May 6, 2016
MEDICAL UNIVERSITY of SOUTH CAROLINA
Vol. 34, No. 34
Medical errors preventable through quality improvement By Mikie Hayes hayesmi@musc.edu
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ore so than ever before, quality is a watchword in the medical world, thanks in part to the Institute of Medicine report, “To Err is Human,” that came out nearly 17 years ago. The report revealed a serious problem that required immediate attention, action and policy change: Medical errors were causing the preventable deaths of between 44,000 and 98,000 Americans each year. Quality experts today believe that while the seminal report was eye–opening, and critical in terms of advancing the badly–needed conversation, the figures were significantly underestimated. According to a 2013 study from the prestigious Journal of Patient Safety, the total is actually four times higher than originally thought: Medical errors in fact claim the lives of some 440,000 people each year — more than 1,000 people per day. These statistics earn this category the No.3 spot for deaths in the United States, bypassing strokes, diabetes, Alzheimer’s — everything except heart disease and all cancers combined, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Danielle Scheurer, M.D., MUSC chief quality officer, attributes the staggering numbers to “faulty systems, processes and conditions that lead people to make mistakes.” She believes that patients deserve freedom from preventable harm, and to achieve that goal, systems to decrease all errors and intercept them when they Scheurer occur are critical. Scheurer should know. It’s her job to ensure MUSC is meeting the needs and exceeding the expectations of those it serves, delivering all and only
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Medical errors claim the lives of more than 1,000 people a day in the U.S. and are the third leading cause of death in the nation. MUSC is committed to quality and safety. the care that the patient and family need. Why are quality and safety important? By any measure, 440,000 annual deaths and $1 billion in costs are alarming. In a subsequent IOM report titled “Crossing the Quality Chasm,” released in 2001, six dimensions of health care quality and safety were outlined, providing a road map for quality improvement. MUSC, like other hospitals across the country, addressed deficiencies in quality improvement, implementing systems of checks and
MUSC Health Town Halls Hospital employees are invited to attend May Town Hall meetings. LIKE US
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balances to confront the problem head–on. Quality officers dedicated to improvement have become the norm, as are national organizations dedicated to quality improvement, examination and advancement. While quality experts in the new millennium are moving the field forward, much earlier on, there were those who pushed for medical quality to become its own field of study, recognizing the shortcomings of the health care system. In fact, 26 years prior to the
See Quality on page 3
Innovation Praised
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Medical Center Town Halls
Young investigators and junior faculty recognized.
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Meet Bridget
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Letter of Gratitude
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From wards to words: Nurse-writers visit campus, read at Piccolo Spoleto Four nationally–acclaimed nursewriters will visit MUSC on May 31 to talk about the role the arts and humanities have played in their professional and personal lives. These nurses, who visited MUSC in February 2014 during the Narrative Bridge: Connecting through the Health Humanities conference, have collectively published numerous books and edited various anthologies, including “Between the Hearbeats: Poetry and Prose by Nurses.” Their work often touches upon the work of clinicians and their relationships to patients. In her most recent book, “When the Nurse Becomes a Patient,” Cortney Davis explores her experience of illness from the other side of the bed through prose and visual arts.
The University Humanities Committee and The Writing Center at MUSC invite all students, staff and faculty to a brown– bag panel discussion in BSB 100 from 12 to 12:45p.m. on May 31. The MUSC bookstore will have a selection of books for sale, and the nurse-writers will be available to sign the books right after the discussion. Later that evening, the nurse-writers will give a reading from 6:30 to 7:20 p.m. in the Dock Street Theater courtyard as part of the Sundown Poetry series. This event will be followed by a reception at a local art gallery, where books will also be available for purchase. For more information about the Sundown Poetry Reading, please visit the Piccolo Spoleto website: http:// www.piccolospoleto.com/literary-ideassundown-poetry-from-the-ward-to-theword/.
