Walking into the full auditorium to welcome our new matriculants, the Class of 2025, I had to remind myself it was not a dream. If you’re like me, it takes some adjustment to get back into the groove of the live, in-person world versus the virtual matrix that we were transported into and occupied during the pandemic. I personally prefer the in-person world.
Plans are underway for our annual Board retreat held in Santa Fe from July 29th – August 1st. Paul Umbach, who facilitated the Dean’s retreat, will also facilitate the Board retreat. By also having Paul, he will be able to integrate feedback from the Dean’s retreat into both the operational and strategic agenda items that will be discussed with the board. Following the retreat, I will provide a summary report at the August Towne Hall Meeting.
I would like to thank everyone for your commitment as we launch another academic year. Let’s all keep a positive mindset. By doing so, there is not anything that we cannot overcome.
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- I cannot believe a new academic year is already upon us. It has been exciting to have students in-person and back on campus, whether studying for COMLEX or going through Orientation. Welcome back, everyone!
- If you haven’t already, please join me in welcoming the Class of 2025. As of this writing, we are looking forward to our White Coat Ceremony as they don their coats for the first time!
- Special recognition goes to all those students and their faculty mentors who showcased their work during our annual Medical Student Research Day. It’s very exciting to see the results of the work being done by our researchers.
- Our Executive Committee’s Strategic Planning retreat went extremely well. The results will be shared at our upcoming Board of Trustees retreat July 29-31, and we will follow up for broader review with our faculty and staff, as well as students and community partners, during the coming fall.
- We received an excellent report from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, which had no adverse findings. Thanks again to our Compliance Team and everyone who participated in interviews with the site team.
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Institutional Advancement |
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Tomorrow is the White Coat Ceremony! We would like to offer our congratulations and best wishes to the incoming Class of 2025. We are happy to see the Burrell family continue to grow! The Office of Institutional Advancement would like to thank each person who contributed to the White Coat experience, who donated and wrote a special note for an incoming student.
The Olympics are coming July 23rd! Keep an eye out for our new commercials on KTSM! We are proud to sponsor an event that brings people from all nations together, especially after such a long and difficult period of separation.
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Administration & Operations (HR, IT and Finance) |
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- Congratulations to all of the Summer Research Experience participants and their mentors on a successful research program. A total of 19 projects were submitted for presentation at the Annual Medical Student Research Day. We also owe a big thank you to Kalli Martinez and Martha Enriquez for their work behind the scenes.
- The Office of Research & Sponsored Programs is seeking applications from interested faculty for the Director of Student Research. Interested faculty should submit a letter of interest articulating their vision for enhancing faculty-mentored student research at the College along with a current curriculum vitae to Dr. Benoit. Review of applications will begin immediately.
- The Office of Research will resume processing orders next on July 19. Thank you for your patience over the recent weeks. Please contact us with any questions.
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The 2021-2022 membership rosters for IBC and IRB have been updated.
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Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology |
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Immediately following their first year of medical studies, 14 Burrell students recently completed the intensive, five-week, Burrell Directed Dissection Program. This experience, offered through the Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, provides an opportunity for students to engage in the whole-body dissection of human anatomical donors while enjoying a detailed review of human anatomy and performing the service of creating teaching specimens for the upcoming academic year.
Anatomy and Cell Biology Department faculty recognized the exemplary performance of several participants with the following awards. Proficiency: John Betts; Professionalism: Melanie Racenstein; Perseverance: Kasandra Rascon; Table Teamwork Award: Philene Sengapaseuth, Breanna Caywood, and John Brown; Upper Limb Lecture Award, for which the winner is invited to co-present a lecture session with Dr. Cindy Funk: William Weissinger; Poet Laureate Award, honoring achievement in reflective self-assessment - one of the Program’s activities: Jacob Neiderer. Awardees received a classic anatomical text for their outstanding contributions.
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Department of Biomedical Sciences |
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- The Department of Biomedical Science has been very busy working with students in the research laboratory. Dr. Bramblett spoke on mentorship during the summer research program orientation while Dr. Stauss presented on “Writing a Compelling Title and Abstract” and on “Designing Introductory Slides for an Oral presentation”. Dr. Szalai spoke to the students about “Optimizing the Results Section for an Oral Presentation.”
- Drs Szalai and Bramblett collaborated with Dr. Woods on a presentation for the Burrell College of Osteopathic medicine CME conference on “COVID-19 Past Present and Future.”
