October 12, 2012 MEDICAL UNIVERSITY of SOUTH CAROLINA Vol. 31, No. 9

READ THE CATALYST ONLINE - http://www.musc.edu/catalyst

63 Children’s hospital initiativeCliniCal trial targets Military

Staff are encouraged to support each other’shealthy lifestyle, in order to help patients.

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5Omega-3 smoothies may help in reducingdepression and suicides among veterans.

Case Management Week

Meet Janet

Great Southeast Shake Out

Brain science exploredThis year’s annual Thomas A. Pitts

Memorial Lectureship in MedicalEthics, titled, “Brain Science in the 21stCentury: Clinical Controversies andEthical Implications,” will be held Oct.26 – 27 in the MUSC BioengineeringBuilding.

The event is open to MUSCfaculty, physicians, nurses, and healthprofessionals. More than 10 hours ofcontinuing medical education credits willbe offered.

The event begins with registration anda continental breakfast from 7:30 to 8a.m., Oct. 26, followed by a welcomeaddress from Mark S. Sothmann, Ph.D.,MUSC vice president for academicaffairs and provost, and introduction byRobert Sade, M.D., Institute of HumanValues in Health Care director.

Highlights from session one feature adiscussion about brain trauma in sportswith presentations by Jonathan Edwards,M.D., professor of neurosciences anddirector of MUSC’s ComprehensiveEpilepsy Center, and Dan Larriviere,M.D., Ochsner Medical Center, whowill discuss legal and ethical perspectivesof sports brain injuries. The finalsegment features NFL Hall of FamerJoe DeLamielleure, formerly with theBuffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns.DeLamielleure, a spokesperson for NFLretired players, will speak from personalexperience about concussion injuries insports.

Later sessions scheduled includestroke prevention, managing strokecomplications in sickle cell disease,post-traumatic stress disorder in violent

crime and among combat soldiers andthe controversy in using beta blockersto reduce stress. Other speakers include:Ronald Acierno, Ph.D.; Robert Adams,M.D.; Nicholas Avgeropoulos, M.D.;Michael K. Gusmano, Ph.D.; MarkHamner, M.D.; Wally Smith, M.D.; andPeter Tuerk, Ph.D. A total of 10 speakersare scheduled to present Oct. 26 with abrain science controversy seminarOct. 27.

Sade, whose Institute of HumanValues in Health Care office hasmanaged the lectureship since 1999,leads a program that is dedicated tointerdisciplinary biomedical ethics andethical conduct in research and studiesrelating to human values in health policy,legislation and patient care deliverysystems.

“This year’s Pitts Lectureship featuresa great lineup of local, national andinternationally-known experts who willlead discussions on several timely issues,”Sade said.

The conference is partly supportedby a bequest from former MUSC boardof trustees member and chair ThomasAntley Pitts II, M.D., in support ofteaching medical ethics and addressingbioethical issues through this conference.Proceedings will be published as asymposium in an issue of the Journal ofLaw, Medicine & Ethics.

To register for the 2012 PittsLectureship, visit http://www.values.musc.edu. For questions, email fier@musc.edu or call 876-0177.

For inForMation:

2 The CaTalysT, October 12, 2012

MUSC is honoring the service of MUSC veteransthis Veteran’s Day. A formal recognition programwill be held Nov. 9. Information will be forthcoming.

If you served honorably in any branch of theUnited States military and would like to berecognized, email your name and branch of service toplunketh@musc.edu by Oct. 19.

MUSC wants to honor employeesduring Veteran’s Day event

Many of us have madea commitment to

volunteerism for the bettermentof our community and MUSC.Because so many give their timeand talents, it is sometimeshard to single out someone forindividual contributions. Butevery now and then, a personcomes along who has gone sofar outside the normal boundsthat we have to stop and takenotice. Such was the case with Dr. Gordan B. Stine. InApril, Dr. Stine passed away after a long illness.

Gordan Bernard Stine was born in Charlestonand was educated in our public school system andpersonified what was the charge of the High School ofCharleston: “Enter to learn, leave to serve.” In 1944,he graduated from the College of Charleston with aBachelor of Science in chemistry. After serving in theMarine Corps during World War II, he earned hisprofessional degree in dentistry from Emory Universityin 1950 and returned to active duty in the Navy forseveral years before settling back home in Charleston.What followed was a remarkable career of professionaland public service where the highest standards werealways more than met.

Dr. Stine was often described as a true “Renaissanceman.” In fact, he was a leader and achieved distinctionin many areas including education, science,government, business, and the arts. His exemplaryaccomplishments were many, and clearly attest tothe extraordinary breadth of his interests and selflessservice to others. The following are only some of thehighlights of the many leadership positions he heldthroughout his life.

In the fields of education and science, Dr. Stine wasinstrumental in the chartering of our state’s College ofDental Medicine at MUSC. He served as the presidentof the Charleston Dental Society and the SouthCarolina Dental Associations and also the president ofthe Pierre Fauchard Academy. He was a past presidentof the College of Charleston Alumni Association,former vice chairman of the College of Charleston

Stine

Editor’s note: The following article is written by Joseph F.Thompson Jr., assistant dean for finance and administration,James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine, in memory ofGordan B. Stine, DDS. Stine was a faculty member of MUSCand served as special assistant to the president, director ofDental Continuing Education, state dental coordinator for theSouth Carolina Area Health Education Center, and founderof the University Cultural Affairs Council. Stine passed awayApril 11.

board of trustees and retired from the board as a trusteeemeritus. He also served as chairman of the ClemsonUniversity State Extension Advisory Committee andthe Charleston County Extension Service advisoryboard.

