March 28, 2014
MEDICAL UNIVERSITY of SOUTH CAROLINA
Vol. 32, No. 32
GOOGLE GLASS GIVES NEW PERSPECTIVE
photo by Sarah Pack, Public Relations
Dr. Joseph Sakran is a Google Glass explorer, testing out the potential of this new technology to improve surgical care and medical training at home and abroad.
BY DAWN BRAZELL Public Relations
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WATCH
oseph Sakran, M.D., slips on the glasses and taps the side to turn them on. “Take photo,” he commands, pauses and then hands his $1,500 glasses to a friend to see the photo he just took. After adjusting the view, the friend smiles at the image of himself. “Wow,” he says, as they both grin like boys with a new toy. The ‘wow’ factor is what has people volunteering to become “explorers” from stay–at–home moms to physicians, such as Sakran, who handles general and acute care surgery at MUSC. He became a beta tester for Google Glass Explorer Program in December 2013 and is one of more than 8,000 ‘explorers’ involved in helping shape the future of how Google Glass evolves. Sakran, who likes to be on the cutting edge of
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Students go for gold Twelve medical students were recognized by their peers.
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VIDEO
Visit MUSC’s News Center to see the full multimedia package on Google Glass at www.musc. edu/pr/newscenter/2014/googleglass.html. technology, said it fits into Inspiring Quality Campaign led by the American College of Surgeons to improve the quality of surgical care for patients in the nation. “All of a sudden we have this new technology, and I said to myself, ‘how can this technology be used to care for the surgical patient?’” It turns out quite a bit he’s finding, particularly given his goal of figuring out how to reach resource–poor areas both in America as well as internationally, one of Sakran’s key interests and one reason he was recruited to MUSC from the University of Pennsylvania. His
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main non–clinical role is to head the global health initiative for the Department of Surgery, a cause dear to his heart. Explaining why he details how the global burden of surgical disease continues to rise, and remains one of the top killers in low–and middle–income countries, even though communicable diseases still receive more focus. “It’s the red–headed stepchild of public health,” he said, quoting Harvard expert Paul Farmer, M.D. Only 3.5 percent of 234 million major surgical procedures performed in 2004 took place in the countries representing the poorest 35 percentile of nations. Beyond that, there are areas in the United States that could benefit from the same focus. “You can go to
See Glass on page 7
Women’s History Month
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Nurse Certification
Dr. Cecily DiPiro is more than the woman behind the man.
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Meet Kendra
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Applause
READ THE CATALYST ONLINE - http://www.musc.edu/catalyst
2 THE CATALYST, March 28, 2014
NICU nurse honored with DAISY award
CERTIFIED NURSES DAY
photo provided
Endoscopy nurses are among many of MUSC’s nurses who meet specialty certification in their work areas. Certified nurses include Janice Freeman, left to right, Phyllis Malpas, Analina Bayag, Traci McClellan, Susan Rivers, Alida Dempsey, Faye Connor, Susan Holliday, R’Celle Boyd. Not pictured are Rebecca Middleton, Maureen Brooks and Robert C. Jones. MUSC celebrated National Certified Nurses Day, March 19, with cake receptions and celebrations in both the University hospital and Ashley River Tower. Through certification, nurses are able to validate nursing skills, knowledge, and abilities. Certification empowers nurses in their professional specialty and contributes to improved patient outcomes. As the hospital continues on its Magnet journey, there’s a need to bring awareness to certification and avenues to increase the certification rate among nursing staff. Certified nurses have validated their knowledge, skills and competency in their area of expertise.
Editorial of fice MUSC Office of Public Relations 135 Cannon Street, Suite 403C, Charleston, SC 29425. 843-792-4107 Fax: 843-792-6723 Interim editor: Cindy Abole catalyst@musc.edu Catalyst staff: Mikie Hayes, hayesmi@musc.edu
MUSC recognizes and rewards specialty certifications through a certification incentive. The incentive is $750, a part of which the home department can pay in advance to cover the cost of the exam. Currently the MUSC nurse certification rate is at 58 percent steadily rising. In 2011, the goal was to increase the nurse certification rate by 5 percent annually. The hospital has far exceeded its goal. If you know a nurse who is interested in a certification that's not currently approved, let a nurse manager know. They may request approval for additional certifications by completing a certification approval request form. Employees who earn certification will receive a badge and recognition letter commending their expertise. 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.
