December 4, 2015
MEDICAL UNIVERSITY of SOUTH CAROLINA
Vol. 34, No. 14
Putting ‘patients first’ with resounding joy By Mikie Hayes Public Relations “I’m free. Ain’t no doubt about it, I’m free.” Those were the words cancer survivor and international recording artist Candace Woodson sang to an audience of nearly 100 people gathered at MUSC for a very special event. And with a hit that recently reached No. 1 on United Kingdom charts, Woodson means to get the word out that indeed there is life after cancer. She is living proof — and credits MUSC and God for getting her through. On Nov. 23, Woodson shared her original composition “I’m Free” at the Ann Edwards Garden in front of University Hospital. Woodson, a patient of Hollings Cancer Center, kicked breast cancer a year ago and celebrates “that blessing” every day. She joined other MUSC patients on campus to participate in the Imagine 2020 Patients First event. As the formal ceremony began, Rob McKenzie, a bone marrow transplant recipient and acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivor, welcomed the audience. “I’m a first–year Master in Health Administration student here at MUSC. But I’m not up here as a student,” he said. “I’m here as a patient.” He explained that five years ago, while a freshman at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, he received the devestating news he had leukemia. He underwent radiation, heavy doses of chemotherapy, and finally, a bone marrow transplant at the MUSC Children’s Hospital.
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photos by Sarah Pack, Public Relations
Bone marrow patient and MUSC student Rob McKenzie rings the Patients First Bell located in the Anne Edwards Garden near the entrance of the University Hospital. He shared that it was on that very same day, Nov. 23, in 2010, he received the transplant. It was a momentous day for him and his family. “This is the day I would celebrate being cancer–free for the rest of my life.” And while some wiped away tears, the exuberant crowd cheered his news. “I’m here because of the incredible team I had behind me,” he said. McKenzie presented the newly– installed bell which was dedicated to all
day of CaRing MUSC departments step up to care for the community. LIKE US
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International recording artist Candace Woodson shares her song.
MUSC patients, stating that his were just a few of the countless examples of MUSC putting patients first. “This bell is a symbol of the millions of journeys traveled through here at MUSC every day – in honor of every journey traveled. Whether it is the beginning or the end of your journey, we will invite each of you to join us to ring this bell. When you ring this bell, just know we will stand in celebration with you.” President David Cole, M.D., FACS,
RemembeRing Lyndon Key Beloved researcher, clinician, mentor leaves us too soon.
took the podium and spoke about the values that MUSC holds dear. He shared his excitement for the new icon which would serve as a reminder of MUSC’s commitment to patients and their families. “It’s very exciting for me that we have some physical manifestation of these values and a place where people can gather and have a touchstone for what our future
See Patients on page 7
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Lung Cancer Screening
5
Meet Kelly
9
Marijuana Misconceptions
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2 THe CaTalysT, Dec. 4, 2015
Scholarship recipient plans to become patient advocate By allyson Crowell Development & Alumni Affairs When Lucy LaPoint received her acceptance letter to a master's degree program in the United States, she began fundraising in her village in Kenya. She needed $20,000 to get through school. She wound up raising only enough cash to cover the price of her flight. She was a farmer’s daughter, 25 years old and hopeful — and she bought the plane ticket. “I didn’t want to give up the visa, and I thought, ‘Maybe I’ll make it,’” LaPoint said. She began working on her computer science degree in Maryland, but when the money ran out, she had to quit. She picked up and moved again — this time to Kalamazoo, Michigan, a place with a surprisingly large Kenyan population, where a relative had a friend. LaPoint worked in assisted living facilities to pay her own bills and to send money back to Africa for her family. Her mother died when she was 18, before her younger brothers made it through school, so she felt obligated to help support them as well. “When I came to America, I didn’t know about the health care system,” Lucy said. “They didn’t have assisted living in Kenya, but we took care of the old ladies in our village in Kenya. When I was 10, my mom would send me to fetch water or firewood for them.” Following her move to Michigan, LaPoint learned that her father’s kidneys were failing. As he began dialysis in
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
Kenya, LaPoint sought counsel from a friend back home who had begun physician assistant school and who served as the information conduit across the continents. “There was one hospital with seven machines for the entire central province in Kenya,” LaPoint said. “My dad would leave very early to go to Nairobi, and if a machine broke, he’d have spend the night and wait. This was the only public hospital with dialysis, and he had to pay out of pocket, so I would come up with the money to help him.” Serving as a caregiver from 8,000 miles away, LaPoint realized something about herself: She wanted a more direct role in health care. She wanted to educate people to become their own advocates. She wanted to become a physician assistant. LaPoint moved to Charleston after her husband accepted an engineering job here. She began PA school in May and received the Kim Martino Minority Scholarship, a $2,500 award set up in memory of a physical therapy student from the class of 2003. Her scholarship helps ease the financial strain, she said, especially with a 4–year–old daughter. “It’s expensive to pay for tuition and books and manage everything else at home,” she said. ”I’m just grateful for the support. It just takes off the burden and worry.” David Morrisette, PT, Ph.D., professor and director of the MUSC’s Division of 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.