In the areas of government and business, Dr. Stine’sleadership roles included chairman of CharlestonCounty Council, chairman of the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments, chairman of theSouth Carolina Council of Regional Governments,president of the Palmetto Safety Council, presidentof the Charleston Trident Chamber of Commerce,president of the South Carolina DowntownDevelopment Association and served as a memberof the board of directors of the Charleston CountyAviation Authority.

His dedication to the arts was illustrated by his serviceas president of the Charleston Symphony Associationand by working as a board member of the CharlestonCivic Ballet, the South Carolina Art Alliance, theCharleston Concert Association, the Charleston OperaCompany and the Charleston Museum.

Some more examples of Dr. Stine’s outstandingcommunity leadership include president of theCoastal Carolina Council of Boy Scouts, president ofthe Trident United Way, president of the ExchangeClub of Charleston, president of the Coastal CarolinaFair Association, chairman of Charleston Pride andchairman of the Charleston Heart Association.

In addition, Dr. Stine’s strong commitment to hisfaith was demonstrated in his having served as presidentof Congregation Beth Elohim and president of theHebrew Benevolent Society and the Hebrew OrphanSociety.

Other community boards, especially those involvingchildren, which have benefited from Dr. Stine’sdedicated service are the Trident Area Foundation, theYWCA of Greater Charleston, the Robert Shaw Boys’Center and the Charleston Neighborhood HousingServices Board.

These examples of service to others just touch thesurface of Dr. Gordan Stine’s good works while he alsomaintained a dental career for more than 50 years.In 1983, after 30 years of private practice, Dr. Stinebecame a faculty member of MUSC and served asspecial assistant to the president, director of DentalContinuing Education, state dental coordinator forthe South Carolina Area Health Education Center andfounder of the University Cultural Affairs Council.Through his generosity Dr. Stine established a DentalLifelong Learning Fund, which was given his name in1994 as a tribute to his energy and efforts on behalf ofcontinuing education in the college.

Dr. Stine’s appreciation from those he served as well

as from his peers is clearly documented by the manyhonors and awards he received. The list is long but afew of the most notable include College of CharlestonAlumnus of the Year, Exchange Club Man of the Year,South Carolina Academy of Dentists’ Man of the Year,Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver Award, ShofarAward and the Gordan B. Stine Scout Camp HealthCenter, which was named in his honor. Dr. Stine wasalso awarded the State of South Carolina’s highesthonor, the Order of the Palmetto, by three differentgovernors.

Gordan Stine’s dedication to serving others wasonly surmounted by his devotion to his family. He wasmarried to Barbara Berlinsky Stine for more than 60years and they raised two sons, Steven and Robert.

Gordan Stine was indeed a man of many facets. Hislife embodied all the attributes that we strive to instillin our graduates by becoming leaders and outstandingcitizens of their respective communities. The measure ofhis success is calculated in the leadership qualities thathe inspired in the lives he touched.

The CatalystEditorial of ficeMUSC Office of Public Relations135 Cannon Street, Suite 403C, Charleston, SC 29425.843-792-4107Fax: 843-792-6723

Editor: Kim Draughncatalyst@musc.edu

Catalyst staff:Cindy Abole, aboleca@musc.eduDawn Brazell, brazell@musc.edu

The Catalyst is published once a week. Paidadver tisements, which do not represent anendorsement by MUSC or the State of SouthCarolina, are handled by Island PublicationsInc. , Moultrie News, 134 Columbus St. ,Charleston, S.C., 843-849-1778 or 843-958-7490.sales@moultrienews.com.

Dedicated faculty member touched many lives

The CaTalysT, October 12, 2012 3

M ore than 300 U.S. veterans will be drinkingomega-3 smoothies as part of a multi-

organizational research study attempting to demonstratethat the best weapon against suicide in the military,and among veterans, may just be a common dietarysupplement.

Bernadette Marriott, Ph.D., a professor in the clinicalneuroscience division of the Institute of Psychiatry,proposes that daily supplementation of omega-3 highlyunsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) will reduce the risksof mental illness and suicide among veterans whoare determined to be at increased risk for suicidalbehaviors. A pilot sub-study of the trial will look atthe impact of omega-3 supplementation and alcoholconsumption in suicidal veterans and suicidal veteranswith alcohol use disorders.

The Military Operational Medicine Joint ProgramCommittee (JPC-5) funded the study, and will bemanaged by the Congressionally Directed MedicalResearch Programs. Researchers from MUSC, theRalph H. Johnson VA Medical Center and the NationalInstitute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA),which is part of the National Institutes of Health, willbe awarded a $10 million contract to carry out theresearch during the next three years. The award comesat a time of unprecedented number of suicides in themilitary.

In July, the Army announced that 38 soldiers werepresumed dead by suicide that month alone, markingthe highest number of recorded suicides since reportingbegan. According to the American Foundation forSuicide Prevention, suicide is the fourth leading causeof death in the U.S. among adults 18-65, the secondleading cause of death among teens and young adults,and individuals ages 65 and older account for 16percent of all suicide deaths.

Capt. Joseph R. Hibbeln, M.D., of NIAAA’sLaboratory of Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics,and a co-investigator on the MUSC omega-3 trial, isa leading researcher in the effects of omega-3 fattyacids on psychiatric disorders. Based on previousstudies, he has long maintained the potential ofdietary supplementation with omega-3s to substantiallyimpact mental illness. “Research conducted in ourlab during the last 20 years points to a fundamentalrole for omega-3 fatty acids in protecting against majordepression, substance abuse and other problems,” hesaid. “Here we hope to be successful in understandingif omega-3 may play a role in reducing risk of severesuicidal behaviors among U.S. military veterans."