Masters in Biomedical Sciences program offered The MUSC Masters in Biomedical Sciences program is taking applications for fall semester. This program is an interdisciplinary and research-intensive master’s Program offering training in the following areas of concentration: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (includes Bioinformatics); Biostatistics and Epidemiology; Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics; Microbiology and Immunology; Neurosciences; Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology. All concentration tracks require completion of an independent laboratory research project under the direction of a mentor in their chosen field, written thesis, and oral thesis defense. Deadline for applications is Wednesday, June 1. For information, contact Laura Kasman at 792-8117 or email kasmanl@musc.edu
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
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., 843-958-7480 or 843-937-4803. E-mail: sales@moultrienews.com.
MUSC Health Town Halls held through May On May 1, MUSC Health began a series of Town Hall meetings with employees. The Town Halls are offered in-person or online and at various time to accommodate all schedules. Visit the Town Hall website for the schedule, as well as participation and webinar instructions at https://www.musc.edu/medcenter/ TownHall/index.htm.
2016 Town Hall Agenda: q MUSC Health Goals and Results q What's the Buzz? q Building MUSC Health q Care Team Engagement Survey Results
q MUSC Health “Care Team” q Nursing Excellence q Connect to Purpose q Discussion / Q&A
THe CaTalysT, May 6, 2016 3
Medicine communication specialist named enterprise campaigns director Staff Report Following a competitive search, Deborah H. Reynolds has been named director of Enterprise Campaigns and University Communications, a position within the MUSC Communication and Marketing Office. Beginning May 16, she will report to chief communication and marketing officer Sheila Champlin. In her new role, Reynolds will be responsible Reynolds for coordinating and communicating enterprise campaigns including the Imagine MUSC 2020 strategic plan and the diversity and inclusion strategic plan. Additionally, she will focus on college-specific campaigns as well as research communication and awareness initiatives. Since 2012, Reynolds has served as director of
QualiTy
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“To Err Is Human” report, five physicians in central Pennsylvania established the American College of Utilization Review Physicians (ACURP). The year was 1973. Their intention was to create a national organization that would bring together medical doctors and Ph.D. researchers who were interested in the advancement of medical quality as a field. At the inaugural ACURP meeting, 15 physicians met to connect, exchange ideas and plan the college’s first seminar. Fast forward to 1990, and the name of the organization was changed to the American College of Medical Quality (ACMQ) — still nine years before the initial report. Today, the ACMQ concentrates on offering the most up–to–date and advanced research, information and trends in medical quality and bringing together health care professionals who are passionate about medical quality issues and committed to improving the health care system. Mark Lyles, M.D., MUSC chief affiliations and business transformation officer, currently serves as president-elect
communications for the College of Medicine at MUSC. Prior to joining MUSC, she was public information officer at the University of South Carolina Beaufort and also worked in television news. Reynolds assumes responsibilities previously handled by Mary Mauldin, E.D., professor and executive director of Instructional Technology and Faculty Resources (ITFR). Simultaneous with her work in ITFR, Mauldin served for more than 10 months as interim director of Enterprise Campaigns and University Communications. “It has been a true honor to work with communication professionals across the enterprise and to meet the amazing people at the heart of the five goals of Imagine MUSC 2020,” Mauldin said. "We are pleased and excited to have Deborah, a career communicator, join our team. We know she will bring creativity, high energy and deep organizational connectivity to this position," Champlin said. "We want to extend special thanks to Mary for her diligence and commitment to every communications challenge that surfaced during her tenure. Her experience and ability to execute efficiently have helped move important initiatives forward."
