MUSC Catalyst

MEDICAL UNIVERSITY of SOUTH CAROLINA

March 15, 2013

Vol. 31, No. 29

Inside Pediatrician

4

reaches out

Dr. James McElligott works in rural, low income areas to decrease the high rate of mortality.

Musc relies on social workers

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Many patients and caregivers lean on social workers to ‘get through the darkness of a new diagnosis.’

The 2013 Lowcountry March of Dimes Ambassador Family of the Year includes Kelsey, Thomas and Easton. The triplets’ parents are Wesley and Sarah Linker. Sarah is a registered nurse at MUSC Children’s Hospital.

Three times the love

By Cindy ABole

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Campus News

3

CHP alumni

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Meet Erik

t h e c ata ly s t online

http://www. musc.edu/ catalyst

Public Relations MUSC pediatric nurse Sarah Linker, R.N., and her husband, Wesley, have all the patience when it comes to potty training their 2-year-old triplets. To some, getting things done in the Linker family may seem to be three times as hard, but the couple knows it is all worth it.

Thanks to the care she received at MUSC and the research conducted by the March of Dimes, the triplets

are healthy and thriving. The Linker family serves as the 2013 Lowcountry March of Dimes Ambassador Family of the Year.

“For any premature birth, it’s natural to worry about the health of the child. But it’s different when it’s your own children. I can’t say enough about how grateful we are to the March of Dimes and MUSC. They go hand-in-hand with the excellent care of preterm babies,” Sarah said.

See love on page 9

Sarah Linker delivered her premature babies on Oct. 1, 2010.

2 The CATAlysT, March 15, 2013

PeoPle

Around Campus

Michael Aho Michael Aho, M.D., a 2008 graduate of the College of Medicine and current fourth-year resident in Radiology, was selected as a 2013 Student and Resident Quality Scholar by the American College of Medical Quality. Each year, the organization nationally recognizes 10 students or residents, which includes a $1,000 award to cover travel and registration to attend the ACMQ National Conference.

Paul Lambert Paul Lambert, M.D., chair and professor, Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, was elected as president of the American Otological Society. The society, established in 1868, is the oldest society in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery and one of the first medical specialty societies in the United States. Lambert also served this year as president of the Triological Society Southern Section and presided over the national meeting of the society in Arizona in February. Ted Meyer, M.D., Ph.D., also is fellowship trained in neurotology in the Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery.

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

843-792-4107 Fax: 843-792-6723 Editor: Kim Draughn catalyst@musc.edu Catalyst staff: Cindy Abole, aboleca@musc.edu Ashley Barker, barkera@musc.edu

evenTs Town Hall Meeting

The Anesthesia for Nurses class of 2014 went to the South Carolina state capital Jan. 23 for National Nurse Anesthetists Week. The class met with legislators during a breakfast sponsored by the South Carolina Association of Nurse Anesthetists. After breakfast, students went with certified registered nurse anesthetists and SCANA board members to meet with legislators in their offices to discuss the role of CRNAs in South Carolina health care. Safe care and cost effectiveness provided by nurse anesthetists was also discussed. After meeting with legislators, the class was recognized in the Senate and House Chambers during an active legislative session.

Mark Lyles Mark Lyles, M.D., strategic officer for the Medical University Hospital Authority, was elected vice president of the American College of Medical Quality during its annual meeting.

Founded in 1973, the organization provides physicians 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.

with leadership and education in health care quality management.

Fabiana Squarize Physical therapist Fabiana Squarize was honored as the 2012 Clinical Instructor of the Year from the MUSC Physical Therapy Education Program. She was awarded for demonstrating an extraordinary level of clinical instruction and expertise in clinical practice. Squarize, a graduate of MUSC, was selected from a group of 19 nominees from across South Carolina.

She has worked at MUSC since 2005.

Readers may access past pdf issues of The Catalyst To access past pdf issues of The Catalyst, visit issuu.com and type “musc catalyst” in the Search Issuu box. Readers may access more than 100 issues of The Catalyst.

