MUSC Catalyst 8-23-2013

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August 23, 2013

MEDICAL UNIVERSITY of SOUTH CAROLINA

Vol. 32, No. 2

Inside New students welcomed to campus Social Media GuidelineS

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MUSC employees and students who use Facebook, YouTube and blogs need to be aware of updated regulations.

nurSe reTurnS

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froM war zone

Ambulatory surgery employee describes her experience, as a female and a nurse, while serving in Afghanistan.

Signs of new students at MUSC stirred up all types of activity as organizers prepared for the start of fall semester 2013 featuring the addition of 510 freshmen students. Left photo: On Aug. 19, new students from all six colleges were welcomed by campus leaders and treated to the university’s showcase of services for activities and involvement as well as a luncheon held at the Harper Wellness Center gym. Of the incoming students, 175 students were welcomed as part of the College of Medicine’s first-year class, the largest medical class in the school’s history. Below right photo: COM team member Amit Om hands a firstyear student her syllabi for classes. New medical students participated in five days of orientation activities that featured presentations, tours and group activities that culminated with the class of 2017’s white coat ceremony on Aug. 18 at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. New student orientation was organized and sponsored by the Division of Education and Student Life.

2 Garden dedicated 5 Meet Pete 6

Mobile users

T h e c aTa ly S T online http://www. musc.edu/ catalyst

Left photo: Nurses Bernadette Garry and Michelle Engle demonstrate a Glo Germ hygiene lesson testing the effectiveness of hand hygiene with new students.


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IOP remembers dedicated nurse, community volunteer By BoB RaynoR, R.n., & susan sCheReR, R.n. Institute of Psychiatry

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he Institute of Psychiatry lost a valued staff member April 14 in Bobby Wilson, R.N. His loss extended well beyond MUSC as he also was a longserving nurse at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center. Wilson’s impact in the Lowcountry community was felt in many ways through his service as a member and deacon at Ashley River Missionary Baptist Church in West Ashley and with the Masonic Lodge. Wilson Perhaps his greatest contribution was a personal mission – helping the community of recovering alcoholics and addicts and those in active addiction. It was personal for Wilson since he also was a recovering addict – his own struggle progressing since his tour of duty in the Vietnam War. He used his story of recovery as a way to help the suffering of others. He is credited for the creation of Narcotics Anonymous meetings at the VA hospital. Following Wilson’s funeral, staff at the IOP Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs, an area where he regularly worked, discussed ways they could remember and honor him. A memorial planting at the IOP’s Park and Therapy Gardens was an idea inspired by past Arbor Day plantings initiated by the Garden Club of Charleston. The club has been a sponsor of the gardens for 15 years, providing plants and supplies for patients to support their therapeutic gardening. Other funds went to purchase items including an iron trellis located at the garden entrance and a fountain. While the uniqueness of the garden seemed appropriate for the memorial plantings, a separate plan was initiated through the generosity of a former patient.

Editorial of fice MUSC Office of Public Relations 135 Cannon Street, Suite 403C, Charleston, SC 29425. 843-792-4107 Fax: 843-792-6723 Editor: Kim Draughn catalyst@musc.edu Catalyst staff: Cindy Abole, aboleca@musc.edu Ashley Barker, barkera@musc.edu

Upon discharge, the patient contacted IOP staff to donate. She remembered a recreation therapy group who met at the IOP park and wanted her donation to support the park. On July 12, a half-dozen IOP employees gathered in the rain to witness a special planting ceremony honoring Wilson’s memory. Earlier in the year, another patient made a similar gift thanking staff for providing excellent care. Through this act of thanksgiving, Wilson’s spirit and service, representing the best of MUSC, will long be remembered. Remembering Bobby Wilson “Bobby was one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. He was selfless, a caring nurse and the most knowledgeable person I’ve ever worked with regarding substance abuse treatment, psychiatry and nursing in general. His example taught many, and his legacy lives on in the many of us lucky to have worked with him.” —Mary Lane IOP lead therapeutic assistant “Bobby was a great nurse, educator and mentor to many but he was an even better man. The personal and professional impact he has had on our patient population, his community and the staff will never be forgotten.” —Gene Woodall, R.N. IOP nurse manager “When counseling patients, Bobby would use his story as an example of how someone can make changes in his or her life. ‘If I can do it, anybody can,’ he’d say. Bobby was a great example of putting patients first and was always willing to listen to what they had to say.” —Clyde Wilson IOP therapeutic assistant “The memory that is the dearest to my heart is Bobby’s

