The Bulletin - Fall 1996, Volume 81. No. 2

Barbara Bass, M.D., professor, department of surgery, vice chair for Veteran Affairs and chief of surgical services for Veteran Affairs Maryland Health Care systems, has been named administrative chair of the department of surgery.

A committee has been established to develop generic guidelines for departments to comply with the policy on comprehensive review of faculty. The committee will be chaired by Mordecai Blaustein, Ph.D., professor and chair, department of physiology.

Miriam Blitzer, Ph.D., research associate professor, department of pediatrics, has been elected treasurer of the American Board of Medical Genetics, the accrediting arm of the genetics community.

Joseph Burnett, M.D., professor and acting chair, department of dermatology, was invited on a five-city book tour in Australia celebrating the publication of Venomous and Poisonous Marine Animals, which he co-edited.

William Carpenter, M.D., professor, department of psychiatry, spoke about "The Science of Hope: Breakthroughs in Schizophrenia Research" at a Decade of the Brain Symposium. The symposium was held to inform congressional leaders about opportunities for brain research.

Bruce Fowler, Ph.D., director of toxicology and professor, department of pathology, has been appointed chairman of the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) scientific committee on the toxicology of metals. The ICOH is one of the largest occupational health organizations in the world.

Denise Harmening, Ph.D., professor and chair, department of medical and research technology, has been appointed by the United States Department of Health and Human Services to the National Commission on Allied Health Implementation Task Force, which is charged with conducting a comprehensive review of the recommendations from the report of the National Commission on Allied Health.

Felix Heald, M.D., has been designated professor emeritus, department of pediatrics in recognition of his years of teaching, administration and service to the School of Medicine.

Eve Higginbotham, M.D., professor and chair, department of ophthalmology, has been appointed a representative of the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology.

Michael Lipsky, Ph.D., associate professor, department of pathology, has been appointed as coordinator of the graduate program in pathology.

David Mallott, M.D., coordinator of problem-based learning and associate professor, department of psychiatry, is serving as acting director of the office of medical education upon the retirement of associate dean Murray Kappelman, M.D.

Marcella Sarzotti-Kelsoe, Ph.D., assistant professor of microbiology, was an invited presenter at the Royal Society of Medicine Section of Clinical Immunology and Allergy in England. She spoke on her work in the development of the immune system of newborn mice.

Adil Shamoo, Ph.D., professor, department of biochemistry and microbiology, delivered the Third Howell Science Lecture at East Carolina University. His topic was "Ethics in Research."

A division of diabetes, obesity and nutrition has been established in the department of medicine. The division will be directed by Alan Shuldiner, M.D., professor of medicine.

"The Snow," a choral work composed by Scott Steidl, M.D., director of retina surgery and assistant professor, department of ophthalmology, was debuted in a recent performance by the Constabile Chamber Chorale in New Jersey.

David Stewart, M.D., medical school associate professor, vice chair, department of family medicine and assistant dean of ambulatory education, was nominated by Association of American Medical Colleges president Jordan Cohen, M.D. for the 1997 Public Health Service Primary Care Policy Fellowship.

Judy Strum, Ph.D., professor, department of anatomy, has been appointed a member of the United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 Test Material Development Committee for Anatomy and the National Board of Medical Examiners Anatomy Test Committee.

Donald E. Wilson, M.D., M.A.C.P., dean, has been invited to serve on the National Advisory Research Resources Council of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The council advises the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Assistant Secretary for Health and the director of NIH on how to strengthen and enhance the research environments of entities engaged in health-related research.

Honor Roll Addendum

In the 1995-96 Honor Roll of Donors, published in the winter issue of The Bulletin magazine, we neglected to acknowledge Frank M. Calia, M.D., as an 1807 Circle Member.

The Bulletin apologizes for this omission and wishes to thank Dr. Calia for his contribution to the School of Medicine.

Staff

Bernard Carpenter Jr., executive director of University Physicians, Inc. has been appointed assistant dean for clinical practice.

Gregory Handlir, associate dean for resource management, was appointed to the Maryvale Preparatory School Board of Trustees. As part of his responsibilities, he will serve on the school's strategic planning committee.

Garvin Maffett, Ed.D., director of development, School of Medicine, has been selected to chair the Leadership Development Committee of the Association of American Medical Colleges Group on Institutional Advancement.

Gregory Robinson, assistant dean for operations and human services, and Angela Page, clinic coordinator, department of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences, were both nominated for the first University of Maryland at Baltimore Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Diversity Achievement Award. This award recognizes an individual or group in the UMAB community who has been a leader and inspired others in the pursuit of harmony and diversity.

Sharon Stenhouse, program of continuing education, has earned the designation of Certified Meeting Professional from the Convention Liaison Council. The program is based upon professional experience and academic examination.

Helrich Honored

Martin Helrich, M.D., professor emeritus and former chair, department of anesthesiology, has been honored by the American Society of Anesthesiologists with its 1996 Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor bestowed on an anesthesiologist for meritorious service and career achievement.

Dr. Helrich's career began at Maryland in 1956, when he was hired to direct the fledgling department of anesthesiology. At the time, what was then known as University Hospital had only four operating rooms, none of them with air conditioning or humidity control. Nor were there recovery rooms, intensive care units or anesthesiological subspecialties. The residency program boasted all of four physicians-in-training. When Dr. Helrich's tenure ended more than 30 years later, more than 300 anesthesiology residents had trained in various programs, including subspecialties such as high-risk obstetrics and pain management.

He has held many prestigious posts, among them: executive director of the Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research; chair of the Food and Drug Administration Advisory Committee on Respiratory and Anesthetic Drugs; president of the American Board of Anesthesiology; and president of the Residency Review Committee for Anesthesiology.

Upon his retirement, in recognition of his remarkable contributions to education and training, faculty and friends endowed the Martin Helrich Chair in Anesthesiology and, more recently, dedicated the School of Medicine's anesthesia library in his name.

Donate your Antique Medical Artifacts

On display in Davidge Hall are a number of antique medical artifacts owned by the Medical Alumni Association. We are proud of our displays and are eager to see the collection grow. If you are interested in donating instruments or literary works to the Medical Alumni Association, please contact us at (410) 706-7454.