The Scope E-Newsletter June 2011 Dean's Message

James Neutens, PhD Our new academic year begins July 1 with the advent of new residents, fellows, students and faculty. As to be expected these "new comers" ask all kinds of questions ranging from good restaurants to who's who in the GSM. Interestingly some of them have asked me about the moniker "GSM," which is a question that frequently pops up in the community. Believe it or not, we have been working on an answer to that question for quite some time since our Board of Visitors had the same query.

The result of several months' work is a laminated pocket card that explains the importance of the Graduate School of Medicine. One side of the card is entitled "Why Is the Graduate School of Medicine Important to Me?" and the other is "Because the Graduate School of Medicine Exists, We Have…" The card has been used by our Board of Visitors for brief presentations in the community as well as in their business and social settings. What they have done is come up with their own "story" for each of the points, making it both personal and explanatory. I want to thank all those who created the card, and special thanks to our Board of Visitors member, Eddie Jessup, and his team.

My first challenge to you is to think of a personal story you can tell people for each of the points below. The story should let them know why the GSM is important to you and to them. You could be talking with a friend, a relative, a patient.

Why Is The Graduate School Of Medicine Important To Me?

I have access to world class medical and dental faculty who have the highest clinical training and experience in best practices and disseminate that knowledge to others
I have access to care at any time of the day or night and the comfort of knowing that essential medical services are provided 24/7 by qualified faculty
I have access to a library that can provide medical information to my family and me during uncertain times
I know that members of my community can be trained here to become highly qualified healthcare professionals
I know that there will be a constant supply of well-trained physicians and other medical staff to ensure the availability of excellent medical care
I know that as the region’s only academic medical center, evidence-based medicine is conducted by professionals through team-based and patient-centered care
I understand that the economic impact breathes life into our community through job creation, tax revenues, and direct spending

Web: http://gsm.utmck.edu

Here are some examples to get you started:

I have access to a library that can provide medical information to my family and me during uncertain times

Story: A friend was experiencing multiple health problems and came to the medical center for treatment. Both he and his wife were very worried and wanted more and more information. They went to the library and were very well served and even learned how to do searches, pull together accurate information, and how to talk with the team of physicians involved in the care. Their anxiety level dropped tremendously knowing they had a resource and staff who really wanted to help. As a result they both felt at ease going through the treatment process and to this day are so thankful to the PML staff.

I know that there will be a constant supply of well-trained physicians and other medical staff to ensure the availability of excellent medical care

Story: At a recent community event someone asked me about the impending shortage of physicians and the impact that might have in East Tennessee. As it turned out they knew little to nothing about the GSM so I took the opportunity to tell them we educate almost 200 residents and fellows each year. About one-half of the graduates remain in Tennessee to practice medicine. Of that one-half, approximately 90 percent are in primary care. It is a well known fact that many physicians remain in the community/region where they trained in their residency. If the GSM wasn’t here, that wouldn’t be happening.

The back side of the card provides a little more information you may find useful. For example, the GSM has a significant economic impact on the community with 600 employees (staff, residents and faculty). Each year our graduating residents have about a $40 million dollar impact, and our research efforts contribute another $20 million annually.

To say that I’m proud of what the GSM does is an understatement. I hope that this card will help you explain to all why they should find the GSM important to themselves as well as the community in general. Of course when we include our clinical partner, UTMC, the impact grows exponentially.

My second challenge to you is to get the word out to others and feel free to use our card in doing so. If you would like a copy of the card for your use, please contact the Dean’s Office at 305-9290 or email Kristi Roe.

BECAUSE THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE EXISTS,
WE HAVE:

EDUCATION

Provides medical and dental education to residents, fellows, students, nurses, physician assistants, and physicians already in practice
Offers educational opportunities to high school and university students, exposing them to the medical and dental fields

SERVICES

Attracts excellent academic faculty to staff essential services at the hospital: trauma, neonatal intensive care, high-risk OB, stroke, transplantation, and cancer therapies

PATIENT CARE

Provides house staff 24/7 for full service treatment and educates physicians who will take care of the aging population tomorrow
Treats complex medical issues as do other academic medical centers

ECONOMIC IMPACT

Plays a significant role in attracting and retaining talent, jobs, investments, and growth in Tennessee

MEDICAL SIMULATION CENTER

Ensure the faculty, students, and area physicians and other health care professionals receive continued training with the latest techniques – “Staying on the Leading Edge”

PRESTON MEDICAL LIBRARY

Provides essential, accurate, and timely medical information to our physicians, residents, and students as well as patients, community members, and professionals

RESEARCH

Provides advanced medical care through the latest clinical research and treatment options
Engages faculty physicians and dentists who want to advance health care through discovery research

COLLABORATION

Enhances medical education, research, and patient care through interaction with the industry, UT Knoxville, Oak Ridge National Laboratories, and others

ACADEMIC MEDICAL CENTER

The only academic medical center in our community providing high quality education, innovative patient care, and translational research to meet the needs of the State of Tennessee and beyond

James J. Neutens, PhD, FASHA
Dean