photo provided
College of Health Professions Physician Assistant student Lucy LaPoint with her daughter in a tea field in Kenya Physical Therapy, said Kim Martino had children of her own and aspired to work with pediatric and elderly patients. Kim was diagnosed with cancer, though, and died shortly after graduation. “Kim was like a mother to all the students, and when they had a problem, she took care of them,” Morrisette said. He remembered one day when he had forgotten to take home the linens from class and noticed that they had disappeared. When he returned to the classroom, he found Kim packing linens, laundered and folded, back into the cabinets. The Kim Martino scholarship supports minority students within the College of Health Professions who have a particular interest in community service. For LaPoint, that means returning to Africa one day as a volunteer. “People go to the hospital and don’t
know what they’re being treated for,” Lucy said. “They don’t know what medications they’re receiving.” In fact, despite LaPoint’s efforts, her father eventually succumbed to his failing kidneys. She had raised enough money in 2006 to send him to get a kidney transplant in India, where he could find more experienced and affordable care. One of her brothers had donated the organ. But her father missed medication when money became tight. He eventually skipped so many doses that the new kidney shut down. “All those things pulled me more toward this career,” LaPoint said. “There’s a huge deficit of patient education.” Editor’s note: Reprinted with permission from Thank You Notes, MUSC Office of Development and Alumni Affairs.
MUSC Waring Historical Library Presents Building a Medical Center: The Construction of the 1955 Medical College Hospital
60th Anniversary Web exhibit Visit http://waring.library.musc.edu/exhibits/1955Hospital/index.php Founded in 1824 under the auspices of the Medical Society of Scouth Carolina, MUSC has grown from an initial faculty of seven and student population of five into one of the nation’s top academic health centers. For information, call Brooke Fox, 792-6477
THe CaTalysT, Dec. 4, 2015 3
Searching for better ways to help people stop smoking Catching lung cancer early with MUSC’s new lung cancer screening program Public Relations
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loria Haas needs help. The longtime smoker who recently quit almost broke down and smoked again on a particularly tough night – her physical cravings were magnified by the emotional stress of family conflict. But Haas didn’t give in and doesn’t want to go back to the habit that has given her chronic lung problems and put her at risk of lung cancer and other diseases. So today she’s meeting with Benjamin Toll, Ph.D., head of the smoking cessation program at MUSC. “I get the shakes,” Haas told Toll, describing one of the side effects of quitting. Toll suggests increasing the dosage of Haas’ nicotine patches and talks with her about how to deal with cravings. Focus on other things you enjoy, he says, such as playing with a pet or going out to dinner. If she can ride out the craving, it will end in 15 minutes or less. “The paradoxical part about smoking is if you give into cravings, they get worse.” Toll, who helps people cope with both physical and psychological aspects of nicotine addiction, knows what he’s talking about. He’s a nationally known expert recruited by MUSC to treat patients and conduct research designed to make treatment programs more effective. Toll brings expertise honed at Yale University, where he led tobacco treatment efforts and helped create a program that screens current and former smokers for lung cancer. “If you catch lung cancer early, you’re in great shape. If it’s stage one, you’re fine. If it’s stage four, it’s a very lethal cancer,” Toll said. Regardless of the stage, Toll said his team provides tobacco treatment, because there is solid evidence that it will increase survival, reduce the risk of a second cancer and make cancer treatments more effective. Toll, chief of tobacco cessation and health behaviors for MUSC, also serves as co–director of a new lung cancer screening program at MUSC’s
Hollings Cancer Center. He works with pulmonologist Nichole Tanner, M.D., in a state where lung cancer is the third leading cause of death. Research shows that 80 to 90 percent of lung cancers are caused by tobacco. Toll said MUSC’s approach to this issue is multi–faceted: “We want to help people quit smoking to prevent cancers where we can and help improve outcomes for people who already have been diagnosed with cancer. Additionally, for those who have a long history of smoking and are at high risk for lung cancer, we want to screen to catch potential cancers as early as possible.” The screening program folds nicely into the overarching goal and that is to have all patients of MUSC’s Hollings Cancer Center, the only National Cancer Institute–designated cancer center in the state, to be asked about tobacco use and treated for addiction if needed. That may sound like a no–brainer, but Toll says it’s not for a lot of hospitals. “Millions are spent on creating therapies for cancer,” Toll said. “But tobacco treatment is really lacking there. Especially in patients receiving radiation treatment, it’s a huge factor. If people quit smoking, the treatment works much better.” As MUSC’s lung cancer screening program grows, Toll and Tanner will work with university internal medicine physicians to reach patients who meet the criteria for being tested for the disease. Another important strategy for MUSC is that all inpatients asked about their tobacco use and referred to cessation experts when appropriate. That’s how seriously Toll and colleagues believe this needs to be addressed. Research conducted at MUSC confirms that smoking can affect the quality of cancer treatment, a point emphasized by other tobacco experts on campus as well. Their focus on getting cancer patients to quit smoking is part of what drew Toll to the Charleston campus. “A lot of cancer centers don’t
See Lung on page 12
photos by Helen Adams, Public Relations
Gloria Haas, who suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, talks with Dr. Benjamin Toll about her cigarette cravings.
