MUSC Catalyst 10-24-2014

Oct. 24, 2014

MEDICAL UNIVERSITY of SOUTH CAROLINA

Vol. 33, No. 10

MUSC monitors evolving Ebola situation, talks continue

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Training / Education: •The Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Department is collaborating with the Nursing Professional Development Department to develop education and training information for staff and to encourage staff to visit the CDC Web page for up-to-date guidelines and recommendations.

•The Emergency Management Committee, IPC Department and Organizational Leadership are developing a comprehensive plan and actively preparing for Ebola.

This includes ensuring protective attire is available, educating staff on screening criteria, planning to admit the possible Ebola patient, developing communication plans, and performing drills.

Points of Entry (any clinic, ED, urgent care, etc.): Any point of entry needs to screen, isolate, communicate, and keep calm (“SICK”).

Transport: All transport will be done

by Meducare in an Isopod — we have 10 isopods on site.

Destination Unit: “Little” STICU (short term) until/unless 6C can be appropriately renovated.

Staffing: •A specialized medical team will consist of two ICU nurses, physician, and 1 RT (if needed) per patient per

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See Corner on page 4

photo by Sarah Pack, Public Relations

Medical Center Executive Director and CEO Dr. Patrick Cawley joins DHEC Director Catherine Templeton, left, and Dr. Danielle Scheurer, medical director of quality, as they discuss Ebola preparedness at an Oct. 16 news conference held at MUSC.

By Helen AdAms Public Relations New guidelines for hospital workers treating Ebola patients mark the latest development in an evolving situation that MUSC is monitoring closely.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued the new recommendations on Oct. 20. They include more detail than the previous guidelines, including the suggestion that no skin be left uncovered and a call for supervisors to watch every step as hospital workers put on and take off equipment to prevent mistakes.

Avoid Phishing Criminals use phishing to gain user information.

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Governor’s ebola roundtable That same day, leaders from MUSC took part in Governor Nikki Haley’s roundtable discussion on Ebola. The MUSC contingent included Patrick Cawley, M.D., chief executive officer of MUSC’s medical center and vice president for clinical operations; Rick Nolte, Ph.D., director of clinical laboratories at MUSC; and Danielle Scheurer, M.D., director of quality for the medical center. They joined medical, safety and political experts from around the state in Columbia.

Cawley was encouraged by what he heard.

“It is clear that South Carolina and its major regional referral medical centers are well

I stressed the different types of training needed at different levels of the health care system and pointed out the importance of maintaining an all volunteer clinical care team at MUSC and at the state’s regional medical centers.

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What is MUSC doing to prepare?

Patrick Cawley

See Ebola on page 10

Scholarship Campaign

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Employee Wellness

New Opening Doors Medical Scholarship Campaign kicks off.

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Meet Linda

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Research Impact

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

2 THe CATAlysT, Oct. 24, 2014

PeoPle

Around Campus evenTs

Alan Coulter Alan Coulter, Ph.D., manager of workforce development for MUSC Physicians & Primary Care, received a workplace learning and performance award for Best Practices in Training Facilitation/ Delivery and Development Programs by the S.C. Midlands Chapter of the American Association for Training and Development. Coulter was recognized for creating the MUSCP Leadership Academy which trains 75 percent of the organizations leaders.

Vinnie Della Speranza Vinnie Della Speranza, anatomic pathology manager in the Departmenet of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, was named Histotechnologist of the Year from the National Society of Histotechnology. Della Speranza, received his award at a ceremony Sept.

27 in Austin, Texas. He has been active in the field for more than 35 years and is nationally recognized for his expertise.

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 Helen Adams, adamshel@musc.edu

Evening with the Stars The annual Evening with the Stars event will feature performances from Nashville stars Big and Rich, Craig Morgan and Scotty McCreery at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 28 at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center.

The event, which will be hosted by radio celebrities, T.J. Phillips and Ric Rush, benefits the MUSC Children’s Hospital and is presented by Hagemeyer North America.

This event, sponsored by WEZL since 2008, has raised more than $1 million for the hospital. photo by Helen Adams, Public Relations

Medical center nurse Mary Carla London administers the flu vaccine to MUSC employee Larry O’Neal at the Oct. 16 Flu Vaccine Tent Event at the Library Portico. Employees can still receive the flu vaccine at various campus locations until Dec. 11. Employees must present their badge. For a complete schedule, visit http://mcintranet.musc.edu/ehs/Flu_2014.

Cynthia Wright

Cynthia F. Wright, Ph.D., associate dean for admissions and career development in the College of Graduate Studies, was elected to the steering committee of the Association of American Medical 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.

Colleges’ Group on Graduate, Research, Education and Training (GREAT). The group, composed of faculty and administrative leaders in postdoctoral programs at U.S. and Canadian medical schools, provides professional development and promotes Ph.D. and postdoctoral eduction in biomedical science.

Wright is an associate professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology.

