UW News

January 31, 2008

In brief

David Saunders, 1933 – 2008

David Saunders, professor emeritus of medicine and former head of the Division of Gastroenterology, died Tuesday, Jan. 22, after a battle with lymphoma. He was 74.

Saunders joined the UW faculty as an instructor in 1965, and was promoted to professor of medicine in 1976. He earned his undergraduate degree at Princeton University in New Jersey and his medical degree at McGill University in Montreal, Canada.

He completed his medical residency and gastroenterology fellowship at Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal, and research fellowships at the Royal Free Hospital in London and at the UW.

Saunders was an exceptional individual, said Dr. Paul Ramsey, dean of the UW School of Medicine, and his course was one of the most highly rated in the history of the school

He was named Teacher Superior in Perpetuity after receiving the School of Medicine Distinguished Teaching Award four times.

He was a consummate teacher, physician, and scientist, and a truly wonderful person, Ramsey said, and his death is a great loss for us all.



Darrell Owens named to state nursing commission 



Dr. Darrell Owens, UW clinical assistant professor and director of  the Palliative Care Consult Service at Harborview, has been appointed to the Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission by Gov. Christine Gregoire.

He will serve as a representative of nursing practitioners through June 30, 2009.


UW Mini-Medical School starts Feb. 5


The UW community and the general public are invited to UW Mini-Medical School, Tuesdays, Feb. 5 through March 11, from 7 to 9 p.m.

The six evenings of lectures and demonstrations will give participants a glimpse into medical education, research and clinical care at UW Medicine. This year’s hosts will be Dr. Joann Elmore, professor of medicine, Department of General Internal Medicine, and head of General Internal Medicine at Harborview Medical Center, and Dr. Hugh Foy, professor of medicine, Department of Surgery, and director of the Surgical Specialties Clinic at Harborview Medical Center.

Screening for Medical Diseases: The Good, the Bad and the Unexpected is the title of the first lecture Feb. 5. Screening is a common part of routine medical care. How do physicians decide what tests to give?

Seating is limited and registration is filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The registration deadline is Thursday, Jan. 31. In lieu of a registration fee, a donation to UW Medicine is appreciated.

For more information, to register or to make a donation online, visit http://www.uwmedicine.org/Global/NewsAndEvents/minimed/, or call  206-685-9420.