Vol. 31, No. 3
MEDICAL UNIVERSITY of SOUTH CAROLINA
August 31, 2012
Sprinkels adds fun to farming day Diabetes alert dogs offer comfort
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MUSC’s Urban Farm garden educator Jane Anne Madden, right, helps children enjoy gardening.
Want more info aboUt sPrinkels and Pals? Diabetes alert dogs are so highly trained that they can detect when their companion is beginning a blood sugar high or low 40 minutes before the companion begins to exhibit symptoms. The dogs have a 99 percent detection rate but cost $19,000 because of the extensive training required.
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To learn more about their organization or the agency that trains diabetic alert dogs, visit www.adogforkate.com and www. warrenretrievers.com. For information on MUSC’s Pediatric Endocrinology, visit http:// clinicaldepartments.musc.edu/pediatrics/ divisions/endocrinology/index.htm.
PGa WelComes volUnteers Employees and the Institute of Psychiatry were a big part of a major golf tournament.
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here’s nothing quite like a bright sunny day to get your hands dirty at MUSC’s Urban Farm. That’s what patients of the Pediatric Endocrinology Outpatient Clinic found Aug. 25 when they attended an hour-long, hands-on learning activity led by groundskeeper Jane Anne Madden. The event was part of a series of support group meet ups for children living with diabetes and their families. A very special participant was Sprinkels, a diabetes alert dog, who accompanied her owner, 7-year-old Kate Hanchon. Sprinkels, whose uniquely-spelled name was selected by her young owner, is trained to alert Kate’s parents when she is experiencing low or high blood sugar. Sprinkels can alert caregivers before they begin to notice some of the symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). Diabetes alert dogs are so highly trained that they can detect when their companion is beginning a blood sugar high or low 40 minutes before the companion begins to exhibit symptoms. The dogs have a 99 percent detection rate and cost $19,000. The high cost is due to the training the dog receives and continues to receive after it is matched with a family. Katherine Nashatker, a pediatric
Seven-year-old Kate Hanchon with Sprinkels endocrine dietitian and outpatient nutrition manager in the Pediatric Endocrinology clinic, said the morning was a success in many ways. Children planted lima beans, scouted through vegetation to point out their favorite vegetables and took home seedlings that they planted in individual seed pots during the visit. As the children were seen playing and enjoying hands-on work in the urban farm, their parents got a chance to network and share ideas about caring for their children who
See Sprinkels on page 10
University ConvoCation
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$5.8M Federal Grant
Faculty received recognition for achievements in academics, research and clinical care.
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Meet Kristina
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Scientific Retreat
READ THE CATALYST ONLINE - http://www.musc.edu/catalyst
2 The CaTalysT, August 31, 2012
meetinG CommUnity’s dental Care needs
Researcher decries remarks, but welcomes dialogue By Renee DuDley The Post and Courier
Top photo: Dental Medicine students Ross Gabriel, right, and Jon Peterson provide restorative care as part of the S.C. Dental Association's Dental Access Days and S.C. Mission held Aug. 1718 in Columbia. Senior and junior dental students and eight faculty participated in this event that provided free services to more than 2,700 people. Right photo: Students Max Frawley and Alison Llewelyn were part of many dental teams that treated 1,600 patients. It’s estimated that as much as $700,000 worth of fillings, teeth cleanings, root canals, extractions and partial dentures were performed during the annual event. According to Dr. J. Mark Barry, associate dean for clinical affairs, College of Dental Medicine, MUSC’s involvement with Dental Access Day is paramount in the education of dental students. The event is an opportunity for students to provide dental services to South Carolinians while giving back to the community.
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
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.
