Assembly Leader Gives CDM Commencement Address
On May 22nd, New York State Assemblyman Herman “Denny” Farrell, Jr. delivered the commencement address at the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine (CDM) graduation ceremony. First elected in 1974, Assemblyman Farrell represents the 71st district which includes much of the CUMC campus. Assemblyman Farrell has been a very strong supporter of CUMC and has helped secure funding for many CDM programs. Assemblyman Farrell began his remarks by thanking the students and faculty for all the good work they do to promote oral health in the community. He highlighted the mobile dental van and the clinic that CDM runs in the Edward J. Stitt middle school, which the Assemblyman attended when he was growing up in the neighborhood.
 For the first time, CUMC graduations ceremonies were held at the New Balance Track and Field Hall of Fame at the Armory. Assemblyman Farrell spoke about the history of the Armory and how it had evolved from a military installation, to a homeless shelter, to the magnificent museum and athletic facility that it is today. He noted that as a teenager, he had actually done part of his National Guard training in the very same building that the graduates were now sitting.
Assemblyman Farrell ended his remarks with some advice to the class of 2008. Referencing the movie the Graduate he told them to always be sure to enjoy their work and to keep doing it as long as they found it fulfilling and worthwhile.
Congress Considering Legislation to Add $1.2 Billion for Science in 2008
Congress may consider legislation that would add $1.2 billion for science to this year's federal budget. This increase would include $400 million extra for the National Institutes of Health. I urge you to contact your Senators and Members of Congress and ask them to support this vital funding initiative. To help you with your message, you can use a template <http://capwiz.com/ram/issues/alert/?alertid=11446131>drafted by Research!America, whose advocacy tool will send your message directly to your Representatives. You can also go to www.house.gov <http://www.house.gov> and www.senate.gov <http://www.senate.gov>. Please be sure to use your home address, not the address for CUMC. Of course, any communication from you in support of the NIH would be helpful.
Please feel free to contact Ross A. Frommer, Associate Dean for Government and Community Affairs, if you have any questions or need any assistance. You can reach Ross at (212) 305-4967 or at raf2002@columbia.edu. Please take this opportunity to let Congress know how important NIH funding is.
Lions Roar Fiercely at Coogan’s Run
Over 120 Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) faculty, staff, students, and friends, more than double last year’s number, took part in the 10th annual Coogan’s Salsa, Blues, and Shamrocks 5K road race. There were far more CUMC runners than any other team in the race and over twenty families form the Columbia University Head Start also took part in the children’s run.
Held on March 2nd, more than 5,000 runners of all ages, also a record, including world class competitors and local celebrities, celebrated the strong community ties and rich cultural diversity of northern Manhattan, by taking to the streets of Washington Heights. The race started and finished across from the Medical Center at the Armory National Track and Field Hall of Fame, heading up and back on Fort Washington Avenue with a loop through historic and beautiful Fort Tryon Park. A collage of musical groups including gospel, bagpipes, merengue, klezmer, jazz, and salsa bands serenaded the runners along the route. Once again this year members of the Columbia University Dance Team were on hand to route the runners on. After the finish, runners and spectators adjourned to Coogan’s for good food and good fun.
Columbia was victorious once again in the Medical Center Challenge, capturing the contest for the fourth year in a row by defeating runners from the New York Presbyterian Hospital. This year, trainers from Plus 1 Fitness, operators of the hospital fitness center, helped many runners get in shape for the race. Ian Driver, a graduate student in Cellular, Molecular, Structural, and Genetic Studies, was the top male finisher for the CUMC team with a time of 18:01, while Cassie Fairchild from the Department of Medicine led the way on behalf of the CUMC women with a time of 23:05. Congratulations also to John Mann, from the Psychiatric Institute, who finished second among men in his age group. Full results can be found be visiting the New York Roadrunners.
The challenge was cosponsored by CUMC, New York Presbyterian Hospital, the Seasons of Wellness Initiative, Plus 1 Fitness, and the Columbia University Athletic Department.
Deans Make Case for Academic Medicine in New York
More than a dozen Deans, Associate Deans, and Government Affairs Representatives from New York Medical Schools traveled to Albany in February to make their case before the Executive and Legislative branches. The Deans lobbied for items such as continued funding for stem cell research, more money for research infrastructure, debt relief for medical students, and funding for minority recruitment programs. Columbia University Medical Center Vice Dean for Academic Affairs Anne Taylor was among those who participated. After spending some time with two of the Medical Center’s representatives, Assemblymen Herman “Denny” Farrell and Adriano Espaillat, Dr. Taylor joined her colleagues for meetings with Lieutenant Governor David Paterson, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno, and Senate Health Committee Chairman Kemp Hannon.
Caption for attached picture: (l to r), Robert Goldberg from Touro College, Jo Wiederhorn, Executive Director of the Associated Medical Schools of New York, Michael Kane, Dean of the University of Buffalo School of Medicine, Lt. Governor Paterson, Dr. Taylor and Steven Strongwater, Chief Executive Officer of the Stony Brook University Hospital.
Alianza Triangle Building Groundbreaking
On February 8, 2008, Columbia University leadership joined Alianza Dominicana, The Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone, Borough Presdient Scott Stringer, Congressman Charles B. Rangel and the Washington Heights-Inwood community for the groundbreaking of the long-awaited Alianza Dominicana Triangle. Alianza Dominicana will begin construction of a six-story building in the heart of the medical center community – 166th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue. In addition to housing for profit business and non-profit community services, the Triangle will be the home of first Dominican/Latino cultural center - Casa Afro-Quisqueya Cultural Center.
The project counts with strong support and contributions of Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone, Columbia University and various elected officials including Congressman Charles Rangel, State Senator Eric T. Schneiderman, Borough President Scott Stringer and Councilman Miguel Martinez.
Speaker Quinn Comes to CUMC to Lead Fight to Prevent Bedbugs
On January 16th New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, along with three of her colleagues on the Council, Gale Brewer, Robert Jackson, and Miguel Martinez, came to Columbia University Medical Center to unveil a city wide initiative to fight bed bugs. The effort is being lead by the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), who was represented at the press conference by Deputy Commissioner Luis Aragon. HPD will be hosting a series of workshops on what residents can do to prevent and get rid of bedbugs. The first such seminar will be held on January 28th at Columbia University Medical Center. For more information, go to www.nyc.gov.
|
