August 17, 2012
MEDICAL UNIVERSITY of SOUTH CAROLINA
Vol. 31, No. 1
Inside Weight Management Center helps patient shed pounds, change habits Most Wired Hospitals
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The MUSC medical center and the VA Medical Center were recognized for their new technology.
traveling exHibit
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Mobile display features challenges women faced during the 19th century. 5 Meet Marisah 8 Applause names 11 Classifieds
t H e C ata ly s t online http://www. musc.edu/ catalyst
By Caroline altman Public Relations
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linton Terrell did his normal walk from his car to his job, but realized he could barely breathe from the exertion. He had hit rock bottom. It was time for a change. Terrell weighed 491.2 pounds. At this moment, he called his mother. “We are either going to figure out something to do or we are going to start making plans for the hole in the ground,” he said. Terrell thought of an acquaintance who lost a massive amount of weight with the MUSC Weight Management Center, and he set up an appointment to join the HealthFast program. Terrell joined the 30-week program, which was designed for patients who need to lose more than 50 pounds. The program focuses on lifestyle and behavioral changes and is divided into two phases. The first 12 weeks, considered the fasting phase, allowed Terrell to only have supplemental shakes and bars to focus on a low calorie diet. The latter 18 weeks had Terrell gradually adding low-calorie food back into his diet and learning to maintain healthier eating patterns. Terrell went to the gym five to six times a week. He ran on the elliptical trainer for 30 to 35 minutes averaging four and a half to six miles and lifted weights for the next 15 to 20 minutes. He also incorporated crunches
and pushups. The weight management staff monitored him and other patients during weekly clinic visits and group meetings. The team consisted of physicians, nurses, psychologists, registered dietitians and exercise physiologists. During the meetings and visits, Terrell was nicknamed the Golden Child, because of his dedication to the program. He followed all the rules, and even planned his single cheat—a small slice of his own birthday cake. Although he could have opted for surgery, Terrell turned it down because he felt like it was a bandage to the real problem. He came to MUSC to learn lifestyle changes for permanent weight loss. “They taught you how to go through your life, and continue to keep and build good habits.” Terrell’s dedication to himself and the program has paid off, said Joshua Brown, Ph.D., director of clinical services for the Weight Management Center. “Although we have lots of patients who do very well, in my time here, I’ve not seen anyone take off as much so quickly and do so without surgery.” Although Terrell said the hardest part of his losing weight was making the decision to join HealthFast, another tough part was the transition from
See Weight on page 7
Top photo: Clinton Terrell’s starting weight was 491.2 pounds. Left photo: Terrell joined the HealthFast program at the MUSC Weight Management Center and lost over half of his body weight within a year. For information on the Weight Management Center visit http://www. muschealth. com/weight/ index.htm or call 792-2273.
2 the Catalyst, August 17, 2012
MUSC researchers receive grants for smart phones The world has gone digital and MUSC researchers are looking to this new normal for inspiration in solving health care problems. Thanks to grants totaling $918,068 from The Duke Endowment, two MUSC researchers are implementing programs that directly impact the quality of patient care and harness the best of what a digital world has to offer. Providing 24/7 virtual access to expertise The Duke Endowment has made it possible to bring the expertise of MUSC Children's Hospital specialists to outlying community hospitals. Through telemedicine carts, seriously ill or injured patients can be seen in real-time by a specialist who can help physicians at rural sites make better and more informed decisions about a patient's care. Assistant professor of pediatric critical care and project leader David McSwain, M.D., is using The Duke Endowment funds to pilot the program at Colleton Medical center in Walterboro, Conway Medical Center, Georgetown Memorial Hospital, and Waccamaw Hospital. These facilities will have 24/7 access to pediatric critical care and emergency medicine consultation, with the goal of eventually expanding the program to include other pediatric subspecialties. The idea is to assist outlying hospitals in the stabilization and early management of these seriously ill children so that they can get to MUSC in the safest and most efficient way. “We get transports for kids who may not need to come here,” McSwain said. “So putting that cart at the bedside and allowing one of us to evaluate a child with our own eyes can make a great impact on being able to plan certain interventions. If we can save a family an unnecessary transport to Charleston, and all the time and money that goes into that, we’re creating a win-win for all involved. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a video is worth a million.” Benefits of this effort include reducing health care costs and unnecessary tests while increasing positive pediatric outcomes. Families in outlying areas may
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 Dawn Brazell, brazell@musc.edu
“We wanted a means of readily connecting patients with their doctors. One thing that a lot of people have is a cell phone. Fifty percent are smart phones.”