James Island Connector Run The 16th annual Charleston James Island Connector Run will be held Saturday, Nov. 1. The run will benefit the Gavalas Kolanko Foundation, a local charity that provides annual scholarships to Lowcountry students with physical disabilities. The foundation has awarded more than 95 scholarships to students with disabilities at the College of Charleston, Charleston Southern University, The Citadel and other institutions.

The race begins and finishes on Bennett Street. Pre-and-post-race festivities are scheduled at Cannon Park.

Register at http://www.JICRun.com.

MUSC Open Enrollment changes due Oct. 31 MUSC’s Employees are encouraged to read the 2014 Insurance Advantage to learn about plan changes, premium increases and benefit updates for the 2015 plan year to include health, dental, vision, life insurance, disability and taxfavored accounts.

Employees will make changes to their insurance benefits through “My Benefits,” the website administered by PEBA Insurance Benefits, a division of the SC Budget and Control Board.

Employees will need the Benefits Identification Number (BIN) from their health insurance card to register for My Benefits. (www.eip.sc.gov/mybenefits) Enrollment or re-enrollment for Medical Spending or Dependent Care Accounts should be done online with Wageworks. (www.myfbmc.com) Insurance enrollment is from Oct. 1 to Oct. 31, 2014.

All premium and plan changes are effective Jan. 1, 2015.

THe CATAlysT,Oct. 24, 2014 3

MUSC chefs to compete in statewide culinary competition Peninsula Grill and Celebrity chef and Emmy AwardJacques Larson of the nominated television host Marvin Wild Olive, will heat it Woods will be in Charleston up in the kitchen during Nov. 7 to emcee the second annual the Iron Chef Showdown Cooking Well Invitational, a from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. culinary competition emphasizing at the Culinary Institute healthier ways to cook delicious of Charleston’s Palmer and affordable meals. Chef Woods Campus in downtown is recognized by fans and peers Charleston. The audience alike for his infectious personality, can expect an entertaining signature bandana and wildly experience as the famous inventive take on food rooted in chefs collaborate with northern Africa, South America, the Susan Johnson Culinary Institute chefs Caribbean and the United States and challenge each other Lowcountry. His healthy approach to create dishes that are as to simple, affordable cooking has healthy as they are delicious. been regularly featured in national This event is open to the public, publications, including O Magazine, and tickets are $100, which includes Food & Wine, Southern Living and beer, wine and heavy hors d’oeuvres. many more. On Nov. 5, Chef Woods Auditorium seating is limited and will will make a special appearance in World Cuisine from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring be first–come first–serve. To purchase tickets, visit www.cookingwellsc.com. his delicious Seafood Gumbo as part Also on Nov. 7, MUSC/Sodexo Chef of MUSC’s Celebrity Chef Series and Brett Cunningham and his team will in recognition of the American Heart compete against nine other Gold Apple Association’s National Eat Healthy Day. hospital teams at the Second Annual On Thursday, Nov. 6 Chef Woods Cooking Well Invitational as they and local chefs, Graham Dailey of

Health at work

demonstrate how to convert recipes into healthier versions without sacrificing great taste. MUSC will come together with other hospitals across the state to celebrate the success of South Carolina’s hospital chefs, who are creating delicious, healthy dishes for hospital workers, patients and visitors every day.

The Gold Apple award from Working Well recognizes hospitals that excel in offering delicious, nutritious food at affordable prices. MUSC achieved the Gold Apple in 2012 and has been serving as a Center of Excellence for the Working Well program.

This event is open to the public and will be held from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at the Culinary Institute of Charleston at Trident Technical College.

In addition to the competition, the event will include cooking demos and a food truck rodeo. The registration fee for the Invitational is $35 per person and includes a food truck lunch.

For more information or to purchase ticket in advance, visit www. cookingwellsc.com. Tickets will also be available at the door. The event

is sponsored by the South Carolina Hospital Association’s Working Well Initiative and Sodexo in partnership with the Culinary Institute of Charleston at Trident Technical College.

Wellness Events

q The October Mindful Challenge is to change it up: explore something new —take a new route. To begin, take the Monthly Mindful Challenge survey at http://tinyurl.com/okgk5t. q MUSC Urban Farm Food Day Peanut Party, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oct. 24.

Food demo by Chef Bob Tremayne, local celebrity contest and more. q Mindful Combo Contest — Buy a mindful combo meal Oct. 20 to Nov. 14 and be entered to win your choice of a Clemson or Carolina Fan Kit. Combo must include a Coca-Cola Zero or Dasani Water product. A winner will be chosen Nov. 17. To enter, submit your receipt in the entry box with name and email printed.

For information, contact Dr. Susan Johnson via email at johnssa@musc.edu or whela@musc.edu.

Cyber awareness: protecting sensitive data, reduce breaches By melAnie RiCHARdson OCIO Communications October is National Cyber Security Month, and one of the most important topics of cyber security is phishing. Phishing is an effective technique for criminals because it takes advantage of human weaknesses. Regardless of the protections OCIO puts in place, information security at MUSC is only as strong as the individual employee, student or contractor that has access to the network.