The Charleston researcher whose 1996 study on rape-related pregnancies has gotten new attention this week criticized U.S. Rep. Todd Akin’s controversial comments on the topic, but said they have prompted an important national discussion. Akin, a Missouri Republican running for U.S. Senate, said in a television interview that women’s bodies have ways of preventing pregnancies in cases of what he called “legitimate rape.” Dean Kilpatrick, Ph.D., a professor and director of the National Crime Victims Center at MUSC, wrote the study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology that concluded that about 5 percent of rape victims become pregnant. That’s about the same frequency as consensual sex, medical literature and experts suggest. Kilpatrick’s study, which followed more than 3,000 women during a three-year period, concluded that more than 32,000 American women annually become pregnant following rape. On Aug. 24, he said that number is probably closer to 50,000 today. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cites the study on its website. “Akin’s comments prompted an outrage,” said Kilpatrick, who has been involved with research on rape for nearly four decades and is one of the founders of the state’s first rape crisis center. “People became curious about whether there’s any factual basis for what he said. As a result, a lot of good information is being discussed openly.” Echoing the research and medical opinions that have surfaced during the past week, Kilpatrick said, “The short answer is that physiologically there is no basis for Akin’s comment.” Akin has apologized for his remark, saying he misspoke. The congressman has rebuffed demands from top Republicans that he withdraw from his Senate race. Wesley Donehue, a S.C. political operative who was hired as a consultant for Akin, said the candidate should “get
Dean Kilpatrick’s study concluded that more than 32,000 American women annually become pregnant following rape. another chance.” “Everyone messes up once in a while,” Donehue said. “He has asked for forgiveness, now it’s time to move on.” Donehue noted that Akin’s campaign has raised $200,000 from 3,000 individual donors during the past week. Other South Carolinians were less forgiving. Pamela Jacobs, executive director of the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, in Columbia, said she was “shocked that someone would even say something like that out loud.” Like Kilpatrick, however, she said she was “very happy to see that it prompted a reaction and started a good dialogue.” Melonea Locklair Marek, executive director of Charleston’s People Against Rape organization, took issue with Akin’s use of the word “legitimate.” “I had to read it three or four times, asking myself, ‘Did he really say that?’” Locklair Marek said. “I read that as, ‘These women lie about it.’ It turns into victim-blaming.” Editor’s note: The article ran in the Aug. 25 issue of The Post & Courier and is reprinted with permission.
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EmployEE WEllnEss L
abor Day weekend marks the end of summer and time for a cookout, weekend at the beach or outing on the water. A few precautions will help keep it a safe holiday weekend for friends and family.
Sun Safety — Long periods of time in the outdoors lead to risk of burns and heatrelated illnesses. To minimize risk, follow these simple tips: q Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 15 to protect against harmful UVA and reapply often. q Wear sunglasses that absorb at least 90 percent of ultraviolet sunlight to protect the eyes from the sun's rays and glare coming off the water. q Drink plenty of fluids, fruit juice or sports beverages to replace salts and minerals lost during heavy sweating. Food Safety — Follow these easy tips to keep everyone safe from food-borne illness. q Wash hands and surfaces to avoid cross-contaminating raw meat with other foods. q Keep coolers at 40 F that contain perishable items such as meat. Keep drinks in a separate cooler, since it will be opened more often. q Take-out foods like fried chicken or barbecue should be eaten within two hours of purchase or thoroughly chilled before adding to the cooler and transporting. q To be sure bacteria are destroyed, cook hamburgers and ribs to 160 F or until the center is no longer pink and the juices are clear. Cook ground poultry to 165 F and poultry parts to 180 F. Boat and Beach Safety — Remember these important tips when enjoying the beach and boating activities this weekend: q If caught in a rip current, stay calm, don’t fight the current. Escape by swimming in a direction following the shoreline. When free of the current, swim at an angle away from the current
toward shore. q Lightning can strike up to five miles away from the main storm cloud. If thunder is heard, leave the beach or return to shore if out on a boat. q Use U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets regardless of the distance to be traveled, the size of the boat or the swimming ability of boaters; life jackets can reduce risk for weaker swimmers too. q Supervise children, swim with a buddy and avoid drinking alcohol before or during swimming, boating or participating in water sports. Employee Wellness events q Lunchtime Losers: The next class will be held from noon – 1 p.m., Sept. 6 at the Institute of Psychiatry. This is a 10-week lifestyle change weight loss class intended to teach behavior changes that will promote healthy eating, healthy exercise and weight loss. Email browjosh@musc.edu to enroll. q MUSC’s Pitch the Pack Program: Free smoking cessation program offered to MUSC employees and students. Classes, counseling and a one-month supply of medications are available to eligible participants. Receive a complementary success kit at 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. in Room 910, Harborview Office Tower. Zumba is a dance-based aerobic exercise class. Email curryf@musc.edu or call 8226136 for more information or to register. q Farmers market: Fresh fruits and vegetables are available from local farmers from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. every Friday in the Horseshoe and in the area next to Ashley River Tower. Contact Susan Johnson, Ph.D., at johnsusa@musc.edu for information on the Office of Health Promotion and Suzan Benenson Whelan at whela@ musc.edu for information about Employee Wellness.
