Various realignments of New Jersey's colleges and universities have been proposed over the last decade, but the merger of Rutgers-Camden into Rowan has prompted protests from faculty, students and alumni at the Camden campus, and to some degree, within the larger Rutgers system.

Christie has remained adamant that the proposal, drawn up by a governor's task force led by biotech executive Sol J. Barer, go forward by July 1.

Lautenberg's public correspondence Monday specifically questioned whether the merger is being proposed to benefit Cooper University Hospital, of which George Norcross is chairman. Cooper and Rowan have partnered to open a medical school in the fall.

The governor's office dismissed Lautenberg's allegations.

"The intention of the merger plan is to create medical and research centers of excellence," spokesman Michael Drewniak wrote in an e-mail. "Sen. Lautenberg has apparently chosen not to be a positive participant . . . and instead is engaging in over-the-top correspondence like this full of unsupported innuendo and political vindictiveness."

Lautenberg, 88, who is serving his fifth Senate term, has been at odds with both George Norcross and Christie for years.

In 2010, Christie told New York Magazine, "I don't really care what Frank Lautenberg has to say about much of anything," after the senator criticized his decision to kill a $8.7 billion railroad tunnel project connecting North Jersey and New York City.

And in 2008, Lautenberg was enraged when George Norcross supported U.S. Rep. Robert Andrews (D., Camden) in an unsuccessful campaign to unseat the senator, who has been in office since the early 1980s.

Read the original:
Federal review sought of Rutgers-Rowan merger

Dr. Jose Manuel de la Rosa entered the gross anatomy lab, paused between two metal tanks and glanced around the massive room.

Taking in the pungent odor of formaldehyde, the founding dean of the Texas Tech University Paul L. Foster School of Medicine in El Paso with a wry smile said "smells like first year."

The lab is where first-year medical students get an introduction to anatomy by dissecting and identifying body parts in their first patient, a human cadaver.

It was in a gross anatomy lab in fall 1980 at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine in Lubbock where de la Rosa gleaned more from the lab than knowledge of the body.

There, lying in a liquid-filled metal tank, was Dr. Robert Barajas Jr., de la Rosa's senior biology teacher from Cathedral High School.

It's a story de la Rosa often tells people who are touring the cadaver lab at the fledgling El Paso medical school and fellow Cathedral alumni.

Doctors had diagnosed Barajas, a pathologist, with the kidney disease lupus nephritis. He died from complications of the disorder in 1979 at the age of 37.

Barajas was serving as an Army Medical Corps captain at Beaumont Army Medical Center when he was diagnosed with the disease. He received medical retirement and then took a job teaching at Cathedral, where had graduated high school in 1960.

A couple days a week, Barajas would have an open forum for the students, allowing them to ask questions about any topic they wanted.

Eventually

Continue reading here:
Texas Tech University Paul L. Foster School of Medicine dean tested in unlikely place

HOME AND GARDEN BRIEFS Farmers market On Saturday, March 24, Chef Ricky of The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island's signature restaurant, Salt, will be at the Fernandina Farmers Market to demonstrate one of their gourmet dishes.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012 Edition

Aroma of chili North Second Street was filled with a variety of chili aromas ready for tasting on Saturday, Feb. 25. The Amelia Island Montessori School-sponsored 6th Annual Chili Cook-Off brought out all ages of chili lovers and offered a diverse sampling of chili to please any palate.

Essay winner: 'What Freedom Means to Me' The Boys & Girls Club on Old Nassauville Road is named the Miller Freedom Center. The founding gift was donated by David F. Miller Sr., whose concern for the betterment of young people is almost equaled by his devotion to the ideals of freedom that set America apart as a nation. So Miller urged the staff of the club to organize a contest for members that would let them explore those ideals and then express their understanding in the form of an essay.

Neurologist on staff at hospital With a neurologist now on the Baptist Medical Center Nassau's active medical staff, advanced care for stroke, Parkinson's disease, MS, Alzheimer's disease and other neurological conditions is now available at the hospital and in the community, said Baptist Nassau president Stephen Lee.

POLITICS IN BRIEF Democratic Club The next general meeting of the Democratic Club of Amelia Island is scheduled Tuesday at the Fernandina Beach Golf Course. Doors open at 6 p.m. and dinner is served at 7 p.m. A cash bar will be available.

