Spring 2009
Message from the Dean
Welcome to the spring 2009 “Academic Edge,” the official newsletter for
the School of Health Professions. In this issue we celebrate the vigorous
growth our school has undergone in the last few months, and the spirit
of our students, faculty, and staff whose ability to embrace change and
challenge continue to make our school a success.
• In the fall of 2008, we initiated our first junior-year entry level for the
baccalaureate programs in clinical laboratory sciences, cytotechnology, cytogenetic technology, molecular genetic technology, and radiation therapy;
currently we have 56 junior students who will be ready to move on to the
senior year of their chosen specialty in August 2009.
• Eighty-nine students participated in our August 2008 commencement exercises. The graduates included the inaugural class of our three-year program in diagnostic imaging, which accepted its first students in 2005.
• We started 2009 with a new name and a brand new facility. Renamed the “School of Health Professions,” our school
moved into a completely rebuilt space in the research wing of the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. For the first time, the
faculty and staff offices, as well as all classrooms, clinical labs, and radiologic sciences clinical sites are located in the same
area of the institution. Our enrollment is at a record high of 203, and we are making ample use of our new space.
• The school has moved on to the next phase of re-accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
with the implementation of our five-year Quality Enhancement Plan project: “It’s Critical to Think Critically.” By continuing to emphasize critical thinking in every aspect of our teaching and learning, we will continue to ensure that our
graduates are fully prepared to face the challenges of a rapidly-changing workplace.
I hope you enjoy this edition of our newsletter, and encourage you to contact us if you are interested in more information
about our school and its programs. We look forward to hearing from you.
Michael J. Ahearn, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Health Professions
www.mdanderson.org/healthsciences
Feature stories
Building a New Foundation
Editor
Michael J. Ahearn, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Health Professions
Writer
Susan Madigan
Media Coordinator
School of Health Professions
page 2
Introducing Our Junior Year
page 4
Graduation 2008
page 6
Photography
Barry G. Smith (cover, pp 1-9)
F. Carter Smith (i, back)
Art Direction and Design
Jeremy Van Pelt
Director of Graphic Services
The University of Texas Health Science
Center at Houston
Printing and Media Services
Departments
Student Honors
page 7
On the Cover
A classroom scene in the School of
Health Professions’ new facilities.
Medical Dosimetry Instructor Mahsa
Dehghanpour and students (L-R: Pouya
Dehghanpour, Joshua Howard, Renee
Barrett) assess the quality of a radiation
treatment plan.
The University of Texas
M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
School of Health Professions- Unit 2
1515 Holcombe Blvd.
Houston, TX 77030-4009
713-745-1205
www.mdanderson.org/healthsciences
Program News
Page 8 - 9
Student Life
Page 9
1
Building
a new
foundation
When School of Health Professions students returned to school after the winter
break in January 2009, they stepped
into a whole new world. The school had
completed its move into a newly-built
facility that combines elegance with
practicality: the latest innovations in
educational technology in every classroom, spacious study and break areas,
an inviting student lounge, and easy access to computer stations, printers, and
copiers. The new 27,100 sq ft facility is
located in the heart of the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center’s research building,
and it is in this setting that theory and
practice come together. Faculty and
administrative staff are now located in a
14,200 sq ft. area with spacious conference
rooms that promote a collegial attitude, and
shared resources that increase efficiency
and lower overall costs.
2
A specialized classroom for the medical dosimetry program
ensures that students have the resources to learn the tools
of their chosen specialty. Classroom computers help them
to become familiar with the highly specialized treatment
planning software that enables a dosimetrist to translate
the radiation oncologist’s treatment prescription into an individualized radiation treatment plan. A light box enables
students Paige Brown, Raymond Chiu, and Renee Barrett
to practice marking x-ray films as part of the preparation
for developing a radiation therapy treatment plan. As students advance, they broaden their skills through observation and mentored practice in a clinic setting.