The March DAISY (disease attacking the immune system) award winner is Allyson Ackerman, R.N., who works in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Ackerman was nominated by the Jeff Kunzl family via NICU nurse manager MaryLaura Smithwick. Below is her nomination: “I wanted to take a moment and praise one of your night shift NICU nurses, Allyson Ackerman. My wife and I have a four–month old baby girl in the NICU. These past four months have been extremely difficult for us. Our daughter’s condition has become difficult to manage and we are becoming increasingly worried she will not pull through. Allyson has gone out of her way to help make this a more bearable journey for us. She has come in multiple times on her time off to comfort us when our daughter’s condition worsened. It meant the world to know that we weren’t alone and someone cared as much as we do about our baby. Also impressive is the amount of time she would spend with us to ensure that we were okay before heading home for only a few hours of sleep before her night shift would
start. Parents can be difficult to please in situations like ours. Allyson has a brilliant way of listening to our concerns, regardless of how ridiculous they might be, and taking the time to make us feel like we have a Ackerman voice and that our concerns are important. Her knowledge, compassion, and dedication should be an example to others and if there are any forms of acknowledgement she surely deserves the highest honor.” Each month, MUSC nurses are honored for their excellence with the DAISY Award. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s program recognizing nurses for their daily contributions in their jobs. To nominate a nurse, visit http://www.musc.edu/ medcenter/formsToolbox/DaisyAward/ form.htm.
Radiologist receives Editor’s Recognition U. Joseph Schoepf, M.D., professor of radiology, cardiology and pediatrics and director of CT Research and Development in the Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, was tapped with the 2013 Editor’s Recognition Award with distinction from the Radiological Society of North
America. According to Herbert Y. Kressel, M.D., of the Radiological Society of North America, Schoepf was praised for his outstanding efforts as a reviewer for Radiology. This recognition is given to the top 10 percent of journal reviewers in this field.
THE CATALYST, March 28, 2014 3
Students win gold for humanism in medicine BY JOHN WASHINGTON Public Relations
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ompassion, integrity, and dedication to service are some of the qualities patients seek when looking for medical care. These qualities and more describe the 12 senior medical students, residents, role–model physician teachers and other exemplars that were recently inducted into the Paul B. Underwood, Jr. Chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society. The induction ceremony took place at noon on Feb. 11 at the Wickliffe House. MUSC faculty speak of the inductees in the highest regard. “GHHS inductees represent a select group of students who possess the qualities of compassion, altruism, respect, empathy, and service, all ideals of humanism in medicine,” said Deborah Deas, M.D., senior associate dean for Medical Education, College of Medicine. “Equally important, the GHHS inductees were selected by their peers who view them as role models for delivering compassionate and quality care to patients, families and communities,” she said. “These inductees were selected by their 160 plus classmates as having the highest humanistic values — what an honor!” said Patricia McBurney, M.D., MSCR, a faculty advisor for the GHHS. The GHHS chapter was established in 2004 and named after College of Medicine educator and physician Paul B.
Underwood Jr., M.D., associate dean for student admissions and professor in the Department of OB/GYN. Underwood has been honored for his humanistic values in medical education and practice. MUSC joins 91 medical schools in the country that host a GHHS chapter. Each year, the Arnold P. Gold Foundation sponsors the GHHS awards to promote excellence in medicine by emphasizing the relationship between practitioner and patient. After being nominated by their peers, the inductees were put through a nomination committee that narrowed down the list based on the best communicators with their patients. Because of the in–depth nomination process, nominees are astonished and grateful when chosen. “I consider it a great honor and a little flattering to be inducted into MUSC’s Chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society. The fact that my peers thought enough of me to nominate me is very humbling and I am so grateful,” said The Paul B. Underwood Jr. Chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society inductee class includes Carlton Glover, Carley Anderson, Juiei Teuber, Jason Williams Clay Crosby, Laura Murray, Danielle Volandt, Eric Knapp, Morganne Phillips, Joe Ritchie and Aisha Jackson.
Chapter namesake Dr. Paul Underwood joins new members.
photos by Aimee Murray, Public Relations
New inductees Laura Murray, from left, Aisha Jackson, Morganne Phillips, Danielle Volandt and Joe Ritchie recite the Gold Humanism Society oath. Carlton Glover, a College of Medicine student. Julie Teuber, another inductee, said “I feel very honored to be inducted into the
Gold Humanism Honor Society. I am very happy that my classmates thought that my patient interactions on a daily basis warranted this great honor.”
4 THE CATALYST, March 28, 2014
MUSC celebrates National Doctor’s Day March 30 at Rutledge Tower and got excellent care there also. I just can’t say enough about both places and staff as they were so good to me and my family.