If you respond to a phishing email by disclosing your NetID and password, hackers can use that information to get into your email and access any protected health information (PHI) you have in your email account.

Further, and potentially more harmful, they can use your credentials to log into the many systems that use your NetID as their login. They can also use your email account to further their phishing attacks by sending out emails from your account to those within the MUSC family, luring unsuspecting recipients to give up their security credentials.

Once it is detected that your account has been hacked, as directed by Compliance, OCIO’s security

q Include typographical and grammatical errors.

team will have to disable all access to your MUSC account – which means you will not be able to access your MUSC email or any MUSC system, including Epic.

Ways to identify phishing emails. It may: q Ask you to verify, confirm or otherwise authenticate your NetID password; q Ask you to verify, confirm, or take some other kind of action in order to increase your email quota; q Threaten to terminate your MUSC email or network account, or cancel some service (cable, phone, Internet, bank, etc.) if you don’t respond immediately; q Request personal information, like account passwords; q Appear to come from a friend or colleague but the contents of the email are suspicious; q Offer gifts or services that seem too good to be true;

Trust but verify If you get an email from someone you know but the email’s contents make you suspicious, call the sender to verify they actually sent you the email.

If you receive an email you suspect is a phishing email, please forward it to phishing@musc.edu.

To learn more about phishing and other cyber security topics, visit BeginsWithMe.musc.edu or stop by one of the Information Security Awareness Pledge Centers located around campus. At these centers, you can sign a pledge agreeing to follow good information security practices.

Pledge names will be entered into a drawing for two iPad Air tablets, 25 — $20 gift cards, and 50 —$10 gift cards to the MUHA cafeteria and Starbucks.

If you know a champion of good cyber security practices, please nominate them as a “Security Mentor”.

You may send nominations to BeginsWithMe@musc. edu. $20 cafeteria/Starbucks gift cards will be given to 25 nominees and 25 nominators randomly drawn at the end of October. The deadline to submit nominations is Oct. 24.

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MUSC Medical Center Communications Corner Ebola Update - What You Need to Know ***As of Tuesday, Oct. 21, the information in this article is current. Please check the Ebola Information intranet site frequently for the most up-to-date information.

MUSC leadership is committed to frequent and transparent communications with our employees regarding Ebola. The medical center’s Ebola Information page (www. musc.edu/medcenter/news/ebola.htm) which includes educational resources: FAQs for staff and patients, Screening Criteria, MUSC Instructions, and links to external sources, such as the CDC, remains the go-to site for all Ebola information for the MUSC community and is updated regularly.

We all need to do the following with a suspected case (Remember — SICK): 1.

2.

3.

4.

Screen: Fever + Travel to West Africa within 30 days (or Ebola exposure) = Suspected Case (Make sure you know how your area is screening for fever and travel history) Isolate: Immediately isolate suspected patient in a single room, with standard– contact–droplet precautions (Make sure you know what room which will be in your area) Communicate: Immediately call the Communications Coordinator (7923333) and page Infection Prevention and Control; they will escalate communications from there.

Keep Calm

In the unlikely case we hospitalize a patient, we anticipate using existing isolated space in the main hospital and will utilize attending physicians only (no trainees), ICU nursing only and respiratory therapy if needed. Visit the Ebola Information intranet site to see a full communications grid outlining how to expect ongoing communications and updates regarding Ebola. (Review now)

What is MUSC doing to prepare? (Continued from Page One) Staffing: •per patient per shift.

•A volunteer list is being generated and training on donning–doffing the personal protective equipment (PPE) has started. Any potential exposure will be managed based on CDC guidelines.

•The attending team will be intensivists, but may involve hospitalists for non–ICU level attending staffing. Our first priority for attending training will be intensivists.

Other Services: •Patients may require intubation and dialysis; plans are underway to ensure these can be safely accomplished.

•Lab testing will be done with point–of–care testing.

•Any blood work that has to be processed in the lab will be double bagged (3–person process) and hand delivered.

Waste Management: •We expect 8 to 10–55 gallon drums of waste per day.

•We have confirmed our vendor will manage our waste.

•Terminal room cleans will be outsourced to a company (not our EVS).

Security: •Will be posted outside the destination unit at all times, and will monitor anyone coming or going.

•Only designated specialized medical teams will be allowed in.

•There will be no visitors allowed in the unit.

•There will also be no students or trainees allowed in the care.

Communications: We have dedicated an intranet site for internal communications, have held Ebola Information town halls and are working with PR on external communications.

Other: We are working with DHEC and SCHA to coordinate efforts with other

centers in SC.

FAQs for Staff What is Ebola? Ebola is a rare and often fatal disease in humans and nonhuman primates, caused by infection with viruses of the Ebolavirus Genus.

How is a person infected with the Ebola virus? How is it spread?

