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Presidential Scholars Day slated for April 23 by Heather Murphy Public Relations Entering its third term, the Presidential Scholars Program for MUSC students continues to promote interdisciplinary interaction and the study of broad healthcare issues relevant to each of the six colleges on campus. Focusing on the goals of the Healthy People 2010 national initiative, specifically the elimination of health disparities, last year’s scholars plan to present the program’s results on April 23, Presidential Scholars Day. “Presidential Scholars Day is an opportunity to showcase a select group of students who transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries,” said MUSC President Ray Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D. “They have learned a great deal from each other over the past year, while studying one of the most challenging public health issues—disparities in health status. They will share with the larger Medical University community what they have learned about this problem and how we might work together to address it.” Six groups of students will share the fruits of a year’s labor via posters concerning issues related to health disparities like social responsibility, environmental justice, impact education, patient and consumer education, and the overall healthcare system. The program participants worked closely with individuals at John’s Island Migrant Clinic and Floyd Manor. The presentation of the posters will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Institute of Psychiatry and next year’s Presidential Scholars will be named during the 4 p.m. recognition ceremony. The speakers scheduled for this year’s presentation and ceremony events include Frank Bowen, M.D., and Casey Fitts, M.D. Bowen currently directs the Medicine Clinic in Hilton Head, and is a principal of Bowen and Briggs Inc., a health care consultation and search firm. Prior to his work with the clinic, he served as vice president for medical affairs at Paidos Health Management Services. Bowen’s academic career includes a professorship of pediatrics and obstetrics at Thomas Jefferson University and an associate professorship of pediatrics and obstetrics at the University of Pennsylvania. He received his medical degree from Hahnemann University in Philadelphia and a masters degree in medical management from Tulane University, New Orleans. Fitts directs Tri-County Project Care, a community-based, non-profit program created to help alleviate the growing problem of uninsured residents in the tri-county area.  Fitts, in conjunction with the Charleston County Medical Society, dedicated more than a year from his private practice to develop the program. He received his undergraduate degree from Harvard, completed his medical degree at MUSC, and completed his general surgery residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. In private practice for the past 10 years, Fitts returned to general surgery as he continues his work as medical director for Tri-County Project Care. For additional information, go to http://www2.edserv.musc.edu/scholars/scholars.htm.       Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.