Briefly

KU professor to serve on medical board

A Kansas University professor of internal medicine in Wichita has been selected as chairwoman-elect of the Board of Regents of the American College of Physicians.

Donna Sweet, an internationally known expert on HIV and AIDS, will assume her duties as chairwoman-elect in April 2004 and become chairwoman of the board in April 2005.

The board manages the business and affairs of the college, the nation’s largest medical specialty society. The board also is the main policy-making body of the group.

Sweet said she planned to work for universal access to health coverage and for a decrease in paperwork required for physicians.

Sweet, who has been on the KU faculty since 1982, is principal investigator for the Kansas AIDS Education Training Center.

Donors sought for holiday program

KVC Behavioral HealthCare is looking for “angels” to help provide toys and clothing to more than 500 Kansas City-area children who have been removed from their homes because of neglect or abuse.

Area organizations, businesses, churches, synagogues and individuals are encouraged to participate.

To donate, call Megan Edmonds at 331-4200, ext. 19.

KVC Behavioral HealthCare, formerly Kaw Valley Center, is a 30-year-old nonprofit organization that seeks to help children and their families through medical and behavioral health care, social services and education.

Kansas Freemasons give $500,000 to KU

The Kansas Masonic Foundation has given more than $500,000 for a new professorship in cancer research at Kansas University.

The gift will create an endowed professorship to direct the Kansas Cancer Institute, part of the KU school of medicine.

The Masonic Foundation, based in Topeka, has donated more than $5 million to KU since 1974. It is funded through gifts and endowments from Kansas Freemasons, their families and friends, and its support goes to charitable, educational and scientific programs.