MUSC Catalyst 1-23-2015

January  23,  2015

MEDICAL  UNIVERSITY  of   SOUTH  CAROLINA Â

Vol. Â 33, Â No. Â 21

Dynamic duo mix business and science Innovative funding ideas give research much needed boost BY  J.  RYNE  DANIELSON Public  Relations

B

etween  a  shrinking  budget  and  timid  investors,  researchers  often  find  themselves  caught  in  a  “valley  of  death.�  Michael  Rusnak,  executive  director  of  MUSC’s  Foundation  for  Research  and  Development,  knows  just  how  dangerous  this  can  be. “You  get  a  good  start  and  you’re  ready  to  go,�  he  said.  “And  next  thing  you  know,  you  need  more  money  to  advance  the  technology,  making  it  more  palatable  for  industry.  You  realize  you’re  too  early  for  the  venture  capitalists  —  they  don’t  fund  innovation  anymore  because  it’s  too  risky  at  this  stage.  And,  you  find  out  industry  doesn’t  want  it  either,  because  you  need  more  data.�

The  Foundation  for  Research  and  Development  collaborates  with  venture  capitalists  and  entrepreneurs  to  bridge  this  gap.  Passed  in  1980,  the  Bayh–Dole  Act  allows  universities  and  other  public  research  organizations  to  patent  their  discoveries  and  inventions  and  license  them  to  private  companies.  With  funding  from  the  National  Institutes  of  Health  drying  up,  private  industry  is  becoming  increasingly  attractive  to  many  researchers  looking  for  alternate  sources  of  funding. “The  research  world  has  gotten  a  lot  more  competitive,â€?  said  Tom  Finnegan,  director  of  the  Center  for  Innovation  and  Entrepreneurship  at  MUSC,  which  works  closely  with  the  FRD  to  launch  startup  companies  utilizing  the  licensed Â

photo by Dawn Brazell, Public Relations Tom Finnegan, left, and Michael Rusnak spur research and innovation at MUSC.

129

772

MUSC patents ÀOHG LVVXHG licensed and executed since 1995.

103

148

See RESEARCH Â on page 6

7

Donors Cure MUSC physician founds organization to help researchers.

8

Population Health

   3

After Hours Clinic opens

A new model for delivering care arrives at MUSC.

   5

Meet David

11

Engagement  Column

2 THE CATALYST, January 23, 2015

PEOPLE

Around Campus

EVENTS

Kevin Kerley

Lowcountry Oyster Festival

Former Lt. Col. Kevin Kerley, deputy director of the Department of Public Safety, was promoted to chief in October. Kerley is a a retired captain with the New York Police Department and began working with Public Safety in 2006. He received his master’s in criminal justice from the University of Cincinnati and was inducted into Alpha Phi Sigma, the National Criminal Justice Honor Society, in 2013.

The 32nd Annual Lowcountry Oyster Festival will take place Sunday, Jan. 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Boone Hall Plantation in Mount Pleasant. Festival incudes live music from the Muddy Kings and Eddie Bush, plus an oyster shucking and eating contest. Tickets are $17.50 (advance) or $25 (door) and includes entry, entertainment and access to the Pluff-­a-­Pallooza Children’s Area.

Tickets can be purchased at the Mount Pleasant and Downtown Visitors Centers or at Boone Hall. The festival is a charity fundraiser benefiting the Hollings Cancer Center and other organizations.

Jerome Kurent

Jerome Kurent, M.D., professor in the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Division of Neurology, was named interim director of the Neuromuscular Disorders Division.

Kurent, who has been with MUSC since 1984, has worked with hospice and end-­of-­life care issues, pallative care, neurogeriatrics and neuromuscular diseases.

Editorial of fice MUSC Office of Public Relations 135 Cannon Street, Suite 403C, Charleston, SC 29425.

