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SCI/TBI Advisory Council Meeting December 19, 2005
PRESENT: Leo Hallan, Ryan Green, Grady Kickul (via teleconference), Mary Pat Forsberg (via teleconference), Dr. Barry Timms (via teleconference), Chris Olson (via teleconference)
ALSO PRESENT: Dr. John Koch, Maria Kramer
ABSENT: Jim Tesch
CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 11:30 a.m.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES The June 10, 2005 and July 29, 2005 minutes were unanimously approved as distributed.
REVIEW PROCESS The Council agreed to approve pilot grants by majority vote rather than by secret ballot. Each Council member will cast their vote at the end of the discussion of each grant. Pilot grants generally will not have external reviewers.
Review of Grant Application 1 – Dr. Yang The Council reviewed the proposal. The proposal is pretty aggressive, has a good time table, and the Council was generally very impressed with it. Ryan made a motion for approval of Dr. Yang’s application with the stipulation that Dr. Yang clarifies his relationship with the Lied Transplantation Center at the University of Nebraska School of Medicine and provides the Council with a letter from that Center verifying the collaboration. Chris seconded the motion.
Dr. Barry Timms abstained from voting due to conflict of interest. The Council voted 5-0 in favor of funding the pilot grant.
Review of Grant Application 2 – Dr. Sears Leo was impressed with the cutting technology in Western South Dakota. Leo questioned how this application applies to SCI/TBI specifically. Dr. Timms noted there needs to be a letter from Dr. Neufeld stating his role in this proposal along with an endorsement letter from Sciperio regarding the $25,000 in-kind support. Grady questioned the FY 05 budget page under personnel that states 5/1/04 – 6/30/05, which is 6 months ago, on whether or not this is a new opportunity or if it is just a continuation of funding for a project they are already currently working on. Dr. Steve Anderson (the name should be Dr. Steve Armstrong per Dr. John Koch) also needs to state his role in the proposal as he is mentioned in the application.
Grady suggested that Dr. Timms assist Leo in drafting a letter requesting letters of endorsement from Dr. Neufeld, Dr. Armstrong, and the company (Sciperio) as well as further explanation/commitment from Sciperio relative to the $25,000 in-kind support. Dr. Timms suggested that the letter be sent to Dr. Sears requesting the endorsement letters and explanation of the in-kind support. Grady moved that prior to approving this application the Council contact Dr. Sears requesting letters of support and collaboration from Dr. Neufeld, Dr. Armstrong, and Sciperio along with additional information from Sciperio regarding the budget source for the in-kind support. Grady also moved that Council empower the Executive Committee to approve this application following their review of the above identified letters and an updated budget. Mary Pat suggested a reply by a specific date for the support letters. Leo and Chris will put together a letter requesting more information from Dr. Sears. Mary Pat seconded the motion.
The Council voted 6-0 in favor of the motion.
Review of Grant Application 3 – Dr. Ripperda The Council questioned the use of the LiteGait and GaitKeeper PWS treadmills vs. a regular treadmill. Dr. Timms suggested that the Council send a letter to Dr. Ripperda stating they don’t typically support purchases of equipment and request more justification for the purchase of the special partial weight supported (PWS) treadmills. The Council expects the equipment lasts at least one year and is willing to consider the purchase of it provided justification is given as well as clarification relative to the in-kind money. The letter requesting more information should be addressed to Dr. Ripperda and cc’d to Dr. Meyer, the Avera Research Coordinator. Grady recommended Council members visit the facility to get a better idea of the proposed research.
Mary Pat suggested Dr. Ripperda respond to the Council’s questions in writing. Ryan noted he will contact Scott Meyer to request a tour of the facility. Grady moved that Leo get in contact with Dr. Ripperda and Dr. Meyer to indicate that the Council has done an initial review of the application and there were a substantial number of questions. In order to address these, the Council invites Dr. Ripperda and other participants, such as the physical therapists, to the next meeting to discuss this application. Grady moved the Council table this application, but with understanding that it could be brought for reconsideration as early as the end of the next meeting. Dr. Timms seconded the motion. Mary Pat noted that www.litegait.com shows the GaitKeeper 2000SA.
The Council voted 6-0 in favor of the motion.
Leo noted he will get the annual SCI/TBI report to the Governor by January 10th, when the State of the State address is, and will also include the letters of approval. Mary Pat suggested that the annual report also go to those Legislators who supported formation of the SCI/TBI Advisory Council initially.
NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be held Friday, January 20, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. in the Health Science Center, Room 333. The Council agreed to serve lunch to the guests in attendance. Dr. Koch suggested the Council review the current application form and look at what items the Council was missing in this round of applications. Grady suggested that the Council invite Dr. Morecraft to the March or April meeting to give the Council an update on his research.
The meeting adjourned at 1:35 p.m.
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