May 31, 2013
MEDICAL UNIVERSITY of SOUTH CAROLINA
Are you prepAred?
Hurricane season begins June 1 University Risk Management program coordinator Elizabeth Anne Herring reviews her tabletop exhibit featuring the FEMA Family Preparedness Plan, basic emergency kits, hurricane tracking charts and other information. They were among 14 Lowcountry area exhibitors that shared information. Bottom photo: WCBD-TV chief meteorologist Rob Fowler moderated a hurricane panel discussion as part of MUSC’s 14th annual Hurricane Awareness Day, held May 22 at the Horseshoe. The panel featured, from left, Tri-county spokepersons Dr. Wade Manaker, MUSC Emergency Medicine; Cathy Haynes, Charleston County Emergency Management; Mike Powers, American Red Cross; Capt. R.G. Woods, S.C. Highway Patrol; Ron Morales, National Weather Service; and Charlotte Anderson, Disaster Voluntary Services (not pictured). Forecasters predict a very active 2013 Atlantic hurricane season.
Vol. 31, No. 40
Inside RemembeRing A SuRgeon
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Dr. Gil Bradham, the driving force behind the MUSC Wellness Center, died at home on May 21. He was 81.
AdoleSCenT SubSTAnCe uSe
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Drugs and alcohol have ruled the past several years of Derick Hammond’s life. At 17, he’s getting back on track. 4 Just Culture 5 Meet Lisa 10 Applause T h e C ATA ly S T online http://www. musc.edu/ catalyst
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Surgeon, academic leader remembered for MUSC commitment By Cindy aBole Public Relations
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orld-renowned surgeon, clinical leader, educator, sportsman, writer, visionary and university friend Gilbert Bowman Bradham, M.D., died at home after a long illness on May 21. He was 81 years old. A native of Sumter, Bradham was born Aug. 5, 1931, to Riley and Mabel Bradham. A 1952 honor graduate of The Citadel, Bradham went on to attend the Medical College of South Carolina (now MUSC) and earned his medical degree in 1956. He continued his residency at the Medical College and became chief resident of surgery before conducting a fellowship in surgical cardiology at UCLA, doing research and computer science work for both UCLA and The RAND Corporation. Later, he returned to MUSC where he would practice for the next half century. He served in many roles at MUSC including professor of surgery, vice president of academic affairs, medical director, associate dean and vice president of clinical affairs, vice chairman of the Department of Surgery, secretary of MUSC’s board of trustees and dean of student life. MUSC President Ray Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D., compared Bradham’s skills and finesse in medicine to that of a baseball utility infielder. “Gil was what one would call a ‘utility infielder’ in baseball -- he could play any position on campus, and he approached each assignment with passion and determination. During the
Editorial of fice MUSC Office of Public Relations 135 Cannon Street, Suite 403C, Charleston, SC 29425. 843-792-4107 Fax: 843-792-6723 Editor: Kim Draughn catalyst@musc.edu Catalyst staff: Cindy Abole, aboleca@musc.edu Ashley Barker, barkera@musc.edu
course of his career, he was a surgeon, a medical director, an academic officer and a wellness guru. He was constantly reinventing himself, much to the delight and benefit of those who worked and played with him. He will be deeply missed by many colleagues on campus and friends throughout the community,” Greenberg said. During his career, Bradham published more than 63 papers and wrote three books. A lifelong advocate for fitness, he spearheaded the creation of the Wellness Center at MUSC. Darlene Shaw, Ph.D., associate provost for educational affairs and student life, remembers Bradham for his commitment to students and dedication to fitness. “Dr. Bradham’s passion for health promotion and dedication to students came together in his vision for the MUSC Wellness Center,” Shaw said. “His energy and perseverance led to the creation of the Lowcountry’s only medical fitness facility, which is now a central part of campus life for students and an asset to the community-at-large. Dr. Bradham created a legacy that will live on through the Wellness Center’s innovative programs and the positive impact we have on the members we serve.” Bradham also served the Tri-county community as chairman of the Cooper River Bridge Run and chairman of the SeeWee to Santee Conservation Initiative. Bradham was a triathlete, windsurfer, sailor, gardener, master scuba diver and earned a black belt in martial arts. Bradham’s friendship with MUSC 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.
