Pulse

Volume5/2004_September27PULSE Attilio Renzetti Jr. September 27, 2004 Pulmonary Pioneer Attilio Renzetti Dies Attilio D. Renzetti Jr., M.D., whose trademark bow tie and ready smile were a familiar sight at the School of Medicine, died Sept. 19 in Salt Lake City. He was 83. Born and raised in New York City, Renzetti earned both his undergraduate and medical degrees from Columbia University. He first came to the U in 1952 to establish a pulmonary division in the Department of Medicine. After one year he returned to the east where he held faculty appointments at the State University of New York at Syracuse, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Maryland. In 1961 he returned to Utah to serve as head of the Division of Respiratory, Critical Care, and Occupational ( Pulmonary) Medicine for nearly three decades. He also Continued on back U Pediatrician Wins Early Career Award U pediatrician Anne M. Moon, M.D., Ph.D., received a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers at a ceremony in the Executive Office Building in Washington, D. C. Moon, a critical care pediatrician, assistant professor of pediatrics, and investigator with the program in Human Molecular Biology and Genetics at the School of Medicine, was one of 57 U. S. researchers honored at a Sept. 9 ceremony. Established in 1996, the award is the highest honor given by the U. S. government to promising professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers. Moon received the award, which includes five years' continued funding for her work, for her research into the genetic and developmental causes of congenital heart defects. UNIVERSITY OF UTAH HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER Anne Moon UH Pharmacy Wins Annual Awards University Hospital's Pharmacy Services received several major awards at the Utah Society of Health System Pharmacists' annual meeting held recently. Chris Laman was named Intern of the Year; Barb Olczyk received the Pharmacist of the Year award; and the Home Infusion Pharmacy, led by Bill Wood, was selected for the Pharmaceutical Care Award, which recognizes the group that best exemplifies innovation and patient care. Congratulations Pharmacy Services! Party On for Employee Day All U employees are invited to the first Employee Day Celebration on Thursday, 10 a. m.- 2 p. m., at the Olympic Cauldron Park at Rice-Eccles Stadium. There will be free food, entertainment, employee talent contest, and many giveaways, including 200 pairs of U football tickets for Oct. 23. The event also will feature free massages, rock climbing, karaoke, field-goal kicking, Olympic film, and celebrities. Employees must show their ID cards to enter. For an events schedule, and shuttle times, go to utah.edu/employeeday or call x5-6898. Program Targets Geriatric RN Shortage A new program at the College of Nursing aims to remedy Utah's shortage of geriatric nurses, which is the worst in the country. The Geriatric Nursing Leadership Program (GNLP) targets nurses with associate degrees who want to enhance their skills by specializing in geriatric care through a bachelor's degree or certificate. The Department of Health and Human Services last fall gave $498,772 to fund the program led by Ginny A. Pepper, Ph.D., R.N., and Patricia Berry, Ph.D., APRN. By emphasizing leadership skills, Pepper said, the GNLP will develop a pool of nurses who can become clinical experts and managers in long- term care facilities. They also can mentor licensed practical nurses and certified nurse's assistants already working in nursing homes, hospices, and assisted living facilities, or who provide home care. Nurses interested in the program can call (801) 585-7028. New Dietitian Helps NCS Expand Services Nutrition Care Services (NCS) has expanded its nutrition education services this month by adding another full- time outpatient dietitian. Helping more patients is the goal, according to Anna Mokhova, R.D., C.D., who has joined dietitian Rita Phillipp, R.D., C.D. "We are able to provide informative assessments and qualitative education to prevent complications and improve the medical status of patients," Mokhova said. To schedule an appointment for outpatients, contact Clinic 3, x1-2215. Lab Science Program Offers Classes The U's Medical Laboratory Science Program is offering a non- degree program for graduates with a baccalaureate in biology, chemistry, or microbiology. This 4+ 1 ( four years of pre-professional and one year of professional course work) track runs concurrently with the program's traditional 2+2 track for undergraduate students majoring in Medical Laboratory Science. At the end of the 13-month program, students are eligible to take the national certification exam for medical technologists (ASCP or NCA). Students must apply for acceptance into the program. For more information, contact Larry Schoefif, MT Program Director, x5-6989, or at lschoeff@path.utah.edu. Science Program Plans Open House The Bachelor of Science program in the Department of Pathology is holding an open house on Wednesday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., in the main lobby of the Aline Wilmont Skaggs Biology Building. The booth will feature information about careers in the medical laboratory profession, refreshments, and giveaways. In Memoriam Josie Johnson, a second-year molecular biology student, died Sept. 18, from injuries while riding her bicycle in Big Cottonwood Canyon. She was 25. Co-workers described Johnson as intelligent and vibrant and said she made many good friends in her class and lab rotations. Tyler Helmer, a first-year molecular biology student, died Sept. 18. Originally from Rapid City, S.D., and a graduate of Montana State University, Helmer was energetic, excited about classes, and had a " big love" of science and the outdoors, according to his associates, who said his big, enthusiastic grin will be missed, PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER Fear No Research Coordinator Training The U is offering professional beginner and intermediate training courses, "Fear No Yellow Stickies," for clinical research coordinators. The beginner course, for those with less than two years of research experience, is scheduled for Oct. 4-5 and costs $450. The intermediate course is for those with more than two years of experience as a clinical research coordinator or those who have completed the entry- level training program. "Key Topics I" will be taught on Oct. 6 and "Key Topics II" will be taught on Oct. 7. Registration is $450 for one day or $750 for both days. For more information, contact Paul Johnson, x7-7750 or e- mail him at paul.johnson@hsc.utah.edu. UH Team Cleans Jordan River A team of U employees recently canoed the Jordan River collecting trash for the U's community service Day of Caring on Sept. 9. Pictured left to right are, (sitting) SPLORE guide Sarah Grant and Rachel Harshberger; (middle) Sam Tennant, Melanie Speirs, Wendy Bailey, Jacki Shill, Kathryn Harris, and Eve Toscan; (standing) SPLORE guide Erik Rolstad, Kevin Jones, and Murray Hayward. Thanks for your hard work! Attilio Renzetti continued served as president of the American Thoracic Society and director of the American Lung Association. His research focused primarily on the application of respiratory physiological methods to the study of lung disease, particularly emphysema. He also studied the treatment of tuberculosis and occupational lung disease. He was an extremely active author, editor, consultant, and visiting professor. In 1987, the Attilio D. Renzetti Jr., M.D., Chair was established and he was named the first recipient. uuhsc.utah.ed