In Brief

Murphy receives six-week NEH study grant

Theater Emory artistic producing director Vincent Murphy received a six-week study grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. He and 13 other professors from throughout the country are spending the time at the Joint Center for Renaissance and Shakespearean Study at James Madison University and at the Folger Library and Theater, all in the Washington, D.C., area. Mornings are spent attending lectures by scholars from around the world; afternoons are spent trying out ideas with an equity theater company.

Risby receives Exemplary Psychiatrist Award

Emile D. Risby, assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences in the medical school, was awarded the 1995 Exemplary Psychiatrist Award from the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), the organization's highest honor for psychiatric service to the community. He was nominated for the award by families and consumers from the Georgia Alliance for the Mentally Ill.

"Those who provide appropriate and respectful care for people with severe mental illnesses are often unheralded," said Rona Purdy, president of NAMI. "This award is a vehicle to not only recognize the invaluable contributions of these psychiatrists, but it is also an opportunity for people with severe mental illnesses and their families to show their gratitude."

Risby's other honors and awards include the Young Investigator Award from the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression; the Scientist Development Award from the National Institute of Mental Health; and the Meritorious Service Award for service during Operation Desert Shield/Storm. His research focuses on neuroendocrine and biochemical aspects of psychiatric illness, and receptor and post-receptor signal transduction.

Emory participating in VDT study

New employees whose jobs involve using video display terminals (VDTs) will have the opportunity to participate in a study investigating the effects of VDTs on users. The Emory/Georgia Tech Computer Study, funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), will explore issues such as the health of the hands, arms, shoulders and neck; posture; stress; and workstation characteristics. Researchers are looking for relationships between the use of VDTs and disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendinitis.

Newly hired or transferred employees who have less than 15 hours per week of previous VDT experience and whose current position requires at least 15 hours per week of intermittent or continuous use of keyboard-equipped VDTs will be eligible to participate. Subjects will be asked to complete questionnaires and complete a weekly checklist. Measurements will be taken from the workstation of each participant. Those developing upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms during the study will be offered an examination by a certified occupational therapist at no cost.

Subjects may participate in the study for up to three years depending on when they enter the study, and will be offered $25 per year for participating. All information collected during the study will remain confidential and will be published only in summary form.

Hospital gift shop increases selection

The Emory Hospital Gift Shop, run by the Hospital Auxiliary, is now stocking gourmet chocolates including Ghirardelli, Toblerone, Peruginr and Tobler, as well as Bitterman novelty candies. The shop also offers a selection of fresh flowers, cards and gifts. The gift shop is open Monday-Friday 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 1:30-4:30 p.m., and offers delivery service to patients' rooms. For more information, call 712-7218.

Construction to affect traffic on Mizell, Asbury

As Phase I of the Shuttle Parkway South nears completion, work on the second phase of the project is beginning to affect traffic and parking in the Fishburne area of campus.

On July 17, the project's general contractor began barricading parking spaces on the north side of Mizell Drive and began removing trees at the intersection of Mizell Drive and Dowman Drive.

Except for Glenn Church School traffic, Mizell Drive from Dowman Drive to the new bridge is closed through Aug. 15. Access to Fishburne deck, the Rich Building, the Woodruff Library loading dock and Carlos Museum will be from Asbury Circle and Clifton Road only.

The contractor is in the process of installing a retaining wall, sidewalks and lighting on Mizell Drive, as well as repaving the road. The bridge near Carlos Museum will remain open to one-way traffic.

In addition, the Cox Hall bridge on Asbury Circle will be closed Friday, Aug. 4 - Sunday, Aug. 6, for the replacement of steam lines running to Emory Hospital. The bridge will close to vehicular traffic on Friday at 9 a.m., but pedestrian traffic will remain open through Friday. The bridge will close to all traffic Friday night, and pedestrians can detour through Tull Plaza behind the Geology Building until the bridge reopens on Monday morning.