Expressions Fall 2004 Main Page

Dean Lewis Landsberg, MD (left), gets an insider's perspective on the creative process from Preston Jackson, who sculpted the bust of Daniel Hale Williams.
The 182-seat Daniel Hale Williams Auditorium was filled to overflowing as seven speakers took the stage to honor the facility's namesake during dedication ceremonies September 9.

Dr. Williams, who graduated from the medical school in 1883, was the school's first African American alumnus and faculty member and among the first to successfully perform surgery on the human heart. He devoted his life to improving health care and career opportunities in medicine and nursing for fellow African Americans. To that end, in 1891 he founded Chicago's Provident Hospital, the nation's first black-owned and operated medical institution, and helped found several other such hospitals across the country.

"Dr. Williams was a master surgeon, wonderful teacher, and in many ways one of the most accomplished leaders in American medicine at the turn of the 20th century," noted Dean Lewis Landsberg, MD, during opening remarks in the auditorium, located on the third floor of the McGaw Pavilion in the Health Sciences Building. view full story >

Stem Cell Research Affected by Government Policies

In the upcoming presidential election, many issues are at stake. One that affects scientists at the Feinberg School and around the country concerns policies on stem cell research, particularly those regulating the use of embryonic stem cells. "It's absolutely essential for government policies to change for this field to progress and deliver on its promise," says Jack Kessler, MD, chair of the Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences.

Dr. Kessler, Benjamin and Virginia T. Boshes Professor of Neurology, notes that the current administration has not made embryonic stem cell research illegal—a fear some scientists have should President George Bush be reelected—but has put many restrictions on how it may be conducted. While 78 stem cell lines were approved for use in federally funded research, only 19 stem cell lines are actually being distributed, according to an article in the August 9, 2004, issue of American Medical News. Explains Dr. Kessler, "The National Institutes of Health supports this research, including my own, but only if we use those approved embryonic stem cell lines. Many other embryonic stem cell lines have been generated by universities and companies and are available for anyone to use. But we cannot use government funds to support research using those cell lines." view full story >

Calendar

Events are free of charge and on the Chicago campus unless otherwise indicated.

October 8
Brown-bag lunch presentation on stem cell research featuring Jack Kessler, MD, chair of the Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, noon to 1 p.m., Turnbull Auditorium, Ward 1-074. Contact: Gail Rosenblum, Staff Relations Committee, 312/503-8194 or g-rosenblum@northwestern.edu.

October 13
"Customer Service Techniques," 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Abbott Hall, room 850. Cost: $105. Contact: HR Development, 847/467-5081 or training@northwestern.edu.

October 19
"Giving Effective Presentations," 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Wieboldt Hall, room 317. Cost: $149. Contact: HR Development, 847/467-5081 or training@northwestern.edu.

October 19–21
Art in the Atrium, exhibit featuring works by Feinberg School students and faculty and staff members, 10 a.m.–3 p.m., Method Atrium, 300 East Superior Street. Contact: Robin Wagner, Staff Relations Committee, 312/695-4384 or r-wagner@northwestern.edu.

view full calendar >