Dr. Gil Bradham was the driving force behind the building of the MUSC Wellness Center. He died at home on May 21 at the age of 81. President Emeritus James B. Edwards, DMD, goes way back. Like Bradham, Edwards also is a true outdoorsman who enjoys hunting and fishing. “Gil was a good and loyal friend, physician and visionary. He contributed greatly and served MUSC well through his dedication and commitment in so many areas,” Edwards said. Layton McCurdy, M.D., Distinguished University Professor and dean emeritus, College of Medicine, was a colleague and friend for many years. McCurdy remembered Bradham’s natural curiousity about psychiatry and other topics as well as his insatiable quest for knowledge. He honored Bradham from a quote by Scottish novelist and poet Robert Louis Stevenson. “That man is a success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who always looked for the best in others and gave
the best that he had; who leaves the world better than he found it.” W. Marcus Newberry, M.D., MUSC president emeritus, also shared sentiments of his friend. “Dr. Bradham had a long, illustrious career making many contributions to MUSC and the medical field. He was a good friend and positive presence in the lives of many people,” said Newberry. Bradham is survived by his wife of 26 years, June Johnson Bradham, his six children, grandchildren and siblings. His funeral service was held May 24 at Summerall Chapel, The Citadel. Memorials may be made to the June and Gilbert Bradham Endowment Fund at the Coastal Community Foundation, 635 Rutledge Ave., Suite 201, Charleston, SC 29403; the Gilbert Bradham Scholarship Fund at MUSC, 18 Bee Street, Charleston, SC, 29425; or Roper Saint Francis Cancer Fund, 125 Doughty St., Suite 790, Charleston, SC, 29403.
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Dental students shine, share research discoveries By Cindy aBole Public Relations Dental students explored the use of composite products and amalgams as effective dental filling materials for posterior dental restorations. This project was among several where students showed off their research prowess with South Carolina dentists and statewide practitioners in Myrtle Beach earlier in May. The students attended the research poster session and luncheon of the South Carolina Dental Association, held May 2-5 in Myrtle Beach. Students Jessie Suggs and Michelle Gray worked together to study a variety of time-saving methods that dentists use to maximize productivity. They compared three restoration methods – the ET3000 Composite Manipulation Instrument, the SonicFill system and conventional dental filling method. The ET3000 uses an oscillating motion to apply composite materials, sealants and resin cements. The SonicFill system features a special tip design using sonic energy that adapts the material to the cavity walls. The dental filling method involves drilling away the tooth structure and placement of an amalgam filling. Judges questioned the students and were able to see and compare the restoration devices at their poster display.
Dental Medicine instructor Dr. Joe Vuthiganon, left, joins dental students as they prepare to present their research posters at the SCDA meeting. “Dentists were immediately attracted to our table because they recognized SonicFill and were interested in the various composite systems. They were intrigued with the ET3000 because it is fairly new. We were excited to present to local dentists and talk to them about how different composite systems can save precious time in practice,” said Suggs. Suggs and Gray were among 15 dental students invited to present their work relating to dental, oral and craniofacial research. In early February, these students won second place and honorable mention performances at the James B. Edwards College of
Dental Medicine Scholars Day Mini Symposium. Also participating were Andrew Ambrose, Katie Carnes, Tomek Charowski, Michael Defee, Ben, Dunlap, Peter Green, Daniel Knause, Manning Lloyd, Tiffany Lovelace, Whitney Meek, Charlie Moore, Ashley Price and Dave Sentelle. Joe Vuthiganon, DMD, an instructor in the Division of Restorative Dentistry and Scholars Day student coordinator, helped and mentored dental students to prepare for this event. “Students who received an honorable mention or second place award as part of the Scholars Day Mini Symposium were invited to present their projects for the second time at the SCDA annual session,” said Vuthiganon. “With 15 student-participants, the school had a much larger presence at this year’s meeting than in previous years. It was rewarding to see students share their projects with attendees and receive genuine interest in their results. The effort also proved to be a good networking opportunity as some students were approached about job opportunities for next year.” Students placing first in the session are invited to attend and present at the American Dental Association annual session in New Orleans this October. Secondplace winners will present their research at the Hinman Dental Meeting in Atlanta in March 2014.
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MUSC Medical Center Communications Corner Just Culture
What is the MUSC boat metaphor?
What is it?
