MUSC Catalyst

May 17, 2013

MEDICAL UNIVERSITY of SOUTH CAROLINA

Vol. 31, No. 38

Graduate shows grit in shadow of adversity

BY CINDY ABOLE Public Relations

M

ay 17 is a day that College of Medicine graduate Louise Anne Alexander, M.D., has dreamed about for many years.

Ever since the Greer native was a child and throughout high school, she knew she wanted a career that involved interacting with or caring for children.

She volunteered at hospitals and other activities that involved children. Alexander was able to translate that passion to medicine after taking a medical practice course offered through Clemson University’s Department of Biological Sciences. After completing that class, she could not imagine herself doing anything else.

Alexander started medical school at MUSC in summer 2008 and was unexpectedly hit by a car while jogging on July 8, 2010.

Alexander had just spent the day in the Colbert Education Center & Library studying for step one of the medical licensing boards, which was to be completed prior to the third-year of medical school and clinical rotations. She had arrived at a stopping point in her studies that afternoon and decided to take a break with an easy jog around downtown Charleston’s Colonial Lake and back again. Alexander never made it past the corner of Ashley Avenue and Calhoun Street.

When she woke up, every part of Alexander’s body was hurting as she was loaded into an ambulance.

She didn’t remember being hit by a large SUV and that people came to her aid. The near-death accident was not part of her plans, and it nearly derailed her academic priorities and dreams of becoming a physician.

In MUSC’s adult emergency department, Alexander was diagnosed with multiple broken vertebrae in her back and ribs, and some vision loss due to hitting her head and blacking out.

6

Louise Anne Alexander wouldn’t let being hit by a car stop her from receiving her M.D. Today, ODV +"H :#& Y![[ >%J*!D[[V B& ]?>Y? D: 5<F Alexander.

She spent the first three weeks on her back recovering on a couch and managing her pain with medications.

“Everything hurt,” she said. “Mostly, I just lay in a dark room because of the pain. I didn’t want to talk, listen to music or interact with anyone.” Her parents became fearful as they realized the severity of her injuries and the long road of healing that was ahead.

Not long after the event, she contacted the COM dean’s office and Chris Pelic, M.D., former associate dean for student affairs, about her situation. He assured

GRADUATE CONQUERS LYMPHOMA A fever and chills turned out to be symptoms from a large mass in an MHA student’s chest.

8

her that everything would work out and that her immediate focus should be on her much-needed care.

Within three weeks, she arrived at Pelic’s office to discuss her choices and devise a course of action for her scenario. It was the first time since the accident that Alexander left her house, and she struggled to sit upright in a chair. He remembers seeing Alexander at perhaps her most vulnerable moment with tired bloodshot eyes, bruises and road rash scrapes throughout different areas of her body. He reassured her that despite the seriousness of her injuries, the timing of this accident, at a gap between the end of her basic science studies and the start of her clinical years, was ideal in terms of her academic schedule. Pelic (now associate dean for student career planning and advising) offered her support at any level by the college’s Group on Student Affairs throughout her recovery.

“It was a tough time for me,” said Alexander. “I realized I was at the peak of one of the most intense study periods of my life in medical school where I felt I was the most efficient, most productive and most challenged to not being able to do anything. It was a struggle for me to accept.”

The decision to take almost a year off from school to heal allowed Alexander to rest and be introspective of her medical school career and long-term goals. She realized she missed a good work-life balance, especially in her early years of medical school.

For the next few months, she and Pelic communicated openly via email. Together, they formulated a course of action to study and take the necessary steps to prepare for her comeback to medical school.

A faith-filled person, Alexander dug deep, reminding herself of the healing profession that she had committed to as one that preserves, saves lives and diagnoses problems.

At the start of her first clinical rotation in May 2011,

See Grit on page 10

NEW NURSE HAILS FROM SOMALIA

2

Teaching excellence

Student sacrificed seeing the birth of his child for a U.S. education.

5

Meet Jake

12

Student’s memory lives on

READ THE CATALYST ONLINE — http://www.musc.edu/catalyst

2 THE CATALYST, May 17, 2013

Foundation honors professors for teaching excellence F our faculty members will be honored for teaching excellence at MUSC’s annual Faculty Convocation at the beginning of the 2013-14 academic year at 4:30 p.m., Aug. 20 in the Drug Discovery Building auditorium.

The faculty members are: ! Sara V. Kraft, DPT, assistant professor, College of Health Professions, Educator-Lecturer; ! Carrie L. Cormack, R.N., instructor, College of Nursing, Developing Teacher; ! Shakaib U. Rehman, M.D., professor, College of Medicine, Educator-Mentor/Clinical-Professional; and ! Dorothea D. Jenkins, M.D., associate professor, College of Medicine, Educator-Mentor/AcademicScholarship.