The Catalyst is published once a week. Paid adver tisements, which do not represent an endorsement by MUSC or the State of South Carolina, are handled by Island Publications Inc., Moultrie News, 134 Columbus St., Charleston, S.C., 843-849-1778 or 843-958-7490. E-mail: sales@moultrienews.com.

generosity and kindness. Even in the midst of his own illnesses, Bobby always made time to help others in need.” —Wanda Brown, R.N. IOP clinical unit leader “He always was a team player. No matter how busy he was, Bobby would always put patients first and would help quell an agitated milieu in a heartbeat. He always had my back. I will forever cherish my memories of working with him.” –Elaine Proctor, R.N. IOP nurse “A gentle man filled with compassion not only for the patients, but also for his co-workers. For example, we were working on the unit, talking about how hungry we were, and I said how much I loved old-fashioned Southern soul food, but that I didn't cook anymore. Bobby took that to heart, and on the next shift we worked together, he presented me with a bowl of homemade chitlins, collards and rice. He must have seen the look of surprise and delight on my face, because said this: ‘Don’t ever say you want something in front of me because I’ll find a way to get it!’ That was Bobby.” —Cindy Callaway, R.N. IOP nurse “As a new nurse, Bobby’s mentoring was comforting, reassuring and patient. He allowed me to make my own mistakes without judgment and provided guidance when necessary. It wasn’t long before his quiet but profound sense of humor was evident, and we quickly became dear friends. His patience, nonjudgmental attitude toward everyone and respect for all can never be duplicated. There are no words to describe how much he is missed.” —Susan Scherer, R.N. IOP nurse

Dachshund race to benefit transplant fund A “wiener dog race” and small-dog costume contest will be held Aug. 31 at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park to benefit the Mary Ashley Barbot Transplant Fund. Mary Ashley was born with congenital nephrotic syndrome and has spent most of her 10 years of life in and out of The Children’s Hospital of South Carolina. She is in critical need of a kidney transplant. Money raised at the race will be used to assist her family and a matching kidney donor with expenses not typically covered by insurance. The event will

also bring awareness to the need for an outpatient pediatric dialysis clinic. All racers must be dachshunds, and costume contest participants must be less than 30 pounds. All dogs must have proof of current rabies vaccination. The entry fee is $25 per racing dachshund and $5 per costume contest for each participating dog. To register or donate online, visit www. charleston.strangertickets.com. For more information, contact race director Jan Kirk at jankirk523@gmail.com or 972-345-1770.


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Campus guidelines to social media policies shared

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he growth of social media technologies has improved the speed and convenience in how people communicate. Because of this, there is a need for guidelines to help users identify and review issues related to the use of social media including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, blogs and personal websites, chat sites, etc. The guidelines apply to all employees, students, physicians, volunteers, vendors, contract personnel and other associates of the MUSC enterprise. In February, the Office of Public Relations and Business Development & Marketing Services revised some of the guidelines that relate to how MUSC supports these social media platforms as part of its institutional communications goal. Recommendations were reviewed and approved by MUSC’s Social Media Committee at the request of Richard Gadsden, OCIO information security officer. According to Gadsden, the purpose of these guidelines is to outline recommendations for social media use among employees, students and groups; minimize any risks that can occur from an individual’s use of social media platforms during work hours; and explore ways to protect the privacy and safety of patients, employees and students. Updates to these guidelines focus on restrictions of sharing confidential, sensitive and proprietary information using cloud-based platforms. Cloud computing allows users to share and manage data using any Internetconnected computer or device. Although