The Just Culture is an approach to dealing with human behavior that balances accountability with the recognition that humans can and will make mistakes. The Just Culture recognizes that we all have “duties” to perform, which can include the duty to follow a rule, the duty to produce an outcome or the duty to avoid harm. If we breach one of our duties, that behavior can be categorized in one of three ways: q Human Error: A lapse, a mistake, a slip, an accident. q At risk behavior: A behavioral choice that increases a risk, but that risk is either not recognized or is thought to be justified. q Reckless behavior: A behavioral choice that increases risk, despite the recognition of the increased risk.
Why does it matter?
Humans have to be held equally accountable for their behavioral choices, across all layers of an organization. The response to the type of behavior should be consistent, and fair: q Human Error: Should be consoled. q At risk behavior: Should be coached. q Reckless behavior: Should be disciplined.
Executive Director/CEO Patrick Cawley, M.D., recently introduced a metaphor relating MUSC to a boat, and you may be wondering what this means or how this metaphor relates to you and your role within our organization. Unlike other teamwork metaphors alluding to methods of transportation that require little to no passenger participation, a boat symbolizes unity and working together toward common goals: Keeping the boat afloat and pressing onward. Regardless of the size and type of vessel you are on, it takes the work of multiple individuals to propel the boat forward. As a large academic medical center, we have many moving parts. Each part is equally as important as the others, and without the collaboration and communication between these various parts, we would not be able to offer our patients and their families high quality care and service. To drive and steer a boat requires precision, especially when navigating unchartered waters. This symbolizes the need for precision in health care, as well as being able to adapt and adjust when challenges arise in our ever-changing industry.
People and Leadership
Get the right people on the boat Get the wrong people off the boat Get the right people in the right positions Active and engaged
Who does it affect?
Teamwork
How will we implement Just Culture?
Information requiring constant analysis and sharing Multi-faceted Safety Forecasting is vital
A Just Culture treats everyone the same, regardless of job description, title, or rank. We are all responsible for our behavioral choices.
A dozen Medical University Hospital Authority leaders took a five-day certification course to become proficient in implementing the Just Culture across the organization. The Just Culture four-hour training will be given to all MUHA leaders. Those leaders will then train their staff.
High performance
Complex Environment
When are we adopting Just Culture at MUSC?
All MUHA leaders will receive a four-hour Just Culture training during a Leadership Development Institute this summer. Those leaders will then train their staff and will adopt the Just Culture at all levels of the organization.
Where can I learn more about Just Culture?
The following website is full of information on Just Culture: https://www.justculture.org
You may also contact any of our Just Culture-certified “academy” leaders for more information: Danielle Scheurer Chris Rees Sheila Scarbrough Deborah O’Donnell David Bundy Helena Bastian
Karen Rankine Linda Randazzo Janet Byrne Lisa Langdale Sonja Muckenfuss Debbie Browning
“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.” —William Arthur Ward
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Meet Lisa
Lisa Steed Department Pathology and Laboratory Medicine How you are changing what’s possible at MUSC I am particularly proud of the reduction of contaminated blood cultures in recent years, thanks to the efforts of the nurses and phlebotomists. A single contaminated blood culture not only doesn’t help identify the cause of a bloodstream infection in a patient, but also it can mislead clinicians and cost the hospital $6,000 to $9,000 in additional expenses. How long at MUSC More than 18 years First thing you notice about people The color of their clothes. Some days I am amazed that there seems to be a color theme in the lab. Sometimes I get the memo, and on other days, I clearly didn’t get the memo. What do you do on rainy days Sleep late and then watch TV programs I’ve recorded to watch later with my husband Favorite restaurants Nirlep Indian Restaurant and Sesame Burger A must-have in the pantry Crunchy peanut butter and an assortment of jams or preserves. And bread, of course.
