Oct. 3, 2014
MEDICAL UNIVERSITY of SOUTH CAROLINA
Vol. 33, No. 7
Waiting for the breath of life Inside Transplant program offers critical lifeline
By Dawn Brazell Public Relations
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ork for Jason Ferro often involves high drama, but it is the kind he likes. Ferro, R.N., lung transplant coordinator for MUSC, said the nature of his job involves life-and-death moments. “We see patients in clinic prior to transplant, and they’re very ill. They’re nearly on death’s doorstep, and some of these patients only have months to live. To see them leave the hospital a few weeks after surgery without supplemental oxygen, and getting out in the community, and beginning to do the things they couldn’t do before that they loved to do, is very rewarding,” he said. MUSC is the state’s only lung transplant center and that brings distinct advantages. Prior to the existence of MUSC’s program, patients with severe end-stage pulmonary disease had to travel out-of-state for these services. Now, they’re able to stay in state without having to travel an extended distance from their family and local support system. “I really feel like I’m making a difference in patients’ lives. Not only in the lives of our patients but also our patients’ family and friends — their entire support network. A transplant can provide amazing outcomes for the right patient and the transplant team gets to see that,” Ferro said. Another advantage to being the only transplant center in the state is that MUSC gets first rights of refusal
See Transplant on page 9
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ust hours before midnight May 17, light blazes along a dark hallway from one lone operating room. Inside, nurses bustle about, prepping for what’s to come. David Flurett, 57, hopes it will be him. Cuddled up against his wife who has crawled up into his hospital bed, Flurett seems oddly chipper amidst a chorusing beep of monitors. His wife, Debra, compares the wait for her husband’s double-lung transplant to having a baby. They don’t know exactly when it will come or if tonight might be a false run. All they know is that surgeon Chadrick E. Denlinger, David Flurett had to carry a M.D., is en route to pick up the donor lungs. All they 42-pound pack of oxygen before his can do at this point is wait surgery. In the corner of the room is Flurett’s 42–pound backpack, custom made for the three tanks of oxygen he has to carry. He specially designed it so he could remain mobile at home and at work, where he handles fire systems’ testing and maintenance at the Savannah See Breath on page 6
Privacy
Protection
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MUSC recognizes Cyber Security Awareness month.
Promoting Diversity
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Minority vendor fair welcomes business community.
2 EOM Awards 5 Meet Dana 11 Wellness t h e c ata ly s t online photo by Sarah Pack, Public Relations David Flurett enjoys a quiet moment with his wife, Debra, just before his double lung transplant.
http://www. musc.edu/ catalyst
2 the Catalyst, Oct. 3, 2014
Medical Center
‘Making a difference every day’ Employees of the Month Award Jeffrey Ethridge Clinical Neurophysiology
“My first impression of Jeff was that he was a dedicated and hardworking individual and has since then lived up to the impression and even exceeded it. Jeff stands out from everyone by always creating a positive environment that promotes respect and integrity. He thanks each and every one of us when we do work. Sometimes even with a chocolate bar! My personal favorite! He delivers expected service to patients and to his colleagues by always having a warm and cheerful attitude. He is highly valued by our patients, because he is always going above and beyond for them; even if it’s just to provide them with something as simple as a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on. I think Jeff is worthy of being employee of the year because he is a shining example of what we strive to be in this department.” “On Friday July 18, my patient’s health was declining. I had to call two METS on him. Prior to the second MET being called on him, he was placed on
Editorial of fice MUSC Office of Public Relations 135 Cannon Street, Suite 403C, Charleston, SC 29425. 843-792-4107 Fax: 843-792-6723 Editor: Cindy Abole catalyst@musc.edu Catalyst staff: Mikie Hayes, hayesmi@musc.edu Helen Adams, adamshel@musc.edu
VEEG monitoring. The nurse who I was training received a call from the VEEG technician (I believe his name was Jeff) that the patient was having a seizure. We immediately entered the room, and the patient was convulsive. He was also turning blue. We were able to immediately suction and apply oxygen, called a MET, and sent the patient to NSICU. I believe the physician stated the patient was in status epilepticus. I believe the promptness of the call from VEEG, and our promptness in response to the notification, saved the patient’s life. Thank you for all that you do. You truly make a difference. The patient is now back on 9 East and talking to us.” Submitted by Toni Mullins Phillip Middleton OCIO
“We had an issue printing prescriptions from Epic at Hollings Cancer Center. Particular prescriptions which were mapped by Epic to print on particular printers due to the nature of those types of medications, 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.