•A person is infected by direct contact with blood or other body fluids (urine, feces, sweat, saliva, breast milk or semen) from a person who is sick with Ebola.

•A person can also get Ebola by touching contaminated needles, syringes or other things with body fluids of a person sick with Ebola.

•The virus enters through broken skin or unprotected mucous membranes (i.e. eyes, nose or mouth). Aerosols, such as cough droplets, can also spread the virus.

•A person can also get Ebola from infected animals.

When is a person with Ebola considered infectious and capable of spreading the Ebola virus? A person is not infectious or contagious before they are symptomatic.

What is the incubation period? An exposed person can develop disease anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure, but the average is 8 to 10 days.

What are the signs and symptoms of Ebola?

•Recent travel or contact with someone who has traveled to a country or area that is experiencing an outbreak.

•Fever greater than 38 degrees C (100.4 degrees F) •Severe headache •Muscle pain •Throwing up •Diarrhea •Stomach pain •Unexplained bleeding or bruising What is the treatment for a patient infected with the Ebola virus?

•Currently, no specific vaccines or medications have proven to be effective.

Some experimental drugs have been used for patients with Ebola.

•Treatment currently consists of supportive

care for symptoms that are present (i.e. IV fluids, electrolyte replacement, comfort measures).

How is Ebola diagnosed?

•Through laboratory testing of a blood specimen: Need at least 4 mL in a lavender/ purple top vacutainer and at least 4 mL in a red vacutainer.

•The tests are sent to the CDC and takes 48 hours for results.

•All specimens must be double bagged (3step process).

What is the prognosis of a patient infected with Ebola? Does everybody die who has Ebola? Current statistics show 1 of every 2 people who became infected with Ebola has died.

The Team Leaders for MUSC’s Ebola response: Overall: Dr. Danielle Scheurer, Chief Quality Officer

Disaster Preparedness: Dr. Kathy LehmanHuskamkp and Brian Fletcher Specialized medical teams (coordination, communication, training–education content): Dr. Kathy Lehman-Huskamkp Educational roll out: Angela Egner and Lisa Langdale Infection Prevention and Control: Linda Formby Hospital Epidemiology: Dr. Cassandra Salgado and Dr. Lauren Richey While the risk of Ebola at MUSC is small, we are taking action to be well prepared.

If you have any further questions, refer to the Ebola Information intranet site, or contact Chief Quality Officer Dr. Danielle Scheurer at scheured@musc. edu.

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THe CATAlysT, Oct. 24, 2014 5

Meet Linda

Linda Brock

Department Park West Internal Medicine

How you are changing what’s possible at MUSC By making our patients feel like family and not a number How long at MUSC 3 years Family and pets Sons, Joshua and Shaun; daughters, Chelsea and Shelly; three dogs, Kelly, Skitter and Methos; and a cat, Ceasar What your idea of a dream job I’m doing it now. I work for the best doctors and coworkers that anyone could ask for.

What music is in your player now Jimmy Buffet, Daughtery and The Fray What food is a must in the fridge Salad nowadays Best thing about living in Charleston Everything — the food, entertainment, the ocean, and lots of things to do.

Greatest moment in your life Graduating college at 50 years old and surviving

6 THe CATAlysT, Oct. 24, 2014

Opening Doors campaign aims to provide needed scholarships By mikie HAyes Public Relations When Paul Underwood, Jr. M.D., graduated from the College of Medicine in 1959, the cost of tuition was $2,000 for four years. That number held steady through 1970. Today, however, college students who plan to pursue a career in medicine should brace themselves for sticker shock as they can expect to pay an average of 6,500 percent more in tuition than students paid in 1970.

To put that in perspective, the cost of a medical education has skyrocketed to more than $36,000 a year, not including books, fees, room or board, Opening Doors is the College of Medicine’s first-ever scholarship according to Underwood, associate campaign. For information visit www.musc.edu/openingdoors. dean of admissions and professor in the Department of Obstetrics and country. opportunities and decreasing medical Gynecology. school debt."

Currently, base tuition for a first-year openinG doors Time and time again, students who student is $35,665 in–state and $62,129 The college responded with an have worked hard and sacrificed greatly out–of–state. That puts the cost of an in- ambitious campaign — the first in its all through high school and college state, four year medical degree, including 190–year history — to raise $20 million have had their dreams derailed due living expenses, fees and books, at nearly specifically for medical scholarships. The to today’s financial realities. In many $200,000.

