Message of the Week #160
September 24th, 2002

NOTICES:
AOA AWARDS, SCHOLARSHIPS, FELLOWSHIPS: Open to all medical students from the national Alpha Omega Alpha. Medical Student Service Project Award, Student Essay Award, Student Research Award Fellowship. To learn more about these awards go to the Student Services Web Page, under organizations, Alpha Omega Alpha National Link, or http://www.alphaomegaalpha.org/AwardandPrograms.htm. If you are interested please contact Carol Kurcaba in Student Services for deadlines at ckurcaba@hsc.wvu.edu. We have had student win these national awards before. This is an excellent way to build a great CV for residency applications.

STUDENT HANDBOOK: The Office of Student Services has assembled an on-line student handbook for our students. It is available in an electronic format via the student services site in SOLE. This is a work in progress and we anticipate changes in the future. Your input would be very helpful.

EVENTS:
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE ALUMNI WEEKEND 2002: October 18; 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Lakeview Kick Off Reception hosted by Dean D'Alessandri (reception for School of Medicine alumni, faculty, students and housestaff). Watch for details in your mail box.

FALL FAMILY WEEKEND: Fall Family Weekend 2002 at the Health Sciences Center Robert M. D'Alessandri, MD Vice President for Health Sciences along with faculty and staff invite you to a MOUNTAINEER BREAKFAST for families and students of the Health Sciences Center. Saturday, September 28 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. HSC Cafeteria East Carolina vs. WVU (planned kickoff at 12 Noon) RSVP by September 16 to HSC Office of Alumni Affairs 293-5110 or e-mail Gina at gslaugenhoup@hsc.wvu.edu

FOOTBALL TENTS: The School of Medicine / Student Tent is being held under the POC Portico on Sat., Oct. 5 Maryland Game and Sat., Oct. 26 Miami Game. You should have received a flyer in your HSC Mailbox. Each medical student may invite one guest. If you would like to attend the tent - you must RSVP on the DEMOGRAPHIC Page! If you have not done this, you will not be admitted to the Tent! If you do not RSVP or you decide to bring an additional guest then you could be charged a fee of $5.00 per person. SO, SEND IN YOUR RSVP!!!!! If you have any questions, contact Carol Kurcaba in Student Services at ckurcaba@hsc.wvu.edu.

AOA: Next planning meeting for Morgantown and Charleston members has been set for Tues., Oct. 22 from noon -1 p.m. Morgantown will be in the WV Room, Charleston location TBD.

AOA: Spring Elections for MSIII's, Residents, Faculty and Alumni has been set for January 22, 2003, 5:00 p.m. Morgantown - JEJones Conf. Rm. "A", Charleston - Room 3290.

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What's Happening this Week - Morgantown:

BLOOD DRIVE will be held Wednesday, September 25, 2002 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the John Jones Conference Center. Please call 598-4118 to schedule an appointment. Mark your calender for future drives: October 16, November 25, December 19

FREE HIV TESTING: Free, confidential OraSure HIV antibody testing will be available to WVU students through the University Health Service's (UHS) Health Education Program on Sept. 25, 26, and 27. OraSure is an alternative to the standard blood test and uses a specially treated pad placed in a person's mouth to collect an oral fluid called oral mucosal transudate. OraSure is more than 99 percent accurate in detecting HIV antibodies. The testing is being conducted in cooperation with the W.Va. Bureau for Public Health State AIDS Program. Testing is available by appointment at both the Health Sciences Center and the Carruth Center for Counseling on the downtown campus. Walk-ins will be accepted on a space available basis only. Being aware of one's HIV status enables an individual to take necessary precautions to prevent spreading HIV to others and offers benefits of treatment before symptoms emerge to delay the onset of serious complications associated with HIV or AIDS. To schedule an appointment or for more information, contact Peggy Kovac, Coordinator, Health Education Program, UHS, 293-7181.

STUDENT SERVICES OFFICE will be closed Thursday, September 26, 11:30 - 4:00 p.m., for a staff retreat with the Alumni Office. Thank you for your patience during this time.