Callahan gears up for Railroad Days The 2012 Railroad Days festival will be held Friday and Saturday in and around the 1881 Callahan Train Depot and 1856 Florida Railroad bed.

WEEKLY UPDATE Peck Alumni The Peck Alumni Association has extended its membership to the community and asks anyone in the community to join, regardless of age or school affiliation. The group seeks ideas and suggestions for planning activities, events, committees and future reunions that will continue the legacy of Peck High School. All are welcome to the next meeting on April 14 at noon at the Peck Reception Room. If you are unable to attend, but are truly interested in joining, contact Louryne Spaulding, 583-3085, Vernetta Spaulding, 583-1569, or any other association member.

THIS WEEK Genealogy group Genealogy group meetings are held at Yulee United Methodist Church, 86003 Christian Way, Yulee, the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 9-11 a.m. New members are welcome. Call 225-5381 or Paulette Murrin at 548-9752 for information.

Go here to see the original:
Aroma of chili

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- From attending an elegant gala to the unveiling of new Penn State historical markers, African-American Penn State alumni can relive good times and reconnect with old friends while helping current students during the 2012 Black Alumni Reunion at University Park, April 20-22.

The Black Alumni Reunion, "2012 Blue-White: Black Alumni Reunion, The Collective,'' will include special dinners, tours, a career fair, student-alumni networking opportunities, exhibits and more. The "Pioneer and Legends Dinner" on Friday night will highlight the accomplishments of several famous African-American Penn Staters. Saturday will include a Black Alumni Reunion Tailgate prior to the Blue-White Game. That night, the "For the Future: The Black Alumni Reunion Scholarship Gala" will feature a reception and dinner, along with a silent auction and the unveiling of a bust of David Alston, Penn State's first African-American football player, who played on the 1941 freshmen team.

Two historical and noteworthy events are scheduled for the weekend. There will be a ceremony to dedicate a historical marker for Lincoln Hall, the circa 1910 structure on Barnard Street in the borough of State College. Lincoln Hall was a rooming house for male African-American students from the late 1930s to the 1950s. Most of the living former residents of Lincoln Hall, including Wally Triplett III '49, will attend the dedication, beginning at 3:45 p.m. April 20.

Another significant event will be the dedication of a historical marker on campus, called the "Champions for Equality." The historical marker notes: "Demonstrating that sport can be a powerful force for social change, Penn State led the way in breaking the color barrier in intercollegiate football in the South. By the players' own decision, the team refused an offer to play a segregated Deep South opponent in 1946. The Nittany Lions then became the first team to field African-American players in the Cotton Bowl in 1948 and the Gator Bowl in 1961." The marker will be near the entrance to the Penn State All-Sports Museum.

Black Alumni Reunion registration is $100 for Penn State Alumni Association members and $200 for non-members. Proceeds from the black-tie gala will benefit the Penn State African-American Alumni Organization Trustee Scholarship Fund and the For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students.

Black Alumni Reunions have been held in 2006, 2008 and 2010 with each drawing alumni and friends from across the country. For more information or to register, click here.

Source: live,psu,edu

Read this article:
Black alumni to hold reunion on Blue-White Weekend

IndependentHealth named JoAnn Kelsch director, clinical services. A registered nurse, Kelsch has extensive experience in the health care field, most recently, as director, medical management at Fidelis Care. She earned her bachelors degree from the University at Buffalo and her masters degree from Wilmington University.

Mercedes-BenzofBuffalo and the Mercedes-Benz affiliate, SmartCenter ofBuffalo named BrookeArber general manager. Arber most recently served as assistant general manager. She holds an MBA from the University at Buffalo.

UnitedMemorialCardiologyand InternalMedicine named Dr. Syed A. Shah to its practice at 229 Summit Street, Batavia. Dr. Shah is a graduate of Allama Iqbal Medical College in Lahore, Pakistan; completed a masters degree from the University of Dundee, Scotland; received an MBA from the Simon School of Business at the University of Rochester and has an MD from the University of New York. He is board certified in internal medicine and cardiology.

UnitedMemorial appointed Dr. Anupa Seth to its primary care practice, Batavia Family Care Center, located within the Jerome Center at 16 Bank Street, Batavia. Dr. Seth is board certified in internal medicine and completed a fellowship in Pain Management at the University of Rochester Medical Center. She is a graduate of Sawai Man Signh Medical College in Jaipur, India. Dr. Seth completed her residency in internal medicine at Unity Health System in Rochester and was an anesthesia fellow at Strong Hospital.

