November 27, 2015
MEDICAL UNIVERSITY of SOUTH CAROLINA
Inside
Vol. 34, No. 13
Adopt an Angel, make a child’s holiday special
lung CanCer awareness
MUSC’s Angel Tree Program has compiled 1,600 angels to help needy Lowcountry children. But not every angel has been adopted. Organizers ask for everyone’s help to ensure that no child is left out this holiday season. Drop by the hallways around the University hospital cafeteria, the University hospital pharmacy, ART lobby area and pick up an angel tag.
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Twins shared special bond.
graTiTude
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Employees share what they’re thankful for.
photo provided
The Eiffel Tower is visible in the background as Maya Eid’s sister, Randa, and her friends hold up a Lebanese flag in solidarity with victims of terrorist attacks in both countries.
Students reflect on recent attacks in Paris, Beirut By J. Ryne Danielson Public Relations
F 2 Applause 5
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10 Wellness T h e C aTa ly s T Online http://www. musc.edu/ catalyst
MUSC Angel Tree gifts are due Dec. 4.
rench national Ludivine Renaud is a doctoral student in MUSC’s Molecular, Cell Biology and Pathology program, and she is a new mother. She was out for a stroll around the neighborhood with her 6-monthold daughter, Roxana, when she received a text from a friend asking if she knew what was happening in Paris. She didn’t. She rushed home to turn on the news. “I have two friends in Paris,” she said. “That night it was midnight for them when I realized what was going on. I heard back from Valentine, who told me she was safe, but I didn’t hear back from my friend Clement, who is a professional photographer for the music scene.” When Clement wouldn’t answer, Renaud
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thought that he might have been at the Bataclan concert hall where the American band, Eagles of Death Metal, was playing a show. Earlier in the night, gunmen wearing suicide vests had opened fire on a crowd of Renaud concertgoers there. As police responded, the terrorists began taking hostages, killing them one by one. Elsewhere in Paris, other shootings and bombings were underway. As part of a series of coordinated terrorist attacks, now known to have been planned and carried out by
the Islamic State group, this was the deadliest such event to strike France since World War II. “I was very worried,” Renaud said. It wasn’t until the next day she found out her friend was safe in bed when the attacks took place. “When I started watching the news, there were 18 people dead,” Renaud continued. “By the next morning, it was more than a hundred. I couldn’t believe we were going through this again.” For the second time in less than a year, terrorists had struck in the heart of Paris, the first being the January attack against the satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo. “My friends in Paris are paralyzed,” Renaud
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2 The CaTalysT,Nov. 27, 2015
Applause Program The following MUSC employees received recognition through the Applause Program for going the extra mile: Medical Center
Albertha Williams, Registration Administration; Emily Mihalek, ART 6 West; Justin Ravenel, Guest Services; Brenda Brown, HVC; Kasey Hamilin-Smith, Pediatrics – Child Development; Mary Gladden, 7 West; Katura Simmons, Venipuncture; Kim Crownover; ART GI; Matt Bogart, Med/Surg ICU; Charlie Smith, Pharmacy; Aileen Cromwell, Venipuncture; Gwendolyn Fleming, Patient Transport Services; Harolyn Smith, Guest Services; Brandy Olson, Guest Services; Ashley Rhoad, 8 West; Prince Mohan, Division of Nephrology; Bonita Webb, 7 West; John Synovec; MUSC Entities; Sarah Crowder, 7 West; Gregory Hayes, Adult Inpatient Pharmacy Services; Dana Jenkins, 7 West; Catherine Watson, PACU; Cheryl Sherrer, Neuro-Interventional Radiology, Allison Shok; 7 West Jessica Dooley, 7 West; Natalie Murphy, 7 West; Scott Lloyd, Family Medicine; Nicholas Koch, Radiation Oncology; Lauren Rathbun, ART CTICU; Ryan Kellogg, Residents Neurosurgery; Gwen Frazier, Peri-Anesthesia Unit; Jennifer Blackstock, Med/Surg ICU; Whitney Brock, Med/Surg ICU; David Gonzalez, Med/Surg ICU; Karen Adams, ART preop surgery; Virginia O’Connell, ART CTICU; Amy Mullins, Women’s Services; Rebecca Bryan, 2JRU; Shelly McCarthy, 9 East; Michelle Moore, 2JRU; Jane Hawkins, Meduflex; Chris Long, Surgical Services; Kara Breznak, Dietetic Services;
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 Dawn Brazell, brazell@musc.edu J. Ryne Danielson, daniejer@musc.edu Helen Adams, adamshel@musc.edu Sarah Pack, packsa@musc.edu Jeff Watkins, watkinsj@musc.edu
Julie Ansara, PACU; Karen Loury, 7C; Fraser Henderson, Residents Neurosurgery; Joshua Felix, ART 5 East; Rachel Knight, ART 5 East; Jennifer McComiskey, 8 West; Analyn Safa, 8 East; Brandy Olson, Guest Services; Dana Jenkins, 7 West; Sarah Crowder, 7West; Shantel Frazier, Hollings Chemotherapy; Faith Shuler, 9 West; Katlyn Chace, MICU; Kristen Brammer, 7 East; Julie Wood, Respiratory Therapy; Shona Mitchell, Meduflex Team; and Gloria Belton, Environmental Services University
Dennis Abban, Engineering & Facilities/ Recycling and Irina Pechenaya, College of Dental Medicine/Oral Rehabilitation
Women’s Research Day Abstracts due Dec. 1 The MUSC Women’s Health Research Center and SCTR will be hosting the fourth annual Women’s Health Research Day, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 4. Attendees will enjoy scientific presentations and poster sessions highlighting sex and gender-based work conducted across campus and statewide. Investigators from across campus and statewide are invited to submit their gender/sex-based research for presentation; abstracts are due by noon, Tuesday, Dec. 1. Registration is free but attendees must register by Feb. 1.