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ational Doctor’s Day is recognized each year on March 30, and is a day to celebrate the contribution of physicians who serve the country by caring for its citizens. U.S. News & World Report ranked MUSC #1 hospital in South Carolina and Best Doctors, Inc. recently recognized almost 300 MUSC physicians as Best Doctors. The following are comments made to MUSC physicians from patients:
MUSC proved to be a great place to come and have our baby. I can’t say enough good things about Dr. Ashlyn Savage (OB-GYN)! All the doctors, residents, nurses were excellent. Their service was great! I am a nurse, as well as my husband, and we were both very confident in everyone that took care of me and our son. I also could appreciate the students that I encountered while there. I will not be having any more babies but would come back to MUSC if I were. Thank you for taking such great care of me and my family! I was in a very serious condition when Dr. David Adams (Gastrointestinal & Laparoscopic Surgery) agreed to take my case. Without his expertise, compassion and willingness to do whatever it takes, the outcome for me would have been truly in doubt. His success gives me the opportunity to continue a healthy and productive life. I am a very fortunate person and fully understand this fact! The doctors and nurses were excellent! I have no complaints and would recommend this hospital without hesitation. I had a blood clot after my surgery and my doctor came back to perform the second surgery. He kept my family updated as to
how my surgery was going. I am very blessed to have met Dr. M. Imran Chaudry (Interventional Radiology) and his excellent team! They saved my life! Excellent, professional and helpful staff! If you need a cardiology procedure, Dr. J. Marcus Wharton (Cardiology) and his team are the ones you want to preform the procedure. Dr. Pinckney J. Maxwell IV (Gastrointestinal & Laparoscopic Surgery) and the staff of Ashley River Tower same-day surgery, were extremely kind, courteous, patient, and efficient in taking care of me. I was really nervous about my procedure, but they put me at ease and made me forget about being afraid. So, I say to Dr. Pickney Maxwell & staff to keep up their good work. I was very pleased with the whole staff starting with Dr. Harry Clarke (Urology) and all of his staff. Everyone was always ready to help and I got the answers I needed. I would give MUSC a 10+ on everything. The quality of care/attention I received from Dr. John S. Ikonomidis (Cardiothoracic Surgery) and the Cardiothoracic Surgery Clinic (nurses, staff, receptionist) was exceptional. Should I require cardiothoracic surgery in the near or distant future I will request Dr. Ikonomidis and his staff. I can’t imagine going to any other provider, and I hope I will not have to. I thank God every day for directing my path to your clinic as I have not one thing negative to say about this place or staff. Dr. David Cole (Surgery) is wonderful and so thorough and thoughtful as well as my group of oncologist doctors I saw and am seeing now. I had surgery
Dr. Nicholas J. Pastis (Hollings Cancer Center) and his team, along with the other physician that works along side of him are nothing short of spectacular; being concerned with problems from a routine set of tests hit our family rather hard. We were welcomed with open arms at MUSC and the Hollings Cancer Center. Dr. Pastis and Dr. Carlos went above and beyond to answer all concerns and questions and even worked around out families schedule to schedule my grandmother’s procedures. Thank you all so much for everything you do. These physicians and nurses are awesome! Dr. Terry Day, Dr Paul Tennant, nurse Sandy, nurse practioner Tiffany, and physician assistant Kym Little (Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery) are the most caring team of medical professionals I’ve ever met. Each is knowledgeable and compassionate. As a cancer patient, I was terrified and they did not downplay the concerns that I had, but addressed each concern in a realistic, yet kind, manner. I do not think I could receive better care anywhere else in the world. Thank you Dr. Michelle Hudspeth, Dr. Ana Xavior, nurse practioner Lori Donahoo and all of the staff in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and nurses Stacy Messersmith, Kimberly Kirk and Jessica Roberts, as well as many others on 7B, for taking such excellent care of my daughter. MUSC rocks. Thanks to Dr. Corey Michael Hatfield (Rheumatology & Immunology) and Dr. Todd Dantzler (Gastroenterology & Hepatology) for listening to me when I felt so bad. Their compassion and professional care always gives me hope to continue even when I’m in pain. Thanks to all the doctors, nurses and staff at MUSC. Dr. Bruce Frankel (Neurosurgery) is the most compassionate, caring physician I’ve ever had. He always listens attentively to whatever I’m saying, never rushes me and makes me feel as though I’m his only patient that day. I would highly recommend Dr. Frankel to anyone. Most importantly since he has performed spinal surgery on me in August 2013. I am now almost 100 percent pain–free for the first time
MUSC will host a Doctor’s Day social media campaign, where patients and their families can recognize our doctors by posting comments on the MUSC Health and MUSC Children’s Hospital Facebook, Twitter and Community Blog sites using the hashtag #ThanksMUSCdocs. Twitter: @MUSChealth @MUSCkids Facebook: Facebook.com/MUSChealth Facebook.com/ MUSCCharleston Facebook.com/MUSCkids Facebook.com/ MUSCafterhourscare Blog: MUSChealth.com/thanks in three years. I have been seeing Dr. Donals Fox (Internal Medicine) for many years and have received excellent care. I am 80 years old and I would not trade my doctor at MUSC for any other place. Every day that I come to work at MUSC and pass the pediatric ED, I am thankful for doctors like Dr. Scott Russell (Children’s Hospital). I have never been more frigthened than the night we rushed our very sick five– week old there. Not only did Dr. Russell and his team provide immediate, skillful and lifesaving care, he did something equally important. He communicated to me on the parent and human levels. His manner and expertise provided comfort and reduced my fear and anxiety. Dr. Russell is clearly doing what he was meant to do in life. Thank you.