BryLinHospital promoted Tisha Tanyi to vice president of patient care services. Tanyi received her bachelors degree in nursing from Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester. Also, the hospital appointed Jeanette Hughes director of quality/ risk management. Hughes holds a bachelors degree in nursing from the University at Buffalo and a masters degree from Canisius College. She most recently was the manager of patient flow for Kaleida Health. Willcare, a home healthcare provider, named BarbaraMcCarthy director of sales. Formerly the manager of contracting and provider relations for the Buckeye Health Plan in Cleveland, Ohio.

TheWesternNewYorkChapterof theNationalBlackMBAAssociationappointed ThomasBeaufordJr. president for two-year term. Beauford holds a bachelors degree from St. Peters College and earned his MBA and MS degrees from the University at Buffalo. Other officers: Vice president, administration, Deidre M. Whiteside; vice president, operations, Sandra A. Talley; treasurer, Tamu Brown-Hutchinson; secretary, Elaine Taylor.

OurLadyofVictoryHomesofCharity appointed EileenL. Hudson director of major gifts. Hudson is responsible for fundraising for Baker Victory Services and Our Lady of Victory National Shrine and Basilica. A graduate of Canisius College, she most recently served as director of Alumni Relations at Canisius.

BergmannAssociates, an engineering and architectural design firm, named MichaelTerrana project engineer in its Buffalo office. Most recently Terrana was project manager for CAT-CO Construction.

AXAAdvisors appointed J.D. Hartmana financial professional at the firms Williamsville branch. Hartman is licensed and registered to provide financial products and services to individuals and small businesses. Previously, Hartman was a senior account manager with Inergex. He is a Colorado College graduate.

Chelus, Herdzik, SpeyerandMonte named KatieRenda an associate attorney. A Niagara University graduate, she received her juris doctor from the University at Buffalo School of Law.

Continue reading here:
Business People / Hires, promotions and honors

The Garden Club of St. Augustine is offering several scholarships for those interested in a career in horticulture, landscape design, landscapearchitecture, ecology, conservation, botany, forestry or related fields. Applications are available on the Garden Club website at http://www.gardenclubofstaugustine.org or from local high school counselors or by calling Cathy Snyder at 827-1519.

Qualifications are 2.75 GPA or higher, career interest and financial need. The deadline is Saturday.

The St. Augustine/Ketterlinus Alumni Association will award two renewable scholarships to qualified 2012 graduating seniors of St. Augustine High School: the Carol A. Melton Scholarship for $1,000 and the Terrell G. Davis Scholarship for $1,000.

The Jonah Ash Scholarship is being established for SAHS graduates attending Flagler College. Donations from the Class of 1972 will be used to fund a scholarship for SAHS graduates attending First Coast Technical College. Scholarship funds are also available for SAHS graduates at St. Johns River State College. Scholarship applications can be found at http://www.mysahs.com. The deadline is April 1.

The St. Augustine Chapter of Altrusa International Inc., is offering two scholarships for the 2012-13 school year open to women in transition attending First Coast Technical College. The goal of these awards is to assist deserving women who are returning to school to improve their job skills or to learn new vocational skills with which they can support themselves and their family.

To apply for one of the $500 scholarships, female students must be a U.S. citizen and a resident of St. Johns County for at least one year. Applicants must have a high school diploma or a GED certificate, and be a full-time student at FCTC.

A new feature of this years Women in Transition scholarship program is that the scholarship may be renewed for a second semester of study at FCTC if the student maintains a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Application forms are available from Dotty Moore in the FCTC Financial Aid Office. The completed application and two letters of reference must be submitted to the FCTC Financial Aid Office no later than Friday. Awards will be made at the FCTC Awards Night in May.

Maria Jefferson Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, will award a $1,000 scholarship to a deserving junior or senior who is a citizen of the U.S. and resident of Florida. The student must be matriculated in an accredited four-year college or university.

Application packets are available from the office of Leslie Keys, Flagler College; office of financial aid, University of North Florida; Caroline Tingle, St. Johns State College, Palatka; or DAR member Beverly Henry, 408 Camelia Trail, St. Augustine, FL 32086.

Go here to read the rest:
Apply now for scholarships

We all have the same expectation. When we need health care, we want it as soon as possible. We dont want medical appointments delayed for months because the physician has too many patients. If Utah doesnt do something soon, the problem of deferred medical care is going to get worse. Much worse.