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.
MUSC names Sheila Champlin as communication, marketing chief Sheila Champlin, M.A., has been named Chief Communication and Marketing Officer, a new position at MUSC beginning January 1, 2016. As part Champlin of the senior leadership team, Champlin will assist in optimizing MUSC’s vision while maximizing communication strategies
to achieve defined business and reputational goals. Champlin currently serves as assistant vice chancellor of communications and marketing at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) in Memphis, TN, where she has managed all communications and marketing efforts for the $800 million academic and research facility. Her experience includes strategic communication efforts at campus locations across Tennessee, involving brand management, media relations, advertising, internal communication, crisis communication, social media management and legislative relations.
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Ben Marino Heart Award raises $113K for heart research Heart & Vascular Center board honors former MUSC President Dr. James B. and Ann Edwards
When friends gathered to celebrate Ben Marino’s life, they also celebrated one of the causes he championed. The second annual Ben Marino Heart Award, held by MUSC’s Heart and Vascular Center board of directors and organized by board member Jill Chalsty, raised $113,000 for heart disease research at MUSC’s Gazes Cardiac Research Institute. Marino served community organizations throughout his life, including the heart and vascular board. MUSC President David Cole, M.D., FACS, called Marino someone “willing to meet the need.” “My hope, at the end of the day, is to say I had an impact; I made a difference,” Cole said. “The fact that we are here, I know you can honestly say that about Ben.” Marino, who died in 2011, strove to live by the motto of his alma mater, West Point: “Duty, Honor, Country.” He served as an Army Airborne Rangers lieutenant in the Vietnam War and later became a high–profile investment banker. After visiting the Lowcountry on business trips, he purchased land that would become Mount Pleasant’s Carolina Park, and he and his wife, Cathy, moved to Charleston. This year’s luncheon, held at the Gaillard Center Oct. 16, not only celebrated Marino but also two Ben
Marino Heart Award recipients, the late Dr. James B. Edwards and his wife Ann Edwards. Edwards, an oral surgeon, served as governor of South Carolina, Secretary of Energy under the Reagan administration and then president of MUSC. Ann Edwards, a registered nurse, supported charitable, educational and historical organizations and led the movement to preserve the Charles Pinckney National Historic Site. A portion of the funds raised for the Ben Marino Heart Award will support the James B. Edwards Scholarship Fund in the MUSC College of Nursing in honor of Dr. and Mrs. Edwards. Hank Greer, a friend of Ben Marino and incoming chairman of the MUSC Heart and Vascular board of directors, said MUSC leaders made a wise decision in recruiting Dr. and Mrs. Edwards home to South Carolina when the couple lived in Washington. “I’m told that in 1982, when he got the presidency, MUSC was a sleepy little hospital and a sleepy little med school,” Greer said. “What Ann and Jim did over the next 17 years was transformational.” Ann Edwards said she was thrilled to receive the Ben Marino Heart Award. She said the event honored Marino and spoke to “the legacy of his generosity and his leadership that he leaves us today.” Ben Marino Heart Award Recipients q John Chalsty (2014) q Dr. James B. & Ann Edwards (2015)
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Ann Edwards, wife of former MUSC President Dr. James B. Edwards, accepts the 2015 Ben Marino Heart Award from the MUSC Heart & Vascular Center board of directors chairman Hank Greer for herself and on behalf of her late husband at an Oct. 16 ceremony.