of the ACMQ, and will take the helm in 2017. The three–year commitment, including a year serving as immediate past president, will take him to his 22– year mark with the organization. Last year, ACMQ grew by more than 20 percent. It also has opened its membership to other professionals who focus on areas of medical quality. “What used to be a niche field for physicians and researchers has now gone mainstream,” Lyles said. He explained that in 2014, ACMQ expanded its membership to include any health care professional who holds a master’s degree or higher — or is currently pursuing such a degree. In an effort to foster the ideals of ACMQ with future generations of health care providers, Lyles proposed establishing chapters of ACMQ at academic health centers, which is coming to fruition. The college held its annual conference, Medical Quality 2016, in Washington, D.C., March 30 through April 2, and MUSC was well represented. In addition to Lyles, who presented, led panel discussions and moderated sessions, Elysha Pifko, M.D., a pediatric emergency medicine fellow,
photo provided
Dr. Mark Lyles, left to right, president-elect of ACMQ; Sydney Ramsey, chair-elect of ACMQ’s student, resident, and fellow section; Sonia Kohli, a second–year MUSC Masters in Health Administration student; and Dr. Elysha Pifko, MUSC Pediatric Emergency Medicine fellow. and two MUSC students, Sydney Ramsey, College of Medicine class of 2018, and Sonia Kohli, College of Health Professions, Master in Health Administration program class of 2017, attended. All three received scholar recognition and travel stipends from
ACMQ to attend the national meeting. Additionally, James McElligott, M.D., medical director of MUSC Telehealth, presented “The Patient Will See You NOW: How We Will Ensure High
See Quality on page 9
4 THe CaTalysT, May 6, 2016 Letter from the Office of the
President
Dear MUSC Family, The beginning of May is a very special time of recognition for all of us at MUSC. This first week in May was designated by Gov. Nikki Haley as South Carolina Employee Appreciation Week, giving us a formal opportunity to extend a heartfelt thank you to ALL employees — including contractors and suppliers — for your tireless contributions. This week also coincides with National Nurses Week, allowing us to highlight the special contributions of all our nursing professionals at this time. And next week, we celebrate National Hospital Week to recognize all hospital employees and the lives they touch through their service. Regardless of whether or not there is a statewide or national Cole week to recognize your field, this season and culmination of employee events provide a fitting opportunity to bring everyone together to recognize all MUSC employees and the good work that is occurring across this institution. My wife, Kathy, and I would like to invite all MUSC employees out to the Horseshoe on Friday, May 13 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a fun–filled break from the average work day. There will be games, desserts and recognition of the efforts of all of our employees. This has been an exciting year for MUSC. We continue to build on successes in our research initiatives, our educational excellence and in our top–quality patient and family care. We also continue to make progress toward the future with our Strategic Plan, Imagine MUSC 2020. We know that achieving our shared goals is possible only through the dedication of talent and energy across our enterprise. I truly wish I could walk across this campus and find a way to personally thank each of you and to let you know that your work is noticed. It is all about what we can do together to advance our science, our teaching and our patient and family care. As I approach each day, humbly as your President, I get to see, hear and feel firsthand the multitude of examples as to how we are in fact “Changing What’s Possible.” It is a privilege and an honor to call you colleagues. Please enjoy these next two weeks, and I encourage you to take an extra moment to extend your personal thanks to those who surround and support you every day. Yours in service,
David J. Cole, M.D., FACS MUSC President
Heart Health Fun Run/Walk set for May 21 MUSC Heart Health will host its second annual 5K fun run/walk to help fight childhood obesity. The event will take place at Hampton Park from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 21. This family–friendly event is a great way to get active while supporting a wonderful program. Registration is $20 and includes a T–shirt, healthy snacks
and participation in a fun group warm up. All finishers will receive a finisher’s medal. Prize drawing will immediately follow the run/walk. To register for the event or make a contribution through the Heart Health website, visit http://www.musckids. org/heart/health/. Registration is also available on the day of the event.
New Coupons for Crops offered at MUSC Urban Farm Coupons for Crops is an MUSC Urban Farm initiative that provides an opportunity to recognize staff behavior. The Urban Farm has an abundance of produce to share with employees who have distinguished themselves by either exemplifying MUSC excellence or healthy behaviors. Managers and supervisors will have an opportunity to distribute Coupons for Crops when they see a chance to reward employee efforts. Suzan Whelan, Office of Health Promotion Wellness and Urban Farm coordinator, said, “This program helps get the produce to our deserving staff while allowing managers to acknowledge a job well done or an extra effort being made by a staff member toward a healthier lifestyle. If this is the first time someone is visiting the Farm, we hope
they'll be excited about what it has to offer and will come back to participate soon.” Coupons for Crops are redeemable for MUSC Urban Farm produce that has been specially harvested and packaged for the program. Pickup times at the MUSC Urban Farm are Tuesdays 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. or Wednesdays 7:00 - 8:30 a.m. and 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Coupons don't expire, but due to fluctuations in the yield, fulfillment may be delayed at times to future weeks. There are plenty of coupons to go around, and there’s no cost involved. To request coupons, visit the Website at http://academicdepartments.musc.edu/ ohp/urban-farm/coupons-for-crops.html and fill out the form. There, you can view our calendar of events. Participation at the MUSC Urban Farm sessions are encrouraged and is open to all.