were causing enormous problems in the clinic setting. The special printers were not working correctly and as these meds were “mapped by Epic” to print on these special printers, there was nothing we could do at the user level to fix the situation. Once MUSC decided it was no longer necessary to use “special blue paper”, for the prescription mentioned, it was also no longer necessary to use those printers. I finally spoke with Philip Middleton who took the time to listen to what I was saying and get a real understanding for the huge problem this actually was for us. Not only did Philip listen, but he scheduled an appointment with me to walk to HCC and see the problems for himself. Together, we were able to gather information. Philip worked on his side to “re–map” all the workstations so those special prescriptions would print to the commonly used printers for all other printing needs at each and every workstation. This has been a tremendous help to all of the Hollings Clinics, management, physicians, nurses, CMA’s, patients, etc.” Nominated by Stephanie Greiner Physician of the Month Award Eddie Kilb, M.D. Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy & Sleep Medicine
“I was recently called to a MET on the floor where Dr. Kilb has exemplified professionalism, expertise and compassion. It was a difficult situation where the patient’s resident physician was concerned with which MET criteria was being met opposed to focusing on the patient. Dr. Kilb quickly redirected the focus to the patient and ordered appropriate interventions while remaining calm and direct. Once the patient was stable, Dr. Kilb explained to the floor RN’s as well as the patient’s resident how important it was to call a MET when they saw changes that warranted help. He further explained what a great resource the MET team is and that we were always there to help. He was also proactive taking the opportunity to teach the resident an approach that would be more beneficial to the patient and the health care professionals. Dr. Kilb exemplifies the kind of doctor that patients, nurses, and fellow physicians recognize as an outstanding role model. Nominated by Brooke Kiser
Campus security, crime statistics report available The MUSC Department of Public Safety is committed to providing the safest environment possible for work and study. Part of that commitment involves providing information about campus security to current as well as prospective students and employees. This report, prepared in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Act Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, outlines the university’s policies and discloses campus
crime statistics. This report contains the past three years’ statistics for certain types of crimes that were reported on campus. It may be accessed online at website http://academicdepartments.musc.edu/ vpfa/publicsafety/reports/clery_report. htm. A hard copy of this document may be obtained upon request by contacting or visiting the MUSC Department of Public Safety at 101 Doughty St., Charleston, S.C. 29425, or by calling 792-2261.
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Interpreters key to patient communications, quality care By Daniel torrelio
MUHA Medical Interpreters Team
Medical Interpreter Services Throughout the week of Sept. 29 to Oct. 3, MUSC recognizes Medical Interpreter Recognition Week. International Translation Day, observed on Sept. 30, is also the feast of Saint Jerome, patron saint of translators. He is best known for his translation of the Bible from Greek to Latin. As one of a dozen medical interpreters at MUSC, my colleagues and I work hard to serve patients and caregivers alike. Whether we are interpreting American Sign Language or Spanish, or meeting patients face–to–face, over the telephone or through document translation, we want to make sure no one says, “It’s Greek to me.” Children’s Hospital Pediatric Procedure Center nurse manager Donna DiLuna is pleased to work regularly with the medical interpreter staff. “Our center uses the interpreters often. They are wonderful, patient and very thorough. They have wonderful interpersonal skills with both families
Back row from left, Alfonso Loli, Sam Cogdell, Brian Digennaro, Manuel Lopez, Antwan Walter (ASL interpreter). Front Row: Geraldine Torres, Elena Moore, Isabel Detzler, Jose Rodriguez. Not pictured: Fabiola Drymon, Daniel Torrelio, Martha Gomez, Julie Tecklenburgh and Maria Guinea photo by Cindy Abole, Public Reations
MUSC’s medical interpreter team stand ready to assist patients. and nursing staff. They play a huge part in alleviating the fears of the parents who do not speak English and whose child is undergoing a frightening procedure,” she said. Chaplain Terry Wilson, manager
MUSC ARROW Initiative 2014 Eminent Scholar Award Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014 3 to 4 p.m., Reception to follow Drug Discovery Building, room 100 This year’s scholar is Diana J. Wilkie, Ph.D., R.N., Harriet H. Werley Endowed Chair for Nursing Research and Director for the Center of Excellence for Endof-Life Transition Research at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She will accept this award and give a research presentation on Oct. 16. The title of her presentationis “Advancing Pain Control Bedside to Bench to Bedside - A Neverending, Productive Circle for Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration.” For information visit http://academicdepartments.musc.edu/arrowinitiative/ index-new.htm. Sponsored by MUSC’s ARROW Initiative. Contact Megan McDonough, mcdonoum@musc.edu.
Nomination currently being accepted for honorary degrees The Office of the President is accepting nominations for people to receive honorary degrees from MUSC, to be awarded at Commencement in May 2015. In general, honorary degrees go to individuals in the following broad categories: Contribution(s) to the nation; Contribution(s) to science; and Contribution(s) to the state or MUSC. Consider submitting nominations
of candidates along with supporting materials such as letters, articles, curriculum vitae, etc., in the above mentioned categories. The nominations should be forwarded to Marcia Higaki, Office of the President, Colcock Hall, 179 Ashley Ave., MSC 001, higakimc@musc.edu, no later than Oct. 31. Nominations of MUSC alumni are generally discouraged.
of Pastoral Care and Interpreter Services, praised the commitment and teamwork of the 14–member team. “The Interpreters are a great team. They are strong advocates for patients and their families. Interpreters are committed
to communication that is clear and understood by the patient and the health care provider,” said Wilson. To request an interpreter to assist in patient care visit MUHA intranet home page and refer to the red ‘Interpreter Service Hub’ link under the ‘Quick Links’ box. Visit https://www.musc.edu/ medcenter/index.htm.