“Opening Doors” campaign is designed cases, financial factors alone are keeping This reality leaves far too many to help to those who have the deepest qualified students from being able to medical students carrying untenable desire to become a doctor and the pursue a medical career and escalating debt as they struggle to pay back loans strongest abilities to do so, but perhaps costs aren’t helping the situation. State with exorbitant interest payments. At a not the financial means. support of higher education over the past time when there is a dearth of primary Deborah Deas, M.D., interim dean of 15 years has shifted more of the financial care providers in small and rural towns the College of Medicine, is spearheading burden onto students. and low reimbursements for their the campaign. "Scholarships make a huge services, students carrying significant impact on the lives of our students — Merit versus needs-based aid debt are sometimes forced to forego areas tuition, books, food, travel to scholarly State appropriations now account for like family medicine and pediatrics to meetings, to name a few. The costs of only 5 percent of the college’s annual choose a higher paying specialty in order medical school attendance and living budget. To make matters worse, states to satisfy their debts while providing for expenses have skyrocketed over the have shifted away from allocating dollars families and making a decent wage. past decade, and medical students find toward financial aid for students who This situation weighed heavily on themselves with loans averaging more need it toward those whose grade point the college’s dean’s office as it halted than $190,000 at graduation. We have averages merit it. According to the increases in tuition costs for the past to change this scenario to encourage Journal of Public Economics, merit– three years. It was also mentioned students to choose a specialty for which based state aid has nearly tripled in the as an area of concern during a 2014 they have passion, not one which last two decades, to almost 30 percent. reaccreditation site visit by the Liaison makes sense because of medical school The prevailing attitude has been that if Committee on Medical Education — the debt. The Opening Doors scholarship you give merit scholarships to students body responsible for the accreditation campaign will make a difference for our with top GPAs, you are motivating of medical education programs. While students and allow us to continue to talented students to remain in state — the college scored high marks in all other attract the best and brightest students to reducing the possibility of brain drain: areas during the visit, the committee MUSC. An increase in our scholarship well–educated students leaving the state cited its concerns related to the high endowment by $20 million would yield for greener pastures. level of debt MUSC’s medical students enough money to provide partial tuition The actual consequence, however, is were graduating with — a trend that scholarships for more than 50 additional that precious dollars are helping students is plaguing medical schools across the students, thus opening doors to great who need it less or in many cases, don’t

photo provided

Medical student Robert Williams after receiving his master’s degree from Indiana University’s School of Medicine. need it at all.

Often, students with tremendous potential are not able to qualify for the merit–based scholarships that academic high–achievers from advantaged backgrounds are able to easily qualify for. Their academic performances have earned them these scholarships even though finances were not a barrier to attending medical school.

Many states are grappling with issues related to the allocation of need–based versus merit–based funding. As the argument goes, families of means are able to position their children to reach their potential and navigate the competitive track to getting into medical school. On the other hand, students who have to work 25 to 40 hours a week through college to pay for their education normally don’t have as much time to study, don’t get as much rest, and often aren’t able to achieve a resume that includes studies abroad, Greek affiliations, or academic extracurricular activities. Typically, they don’t have access to tutors or expensive prep courses or even the most up–to–date computers

See Medicine on page 7

THe CATAlysT, Oct. 24, 2014 7

mediCine

Continued from Page Six

and equipment. Even if a less advantaged student is as smart or capable as his more affluent counterpart, he is still at a distinct disadvantage when competing for merit–based scholarships.

Private scholarships can level the playing field.

Terry Stanley, director of development for the College of Medicine, knows that for capable students, economic challenges can often be overcome with the help of scholarships. “We have to be able to help more students,” he said.

“If we could, we’d offer every student a full ride. Until that time, I want to make sure we can offer as many scholarships as possible to deserving students. Robert Williams is a perfect example of a truly gifted student we were so fortunate to be able to recruit.”

The youngest of five children, Williams came to his MUSC interview not confident he could afford a medical education. First of all, it was an out– of–state school. Secondly, his father had serious heart problems and had undergone a quadruple bypass and his mother had her own set of health issues.

Williams never expected his parents to underwrite the cost. In fact, he was accustomed to finding ways to fund his own education. In the two years it took him to earn his master’s degree in biomedical science from the Indiana University School of Medicine, he had already amassed $90,000 worth of debt.

Even though he knew medicine was his calling, he questioned whether he could continue on his journey into medicine.

“For a long time I didn’t think that attaining acceptance to medical school was possible, being where I’m from Wilcox County in rural Alabama, and also being one of the first individuals to actually take this journey to go into medicine.”

But after his interview at MUSC, he knew he had to make it work. “I just knew this was the place for me,” he said.

“From stepping on campus, from day one, I knew it was the place I wanted to be. Honestly, I felt I was at home; I felt like it was a family environment. It definitely did not feel like an interview.

It was just like, ‘Come, we want you here.’ It actually allowed me to see I was

not going to be just another number, I was actually going to be an asset to this institution.”

Williams was offered the Mary D. Rich scholarship and in–state tuition, and while he still builds quite a bit of debt each year, the financial assistance from the college has helped a great deal.

“It was fortunate that I was awarded a scholarship through MUSC, where I was granted in-state tuition through my scholarship fund. I am forever in debt to this award. I definitely agree that the amount of debt one is in has an impact on what profession one chooses to go into.”

Williams, like most medical students, had a tough decision to make about which path to follow. Some choose specialties like ophthalmology, urology or cardiothoracic surgery knowing they will likely start out making a healthy salary. But even though the stress of debt haunted Williams, he made a decision based on his heart, not his wallet.

