We’ve all heard a lot about the recent space shuttle trip, but did you know that a UConn flag accompanied astronauts on their journey to the International Space Station?

I’m proud to say the connection is through a former colleague of mine, Robert (Bobby) Satcher, Jr., Ph.D., M.D., who worked in my lab at MIT. Dr. Satcher, who is not only an astronaut but also an orthopaedic surgeon and distinguished researcher, agreed to bring the UConn flag on the Atlantis’ current trip.

On November 16, I had the great honor of watching Bobby and the other astronauts as the space shuttle Atlantis lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center. I was joined by longtime friends and benefactors of the Health Center, Bess and Michael Economos, who are also the founders of the Lea’s Foundation for Leukemia Research. It was an incredible experience and a moment of pride for my friend and former colleague.

As for the UConn flag, I will let you know when it returns to Farmington.

Recently, I was the keynote speaker during Lincoln University’s 150th commencement exercises and received a Doctor of Science degree, honoris causa. I am extremely honored to have been chosen to receive the Doctor of Science degree from Lincoln University, an outstanding university with a rich tradition of excellence.

Lincoln University of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was chartered in 1854 and was the first institution in the world to offer higher education in the arts and sciences for male youth of African descent. Since its inception, Lincoln has attracted an interracial and international enrollment from the surrounding community, region, and around the world. Lincoln University’s alumni include Langston Hughes, ’29, world-acclaimed poet; Thurgood Marshall, ’30, first African-American Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court; and Kwame Nkrumah, ’39, first president of Ghana. Bishop Desmond Tutu and Mrs. Rosa Parks have been among those who have been so honored by Lincoln University with honorary degrees in the past. I am very humbled to be part of this very prestigious group of honorees.

Last Friday, I had the privilege of attending the PAWS ceremony and distributing the April awards. One might ask, as I did when I first came to the UConn Health Center, what are PAWS awards? They are awards given to employees that showcase our own for the quiet excellence performed every day. To receive a PAWS award, an employee must be Part of a team, have an Awesome attitude, Wonderful work ethic, and provide Superior service. These employees exemplify the culture that is the cornerstone of our mission here at the Health Center.

The award recipients are Anne Bennett, Medicine; Lynette Branday, Elizabeth Fabbri and Pamela Iannucci, UMG/MFM; Nancy Hoerup, Telecommunications; Cathy Cassineri, Calhoun Cardiology Center; Christine Delgrande, Pulmonary Function Lab; Sonya Dickens, CMHC/Manson Youth; Lynn Grumm, Core Lab; William Kilray, Pharmacy; Marisol Koniar, UMG/IMA Module; Shelly Lombardo and Nicole McDermott, Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center; Chantel Melendez, Radiology; Carolyn Murphy and Jennifer Smedberg, Rehabilitation Services; Frank Nichols, Oral Health & Diagnostic Sciences; Nicholas Noyes, Clinical Engineering; Maria Pessoa, Geropsych/3rd Floor; Sheila Pettway, UMG/GI-ID; Kesia Smith, Radiology; Dana Vibert, Outcome Performance Systems; Agnes White, Faculty Practice Plan Clinic; Abdul Yusoff, Dermatology. The team award goes to the IDX web implementation team. Members include Laurie Heineman, Lori Delvaglio, Diane Hamalian, Paul Consonni, Lori Giblin, Deborah Halle, Linda Clark, Lorraine Boulanger, Elissa Wagner, Kim Bourbeau, Matthew Shannon, and Ingrid Napoletano.

Congratulations to all the PAWS award recipients!

Congressman Christopher Murphy (CT-5) visited the Health Center on Tuesday and met with several individuals to learn about health information technology projects that could be eligible for funding from the Economic Recovery Bill. As a new member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees national health care policy, Murphy pushed for a $19 billion investment in health information technology. During his visit, Murphy also met with researchers and heard about several research initiatives that are critical to the Health Center’s mission and vital to the state’s economy. His visit ended with a tour of the hospital.