—Dr. Frank Treiber
not have to incur expensive helicopter transport, hotel or gas bills. “Telemedicine provides patients in rural communities the access to subspecialists that they could not have had otherwise,” McSwain said. Each cart is equipped with a flat screen HDTV and a movable camera. An MUSC Children’s Hospital physician can be anywhere, work or at home, and readily consult on a case. “I can listen in on a stethoscope at the same time the physician at the actual bedside is. I can look in a child’s ears, throat or nose. Through telemedicine, we’ll be able to look at them before they might need to come to Charleston and decide if they need to come now or if it becomes a wait and watch approach.” Making smart phones mobile health hubs The options for mobile health care are limitless when it comes to enabling patients to better monitor and manage their health with a device they use every day, all day. Frank Treiber, Ph.D., SmartState endowed chair in technology and MUSC nursing and medicine professor, leads the Technology Center to Enhance Healthful Lifestyles, which is charged with developing and commercializing software and technological products to improve the delivery of health care. “We wanted a means of readily connecting patients
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.
with their doctors, and have found that one thing that a lot of people have, irrespective of their income level or where they live, is a cell phone. Fifty percent are smart phones,” he said. After seeing success from a pilot study called SMASH (Smartphone Medication Adherence Stops Hypertension), The Duke Endowment has awarded MUSC the necessary funds to further study the concept. One of the problems health care providers face is getting patients with chronic diseases to take medications properly. Thirty to 50 percent of patients do not take their medications as prescribed. “It’s not just people who are elderly or on a large numbers of medications, either. It turns out this problem affects a wide range of ages and patients,” Treiber said. With the study, patients were given an electronic medication tray with individualized compartments for each day’s dosages. Patients received a series of alerts and a blood pressure monitor to take their pressures every three days. The readings were wirelessly sent to their smart phones and via internet to a secure computer. Based upon the degree of medication adherence and blood pressure levels, patients received reinforcement and motivational messages while doctors received summary reports of their patients’ pressures every two weeks and alerts if pressures were ever in a danger zone. At the three-month evaluation, patients using the devices went from hypertensive with a systolic resting pressure of 151 to being normotensive at 122. “Mobile health technologies allow a doctor and a patient to be interconnected with each other 24/7. The doctor can readily monitor very readily multiple vital signals — heart rate, oxygen saturation, glucose, weight with the technology we have. A doctor will be able to take better care of patients when they are home, preventing patients’ health from deteriorating over time and ending up in the emergency room. In the long run, these kinds of devices will help in the delivery of more cost effective health care because we’ll keep patients out of the ERs and hospitals.”
Honorary degree nominations accepted for contributions to MUSC, state, nation
The Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost is accepting nominations for persons to receive honorary degrees from MUSC, to be awarded at Commencement in May 2013. In general, honorary degrees go to individuals in the following broad categories: contribution(s) to the nation; contribution(s) to science; contribution(s) to the state or MUSC.
Nominations of MUSC alumni are generally discouraged. Consider submitting nominations of candidates along with supporting materials such as letters, articles, curriculum vitae, etc., in the above mentioned categories. The nominations should be forwarded to Marcia Higaki, Office of the Provost, Colcock Hall, 179 Ashley Ave., MSC 002, higakimc@musc. edu, no later than Friday, Oct. 12.
the Catalyst, August 17, 2012 3
post-polio CliniC Held
Sara Geisman, third-year student in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, examines Marie McManus who has a prior diagnosis of poliomyelitis. Although polio has been eradicated in the U.S., it is estimated that between 12 and 20 million individuals are living in the world with a prior diagnosis of poliomyelitis. Every year the MUSC Division of Physical Therapy Program in the College of Health Professions hosts a Post-Polio Clinic as part of the educational curriculum. This year, 18 volunteers participated in the clinic and support group meeting. Individuals interested in participating next year may call Dr. Holly Wise at 792-4051.
