UMC ranked among top hospitals in national survey

UMC is ranked in the top 50 hospitals nationally in five areas of medicine, according to a report published this week.

U.S. News and the National Opinion Research Center assessed medical care in 17 specialties at nearly 2,000 hospitals nationwide for an annual report. The top 50 hospitals in each category were published in the U.S. News and World Reportâs guide to ãAmericaâs Best Hospitals 2002.ä

The rankings were based on the reputation of the hospital and on various medical data.

This year UMC ranked 18th in neurology and neurosurgery, 25th in cancer treatment, 38th in heart care and heart surgery, 42nd in gynecology and 46th in rheumatology.

Last year UMC ranked 34th in neurology and neurosurgery, 28th in cancer treatment, 25th in heart care and heart surgery, 42nd in gynecology and 46th in rheumatology.

Optical Sciences launches graduate certificate program

UA Optical Sciences will begin offering a Professional Graduate Certificate in Optical sciences this fall that can be earned by working professionals, off campus.

Students in the certificate program can choose between the two or three video courses offered each semester. Optical Sciences Center faculty members teach the courses, which are identical to those offered to master and doctorate degree candidates in residency at OSC.

Students earn the Professional Graduate Certificate in Optical Sciences by completing five three-unit courses of optical sciences graduate credit courses with grades of B or better.

New director of Mexican-American studies named

Antonio Estrada was named the new permanent director of the Mexican-American Studies and Research Center on July 9.

Estrada has worked at UA since 1986. He is a professor with a doctorate in public health, and has served as the associate director of the Mexican-American Studies and Research Center and chair of the Mexican-American studies graduate program.

He has won many awards for community service and for teaching, including the UA College of Social and Behavioral Sciencesâ distinguished teaching award. Estrada also has several grants from the National Institutes of Health for his studies of cultural and behavioral aspects of HIV/AIDS, as well as on Hispanic public health issues.

ãDr. Estrada is highly committed to strengthening the instructional, outreach, and research missions of the Mexican-American Studies and Research Center, especially in the focus areas of culture and history, public policy, and Latino health,ä said interim dean of SBS Diana Liverman.