Improvements Underway on Medical Center Campus

June 28, 2010

New Improvements Build a Closer Community

Construction Will Change the Face of the Medical Center

Construction is underway on a new Education Union and recreation center at Saint Louis University Medical Center -- two improvements that will make the campus that houses SLU's health sciences programs even more vibrant.

The campus is home to the schools of medicine, nursing and public health; Doisy College of Health Sciences; Center for Advanced Dental Education; Center for Health Care Ethics; and Center for Outcomes Research.

The Education Union will beautify the streetscape of the Medical Center.

Expected to open in 2011, the facilities will add to the dramatic changes to the campus' landscape that began in 2007 with the opening of the Edward A. Doisy Research Center, a 10-story glass and steel soaring testament to the University's dedication to biomedical research.

Located in the heart of the medical center, the brick and glass 30,000-square foot Education Union promises to be the hub of activity at the Medical Center, and will serve as a new sleek and welcoming front door for the campus known for its pioneering education for future health care professionals. A new addition will double the size of the building that used to belong to Tenet, which is being refurbished.
The Education Union will be for both relaxation and education. It will include a 225-seat, state-of-the art auditorium for large lecture classes as well as areas for study.

The building also will house the new teaching space for SLU's standardized patient simulation education program, which offers students a learning opportunity to practice new diagnostic and communication skills on "patients" who really are actors feigning illnesses. The building will include a café-style restaurant and student lounges, and will be the new home of SLU's Interprofessional Education Center, an innovative program that teaches collaboration and teamwork to tomorrow's health professionals.

A short walk from the Education Union, SLU literally is leveling the playing field of a new athletic complex that is expected to be complete next spring. The facility will contain an NCAA-regulation, eight-lane running track, which rings a full-sized soccer field. The athletic center will expand opportunities for all students to participate on intramural and club sports teams, and will be a convenient oasis for the Saint Louis University Medical Center family to enjoy informal opportunities for exercise. In addition, it will be the home field of SLU's Division I track team, pumping additional energy into the Saint Louis University Medical Center.

"Having these central congregating places will cement the sense of community among students, faculty and staff at Saint Louis University Medical Center," said Philip Alderson, SLU's vice president for health sciences and dean of the School of Medicine. "Along with the Doisy Research Center, both projects will change the face of Saint Louis University Medical Center to make it an even more inviting place."

SLATS Helps Doisy College Experience March Madness

As a part of the National Athletic Training Month activities, the Saint Louis University Athletic Training Society (SLATS) brought March Madness to the Doisy College community by providing broadcast of the NCAA men's basketball tournament games in the second floor.  This allows students, faculty and staff to enjoy off times and keep track of the games and their "brackets"

Getting the word out about National Athletic Training Month!

We have placed posters regarding National AT Month around the Doisy College of Health Sciences!

SLATS, our student organization, also plans on putting an information booth at the Busch Student Center later in the month, after spring break, which will promote athletic training.

Doisy College Faculty Member Reaches Out to Haiti

Kudos to Dr. Tim Randolph, faculty member in the Doisy College of Health Sciences Department of Clinical Lab Science, and Students Who are Helping Rebuild Medical Clinics in Haiti

By: Sara Savat (Taken from SLU Newslink, January 15, 2010, LINK)

A lot can change over the course of a few days.

On Saturday, Tim Randolph, Ph.D., associate professor of clinical laboratory science at Saint Louis University, returned home from his semi-annual trip to Haiti. For a decade Randolph's non-profit organization, Randolph World Ministries Inc. has partnered with medical clinics in Haiti to improve health care for the poorest of the poor.

Tim Randolph, Ph.D., works with health care providers at a Haiti clinic

During his three-week stay, Randolph and a team of volunteers, including SLU students, worked with established clinics and pursued plans to partner with an eighth clinic outside the country's capital in Port-au-Prince.

Tuesday, just two days after he returned home, disaster struck. A 7.0 earthquake jolted the country, killing thousands and devastating buildings in the area.

Garrett Ungerer, a first year student in the physician assistants program at SLU, joined Randolph on the most recent trip to Haiti. In the wake of the earthquake, he said he was feeling "heartbroken and devastated."