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Cyber awareness: employees urged to follow security practices By Melanie riCharDson OCIO Commmunications
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ctober is National Cyber Security Awareness Month, and each of us has an ethical, legal and moral duty to protect the privacy and security of patient, student, and other sensitive information that is entrusted to our care. By protecting the privacy and security of this data, we avoid serious repercussions for MUSC including data breaches, regulatory fines and damage to our reputation. Did you know the estimated cost to deal with one cyber security breach at a hospital is $810,000? Good Security Practices q Guard your passwords Do not give out your passwords to anyone, regardless of the reason. According to the MUSC Computer Use Policy, it is a security violation
to give anyone, even your spouse or administrative assistant, your NetID password. Have separate passwords for each account. That way, if one account is hacked, your other accounts will not be compromised. q Safeguard your software Keep security software current. Having the latest security software and operating system are the best defenses against viruses, malware and other online threats. Turn on automatic software updates. You can set software to automatically install recommended updates which can address known security issues and other important updates. q Safeguard your devices Always lock your devices when not in use. If you have to step away from your computer, be sure to lock it. q Ensure all devices at home
are protected Do not forget to ensure that any device that connects to the internet has the appropriate safeguards in place. This includes computers, tablets, smartphones, gaming systems and any other device that connects to the Internet. q Learn More To learn more about cyber security, please visit beginswithme.musc.edu or stop by one of the Information Security Awareness Pledge Centers located around campus. At these centers, you can sign a pledge agreeing to follow good information security practices. Visit http:// academicdepartments.musc.edu/ beginswithme/takethepledge.htm.
Pledge names will be entered into a drawing for two iPad Air tablets, 25 — $20 gift cards, and 50 — $10 gift cards to the MUHA cafeteria and Starbucks. Employees are encouraged to nominate a champion who demonstrates good cyber security practices. Submit your nomination for a “security mentor” by visiting http:// academicdepartments.musc.edu/ beginswithme.musc.edu. An MNA and password are required. Prizes of $20 cafeteria/Starbucks gift cards will be given to 25 nominees and 25 nominators randomly drawn at the end of October. Deadline to submit nominations is Oct. 24.
the Catalyst, Oct. 3, 2014 5
Meet Dana
Dana E. Jackson Department Occupational/Physical/Speech Therapy How you are changing what’s possible at MUSC I strive to be as accurate and consistent as possible with registering patients, maintaining their schedules and interacting with them and their family with a positive attitude. How long at MUSC 10 years exactly as of Oct. 4 Family and pets Parents, Herbert and Brenda; sisters, Kristen and Heather; brother, Herbert; nephews, Bryon and Andrew; and godson, Tre’vion Meal you love to cook String bean casserole and fried fish Person I admire and why My mother, Brenda W. Jackson. She has never failed in showing our family her love and strength. Words of advice “Life is not what you make it, it’s how you take it.”
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River Nuclear Solutions site. Rarely sick a day in his life, Flurett’s luck ran out a couple of years ago when an annual physical and X–ray revealed a spot on his lungs. “They couldn’t figure out what it was. I had never had anything wrong with me ever, so I just passed it off. As the year went by, I noticed when I was doing stuff in the yard, I’d start coughing and just couldn’t quit.” When he had his next physical, it showed up again and was worse. He was referred to a pulmonologist in Aiken, and had a CT scan and breathing test. “We went back to get the results. My wife had ordered pizza. Pizza is our big celebration thing so she went to order pizza because she thought we were going to get really good news,” he said. “They sat us down and said, ‘I hate to tell anybody this, but what you have is terminal, and there’s nothing we can do for you. We’ll have to put you on the lung transplant list.’ My wife was devastated.” Flurett was, too, but he wasn’t as surprised by the diagnosis based on how hard it had gotten for him to breathe. On the continuum of diagnoses, Flurett got one of the worst — idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or IPF, which is a chronic and incurable disease that causes tissues deep in the lungs to stiffen and scar. According to the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis, more than 128,000 Americans suffer from IPF, with 40,000 dying from the disease each year. Flurett pulls his wife in closer as they talk of that day they got the news. A tight–knit crew, he and his wife love being home together with their two dogs and two cats, piddling around the garden and house. With surgery looming, they reminisce about how they met. Flurett grins. “I had to pursue her relentlessly,” he said. She was a control room supervisor in one of the reactors, and he was one of the subordinates, but that didn’t stop him. “I just happened to notice her in the control room and thought she was the prettiest thing there ever was.” He kept calling her, staying on the radar. Debra said he finally wore her down and she agreed to go out once,
Three weeks ago, I had maybe a year to live. Now everything’s turning out great. David Flurett
photos by Sarah Pack, Public Relations Penny Mitchum, R.N., from left, assists Dr. Chadrick Denlinger as he and Dr. Jeffrey Griffin transplant the donated lungs into David Flurett. Perfusionist Heidi Doffing monitors his vitals.