843-792-4107 Fax: 843-792-6723 Editor: Cindy Abole catalyst@musc.edu Catalyst staff: Mikie Hayes, hayesmi@musc.edu Dawn Brazell, brazell@musc.edu J. Ryne Danielson, daniejer@musc.edu Helen Adams, adamshel@musc.edu Sarah Pack, packsa@musc.edu Jeff Watkins, watkinsj@musc.edu

photo by Hazel Rider, College of Health Professions

Students from the second-year Occupational Therapy class in the College of Health Professions held their pinning ceremony Dec. 10. The ceremony PDUNV WKH FRPSOHWLRQ RI ÀYH VHPHVWHUV RI FRXUVH ZRUN DQG FOLQLFDO SODFHPHQWV SULRU WR FRPSOHWLQJ WKHLU ÀQDO WZR VHPHVWHUV RI FOLQLFDO ÀHOGZRUN DQG JUDGXDWLRQ 7KH HYHQW IHDWXUHG SUHVHQWDWLRQV E\ SURJUDP director Dr. Craig Velozo, Dr. Nancy Carson and other program faculty.

John Plitsch

Dorothy Simmons

Former Lt. John Plitsch, Department of Public Safety, was promoted to captain and operations support commander in November. Plitsch manages training, investigations and dispatch services in

the department.

The Catalyst is published once a week.

Paid adver tisements, which do not represent an endorsement by MUSC or the State of South Carolina, are handled by Island Publications Inc., Moultrie News, 134 Columbus St., Charleston, S.C., 843-849-1778 or 843-958-7490. E-mail: sales@moultrienews.com.

Former Capt.

Dorothy Simmons, Department of Public Safety, was promoted to major and patrol commander in October. Simmons, who has 26 years with the force, manages operations of all uniformed patrol and state security officers.

YES Family Fund Grant applications for the 2015 YES Family Fund are now being accepted to support projects that positively impact MUSC’s mission through education, patient care and research. Apply at http://tinyurl. coml2g4yfb.

History of Anatomy Exhibit The Waring Historical Library and University Archives has opened two exhibits, “Anatomy, So indispensable...

Anatomy at MUSC,” and “O’Driscoll’s Anatomy.” Both exhibits are located on the third floor of the James W. Colbert Education Center and Library.

Nominations being accepted for awards A call for nominations is under way to all faculty and students. The purpose of these awards is to recognize members of the MUSC faculty who have made outstanding contributions to the university through teaching.

Awards may be given from the Clinical/Professional (Educator-­Mentor); Scholarship/Academic (Educator-­ Mentor); Educator-­Lecturer; and Developing Teacher.

Any regular, full-­time faculty member who holds an academic rank

of instructor or higher in a college or department of MUSC who has not been the recipient of this award within the previous three years is eligible for nomination.

The deadline for nominations is Jan. 23. Nominees will be invited to submit supporting materials, and a committee of faculty and students will select the recipients for this year’s awards.

Forms may be found at http://www. carc.musc.edu/nomination/.

For information, call 792-­2228.

THE CATALYST, January 23, 2015 3

N. Charleston After Hours Primary Care Clinic now open

BY J. RYNE DANIELSON

another primary care provider.

“We got feedback that patients were having trouble making appointments during the day because they were working, they have kids or just because we’re busy during the day,” Taylor said. “If you think you might have the flu or you want to get tested for strep, or even if you just need an annual checkup but don’t want to take time off to have that done during the day — everyone likes having more options.”

Public Relations MUSC’s North Charleston primary care clinic began offering after hours care Jan. 20. The North Charleston clinic and its counterparts in Mount Pleasant and Summerville offer patients more convenient access to primary care, with extended hours Monday to Thursday, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon.

“We found that our patients really responded to having more options,” said Ginny Taylor, business development and operations manager for MUSC Primary Care. “Rather than having to come in during their business hours, patients can come when it’s convenient for them, which enables access to health care for those who might otherwise do without.”

Offering easy access, the North Charleston after hours clinic is on the first floor of the North Charleston medical center, which is located at 8992 University Blvd., behind the Waffle House.

Appointments are available by calling the number provided below, and walk-­ins are also welcome.

Patients already seeing an MUSC Health physician will have immediate access to notes and lab results through the Epic system, but patients can take advantage of an after hours clinic even if they have

MUSC extended hours primary care locations T North Primary Care — North Charleston 8992 University Blvd.; Phone: 876-­8554 Monday – Thursday: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday: 8 a.m. to noon T Midtown Primary Care — Mount Pleasant 1600 Midtown Ave.; Phone: 876-­8300 Monday – Thursday: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday: 8 a.m. to noon (Extended hours entrance on right hand side of the building) photo by Ryne Danielson, Public Relations

MUSC Health North Charleston opened a new Adult Primary Care After Hours Clinic on Jan. 20. To make an appointment, call 876-8554.