Currents: Aug. 7 meeting By W. stuart smith MUSC Medical Center At the recent communications meeting I updated the management team on the medical center’s financial status and our action plan to date. Our fiscal year (FY) 2012 financial goal called for a $25.5 million operating Smith margin. Our budget was based upon 2 percent growth in patient volume. Including observation patients, our inpatient activity for FY 12 was essentially flat, we observed no growth in outpatient activity, and our operating room cases were slightly down for the year. While we projected deterioration of
Medicaid reimbursement for FY 12 as a result of changes by the state, we did not anticipate the revenue loss due to a slight decrease in the number of operating room cases. There was some slow down with clinic patient activity due to Epic implementation. Fortunately our continued focus on “5/5 plans” (designed to reduce costs and improve quality) helped us avoid a loss for the year. The net result of this is our unaudited FY 12 financial statement indicates an $8.5 million operating margin, falling significantly short of our $25.5 million goal. Plans are under way to adjust pay rates for medical center (Medical University Hospital Authority) employees by 1/2 percent (.5 percent) in the near future to help offset an increase in the employee contribution for the benefits plan. Assuming we meet with success later
See Currents on page 9
MUSC, VA Medical Center among most wired hospitals Charleston’s MUSC medical center and the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center were recognized among the nation’s “most wired” hospitals and health systems, according to Health Care’s Most Wired 2012. The survey was released in the July issue of Hospitals & Health Networks, a publication of the American Hospital Association. In 2011, MUSC won a similar honor as the “most connected” hospital in South Carolina and among 118 hospitals in the country ranked in U.S. News & World Report. The Most Wired survey is part of an annual effort conducted by the magazine in cooperation with the McKesson Corporation, the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives and the American Hospital Association. The survey was conducted between January and March via a questionnaire about their institution’s IT initiatives. A total of 1,570 hospitals were polled with 662
Most Wired Hospitals in S.C. AnMed Health (Anderson); Beaufort Memorial Hospital; Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center; Palmetto Health (Columbia); MUSC medical center and the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center surveys completed. This award coincides with the medical center’s switch of clinical software to a more user-friendly health information technology system such as the new Epic ambulatory electronic medical records (EMR) system which was introduced midMay throughout the clinical enterprise to improve overall patient care and measure outcomes. On May 17, the hospital launched the Epic system to replace the current system and allow MUSC users to gather, share and manage patient and billing information and streamline communications with clinical staff.
See Wired on page 9
4 the Catalyst, August 17, 2012
Breakthrough legislation addresses drug shortage I n response to testimony by physicians such as MUSC’s Michelle Hudspeth, M.D., about the impact of drug shortages on patient care, Congress, in a rare show of bipartisan cooperation, passed the Food and Drug Administration Innovation and Safety Act on June 26 and President Obama signed it into law on July 9. The legislation has wide-ranging implications not only for the nation’s ability to respond to potential drug shortages but also for streamlining the drug development pathway for promising new drugs. The July/August issue of examines the Progressnotes Kimberly McGhee implications of this legislation in more detail and profiles novel therapies currently making their way through the clinical trials process at Hollings Cancer Center, including a first-in-human phase 1 trial of a new class of drugs (sphingosine kinase inhibitors [SKIs]). Sphingosine kinase and ceramide are key players in a biological control mechanism that determines whether cancer cells die (ceramide) or survive (sphingosine kinase) and prove resistant to chemotherapy and radiation. By blocking sphingosine kinase, SKIs may tilt this control mechanism toward cancer cell death. It is speculated that administering an SKI along with a chemotherapy drug or radiation could make cancer cells more vulnerable and less likely to develop resistance to such treatments. The new legislation could mean that patients benefit sooner from such promising, innovative therapies. This legislation takes several important steps to alleviate the current drug shortage and to prevent future ones. Most notably, perhaps, it requires manufacturers of generic drugs to pay user fees to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA uses the funds to speed approval of new generic drug applications and to expedite inspection and reinspection of production lines. Ramping up inspections at foreign plants is particularly important to ensure quality in an age of outsourcing. Manufacturers will also be required to provide the Secretary of Health and Human Services six months’ notice of the suspension or closing of a production line that could lead to a drug shortage so that the FDA can take steps to avert it. Finally, the legislation addresses the growing problem of counterfeit drugs, hiking the maximum sentence for counterfeiters from three to 20 years in prison and the maximum penalty from $10,000 to $4 million. This legislation also streamlines the approval process for “breakthrough therapies,” marking the first significant change to the FDA’s drug development
Frontiers
Once thought to merely serve as structural components of the plasma membrane, sphingolipids are major actors in pathways that lead to angiogenesis, inflammation, as well as cancer development and resistance to chemotherapy and radiation. pathway since 1997. Before this legislation, new, promising drugs could take a long time to reach the market and the patient because new drug approval hinged on evidence from large, multisite phase 3 trials of statistically significant survival benefit over current treatment options. Such trials are expensive, long and complex. Demonstrating survival benefit requires that studies enroll hundreds or thousands of patients and continue until enough control patients have died to reach statistical significance. By relaxing the requirement for demonstrated survival benefit for breakthrough drugs and allowing instead one of any number of clinical end points to serve as a surrogate of efficacy, this legislation will result in shorter, less expensive clinical trials enrolling fewer patients. As a result, promising new therapies will reach patients sooner. Close follow-up of breakthrough drugs receiving such streamlined approval will be required, and the FDA can pull any of these drugs off the market quickly if their efficacy is less than expected or if unexpected side effects occur. The online version of the July/August issue of Progressnotes can be found at http://www. MUSChealth.com/progressnotes. In this issue, you can also read about: q Michael Lilly, M.D., a noted urologic oncologist and translational cancer researcher, recently assumed the position of associate director for translational
research at MUSC’s Hollings Cancer Center. Lilly comes to MUSC from the University of California, Irvine, where he served as the vice chief for clinical programs of the Division of Hematology-Oncology and coleader of the Translational Oncology Program at the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center; q How patients with a severely blocked aorta who are not candidates for surgical intervention can lead longer, active lives after transcatheter aortic valve replacement; q How patients who have long suffered from the debilitating pain of chronic pancreatitis can gain a new lease on life by having their pancreas removed and, to guard against brittle diabetes, have their own insulinmaking islet cells harvested from the pancreas and reinfused into their liver; and q How modern burn management techniques and support services offered by MUSC’s pediatric burn center can restore even badly burned pediatric patients to a good quality of life. Editor’s note: “Progressnotes” is a bimonthly publication produced by Business Development & Marketing Services and sent to all physicians licensed in South Carolina to inform them about clinical and research innovations at MUSC. For information, email mcgheek@musc.edu.