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Mother’s love rescues son from addiction By dawn Brazell Public Relations Derick Hammond may just be 17, but he’s wise beyond his years. Jail time can do that. He and mom, Amy Bailey, sit in a room at MUSC’s Center for Drug and Alcohol Program and discuss the circuitous route that led Hammond through several treatment programs, jail and finally treatment that is enabling him to get clean of the drugs and alcohol that have ruled the past several years of his life. He will be volunteering with CDAP’s Adolescent Substance Use Skills Education Training groups known as ASSET in hopes other teens will hear his message and avoid the painful path of addiction. He glances at his mom, who has tears in her eyes. “I finally got my son back.” The years of loss took their toll on both of them. Oddly enough, it was jail that finally woke Hammond up. But that’s the way addiction works – the denial and the layering upon layer of lies until the truth is no longer recognizable. Bailey said that’s part of the advice she gives to parents in similar situations. “It stems from wanting to believe them. I look back and shouldn’t have listened to anything he said. You have to trust your gut even if you don’t want to believe it.” It pains Hammond to look back at the stress he caused his family– now that he can see clearer. “I didn’t realize it was spiraling out of control until I started getting into legal issues.” Hammond used alcohol and a variety of drugs, including synthetic marijuana, and would seem to be doing better only to relapse into old patterns. He went into treatment programs, but none seemed to stick. Bailey said the emotional exhaustion parents endure is indescribable. “You get up and you don’t know if your child is going to be alive at the end of the day. I don’t know how I did it. I tried very hard not to enable but to continue to push and push and push so that the light bulb would go off.” Her strategy worked. Viktoriya Magid, Ph.D., is thrilled to see Hammond’s progress and have him
Teenager Derick Hammond with his mother Amy Bailey
tell his story to teens going through MUSC’s ASSET program. When Hammond ended up in a county detention center with a $20,000 bond since he’d been in trouble twice before, Bailey decided to leave him there. When he called begging her to get him out, she kept repeating that she loved him but that he had to agree to go to a 24/7 residential treatment center called Charleston Recovery Center before she’d get him out. Hammond resisted. Then the inmates got to him. “They were telling me, ‘You have a mother who’s answering your phone calls?’” They compared stories, and Hammond had what he calls a “God-moment” when a shift in attitude allowed him to see how lucky he was, he said. Then Bailey got the best call of her life. Her son phoned from jail to tell her he was sorry, he loved her and he needed help. All the phone calls that had ended in anger and him hanging up on her no longer mattered. This is what she had been waiting on for so long. She immediately began getting him transferred to the treatment center.
Bailey said in the end, teens have to make up their own minds that they want help. All parents can do is consistently and unrelentingly tell them they are loved and there are people who can help. “You may think they’re ignoring you, but some of it is sinking in.” She had to set up a medical fund with www.gofundme.com to help defray the costs. Financially, the burden is tough. She placed her son at Charleston Recovery Center with no idea of how she was going to pay for it. She knew she had to, though, because she works full time and had learned the hard way that an addict’s brain goes 24-hours a day. She couldn’t watch her son at all moments. She had to remind herself of that when her son called begging to be released from jail. “I told him, ‘I can’t be a part of setting you up to fail. You do not have the tools to succeed at being sober.’ That was the hardest thing to tell him no.” Bailey has no regrets, especially seeing how well he’s done since joining the center March 13. He will return home after six months at the recovery center.
She said she’s amazed at the physical and spiritual transformations in him. “It’s worth every penny to see the change and transformation for him. It’s nothing short of amazing to see the man developing that I knew he could be.” Hammond wants to tell his story in churches and treatment programs to help other teens. “I tell them, ‘Recovery will be the best thing you’ve ever done. Do it as quickly and as thoroughly as possible.’” Hammond said he’s learned he has an abnormal reaction to any substance – drugs or alcohol, and that he can’t stop once he starts. “It’s an illness of the mind. It’s an obsession. I can’t help but think about it.” He’s looking forward to being sober, rather than dealing with life from a high or drunk perspective. “I get to remember what I did yesterday. Miracles happen every day in my sober life. Every day has something new for me. I’m proud that I get to go back and help adolescents and tell them that there’s something better out there than addiction.”
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dRugS And AlCohol Top tips parents should know Parents often mean well, but do the wrong thing when it comes to teenage abuse of alcohol and drugs. Viktoriya Magid, Ph.D., assistant professor in MUSC’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, works with the Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs’ Adolescent Substance Use Skills Education Training groups known as ASSET in the Institute of Psychiatry. Derick Hammond, 17, who is recovering from addiction issues that started when he was 13, hopes to volunteer with the program to help other teens. (See his story opposite page.) Magid said his mother, Amy Bailey, did everything right. “Amy is a wonderful example of how to handle having a child with addiction problems. She’s not enabling her son. She’s doing everything possible to put him into treatment.” waTCh What she relaTed Videos often sees, visit http://tinyurl. though, are parents who com/magidrug err on one extreme or the other. They either protect their children too much, even to the point of saving them from the law, or they threaten to withdraw all support from them, making them even more vulnerable to addiction problems. Most parents also tend to deny their child has a problem until the problems have advanced. “Parents want to believe so desperately that there’s not a problem that they overlook the signs. And the signs can be difficult to pinpoint,” she said. They also don’t start looking early enough, assuming drug and alcohol experimentation happens in the late teen years. “Eighty percent of people start using around age 13 or 14.” MUSC offers two levels of ASSET. There is a four-week prevention track program for teenagers age 13 – 17 struggling with substance abuse, and an eight-week treatment track, which is more intensive for adolescents with
Dr. Viktoriya Magid at MUSC’s Center for Drug and Alcohol Prgrams checks in with Derick Hammond.