Ron Acierno, Ph.D., co-principal investigatorwith dual appointments at MUSC and the Ralph H.Johnson VA Medical Center, believes that based onwhat investigators already know about how omega-3

levels affect the brain, study findings could prove tobe far-reaching. “Suicidal thoughts and behaviors cutacross a variety of emotional problems faced by activeduty personnel and veterans, from PTSD to depressionto grief at losing a fellow soldier. If we establish that thisomega-3 treatment, a treatment with virtually no sideeffects, is effective at reducing the risk of suicide, we willhave begun to pay back the debt of service we owe ourArmed Forces personnel,” he said.

Another co-principal investigator of the study, HughMyrick, M.D., associate professor of psychiatry atMUSC and associate chief of staff for mental health atRalph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, said, “This studyrepresents a novel intervention that could reduce therisk for suicide. If the results are positive, the impacton veterans, our current military personnel, and societywill be immeasurable.”

Clinical trial aims to reduce suicide among veterans

A memorialservice forBernard“Bernie” W.Deas Jr., M.D.,will be held at10 a.m. Oct.13 at St. Luke’sChapel. Deas,the first African-American tograduate from the College of Medicinein 1971, died June 29.A repast will be held for the familyand guests following the memorialservice in the lobby and board room ofColcock Hall.

Deas, of El Paso, Texas, was aCharleston native and valedictorian ofthe Burke High School Class of 1961.He attended Iowa State University andwas named a Distinguished Military

Deas

Graduate. Upon graduation, he wascommissioned as a second lieutenantin the U.S. Army.

He later returned to Charleston forhis medical education.

As a medical oncologist, Deasenlisted in the Army Medical Corpsand eventually served as commander ofhealth services at White Sands MedicalHealth Clinic. He retired in 1994 withthe rank of colonel. He received manyhonors during his career, includingthe MUSC College of Medicine’sDistinguished Alumnus Award in1992.

Donations in honor of Deas maybe made through the College ofMedicine’s online donation format http://tinyurl.com/8r4zlh6. Forinformation on how to donate, contactCandace Gillespie at gillescf@musc.eduor 792-9243.

Memorial service for first blackgraduate slated for Oct. 13

The Out of the Darkness Community Walk toPrevent Suicide will take place at 1 p.m., Oct. 28, inHampton Park. The walk raises funds for researchand prevention initiatives, and to provide survivorsupport, education programs and conferences tobring attention to the impact suicide has on society.

Visit www.OutOfTheDarkness.org.

Community walk to raise awareness

4 The CaTalysT, October 12, 2012

By Mary CaTherine DuBois

Social Work Case Manager, Digestive Disease

Managers practice patient-oriented, outcome-driven careNational Case Management Week Oct. 14 – 20

MUSC’s Case Management and Care TransitionsDepartment team is proud of providing its patient-oriented, outcome-driven care to patients.

The team, composed of 35 nurse case managers andsocial work case managers, works 24 hours a day, sevendays a week. The team provides clinical assessments,care coordination, patient education, counseling,case monitoring and clinical pathway management,discharge planning, resource management and patientadvocacy support to all MUSC patients.

According to the Commission for Case ManagementCertification’s website, in order “to obtain optimumvalue for clients and reimbursement sources, casemanagers identify appropriate providers and facilitiesacross the continuum of health care and humanservices while ensuring that available resources aretimely, cost-effective, and efficient. Consumers, who areour patients, gain an advocate and emotional support.Physicians and hospitals have complex cases facilitated,and payers’ costs are reduced.”

At MUSC, patients are assigned a nurse case manageror a social work case manager based on the medical orsocial complexity of their illness and needed care.

To celebrate Case Management Week, thedepartment will feature a booth from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.,Oct. 15 near the university hospital cafeteria, and 11a.m. – 3 p.m., Oct. 16 at Ashley River Tower.

According to Florence Simmons, R.N., and nursecase manager, MUSC’s goal is to educate staff as to therole of case management. Everyone is invited to stopby the booth and learn more about various skills andtalents case manager’s use in providing for a diversepatient population.

Many of the case management and care transitionsstaff will participate in case management certificationtraining next February to become nationally certifiedcase managers.

Glenn Richmond, interim department director,can’t emphasize the value of working with certified casemanagers at MUSC. “Having nationally certified casemanagers will validate our expertise as case managers;prove that we know what to do in providing casemanagement services to our patients, especially thosewith many complex medical issues; and ensure we canprovide the right services to the right patients across thehealth care continuum of care.”

MUSC case managers were interviewed on their viewsof their roles:

How do you see your role in the new Medicareguidelines that impose financial consequences forreadmissions?

MUSC’s Case Management and Care Transition Department team“I monitor length of stay and address barriers to

discharge; by identifying trends now, I can developsolutions for future improvements to these issues.”—Grace Galloway, R.N., nurse case manager, Adult Medical& Surgical Oncology

What would surprise people most about what you doas a case manager?

“Because some young patients have multiplehospitalizations with their chronic illness, I oftenfollow them from birth through high school, watchingthe child and family unit grow despite their healthchallenges.”—Robin Hollinger, R.N., nurse case manager, PediatricCardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery

What is the most rewarding part of your job?“When a family says “thank you,” I know I have made

a difference in their lives.”—Jessica Winkler-Metz, social work case manager, PediatricOrthopedics, Urology, Oral Maxillary, Neurology, Plastics,and ENT

You follow complex patients with high readmissionrates, both when they are in the hospital and at home,to decrease readmissions. What are some of the ways

you do this?“I identify the psychosocial factors involved in the

patient’s illness and care, then offer the patient theresources to find assistance, or make those contactsmyself if the patient or family is not able. The pooreconomy has negatively impacted many communityresources with many unable to provide what they dida few years ago. This deficit in community resources,like housing and affordable outpatient medical care,negatively affects our ability to discharge patients.”—Renee Bligen, continuum social work case manager, DigestiveDisease Center

You are with HealthLinks, an MUSC-initiatedprogram that utilizes student volunteers to assistpatients with accessing resources in their localcommunities. Tell us more.