- As lead advisor for the Animas River Advisory College, Dr. De La Rosa helped coordinate a series of volleyball matches at Sisbarro Park with the Summer Dissection Program and Summer Research Program students. The Cimarron River College advisors kicked of OMSI orientation with a group lunch.
- Dr. Szalai served on the NIH Center of Scientific Review Special Emphasis Panel.
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Department of Clinical Medicine |
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The clinical faculty want to congratulate all the students who have worked on research projects this summer. We were delighted to be involved in some of these and will continue to support your efforts. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
The Division of Clinical Medicine Faculty and Dr. Goldsteen wants to welcome back our existing students from summer break, congratulate the students entering rotations, welcome the new first-year students to Burrell. We knew you could do it!
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Department of Physiology and Pathology |
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Sincere thanks to our outgoing faculty members, Drs. Rodenbaugh and Selinfreund, for their commitment to our students and service to our department. Dr. Rodenbaugh is particularly appreciated for his support of excellence in teaching among our faculty.
Dr. Oviedo was an on-site platform moderator for a Developmental/Pediatric/Vascular session at the annual meeting of the American Association of Neuropathologists in June.
Dr. Woods led the Class of 2025 in a practice TBL exercise during orientation week and continues to successfully advance our teaching methods in this area.
Two faculty searches have been initiated – postings are available on the HR website and are being shared through multiple professional organizations. Many thanks, in advance, to the faculty and students who have graciously agreed to be members of our search committees, and to the HR department for their continuous support in this effort.
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The Offices of Diversity and Inclusion and Institutional Assessment collaborated on the INSIGHT into Diversity 2021 Health Professions HEED Award application, which recognizes health professions that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- The Diversity Council welcomes newly appointed members Christopher Harper, Dr. Steven Ontiveros, and Karen Provencio. We extend a big thank you to Dr. Vanessa De La Rosa, Miley Grandjean, and PJ Howlett for their commitment, contributions, and service to the Diversity Council during its inaugural year.
- Diversity Council 2021-2022
- Chair: Justin McHorse
- Faculty members: Dr. Nancy Minugh-Purvis and Dr. Steven Ontiveros
- Staff members: Christopher Harper and Karen Provencio
- Student members: Breanna Caywood, OMS-II, and Gabriella Galarza-Cooper, OMS-II
- Community member: John Andazola, MD
- The Diversity Council held its first meeting of the 2021/2022 Academic Year on Thursday, July 10th, and discussed goal ideas and initiatives for the year to come.
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Office of Enrollment Services |
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The Office of Admissions is working closely with the Office of Faculty Affairs regarding the scheduling of applicant interview dates for fall. Information will be sent via email soon. An interviewer training session will be held during FAME in August.
The Office of Financial Aid has a new, external scholarship available from the Philanthropic Educational Opportunities (P.E.O.) Sisterhood. The P.E.O. Scholar Award was developed to recognize women based on the excellence of their record and their potential to be someone the public reads about in the future. If you would like to nominate a female student for the award, please contact Marlene Melendez, mmelendez@burrell.edu. Burrell has hit a record number of students receiving the HPSP scholarship in AY 2021-2022. Twenty-six students are currently receiving the scholarship and will leave this institution either debt-free or close to it. The Office of Financial Aid Staff appreciates the support that these students receive throughout the program.
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June 30th, Educational Specialists and OMS II students facilitated a panel for the incoming class (2025s).
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July 1st, Educational Specialists facilitated a pre-matriculation workshop – A Plan from the Start – geared towards helping the incoming students create a balanced schedule for success.
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July 6th, Student Affairs welcomed our new Educational Specialist – Dr. Yvonne Ortega. Welcome to the team!
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July 7th, Educational Specialists wrapped up their drop-in Q & A sessions for the 2025 students.
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July 18th, the Office of Student Affairs will host an OMS II Orientation from 2:00 – 5:00 pm.
- Collaborations with: Friends of the Organ Mountains (Organ Peaks National Monument), the Southwest Environmental Center, and the Native Plant Society are underway – we want to provide a handful of Happy Hour Hikes that showcase the native plants and wildlife in our surrounding desert.
- Advisory College rosters are complete for the 2021-2022 academic year. Any questions – please inquire with our office!