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4 THe CaTalysT, Dec. 4, 2015
Day of Caring puts caring hearts in the community
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bout 300 employees from MUSC, participated in a total of 17 service projects across the Tri–county area in recognition of the Trident United Way’s Day of Caring on Nov. 13. According to Whitney McLuen, Office of Development employee campaign coordinator, the Day of Caring event is a popular activity attracting a number of employeedepartment teams. “This event really showcases our tremendous amount of generous,
caring and philanthropic–minded employees,” she said. “They’re not only committed to making MUSC a better place every day, but also around the entire Lowcountry.” The Day of Caring also kicks off MUSC’s annual campuswide Trident United Way Campaign. Employees are eligible for a dollar– for–dollar match, although a limited amount is available. To make a contribution, visit https://epledge.tuw. org. or call 792-1973. photos provided
Members of the Department of Pediatric’s Day of Caring team gathered for the sixth consecutive year to work at James H. Spann Elementary School in Summerville on Nov. 13. During that time, employees completed five projects: painting the school’s amphitheater, assembling lawn furniture, staining four picnic tables, creating lattices and spraying pea gravel around the school garden. Team University Human Resources, Courtney Cullum, from left, Kelly Harrison, Barbara Donnelly, Patrice Gordon, Jennifer Ullum and Lydia Diaz, spent Nov. 13 at Lincoln MiddleHigh School in McClellanville where they made holiday cards with sixth–graders to present to the families of the victims of the Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston.
Members of MUSC’s Digestive Disease Center and Acute Directional Unit gathered supplies and volunteered their time at Helping Hands of Goose Creek.
MUSC social workers gathered food and snacks in support of patients at the Hollings Cancer Center clinics.
THe CaTalysT, Dec. 4, 2015 5
Meet Kelly
Kelly Hedges Department and how long at MUSC Volunteer Services; 13 years
Family, pets and their names Husband, Dave; daughter, Victoria; son, Jackson (Both kids were born at MUSC); and a tortie point Persian, Sadey Last book read The Martian by Andy Weir A unique talent I have Crafting. It’s amazing what I can do with a glue gun. What food is a must have in the fridge Goat cheese and good balsamic vinegar Words of advice “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.” —Vivian Greene
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6 The CaTalysT, Dec. 4, 2015
Former pediatric chair, endocrinologist remembered
Former Department of Pediatrics Chairman Dr. L. Lyndon Key died Nov. 29. He joined MUSC in 1991 as director of the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and was appointed chairman of the Department of Pediatrics in 2001. He is best remembered for his compassion toward the many children he cared for, such as Sijia Lee, pictured below, who suffered from a rare metabolic bone disorder.
