MMC U Connections
news for the University of Maryland Medical Center
fall 2012
community
“ If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” The Dalai Lama
Message from the CEO We had a lot to celebrate this summer at the Medical Center, starting with our Great Stories event, which you can read about on pages 4 and 5, and our long-awaited move into our
NINE
UMMC specialties recognized among the nation’s best by
U.S. News & World Report
University of Maryland Medical Center ranks in the top 50 nationwide in nine specialty areas in the 2012-13 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings. The Medical Center surged into the top 15 in the categories for Cancer, Diabetes & Endocrinology, Nephrology (including kidney transplant) and Urology. UMMC also ranked in the top 50 in Cardiology & Heart Surgery; Ear, Nose & Throat; Gynecology; Neurology & Neurosurgery; and Pulmonology. >>>>> Read more on page 2.
Cancer Cardiology & Heart Surgery Diabetes & Endocrinology Ear, Nose & Throat Gynecology Nephrology Neurology & Neurosurgery Pulmonology Urology
new operating rooms. The technology and added space in these new rooms will increase our ability to accommodate patients, especially those coming in with traumatic injury or complex needs from hospitals across the
new technology
New Operating Rooms Serve Patients Needing Complex Surgery
T
he new operating rooms (ORs) that opened over the summer at UMMC boosted both the hospital’s ability to accommodate patients who need surgical care here, and added imaging capacity for highly complex cases that require this technology during surgery. The 10 new rooms include much larger and technologically integrated operating rooms and one hybrid OR equipped with imaging technology available within the operating room. UMMC already had three hybrid ORs, including one specifically for pediatric surgery, bringing the total to four. Hybrid rooms are especially helpful for patients admitted as the result of a traumatic injury who require procedures by surgeons from multiple specialties, says James E. McGowan, DHA, vice president for perioperative services. The imaging technology in the room may reduce the need for a patient to return to the OR on subsequent days. Even the non-hybrid new operating rooms have technological advances, including multiple video screens placed on all four walls to maximize the view for surgeons performing minimally invasive surgery through a scope, enhanced lighting with built-in video cameras and other technology. All of this technology is integrated in one computer tower, where the surgical care team can control functions in response to the needs of each individual surgery. The 10 new ORs are part of the first phase of the UMMC Shock Trauma Critical Care Tower, which will be completed in the summer of 2013. While the opening of the ORs is an important milestone, much work remains to complete the tower’s critical care units, adult and pediatric emergency departments, expanded post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) and a new National Trauma and Emergency Medicine Training Center. A $35 million community campaign is underway to raise part of the $160 million cost of the new tower. The project has garnered investment from the State of Maryland, as well as support at federal and local levels.
state. Staff members, including surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses and technicians, provided input during the design phase, advocating for what they needed to care for patients. Also this summer, U.S. News & World Report released its latest Best Hospitals issue, showing UMMC dramatically increasing in national ranking for many of our specialty areas. We could not be more pleased with this recognition of our fine staff in so many specialties. I hope you find as much inspiration as I do in the level of compassion, skill and commitment to excellence that you’ll read about in this issue. For every great story here, there are dozens more that take place every day, and hundreds of dedicated technicians, nurses,
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physicians and other staff who make it all happen. Sincerely,
Landmark Cancer Prevention Study
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Going From Artificial Heart to Heart Transplant Award Celebrates Compassionate Care President & Chief Executive Officer
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INSIDEConnections: Nine UMMC Specialties Make Top 50
JEFFREY A. RIVEST
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Great Stories Abound Employees of the Month
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pages 4-5 pages 4-5
UMMC CEO Jeffrey Rivest Recognized as “Most Admired”
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We Heal > We Teach > We Discover > We Care > We Heal > We Teach > We Discover > We Care > We Heal > We Teach > We Discover > We Care > We Heal > We Teach > We Discover > We Care >