the Catalyst, August 17, 2012 5
Meet Marisah
Marisah Daniels Department Health Sciences & Research, College of Health Professions How long at MUSC 7 years How are you changing what’s possible at MUSC I like to think my work as a business manager allows the faculty I work with to focus on their research and improve the lives of stroke patients in South Carolina. Children I have 4-year-old identical twins, Devon and Sean. Unique talent I love to arrange flowers for events in the college. Dream vacation Taking a trip with my husband to Scotland and England Greatest moment Adopting our twin boys on May 16 Favorite restaurant Mustard Seed Favorite quote “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” — Winston Churchill
6 the Catalyst, August 17, 2012
Students shine in summer oral health research programs By Cindy aBole Public Relations The Training in Craniofacial and Oral Health Research program in the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine is gaining national recognition for its expanded training for students and professionals interested in oral health research. Each summer the college hosts first-year dental students, as well as undergraduate students, in oral health research laboratories for summer research training experiences. For summer 2012, four first-year dental students (Dallas Kunkel, Daniel Hall, Michelle McInnis, and Rick Furman) and eight undergraduate students (Chelsea Ashworth, Courtney Browne, Madeline Davis, Kamryn Kant, Amanda Morris, Matthew Rice, Robert Sansevere, and Lindsay Warren) have joined laboratories at MUSC working on oral health-related research projects. Through the support from the Wateree Foundation and the dental college, assistance was provided to these students in the MUSC Summer Health Professions program. A R25 training grant, funded through the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, was recently awarded to Keith L. Kirkwood, Ph.D., DDS, associate dean for research, James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine. The grant will help eight undergraduate students to work on a summer research project as part of the Training in Craniofacial and Oral Health Research program in the Summer Undergraduate Research Program. The goal of the Dental Summer Undergraduate Research Program is to attract talented undergraduate college students into careers in oral, dental and craniofacial sciences, particularly in science areas supporting the institute. This is expected to increase the number of qualified investigators who are studying oral, dental and craniofacial diseases. Increasing the work force in these fields will result in an enhanced capacity to address oral health-related disease and improve the quality of oral
Dental students Rick Furman, left, and Dallas Kunkel, Class of 2015, work jointly with Dr. Walter RennĂŠ, assistant professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry, James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine, and Dr. Mike Schmidt, a professor in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology, in the development of a sustainable antimicrobial bonding system to enhance the longevity of resin based composite restorations. health care nationwide. q Michelle McInnis, a first-year dental student, studied the effects of HPV-16 oncoproteins E6 and E7 on mitochondrial function in oral squamous cell carcinoma this summer in the laboratory of Besim Ogretmen, Ph.D., professor and eminent scholar, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. q Daniel Hall and Kamryn Kant have been working in the laboratory of Michael J. Kern, Ph.D., professor, Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology to establish a new system for looking at protein-protein interactions in order to characterize a protein domain called OAR that is critical for craniofacial development.
Dr. Keith Kirkwood received a grant to encourage undergraduate students’ involvement in oral health research.
