VO LU M E 4 • I S S U E 1 • 2 013
The Magazine for Health Care Professionals
Leading the Way with 3-D Mammography at
St. Mary’s Breast Center
Minimally Invasive Heart & Lung Surgery Smaller Incision Heart Bypass Heart Valve
Quicker Recovery Robotic-Assisted Lung Cancer Surgery
Nepal C. Chowdhury, MD
Mohi O. Mitiek, MD
The Hands of Experience® in Advanced Heart Care
(304) 399-7530 • (800) 9ST-MARY, ext. 7530 • www.st-marys.org
Category Contents
COVER STORY
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Photo by rick lee
Leading the Way with 3-D Mammography at
St. Mary’s Breast Center
Features
Hospital News
6 CAMC’s Breast Center in Charleston F ocuses on Rapid Consultation, Call-Back, Diagnosis
10 Cabell Huntington Hospital
8 West Virginia Geriatric Education Center
15 Davis
13 CAMC
and Assistance
17 Marshall University Medical School 20 Mon General 22 Princeton 22 St. Joseph’s 23 St. Mary’s Medical Center
6 Although every precaution is taken to ensure the accuracy of published materials. WV Physician Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts expressed by its authors. ©2013, Austin Development Company, LLC dba WV Physician. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
WVUH Charleston 25 28 WVUH-East 30 WVU Healthcare & Health Sciences Send press releases and all other related information to: WV Physician Magazine Post Office Box 11311 Charleston, WV 25339 Contact us at 866-844-7376, or submit via email to: info@wvphysician.net Visit us on the web at: www.WVPhysician.net Volume 4 - Issue 1 • 2013
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Cover Story Category
New 3-D Technology
Taking Uncertainty Out of Breast Cancer Diagnosis By Angela Henderson-Bentley
When Deborah Gibson went to the St. Mary’s Breast Center for her annual mammogram she had no knowledge of the Center’s new mammogram technology. But this state-ofthe-art technology probably saved her life.
That was the case for Gibson as her dense breast tissue would’ve kept her radiologist from seeing her tumor—if not for the
Photo by rick lee
This new technology is called digital tomosynthesis and it uses high-powered computing to convert digital breast images into very thin slices, creating a 3-D mammogram. The 3-D technology allows the radiologists to see breast tissue—especially dense breast tissue—in much clearer detail. St. Mary’s was the first in the West Virginia-Ohio-Kentucky Tri-State area to offer digital tomosynthesis.
“On a mammogram, women’s breasts can be completely fat or very dense,” said Hans G. Dransfeld, MD, chief of radiology at St. Mary’s Medical Center. “Very dense breasts show up as white on a mammogram; consequently, if you have all this dense tissue, it can really obscure a cancer.”
p Tucker G. Jennings, MD, reviews a 3-D mammography image at the St. Mary’s Breast Center.
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tomosynthesis. “I was the first diagnosis on the new machine,” Gibson said. “The radiologist told me, ‘We would have not discovered your cancer on a normal mammogram.’” “With tomosynthesis, you can separate what’s normal from abnormal,” Dr. Dransfeld said. “So a mass is very conspicuous versus the traditional mammography where it’s obscured by overlying tissue. You’re getting rid of all the extraneous information and looking at a particular slice. This allows you to navigate through the breast slice by slice as opposed to just getting one compressed image.”
Photo Courtesy of St. Mary’s Medical Center/Sharon Shaw
p James H. Morgan III, MD, reviews a 3-D mammography image with patient Deborah Gibson.
Dr. Dransfeld said St. Mary’s Breast Center has only been using tomosynthesis since early April, but they have already found four breast cancers they would have not otherwise found. “The tomosynthesis has made a huge difference in a short period of time,” Dr. Dransfeld said. “When I went to the tomosynthesis training course in December, they showed some examples and I was pretty amazed. I was still not convinced that it was really going to make that big of a difference in real life practice. Then, the first week we had the machine, we found a cancer that otherwise would not have been detected. So, at that point I was completely sold,” he said. “Technology wise, this is the most innovative development that I’ve seen in breast imaging in 22 years. It’s just amazing,” Dr. Dransfeld said. “As someone who doesn’t keep up with that technology, I was amazed,” Gibson said. “It’s just wonderful. I feel very blessed St. Mary’s has it.”
Dr. Dransfeld said the use of tomosynthesis completely changed the management of Gibson’s care. Because she is under 50, she also underwent genetic testing and discovered a hereditary gene that predisposes her to breast cancer. Now, everyone in her family has been tested. “The genetic testing I had done was a good thing for my entire family,” Gibson said. “Now my sisters know what to watch for.” Because the genetic testing showed a predisposition to breast cancer, Gibson chose to do bilateral mastectomies instead of just a lumpectomy.
or her physician can order the procedure. Physicians do not have to write a special order for the tomosynthesis as referrals are done in the same manner as a digital mammogram. “Fine details within the breast are much more clearly visible with the tomosynthesis,” Anne Hammack, St. Mary’s Breast Center clinical manager, said. “It’s giving the radiologists a much higher level of comfort.” Tomosynthesis does expose the patient to more radiation than the digital mammogram, but Hammack said it is well below the American College of Radiology guidelines.
“You’re put on a treadmill with this kind of thing, but when you’re able to take a minute, you realize just how lucky you are,” Gibson said.
The technologists who perform the 3D mammograms say patients have responded well to the new machine. Many patients have even said they feel the tomosynthesis is actually more comfortable.
A patient will receive tomosynthesis if there is a history of breast cancer, a history of callbacks for additional testing after previous mammograms, if the patient has dense breast tissue or if the patient has a palpable lump. A patient may also request the tomosynthesis
“It’s a quicker exam. Plus, the callback rate is lower which makes it less inconvenient,” Cheryl Conzett, mammography technologist, said. “And no other mode gives you more information about what’s going on in your breast.” Volume 4 - Issue 1 • 2013
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unless prior family history dictates having one earlier. “If you have a family history where your mother or your sister was diagnosed, the recommendation is 10 years prior to their age at diagnosis.” Mondlak said. “For instance, if your mother was diagnosed at 38, we would recommend that you get started at age 28 unless there are indicators otherwise.” Both Mondlak and Hammack said it’s also important to clear up any misconceptions women have about doing self breast exams each month.
the worry,” Hammack said. “We can handle things very quickly.”
“Some women think they don’t need to do self exams because they have lumpy breasts and wouldn’t know what to look for anyway,” Mondlak said. “But, if they’re doing a monthly self breast exam, they get to know their own breasts and can tell if something is different.”
Dransfeld said early detection of the cancer is still the key to successful treatment. “Early detection is the main focus,” Dr. Dransfeld said. “In the last 20 years, the improvements in the morbidity and mortality of breast cancer have made strides while many other cancers haven’t. Much of it has to do with early detection.”
“You’re the best tool to see if something has changed within your breast,” Hammack said. “By performing monthly self breast exams and having your yearly mammogram, you are affording yourself every opportunity to find a change at the earliest possible time. Early detection gives you many more opportunities for treatment.”
Aynessa Mondlak, director of St. Mary’s Cancer Center, said it’s important that women follow the recommended guidelines by having yearly mammograms at age 40,
For more information about digital tomosynthesis, or to schedule a patient, contact St. Mary’s Breast Center at (304) 526-8221 or visit www.st-marys.org.
p James H. Morgan III, MD, and Tucker G. Jennings, MD, with the staff at the St. Mary’s Breast Center
Hammack said she has seen a significant decrease in callbacks in the eight months tomosynthesis has been used. Spot compressions have gone down as well. “Tomo is not taking any more time for the techs to perform a study compared to the older machine,” Dr. Dransfeld said. “The interpretation part takes a little bit longer, but the confidence that you have that you’re getting it right so much outweighs the extra time. My colleagues think it’s well worth the extra time it takes to read these to make sure that we’re getting it right.” Hammack said St. Mary’s Breast Center has been receiving patients from two hours or more away because of the new technology. The 3-D machine has become so popular that the digital mammography machine is now rarely used. “Patients have seen what the tomosynthesis can do and they want that for themselves,” Hammack said. The new technology enhances the already excellent team at the St. Mary’s Breast Center. The center has a team of mammography technologists with over 80 combined years of experience. In addition, two board certified general surgeons are part of the team which allows for more efficient patient care. “Having the two surgeons here can take away a lot of
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St. Mary’s Breast Center is a state-of-the-art imaging facility that offers a truly comprehensive program using the latest technology to diagnose and treat diseases of the breasts. Breast Center staff members include: • Board-certified general surgeons, specializing in breast health • Registered nurses • Mammography technicians • Certified breast navigators to guide patients through the program • Genetics Counselor • Lymphedema specialist Services offered at the Breast Center include: • 3-D mammography and digital mammography with computer-aided detection • Stereotactic biopsy • Breast MRI and biopsy system • Breast ultrasound • Mammosite® Radiation Therapy System • Hereditary cancer risk assessment program • Breast Cancer support group • Lymphedema treatment program • Personalized care provided by certified breast navigators • Mentoring program in which newly diagnosed breast cancer patients are paired with breast cancer survivors for support
The way we see things, financial planning is all about the way you see things. That’s why we want our clients to have a clear picture of their relationship with us. With our investment advisory program we are paid a fee for the advice we give and work we do in the management of our clients’ investment portfolios instead of a commission on a product. We feel this is the best way to align our goals with our clients’ goals. Our financial planning process starts with a free consultation to determine if we are a good fit for your needs. Our goals are simple: to understand your needs, create strategies that address your unique financial situation, and deliver the solutions that will help you reach your objectives. To learn m ore about how we can work together, or to schedule a com plim entary consultation, please call Jeffery Thom as at 304-342-3100.
Certain Direction in a Changing World
J.D. Thomas & Co. LLC Investment Advisors 820 Virginia Street, Charleston, WV 25301 304-342-3100 888-567-2254 www.jdthomasandcompany.com Securities offered through and supervised by Wilbanks Securities, Inc., 4334 NW Expressway, Suite 222, Oklahoma City, OK 73116 405/842-0202 Member FINRA SIPC Fee Based products are offered through Wilbanks Securities Advisory
Breast Cancer
CAMC’s Breast Center in Charleston
Focuses on Rapid Consultation, Call-Back, Diagnosis and Assistance By Roberto Kusminski, MD, MPH, FACS
The phone at the Breast Center at Charleston Area Medical Center is ringing. Amy Beaver, the Center’s navigator, picks it up.
smile reaches the other end of the line. “Would you like to come in today?” she asks. “One of our breast surgeons would be happy to see you.”
At the other end, the patient explains. “I had a mammogram, and it showed something, and I can’t get anyone to see me, and . . .” The patient’s voice trails off.
Silence. Then, timidly, the patient asks, “Today?”
“Just tell me what you need,” Amy says, calm, reassuring.
The patient is quiet for a moment. Her voice comes across so soft Amy has to make an effort to hear her. “I . . . I have to take my child to the doctor today.” She’s embarrassed. “Could I come tomorrow?”
“Well, they gave me an appointment to see Dr. Smith, but I have to wait three weeks!” The patient is almost screaming now. “Three weeks! I can’t sleep,” she says. Amy has heard this many times before. She smiles, and her
Amy chuckles. “Yes, today.”
“Of course. Let me tell you where and at what time,” Amy says.
The CAMC Breast Center in Charleston cares for the largest number of patients with breast diseases in West Virginia. The Breast Center of Excellence was the first of its kind in the state, and became the first to be fully accredited by the American College of Surgeons through its National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers. The accreditation validated the Breast Center’s already established standards of quality care that adhere to the most current scientific evidence. These standards include care components in areas of organizational structure, diagnostic methodology, mandatory conferences and multidisciplinary care, imaging, pathology, medical and radiation therapy oncology, research, quality studies, outreach, and others.
patients can go home shortly after undergoing any of these diagnostic maneuvers.