T Flowertown Primary Care — Summerville 602 N. Main Street; Phone: 876-­2121 Saturday: 8 a.m. to noon (Flowertown patients only)

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4 THE CATALYST, January 23, 2015

MUSC Medical Center Communications Corner Creating a great place to work Each year we survey employees to learn what they believe is working well and what our opportunities for growth include. We are fortunate that for the last several years, three out of every four employees participated in the employee engagement survey. This voice of employees is valuable, and we work each year to listen carefully, understand the issues and take effective action.

Our efforts to respond to this employee input occur both at the work group level and at the medical center level as a whole, as we form improvement plans and put those plans into action throughout the year.

At the Work Group Level There have been 519 action plans developed by work groups throughout the medical center. These plans have been focused on a total of 60 different items from the survey. Some items were selected by multiple work groups. The most frequently selected action plan themes include: t

Teamwork

t

Employee Involvement

t

Leadership

t

Work–Life Balance

components to helping focus our attention on the right issues. Our next annual employee engagement survey will be available from Feb. 15 to Feb. 28. We would really like to hear from everyone who works in the medical center this year.

Thank you for what you do every day and for helping build a great place for everyone to work.

Save the Date Employee engagement survey Feb. 15-­28 More information coming soon

At the Organizational Level At this level, we have focused on improving communication and employee contact with senior leaders and developing skills so that leaders can support employees even more effectively. This action plan included: 1. Continued communication from our CEO, Patrick Cawley, M.D., to our employees with his “Weekly Message” email 2. Having either Dr. Cawley or Matt Wain, COO, lead all general Town Hall sessions so that employees have an opportunity to hear from and talk with them directly. This change was made at the recommendation of the Communications Advisory Group, highlighted recently in The Catalyst.

3. Regular senior leader rounding with staff

MSICU Staff

4. Senior leader attendance at departmental staff meetings in their areas of responsibility 5. Senior leader attendance at department meetings outside of their areas of responsibility by invitation 6. Continued senior leader discussions with staff in weekly pediatric and adult “Safety Rounds” 7. Leadership development and education in the areas of: T Importance of purpose, connection and fun in creating a great place to work and receive care T Coaching and providing feedback that is useful to employees T Supporting a positive work environment for all

We continue to strive to make MUSC the most positive, rewarding place to work possible. Employee input and participation in the annual survey are key

Internal Medicine Clinic, 8th Floor, Rutledge Tower The Medical Center Communications Corner is put together by the medical center communications team and appears in The Catalyst every two weeks. If you’d like to submit a story idea or contact the writers, email MUHAinfo@musc.edu.

THE  CATALYST, January  23,  2015  5

MEET Â DAVID

David Clark, M.D. Department Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery How you are changing whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s possible at MUSC Investigating new diagnostic and treatment strategies for Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disease and other forms of dementia How long at MUSC Six months Children and their names Nicholas (Niko), Zakary (Zak) and Noah

Best thing about living in Charleston The weather and fresh seafood A unique talent you have Getting the last molecule of toothpaste out of the tube Your idea of a dream vacation Dividing my time seeing beautiful sights, UHOD[LQJ ZLWK IDPLO\ VWXG\LQJ VXUĂ&#x20AC;QJ DQG camping. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like luxury vacations, but I do like a little luxury to punctuate periods of roughing it.

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Music in your player right now The Ramones Greatest Hits, The National, Radiohead, Ty Segall. But I like jazz too.

6 THE CATALYST, January 23, 2015

Andraka to deliver keynote at workshop STAFF REPORTS Eighteen–year–old inventor Jack Andraka, who has been celebrated for creating an inexpensive early detection test for several cancers, will serve as keynote speaker at Life Sciences Student Innovation Day at MUSC on Saturday, Jan. 24.

The groundbreaking daylong workshop is designed to encourage undergraduate, graduate and medical students from throughout South Carolina to consider how their ideas for innovations in life sciences might be commercialized to fill a need and provide medical solutions for the public’s benefit. Sponsors for the day’s events include MUSC Foundation for Research Development, MUSC Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the South Carolina Biotechnology Industry Organization, the University of South Carolina and Clemson University Bioengineering.