“I enjoy showing students that health is influencednot only by medical intervention but also a range ofsocial, economic and environmental factors — thecrux of holistic case management. Students havethe opportunity to impact these factors in MUSC’spopulation. As future health care providers, I hope theexperience will influence the way they care for theirpatients.”—Chrysta Schaaf, social work case manager, HealthLinks

The CaTalysT, October 12, 2012 5

Meet Janet

Janet DavidsonDepartmentAmbulatory ORHow long at MUSC23 yearsHow are you changing what’s possibleat MUSCBy maintaining optimal patient satisfactionduring their stay on our unit.PetsMy two cats, Elvis and PressleyDream jobWorking for a philantrophic foundation andmission work.Who in history would you like to meetAbraham Lincoln. I admire him for who hewas.Favorite restaurantThe Boathouse at Breach Inlet (Isle ofPalms)Favorite quote and by whom“Love Christ, love yourself, love others.” —My mother, who is my inspiration.Favorite radio station101.7What do you do on a rainy dayRead a book and have a cup of tea

6 The CaTalysT, October 12, 2012

A recent survey of Children’s Hospitalemployees found that 76 percentthought it highly important to talk topatients and their families about healthbehaviors. However, just 37 percent ofthat number reported that they do thistype of wellness counseling.

That disconnect is part of the reasonfor rolling out an innovative newprogram called the Children’s HospitalWellness Initiative that recently launchedat a luncheon sponsored by the BoeingCenter for Children’s Wellness. “Theinitiative will focus on getting moreemployees involved with wellness,nutrition and fitness activities so theycan encourage patients to adopt healthierlifestyles,” said Janice D. Key, M.D., co-director of the center’s Lean Team.

“You can’t be preaching wellnesswithout practicing it.”

That message played out with theLean Team’s efforts to create healthierschool environments. The Lean Teamwas created in July 2007 as a partnershipbetween MUSC’s Division of AdolescentMedicine and the Charleston CountySchool District with the goal ofpreventing and treating childhoodobesity through family-centered clinicalprograms paired with policy andenvironmental changes in schools andcommunities.

Research revealed that the healthiestschools were ones that had a robust staffwellness program. Similarly, researchsuggests that health care providers whoengage in healthy behaviors are morelikely to counsel their patients on theseissues.

The initiative, led by Key, directorof adolescent medicine, and SusanJohnson, Ph.D., director of the Office ofHealth Promotion, will be a collaborativeproject involving different groups totarget Children’s Hospital employees,including Employee Wellness, WeightManagement, Sodexo, Boeing Centerand dietetic interns. There will bepreventative services, including worksitescreenings, mobile mammograms andsleep screenings. The program will bemanaged through the Boeing Centerfor Children’s Wellness by registereddietitian Lucie Maguire Kramer.

Kramer interprets the survey resultsand works collaboratively to implementprograms. “I am enthusiastic aboutworking with Children’s Hospital staffto bring them the programs they wantto facilitate an environment of wellness.This is a very unique endeavor for achildren’s hospital, which makes it evenmore exciting.”

Weight Management will be providinga 10-week program, Healthy Happy Hourthat will start Oct. 8. The interactiveclass-based program teaches healthybehavior changes. There is a 50 percentrefund for successful completion ofthe $98 program, an incentive paid bythe Boeing Center. To register, emailbrowjosh@musc.edu.

In the arena of physical activity, therewill be fitness testing, a walking program,a desk workout program, signage forindoor and outdoor walking and bikingtrails, a stairwell program, developmentof a physical activity and break policyas well as the creation of break room

mini-gyms. As far as nutrition goals,employees will receive incentives forpurchasing wellness items in the cafeteriaand various educational opportunities,including cooking classes, will beprovided. There also will be a seminarseries on topics from stress managementto sleep hygiene.

Key said she’s amazed at the scopeand depth of the project and how itpulls together so many of MUSC’sresources to support Children’s Hospitalemployees in adopting healthier lifestyles.

Johnson added that there’s a big pushnationwide for hospitals to be leaders ofchange in creating a culture of health.They will be providing assessmentsand evaluations to see what parts ofthe program do well or may need to berevamped. What they learn will helpshape expanding this program to otherareas of the hospital.

Through work with the S.C. HospitalAssociation and the Working Wellprogram, her office has access tonationally recognized, evidence-basedassessment tools that allow comparisonsagainst industry standards for hospital-based employee wellness.

“This pilot is an excellent opportunityfor us to move beyond the initialcriteria for healthy hospitals andprovide evidence that could support theexpansion of prevention efforts on a

national level,” said Johnson.Part of the initiative is getting good

employee feedback. A Wellness ProgramNeeds and Interest Survey was completedby 312 participants in the Children’sHospital. It was administered toChildren’s Hospital faculty, nurses, foodand environmental services, child lifespecialists, volunteer services, faculty andresidents between February and Augustto assess current health status andbehaviors, to generate baseline data andguide program development.

Among its findings were that 26percent of employees reported being20 pounds or more overweight and 36percent, up to 20 pounds overweight.Eighteen percent said they rarelyexercised and 45 percent reportedlower back pain in the past six months.Twenty-eight percent reported that theyregularly practice stress managementwith 47 percent reporting that they allowthemselves a five to 10 minute break.

“With more than 12,000 employees,individualized programming is virtuallyimpossible, so the pilot was designedwith the creation of target groupsbased on job responsibilities as well ascurrent health levels and interests,” saidJohnson. The survey highlighted healthissues specific to work groups, which gaveinsight into program development and inparticular, scheduling.

