MUSC Catalyst

April 19, 2013

MEDICAL UNIVERSITY of SOUTH CAROLINA

Vol. 31, No. 34

Inside Once obese, now an IRONMAN PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE

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Video conferencing works well for MUSC, USC students in new primary care program.

TREE CAMPUS USA

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Arboretum will receive certification on National Arbor Day, April 26.

2 Excellence 5 Meet Peter 11 Classifieds T H E C ATA LY S T ONLINE http://www. musc.edu/ catalyst

Ph.D. candidate training for championship

BY ASHLEY BARKER Public Relations

A

t age 15, Steven Holshouser was around 230 pounds. He was obese, failed a physical education class because he couldn’t complete a mile and was relentlessly made fun of by his peers.

At 23, Holshouser doesn’t focus on his weight anymore. He lost 87 pounds one summer during high school and is now training for the IRONMAN ® World Championship in October in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

Holshouser, a Ph.D. candidate at MUSC, qualified for the grueling 140.6-mile race – a 2.4-mile swim followed by a 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run — on a 92-degree day in Panama City, Fla., last summer.

He knew that in order to qualify for the world championship, he’d have to finish first in his age group, which had 40 – 60 competitors. Only a certain number of racers would qualify, and it’s based on how many people are in each age group.

“I had to be first. That’s what I was gunning for,” Holshouser said. “I had a 30-minute lead after I got off the bike, but then a guy ended up passing me around mile 21 of the run.”

On pace for a 10-hour IRONMAN, Holshouser was demoralized. He even stopped running after he failed to keep up with the other racer.

“When I started doing IRONMAN races, my goal was to qualify for the world championships,” he said. “I decided right there to stop and pick up racing again after I graduated from MUSC.” The heat and his girlfriend had other plans for Holshouser though. When he was passed, Holshouser was close to finishing his second lap of the course. His girlfriend yelled from the sideline that the runner who passed him was only on his first lap.

“I started sprinting the final five miles, finished right over 10 hours and thought I had won the whole thing,” he said. “When I finished, she said, ‘You’re going to hate me, but you didn’t win.’ I don’t blame her, but I was devastated all over again.”

The next morning, Holshouser watched the news and found out that due to the extreme heat nearly 500 people dropped out of the race, reducing the size of the field.

“They were dropping left and right, people cramping up everywhere,” he said. “All of the young people finished, which made our percentage increase.”

When his age group’s portion of the total number of participants went up, that meant the top two winners would advance to Hawaii.

“It was literally the happiest day of my life.

Everybody was crying and laughing. It was ridiculous,” Holshouser said.

In order to prepare for Hawaii, Holshouser is completing a triathlon almost every day.

In addition, he works in a lab in the Drug Discovery Building that focuses on developing medicinal compounds for an enzyme that plays a key role in cancer and diabetes.

Each day, Holshouser bikes to campus from his home in Mount Pleasant near the Isle of Palms Connector, swims at the gym during his lunch break, bikes back home and takes an evening run with his German shepherd and black lab mix, Jake. In the summer, he’ll take the long route to work, biking around 60 miles in the morning, or he’ll swim 5,000 meters in the pool before class.

On the weekends, his schedule is even more intense.

“I’m up at 5:30 a.m. on Saturdays, and I’ll bike 112 miles until around noon. Then I’ll get off the bike and run about 20 miles from noon until 3 p.m. After that, I’ll go to the gym and swim to cool down. The next day I’ll do a 100-mile ride,” he said. “When you’re in full-blown training, you don’t really

Steven Holshouser, a student in the College of Graduate Studies, is training for the IRONMAN World Championship Oct. 12. Less than 10 years ago, he failed his high school physical education class because he couldn’t complete a mile. have a life.”

The main thing Holshouser focuses on is incorporating exercise into his daily life.

Instead of taking a car to work, the bike gets him there without paying for gas, dealing with stalled traffic or having to find a parking spot.

“In reality, you can kind of work out anytime just by doing everyday things,” he

See Iron on page 10

2 THE CATALYST, April 19, 2013

Medical Center

‘Making a difference every day’ Employees of the Month

APRIL’S RECIPIENT FOR DAISY AWARD IS MICU NURSE

Clara Wilson, Sleep Center “One of our patients, who lives a couple of hours away, got lost on his way to the Leeds Avenue Sleep Center for an appointment. Clara, whose shift had already ended, drove to meet him and had him follow her to the Sleep Center. This is an amazing example of customer service and a willingness to go above and beyond for our patients.”