Presented for the first time in 1995, these teaching awards were proposed as part of MUSC’s educational strategic plan. In addition to a commemorative medallion, each recipient will receive a cash award from the MUSC Foundation.

and Support Clinic, known as CARES. She serves as teacher and mentor to physical and occupational therapy students, and led an effort to increase available space for rehabilitation services, thereby increasing the number of students working at the clinic and the number of patients being served.

She also organizes and coordinates student involvement in other community projects for patients with special needs, such as an adaptive water sports clinic and events benefitting the organization Achieving Wheelchair Equality.

David Morrisette, Ph.D., professor and director of the Division of Physical Therapy, said Kraft is “one of the most outstanding and effective teachers and clinicians that I have had the pleasure to know.”

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Editor: Kim Draughn catalyst@musc.edu

Working and studying demands a lot of time. Add teaching and raising a family, and you have Cormack’s life. Her colleagues and students, however, say she excels in all facets.

As an instructor in the College of Nursing’s Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program, Cormack works with students in the classroom and online. She earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree from Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H., and a Master of Science in nursing degree at MUSC. She is certified by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board and is a member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. She is director of nursing at Pattison’s Academy, a school for children with multiple disabilities.

Cormack is also beginning work on her doctorate degree in nursing.

“There is not a person who works harder or is as dedicated as Carrie Cormack,” said one of her colleagues at PACE Charter School. “She has devoted her life to helping educate and assist others.”

Catalyst staff: Cindy Abole, aboleca@musc.edu Ashley Barker, barkera@musc.edu

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Sara Kraft, DPT Educator-Lecturer A glance at the letters of nomination for Kraft reveals many common threads.

Much of the praise centers on the free, student-run clinic providing preventative and primary care to uninsured patients. Kraft volunteers much of her time to the Community Aid, Relief, Education

THE Catalyst Editorial of fice MUSC Office of Public Relations 135 Cannon Street, Suite 403C, Charleston, SC 29425.

843-792-4107 Fax: 843-792-6723

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. sales@moultrienews.com.

Eductor-Mentor/Clinical-Professional Just as a house may only be as sturdy as its foundation, one’s health may depend on a sound doctor-patient relationship. Rehman has devoted much of his professional life to improving this relationship by developing and teaching courses in communication skills for clinicians.

“I have seen him perform firsthand and also know from the comments of mutual colleagues who Dr. Rehman trained, that he is indeed an outstanding bedside clinician,” stated Richard Stark, M.D., director of primary care clinic operations for the Veterans Health Administration. As a testament to Rehman’s mastery of this complex skill, other physicians trust him with their own health care. Perhaps an even better example is that difficult patients being treated by other physicians often wind up in his care.

An acknowledged authority on hypertension, Rehman also serves as program director of continuing medical education for primary care at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center.

“He is a wonderful doctor,” declared one student.

“His patients are happy, and I learned a lot from him.”

5><>8#&D S&?]!?:H OF5F Educator-Mentor/Academic-Scholarship A newborn in the neonatal ICU may seem to be the most helpless of humans, but to Jenkins, associate professor of pediatrics, that infant may be the most effective of teachers.

“Bedside teaching is a personal passion of mine,” she said in her philosophy of education.

Students, residents, fellows and others under her tutelage are often brought to the bedside to address the situation.

Even research trainees come to the unit “to see the infants and how the (research) project relates to their problems.”

Jenkins received her medical degree from MUSC and underwent further training at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She joined the MUSC faculty in 1993.

One former mentee said that Jenkins, by teaming with students, researchers and health care providers representing many disciplines, “redefines the concept of ‘interprofessional collaboration.’”

“Dr. Jenkins has a remarkable ability to surround herself with professionals of myriad abilities,” the mentee added, “as a means to develop the best projects available.”

Editor’s note: For information on the MUSC Foundation, visit http://academicdepartments.musc.edu/foundation.

THE CATALYST, May 17, 2013 3

First health, rehab science doctors to graduate T

hree inaugural graduates of the doctoral program in health and rehabilitation science will graduate from the College of Health Professions’ Department of Health Sciences.

The interdisciplinary Ph.D. is the only research-based doctoral program in rehabilitation science in South Carolina and one of only 13 similar programs in the United States. Students focus their research interests in one of three concentrations: pathology and impairment, functional limitations, or health services.

Under the strategic leadership of Lisa Saladin, Ph.D., dean of CHP, the program is directed by Bonnie MartinHarris, Ph.D., a professor with dual appointments in CHP and the College of Medicine.

The Ph.D. core faculty work with bench, clinical and health services researchers in CHP, throughout the MUSC campus and at Veterans Affairs to immerse the students in mentored laboratory experiences.