The surgeons from the Breast Center are able to examine and diagnose patients with breast concerns within 24 hours after the need is recognized, and commonly on the same day when patients call for an appointment. These surgeons are certified by the American Society of Breast Surgeons to perform minimally invasive breast biopsies. These procedures are almost always carried out under ultrasound or x-ray guidance, so
Rapid consultation program If a patient requires evaluation of a breast concern, a referral to the Center will result in a consultation that can be scheduled the same day or within 24-48 hours, depending on the circumstances. This is applicable to second opinions, wound checks, surveillance, risk assessment, and it is equally available to patients who are self-referred.
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Breast surgeons routinely present and discuss patients who have been diagnosed with breast cancer in a weekly multidisciplinary conference. This meeting brings together experts in Medical Oncology, Radiology, Radiation Oncology, Pathology, Plastic Surgery and others who reach a consensus regarding the best options of treatment applicable to the patients being discussed. To improve patient care further and simplify the role of the referring health care provider, The Breast Center at CAMC has in place the following programs:
Rapid call-back program The diagnosis of breast diseases can be improved and facilitated for patients and their health care providers when they choose to participate in this program. The finding of an imaging abnormality triggers an automatic call to the physician’s office for approval of additional views, if needed. The results of the imaging sequence are reported to the patient by The Breast Center staff. This reduces the need for the physician office to keep track of these patients’ needs, and expedites their care. If a biopsy is needed, the Breast Center will place the patient in the Rapid Diagnostic Program. Participating providers can choose to modify the path their patients will follow any way they prefer. Rapid Diagnostic Program Once the imaging determines the need for a procedure, the patient is scheduled to undergo a minimally invasive biopsy with imaging guidance. The procedure is done by one of the breast surgeons who are credentialed to perform it, all of them certified and approved by the NAPBC. In general, the patient will have the biopsy performed within
have a solid history of research in breast cancer. For example, the department was part of the original research conducted to identify the sentinel node in breast cancer, a landmark study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, which lead to a paradigm change in the care of breast cancer. Biopsy of the sentinel node is now a routine step in the algorithms used to make decisions of treatment in breast cancer patients. The CAMC Breast Center continues to expand. A high risk clinic for patients with breast diseases is ready to open, under the direction of Dr. Willis Trammell. Services will include genetic counseling and testing in a centralized area at the CAMC Breast Center. p Drs. Willis Trammell, Todd Witsberger and Roberto Kusminsky of the CAMC Breast Center, who are faculty members of the WVU Charleston Division Department of Surgery, are involved in innovative research to identify the sentinel node in patients with breast cancer using ultrasonography.
24-48 hours of the imaging, on weekdays. The results will be communicated to the patient by the surgeon, and further management will proceed as needed unless the referring physician chooses otherwise. All of these elements are set at the time health care providers choose to be included in the growing list of participants. Rapid assistance program At the time of consultation or biopsy, the patient will meet The Breast Center Navigator, who will become a point-person to assist the patient(s) with any and all of their medical and health care system needs. The Navigator assists the patients with appointments, referrals, insurance questions, financial assistance matters, and many other issues requiring resolution. Often, health care providers or their designees can contact the Navigator to explore care issues before a patient is seen. CAMC’s status as a teaching hospital helps cancer services remain at the forefront of top quality care. Many of the surgeons in practice there are also faculty members of the West Virginia University Charleston Division School of Medicine. The collaboration of Charleston Area Medical Center and West Virginia University in this effort is multi-faceted. Patients benefit from a synergy of resources that provide
excellence in care. Area physicians’ ability to provide care is enhanced by the educational and consulting services available and new physicians are trained to provide outstanding, comprehensive health care while contributing to the scientific basis of medicine. Many members of the faculty of the West Virginia University Department of Surgery
The CAMC Breast Center provides all of a patient’s breast care in one place, by a team of physicians, nurses and technicians who are specialists in breast diseases. Because the care is comprehensive, diagnostic studies like mammograms, evaluation by surgeons and even procedures like breast biopsies can all be accomplished in one visit. These services are also what make this breast center unique and different from others. www.camc.org/breastcenter
p Dr. Willis Trammell performing a minimally invasive, ultrasound guided breast biopsy. Volume 4 - Issue 1 • 2013
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Geriatric
By Nancy Daughtery
Geriatric Education Centers, funded under the Public Health Services Act by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), provide training of health professional faculty, students and practitioners in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, disability and other health problems of the elderly. Projects must offer interdisciplinary training involving four or more health professions. West Virginia’s Geriatric Education Center (WVGEC) is a consortium of partners that include WVU –Health Science Centers including the Charleston, Morgantown
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and Eastern Division campuses; Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University, WV School of Osteopathic Medicine, Eastern WV Area Health Education Center, Northern WV Rural Health Center and Southeastern Area Health Education Center. The grant began in September 2007 and is currently funded through 2015. The WVGEC is guided by an Inter-Disciplinary Faculty Committee and provides a wide range of geriatric training opportunities that include monthly geriatric lunchtime learning events, Health Literacy Training for health professionals, Advanced Geriatric
Skills (AGES) Certification Course, Assessing Pain in Cognitively Impaired Adults, Alzheimer’s disease and Related Dementias, and others. WVGEC collaborates with various geriatric stakeholders and partners including, but not limited to, the WV Partnership for Elder Living, WV Geriatrics Society, WV Higher Education Policy Commission and the Alzheimer’s Association Education Council. Part of the mission of the WVGEC is to distribute curriculum and the WVGEC was selected to present sessions at the spring meeting of the Association of Gerontology
in Higher Education (AGHE) at St. Petersburg Fl in March. AGHE is an international organization in advancing education on aging, and associated with the Gerontological Society of America. WVGEC will be presenting a poster entitled “Provider Training in Health Literacy: Change Strategies and Outcomes” authored by Charlotte Nath Ed.D, Mary Emmett PhD, Mark Newbrough MD, Nancy Daugherty BA, Elaine Mason Ed.D, and Sara Jane Gainor MBA, MSW. Nancy Daugherty, WVGEC Associate Director and David P. Elliott PharmD from WVU School of Pharmacy- Charleston Division will participate in a resource sharing session about the history and design of AGES. This curriculum increases the geriatrics competency of health professionals who care for and/or work with older adults. AGES covers the major geriatric syndromes, psychosocial and ethical issues and interprofessional models of care. Trainees who pass a written test and objective structure clinical examination earn AGES certification approved by faculty from the three medical schools in West Virginia. AGES is approved for continuing education credits in medicine, pharmacy, social work and nursing. Upcoming training events include: Health Literacy for health professionals at the Bridgeport Conference Center on February 7 – 8, 2013 and AGES on April 4 – 6, 2013. For more information about training events and other projects, access the website http://www.hsc.wvu.edu/charleston/ WVGEC/ or contact staff by calling 304-3471295 or 347-1208.
Geriatrics Lunchtime Learning “Live” at CAMC Memorial HospitalWVU Building Room 2000
January 23, 12 noon - 1 PM The Caregiver Burden Inventory Dr. Deb Young, MSW, Ed.S, Ed.D and Deborah Workman, MSW Candidate February 27, 12 noon - 1 PM Transitions of Care for Older Adults with Diabetes Charles Babcock, PharmD
March 27, 12 noon - 1 PM Keron Navarengom, Internal Medicine/ Geriatrics Fellow April 24, 12 noon - 1 PM “Evaluation of Medication Assessment and Comorbidity Tools to Assess Risk of Hospitalization in Geriatric Outpatients” Leah Hall, Geriatrics Pharmacy Resident May 22, 12 noon - 1 PM “Is There a Difference in the Use of Vasopressors in Geriatric Intraabdominal Surgical Proce-dures After Induction of Anesthesia Using
Propofol or a Propofol-etomidate Combination?” Nicholas Painter, Doctor of Nursing Anesthesia Practice Candidate “Are Higher Injury Severity Scores in Level 1 and 2 Trauma’s Associated with Hyperglycemia?” Josh Hawkins, Doctor of Nursing Anesthesia Practice Candidate June 26, 12 noon - 1 PM Oral Health and Older Adults Richard Meckstroth, DDS, WVU—Morgantown, School of Dentistry
Trust, reassurance, privacy, results. Our skilled plastic surgeons have the experience to help you get the look you’ve always wanted. Whether you want to improve, enhance or rejuvenate, we offer the latest surgical techniques and non-surgical treatments to help you look and feel your best. J. Wesley Culpepper, MD • William A. Wood, MD, JD, FACS Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
J. David Hayes, MD • Nathan Menon, MD • Jason Prigozen, MD Offering many cosmetic procedures to meet your needs, including: • Breast Augmentation • Breast Reconstruction • Liposuction • Tummy Tucks • Face Lifts • Rhinoplasty • Neck Lifts • Thigh Lifts
• Post Weight-Loss Surgery • Botox • Hand Injuries • Nia24 Products • Latisse • Injectable Fillers (Restylane, Radiesse, Perlane, Prevelle Silk) ®
CAMC Physicians Group PLASTIC SURGERY 210 Brooks Street, Suite 200 • Charleston, WV 25301 Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. • camc.org/plasticsurgery Call (304) 388-1930 to schedule a private consultation. Volume 4 3 - Issue 1 2 • 2013 2012
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Cabell Huntington Hospital News
Cabell Huntington Hospital Recieves 2012/2013 Consumer Choice Award as Most Preferred Hospital in Huntington-Ashland Consumer Choice Award from the National Research Corporation based on survey of local healthcare consumers Cabell Huntington Hospital has received the 2012/2013 Consumer Choice Award from the National Research Corporation as the Most Preferred Hospital in the Huntington-Ashland area. In a survey conducted of healthcare consumers throughout the Tri-State region, Cabell Huntington Hospital was named for having the highest quality and image, according to the survey results for 2012/2013. “This honor recognizes the dedication and work of our staff based on the opinions of patients from the community we serve,” said Brent A. Marsteller, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Cabell Huntington Hospital. “Our mission each day is to provide the best hospital experience for the people of the Tri-State region, and nothing is more important to us than providing quality patient outcomes and outstanding care.” Winners of the 2012/2013 Consumer Choice Award were determined by consumer perceptions on multiple quality and image ratings collected in the National Research Corporation Market Insights/Ticker survey. This study surveys more than 250,000 households representing more than 450,000 consumers in the contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia. From the households
surveyed, 3,200 hospitals named by consumers are analyzed and ranked based on their Core Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs) as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, with the winning facilities being ranked the highest.
Cabell Huntington Hospital Surgeon Removes Gallbladder Through Belly Button Incision with da Vinci® System Cabell Huntington Hospital surgeon Dr. Gerald McKinney recently performed a state-ofthe-art minimally invasive procedure where he removed a patient’s gallbladder through one tiny incision in the belly button, making the procedure virtually scarless.
“The reason why the belly button is chosen is because, in most instances, you are able to hide the entire incision through the belly button,” Dr. McKinney said.
In a procedure called a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the gallbladder was removed using Single-Site™ instruments on a da Vinci® Surgical System. Using robotic assistance, Dr. McKinney removed the gallbladder through an incision of approximately one inch.
Dr. McKinney, chief of minimally invasive surgery at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, is one of a small group of surgeons in the country who has received training to perform the surgery.
Unlike traditional robotic surgeries requiring three to five small incisions, this new technology allows for a single incision in the belly button where instruments are placed and the diseased gallbladder is removed.