“This is a unique event that brings in students from all the state’s universities so they understand the great resources and tools available to them and know that our respective innovation offices support their ideas for changing the world,” said FRD executive director Michael Rusnak.

Life Sciences Student Innovation Day will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at MUSC’s Drug Discovery Building, at 68 President St., Charleston. It will include panel discussions, networking opportunities and a student innovation contest for which students have submitted promising life sciences ideas or research.

“Jack Andraka is not an anomaly as much as he is the front edge of a coming wave of young innovators.”

Wayne Roper Andraka is scheduled to deliver the keynote address during lunch at noon. He will tell how, at age 15, he created diagnostic test strip technology for pancreatic, ovarian and lung cancers, which led him to receive several national and international honors, including the prestigious Jefferson Award for public service in 2014 and the 2012 Intel ISEF Gordon Moore Award.

Andraka’s young adult memoir, “Breakthrough,” is due out in March. Now a senior at a Maryland high school with plans to attend Stanford University, he speaks to science, business and education groups around the world, telling them how they, too, can make a difference and change the world. He has been profiled by numerous news outlets including “60 Minutes,” featured in several documentaries and called the “Edison of our times” by his mentor at Johns Hopkins University, Anirban Maitra, M.D. “Jack Andraka is not an anomaly as much as he is the front edge of a coming wave of young innovators,” said Wayne Roper, president of SCBIO, a statewide industry group representing the life science industry. “We have

photo by Helen Adams, Public Relations

Jack Andraka’s memoir, “Breakthrough,” is due out in March. The 18-year-old science prodigy will speak at MUSC Jan. 24. already seen numerous business ideas and start–ups coming out of university students, so we are here to help them make a difference.”

RESEARCH Continued from Page One technology. “Every university across the country is looking for alternatives to grants.” Finnegan believes that capitalism works well for getting innovations to the patients who need them as quickly as possible.

According to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the world’s largest professional association dedicated to advancing technological innovation, MUSC now ranks fourth in patent power among U.S. universities, behind only MIT, the University of California and Harvard.

Since MUSC established the FRD in 1995, the university has been issued 129 U.S. patents and 103 foreign patents and has executed 148 licenses for new technologies. MUSC researchers have submitted 1,282 invention disclosures, launched 46 startup companies — 60 percent of which are faculty startups —

and raised $784 million in capital.

“A lot of the capital we raise comes right back to MUSC,” Rusnak said. “Allowing universities to own their intellectual property spurs entrepreneurship and gets us the most ‘bang’ for our federal dollars.”

Dr. Wendy Lazenby Business and science may make for

strange bedfellows to some. To Rusnak and Finnegan, the intersection is natural.

“I was a trained biologist,” Rusnak said. “But I realized lab work wasn’t for me. So I ventured into industry and worked the startup world for over 20 years. Later, I looked into universities who were looking for help with their

technology transfer programs. I decided to go into an academic environment because it was more stable. It’s the same competency, just the other side of the table. I’m selling where I used to buy.”

Finnegan took the opposite track.

“My father was a doctor,” Finnegan said.

“I thought I was going to take over his practice, but I didn’t really like organic chemistry and I didn’t think I could handle the blood. I’d always had an interest in finance, though — I used to read my dad the stock charts on the ride to school every day. So I went into health care investment banking on Wall Street.”

Rusnak said their different paths complement each other, “I learned business from the science end. Tom learned science from the business end.”

Finnegan finds the health care field rewarding. “It’s nice to know the things you’re funding have societal benefit.”

THE CATALYST, January 23, 2014 7

Donors Cure harnesses power of crowdfunding

BY J. RYNE DANIELSON Public Relations

O

nce the world’s leader in biomedical research, the United States generated more than three-­quarters of global expenditures in the field. That number is now less than half and falling. The National Institutes of Health has seen its budget shrink dramatically in recent years, due largely to automatic budget cuts known as sequestration.

For Joe Helpern, Ph.D., professor and vice chairman for research in the Department of Radiology, this is a tragedy and a crisis. “It means only the ‘safest’ projects receive funding,” he said. “Approximately 85 percent of grants submitted to the NIH don’t get funded, and many young scientists are losing hope.”

In real terms, Helpern said, this means delays in lifesaving breakthroughs and fewer scientists going into the field, year after year.