4 The CaTalysT,Nov. 27, 2015
Nurse’s family story promotes lung cancer awareness By Mikie hayes Public Relations November is recognized as Lung Cancer Awareness Month, both in the United States and abroad. This disease is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, for both men and women, and accounts for nearly 27 percent of all cancer deaths. More people die of lung cancer than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined. On a per death basis, however, lung cancer only receives 7 percent of the funding breast cancer receives in the U.S., and that figure is also representative of the rest of the world, according to the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer. Lung cancer is frequently deemed a smoker’s disease, inviting the perception that people should know better than to smoke; not that any amount of logic lessens the grief of losing a loved one or the need for more research dollars allocated to its study. While lung cancer advocacy organizations work year-round to ensure people understand the reach of the disease, November offers an opportunity to bring awareness to critical information, including the fact that as many as 20 percent of the people who die from lung cancer in the United States every year do not smoke or use any other form of tobacco. Andy Lutes was one such man. Living in Pittsburgh, he was a financial analyst for Bank of New York, Mellon Corporation. In April 2010, at the age of 40, he lost a very short battle with lung cancer. Andy never smoked. During his battle, he had a patient advocate by his side the entire time to help him through: his twin sister, Andrea Coyle, R.N., MUSC Magnet Program manager. As is common with many sets of twins, Andy and Andrea shared a special bond. They were very close growing up and remained best friends as adults. He was the godfather to her son, Finn. Growing up, the two attended Catholic school, and because Andy Lutes and Andrea Lutes came one after another in alphabetical order, they sat together in homeroom and all their classes through fifth grade. Every day, they rode the
school bus and played sports together. As they graduated from high school, both remained in the area: Andy went to the University of Pittsburgh and received his degree in political science and economics, and Andrea headed to Edinboro University of Pennsylvania to study teaching, eventually transferring to Allegany Community College where she changed her concentration to nursing. Soon, she was offered a job two hours away at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. In 2002, Andrea moved further still, relocating with her family to Charleston and beginning her employment at MUSC. Yet the two remained close. Whether she lived in Cleveland or Charleston, the two talked four or five times a week. Every week. And like most Pittsburghers, they were rabid football fans. Every Sunday she and Andy talked about the teams playing, making fun bets and ribbing each other about who lost. At the beginning of 2010, Andy noticed some subtle symptoms. Having had a cough for four weeks, his doctor did a chest X–ray, followed by a computed tomography (CT) scan, and finally, he had a chest tube inserted. Andy was diagnosed with stage-four nonsmall cell lung cancer and his prognosis, according to Andrea, was not very good. She said, “Unlike some cancers that have screening tests, CT screening for lung cancer has only recently been approved, and is still limited to those who have smoked and are of a certain age. For the majority of people, we continue to rely on an awareness of symptoms if lung cancer is to be caught in the earliest, most curable stages. Unfortunately, Andy fell into the aforementioned category.” Andrea was about halfway through her master’s program when Andy was diagnosed. When she heard the reports, she dropped everything and moved to Pittsburgh to be with her twin. She brought her then-4-year-old daughter Adelaide to stay with her at her mother’s house. Not only did she put her education on hold, she kissed husband, Michael, and son Finn, 5, and said a temporary goodbye, while the two men held down the fort in Charleston. Over the course of her brother’s illness, Andrea switched back and forth
photo provided
Andrea Coyle, center, with twin brother Andy Lutes, right, husband Michael; son, Finn and daughter Adelaide. between nurse and twin sister, as his short journey required her to assume both roles. Everyone on the oncology unit knew she was a nurse. She shook her head, and with a smile she said, “I shamelessly admit, I was one of ‘those’ family members, the one asking questions and following the nurses up and down the hall.” In some ways, the sister role was harder. “I took off my nurse hat and with great uncertainty and consternation, I bravely pulled on my twin sister hat.” She watched as nurses treated Andy with compassion, respect, skill and dignity. She was overwhelmed with the quality of the care he received. “The care Andy received was an intangible gift. The gift Andy received was the time each nurse took to comfort him. Comfort came in many forms. What a testament to every nurse. What a testament to the profession of nursing.” About a month before he died, Andy shared with his sister his final wishes. “He told me, ‘I don’t want to be in pain; I don’t want to lose bodily functions or my dignity; and I don’t want your kids to forget me,’” Andrea recounted and began to cry when she thought about how much her brother loved her children. He also told her he didn’t want to die in hospice. She promised him all of his wishes would be respected. Andy died only 15 weeks after having been diagnosed.