Room
to learn
The school’s second floor classroom wing includes six spacious internet-connected classrooms and two tiered lecture halls, with internet and distance-learning capability, a feature that greatly facilitates the participation of those radiation therapy
second-year students on rotation at the affiliated Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas
250 miles away. In addition, lectures to a combined group of first-year students
from the diagnostic imaging and the radiation therapy programs are easily
accommodated in this setting. The lecture halls are also used for visiting
speakers and school-wide presentations.
3
Introducing our
junior year
In August 2008, the school welcomed its first junior students in clinical laboratory
science, cytotechnology, cytogenetic technology and molecular genetic technology. The two-semester junior year was added to these baccalaureate programs to
better prepare our students for a career in their chosen specialty and in response
to a Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board position that encourages baccalaureate-level institutions to provide prospective students with a seamless transition from two-year institutions. Our baccalaureate radiation therapy program has
also become a two-year program, with entry at a first-year level that consists of 12
months of academic courses designed to prepare our students for the secondyear radiation therapy curriculum.
a
4
b
Laboratory sciences
Junior students in the laboratory sciences spend two semesters in both
the classroom and the lab, building the
groundwork for the 12-month senior
year. Typically, students entering these
programs would have needed to earn
30 additional semester credits to enter
the senior year. Now, they will earn
those credit hours as juniors in the
School of Health Professions, and will
also be well prepared for their senior
year in our programs.
(P.3, picture a) The new facilities for laboratory sciences include a 40-seat general
chemistry junior teaching lab where students Cacye Connolly (molecular genetic
technology) and Yiyang Wu (cytogenetic
technology) document the connection
between classroom theory and hands-on
laboratory practice.
(P.4, picture b) Across the hall, cytotechnology student Fatima Abdullah and
Instructor Catherine
Murphy review a
microscope slide
in the cytology
teaching lab. In this
Changes in squamous
cells indicating the
presence of the human
pappiloma virus.
program, students
learn to examine
human cells for
subtle clues that
In the student lab for the diagnostic imaging program, sophomore and junior students Amy Tellez, Chris Miller,
Jessica Laban, and Liz Bernardo position a patient “phantom” in the multi-slice CT scanner.
Radiological sciences
The new diagnostic imaging student lab is equipped with diagnostic instrumentation
signal the presence of disease using mi-
donated to the school by the cancer center’s Division of Diagnostic Imaging as part
croscopes and a variety of highly special-
of their ongoing commitment to the school’s three-year diagnostic imaging program.
ized diagnostic tools that include com-
In this setting, diagnostic imaging sophomore and junior students learn patient
puter digital imaging, molecular biological
placement and exposure techniques by making images of the radiology phantom, a
techniques and genetic marker studies.
life-like model of a human being that is complete with movable limbs and simulated
internal organs and tissues. Senior students may choose between a course of study
in Magnetic Imaging Resonance (MRI) or an Education/Management specialty that
provides them the opportunity to serve internships with program faculty as part of
their course work.
5
graduation
a
08
c
Congratulations
Class of 2008
b
a: Commencement speaker, Shara Fryer b: Provost Raymond Du Bois, MD, PhD, congratulates medical
dosimetry graduate Chad Schmalz c: Histotechnology Program Director Hazel Dalton, and instructor Mark
Bailey, with Daisy Dunklee, winner of histotechnology’s “Outstanding Student” award.
6
The August commencement ceremony for
hand experience as a patient at the University
tients and the efforts of health professionals
the School of Health Professions’ class of 2008
of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, and
who specialize in the laboratory or radiologic
broke new ground, with a record 105 gradu-
described the strong bond that exists between
sciences, no matter how big the institution is
ates from the school’s eight programs: clinical
patients and care givers who are both knowl-
or how removed their discipline may seem to
laboratory science, cytogenetic technology,
edgeable and compassionate. She told the stu-
be from direct patient care. This philosophy
cytotechnology, diagnostic imaging, histotech-
dents, “You have worked very hard to be here.
is echoed in the cancer center’s core values of
nology, medical dosimetry, molecular genetics
You may not realize this yet, but, for patients,
“Caring, Integrity, and Discovery” which are
technology, and radiation therapy. Included in
you are the embodiment of hope. We rely not
also an integral part of the school’s philosophy.
