January 22, 2013
Location
Penn Tower 21
Present
Drs Bloch, Heyner, Goldfine, MacGregor, Meadows, J. Myers, Patterson, Salcido, Steinberg, Webber (PASEF); Rachael Berget, Vicki Mulhern, Kayvon Nikoo (FAPD) Guests: Gail Morrison (Senior V.P. for Education) and Lisa Katz (Development and Alumni Relations).
Absent
Drs. Broenle, Deren, Kefalides, A. Myers, Saunders, Stanley and Winegrad
The meeting was called to order at 12 noon by Meadows. The minutes of the previous meeting will be circulated for corrections. Gail Morrison, Senior Vice Dean for Education, Director of Academic Programs and Professor of Medicine was invited to give an overview of the new Medical Education Center and the changes in Medical Education. She stated that there had been ongoing discussions regarding space since 1989. The conclusion was reached that medical education had to move closer to clinical practice. Everything is based in Civic Center Boulevard and that is where medical education should be based. The buildings on Hamilton Walk are primarily research buildings.
She described the physical space for Medical Education; it is envisaged to be in an ‘overbuild’ consisting first, of three stories above five stories of the South Pavilion, with possible future expansion upwards. This means the world of medical education would be incorporated into space where patients are cared for. She described how the space would be divided to provide ‘pods’, small class rooms and larger units. There would be lounge space and food space where students could interact. Detailed plans were presented (copies can be obtained from Lisa Katz in Development). After this presentation, there were numerous questions: Bloch asked about the future of the library, and Morrison replied that libraries are changing so rapidly that students no longer go to libraries for books; between ipads, iphones and laptops they have access to vast amounts of information and the major use for a library is to have ‘runners’ who can retrieve books/documents or as a study space. There will even be newly designed white coats to accommodate the new tools. Steinberg asked about new buildings projected to be around Presbyterian Medical Center but there have been no plans so far. Morrison also described some of the changes coming to Civic Center Boulevard. Penn Tower will be removed and a road will run where it currently stands.
President Gutmann has approved the proposed changes provided the funds can be raised. A matching grant of$15 million has been secured and fundraising is beginning.
She next described changes in Medical Education. She is increasing the entering class by about 20 students, up to 165 plus seven special students, for example, students with a DMD who wish to complete two years of Medical School, and radiologists who need to learn about the human body. There was vigorous discussion regarding the new methods of teaching; no microscopes, no cadavers, no bacteria. The new concept in medical education is ‘the team’, where students are organized into teams at orientation and work together during their Medical School experience. Salcido mentioned that he’d seen teams including advanced nursing students and it was agreed that such interactions are very beneficial. Rachael Berget asked if there would be a ‘naming opportunity’ with the new structure and the answer was in the affirmative.
Meadows and the Council thanked Gail Morrison for her presentation.
Administration
Mulhern reported that Steve Fluharty has been appointed as Dean of SAS and will step down as VP for Research.
Committee Reports
Program
Steinberg Announced that the Retirement Program featuring Vicki Mulhern and Hilary Lopez will be in Reunion Hall on February 14th
On April 9th Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel will speak in BRB from 4 – 5. Discussion regarding refreshments; it was decided that wine, cheese and finger food would be appropriate. J. Myers with the assistance of Heyner and Rachael will take care of this.
Webber announced that PASEF will have a free lunch and a program 'Road to Retirement' on April 29 in the Hourglass Room; RSVPs will be needed. ASEF and PASEF are working closely to organize a combined party for new emeriti. Resident Gutmann declined to attend since she already has a special dinner for emeriti and Salcido said it was very well done. So the Provost will be invited and also Joanne Mitchell, V.P. for Institutional Affairs. Webber said he has spoken to the V.P. for Alumni Affairs and he will develop a list of people living in the Delaware Valley, which can then be used to invite ten or so to come to our monthly seminars. He also announced an outing to Winterthur; people get there on their own , but can have a guided tour for $27.00 and also have lunch in the restaurant for ~ $12.00. PASEF website is up and running. Kayvon Nikoo reported that ASEF website is also running.
Luncheons
Bloch urged members to come to hear David Dinges discuss space travel and circadian rhythms tomorrow in the University Club.
Meadows closed the meeting at 1:30 pm and urged members to think of new people for Council and for President–elect.
Respectfully submitted, Susan Heyner, Secretary Treasurer