Penny Mitchum, RN, from left, assists Dr. Chadrick Denlinger as he and Dr. Jeffrey Griffin transplant the donated lungs into David Flurett. just to show him how it wouldn’t work. “That was 29 years ago,” she said, adding that they married in 1985. She said he has applied that same drive in preparing for his transplant as he has in life. “He’s ‘Mr. Happy Go Lucky — Failure is not an option’ kind of guy. He’s the perfect person for a lung transplant. He will surprise everyone I think.” Flurett’s calm demeanor cracks only once as he tears up talking of family. His son Orion is a Clemson engineer graduate bound for the Navy and his daughter Ariel, 22, loves horses and has an associate’s degree in business. “I was thinking 20 years out, 30 years
out with my life and planning. Now it’s just condensed to two years or five years. All my focus went to my family to make sure everything was squared away before I took this journey.” touchDown His surgery a go, Flurett’s surgical team huddles around him. The clock reads 1:50 a.m., but it might as well be 8 in the morning. The air hums with energy. Flurett’s chest rests open. There’s a flash of pink as his lungs slip into view and then back out, like cycling surf that is in sync with his breath. They are lungs that in a few hours, will no longer be his.
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Surgeon John Kratz, M.D., and chief resident Jeffrey Griffin, M.D., prepare to remove Flurett’s lungs as they wait for news of Denlinger, who is expected to arrive shortly. The call finally comes at 2:15 a.m. that the donor lungs have arrived at the local airport, and Denlinger is en route. At 2:35 a.m., they go onto cardiopulmonary bypass, just as Denlinger and Danny Eads, M.D., roll the donor lungs down the hallway. Lifted from their sterile nest inside an ice chest, the two lungs still are attached to the donor’s trachea and part of the left atrium, the back of the donor’s heart. Denlinger quickly separates the lungs, a marbled color like speckled birds’ eggs, into respective left and right sides, and they are gently placed into sterile basins. Meanwhile, Penny Mitchum, R.N., anticipates what the surgeons need often before they ask for it as Kratz and Griffin remove the diseased lungs. Perfusionist Heidi Doffing uses her quick wit to keep the mood light, the team sharp. It’s far from her first case of the day, but she monitors all vitals diligently. Flurett’s blood flows through a maze of tubes, an artificial circulation system, an invention that’s the genius of other researchers from days past. Flurett’s heart still beats, but it’s mostly an empty beating heart now that he’s on bypass. The team talks about how much they like Flurett, what “a good guy” he is. A mood of camaraderie settles in. Denlinger switches out with Kratz, working quietly and methodically to sew in the donor lungs one at a time. Trained by the pioneers who developed the techniques for doing lung transplant, Denlinger is doing his favorite type of
See Breath on page 7
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operation. He’s drawn to its complexity and technical challenges and the magic of that final moment that he hopes will happen soon. The bypass pump circulates approximately five liters of blood each minute, essentially replacing the normal function of both the heart and the lungs. After both lungs are completely sewn in, it is time for the moment of truth. The lungs turn from a pale ashen white, Denlinger from being on ice, to a flushed pink. Dr. George Guldan, M.D., the anesthesiologist, gently reinflates the lungs with the ventilator and the flow through the bypass pump is cut in half. After ensuring that there are no bleeding issues the bypass pump is turned off completely. At 6:17 a.m. May 18, Flurett pulls in his first breaths with his new lungs. The room quiets as the entire surgical team stands captivated by the monitors. They watch the oxygen level hold steady at 100 percent and celebrate that his vital signs remain stable. “The lungs turn pink and look alive and that’s awesome,” Denlinger comments. “The true test of the operation is once we wean off the cardiopulmonary bypass. The best part of the operation is when we turn down the (bypass) pump and prove that the lungs are capable of doing what they are supposed to be doing — they are oxygenating the body. That’s success. That’s really what I look forward to in the entire case. It’s like touchdown for the space shuttle. “Mission complete,” he said. rehab Day Debra watches her husband pace the length of MUSC’s rehabilitation room June 6 doing his prescribed laps. “He wants to go back to work,” she said, smiling. She’s not surprised. “He’s an Energizer bunny. Failure is not an option. He just floors them. Most people
It’s amazing. I’m still trying to wrap my mind around how they can take your lungs out and put someone else’s in.
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Debra Flurett
David Flurett walks on the treadmill as part of his physical therapy at MUSC 19 days after receiving a double lung transplant May 18. To see a photo gallery and videos, visit MUSC News Center at www.musc.edu/pr/ newscenter/2014/flurett.html.