The program works in collaboration with the College of Graduate Studies and was initiated in 2009 with only four students. The program has grown to average 20 students enrolled at various levels of doctoral study.

The following graduates will be maintaining or assuming academic positions: ! Nicole M. Marlow — Dissertation: Effectiveness of Pharmacotherapy for Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Medication Adherence and Costs Perspective (Kit Simpson, Ph.D., Dissertation Committee chair) ! Ann-Catherin Nordbo Simpson — Dissertation: Rehabilitation Utilization of the Marginal Cost of Ischemic Stroke in South Carolina (Charles Ellis, Ph.D., Dissertation Committee chair) ! Joseph J. Sistino — Dissertation: The Influence of the Method of Cerebral Protection During Neonatal Cardiac Surgery on the Development of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (Simpson, Dissertation Committee chair)

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4 THE CATALYST, May 17, 2013

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BY CINDY ABOLE Public Relations

I

t’s a couple of weeks before MUSC’s May 17 commencement ceremony and new dental graduate Brandon Hagan, DMD, may seem overwhelmed with the work ahead of him. But the energetic and affable 27-year-old is not fazed. He loves staying busy and managing several things at once and is good at it.

Those who know Hagan are used to seeing the Louisville native around campus whether he’s collaborating with staff at the Student Programs Office, working out at the Wellness Center or working with peers and faculty at the Dental Clinical Education Center of the James B. Edward’s College of Dental Medicine.

It was not long after setting foot on campus that Hagan realized he wanted to be involved with MUSC’s larger student body and be a leader for positive contributions and student involvement through university initiatives. He also wanted to expand diversity efforts on campus.

“I feel I do my best when I’m busy juggling several projects at the same time. I’m a good time manager, and I always like to be involved and work on big projects,” said Hagan, who is a pastor’s son and credits his mom for his artistic abilities.

His interest in dentistry did not emerge until college.

During his senior year at the University of Kentucky, several friends encouraged him to consider dentistry.

They knew Hagan loved science, and they helped him arrange to shadow with local dentists, oral surgeons and other dental specialists.

But Hagan was not ready to make that level of a commitment.

Instead, he took time off and contributed to the Lexington musical theater scene for two years. A classically trained singer who performed throughout high school and college, Hagan worked in community theater, sang in local Broadway productions and performed with the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra.

He wanted time to think while exploring his creative ambitions before deciding about dental school.

“Theater and music is something I love and can always do. But I also wanted a career related to science that came with a salary that I can depend on,” Hagan said. He took the dental admissions test and scored well before applying to dental schools across the country and deciding on MUSC. Hagan’s best friend also happened to be starting a two-year orthodontics residency at MUSC around the same time. He said he knew he wanted to try something different and Charleston seemed ideal for that.

Hagan admitted to struggling a little to adjust to Lowcountry life: He moved from a busy, urban progressive Midwestern city like Louisville to Charleston’s slower pace and historical charm. He was on the verge of moving back home when a faculty

5<F 9<D?(>? UD$D? D**&=8: D? /W; DYD<( from Dr. Willette Burnham, SGA faculty advisor. member encouraged him to get involved with MUSC’s Student Government Association. Volunteering with SGA changed everything for Hagan.

“I met students from the other six colleges and programs. Today, I feel lucky to have so many different friends from all over campus,” he said.

Hagan rose through the ranks in SGA, first serving as a class representative and elected to academic vice president and president from 2012-2013. As SGA’s chief executive officer, he chaired the executive committee, presided over meetings and represented students at campuswide events and at board of trustees meetings and other activities. His leadership and commitment with SGA tested his executive control in tasks and coordination in implementing new policies such as the adoption of a tobacco-free campus policy and hospital district smoking ban initiated by students and implemented in March 2012.

He raised student interest and participation in various service projects like the 2012 Heart Walk, annual American Red Cross Blood Drive Challenge, Lowcountry Food Bank food drives and expansion of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service event.

He credits SGA executive committee members for their creativeness and dedication where members work continually with Student Program advisors and support staff to plan and organize events.

“People are interested in the small things. When there are issues, people want answers, and that’s what matters most,” Hagan said.

As for other involvement, Hagan was a Presidential Scholar representing the dental school and working collaboratively with projects that explored health disparities and solutions among populations.

Hagan also served as president of the college’s chapter of the Student National Dental Association for three years and led his peers to introduce dentistry as a career and assist in the college’s diversity efforts within South Carolina public schools, colleges and institutions.

Hagan was a Student Ambassador in the dental school, a member of the American Student Dental Association and Psi Omega National Dental Fraternity, a tutor and mentor to fellow students and sang with the MUSC Gospel Choir.

