Digital Edition of What's New - 10/30/2015

Volume 4

WHAT’Snew

Number 22

October 30, 2015

Pennsylvania Hospital

PAH NEUROSURGEON PERFORMS

1,000

TH

DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION

Earlier this year, Roger Federer won his 1,000th professional tennis match, and legendary Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski recorded his 1,000th win after 25 years at the helm of the perennial basketball powerhouse.

Penn Medicine’s Gordon Baltuch, MD, PhD, performed his 1,000th deep brain stimulation surgery (DBS), an equally amazing feat in the practice of Neurosurgery.

The intricate surgery has helped more than 100,000 Parkinson’s disease patients worldwide reduce tremors and involuntary movements, the hallmarks of the disease, when medications fail. Baltuch is a pioneer and world leader in the treatment, having led a surgical team at Pennsylvania Hospital for all 1,000 cases.

DBS is performed by placing two insulated wires into the subthalamic nuclei, two Rice Krispy-sized structures deep in the brain, rendering these parts of the brain inactive without surgically destroying them. The wires connect to a stimulator which sits below the collar bone. “We use electricity to modulate the brain’s circuitry in order to dial back the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease,” Baltuch said.

Image courtesy of Medtronic

` The image shows the DBS electrodes connected to the brain structures responsible for Parkinson’s tremors. Regulated by a stimulator, the electrodes serve to mitigate the effects of Parkinson’s.

INSIDE Keeping Hope Alive ............................. 2 Breaking Down Barriers to Breast Cancer Care .......................................... 2 Helping Breast Cancer Patients Look Good and Feel Better ................. 2 PAH Partners in Patient Advocacy ................................. 3 Congratulations to the FY16 Q1 PAH CAREs Grant Recipients............. 4

` Gordon Baltuch, MD, PhD

“Parkinson’s disease can rob people of their quality of life, physically, emotionally and socially,” said Baltuch, a professor of Neurosurgery and the director of the Center for Functional and Restorative Neurosurgery. “To be able to give them some of that back is an amazing feeling.”

Once implanted, the stimulator is “turned on” and programmed to achieve optimum results for each patient. “Our movement disorder neurologists program the stimulators and adjust patient’s medications,” Baltuch said. “There is a fine interplay between the two.”

Baltuch has performed approximately 100 cases annually since the procedure received FDA approval and has been involved in pivotal research which contributes to the continued refinement and effectiveness of DBS. For example, in 2012, Baltuch co-authored a multi-center study that included neurologists and neurosurgeons from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Lancet Neurology. The study revealed that DBS for the treatment of Parkinson’s in patients with medication-resistant muscle movement impairment or tremors can improve those symptoms, reduce medications and improve motion and mood. “In the group in this study we also saw a drop in the infection rate to four percent from previously published 10 percent, which shows that, as a field, we are collectively improving the safety of this procedure and working in a collaborative fashion,” Baltuch said.

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KEEPING HOPE ALIVE It’s difficult to miss the fact that October is national Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For 31 days every fall, the nation is awash in pink as this annual event continues to gain momentum with each passing year, increasing awareness and funds raise for breast cancer research.

In keeping with Breast Cancer Awareness Month tradition, the Pennsylvania Hospital Team Hope once again participated in the annual American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk. The event helped staff and patients focus on raising awareness, inspiring hope and encouraging the early detection of breast cancer. There were multiple breast cancer awareness fundraisers during this busy month held cooperatively with assistance from the Women’s Imaging Center at PAH and the Abramson Cancer Center at PAH. Breast cancer survivors volunteered their time to staff tables in the cafeteria to distribute breast cancer information, answer questions and sell pink ribbon infinity scarfs to raise funds for breast cancer support serves at PAH. There are still a limited number of scarves available for $20 each. Contact ACC PAH Coordinator Marylou Osterman at 215.829.6466 or mostermam@pahosp.com.

Helping Breast Cancer Patients

Look Good & Feel Better The Look Good Feel Better program’s mission is to improve the self-esteem and quality of life of people undergoing treatment for cancer. Through complimentary group, individual, and selfhelp beauty sessions that create a sense of support, confidence, courage and community, patients can improve their self-image and appearance.

6ABC’s “FYI Philly” recently aired a Breast Cancer Awareness Month story about a Look Good Feel Better (LGFB) session hosted by the Abramson Cancer Center at PAH. Visit http://6abc.com/video/ and search “FYI Philly gives back” to view the segment. The ACC PAH hosts four LGFB sessions a year. Each is always filled to the max. “It’s good to get out and be sociable,” said ACC PAH breast cancer patient Kelly Ewins. “Just seeing someone going through what you’re going through helps.”