After his first two years in medical school, he realized he was in a lot of debt. At first, he thought he would pursue a field that would enable him to pay off his debt quickly. Then he remembered what his true purpose for going to medical school was. “I kind of forgot about that and the whole idea of money was just lingering over my head,” he said. “So I stepped back and allowed myself to look at the bigger picture, to realize why I came into medicine. It was never about me, it was more about my community and giving back. It doesn’t matter how much debt I’ll be in, I’m just going to do what I set out to do which is my calling to practice preventative care medicine/primary care.”

Williams is a member of the class of 2016. He’s worked hard and overcome a lot. He credits his father for instilling in him the qualities that have helped him make it through. “My father has a second grade education. At a very early age he left school to help out his mother. He lived on a farm. So my father doesn’t have a higher education, but to me, he is one the greatest people alive.

I gain so much strength from him. He was a quadruple–bypass survivor: His perseverance and tenacity give me hope.

See Medicine on page 11

photo provided

Orangeburg native and first-year medical student Kemi Chukwuka, right, joins her scholarship namesake, Dr. Delores Gibbs. Chukwuka is the first recipient of the Rose Delores Gibbs M.D. Endowed Scholarship.

Delores Gibbs scholarship awarded to medical student

By JAne mA Public Relations

K

emi Chukwuka is the first recipient of the newly established Rose Delores Gibbs, M.D., Endowed Scholarship Fund. This scholarship, which will help minority students with the costs of attending medical school, just recently reached full endowment and represents the completion of a longtime objective for Gibbs.

Gibbs, a Moncks Corner native, was the first African–American woman to graduate from the MUSC College of Medicine. In fact, she’s had giving back to medical students on her mind since the 1970’s.

“I started a scholarship back in the 1970s that no one knows about, because it wasn’t official.” Gibbs recalls, laughing.

“I went to the dean’s office, found recent African–American graduates, and left some financial aid for them.

I always wanted to create something more sustainable, self–perpetuating and official, but I just wasn’t sure how to at the time. A few years ago, it became more of a reality. I started raising money for an endowment, got donations and finally achieved my original goal.”

Enter Chukwuka, a native of Orangeburg. Like Gibbs, she left the state for her undergraduate degree, but returned to her home state for medical school. She was born and raised in Orangeburg and says she chose to attend MUSC because she wanted to be closer to the network of support her family would provide, and also because

See Gibbs on page 10

8 THe CATAlysT, Oct. 24, 2014

MuWC 2014 sCholarship Winners reCoGnized MUSC student scholars were honored at the Sept. 22 Medical University Women’s Club annual membership coffee. The club gave a total of $15,000 in scholarship money to a dozen qualified student recipients who represented all six of MUSC’s colleges.

Included in the photo are: front row, left to right, Jessica Cloy-McCoy (Graduate Studies); Hannah Hughes (Medicine); Kimberly Lewis (Medicine); Kaileen Yeh (Medicine); Second row, Kinsley Johnson (Dental Medicine); Erin Elizabeth Coats (Health Professions). Third row, Mary K. Benedict (Health Professions); Sarah Carlisle (Dental Medicine); Mattilyn Williams (Nursing). Fourth row, Megan Zwerner, MUWC Scholarship Committee chairwoman; Wesley Jacobs (Nursing); Holly Berry (Pharmacy). Not pictured is Katherine Anne Bliven (Pharmacy). Students are selected based on academic achievement, community and university service and financial need.

For information, visit http://www.musc.edu/ womensclub. photo by Sharlene Atkins, Public Relations

THe CATAlysT, Oct. 24, 2014 9

Research Impact Dr. Colleen Hanlon q Assistant professor,

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences q NIH RO1 award: $333,914 July 2014 to May 2019

Kara Prakash, Ph.D., associate professor

This study, and the growing population of older

in the College of Medicine, Department of

adults, may call attention to hearing loss as a

Neurosciences, was awarded a R21 to study

public health problem and emphasize the need

the “Spatial Scale and Cellular Mechanisms of

for evidence of the impact of hearing loss on

Neurovascular Coupling In Vivo.”

The overall goal of this project is to determine

utilization of the health care system and health outcomes.

the contributions from spiking, synaptic Colleen A Hanlon, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, was awarded a R01 grant to conduct a study titled, “A Longitudinal Study of Functional Connectivity Among Cocaine Users in Treatment.”

The NIH–funded grant will determine the relationship between functional connectivity in executive control regions (namely the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) and both proximal and extended outcomes in treatment seeking cocaine users. This longitudinal neuroimaging study will assess the integrity of executive and limbic circuits after a cognitive behavioral treatment program. The fundamental neuroscience knowledge gained from this study will be used to develop new evidence–based brain stimulation treatment strategies to enhance the integrity of these circuits and subsequent outcomes in traditional treatment programs.

This $333,914 grant project runs from July 2014 to May 19, 2019.