The College of Medicine town hall meeting is at 4 p.m. March 20 in Room 110, Drug Discovery Building. The college’s dean, Etta Pisano, M.D., said she wants to hear from all members of the college about issues of importance to MUSC’s mission. “If you have any particular topics addressed, there are several options available to you. You can raise a topic in person during the meeting, anonymously submit a question in writing during the meeting, submit a question in writing by placing it in the town hall question box in the dean’s office reception area or email questions in advance to comnews@ musc.edu,” she said.

Water Missions International The Water Missions International Walk for Water will begin at 9 a.m., March 23 at Cannon Park, downtown Charleston. Visit www.watermissions. org/walk for more information.

did you know Pediatric Subspecialty Unit The 7B Pediatric Subspecialty Unit has temporarily relocated to 8W. Renovations are almost complete on 7B and staff will host a grand opening celebration at 4 p.m., March 25. All physicians, staff and families are invited to the 7B reopening celebration.

Seminar and Events The website to announce seminars and events at MUSC has changed. The new address is www.musc.edu/bluesheet.

For information, contact Kim Draughn at 792-4107.

Public Relations Website The Public Relations website has been updated. Visit www.musc.edu/pr.

The CATAlysT, March 15, 2013 3

Catching up with College of Health Professions alumni, students By liliA B. CorreA College of Health Professions Ninfa M. Saunders, DHA, R.N., was named the incoming president and chief executive officer of the Central Georgia Health System and the Medical Center of Central Georgia, according to a news release.

Saunders completed her doctorate in health care administration at MUSC in 2006.

With nearly 40 years of hospital administrative and clinical experience, Saunders was most recently the president and chief operating officer of Virtua Health, the largest health system in southern New Jersey, which operates four hospitals, two rehabilitation centers, and senior services, home care, ambulatory and outpatient services.

Bill Tift, M.D., chairman of the medical executive committee and co-chair of the search committee, said, “She is very well-educated, has vast clinical and administrative experience, and has the enthusiasm and energy to lead us through the exciting changes taking place in health care.”

Saunders received the 2012 Outstanding Citizenship and Good Neighbor Award by the American Red Cross and was named by South Jersey Magazine as a “Woman to Watch in New Jersey” in 2012.

Saunders was recently highlighted in Bridges, a publication from the Institute for Diversity in Health Management and an affiliate of the American Hospital Association. She answered questions regarding her decision to enter the health care industry, the challenges she has faced and advice for racially and ethnically diverse individuals who seek to enter the field.

Ugwueke appointed as chief operating officer Michael Ugwueke, DHA, a 2001 MUSC graduate, was recently appointed as the new executive vice president and chief operating officer of Tennessee’s Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare System.

Ugwueke was senior vice president of Methodist North and South Hospitals and transitioned to his new role in Ugwueke January. As COO, Ugwueke will provide strategic and operational leadership for adult inpatient hospitals and their affiliated companies.

Ugwueke has more than 26 years of experience in planning and operational leadership roles within

health care organizations in Atlanta, Sarasota, Fla., Washington D.C., and the Chicago area.

Gannotta named new CEO at Duke Raleigh Hospital Rick Gannotta, DHA, R.N., was named the new CEO of Duke Raleigh Hospital in January. He graduated from MUSC in 2009.

Prior to joining Duke in 2006, Gannotta worked for WakeMed’s Raleigh, N.C. campus as senior vice president and administrator, vice president of operations Gannotta and patient care, chief nursing officer and executive director of the WakeMed Heart Center.

Gannotta is a faculty member for the Duke University School of Nursing and teaches in the health care leadership track. His research interests include patient safety, new models of health care delivery, and health care policy and reform. A registered nurse and nurse practitioner, he received his doctorate in health administration from MUSC.

See ChP on page 8

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Technology may be prescription for patients far from docs By doug PArdue Of The Post and Courier staff The 3-year-old boy rushed into Tina Brown’s office at Hemmingway Elementary School complaining that his tongue burned.