addiction issues. The prevention program’s goal is to equip teens with the coping skills needed to stop using drugs and alcohol before before the substances can cause the physiological changes in the brain that make addiction so hard to break for many people. Magid said signs to watch for with teenage use of alcohol and drugs include: q Sudden drop in grades or unexplained school absences q Loss of interest in extracurricular activities q A change in friends or having friends known to use drugs and alcohol, one of the No. 1 predictors of use. q Changes in mood, with teen showing signs of anxiety, irritability or aggression q Disappearance of prescription pills and buying of over-the-counter medications that aren’t needed Often parents aren’t aware of the new trends in teen drug use. Here are four that she’d like parents to have on their radar. Synthetic marijuana also known as K2 or Spice: It is easy to obtain and can be much more addictive than marijuana. Some people have strong reactions to it the first time they try it, and it can lead to experiencing nausea, hallucinations, radical mood swings, a rapid heartbeat and an unhealthy increase in blood pressure. Some teens mistakenly think it’s safe because it uses a botanical blend as its base and is often marketed as being
“natural.” The botanicals have been sprayed with an active compound derived from research labs that synthesized a version of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, to study its effects. The synthesized version, though, can bond with the brain’s cannabis receptor five times greater than what THC can, leading to a greater chance for serious, long-lasting neurological problems, she said. Unfortunately, the psychological effects can be more severe, with users becoming agitated, irritable, aggressive and subject to heavy mood swings. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, synthetic marijuana has become the second most popular illegal drug among teenagers, landing more than 11,000 teens in the emergency room in 2010 with symptoms that included vomiting, racing heartbeat, elevated blood pressure, seizures or hallucinations. Skittling: This is a practice where teens take random drugs in their homes, whether prescription or over the counter, and toss them into a bowl at a party. Partygoers pop a pill having no idea what they are taking or what the drug interactions might be. Cough medicine abuse: DXM is a cough suppressor found in more than 120 over-the-counter medications, either alone or in combination with other drugs that some people use in high doses. Some of the many psychoactive effects with high dose DXM include confusion, agitation, paranoia and hallucinations. One of the most dangerous is Triple C (Coricidin HBP
Cough & Cold), which some teens abuse in heavy doses. Energy drinks mixed with alcohol: Some teens use the boost from energy drinks, which often have caffeine, to mix with alcohol use so they don’t feel the sedating effects. What happens is they set themselves up for possible alcohol poisoning, she said. If parents suspect their teen may be using, then they can bring them in for an assessment. It also allows therapists to see if there are underlying issues. “Kids don’t get high to get high always. Sometimes they’re trying to alleviate social anxiety or depression.” Talking to teens about substance abuse can be a difficult conversation to have. It’s critical parents educate them about the trends and dangers, and, if teens already are using, give them the tools to stop. Education is crucial given the amount of misinformation and drug marketing materials online. “Don’t assume they aren’t doing it. Assume they are. They are teenagers,” she said. “They pretend they don’t hear you, but parents play a bigger role than they think.” Magid encourages parents to err on the conservative side. “I give credit to parents who are proactive. The sooner we can intervene, the better. Addiction results in physiological brain changes. It’s hard to go back to the pre-addicted brain.” For information about ASSET, visit www.muschealth.com/psychiatry/ services/child/ASSET.htm or call 7925200. For infographics on teen drug use, visit www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/ trends-statistics/infographics.