Dr. Prakash Kara q Associate professor,

Departments of Neuroscience, Ophthalmology and Clemson–MUSC Bioengineering Program q NIH R21 award: $224,250 June 2014 to May 2016

The National Institute on Deafness and Other

and astrocytic activity in shaping the feature

Communication Disorders funded this study

selectivity of blood vessels in the sensory neocortex. This work is important to advance our understanding of brain function because vascular signals are now widely used to infer neural function in health and disease. NIH provided $224,250 in this two-year funding study beginning June 2014 to May 2016.

from June to May 2016.

The Catalyst’s MUSC Research Impact column replaces the former Research Grants column and showcases the campus’ research community’s grant activities.

For information about other awards, visit http://academicdepartments.musc.edu/ research/orsp/ or to email your MUSC research impact stories to research@musc.edu.

Dr. Annie Simpson q Associate professor,

Department of Healthcare Leadership and Management, College of Health Professions q NIH R21 award: $261,626 June 2014 to May 2016

Annie Simpson, Ph.D., College of Health Professions researcher, was awarded a R21 from the NIH for $261,625 to study the “Age–Related Hearing Loss: Health Services Utilization and Outcomes.” Simpson, assistant professor in the Department of Healthcare Leadership and Management, began to study patients with age–related hearing loss. These patients may be at higher risk for undesirable health outcomes because hearing loss may tend to isolate individuals and reduce necessary communications about health problems to health care providers and family members, or lead to an understanding of medication use.

10 THe CATAlysT, Oct. 24, 2014

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eBolA Continued from Page One

she hopes someday to give back to the state that made her achievements possible.

In describing her medical school interview process, Chukwuka says, “I just felt like I could be more myself with MUSC. I interviewed with five schools, but I felt genuinely comfortable here. Attending MUSC just seemed natural, as though I were coming full circle, returning home.”

It was this home where the seeds of Chukwuka’s passion for medicine and service were planted: “It really all began when I was three. I was diagnosed with Vitiligo, a disease in which the skin pigmentation cells are destroyed — my first exposure to medicine in any significant form. The dermatologist who made the diagnosis, and has been responsible for my treatment since, inspired me, and we’ve maintained a close relationship throughout my life. So I guess you could say I’ve been with her for 25 years. My experience with her influenced me to attend medical school to be a dermatologist, although recently my heart has been drawn to family medicine. The need in that field seems to be the greatest.”

This scholarship will allow Chukwuka to pursue these plans and fulfill that need.

She applied for a broad range of scholarships, and her reaction upon learning she received the Gibbs Scholarship was one of delight: “At first, I was grateful and excited. Of course I was… It’s wonderful not to have to worry about debt.”

However, after actually meeting Gibbs, the scholarship took on more meaning and greater significance.

When asked about her benefactor, Chukwuka said, “She is amazing. She is absolutely a role model for me. I had no idea who she was, and then I learned that she’s had this incredible career. I found out that she was the first African–American woman to graduate the College of Medicine; that means a lot to me, as a double minority pursuing the same dreams. It was so reassuring and humbling to be in her presence, to know that I was following in the footsteps of the trail that she had blazed — to believe that if she did it, then I can too. In a lot of ways, Dr. Gibbs is providing emotional support, not just financial support. And I’m so thankful.”

This scholarship has already started a perpetuating ripple effect of influence that will extend far beyond this first award. Gibbs reveals creative plans that she has in the works to continue sponsoring the scholarship, “I started collecting paintings early in my life as a medical student — a piece here, a piece there. They served as points of meditation and focus for me. Over the years, I’ve amassed quite a collection. It is my intention to start showing the collection for the benefit of the scholarship, to raise funds for it. Eventually I hope to donate the entire collection to MUSC, with the understanding that they are either to be shown or sold, with all proceeds going to the scholarship fund.”

As for Chukwuka, she says that her hope is to one day give as well. To her, the scholarship serves as a constant reminder to pay it forward and help other prospective students, just as Gibbs has helped and inspired her.

prepared and developing further capabilities,” Cawley said.

“From MUSC’s point of view, I stressed the different types of training needed at different levels of the health care system,” Cawley said. “I also pointed out the importance of maintaining an ‘all volunteer’ clinical care team, which we have at each of the regional medical centers, including MUSC.” Haley called the risk of Ebola in South Carolina “very low.”

The roundtable was the latest in a series of discussions about Ebola preparedness in South Carolina. Last week, the state director of the Department of Health and Environmental Control thanked MUSC at a news conference for being “ready, willing and able to receive a patient sick with Ebola should we need them in South Carolina.”

MusC preparations That readiness involves preparing people and resources — an undertaking infectious disease experts and MUSC leaders have been involved with for weeks.

They have compiled a list of nurses, doctors and other employees who have volunteered to treat Ebola patients if needed. They plan to put the volunteers on specialized teams with two intensive care nurses, one physician and one respiratory therapist per patient per shift.