THE CATALYST, March 28, 2014 5
MEET KENDRA
Kendra Heyward Department RT 9 Revenue Cycle How many years at MUSC One month How you are changing what’s possible at MUSC By transforming and creating an unbreakable bond between patient and staff (clinical and non-clinical) that will not only positively impact the patient but the entire community A unique talent you have I can hum an entire song and read with comprehension at the same time. Who in history would you like to meet and why Jesus, so I know that I made it to heaven and my living is not in vain First thing you notice about a person Their outfit and their demeanor What do you do on a rainy day Play Uno with my family Greatest moment in your life The day the Lord gave me a second chance
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Volunteer, advocate is force behind duo’s success BY CINDY ABOLE Public Relations
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ecily DiPiro makes it look easy. Behind the smart glasses, kind brown eyes and infectious smile is a woman who has proved that she can have it all by doing it her own way. DiPiro is the wife of Joseph T. (Joe) DiPiro, PharmD, executive dean of the South Carolina College of Pharmacy. Originally from central Connecticut, the couple met in pharmacy school and together have blazed a family–career trail that’s been an incredible journey for them and their family. A pharmacist in her own right, DiPiro has learned to skillfully achieve a worklife balance in managing family, career and community service work. She’s forged her own life path drawing on her own skills, experiences and selfconfidence to make good decisions for herself and her family. DiPiro grew up as the oldest girl among four boys within a middle class, blue collar family. Her mother, Rose Victor, was a physical therapist who worked part–time in a private clinic. “Mom set the example of family balance and career early on. Despite the responsibilities of marriage and family, she still managed to stay connected to her career,” said DiPiro. She remembers when she first considered pharmacy as a career. DiPiro was a teenager working part–time as a waitress in the neighborhood Walgreen’s store. She often waited on the store pharmacist who would talk to her about
future plans and college. Always a good student, DiPiro excelled at science and math. “He shared some college advice and convinced me that pharmacy was a great career and that’s how I came to study it at the University of Connecticut,” she said. The DiPiros met as they both worked a hospital pharmacy rotation as pharmacy students at Yale–New Haven Hospital. Upon graduating, each pursued a different path. She chose to complete a one–year hospital pharmacy residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia while Joe began a three– year combined PharmD residency at the University of Kentucky. After completing her residency, the couple reunited, got married in 1979 with DiPiro moving to Lexington for the next two years. From the start, both decided to place more emphasis on Joe’s career. They also agreed to make family a priority before their first son, Matt, was born. In 1981, the family relocated to North Augusta, S.C. where her husband was hired as faculty with the University of Georgia’s College of Pharmacy where he taught at the Medical College of Georgia Hospital. Their family grew with the births of Anne and Thomas. Yet DiPiro’s plans and dreams never took a back seat, they were only delayed. When the children were older, DiPiro returned to school in 1993 to begin a Bachelor’s of Science to PharmD program at the University of Georgia. She completed the program in 1995. “Over time, I learned that hospital pharmacy has been a great profession
and fit for me. It offered me a variety of job skills and experiences, plus a good work–life balance. But like other professions, it can be challenging to maintain skills and competencies while growing as a professional. This is especially true while raising a family,” DiPiro said. From there, she worked both full–and part–time in MCG’s hospital pharmacy department. DiPiro continued to enjoy success in her job working in various areas and eventually became skilled as an oncology specialist. She credits the guidance of several skilled pharmacists including Mary Wallace Johnson and photo provided Cecily DiPiro, center, serves as MUWC vice president of membership Jere R. May. They eventually became and poses for a group photo with 2013-2014 club officers.
photos by Anne Thompson, Digital Imaging
Above: Drs. Cecily
and Joseph T. DiPiro join S.C. College of Pharmacy MUSC campus dean Dr. Phillip Hall, left, at the Board of Visitors/ Trustees dinner. Left photo: Dr Cecily DiPiro has been an active member of the MUSC Women’s Club. She joins MUWC treasurer Sadhna Patel at the 2013 Commencement dinner.