Most people who require gallbladder removal are candidates for the robotic, single-incision surgery. Potential benefits may include virtually scarless results, minimal pain, low blood loss, fast recovery, a short hospital stay and high patient satisfaction. The surgery can
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be performed in about one hour with a typical hospital stay of less than 24 hours. According to the American College of Surgeons, surgery is the recommended treatment for gallbladder pain from gallstones and non-functioning gallbladders. More than 1 million people in the U.S. have their gallbladder removed each year. Most are performed with traditional laparoscopy using several incisions. The Food and Drug Administration cleared the specialized Single-Site instruments for use with the da Vinci System in December 2011. da Vinci is a robotic surgical system widely used in complex minimally invasive surgery.
Cabell Huntington Hospital News
Cabell Huntington Hospital Again Ranked #1 in Quality in WV and the Tri-State for Hip and Knee Replacement
Cabell Huntington Hospital once again recognized by independent healthcare ratings organization as #1 in West Virginia and among Top 100 in nation for Joint Replacement Cabell Huntington Hospital has once again been ranked #1 in West Virginia in quality for hip and knee replacement surgery and is the only hospital in the Huntington/Ashland/ Ironton area to receive top joint replacement ratings with five stars out of five from Healthgrades, the nation’s leading independent hospital quality ratings organization. These continued successes in orthopedics have placed Cabell Huntington Hospital as one of Healthgrades America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Joint Replacement™ for the second consecutive year, according to the American Hospital Quality Outcomes 2013: Healthgrades Report to the Nation released today. Healthgrades is the leading provider of information to help consumers make informed decisions about physicians and hospitals.
years in a row (2008-2013) • Five-Star Recipient for Overall Orthopedic Services 3 years in a row (2011-2013) • Five-Star Recipient for Spine Surgery 3 years in a row (2011-2013) • Five-Star Recipient for Back and Neck Surgery (w/o spinal fusion) 3 years in a row (2011-2013) * Tri-State area includes hospitals in western West Virginia, eastern Kentucky and southern Ohio. According to Healthgrades, patients being treated at a five-star hospital have, on average, a 61 percent lower risk of experiencing an in-hospital complication than if they were treated at a 1-star hospital (based on 20092011 data across nine common procedures
and diagnoses such as total knee replacement, gallbladder, and spine surgeries). Additionally, a total of 183,534 in-hospital complications could have been potentially avoided if all hospitals performed at a five-star level. The Mary H. Hodges Joint Replacement Center at Cabell Huntington Hospital is a nationally recognized program that features comprehensive care for joint replacement patients, and is supported by physicians from the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine Department of Orthopedic Surgery. For more information about joint replacement services at Cabell Huntington Hospital, please call 304-526-2607.
“Our #1 rankings have been the results of the tireless effort of so many individuals to continuously improve every step of hip and knee replacement care of our patients,” said Dr. Ali Oliashirazi, professor and chairman of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and surgical director of the Mary H. Hodges Joint Replacement Center at Cabell Huntington Hospital. Some of Cabell Huntington Hospital’s newly announced 2013 Healthgrades ratings for orthopedic services include: ne of Healthgrades America’s 100 Best •O Hospitals for Joint Replacement™ for 2 years in a row (2012-2013) •R anked #1 in WV for Joint Replacement 3 years in a row (2011-2013) • Ranked among the Top 5% in the nation for Joint Replacement 3 years in a row (2011-2013) •F ive-Star Recipient for Joint Replacement 6
p At an awards ceremony, Gina Zaccagnini Abols (right), strategic client manager with Healthgrades, presented the 2013 Healthgrades America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Joint Replacement™ award to Dr. Ali Oliashirazi, professor and chairman of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and surgical director of the Mary H. Hodges Joint Replacement Center at Cabell Huntington Hospital. Volume 4 - Issue 1 • 2013
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Cabell Huntington Hospital News
Cabell Huntington Hospital Breast Health Center Adds Next Level of Breast Imaging with 3D Mammography Women who undergo routine mammograms
identify and characterize individual breast
By offering women the latest technology
at the Cabell Huntington Hospital Breast
structures without the confusion of overlapping
in mammography, the Cabell Huntington
Health Center now have the latest screening
tissue.
Hospital Breast Health Center hopes to
and diagnostic technology available to them.
increase the number of area women who
Cabell Huntington Hospital’s Breast Health
Breast cancer screening with 3D digital
will be routinely screened. Breast cancer is
Center now offers patients the Selenia®
mammography
exceptional
the second leading cause of cancer death
Dimensions®
mammography
diagnostic tool for physicians that supports
among women, exceeded only by lung cancer.
system from Hologic. The Cabell Huntington
more confident diagnoses and saves valuable
Statistics indicate that one in eight women will
Hospital Breast Health Center is Huntington’s
time, reducing the need for callbacks for
develop breast cancer sometime in her lifetime.
only breast center accredited by the National
additional imaging and can help patients get
The stage at which breast cancer is detected
Accreditation Program for Breast Centers to
results more quickly.
influences a woman’s chance of survival. If
3D
digital
offers
an
offer this advanced technology.
detected early, the five-year survival rate is 98 During a tomosynthesis exam, multiple,
percent, according to the American Cancer
The Selenia system provides patients with the
low-dose images of the breast are acquired at
Society.
next level in breast imaging — tomosynthesis
different angles. These images are then used
— a breakthrough technology poised to
to produce a series of one-millimeter thick
To schedule a 3D digital mammogram at the
revolutionize how breast cancer is detected
image “slices” that can be viewed as a 3D
Cabell Huntington Hospital Breast Health
today. Breast tomosynthesis helps physicians
reconstruction of the breast.
Center, please call 304-526-2270.
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CAMC News
Charleston Area Medical Center welcomes: Joseph B. Africa, MD, specializing in Renal Transplantation. Dr. Africa graduated from University of Santo Tomas. He completed an Internal Medicine residency at Jacobi Medical Center and a General Surgery residency at University of Santo Tomas. Dr. Africa completed a Renal Transplantation fellowship at Medstar
Washington Hospital Center. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Africa welcomes new patients (304) 388-6370. David C. Carrington, MD, specializing in Interventional Neuroradiology. Dr. Carrington received his medical degree from Boston University School of
Medicine. He completed a Diagnostic Radiology residency at University of Connecticut School of Medicine and a Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology fellowship at New York and Presbyterian Hospital (Columbia and Cornell Campuses). Dr. Carrington is certified by the American Board of Radiology with a subspecialty in Neuroradiology. Dr. Carrington welcomes new patients (304) 3888199.
CAMC transplants 1,000th kidney “Because we are the only hospital in the state performing kidney transplants, hundreds of patients with end-stage renal disease depend on us for a better quality of life,” Jeff Chueh, MD said. The Kidney Transplant Center is a collaborative effort between CAMC and the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. The highlyskilled team includes transplant coordinators, pharmacists, dietitians, social workers, tissue typing technicians, nursing staff, OR staff, nephrologists and surgeons. “We are one of a very few centers that offer laparoscopic single port living donor nephrectomy, which allows for quicker recovery for the donor,” Chueh said. “The benefit for the recipient is decreased wait time and the kidney typically works immediately.”
The Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients reports that the survival rate of CAMC patients one year after transplant is 98.7 percent, compared to 96.96 percent that would be expected based on the characteristics of these patients.
from a transplant program, the less likely you are to get a transplant, which is what makes our center so critical to the people of West Virginia and its surrounding communities.”
“We have had excellent results,” said Bashir Sankari, MD, medical director of CAMC’s renal transplant program. “Our one-year patient and graft survival rate is on par with the national average.” “Most transplant programs are centered in urban environments and large tertiary care centers, which is a huge disadvantage for patients who live in rural parts of the country,” said Mike Williams, vice president/ administrator of CAMC General Hospital. “Research shows the further you live away
CAMC Physicians Group Facial Surgery Practices Earn National CT Accreditation The CAMC Physicians Group Facial Surgery practices at General and Women and Children’s hospitals have been granted a threeyear term of accreditation in CT in the areas of Sinus, Temporal Bone and Dental CT by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC). Computed Tomography (CT) is a highly regarded diagnostic imaging tool, valued for its ability to provide clear images of different types of tissue. Sinus CT exams are used to diagnose sinus disease, detect a narrowing or
obstruction in the sinus drainage pathway, and evaluate the outer ear as well as bones of the ear and inner ear structures for infection, tumor, injury or congenital or acquired hearing disorders. Dental CT exams are used for evaluating dental anomalies, treatment planning and complex dental implant procedures. Radiation safety, quality imaging and accurate interpretations are critical to the provision of quality patient care. Accreditation by the IAC means that CAMC’s Facial Surgery practices have undergone a
thorough review of operational and technical components by a panel of experts. The IAC grants accreditation only to those facilities that are found to be providing quality patient care, in compliance with national standards through a comprehensive application process including detailed case study review. IAC accreditation is a “seal of approval” that patients can rely on as an indication that the facility has been carefully critiqued on all aspects of its operations considered relevant by the medical experts in the field of CT. Volume 4 - Issue 1 • 2013
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CAMC News This accreditation is widely respected within the medical community, as illustrated by the support of the national medical societies related to CT, which include physicians, technologists and physicists. CT accreditation is required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and in some cases by private insurers.
“We are very proud and honored by the IAC accreditation,” said Jeff Goode, president of CAMC Physicians Group. “This designation validates that we are providing the best care for our patients, which is always our top priority.” CAMC Physicians Group has two facial surgery practices, one on the campus of Women and
Children’s Hospital and one located at General Hospital. Its oral and maxillofacial surgeons specialize in treating diseases, deformities, injuries and cosmetic defects of the face and mouth affecting people of all ages, from infants to adults. For more information, visit camc. org/facialsurgery.
New Graft Used to Treat Life-threatening Condition Abdominal aortic aneurysms occur most commonly in individuals between 65 and 75 years old and are more common among men and smokers. They tend to cause no symptoms, although occasionally they cause pain in the abdomen and back (due to pressure on surrounding tissues) or in the legs (due to reduced blood flow). Shadi Abu-Halimah, MD, a vascular surgeon in the CAMC Vascular Center of Excellence, is using a newly developed special endovascular
graft when such an aneurysm occurs in the chest area or stomach areas of the aorta. To treat aneurysms in these areas, Dr. AbuHalimah is using a fenestrated graft. This graft is like a stent with holes that align with the arteries branching off from the aorta. It is inserted inside the affected area of the aorta. This shields the dangerously weak section from the high-pressured flow of blood. “This is a huge breakthrough for patients,” said Dr. Abu-Halimah. “Until recently, major abdominal surgery was necessary to treat certain abdominal aortic aneurysms. Patients used to have to go out of state to have this procedure or have an open surgical procedure. Some are high risk for surgery and this is a safer option.” The minimally invasive, endovascular procedure can be carried out under local anesthesia and involves just two small cuts in the groin to access the arteries; patients can leave the hospital within a day or two afterward.
For more information on this and other vascular procedures call the CAMC Vascular Center of Excellence at (304) 388-8199.
Researchers Study Common Autism Disorders Autism, Asperger’s Disorder and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) are brain development disorders that affect social interaction, communication and behavior at varying degrees of severity. The symptoms of these autistic disorders are often managed with therapies, such as behavioral therapy and with some medications
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to alleviate symptoms such as anxiety or depression.
to both identify causes and better treat these conditions.