How did she get through it all? She credits Patrick Cawley, M.D., CEO of MUSC Health. “I had to get up, get moving and keep going,” she said. “I learned that, actually, from Dr. Cawley. I asked him one time, ‘How do you go on when 10 different things are going wrong, and it’s all on your shoulders, you’re the one in charge? What do you do?’ He said, ‘You keep moving forward.’ So I say that to myself all the time. ‘You’ve got to keep moving.’ Health care keeps moving, life keeps moving, we all have to move forward. “All that being said, I’m sad, and I miss Andy. But at the end of the day, I did everything he asked, and I can put my head on my pillow at night, knowing I was there when he needed me.” Andrea retuned to Charleston and her family, as well as to work and school. Ten months later, she completed a master’s degree in nursing and another in health care administration. She uses her experience as a way to make a difference every single day. She will tell you it was her brother’s nurses who ignited in her an even deeper passion for nursing. “I learned a lot about the patient experience, and it inspired me to make sure that all MUSC nurses have the skill set to provide the best care, because that is what my
See lung on page 10
The CaTalysT, Nov. 27, 2015 5
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Tina Williams Department and how long at MUSC Volunteer Services, six months
Family and their names Husband, Allen; six children (four biological and two stepchildren; and 11 grandchildren (another one is on the way) Favorite Thanksgiving memory Spending time together with my children and grandchildren Favorite football team Dallas Cowboys Food to bring to my family’s Thanksgiving meal Sweet potato pie Your idea of a dream job Any job that allows me to interact with people
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Our MUSC Family: What are you thankful for? Employees reflect this Thanksgiving 2015
By Mikie hayes Public Relations
O
nce the candy corn and mini Snickers have been devoured and scarecrows packed away for another year, retailers can hardly wait to hang garland and decorate with sleighs and candy canes. But on the way to Hanukkah and Christmas resides a humble holiday that belongs only to Americans — and they cherish it. And while seemingly it only comprises a single meal, in reality it is so much more than that. Yes, Thanksgiving is most definitely about feasting on a sumptuous turkey dinner with all the trimmings and a compulsory piece of pumpkin pie, as well as kicking back watching football games or the annual broadcasting of “Planes, Trains and Automobiles.”
M
USC employees were invited to submit reflections of what they are thankful for this Thanksgiving, and as expected, they were excited to participate.
“I am thankful for family, the one I was born into and the one that I choose to spend my days with. My work family is an awesome group of people who make coming to work every day something to look forward to. I am truly blessed to have a career that I love, that I get to do with such great people. The teamwork and camaraderie turn ordinary days into extraordinary days. Two North isn’t just a unit, it’s a family.” —Dawn M Vocolina, R.N., 2 North “I am so very thankful for all the blessings that I don’t deserve... but God in His infinite wisdom, looks beyond what I deserve and continues to bless me with all my needs. What more can a girl ask for?” —Kim Seymour–Edwards, Office of the Chief Information Officer “We are all so grateful for Kate
O’Leary, our system application specialist. Kate brightens our day daily with her enthusiastic can-do attitude. We have all learned to rely on Kate’s dexterous computer expertise – especially with the new Epic bedboard. She fields phone calls nimbly and can triage all calls coming through the office. Kate will come in early, stay late, and volunteer for any job needing to be done. She’s become an indispensable part of the ATC team, and we are all so happy to have her with us.” —Jill Frey, Admit Transfer Center team “I am thankful for my family. I have three grown kids and eight grandkids. I also have four stepkids and four stepgrandkids. One of my stepsons calls me his ‘bonus mom.’ So I am very thankful for all of them.” —Candace Collins, Biomedical Informatics “In August of this year I went to the doctor with what I thought was a kidney stone. The doctor sent me for a CT scan to see why I was having back and flank pain. The CT did not show a stone but a cyst on my ovary. Usually a cyst is not much to worry about but because
of my age and being postmenopausal, a septated cyst can very well be cancerous. I have to say I think my heart stopped beating when they told me this. I went for the lab work for the tumor marker and the results came back looking like the cyst was benign. I went under general anesthesia not knowing what I would find when I recovered. I thank God for the nurses, doctors and all the staff at MUSC that took care of me before and after the surgery. The surgery went well and I only had to have laparoscopy done. No cancer. I am thankful to be healthy.” —Dawn Loveless, Pediatric Cardiology “I am thankful for wonderful parents who gave me a fabulous life.” —Carol Hanton, Hemapheresis and Radiology Nursing “I am thankful for a team that works well together.” —Michelle Barnett, Radiology “I am very thankful for my job at MUSC that allows my family to have the health insurance coverage that they deserve. I am wishing all a Happy Thanksgiving!” —Charlene Ardis, Health Information