good friends and mentors. Throughout her career, DiPiro has always managed to work with students. She was able to do more of this after she earned her doctorate and later worked as an adjunct professor where she trained and precepted students completing their general hospital pharmacy rotation. “Mentoring has always been very important to me. I’ve always been proud of my role as a hospital pharmacist and working within an academic medical center where one’s contributions to patient care are genuinely valued.” After 24 years in North Augusta, the DiPiros relocated to Charleston in 2005
See Balance on page 10
THE CATALYST, March 28, 2014 7
GLASS
Continued from Page One
places that are so rural and have such few resources that they are like low–income countries. Those patients could also benefit from this technology.” MUSC has been a leader in the telemedicine field in reaching resource–poor areas. “In this financially difficult time we’re living in, we’re trying to be cognizant of the resources we’re using. If I don’t have to subject a patient to another procedure, cost of anesthesia and risk of complication, that’s a good thing.” The technology could save surgeons time and ensure they maintain focus on a patient during a procedure since a CT image or a patient’s record could be accessed by voice command without them having to step away from the patient, he said.
Medical education Medical education is another definite area of potential gain. “As we talk about the training of the next generation, you really have to pack in a lot of information and procedures in a compact period of time. One way that I envision using this is to have your student or resident wearing this glass. I can physically see where they are having a problem. The flip side of this, if I’m wearing these glasses, they can see what I’m seeing, versus standing in an operating room struggling to peek through a small opening around other people.” As a training tool, it offers real tissue planes and a way to view and/or record ongoing medical scenarios that provide invaluable case studies for medical students and residents to use. Sakran, whose specialty area is traumatology and surgical critical care, gives the example of using the glasses to record resuscitations in an emergency settings so colleagues could later sit back and assess care, figuring out ways to improve the quality of treatment. The recordings also could be used as case studies to train future emergency care professionals. “That is going to play a role as this comes out of beta–testing. It’s not yet the end–all, be–all. There are a number of factors that have to be considered.” Mapping out the legalities of the new technology to protect patients’ privacy issues will be one challenge that will have to be resolved. The other challenge is fine tuning the technology, resolving such issues as the linkage of signals and strength of connectivity between users, especially if it’s being used in rural, resource– poor settings, domestically and internationally. Sakran said the challenges are worth finding solutions, though, especially given the positive impact this technology could have in strengthening the way global health initiatives are evolving. During surgical residency, Sakran became frustrated with how colleagues often addressed surgical care within resource–poor areas in the world by flying into a country, operating for two weeks and then leaving. “One cannot question the good–hearted intention of these individuals, who often spent personal time and
photo provided
Dr. Joseph Sakran (pictured center) teaches a resident in Kenya at Tenwek Hospital how to repair a trauma injury.
money to participate in these missions. I was one of them, and have had the privilege to render services in Haiti, Africa, India and the Middle East.”
Global impact Sakran began questioning the feasibility of such short–term interventions, though, and thought a better solution would be to work within a community to implement long–term interventions that would be sustainable long after the healthcare workers leave a given area. During residency he established a non– profit, non–governmental organization, Surgeons for Global Health, targeted at narrowing the inequities of care in addressing the surgical burden of disease within low and middle–income countries. The group’s first mission was in 2007, at a local hospital in Embangweni, Malawi. Malawi is a small land–locked country in Africa that ranks among the poorest in the world, with two physicians for every 100,000 people. Rather than relying on physicians for health care delivery, clinical officers form the backbone of the health care system, he said. Their training consists of a three-year course at a post–secondary school, followed by a lifetime of learning through direct patient care. While in Malawi, surgeons in the program taught clinical officers how to perform basic procedures, such as split–thickness skin grafts and abdominal hernia repairs during a two–month period. Five years later, those surgeons are gone, but the clinical officers continue to provide care for patients in their community, he said. It’s important to integrate the community into what is being done, and even better, integrate technology to continue the training, he said. “They can put these glasses on, and they can be 4,000 miles away and they are transmitting in real time what’s going on with a patient, and I can say to them ‘here’s what they probably may need to do.’ If you think of the need globally, it is tremendous. There simply are not enough surgeons to go around. We have to start thinking of
innovative ways via telehealth, Google Glass and other mobile technologies in order to allow access of care to be provided for millions of people.” There are two main reasons Sakran feels so strongly about this — one is professional and the other is more personal. Professionally, Sakran doesn’t want patients dying from treatable causes, such as blunt splenic trauma that could be experienced during a car crash. Road traffic injuries rank in the top 10 leading causes of death and disability worldwide. By 2020 it is predicted to be the No. 2 leading cause of death and disability. “In the U.S. today, no one should die from a splenic injury,” he said, describing an injury that would be hard to treat in some countries, such as Rwanda where clinical officers might not know what to do. “They could put this on,” he said holding up his Google Glass, “and I could literally walk them step–by–step through the procedure. Now that the technology is available, let’s test it, and see if we can make a difference in the standard of care.”