Dr. Danny Eads, left, and Dr. Chadrick Denlinger prepare the donor lungs for transplant. just want to walk across the floor without oxygen, but he wants to go on and beyond that.” That’s not to say he’s not grateful for being off oxygen, constantly tethered to a cord. “You could see his frustration. It’s great having my husband back – having the person I married and the person I remember instead of this frustrated
person who was attached to this umbilical cord of oxygen — It’s nice having life return much more to normal. I can’t keep up with him now. What’s it going to be like with new lungs?” It’s a problem she’s grateful to have. There are challenges that come with transplants, such as the immune suppressant medications necessary to give the new lungs a chance to work. Life expectancy rates also are lower than for other transplants. The median survival for double–lung recipients is 5.5 years. Debra said she’s grateful for their second chance at a better quality of life. “It’s amazing. I’m still trying to wrap my mind around how they can take your lungs out and put someone else’s in.” Flurett said he feels “tremendously better” and is grateful he no longer is attached to oxygen by long hoses that his wife accidently kept stepping on, trying to choke him. Debra rolls her eyes at the running joke. Rehabilitation is challenging, but Flurett praised MUSC’s team approach. “Everyone seems to enjoy their job on that floor which makes it a lot better for the patient. I’m impressed with the team that Dr. (Tim) Whelan has gathered
together. Dr. Luca Paoletti, Dr. Whelan, Dr. Denlinger, a great surgeon, Clancy (Flounders), Jason (Ferro) — everyone works well together.” His wife agrees. “You get the sense that they know each other very well, and they know us well. And they told us that. They said ‘we will know a lot about you and your family. You will become a part of us when you get this transplant,’ and she was absolutely right,” she said of Flounders, who is the lung transplant coordinator. Flurett said it’s difficult to describe what it’s like being able to breathe again and focus on something normal, such as getting back into shape. He’s thankful for the gift of his donor. It’s a philosophy he shares. “I’m a donor. We’ve had time to think about it. If I die on the table, this is what I want done.” Debra said it feels like a miracle to be three weeks out from the transplant and see her husband return to as normal as he was the day she met him. “When you first get diagnosed, you become very aware that you have a very limited time together left on this Earth and what are you going to do with that. Now this is a new lease on life, and you can look out five, 10, 15, 20 years and there is that to look for instead of ‘I have to get my ducks in a row in the next three to five years.’” Flurett said it is a game changer. “Three weeks ago, I had maybe a year to live. Now everything is turning out great. Now I should be able to live another 20 or 30 years,” he said, pausing to smile at his wife, “as long as she keeps me healthy.”
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MUSC puts mouth where the money is.... By Mikie hayes Public Relations A large turnout of representatives from the Charleston minority business community were on campus Sept. 20 to learn how to become involved in MUSC’s $350 million Children’s Hospital and Women’s Pavilion project as well as how to do business with the university and Medical University Hospital Authority for projects and services. Under the direction of Lisa Montgomery, executive vice president of finance and operations, Velma Stamp, director, university purchasing and grants and contracts accounting; Regine Villain, MUSC chief supply chain officer; and their committee planned MUSC’s Minority Vendor Fair. With 84 guests in attendance, their painstaking efforts clearly paid off. "One of the most fulfilling parts of planning the event was the strong collaboration between the hospital and
university across all levels. It was also important to reach outside MUSC to get the input and participation from key community stakeholders. MUSC has tenure within the community; it was only right to continue to promote local and minority vendors. We recognized that we needed to reach out to the minority vendors and let them know: 'We want to know what you do,'” said Villain. Community minority business owners were extremely interested in learning more about how to do business with MUSC, especially in light of the massive construction project slated to break ground early 2015. The $350 million figure represents huge potential for businesses ranging from construction to Information Technology. Guests had an opportunity to visit more than a dozen tables and areas that were arranged throughout the first floor of the Drug Discovery Building and meet representatives of MUSC, including Montgomery and President David Cole,
See Project on page 10
photos by Cindy Abole, Public Reations
Top photo: MUSC President David Cole, center, joins S.C. Sen. Marlon Kimpson, left, to welcome guests to the Sept. 20 Partners in Progress Minority Fair event. Left photo: Breakout sessions were well attended and provided key details about business opportunities.
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on organ offers from South Carolina residents. “So for in–state organ offers our patients aren’t competing with patients on other transplant lists at other transplant centers for organs, and that translates into a relatively short wait time for our listed patients.” Timothy Whelan, M.D., director of Lung Transplantation, came to MUSC about four years ago from Minneapolis to restart MUSC’s program. He was attracted to MUSC’s expertise in its pulmonary division and its national leaders in advanced lung disease. “This was a great opportunity to combine the things that I was doing in Minneapolis to continue my idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis clinical research and also take advantage of the excellent procurement agency here,” Whelan said, adding that the number of lungs that are available for transplant in South Carolina is actually quite large for a small state. That’s good news for state residents in dire need of a lung transplant. The other good news is the program just received certification this year from Medicare and Medicaid services. That’s a big step in order to make lung transplantation more of an affordable option for patients. “I think that this is an exciting time for MUSC and the transplant program.” MUSC provides some of the cutting edge research and clinical trials into finding better treatments for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cystic fibrosis. The transplant program as a therapeutic option really just rounds out how MUSC has become an advanced lung disease center, he said. Whelan, who has set a goal to meet every pulmonologist in the state, hopes to get the word out that patients may have more options than they realize. He also wants to address disparities outcome research, which is a valued mission at MUSC. “We are located in a state with a large African-American population, and we do have an opportunity to be leaders in the country in providing transplants to African-Americans.” The number of black patients who undergo lung transplants in the United States is still less than 5 percent, despite