But Thanksgiving is also about continuing special traditions and giving heartfelt thanks. Families and friends travel sometimes great lengths to be together and break bread, and like the Pilgrims, they give thanks to God for the gifts he has bestowed upon them and this great nation. As they prepare to bless the meal laid out before them, family and friends often take a moment to reflect on what they are personally thankful for and share those blessings with each other. For others, as soon as the air gets cool and cornucopias begin to adorn buffets, they take the opportunity to share what makes them grateful. MUSC President David Cole, M.D., FACS, believes he has much to be thankful for. “I am thankful to have been blessed with a wonderful Management “I’m thankful for my family here at MUSC that helped me during my father’s passing in March of this year.” —Robin Ackerman, Rutledge Tower, Children’s Specialty “I am thankful to be in America at this time. Truly this nation is blessed. Being an American is just one reason to be thankful. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.” —Edrica Forbes, Rutledge Tower Admissions “God’s love, a wonderful husband, a good job, good health, a bountiful table and friends around it.” —Marilyn Beal, OCIO/Epic Revenue Cycle “I am thankful that we live in the era of anesthesia and antibiotics.” —David Rainville, OCIO “I am thankful that I have great friends that say hello every day and show how much we can have fun helping the patients in their accomplishments so
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family and a loving wife. And I am grateful to live in the beautiful Lowcountry and to work in a profession that can have a positive impact on peoples’ lives. The MUSC family is a talented, motivated and inspirational group of people, and I am humbled to get the privilege to lead and work alongside them.” Patrick Cawley, M.D., CEO of MUSC Health, shared the things for which he is personally grateful. “I am thankful for my family who challenge me every day to remember what the most important things in life are. I am blessed by a wonderful wife, children and extended family. “On a professional level, I am thankful for the MUSC Health team. Every day, I see tremendous acts of empathy and dedication to patients and families. In addition, I am
approached every single day by you about new ideas and thoughts about how to improve different aspects of care. The nation’s academic medical centers are expected to be leaders in the development of new care models and you clearly do this every day. You make my job easy, and I am eternally grateful.”
they can go home safely. Happy Thanksgiving.” —Larry Werstler, Therapeutic and Professional Support Services /Physical Therapy
here at MUSC. My former position as a firefighter gave me the opportunity to help others, and I am able to bring my education and experience to this great organization and continue my work with keeping our employees, patients, and visitors safe.” —Erik Modrzynski, Safety, Security & Emergency Programs
“Gratitude: I am thankful for all of my functioning senses and limbs. I am thankful for the art of love, songbirds, fresh air and sunshine. I am thankful for a place to sleep, food to eat, transportation and a job. I am thankful for family and friends who support me and help me be a better person. I am thankful for the grace of God and internal peace. I am thankful for the ability to dig through the dirt long enough to find the gold, so that I may continue to grow into the person I was so perfectly designed to become.” — Tammy Burgess, MUSC Physicians – Specialty Care East Cooper “This year has been great for my family and me. I am thankful on a personal level for the expected due date of our first daughter on December 29. We are very excited and can’t wait to see her when she is born. I am very thankful for the opportunity to work
“As a military spouse, I am thankful that my husband is home safe and thankful for my two daughters, family, friends, life, good health, and that MUSC has provided a safe and awesome place to work.” —Trudy Seaton, Rutledge Towers Children’s Endo/Devp/Gen “This year I am very thankful for my health. Last year around this same time I was recovering from major surgery. My Crohn’s disease was almost the worst it had ever been, and my gastroenterologist told me I needed another surgery. I had to take off of work for three months to recover and was feeling pretty down about life in general. But as the months went on my health started improving, and thanks to Dr. Lodhia and Dr.
