Nonprofit U.S. Postage 72 East Concord Street PAID Campus & Alumni News | Summer 2010 Boston MA Boston, Massachusetts 02118 Permit No. 1839 Head Games BUSM researchers study link between repetitive head trauma and neurodegenerative disease Groundbreaking new research at the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy (CSTE) suggests contact sports put athletes at risk for a disease never before described in medical literature (p. 9). k www.bumc.bu.edu MESSAGE FROMFROM THE THE DEAN DEAN BUSM NEWS TABLE OF CONTENTS Dear Friends, Student Residence on the Threshold Recent events such as the recession, the Gulf 1 BUSM News oil spill, and the Haiti earthquake bring into The School is ready and the students are ready. and director of admissions. “Despite the vigor- sharp focus how dramatically reality can change. 20 Graduate Medical Sciences News The property has been secured. The plans have ous efforts by the Dean and the Board to manage Faculty, staff, and students at the medical school been drawn. The city has approved the plans. expenses and to hold tuition increases at very are mindful of how these global occurences 24 Research The University has committed $30 million to the low levels, the total cost of attendance at BUSM affect our everyday lives. This issue of BUSM project. The School of Medicine has raised the (tuition plus fees plus cost of living) remains high. Campus & Alumni News tells the stories of our 29 Faculty News $10 million initial investment needed to start “The Medical Campus student residence will community of scientists, teachers, students, construction on a student residence that will substantially enhance the sense of community and caregivers and their pursuit of our far- 34 Student News go a long way to helping reduce debt for Boston for our students, providing an opportunity for reaching and substantive social mission. University medical students. 39 Giving to BUSM them to build the foundation of their careers in These endeavors need support. With great Why a Medical Campus an appropriately supportive and interconnected pleasure we publicly recognize our own graduate, 40 Alumni News environment,” adds Witzburg. “The top appli- Student Residence? Shamim Dahod ’87, and her husband, Ashraf, for cants to medical school now look for this as they evaluate their options.” Four out of five students their outstanding generosity. Their previously There are compelling reasons to build a resi- who decline to come to BUSM do so because announced anonymous pledge of $10.5 million— dence hall on the Medical Campus. It is the right of out-of-pocket expenses, putting the School $9.5 million to support breast cancer research thing to do for the students. The School attracts at a competitive disadvantage. By building stu- and $1 million for the new student residence on some of the best and brightest students in the dent housing, the School gains in stature and campus—is the largest individual commitment nation who believe in our distinctive approach to medical education and want the kind of diverse, attractiveness. the School has ever received and will do an community-based clinical experience offered in extraordinary amount of good for women’s It is right for the neighborhood. City officials conjunction with Boston Medical Center. Boston health and our students. strongly support this project, which will bring Campus & Alumni News | Summer 2010 is a very expensive city in which to live. Further, several hundred serious-minded medical stu- in what used to be an inexpensive neighborhood Also, we congratulate our associate dean and Boston University School of Medicine: Campus & dents into the neighborhood. It will reduce pres- around the School, there are no longer affordable faculty member, Jonathan Woodson, MD, Alumni News is published by Boston University sure on local affordable housing and increase options for housing. who has been tapped by President Obama to Medical Center, Department of Corporate foot traffic and commercial activity in the area. Communications, on behalf of the Boston University be assistant secretary of defense for health The residence will add to the already substantial School of Medicine. “The residence will provide a significant ‘scholar- affairs and will soon be undergoing Senate ship equivalent’ for every student who lives in the investments Boston University has made on confirmation. We wish him well. Ellen Berlin, Director facility,” says Robert Witzburg, associate dean campus and in the area surrounding it. Mary Hopkins, Publications Coordinator I am glad to report that we have reached our initial goal to begin construction of the Design & Production: Boston University Creative Services new student residence. The student residence Designer: Garyfallia Pagonis remains our major fundraising goal since every Photography: Boston University Photo Services, dollar donated reduces the rent and ultimate BUSM Educational Media, educational debt of our medical students. Commencement Photos, Inc., BUSM Corporate Communications, and Frank Curran. We very much value and appreciate your continued interest and involvement in BUSM. Contributing writers: Mary Hopkins, Andrea Baird Kennedy, Best wishes, Maria Pantages, Susan Seligson Please direct any questions or comments to: Mary Hopkins Corporate Communications Boston University Medical Campus Karen Antman, MD 85 East Newton Street, M-426 Provost, Medical Campus Boston, MA 02118 Dean, School of Medicine Phone: 617-638-8484 Fax: 617-638-8044 Email: [email protected] Boston University’s policies provide for equal opportunity and affirmative action in employment and admission to all programs of the University. 