Utah needs more physicians. The Association of American Medical Colleges has found that only three states will have fewer physicians per capita than the Beehive State.

The physician shortage will intensify when national insurance coverage becomes effective in 2014. The large bubble of baby boomers reaching age 65 will compound the stress on the states health care providers.

Something can be done to help ensure accessible health coverage. Increase the class size at the University of Utah Medical School. The University of Utah is a steady pipeline of health care providers for all of us.

Class size at the School of Medicine is currently 82 students. It was 102 prior to the recession. It could be expanded to 122 students at a cost of $12.2 million, or restored to 102 students for $6.5 million. Utah-trained physicians have a proven record of staying in Utah. Two-thirds of the physicians here trained at the University of Utah either in medical school, a residency or a fellowship.

Legislators considered expanding the Us medical school class during the 2012 session, but after the recent recession, many pent-up needs existed and extra funding for expanded physician training was unavailable. It typically takes seven to 10 years to fully train a new physician: four years in medical school, three to five years in residency, and one to two years in a fellowship for subspecialty training. Because of the time lag, the effects of the medical school class size reduction have not yet been felt by the Beehive States health care consumers.

An additional $6 million or $12 million is a hefty investment. Total state funding for the School of Medicine comprises $26.5 million, or about 4 percent of the annual budget. The average state support across public medical schools in the U.S. is 14 percent.

Bumping up tuition is not the answer. In-state tuition at the medical school is above the national average at $29,652 per year. Out-of-state tuition is more than $55,000 per year.

Some in the state are disenchanted because a child or neighbor was not accepted into the Us medical school, but acceptance is extremely difficult. Last year, 1,500 applicants vied for 82 slots, a ratio of 18:1. At least 75 percent of the medical school class each year are Utah residents. For the current class, thats 61 of 82 slots. Eight students are from Idaho under an agreement with that state. Most out-of-state students must show strong Utah ties, represent an underserved population, or enter the M.D./Ph.D. program.

Consumers spend a sizable chunk of their income on medical care, and the availability of well-trained physicians is essential. Medical payments now account for about 16 percent of total consumer spending in this country more than food and clothing combined, which make up about 11 percent, or housing, about 15 percent.

View original post here:
Utah needs more doctors

Dr. Henry L. Laws II, a Columbus native, has been awarded the Distinguished Service Award of The Southeastern Surgical Congress.

This is only the 21st time in the 72-year history of the Southeastern Surgical Congress that this award has been given.

Laws attended the University of Mississippi, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree and Medical Certificate for two years of Medical School in 1954. He received his Doctor of Medicine degree from Harvard Medical School in 1956. In 2004, Laws was selected to the Ole Miss Alumni Hall of Fame.

Laws served in private practice and on the faculty of UAB at Birmingham. He later became director of surgical residency at Carraway Methodist Medical Center in Birmingham. His career includes numerous awards and professional achievements.

He retired in 2003 and lives in Chilton County, Ala., with his wife, Deborah Laws. They have three children, Hank Laws of West Palm Beach, Fla., Lauren Laws Conner of Birmingham, Ala., and Susan Laws Consentino of Washington; and five grandchildren.

Go here to see the original:
Business brief: Laws receives award

View photos

In Joan Cocca's eyes, her late brother, Martin Hoffman, was an awesome babysitter.

"He would place me on the dining room table with a chocolate doughnut, and he and his friends would watch me," said Cocca, 43, of Plum.

Hoffman was killed in 1983 in Humble, Texas, while helping with cleanup efforts after Hurricane Alicia.

Hoffman and others were cutting down a tree, and he saw it was falling in the direction of some children. He ran toward them, got them out of the way and was killed by the falling tree, his sister said.

Hoffman is one of five Plum graduates selected as members of the Plum High School Distinguished Alumni Class of 2012.

The honorees are set to take their place on the Alumni Wall of Distinction, just outside the Plum High School Auditorium. In addition to Hoffman, the 2012 class members are:

Robert A. DeMichiei senior vice president and chief financial officer of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Class of 1983.

Linda Mulholland Fischbach director of clinical services for Family Services in Dayton, Ohio, and president-elect of the University of Dayton's Lifelong Learning Institute, Class of 1965.

Marcia L. Rosal director of the art therapy program at Florida State University, Class of 1969.

Follow this link:
Distinguished Alumni Class of 2012 set to be honored