Among his many honors and awards, Hagan is the recipient of the 2013 Earl B. Higgins Student Leadership in Diversity Award. At the April 3 ceremony, Deborah Higgins, sister of the award’s namesake, summarized Hagan’s qualities in her introduction of him at the event.

“Brandon exceeds expectations with his willingness to get involved and serve. He’s a student scholar with a servant’s heart and has devoted countless hours improving the lives of current and prospective students and people in the community,” she said.

Following graduation, Hagan plans to continue his dental education with a two-year orthodontics residency at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. Looking back, he has no regrets and feels comfortable and confident that he’s leaving the campus and SGA leadership in good hands.

“It’s a nice feeling as a senior to look back and reflect on the work that I’ve been involved in. I’m so proud to be leaving MUSC a better place, and I thank so many people for working together with me in accomplishing things,” Hagan said, smiling proudly.

THE CATALYST, May 17, 2013 5

MEET JAKE

SD]& /*#6B&<8 College College of Nursing, Class of 2013 U>Y V>6 D<& *#D?$!?$ Y#D81: =>::!B[& at MUSC I have been outspoken about transitioning ;<B $64==?##' B%8:?#%'B%; ;# 4 1.:!!B"/ $64==?##', (<B?B ?B$#?"B" 6B$;9?B= 4?B =;9":B" 4<B4" #@ $64==, =# ;<4; ;<B ;:'B :% front of a live instructor can be interactive 4%" 34=B" #% $4=B =;9":B=) ,#> YD: V>6< B!$$&:8 !?I6&?*& !? choosing nursing as a career I come from a family of nurses but my &#9%>B? 3?#;<B?, (<# := 4 $4?":4$ %9?=B, (4= 4 3:> :%.9B%$B) Words of advice 2BB! &#9? <B4" 9!) 7<B?B 4?B 3B49;:@96 "4&= 4%" $<466B%>:%> "4&= 39; :; (:66 46(4&= 3B (#?;< ;<B B@@#?;) Favorite restaurant 5 =BB' ;# 0%" '&=B6@ 4; 74$# -#& #% @?BA9B%; #$$4=:#%=) Favorite place in the world 5 $4% %B8B? >B; B%#9>< #@ 7<4:64%") 5; <4= B8B?&;<:%> * "B6:$:#9= @##", 4(B=#'B !B#!6B, 3B49;:@96 3B4$<B=, 4%" :;+= 46(4&= =9''B?;:'B)

6 THE CATALYST, May 17, 2013

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BY ASHLEY BARKER Public Relations

O

ne morning near the end of her second year as a health administration student at MUSC, Abby Bunkley woke up with chills and a fever.

As a full-time manager of a plastic surgery office on Daniel Island and a part-time College of Health Professions student, she didn’t have much time for doctors in her personal life. Thinking she had the flu, she popped in an office the following day for some medicine.

When the symptoms steadily intensified, she returned to the doctor and was diagnosed with pneumonia.

By the next month, Bunkley described the pain she was feeling as having an elephant on her back.

She had practically stopped eating and returned to the doctor exhausted. This time she was referred to Carolyn Reid, M.D., a renowned cardiothoracic surgeon and oncologist at MUSC who died a year after meeting 96?][&V Bunkley. After several tests and a biopsy, Reid informed the 26-year-old that she had mediastinal diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and had an 11-centimeter-wide mass in her chest.

“I couldn’t stand up straight because it had gotten so big that it was pushing all my organs against my spine,” Bunkley said. “If I stood up straight, I couldn’t breathe with 97 percent of my lung. So I was hunched over for months.”

Ten days after being diagnosed, Bunkley began her first of six rounds of R-CHOP chemotherapy, followed by 21 rounds of radiation. For about six months, Bunkley, a College of Charleston alumnus, never spent an evening alone. Her parents and friends created a schedule and rotated bringing her dinner, sleeping over on her couch, walking her dog and keeping her entertained. Patrick O’Neill, M.D., owner of O’Neill Plastic Surgery, provided support and encouragement while she continued working. But, Bunkley became sicker, weaker and more scared over time.

“It’s OK to ask for help. It’s OK to cry. It’s OK to be mad. Just be grateful for every day that you have,” Bunkley said would be her advice to a new cancer patient. “There were some nights that I was scared to go to sleep because I didn’t know if I’d wake up. It was the darkest experience.”

Bunkley’s oncologist, Luciano Costa, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of medicine at MUSC, said taking care of her was “challenging and joyful, but ultimately

very rewarding.”

“She did not have an easy time with treatment and yet managed to keep her life on track with a very demanding job and going to school at the same time.

Abby had a tremendously positive attitude all along, and I am sure this was the key for her success,” he said.

“She would write down all her questions in a notebook as they came up and bring them to the appointments, something I wish all patients would do. I saw in her the sadness, the fear and the emotions that all patients face.