Maxwell, I am now feeling better than I ever have. So not only am I thankful for my health this Thanksgiving, I am also thankful for my physicians and all of the other staff members at MUSC who helped me get through one of the most difficult times in my life. I always remember every day that there is always something to be thankful for, you just sometimes have to think about it a little more some days than others. But it is there, trust me.” —Sarah Kavalla, MUSC Physicians “On a personal level, I am thankful for my amazing family and friends. I am celebrating 24 years of marriage with my husband this month, and we are blessed with an amazing son. On a professional level, I am incredibly thankful to be a part of MUSC Health. I moved here one year ago from Maryland to accept the position as the schoolbased telehealth nurse practitioner. It has been an exciting year in the growth and development of our program. I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to care for children in need and those who have limited access to care. It is a true honor to bring MUSC pediatric
care to the children of South Carolina. I am also very thankful to work for Shawn Valenta and Jimmy McElligott. I have learned so much from them in my short time here. They are truly supportive, encouraging and wonderful role models. They inspire me to work hard, pursue excellence and seek to advance myself professionally. In fact, the entire telehealth team is remarkable, and I am so thankful to be a part of it.” —Kelli Garber, R.N., Telehealth nurse practitioner “I am primarily thankful that my parents – both in their 80s – are alive and healthy, mentally sharp and ultracreative people.” —Carley Eason Evans, College of Health Professions “I am thankful for my amazing 6 West family including our unit mascot, Merv the elf.” —Megan Zupan, R.N., 6 West Trauma Surgical Services
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said. “Everyone is terrified this will happen again. I have some friends from Charleston who want to travel to Paris, and I’m telling them not to go. You want to keep living, but it’s very scary.” Renaud said that she and her husband, Jason, whom she met in Charleston, had hoped to take Roxana home to meet her family soon, but now she is afraid to do so. “My life has changed since I had a baby, and I see things differently,” she said. The attacks in Paris were just one of a string of terrorist attacks in recent weeks. On Nov. 12, a day before the events in Paris, Islamic State bombings killed 43 in Beirut, Lebanon, targeting a mosque and a bakery. Twelve days prior to that, a bomb planted by the Islamic State group brought down a Russian airliner over Egypt, killing all 224 passengers and crew. On Oct. 10, two bombers linked to the Islamic State group killed more than 100 outside the central railway station in Ankara, Turkey. With a diverse population of international students, faculty and staff, many at MUSC have been affected, either directly or indirectly, by these events. Zahraa Sabra is a doctoral student pursuing her Ph.D. in neuroscience at MUSC. Her husband, Ali Alawieh, is a Medical Scientist Training Program student in the same department. Both are from Beirut. Two and a half years ago, they decided to study abroad, taking advantage of a unique partnership between Sabra the American University of Beirut and MUSC. Also from Lebanon, Maya Eid is an MSTP student participating in the same program. “We don’t have M.D–Ph.D. programs where we come from,” Eid said. “I’m very interested in research as well as clinical work, and since we don’t have this opportunity in Lebanon, I grabbed it as soon as I saw it.” Sabra, Alawieh and Eid all have family still living in Beirut. Sabra was about to step into an exam when she learned of the bombings. “Maya sent me a message on the phone, asking if my parents were okay,” she said. “I didn’t know there was anything happening. I found out a few minutes before my exam. It was disturbing. I needed to study, but I needed to check on my parents.” Sabra managed to contact her parents before the exam to make sure they were all right. During the exam she kept remembering other friends and relatives she needed to check on. “The first couple hours after an explosion are really tense for everybody,” Alawieh said, explaining that cell service often becomes disrupted as everyone tries to
A message from MUSC’s Center for Global Health MUSC’s Center for Global Health is continuing to monitor the situations in Paris and Beirut and is receiving updates from the U.S. State Department. In the wake of the tragedies, we want to assure you that the safety and security of our MUSC community is this institution’s highest priority. As a reminder, all faculty, staff and students traveling abroad for MUSC–related purposes are covered through the university’s partnership with International SOS, a global assistance firm that provides emergency medical, security and travel assistance, including full-scale evacuations. All MUSC faculty, staff and students must register their travel plans with International SOS. This allows MUSC to be better prepared to locate, communicate and provide support in the event of a natural disaster, political unrest or medical emergency. For information, refer to MUSC’s Center for Global Health’s international travel policy: http://globalhealth.musc.edu/blog/musc-inter-
contact their friends and relatives at once. “You can’t do anything anyway,” Sabra said. “So you force yourself to concentrate on what you’re doing.” Though Lebanon has undergone periods of violence, including a decades–long civil war, Syrian occupation and skirmishes with Israel, the recent bombing still came as a shock. “We’d gotten used to peace,” Sabra said, sadly. And, while there have been other attacks, this one struck close to home. Among those killed in the blast were two nurses on their way to work at the American University. Sabra’s uncle was only a street over from one of the bombs and heard the blast when it detonated. “Thank God he wasn’t over there,” she said. Sabra and her husband were last in Lebanon in June. The atmosphere was much better then. For both of them, this month’s attack brought back bad memories — memories of a childhood rife with war. “One thing you don’t talk about in Lebanon is PTSD,” Alawieh said, explaining that everyone in his country suffers from some form of post– traumatic stress. “This is a Alawieh place of war.” “You never get used to bombings. No one gets used to it,” Sabra said. “But, you learn to go on. You have to.”