growing in popularity, cloud computing is not secure. An example of a cloud service is Google Docs. Also revised is an employee’s proper use of personal blogging and social networking activity guidelines. Employee access to these sites should not interfere with daily work commitments. These activities should be restricted to an employee’s break time. Supervisors should ensure that employees only access social media sites at appropriate times and locations. Social Media Guidelines Using blogs and other vehicles for sharing information falls into three categories and requires varying access controls: 1.) Public information (Any information that is appropriate for the public online or in a publication, including cloud-based platforms) No access control needed. 2.) MUSC restricted information (Information that should not be available to the public, but is not subject to HIPAA or other privacy laws) The use of unapproved external or cloud services for transmission or storage is not recommended. 3.) MUSC protected information (Personally identifiable information that is subject to HIPAA or other privacy laws) The use of unapproved external or cloud services for transmission or storage is strictly prohibited. Cloud computing is the use of computing resources through the Internet allowing individuals to mobilize

work effort. Through cloud computing, work performed at the office can be accessed at home or on the go via any Internet-connected device. The freedom of cloud services is the ability to access information from any computer or device. q Any employee communicating on the Internet about MUSC or MUSC-related matters should disclose his or her role at MUSC. Always use good judgment, and strive for accuracy in these communications as errors and omissions reflect poorly on MUSC and may result in liability for MUSC. q Employees should ensure personal blogging and social networking activity do not interfere with work commitments. q Employees should contact the appropriate website manager if there are any questions about what is appropriate to include in a blog or social networking profile. Remember, if comments wouldn’t be deemed appropriate by a manager or others at MUSC, it is unwise to post them to the Internet. Content

contributed on these platforms becomes immediately searchable, shared and immediately leaves your control forever. q If a group or individual offers to pay an employee to participate in an online forum as a representative of MUSC, this could constitute a conflict of interest and relevant policies and guidelines would apply. q If someone from the media or press contacts an MUSC employee about posts made in online forums that relate to MUSC in any way, the employee must alert his or her manager and contact the Office of Public Relations (792-7669 or woolwinh@musc.edu) before responding. q Do not post the MUSC or MUSC Health logo unless it is specifically approved or included within another approved piece (e.g. banner ads and widgets). In addition, do not manipulate the logo to create a “new” logo. For the complete guidelines, visit http://tinyurl.com/kq7fzb7. Students may find information in the handbook at http://tinyurl.com/ms4lum9.


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MUSC crews participate in drowning resuscitation training at Splash Island By ashley BaRkeR Public Relations

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rews from the MUSC Pediatric Emergency Department, Charleston County Emergency Medical Service and MUSC Health’s Meducare Medical Transport Service met with Charleston County Parks and Recreation lifeguards Aug. 7 at Splash Island in Mount Pleasant. They spent the morning discussing resuscitation techniques when dealing with a drowning patient or water-related emergency. There are about 8,000 drowning accidents in the United States each year, according to Keith Borg, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor in the MUSC Division of Emergency Medicine. “We certainly see them almost every week in our Emergency Department in the summer,” Borg said. “Being around the water, we see more than our share in the Lowcountry.” Borg – along with Todd

McGeorge, assistant chief of the Charleston County EMS – spoke about the importance of lifeguards knowing and practicing the transition of care from the water park or pool to the EMS crew and on to the hospital. “We need a rapid, organized transport of care,” McGeorge said. “We need help to position the ambulance unit as close as possible to the scene, and a lifeguard should lead the paramedic to the patient. When talking to dispatch, be able to tell them the patient’s level of consciousness, is he breathing, and the heart rate. Also give them an overview of what happened – did the child slip and fall in the water, was he swimming and just went under, how long was he under and is he blue or coughing?” The medical professionals also encouraged the lifeguards to practice crowd control in the event of an emergency and to assign a bystander to console and keep any family members calm. “Ask the parents or people