But these feelings would be brief, and she would never allow defeat to become her mindset. She just knew how to put cancer in its place.”

Bunkley went into remission on July 3, 2012. The ;BBV 96?][&V D?( #&< >?*>[>$!:8H 5<F Q6*!D?> one thing that didn’t change in her life was the career Costa, celebrated being cancer free last July. goal she had set before the fight of her life began.

Bunkley was determined to graduate from MUSC, IV machines, it was totally heart wrenching,” Prine said. while continuing to work at O’Neill Plastic Surgery, and “She has gone through something so unimaginable, and earn an administrative fellowship. She accomplished all I’m so glad I was able to be with her through it all.” three.

Because of the party’s success, Bunkley and Prine There were more than 150 applicants, according to also planned a second event to raise money for the Bunkley, for the fellowship at Carolinas Medical Center Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and for their Team in in Charlotte, N.C. When she applied, Bunkley had no Training goal. hair and was new to the concept of wearing a wig.

“Courtney’s life-long goal was to run a marathon “During the first interview, I wore a wig, never before she was 30, and I wanted to get back in shape disclosed my lymphoma to anyone and never let anyone after cancer because I lost all my muscle. So we signed know what was going on personally. By the grace of up for a marathon,” Bunkley said.

God, they chose me,” she said. “When the VP of Their second party raised more than $13,500 for the operations, Tim Brookshire, called to tell me that I’d society and their trip to San Diego for the Rock & Roll been chosen, I couldn’t speak. I just kept crying. I was Marathon on June 2. so excited that I couldn’t find the words. The path that Even though the lymphoma isn’t with Bunkley I had for myself before I got sick was happening. It was anymore, some of its signs are still lingering. definitely what I needed.”

“I pay close attention to everything that’s going on Bunkley, who is the recipient of the 2013 Executive around me. If a big gust of wind blows by me, I feel it,” MHA Outstanding Student Award, will spend a year at Bunkley said. “I never thought that I wasn’t going to the center to see the daily operations from a bird’s eye make it. I just didn’t know if the life that I had planned view and hopes to move into hospital administration. out was just a rough draft.”

Throughout the lymphoma process, many of Bunkley’s friends kept asking her what they could do to help. One of her best friends, Courtney Prine, an administrative specialist in the MUSC Division of Infectious Diseases, decided to plan a party to raise money for Bunkley’s medical bills.

More than 400 people showed up to Wiggin’ Out for a Cure, which was held last February at Midtown Bar and Grill.

Guests, who showed up in costumes, cocktail dresses and wigs, raised more than $16,000, which paid for all of Bunkley’s medical bills.

“To walk into the infusion center and More than $16,000 was raised during Wiggin’ Out for a Cure, see this beautiful 26-year-old girl with #&[( !? #>?>< >% ;BBV 96?][&VH :&*>?( %<>@ 8#& [&%8F W6&:8: long blond hair hooked up to all these :#>Y&( 6= !? *>:86@&:H *>*]8D![ (<&::&: D?( Y!$:F

THE CATALYST, May 17, 2013 7

MUSC Medical Center Communications Corner Employee Commitment Survey Who? All Medical Center, Sodexo and Crothall employees

What? Employee Commitment Survey When? May 19 through June 1 Where? The survey can be accessed on the MUSC Excellence website

(mcintranet.musc.edu/muscexcellence/), the MUHA intranet homepage, by clicking the “Take Survey” icon on your computer desktop, or by contacting your survey ambassador.

Why? Why do we conduct this survey?

What is a survey ambassador?

In order for the MUSC medical center to be the very best place for patients and their families to receive care, it must also be a great place for employees to work. MUSC employees are our most valuable asset; our facilities and cutting edge technology are only as good as the people who utilize them to make a difference in our patients’ lives.

The Employee Commitment Survey is a key tool for the leadership to hear directly from employees about what is working and what our best opportunities are to create an environment that supports a sense of accomplishment and pride. Particularly during these challenging times, when difficult, and often unpopular, decisions have to be made, we need to be informed about employee perceptions in order to focus our attention and resources most effectively.

* +9;%9:% 4"?4 K96O5 K!4" ;?:?#%65 49 "%M8 &!546!=24% -GC M%44%65 ?:& answer questions from co-workers about the survey

2012 RESULTS

Last year, 80 percent of staff (four out of every five) participated in the survey. We hope to match or exceed that response rate this year.

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If you have any questions regarding the survey, contact your survey ambassador.

To find out who your survey ambassador is, visit the MUSC Excellence website (mcintranet.musc.edu/muscexcellence/) and click Employee Engagement.”

How? How are the survey results utilized?

In response to our 2012 Survey, more than 350 work group action plans were created on a variety of topics. Organizationwide responses were also developed and have included: Items: “There is a climate of trust in my work group.”