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MUSC awarded $5.8M grant to benefit minorities By CinDy aBole Public Relations
Multidisciplinary Clinical Research Center Division of Rheumatology and Immunology: Gary S. Gilkeson, M.D. (principal investigator); Diane Kamen, M.D.; Rick Silver, M.D., Edwin Smith, M.D.; Galina Bogatkevich, M.D., Ph.D., and Jim Oates, M.D., and Division of Biostatistics & Epidemiology, Paul J. Nietert, Ph.D. Acknowledgements to Peggy Schachte and Anne Donaldson
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recent $5.8 million federal grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) opens the door for multidisciplinary clinical research in arthritis, musculoskeletal disorders and skin diseases. It also reestablishes a Multidisciplinary Clinical Research Center (MCRC) to study these diseases especially in minority populations. The grant provides more than $1.8 million of indirect costs for the next five years as awarded by NIH/ National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). Rick Silver, M.D., said to launch a grant of this size and win approval required the institutional commitment from MUSC leadership. Support came from the Department of Medicine, College of Medicine (COM), the South Carolina Clinical and Translational Research Institute and the Provost's Office. They also are committed to provide additional funding of $200,000 per year to support young investigators in developing translational pilot projects in these same areas. “This was a remarkable, collaborative effort among many people,” Silver said, describing the complexity of submitting the grant. “Each project within this grant had to shine and be outstanding. If one project was less than that, it would sink the entire grant proposal. Strong institutional support was a key factor in our success.” The award reconnects MUSC to an exclusive network of academic research institutions designated as MCRCs. The MCRC was established to promote interdisciplinary integration between faculty, strengthen the framework among African-American patients in the areas of rheumatology, biostatistics and health disparities research and support new projects. The initial request for funding for pilot projects will be issued in September. Historically, MUSC has been a recipient of previous NIH/NIAMS funding dating back to the 1970s. In the 1980s, the Division of Rheumatology and Immunology was awarded a similar grant called a Multipurpose Arthritis Center award to conduct rheumatic disease research. MCRCs were established in the early 2000s and the university received a grant from 2003 to 2008. Funding for new or renewed centers was temporarily suspended in 2008. It wasn’t until 2011 that NIAMS reinstituted the program for these types of centers. Today, there are only six MCRCs funded nationally, and MUSC is the only new one to be funded. COM Dean Etta D. Pisano, M.D., praised faculty for their work and collaborative spirit in this achievement. “This is an important award for MUSC, and the faculty involved are to be commended for their efforts in putting together such a strong proposal. Our rich patient population and well established track record of
Dr. Gary Gilkeson, right, principal investigator of the Multidisciplinary Clinical Research Center, joins Dr. Darrius Maggi, founder of the West Africa Fistula Foundation, during a visit to a hospital in Bo, Sierra Leone. clinical investigation have placed MUSC in an excellent position for further development of a strong portfolio for both clinical and translational research in rheumatic diseases. The pilot funding for young investigators is a critical piece of this endeavor.” The new center is organized under three cores — methodology, patient resource and administrative; and two translational clinical research projects focusing on scleroderma and lupus. The latest research indicates that both diseases have profound public health effects on minorities, especially among African-American communities. For Project 1, the investigation team, led by Silver and Galina Bogatkevich, M.D., Ph.D., Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, will evaluate the genetic changes in African-American scleroderma patients to determine why their condition often leads to pulmonary fibrosis, a permanent condition when lung tissue continues to be damaged or scarred resulting in progressive shortness of breath, and fibrotic lung disease. Complications impact African-Americans at a younger age versus their Caucasian counterparts. According to Silver, scleroderma and lupus share common ground as both are autoimmune, connective tissue diseases. “Both projects are expected to expand and explore current research in these areas. The scleroderma project will be the first of its kind to study and explore its severity and rapid progression to lung disease among this minority population,” he said. Project 2 addresses lupus and its increasing prevalence in African-American women. Co-principal investigators Gary S. Gilkeson, M.D., and Diane
