UC Academic Business Officers Group to Convene in San Francisco

By Lisa Cisneros

The campus community is invited to hear about stem cell research, global ethics and how to have fun at work, among other topics, at the 37th Annual Systemwide Academic Business Officers Group Conference hosted by UCSF. The conference opens Sunday afternoon with registration beginning at 4 p.m., followed by a welcoming buffet reception with no-host bar starting at 5:30 p.m. Conference sessions are scheduled from Monday morning through Wednesday morning. The afternoon of Monday, April 4, includes a presentation and tour of UCSF Mission Bay, the 43-acre life sciences campus now under development in San Francisco. As usual, the ABOG systemwide conference offers an opportunity for managers and staff to gather with their colleagues from the other campuses to find out how people are coping with the current budget challenges, hear about University programs and priorities and learn more about each campus. M.R.C. Greenwood, provost and senior vice president of Academic Affairs, the highest ranking female in the UC system is the keynote speaker. Her topic will be announced soon. The conference will include an in-depth discussion on "Stem Cell Research: Ethics, Science and Future Research," featuring three high-profile leaders at UCSF: Arnold Kriegstein, director of Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program in the Department of Neurology; Bernard Lo, professor of medicine and director of the Program in Medical Ethics in the Division of General Internal Medicine; and Keith Yamamoto, exectuive vice dean of research in the School of Medicine. Fran Solomon, senior vice-empress of Playfair, who is a registered nurse with Master's degrees in education and theater, will share her upbeat message of the importance of having fun at work, a topic she has addressed for more than 22 years. Other speakers include: • Judy Boyette, associate vice president, Human Resources and Benefits, who joined the University of California's Office of the President in 1997. Boyette is responsible for system-wide human resources, including areas such as policy, labor relations, diversity, and the senior management program, as well as and the design and operation of the University's employee benefit programs. • Mark Laret, chief executive officer of UCSF Medical Center who joined UCSF in April 2000 after the dissolution of the financially challenged merger of the UCSF and Stanford hospitals. In his four years as CEO, Laret has led a financial and operational turnaround at the medical center while significantly improving employee and physician morale. His focus on patient safety, quality of care and patient satisfaction has helped UCSF achieve national leadership status in each of these areas. The Renaissance Parc 55 Hotel is located adjacent to Union Square, at 55 Cyril Magnin Street in San Francisco. The registration fee is $325 (includes breakfast for all three days, lunch on Monday and Tuesday, as well as the receptions). More conference details are posted on the ABOG website. Source: Lisa Cisneros