By J. Ryne Danielson Public Relations
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yndon Key, M.D., Distinguished university professor emeritus and former chairman of the MUSC department of pediatrics, died Nov. 29 of complications related to Alzheimer’s disease. He passed away peacefully with his family by his side, which was a comfort to his friends and colleagues. Key, a groundbreaking pediatric endocrinologist, is best known for his work with juvenile osteoporosis and osteopetrosis, metabolic bone disorders. Key pioneered one of the only drug therapies effective in treating osteopetrosis, a disease that causes bones to become overly dense and brittle. Patients with the disease may grow anemic as bones fuse solid, squeezing out the marrow that is responsible for new blood cell development, including white blood cells, which are crucial to the function of the immune system. One of Key’s most famous cases involved Sijia Lee, an infant born in rural China who suffered from the often–fatal disease. Key acted not only as a doctor but as a diplomat, arranging for the child and her mother to be flown to Charleston for treatment. In the end, it took the intervention of both South Carolina senators to secure visas, and the logistical help of an army of volunteers to bring the pair to the United States, but ultimately the effort proved a success. Although Sijia Lee eventually succumbed to her disease, Key was instrumental in giving her a few more years with her family. Key was born July 13, 1952 in Hickory, North Carolina. “Lyndon prioritized his life to praise God, care for his family, and work as a pediatrician,” his family said. Key graduated class valedictorian from Hickory High School in 1970 and received his baccalaureate and medical degrees from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. He completed his residency in pediatrics at Duke University. Prestigious fellowships followed at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. He joined MUSC in 1991 as the director of both the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and the MUSC General Clinical Research Center. Key was appointed chairman of the Department of Pediatrics for MUSC’s Children’s Hospital in 2001 and served in that position until 2009. He was named a Distinguished University Professor in 2010 and in 2011, he received the S.C. Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Career Achievement Award. While at MUSC, Key was integral to the development of the Family Advisory Council, a patient advocacy group. He co–chaired the organizing committee for the first international symposium on osteopetrosis and held editorial positions on the review boards of the Journal of Pediatrics, Science, the New England Journal of Medicine, and several other major journals. Key authored more than 100 peer–reviewed articles and
book chapters and even had the time in his busy career to compose a country song, “Gussie’s Diner.” Key sang baritone in his church choir, performed in several plays with his daughters at Dock Street Theatre, held a pizza–eating record at UNC and a rollerblading record at Camp Thunderbird, a YMCA camp in Charlotte, North Carolina. “Lyndon was a man of many talents,” his family said. Key is survived by his wife of 42 years, Janice Key, M.D., director of the Division of Adolescent Medicine at MUSC; two daughters, Rebecca Johnson and Emily Davis; and two grandchildren, Kenneth and Mary Lou Johnson. A private inturnment will take place at Magnolia Cemetery, followed by a memorial service at 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5, in First–Scots Presbyterian Church, 53 Meeting Street. A reception will be held in the fellowship hall following the service. An endowed fund is being established to honor his legacy. Donations can be made in his honor to the Lyndon Key Endowed Fund at the MUSC Foundation, First–Scots Presbyterian Church, the MUSC Children's Hospital Fund, Respite Care Charleston or Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina. Key, a gifted researcher, clinician and teacher leaves behind a meaningful legacy through his prolific work,
mentorship, vision and leadership. Having made a monumental impact on so many during his 24 years at MUSC, colleagues honored their friend and co–worker with personal sentiments: “Dr. Key was a remarkable individual who had a positive impact on numerous children’s lives through his compassionate care as a physician, and through his groundbreaking translational pediatric endocrinology research. He will be missed.” – President David J. Cole, M.D., FACS “I am a pediatric surgeon and I worked with Dr. Key when he was the chair of the Department of Pediatrics. Lyndon was a receptive person of great intellect. He really cared about his patients. Not only was he incredibly competent, he was also compassionate.” – H. Biemann Othersen, M.D., Medical Director for MUSC Children’s Hospital Lyndon was a wonderful scientist and a kind and generous mentor. — Kathleen T. Brady, M.D., Ph.D., Distinguished University Professor, Associate Provost, Clinical and Translational Science
See Key on page 11
THe CaTalysT, Dec. 4, 2015 7
PaTienTs
Continued from Page One
looks like. Cole provided an example of what putting patients first at MUSC is all about. “It means the patients that we care for get the right care, at the right place, at the right time.” He also took an opportunity to remind the audience that it will take the entire MUSC family to make this goal happen. “Each of us plays a part no matter what we do; each of us makes a difference in this common mission and common purpose. It means at MUSC, we commit to patients first. Nothing less.” McKenzie had the honor of introducing other patients who also felt a deep and abiding gratitude to those at MUSC who had made a difference in their lives as they fought their battles. In 2005, 11–month–old Sam DeLongchamps was run over by a car in front of his home. His parents, local television anchorman Dean Stephens (DeLongchamps) and MUSC’s Patient–Family Centered Care manager Caroline DeLongchamps were devastated when their little one suffered an unimaginable head injury. Today, on the other side of his experience, Sam is a rough– and–tumble fifth–grader at Belle Hall Elementary School. While most 11–year-olds may not relish talking about such a personal part of their lives in front of a large audience, Sam spoke like a pro. “I’d like to start by saying that everyone here at MUSC Children’s Hospital is just great at what they do. Hey, I’m living proof.” The audience burst into laughter and applause. “Ten years ago,” he continued, “I was involved in a pretty scary accident. I was run over by a car while I was crawling on my driveway. I was just 11 months old. I don’t remember being here, but I have heard stories from my brother and my parents. The doctors told my parents ‘Hope for the best and prepare for the worst.” Sam thanked the people who “kept me alive” while he was at MUSC for 19 days. “They never gave up on me, and they took care of my mom and dad, too, not just me. I’m here because of everyone who worked on me. They for sure saved my life. It means so much to me.” The next speaker, John Melrose, worked at MUSC for 16 years. The chief engineering officer retired only
“Each of us plays a part no matter what we do; each of us makes a difference in this common mission and common purpose. It means at MUSC, we commit to patients first. Nothing less.” David J. Cole, M.D.