"We were just there. Obviously I feel guilty, and wish I were still there to help. I've asked all my friends and family to keep Haiti and all the people there in their prayers," Ungerer said.

While plans to build an additional clinic have been put on the backburner, Randolph has been working around-the-clock to get muchneeded supplies to his clinics in Haiti. Wednesday was consumed with phone calls and emails to his networks of supporters, including vendors, financial donors, past team members, medical supply donors and prayer groups. By the end of the week, Randolph hopes to reach Haiti with the first of many shipments of medical kits, surgical supplies, wound care materials and other clinic necessities. He suspects the urgent need will last for months, if not longer.

Randolph says he needs medical supplies, toiletries and monetary donations to cover the cost of shipping supplies.

"Our turnaround is very fast because we're a small organization and made up entirely of volunteers," Randolph said. "Approximately 99 cents out of every dollar donated goes directly to our clinics in Haiti."

Past student volunteers also have expressed interest in helping, including sophomore Tim Toby who joined Randolph on a trip to Haiti last summer.

"I loved my experience in Haiti - the people are amazing. When I heard about the earthquake I was devastated because I have all these connections to the country, yet there is little I can do right now to help. I'm eager to help Dr. Randolph is any way possible, and definitely hope to go back on future trips to help in the relief efforts," said Toby, who is majoring in investigative and medical sciences.

About Randolph World Ministries Inc.
Randolph established Randolph World Ministries Inc. in 2000. Through the non-profit organization, Randolph provides lab services, training, medical supplies and consultations to physicians and technicians who are fighting HIV, malaria, sickle cell disease, tuberculosis and other infectious diseases.

Each year, Randolph and teams of volunteers travel to Haiti in June and December to service the 23 existing clinics. Randolph says his primary job is to assess the resources a clinic has in place and the patient population it serves, which helps him determine how they can best improve and provide medical services.

"A functioning laboratory plays a critical role in clinics. Laboratory data provides precision to diagnoses and takes out the guess work. While we started out focused on providing laboratory supplies and service, our work has evolved as our team of volunteers has grown to include doctors, nurses, physician assistants and other health care professionals," Randolph said.

According to Randolph, everything his ministry does is in the spirit of the Gospels.

"We're there because God called us to be there. And by healing the body, we open up lines of communication for sharing the Christian Gospels," Randolph said.

Currently, donations can be mailed to Randolph World Ministries, Inc., 318 Vandalia St., Collinsville, Ill 62234. In the near future, Randolph plans to set up a PayPal account to collect donations on his Web site:http://www.randolphworldministries.org

Talk a Walk Around the Med Campus

Our new students are taking EDL 101: Enhancing First Year Success and, as a part of that class, they went on a photo scavenger hunt to become more familiar with the Medical Campus at SLU.
Hopefully their experience will help you get to know us better.

Make sure you take a map! MEDICAL CENTER MAP
There is also a video tour! MEDICAL CENTER VIDEO TOUR

Our tour starts at the Crave Coffeehouse, where we grab a latte for extra energy.

Then we start, of course, at the Athletic Training Education Program offices!

A quick check of our e-mail at the computer lab!

Then its off to the Center for Advanced Dental Education. Look at those great smiles!

We grab a breather along the babbling brook adjacent to the sparkling new Doisy Research Building.

We meet with our academic advisor on the 4th floor of the Nursing Building.

Then off to the Medical Bookstore to grab a clicker.


Then grab some resources at the Health Sciences/Medical Center Library.

All this activity worked up a hearty appetite, so we grab a nutritious lunch at Fresh Gatherings Cafe.

Then its back to our residence hall in the timely and convenient shuttle.


Thanks for joining us....come back and visit soon!

Getting used to the surroundings....

We are lucky to have such great teaching and learning facilities!

Pictured is the modalities lab in the Doisy College of Health Sciences.

The facilities are working out well....and so are the students...

They had a taping lab today and all did great work!

PS: Congratulations to Dr. Cannon and his family on the arrival of son Jack!