Jason Ferro checks in with patient Mark D. Parris, who has idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and is awaiting a double lung transplant. To see the full multimedia package, visit MUSC’s News Center at www. musc.edu/ pr/newscenter/2014/lung-transplant-overview.html. that demographic making up 13 percent of the population. MUSC’s rate is higher than 5 percent, which opens up research opportunities, he said. “This is a great opportunity to add some diversity to that database and to share that information so we can figure out how to ensure we’re providing care to everyone. The thing that really holds us back in getting those populations to this level of care is that they just never get access to it.” Another distinguishing feature of MUSC’s program is the community feel it has, Whelan said. Ferro agrees. “We work well together. We all know each other well. All our families know one another, and we’ll even get together outside of work. I think that strong bond has been very beneficial to the team.” The success in managing lung transplant patients is dependent in large part on the involvement of a very large interdisciplinary team that includes pharmacists, therapists, doctors and nurses from a variety of different specialties. “Without that strong interdisciplinary team, the patients’ outcomes would not be what they are.” Ferro said Whelan and pulmonology colleague Luca Paoletti, M.D., often are there as soon as the patient comes out of the operating room to take over the patient’s medical management .“To see our physicians here at two o’clock in the morning, and then I come back at 5:30
or 6 and see them still here, I think that speaks volumes about their dedication to our patients.” Whelan recalls when he and transplant surgeon Chadrick E. Denlinger, M.D., set up the program, they both were adamant that the attending physicians would take care of the patients and be the ones actively making decisions. “I think it’s very important for instilling confidence in patients as well as the medical team. One component of that is if there’s a sick person, and it’s very late at night, Dr. Paoletti or Dr. Denlinger or I will not leave the hospital. We’ll stay here and sleep here overnight.” Whelan said the median survival after lung transplant in the United States right now is about 5.5 years, a number he wants to see improved. “We’re working on making that number better. It is the only organ that is exposed to the environment. You do a kidney transplant, and it’s not exposed to the air. All the things that we breathe in and out every day have potential impacts on the lungs. So that’s the biggest challenge to it.” MUSC is part of a consortium of multiple transplant centers called the Lung Transplant Outcomes Group that plans to pool data to push forward clinical trials that can improve outcomes. Whelan hopes MUSC will become a regional transplant center and lead the way in lung disease research that could open up other treatment options.
“I think one of the coolest things about transplant is you can take people who can’t breathe and make them breathe again. That is the whole reason that we do this. I think the lung diseases that these individuals have are very frustrating because in essence there are no good therapies for them.” One of those diseases in particular is idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), which is a progressive, scarring of the lungs that typically has a median survival rate of about three to five years. “MUSC is one of the leaders in clinical research for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. We are consistently one of the largest enrollers into novel therapeutic trials. For the first time, we’ve identified just this past year two drugs that clearly have an impact on the disease.” IPF was the diagnosis of recent transplant recipient David Flurett, who is a good example of someone who was very appropriate for a transplant and who sought help early. Whelan said individuals who have continued declines in their breathing tests, such as Flurett, are at high risk to die. “Within a day of the transplant, he was off the ventilator, off of oxygen, and within two weeks, he was out of the hospital walking on a treadmill, and he didn’t use oxygen at all. That’s pretty cool.” It’s that “cool” factor that keeps the team bond so strong. Denlinger said transplants tend to happen on nights and weekends, so it’s not conducive to a great social life as a transplant surgeon. It’s an occupational hazard but well worth the sacrifice, he said. He and colleagues love the patient stories and like to keep tabs on them post-transplant. He recounts how fun it was to go to one of the concerts of lung transplant patient and singer Jimi Beauston and how he likes to hear of the race stories of patient Lorcan Lucey. Both of them were in intensive care on end-stage pulmonary support before their transplants. “The survival for that is very dismal outside of transplant. We were able to do their transplants, and they are able to enjoy life to the fullest. What’s miraculous to me now is seeing the changed lives — just seeing both of those guys being normal guys — enjoying their family and lives.”
10 the Catalyst, Oct. 3, 2014
2014-15 Presidential Scholars Program: solving the health care puzzle By raChel Mink College of Health Professions This year’s class of 47 Presidential Scholars met Sept. 2 to begin a year of interprofessional teamwork to address social, political and human issues present in health care. Commencing in 2001, under the leadership of former MUSC President Raymond S. Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D., the Presidential Scholars Program competitively selects students from the Charleston School of Law and the six colleges at MUSC who demonstrate leadership as well as an interest in interprofessionalism, the health care system and community health. In 2014, when Greenberg ended his tenure as president of the university, the board of trustees endowed and named the program, “The Dr. Raymond S. Greenberg Presidential Scholars Program,” in his honor. The Presidential Scholars explore regional, national and global health concerns through extracurricular interactions twice monthly over the course of two semesters. In addition to lectures and a visit to the state legislature, the primary activity of the scholars is the design and implementation of community–engaged projects based on partnerships with local organizations to collaboratively address a health need identified by the community partners. This year’s theme is “Solving the Healthcare Puzzle” and teams will work in one of five broad topics: access to health care, health policy and advocacy, mental health, preventive health, and social determinants of health. At the program orientation, University President David Cole, M.D., FACS, welcomed the new scholars by sharing his own vision for increasing the cohesion of the university's colleges, in order to improve the teamwork of practitioners emerging into the workforce. He took further time to listen to the scholars about their perceptions of health care education and community health care. In addition, Hazel L. Breland, Ph.D., program director, and Kahlil Demonbreun, DNP, one of eight faculty scholars, introduced this year’s
photo provided
The newest class of the Dr. Raymond S. Greenberg Presidential Scholars Program held their first meeting Sept. 2.