This new system will help to better assess known proteins that interact with the OAR domain, as well as identify new binding partners. Mutations in this protein domain cause malformations in the developing jaw, palate, teeth, eye and brain. q As part of her research project
in the Training in Craniofacial and Oral Health Research program and the Summer Undergraduate Research Program, Lindsay Warren, a rising senior at Wofford College, is analyzing osteoblast differentiation in primary cell culture to determine if the loss of the ciliary protein Ift88 disrupts osteoblast differentiation in vitro in the laboratory of Courtney J. Haycraft, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Craniofacial Biology. q Madeline Davis, working in the laboratory of Hai Yao, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Craniofacial Biology, in the Clemson-MUSC Bioengineering Program, employed the use of micro-computed tomography to quantify the fracture healing process of large bone defects in mice.
The Catalyst, August 17, 2012 7
Weight Continued from Page One supplemental bars and shakes to real food. Today he leaves his home with a small cooler filled with his portioned food for the entire day. Terrell said he was very nervous about telling people he was trying to lose weight because he was afraid to fail. However, telling people kept him accountable and motivated. When he shared his goal, his family and coworkers were very supportive. Without him asking, Terrell’s mother had discarded all of the food in the house when he decided to lose weight so he wouldn’t be tempted. His coworkers decided to not have potluck holiday dinners because Terrell couldn’t eat them. Terrell remembered what it was like to be obese only a year ago. It had gotten so bad that for more than a year before his weight loss, the only way he could sleep was sitting up. “I would sleep sitting up on the couch, sitting up on the bed, on the floor propped up against the bed, or in a chair. That’s how bad it literally was.” Terrell said he was very unhappy and depressed. He knew he was missing out in life because his size limited the things he could do. Going out was depressing, so he went home and ate with the phrase ‘I’m unhappy so I eat, and then I’m unhappy because I ate’ echoing in his head. Today, the sky is the limit for Terrell, literally. He used to fear flying, not wanting to sit in an airplane seat, but he has no such fears now, because Terrell lost 274 pounds — over half of his starting weight — in a year without surgery. Now Terrell can’t wait to fly in a plane, and even dreams of jumping out of one. Terrell also celebrates that he can shop at regular stores for clothing. He was thrilled that he found jeans in his size on a clearance rack. “There is no clearance rack when you are wearing a size 54 jeans. You just pay for them,” he said. He has a blast doing new activities simply because he can finally do them. Recently, he learned to ride his friend’s motorcycle because he couldn’t do it last year. Since then, Terrell has decided he liked it so much he wanted one. His new lease on life brought on playing with his nieces and nephews, going for bike rides, walks and runs, and ocean cruise plans with his sister. Terrell said he learned how to fuel his body for energy, not to mute emotions. He sees the difference he made not just in his life but others’ as well. Not only has he inspired others to participate with MUSC’s Weight Management Center, but his sister was motivated, too. Family dinners at Terrell’s house are now healthy, and he tries very hard to teach his young niece healthy habits, “one vegetable at a time.” For information on the Weight Management Center visit http://www.muschealth.com/weight/index.htm or call 792-2273.
Clinton Terrell points to the magic number, 274.1. This is the number of pounds that he lost through the Weight Management Center’s HealthFast program.
Weight Management Center has services for all weight loss needs q First Step: A 15-week lifestyle change program that offers weight loss assistance through individual weekly meetings. It is appropriate for people of all weight ranges. The program helps you make changes in activity level, eating practices, and other behaviors related to weight control. Individual meal plans and exercise plans are included at the outset. First Step promotes a significant yet gradual and long-lasting weight loss. q Focus: A 15-week intensive lifestyle change program designed to induce larger initial weight losses than traditional lifestyle change programs. Patients attend brief individual appointments that rotate among the clinic sub-specialties (nutrition, exercise, behavioral). The early part of the program involves a diet that consists primarily of meal replacements and provides a highly structured dietary intervention. During the latter part of the program, the diet changes to a primarily food based meal plan and shifts towards more moderate weight loss. Individualized dietary and exercise planning is provided throughout the program. q HealthFast: This 30-week program, designed for people who need to lose more than 50 pounds,
combines medically supervised supplemented fasting with instructions in lifestyle change techniques to help participants make the lifestyle changes necessary to maintain a healthier weight. HealthFast offers a more rapid, but safe rate of weight loss for people with more weight to lose. q Lunchtime Losers: A 10-week program that takes place from noon to 1 p.m. Lunchtime Losers is intended to teach participants how to make healthy behavior changes that will promote healthy eating, healthy exercise, and weight loss. Participants meet weekly in a class format with a registered dietitian, psychologist, or exercise physiologist. q PREOP: Patient Readiness and Education for Obesity surgery Program (PREOP) is a six-month program designed to educate and prepare people who are considering weight loss surgery. This comprehensive program is physician-monitored and includes regular dietary, exercise, and psychological instruction and support. q Individual Services: In addition to weight management package programs, individual services and clinical trials also are offered. Call 792-2273.