There are approved drugs to treat the irritability associated with autistic disorder; however, there are currently no drugs approved for the treatment of the core symptoms of autism. Furthermore, there are currently no approved drug therapies for Asperger’s Disorder or PDD-NOS. There is a drastic need for research
A study called ConnectMe-91is actively seeking participants of all races and ethnicities. CAMC is the only site in West Virginia participating in the trial. The goal of the ConnectMe program is to evaluate the safety, tolerability and effectiveness
CAMC News of an investigational drug on social interaction and communication skills in patients aged 6 to 12 with autism, Asperger’s Disorder and PDDNOS. The symptoms usually show up between 2 and 3 years of age. What researchers learn from this clinical research may help to develop treatment options for children with these conditions in the future. There are two related studies to this trial for eligible participants.
The prevalence of these disorders is increasing rapidly, yet the cause of such disorders is unknown. A report issued by the CDC in April 2012 shows that as many as 1 in 88 children, and 1 in 54 boys and 1 in 252 girls, in the United States has an autism spectrum disorder (http://www. cdc.gov/media/releases/2012/ p0329_autism_ disorder.html).
the potential safety and effectiveness of new investigational drugs, but also to test existing, approved drugs for use in treating a different medical condition. An investigational drug is one that is not yet approved for the treatment of the intended medical condition and is therefore not approved for sale or distribution to the wider public.
Clinical research trials are medical- or healthrelated research studies conducted with people who volunteer to participate. Clinical studies are conducted not only to determine
Visit http://camcinstitute.org/research/ctc/ to learn more about research or call Kristi Sutphin, CAMC Clinical Trials Center, (304) 388-9945.
Davis Health System News
Davis Memorial Hospital Earns ACR Accreditation Davis Memorial Hospital (DMH) has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in mammography as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR). Mammography is a specific type of imaging test that uses a low-dose x-ray system to examine breasts. Mammograms are used to aid in the early detection and diagnosis of breast diseases in women. “Our accreditation demonstrates our commitment to quality patient care by ensuring that our mammography services meet national guidelines,” said Steven Barnett, MD, DMH Chief Radiologist. “I commend the staff for their work throughout the accreditation process and making sure that our patients always receive the highest quality care.” The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents
the highest level of image quality and patient safety. It is awarded only to facilities meeting ACR Practice Guidelines and Technical Standards after a peer-review evaluation by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field. Image quality, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures, and quality assurance programs are assessed. The findings are reported to the ACR Committee on Accreditation, which subsequently provides the practice with a comprehensive report they can use for continuous practice improvement. DMH offers digital mammography which transfers images to a computer so they can be electronically enhanced. Digital mammography offers distinct advantages in the early detection of breast cancer.
The ACR is a national professional organization serving more than 36,000 diagnostic/ interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians, and medical physicists with programs focusing on the practice of medical imaging and radiation oncology and the delivery of comprehensive health care services.
DMH Cardiac Rehabilitation Program Certified by Industry Leader The Davis Memorial Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation program has earned accreditation by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) by meeting the strict standards of care set forth by the AACVPR. The AACVPR is a national organization that
seeks to reduce morbidity, mortality and disability from cardiovascular and pulmonary disease. “We are committed to helping our patients live better through risk factor modification including diet, exercise and stress management,” said Jarolyn Judy-Phillips,
director of the DMH Cardiac Rehab center. “We’re pleased with the designation which represents the high-standards of care we provide here.” The Cardiac Rehabilitation Program provides rehabilitation to individuals who have experienced a heart attack, angina, cardiac Volume 4 - Issue 1 • 2013
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Davis Health System News surgery, balloon angioplasty, stent placement or a heart transplant. It is designed to help patients who have had a cardiac episode recover faster and improve their quality of life.
“We are proud of our team who worked so hard to achieve the certification,” said Jarolyn. “We strongly believe in the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation and want to be sure we provide
each patient the highest standard of care.” Cardiologist David Tingler, MD is the medical director of the DMH Cardiac Rehabilitation program. Jarolyn Judy-Phillips, RN-BC and Melissa Kisner, RN provide patient care and counseling. To gain certification, the DMH Cardiac Rehab program was required to provide extensive documentation of their care practices. The AACVPR Program Certification is the only peer-reviewed accreditation process designed to review individual programs for adherence to standards and guidelines developed and published by the AACVPR and other professional societies. Each program is reviewed by the AACVPR National Certification Committee and certification is awarded by the AACVPR Board of Directors.
Jarolyn-Judy Phillips, RN, director of the DMH Cardiac Rehab center (left) and Melissa Kisner, RN display the center’s accreditation certificate which was recently awarded by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.The DMH Cardiac Rehab program is designed to help patients who have had a cardiac episode recover faster and improve their quality of life.
The Cardiac Rehab facility is located on the DMH campus and can be reached at 304.637.3623 for more information.
Support for the Davis House Continues Local support for The Davis House continues to make a difference for cancer patients and their families. On behalf of Elkins Rehabilitation & Care Center (ERCC), Administrator Denise Campbell, Assistant Administrator Diane Crickard and Board Member Mike Taylor recently donated funds to the Davis Health System Foundation’s Davis House, located on the corner of Harrison Avenue and Reed Street in Elkins. “We feel it is important to bring our support to this extraordinary project that is already benefiting families in West Virginia,” said Campbell. The Davis House, which provides temporary lodging for cancer patients needing treatment at the DMH Cancer Care Center, opened its doors on Sept. 13, 2012. According to Davis Health System CEO Mark Doak, cancer patients and their families have stayed at The Davis House each week since it opened. “To-date we have been able to provide lodging at The Davis House for patients from Tucker,
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Braxton, Pocahontas and Barbour Counties,” said Doak. “We owe ERCC and many others much gratitude for helping us make this service possible.” Most of the funds raised during the initial
Davis House campaign were used to renovate the house which includes six private guest suites. Additional contributions support the endowment which was established to fund the ongoing operating costs of utilities, supplies, cleaning, repairs and other.
Representatives from Elkins Rehabilitation and Care Center present a $1,000 donation to Dan Bucher, special projects coordinator for the DHS Foundation. The Davis House provides free lodging for Davis Memorial Hospital cancer patients. Shown in the photo are (left to right): Bucher, DHS CEO Mark Doak, Diane Crickard, Mike Taylor and Denise Campbell.
Marshall University Medical School News
Dr. Nader G. Abraham Named Vice Dean for Research at School of Medicine
International Researcher Brings NIH Grants and Team of Researchers to Medical School Nader G. Abraham, Ph.D., Dr. H.C., FAHA, an internationally-recognized researcher in the field of obesity and vascular disease, has been named the inaugural vice dean for research at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, President Stephen J. Kopp and Dean Joseph I. Shapiro, M.D., announced today. Several members of Abraham’s research team will begin their official duties on Nov. 1, with the entire research operation in place in early 2013. Abraham currently serves as chairman and professor of the department of physiology and pharmacology at the University of Toledo College Of Medicine. He is also affiliated with New York Medical College in Valhalla, N.Y., The Rockefeller University in New York and University of Catania in Italy. “Dr. Abraham brings to Marshall University and the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine exceptional experience and a proven track record in advancing successful grant-funded research. Put simply, he is a research catalyst,” Kopp said. “He is especially adept in fostering clinical translational research and building successful interdisciplinary research teams, attributes that will be of great benefit to our entire university. He most certainly will complement our efforts to expand applied research activities that yield commerciallyviable discoveries.” “This is a great day for the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and Marshall University. Dr. Abraham is one of the preeminent biomedical researchers in the world, and his joining our faculty raises our profile immediately,” Shapiro said.
He continued, “Dr. Abraham has the unique and remarkable ability to energize and inspire others. This is illustrated by the group of scientists that will be coming with him. Recruiting any of these individuals on their own would be considered a terrific accomplishment for our school. I truly believe that Dr. Abraham is a key recruitment that will give Marshall University a significant leap forward toward becoming a premier biomedical research institution.” Widely recognized for his research on vascular disease, which is a prelude to cardiovascular and metabolic diseases including hypertension, stroke, diabetes and obesity, Abraham and his team of researchers specifically study heme oxygenase, the most potent anti-oxidant gene in the human body. The team’s research also includes ways to speed up the implementation of laboratory findings into clinical therapeutic strategies for patients, i.e., translational medicine. “I’m very excited about joining the faculty at Marshall University,” Abraham said. “I will be focusing on translational research projects in collaboration with the clinical departments, which will be an exciting experience for our medical students. I very much enjoy working with outstanding clinicians with little basic science experience and seeing them evolve into translational researchers. Truly, Marshall offers a unique opportunity to achieve these goals.” Abraham is currently the principal investigator on two National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants focusing on stem cells-heme oxygenase, hormonal regulation of blood pressure, obesity and diabetes. Over his 30-year-plus career, Abraham has served as principal investigator or co-investigator on grants or projects totaling more than $17.3 million. As project leader for a program project in pharmacology, he has worked on five grants with total NIH funding of more than $60 million, bringing his total career grant support to more than $77 million.
Several career highlights for Abraham include the following leadership positions: • 1996, chairman of the Society of Hematology and Stem Cells; • 2000, chairman of the 1st International Conference on Heme Oxygenase, New York; • 2002, chairman of the International Conference on Heme Oxygenase, Italy; • 2005, chairman of the International Conference on Heme Oxygenase, Japan; and • 2007, chairman of the International Conference on Heme Oxygenase, Poland. Over his career, Abraham has received dozens of awards including the following: • National Institute of Health, Research Career Development Award; • Dr. David M. Ovitz Lecturer Award, University of Calgary, Canada; • Distinguished Professor Award, University of Saskatoon, Canada; • Dean’s Distinguished Award for Stem Cell Research, University of Catania, Italy; • Honorary doctoral degree in Pharmacy, University of Catania, Italy; • Dean’s Distinguished Award, New York Medical College, New York; and • Honored Professorship, Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science. He has served as an invited lecturer internationally, including in China, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan, Sweden, Copenhagen, Czech Republic and Poland. He is the author or co-author of more than 300 original articles and has mentored numerous postdoctoral and graduate students. He is a Fellow of the American Heart Association. Abraham brings to the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine a team of researchers including the following individuals: • G. Drummond, Ph.D., a former associate professor at Rockefeller University and an expert in heme oxygenase who pioneered the use of metalloporphyrins to inhibit Volume 4 - Issue 1 • 2013
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Marshall University Medical School News Category bilirubin production, and has more than 20 years of clinical trial experience in preventing jaundice in newborn infants. • D. Kim, Ph.D., a researcher in human stem cells; • K. Sodhi, M.D., a researcher in hypertension associated with obesity and diabetes; • S. Monu, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow who works on the expression of an endogenous antioxidant; • M. Maheshwari, a doctoral student; and, • M. Choi, a lab assistant. Abraham earned his Ph.D. in 1976 from the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. He spent his postdoctoral fellowship at The Rockefeller University, where he discovered and isolated the rat and human heme oxygenase gene responsible for the overproduction of bilirubin in newborn infants, which manifests as jaundice. In early 1982, he developed inhibiters of heme oxygenase for the prevention of jaundice with his mentor Dr. A. Kappas, former vice president of The Rockefeller University and physician-in-chief. In 1977, he became an associate scientist at New York Medical College in New York. He initiated the college’s first program project on heme oxygenase in 1985. During his time there, he was promoted to the rank of professor with tenure in medicine in 1993. Abraham was named a visiting professor of medicine at New York University in 1993, at which time he also continued his affiliation with The Rockefeller University as a visiting scientist. In 1996, he re-joined New York Medical College as a professor in the departments of pharmacology and medicine and also served as director of the stem cell and gene therapy program. In 2009, while maintaining affiliations with both the New York Medical College and The Rockefeller University, Abraham was named chairman and professor of the department of physiology and pharmacology at the University of Toledo College of Medicine. During his tenure as chair of the department at Toledo, NIH and pharmaceutical support increased from $2.5 million to more than $7 million in less than four years.