photo by Sarah Pack, Public Relations
Former MUSC First lady Ann Edwards takes her turn to ring the Patients First Bell. last year. Still fighting his battle, he shared openly with the audience. “I’m a cancer patient. I was diagnosed in 2011.” He said the Hollings Cancer Center put together an aggressive treatment plan for him which includes three years of monthly shots and 38 radiation treatments. “For me, radiation was kind of creepy, and it was kind of scary,” he said. “But I asked one of the folks that helped with my treatments if she liked her job. She said, ‘I love my job, and I love my patients.’ Her words and her actions from then on comforted me.” Melrose has completed the radiation treatments and will finish his shots in April 2016. “I just want to say I’m so thankful for the care that I’ve received over the last three–and–a–half years. It’s been top notch. And I appreciate very much the folks
that took care of me, because they not only took care of me, but they cared about me and my family.” Woodson would be the last patient introduced at the Patients First event. “Before I share my song, I have to share my story. “I’ve wanted to be an entertainer all my life,” she said, punctuating the last three words. “I was always the one in the mirror with a brush.” As she pursued that dream, she tried out for the television program, “The Voice.” “I didn’t make it... I’m here,” she said to laughter. “But the end result is, I had a mammogram, and I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Now I’m a member of a club that I really, really didn’t want to be a member of. But I came to MUSC, and MUSC gave me hope. They gave me encouragement. They didn’t make false promises, but they guaranteed me I would get the best care possible.” And that is what she received, she said. The best care possible. “I’m free, and I need to sing about it,” she told the audience. “We need songs that say ‘I’m free’ when we get the good news.” And she launched into the song that defines her freedom from cancer. McKenzie invited patients, family members, even those who wanted to honor a loved one to come up and ring the bell. McKenzie, Sam, Melrose and Woodson each gave the bell a hearty ring — the sounds of which echoed throughout the Horseshoe. They rang it in honor of their journeys, their families and the compassionate care they receive at MUSC. They rang it loudly so all would know how far they’d come.
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8 THe CaTalysT, Dec. 4, 2015
Jazz ConCeRt at St. LuKe’S ChapeL
photos by Anne Thompson, Digital Imaging
The MUSC Student Government Association, Student Programs Office and Cultural Projects Council (CPC) held a jazz concert at St. Luke’s Chapel featuring the Tyler Ross Trio on Nov. 20. The event also featured a presentation of the CPC Leadership Award presented posthumously to former Catalyst editor Kim Draughn for her service and commitment. Accepting was her family, husband Troy Draughn, center, daughter and son-in-law, Meghan and Richard Herbert and their son, Cayson.
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MUSC researchers help weed out misconceptions about marijuana By Helen adaMs Public Relations As marijuana use heats up in the U.S., thanks in part to expanding legalization, some health professionals say it’s important to keep in mind heavy marijuana use may cause everything from disturbing changes in developing brains to health problems similar to those triggered by tobacco use. Kevin Gray, M.D., said just because marijuana is now legal in some states doesn’t mean it’s safe for everyone. He’s a child psychiatrist who does substance abuse research at MUSC, including work with a supplement that may help addicts quit. Gray said adults tend to dismiss concerns about marijuana because they think back to their own experiences and don’t realize the drug has changed. “The concentrations of THC have gone up substantially over time,” Gray said. THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. “It’s not your parents’ marijuana.” It’s also used in different ways than in the past, he said. “You can use e-cigarettes, and you can get oils you can vaporize without odor. People also use butane to develop a super concentrate.” Marijuana-related calls to poison control centers have gone up, he said. So have emergency room visits. But it’s the slower-acting, longer-term effects that Gray and other researchers at MUSC are keeping an eye on. effeCtS on deveLoping bRainS While people are legally considered adults in the U.S. when they turn 18, their brains don’t reach full maturity until they’re 25. Some are using marijuana well before they hit either of those markers. “There’s been a generational shift,” Gray said. About 6 percent of high school seniors are daily marijuana users, he said. In the early 1990s, it was only about 2 percent. “The