THe CaTalysT, May 6, 2016 5
Meet Bridget
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Favorite “nurse” character in the movies or books and why Greg Focker in “Meet the Parents”. He went against all stereotyps of nurses, and it’s a funny movie. Advice to a first-year nurse Always be willing to ask for help or to help others. You will not know everything or be able to do it all yourself. Aspect of nursing you enjoy the most Helping others (10 years in nursing) Favorite quote “Only do what your heart tells you.” — Diana, Princess of Wales
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MUSC awarded certification as Comprehensive Stroke Center By Dawn Brazell brazell@musc.edu It’s a pit crew like no other. “Time is brain,” said Raymond Turner, M.D., director of cerebrovascular surgery at MUSC which recently met the Joint Commission’s standards for becoming a Disease–Specific Care Comprehensive Stroke Center. This means that MUSC is part of an elite group of about 100 hospitals nationwide and the first one in the state with this status. A sense of urgency and excitement fills the air as doctors Turner, Christine Holmstedt, D.O., and Aquilla Turk, D.O., celebrate the news and discuss how the team has succeeded in getting patients faster and higher quality care. “We all have the same passion,” Holmstedt said. “I think we’re all super passionate about what we do.” No one needs to tell them what’s at stake when it comes to stroke. An estimated two million brain cells die every minute during stroke, increasing the risk of permanent brain damage, disability or death. The Comprehensive Stroke Center certification recognizes those hospitals that have state–of–the–art infrastructure, staff and training to handle patients with the most complex forms of all strokes. It also recognizes the driving ambition of MUSC Health Stroke Program team leaders to relentlessly provide care that maximizes the chance for patients to make the best recovery possible. Take the measurement of door–to– needle times, for example. There’s a window of time for patients who are having a stroke and are eligible to receive the intravenous tissue plasminogen activator tPA, which is a clot-busting medication, to have the best outcomes. It’s called the time. Turner explained the national standard for door–to–needle is 60 minutes. MUSC hit that. “And we didn’t stop when we hit 50 minutes or 45 minutes and go, ‘Oh, that’s good enough.’ We said, ‘Let’s see if we can get it less than 30 minutes.’” Turner compared the team’s accomplishment to that of a finely-tuned pit crew all working together. “It’s driving those metrics. It’s not just checking a box and saying, ‘We can get there.’ We
don’t accept substandard outcomes. We don’t accept hitting a standard and being average. We’re all trying to get better and push the envelope to improve the outcomes.” The door–to–needle time is just one part of the race. Another is access to a certain level of care — the type that can make a radical difference in a person’s ability not only to survive but also to have the best quality of life possible. Understanding that there are different types of hospitals equipped for different levels of care shows why comprehensive status matters, said Holmstedt, who is the medical director of MUSC’s Clinical Stroke and Telestroke programs. “We have acute stroke-ready hospitals across South Carolina, which are the hospitals that can stabilize a stroke patient, potentially treat them with IV tPA if they need it, but then typically they have to ship them on either to a Primary Stroke Center or a Comprehensive Stroke Center.” Without access to stroke expertise by telemedicine, stroke patients in these parts of the state would otherwise not be treated. Primary Stroke Centers are hospitals that can do everything that an acute stroke–ready hospital can do, as well as admit and monitor acute stroke patients who have received the clot-busting medication in a dedicated stroke unit. Then there’s the top comprehensive tier, the certification level MUSC recently received, that means a hospital can handle the most complex of stroke patients and provide the most advanced level of care achievable. Complex stroke patients range widely, from “those patients who may require endovascular procedures, such as clot removal, those who require securing of an intracranial aneurysm or those that require neuro–critical intensive care, and emergent neuro–surgical evaluation and treatment,” Holmstedt said. “To be comprehensive, you have to be able to provide those services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. And, it’s not just offering the services. We have to monitor our outcomes and demonstrate true quality of care. We monitor our discharged patients at 90 days postdischarge to monitor their clinical outcomes and make sure we’re doing the right thing.”
