December 15, 2000

News Briefs

Featured Image

Partain receives ABR award

Dr. C. Leon Partain recently received the American Board of Radiology’s Distinguished Service Award.

Partain, Pendergrass Chair in Radiology and director of the Center for Imaging Research, was recognized for the time and expertise that he donated toward the board’s certification process.

VUMC seeks to renegotiate with Aetna

Vanderbilt University Medical Center recently gave formal notice to Aetna U.S. Healthcare that it will seek to renegotiate its three-year-old contract.

“It is our strong desire to come to new terms with Aetna and begin a new relationship,” said Dr. John S. Sergent, chief medical officer at Vanderbilt.

Vanderbilt is seeking an improved level of reimbursement for its services to Aetna members, and improved performance of the contract, including prompt handling and payment of claims.

The current contract period between Aetna and Vanderbilt ends on Feb. 1, 2001. Under the terms of the contract, the letter issued by Vanderbilt gives Aetna 90-day notice of contract termination. Vanderbilt seeks to avoid a possible termination through renegotiation of the contract.

CME new location

The Division of Continuing Medical Education has moved to 320 Light Hall. The phone number is 322-4040, fax 322-4526.

Webb earns Fellow status

Lynn E. Webb, Ph.D., administrator for the Psychiatric Hospital at Vanderbilt, recently earned Fellow status in the American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE). The ACMPE recognizes an individual's competence and advancement to Fellow when the individual has passed the College's oral, essay and objective examinations, has written an acceptable professional paper and has earned a minimum of 50 continuing education credit hours. ACMPE's parent organization, the Medical Group Management Association, is the oldest and largest organization in the field of medical group practice representing nearly 21,000 individuals.

EBL holiday hours

Eskind Biomedical Library holiday hours are:

Friday, December 22, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, December 23, 9 am. to 5 p.m.

Sunday, December 24, closed

Monday, December 25, closed

Tuesday, December 26 through Friday, December 29, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday, December 30, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sunday, December 31, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Monday, January 1, 2001, closed

Seger elected president of AACT

Donna Seger, assistant professor of medicine and medical director of the poison center, was elected President-elect for the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology. Seger will hold the office of president-elect for two years, and then will be president of the international organization for and additional two years. She will be the group's first female president.

TRC seeking ideas for funds

The Technology Review Committee of the University is now soliciting ideas for the use of funds which have accrued in the Technology Research Fund from Vanderbilt patents and licenses. Comments may be sent to Janis Elsner, Associate Director, Technology Transfer Office or Richard Haglund, Chair, Technology Review Committee (richard.haglund@vanderbilt.edu).