Neurobiology: Small Molecule Proves Its Punch Against Brain Tumor Cells Biological Chemistry: Protein Identified as Marker for Stem Cell Fusion Microbiology: Cholera Bacteria Break from Biofilm to Cause Disease Outreach: Ebert Day Showcases Student, Faculty Community Service Information Technology: MyResidency: New Tool for Doctors in Training Virus-specific Immune Cell Shows High Impact with Low Numbers Teaching Hospital Physicians Report Trouble Obtaining Specialty Services for the Uninsured Study Challenges Proposed Changes to Clinical Definition of Mental Illness   HMS Faculty Council, 2003-2004 Children's Cuts Ribbon on New Research Building Community Service Awards Milestone Series to Explore Molecular Sensing News Brief Honors and Advances   Diagnosing Faith   NIH Roadmap Aims to Speed Scientific Journey   Front Page

OUTREACH Ebert Day Showcases Student, Faculty Community Service HMS and HSDM faculty, staff, students, and fellows celebrated service learning and community outreach at the 11th annual Ebert Community Service Day, on Oct. 30, which included the presentation of the fifth annual Dean's Community Service Awards. The day takes its name from Robert Ebert, dean of Harvard's Faculty of Medicine from 1965 to 1977, who was a champion of diversity and service learning. Barbara Ebert, the late Robert Ebert's wife, was present at the award ceremony, where 10 awardees were recognized for their efforts to serve the local, national, and international communities. (See Bulletin for a full list.) Kenneth Fox, assistant professor of pediatrics at Boston University School of Medicine, kicked off the day's events by sharing his experiences in community outreach with a social medicine commons titled, "Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: Structural Violence, Service, and the New Community Medicine." He asserted that students who participate in community service programs outside of the classroom, especially in impoverished areas, gain a richer education that better prepares them for their career by developing communication and problem-solving skills. Steven Simon, assistant professor of ambulatory care and prevention, gave a lecture in clinical epidemiology titled, "Clinical Practice Guidelines and Health Disparities." Students demonstrated their involvement through posters on their volunteer projects. Lakshmi Nelson, HMS '06, worked at Jamaica Plain's Hennigan School with Girl Power, an HMS-created after-school program promoting science to girls age eight to 14. Her experiences there "help me relate to people on all different levels," she noted. The poster display coincided with a volunteer fair, where more than 40 local organizations solicited volunteers. Capping off Ebert Day was a demonstration and panel discussion, "Mapping Place and Community: Connecting Service and Learning in Medical Education," where students gave presentations on their service projects. Mike Westerhaus, HMS '05, worked in Roxbury with Prevention and Access to Care and Treatment (PACT), making weekly home visits to a PACT patient. Through his relationship, he gained an understanding of the demands facing someone living with a serious disease. "She taught me a great deal about the realities of living with HIV in a resource-poor urban setting in the U.S.," Westerhaus explained. David Bor, chief of the Department of Medicine at Cambridge Hospital and HMS associate professor of medicine, closed Ebert Day by recalling his own community service on a Native American reservation. He shared his excitement that today's HMS students foster the same enthusiasm for service learning and encouraged students to contribute to the global strategy of achieving health for all. To learn about volunteer opportunities at HMS, contact Jean Hess, program manager for the community service program at the Office of Enrichment, at jean_hess@hms.harvard.edu or visit http://www.hms.harvard.edu/enrichment. --Leah Gourley