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Biomedical Sciences Doctoral Students Take Top Awards at Regional Conference Two biomedical sciences doctoral students from Marshall University’s Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine captured first place in both categories of a research competition held in October 2012 in conjunction with the first Appalachian Regional Cell Conference. They were among more than 40 graduate students and post-doctoral fellows from Marshall, West Virginia University, University of Kentucky and Ohio University competing at the conference, which was held October 12 at the Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center at Charleston Area Medical Center. Marshall biomedical sciences Ph.D. candidate Johannes Fahrmann received first place in the oral presentation category of the competition for a presentation about his research to explore the effects of omega-3 fatty acids in late stage chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Rounak Nande, who is also a doctoral student in the university’s biomedical sciences program, was awarded first place in the poster category for a poster describing his project to help develop a delivery system for targeted gene therapy to improve the treatment of prostate cancer. Fahrmann said the conference was a valuable experience and he hopes to continue his involvement with the event in the future. “The conference was aimed at networking, collaborations and showcasing the research being conducted by students at the attending universities,” he added. “I was given the honor and privilege to represent Marshall University through an oral presentation describing my cancer research, and was very pleased to receive the overall award. Neither the award nor the conference itself could have come to fruition without the dedicated work of the organizing committee, which included our own graduate student Allison Wolf.” He also expressed appreciation to his faculty mentor, Dr. Elaine Hardman, Marshall professor of biochemistry and microbiology.
Hardman praised Fahrmann’s work, saying, “Johannes is an outstanding senior graduate student who will do well in research. The presentation he made was completely his own work—he developed the idea, wrote a grant, obtained the funding to do the work and has excellent results. His work has clear clinical relevance and, we hope, will apply to enhancing cancer therapy in the near future. He is a leader in the department and an outstanding role model for the younger graduate students. I am delighted with his success and to have him for a student.”
Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine biomedical sciences Ph.D. students Johannes Fahrmann, standing, and Rounak Nande, seated, captured first place in their respective categories at a research competition held in October 2012 in conjunction with the first Appalachian Regional Cell Conference. Fahrmann won the oral presentation category and Nande took first place in the poster category. Photo by Rick Haye/Marshall University
Nande said of the experience, “I, too, felt privileged to take part in the first-ever ARCC conference put together by the four universities. I would like to thank my mentor at Marshall, Dr. Pier Paolo Claudio, and my collaborators from the Tri-State Regional Cancer Center in Ashland, Ky., Dr.. Michael Gossman and Dr. Jeffrey Lopez, for having confidence in me to present our research.” Claudio, who is an associate professor of biochemistry and microbiology and director of the McKown Translational Genomics Research Institute, said he was pleased with Nande’s success at the conference and emphasized the potential
Marshall University Medical School News Association’s House of Delegates (AMA-HOD). The AMA House of Delegates is the principal policymaking body of the American Medical Association.
importance of the student’s research. “A major challenge for effective gene therapy is the ability to specifically deliver nucleic acids and potentially toxic gene products directly into diseased tissue. This system Ron helped develop in our lab allows for the specific delivery of smart biological drugs to diseased tissues using the blood stream. The advantage of this technique is that the therapeutic viruses are released in a concentrated manner in the diseased tissue, eliciting an enhanced therapeutic effect while minimizing complications,” added Claudio. Two additional Marshall graduate students, Kristeena Ray and Sarah Mathis, were selected as winners in their categories of the poster competition—Ray for a poster showcasing her research into the role of epigenetics in endometriosis-associated pain and Mathis for a poster describing her work to help develop a test that could make possible individualized chemotherapy treatments. Ray works in the lab of Dr. Nalini Santanam, Marshall professor of pharmacology, physiology and toxicology. Claudio serves as Mathis’s faculty mentor.
The conference was organized and hosted by the four institutions with the goal of expanding the field of cell biology research and fostering interactions among scientists at the universities in the Ohio Valley/mid-Appalachian region. In addition to the oral and poster presentations, the program featured keynote speaker Dr. Vinay Pathak, a senior investigator in HIV drug resistance at the National Cancer Institute, and networking opportunities for more than 80 students and faculty members who participated in the program. The conference was funded through a grant from the American Society for Cell Biology.
Marshall Medical Student Elected to National Association Post
Jay R. Bronder, a second-year medical student at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, was recently elected by his peers as a regional representative to the American Medical
“I’m very excited to represent Marshall University and our region in this organization,” Bronder said. “Part of my responsibility is to act as a mentor and liaison between Region 5 and the HOD to help refine resolutions coming from Region 5 students to the full house. I’m looking forward to being part of this process.”
Dr. Marie Veitia, associate dean for student affairs, congratulated Bronder on his election. “We are very proud of Mr. Bronder,” she said. “He will represent the School of Medicine very well and is certainly deserving of this position.” The AMA’s House of Delegates meets twice annually and represents the views and interests of a diverse group of member physicians on a variety of issues including health, medical, and professional and governance matters. Bronder is a native of Monroeville, Pa.
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Volume 4 - Issue 1 • 2013
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Mon General News
Mon General Enters Partnership to Offer Family Medicine Residency Program Mon General Hospital has entered into a partnership with Cornerstone Care Teaching Health Center and Mountain State Osteopathic Postdoctoral Training Institutions, Inc. (Mountain State OPTI) to offer a Family Medicine Residency program. “With a projected shortage of primary care physicians in the north central West
Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania region in the coming years, offering a Family Practice Residency Program at Mon General Hospital is a way to recruit new physicians to the area,” said Mon Health System President and CEO Darryl Duncan. The new Family Medicine Residency program will be funded by a federal Health
Specializing in cosmetic, oral and craniomaxillofacial procedures for 16 years.
James M. Henderson, MD, DDS, FACS Bruce B. Horswell, MD, DDS, MS, FACS David P. Wise, MD, DDS Board certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Michael Jaskolka, MD, DDS CAMC General Hospital Medical Pavilion 415 Morris St., Suite 309 Charleston, WV 25301
• Facial and cosmetic surgery • Facial and jaw reconstruction • Skin care programs/micropeels • Microdermabrasion • Laser treatment (304) 388-3290 • Hair transplants 1-800-348-6099 • Skin and mouth lesions • Oral cancer treatment CAMC Women and • Sleep apnea and snoring treatment Children’s Hospital • Orthognathic surgery Medical Staff Office Building • Cleft lip/cleft palate 830 Pennsylvania Ave., Suite 302 • Misshapen heads Charleston, WV 25302 • Infant jaw lengthening (304) 388-2950 • Vein sclerotherapy 1-800-348-6099 • Dental and zygoma implants • Removal of teeth • Sedation/general anesthesia • Craniofacial trauma surgery camc.org/facialsurgery • TMJ reconstruction
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Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) grant. “Support from Senators John D. Rockefeller and Joe Manchin and Representative David McKinley enabled us to secure the funding for the residency. Their recognition of the need for this program has made our vision for this critical training program a reality.” Cornerstone Care is a federally qualified health center with central offices located in Greensboro, PA. Cornerstone Care provides a full-range of primary care and preventative health, dental and mental health care in eight locations across Pennsylvania, including clinics located in Mount Morris, Waynesburg, Uniontown, Burgettstown and Rogersville. The Mount Morris clinic, located just north of the West VirginiaPennsylvania state line, will serve as one of the primary training sites. Mountain State OPTI was accredited by the American Osteopathic Association in June 1999. The consortium is comprised of a central member, the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM), located in Lewisburg, WV, and its partner training institutions. “The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine is now the largest medical school in the state of West Virginia, graduating 200 physicians per year,” Duncan said. ‘They have an extensive network of residency sites throughout West Virginia. Until now, Mon General had been the largest hospital in the state that did not have a residency relationship with the school.” “A recent study from the West Virginia Rural Health Association and the Rural Health Research Center shows the state continues to lack medical coverage in 50 out of 55 counties,” said Lorenzo Pence, D.O., Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. “The demand for health care providers, including family physicians, will continue to
Mon General News grow, particularly if more than 300,000 new state residents become insured under the Affordable Care Act. WVSOM remains committed to educating primary care physicians who will provide care in those underserved areas. The new Family Medicine Residency Program associated with Mon General is a huge step in the right direction.” The new Family Medicine Residency Program will begin on July 1, 2013. The three year program is approved for 12 positions and can accept up to four qualified residents each year. Two Mon General medical staff members, both graduates of WVSOM, will serve in leadership positions for the program. William Minor, DO, who is board certified in Family Medicine, will serve as the Family Medicine Residency Program Director. Dr. Minor practices at the Cornerstone Primary Care Center in Mount Morris. Mary Edwards, DO, who is board certified in Emergency Medicine, will serve as the Director of Medical Education. Dr. Edwards is an Emergency Room physician at Mon General. “The dual-study program provides a broad inpatient experience, to allow residents to feel confident practicing hospital-based medicine,” Dr. Minor said. “Mon General Hospital is a 189-bed facility with stateof-the-art technology and an outstanding physician staff, with a highly respected reputation in the tri-state area. The ambulatory care component of the program takes place in Continuity of Care clinics and physician offices. The Cornerstone Health Centers offer a full spectrum of family medicine experiences. They provide comprehensive medical care for many of the underserved patients in the region, exposing the program residents to exceptional training in rural medicine.” During the first year of training, the resident will be exposed to a broad range of disciplines. Rotations will be spent at Mon General Hospital in the Hospitalist service, Emergency Medicine, General Surgery, Cardiology, Anesthesiology, Radiology, Obstetrics and Gynecology with the specialist teaching faculty. Pediatrics, Family Medicine, Sports Medicine, Pain
Management and Dermatology will be primarily office based rotations. During the 2nd and 3rd year of training, opportunities will be available to spend more focused rotation time in special training tracts for sports medicine, hospitalist medicine, behavioral medicine, geriatrics or women’s health. “As we look to the future, our facilities are committed and enthused about training the next generation of family physicians,” Dr.
Minor said. Cornerstone Care Teaching Health Center will participate in this year’s Match process for incoming residents and will utilize the ERAS (Electronic Residency Application Service) system for program applications. Due to the HRSA affiliation, potential residents do not need to wait for the Match this year in order to apply. Additional information is available at www. mongeneral.com/FMR.
We Practice What We Teach West Virginia University Physicians of Charleston provides worldclass medical care to citizens of Southern West Virginia, while conducting ground breaking research and continuing education at one of the nation’s oldest regional medical education campuses. Our providers are recognized leaders in their chosen specialties. Our practice plan includes providers that specialize in everything from primary to specialty care and from pediatrics to geriatrics. In addition to practicing medicine, each doctor is on the faculty at the West Virginia University School of Medicine. As mentors in the medical field, dedicated to training a new generation of doctors, our physicians have a passion for knowledge that pushes them to learn more. As physicians and medical university faculty members, we are at the forefront of medical science. We are committed to delivering the most technologically advanced and compassionate care available. Our faculty physicians also conduct important research and use cutting edge medical advancements to improve patient outcomes. We aren’t content just to practice medicine -- we’re committed to teaching it, too. Visit our brand new website and see the many specialists and services we offer to meet all of your family’s health care needs. Search for providers: • by name • by specialty • by location • by keyword search
www.wvupc.org Volume 4 - Issue 1 • 2013
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Princeton News
Lee E. Smith, M.D. Receives Lifetime Achievement Award for Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Lee E. Smith is the recepient of the 2012 Larry D. Schoenrock Distinguished Service Award. This lifetime achievement award is presented each year by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS) to an individual who has made significant contributions to the facial plastic surgery examination program, its financial security, and/or its support within the specialty, organized medicine, and state legislative and regulatory bodies.