the group were the first graduates of the three-
only on your training and knowledge, but also
After presentation of the degrees, the cer-
year Diagnostic Imaging program established
the intangible parts of your spirit… to inspire us
emony concluded with a reception during
in 2005. The commencement speaker, Shara
as we face the most challenging moments of our
which the new graduates celebrated their
Fryer, a local and national television journalist,
lives.” Ms. Fryer’s address served as a reminder
great achievement with friends, family, and
is also a cancer survivor. She spoke of her first-
that there is always a connection between pa-
proud faculty.
awards
student honors
Scholarship Awards
2007-2008 School of Health Professions
for health care professionals. Scholarships
make it possible for deserving and able students to devote the necessary time and energy to their studies and clinical rotations.
The annual event allows students to express
their appreciation to donors and also share
details of their school experiences. For the
donors, it is an opportunity to see first-hand
Cytotechnology student, Sara Vasquez, is joined by
Dean Ahearn and former Cytotechnology Program
Director, Christina Alapat in celebration of the scholarship award that honors Ms. Alapat’s over 20 years
of service to the school.
the impact of their support on the present and
At the start of the annual spring scholarship
Scholarship - 1, Dell Family Scholarship - 6,
luncheon, Dean Michael Ahearn recognized
Diagnostic Imaging Scholarship – 2; Jane &
the eight families and organizations whose
Phil Yeckel Scholarship – 4; Katharine Kinsler
support made it possible to award students a
Shaw Scholarship – 1, M. D. Anderson Schol-
record-breaking twenty-five scholarships. He
arship – 5, North Dallas Business & Profes-
thanked the donors for acting on their shared
sional Women’s Club – 1, Texas Federation of
belief in the importance of higher education
Business & Professional Women’s Clubs – 5.
future lives of students.
The following eight scholarships were awarded to a total of 25 students: Christina Alapat
Students Earn National Recognition
Two students from the molecular genetic technology program
won national recognition at the annual national meeting of the
Association of Genetic Technologists (AGT) in June 2008. Keith
Newton won the national student research competition award for:
“Amplification of the GLI1 Gene in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia”
and Claudia Arambula won the student Poster Competition for “Assessment and Validation of Wellaware for use in Forensic Casework
versus Conventional Manual Methods.” The school’s molecular genetics technology baccalaureate program is one of only six diagnostic
molecular science programs in the nation accredited by the National
Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.
Keith Newton and Claudia Arambula at the national Association of
Genetic Technologists annual meeting, June 2008
7
laboratory sciences
Histotechnology
Combining Science and Art
Histologic professionals use highly skilled laboratory techniques to turn surgical specimens into micro-thin frozen and paraffin sections that are then
carefully stained to reveal the presence of a variety of tissues and cell types.
Often, they must work under pressure as a surgeon waits for a report based
on the histotechnologist’s delicate work. The first time that life-long artist
and histotechnology student Sireesha Amaram saw
the vivid colors and patterns that emerge during
the process of staining and counter-staining paraffin frozen section tissue samples, she knew what her
next career would be. As a histotechnologist, she
will work in partnership with pathologists who rely
on well-prepared slides to enable them to make the
quick and accurate diagnosis that is a vital part of every
patient’s treatment. The school’s 12-month program
currently offers a histologic technician certification; it Histotechnology Instructor Roxane Walden, herself a 1996 graduate of the program, supervises student
is in the process of seeking accreditation to become Sireesha Amaram as she applies a carbohydrate special stain to reveal the presence of glycogen in a
paraffin-embedded liver tissue specimen.
a histotechnologist baccalaureate program.
Cytogenetic Technology
Unlocking the Puzzles of Genetic Disease and Its Treatment.
Karyotyping: One of the many skills students develop is the art of identifying and sorting chromosomes they
have isolated from the nucleus of a single cell, creating what is known as a karyotype.