A day after the attacks in Beirut, she explained, everything was already back to normal. Eid agreed. She believes that might be one reason the bombings in Beirut received less media coverage than the attacks in Paris. People have become used to it. To her, though, the attacks were equally shocking. She has family in both places. “My sister lives in Paris,” she said. “Most of my friends in the U.S. approached me and asked if she was okay. No one asked about the bombings in Lebanon.” Eid was very angry with her parents when she found out about the bombings in her home town. “I texted them, and they knew about it, and they didn’t tell me,” she said. “They didn’t want me to worry. My parents were more concerned about my sister and I than about their own security. Because of the situation in Lebanon, they pushed us to go outside the country and have a better life.” Eid said that she wants to remain in the United States after becoming a doctor. “I plan to stay for a while,” she laughed. “At least 20 years or so.” Sabra and Alawieh couldn’t feel more differently. “We’re counting the days,” Sabra said. For all the uncertainty in Eid Lebanon, ultimately, it’s home. Like many Americans, Sabra, Alawieh and Eid disagree on how best to counter the Islamic State group. Containment, Sabra says. Alawieh disagrees. He argues for a more forceful response. One thing they all agree on? The Islamic State is not Islamic. “We don’t call them the Islamic State,” Alawieh said. “We call them Daesh or takfiri.” Daesh is an acronym that sounds similar to several pejoratives in Arabic. A takfiri is a Muslim who accuses another of impurity — akin to calling someone a hypocrite in English. “These people aren’t Muslims. They drink and do drugs and kill innocent people, infants and pregnant women. Muslims are not allowed to start fights. We’re not allowed to kill civilians or prisoners,” Alawieh said. Sabra understands the anger and confusion many feel, but thinks it’s counterproductive. “If I was not born in Lebanon and didn’t understand Islam, I would be angry too,” she said. “But, that’s what Daesh wants. That’s the easiest way to create instability.” Renaud, Sabra, Alawieh and Eid were all present in June for the shooting at Emanuel AME Church. While the situation is different in many ways, they believe the world can learn something from the way the people of Charleston came together in the wake of that tragedy. They hope people of all religions can come together in the same way to defeat extremism. “Most of those killed in Syria and Lebanon are Muslim. ISIS isn’t just against Christians or Westerners,” Sabra said. “They are against humanity.”
10 The CaTalysT, Nov. 27, 2015
October Mindful winner uses water efficiently Water was already on the mind of most Charlestonians in October with the unprecedented rainfall and resulting flooding. It also happened to be the topic for the October Mindful Challenge — inviting staff members to use water well and reduce their water footprint. Participants were asked to determine their starting number by utilizing the online tool at www.watercalculator. org. For Alison Mantini, the challenge winner, “the online water calculator was really an eye–opener to how much water is used for things I didn’t even think about, like the production of gasoline, meat and clothing.” Many don’t realize that water resources are finite yet the population is growing; couple that with changes to the climate which affect the distribution. According to Savewater, the population of the planet has grown considerably since 1900. It is expected to further increase by “45 percent in the next 30 years, whilst fresh–water runoff is expected to increase by 10 percent.” As an example, of what this means, water shortages and droughts
lung
daily water usage. are already common in some For those who feel that parts of the world, but a water this is a monumental task, shortage is estimated to become Mantini suggests “make every a worldwide problem as soon effort count. Don’t try to as 2020, due to water pollution make too many big changes and over–consumption. all at one time; you’re more For Mantini, a human likely to fail if you overwhelm services specialist for the S.C. yourself with too much all at Department of Health and once.” Human Services, who works as The Office of Health a contract employee at MUSC Promotion offers a new with Medicaid, she decided to Mindful Challenge each make some easy changes after Susan Johnson month to help employees learning her daily usage rate. and students commit to Thinking about conserving one small changes that can lead resource led her to expand into to a heathier lifestyle. The December other areas. “I managed to train myself challenge will be to create a stress–free to take shorter showers And, I’ve been zone. Take the initial survey at http:// riding my bike more often. Less time tinyurl.com/p4gvzrx and be sure to spent in the car means less money spent complete the final survey at the end of on gas, which is always a good thing. I’ve the month for a chance to share your gone from filling up every two weeks, to story in our “Spotlight on Wellness” only needing to put gas in my car about series. once a month.” She plans to continue to go back to the online tool from time Employee Wellness to time to reassess her numbers and get q November Monthly Mindful more tips on how to further reduce her
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“I learned a lot about the patient experience and it inspired me to make sure that all MUSC nurses have the skill set to provide the best care, because that is what my brother received.” Andrea Coyle brother received.” Still, she feels the need to make sure people understand the symptoms of lung cancer and encourages people to get screened ASAP if they think they are experiencing any of them. She said, “Lung Cancer Awareness Month is so important. It brings the focus where it needs to be. I wish Andy had been aware of his symptoms and could have been diagnosed earlier – there so many things that can be done earlier. People need to ask their doctors about screening if they have risk factors. We are so blessed here to have MUSC Hollings Cancer Center here. It has the finest doctors and researchers working on promising new developments, clinical trials, even smoking cessation programs. We need to get that word out. I don’t want others to lose someone special to this disease.”
