Mooney Gets Appointment
Kathleen Mooney has been appointed to serve as a member of the Institute of Medicine, Division of Earth and Life Sciences’ National Cancer Policy Board beginning May 1.
The appointment was announced last week by Dr. Kenneth Shine, president of the Institute of Medicine.
The Life Sciences National Cancer Board addresses issues that arise in the prevention, control, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
Professor Mooney holds the Louis S. Peery Presidential Endowed Chair in the College of Nursing.
This is one of the highest and most prestigious honors given to a faculty member at the College of Nursing.
National Laboratory Week
The U’s medical laboratory science department joined in celebrating National Laboratory Week from April 14 to 20.
More than 265,000 medical laboratory professionals and 15,000 board-certified pathologists nationwide are joining in celebrations.
Pathologists use state-of the-art technology to perform and interpret medical lab tests, prevent disease by detecting unknown health problems and aid in the diagnosis and treatment of existing medical conditions.
Results of lab tests often identify the presence of disease in its earliest stages when the possibility for successful treatment is the greatest.
The department of pathology celebrated by hosting an open house on the University Hospital bridge on Monday and another open house in the Skaggs Biology Building on Tuesday.
Child Abuse Prevention
Salt Lake County Mayor Nancy Workman proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, in order to call attention to the negative impact of child abuse on society, and to encourage all adults to participate in prevention efforts.
The proclamation, signed on Tuesday, April 16, in the county council chambers, was presented to the Salt Lake County Child Abuse Prevention Team (CAP), an inter-agency council of professionals and volunteers who work together to support public awareness and prevention efforts.
The team draws its membership from Primary Children’s Medical Center, the Family Support Center, various school district representatives, the Salt Lake County Children’s Shelter at the Christmas Box House, a residential program serving children who are the alleged victims of abuse or neglect, and other concerned citizens, agencies and advocates who work together to help prevent child abuse.
“Nationally, more than 3 million children per year are reported as being abused or neglected, with 1 million of those cases substantiated,” said Ronalee Baker, chairwoman of the CAP team.
Of the 9,480 Utah victims of child abuse last year, 25 percent were involved in domestic abuse, meaning that they witnessed or were aware of abuse occurring in their home, 18 percent were victims of sexual abuse and 18 percent were cases of physical neglect, according to Utah’s Division of Child and Family Services Outcome Measures Report for Fiscal Year 2001.
Sixty percent of victims of abuse or neglect were young children under the age of 10. The age group most effected is that of birth to 5 years.
Adults are encouraged to report abuse immediately. If a child is in immediate danger, call the local police or 911. If you suspect abuse, call the 24 hour Child Abuse Hot Line at 538-4377 for Salt Lake and Tooele counties.