Second chance His personal driving motivation is that Sakran feels he was given a second chance in life to do just this kind of work. When Sakran was 17, he was shot in the throat after a high school football game. “A guy pulled out a gun and starting firing shots into the crowd, and I got hit by a random bullet in the neck. Clearly, I’m very thankful to be alive.” Sakran, who was wearing all white that night, looked down to see his shirt covered in blood. The bleeding was so bad he could not be laid flat to be transported via helicopter because he would choke. An ambulance was called instead. Sakran, who intermittently smoked at the time, remembers attempting to remove cigarettes from his pocket, worried that his parents would discover this bad habit. He remembers feeling outside of his body as he was being transported observing the conversations of the medical professionals who were trying to save him. Sakran would end up with a paralyzed left vocal cord and have to be home–schooled the majority of his senior year of high school. More than that, though, he wound up with an infused passion for making a difference on a global scale. “It was one of those experiences that changes your life in an 180–degree fashion. I realized, ‘Man, you’ve been given a second chance, and you better put it to some good use.’” Part of that good use is keeping his eyes open for the next way to significantly impact public health, he said. “Part of our responsibility as clinicians is to think outside the box. This is one of those opportunities where we can wait for others to do it or we can be leaders in the field. There’s tremendous opportunity here at MUSC, which is why I came down here because I felt that delta is large. I felt I could make a difference in an interdisciplinary way to care for surgical patients.”
8 THE CATALYST, March 28, 2014
Applause Program The following employees received recognition through the Applause Program for going the extra mile: Medical Center
Justin Ravenel, Volunteer & Guest Services; Katherine Broderick, Emergency Department; Jennifer Collins, ART MSICU; Linda Beaufort, Fast Flow Lab; Lawanda Anderson, Revenue Cycle Operations; Ann Peterson, Volunteer & Guest Services; Sarah Fath, ART 6 East; Marsha Christian, ART 6 West; Farrah Rivera, ART 6 East; Catherine Watson, ART 6 West; Tiffany Bailey, ART 6 West; Elaine Sola, ART 6 East; Michael Lazaro, ART OR; Fred Holston, ART 4 East; Chantal Richards, ART MSICU; Virgetta Cromwell, ART 4 East; Lataska Rodriquez, Meduflex Team; Christina Tepatti, ART 6 West; Jennie Nguyen, ART 6 West; Kristina Groner, MUSC Sleep Center; Frank Hoyland, MUSC Sleep Center; Glenn Coltharp, Sleep Lab; Lani Simmons, Meduflex Team; Elice Graham, Medical Records; Peggy Riggs, HVC; Suzie Ramage, Volunteer & Guest Services; Belinda Christy, Volunteer & Guest Services; Catina Williams, ART 4 East; Delores Pinckney, Environmental Services; Eric Nelson, Anesthesia & Perioperative Medicine; Charnell Pinckney, Meduflex; Christine Holly, STNICU; Maude Smith, ART 6 West; Michael Dumas, Meduflex Team; Bret Johnson, ART 4 East; Joyce Wilkinson, Radiology; Jillian Norris, ART 6 West; Sharonda Grant, 8 East; Talat Raja, General Internal Medicine; Deborah Jones, PAS;Renate Oldroyd, PAS;Casey Howett, Women’s Services; Christina Smith,GI-BariatricClinic; Judith Vella, GI-Bariatric Clinic; John Schnorr, Obstetrics-Gynecology; Lisa Dempsey,