program goals and themes. With introductions behind them, the students reconvened Saturday morning, Sept. 6, for a retreat. Event keynote speaker Susan Newman, Ph.D., R.N., gave a talk entitled, "Engaging the Community for Positive Change: Principles, Partnerships and Practice." Newman, an associate professor in the College of Nursing and former rehabilitation nurse, provided her experiences and perspectives on community–based research from her collaborations with people who have spinal cord injuries. Scholars then began working in teams, and received advice from program fellows (returning student scholars) and faculty scholars. Incoming scholar Patee Tomsic, a second–year graduate student in the Occupational Therapy Program, summed up her experience of the first week of the program. “I was excited to see that my fellow peers share the same enthusiasm about interprofessionalism that I do. As a group, we have the ability to change attitudes and practices with health care professionals across the continuum of care and lead to better outcomes.”
projeCt Continued from Pg. 8 M.D., FACS. Members of the project management team representing the firms Robins & Morton, HP Cummings Construction Company and the Brownstone Group were also available to answer questions and discuss business. Along with MUSC, both the authority and university, and the project team, others hosting tables at the event included the College of Charleston, Trident Technical College, the City of Charleston, and the Governor’s Office of Small and Minority Business Assistance, all of which provided detailed information on what they offered in the way of business opportunities and navigating the registration and procurement processes. State senators Marlon Kimpson, District 42 and Clementa Pinckney, District 45, were also on hand to meet friends and business owners from their districts. The program portion of the day featured a full slate of speakers that included Villain, Cole, Kimpson, and Anthony Lawrence, executive vice president of the Brownstone Group. Cole and Kimpson expressed a shared commitment to ensuring minority businesses had an equal shot at capturing a piece of the pie. MUSC’s president then shared that it was very important to him that he personally be at the event to welcome those in attendance. “First, I want to underscore how much it means to our institution, and our partner organizations here today, that we provide
ample opportunity for the hard-working minority businesses out there to know when they have a chance to work with us, and how to best go about it. Second,” he continued, “it's also very important to MUSC that we bring a diverse mindset and team to everything we undertake on our campus, for we know that diverse expertise, backgrounds and knowledge lead to innovative ideas, critical thinking and problemsolving that helps us better do our job, which is to take care of people.” Cole elaborated on the positive, ongoing conversations he and Kimpson were having about how to keep that momentum going in the days ahead and reiterated his commitment to diversity and inclusion. “I look forward to our
continued partnership in advancing the opportunities available to minority business men and women in our state,” he said. Kimpson, who is well known for his dedication to the creation of jobs and greater financial stability for the families and businesses in his district, assured the audience he is looking out for their best interests and believes MUSC is earnest in its desire to help these business owners get a fair shot at the quicklyapproaching business opportunities. “I’d rather see a sermon than to hear one any day,” Kimpson said, “and so far Dr. Cole is walking the walk by being here and committing MUSC. Now, I’m not prepared to tell you the goal has been
See Project on page 12
the Catalyst, Oct. 3, 2014 11
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Strength and Conditioning, Fresh Xpress Sodexo has Wednesday, Oct. 15, 4:15 to rolled out a new mobile food 4:45pm at the MUSC Fitness kiosk to feed MUSC, thus Park (behind Drug Discovery on expanding the options for the grass), weather permitting. quick, healthy and affordable Take 30 minutes to tone and food. Fresh Xpress made its strengthen lean muscles along debut on Sept. 24. with a cardiovascular workout. Some of the specials This class will be led by Katie featured from the cart on Blaylock of the MUSC Human the inaugural day included Performance Lab. Free day pass a honey pecan turkey and to MUSC Wellness Center for arugula flatbread, chilled all participants. Email muscpeanut noodle salad and Susan Johnson empwell@musc.edu. twisted beef and horseradish q The Hollings Cancer Center wrap. MUSC dietetic interns Mobile Health Van will be located were available to direct customers to behind the Clyburn Research Plaza the cart, pass out coupons and answer performing digital mammograms for questions. MUSC employees on Wednesday, Fresh Xpress will be available Monday Oct. 15. Call, 792-0878 to schedule an through Friday and will be parked in different locations throughout the week. appointment. q Worksite Screening: Thursday, To find out where, follow MUSC Food and Nutrition on Facebook or Twitter @ Oct. 23, Wellness Center Auditorium. This screening, valued at about $350, MUSC_FaN. Fresh Xpress accepts cash is available to employees with the State or credit card (no badges). Health Plan (including MUSC Health The menu features Mindful choices. Plan) for only $15 (covered spouses can Mindful by Sodexo is designed to also participate for $15). Employees help make healthy lifestyle choices and spouses without this insurance can second nature. It focuses on nutritious participate for $42.To register, go to ingredients, appealing flavors and www.musc.edu/employeewellness and satisfying portions. Items with the Mindful logo have meet specified criteria click "Worksite Screening Appointment” q Chair massages: Free massages for calories, sodium, fat and nutrients. are offered to employees midday Fresh Xpress will serve lunch from Wednesdays. