Blog@Case Topics: news

Stephen Post to Share Reasons Why Good Things Happen to Good People on Nov. 13

2009-11-06T18:49:13Z

Stephen Post, author of "Why Good Things Happen to Good People," will share his philosophy about why doing good deeds results in good karma during a talk on campus next week.

" An Evening with Stephen Post" will take place at 6 p.m., Friday, Nov. 13, at Amasa Stone Chapel. Tickets are $20 per person and $5 with a student ID, with proceeds supporting emergency relief programs for global communities in need that are sponsored by International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) and Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF).

Virtual Coaching to Help Patients Talk to Doctors

2009-11-06T16:58:28Z

New E-SMART-HD Technologies to be Developed

Millions of people suffer from chronic ailments like heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes, and need critical information from their healthcare providers to manage those diseases.

But, sometimes patients find it uncomfortable asking a doctor of another age, gender or race for information. Hopefully virtual coaching under development through a new National Institutes of Health grant to the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University will improve communications.

The nursing school is leading an interdisciplinary research team for the two-year, $1.3 million National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities study: "Electronic Self-Management Resource Training to Reduce Health Disparities" (e-SMART-HD).

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Case Western Reserve University Plan Series of Events for 2009 American Music Masters® Tribute

2009-11-05T13:00:39Z

Kozmic Blues: The Life and Music of Janis Joplin to Take Place Nov. 9-14

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and the Baker-Nord Center for the Humanities at Case Western Reserve University will celebrate Janis Joplin--one of rock and roll's most passionate and influential artists--during the 14th annual American Music MastersÂ® series Kozmic Blues: The Life and Music of Janis Joplin November 9-14.

Events will be held at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, on the campus of Case Western Reserve University and at other venues around the city. The campus events are:

White House Advisor Dr. Ezekiel J. Emanuel Looks Ahead to Health Care Reform and Evolving Physician-Patient Relationships

2009-11-04T21:23:54Z

The Law-Medicine Center at Case Western Reserve University School of Law on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 10:30 a.m. presents Ezekiel J. Emanuel, M.D., Ph.D., special advisor for health policy to the director of the Office of Management and Budget, White House Office of Management and Budget. His brother is Rahm Emanuel, White House chief of staff.

The event will take place in the Moot Courtroom (A59).

Collecting Relics from Turkish Hillsides Provide Introduction to Archaeological Work as Participants in Antiquities Project

2009-11-04T18:25:15Z

The rugged terrain of Turkey's Taurus Mountains served as a site last summer for two Case Western Reserve University faculty members from the classics department to introduce four students to archaeological field work.

Working alongside Assistant Professor Paul Iversen and former Visiting Assistant Professor Andrea De Giorgi (now at Rutgers University), Nathan Bensing, Jeremy Ondo, Philip Trochowski and Anna Wieser gathered antiquities left by ancient inhabitants and settlers on the land's surface for their course work in "Landscape Archaeology and Epigraphy."

The Case Western Reserve team also was a member of an interdisciplinary and multinational team of the Isparta Archaeological Survey (IAS) project.

The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism granted a research permit in 2008 for the past summer's field work under the direction of Assistant Professor Bilge Hürmüzlü from the department of archaeology at Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi (SDÜ) in Isparta.

Case in Point to Perform National Anthem at Cavs Game Nov. 5

2009-11-04T16:07:37Z

Case in Point is scheduled to perform the National Anthem at the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Chicago Bulls basketball game at 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 5, at Quicken Loans Arena.

"We ended up being selected because I sent a demo of us singing to the Cavs and they liked us. They contacted me after going to our Web site," says Roshni Rao, the group's president.

Autumn Leaf Detail Leads to Rich Spring Soil

2009-11-04T14:51:57Z

What comes up blooming in spring has its start with those leaf blowers in full action now around campus.

The 20 employees on the grounds crew will be working 800 hours from now until the first snowfall to collect the leaves and branches and carting off some 900 cubic yards of leaves from the 74 acres of lawns around campus.

But where do all those leaves go and what happens to them?

"They get composted," says Daryl Costanzo, landscape supervisor from the ground maintenance department.

The leaves are turned into 300 cubic yards of rich soil that is returned to campus flowerbeds and used in planting new shrubs and trees on campus.

Iran Nuclear Proliferation, Other Issues Draw Experts for Scholars for Peace in the Middle East Conference

2009-11-04T13:41:50Z

Issues surrounding Iran have made headlines, and Scholars for Peace in the Middle East will discuss concerns about the developments of nuclear proliferation and other events in Iran when they meet in Cleveland for their two-day conference. "The Islamic Republic of Iran: Multidisciplinary Analyses of its Theocracy, Nationalism, and Assertion of Power," will be held on November 8-10 at the Marriott Downtown at Key Center in Cleveland. The Case Western Reserve University Judaic Studies Program is hosting the event.