L. Kamen, M.D., Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, will continue their research of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus within African-American patients. Specifically, their team will study and identify genetic and environmental links and differences between the Sea Island Gullah population of South Carolina and their ancestral links with people from Sierra Leone, West Africa. The MCRC’s facilities support several objectives such as fostering biomedical research and development at both the fundamental and clinical levels; initiating and expanding community education, screening, and counseling programs; and educating medical and allied health professionals concerning the problems of diagnosis and treatment of a specific disease. Both clinical research projects and future pilot projects will have the chance to work with a methodology core led by Paul J. Nietert, Ph.D., professor, Department of Biostatics in the Division of Biostatistics & Epidemiology. In 2003, Nietert and others on his team, including biostatistician Stephanie Shaftman, who helped support the institution’s previous MCRC-funded grant within the Division of Rheumatology and Immunology. Nietert, now the methodology core’s principal investigator, has assembled a team of biostatistics investigators that will provide methodological and biostatistical support for MCRC investigators by helping them develop study designs, review research protocols and other activities that can support large trials and small pilot projects. Beth Wolf, Ph.D., and Viswanathan Ramakrishnan, Ph.D., will be investigating new strategies for studying gene-environnment interactions. Paula Ramos, Ph.D., an expert in molecular genetics and bioinformatics, also is an investigator in the methodology core. The team also is skilled with data management and can help foster collaborations that ensure that optimal clinical research methodologies are being utilized. Nietert is excited to work again with rheumatology investigators and other campus experts. “I get to continue my work with people that I have worked with for many years. It’s a win-win situation where everyone benefits. We’re helping researchers on their studies through our biostatistical expertise while we continue to work on our own projects. It’s truly a collaborative effort.”
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mEEt Kristina
Kristina Snipes
College First-year, College of Dental Medicine How are you changing what’s possible at MUSC I started in June, so I have a long way to go before I can help others in the way I wish. I am looking forward to acquiring skills at MUSC that will help me change the quality of people’s lives in a tremendous way. Nickname in high school Special K Favorite tailgating snack Chick-fil-A nuggets Favorite Charleston restaurant Poe’s Tavern Favorite quote My husband has a framed quote from Calvin Coolidge in our house. The first line says,”Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.” I believe that wholeheartedly. Dream vacation I want to do something active like ziplining and follow that with relaxing on the beach. Mantra for the school year Study, eat, sleep, study, eat, sleep ...
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Psychiatry scores with PGA Championship event By Bilan Williams Special to The Catalyst MUSC volunteers took advantage of the 94th PGA Championship, held at the Ocean Course on the Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Aug. 6 – 12. The event marked the last major golf championship of the year and the first major championship in South Carolina history. The event gave volunteers a chance to be part of a major golf championship boasting the top 108 ranked players in the world, an event with significant economic impact locally. MUSC’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences/Institute of Psychiatry (IOP) had several volunteers braved seven days of hot temperatures with occasional rainy weather, long hours and challenging traffic to help maintain the Fit & Healthy tent, which provided healthy options for tournament guests. “There are so many stigmas surrounding psychiatry and mental illness. We try our best to be a part of any opportunity to spread the word about the importance of good mental health,” said Jennifer Green, director of Institutional and Community Partnerships in the IOP. According to Green, the department is expected to receive about $5,500 for their participation. She called it a monumental event. “We got to be involved in the PGA Championship, and that is a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity.” Green, the team leader, was on Kiawah Island every morning for the 5:30 shifts and was often there when the tent closed in the evenings. “Waking up at 4 a.m. was tough. It’s almost like a different world at that time of the morning. My Labrador didn’t understand why I was waking him up so early to go outside.” John Messinger, a volunteer who heard about the opportunity from a friend who works at MUSC, said he enjoyed every aspect of it. “From the first morning on the shuttle bus with all the other volunteers pulling onto the grounds and seeing the back nine holes of the course in the distance was kind of a rush. Everyone was so friendly and just happy to be there.” The practice rounds, held from Monday through Wednesday, generated moderate crowds and allowed the volunteers to become familiar with the tent. However, when Thursday came, the crowds grew. Frampton Gwynette, M.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry, was the only physician to volunteer. “The Fit & Healthy tent had a lot of good options for customers. The veggie burgers we served were outstanding. Most customers were looking for ice cold beverages after coming off the course, and we sold a lot of drinks.” Traffic posed challenges, as did other problems, such as cash registers dying from getting wet from rain and refrigerators that didn’t work properly, but in spite of
Staff from the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences volunteered at the Fit & Healthy tent during the PGA Championship. A portion of the proceeds from food and beverages sales were donated to the department.