However, baseline data and needsassessments aren’t enough to guaranteesuccess.

“We could have the best programin the world but if people don’t knowabout it, we won’t be successful,” saidJohnson, adding that’s why they createda wellness committee and are recruitingindividual wellness champions. Kramersaid Wellness Champions are an integralpart of the team, serving as the primarycontact for their area.

“Serving as a wellness championwill not take a lot of extra time but isessential to the success of the overallwellness program and can be rewarding.”

For information about the programor being a champion, visit www.musc.edu/lean_team/chwellness/index.htm orcontact Kramer at maguirel@musc.eduor Johnson at johnsusa@musc.edu.

New initiative targets employee wellness

Registered nurses Ryan Curry, left, and Jill Evans are offering up officespace for one of the mini-gyms. Both love the idea of making health andfitness more convenient. Evans said employees can push each other byworking out together.

“You can’t be preachingwellness withoutpracticing it.”

Dr. Janice Key

The Catalyst, October 12, 2012 7

D avid Adams, M.D.,was elected to serve as

president of the Halsted Societyfor the 2013 term.

The society is limited to 80surgeons and other individualsin allied branches of medicineand membership is by invitationonly. David J. Cole, M.D.,McKoy Rose professor andchairman of the Department ofSurgery who is also a memberof the Halsted Society, said thehonor is quite a coup for MUSC and an honor for theDepartment of Surgery.

“I can think of no one better suited to lead thegroup’s mission ‘to encourage exchange of ideas, freeand informal discussion, and a spirit of sociabilityand good fellowship among its members.’ David hasspent more than 25 years at MUSC earning respectand admiration as an avid mentor, clinical leader andchampion of the most difficult surgical cases whilebrilliantly serving our profession on a national level.”

Adams served as medical director of 1W traumacenter, program director in the General SurgeryResidency training program and is course director ofMUSC’s Department of Surgery Annual PostgraduateCourse in Surgery. He is chief of the Division ofGastrointestinal and Laparoscopic Surgery and co-director of the Digestive Disease Center.

His research interests center on gastrointestinaland laparoscopic surgery, with special interests in thesurgical management of chronic pancreatitis. He haspublished more than 100 works and presented morethan 100 talks related to his clinical interests.

Lewis Flint, M.D., in the Division of Education forthe American College of Surgeons and who was inMUSC’s Surgical Residency Class of 1974, said thatsince Adams joined MUSC’s faculty in 1986, he hasbuilt a nationally recognized gastrointestinal surgeryunit. In the course of this growth, he has repeatedlybeen recognized in Charleston and in South Carolinafor clinical and teaching excellence.

Flint said that Adams’ scholarship has beenrecognized at the national level, and this has led toelection to leadership positions in the AmericanCollege of Surgeons, the Southern Surgical Association,and the Southeastern Surgical Congress as well asappointment to the editorial board of the Journal ofGastrointestinal Surgery.

“In my opinion, David Adams is the quintessentialclass act in American academic surgery,” he said. “Thescholarly contributions he has personally producedand those he has stimulated in others are consistentlyof the highest quality. These characteristics havebrought significant additional luster to an alreadystrong academic surgical unit at MUSC. All of us witha Charleston connection can be proud of his electionto the office of president of the Halsted Society, and wewait eagerly for the inevitable additional honors.”

Adams

Surgery department professorelected president of society

The MUSC DAISY (Diseases Attackingthe Immune System) Award winner forSeptember is Jamie Greer, R.N., PediatricHematology/Oncology Unit. Thefollowing is Greer’s nomination letter,submitted by Amelia Little, R.N.

“Jamie is a selfless nurse who quietlybrings supplies to the clinic such asbaskets and blue books that she purchases.Jamie sent me this email describing thevalue of primary nursing. I believe thisstory she shared with me describes herexpert nurse intuition identified by ourclinical ladder nursing theorist Pat Bennerand her caring that nursing theorist JeanWatson would applaud. The followingstory is Jamie’s words from an email: ‘Irecently became the primary nurse for a

16-year-old patient. She completed a phaseof her treatment which required her tocome to the clinic three times per weekfor four weeks. About two weeks ago,she came for a chemo appointment andseemed withdrawn. No matter what I didI could not get a smile from her or get herto talk much, just continued complaintsof being tired. It turned out she hadarrived at the clinic with a blood sugarof over 900 due to high dose steroids shehad been taking. Because of the quickresponse and team work of everyone inthe clinic we were able to get the patientto the hospital quickly.’ This is just oneexample of Jamie’s expert nurse intuitionand caring, both of which are invaluableto our patients at MUSC.”

Daisy sepTeMBer awarD winner

Registered nurse Jamie Greer, center, is presented with the DAISYAward. Supporting Greer are two coworkers. To nominate a nurse,visit https://www.musc.edu/medcenter/formstoolbox/DaisyAward/index.htm. To see more on the DAISY Foundation, visit http://www.daisyfoundation.org.

8 The CaTalysT, October 12, 2012

Anew era in our educationhas begun. Third year

is the time we shed the pre-prescribed recipes for achievingour academic and professionalgoals. Each student’s traininghas become unique, shaped byour patients and the physicians,nurses and other professionalswho care for them.

Despite reading over thevarious conditions our patientssuffer from countless times inmy past, the word associations finally begin to haveconcrete meaning beyond the loosely connectedmnemonics and rhymes that got us through the last twoyears of medical school. Now patient stories, symptoms,and mannerisms live within the letters and rhymes ofold memory tricks. The animations of such pneumonicsbegan with my experiences on the psychiatry wards.