At first he looked fairly normal. Suddenly his tongue swelled before Brown’s eyes, and his face inflated like a balloon.

“He looked like the man in the moon,” she said.

Then his throat began closing, threatening to cut off his air.

Brown quickly realized the child had slipped into lifethreatening anaphylactic shock from an allergic reaction to a yellow jacket sting.

Her worst fear had materialized.

As a nurse she is prohibited from treating such conditions without a doctor. She generally is limited to care for minor injuries such as cuts, scrapes and bruises.

Most medications, even many over-the-counter ones, can’t be given without parental permission or a doctor’s prescription.

But Brown knew she had to do something.

She feared the EMS stations were too far away in rural Williamsburg County for emergency vehicles to reach the boy in time.

Her thoughts reeled: Should she do what she could to save the boy and risk her career?

Should she do nothing and hope it passed?

Should she let him die?

She grabbed a phone and made a panicked call to the only doctor anywhere near the rural school and begged the physician to see the child.

He agreed and the school rushed the boy to his office.

That was three years ago. Now, the boy is in first grade.

A lACk of doCTors What happened remains an all too common occurrence throughout much of rural South Carolina where treatable medical problems become emergencies because doctors continue to be scarce.

Most of these rural counties rank among the least healthy in the state. Poverty and lack of access to medical care are two of the main reasons for the poor health. That’s one of the findings in The Post and Courier’s recent series, “Forgotten South Carolina,” that investigated the state’s disparities in health, education and economic opportunity.

Brown soon will get the doctor she so desperately wanted three years ago.

The doctor won’t actually be with her or even near.

The physician will be two hours away in Charleston.

Brown’s nursing office at Hemmingway Elementary

photo by Grace Beahm/The Post and Courier

Dr. James McElligott from MUSC talks with school nurse Tina Brown at Hemingway Elementary about the virtual doctor system.

School will house a virtual doctor computer system from MUSC. The most important thing to remember is that The machine comes with special electronic equipment so an MUSC doctor can listen from afar to telehealth is a means to solve problems with a patient’s heart and lungs, look in ears and view rashes and other skin ailments up close. access to health care, not as a replacement of

“

The need is now James McElligott, M.D., a 34-year-old pediatrician, heads up the virtual doctor program. He had long been interested in disparities in health care. As he researched the issue, he discovered that research wasn’t what was needed: Those living in areas needed help now.

Ray Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D., MUSC’s president, placed McElligott in charge, telling him money was available to attack the problem if he could come up with a solution that didn’t require placing the hospital’s physicians out in rural South Carolina.

McElligott’s effort is part of a larger program by MUSC to attack health disparities across 18 counties along the state’s coast and I-95 corridor. That program, called the Southeastern Virtual Institute for Health Equity and Wellness, is designed “to address the high rates of disease occurrence, disability and mortality in rural, low-income or minority communities.”

It was established with a three-year, $12.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense. In addition to tele-medicine efforts such as McElligott’s, the institute’s other efforts include programs to treat and reduce the incidence of strokes, heart disease and obesity. The institute also is conducting research to see what efforts are most successful. The focus is to

in-person visits. The programs we are developing at MUSC are intended to reach out to South Carolinians in need of improved access, and to finally address some of the long standing problems with health care disparities in our state.

”

—Dr. James McElligott

promote healthy lifestyles and disease prevention.

McElligott initially thought the key medical treatment problem for many in rural counties was lack of access to medical specialists. However, he soon discovered “they didn’t have access to anybody.” And high rates of poverty complicated that lack of access. In many cases, the sick didn’t seek out treatment at all, or went to emergency rooms only when it got bad enough.

He discovered that for many children the problem was exacerbated by the fact that working parents couldn’t get off work to take them to a doctor and lost wages if they did. Many parents worked an hour away in

See TeChnology on page 10

The CATAlysT, March 15, 2013 5

Meet erik

Erik Person, M.D. Department Gastroenterology - Esophageal Function Division How long at MUSC 4 years How are you changing what’s possible at MUSC Utilizing new technology and expertise to help people with esophageal function disorders Pets Two fat cats, Norman and Murphy Unique talent I play guitar and sing. My medical school band played disco rock and was called Otitis.