“There are so many stigmas surrounding psychiatry and mental health. We try our best to be a part of any opportunity to spread the word about the importance of good mental health.” Jennifer Green setbacks, the volunteers worked well together to resolve any problems. Messinger said volunteers got to know each other quickly. “As a group of mostly strangers working together, I don’t think you could ask for a better working group. We had difficulties that would arise pretty often, but the volunteers were very upbeat and positive. Jennifer did a wonderful job of mediating and problem solving to keep us moving forward.” Tabitha Ottiwell, a systems analyst in the Office of the Chief Information Officer, agreed that the team
worked well together. “Once we all got in the groove, it was a well-oiled machine.” Green said the volunteers were awesome. “We definitely overcame challenges that we didn’t expect, but some things were just beyond our control. Everyone was understanding and patient. I am very appreciative to have had them out there supporting the cause. Without them, we couldn’t have done this.” Volunteers seem to agree that the most enjoyable part of the opportunity was being able to walk around the course like other fans before or after their shifts. Several stuck around to see or follow professional golfers such as Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Bubba Watson, Ernie Els and Adam Scott. Messinger said he took advantage of the opportunity. “My shifts went by quickly. I tried to stay busy, and by 1 p.m., I was done and heading to the course. I would meet up with friends.” He even got to speak briefly with Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, who went on to win the championship by a record-setting eight strokes. “Watching the practice round on Wednesday when the players were still relaxed and would sign autographs for kids or talk to spectators on the tee box was memorable. I also got to follow Tiger on the back nine on Friday. To be in that atmosphere, everyone cheering
See Volunteers on page 7
The Catalyst, August 31, 2012 7
Volunteers were allowed to walk around the golf course before or after their shift ended. Several volunteers followed professional golfers such as Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson.
VolunTeeRs Continued from Page Six as he walked to the 18th green was awesome. I’m not even a fan of Tiger, but it was really cool.” Green said the responsibilities were greater than anticipated. “It was definitely a challenge. Suddenly I became a food and beverage manager for the week. This experience has definitely given me some insight into how I might run other events in the future.” Messinger found the experience rewarding. “Don’t get me wrong, there were moments that I had to deal with
situations I didn’t want to, but that’s why they need volunteers. Having good people around made it much easier and actually kind of fun.” He also learned an important fact about the Institute of Psychiatry. “I learned that when someone from MUSC says IOP, they’re not talking about the Isle of Palms.” Gwynette said that the opportunity was well worth it.“Volunteering always feels good and reminds us that getting paid is not what it’s all about. If our efforts can help MUSC support people in need, we are there.”
Abstracts are needed for scientific retreat The South Carolina Clinical and Translational Research Institute and Boeing Center for Children’s Wellness are co-sponsoring a free scientific retreat focused on obesity from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Oct. 19, at the MUSC Bioengineering Building auditorium. Abstracts for the retreat are due Sept. 10. To submit an abstract or to register, visit https://redcap.musc.edu/ surveys/?s=XWufAY. Purpose q To stimulate new collaborative research projects on obesity among disciplines, at any stage of research from bench to bedside and dissemination of best practices to the community.
q In addition to a small number of invited talks, the program will feature presentations by S.C. investigators and others active in research, clinical and community efforts in obesity. Request for presentations q Talks should address obesity-related problems, solutions and potential collaboration opportunities that will result in discovery research, programs and policy delivery. q Discussion of specific research questions are encouraged Reports of recently completed research projects, whether or not they have been presented elsewhere or published, are welcomed.