8 the Catalyst, August 17, 2012
MUSC Sikh scientist speaks about temple tragedy By ajaiB singh Paintlia, Ph.d. Darby Children’s Research Institute
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or American Sikhs, the Aug. 5 deadly attack on worshippers at a Sikh temple outside Milwaukee, dredged up memories of other recent attacks against others of this community. This is not the first crime of mistaken identity. Balbir Singh Sodhi was the first victim of this hate crime Paintlia following 9/11 as he apparently looked Muslim or Arabic. Sodhi, who was a Sikh, was shot while pumping gas at a gas station in Arizona four days after the terrorist attacks. These incidents continued to target Sikhs in different parts of the country. The Sikh Coalition, a U.S.-based organization, has reported more than 700 hate crimes since 9/11. The latest attack in Wisconsin has shaken the Sikh community worldwide and in India. This article will brief readers about Sikhism as a religion and the lifestyle of Sikhs. Why do Sikhs wear turbans and keep long beards? The word Sikh means discipline or student who obey the order of his guru (or master). Most Sikh men wear turbans and keep beards. Sikhs do not cut their hair as
Memorial service for victims A memorial service will be held from 3 to 5 p.m., Aug. 18 at the Hindu Temple for the victims of the Wisconsin Sikh Temple tragedy. The service will include a lighting of candles and a brief introduction of different faiths. The temple is located at 1740 Jervey Ave., Charleston. For information, call 478-2681, 270-4264, 813-4669 or 793-8386. it is the practice of allowing one’s hair to grow naturally as a symbol of respect for the perfection of God’s creation, which is an outward symbol bestowed upon Sikhs by their 10th master, Guru Gobind Singh. The turban of a Sikh is an important accessory in the Sikh religion and worn as a sign of respect. Principles of Sikhism Sikhism is the world’s fifth most popular religion and is of a monotheistic faith that supports equality and service to others. There are 25 million Sikhs that live around the world and about 700,000 that live in the United States. Most Sikhs reside in India. Sikhism emerged more than 500 years ago in Punjab, India. It was founded by Guru Nanak, who taught a message of love and equality irrespective of people’s caste and religion. The first Sikh temple (Gurdwara) in the United States
was built 100 years ago in California. Every day, the doors of Gurdwara open at 6 a.m. for prayers. A formal service includes the singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib, Sikhism’s Holy Scriptures. The Sikh holy book, which is 1,430 pages long, includes writings of the Sikh gurus and about 15 enlightened saints from different faiths. Gurdwaras around the world variously incorporate clinics, schools, guest quarters and community centers, which Sikhs say is a sign of the religion’s values of service and equality. Therefore, at the end of the service, congregants pray for the “well-being of the world” then head to the langar, the community kitchen, to serve free meals to anyone who wants one. Contributions in the community Sikhs are brave and peace loving people. They are known as soldiers who defended India from invaders. Look into their short span of history and you will find their sacrifices and hard work have contributed so much towards the building of the Indian nation. In the end, I would like to pray for the peace for the souls who lost their lives. In addition, I would recommend educating our community and children at the school level to avoid these kinds of events in the future. To learn more about the Sikhs, visit sites www. sikhnet.com, www.sikhcoalition.org, or www.sikhs.org.
Applause Program
Dental Excellence Dr. John Sanders, dean of the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine, congratulates Bridget Inman, right, and Dionne Bennett, as recipients of the second quarter Staff Recognition Program. The college honored Inman and Bennett Aug. 7 with a pizza lunch and listened to a speech delivered by Sanders.
The following employees received recognition through the Applause Program for going the extra mile:
Medical Center Shelia Dawson, 6W; Jennifer Weeks, 6W; Cynthia Brown, ART 6E; Denise Carneiro-Pla, Surgery; Lynn Manfred, Pediatrics Adolescent Med; Becca Britton, Pharmacy; Wyteshia Flynn, 10W; Desiree Taylor, 9W; Beverly Richardson, 9W; Ana Virella, Women’s Services; Kimberly Bova, Emergency Department; Susan Alexander, Women & Infant Services; Angela Dempsey, OB/GYN; Priscilla Miller, Business Operations Administration; Erin Barton, Newborn-Special Care Nursery; Mae Peterseim, Storm Eye Institute; Danielle Nowakowski, 8E; Ava Jones, 8E; Kristin Stober, 8E; Michelle Pringle, Revenue Cycle Operations; Diane Graves, Revenue Cycle Operations; Karen Adams, Pre-Op Surgery; Tabitha Jackson, Revenue Cycle Operations; Ev-
elyn Polite, ART OR; Karen Legare, PreOp Surgery; Libby Woodward, Women’s Services; Queen Bowen, Respiratory Therapy; Daniel Altman, Warehouse Surplus Operations; Mary Washington, Cardiology; Margaret Redmond, Storm Eye Institute; Deborah Jones, PAS; Myra Coe, Anesthesia & Perioperative Medicine; Tara Dais, Family Medicine; Sandra Fox, 2JRU; and Karen Moskos, Family Medicine.