initiation age has dropped.” Daily marijuana use may affect something vital to those young people’s future: their brain development. That’s according to Lindsay Squeglia, Ph.D. She’s a clinical psychologist at MUSC who uses neuroimaging and neuropsychological testing to explore the effects of marijuana and alcohol use on adolescent brain development. Squeglia said brain imaging in teenagers with a history of marijuana use shows it affects their white matter, an area she described as the superhighway of the brain. “If there are problems with white matter, information may not move well from one area of the brain to another. Our marijuana-using teens showed worsening white matter health in brain regions involved in memory and decision making." And that’s not all, Squeglia said. “Alcohol and marijuana use during adolescence is associated with poorer performance on tests of verbal memory, spatial skills, working memory, attention, impulsivity and overall IQ.” Gray said the impact may be long term. “A large longitudinal study found people who regularly used marijuana before they were 18 and continued to use it as adults had a significant, long-term decrease in IQ.” He said marijuana may also “lead to the onset of a mental health disorder,” or make an existing mental illness worse. Squeglia agreed. “Marijuana–related changes in the brain’s white matter microstructure may show the person is at risk for psychological disorders such as schizophrenia,” she said. Increased odds of addiction Squeglia said the earlier a person uses marijuana, the greater the chance he or she will have related problems later in life. “Every additional year kids put off using alcohol and drugs, their chances of developing a significant substance use problem decreases by 14 percent,” Squeglia said. “If we focus on intervening
Photo provided
Marijuana use is “widespread among young people,” according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. When used heavily, MUSC researchers say it can affect a user’s brain development in ways that may be permanent. at early ages, we have a better chance of marijuana addiction steered clear of the making sure significant problems don't drug. His work in this area continues. develop for these kids down the line.” Squeglia said it’s well worth the effort Gray said young people have a harder to help young people who want to quit. time quitting than adults do. “People “This is a time when kids are choosing will say marijuana is not addictive or just their career paths, learning how to psychologically addictive and dismiss become independent adults, navigating it, but if you look at data for those who the world of dating, learning how to want to quit and are enrolled in best drive and doing all of the important treatments, we have the large majority developmental things teens and young fail to become abstinent. adults do.” “It’s very clear the pattern is very heaLth RiSKS similar to addiction with other Gray said smoking marijuana, like substances” such as alcohol, he said. smoking tobacco, can damage the lungs Current treatments for marijuana and may do worse than that. “If you addiction include motivational ignite and inhale it, you’re exposing enhancement therapy, which involves yourself to carcinogens.” assessing how ready a person is to quit The American Lung Association using marijuana and then nudges the reports that marijuana smoke can cause user toward quitting; cognitive behavioral chronic bronchitis, harm the cell linings therapy, which focuses on changing of the airways and suppress the immune the way a person thinks with an eye system. to ending an unwanted behavior; and The American Medical Association is contingency management, which rewards weighing in as well, pushing for warning the desired behavior. Unfortunately, labels on recreational and medical Gray said, “The large majority of people marijuana that say pregnant or breastfail treatment.” feeding women should avoid the drug Research is underway to help change because it may pose a risk to babies. that. Gray conducted a clinical trial Michael Cummings, Ph.D., coon the over-the-counter supplement chairman of the tobacco research N-acetylcysteine, or NAC, and found it program at the MUSC Hollings appeared to double the odds that young See Substance on page 11 people in the study being treated for
10 THe CaTalysT, Dec. 4, 2015
Breathe easy and stress less
online, visit musc.edu/ Can the presumably simple ohp/employee-wellness/ act of yogic breathing lead to worksite-screening.html. lower blood pressure, help with This is the last one for pain management, reduce stress– 2015. related illnesses like anxiety and q Five Loaves in ART depression, improve lung health, Cafeteria — Dec.. 16 at promote overall mental and World Cuisine; Featuring emotional health? According to pumpkin seed crusted Dr. Sundar Balasubramanian, salmon as part of our a biochemist and research Celebrity Chef series. assistant professor in MUSC’s Pan seared salmon served Department of Radiation Susan Johnson on top of quinoa, corn Oncology and a practicing yoga and roasted tomato and instructor–researcher, the answer kale medley served in is overwhelmingly “yes.” Yogic a mushroom broth. Get a 10 percent Breathing has many healing properties, discount with your badge for this dish. and his evidence–based research shows Meet Chef Jason Ulak for this event. that it can also suppress the growth Free samples and recipe cards. of cancer tumors which has led him q Adventure Out: The Adventure Out to offer sessions to cancer patients at program offers free fitness classes in Hope Lodge. City of Charleston Parks and on the Yogic breathing can also help MUSC Campus to help you turn over practitioners with everyday tension. The a new leaf and discover the benefits of Office of Health Promotion is offering green exercise. Join MUSC Wellness the MUSC community an opportunity Center’s Katie Blaylock at 9 a.m., Dec. to find out more from Balasubramanian 12, Hampton Park Gazebo for a free yoga in a Lunch and Learn with two sessions, class. For information, visit www.musc. 