Favorite radio station WTUL New Orleans. I was a disc jockey there in college.

Greatest moment in your life Marrying my wife, Kristie, with all our loved ones cheering us on Dream vacation Going back to Spain with unlimited money to spend on food and beverages What do you do on a rainy day Play old-school video games and listen to vinyl records

6 The CATAlysT, March 15, 2013

Women play important role in professor’s life

By Ashley BArker Public Relations

A

my Blue, Ph.D., assistant provost for education and professor of Family Medicine, began running in 2001.

She considers her running “very low key,” even with a couple of completed marathons under her belt.

“It’s pretty much just one foot in front of the other,” she said. “I’m not fast.

That doesn’t bother me. I finish. That’s the whole point.”

From time spent on sidewalks and tracks running to relieve stress and stay healthy, to her time in the classroom and in meetings about interprofessional education at MUSC, Blue has a constant support system of women to lead the way.

Two mothers who had sons on the same soccer team as her son inspired Blue to begin running when her now 17-year-old son, Ryan, was just 5.

“They were able to manage running and being working moms. So I just went out the front door and started running too,” she said. “I always thought that to be a runner, you have to be an athlete and had to have been running for years.

They both changed it for me.”

Eventually Blue discovered that a neighbor was doing something similar in her spare time.

“We found out that we both run at the same pace and have the same philosophy, so we decided to meet up and run together about five years ago,” Blue said. “She was, in many ways, the inspiration for my first marathon because she had done one.”

Blue completed the Kiawah Island and Charleston marathons with her neighbor’s support. She was planning to run the New York City marathon this past year, but Hurricane Sandy’s damage put an end to all of the participants’ dreams.

“My son and I were there in Madison Square Garden when I started getting text messages from friends saying, ‘Did you hear they canceled the marathon?’” she said. “I had my shirt and bib number already. I’m signed up for next year’s race.”

Dr. Amy Blue, director for Creating Collaborative Care and assistant provost for education, with her husband, Dr. Chip Mainous III, at a fun run in Bristol, England in 2011.

Dr. Amy Blue shares her experience with other institutions who are trying to integrate an interprofessional atmosphere into their programs.

During the past 15 years while working at MUSC, Blue has learned to balance running marathons with being a mother and a working professional.

“I haven’t tried to do everything,” she said. “I have recognized that at some point in time, I’ll be able to do some things more than others. For many years, I taught Sunday School at church and helped with the Boy Scout troop. I don’t do those things anymore. I also limit my travel professionally.”

Instead, she focuses on teaching first-year medical students about interprofessional communication, interviewing skills and behavioral science in a small-group, interactive format. Blue also shares her experience

at MUSC with other institutions who are trying to integrate an interprofessional atmosphere into their programs, and she works on grant projects that involve evaluating interprofessional education.

“Traditionally in health care, it’s been very hierarchical. Within that hierarchy there is not a lot of comfort in terms of questioning, sharing, communicating and teamwork,” she said. “There is a push nationally for interprofessional education in an effort to improve the health care system so that our health care professionals are working better together. While working better together, they’ll improve patient care.”

As she shows the next crop of medical

professionals how to work better as a team, Blue also hopes to be a role model for effective collaboration to her coworkers.

“I think role modeling is incredibly important,” she said. “A lot of times people think of women in the workplace as automatically kind and compassionate, and those two don’t always equate. The women mentors in my life taught me to have a sense of humor and know the importance of hearing different perspectives and being able to make decisions. The ability to engage with others in a warm, friendly fashion that’s inviting while not being a pushover is important too.”

Women have had a powerful influence on Blue’s life, but she wouldn’t be the person she is today without the “cute guy in Family Medicine,” her husband, Arch “Chip” Mainous III, Ph.D. Blue met Mainous, associate dean for assessment and evaluation in the MUSC College of Medicine, and professor and director of research, Department of Family Medicine, more than 20 years ago while they were both working at the University of Kentucky.

