Medical School’s recycling program bulks up

The Medical School’s student-run recycling program has grown significantly in the past year as interest and awareness has increased.

The volunteer program started with seven bins in four locations around the Medical School last year and now boasts 29 such bins for the collection of aluminum and plastic.

“We have at least one set of bins on every floor, mostly by the green elevators,” said Josh Gowin, a fourth-year graduate student of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. “The Learning Resource Center has increased from two to six recycling bins to accommodate all the Red Bull cans and water bottles that get consumed during exam weeks.”

The group plans to expand with smaller bins in labs, offices, and classrooms, as well as add larger containers in needed locations around the Medical School building.

The types of materials now collected have been expanded to include all plastics, numbers 1-7, and aluminum. UT Facilities provides paper recycling by most copy machines.

Since the program started last summer, 888 lbs. of aluminum and 2,047 lbs. of plastic have been recycled.

“When the program began, we recycled an average of 15 lbs. per week, but now we recycle over 70 lbs. each week and the numbers seem to be growing,” Gowin said.

The demand for recycled waste is improving, Gowin said. “The recycling market took a hit last October when the economy nose-dived, but things are looking better now. If our numbers continue to grow, we may significantly reduce our landfill-bound waste stream, which could potentially save the Medical School money for trash removal. Also, as Waste Management and Allied battle for the recycling market, they may be willing to pay more for our recyclable waste.”

The volunteer group aims to remain sustainable by promoting recycling to the next class as older students move on. New volunteers include, first-year students Jai Gandhi, Jamie Brown, Charles Lundquist, Tyler Schwartz, Chris Michael, and Sean Chislett; second-year students Josh Parry and Paige Sharp; graduate students Singyi Hou, Melissa Broadway, Sheshali Wanchoo, and Proleta Datta; and MD/PhD student Rene Colorado.

“Tzu Chi, a community service organization, has been graciously removing recycling from the MSB once we've collected it,” Gowin added. “A team drives out from Bellaire, takes our plastic and aluminum, and drives it to a recycling drop spot. They've been a big help.”

In addition to volunteers, the group seeks suggestions, input for bin locations, and asks that containers be emptied before recycling. To volunteer, or for more information, contact Gowin, Jade Hatley, Claire Poche, or Gretchen Borck.

— Darla Brown, Office of Communications, Medical School

Dean announces leadership positions

New positions are providing leadership for the Medical School in the areas of hospital affairs, administration, and alumni relations.

Dean Giuseppe Colasurdo announces Craig Cordola as the associate dean for hospital affairs and community partnerships, Dr. Nancy McNiel as associate dean for administrative affairs, Danny Kahalley as the new alumni relations director, and Dr. Henry Strobel as associate dean for faculty affairs and alumni relations. These positions take effect this month.

Cordola, the chief executive officer of Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, has been with Children’s since 2003. “In this new role, Craig will be bringing his expertise in health administration and be involved in exploring strategies for clinical community services jointly with UT Physicians and Memorial Hermann.” Dean Colasurdo said. “I am grateful to Memorial Hermann for allowing Craig to take on these additional duties.”

McNiel, executive director of administration, has been with the Medical School since 2004 and worked at the School of Nursing for 13 years. “Nancy has deep roots in the Health Science Center and this school and has provided invaluable contributions to the Medical School and the Dean’s Office,” Dean Colasurdo said.

Following a national search, Kahalley will come on board as the new director of alumni relations. He previously served as director of admissions at Memphis University School and as an assistant director of admissions at Rhodes College. “I am looking forward to Danny bringing a strategic approach to building and enhancing our alumni programs,” Dean Colasurdo said.

Strobel, associate dean for faculty affairs, will add the responsibilities of alumni relations to his position. A faculty member in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Strobel joined the Medical School in 1972, shortly after it opened. “Dr. Strobel knows the history and the alumni of this school and brings a wealth of knowledge to this position,” Dean Colasurdo said.

— Darla Brown, Office of Communications, Medical School

Fun Fest 2009 — Rodeo Carnival set Oct. 23

Mark your calendar for Fun Fest — the major fall event for the entire health science center community — from 2–6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 23, at Texas Medical Center–Grant Faye Park. The committee members have been working all year to bring you fun and excitement to show the university’s appreciation for all you do.

This year’s rodeo carnival theme will feature music, dancing, free food, giveaways, and our popular Chili Cook-Off and Hot Salsa Contest (all faculty, staff, students, individual departments and “interdisciplinary” teams are eligible to compete). Be sure to dust off your boots and shape your cowboy hat to enter the Western Wear Competition. Visit Fun Fest 2009 to learn more.

To volunteer for Fun Fest, contact Rose Betancourt-Trevino, 713.500.3209.

SECC lasts through October

The State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC) kicked off at the Medical School with a reception in the Leather Lounge Oct. 8 to help familiarize employees with the campaign and some of the charities supported by it.

Door prizes were awarded, and the lucky winners were Julisa Anaya, Trish McFarland, Amity Fath, Linda Saenz, and Vi Nguyen. Dr. Henry Strobel and Dr. Nancy McNiel spoke on behalf of Dean Colasurdo, encouraging the Medical School community to remember those less fortunate.

Each department has a volunteer who has campaign brochures and contribution forms and will be contacting every employee in the department to contribute to their favorite charities during the campaign, which lasts through the month of October.

Remember that you can contribute as little as $2 a paycheck and every dollar counts! Please join us as we “change lives, shape the future.”

Kidney disease seminar set Oct. 24

The NephCure Foundation is hosting a lunch and learn education seminar for the patients, family, and friends of those with nephrotic syndrome/focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS). The goal of the free seminar is to present advances in care and research.

Speakers include Dr. Donald Molony, professor of internal medicine, who will talk on “Experimental drugs and experimental clinical trials: Structure and new therapeutic and approaches;” Dr. Joshua Samuels, assistant professor of internal medicine, who will speak on “Transition to adult care and treatment for adult patients;” and Dr. Brett Stephens, assistant professor of internal medicine, addressing “Dialysis Information.”

The event will be held 8:45 a.m.–1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Hilton Houston Plaza, Medical Center. For more details, contact Pegah Safaeian, 610.540.0186, Ext. 25.

The NephCure Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports research seeking the cause of FSGS and nephrotic syndrome to improve treatment and find the cure.

Faculty development leave proposals due Nov. 1

Proposals for Faculty Development Leave are due Nov. 1 in the Office of Faculty Affairs, MSG G.300.

Proposals can be submitted twice a year: November and April. View the guidelines. For questions, call Faye Viola, 713.500.5101.

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