3 SUMMER 2010 | www.bumc.bu.edu 0810 XXXXXX Please recycle C BOSTON UNIVERSITY School of Medicine | Campus & Alumni News 1 BUSM NEWS “We are absolutely committed to controlling steps decades ago. Creating a versatile facility the cost of a Boston University medical degree,” that will serve our students for generations is of Library Renovations Focus on Students says Dean Karen Antman. “We compete with the highest priority for BUSM. top-ranked medical schools that have similar residences for their students. We will facilitate “We need the support of all members of the student education, in part by providing affordable BUSM community to build this on-campus home housing that eliminates the need for late-night, for our students,” notes Antman. “Every dollar expensive, long-distance commuting.” donated decreases the rent for our students.” “As the parent of a student entering BUSM in the The Right Plan fall, I know how important it is for the medical The building will be nine stories high, made of students to live on campus in a safe, easily acces- brick and limestone in the classic Boston tradition. sible residence,” says David Rothbaum, MD ’82. “Having this facility It will have 104 units that will accommodate 208 “Having this facility will enhance life for students will enhance life for students in two-bedroom suites. All residents in and encourage their feelings of community as the building will have individual bedrooms, which scholars and professionals.” students and encourage is the standard for graduate student housing. The The monthly difference between the off-campus two residents will share the bath, kitchenette, and and on-campus scenarios is $450, or $5,400 in their feelings of living spaces. annual savings. With two students sharing the community as scholars Large window bays will bring ample natural suite, the total savings add up to $10,800 a year. and professionals.” light into the building and enhance the look This does not include the savings on commuting of the façade. Wireless internet connections costs. will make the resources of the Boston University To make your contribution to the BUSM student Stepping off the elevators on the 12th floor of includes two filtered water units where students However, the trend is to increase the numbers of Medical Campus available to students free of residence please contact Karen Engelbourg, assis- the Instructional building opens up a new land- can refill water bottles. A wall was removed e-books, which have the benefit of being available charge, 24/7. tant dean of development, at [email protected] scape for patrons of the BUSM Alumni Medical to expand library space, and a new ceiling was 24/7 to the BUMC/BU campus communities, or call 617-638-4570. Library. The entry to the Library is now bright put in with improved, energy-efficient lighting. and do not take up valuable library space. Why Make a Gift to the and inviting, the soothing sage green of the The carpet has been replaced and new flooring Student Residence? walls and furniture adding to the light and mod- installed throughout. Except for the few titles available in print form ern look of the space. only, the Library’s journal collections are also It is time to act. Other medical schools in rela- “I didn’t think I was going to like it because I accessible online. “We are collaborating with tively high-cost metropolitan areas took similar “The goal was to create a more welcoming and thought it might be too modern,” says Shamini the Charles River Campus libraries on building comfortable studying and learning environment Mylvaganam ’13. “But the library is so bright ‘One-BU’ electronic collections that more effec- for students,” explains Mary Blanchard, director now and the new desks make studying easier. tively leverage our resources and provide access OFF-CAMPUS ON-CAMPUS of library services. “We repurposed the space to There is so much more room to study.” to expanded collections on both campuses. make it more student-centered, removing several The BUMC Library subscribes to very few print vs. stacks of books and periodicals and installing The study tables and carrels are powered for journals today and we are actively expanding Rent $ 1,000 Rent $ 800 new laptop/study tables, comfortable seating, laptops, and a new single-service circulation our e-book collections,” notes Blanchard.