Dr. Smith, an ear, nose, and throat specialist and facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Princeton Community Hospital, is the first physician in West Virginia to have been honored with this prestigious award. Smith was elected to the ABFPRS Board of Directors in 1999 and has served on the Executive Committee as its Secretary since 2009. Due to his expertise in reviewing, evaluating, and determining standards for surgical competence, he achieved national recognition through his election as Chairman of the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and his appointment
as the FSMB delegate to the American Board of Medical Specialties. “Lee Smith is one of our specialty’s greatest advocates,” said Ira D. Papel, M.D., ABFPRS President. “He has worked behind the scenes to help ensure that our Board’s credential is recognized by national medical organizations when equivalency issues have been raised. For the past twelve years, this has been his way of cementing the Board’s reputation as the gold standard of certification for facial plastic surgeons – a cause that Larry Schoenrock proudly championed.”
St. Joseph’s News
Dr. Priya Sundaram Joins the Staff of The Associates for Women’s Health at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Buckhannon St. Joseph’s Hospital announced today that Priya Sundaram, MD has joined the staff of The Associates for Women’s Health at St. Joseph’s Hospital. “We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Sundaram to our staff here at St. Joseph’s Hospital,” said Sue Johnson-Phillippe, President and CEO. “She will be a great asset to the community, providing full time Obstetrical/Gynecological care. Dr. Sundaram will help to ensure that we continue to provide the best health care to our community.” Dr. Sundaram previously practiced in Baltimore, Maryland at a clinic affiliated with Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, Maryland. She completed her residency in 2011 at the Sisters of Charity Hospital in Buffalo, New York. Dr. Sundaram received her medical degree from Kilpauk Medical College, Medical University in Chennai, India. Dr. Sundaram’s office is located on the second floor of the St. Joseph’s Medical Office building on West Main Street. Appointments with Dr. Sundaram can be scheduled by calling the Associates for Women’s Health at 304-472-7473.
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Number of older adults over 65 in WV Number of health care professionals trained in geriatrics
To improve the healthcare for older adults in WV, the West Virginia Geriatric Education Center offers training, curriculum and continuing education for health professionals. February – Health Literacy April – Advanced Geriatrics Skills
Check website for additional on-line offerings Check us out at www.hsc.wvu.edu/charleston/wvgec or call
304-347-1208 or 304-347-1225
West Virgina Geriatric Education Center 3110 MacCorkle Avenue SE, Suite 102 • Charleston, WV 25304
St. Mary’s Medical Center News
St. Mary’s Medical Center Named One of Healthgrades Top 100 Hospitals in America for Spine Surgery for Second Consecutive Year
#1 in West Virginia for Fourth Consecutive Year
HealthGrades Study Finds Patients Treated at Hospitals Receiving 5 Stars are 61% Less Likely to Experience a Major Complication Spine surgery at St. Mary’s Medical Center is in the top 5% in the nation according to a new report from HealthGrades, the leading provider of information to help consumers make an informed decision about a physician or hospital. The report, American Hospital Quality Outcomes 2013: HealthGrades Report to the Nation, evaluates how approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide performed on risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates for nearly 30 of the most common conditions treated and procedures performed from 2009 through 2011. Hospital outcomes and complication rates are important in the eyes of consumers making choices today about their healthcare. According to new research conducted by Harris Interactive for HealthGrades, 90% of Americans in 27 top designated market areas agree they would be more likely to choose—or not choose—a hospital if they could learn ahead of time their chances of complications for a certain procedure. St. Mary’s had several HealthGrades recognitions including: America’s Best 100 Hospitals • One of HealthGrades America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Spine Surgery™ for 2 Years in a Row (2012-2013) Orthopedic • Recipient of the HealthGrades Orthopedic Surgery Excellence Award™ for 3 Years in a Row (2011-2013)
• Recipient of the HealthGrades Spine Surgery Excellence Award™ for 2 Years in a Row (2012-2013) • Ranked Among the Top 5% in the Nation for Spine Surgery for 2 Years in a Row (2012-2013) • Ranked Among the Top 10% in the Nation for Overall Orthopedic Services for 3 Years in a Row (2011-2013) • Ranked #1 in WV for Spine Surgery for 4 Years in a Row (2010-2013) • Ranked Among the Top 5 in WV for Overall Orthopedic Services for 4 Years in a Row (2010-2013) (Ranked 2 in 2013) • Ranked Among the Top 5 in WV for Spine Surgery for 4 Years in a Row (2010-2013) (Ranked 1 in 2013) • Five-Star Recipient for Overall Orthopedic Services for 3 Years in a Row (2011-2013) • Five-Star Recipient for Spine Surgery for 4 Years in a Row (2010-2013) • Five-Star Recipient for Hip Fracture Treatment for 3 Years in a Row (2011-2013) • Five-Star Recipient for Back and Neck Surgery (except Spinal Fusion) for 4 Years in a Row (2010-2013) • Five-Star Recipient for Back and Neck Surgery (Spinal Fusion) for 2 Years in a Row (2012-2013)
For its analysis, HealthGrades evaluated approximately 40 million Medicare hospitalization records for services performed from 2009 through 2011 at approximately 4,500 short-term, acute care hospitals nationwide. Patients being treated in hospitals receiving 5 stars have, on average, 61% lower risk of experiencing a complication while in the hospital than if they were treated by hospitals receiving 1 star (based on 2009-2011 data across nine common procedures and diagnoses such as total knee replacement, gallbladder, and spine surgeries). Additionally, a total of 183,534 in-hospital complications could have potentially been avoided if all hospitals performed at a 5-star level.
“We are proud of the excellence in patient care at St. Mary’s Medical Center and the dedication of our physicians, nurses and staff is certainly reflected in the most recent findings by HealthGrades,” said Michael Sellards, President and CEO of St. Mary’s Medical Center.
More information on the American Hospital Quality Outcomes 2013: HealthGrades Report to the Nation, including the complete methodology, can be found at www.healthgrades.com/quality .
The 2013 HealthGrades hospital quality outcomes are free to the public at www.healthgrades.com. HealthGrades independently measures hospitals based on data that hospitals submit to the federal government. No hospital can opt in or out of the analysis, and no hospital pays to be measured. HealthGrades risk adjusts for patient demographic characteristics and clinical risk factors, thereby taking into account how sick patients are upon admission.
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St. Mary’s Medical Center News
St. Mary’s Acquires First O-arm® Imaging System in West Virginia St. Mary’s Medical Center is the first hospital in West Virginia and the Tri-State to provide a new state-of-the art imaging system for neurosurgery patients. The O-arm® Imaging System is an imaging technology that gives surgeons “a better way to see” during surgery. It allows St.. Mary’s neurosurgeons to make fewer and smaller incisions, precisely navigate delicate areas like the spinal cord, confidently place screws and align joints, and minimize pain and recovery time. In addition, the O-arm® System provides a live image of anatomy during surgery.
How it Works The O-arm® forms a ring around the patient’s body. The ring then rotates to take 2-D fluoroscopy (real time moving x-rays) and 3-D images around the patient. The O-arm® also has a navigational component, like a GPS, that allows St. Mary’s neurosurgeons to track instruments in relation to the patient’s anatomy, monitor the anatomy itself and quantify soft tissue balancing. This type of navigation is vital when working in areas such as the brain and spinal cord where accurate instrument placement is critical.
Surgery with the O-arm® Imaging System enables St. Mary’s neurosurgeons the ability to: • Navigate more precisely through delicate anatomy at exactly the right angle • Use smaller and fewer incisions • Preserve healthy tissue • Minimize complications, pain, recovery time and the need for repeat procedures For more information about the O-arm Imaging System, contact St. Mary’s at 304-526-1184.
(L to R) Matthew Werthammer, MD, Panos Ignatiadias, MD, and David Weinsweig, MD, use the latest technology available when doing surgery at St. Mary’s Medical Center.
“This technology provides the best possible outcomes for our patients and we’re proud to have it exclusively at St. Mary’s Medical Center,” said David Weinsweig, MD, a neurosurgeon at St. Mary’s Neurosurgery.
Pictured is the Medtronic O-arm® Imaging System available at St. Mary’s Medical Center.
Karim joins St. Mary’s Family Care Center – Highlawn Muhammad Sohaib Karim, MD, has joined St. Mary’s Family Care Center – Highlawn in Suite 304 of the Highlawn Medical Building on the St. Mary’s Medical Center
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campus. Dr. Karim is accepting new patients. Dr. Karim is a board-certified primary care physician specializing in internal medicine. He previously served as assistant professor of medicine, primary resident preceptor and clinic leader at Southern Arizona Veterans
Administration, a healthcare system affiliated with University of Arizona in Tucson, Ariz. St. Mary’s Family Care Center – Highlawn is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Karim, call (304) 399-7280.
Category WVU Charleston News
Dr. Greg Rosencrance Receives American College of Physicians Laureate Award at WV Chapter Meeting Greg Rosencrance, MD, professor and chairman of the WVU Charleston Division Department of Internal Medicine, was presented with the Laureate Award at the West Virginia Chapter meeting of the American College of Physicians held recently at Stonewall Resort. The Laureate Award is presented to long-standing and loyal supporters of the College who have rendered distinguished service to their chapters and community and have upheld the high ideals and professional standards for which the American College of Physicians is known.
Students and Residents Win Honors at ACP WV Chapter Meeting The American College of Physicians WV Chapter meeting was held recently at the Stonewall Resort. Each year, a Medical Student and Resident Member Abstract Competition is held. Out of 7 possible placements, Charleston was awarded 5 of the 7 awards. Amy Lynn A. Teleron, M.D., assistant professor of internal medicine for the WVU School of Medicine, Charleston Division shared some of the preparation that goes into this important competition. “A lot of work definitely goes into preparing for the State ACP Competition. Research Day at CAMC in the spring helps us prepare for the state and national level competitions. All year, the residents and faculty work on creative research ideas and completing the projects. In addition, we also look further into the interesting and/or rare cases we encounter in the clinic and in the hospital. The Internal Medicine Department Research Committee works really hard to provide support to the residents who are ultimately responsible for the presentations. I will say that the addition of Cindy Hanna by my side has really helped not only in getting the residents to follow a timeline to complete the projects for our competitions, but overall, her hard work has actually increased production and completion of original research projects for the department.
Once the residents collect their data and write their abstracts, this information is reviewed by mentors before submission for acceptance to the competition. Once accepted, I send out a timeline months prior to the competition to the residents to let them know when things should be completed, i.e. when poster information should be sent to Maynard for layout or when the artistic poster created by the resident should be sent to print. I also set up review sessions for both oral presentations and poster presentations during the weeks before the competition. Faculty provide feedback immediately after practice presentation for improvement on both content of medical information, visual appeal, as well as presentation skills. Cindy and I also spend time with each individual resident to improve the PowerPoint presentations (for oral or posters) one-onone with the resident. During the 10 final days prior to the competition, we sprint to get everything finalized! This year, the residents did a wonderful job overall in completing their projects in a timely fashion, putting hours of work into research and planning and practicing presentations! It obviously paid off since we won 5 out of the 7 awards! We are very proud of our residents year after year, as we represent WVU Charleston Division with high quality work, sweeping awards at the competitions!” Amy Teleron, MD
Oral Abstract Competition: Brandon Rose DO(resident) 2nd Place Clinical vignette A “Bite” Confused (La Crosse Encephalitis in a 71 Year Old Man) David Greenwald MSIV (medical Student) 2nd Place Original Research by student Morbidity and Mortality of Geriatric Patients Diagnosed with Pulmonary Embolism Poster Abstract Competition: Andra Fee Mulhearn DO, PGL2 (resident) 1st Place Original Research by resident Reverse Sequence Syphilis Screening in a rural HIV positive population: analysis of discordant results and costs of additional treatment and management. Samantha Lane DO, PGL3 (resident) 1st Place Clinical Vignette by resident Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in a 25 year old presenting with multisystem organ failure Eric Coughlin MSIV (medical student) 1st Place Original Research by student Are we overprescribing Narcotics? A Look at CAMC Data Brandon Rose, DO and David Greenwald, MSIV will represent the WV Chapter at the national level.