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., Rooms 107 or edu/ohp/adventure-out 109 or 5:15 to 5:45 p.m., Room 107, q MUSC Employee —Fitness Series: on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at the Colbert Abs. 4:15 to 4:45 p.m.. Wednesday, Dec. Education Center & Library. Breathe 16. Class involves cardio and resistance easy through the holidays: Learn simple training that targets the abdominal core breathing techniques to reduce your using props. Registration is required stress. Yogic breathing is a technique to and space is limited. Register online at promote self–healing that can be done musc.edu/ohp/musc-moves/employeewhile standing or by sitting in a chair. fitness-signup.html. Stop by the Wellness No mats, props or postures required, Center Membership Desk for sign-in and making it perfect for beginners. Learn classroom directions. techniques to regulate breathing that q Chair massages: Free massages can be done anywhere, even at work. are offered to employees midday Email musc-empwell@musc.edu to Wednesdays. Check broadcast messages register and indicate preferred session. for new locations and times. q Farmers markets: Fresh fruits and Employee Wellness vegetables are available from local q Take the December Monthly farmers Friday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mindful Challenge: Create a stress– at the Horseshoe. free zone. Take the initial December Monthly Mindful Challenge survey @ http://tinyurl.com/p4gvzrx MUSC Wellness Center q Worksite screening — Wednesday, q Apply today for the MUSC Wellness Dec. 9, Colbert Library, Room 109. Center’s National Award winning obesity and chronic disease prevention program. This screening, valued at about $350, The 12–week behavior change and is available to employees with the State weight loss program dates are Jan. 14 to Health Plan (including MUSC Health March 24. Make your health a priority in Plan) at no charge for the basic test in 2016 and beyond. Learn more and apply 2015. Employees and spouses without at http://academicdepartments.musc. this insurance can participate for $46. edu/hsc/programs/challenge/. For more information, and to register
Health at work
THe CaTalysT, Dec. 4, 2015 11 Dr. L. Lyndon Key, fourth from left, is joined by his wife, Dr. Janice Key, in receiving the Distinguished Faculty Award from former President Ray Greenberg, third from left. Also joining them is Dr. Jerry Reves, Charlie Thompson, Drs. Charles Darby and John Raymond.
suBsTanCe Continued from Page Nine commercialization of marijuana also raises concerns about how harmful it may become in the future. “I see some of the companies that were involved in genetically bio-engineering tobacco to make it more addictive, they are doing the same bio–engineering of THC in marijuana plants.” That could mean people smoke more of it, increasing any harmful effects. Gray pointed to another health issue. Some people hear the term “medical marijuana” and assume it means the substance is healthy for everyone. But that’s not the case, he said. “There’s been a lot of misinformation that’s been shared out of people’s zeal for profit or individual liberties for using, where people have underrepresented Gray the potential negative implications for using.” Research does suggest smoking marijuana can reduce nausea and vomiting related to chemotherapy, and when marijuana is given in an oral spray or pill to people with multiple sclerosis, it may help reduce muscle stiffness. And Gray said he’s all for the development of potential medicines. “But that’s very different from saying marijuana is a medicine for all kinds of things.” It’s also important to note, he said, that it’s often not smoked marijuana but a marijuana extract that shows potential medical benefits, he said, as in the case of using cannabinoids to treat epilepsy. Gray also worries about the health effects of synthetic marijuana, which contains man-made chemicals similar to those in marijuana plants. Most users don’t know what chemical compounds are in synthetic marijuana, so it can be very risky, Gray said. “Synthetic cannabinoids can do some really bizarre things in terms of behaviors. We’ve seen emergency room admissions where people come into psychiatric facilities acutely psychotic, and that’s the only drug you can find they’ve taken. For some people, the psychosis doesn’t go away.” Squeglia said more research needs to be done in this area. “Very few of the kids we see use substantial amounts of synthetic marijuana, so the sample sizes we have are too small to run analyses. But serious health risks are associated with synthetic marijuana use.” Gray said young people need to know the facts. “Science and stories tend to communicate the best with young people. We’ve talked down to kids about drugs instead of talking with them about it. “We need to speak up in away that we don’t get drowned out and perceived as prohibitionists,” Gray said. “My position – I’m pretty open about it – is that marijuana is a very interesting substance that I think contains things that are potentially therapeutic. But on balance and on the whole, the way it’s being used by young people now, causes more harm than benefit.”
