Curtis Klaassen, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, received the 2008 Bernard S. Brodie Award in Drug Metabolism. The award was presented to him for his pioneering work in drug transport and drug metabolism. His work focused on the disposition of toxic heavy metals and interrelation in the disposition of drugs.

Patricia Thomas, MD, chair of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, was honored at the 33rd Annual Black Achievers Reception in January 2008, and received its annual Black Achievers Award. Thomas was honored for her relentless advocacy for diversity at KUMC and her work with minority students to ensure their success in medicine.

Helen R. Connors, RN, PhD, FAAN, associate dean and professor for academic affairs for the School of Nursing, is the 2007 recipient of the Virginia K. Saba Nursing Informatics Leadership Award, which is presented by the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Connors, who has been with the SON since 1979, was given the award for her innovative and cutting-edge work in the field of nursing informatics.

The Center for Telemedicine and Telehealth, led by Ryan Spaulding, PhD, is overseeing a $3.7 million grant from the Federal Communications Commission. The award will go to build the KanHealth program, which will leverage high bandwidth resources to create a virtual health care network among medical facilities in Kansas.

Robert Klein, PhD, professor of anatomy and cell biology and associate dean of professional development and faculty affairs, received the Alpha Omega Alpha Robert J. Glaser Distinguished Teaching Award from the Association of American Medical Colleges. As the first teacher from the KU School of Medicine to receive this award, it recognizes the significant contributions to medical education made by gifted teachers.

Hiroshi Nishimune, PhD; Pat Fields, PhD; Jay Vivian, PhD; T. Rajendra Kumar, PhD; and Lane Christensen, PhD, will utilize an $11 million award to enhance their research careers in cell development and differentiation. The Institutional Development Award supports multidisciplinary centers – each concentrating on one general area of research – that strengthens the capability and infrastructure of research.

Rita Clifford, RN, PhD, associate dean for student affairs in the School of Nursing, and Tammy Peterman, RN, MS, chief nursing officer, executive vice president and chief operating officer of The University of Kansas Hospital, received awards from the Kansas State Nurses Association. Clifford received the KSNA Honorary Recognition Award, and Peterman was named Nurse of the Year for Administration.

Dr. Kim Templeton, MD, associate professor of orthopaedic surgery and chair of the Faculty Council, was chosen as a leader among women in medicine by the American Medical Student Association. She was one of 10 women to receive the award in its first year and was featured at the annual AMSA convention in Houston this year. Her story will be a part of a traveling exhibit to encourage women to enter the medical field and take on leadership positions.