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WVU Charleston News
WVU Charleston Division Names Dr. Raheel Khan Interim Chair of Pediatrics The West Virginia University Charleston Division School of Medicine has named Raheel R. Khan, MD, FAAP as the interim chair of the department of pediatrics. An associate professor specializing in pediatric infectious disease, Dr. Khan has a long and distinguished academic career with West Virginia University and practices at WVU Physicians of Charleston Pediatrics at Charleston Area Medical Center’s Women and Children’s Hospital. Dr. Khan graduated from Dow Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan and migrated to the United States in 1987. He completed his pediatric residency training at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago, and then a fellowship in Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. He joined West Virginia University’s Charleston Division in 1994 and was appointed as pediatric residency program director in 1997. Dr. Khan was elected Chairperson of the Mid-America Region of the Association of Pediatric Program Directors at its annual meeting held in Toronto in 1997. He is currently serving as secretary/treasurer of the American Academy of Pediatrics-WV chapter and received the “Advocate for Children” award from AAP-WV Chapter in 2007. Dr. Khan is a certified medical ethicist and is a member of CAMC’s Medical Ethics Consultation Team. His areas of interest include pediatric HIV infection, cystic fibrosis and childhood immunizations. Dr. Khan is a member of WV Immunization Advisory Board.
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Dr. Safina Kureshi Receive Honors at CHEST Conference A poster presentation, entitled, “Respiratory Distress Secondary to Toxocariasis” by Ravdeep Kaur, MS IV, Keyur Patel, PGY IV, and Safina Kureshi, M.D., Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pulmonary, (with acknowledgements to Kevin Maupin, M.D., Raheel Khan, M.D. and Matthew Thomas, PGY III, Chief Resident in Pediatrics) was awarded 1st place for best case presentation in the Infectious Disease section of the CHEST International Conference, held in Atlanta, Georgia on October 23rd, 2012. Original research from Fellowship was presented at the 2012 AAP Meeting, held in New Orleans, Louisiana, entitled, “Outcomes of Heterotaxy patients with and without ciliary dysfunction”, won 2nd place in the AAP Cardiology Young Investigators Competition. It can be viewed by accessing the following reference: Harden B, Leatherbury L, Giese R, Tian
X, Nakhleh N, Francis R, Hanumanthaiah S, Kureshi S, Chatterjee B, Swisher M, Kuehl K, Sami I, Olivier K, Jonas R, Lo C. Increased Postoperative Respiratory Complications in Heterotaxy Congenital Heart Disease Patients with Respiratory Ciliary Dysfunction. Congenital Heart Disease. 2012;7:479-513.
Jabin Janoo, MD accepted into the APGO Academic Scholars and Leaders Program Dr. Jabin Janoo MD, assistant professor in the WVU Charleston Division department of obstetrics and gynecology has been accepted into the APGO Academic Scholars and Leaders Program. APGO is a national body and stands for Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics and represents academic obstetrician-gynecologists in the United States and Canada and is the leading premier resource for education in the profession. Only 24 participants are selected per year for the program nationwide and there have been 280 scholars that have graduated from the program since 1998.
WVU Charleston News
Dr. Ahmed Dahshan Named to U.S. News and World Report “Top Doctors” Listing Dr. Ahmed Dahshan, MD, FAAP, FACG of the WVU Charleston Division department of pediatrics has been selected for inclusion in the 2012 listing of “Top Doctors” by U.S. News and World Report.
Compiled through a peer nomination process and review, U.S. News and World Report’s Top Doctors was developed in collaboration with Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., publisher of America’s Top Doctors® and other guides, and was built upon data from Castle Connolly’s Top Doctors™. The goals of the new project are to help consumers find the doctors who can best address their needs, and to enlist doctors
across the country in sharing their awareness of who among their peers are the most worthy of referral. Their collective wisdom, available at usnews.com, will contribute to a growing knowledge base that extends and complements doctors’ longstanding tradition of seeking recommendations from a convenient sample of their trusted colleagues.
Dr. Roberto Kusminsky Named Chair of WVU Charleston Division Department of Surgery Dr. Roberto Kusminsky MD, FACS, MPH has been named chairman of the West Virginia University Charleston Division department of Surgery. A board certified general surgeon, Dr. Kusminsky received his medical degree at the University of Buenos Aires in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He completed a surgical internship and residency training at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Medical College of Pennsylvania, both in Philadelphia, respectively. He went on to complete a
colorectal residency from Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX. He was one of the researchers involved in the University of Vermont original study of sentinel node identification with a radiotracer, and later became a core trainer for the NASBP B-32 breast protocol. Dr. Kusminsky currently serves as the clinical director for quality improvement for surgical services at West Virginia University’s Charleston Campus at Charleston Area Medical Center Memorial Division, and he is the medical director of the institution’s breast center. He currently holds the position of professor of surgery at the West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Charleston.
In addition to his scientific publications, Dr. Kusminsky made his first step into the world of fiction with the publishing of his novel “Counsel of the Wicked,” which follows a surgeon and a geneticist on a deadly cat-andmouse chase with a ruthless art dealer who is intent on recovering treasures looted by the Nazis and hidden in South America decades earlier. Dr. Kusminsky recently led his department in the creation and publication of an annual report detailing the many services offered within the surgery departments and sharing touching stories and impressive statistics of the group’s life-changing and life-saving work.
WVU Charleston HSC Library News
Here are some of the new books in the library that are now available for checkout: andbook of Nonprescription Drugs, 17th •H ed. (2012) •F irst Aid for the USMLE Step 2, CK Clinical Knowledge, 8th ed. (2012) •P alliative Medicine: A Case-Based Manual, 3rd ed. (2012) issemination and Implementation of Re•D search in Health: Translating Science into Practice (2012) •A CCSAP Version 8: Adult Clinical Cardiology Self-Assessment Program, eight volumes
(2012; each volume is on reserve at the library front desk) • MKSAP 16, Part A, six volumes (2012; each volume is on reserve at the library front desk) The first four books above are on the new book shelf to the right of the library front desk. The last 2 sets of books are on reserve and available from the librarian at the library information desk.
The library welcomes Mr. Maynard Chapman, Biomedical Designer, Life Sciences Graphic Artist, and Health Sciences Poster Consultant, to the library as his new working home. His office is located library room 1107, to the right of the Computer Lab. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact Rob Cagna, Library Director, at 304-347-1287 or rcagna@hsc.wvu.edu.
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WVU -East News
WVUH-East City Hospital Foundation Funds Air Ambulance Patient Equipment West Virginia University Hospitals-East’s City Hospital Foundation recently donated $10,000 to HealthNet VIII to purchase a GlideScope for the Martinsburg based air ambulance helicopter. The GlideScope is a device used by flight nurses and paramedics to insert breathing tubes in patients who have suffered severe trauma, or to treat patients who have a difficult airway and are not breathing on their own. This video scope has a high resolution digital camera that is connected to a high resolution LCD monitor which assists the flight staff in establishing an airway. HealthNet VIII is one of the first aircrafts in the tri-state area to place this device in service. This state-of-the-art equipment will allow WVUH-East and HealthNet to better serve the community by giving the flight staff cutting edge technology for use in the field with no delays.
Check presentation pictured from left to right: Mark Longerbeam, flight paramedic; Nick Cooper, flight nurse; Teresa McCabe, WVUH-East vice president marketing and development; Autumn Davis, chief flight nurse; Susan Snowden, chairman City Hospital Foundation board of directors; and Donnie Grubb, trauma coordinator at City Hospital.
Hendricks Award Presented, WVU School of Medicine Eastern Division Surgery Clerkship Director, James In November, 2012, West Carrier, MD. Upon presentation of Virginia University School the award, Dr. Carrier noted, “Dr. of Medicine Eastern DiviHendricks was a dedicated surgeon sion celebrated outstandwho tirelessly served the Martinsing achievement of one of burg community for many years. their students. Jared ManThis award is presented to Jared K. waring, received a new Manwaring, who has demonstrated a Eastern Division campus high level of skill in the surgical arena award named for the late and dedicated many hours of service and highly esteemed local general surgeon, D. (L to R) – Jared Manwaring and to his community as a medical student. “ Ewell Hendricks, MD. Dr. James Carrier. This award recognizes a The WVU Health Sciences Center Eastern Difourth year medical student who demonstrates vision is located in Martinsburg, WV. WVU outstanding achievement in clinical surgical skills, as well as an exceptional commitment to School of Medicine students begin medical school in Morgantown, but choose to finish community service in the Eastern Panhandle. their degree in the Eastern Panhandle, while The award was presented to Manwaring by completing rotations with community phylocal surgeon and WVU School of Medicine sicians and attending weekly lectures. After
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completing their residency programs, many of these physicians return to the Eastern Panhandle to practice medicine. The WVU Health Sciences Center Eastern Division has been hosting third and fourth year medical students in the Eastern Panhandle since 2002.
Our Apologies: In the Volume 3, Issue 3 of WV Physician we overlooked identifying the photo on page 23. The Tonsil editorial was submitted by Majid Shafiei, MD. Board Certified Otolaryngologist. WVUH-East Ear, Nose & Throat. (304) 262-9400
WVU -East News
WVUH-East Officially Opens New Wound Care Service Center for Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine - Ribbon Cutting (L to R) Tina Combs – Martinsburg Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce; William Stubblefield – Berkeley County Council; Rick Pill – WVUH-East Board of Directors; Anthony Zelenka – Chief Administrative Officer, City Hospital; Robert Bowen, MD – Medical Director, Center for Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine; Ginna Reep, RN – Director, Center for Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine; George Karos – Mayor of Martinsburg; Delegate Walter Duke
Center hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. For more information or to make an appointment, call 304-264-1314. Officials at West Virginia University Hospitals-East, in conjunction with the Martinsburg Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce, held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine at City Hospital. The Center, which opened to patients on November 5, offers Eastern Panhandle residents a comprehensive approach for treating patients with non-healing sores and wounds close to home. “The new center offers treatment locally for patients with chronic wounds, which are wounds that do not heal,” stated Dr. Robert Bowen, the center’s medical director. The Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine is staffed with specially trained physicians and nurses. According to Bowen, physician specialties include general surgery, critical care medicine, infectious disease, orthopedics, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, and podiatry. A major factor contributing to success at the Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine at City Hospital is the use of a hyperbaric chamber, a sealed unit that provides super-high levels of oxygen for areas of the body where there is not enough. The center’s Perry Sigma-40 Hyperbaric Chamber is the largest single-person chamber on the market. Because of its spaciousness, claustrophobia is minimized. The WVUH-East Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine is located on the first floor of City Hospital.