- The Office of Student Affairs is now accepting non-perishable food items and/or toiletries for the Student Food Pantry. Contact Armida Rochelle for details on how to donate.
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Accreditation and Compliance |
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Updated Policies and Standard Operating Procedures
· Policy B7530 Drug Alcohol Use/Drug Screening
· ES.003 Scholarship Awarding and Distribution Process
· CE.018 Course Grade Reporting: Years Three and Four
· PE.012 Collaborative Exams
· PCE.016 Make-Up of Scored Activities
· PCE.017 Post Examination Review
· PCE.019 Vetting Written Exams
· PCE.020 Exam Day Reporting
· PCE.021 Assembling an ExamSoft Exam
· PCE.022 Delivery of an ExamSoft Exam
· HR.010 Employee Compensation
Updates to Student Handbook
· 6. Professional Attire
· 23. Clubs and Organizations
· 33. Substance-Free Campus
· 36. College-Owned Resources
· 41: Logo Use and Photography/Videography
The Office of Compliance welcomes everyone back to campus! As a reminder, please be sure to continue to submit a College Incident Report if you are in close contact (6ft and >15 minutes) with a confirmed positive case OR if you test positive for COVID-19.
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- Faculty affairs have completed approximately 250 reappointments for our current campus-based and preceptor faculty.
- Burrell hosted a 10-hour virtual CME conference on June 25-26. Thank you to our faculty presenters, CME Director, Dr. Scott Cyrus, and CME Coordinator, Christa Vaudrey for making this event a success!
- Preceptor Faculty Development programs have been hosted at the Florida, Tucson, and El Paso regional academic centers. Events for the New Mexico hubs are currently being scheduled.
- We congratulate Ms. Stephanie Caballero on her promotion to Administrative Coordinator for Faculty Affairs.
- We recognize Ms. Christa Vaudrey for her outstanding work in advancing Faculty Affairs this past year as Faculty Affairs Director. We wish her every success in her new role as Director of Employment.
- We recognize Dr. Jennifer Eastwood for her excellent past leadership of Faculty Affairs.
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Greetings! The Library welcomes new students and welcomes back our second, third, and fourth-year classes! The new course subjects guides for the fall semester are now up and available. They include links to required and recommended textbooks, databases, study materials, and journals. They can be accessed through the following links:
The Library will be staffed and our services will be offered during the following hours (the Library space will be available as study space during open building hours):
- Monday – Friday, 8 am to 8 pm
- Saturday – Sunday, 8 am to 3 pm
Additionally, outside of books and journals, we offer whiteboard markers, noise-canceling headphones, desk cycles, and other materials to help with your studies. Please stop by and say hello – we are always happy to help!
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The Class of 2025 has arrived! Be sure to welcome them and get involved with your Advisory College activities as they arise. Also, please make an effort to engage more fully with the Class of 2024 as they are finally able to join us on campus. They persisted through a very challenging first year and making connections with faculty has not been easy for them. On that note, special thanks to all of the lab and clinical faculty who showed exceptional commitment to our students throughout the pandemic.
The Faculty Council Leadership team for the 2021-2022 academic year is: Chair – Miriam Donohue; Vice-Chair – Steve Ontiveros; Past Chair – Kristin Gosselink; Parliamentarian – Kris Vaudrey. We are seeking a replacement for the office of Secretary. We appreciate the level of faculty participation in our regular and special elections processes.
Sincere thanks to our outgoing leadership members: Drs. Selinfreund, Kania, and Tano.
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The Staff Council would like to welcome the Class of 2025 to Burrell College. We are very excited to have you!
Staff, mark your calendars for August 27th! The Staff Council is planning a fun engagement opportunity. A flyer with details will be sent out shortly.
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Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.
– Sam Keen
A life without love is like a year without summer.
– Swedish Proverb
Summer has filled her veins with light and her heart is washed with noon.
― C. Day Lewis
Declare the past, diagnose the present, foretell the future.
― Hippocrates
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Laughter Can be the Best Medicine |
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Why did the teacher jump into the pool? He wanted to test the water!
What has ears but can't hear? A cornfield.
How does a cucumber become a pickle? It goes through a jarring experience.
What did one wall say to the other wall? I’ll meet you at the corner.
Did you hear about the cheese factory that exploded in France? There was nothing left but de Brie.
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BEAR:
Building Expectations of Alliance and Respect
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