“Employees in my work unit treat each other with respect.” *39;;2:!'?4!9: (>( 'M?55%5 ?6% :9K 9$$%6%& 4K!'% ? ;9:4" $96 ?MM 54?$$ ?:& =I request to specific work unit groups. *E2'" K96O "?5 =%%: '9;8M%4%& 49 ?&&6%55 !552%5 9$ DM?4%6?M 0!9M%:'%B/ ?:& ? new professionalism policy and resources will be introduced in the summer of 2013.

“The person I report to is a good communicator.” *362'!?M 39:0%65?4!9:5 'M?55%5 ?6% :9K 9$$%6%& ;9:4"MI@ *39;;2:!'?4!9: '"?::%M5 K!4" 54?$$ "?0% =%%: %J8?:&%& ?:& !:'M2&%N *)%%OMI %A;?!M5 $69; 926 3L. -?46!'O 3?KM%IB E@1@ *L;8M9I%%5 6%'%!0% 4"% K%%OMI 8"I5!'!?:5, 3M!:!'?M 39::%'4!9:5 :%K5M%44%6@ *36%?4!9: 9$ 4"% :%K ;9:4"MI :%K5M%44%6 $96 %;8M9I%%5 K!4" 4"% $!654 %&!4!9: !: April 2013 *E?:&?496I F%?&%6 E%%4!:# %?'" ;9:4"< 54?:&?6&!H%& ;%'"?:!5; $96 '?5'?&!:# information from that meeting to employees is currently under development. *-M?::!:# $96 %J8?:5!9: 9$ 49K: "?MM ?0?!M?=!M!4I 49 5288964 6%72!6%& participation by all employees to assure that everyone has access to the information necessary to understand and support the medical center’s goals and priorities.

8 THE CATALYST, May 17, 2013

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BY CAROLINE ASSEY

“I am dreaming of opening a clinic in Somaliland in the future. When you go there, you can see and feel nothingness. The public health problems and lack of American clinicians are clear.”

Public Relations Osman Abdi, R.N., grew up in the city of Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

There he experienced the hardships of an ethnic-based civil war under a military dictator. His family hails from the selfdeclared sovereign state of Somaliland.

“I saw people dead on the streets, bodies everywhere, and it was unbelievably dangerous. Between the chaos and destruction, I decided I had to leave,” Abdi said.

In hopes of earning an education and a better life for his family, he applied for a green card to come to the United States. While waiting for his acceptance, he lived in Belgium and learned French as a second language.

Abdi was accepted into the country through a program that allows 55,000 permanent resident visas annually for countries that have low rates of immigrants living in the United States.

While living and working in the states, he spent time taking free English classes in order to better understand the American accent. Though Abdi found it difficult to leave his wife in Somalia, he believed that an American education was important in providing a better life for his family.

Abdi graduated from Ohio State University in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory technology.

He was hired to work in a lab at the college for two years on scholarship but ended up staying there for five years.

Eventually he was able to support his family and bring his brother and sister from Somalia to the United States.

In 2010, he decided do something more with his education. Originally planning to pursue a career as a physician, Abdi discovered the accelerated baccalaureate nursing program at MUSC. He also was awarded a scholarship through the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

“I was accepted into the program, and my thinking of nursing changed.

This wasn’t just for females anymore.

Sometimes you will care for a male patient, and they might prefer a male

3:@D? ;B(!H 0FNF

Osman Abdi received his Bachelor of Science degree in nursing on May 17. Abdi was a student in the accelerated nursing program at MUSC. support group that connects male nurse. You could do so many different nursing students with male nurses specialties and departments within the throughout MUSC. Because of this nursing field. It’s such a great program, group and interaction with professors and I am very thankful,” Abdi said. like Conner, Abdi felt encouraged to He will graduate from the accelerated never give up. nursing program with a Bachelor of “One of the main reasons we started Science degree in nursing on May 17. this group was to offer support to our Brian Conner, Ph.D., R.N., served as male nursing students. Men in nursing both his professor for pathophysiology are in the minority and, historically, in the spring of 2012 and his mentor attrition rates of male nursing students through the Robert Wood Johnson Scholars program.

“The determination to reach his goals with English as a third language is tremendous. He has a big heart, big smile, and he wants to take care of people. One important goal Osman has mentioned is that eventually he hopes to take what he has learned and go back to his homeland to help those in need,” Conner said.

Abdi joined the Men in Nursing Group in the College of Nursing, a

greatly exceed that of women,” said Conner. “Currently, male nurses only make up less than 10 percent of all nurses in the United States.”

This past summer Abdi was able to bring both his wife and 20-month-old child from Somalia to join him in South Carolina. He sacrificed seeing the birth of his first-born child in order to achieve an American education.