Above: An infographic explains the importance of stroke center certification. Below photo: Dr. Christine Holmstedt, left, and Dr. Raymond Turner know that time is of the essence — an estimated 2 million brain cells die every minute during a stroke.
photo by Emma Vought
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Campus young investigators honored for their innovation By J. ryne Danielson daniejer@musc.edu
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USC held a luncheon at the Wickliffe House April 29 to honor young investigators and junior faculty for their important contributions to the Medical University. This event, held annually, is sponsored by the University Research Council. “Thank you for who you are, the work that you do and what you represent for the future,” said MUSC President David Cole, M.D., FACS. “These are transformational times in the United States of America and at MUSC. We have a generational opportunity to get that transformation right and to shape the future. “Our vision is to lead health innovation for the lives we touch. Our ability to transform lives is based on innovation. Innovation is not a buzzword. It represents the minds in this room right now and the work you’re doing across campus.” Cole said that academics, research and innovation are in MUSC’s DNA, and the priority going forward is to continue building a community that reflects those values. Events like the luncheon are one way to do that, he explained, and play a key role in bringing innovators together to tackle problems bigger than any individual alone. “On a daily basis, we all get enveloped in our own worlds, but it’s appropriate to take a moment’s pause to see the bigger picture and appreciate the success that has occurred. You’re sitting here because
photos by J. Ryne Danielson
Above photo: Assistant professors Dr. Erin McClure, from left, Dr. Bernadette Cortese, and other junior faculty enjoyed lunch with senior leadership at the Wickliffe House April 29. This event, which honors young investigators for innovative research and academic success, is sponsored by the University Research Council. Left: MUSC President Dr. David Cole congratulated the gathered researchers on their successes and stressed their importance to MUSC’s mission. of your success,” Cole concluded, “which ultimately means we’re all going to be successful.” Professor Patrick Flume. M.D., the Powers–Huggins Endowed Chair for Cystic Fibrosis and assistant provost for research at MUSC, echoed Cole’s remarks, saying MUSC has a duty to acknowledge good research. “Leadership has made that a priority. We want to celebrate success and express publically our appreciation and pride in everyone’s success. This is important — so important I wore a tie,” he said to laughter. “Thank you to everybody, and I look forward to your continued success.”
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QualiTy
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Quality Medical Care Will Be Delivered by Telehealth,” and Shana Dykema, a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt in MUSC’s Performance Improvement Department, presented “Determining the True Cost of Total Hip Arthroplasty at a Large Academic Medical Center.” “The meeting was a success on many levels,” Lyles said. “The speakers and programs were comprehensive, dynamic and interactive, and quality leaders had the opportunity to network and learn how to span organizational boundaries in creating cultures of quality and improve patient care. I’m proud to share that during Medical Quality 2016, our very own College of Medicine student Sydney Ramsey was elected national chair–elect of ACMQ’s Student, Resident and Fellow section.” This area of the ACMQ was launched in February 2007 and is rapidly growing, thanks in large part to Lyles’ commitment to ensuring the next generation of health care professionals is is exposed to this field of study firsthand and has the opportunity to help improve the health care system. Ramsey is extremely excited about her new role as national chair–elect. “Over the past few years, the college has made an effort to cultivate student, resident, and fellow membership in the organization. I have benefitted greatly from this effort — the conferences, scholar program, and other educational opportunities that ACMQ offers have been invaluable to me, and I am looking forward to working with my colleagues to expand our membership so that other students and trainees might also benefit,” she shared with the audience. On April 16, Lyles, Ramsey and Kohli hosted MUSC’s inaugural ACMQ chapter meeting and social hour, the first of its kind in the nation. “We aim to challenge other academic medical centers to create their own ACMQ chapters throughout the USA and beyond,” Lyles told them. Reflecting the team–based nature of medical quality, the ACMQ chapter at MUSC will be interprofessional and interdisciplinary and will coordinate activities with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement chapter that already exists at MUSC. Lyles, Scheurer and other faculty and health care professionals at MUSC will provide
