News and feature leads, January 2004


Date: January 5, 2004
Contact: Office of Media Relations ( media@support.ucla.edu )
Phone: 310-825-2585

New Year's resolution: simplify for lower stress

Many Americans have a great materialistic compulsion. That can cause stress, particularly during the holiday season. In the new year, many people no doubt will resolve to ease the burden. Dr. Roderic Gorney, clinical professor of psychiatry and director of the Program on Psychosocial Adaptation and the Future at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute, is available to discuss America's compulsion to consume, the stress caused by materialistic pursuits and how to break the cycle by simplifying your life. He also will speak at a Jan. 31 conference co-hosted by the institute on "Mental Health and Simple Living: Countering the Compulsion to Consume."

Media contact: Dan Page at (310) 794-2265 or dpage@support.ucla.edu

California faces big policy challenges

What makes California difficult to govern? What challenges does the new governor face? And what policies are needed to improve the state's condition? Former Massachusetts Gov. and presidential candidate Michael S. Dukakis, a visiting professor in the School of Public Policy and Social Research, is team-teaching a course examining policy issues facing the Golden State. Starting Jan. 8, Dukakis will lecture in the class on Thursdays. The course, "California Policy Issues," includes guest presentations from Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton, former Assemblyman Rod Pacheco and other current and former government officials.

Media contact: Stan Paul at (310) 206-8966 or paul@sppsr.ucla.edu

Replacement hospital rising at UCLA 10 years after Northridge earthquake

Jan. 17 marks the 10th anniversary of the Northridge earthquake that rocked Southern California. The temblor seriously damaged the circa-1950 UCLA Medical Center, but the replacement now under construction is a state-of-the art facility that will be an important community and world resource. One of the first structures in the state to meet stringent earthquake-safety standards, the facility will house one of the largest and most technologically advanced trauma centers in the Los Angeles area and provide the centerpiece for medical and research breakthroughs discovered at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. It's also an architectural marvel, designed by renowned architect I.M. Pei and others. While the new medical center won't open its doors until early 2005, UCLA urologist Dr. Richard Ehrlich, a renowned surgeon and a professional photographer, has chronicled construction in a photo essay.  Medical center officials are available to discuss the construction project.

Media contact: Roxanne Moster at (310) 794-2264 or roxannem@support.ucla.edu

News Events Calendar

Jan. 13: Cancer fatigue and "chemo-brain"

Dr. John Glaspy, medical director of the Oncology Center at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, reviews the latest research and ideas about one of the biggest problems reported by cancer patients — fatigue. Research indicates that there are treatments for anemia-related fatigue and strategies that should be employed to help patients cope more effectively. Cognitive impairment commonly referred to as "chemo brain" is another persistent problem that has begun to be addressed.

Media contact: Mary Hardin at (310) 206-3769 or mhardin@mednet.ucla.edu

Jan. 16:  Working in a war zone

Dr. Andrew Schechtman of Doctors Without Borders, an international aide organization, shares his experience of working in war-torn Liberia. Formed in 1971, Doctors Without Borders delivers emergency aid to victims of armed conflict, epidemics, and natural and man-made disasters. The event, to be held in Bunche Hall, is sponsored by the James S. Coleman African Studies Center.

Media contact: Harlan Lebo at (310) 206-0510 or hlebo@college.ucla.edu

Jan. 30: Land use amid shifting politics

UCLA Extension hosts a daylong conference that has become the premiere source of information those interested in land use and environmental issues in California — including attorneys, planners, public officials, developers, real estate professionals and conservationists. The 18th Annual Land Use Law and Planning Conference: Updates, Trends and Assessments, should be particularly timely given the recent change of administration in Sacramento.

Media contact: Julie Jaskol at (310) 825-1901 or jjaskol@unex.ucla.edu

Expert du jour – California budget debate

·         Daniel J.B. Mitchell, a professor of public policy and the Ho-su Wu Professor of Management, has written extensively about California state budget issues. An economist by training, Mitchell holds a joint faculty appointment at the UCLA Anderson School of Management and the UCLA School of Public Policy and Social Research.

Media contact: Call Mitchell directly at (310) 825-1504.

Web Wise

Patrons of the UCLA Film and Television Archive can now use the Internet to purchase tickets for screenings of the renowned UCLA Film and Television Archive. The archive presents a year-round calendar of film, television and video programming open to the public. The primary venue is the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television's James Bridges Theater, which last summer underwent a complete renovation. For information on the archive and to purchase tickets, go to:

www.cinema.ucla.edu

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