News briefs

UMHS high in rankings
The U-M Health System (UMHS) has been recognized by two publications for achievement in the areas of organ transplantation, corneal donation and pain management:

• According to the Transplant News, UMHS boasts one of the 10 most-active organ transplant centers in the nation. U-M placed 8th on the list, based on a 15-year analysis of organ transplants from 1988-2002. In 2002, the transplant center performed 249 transplants from deceased donors and 101 from living donors;

• Transplant News also cited the Michigan Eye Bank (MEB) as one of the 10 most-active corneal donation centers in the nation. MEB ranked 7th on the list, up one spot from its 2001 ranking, based on the 1,273 corneas it provided for transplant in 2002;

• Good Housekeeping magazine ranks the Multidisciplinary Pain Center (MPC) as one of the top 35 hospital-based pain management centers in the nation in a recent article. MPC provides comprehensive services for the evaluation and treatment of chronic disabling pain.

Tax changes effective July 1
Effective July 1, federal withholding tax tables will change. The new tax rates can be found on the University Payroll homepage, http://www.umich.edu/~payroll. Select "Tax Calculation Help." The amount of each federal exemption has increased from $3,050 to $3,100 per year.

Blood shortage in southeast Michigan
Blood inventory in the southeastern Michigan blood services region of the American Red Cross has dropped to a critical level. The Red Cross has less than a two-hour supply of essential blood types, such as O negative available for hospitals, says Diane Ward, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross Southeastern Michigan.

Increased holiday travel and large gatherings make it a precarious time, Ward says. The Red Cross says it may not be able to respond if large amounts of blood are needed for an accident victim. People 17 and older who weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health are encouraged to call 1-800 GIVE LIFE and come in to donate now.

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