C
ytogenetic technologists are naturally curious. They enjoy the challenge of studying
chromosomes and genes to examine the cellular blueprint that dictates how our bodies
develop, grow, and function. The cytogenetic technology baccalaureate program is a highly
intensive, hands-on, course of study that offers entry at the junior level and includes karyotyping, fluorescent in situ hybridization, and sophisticated computer imaging. In addition to
providing diagnostic patient care at M. D. Anderson, cytogenetic technology plays a vital
role in the research and development of gene-targeted therapy, and the steps taken to evaluate
the effectiveness of such measures.
8
Senior student Jennifer Lau, performs a karyotype
analysis while Cytogenetics Instructor, Jun Gu,
provides guidance.
student life
Student Congress
L
ed by president Brandy Christopher and
vice-president Kathleen Kennedy, the
27 elected members of the school’s Student
Congress meet once a month to address the
concerns of the greater student body. During the fall semester, council members and
many other volunteers from among the student body raised $4,209.00 through fund
drives and the annual chili cook-off and
raffle. The council raised enough money
to brighten the lives of nine patients and
their families through the M. D. Anderson
Cancer Center’s annual December adopta-family program.
Brock Kirkland, School of Health Professions’ studentbody representative to the Texas Medical Center
(TMC) Student Advisory Council, informs student
congress about an upcoming student “social” hosted
by the TMC.
(L-R) Daisy Rios and Joanne Meredith Espinoza
display the perfect chili dog.
New learning spaces
Theory and Practice Meet in the Diagnostic Imaging Lab
Sophomore and junior
students practice anatomy
positioning skills in the diagnostic imaging student lab
suite, while the Diagnostic
Imaging Instructor and two
of the program’s Education/
Management senior students
observe their technique (L-R
Amy Tellez, Chris Miller, Liz
Bernardo, Instructor Suzieann
Richards-Bass, and senior students Hong Mai and (seated)
Cristy Reyes
The school’s new diagnostic imaging lab consists of a radiographic suite that includes a multi-slice CT scanner, a
mammography unit, a plain radiography machine and a retrofitted dark room.The lab enables sophomore and junior
students to learn and practice new-found skills without disrupting the activities of the cancer center’s diagnostic imaging clinical areas.The retrofitted dark room provides a rare hands-on opportunity to manually develop X-ray film
taken of the phantom’s anatomy. Exposure values of the darkroom film screen are then compared to digital (DR) or
computerized (CR) images, providing students with the opportunity to learn the importance of choosing exposure
techniques that will result in good, readable, diagnostic radiographs using any radiographic system. In addition, this
experience provides students with life-long critical thinking skills that will serve them well in their future careers.
9
The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
School of Health Professions - Unit 2
1515 Holcombe Blvd.
Houston, TX 77030- 9984
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 7052
Houston, Texas
alumni notes
Where Are They Now? Chris Einspahr (05) and Susan Zhang (07) both chose the Clinical Laboratory
Sciences program in the School of Health Professions because of their keen interest in microbiology.
After graduation they easily transitioned into medical technologist positions in the M. D. Anderson
Cancer Center’s very busy microbiology lab.
Chris was a pre-med student when he took his first college microbiology class, and realized then that
the detective work involved in unlocking the puzzles of infectious disease through microbiology was
the challenge he’d been looking for in medicine. At M. D. Anderson, he has enjoyed working on a great
variety of cases that have called into play all the puzzle-solving skills he learned in his course work,
giving him the satisfaction of knowing he made the right career choice.
Susan says that, in the microbiology lab, she enjoys the challenge of identifying bacteria that have been
grown or “cultured” from blood or fluid samples of patients who have an infection. Once the bacterium is identified, she runs careful sensitivity tests to establish which antibiotic would be effective
against the infection. In a cancer center such as M. D. Anderson, where patients often have lowered immunity, it’s vital to identify and fight a patient’s infection as soon as possible. Susan feels that, “Although
patients never see us, when we call in that culture and sensitivity report to the doctor, we know we
are playing a very important role in that patient’s care.”