Toward the end of my six-week psychiatry rotation,I met patient X. She had spent the weekend in theemergency department because of a lack of availablebeds on our ward. During her time in our emergencydepartment, she had received the diagnosis of bipolarNOS (not otherwise specified). Given the “NOS”status of our patient, we began our discussion withher focusing on her likely manic symptoms. Maniccharacteristics we summarize by: DIGFAST.

“D” is for distracted. Patient X took a seat in frontof the team of health care workers during morningrounds. “Can you tell me briefly, Mrs. X, whatbrought you here?” I began the interview, fulfilling thedesignated role of the medical student in getting as faras efficiently possible.

MedicalmusingsChelsey Baldwin

Editor's note: Chelsey Baldwin of Little River is a third-yearmedical student. This column follows the journey of her classin becoming doctors.

Training becomes shaped by physicians, patients“Let me tell you, my son has been friends with ‘Joe’

since they were this high,” she gestured as she talkedin a rapid manner. “‘Joe’ was always a sweet boy andhe liked me the best of all the neighborhood moms.I’m the cool mom; the kids all hang out at my house,because I let them do what they want.” I checked off“I” for irresposibility as she went on talking without somuch as taking a breath. “Much cooler than ‘Joanne,’who moved to the neighborhood back in... Oh, '97. Sheis probably jealous of me, but really it isn't my fault.”“G” is for grandiosity.

“Mrs. X ...” my resident calmly intervened, “You weretelling us why you were brought here.” “F” is for flightof ideas.

“Oh honey, I know. I was getting there. Well my sonnever brought ‘Joe’ over to hug me, and that's the firstthing he normally does when he comes to town. Sowhen I saw my son, I confronted him.” The patientjumped up to act out her and her son’s interaction. Shedrew herself upright and looked down her nose at herimaginary self as she mimicked her son.

“A” is for increased activity. “You're not my mother,"she shook all over as she mimicked her son. She spunaround to resume the role of herself, clasping her handsat her chest. ‘Son, yes I am your mother.’”

“S” is for decreased sleep, a question we were neverable to squeeze into her narrative. However it’s easy toobserve “T,” for talkativeness. Despite 30-plus minutesof a group effort of trying to guide Mrs. X to makesense of her presence in our mental health facility, wewere left with little more than an understanding ofneighborhood dynamics. We resolved to try again later.

After psychiatry, I began an obstetrics and gynecologyrotation. I teemed with excitement at the chance todeliver a baby. However, one of the first deliveries whereI was present was surrounded by circumstances of anextremely ill mother.

Preeclampsia I remember by the letters: PRE. “P” isfor protienuria. Ms. Z was a young woman at 28 weeks

pregnant with her blood pressure ranges of 170s/100sand protein in her urine. “R” is for rising bloodpressure. Shortly after her arrival, I went to the roomto introduce myself and conduct a physical exam. Shelooked acutely ill, flushed cheeks, sweat at the roots ofher hair. She complained of an unbearable headache,undoubtedly caused by the elevated pressures coursingthrough the arteries of her head. I prodded her aboutpain in her upper right quadrant, as I imagined aswelling liver, a part of the constellation of findings inthe still unclear pathophysiology of preeclampsia. Theskin of her lower extremities remained indented afterI pressed my fingers onto her shins. “E” is for edema. Itapped her on the patellar tendon, and her leg jumpedso rapidly and with such force that it startled me.

Hyperreflexia, associated with worseningpreeclampsia. I finished my exam and excused myself.My resident met me in the hallway. “Chelsey, whatare the risk factors for this patient predisposing her topreeclampsia.” Luckily, or not, I had been “prepped” onthese by an attending the previous morning and had tolearn them the hard way.

“This is her first pregnancy, she falls in thebimodal age range, and she has a history of chronichypertension.”

“What is the treatment for preeclampsia?”“Delivery,” I said and with that answer, I knew we

were in for a long night. She was one of four Cesareansections scheduled to take place before the morningshift began.

As our pneumonics come to life, the heavinessof memorization lessens. We are able to spend lesstime rhyming and more time understanding. We areindebted to those that we are able to learn from. I'moften delighted with what ease our patients will revealthe hidden workings of their bodies and their eagernessto be a part of our journey to physicianhood.*The specifics of patient conversation have been modified toprotect the anonymity of patients

MUSC to participate in national lumbar spinal stenosis studyMUSC and surgeons Barton Sachs,

M.D., and John Glaser, M.D., areparticipating in the ACADIA FacetReplacement System clinical study forthe treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis(LSS). MUSC is one of only 30 sitesnationwide chosen for the study.

The study focuses on a new conceptin spine surgery called facet jointreplacement. The study will evaluate thesafety and effectiveness of the ACADIAFacet Replacement System.

ACADIA is an investigational devicedesigned to treat LSS while maintaining

the motion of the spine.LSS is a painful and sometimes

debilitating condition in which thespinal canal narrows and compresses thespinal cord and nerves, causing painfulsymptoms in the legs, thighs, buttocks,and back. Currently, a surgical option totreat LSS is removing the compressingstructures and fusing the spine. Withspinal fusion, a loss of motion occursthat may affect adjacent motion segmentsof the spine, creating degeneration andinstability.

Now, a treatment is being studied thatdoes not require fusion. ACADIA isdesigned to allow motion after removing

the degenerated facet joints that arecompressing the nerves.

Sachs and Glaser are investigators inthis study. The study is open to men andwomen between the ages of 21 and 85who have been diagnosed with LSS andhave had at least six months of non-surgical treatment, such as medication,injections, and physical therapy.

Additional criteria must also be metfor inclusion in this study.

For more information, contact theMUSC research team at 792-3131 oremail fiela@musc.edu.

What it isACADIA Facet Replacement

System is designed to restore thenatural anatomy of the spine whileproviding pain relief and stability tothe spine.