102-Year-Old Retired Physician Pledges $750,000 to Support Communicable Disease Research

2009-11-03T15:48:08Z

Endowed fellowship will support HIV/AIDS research in immediate future

Amy Kuhn Feldstein, M.D. (FSM '28, MED '31) has made a $750,000 will commitment to the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Her bequest will create the Amy Kuhn Feldstein, M.D. Faculty Fellowship that will support research for the prevention and treatments of communicable disease, such as HIV/AIDS.

Feldstein's gift was inspired in part by the School of Medicine's commitment to developing effective prevention measures for the spread of HIV in women. Also inspiring her gift is research by Michael Lederman, M.D., the Scott R. Inkley Professor of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and physician at University Hospitals Case Medical Center, on a potential topical strategy that could decrease or even prevent the sexual transmission of HIV.

"We are moving closer to a day when our developments may become a safe, affordable and effective method for all women—from America to Africa to Asia—to protect themselves from HIV infection," said Lederman. "Dr. Feldstein's commitment will help advance research to prevent this devastating disease."

Law Alumnus, Class of 1918, in November 1, 2009, Washington Post

2009-11-02T22:10:07Z

Public Affairs books has recently published The Great Depression: A Diary by law alumnus Benjamin Roth. Roth graduated from Western Reserve University School of Law (Class of 1918[?])and worked as an attorney in Youngstown while he kept the diary, which has been extensively excerpted in Slate-offshoot The Big Money and written up in the Washington Post. From the Post : "His diary, excerpted on The Big Money, has just been published as a book -- "The Great Depression: A Diary."

Case Western Reserve University Named as a Top 10 "Best Neighbor" University

2009-10-30T21:27:42Z

Case Western Reserve University is in the Top 10 of "Saviors of Our Cities: A Survey of Best Neighbor College and University Civic Partnerships."

The survey results were recently announced at the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities conference in Philadelphia.

The survey is an extension of Evan Dobelle's original survey and ranking of civically engaged colleges and universities that appeared in 2006. Dobelle is president of Westfield State College. The list's Top 25 academic institutions were selected because of their positive impact on their urban communities. Factors such as revitalization efforts, cultural renewal, economics and community service and development were considered.

Vice President for Financial Planning Announced

2009-10-29T15:19:04Z

Chief Financial Officer John Sideras announced recently that Donald Stewart has been named Case Western Reserve University's new Vice President for Financial Planning. Stewart comes to Cleveland from Brown University, where he served as Director of Academic Resources for five years.

"Donald is uniquely qualified to bring a new level of rigor, accountability and transparency to the university's budgeting efforts," Sideras said. "He has extensive experience in higher education, and understands the importance of working collaboratively with faculty."

Leutner Dining Commons Renovation Project to Result in More Open Space, Flexibility

2009-10-28T15:13:50Z

In partnership with Bon AppÃ©tit Management Company, the university's food service provider, a complete renovation of the existing north campus dining facility, Leutner Commons, began this week.

The project is expected to be completed prior to the start of the 2010-2011 academic year. During the renovation, the dining hall is expected to remain fully operational for the duration of fall semester, as well as through spring semester 2010.

Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing Receives $3.7 Million in Federal Stimulus Funding

2009-10-27T17:22:13Z

The Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing (FPB) at Case Western Reserve University was recently awarded $3.7 million in six stimulus grants from various federal offices to fund innovative research and academic programs.

Funded projects include establishing a new center of excellence on end-of-life science; expanding the Self-Management Advancement through Research and Translation (SMART) Center with a program to involve more disabled persons in the subject side of research activities; developing new electronic tools to reduce health disparities; testing the effects of early therapeutic mobility among hospital patients; combating the nursing faculty shortage through a forgivable loan program for graduate students; and providing opportunities to disadvantaged students.

"The stimulus awards represent that the hard work of our dynamic faculty and staff is unique, relevant, and, most of all, needed," says May L. Wykle, the Marvin E. and Ruth Durr Denekas Professor and Dean of the nursing school.

Interim Law School Dean to Continue Until June 2011

2009-10-27T14:53:20Z

Provost W.A. "Bud" Baeslack III announced today that Robert H. Rawson Jr. has agreed to serve as Interim Dean of the School of Law through June, 2011.

"Bob has done an outstanding job since arriving last fall," Provost Baeslack said. "We are very pleased that he will be here to build on the significant progress already achieved."

Over the past several months, the law school community has come together to draft a new strategic plan and take steps toward realizing its goals. Rawson has worked extensively with faculty on those efforts, and on raising the school's profile in the region and nationwide.

"Bob is a wise and compassionate leader who inspires respect and admiration in nearly every person he meets," President Barbara R. Snyder said. "We are grateful to him for his dedication to helping the law school realize more of its immense potential."