Charleston County Parks and Recreation lifeguards at Splash Island in Mount Pleasant practice moving swimmers out of the pool using a backboard.

around if the child is allergic to anything,” McGeorge said. While waiting for the paramedics to arrive, the No. 1 goal for the lifeguard is to maintain proper CPR techniques if the patient isn’t breathing independently. “Everybody thinks they can do CPR for five minutes. You can’t. You need to be rotating every two minutes,” McGeorge said. “Every compression needs to be effective so get someone fresh in there often.” The goal is to maintain 100 compressions per minute and to not stop those compressions once the EMS arrives. After watching several practice sessions, McGeorge said he noticed one lifeguard was surprised that the paramedic expected her to keep doing compressions all the way into the ambulance. “Don’t stop once the crew arrives. You can jump on the stretcher and maintain CPR with one arm. Don’t stop until someone looks at you and says to stop,” he said. In addition to training the lifeguards, the emergency crews are making it their mission to help train citizens to handle accidents in the water. “Relatively few drowning accidents happen at water parks. They’re actually very safe places, in part because the lifeguards are training and because they’re supervised settings,” Borg said. “Most drownings happen at home in unsupervised, dangerous areas. Prevention is all about learning and practicing safety, which is very important.” Borg suggests signing up for a first aid class with the American Red Cross, which offers CPR training, and to never allow anyone to swim alone.

A Charleston County EMS paramedic and a Splash Island lifeguard practice moving a training mannequin from the pool area to an ambulance as MUSC Health Meducare crew members watch.

waTch a video

To view a video with Dr. Keith Borg at the event, visit http://bit.ly/17cpFHo.

waTer SafeTy TipS

The American Red Cross offers tips for water safety at redcross.org/prepare/disaster/watersafety.

charleSTon counTy parkS, recreaTion

The county parks offer year round swimming lessons. The goal of Swim Safe Lowcountry is to ensure everyone has access to swimming lessons. Call 795-5756 or visit ccprc.com/.


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Meet Pete

Pete Rock Department Engineering & Facilities/Recycling How long at MUSC 25 years Pets A cat named Ophelia Unique talent I can play the bass. Who in history would you like to have met? Elvis A must-have in the pantry Peanut butter Favorite summer activity Going to the beach Nickname in high school Rock How would you spend $1 million? On classic cars. Then I would have to decide which one to drive. Dream vacation Sailing the Atlantic Ocean Greatest moment in your life Meeting my wife, who is my soul mate


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Leadership for Clinical Strategic Plan explains importance In order to understand MUSC Health’s Clinical Strategic Plan for the clinical enterprise (the College of Medicine, medical center and MUSC Physicians) leaders were asked to respond to several key questions. The goal is to make MUSC Health a top-tiered academic medical center. The leadership team driving the strategic plan is: Etta D. Pisano, M.D., dean, College of Medicine and vice president for medical affairs; Patrick J. Cawley, M.D., vice president for clinical operations and executive director; and Jack Feussner, M.D., executive senior associate dean of clinical affairs, College of Medicine. Who’s in charge, and how is it coordinated? “In the past year or so, we have successfully created a virtual health system, MUSC Health. The decision-making body for MUSC Health is the Clinical Leadership Council. The CLC includes the CEO’s, CFO’s and the CMO’s for the three participating entities, Medical University Hospital, College of Medicine, Pisano and the MUSC Physicians faculty practice. The CLC is jointly led by Dr. Patrick Cawley and myself. Coordinating and tracking the implementation of the strategic plan is delegated to the Strategic Plan Coordinating Committee. This