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., offering salads, q Farmers Markets: Fresh fruits and sandwiches, snacks and other delicious vegetables are available from local grab-and-go items. It will also be by farmers on Fridays from 7 a.m. to 3:30 the bus stop on Jonathan Lucas in the p.m. at the Horseshoe. New vendor morning hours serving a variety of breakfast items and fresh coffee. To share Freeman Produce. suggestions on what should be offered, tweet @MUSC_FaN or write on the MUSC Urban Farm wall of the MUSC Food and Nutrition q Midday Work and Learn – Tuesdays, Facebook page. 12:15-12:45p.m. beginning Oct. 7 q Early Bird Maintenance Wednesday, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Wellness Events q 1st Thursday Lunch and Learn, q Take the monthly Mindful Challenge October 2, 12:15-12:45p.m. Topic: Flu and be eligible for prizes by completing Fighter Foods a short survey at the beginning and end q Sunset Work & Learns – Thursdays, 4 of the month. The October challenge is to 5 p.m to change it up: explore something new —take a new route. Take the first October q 1st and 3rd Saturdays, Family-friendly work and learn, October 4 and Oct. 18, Monthly Mindful Challenge survey at 9 to 11 a.m. http://tinyurl.com/ok8gk5t. A link to For information, contact Dr. Susan the final survey will be sent at month’s Johnson, johnssa@musc.edu or Suzann end to those who take the first survey. Whelan at whela@musc.edu. q MUSC Employee Fitness Series:
Health at work
12 the Catalyst, Oct. 3, 2014
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reached today, but I think you will be impressed – once we reach an agreement – with the numbers of the goal and the commitment of the goal that MUSC is going to strive to make when it comes to minority participation.” The senator thanked the other partners in the room and assured guests that the creation of jobs for the minority community was not just an MUSC effort going forward; for him it was a Charleston County effort. “We’re looking for results, he told them. “We have to be prepared and we have to do a lot of work to do to be prepared.” Anthony Lawrence, executive vice president of Brownstone Group, took the podium and said “There’s something magical going on here, ladies and gentlemen.” He explained that many of the comments Kimpson had just made were ideas he too wanted to share with them about the project. “It feels good to have that synergy already in place from the leadership level, as we move forward. We appreciate President Cole and Senator Kimpson for their commitment to this effort — because oftentimes if you don’t get that level of understanding of what diversity and inclusion means from the leadership, it’s hard to get it to trickle down. It’s very difficult. We hope the lessons learned from this project serve as an impetus for how you do diversification throughout all the aspects of what MUSC is going to be working on. We see this project as a model. This is how you do it: how you get local, small vendors and individuals involved in a meaningful way.” Following the keynote addresses, guests were invited to attend breakout sessions to learn specifics about the project and business opportunities. Lawrence spoke to standing room only groups while crowds waited outside the room for the next sessions. Of the success of the fair, Stamp said, “Recently, Dr. Herman Blake spoke at the retreat for our Diversity and Inclusion orientation, and in his closing remarks he said, ‘let’s work on changing what is impossible.’ The success of the minority vendor fair event, to me, was a major step in achieving what some may view as impossible. We understand that our work has just begun, but we have a committed leadership team, staff, and community leaders. And as evidenced
Pres. Cole speaks to the audience.
by the enthusiasm and energy at the fair the community itself, we believe we will change what is possible and impossible.” When asked about the day’s event, Sen. Kimpson said, “It’s important because MUSC recognizes that there has not been — in America or South Carolina — full participation in economic and procurement opportunities for minorities. Today is a very constructive step forward in addressing this issue.” Montgomery agreed with the senator and added, “I would like to thank the many minority business leaders who joined us at the event. We received very positive feedback, and we look forward to working with them on upcoming projects.” She also took an opportunity to thank the committee who worked so diligently to ensure the success of the event. “I want to offer a very special thank you to all the members of the planning committee for the time and effort they invested in hosting this successful event. Their efforts will undoubtedly have a lasting impact,” Montgomery said. The new 675,000–square–foot facility will be situated adjacent to Ashley River Tower, on the property where Charleston Memorial Hospital formerly operated. That structure will be demolished to begin the new construction project. The new facility, which is considered “phase two” of MUSC’s 30–year hospital replacement program, will house approximately 200 beds and include children’s emergency services, a neonatal intensive care unit, pediatric intensive care unit, special care nursery and, labor and delivery unit, as well as women’s services and specialties. The current Children’s Hospital and women’s facilities are being taxed to their limits and soon will not be able to handle the expected growth. The board of trustees approved the project in December 2013 and architectural and construction partners were selected earlier this year.