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Evaluating passion led dietetic intern to change career path W
e all want to believe that we have a As an MUSC dietetic intern, I’m purpose in this life and that we were heading into the next phase of my life put on Earth for a reason. While searching and building the bridge between my two for that purpose, we have to sift through passions of nutrition and conservation. all of our past decisions and future dreams. The internship has proven to be full of For me, the journey to finding my true tests and triumphs, with rotations ranging purpose began about three years ago. Soul from clinical nutrition to food service searching is never easy, and many of us and community/outreach events, longput off looking within to discover our true term care and outpatient nutritional Anna Nygaard-Ghi selves. But, I had been to the bottom and counseling. was ready to rise back to the top. The end goal of the internship is to Evaluating my life and my passions led me to a career become a registered dietitian with the knowledge and change that landed me in the field of nutrition. Change power to help others connect the dots on how to make is never an easy thing to sit with and digest, but I knew the best choices that aid in overall health and wellness, that making a major change could only be for the best while also living a sustainable life that leaves the in my case. smallest footprint possible on our natural resources. It is hard to go beyond your safety net of an We all have a story to tell and each one of us has a established career where you have gained trust, purpose for living. It just takes courage, the support of responsibility and contacts, but there are times when family and a strong belief within to make the necessary you are called to follow your passion. decisions to follow your hopes, dreams and passion.
Nutrition matters
Simple test could offer key to improving high infant mortality rate By laura sausser Of The Post and Courier Do you smoke? Do you drink? Are you safe at home? They’re simple questions, but critically important for pregnant women to consider. Smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol can stunt a baby’s growth in the womb or cause premature birth, lifelong defects or death. Domestic violence and emotional instability are reliable red flags of an unhealthy home environment. All this is well documented. But why more obstetricians and gynecologists in South Carolina aren’t screening their pregnant patients for these risky behaviors is proving a tougher nut to crack. The crux of the problem is improving South Carolina’s infant mortality rate. Babies are dying before their first birthdays at higher rates here than in most other states. One agency head said it “might be the state’s most profound health problem.” In 2011, the S.C. Department of Health and Human Services developed a screening tool for doctors to ask
pregnant Medicaid patients about their tobacco use, alcohol and substance abuse, domestic violence and mental health. They call the test “SBIRT,” short for screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment. It takes a few minutes to administer — it’s eight questions and one page long — and doctors get paid to do it. Medicaid reimburses the doctor’s office at least $24 for each completed SBIRT test. But doctors aren’t using it. Allison Lukacic, manager of the HHS Health Initiatives Team, said the agency has paid doctors for more than 4,000 of these tests since April 2012, but about 3,000 Medicaid patients give birth every month, which suggests the vast majority of — at least eight out of 10 — expectant moms with Medicaid cards are not screened using SBIRT, she said. “Our initial goal is to have 100 percent of our pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries screened,” Lukacic said. “We’re not there yet, but we’re working very hard to get there.” The end goal of the SBIRT test is to get women the help they need to keep their babies healthy.
Those numbers aren’t encouraging either. Since the SBIRT test was implemented, Lukacic said data show the test has prompted as many as nine women and as few as zero to seek treatment during any given month. “The numbers are very, very low,” she said. “We are significantly behind.” Bob Toomey, director of the S.C. Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, said the first step is making the test mandatory for all pregnant women in the state. “I hope it’s something that becomes standard practice,” Toomey said. Jill Mauldin, M.D., medical director of women’s care at MUSC, admits her practice doesn’t have a perfect record of administering the test. That’s why MUSC doubled down its efforts in January to make sure all pregnant women, whether they’re Medicaid patients or not, are asked the SBIRT questions by a medical assistant during their first visit. “We try to use it to increase our compliance and our comfort with it and to get into the habit of it,” she said.
The test is designed to help doctors offer treatment options to their patients through a variety of state-sponsored programs, but Mauldin is skeptical it will work because many patients lie about these risky behaviors. “That’s made it kind of frustrating,” she said. HHS Director Tony Keck has tasked his department with figuring out how to increase voluntary participation among providers. “Considering that the U.S. is falling further and further behind with birth outcomes and that South Carolina is at the bottom of the U.S., that problem is a problem we’ve got to get solved,” Keck said. “We’ve got worse birth outcomes than some developing countries.” Save the Children Federation issued a national report this month showing an average 3.2 babies out of every 1,000 born in South Carolina die within 24 hours of birth, significantly higher than the national rate of 2.6. In Charleston County, the report revealed that 3.8 babies of 1,000 born
See TesT on page 10
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AwARd ReCipienTS welComed bACk To College of heAlTh pRofeSSionS
MUSC President Dr. Ray Greenberg, left photo, and College of Health Professions Dean Dr. Lisa Saladin welcomed back Distinguished Alumnus Award recipients during a recent luncheon in their honor. Pictured are Dr. Ervin Blair Holladay, Diane Kennedy, William Minikiewicz, Marilyn Swygert, Dr. Richard Toomey, John Sanders, Dr. Stephen Jones, Saladin, James Smith, E. Dargan Ervin, Mary Eileen Leonard, William Shaun Irvin and Patricia Sullivan. The award is given annually to one or more graduates of the MUSC College of Health Professions in recognition of outstanding professional achievement; service to their profession, the community, the college, or the university; excellence in leadership, professional growth, or educational advancement or service.