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Shana Dykema, MUSC performance improvement facilitator, speaks about MUSC’s successes in determining and reducing costs to perform hip replacement surgery. oversight and mentoring in health care quality management, as the organization advances the quality philosophy at MUSC and beyond. Even though the meeting was scheduled in the middle of exams for many, nearly 50 students, residents, fellows and faculty showed up to hear about the mission and goals of the chapter; many had already joined ACMQ. Ramsey shared with the group the value she finds in the membership, noting the many benefits the college offers, including the American Journal of Medical Quality, publishing and research opportunities, webinars, mentorship, leadership, scholar awards and a certification exam in medical quality. Kohli will serve as the chapter’s first chair. She, too, is excited about the MUSC chapter of ACMQ, especially bringing students from different professions together. She felt good about the large turnout at the first meeting that included students representing five of the six colleges. Following the event, she said, “After attending the national conference in D.C., I knew I wanted to become more involved in an interprofessional
organization such as ACMQ. Dr. Lyles and Sydney Ramsey were looking to create the first chapter of ACMQ at MUSC, and I was honored when they asked me to partner with them and serve as chair of the ACMQ MUSC chapter. It is exciting to be involved in bringing students from different professions together in a collaborative setting. We look forward to MUSC students, residents, fellows and faculty holding leadership positions within our chapter and providing input on the types of topics and speakers they would like to hear more about.” Ramsey agreed. “Medical quality is so important for our patients (and for us) and joining ACMQ is a great way to learn more, stay informed and network with others who share an interest in quality. I hope that many of my peers at MUSC will get involved, both at the local and national levels.” Michael Simeone, a first–semester Bachelor of Science in Nursing student in the College of Nursing, has an engineering degree, a master’s in finance and was the director of global marketing for Hewlett Packard and vice president of global marketing for Agilent Technologies, a spin–off of HP. At the
social event after the meeting, he made a strong case for how important this organization can be in driving change, believing there is value and purpose in joining. “I’m a member of ACMQ. Coming out of industry, I decided I wanted to be in health care at this stage of life. I have a passion for family practice. One of the reasons I decided to become a nurse is I want to serve veterans and work at the VA. One of the things that dawned on me very early on in this process was that the bottleneck in really providing quality health care and reducing costs in this country is in primary care. All of the quality work that is happening at the hospital level — programs in place to look at reducing costs and improving quality — but it’s not happening at the edges of the web, which is where everything starts — in family practice. When I saw this opportunity to join ACMQ, I said, ‘This is something I want to be involved with for the duration and try to look at how we drive change where change truly needs to be driven. Where are the real underlying problems that are holding us back in health care delivery as a nation?’ That’s why I said I would really like to be part of this.” Lyles is pleased the next generation of health care providers is taking an active interest in quality improvement. “The ACMQ leadership thinks that the future of the specialty lies with health care professionals who are dedicated to creating a better health care system. Therefore, we are committed to making memberships affordable and rewarding for students, residents, and fellows,” said Lyles. The cost for a student to become a member in the local chapter and in the national ACMQ is a one–time fee of $25, and that covers the duration of a student’s entire educational program – whether that’s two years or seven. For residents and fellows, there is a one-time membership fee of $40, which also covers the entire duration of their training. Faculty and other health care professionals at MUSC also are encouraged to join ACMQ and participate in the chapter and mentor the next generation of health care quality leaders. For more information about ACMQ, membership with the organization, and all that it offers, visit http://www.acmq. org.