NSICU; Ana Virella-Pena, Women’s Services; Michelle Anderson, PAS; Albertha Williams, ART MedSurg Registration; Adrian Green, Peri-Anesthesia Unit; Jessica Day, Obstetrics-Gynecology; Sharon Dupree-Capers, Revenue Cycle Operations; Melvena Nelson, Environmental Services; Angela Stayton, STICU; Wanda Frasier, EVS; Jessica Johnson, 10 West; Christin Walker, 10West; Danielle Nowakowski, STICU; Haley Lafrancis, STICU; Consonia Brown STNICU; Tyrone Vanish, STNICU; Steven Bruening, Meduflex Team; Tim Tressler, STNICU; Susan Riddle, Sleep Lab;Dorothy Dukes, Meduflex Team; Shevella Brisco, 6 West; Rainey Causey Scott, Medical Records; Casey Howett, Women’s Services; Richard Quan, Pediatrics–Gastro; Donna Chapman, Revenue Cycle Operations James Hill, Ophthalmology; Brandon Matthews, HCC Clinics; Gwen Cohen, Outpatient Registration; Valerie Collins, Medical Records; and Ella Robinson, Hollings Registration University
Damon Amella, Instructional Technology & Faculty Resources; Greg Buck, Gastroenterology & Hepatology; Tamara Bowman, Hematology/Oncology; Kyle Connelly, Instructional Technology & Faculty Resources; Monica Eberhart, Pediatric Dentistry; Courtney Irvin, Continuing Medical Education; Martha Jones, Public Safety; Frankie Maffett, Dental Faculty Practice; Wendy McEvers, Dental Faculty Practice; Karen McPherson, Dental Medicine/Oral Rehabilitation; Deborah Middleton, Radiology; Linda Monroe, Internal Medicine; John
A GOOD DAY FOR BUBBLES
photo by Cindy Abole, Public Relations
Patient Brayden Keeler, 18 mos., chases bubbles with Child Life specialist Lacey McInish as part of the Children’s Hospital’s EatPlay-Learn celebration March 20 on the portico. Richardson, Instructional Technology & Faculty Resources; Dean Silva, Engineering & Facilities; Wayne Stanley, Instruc-
tional Technology & Faculty Resources; and Steve Zimmerman, Instructional Technology & Faculty Resources.
CDAP recruiting bridge run volunteers MUSC Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs has been designated a Charity Connection and is seeking 100 volunteers to help during the 37th Annual Cooper River Bridge Run on April 5. Volunteers will assist with activities at the race start line from 5:30 to
10:30 a.m. on race day. Volunteers will receive a free CRBR T-shirt. Contact Paige Montgomery, montgomeryp@musc.edu to register. For CRBR information, visit http:// www.bridgerun.com. For information on MUSC’s CDAP visit http://www. alcoholanddrugabuse.org.
MUSC Foundation accepting 2014 Outstanding Clinician Awards nominations The vice president for academic affairs and provost invites nominations for the MUSC Foundation 2014 Outstanding Clinician Awards. The Outstanding Clinician Award honors fulltime faculty of any duration of service who have made outstanding contributions to patient care at MUSC. Currently, active clinicians who commit a significant proportion of their time caring for patients in ambulatory or inpatient settings are eligible for this award. Awardees will have demonstrated a high level of professionalism, integrity and devotion to patient care. They will have gained recognition as dedicated,
compassionate and highly effective clinicians. Their clinical excellence and service commitment identify them as role models for residents, students and their faculty colleagues. An additional consideration will be their abilities to collaborate in an effective interprofessional manner. Eligibility: 1. Appointment to the full-time faculty of MUSC. There is no age or length of service requirement. 2. There shall be no more than three awards given in a single year. The monetary reward of $3,000 will be used
at the discretion of the awardees. The nomination packet should consist of the full curriculum vitae of the nominee with an expanded description of the section of clinical activity; three letters of support, with at least one from a peer; and a statement from the nominator (not to exceed 1,000 words) outlining the candidate's qualifications. The deadline for nominations is Friday April 25. Nominations may be submitted to Mark Sothmann, Ph.D., Interim President and Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost, 179 Ashley Ave., Colcock Hall, MSC 002, MUSC.