Honorary degree nominations accepted for contributions 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. 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.
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Convocation recognizes faculty for high achievements M USC’s annual faculty convocation kicked off a new academic year Aug. 21 by honoring 15 faculty members representing the university’s threefold mission. College of Graduate Studies Dean Perry Halushka, M.D., Ph.D., delivered the keynote address on the event’s theme, “From Discovery to Improved Therapeutics: The Role of Entrepreneuralism.” Following his address, the university recognized faculty for achievements in academics, research and clinical care. Faculty members Rick Silver, M.D., Robert Stuart, M.D., and Caroline Jenkins, DrPH, were cited for their distinguished service to MUSC.
Distinguished Faculty Service Carolyn Jenkins, DrPH Holder of the Ann Darlington Edwards Endowed Chair and Professor of Nursing, Jenkins has devoted her career to improving the health of communities throughout South Carolina related to diabetes and its complications, especially in underserved AfricanAmerican communities. Her work has taken her to communities around South Carolina and the Lowcountry, and as far away as Africa, where she helped reduce the incidence of diabetes and established clean water systems. She has been a leader in creating effective partnerships between academia and communities, creating jobs for community health workers in addition to improving health. She is certified by the American Association of Diabetes Educators and is a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing, a member of Sigma Theta Tau, and a leader in the state-legislated Diabetes Initiative of South Carolina. Richard Silver, M.D. A Distinguished University Professor in the fields of Rheumatology, General Pediatrics and Graduate Studies, Silver has been recognized as an excellent clinician-administrator, as demonstrated by U.S. News & World Report’s continuous ranking of the Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, which he has led since 1995, as one of the best in the nation. For more than 25 years, he was the sole pediatric rheumatologist in South Carolina. In addition to his clinical and administrative obligations, he is a highly respected researcher, having brought in nearly $12 million in grants and producing more than 150 publications. Silver also was the first clinician to treat scleroderma lung patients with Cytoxan, now considered the standard therapy for this disease. As further demonstration of his service to MUSC, he has served as interim director of the Department of Medicine since March 2011. Robert Stuart, M.D. Much of the clinical, research and educational activity of the Hollings Cancer Center had its genesis from
Members of the MUSC faculty are recognized during the Aug. 21 convocation. Stuart, MUSC’s founding director of its Hematology/ Oncology Division. He played a major role in the facility’s design and wrote the proposal for the initial funding. A professor of Medicine and Graduate Studies, Stuart performed South Carolina’s first bone marrow transplant in 1987, a tremendous undertaking as it also meant assembling a highly trained clinical team maintaining strict protocols for these extremely vulnerable patients. As MUSC’s only oncologist, he personally had to follow these patients around the clock. In 1997, he headed the oncology department at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He returned to MUSC in 2001. Developing Scholar Joe Blumer, Ph.D. An assistant professor with faculty appointments in the colleges of Dental Medicine, Graduate Studies and Medicine, Blumer is widely hailed as a “rising star” in biomedical research, specifically in the signal transduction field. His research has long focused on accessory proteins that provide alternative modes of input and regulation in signal transduction pathways. These include receptor-independent activators of G-protein signaling (AGS) proteins, many of which play surprising roles in signal transmission. He earned his doctorate in microbiology and molecular genetics from Emory University School of Medicine. He completed a research fellowship at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans under current MUSC Associate Provost for Research Stephen Lanier, Ph.D., a member of the LSU faculty at the time. Following the massive destruction wrought by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Blumer played a key role in the recovery of programs at the LSU Health Sciences Center.