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appLause prograM The following employees received recognition through the Applause Program for going the extra mile: Medical Center Nasiru Haruna, Meducare; Joseph Collier, Physical Therapy; Brad Lepper, Physical Therapy; Heather Miles, Ambulatory OR; Christina Chapman, ART 6E; Latonia Allen, Human Resources; Kim Duncan, Human Resources; Harriett Cooney, Psychiatry; Barrie Tyler, Respiratory Therapy; Mark Lawless, Venipuncture; Sam Hurn, Venipuncture; Joan Demarest, NICU; Josiah Smalls, Patient Transportation; Carmen Fajardo, Meduflex Team; Michael Craig, Division of Cardiology; Jonathon Snipes, Psychiatry; Valerie Weeks, Volunteer & Guest Services; Corine Dolan, ART NSICU; Michelle Foreman, Human Resources; Ben Henderson, Residents Diagnostic Radiology; Sandra Gregory, Adult ED; Liz Causey, Peri Anesthesia; Brittany Meibers, Peri Anesthesia; Sarah Tarr, Adult Echo; Dean Berry, Meducare Emergency; Timothy Smith, ART 3W; Glenda Williams, 9 NSI; Lori Nicholson, Physical Therapy; Courtenay Barfield, NNICU; Jeanne Bonadonna, Therapeutic & Professional Services; Karen Drozd, Women & Infant Services; Lanier Jackson, Residents Pediatrics; Susan Fawcett, Pediatrics Ambulatory Care; Bonnie Rab, Pediatrics Ambulatory Care; Emily Pond, Children’s Services; Jaime Nettles, RT1 Children’s Specialty; Barbara Busby, Volunteer & Guest Services; Shonta Smith, Hollings Clinics; Melissa Justice, Hollings Clinics; Gail Simmons, Environmental Services; Charlene Pruitt,
Radiology; Cherita McNeil, Hollings Clinics; Kellie Adams, Radiology; Sandra Zambetti, Hollings Clinics; Elena Bell, Social Workers; Kim Gadsden, Radiation Oncology; Darryl Lee, Revenue Cycle; Pamela Albright, HCC; Moya McFadden, Radiology; Megan Artz, ART 4A; Faye Parker, Volunteer & Guest Services; Monica Mallory, Med/Surg ICU; Melissa Hulsey, DDC; Margarette Simmons, Environmental Services; Ana Rosa Virella, Women’s Services; Carol Johnson, Meduflex Team; Tiffany Fishburne, 8E; Avita Wade, 8E; Lisa Klasek, 8E; Sandy Olsen, ART OR; Ashley Hamilton, Laboratory Services; Kate Miccichi, Revenue Cycle; Romica Stephens, Laboratory Services; Daniel Williams, Patient Transportation; Vanessa Stewart, Volunteer & Guest Services; Albertha Williams, ART Med/ Surg Registration; Jeanne Harrison, PACU; Melvena Nelson, Environmental Services; Patricia Brakefield, Meduflex Team; Brooke Kiser, 7W; Estelle Asby, PAS; Bree Scales, Meduflex Team; Kelly Pelletier, ART 5W; Juanita Butler, 7B; Tom Martin, Volunteer & Guest Services; and April Martinez, Newborn-Special Care Nursery. University University Press Staff; Melissa Behling, College of Dental Medicine/Faculty Practice; Michele Drake, College of Dental Medicine/Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics; DeAndrea Pruitt, College of Dental Medicine/ Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics; and Jennifer Reynolds, College of Dental Medicine/Oral Rehabilitation.
pT ‘Alumni AfTeR pARTy’ held in noRTh myRTle beACh
Nearly 30 alumni and students from the MUSC Physical Therapy Program attended the “PT Alumni After Party” during the South Carolina American Physical Therapy Association Conference in North Myrtle Beach, May 3. Attendees enjoyed mingling with each other as well as the College of Health Professions Dean Dr. Lisa Saladin and PT division faculty, including Drs. Dave Morrisette, Sandy Brotherton, Debora Brown, Aaron Embry, Lindsay Perry, Gretchen Seif and Holly Wise.