photo by Anne Thompson, Digital Imaging
key
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“I met Lyndon soon after my arrival at MUSC when he had an interest in starting a pediatric hospitalist program. We talked many hours about the best approach for MUSC and the Department of Pediatrics. He was very thoughtful and deeply concerned about building a program that balanced clinical care, teaching, and research. He was very dedicated to the academic health triad which, although he was quiet and reserved frequently, he advocated for quite vigorously. Lyndon will be deeply missed.” –Patrick J. Cawley, M.D., CEO MUSC Health “It was obvious to me when I arrived in 2011 that Dr. Key was beloved by the faculty and staff in Pediatrics, as well as the pediatric community around the state. My first month here I witnessed him receiving the South Carolina American Academy of Pediatrics Chapter Award for Career Achievement (July 2011). He was a pediatric endocrinologist, a brilliant researcher – he studied bone metabolism and was internationally known in this field. Dr. Key joined the faculty at MUSC in 1991 and was the chief of the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology. He then served as chair of the Department of Pediatrics from 2001 through 2009. We are very grateful for his long service to our department. He will always be remembered as a kind, gentle man.” –Rita Ryan, M.D., Chair of the Department of Pediatrics “When I came back to MUSC as the administrator of the Children's Hospital, Dr. Key was the chairman of Pediatrics. He was very supportive as I moved into my new role. We worked together to form the first pediatric hospitalist program for the Children's Hospital, and he was also essential as we developed the Family Advisory Council. Dr. Key was very passionate about the care that was provided and
wanted families to be involved in decisions for care. He was very open to new programs and wanted to make sure that all children had access to proper care. He enjoyed working with residents and students and showed his love and excitement for medicine every day.” – John Sanders, Children’s Hospital administrator “Dr. Key’s contributions to health care are numerous. I am especially grateful for his dedicated service and unwavering commitment to patients and families in the world of pediatric health care at MUSC, South Carolina and beyond. He will be sorely missed.” – Donald Johnson, M.D., chairman, MUSC board of trustees “I recruited Dr. Key and his wife to come to Charleston when I was the chair of Pediatrics, and he worked under me for 10 or 12 years. He was one of the most dedicated physicians I’ve ever known. He was defined by his compassion. One of his goals was to find a way to prevent his diabetic patients — his children — from having to take insulin injections every day. He pioneered the transplantation of insulin-producing cells and moved us a lot closer to that day.” – Charles Darby, M.D., former Dept. of Pediatrics Chair “It was an absolute privilege to know and work with Lyndon, especially through his years of leadership of the Department of Pediatrics. I will forever hold him in very high esteem as a man of great intellect, a leader with great vision, a caregiver possessing tremendous compassion and a true gentleman with a wonderful spiritual grounding and understanding of the human spirit. His humility and true sense of self were always at the forefront and to me, will serve as his legacy.” – Jim Fisher, vice president for Development and Alumni Affairs
12 THe CaTalysT, Dec. 4, 2015
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have a dedicated tobacco treatment service,� Toll said. “We’re one of the few centers nationally that does.� Toll, whose Ph.D. is in clinical psychology, isn’t afraid to get creative when it comes to convincing smokers to quit. He’s done a pilot study exploring whether paying cancer patients who are about to have surgery to quit smoking is better than just counseling them and giving them nicotine patches. “With surgical patients, there’s a fixed point in time we really want them to not be smoking, and it’s going to benefit their surgical outcomes,� Toll said. So during a two–to–five week window before surgery, the program pays them to not smoke. The longer they last, the higher the payment. “Our payment starts at 15 dollars and goes up. We pay them between 250 and about 500 dollars. It depends on how long their time is.� In his small study, Toll said, “It did work quite well.� He has a grant from the National Cancer Institute to continue this research at MUSC. Toll has also done research on which type of message works best when it
comes to convincing smokers to quit. Is it a message that emphasizes the positive, such as: You’ll live longer, save money and be healthier? Or is it better to mix in a little bit of the negative, such as a message that says failing to quit can give you a terrible disease, but quitting can help you live longer? Toll’s research suggests the look-on-thebright-side approach works a little better. His approach to treating smokers emphasizes optimism as well. Toll wants them to remember that the cravings will ebb with the help of counseling and physical aids, such as nicotine patches and lozenges. He also makes sure any other health conditions are treated. “There may be mood disorders, anxiety, obesity: all of those healthcompromising factors.� Toll has helped Haas with mood issues as she endures the first months of being tobacco free, and it’s paying off. “I’d say your mood is lifting,� Toll told her at a recent consult. “I’m getting better,� Haas answered, smiling. She leaves with a fresh supply of nicotine patches and the confidence that she can keep getting better, with Toll there to guide her.
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