committee includes the 14 coleaders for the seven key driving strategies in the strategic plan that are the highest priorities for MUSC Health. This committee is led by Dr. Jack Feussner and Stephanie Collins.” Why is the Clinical Strategic Plan important, and why focus on it now? “Engaging in the formal process of strategic planning should always be a successful activity. It permits us to think about MUSC’s future opportunities and threats, identify critical factors for future success, and then establish explicit goals that we Feussner focus on achieving. Strategic planning also unites the health system around critical and common goals to assert the full measure of our talent and work product on achieving a robust future for us and the best quality care for MUSC patients. In creating a virtual health system, uniting the resources of the three key clinical entities – the university hospital, the faculty practice plan and the College of Medicine – we assure more nimble decision making that more uniformly represents the interests of all the clinical components, not just one or the other. Further, given the uncertainties and new regulatory rules resulting from health care reform, we need to

prepare for the future in a much more integrated and interdependent manner. We must exploit fully MUSC Health’s intrinsic tendency to cooperate and to work together for our greater good.” What is the goal of the plan, and where does MUSC Health rank now? “The goal of MUSC Health is to perform at the highest level, that is to be nationally recognized as one of the top-25 health systems and hospitals. As our external benchmark, we use U.S. News & World Report rankings and other metrics from our national organization, University Health System Consortium, an alliance of Academic Medical Center and Cawley their affiliated hospitals. In many specialty areas we are ranked among the top-50 hospitals nationally using USN&WR rankings. For example, ear, nose and throat, medicinenephrology, medicine-rheumatology, pediatric cardiology and heart surgery, pediatric gastrointestinal, and pediatric nephrology are ranked in the top–50 nationally. USN&WR evaluates about 5,000 hospitals, and for MUSC Health to be in the top–25 hospitals nationally, we would have to perform at the 99.5 percentile (in the top 0.5 percent). Currently we are ranked in the top 100 hospitals or the 98 percentile (top 2 percent). Of course, we are also the No. 1 ranked hospital in S.C. and the only nationally ranked hospital in our state.”

Help available for MUSC’s conversion for mobile-device users MUSC users of personal or universityowned smartphones and other devices, who use them to access email or use MUSC servers, must enroll in the Mobile Device Management solution and implement Two-Factor Authentication by Sept. 15. Information Services is offering help to set up MDM and 2FV at the following campus locations. To set up an informational help session for your department or area, email mdmhelp@ musc.edu. Users who register their devices before Sept. 15 will be entered into a drawing to win an iPad Mini. q Friday, Aug. 23: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., North Tower lobby, Ashley River Tower lobby, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Room 118, Colbert Education Center & Library; and 2 to 4 p.m., 163 Rutledge (MUHA HR)

q Monday, Aug. 26: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., North Tower lobby, ART lobby, Room 102, Colbert Education Center & Library; and 8 to 10 a.m., Harborview Office Tower Lobby q Tuesday, Aug. 27: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., North Tower lobby, ART lobby; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Library fourth floor; 8:30 to 10 a.m., Harborview Office Tower lobby; and 3 to 7 p.m., Inpatient Unit q Wednesday, Aug. 28: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., North Tower Lobby, ART lobby; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 135 Cannon lobby; and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Room 687, The Children’s Hospital of South Carolina q Thursday, Aug. 29: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., LDI meeting (BEB Auditorium); 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., North Tower lobby q Friday, Aug. 30: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., North Tower lobby, ART lobby; and 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., HOT lobby.


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MUSC medical center communications corner July town hall recap

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he MUSC medical center town halls were held throughout July. Town hall meetings are an important part of the medical center’s efforts to make sure that employees are well informed and involved. The meetings are not only an opportunity to hear directly from senior leaders, but also to ask questions and share ideas. Thank you to all employees who attended or viewed the town halls. Following is a recap of the July town halls:

Attendance

Attendance to date: 4,728 Attended live sessions: 3,821 Attended via webinar: 907 Attended department or service line specific sessions: 1,339* *Note: This number is also included in “live sessions,” as these sessions are live.

