Residency program is prescription for success Mercy Hospital, in partnership with Catholic Medical Partners, launched a Pharmacy Residency Program in 2014. Upon the completion of a successful survey by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) in September, the program has received pre-accreditation status with official accreditation expected to follow. Heading this post-graduate, one year residency (PGY1) program are Edward Swinnich, director of Mercy’s Pharmacy Department, Richard Kraft, director of Clinical Pharmacy for Catholic Medical Partners (CMP) and Timothy Vink of CMP, clinical pharmacy consultant and residency program director. According to Dr. Vink, pharmacy grad-
Clinical Pharmacy Consultant Tim Vink, right, reviews a chart with pharmacy residents Harpreet Kaur and Charles Hinton.
uates holding a doctorate degree are not required to complete a residency program. “However, national research shows that one year of residency experience could be equivalent to three or more years of on-the-job training,” Dr. Vink noted. “As a result, this program can open doors for our residents.”
Medical Staff NEWS Thank you, Dr. Vetrano
Dr. Campione retires
Staff and physicians gathered for a reception to thank Anthony Vetrano, MD, for his longtime, dedicated service as Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics, after stepping down from the position he held since 1999. Dr. Vetrano has also been an instrumental leader of the hospital’s pediatric service. Dr. Vetrano, center, is pictured above with Donald Pickhardt, MD, the current chairman of the Department, left, and Jack Coyne, MD, Catholic Health Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics.
A retirement celebration was held for Peter Campione, MD, who served on the Mercy Hospital Medical Staff for 34 years. Dr. Campione, pictured above at right with Dr. Michael Rade, Chairman of the Department of Surgery, was the Chief of Otolaryngology.
Mrs. New York grateful
Gathered at the 2015 New York American College of Physicians Conference were: (l.-r.) Catholic Health internal medicine residents Ahmad Farooq (PGY II), Andrew Creighton (PGY I), Henri Woodman, MD (Program Director), Mohammed Al-Sofiani (PGY II), and Mohammed Samannodi (PGY I).
Residents take first place Residents Ahmad Farooq and Anaum Maqsood from the Catholic Health System - University at Buffalo Internal Medicine Training Program took first place out of 400 abstract/poster presenters from across New York State at the 2015 New York American College of Physicians Conference held earlier this year. Their poster presentation illustrated their research findings that aspartic acid, one of the amino acids that is a component of total parenteral nutrition, sweetener and various protein supplements, has anti-inflammatory effects and can reduce injury to major organs. Drs. Farooq and Maqsood have shown that aspartic acid is very protective in mice models of liver failure, including Tylenol toxicity and acute pancreatitis. This is the first study that demonstrates these novel findings including the role of aspartic acid in inflammation, treatment of liver failure and pancreatitis, along with the presence of NMDA receptor in the liver.
Anesthesia team honored
Surgeon visits Mercy
Dr. Rajeev Ahuja, a prominent plastic surgeon in India, center, is pictured with Mercy Hospital President & CEO C.J. Urlaub and Dr. Kulwant Bhangoo during his visit to the hospital. He visited the Plastic Surgery Service in April to observe procedures performed by Dr. Bhangoo and Dr. Lakshmanan Rajendran.
Residents Spotlight
Mrs. New York 2015 Winner Jessica Lahr, who recently competed in the 2015 Mrs. America Beauty Pageant, sent Mercy Plastic Surgeon Dr. Kulwant Bhangoo this kind note: “I owe a huge thank you to my surgeon, Dr. Bhangoo and the staff at Mercy Hospital. I’m so pleased with the results of my surgery thanks to Dr. Bhangoo’s expertise, knowledge and wisdom. The kindness and warmth of the nurses at Mercy during my immediate recovery was so comforting. I’m so glad I decided to make the two-hour trip to Buffalo for my surgery…..” She is pictured above with Dr. Bhangoo.
In above photo, residents presented a plaque to Mercy’s anesthesia team to express their appreciation for their commitment and unwavering support of the residency training program.
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