But Helpern isn’t giving up. He is the vice president and co–founder of the recently launched nonprofit, Donors Cure, a crowdfunding platform where donors can support specific, qualified biomedical research projects led by researchers at institutions and universities across the United States. So far, three universities are on board, including MUSC. Helpern hopes Donors Cure can “kickstart young scientists who are working on important projects that have high potential.” The essence of crowdfunding, he believes, is that it makes philanthropy more accessible to the public. “Corporate and philanthropic giving are important,” he said, “but Donors Cure expands the donor base by encouraging people to give smaller amounts. It’s easier to get a thousand people to give you a dollar each than it is to get one person to give you a thousand dollars.”

Helpern believes that Donors Cure is unique. “There are other crowdfunding websites out there,” he said, “but saving the whales, curing cancer and starting a nail salon are all in the same boat. That didn’t appeal to us, and I don’t think it appeals to donors either.

Donors Cure is the only crowdfunding site to have the credibility of established universities like MUSC behind it. And we have a level of accountability that other sites don’t have.”

Accountability is important, said Courtney Wagoner, marketing director of Donors Cure, since donors like to understand where their money is going. Philanthropists don’t get a tangible return on their investments, she said, so providing feedback is key.

To serve as liaisons between researchers and potential donors, the organization has created the role of “CURE-­ator.” CURE-­ators are responsible for managing projects and helping researchers communicate with the public, as well as giving donors periodic updates on

photo by Sarah Pack, Public Relations Dr. Joseph Helpern, a professor and vice chairman for research in the Department of Radiology at MUSC, is the co-founder of Donors Cure.

Various MUSC research projects are listed on the Donors Cure website, including WKLV RQH DERXW WKH SRVVLEOH KHDOWK EHQHÀWV of yogic breathing for individuals who have or are prone to Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Read that story at www.musc.edu/pr/ newscenter/2014/yoga-breathing.html. To get involved with Donors Cure, either as a researcher or donor, visit the organization’s website at http://www.donorscure.org. the progress of the research they are funding — treating donors as partners in the scientific process.

Tara Sokolowski, Ph.D., managing director of Donors Cure, believes one of the primary challenges to crowdfunding is connecting researchers with donors and the general public who don’t typically have

scientific backgrounds. “Writing a grant for NIH is very different from directly asking a donor for support,” she said. “That’s why our CURE-­ators are so important.”

Helpern agreed. “We need to make this approach compelling for someone without a science background.

At the end of the day, everyone knows someone who is fighting a major disease, which is what connects each of us to the cause.”

Donors Cure is currently undergoing a soft launch.

“The website is up and running, and we are continually evolving our infrastructure,” Wagoner said. “We are growing quickly and building a pipeline of projects, with the hopes of promoting what we are doing on a national level in 2015.”

Donors Cure currently is promoting projects related to various types of cancer, Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, global health initiatives and a variety of other diseases and disorders. This list will only grow as the organization expands.

While Helpern hopes that Donors Cure can pick up some of the slack, he said it won’t replace the NIH, and is no substitute for a committed public investment in science and technology. “There has been no public outcry,” he said, “and there really should be. Science and technology are part of the fiber of the United States; they’re what really set us apart from a lot of other countries. When we lose funding, things grind to a halt very rapidly. And you can’t instantly turn everything back on. It’ll take years just to get back to where we were.”

8 THE CATALYST, January 23, 2015

Population Health: managing health one person at a time

BY MIKIE HAYES Public Relations “Patients first” are the watchwords that drive MUSC’s three-­pronged mission of patient care, research and education.

But what does that mean, really? At its most basic, it means a dedicated effort to improve the quality of patient care across the entire MUSC enterprise.

But is providing high-­quality care good enough to make the grade while meeting the demands of the Affordable Care Act? Today health care delivery needs not only to be first-­rate, but coordinated, affordable and accessible as well. Population health management is a relatively new but comprehensive strategy that combines all of these important elements. With affordability and accessibility high on national and state agendas as well as on the minds of individuals and employers struggling with rising health care costs, many believe timing couldn’t be better to introduce a new approach, MUSC among them.

To meet the demands of the ACA and put the pieces in place and play to implement an effective PHM system, MUSC brought on board two nationally recognized leaders in the field: Philip Smeltzer, Ph.D., program administrator for Total Population Health and Martha Sylvia, Ph.D., RN, director of Population

photo provided

MUSC partners with the American Heart Association for National Walking Day to promote a heart-healthy lifestyle.

