15, 2009
  • May 20, 2009
  • June 17, 2009
     
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