University Debra Lynn Baio, Surgery; Peggy Bull, College of Dental Medicine; Shelly Catlett, College of Dental Medicine; Robert Davis, OCIO-Information Services; Megan Fulton, Neurosurgery; Stephanie Mackey, Surgery; Matt McCoy, Medicine; Donna Rychwa, Disbursement Services/ Payroll; Rebecca Strickland, Pulmonary & Critical Care; Cindy Tumbleston, College of Dental Medicine; and Debbie Wood, College of Dental Medicine.
the Catalyst, August 17, 2012 9
Traveling exhibit to feature medical gender inequalities of 19th century MUSC’s Waring Historical Library and Humanities Committee will host the National Library of Medicine/ National Institutes of Health traveling exhibit, “Literature of Prescription: Charlotte Perkins Gilman and ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’” from Aug. 26 to Oct. 6 in the Colbert Education Center & Library Building. In the late 19th century, women were challenging traditional ideas about gender that excluded them from political and intellectual life while medical and scientific experts drew on notions of female weakness to justify inequality. Artist and writer Charlotte Perkins Gilman, who was discouraged from pursuing a career, rejected these ideas in a story titled, “The Yellow WallPaper.” The tale served as an indictment of the medical profession and social conventions restricting women’s professional opportunities. “This exhibit offers us opportunities not only to learn about gender inequalities of the late 19th century, but also to reexamine current notions of health and health care that may contribute to disparities and inequalities for various populations,” said Lisa Kerr, Ph.D., associate professor and MUSC Humanities Committee member. “The humanities make these conversations engaging and accessible; they invite us to see the world we think we know so well in a new light.” In conjunction with the exhibit, the Waring Historical Library and MUSC Humanities Committee will host an opening reception featuring the exhibit, “The Yellow Wallpaper,” a meeting of the MUSC Humanities Committee Book Club; a panel discussion
FOR INFO: Call 792-2288 or visit http:// academicdepartments.musc.edu/humanities or http://waring.library.musc.edu. about postpartum depression from both clinical, literary, and personal perspectives; and a closing reception featuring a lecture by a noted Gilman scholar, Jane Thrailkill, Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, associate professor in English and Comparative Literature. q Aug. 26 – Oct. 6: Exhibit on display; q Aug. 26: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Opening reception; q Sept. 12: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. MUSC Humanities Book Club meeting; q Sept. 27: Noon. Postpartum Panel Discussion“Postpartum Depression in ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’ and Today: Three Perspectives;” q Oct. 4: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Closing lecture and reception at the Basic Science Building auditorium. The reception will follow in the Colbert Education Center & Library lobby. The events are a partnership of the MUSC’s Waring Historical Library, Women Scholars Initiative, and Humanities Committee and the College of Charleston’s Women and Gender Studies Program. Additional funding is provided by The Humanities Council S.C. For detailed information about these events, call 7922288 or visit http://academicdepartments.musc.edu/ humanities or http://waring.library.musc.edu.
Wired Continued from Page Three Patrick J. Cawley, M.D., chief medical officer and executive medical director, MUSC medical center, praised the many improvements made to health information technology and support systems throughout the hospital. “Over the last several years, we have been aggressively rolling out new technology in order to enhance the care we provide. This has been hard work and this recognition is proof of the dedication of our hospital and medical staff.” Of the most wired hospitals and health care systems, many cite the benefits of health information technology to improve and manage patient data, improve patient outcomes and optimize communications. Frank C. Clark, Ph.D., director, Office of the Chief Information Officer, was quick to recognize the clinical staff and their patience, commitment and skills in working with changing technology and systems. “This recognition is less about wired and wireless networks/technology and more about how MUSC
Health caregivers use advanced-point-of-care clinical systems to provide outstanding care that is safe, efficient, and of the highest quality. We can be proud of our caregivers as they use technology every day to change what is possible at MUSC Health.” Other findings from the study on most wired hospitals: q 93 percent employ intrusion detection systems to protect patient privacy and security of patient data, in comparison to 77 percent of the total respondents; q 74 percent of most wired hospitals and 57 percent of all surveyed hospitals use automated patient flow systems; q 90 percent of most wired hospitals and 73 percent of all surveyed use performance improvement scorecards to help reduce inefficiencies; q 100 percent check drug interactions and drug allergies when medications are ordered as a major step in reducing medication errors.