Health Analytics. And while their professional homes are based in two different areas – Smeltzer in the office of the chief strategic officer and Sylvia in the office of the chief analytics officer – together they make a

formidable team.

Integral to their recruitments, Mark Lyles, M.D., chief strategic officer, and John Long, chief analytics officer, both take great pride in bringing such strong and experienced experts to MUSC. “MUSC is very excited and pleased that two new nationally–respected population health experts have joined our team,” Lyles said. Long agreed and said, “Dr. Martha Sylvia is leading population health analytics for MUSC and Dr. Phil Smeltzer is the program administrator of our overall population health program.

We look forward to leveraging the talents and abilities of these two key colleagues as we advance population health initiatives at MUSC.” In December, Smeltzer joined MUSC from Optum Employer Consulting Services Group in Great Falls, Montana, where he served as a managing consultant in the areas of Health Promotion and Wellness. Now at MUSC, he brings to bear more than 20 years of experience in the health promotion communications field, offering a wealth of program design, implementation, operation, and evaluation experience that will, according to Lyles and Long, catapult this new initiative.

Smeltzer has great expectations of what can be achieved by hearding in this new direction. He said,

See POPULATION on page 9

THE CATALYST, January 23, 2015 9

POPULATION Continued from Page Eight “It’s exciting to come to work and tackle population health. Transforming our primary care delivery system can impact tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of people. Increasing the mammography rate 10 percent translates into dozens of mothers, wives, sisters living longer and beating cancer earlier.

Improving the blood sugar metrics in patients with diabetes results in a higher quality of life. Preventing kidney failure and the need for dialysis, eliminating diabetes–related amputations and blindness are severe outcomes that can be prevented. Those are challenges that population health attacks daily. That’s an incredible environment to work in; I love it.”

Sylvia joins MUSC from Johns Hopkins University College of Nursing where she was an assistant professor with a joint appointment in the School of Medicine, Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology, and Clinical Research.

She was also the director of Population Health Analytics for Johns Hopkins Healthcare. Her extensive experience in all aspects of data management, including planning, collection, governance, and analysis, makes her a highly sought–after presenter on the subject throughout the world.

Strong data management knowledge and skills are critical to ensuring population health management is successful. Data that has been rigorously collected and analyzed can serve to vastly improve the patient care experience, health outcomes and cost savings, all of which are key objectives.

Sylvia explained, “Health care leaders of today are challenged to lead a complex health care delivery system towards integration and coordination to improve the health of populations, communities, families, and individuals,” she said.

“The ability to integrate data and glean understanding through turning collected data points into meaningful information is a necessity for meeting these lofty aspirations.”

Sylvia continued, “First and foremost, a program of analytics for population health provides the information that decision-­makers need for each stage of the population health process from assessing and understanding a population’s health and pertinent determinants of health; to identifying

individuals at high risk for adverse outcomes; implementing programs to mitigate those risks; and monitoring and evaluating these programs to improve quality and understand outcomes.”

And outcomes are what it’s all about.

At its simplest, PHM is an approach to health that aims to manage and improve the health of a specific population, which can include, for instance, a community, or the employees of a particular insurance plan, or even an entire corporation —more efficiently, cost–effectively, and safely. This is accomplished by restructuring the way a delivery system is organized and managed.

An important element of restructuring an academic medical center is ramping up primary care while continuing to deliver tertiary care. In this new structure, primary care plays a much more central role in the oversight of a patient’s care and management, as the primary care team coordinates all aspects of patient care.

Effectively, the primary care provider becomes the case manager, disease manager and health coach. Population health puts more responsibility on the primary care provider but also on the patients themselves. For patients who are willing to take an active role in improving their health, this is an infinitely more efficient way for them to get healthier, said Smeltzer. When the system is operating at peak efficiency, patients can expect routine follow-­ups, coaching, monitoring and sometimes even a friendly nudge.

Chairman of MUSC Family Medicine, Terry Steyer, M.D., is leading an effort to ramp up primary care offerings to meet the needs of PHM. “We have to continually ask ourselves, ‘How do we manage the care of our population?’” he said. “What are you doing to make sure they are staying healthy? Are they getting their colonoscopies? Are they up to date on their flu and tetanus shots?”