Leah Siskind, Ph.D. An assistant professor with the South Carolina College of Pharmacy and MUSC’s Department of Medicine, Siskind’s main research interests center on ceramide, a sphingolipid that is known to be involved in the initiation of kidney cell death. The goal of Siskind’s research is to develop novel therapeutic approaches to both increase the effectiveness of medications used to treat the elderly and prevent the loss of cell mass during kidney disease or injury. Even though her career is in its early stages, Siskind has been remarkably productive, with eight prominent first-author publications, four of them in the prestigious Journal of Biological Chemistry. Her proficiency also has resulted in several awards and honors, including being invited to serve as an Academic Board member on the journal PLoS One and an invited speaker at a 2010 Gordon Research Conference, 2009 Charleston Conference on Mitochondrial Physiology and Pathobiology, attendance at the 2007 Barshop Aging Course, and recipient of the 2007 Abney Foundation Scholarship. Ida Spruill, Ph.D., R.N. Spruill, an assistant professor in the colleges of Nursing and Graduate Studies, has devoted a major portion of her professional life to studying the health and well being of African-Americans along South Carolina’s coast. She served as co-investigator and nurse manager of the acclaimed Project SuGAR, a decadelong MUSC community-based research study focusing on Gullah families affected by Type 2 diabetes. “She is considered a pioneer in advocating for the health of (the) medically under-served,” said Dr. Linda Bolton, vice president for nursing at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Spruill’s most recent honors include the 2011 Trailblazer Award from the National
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FaCulTy Continued from Page Eight Black Nurses Association, College of Nursing 2011 Outstanding Alumnus Award and a Fellow in the Academy of Nursing. Outstanding Clinician Andrew Atz, M.D. Long recognized for its children’s patient care services, MUSC continued to build on this strength with the arrival of Atz in 1998 from Children’s Hospital in Boston. As director of MUSC’s Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Atz has led the PCICU to a Top 20 national ranking, coming in 17th in the latest U.S. News & World Report survey. Within the first five years after his arrival, Atz and his team reduced surgical mortality by 50 percent. In 2003, Atz took on more obligations, becoming the associate chief of pediatric cardiology, supervising all aspects of the program, leading clinical conferences and communicating with referring physicians within the region. These and other functions have contributed to the program’s outstanding surgical survival rate of 99 percent, placing it among the leading institutions nationwide. Joshua Smith, Ph.D. Prior to Smith’s assuming the position of clinical director, the Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs had a reputation as an excellent operation that took months to get into, a major problem for patients with addiction issues. Smith minimized that obstacle by establishing a walk-in clinic five days a week and also set up evening hours, making the program much more accessible. Smith also is credited with the development of inpatient programs under the Centralized Inpatient Programming Service, bringing together teams of professionals from many disciplines to
help patients learn how to cope with their respective problems. “He is an exceptional blend of both clinician and administrator,” said colleague Steven LaRowe, Ph.D., “and is one of the very best in our department.” Dannah Wray, M.D. An associate professor of internal medicine and pediatrics, Wray has been a leading authority in MUSC’s Division of Infectious Diseases and is clinical director of the Infectious Disease Clinic. Until three years ago, Wray was the only member of the infectious disease faculty with a major focus on infections in organ transplant patients. As such, he made major contributions to MUSC’s organ transplant operation and helped that program to flourish. He did all this while maintaining a heavy adult and pediatric patient load, working nights and weekends with little or no backup. Today, more clinicians with expertise in transplants and infectious diseases have joined the faculty, allowing Wray to diversify and expand services in the organ transplant area. Transplant patients, however, make up only a portion of the caseload for Wray, who has been named one of the Best Doctors in America for more than seven years; children and HIV patients – South Carolina ranks ninth nationally in AIDS cases – make up the rest. Teaching Excellence Profiles of the four honorees, Kelly Ragucci, PharmD, Educator-Lecturer; Tom Smith, Ph.D., Educator-Mentor: Academic/Scholarship; Patricia CokerBolt, Ph.D., Educator-Mentor: ClinicalProfessional; and Gretchen Seif, DPT, Developing Teacher, were published in the May 18 issue of The Catalyst and can be read at http://www.musc.edu/ catalyst/archive/2012/co5-18foundation. html.