Common comments or questions from town hall follow-up surveys It was great to have Dr. Patrick Cawley lead so many meetings. As our leader, it’s good to see how engaged he is with front line staff. Have human resources representatives at each meeting to help with questions. Cover less of the same material managers have been told to communicate in staff meetings. Do not allow employees to enter the meetings late as it’s distracting. Have a Rumor Round-Up where five minutes of the meetings are dedicated to addressing rumors heard throughout the organization. Less talk about Huron… more about our future plans. Have some town hall sessions where the employees can come and voice their concerns, rather than just a presentation. Present more positive content in future town halls. How will the Affordable Care Act impact the hospital and all employees? Please provide further education. Provide more information about MUSC’s lobbying efforts for state funding and health care initiatives. Provide further explanations of acronyms, scores, and ranks. What are specific examples of how people are being held accountable? Please give specific examples of how employees can help improve MUSC’s financial situation. It would be best to have more focused town halls. A lot of material is covered in a short amount of time.

Common questions asked at town hall meetings Question

Answer

Why do we have to pay for a consulting group when MUHA has capable financial leaders?

Huron has access to hospitals like ours to share recommendations. They’re able to help us look at the financial situation from a national perspective to find savings to preserve jobs.

What is the actual fixed fee for Huron operates in the highly competitive Huron? health care performance improvement industry and considers their fee to be a competitive advantage and proprietary information. As part of the contract Medical University Hospital Authority signed, we agreed to keep their fees confidential. How long is Huron scheduled to be here?

Huron is scheduled to be here at least through December.

Our mission of MUSC includes serving the If MUSC is losing so much money, why do we continue to community, which includes charity care. provide care to those without health care insurance? Will there be pay increases this Yes, your department director has information year? to share with you. You can also view slides four and five of the HR update found at: http://mcintranet.musc.edu/muscexcellence/ communications/comm_mtgs/Documents/ HR_Updates/HRUpdate_080613.pdf WOW has been eliminated; will the hospital be getting rid of night shift differential?

There has been no discussion to eliminate any other shift differentials at this time.

Is the loss of the MUHA co-pay to the employees going to be covered by a 1 percent increase?

Remember that it wasn’t just MUHA/MUSC employees who lost the co-pay, it was all state employees. We are looking into developing a plan just for our organization, with incentive to our employees to use MUSC.

Your voice has been heard! The feedback received from the town hall surveys will be reviewed and used to improve town halls in the future. Thank you for your participation. For more information on town halls or to access past meetings, visit http://mcintranet.musc.edu/muscexcellence/communications/townhall/ townhallindex.htm.


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Surgery nurse returns from deployment in Afghanistan By Bilan Williams Public Relations

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USC’s Dottie Aimar, a registered nurse in ambulatory surgery, took advantage of an experience completely out of her comfort zone during her eight-and-a-half month deployment in Afghanistan recently. Aimar, who is a member of the Navy Reserve, was stationed at Camp Eggers near the United States Embassy in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. She worked as an operating room nurse advisor in the Afghanistan Police Hospital. Whenever she or other military personnel left Camp Eggers for local missions, they had to be fully prepared. “I had to wear full body armor and carry a rifle and pistol with me at all times including the time I was in the hospital,” she said. It wasn’t until Aimar returned home that she was glad she had gotten the opportunity. “When I was over there, I was a little scared, and it was a little challenging as a female. My mentees, the people I was training, were all older Afghan males. Getting them to listen to me as I was trying to teach them things was a challenge,” Aimar said. With persistent negative attitudes toward women in general, Aimar knew that encouraging new behaviors in the hospital would be difficult. “My mission was to try and get them to not share instruments. While the Afghanistan Police Hospital was very receptive of Americans, their culture does not have a high value of females so it was difficult getting them to listen to me,” she said. “Toward the end, they did begin to listen and do the things I recommended. You have to gain their trust.” Aimar said she had to encourage simple sterilization techniques considered standard back here in the states, such as avoiding cross contamination. “They have a bad habit of operating in flip flops with blood all over the place. If they have open wounds on their feet, blood from a disease-infected person could enter them