“These sessions help a lot to build your self-esteem,” said ACC PAH patient Ana Marie Yamada. “It felt good just to be there.”

Breaking Down Barriers TO BREAST CANCER CARE

In June 2014, Ari D. Brooks, MD, director of the Integrated Breast Center and Endocrine and Oncologic Surgery at Pennsylvania Hospital, and Carmen Guerra, MD, MSCE, FACP, associate professor of Medicine and associate chief of staff of the Abramson Cancer Center, and president, East Central Division, American Cancer Society, teamed up to launch a grassroots program, the Penn Medicine Breast Health Initiative (PMBHI). “We founded this initiative to help women in need and ultimately save lives,” Brooks said. “Through it we are able to help the underserved and uninsured women of Southeastern PA, by giving them much-needed access to all our health system has to offer — the latest technology in breast screenings and diagnostic, and treatment services.”

The PMBHI is supported by the Susan G. Komen Philadelphia Community Grants Program and by the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Healthy Woman Program.

Since its start, the Initiative has served over 300 uninsured women with free mammograms and breast diagnostic services,” said Andrea Nicholson, MPH, patient navigator and program manager of the PMBHI. “Of the women screened, two were diagnosed with breast cancer and treated at Abramson Cancer Center. Our patients, many of whom may not otherwise be able to access care, are grateful for the services they receive.”

Women coming in through the PMBHI can receive mammograms in Radiology at PAH, the Tuttleman Center/Penn Medicine Rittenhouse, or the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine. Women in need of follow-up care are referred to Dr. Brooks at his Penn Medicine Washington Square office.

For more information or to refer a patient, contact Andrea Nicholson at 215.454.3217 or Andrea.Nicholson@uphs.upenn.edu.

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PLEASE WELCOME… Penn Medicine welcomes Nicole M. Saur, MD, as an assistant professor of Clinical Surgery in the division of Colon and Rectal Surgery at PAH. Saur received her medical degree from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences. She completed an internship and residency at Tufts Medical Center and her fellowship at Cleveland Clinic Florida. Board-certified in General Surgery and board eligible in Colon and Rectal Surgery, Saur is an active member of numerous national societies including the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, the Society of Surgical Oncology and the American Society of Breast Surgeons.

Saur’s research interests include post-operative outcomes in colon and rectal surgery with specific interest in the effect of hyperglycemia and glycemic control on post-operative outcomes in cancer patients. Her clinical interests and areas of specialization include advanced laparoscopic surgical techniques for colon and rectal cancer, advanced endoscopy and local excisions for colon and rectal polyps, benign colon and anorectal disease, complex re-operations, sphincter-preserving procedures for rectal cancer, surgical management of inflammatory bowel disease and pelvic floor disorders. She sees patients at Penn Medicine Washington Square.

Penn Medicine welcomes Ian D. Soriano, MD, FACS, as an assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery in the division of Gastrointestinal Surgery at PAH. Soriano is board certified in General Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He specializes in gastrointestinal and bariatric surgery using minimally invasive techniques including robotic surgery.

Soriano received a combined undergrad-medical degree from the University of the Philippines and completed general surgery residencies at Mount Sinai Hospital and Albert Einstein Medical Center.

He completed his fellowship in Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic.

Prior to joining Penn Medicine, he held clinical and leadership appointments at Temple University Hospital and Einstein Medical Center.

Soriano’s research interests include resident training and simulation in laparoscopic and robotic surgery as well as clinical outcomes in bariatric surgery. Soriano’s practice focuses on minimally invasive surgery for GI disorders including inguinal and abdominal wall hernias, gastro-esophageal reflux, gallbladder disease, para-esophageal hernias, as well as benign and malignant diseases of the stomach, small and large intestine. He sees patients at Penn Medicine Washington Square.

PAH Partners in Patient Advocacy Every fall since 2009, staff, family and friends are invited to come together to recognize colleagues and loved ones being honored as partners in patient advocacy at PAH. The theme of this year’s event, the 7th Annual PAH Patient Advocacy Recognition Program and Reception, held October 5th in the McClelland Conference Room, was “Patients First at the Nation’s First.” Fourteen outstanding staff members representing clinical departments and support services from throughout the hospital were spotlighted as individuals who partnered with the PAH Patient and Guest Relations Office and the Penn Medicine Office of Patient Affairs in the pursuit of patient satisfaction, patient advocacy, and enhancing the Penn patient experience.

