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Women Scholars host estate planning workshop by Cindy Abole Public Relations Faculty, staff and students will have an opportunity to learn the value of wills, legal forms and estate planning in a lunchtime session held Dec. 9 and sponsored by MUSC Women Scholars Initiative.      The session, “Estate Planning: Wills, Proxies, and Other Must-Haves,” will feature Charleston attorney Adam Mlynarczyk, J.D., who will speak on legal needs for estate planning. The  event will include a discussion about wills, living wills, advanced directives, power of attorney, etc. The session, noon to 1 p.m., Room 322, College of Nursing, is part of a monthly learning series organized and coordinated through MUSC Women Scholars Initiative and Midday Networking Session sub-committee.   “So far, the program continues to be a success on campus with women staff, faculty and other participants,” said Ashli Sheidow, Ph.D., coordinator, Midday Networking Session sub-committee. “Our committee is made up of a great group of individuals who are enthusiastic, creative and eager to participate in gathering and recommending topics and ideas. They’re a group that is willing to make things happen.”   Although topics are designed to cover a variety of professional issues pertaining to the needs of women faculty, other sessions will have a much broader appeal, according to Sheidow. The Women Scholars Initiative formed on campus in 2004 to help guide the careers of MUSC women faculty and staff. Upcoming themes for 2006 will include information from financial and estate planning, health benefit choices, child care and stress management and fitness.   For example, organizers from the Networking and Mentoring committees are planning a February 2006 networking luncheon at the Waring Library, Feb. 3. In March, the meeting will feature a presentation and forum about public education by Charleston County School District Superintendent Maria Goodloe-Johnson, Ph.D.      “Our committee receives all types of suggestions so that we can consider and make selections and plan programs based on a tentative schedule for the year,” said Tammy Nowling, Ph.D., a faculty committee member in the Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine. According to Nowl-ing, the group will repeat topics as needed based upon audience interest or requests.   Questionnaires were prepared and distributed during the initial planning stages of the networking sessions to get a feel for what topics people showed interest in, according to Nowling. Network participants are also encouraged to provide feedback or leave suggestions about future topic ideas.      Sheidow and Nowling are among a group of MUSC women faculty who have planned and organized the series since last spring. They meet monthly for brief, informal gatherings to discuss planning and other related topics. What works, according to Sheidow, is that each member takes a turn at planning and coordinating up to two sessions per year. They also represent various faculty levels and departments around campus. “Through this group, we know we’re meeting the needs of many people on campus,” Sheidow said.     “The Women’s Scholar initiative is really still in its infancy,” Nowling said. “We’re hoping to gain more exposure by letting people know what these networking sessions have to offer and about other programs offered by the Women Scholars.”   For information, visit http://www.musc.edu/womenscholars or contact Aleatha Fields at 876-8986 or fieldsaw@musc.edu. MUSC Women Scholars Midday Networking Session Sub-Committee Dr. Ashli Sheidow, Chair; Dr. Amy Bradshaw; Dr. Sheila Smith; Dr. Valerie West; Dr. Mary Mauldin; Dr. Alyssa Rheingold; Dr. Lilless Shilling; and Dr. Maria Gibson Friday, Dec. 9, 2005 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.