They have also carefully documented what resources would be needed at MUSC and made sure they are available.

Those resources include: 10 Isopods, which are enclosed stretchers used to safely move patients with infectious diseases; a flight team experienced in transporting people who are critically ill; a surgical trauma intensive care unit that has been designated as an Ebola treatment area if needed; a company prepared to handle 8 to 10, 55–gallon drums of waste per day; and outside contractor to handle cleaning.

THe CATAlysT, Oct. 24, 2014 11

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There’s something deep within me that keeps me going when it gets tough, when it gets rough. When I feel like it’s time to just give up and throw in the towel, there’s a voice inside me that says ‘Keep going, keep going.’ I know that I wouldn’t be happy doing anything else.”

Williams was the valedictorian at Wilcox Central High School, captain of his 5A state championship basketball team, a drum major, in FBLA, and a Bryant Jordan student athlete scholar. At MUSC, he’s served as vice president of his class for two years and was president of the Multicultural Student Advisory Board.

He is a prime example of why the Opening Doors campaign is so important. A student with unlimited potential and an abundance of heart and drive who just needed a little help to become all he could be.

“I grew up in rural Alabama, one of five children,” he said. “I have had to overcome a number of financial and resource-related barriers. The generous and kind spirit of the late Mrs. Mary D. Rich, who endowed my scholarship through her estate, has provided support and encouragement for both my family and me.

This scholarship has afforded me the opportunity to continue on my journey of obtaining my medical degree and for that, I will be forever grateful.”

Underwood sees firsthand the financial angst MUSC students deal with every day. He said, “We believe our profession belongs to the most gifted, hardest–working individuals among us, and that tuition should never be the reason qualified and willing candidates turn away from a career in medicine. Our goal is to raise $20 million to open our doors to those who have the strongest ability and desire to study medicine — those who have worked the hardest to be here — rather than just to those who have the greatest financial means.”

Layton McCurdy, M.D., Distinguished University Professor, served as dean of the MUSC College of Medicine from 1990 to 2001. Raising funds for scholarship support was an important initiative to him then, and as an alumnus of the college, it continues to be important to him now.

“I’ve watched the field of medical education change, especially having been a student here myself. The problem students face now is that it is a huge cost to come to medical school. My tuition was $300 twice a year, today it’s up close to $40,000 a year and the paying back becomes burdensome and it guides graduates in their career choice. If someone is going to be a pediatrician, not one of the particularly overly– compensated medical practices, is that person going to go to a rural area and do pediatrics in an under-served area if they are $250,000 in debt, and they have to pay it back? I think it adds a significant obstacle to choose desireable places that are needed and choose specialties that are needed. Scholarship support for doctors is crucial in their pathway to success and their pathway to providing help to their patients. I believe that is a fact,”

McCurdy said.

Jerry Reves, M.D., dean emeritus of the College of Medicine, wants to ensure that, regardless of cost, the next generation of doctors has an opportunity to study at MUSC. He is concerned that as tuition for medical school goes up, it will select against very capable students who are actually needed in the profession.

“There’s no question that today’s students on average are graduating with debt that would have been inconceivable when we were medical students. This has a profound effect on today’s students in that they have to take a look at their debt and they have to consider what fields they can afford to go into. Can they afford to go in lesser–reimbursed fields and be able to pay their debts and take care of their family obligations?

Assisting today’s students by giving scholarship aid is one of the wonderful things that today’s doctors can do for the next generation of physicians. It ends up freeing them to enjoy medical school and get the most of out of it. It would relieve some of the stress that is always present in medical school. It will make them better doctors and ultimately, it will help them learn because their minds are less cluttered with worry. It is my sincerest hope that we are successful with this scholarship campaign because it will allow us to open the doors to the different people who otherwise can’t get it — not because of their ability, not because of their potential but because they simply don’t have the money.

It’s a wonderful gesture on today’s doctors’ part to help the next generation, just as we were helped in one way or the other.”

More than 90 percent of MUSC’s medical students finance their education with loans. If a student is not able to begin making full interest payments on loans immediately after graduation, interest on most medical school loans continues to accrue on at least a portion of the balance during a student’s multi–year residency training. That means a higher debt balance at the end of training.

The college has a long history of awarding scholarship support to its students. In the 2013–2014 academic year, $1,333,040 was awarded to 191 students. Most of these awards, however, were for $5,000 or less and while helpful, they are still merely a drop in the bucket.

Unlike private institutions that have endowments in the billions, the college’s endowments can only award 11 full–tuition scholarships and seven half–tuition scholarships per year.

Never before has a medical education cost as much as a new home. No longer is it simply a matter of simply working hard, keeping your nose to the grindstone and being willing to make making sacrifices. While some capable, smart and hard-working students are financing their futures to care for their fellow man, sadly, others see the price tag and give up before they even get out of the gate. Stanley added, “The fruits of this campaign will hopefully provide hope for these students and let them know they belong at MUSC.”

12 THe CATAlysT, Oct. 24, 2014