10 THe CaTalysT, May 6, 2016
Adventure Out kicks off free challenge classes at parks bonus points that can class for improving muscle increase chances of winning tone, strength and stamina. weekly prizes. This class is easy to follow To register for the and utilizes interval and challenge, visit www. circuit–style workouts. It myfitfamilychallenge. includes cardio intervals, core com. Bonus points are also movements and body weight available for attending the functional training. MUSC Saturday familyYoga: Yoga is about bringing friendly work and learns the mind, body and spirit throughout May and June. into such harmony that one’s For more information on natural rhythm can be felt Adventure Out, visit www. Susan Johnson and followed. The focus is on musc.edu/adventureout. warm up, stretching, breathing and postures, teaching you to Wellness Events trust in your body’s wisdom, bringing q The MUSC Office of Health a sense of peace and renewed vitality. Promotion and the MUSC Health Zumba: Combines high energy and Innovation Center are offering a series motivating music with unique moves of free yogic breathing classes lead by Dr. and combinations. It is a fusion of Latin Sundar Balasubramanian, Tuesday, May and international music and dance that 10, Rm. H282 University Hospital, create a dynamic, exciting, effective 2 West Amphitheater fitness system. q Adventure Out: Family Fitness Fun, In support of the 2016 Fit Family 9 to 11 a.m., May 7 at Marion Square, Challenge that launched on May 1st, Good Life Circuit with Katie, 4 p.m., anyone who attends Adventure Out Wednesday, May 11 at Cannon Park classes during May and June will receive
Health at work
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q Chair massages: Free massages are offered to students and employees Wednesdays. Check broadcast messages for varying locations and times. q Farmers Market: Fresh fruits and vegetables are available from local farmers 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday, May 6 at the Horseshoe; 10:30 a.m. 3 p.m., Brazilianuts Food Truck will be offering delicious fare, and the Tri–county Master Gardeners will participate on the first Friday of each month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Additional dates include June 3, July 1, Aug. 5 and Sept. 2. Master Gardeners will be available to answer gardening questions, provide valuable resources and collect soil samples for testing. (Visit http://www.clemson. edu/extension/hgic/plants/other/ soils/hgic1652.html for guidelines on collecting soil samples. For information, call 876-8941. q MUSC Employee Fitness Series Class: Tae Bo® Express, from 12:15 to 12:25 p.m. workout. Register at musc. edu/ohp/musc-moves/employee-fitnesssignup.html.
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Absolutely stunning home in the quaint village of Pinckney Place. Centrally located and convenient to beaches, shopping, restaurants, and downtown Charleston! 4 Bedrooms/3.5 Baths, 2643 SF, with ready-to-finish attic space: $699,900 Visit www.edhunnicutt.com for more info. IP02-1448392
On May 7, MUSC Office of Health Promotion and MUSC Wellness Center launches the 4th year of Adventure Out, a free “green exercise” program to encourage Charleston residents to get fit in the beautiful Charleston City parks. From 9 to 11 a.m. in Marion Square at the Charleston Farmers Market, MUSC Wellness Center fitness instructors will provide fun fitness activities for the whole family. Children ages 12 and under are welcome to participate in all classes with a waiver signed by an adult caregiver. Weekly classes are offered throughout the year and are designed for all ages and fitness levels. Additional May classes include Zumba with Rob, following the Push–Up and Up event on May 14 at 11:30 a.m. at Marion Square, GoodLife Circuit with Katie on May 11 and May 25 at 4 p.m. in Cannon Park and Yoga with Gail on May 21 at 9 a.m. in Brittlebank Park. Class Descriptions — Family Fitness Day: Fun games, exercise bands and an agility ladder for some all–age fitness fun. Good Life Circuit: An excellent
Call Ed for more info:
843.270.0292
THe CaTalysT, May 6, 2016 11
Letters of gratitude MUSC President Dr. David J. Cole and managers receive heartfelt letters or emails from patients and patient families commenting on the excellent care and experiences they’ve shared while at MUSC. Periodically, The Catalyst will reprint these letters (or excerpts from these letters) recognizing employees and their continuing commitment to putting patients first.