Inaugural LGBT Alumni Reunion Emphasizes Case Western Reserve's Commitment to Diversity

2009-10-22T17:56:56Z

Alumni Weekend and Homecoming 2009 will feature alumni from different class years, schools and programs as they reminisce about the past, enjoy the present and gain insight into the future direction of Case Western Reserve University.

This year's Alumni Weekend will also mark the beginning of a new alumni gathering: The inaugural LGBTA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Ally) Alumni Reunion.

"It is the first one in the history of the university and we are expanding the concept of 'reunion' to include alumni, faculty, staff, current students and the Case Western Reserve University community to participate," says Nicole Ingram, director of marketing and communications for University Alumni Relations.

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine Launches Prevention Research Center for Healthy Neighborhoods, Receives $790,000 CDC Grant

2009-10-21T19:55:26Z

Program Linked to Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Research of Urban Health Needs

Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) School of Medicine proudly announces the establishment of the CWRU Prevention Research Center for Healthy Neighborhoods (PRCHN), a collaborative research center to address common health issues faced in disadvantaged urban neighborhoods in and around Greater Cleveland.

The PRCHN will also serve as a regional research and public health data source. It is being developed with an initial $790,000 grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to support both the infrastructure of the center and one demonstration research project, with the potential to receive up to $1 million annually for up to five years through additional CDC funding opportunities. The Center's goal is to engage a wide spectrum of disciplines both within the university and the community to foster a unified vision for community-based prevention research.

"The new PRCHN provides a framework for fostering partnerships within urban neighborhoods to develop, test and implement effective strategies and interventions in preventing and reducing the burden of chronic disease," said Elaine Borawski, PhD, Director of the Center for Health Promotion Research at the medical school and the PRCHN's Principal Investigator and Co-Director. "By collaborating with neighborhood residents, leaders and community organizations in Greater Cleveland, we hope to address the significant environmental and lifestyle issues that serve as barriers to good health."

ICU Patients on Ventilators to Flex and Stretch in Study
at Case Western Reserve University

2009-10-21T14:29:12Z

Few people have thought about providing an exercise workout in the intensive care unit, especially for patients on ventilators— even those who are comatose —but a researcher from Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University will be doing some bedside coaching and exercising to get patients stretching and flexing their muscles.

Chris Winkelman, assistant professor of nursing, will study the benefits of a range of exercises for people bed-bound, awake or comatose, and hooked to ventilators for breathing, to see if the workouts improve their physical and mental health.

"No one likes to be sick and stay in bed," says Winkelman. "It feels good when you are healthy to exercise, and we think ICU patients can also benefit from exercising."

She will lead a two-year, $431,000 National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Nursing Research study, "Dose of Early Therapeutic Mobility: Does Type and Frequency Matter?"

Students to Present Cutting-edge Research in Celebration of BME's 40th Anniversary

2009-10-21T13:38:56Z

Students will present cutting-edge research as part of the Department of Biomedical Engineering's 40th Anniversary celebration tomorrow.

Graduate students Melissa Krebs, D. Michael Ackermann, Christine P. Fleming and Prasad Oruganti will discuss their works on bone regeneration technology, designing electrodes to block neuropathic pain and spasms, using new imagery techniques to guide heart ablation, and determining if cancer cells use intracellular transport as a mechanism to survive lethal drugs. Their discussions begin at 8:45 a.m. in Nord Hall.

During two BME open houses, poster sessions featuring student researchers will be held in the hallways of Wickenden Hall, at 10 a.m. and again at 3 p.m. The research ranges from imaging embryonic development of the heart to a microscopic device that can deliver drugs and fluorescent dyes to single breast cancer cells; developing a variety of technologies enabling amputees and the paralyzed to control prostheses and gain movement to engineering bone, cardiovascular tissues and more.

The full schedule of the day's events can be found online.

A Brief Encounter, A Foot in the Door

2009-10-20T17:31:19Z

Case Western Reserve University Biomedical Engineering students try speed networking in a rough economy

Leave it to engineers to mould a dating strategy into a job-finding mechanism.

In an age of instant information and an economy that continually cries "Faster!," approximately 80 Case Western Reserve University biomedical engineering students, alumni and industry partners will meet one-on-one in the briefest of face time, called a speed networking session.

Speed networking is based on speed dating—minutes-long pairings of potential lovers which have led to lip locks to wedding bells.

Over matters of the heart, studies show men and women know within seconds whether they'd like to meet again.

Do the same speedy perceptions work over matters of the mind and wallet? Well, this is Case School of Engineering's first try.

In honor of the 40th anniversary of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, the department will host the inaugural speed networking session in Nord Hall at 2 p.m. Oct. 22.