Research Ethics Fellowship taking applications The Institute of Human Values in Health Care is sponsoring its second fellowship class in the Clinical Research Ethics Certificate program. The one-year fellowship, which is part of the Clinical Research Ethics Core of the South Carolina Clinical and Translational Research Institute, features a revised introductory-level curriculum designed to provide medical and health
professions students and professionals with a variety of online study and experiences in clinical research ethics. The program combines the master’s in science for clinical research ethics course (MSC 750) and IP Course 738. Fellows who complete the program will earn a certificate in Clinical Research Ethics Visit http://academicdepartments.musc. edu/humanvalues/certificate2.htm.
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Recipients of research mentor awards announced By CinDy aBole Public Relations At MUSC’s Aug. 20 Faculty Convocation, the research community recognized the efforts of Judy R. Dubno, Ph.D., and Jeanette Andrews, Ph.D., R.N., as recipients of the inaugural Peggy Schachte Research Mentor Award. Dubno and Andrews were selected among other faculty nominees for their excellence in mentoring and guiding junior faculty in obtaining research support from public and private support and government agencies. Each finalist received a $1,000. Dubno, professor of medicine in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, is an audiology researcher. She has mentored about 50 students and junior faculty including 27 individuals since 2009. Andrews joined the College of Nursing as associate dean for research in 2008 and has served as director of the South Carolina Clinical and Translational Research Institute Center
for Community Health Partnerships. Since that time, the college went from no research ranking in 2007 among National Institutes of Health institutions to the top 30 last year – only the College of Medicine had a higher level of research funding in 2011. During her tenure, Andrews established an infrastructure to promote research development and mentorship within the college. She organized individual and group meetings with junior faculty, monthly “Research for Lunch” mock grant reviews and bi-weekly think-tank sessions. Andrews recently accepted the position of dean of the University of South Carolina’s College of Nursing. Associate Provost for Research Stephen M. Lanier, Ph.D., who helped establish the award, organized an awards committee headed by Donald R. Menick, Ph.D., professor of Medicine and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, to review nominations, and support letters. “Judy and Jeannette are outstanding mentors who have given graciously to nurture the success of developing
spRinkels Continued from Page One have Type 1 diabetes. Social worker Jessica Credeur joined Nashatker for the educational session, with the two fielding questions and reinforcing learning concepts taught in the clinic, such as carbohydrate counting. “Often times the social groups are an outlet for parents to network, to discuss the frustrations of high and low blood sugars, to learn about other children’s insulin pumps, and to feel that they are not alone in the ongoing process that is managing a child with diabetes,” said Credeur. “Many parents communicate with one another in between social groups, forming their own play dates or support networks outside of the clinic.” Credeur said they want to give parents as much support as they can. Diabetes is a chronic condition that requires daily medical and nutrition management. For many parents, the concept of giving their child multiple daily insulin injections is overwhelming, especially in young elementary school age children, she said.
The event also gave parents a chance to see Sprinkels in action. Since Kate’s diagnosis two years ago, her parents have been fearful of allowing her to sleep alone, with the concern that her blood sugar will drop too low in the middle of the night. For the first time in years, Kate slept alone in her bedroom with Sprinkels by her side, and her parents had newfound confidence and comfort in her new companion’s ability to help keep her healthy and safe. Most families who desire alert dogs participate in fundraising and community awareness events to raise sufficient funds for a dog for their child. After Kate’s family raised sufficient funds for their own dog, they began fundraising for a second dog for another patient. They formed a non-profit agency (A Dog for Kate) to continue efforts to raise money for alert dogs for local patients. They have seen the difference in their own lives since obtaining Sprinkels and want to pay it forward to the community, said Credeur.
Peggy Schachte, center, congratulates Drs. Judy Dubno, left, and Jeanette Andrews. Dubno and Andrews were recipients of the research mentor award, which is named in honor of Schachte, former director of the Office of Research Development and associate professor in the Department of Library Science and Informatics. investigators at MUSC. Contributions as mentors deserve special recognition, and I’m glad that the College of Medicine
established this award in honor of Peggy and the contributions she made to MUSC,” said Lanier.
The CaTalysT, August 31, 2012 11
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12 The CaTalysT, August 31, 2012