The 2015 Patient Advocacy Award Recipients: Sean Bradshaw, BSN, RN, CPAN, CN3 | Nursing

Eleanor Nalle | Volunteer Services

William Dorsey | Security

Barry Ogburn | Security

Satoshi Furukawa, MD, PhD | Cardiovascular Surgery

Theresa Ryan, BSN, RN | Cardiology

Larry Gatti, PT, MS | Physical Therapy

Patricia Seeley | Patient Access

Reisa Jones, MSW | Clinical Resource Management

George Shafer, RN, MSN, NE-BC | Nursing

Alan Muchler, BA, RT(R) | Diagnostic Imaging

Regina Smalls | Food & Nutrition

Nikia Mack | Nursing

William Welch, MD | Neurosurgery

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Congratulations to the FY16 Q1 PAH CAREs Grant Recipients Advance Care Planning: Improving Goals of Care Conversations Jennifer Egg | Abramson Cancer Center at PAH

Eagle Scout Project Janine Pantalone | Labor & Delivery

At the ACC at PAH, the Ethics Committee and Palliative Care team partnered to staff information tables, provide educational materials and sample documents, and answer questions from patients, family members, and UPHS staff concerning health care decisions and advanced care planning. Funding will go toward informative booklets and resources — specifically, Five Wishes and The Conversation Project.

As part of her son’s Boy Scout project for Troop 147, Pantalone is receiving funding to purchase an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for installation at Trinity Lutheran Church at 18th and Wolf Streets in South Philadelphia. Education and awareness are also part of the project as Janine will assist her son in developing a presentation for the rest of the troop, the church and the community on managing an emergency and properly use of an AED.

Sisters R Us Circle of Survivors Calvin Florence | Engineering Funding was awarded for the Sisters R Us Circle of Survivors annual Breakfast and Breast Cancer Awards Program. At this event, held on November 7th, stipends will be given to women who have experienced a financial hardship during cancer treatment, supportive caregivers and survivors who are living beyond their diagnosis.

Holistic Living Challenge Carly Roop | Abramson Cancer Center at PAH Funding will go toward a seven-week program available to all cancer patients that focuses on creating and enhancing wellness based on holistic and traditional Chinese medicine principles of building health and preventing disease. Part of each weekly meeting will consist of group sharing, talking about personal wellness goals, and sharing the successes and struggle of putting wellness choices into practice.

CONGRATULATIONS to all the winners of the

Penn Medicine CAREs grant for the 1st quarter of FY16: Second Chance Threads Alexis Brimm Akins

West Philadelphia Boy Scout Troop 152 John McCoy

HUP | Emergency Department

HUP | Emergency Medicine

Mind Your Brain @Penn Medicine Robin Armstrong

Gift of Life Family House Brunch and Dinner Janelle Mirabeau

HUP | Neurosurgery

HUP Rhoads 2 | Neuro Intensive Care Unit

Epilepsy Support Group Bethany Frasch

Woodland Writers Aivi Nguyen

HUP | Neurology

HUP | Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Gift of Love Shon Johnson and Nuala Mcgugan

Girls on the Run Robin Ward

PPMC | Surgery Center

CORP | Strategic Marketing

Pet a Pooch Heather Matthew

Enrichment Fitness Network Michael Williams

HUP | Emergency Department

PPMC | Cardiology Community

WHAT’Snew EDITORIAL STAFF

Olivia Fermano Editor and Photographer Maureen McGirr Graphic Design Barry Ogburn Photography

ADMINISTRATION

Susan E. Phillips Senior Vice President, Public Affairs

Apply For a Penn Medicine CAREs Grant to Support Your Work in the Community!

Holly Auer Director of Communications

Penn Medicine awards grants up to four times per year for expenses (not including salary support) directly related to community outreach activities. The grant funding can be used for projects big and small and for new or existing community outreach efforts. Please see the most recent PAH CAREs Grant recipients above for examples of funding. The possibilities are endless so please feel free to be creative with your submission! And if your program is not selected for funding the first time around, please apply again! New grants will be awarded at the beginning of each financial quarter in order to support as many projects as possible throughout the year.

Sally Sapega Director of Internal Communications

File your application at PennMedicine.org/Community. The next deadline for applications is December 1st.

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CONTACT WHAT’Snew at: Department of Communications Pennsylvania Hospital Philadelphia, PA 19106 phone: 215.829.6799 email: olivia.fermano@uphs.upenn.edu WHAT’Snew is published biweekly for PAH employees. Access WHAT’Snew online at http://news.pennmedicine.org/inside/whats-new/.