“The first time he asked me out for lunch, I said no because I had a graduate student who I was leaving for lunch with in the next five minutes,” she said. “So I said, ‘No, but we could schedule for another time,’ and he hung up on me.”

Weeks later, Blue spotted Mainous in the hallway. She told him that if he wanted to take her to lunch, he should call her again.

“He called, and the rest is history,” she said.

Blue has since convinced her husband to run a half marathon, even though running has never been a serious goal for Mainous.

“He’ll complain the entire time while training, but he’s great,” she said. “The thing that keeps me going is signing up for the races. Then I have to do it, just like with everything else on my schedule.”

Editor’s note: In honor of National Women’s History Month, The Catalyst will feature women who are making a difference at MUSC.

The CATAlysT, March 15, 2013 7

Social workers recognized T

he National Association of Social Workers celebrate one of the nation’s largest professions. March is National Professional Social Work Month, and this year's theme, “Weaving Threads of Resilience and Advocacy,” emphasizes the value of using personal strengths and self-advocacy to manage serious life challenges.

Recognized as a growing profession, social work addresses the increased demand for health care navigation,

mental health services, family caregiving, child development and veteran's assistance. There are more than 650,000 professionally trained social workers in the U.S., and the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts job growth to 800,000 by the year 2020.

Several social workers throughout different departments at the university were asked: “At MUSC, professional social workers are making a difference by...”

“At MUSC, professional social workers are making a difference by providing psychological and emotional support to children with obesity in the Heart Health Program. By working through barriers, and identifying underlying emotional issues with over eating, we are able to create change from the inside out.”

—Chrissy Andrews, LISW-CP, Pediatric Cardiology Department “By helping families find alternatives to violence in family interactions. Also by helping children learn coping skills so they can deal with issues of abuse, violence, drugs in their neighborhoods, and neglect and abandonment by caretakers.”

—Christina Celmer, LMSW, Children’s Day Treatment Program “I work as a patient advocate under Pharmacy Services and help indigent patients get into copay assistance foundations and prescription assistance programs. I am able to assist patients in an efficient and compassionate manner because of my knowledge and training as a social worker.”

—Taryn Dominguez, LMSW, Pharmacy Services “As a kidney and pancreas transplant social worker, I work with staff members to increase the number of successful transplant and living donation experiences. I meet with patients and their caregivers to complete the evaluations for potential candidates for transplantation. I also provide support to the patient-lead transplant support group, which patients are encouraged to attend both pre- and post-transplant.”

—Sharon Wood, LISW-CP, CCTSW, Transplant “At MUSC, social workers are making a difference by bringing the patient’s strengths and psychosocial needs to the table.

MUSC social workers infuse daily passion and compassion into the teaching and the treatment modalities.”

—Deborah T. Lucash, LMSW, Institute of Psychiatry 3-North “Helping patients (and their families) get through all the darkness of a new diagnosis, so they can see the daylight and start their new journey toward a healthier self.”

—Tiombe Plair, LMSW, Case Management & Care Transitions

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Neuroscience symposium scheduled for April 11-12 The MUSC Department of Neurosciences will hold its spring symposium titled, “Innovations in Neuroscience: Gateway to the Mind and Body,” April 11 and 12 in rooms 110 and 112, Bioengineering Building.

The program is designed for health professionals who treat patients with cerebrovascular, spine and neuromuscular disorders. This year’s speakers will address progressive therapies, diagnostic and treatment options, and best care practices. The conference will include demonstrations, lectures and discussions.

The first session, focused on the care of acute stroke patients, will be held April 11 with the main program

occurring on April 12. Bruce Ovbiagele, M.D., who was recognized as one of the best doctors in America for 2012 by US News & World Report, is scheduled to speak during the conference.