Abdi and his wife are expecting their second child.

“I am dreaming of opening a clinic in Somaliland in the future. When you go there, you can see and feel nothingness.

The public health problems and lack of American clinicians are clear,” said Abdi. “My plan is to open a clinic and help the woman and children, the most vulnerable people in this area. I hope to connect the MUSC medical mission program to this clinic.”

THE CATALYST, May 17, 2013 9

SOCIETY WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS

The Zeta Eta chapter of Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the national dental honor society, inducted its newest members recently at its annual membership banquet. From left are Dr. Ed Soltis (honorary), College >% 2#D<@D*VA 5&?8D[ O&(!*!?& 7[D:: >% )C+'\ RD8!& 2[6?]&88H S>?

2&8&<:>?H ;??D 0>B&<8:H S&D?&88& ,!?$D8&H 9<D?(>? UD$D?H W<D#D@ Lee and Max Frawley. Membership is based on scholarship and contributions to the profession of dentistry.

10 THE CATALYST, May 17, 2013

Pharmacist focused on service, matching needs

BY CINDY ABOLE Public Relations

C

ommunity outreach champion, tireless advocate and trusted pharmacy professional: These are only a few ways to describe new graduate Christian Younts, PharmD. Younts embodies the characteristics that every pharmacy professional needs to prepare for a life of service to her patients. She is an exceptional retail and community pharmacist, a role model in professionalism and is passionate about improving the health care needs of people, especially disadvantaged populations.

At the retail pharmacy where she works as a graduate intern, Younts speaks and translates Spanish daily and sports a lapel button that reads “Yo hablo Español.”

“When I realized I was helping the store and our customers out in this way, I realized that I found my calling. This is where I’m supposed to be,” said Younts.

The Reno, Nev., native found a way to blend two passions, Spanish and science,

GRIT

into what she plans to be – a long-serving pharmacist.

At the May 16 hooding ceremony of MUSC’s campus of the South Carolina College of Pharmacy, Younts was presented with the national RESPy (respect, excellence, and service in pharmacy) award for her community service work. She is among eight recipients in 2013 to receive this honor.

The award is sponsored by Pharmacy Times in conjunction with Wal-Mart.

Cathy Worrall, PharmD, assistant dean for Student Affairs and Experiential Education at the SCCP-MUSC campus, praised Younts’ efforts in her nomination for the award. “Christian has made significant contributions to the pharmaceutical care of the Hispanic population in the Charleston area and underserved populations both locally and globally,” wrote Worrall.

As a retail pharmacy technician, Younts started out volunteering at community health fairs and found that her Spanish language skills were invaluable in these settings. A good friend and medical school graduate

5<F 7#<!:8!D? M>6?8: #&[=: D V>6?$ B>V 6:& D @D]&:#!%8 :=D*&< !?#D[&<H made out of a water bottle, to deliver medication to his lungs. Younts was part of a student team that volunteered at an outreach pharmacy in Uganda in 2012. student, Kelly Lambright, M.D., encouraged her to volunteer with MUSC’s Alliance for Hispanic Health.

It was through this organization that she cut her teeth in networking and outreach.

As a pharmacy student, she worked in the MUSC operating room pharmacy.

In her spare time, she devoted countless hours with the Alliance helping with community service projects, organizing

See SERVICE on page 11

Continued from Page One

Pelic served as Alexander’s mentor for a psychiatry rotation at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center.

She remembers starting out slow and a little nervous, but adjusted quickly with Pelic’s guidance and the reassurance of her peers.

“Usually I’m motived, hardworking and focused when it comes to serving my patients and supporting my student team. During my return, I felt like a fish out of water and didn’t know how to do this. Dr. Pelic helped by setting high and clear expectations, but providing all the guidance and support necessary to achieving them,” Alexander said.

As she completed more clinical rotations, Alexander’s confidence in herself grew. Spending more time with students, she got to know people in her new medical class and formed relationships. She performed so well academically that she was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, a group that recognizes the top students in the school class.

When it came time to choose a medical specialty, Alexander loved aspects of various areas of medicine, but after completing her core clerkships she really enjoyed pediatrics or obstetrics and gynecology. Because of the timing of the accident and the accommodations

“Louise’s story is an example of

a person who was not too proud to ask for help, consulted with a team of professionals to establish a plan and took time off to get well. We want all our students to succeed and reach their own potential.”

Dr. Chris Pelic the Dean’s office made to maximize her training post recovery, she finished her core clerkships with more time left than most students to complete selective rotations. She wanted more time to explore her decision in what medical field she wanted to pursue.

A mentor convinced her to explore pediatric anesthesiology. She completed a selective rotation at

MUSC and loved it. “I realized that I could spend more time with patients in anesthesia than in any other medical field awake or asleep,” she said. She conducted some published research in her fourth year with the Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine.

