Capra signs new contract with OMRF

Dr. J. Donald Capra has signed a four-year contract to remain president of the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.

Capra joined the OMRF in 1997 after 23 years at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. He is a former member of the foundation's scientific advisory committee.

"Together with the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, the next few years will be devoted to expanding our outstanding programs in fundamental genetics," said Capra. "This will require that we pull together in all levels -- private and public, state and federal, urban and rural. For Oklahoma to remain competitive in the biomedical revolution, we simply must do this."

Capra has headed several initiatives to expand the OMRF. Two years ago, Capra initiated the "For the Future of Medical Research Campaign" to raise $100 million in capital and endowment funds. It has since raised nearly $70 million. Current construction on the foundation's Donald W. Reynolds Center for Genetic Research will add 13,000 square feet of laboratory and research space. Capra also intends to expand the OMRF's scientific faculty by 50 percent, adding 20 principal investigators.

Other people

Dr. Mary Anne McCaffree has been elected to the American Medical Association's Council on Scientific Affairs. The neonatologist at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center has represented the Oklahoma State Medical Association as its AMA delegate since 1992.

U.S. Rep. Ernest Istook, R-Okla., has nominated Edmond insurance agent Boyd Barclay for a new, 15-member task force to improve health care delivery for our nation's veterans. President George W. Bush created the task force on Memorial Day. Barclay's experience includes military service and involvement in veterans' affairs.

Business

PPO Oklahoma has gained 20,000 new members through coverage agreements with Hertz and all three OU campuses. This raises the managed care provider's coverage to 270,000 lives in the Sooner State.

Rules to work by

The Oklahoma State Department of Health has added to its list of adopted rules available for downloading at its Web site, www.health.state.ok.us/program/prc/index.html.

These rule changes -- adopted in February and March, effective this month and next -- impact nurse aide employment, certificate of need applications, hearing aid dealer and fitter rules, licensed behavioral practitioners, trauma facilities, emergency medical services, health-maintenance organizations, home care administrator certification, assisted living, residential care home, and other issues.

Events

The Children's Center in Bethany has postponed the Pediatric Spasticity Conference originally scheduled for Friday. They hope to reschedule it for October.

From 2-7 p.m. Thursday, the HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital will hold an open house to celebrate its renovations and to honor its new chief executive, Jo McGuffin.

At 4 p.m. Thursday, the Oklahoma Board of Chiropractic Examiners will hold a special meeting in the Board of Dentistry/Board of Veterinary Conference Room, 201 NE 38th Terrace, Suite 1, Oklahoma City.

From July 17-21, the OU College of Continuing Education will host the first annual Conglomerate Women's Athletic Clinic at the Marriott Conference Center in Norman. Featured will be 18 presenters from 11 U.S. cities, including aerobics innovators Kenneth Cooper and Millie Cooper. The clinic fee is $395.

Etc.

Integris Baptist Medical Center's Troy and Dollie Smith Cancer Center will display its eighth annual "Celebration of Life and Art" exhibit through July 13. The show features nearly 170 art works by 94 artists who have either suffered from cancer or had a loved one with the disease. To learn more, call 943-4673.

Deaconess Hospital has a full slate of community education programs and support groups lined up for July, with topics ranging from prenatal classes and diabetes to grief recovery and the Better Breathers' Club. For details, call 848-4079.

Kirby Lee Davis welcomes your comments and contributions. You may reach him by phone at 278-2843, by fax at 278-2890 or by e-mail, kdavis

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