Visit http://www.facetsolutions.com/AFRSproduct.html or call 792-3131. Interested participants also mayemail fiela@musc.edu.

The CaTalysT, October 12, 2012 9

At 10:18 a.m., Oct. 18 MUSC is goingto practice the appropriate earthquakeresponse called the Great SoutheastShake Out.

More than 100 years ago, Charlestonexperienced the most damaging earth-quake in the eastern United States. This7.3 magnitude earthquake that rockedthe city, damaged nearly 90 percent ofbrick structures and killed 100 people.Charleston is still at risk for an earth-

quake of this magnitude so now is thetime to prepare. If you feel the groundshaking, stay calm, drop to the floor, seekcover under a desk or sturdy furniture,and hold on to that piece of furnitureuntil the ground stops shaking.

For information, call AmanadaRitsema at 792-8514 or MUSC RiskManagement at 792-3055. Informationalso may be found at www.musc.edu andclick “The Great Southeast Shakeout.”

Oct. 18 drill to prepareemployees for shake up

October is the month to makecertain changes to insurance benefits.All changes go into effect on Jan. 1,2013.

highlightsq No changes to the premiums forvision, long term disability or basicdental insurance coverageq Medical insurance premiums forthe Savings and Standard State Healthplans will increase by 4.6 percent foremployees and employers: for example,the employee rate for single coverageunder the standard plan will increaseby $2.25 per paycheck and by $7.05 forfull family.q BlueChoice HMO medicalinsurance premiums will be raisedbetween approximately 16 percent and28 percent depending on the level ofcoverage. Single subscribers who remainon this plan will see a $24 per paycheckincrease and for full family coverage,the increase will be $110.98.q There will be some smalladjustments to the subscriber co-paysunder the BlueChoice plan.q Cigna HMO medical insurance planwill be discontinued as of Jan. 1, 2013.q State dental and dental plus planswill begin covering dental implants as aclass III procedure.q Very slight increase to the premiumsfor dental plus insurance rangingfrom 12 cents per pay check for singlecoverage to 37 cents for full familycoverage.

q Term life insurance rates foremployees and spouses will increase byapproximately 10 percent to 18 percentdepending on your age category.q You may increase the term lifeinsurance on your life by up to$50,000.q You cannot increase spousal lifeinsurance without answering medicalquestions.q The maximum annual contributionto a Medical Spending Account willreduce from $5,000 to $2,500 – youmust re-enroll in this plan annually forit to continue in 2013

If you do nothing in October, allcurrent insurance benefits will rollover to next year with the exceptionof medical spending and dependentday care accounts which both requireannual re-enrollment.

If you add a spouse or children tovision coverage or kids to child lifeinsurance and you currently do notinsure them in any other way withthe State, you will be required tosubmit to the HR office proof of yourrelationship to them such as a marriagelicense or joint tax return for spouses orlong form birth certificates for children.These documents may be faxed to 792-0853 but be sure to put your full nameon them.

Annual enrollment briefings formedical center staff will be held at 8a.m., and 1:15 p.m., Oct. 15 at 2WAmphitheater or call the Benefits Deskat 792-0826.

October is time to make changes

10 The CaTalysT, October 12, 2012

Third-year medicalstudent Joy Dean receivesher Gold HumanismSociety pin from Dr.Rusty Turner, programfaculty co-advisor, atthe Sept. 11 inductionceremony of 23 students.The students wereselected by their peersfor demonstrating thevalues of humanismand professionalismin medicine. The GoldHumanism Honor Societywas established at MUSCin 2005 to recognizestudents, residents androle-model faculty inmedical education fordemonstrating patient-centered medicalcare. More than 90percent of U.S. medicalschools sponsor a GoldHumanism HonorSociety.

College of Medicine students, honored for theirhumanism in medicine and patient care, were

recognized Sept. 11 as the newest members of the PaulB. Underwood Jr. Chapter of the Gold HumanismHonor Society (GHHS).

A total of 23 student inductees joined College ofMedicine Dean Etta D. Pisano, M.D., chapter namesakeUnderwood, faculty advisors Sherron Jackson, M.D.,and Robert Turner, M.D., and GHHS faculty at aninduction ceremony held in their honor.

“Each of you elevates the values of humanism andservice as medical students by providing clinical care,leadership, compassion and dedication to service.There’s no greater honor than to be recognized byyour peers for demonstrating these empathetic andhonorable values,” said Pisano.

The students were presented with a certificate andpin and later recited the society’s pledge committingthemselves as role models and mentors to humanism inmedicine, inspiring colleagues to promote humanismand advocate for quality patient care and improvinghealth care for all.

Bonnie Brooks, a third-year medical student fromColumbia, said she chose medicine as a career becauseof the care she can continually provide and the abilityto give back to society. “I try to give the best level of careto my patients all the time. I’m proud to receive thishonor.”

Fellow student Craig Thomas, a native of Jamaica,was humbled that the award recognized excellenceas voted on by his student peers. “In our training,sometimes we wonder how we’re doing in our efforts toprovide patient care. Receiving this type of feedback isinvaluable and encouraging. It reminds me that I’m onthe right path in the work that I do in providing qualitypatient care.”

The 2013 inductee class includes Brooks, Amy E.Brown, Jessica S. Connett, Shana N. Coshal, Thomas

Students win gold for service, humanism in medicineBy CinDy aBole

Public Relations

Criswell, Thomas Cunningham, Sarah Dean, BrettHoffecker, Jocelyn Kerpelman, Ryan Kroll, SpencerLovelace, Neil Naik, Ashekia Pinckney, Stephen Potter,Daniel Reed, Stefanie Robinson, Phillip Rodriguez,Andrea Shipp, Mary Darcy Slizewski, Thomas, ThomasTyner, Chelsea Webb and Rahim Wooley.