Teays Valley Orthopedics, affiliated with CAMC Teays Valley Hospital, offers the latest techniques in orthopedic care • Minimally invasive total hip and knee replacement surgery • Arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee and ankle • Kyphoplasty (minimally invasive spinal procedure used for treating vertebral fractures from osteoporosis) • Cartilage replacement surgery • Pediatric orthopedics • Occupational medicine • Sports medicine • Treatment of arthritis • Hand surgery • General fracture care
James B. Cox, DO
Board certified orthopedic surgeon
David Felder, MD
Orthopedic surgeon 3703 Teays Valley Rd. • Hurricane, WV 25526 Phone: (304) 757-2273 • Fax: (304) 760-9290 camc.org ©Charleston Area Medical Center Health System, Inc. 22001-D10
Volume 4 - Issue 1 • 2013
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WVU Healthcare & Health Sciences News
Colenda to Chair National Medical School Group Liaison Committee on Medical Education sets accreditation standards Christopher C. Colenda, M.D., M.P.H., chancellor for health sciences at West Virginia University, has been selected to a one-year term as chair of the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), the federally-recognized accrediting body for programs in the United States and Canada offering the M.D. degree.
Canada. Schools must perform a rigorous self-study to compare their education program to LCME standards. An on-site visit from a team of faculty members from other accredited schools is followed by a detailed review by the LCME members.
Dr. Colenda was appointed to the LCME by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). That group and the American Medical Association are the LCME’s two institutional sponsors. “I’m extremely pleased to see Dr. Colenda recognized with this important leadership position in academic medicine,” said WVU President Jim Clements. “He is a proven leader, with strong principles and ethics, as well as a deep commitment to quality in academics and health care. It is a real salute to all of our faculty, staff, and students for one of our own to hold responsibility for maintaining the highest standards in every medical school in the country.” Medical schools are reviewed every eight years and must maintain LCME accreditation for their students to remain eligible for licensing in most states and in
Colenda is an accomplished geriatric health services and clinical investigator and has published more than 110 articles and book chapters. He joined WVU as Chancellor for Health Sciences in 2009. He was named an LCME member in 2007 while serving as dean of the College of Medicine of Texas A&M Health Science Center. He has held previous academic and administrative appointments at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine and Medical College of Virginia of Virginia Commonwealth University.
“This is about continuous quality improvement and raising the standards to ensure that all medical schools are providing the highest quality of medical education in the world,” said Colenda. “On a personal level, of all the professional and volunteer work I’ve done, this is one of the most gratifying positions I’ve ever held in academic medicine.” Throughout his career as a medical educator, he participated in a dozen site visits to evaluate medical programs.
Colenda will serve as chair for one year, with newly appointed chair-elect, Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., chancellor and executive vice president for biosciences and health affairs and dean of the College of Medicine at The University of Toledo, succeeding him in 2013. “I look forward to working closely with Dr. Colenda,” Dr. Gold said. “He is a highly respected scholar, and the new structure creates an opportunity for greater ease of transition between one leader and the next. It is a true honor to be asked to serve the LCME in this capacity.”
WVU School of Medicine Seniors Pass Clinical Knowledge Exam The West Virginia University School of Medicine’s senior class recently displayed its superior understanding of clinical knowledge.
rate on the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 2 CK (Clinical Knowledge).
Vice Dean for Education and Academic Affairs Norman Ferrari, M.D., said the Class of 2013 posted a 100-percent first-time pass
“This marks the third year in a row for our seniors to have such excellent results,” said Dr. Ferrari, who is also chair of the Depart-
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ment of Medical Education. “We are so proud of the Class of 2013.” “This is really terrific news. To have any given class have a 100 percent pass rate is worth celebrating, but to have it occur three years in a row is simply amazing,” WVU School
WVU Healthcare & Health Sciences News of Medicine Dean Arthur J. Ross, III, M.D., M.B.A., said. “I believe this reflects the outstanding learning environment our clinical faculty has created for our students as well as the impressive dedication our students have towards becoming fine physicians.” According to the USMLE website, the threestep examination for medical licensure assesses a physician’s ability to apply knowledge, concepts and principles. The test also requires physicians to demonstrate funda-
mental patient-centered skills that are important in health and disease and that constitute the basis of safe and effective patient care. Step 2 assesses whether medical students can apply medical knowledge, skills and understanding of clinical science essential for providing patient care under supervision and includes emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention. Examination committees composed of faculty members, teachers,
investigators and clinicians prepare the Step 2 Clinical Knowledge multiple-choice questions. “Our faculty is very dedicated to providing our students with the most cutting-edge educational opportunities, and our students respond by working hard,” Ferrari added. “They know that having a strong core knowledge is the foundation to developing the clinical skills necessary to become an excellent physician.”
Dr. Ronald L. Gross to lead WVU Eye Institute Baylor professor is a graduate of WVU School of Medicine Ronald L. Gross, M.D., a 1982 graduate of the West Virginia University School of Medicine, has been appointed chair of the School’sDepartment of Ophthalmology and director of the WVU Eye Institute. Dr. Gross has been on the faculty of the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, since 1987, and holds the Clifton R. McMichael Chair in Ophthalmology there. He will join WVU in the first half of 2013. The appointment was announced by Arthur J. Ross III, M.D., M.B.A., dean of the WVU School of Medicine. “To ‘bring home’ a son of West Virginia with such impressive
credentials and passionate commitment to West Virginians is especially sweet,” Dr. Ross said, “Dr. Gross is exactly the right person to take the clinical, academic and research endeavors of this fine Department to the next level.” Gross completed internship and residency training at Baylor, along with a glaucoma fellowship at the Jefferson Medical College and Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, before joining the Baylor faculty. He has been a principal investigator or collaborator on more than 80 research projects and is the author or co-author of 145 publications in peer-reviewed journals. He is a member
of the editorial board of the Journal of Glaucoma. “Ron Gross has been a loyal WVU Mountaineer since graduating from our School of Medicine,” said Judie Charlton, M.D., the previous chair who now serves as chief medical officer of WVU Healthcare. “His research in the field of glaucoma has been transformative, and he has achieved international recognition for his work. He understands the unique challenges faced by people and communities in West Virginia in addressing ophthalmic health disparities.”
Hansbarger to retire from WVU Charleston After a 10-year career with the West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, L. Clark Hansbarger, M.D., associate vice president for health sciences and dean of the WVU School of Medicine’s Charleston Division, will retire effective June 30, 2013. Chancellor Christopher Colenda, M.D., M.P.H., who announced the retirement today, will appoint a committee to conduct a
national search for Dr. Hansbarger’s successor. A native of Welch, W.Va., Hansbarger is a graduate of Duke University’s School of Business and the Medical College of Virginia School of Medicine. He did his residency training with both Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland and Boston Children’s Hospital. Following six years’ service with the U.S. Navy, he returned to Case Western Reserve University as an assistant professor of pe-
diatrics. In the 1970s, he practiced in one of the early primary care clinics in Monroe County, W.Va., specializing in both family medicine and pediatrics. Following his time in Monroe County, he was named director of the West Virginia Department of Health by then-Gov. Jay Rockefeller and served in that capacity from 1981-1985. Hansbarger left West Virginia for Albuquerque, N.M., and joined the University of New Mexico, where he served as dean of graduate Volume 4 - Issue 1 • 2013
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WVU Healthcare WVUH-East News & Health Sciences News medical education, division director of general pediatrics and medical director for the pediatrics ambulatory service.
Area Medical Center and the entire healthcare community in the Kanawha Valley,” said Dr. Colenda.
In September 2002, he and his wife, Christine, returned to West Virginia, and he assumed his duties on the WVU/Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) Memorial Division campus. In addition to his roles with WVU, he served as the director of medical education for CAMC’s residency programs.
“It has been a pleasure to work with a physician who understands so completely the needs of students, the state and its people,” said Arthur J. Ross III, M.D., M.B.A., dean of the WVU School of Medicine. “He has made certain that our Charleston Division has always taken a leadership role in protecting and advancing the health of West Virginians.”
“Dr. Hansbarger has been an exemplary leader for the Charleston Division, strengthening the faculty, advocating for our students and cementing our partnership with Charleston
Hansbarger said he returned to West Virginia because he always remained passionate about healthcare, medical education and missions
that combined those two concepts. “It has been an incredible honor to serve as a leader and educator in the West Virginia University Health Sciences Center system. I can’t think of a better way to spend the last decade of my career,” Hansbarger said. “Our campus is one of the oldest regional medical campuses in the United States, and our programs have continued to flourish despite budgetary challenges and the ever-increasing regulatory nature of healthcare and education. I’m very proud of the training we’re doing in Charleston, and I feel confident that we’re sending highly skilled, well-educated providers into the communities we serve.”
WVU Healthcare Recognized for its Cancer Program WVU Healthcare and the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center have once again been recognized by the American College of Surgeons (ACOS) Commission on Cancer for providing high-quality cancer care.
commission on cancer,” Jame Abraham, M.D., medical director of the Cancer Service Line for WVU Healthcare and the Cancer Center, said. “A three-year accreditation award with commendation is the best we can achieve in this survey.”
The Commission granted the WVU Healthcare Cancer Program a three-year accreditation award with commendation following a survey in October that rates the performance of cancer facilities compared to the commission’s standards of quality care.
“It is an honor to receive re-accreditation from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer,” Cancer Review Committee Chair Hannah Hazard, M.D., said. “As a national organization that reviews all the accredited cancer centers in the country, the reaccreditation with commendation is a clear signal of the Cancer Center’s commitment to the care of cancer patients in our region.”
“I am very proud to say that our cancer program received an outstanding review by the
Cancer program surveys are performed every three years at facilities that have voluntarily
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committed to provide the best in cancer diagnosis and treatment and are able to comply with established commission standards. Christine Metheny, manager of technicians for WVU Healthcare’s Health Information Management, and cancer registrars Pam Moats, April Feathers, Carrie Abruzzino and Brooke Beckman compiled data and statistics of the cancer program from the years 20062009 that validated and documented the interdisciplinary team work by the cancer programs and Cancer Review Committee. The American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer has recognized WVU’s Cancer Program for providing the best in cancer care since 1981.
Radiation Oncology
Advanced Cancer Care for your patients Nearly two-thirds of cancer patients receive radiation therapy in the treatment of their disease. The Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center offers the most advanced therapies and treatment to patients in our region. We offer: • Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) for head and neck cancers • Stereotactic Body Radio Therapy (SBRT) • External Beam Therapy • Gamma-knife Radiosurgery • Brachytherapy • MammoSite® Radiation Therapy We recently have added a Trilogy linear accelerator, greatly expanding our cancer-fighting capabilities. Equipped with a new image guidance system, this device allows our radiation oncology experts to see the tumor in real time for the most accurate treatment.
Physicians: Geraldine M. Jacobson, MD, MBA, MPH, FACR Alexander Chi, MD John C. Frich, Jr., MD Carl F. Jueng, MD
Call 304-WVA-MARS for more information or to speak with a physician.
Cancer Center clinics are operated by WVU Hospitals, a member of the WV United Health System.
wvuhealthcare.com
ISTINCT reasons to trust your breast health care to Cabell Huntington Hospital & the Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center: Shawn McKinney, MD
Offering 1 The Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Diagnostic Breast Center is Huntington’s ONLY BREAST CENTER with 3D MAMMOGRAPHY to be designated a BREAST IMAGING CENTER OF EXCELLENCE by the American College of Radiology.
Mammography 3 The Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center has the region’s ONLY FELLOWSHIP-TRAINED SURGICAL BREAST ONCOLOGIST – Shawn McKinney, MD.
2 The Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Diagnostic Breast Center and the Cabell Huntington Hospital Breast Health Center are Huntington’s ONLY BREAST CENTERS to receive ACCREDITATION by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers.
Schedule your mammogram today.
Call 304.526.2270.
A Distinct Difference in
Cancer Care.