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10 THE CATALYST, March 28, 2014
BALANCE
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as her husband was selected as the university’s first executive dean heading the combined pharmacy schools at MUSC and the University of South Carolina– Columbia. It was a significant time for them both as their children left for college and they suddenly became empty nesters. “It was the start of a new chapter in our lives. For me, it also was a time where my day–to–day activities didn’t revolve around the children and my job,” she said. Although DiPrio was committed to her role in supporting her husband and as an academic couple handling social and professional activities in a two–city life, she wasn’t ready to return to work as a full–time pharmacist. Rather, she was encouraged to commit her time and skills to new opportunities such as the MUSC
“Cecily is an incredible leader, consensus builder and clear thinker.” Megan Zwerner Women’s Club. With this group DiPiro thrived as she got to know people and their relationships and got involved in club functions. She was a very active member serving several positions including club president from 2012 to 2013. One of her proudest achievements with the group was maintaining and funding scholarships for MUSC students. Each year, the women would accomplish this solely through membership dues and some extracurricular fundraising. Today, MUWC membership has grown beyond faculty spouses and female staff. Membership is open to any woman with any professional affiliation with MUSC. DiPiro remembered serving as scholarship chair and empathized with many women applicants while reading their personal statements. “I realized that there are many paths students take to meet their goals and obtain their professional degrees. Many take non–traditional paths like myself, a mother with young children pursuing my doctorate degree, or another woman going through a career change. Each story is unique and each student is worthy of some type of support,” she said. Current MUWC president Megan Zwerner got to know Cecily through the Women’s Club and their many activities. Zwerner was recruited by DiPiro to succeed her as past president and convinced her that she was capable of doing the job. “Cecily is an incredible leader, consensus builder and clear thinker. She’s a gifted communicator and teacher
and has a wonderful way of explaining complex topics so it’s clear and understandable. She’s been a great mentor to me and to other women in our group,” said Zwerner. Finding a way to stay connected with her career, DiPiro worked part–time for a brief period in a local family pharmacy practice. Through these connections, she got involved as a diabetes coach with the American Pharmacy Association’s Diabetes 10–City Challenge. Modeled after the Asheville Project, the program grouped Charleston area diabetic employees with a local pharmacist to coach them in diabetes control and education. DiPiro has worked for seven years as a coach and accountability partner to dozens of individuals and families who live with this chronic disease. The project’s goal was to teach patients basic self–management skills and provide other support. “My career as a pharmacist has been shaped by the opportunities around me. Other pharmacists were already involved in the diabetes challenge so I also joined. From working in acute pharmacy care to one– on–one patient care, working with people to help them make the best decisions is so rewarding and fulfilling. I’ve seen people turn around with their health and see the results,” she said. She hopes to continue this type of work as the DiPiros relocate to their new home in Richmond, Va. In January, Joe was named dean of the School of Pharmacy at Virginia Commonwealth University and will begin there this summer. Women’s Club co–member Laura Patrick describes DiPiro as vivacious, creative and a giving person. She is a passionate volunteer to East Cooper Meals on Wheels, her neighborhood HOA and other community organizations. She’s also an avid gardener, Jazzercise enthusiast and friend. “Cecily’s been a great friend and advocate to the Women’s Club for so many years. Her departure is bittersweet but I’m happy that she begins a new exciting chapter in life. I look forward to visiting and staying in touch,” she said. Husband Joe DiPiro has been her greatest supporter and advocate. “Being dean can be a very demanding position and would be much more difficult without her support and active involvement. Over the years, it has ranged from assuring that our home life is stable to entertaining students and faculty at our home and looking after many day–to–day details. Cecily also has participated in meeting with college donors. Those who know us realize that she’s the real pharmacist,” he said. Looking back at their time spent in the Lowcountry and South Carolina, DiPiro can only smile. “Yes, there’s always a sadness in leaving colleagues and friends,” she said. “But Charleston is a nice and exciting place to live. I will certainly miss the people because it’s the people you work with and relationships you create and develop that matter and are important. I’m proud that Joe and I were as involved in the many activities at both MUSC and USC campus
Call for 2014 faculty service awards nominations The vice president for academic affairs and provost invites nominations for the 2014 MUSC Foundation Distinguished Faculty Service Awards. Nominations from faculty, staff and students will be accepted. The Distinguished Faculty Service Awards honors full–time faculty who have provided exceptional and sustained service and contributions in teaching, research health care and/or public service to the university and citizens of South Carolina. Up to three awards may be made annually and each honoree will receive a $3,000 contribution from the MUSC Foundation. To nominate someone, please provide a written justification to include a typed or printed narrative of no more than two, single–spaced pages. Also enclose a copy of the nominee’s curriculum vitae or professional resume. Additional letters of endorsement are encouraged in order to demonstrate the nominee’s contributions. Deadline for nominations is April 25. Nominations may be submitted to Mark Sothmann, Ph.D., 179 Ashley Ave., Colcock Hall, MSC 002, MUSC.
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North Area Weight Management clinic open The MUSC Weight Management Center has opened a new satellite clinic in North Charleston and Summerville. The new clinic is located at 8471 Dochester Road (near the corner of Dorchester and Ashley Phosphate roads) in North Charleston. Schedule a free in–person consultation to help you decide which of their range of programs works best for you. For information, contact WMC@musc.edu or call 792-2273.
12 THE CATALYST, March 28, 2014
OCIO LEADERSHIP SAY THANKS
photo provided
John Dell, left to right, Kurt Nendroph, Dr. Frank Clark, Mark Daniels and the Office of the Chief Information Officer leadership team serve up warm grits, scrambled eggs and breakfast trimmings as part of their annual breakfast with OCIO staff as a gesture of thanks for their hard work and opportunity to socialize.