Join the Greater Baltimore Committee for a conversation with Debra L. McCurdy, the new President of Baltimore City Community College. She assumed the Presidency of BCCC in the spring 2019 semester.

For the past 11 years, McCurdy has served as President of Rhodes State College in Lima, Ohio where she oversaw the transformation of the institution as it expanded its programs to include associate of arts and associate of science degrees. The college also expanded its reach into the region through distance and online programs and developed a manufacturing consortium to provide skill enhancement and training to serve 26 companies. Bringing a strategic vision for program development and growth, she was instrumental in securing increased grant funding and maintaining fiscal stability.

McCurdy previously served for nine years as Provost and Chief Operating Officer for the Dunwoody Campus at Georgia Perimeter College and for seven years as Assistant and Associate Provost at Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia. Earlier positions included serving as a Woodrow Wilson Fellow and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Paul Quinn College in Texas and as Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs at Brandeis University in Massachusetts.

McCurdy earned bachelor of science, master of education and doctoral degrees from Bowling Green State University in Ohio.

Learn more about Dr. McCurdy:
BCCC Has All the Right Stuff

Event details:

When: Friday, September 27, 2019; 7:30 a.m. registration, 8 a.m. program

Where: Greater Baltimore Committee, 111 South Calvert Street, Suite 1700, Baltimore, MD 21202

Cost: $50 members and non-members

Register to attend

This event is limited to GBC member companies and employees of GBC member companies. A 72-hour cancellation notice is required for refund.

For event and sponsorship information, contact Lisa Byrd, Director of Events and Business Development, at 410-727-2820.

The Bio Innovation Conference will connect more than 400 top life sciences professionals in the region with leading global brands, venture capitalists and promising startups, while embracing the gene and cell therapy revolution.

This forum offers an exciting and unique opportunity to reach industry leaders and decision makers across the industry and demonstrate to colleagues and clients how your products or services can lead the way to a healthier tomorrow. Presented by Maryland Life Sciences, a division of the Maryland Tech Council, the Bio Innovation Conference showcases Maryland’s innovation and success in the life sciences industry.

Monday, October 7, 2019 (7:30 AM - 6:00 PM) (EDT)
Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center
5701 Marinelli Road
Rockville, MD 20852

More information can be found at: https://www.marylandlifesciences.com/conference/

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Addiction and overdose deaths aren't the only consequence of America's opioid epidemic. Cases of a potentially deadly heart infection have risen alarmingly, too, a new study finds.

This bacterial infection, called infective endocarditis, often affects young, poor white men who share needles. Many also have HIV, hepatitis C and alcohol abuse, the researchers said.

Looking at data on nearly 1 million patients with infective endocarditis, the investigators found that drug abuse was involved in 16% of cases in 2016 -- twice the percentage seen in 2002.

"Nationwide, public health measures need to be implemented to address this epidemic, with targeted regional measures specifically addressed to patients at risk," said lead researcher Dr. Serge Harb. He's an assistant professor of medicine at Cleveland Clinic's College of Medicine, in Ohio.

To combat the increase in infective endocarditis, teams are needed that include cardiologists, infectious disease specialists, cardiac surgeons, nurses, addiction specialists, case managers and social workers, he said.

"Appropriately treating the infection is only one part of the management plan," Harb said. "Helping these patients address their addictive behaviors, providing social support, and getting them to effective rehabilitation programs are key aspects in their optimal care and to prevent relapses."

Infective endocarditis develops when bacteria gets into the blood stream and attacks the heart's lining or valves. It can lead to stroke, a leaky heart valve, heart failure and abscesses around the heart valve.

Learn more here.