The recipient of the Leonard Tow Humanism inMedicine Faculty Award also was recognized during theluncheon.

The award was presented in May to Ashlyn H.Savage, M.D., by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation.The dean recognized Savage, assistant professor in the

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, who worksat MUSC Women’s Health at Cannon offices. Savage,who is a 2002 COM alumnus, is the director of OB-GYN’s residency training program. She was chosen forher compassion and empathy with patients and hermentorship with students, residents and colleagues.Savage was joined by previous Tow Humanism awardeesRachel Sturdivant, M.D., and Marian Taylor, M.D.

The Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Awardalso is sponsored by the Arnold P. Gold Foundationand honors practitioners who value humanism inmedicine.

The CaTalysT, October 12, 2012 11

Celebrating its fifth year, the Carolina Green Fair inMarion Square will be held Oct. 13 and 14. On Oct.13 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., the fair will host a “greenis good and healthy” cooking demonstration. Thedemonstration will feature local ingredients from theCharleston farmers market. There also will be wellnessworkshops, local exhibitors, interactive yoga, Zumbaand a variety of fitness classes. Admission is free.

The purpose of the Carolina Green Fair is to createexcitement and enthusiasm for green principles,lifestyle, products, services and technologies availableto South Carolina residents using an environmentallyresponsible forum of education and entertainment.

MUSC Office of Health Promotion is a sponsor ofthis event and will host a large tent on Oct. 13 featuringmany of the health and wellness resources offered atMUSC, including Employee Wellness, Urban Farm,Sleep Lab, Weight Management, Wellness Center,Nutrition Services, dietetic interns and more.

In addition, local chefs will showcase the use of localand homegrown ingredients to create healthy anddelicious dishes. The Culinary Institute of Charlestonwill bring out the Demo Kitchen from noon to 12:30p.m. Join MUSC Sodexo chef Ferando Middleton andregistered dietitian Debbie Petitpain as they preparepan-seared local fish with beet sauce and fall greens andgrilled vegetable salad with tomatoes, olives and cheese.

MUSC Employee Wellness eventsq MUSC Employee Fitness Series: Join fitness expertKatie Blaylock from 4:15 to 4:45 p.m. Oct. 17 for a TaeBo class. Registration is required and space is limited.Send your name and email to: musc-empwell@musc.edu. See MUSC Wellness Center Membership Deskupon arrival for sign-in and directions to the classroom.

q Flu shot satellite clinic: Flu shots will be givenfrom 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oct. 17 in the lobby of AshleyRiver Tower (outside the cafeteria). For faster servicebring completed influenza consent form, found in MyRecords.

q Worksite screening: A worksite screening will beheld from 7 to 11 a.m., Oct. 24, university hospital,2West classroom. This screening, valued at about $350,is available to employees with the State Health Planfor $15 (covered spouses can also participate for $15).Employees and spouses without this insurance canparticipate for $42. To register, go to www.musc.edu/employeewellness and click Worksite Screening.

q Feed the Need: Donate non-perishable food to thecommunity and help kick off National Food Day. Foodcollection barrels will be at the following locationsuntil Oct. 24: university hospital cafeteria, Ashley River

Tower cafeteria, Colbert Education Cener & Librarylobby, MUSC Urban Farm, Wellness Center lobby andthe Office of Health Promotion (17 Ehrhardt St.).

q Farmers markets: Fresh fruits and vegetables areavailable from local farmers each Thursday behind theDrug Discovery Building 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., andFriday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the horseshoe andthe area next to Ashley River Tower.

q Urban Farm: Early bird maintenance from 7:30 to8:30 a.m., Oct. 16 and 17.

q Carolina Green Fair: MUSC Health & WellnessTent, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Oct. 13, and noon to 5 p.m.,Oct. 14, Marion Square.

q Porcher Medicinal Garden Dedication: 5:30 p.m.,Oct. 18, Drug Discovery Building Auditorium

Contact Susan Johnson, Ph.D., at johnsusa@musc.edu for more information on the Office of HealthPromotion at MUSC and Suzan Benenson Whelanat whela@musc.edu for specific information aboutEmployee Wellness.

Events, speakers, classes, or any other ideas arewelcome. Find us on Facebook. Like our page and keepup with all the wellness events at MUSC.

Green fair to offer healthy cooking demonstration

Creative name needed for medical center’s access initiativeAs a result of MUSC’s growing

national reputation, the demand for itsservices and providers has increased.

According to MUSC PhysiciansChief Medical Officer Peter Zwerner,M.D., MUSC Health has gone througha tremendous amount of growth.“MUSC has hired more than 100faculty members, expanded its primarycare network and increased outpatientservices including the opening of MUSC

Health East Cooper.”The demand has highlighted one of

MUSC’s biggest challenges — access.“The organization must improve

access or MUSC will not be able to meetcurrent and future patient demand,”Zwerner added.

Zwerner, and MUSC Physicians ChiefOperating Officer Jeff D’Agostino, haveformed a team leadership approach alongwith leaders from the clinical enterprise

to drive the access initiative.During the next year it will be an

institutional priority, but it is missingone thing, a name. Leadership is askingthe MUSC community to help come upwith a creative name to brand the accessinitiative.

The requirements for this name are:name focused on patient experience/satisfaction; must be linked to patientaccess; name should be simple; action

word; and name should be professionaland not offensive

Individuals who create the top threenames will be given a monetary reward.First place: $100, second place: $50, andthird place: $25. Submit your name ideasto access@musc.edu by Oct. 26. Thewinner will be selected by vote througha survey sent out to the MUSC Healthcommunity. The winning name will beannounced on Nov. 9.

12 The CaTalysT, October 12, 2012