Health at work
Challenge — Make the sweet the treat, not a daily dose. Take the initial November Monthly Mindful Challenge survey @ http://tinyurl.com/pdj7wva q Adventure Out — The Adventure Out program offers free fitness classes in Charleston City parks and on the MUSC campus to help you turn over a new leaf and discover the benefits of green exercise. Join MUSC Wellness Center’s Katie Blaylock on Dec. 2 from noon to 12:30 p.m., Cannon Park, for a free kickboxing class. For more information, visit www.musc.edu/ohp/adventure-out q Lunch & Learn — Breathe easy through the holidays: Learn simple breathing techniques to reduce your stress. Two sessions: 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. Rooms 107/109 or 5:15 to 5:45 p.m. Room 107, Wednesday, Dec. 9, Colbert Education Center/Library. Yogic breathing is a yoga technique to promote self-healing that can be done while standing or seated in a chair. To register, visit musc-empwell@musc.edu and indicate a preferred session.
The CaTalysT, Nov. 27, 2015 11
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“From both a personal and professional level, I am thankful for MUSC. Not only am I proud to be an employee of MUSCP, serving both MUSCP and MUHA in research billing, I am most thankful for MUSC for personal reasons. Thankfully, our daughters currently live a sustained healthy life. After 14 neurosurgeries, some of which were done here by Dr. Stephen Haines, they both now work among the medical community. Ashli was not only a patient at MUSC but is also a graduate of MUSC College of Nursing and is a UR nurse. Fallon shadowed Dr. Haines for a semester here at MUSC and then went on to earn her Doctorate of Nursing Practice from USC and works in Houston at Texas Children’s Hospital. At one time these goals may have been considered unreachable, but thanks to MUSC, they were. MUSC has many ways they can help “US” (everyone including you and me). They also helped change me. My story is actually on their weight management page. I’m all about MUSC. Although I remain forever grateful and accountable to the folks at Weight Management, we’ll be forever grateful for the role MUSC Neurosurgery played in our children’s lives. We are reminded, especially during the holiday season, just how much we truly are blessed and how much we have to be grateful for – the birth defect they have is not curable, but it’s treatable, and we never know when their health will take a dip downward so we celebrate every day. Seldom fatal, but it can be life changing and redirecting — we are always on guard.” http://www. muschealth.org/weight/patient-stories/billie-story. html —Billie Guyton, clinical research biller, MUSC Hospital and Physicians
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“I am so thankful for my family and friends. Thankful for my work, my co-workers.” —Kim Grimm, Pediatrics—Endoscopy “I’ve been given an opportunity to make a positive impact on the people I encounter each and every day at the registration desk at Rutledge Tower. Patients often let me know how much they appreciate the quality service we provide at the registration desk. I am thankful that I am a part of a team that has proven to provide quality health care.” —Debra Kelly, Registration Administration “We are truly grateful for the opportunity to help our patients and their families. Also, we are grateful for our teamwork and sense of family, both personal and professional.” —Karen McHugh, 2 North IOP team
“I am grateful for my family, especially my wonderful wife, Susan, five children, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. I am also grateful for my health and to be able to be productive at the age of 77. Working as a Spanish medical interpreter at MUSC not only gives me the opportunity to use my brain in two languages, but also to be of service to the needs of our less fortunate Spanish speaking patients.” —Jose F. Rodriguez, Center for Education and Best Practice “I am thankful every day for my family, friends and the great people I work with. I thank God every day for the blessings he bestows upon me and for each and every day that I have.” —Catherine L. Burns, MUSC Children’s Care Clinic “I am thankful for life, health, and strength; for having a job; and having forgiveness in my heart.” —Albertha Williams, Registration Administration “There is a lot to be thankful for. I am thankful for my family, friends, and health. I’m also thankful for my incredibly talented colleagues and our MUSC family; they inspire me every day by going above and beyond for our patients and for each other.” —Kerry Burke, MUHA Administration “As we pause to celebrate all the things we are thankful for, the staff at Safely Speaking would like to share our list of patient safety blessings.” q The number of serious safety events at MUSC has decreased by 26 percent in the last 18 months. q Although overall harm has decreased, reporting has increased. A strong reporting culture is essential in a high reliability organization. q MUSC improved in many safety metrics in the last year, including catheter associated urinary tract infections, mortality index, patient safety indicators and hand-hygiene rates. q Our new patient safety manager, Stephanie Sargent, has joined the Safely Speaking writing team. —The Safely Speaking staff
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