On National Match Day, she was selected for Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s anesthesiology residency and plans to complete a fellowship in pediatrics.

“These experiences teach us skills we need to possess to be strong and resilient. As physicians we can get incredibly stressed at times,” Pelic said. “Louise’s story is an example of a person who was not too proud to ask for help, consulted with a team of professionals to establish a plan and took time off to get well. We want all our students to succeed and reach their own potential.”

Alexander believes that her accident renewed her sense of purpose, strengthened her personal relationships and deepened her ability to empathize and care for others.

“I found that as I struck that balance in a better way, I was able to function better academically and in so many other areas of my life.”

THE CATALYST, May 17, 2013 11

MSTP STUDENTS MATCH TO TOP PROGRAMS

Six graduates in MUSC’s Class of 2013 Medical Scientist Training Program matched to prestigious residency programs. The new physician-scientists were among 157 successful medical student matches revealed at the College of Medicine’s March 15 OD8*# 5DV &4&?8F 2!*86<&( D<& 5<:F 2D<]&< ,![:>? LMD[&G2D8#>[>$VKA ;?(<& ZD((V L-D?(&<B![8GO&(!*!?&E7[!?!*D[ T?4&:8!$D8>< 2D8#YDVKA ;@&?D /@!8# LS>#?: U>=]!?:G 2&(!D8<!*:KA RV[& /8<!*][D?( LUD<4D<(1: 9<!$#D@ D?( ,>@&?1: U>:=!8D[G2D8#>[>$VKA 2&8&< .D?$ LO!??&:>8DG3=#8#D[@>[>$VKA D?( S>& 2D[D8!?6: LUD<4D<(1: 9&8# T:<D&[PT?8&<?D[ Medicine).

SERVICE

Continued from Page Ten

health fairs, setting up free screening clinics, recruiting volunteers and matching people’s needs to services within the community. A defining part of this work was helping in a research study to assess the health of Charleston’s Hispanic community. The study, now in its third round of funding, examines health disparities among migrant and settled Hispanic populations through outreach and collaboration. Younts was instrumental in bridging the needs and requirements of the study with leaders in the Hispanic community.

“Charleston is a hub, and MUSC is well known and respected among the Lowcountry’s Hispanic population. Through this and other programs with the College of Nursing, Institute of Psychiatry and efforts that connect needs to services, we were able to work with them and build a relationship based on mutual trust and respect,” Younts said.

Younts’ community service work allowed her to extend her practice skills and cultural experiences to international populations through mission trips in Uganda and Ecuador. There, she completed monthlong rotations, working with interdisciplinary health care teams, translating evaluation tools and serving people in those communities. She plans to participate in other trips to Brazil and Nicaragua and continue to be an active advocate for the Hispanic community and

others through her profession.

Younts is a 2007 graduate of the College of Charleston with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish. She feels her love and connection to the Spanish and Central American culture was born through family roots left by her great-great-grandfather who worked temporarily in the silver mines near Guadalajara, Mexico. She also joined her father in several church mission trips to Cerro Gordo, Mexico.

“I feel it was always my destiny to someday embrace these two cultures – Spanish and Irish-American – not only for historical family reasons but because how this connection has made me the person I am today,” Younts said.

In pharmacy school, Younts held memberships with the Beta Chi chapter of the Lambda Sigma National Pharmacy Leadership Society, American Pharmacists Association-Academy of Student Pharmacists and Christian Pharmacist Fellowship International. She is a member of Seacoast Church in Mount Pleasant and a certified Zumba fitness instructor.

“As I graduate, I’m very honored to be a student from this institution. MUSC has done a lot of great things to reach out to people from all cultures. There are so many people that I want to thank who believed in me and helped me get through pharmacy school and make my dream a reality,” Younts said.

12 THE CATALYST, May 17, 2013

STUDENTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MEMORY WILL LIVE ON

Members of the College of Medicine Class of 2013 gathered April 21 to plant a Magnolia tree as a living memorial honoring deceased *[D::@D8& QD6<&? 9D**D<!F U&< #6:BD?(H W<&$ 9D**D<!H ^>!?&( .&( James, Tom Cunningham and other students in the planting of the tree, located in the front of the Basic Science Building. As part >% *>@@&?*&@&?8 Y&&] D*8!4!8!&:H 9D**D<! YD: =>:8#6@>6:[V =<&:&?8&( Y!8# 8#& U!<D@ 76<<V ;[=#D 3@&$D ;[=#D ;YD<( %>< service. Members of COMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s graduating class also donated $20.13 to the Lauren Baccari Family Medicine fund, which supports activities for students interested in family medicine, her medical career choice.