While still in its adolescence, population health management has great potential, but it has yet to be perfected.

This is due in large part to its many moving parts, including the need to revamp complete systems enterprisewide and change ways of thinking and conducting business that have been the status quo for doctors for decades.

Today, academic medical centers such

photo provided

A nurse draws blood for an employee during monthly screenings offered

by MUSC Employee Wellness.

Although population health is the as MUSC deliver care through a fee-­for-­ service model. In this system, health care current trendy label in health care, the components have been around providers are paid when they provide since the 1970s. Health maintenance a service to a patient, such as an office organizations, as a staff model were examination, blood work or X–ray.

However, a new payment model is being first. Contracted or network model HMOs grew in the late 1980s and 90s. used by private insurers and Medicare, and is a key component of PHM. Rather The patients, however, revolted — citing the excessive rules and limitations and than fee–for–service, doctors receive lack of physician access. Next, quality a fixed global budget to care for the incentives and patient satisfaction were health of a specific population. If they integrated into existing quality assurance manage the health care of the patients goals, and according to Smeltzer, well, and that fixed payment isn’t spent population health seems to be the logical — for instance on unnecessary tests or procedures — physicians may share in the next step in improving the efficiency of health care. “As we enter reimbursement remaining funds. agreements where 100 percent of the That being said, doctors and the fees are based on improving health and AMC also share in the financial risk of patient value,” he said, “the lessons a population by accepting commercial payer contracts. The possibility exists that learned over the previous 40 years can the agreed upon payment may not cover be applied. Compensating physicians for outcomes and health is the innovative the cost of care. twist that is the cornerstone of The question is, will AMC physicians population health.” and providers get on board and not When asked what he is most only adopt this new model of care excited about, Smeltzer replied, “I but lead the charge as well in terms of incorporating research and education as am most excited by the resources and opportunity here at MUSC. The ability well as clinical care. to partner with research scientists If so, the best case scenario would from the university and innovative yield a full–service, integrated health physicians in the MUSC Health system system designed to meet the complete is a tremendous advantage. Population needs of a diverse population. To fill gaps that will certainly arise, most AMCs Health uses an evidence–based foundation to medicine. We can tap would additionally need to branch out into the research expertise for evidence, and create partnerships and alliances. then implement into primary care This push toward PHM is expected to with innovative clinicians. This synergy incentivize academic medical centers creates an opportunity to explore new to better promote health and prevent ways to improve patient health in a new disease instead of just managing and redesigned delivery system.” treating disease.

10 THE CATALYST, January 23, 2015

Challenge leads to debt-free month A few pine needles and a Wellness Events ribbon or two might serve as T Take the Monthly pleasant holiday reminders.

Mindful Challenge and Others are dealing with bills and be eligible for prizes by lingering debt as a result of their completing a short survey overzealous spending, a custom at the beginning and that seems built in to this time end of the month. One of year. employee will be featured For in our “Spotlight on Shaina Wellness” column in Begorre, The Catalyst. The January a unit challenge is to “Let Go” secretary of what no longer benefits Susan Johnson for 3North you. Take the challenge at IOP, survey at http;//tinurl. things changed com/lvvmgdw. last month T Weight Management Lunch and after taking Learn Series for a positive approach the December to losing those extra pounds — Part III Begorre Monthly Mindful Starting an Effective Exercise Program, Challenge, which Wednesday, Jan. 28, from 12:15 to 12:45 encouraged participants to bring balance p.m., EL-­118, Colbert Education Center to their holidays. “For the past several and Library. Email musc-­empwell@musc. years my husband and I have stressed edu to register. about gifts for my son for Christmas T Quit Smoking in 2015 — MUSC because we always wait till the last is conducting a research study to see minute and never really plan ahead if magnetic stimulation can reduce money wise.” nicotine cravings and make it easier to A common theme for many families is stop smoking. Payment for participation giving the tangible gifts to their children is provided and free parking is available. they want and ask for, while knowing the For information, contact Scott, 792-­ resulting credit cards balances will last 5560. far longer than the joy of the season.

T Chair massages — Free massages After discussing it with her husband, are offered to employees midday on Shaina opted to forego spending a lot Wednesdays. Check broadcast messages of money on gifts this year. “Before for locations and times.