The flag in the background is the flag Dottie Aimar flew in Afghanistan in honor of the ambulatory surgery staff at MUSC. Reprinted from musc.edu/ pr/newscenter/2013/aimar.html. and pass the disease. It doesn’t seem to bother them in the least,” Aimar said. Through their humanitarian missions into the community, Aimar believes they made a difference. “Most of our missions were with orphanages and the Boy and Girl Scouts, and they seemed to really cherish what we had to bring to them. I feel like they really enjoyed the books, school supplies and clothes we brought. We also played games with them and taught them how to make jewelry.” She said they taught the scouts first aid techniques, but unlike American scouts, they learned things necessary for survival if they were to be severely injured. “I taught them how to tourniquet an arm or leg if they are caught near a suicide bomber, how to splint an arm and how to stop bleeding because those are the three things they would most likely need or encounter. Some of them are very young but you have to teach them all that,” she said. Aimar has three photo books she created, full of pictures from her time in Afghanistan to remember her deployment. The pictures cover a wide range of subjects, including the hospitals, surgeries, scouts and the scenery. A few pictures feature a firewall created by the explosives team while detonating explosives that were confiscated from the Taliban, a predominant militant organization in Afghanistan and the

Middle East. In the operating room pictures, you can see rifles on the backs of American soldiers. While she was away from MUSC ambulatory surgery, her coworkers designated wall space where they would put up any pictures or miscellaneous mail she would send them. Even now since her return, the walls still feature a welcome home sign they made for her as well as an American flag she flew in honor of MUSC’s ambulatory surgery staff while in Afghanistan.

Dottie Aimar had to wear full-body armor and carry a rifle and pistol at all times in the hospital. Although an intense experience, Aimar is grateful to have had it. “It’s challenging. There are a lot of unsafe things going on over there so you just have to watch yourself,” Aimar said. “I’m glad to have had the experience and even more so to be home.”

Dottie Aimar, a registered nurse in ambulatory surgery at MUSC, recently returned from an eight-and-a-half month deployment in Afghanistan with the Navy Reserve.


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SuMMer youTh work proGraM coMeS To an end

University of South Carolina Aiken freshman Kenya Humphrey, who worked for the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Office, shares thoughts about her summer work experience with the 2013 Summer Youth Work Program at MUSC. Humphrey worked with Junior Doctors of Health within the Creating Collaborative Care program. A total of 10 minority high school and collegeaged students participated in the program that hosted students working in the colleges of Health Professions, Medicine and Graduate Studies; University Payroll and Accounts Payable; Mail Services; Harper Wellness Center; Department of Medicine-Nephrology and the Office of Public Relations.

People Against Rape to hold volunteer training session Volunteers are needed to help victims of rape. In the hours after the trauma of rape, victims need someone to stand by them. That is what People Against Rape has done since 1974. Due to recent financial difficulties, PAR’s ability to care for rape victims in their hour of need has been significantly compromised. PAR will provide the training in a session to be held Sept. 12 through 15. There is a $25 fee for training materials and a SLED check. Email volunteer@ peopleagainstrape.org to obtain more information about the volunteer opportunity.


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Misc. Services

Items for Sale

Homes For Sale

College of Charleston is seeking a Registered Nurse for a part time position. A Campus Nurse provides health care in an ambulatory setting to students. Approx. 15 hrs/week. For more info call Brittany Coefield @ 953-5520

Stair lift in Ex. Cond. 17’ of rail. $1200. Walker, bedside commode, shower seat and toilet rails. New or almost new. Various prices. Donna 989-615-9683 rychwa@musc.eduittman

Folly Beach Condo. Bike to the Beach! 2br 2ba many upgrades! Large covered porch. Riverview Must See 843.743.6574 $164,900 MLS#131933

Furniture NEW MATTRESS SET Queen P-Top Matt set $150 new/warranty, can deliver! call 9000233


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