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS: If you did not have representation at the organizational meeting held on Fri., Sept. 6, you have until September 30, 2002 to get your organizations information to Carol Kurcaba in Student Services. If we don't have the required information from you by Sept. 30 your organization will be classified as inactive. If you have questions please contact Carol at ckurcaba@hsc.wvu.edu. Check your email on September 11 regarding the required information needed.

BLIZZARD BOXES for homebound seniors: The West Virginia University Center on Aging will join forces with AARP in collecting non-perishable food items to be included in Blizzard Boxes. These boxes will provide emergency food supplies to homebound seniors in the event of severe weather. The community is invited to join us on September 26 for the statewide AARP Day of Service, a national effort to strengthen communities through volunteerism initiated following the events on September 11, to assemble the Blizzard Boxes at the Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center Pylon's Lobby from 8:30 to 11 am. Food donations may be dropped at several drop box locations at the Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center which include the Pylon's Lobby, both Cafeterias and Center on Aging's offices as well as Ruby Memorial Hospital Cafeteria and Volunteer office by September 25. Single-serving, food portion items needed include canned spaghetti, beef or chicken stews, vegetables, tuna or soups, crackers, bottled or canned juices, or fruit cups. For more information contact Maria Durbin, WVU Center on Aging- Assistant Director for Public Affairs and Center Coordination, at (304) 293-2968.

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE GRAND ROUNDS: Topic - Quantum Physics and Prayer, Speaker - Dr. Timothy Saxe, Medical Associates, Room JJCR, 1,2,3. September 27, from noon - 1 p.m.

DIVERSITY WEEK: Ceremonies will be held on Thurs., October 17, 2002, John Jones Conf. Center. Come join in the festivities!

Class Notes:
RUBY HOSPITAL WEB ACCESS: All clinical students should have access to the Ruby Web via SWS. Please note these instructions: The login name for SWS (internet access) will be your last name and first initial. You will need to use the Chip password. Also, you will need to enter the login name and password in lowercase. If you are not able to login to the internet contact the Customer Support Desk at 598-4357 (HELP) to have the password reset.

MS 4/Class of 2003:
LAST CALL FOR GETTING TO RESIDENCY - Response Deadline - Friday, September 27:
Morgantown Campus: Thursday, October 10, from 3:00 - 5:00 pm, John Jones Conf. Rms, 1,2,3
Charleston Campus: Tuesday, October 15, from 11:30 am - 3:30 pm , 4th floor WVU Building.
RSVP this email if you wish to attend and have not yet registered. Specify which campus program and your desired specialty.

MATCH LUNCHEON: Thursday, March 20, 2003 - 12:00 - 2:00 p.m., Erickson Alumni Center.

MS 3/Class of 2004:
CLASS EMAIL: Carefully read the class email sent from Drs. Cather and Ferrari.

MS 2/Class of 2005:
BEST WISHES as you prepare for your exams on Monday.

FALL EXAM SCHEDULES with rooms, times, and computer requirements are posted both on the Student Services Web calender and the Office of Medical Education web site.

CLASS COMPUTER COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE position has been filled by Sohyun Boo. He will join Stacey Humphreys in this role representing your class. Thank you to all who were willing to serve in this capacity.

KAPLAN USMLE STEP 1 REVIEW PROGRAM REGISTRATION will take place this week. Watch your class emails for information.

MS 1/Class of 2006:
BEST WISHES as you prepare for your exams on Monday.

FALL EXAM SCHEDULES with rooms, times, and computer requirements are posted both on the Student Services Web calender and the Office of Medical Education web site.

CLASS COMPUTER COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE positions have been assigned to Drew Epling and Tommy Caranasos. Thank you to all who were willing to serve in this capacity.

SNOW BALL: February, 15, 2003, Lakeview, Chestnut Rooms A&B. More information to come.

FIELD TRIP: March 14, 2003. Students will depart from the WVU Coliseum and ride the buses to Charleston. The buses will depart at 7:30 a.m. and return around 7 p.m. You will be touring all the different facilities on the Charleston Campus.

COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES:
AMERICAN HEART WALK: WVUH is sponsoring the American Heart Walk on Sunday October 27th from 2 to 4 PM at the WVU track near the Coliseum. Students can earn 3 hours of community service credit - 2 hours for walking and 1 hour for finding sponsors. The event is followed by a meal provided by Texas Roadhouse. Funds raised go to support American Heart Association. We are looking for student team leaders who can coordinate teams of up to 10 walkers. Team leaders can earn an additional hour of community service credit. Those students interested in walking or being a team leader should contact Dr. Ferrari, nferrari@Hsc.wvu.edu

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What's Happening This Week - Charleston:

Class Notes:
MS 4/ Class of 2003:
MOCK INTERVIEW LUNCHEON: If you haven't as yet e-mailed your response of an entree choice to Tammy for the luncheon, you have until noon Wednesday, September 25th, to do so. The choices are lamb, quail, or vegetarian. If your selection is not received by the deadline, the default choice of lamb will be ordered for you. You may reply to this or call Tammy at 347-1210 or 1-877-988-2427.

LAST CALL FOR GETTING TO RESIDENCY - Response Deadline - Friday, September 27:
Morgantown Campus: Thursday, October 10, from 3:00 - 5:00 pm, John Jones Conf. Rms, 1,2,3
Charleston Campus: Tuesday, October 15, from 11:30 am - 3:30 pm , 4th floor WVU Building.
RSVP this email if you wish to attend and have not yet registered. Specify which campus program and your desired specialty.

RESIDENCY TRANSCRIPTS: Drop by Tammy's desk in the Student Services office as soon as you can to fill out a transcript request form for your residency application if that's still on your "to do" list. Bring your checkbook to cover the $6.00 fee as cash cannot be accepted.

Community Service Opportunities:
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY RELAY: October 4, 2002, St. Albans roadside park, 6:00 pm. They are in need of volunteers before October 4 also to go into the community and pass out information and look for cancer survivors among several other things. If you are interested in volunteering at either time please contact Janeene Foster @ 746.9950.

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External Announcements:
2002 BENEDUM LECTURE SERIES:
Wednesday, October 2: David R. Franz, Vice President of the Chemical and Biological Defense Division at the Southern Research Institute in Frederick, Maryland "Bioterrorism . . . after September 11, 2001"

Wednesday, October 9: Amira E. Sonbol, Associate Professor of Islamic History, Law and Society at the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University, "Muslim Women in the Twenty-First Century""

Wednesday, October 16: Shibley Telhami, Anwar Sadat Professor for Peace and Development at the University of Maryland, College Park, "The Stakes: America, The War on Terrorism, and the Middle East"

GOLD FOUNDATION ESSAY CONTEST: The Deadline has been extended to October 15. First Prize: $1,000., Second Prize: $500., Third Prize: $250., Theme A Humanistic Role Model in My Medical Career (students may be creative in how they define this person, it needn't be limited to a physician. Last year's first prize essay appears in the new issue of Academic Medicine, pg. 892-893. For details and to download the entry form, go to www.humanism-in-medicine.org, click on Programs/Events, then Essay Contest.

PRESTON COUNTY BUCKWHEAT FESTIVAL: Kingwood, WV, September 23-29, 2002. Arts/crafts, amusement park rides, games, buckwheat cakes, sausage, etc.

SPAGHETTI DINNER: Brookhaven United Methodist Church - Sun., Sept. 20 from 1 - 6 p.m. Eat In or Carry Out. Menu: spaghetti, garden salad, bread, and homemade dessert. Tickets $6 for Adults $3 for Children 12 and under. For more information contact Bill Rifle at 292-0157 or email at Rockforge@aol.com and use Spaghetti Dinner for subject heading.. Proceeds to benefit Boy Scout Troop 48 of Mountaineer Area Council.

MOUNTAINEER WEEK: Craft Fair and Quilt Show, November 1,2,& 3, 2002. Traditional, Contemporary Crafts of Appalachia, Food, traditional music and demonstrations/exhibitions. Mountainlair, E. Moore Hall. Pottery, woodworking, foods, jewelry, textiles, basketry, paper works, stained glass, painting, folk toys and dolls, metalwork, herbals and florals, leather, photography.