Christmas day I was nervous thinking T Farmers Markets — Fresh fruits and our son may be sad he did not get much, vegetables are available from local but on Christmas he was very excited farmers on Fridays from 7 a.m. to 3:30 with the little we had gotten him,” she p.m. at the Horseshoe. said. “This was an eye opener for me.”

Begorre realized that spending time MUSC Urban Farm with family is what is important and T Midday Work and Learn — 12:15 to children can understand that too. She 12:45 p.m., Tuesdays has even begun having talks with her 7– T Early Bird Maintenance — 7:30 to 8:30 year–old son about “valuing what he has a.m. Wednesdays and not needing to spend a lot of money T Sunset Work and Learn — 4 to 5 p.m., on the latest toys that come out.” And Thursdays since they are expecting another child, T First Saturday Family-­friendly Work a lesson she will no doubt be repeating and Learn — 9 to 11 a.m., Feb. 7 next December.

For information about Employee There is a new challenge each month. Wellness or the Urban Farm, contact Dr. The January challenge is to “Let go” of Susan Johnson via email at johnsusa@ what no longer benefits you. musc.edu or Suzan Belan Whalen at To begin, take the first January whela@musc.edu. Events, speakers, Monthly Mindful Challenge survey at classes or any other ideas are welcome. http://tinyurl.com/lvvmgdw.

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Health at work

THE CATALYST, January 23, 2015 11

MUSC Diversity and Inclusion’s

Rental Property

Furniture

2 upstairs BR for rent in WA total $800/mo + utilities.

Fenced in backyd. 303-2212.

Fully-reclinable chair w/zero gravity tech. & heat/massage.

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Engagement

by Willette Burnham, Ph.D.,co-­chair, MUSC Diversity & Inclusion Strategic Plan

current and relative. If there is anything you would like to see added to the website, do not

Happy New Year, everyone. Welcome to

hesitate to contact me.

A rigorous training and educational calendar

MUSC’s Diversity and Inclusion quarterly column,

is available to all members of the MUSC community. Among the many opportunities

“Engagement.” I am

for enhancing your professional and personal

delighted to have this forum to keep you informed about all of the D&I work that is Burnham underway.

We have hit the ground running in 2015,

skills are the following: Welcoming Diversity Workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (lunch provided), Saturday, Jan. 24; Safe Zone Training,

commencing on Jan. 7 with co-­chairs of the

Feb. 5. All workshops will be held in the Harper

four D&I Strategic Plan Implementation Teams meeting to establish a process through which we will operationalize and ‘bring to life’

Student Wellness Center auditorium. To register or for information, visit http://www.musc.edu/ ncbi/registration.html. Also, feel free to contact

the plan. Please visit the D&I website for a schedule of the meetings dates and roster of

any of the implementation team co-­chairs: Dr. DaNine Fleming (flemid@musc.edu), VeLonda

team members at http://

Dantzler (vyd@musc.edu) or Kathleen White

academicdepartments.musc. edu/muscdiversity/.

(whitekj@musc.edu) for more information or to offer feedback.

Anton Gunn joined the MUSC family on Jan. 12.

Gunn serves as executive

Finally, I want to remind you that nominations are now being accepted for the 2015 Earl B. Higgins Achievement in Diversity employee

director of Community

and student awards. Here is an opportunity to

Gunn Health Innovation & chief diversity officer. As we eagerly welcome him to the family, I ask that you be patient as he

nominate members of our MUSC community who embody, through their deeds, the core values of inclusion that our campus espouses and

becomes acclimated to our organizational family

embraces. Nominations will be accepted until

of over 12,000 members.

In other news, plans are underway to publish

Feb. 9. Visit http://academicdepartments.musc. edu/esl/studentprograms/studentdiversity/

the D&I strategic plan in hard copy and create a video capturing ‘our story’ of growth and inclusion. We also are working on providing

ebhiggins/nomitations.html for complete details.

I look forward to working with you throughout the year and remind you that your contributions

online versions of the plan and summary documents in Spanish. Please remember that we welcome your feedback and participation in keeping the online resources and information

are critical and we are each accountable for the outcomes. So stay engaged.

To quote health care consultant and CEO Quint Studer, “What we permit, we promote.”

from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Jan. 30; and Handling Controversial Issues, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.,

12 THE CATALYST, January 23, 2015

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