EINSTEIN SENATE MEETING
December 8, 2010
Minutes
The November minutes were approved.

Dean’s Report
The Dean’s report was delivered by Executive Dean Ed Burns.  He announced that an Office of Clinical Trials, co-funded by Einstein and Montefiore, will soon be created and will be headed by Barrett Katz.  The creation of this office is designed to facilitate the movement of our research discoveries from bench to bedside.  It was also announced that Yeshiva University will be contracting with International SOS, a healthcare, medical assistance, and security services company.  This relationship with SOS will permit Einstein faculty and students to receive medical assistance and emergency evacuation when traveling either in the US or abroad. 

Speaker’s Report
Given the full agenda, Senate Speaker Jeff Segall deferred his report until the January Senate meeting. 

Committee on Committees
There was nothing to report. 

Allan Wolkoff:  The Liver Research Center and Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases
Allan Wolkoff, Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, gave an update on the activities of his division and of the Marion Bessin Liver Research Center.  The deepening partnership between Einstein and Montefiore was highlighted.  The wealth of available clinical material was discussed, as were the efforts being made by the division to facilitate researcher access to this material. 

Michael Bloom:  2011 Health Plan Decision Guide and Overview
Michael Bloom, Yeshiva University Benefits Director, reported that Empire would remain as our health plan vendor, but that a variety of changes to the current plans would be announced soon and would be taking effect March 1, 2011.  For example, the current four plans will be replaced by three similar plans, and vision coverage will be included.  General open enrollment for faculty and staff will begin on or about January 24, 2011.  Faculty and staff were reminded that March 15, 2011 is the last day to incur expenses against the 2010 Health Care Reimbursement Account, and March 30, 2011 is the deadline to submit those expenses.