VCU School of Medicine Women in Medicine and Science

<< index < previous meeting | next meeting >

May 2006

Minutes of the Wednesday, May 17, 2006 Meeting of the School of Medicine Committee on the Status of Women and Minorities.

Attending: Dr. Zakia Bell, Dr. Margaret Biber, Ms. Janett Forte, Ms. Carol Hampton, Dr. Wendy Klein (co-chair), Dr. Susan Kornstein, Ms. Shifa Mohiuddin, Dr. Rita Shiang (co-chair)

Dr. Rita Shiang called the meeting to order at 4:13 p.m.

Follow-up on Research Infrastructure Discussion
1. Dr. Margaret Biber expanded on the needs of researchers at VCU, discussed during the April 19th meeting with Drs. Nichols-Casebolt and Gordon Archer. The issue of foremost concern is the lack of space allotted for research at the University. According to Dr. Biber, even with the addition of new lab space in MSB II, the University falls short of the median for medical schools in the area of research. Dr. Biber also noted the low number of post-docs at VCU compared with other research institutions. Both issues – space and post-docs – are being addressed as priorities of the institution.
2. Conducting a study on the amount of research space allotted by gender was suggested; this was decided against at the present time. Such a study would require funding and may not be particularly telling given the variability in space requirements for specific types of research.
Follow-up: Benchmarking: Representation of Women and Minority Faculty (Presentation to Dean and Chairs 4/12/06) – Dr. Saba Masho, Diane Bishop, Carol Hampton
1. This year the Benchmarking Report (purple sheet) collected data on time-in-rank among faculty members by gender. No significant difference was found in time-in-rank between male and female faculty, nor in majority and minority faculty.
2. In the future, data on the number of female department and division chairs needs to be collected, as well as the rate of promotion among male versus female faculty.
3. A minor adjustment was made to the COSOWAM webpage (purple sheet). Under Activities, “Chair recruitment” was edited to “Recruitment Tools for Chairs”
WISDM Faculty Needs Assessment Survey
1. Limitations of previously sent e-mail survey (blue sheet) were discussed.
2. It was decided that the survey should be sent by mail to all faculty members. This should provide a better return and more information to help WISDM and COSOWAM in setting priorities and programs for next year.
SOM E-Calendar
1. The E-Calendar is now in place on the SOM home page (apple green paper).
2. The possibility of installing television monitors in MSB, Sanger Hall, and MCVH displaying daily events posted on the E-calendar was discussed and the idea strongly supported. Carol Hampton will follow-up with request for equipment as part of the call for HEETF funds (instructional equipment).
MCV Physicians Board Elections
1. Current statutes require candidates for election to MCVP to be full-time faculty; the total exclusion of part-time faculty members from the MCVP board was voiced as unfair.
2. The possibility of inviting Dr. Dick Wenzel, current President of MCVP Board, to address the issue was discussed. More communication with MCVP is encouraged.
3. The new Secretary of the Commonwealth needs to be contacted to arrange an appointment with Women in Medicine leadership. This position manages appointment for the new governor.
4. Action: It will be determined who will make the contact as part of planning over the summer.
Other
1. Thoughts for next year:
  1. increased communication needed with MCVP
  2. bring back Dr. Nichols-Casebolt in spring for research update.
2. Parking situation at Ambulatory Care Center has worsened—patients turning away as car lines grow.
3. Looking for Clinical Co-chair of COSOWAM.
Next COSOWAM Meeting: August 16th, 4 pm, Sanger 1-038
1. Strategic Planning with Dr. Page Morahan: July 12th, 12:30 p.m.; Location: TBD; Focus: Planning for Advancing Women.

Meeting adjourned at 5:15 pm.

Prepared by: Shifa Mohiuddin

<< index < previous meeting | next meeting >