Thursday, July 27, 2006

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

Patient info at MTMC

Purdue University will study a new hospital-wide information tracking system being implemented by Middle Tennessee Medical Center (MTMC) to determine how hospital processes are improved by the plasma screen technology. “At a glance, caregivers can view capacity information and monitor patient activity rather than studying pages of text,” says Angie Boyd-Chambers, spokeswoman for MTMC. “These boards will display the exact location of anyone or anything wearing an active RFID (radio frequency identification tag) with a simple Web-based search.” The so-called “WIN” program is being funded by Ascension Health only at MTMC.

Contact Boyd-Chambers at 615-396-4110.
angie.boydchambers@mtmc.org

Rock and reap the rewards

In addition to a rock concert you’ll never forget, the Southern Girls Rock & Roll Camp (SGRRC) showcase at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5 at Tucker Theatre will give you a chance to go home with your arms full of prizes. These include two tickets to the Moonlight Drive-In Theater and concessions, two tickets to the Arts Center of Cannon County Playhouse, a gift certificate from Grimey’s New & Preloved Music, two Theory 8 Records gift bags full of CDs, “The Bluebird Café” book from The Bluebird Café, and a taste treat from Cookie Bouquet. All proceeds will benefit SGRRC, which is slated from July 31-Aug. 5 at MTSU. The annual summer day camp offers girls ages 10-18 a positive place to develop their musical skills, collaborate with other girls and enhance their self-esteem.

Contact SGRRC founding mothers Kelley Anderson, Anna Fitzgerald and Courtney Wood Sharpe at the camp office at 615-849-8140 or sgrrc05@gmail.com.

Public presentations

Twenty-one MTSU Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program scholars will make poster and PowerPoint presentations of their research July 31 and Aug. 1. The McNair symposium will be held in the Tom H. Jackson Building and will feature “very professional” presentations, Steve Saunders, coordinator, McNair Scholars program, said. Each scholar has a mentor who guides the student in the methods of research. The students receive $2,600 each for their eight weeks of research while the mentors receive $500 each. The program is designed to serve first-generation and low-income students as well as students from groups underrepresented in doctoral level studies.

For information about the symposium or program, call 615-904-8462.

TR EXTRA

A CENTURY OF BEAUTY—THIS WEEKEND--Beautiful bonsai trees will be on display at the Middle Tennessee Regional Bonsai Show Saturday, July 29 and Sunday, July 30 in Room 322 of the Keathley University Center. The show is co-sponsored by the Nashville Bonsai Society and the Japan-U.S. Program of MTSU. “Unlike ikebana (arranged flowers), bonsai trees have a long life, often more than 100 years, and require not just love but much physical and mental commitment on the part of the grower,” Dr. Kiyoshi Kawahito, director of MTSU’s Japan-U.S. Program, said. Bonsai Master Warren Hill, former supervisory curator for the U.S. National Bonsai Collection, will conduct a demonstration at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The tree he sculpts will be auctioned off during the demonstration. Admission both days is free. Media welcomed. To register for the show or for more information, contact Barbara Walton at 615-337-4728 or 615-449-6693 or cuchem@charter.net.

DANCING AND DRUMMING—SATURDAY--“The Bohemian Sanctuary: An Evening of Dancing and Drumming” will be presented at 7 p.m. at MTSU’s Wright Music Hall to benefit Rutherford County’s Rape Recovery and Prevention Center (RRAPC). Belly dancers from the Murfreesboro area will display their talents, and the Rhythmystik Tribal Percussion Duo will provide musical entertainment. The duo, which has released two CDs, is well known in the Nashville area. The RRAPC is a local nonprofit agency dedicated to helping victims of sexual assault and their families with the trauma and emotional battle resulting from sexual violence. The number for the 24-hour crisis line is 615-494-9262 (This number is for sexual violence crises only—not for information about the event.). For information about the “Bohemian Sanctuary” event, contact Justine Viola at 615-494-9881.

HEAD FOR THE MOUNTAINS!--Some 16 MTSU alumni and several faculty members have contributed to the newly published “Encyclopedia of Appalachia.” The title has more than 2,000 entries which provides ready reference to information about the people, culture and history of Appalachia. MTSU’s Center for Historic Preservation was contacted by scholars at East Tennessee State University’s Center for Appalachian Studies and Services about collaborating on the project. CHP Director Dr. Carroll Van West says he agreed to participate because of his interest in southern architecture and because the Applachian region suffers from stereotyping. Contact the Center for Historic Preservation at 615-898-2947.