Women & Infants to host research conference focused on institutional value

PROVIDENCE – Women & Infants Hospital is hosting a “mini-conference” this Wednesday, July 14, on the value of research to an academic hospital and what it takes to develop a successful, cross-disciplinary research program.
The event, titled “Research: An Event or An Environment?” will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Women & Infants Education Center, 101 Dudley St., Providence. It is sponsored by the hospital’s Program in Women’s Oncology.
“We want to reach physicians, scientists, researchers, research nurses and research coordinators who are interested in learning how to work together to build a premier research environment that elevates the level of care provided for patients and the overall population of the institution,” said Dr. Paul DiSilvestro, director of research in the program.
The keynote speaker will be Dr. Robert Mannel, professor and chairman of the University of Oklahoma Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Rainbolt Family Chair in Cancer, and director of the Oklahoma University Cancer Institute.
In addition, Michael Mullahy, director of research administration at Women & Infants, will speak about the financial impact of research at the hospital.
Finally, Dr. D. Scott McMeekin, the Virginia Kerley Cade Chair in Cancer Development Therapeutics and Presbyterian Foundation Presidential Professor, as well as chief of section gynecologic oncology and director of the gynecologic oncology fellowship program for the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center’s department of obstetrics and gynecology, will speak about the impact of research on professional growth.
Nursing contact hours are being awarded for the conference at a cost of $10. Otherwise, the program is free. To register, call Janet Mari at (401) 274-1122, ext. 2843.