Speakers for April 11 will include: MUSC’s Christine Holmstedt, D.O., Charles Andrews, M.D., and M. Imran Chaudry, M.D. Speakers for April 12 will include: MUSC’s Vibhor Krishna, M.D., Walter Bartynski, M.D., Bruce Frankel, M.D., Leonardo Fator Gouvea Nonilha, M.D. Ph.D., Shannon Waever, Edward Jauch, M.D., David Stickler, M.D., Paul Rousseau, M.D., Mary Adler, and Sarah Gay. For information, visit www. muschealth.com/neurosciences/news or call Leah Ramos at 792-5354.

ChP Continued from Page Three Alumnus awarded $100K endowed professorship The LSU Health Sciences Center School of Public Health in New Orleans awarded MUSC alumnus Peggy Honoré, DHA, a $100,000 endowed professorship Honoré from The AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies. Honoré, associate professor of public health, graduated from MUSC in 2003. Her endowed professorship honors Gen. Russell Honoré for making substantial contributions to Louisiana citizens during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Esparza co-author of leadership book Salvador J. Esparza, DHA, R.N., and two other authors published a textbook titled “New Leadership for Today’s Health Care.” The book includes case studies to engage students in real-world scenarios and further their comprehension of the health care industry. Esparza, an assistant

professor at California State University in Northridge, Calif., graduated from MUSC in 2010.

Coltman earns award at SC Hospital Association meeting Kinneil Coltman, DHA, a 2012 MUSC graduate, received the Early Career Healthcare Executive Regents Award at the South Carolina Hospital Association’s 92nd annual meeting in January. The award is granted by the American College of Healthcare Executives.

DHA student receives appointment The American Hospital Association approved Anthony Stanowski, an MUSC student in the doctorate of health administration program, to serve as a Region 3 member for AHA’s Committee on Governance for 2013. Stanowski is vice president of industry relations at Aramark Healthcare and a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. He is slated to graduate from MUSC in 2014. The committee, which has 28 members, is the primary vehicle for leading effective trustee involvement in grassroots advocacy and providing input into AHA policy development, while enhancing communications and involvement of trustees in AHA.

The CATAlysT, March 15, 2013 9

love Continued from Page One It wasn’t long ago that the first-time parents learned that Sarah’s pregnancy didn’t involve just one baby, but three. Seven months into her pregnancy, she experienced preterm labor and was rushed to MUSC for care. After much consultation with her physicians, she delivered her babies via cesarean section on Oct. 1, 2010. They welcomed Kelsey Grace, who weighed 3 lbs. 6 oz., and her brothers, Thomas, 3 lbs. 7 oz., and Easton, 2 lbs. 14 oz. At birth, all three preemies were given surfactant, a life-saving drug developed by the March of Dimes to help premature babies improve their lung function. Premature newborns are at risk for infection, anemia, lung disease, problems with motor skill development and other conditions.

As part of their NICU journey, the Linkers were presented with reading materials, introduced to Kangaroo Care to initiate bonding and improve their growth and development, and attended a specialized infant care class. In their early days in NICU, the triplets suffered from apnea, sudden drops in their heart rate, brain bleeds and immature airways. One by one, the babies went home.

At 29 months, the triplets are active and happy. The toddlers do their follow-up care at MUSC and the NICU graduate clinic. Each child has developed some distinct personalities, according to Sarah. Easton is a chatterbox and loves to talk. Thomas is sweet, shy and loves to tell secrets, while big sister Kelsey, who is quiet,

At birth, Oct. 1, 2010, Kelsey weighed 3 lbs. 6 oz., Thomas weighed 3 lbs. 7 oz., and Easton weighed 2 lbs. 14 oz. This year, the triplets, along with parents Sarah and Wesley Linker, will serve as the March of Dimes Ambassador Family of the Year.

charleston March of diMes walk The Lowcountry March of Dimes March for Babies will begin Saturday, April 27 at 8 a.m. at Cannon Park, 261 Calhoun St. For information, call 571-1776 or visit http://tinyurl.com/bfzm36s. tries hard to keep up with her brothers.