Baby-sitting classes offered by Volunteer Services MUSC Volunteer Services will offer Safe Sitter classes for girls and boys ages 11 to 13. The classes will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., June 18 and 19 or June 26 and 27, at Ashley River Tower. Registration for the program, which is $75, is open until June 8. To register, call Kelly Hedges at 876-4246 or email hedgesk@musc.edu.
TesT Continued from Page Eight die on their first day. “The outcomes we have are really unacceptable, and we can do better,” said Scott Sullivan, M.D., an MUSC physician and a member of the South Carolina Birth Outcomes Initiative, a group brainstorming ways to improve infant mortality rates, among other problems. The bottom line is the SBIRT test is proven to work when it’s administered consistently, he said. “I just did one like three minutes ago,” Sullivan said in an interview last week. “It’s cheap. It’s quick. It works.” Editor’s note: The article ran in the May 21 issue of The Post and Courier and is reprinted with permission.
The CaTalysT, May 31, 2013 11
Bringing home health lessons from classroom By allyson Bird Office of Development and Alumni Affairs Over the hum of a blender, a group of third grade students at Meeting Street Academy hash out the merits of pineapple, blueberry and yogurt. Taking a sip of his smoothie, one boy says, “Yogurt is still awful.” But that didn’t stop him from downing the drink. MUSC dietetic students lead these kids – participants in the Junior Doctors of Health program – in discussions about food: how many servings of vegetables they should eat daily, what a serving size means and how to make their regular diets healthier. The dietitians explained, for example, the difference between refined wheat flour and whole wheat flour and encouraged the students to add whole grains to their meals. One girl worked some quick math and raised her hand. “Can’t you make a cake without flour?” she asked. When the instructors nodded in reply, she said, “Then is it a grain?” Nice try. Junior Doctors of Health, a childhood obesity prevention program, teaches healthy living to children in primarily low-income schools in Charleston County. MUSC assistant professor Scotty Buff, Ph.D., launched the program as a graduate student eight years ago, and her idea grew to reach more schools from there. Junior Doctors of Health relies on funding from the YES Campaign, which stands for Yearly Employee Support and encourages MUSC employees to donate toward education, patient care and research projects in need of extra cash. The program also draws on support from the U.S. Department of Defense. Program coordinator Elana Wells explained that military funding comes from recent research showing that some people who try to enlist are overweight, an idea known as “too fat to fight.” The Junior Doctors of Health program benefits pre-school through eighth grade students, plus their teachers and parents. Thanks to a partnership with the South Carolina Area Health Education Consortium, MUSC students tote their blenders and food charts across the state to deliver their curriculum in rural schools, too. Each class begins with instructions on how to prepare a healthy snack and ends with students setting personal goals. They take printed copies of
Students at Meeting Street Academy learned about portion size, while Junior Doctors of Health Program coordinator Elana Wells looked on.
“Teachers can be role models if these students don’t have many positive role models in their lives.” Elana Wells the recipes home each time and are encouraged to prepare the dish again with their families. The program includes cooking and fitness classes for teachers and parents, too. The $2,000 provided by the YES Campaign specifically pays for a parent exercise class. “In order to support the youths’ health, we think it’s important to offer a program for teachers and parents,” Wells said. “Teachers can be role models if these students don’t have many positive role models in their lives.” A few Mitchell Elementary School employees gather in physical education teacher Tanika White’s classroom for an intensive half-hour workout each week. White lost 20 pounds after joining the program in 2011. A personal trainer from the MUSC Wellness
Mitchell Elementary School physical education teacher Tanika White practiced Tae-Bo after school.
Center hooked up her iPod one recent afternoon and placed an agility rope ladder on the floor. White and three other teams hopped through the ladder, one by one, as Chris Brown’s “Don’t Wake Me Up” filled the room with fast beats. Pausing for a quick sip of water, the teachers moved from the ladder into a Tae-Bo workout, punching and kicking the air, and then on to a P90X routine. “We schedule it for Monday,” White said. “So it’s a great way to start the week off.”
12 The CaTalysT, May 31, 2013
Help support the Internal Medicine Residency Fund “The Chucktown Throwdown”
Inaugural Residents vs. Faculty & StaffBasketball Fundraiser 7 p.m., June 12, MUSC Wellness Center Gym Admission is free Cash donations will be accepted at the door. Donations may be made online: www.musc.edu/giving