New Orleans

Cultural Topics Lecture Series

On February 15, Tessie Prevost Williams, administrative assistant in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, presented “Integrating New Orleans Schools: The Civil Rights Movement Through the Eyes of a Child,” the second in a series of lectures sponsored by the School of Dentistry Library. In 1960 Tessie was one of four black children selected to integrate two New Orleans elementary schools. Tessie described her experiences to an audience of faculty, staff, and students. More of her story is available on the School of Dentistry web site.

Alferez Documentary at Po’boy Fest

2010 New Orleans Po'boy preservation festivalEnrique Alferez, the sculptor who designed the “Conquest of Yellow Fever” frieze in the library commons, will be the subject of a documentary at the 2010 New Orleans Po-Boy Preservation Festival.

ÔÇ£Enrique Alferez, SculptorÔÇØ (1989) will be shown at 6pm on Sunday, November 14 at 8325 Oak Street (the former Armstrong-McCall Beauty Supply store, located next to Frenchy’s Gallery and across from Maple Leaf Bar and Jaques-ImoÔÇÖs Caf?®).

A University of New Orleans production, the half-hour video profiles Alferez and his career predominantly in his own words, combining interviews with footage of the sculptorÔÇÖs pervasive public art in New Orleans.

Along with the documentary – which hasnÔÇÖt had such a screening in decades – filmmaker Matt Martinez and the artist’s daughter Dr. Tlaloc Alferez will provide additional information on Alferez and his work.

More info: http://www.poboyfest.com/events

Cholera

NLM exhibit

NLM exhibit

With the news that Cholera has taken over 100 lives in Haiti, a National Library of Medicine exhibit on the history of the disease came to mind.

Louisiana has had its own battle with the disease. As recently as 1986, cases of cholera were reported in South Louisiana, including Jefferson Parish. Not to mention the over 4,000 people who died of the disease in New Orleans in 1832.

Great Forensic CE Opportunity

If you have an interest in Forensic Sciences, don’t miss this opportunity to learn from some of the best in the field. The workshop will include luncheon speakers Orleans Parish Coroner, Dr. Frank Minyard, and crime writer, forensic anthropologist, and academic, Kathy Reichs (of Bones fame.)

13th_Annual_Investigation_for_Identification_banner

The 13th Annual Investigation for Identification: Forensic Sciences Enter a New Decade
Sponsored by LSU Continuing Dental Education.
Friday, August 27 – Saturday, August 28, 2010
14 hrs CDE (non-clinical, lecture) – 14 hrs CME Cat. 2 – 14 hrs CLE
Fee: $545*

Course Directors
Philip J. Levine, DDS, MS, MSM — Robert E. Barsley, DDS, JD — Robert B. Brannon, DDS, MS

Faculty
Michael Baden, MD — Henry C. Lee, PhD — Sam Brothers — Mary Manhein, MA — Tommy Martin — Robert B. J. Dorion, DDS — Christopher G. Fielding, COL, DC, USA — Joe Navarro, BS, MA

Check out the brochure or the schedule.

New Orleans Index @ 5

The Greater New Orleans Community Data Center (GNOCDC) is commemorating the 5th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina with the New Orleans Index at Five. The index “provides a comprehensive examination of the region through 20 key indicators, as well as seven topical essays informed by on the ground experience and research.” Of particular interest to the health science community is the essay on Community Health Clinics (pdf).

NOLA Neighborhood Recovery

Maybe it makes me a statistics nerd, but I love the numbers that the Greater New Orleans Community Data Center (GNOCDC) puts out. Last week they released a map demonstrating the “Resiliency of New Orleanians Shown in Neighborhood Repopulation Numbers.” Check out the number of addresses actively receiving mail in New Orleans.

Meeting on Oil Spill Health Effects 6/22&23

I just received the following news release. The meetings are this week!
Oil Spill Health Effects to Be Explored at IOM Workshop, June 22-23
Scientists and government agencies are struggling to predict the potential health consequences of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico for those living and working near the region. At the request of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Institute of Medicine will host a public meeting to discuss the possible human health effects — both short- and long-term — resulting from the spill. Experts from the scientific community and academia, as well as additional stakeholders, will review lessons learned from similar disasters, identify groups most at risk for health problems as a result of the spill, and discuss how to prevent and monitor potential health consequences.
Details:
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CDT on June 22, and 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CDT on June 23, in the Queen Anne Ballroom of the Hotel Monteleone, 214 Royal St., New Orleans. Those who cannot attend may watch a video webcast of the event that will be available at www.national-academies.org. An agenda and registration information are available at www.iom.edu/oilspillhealth.

Hurricane Season Begins

Chancellor Hollier issued our annual Emergency Preparedness Plan email reminder this morning to coincide with the start of the 2010 Hurricane Season. Please be sure to familiarize yourself with the university’s Weather Related Emergency Procedures (Chancellor’s Memo 51).

Let’s all keep our fingers crossed that it won’t need to be implemented this year.

Seafood Safe?

School of Public Health Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Department Head, Jim Diaz appeared on WWL-TV on Friday night (April 30th) and stated that the general public does not need to be concerned that “with both the chemical sampling and taste testing that the experts do now, he does not think contaminated seafood will make it to your table.”

Crude Oil Spills and Human Health

The National Library of Medicine‘s Disaster Information Management Research Center
has created a new fact sheet on “Crude Oil Spills & Human Health.” The page is primarily an arranged group of links to other federal and state agencies.

Oil Slick in Gulf

Nasa’s satellite imaging photographed the oil slick in the Gulf of Mexico caused by the drilling platform accident last week. It was featured in their Image of the Day Gallery on Monday.

Oil Slick in Gulf

Oil Slick in Gulf

Good News for NOLA Patients

The Commonwealth Fund released a report mid-January on a 2009 Survey of Clinic Patients in New Orleans. “Coming Out of Crisis: Patient Experiences in Primary Care in New Orleans, Four Years Post-KatrinaÔÇöFindings from The Commonwealth Fund 2009 Survey of Clinic Patients in New Orleans” makes for interesting reading and is only 35 pages long. A quick quote that demonstrates the tone of the report, “The findings are encouraging: most patients reported having easy access to care, helpful communication with clinicians, good management of their chronic illnesses, and preventive care. When they needed care, costs did not deter them from seeking it.”

Who Dat Nation & Bonding

LSUHSC Assistant Professor Adrianne Brennan (Psychiatry) was interviewed in a Times-Picayue article that came out today; she stated “Because we were so bonded as a city through Katrina, we also bonded through the Saints. Our sense of community is so strong.”

I found out about the article from the official LSUHSC twitter feed!

Superbowl Sunday Special Hours

Because of the Black & Gold Superbowl both the Dental & Isché Libraries will have special hours on Sunday, February 7th.

The Dental Library will be open from 1:30 to 5 pm.

The Isché Library will be open from 10 am to 5 pm.

Go SAINTS!
Saints Go All the Way!

Saints Go All the Way!

NFC Champions

In their 43rd season, the New Orleans Saints are going to the 44th Superbowl.

New Orleans NFC Champions

New Orleans NFC Champions

Just in case you hadn’t heard