“Our life is crazy and fun. We laugh at lot. More importantly, we feel blessed and recognize just how lucky we are to have this beautiful family,” Sarah said.

10 The CATAlysT, March 15, 2013

TeChnology Continued from Page Four beach communities. Others had no transportation of their own.

McElligott knew about other states where forms of virtual doctors had been used, and decided to toy with developing one for South Carolina thinking it might provide the answer.

At first the systems seemed too complicated and too expensive — about $40,000. But that has dropped. Now, he can purchase and install one for about $10,000.

He decided public schools were the natural places to put the systems because that’s where the county’s children are five days a week. And the schools had nurses who could consult with the virtual doctor and administer prescribed treatment.

With the virtual doctor in her school office, Brown will be able to diagnose and treat students at school.

That allows her to provide better health care in general for more than 560 pre-K through fifth grade students in a county ranked as the fourth least healthy in the state.

“We could bring the services to the patients,” she said. That is not the way medicine normally works, but it’s certainly more convenient.

The virtual doctor program is not without its detractors.

Dr. Oscar Lovelace runs a multi-service medical office in Prosperity in rural Newberry County. He has long been a proponent of “medical homes,” places where people visit a regular doctor who knows them and their history.

Family Fund accepting grant applications The MUSC Family Fund, sponsored by the Yearly Employee Support Campaign, is accepting grant applications.

The application should include name, department phone, name of project and amount of funding requested. The grant application also should include a brief summary explaining the project or program and how the funding will benefit MUSC’s mission, not to exceed one paragraph.

For information, email mcluen@musc.edu or visit www.musc.edu/ catalyst/archive/2013/ co2-8familyfund.html.

Applications are due no later than March 29.

He was upset when former Gov. Mark Sanford ignored recommendations in a report from the Governor’s Health Care Task Force that he co-chaired.

One of those recommendations called for the state to create medical homes in rural and underserved areas.

As a result of Sanford’s rejection of his recommendations, Lovelace ran against him in the 2006 Republican primary, but was drubbed.

Despite his political defeat, Lovelace remains passionate about rural medicine and the medical home concept. He believes the state could encourage doctors to work in rural communities if it increased the amount of Medicaid reimbursement they received.

To him, the virtual doctor program for schools is better than nothing but does not make-up for a medical home.

“The relationship between patient and doctor is unique,” Lovelace said.

TAking virTuAl sTATewide

So far, McElligott has set up two virtual doctors in the school nurse program, one at Meeting Street Academy in Charleston, where McElligott experimented with the system, and one in Williamsburg County Magnet School of the Arts.

He expects to have the system operating for Brown during the next several weeks.

McElligott’s goal is to place them in at least one more Williamsburg County school, probably a high school, and five in Charleston County schools as part of a separate wellness program.

During the rest of this school year and next, he plans to gather data on the effectiveness of the systems for treating children. If it’s successful, he hopes to expanded virtual doctors to all underserved areas in the state.

McElligott also assists in an effort to provide similar set-ups for physicians and other health providers in areas that lack medical specialists. That system provides rural doctors a virtual computer link with MUSC specialists, such as stroke experts, to diagnose and treat patients who could not get treatment without traveling to Charleston or other medical centers — a delay that could prove deadly.

Six of those systems are in operation, two in Allendale County, one in Bamberg County, two in Georgetown County and one in southern Florence County where a nurse practitioner uses it to enable her to treat a wider range of illnesses.

At Williamsburg County Magnet School of the Arts in Kingstree, nurse Lynn Floyd said the virtual doctor allows her to treat sick children she otherwise would have to send home, forcing parents to leave work.

For many parents in Williamsburg County, where one out of three people lives in poverty, that’s difficult.

They can’t afford to lose the pay, and they can’t afford a doctor or emergency room bill.

“It’s real,” she said. “With this we treat children right here. This is a good deal for everybody.”

Editor’s note: This article ran in the March 11 issue of The Post and Courier and is reprinted with permission.

The CATAlysT, March 15, 2013 11

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12 The CATAlysT, March 15, 2013