To whom it may concern, This email is concerning an employee named Shawn Ellis. My daughter is currently a patient at MUSC for a heart transplant and has been back and forth for the past 13 years and has met a lot of people, but Mr. Ellis is a rare breed. My wife was coming up the elevator with flowers for the nursing staff taking care of our daughter and had an accident and dropped and ruined the flowers. Mr. Ellis went out of his way to catch the elevator and cleaned up and salvaged as many of the flowers as he could, which was extremely above and beyond his duties. We were very grateful for his efforts at that time. We thought that was the end of our interactions with Mr. Ellis, but we couldn't have been more wrong. Shawn made a selfless act that will stay with us forever. Shawn took it upon himself to go down and purchase a flower arrangment for our sick daughter and deliver it personally, even more selfless because we weren't in the room to receive his gift the first time he came to deliver the flowers. His tenaciousness brought him back a second time, when we were there to accept his gift. Mr. Ellis gave the gift to our daughter, and we received it with respect and in awe of his Ellis selflessness. While he was there, we spoke for a moment, and he had spoken of his recent loss of his mother and allowed me to pray for him and his mother and offer our condolences for his loss. Being a complete stranger, he shed tears with us for our daughter, and we shed tears for his loss. This was the most selfless act from a stranger that we have experienced. Mr. Ellis is not only an amazing person, but in our opinion, an asset to your company and to those around him. We feel he should be commended, recognized as an example to others working with and/or around him of how human beings should be treated. We feel that it was a “blessing from the Lord” that he was introduced into our lives and admire his being. Thank you Shawn. You will always be a reminder of how others should be treated and will always have a place in my families heart. Thank you so very much and may God bless you, friend. Sincerely, William Whitacre North Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Construction Update:
Courtenay Drive Closing Courtenay Drive, between Calhoun Street and Charleston Center Drive, will be closed the following weekends — May 7 to May 8, May 14 to May 15 and May 21 to May 22. This will allow safe demolition of Charleston Memorial Hospital. Charleston Center Drive will continue to be closed to all vehicular traffic from Saturday, April 23 through Friday, June 11. A pedestrian tunnel opened on April 25 along the south side of Ashley River Tower (ART) to allow
pedestrians to use this pathway to ART, Roper Hospital, and other destinations. All vehicles that are authorized to park on the ground level of ART share a single entrance and exit on the Ralph H. Johnson Drive side of ART. Visitors and patients will not be allowed to self–park in the handicap parking area of ART. Please direct patients to park in the Courtenay Garage. Valet–parked vehicles and service vehicles will continue to have access to ART’s ground level.
DHA Program now taking applications The Doctor of Health Administration– Information Systems Program in the College of Health Professions is currently accepting applications for the Fall 2016 cohort that begins in August. The information systems and leadership track of the DHA program focuses on the development of information systems/technology leaders in health policy, strategic management and healthcare information technology. Students are practicing health care information specialists who currently
hold or are seeking leadership positions to influence health care practice. The central theme of the curriculum will be the development of information systems building on the domains of leadership, change management, policy and advocacy. To learn more or to apply to the program, visit http://www.musc.edu/ chp/dha/information_systems/ Application deadline is June 30. For information, email Meghan Kirwan at kirwan@musc.edu.
12 THe CaTalysT, May 6, 2016
Doing gooD in guatemala
2BR / 2.5BA 1008 SQFT
3 Talon Court, Charleston Absolutely charming single family home with double porches, hard wood floors, and lots of natural light. Located in the center of downtown Charleston, easy walking distance to MUSC, CofC, shops and restaurants. Open floor plan downstairs, and two good size bedrooms with en suite baths. Master has a vaulted ceiling and a private screened in porch. Granite and stainless steel appliances. New washer and dryer included in sale.
MLS #16005913 • $489,000
photo provided
THERESA EVANS CIPS, CRS, CRP, e-Pro Vice President, Charleston Top Producers Club
49 Broad Street, Charleston 843.693.8383 tevans@carolinaone.com
IP07-1448040
On a visit to Guatemala in February, SEI pediatric ophthalmologist Dr. M. Edward Wilson and two pediatric ophthalmology fellows, Dr. Blake Forcina and Dr. Kelly Unkrich. The group received a visit by the First Lady of Guatemala, Hilda Patricia Morales, following a procedure they were operating to remove cataracts from infants and children.
Specializing in a Global Perspective Fine Homes, Fine Living
Director: Marcelo Hochman MD - Hemangiom a&
**In lieu of a Registration Fee, please consider making a donation to further THTF’s missions at www.HemangiomaTreatment.org
Malformation Treatment Center Invited Faculty: Imran Chaudry MD - Medical Universit y of South Carolina Belinda Dickie MD - Cincinnati Chil dren’s Hospital Adrienne Hammill MD - Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Robert Murphy MD - Medical Universit y of South Carolina Thuy Phung MD PhD - Baylor College of Medicine Travis Reeves - East Virginia Medical College Erin Spera RN CPNP - Boston Children ’s Hospital Cameron Trenor MD - Boston Children ’s Hospital Lara Wine-Lee MD PhD - Medical Univ ersity of South Carolina
Learn! dits! Earn CME Cre * ! d il h C Help a
IP02-1444993