Currents
Continued from Page Three
in the year with our financial status, then we will revisit a pay-for-performance proposal. A cost reduction work group has been investigating methods to reduce labor costs. Among other things, all directors have been given the task of reducing labor costs to the 25th percentile for their respective University Healthsystem Consortium (UHC) (Action O-I) peer group benchmark by October. A variety of other cost reduction ideas are currently being explored. Also, a revenue enhancement work group has been investigating opportunities to increase revenue. In conjunction with this work, a number of new physicians will be coming on board in the months ahead and this is expected to improve patient volume, including surgery. The opening of 10 East and a new ICU will also help with our growth. On a more long-term basis, plans are being made to renovate the seventh floor in Ashley River Tower to add 40 new beds. Like other hospitals and health systems, we have experienced financial challenges in recent months. To meet demands facing the health care industry, we will need to improve operational efficiency while continuing to focus on quality. Everyone’s support will be needed.
10 the Catalyst, August 17, 2012
eMployee Wellness In support and recognition of National Farmers Market Week established by the USDA, Gov. Nikki Haley has proclaimed August as Farmers Market Month in South Carolina. The extension of the national observance Susan Johnson allows communities to showcase their local markets. According to Hugh Weathers, South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture, there is nothing fresher than the produce grown in South Carolina. “Shopping at one of our many farmers markets makes it easy to have South Carolina’s very best, while supporting your local farmers.” United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said farmers markets offer consumers healthful products sold from the farm in their freshest possible state. Since 2000, the number of recorded farmers markets has grown approximately 170 percent, from 2,863 markets in 2000 to more than 7,800 in 2012. As consumers seek more meaningful relationships with local farms and with their neighbors, farmers markets are improving community health, and bringing diverse groups of people together through a shared social space. An abundance of nutritionally-dense, low-calorie fresh fruits and vegetables is not the only asset farmers markets bring to communities. Most farmers markets also conduct demonstrations that teach people how to prepare fresh produce at home, and provide them with recipes to take advantage of what’s in season. “Farmers markets create a public space for everyone to build relationships: farmer to farmer; farmer to consumer; and neighbor to neighbor,” said Copper Alvarez, vice president of the Farmers Market Coalition, a national nonprofit dedicated to strengthening farmers markets. “We stand in line with one another, exchange ideas about the food we eat, and we are nourished by the relationships as well as the food. Every
Health at work
time we gather at a farmers market, we become part of a unique experience that celebrates the diversity and wellness of our community.” Farmers markets bolster regional economies, increase access to nutritious foods and help consumers connect with the people behind one of South Carolina’s biggest industries. Right now there are 120 community based farmers markets across the state and three state farmers markets in West Columbia, Florence and Greenville. At MUSC employees, students and visitors can visit farmers markets on Wednesdays in front of Ashley River Tower; Thursdays in the Pearlstine Healing Garden, first floor of the Hollings Cancer Center; and Fridays in the Horseshoe and in the grassy area next to Ashley River Tower, 25 Courtenay Drive, behind Charleston Memorial Hospital. For information on farmers markets at MUSC, in the Charleston community or any of the other farmers markets across South Carolina, visit www.agriculture. sc.gov and click on Farmers Markets Directory under Publications. Employee Wellness events q MUSC’s Pitch the Pack Program: Free smoking cessation program offered to MUSC employees and students. Receive a complimentary success kit with enrollment filled with gifts. Enroll at http://ceii.muschealth.com/SCP/ SCPRegistration.aspx. q Zumba at Harborview Office Tower: Join licensed Zumba instructor Felecia Curry for a weekly Wednesday night Zumba class held from 5 – 6 p.m. Zumba is a dance-based aerobic exercise class and Curry tailors the workout to accommodate any fitness level. Space is limited. Email curryf@musc.edu or call 822-6136 for information or to register. q MUSC Urban Farm: Family Workday from 9 – 11 a.m., Aug. 18. Sessions will focus on Organic Crop Rotation Practices. Bring a plastic bag and take home some fresh produce in return for work efforts on the farm. Email urbanfarm@musc.edu to register.
the Catalyst, August 17, 2012 11
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12 the Catalyst, August 17, 2012