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Julie Margenthaler’s practice centers on treating young women with breast cancer, who are more likely to be African-American and to have aggressive disease. “These women are empowered, and they bring a great energy to my practice,” Margenthaler, MD, says. “Yes, there are times when they are frightened — you have to face your mortality when you get a breast cancer diagnosis — but they also have an incredible optimism.”

In July 2011, the Brown School’s MPH program submitted its preliminary self-study document for review by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the accrediting body for public health schools and programs. As part of the accreditation process, CEPH seeks public comment from those individuals and organizations that work closely with the school on this program.

WUSTL is implementing two new programs this fall to expand and improve its emergency preparedness: a “My Emergency Preparedness Information” page in HRMS, on which employees can confirm their emergency contact information; and the designation of emergency response roles to department employees in the event of an emergency situation.

Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis asthma specialist Mario Castro, MD, is seeking volunteers for a study investigating whether taking vitamin D can make asthma medication more effective. Study participants must be 18 or older and have a physician’s diagnosis of asthma. They also must have been taking some type of therapy to control their asthma for at least one year.

James E. McLeod, vice chancellor for students and dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, died Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital of kidney failure after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 67. In a letter addressed to the WUSTL community Sept. 6, Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton announced that “Washington University has lost one of its greatest citizens and leaders.”

A letter to the WUSTL community on the Sept. 6, 2011, passing of James E. McLeod, vice chancellor for students and dean of the College of Arts & Sciences.

A search committee to identify candidates for the position of vice chancellor for public affairs has been appointed by Provost Edward S. Macias, PhD, executive vice chancellor and the Barbara and David Thomas Distinguished Professor in Arts & Sciences, and Henry S. Webber, executive vice chancellor for administration. M. Fredric Volkmann, the current vice chancellor for public affairs, will retire Sept. 30, 2011.

Washington University’s American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant (ACS-IRG) is now accepting applications from junior faculty for pilot project awards through 4 p.m. Oct. 14.

Ever wondered what it felt like to save a life? You’ll have four chances this academic year. The first of four university-wide blood drives of the academic year will be held Tuesday, Sept. 13, at eight different locations throughout the university and at a variety of times to accommodate busy schedules. All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in this effort to replenish the region’s blood supply.

Charlie Robin, the affable, bespectacled, red-haired, 6-foot-6 executive director of Edison Theatre, is responsible for the slate of shows that make up the annual Edison Ovations and ovations for young people series. It’s a challenge, each year, to come up with a schedule that is intellectually stimulating and fits the mission of Washington University in St. Louis. “A lot of my job is curating a season that is not only about finding good work,” he says, “but one that will develop the openness and interest of the audience to be more expansive, more adventurous and willing to have fun.”