Nominated by Pamela Chimino Brad Kilpatrick, MICU

“Brad is the epitome of MUSC Excellence. Not only does he exhibit excellence on a daily basis with whatever he does, he always goes above and beyond for staff and patients.

One of the many examples is when a patient was accepted to MUSC’s medical intensive care unit from an outside hospital.

I asked Brad if it was possible to send an MUSC respiratory therapist along with a ventilator capable of salvage modes of mechanical ventilation in order to make this high risk transfer as safe as possible. This is an outsidethe-box request and beyond the expected duties of an MICU respiratory therapist. Brad didn’t blink and simply said, “I’ll go if you want me to.” Per the request

See Employee on page 9

Editorial office 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

MICU nurse Jacqueline Bulanow, center, received the DAISY (disease attacking the immune system) Award. Bulanow was awarded for supporting a patient and his family regarding end8$>K!$% '<6% <9& 4"% .%H7%63KG '8::19!'<3%& I!3" 3"%: <;813 3"% &!$A'1K3 &%'!4!894 !9/8K/!9# resuscitation and comfort care,” according to the nomination letter, which was submitted by registered nurses Amanda Wilcox and Janet Byrne. Honoring Bulanow are coworkers from MICU. Recipients of the award receive an African Shona Tribe sculpture, a DAISY pin and < $6<:%& '%63!A'<3%= E9 <&&!3!89? '!99<:89 68KK4 <6% &%K!/%6%& 38 3"% 19!3 3"% &<G 3"% 9164% !4 honored. To nominate a nurse for the award, visit http://mcintranet.musc.edu/magnet/awards/ daisy.html.

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.

Lab professionals celebrated April 22-26 In 2012, more than $19.1 billion in lab tests were performed across the world by technicians and pathologists, according to Kalorama Information.

Medical Laboratory Professionals Week, April 22 – 26, honors laboratory professionals, teaches the public about the occupation and recruits new professionals.

The MUSC community is invited to the third floor of the Children’s Hospital to enjoy some Lab Week events.

Throughout the week, the “Dedication to Medication: A Decade of MUSC Headlines” timeline, which features groundbreaking and important events in MUSC history, courtesy of The Catalyst archives, will be posted on the walls of the main corridor.

From 10 until 11 a.m. on April 24, the anatomical pathology labs will be open for tours. Informational posters will be in the corridor and professionals will be on hand to answer questions.

THE CATALYST, April 19, 2013 3

4 THE CATALYST, April 19, 2013

Institute prepares future SC primary care providers

BY CINDY ABOLE Public Relations South Carolinians living in rural communities can expect to see improvements in their access to medical care thanks to a program that prepares future primary care providers.

The effort attracted Sudeep Sunthankar, a first-year student in the College of Medicine, to become a fellow in S.C. Area Health Education Consortium’s Institute for Primary Care Education and Practice program.

Sunthankar, who is interested in pediatric primary care, joined the program to learn about primary care medicine under the 2010 Affordable Care Act. He enjoyed the discussions offered through the spring seminar series that ended April 8.

The final seminar featured a presentation on the future of primary care medicine and health care reform by Bill Hueston, M.D., a professor in the Department of Family Medicine.

The program is offered to advanced practice nursing students, physician assistants and medical students who share an interest in primary care medicine and work collaboratively within interprofessional teams. It was established through a three-year funded

Interdisciplinary primary care students gather at an April 8 lecture at 3"% +2 5FJ2 8$A'% !9 2"<6K%4389= *"% 768#6<: I<4 K!9L%& 38 )+2 participants in Columbia via video conference. For information, visit http://www.scahec.net/primarycare/. grant from The Duke Endowment for students who want to receive guidance, education, support, mentorship and access to other related experiences to enhance their training. The program accepted 47 students as program fellows from the University of South Carolina and MUSC. It is coordinated by S.C. AHEC members and faculty from MUSC and USC. David R. Garr, M.D., S.C. AHEC executive director and associate dean for MUSC Community Medicine, serves as the director of the institute.

“This partnership between USC and MUSC has been enjoyable. The faculty leaders on both campuses have been enthusiastic about this program, and our video-conferencing system used to link our campuses has been very successful,” said Garr.

College of Nursing’s Terri Fowler, DNP, R.N., is an instructor teaching family and primary care in the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program. As a faculty mentor and preceptor with the program, Fowler also leads discussions with participating master’s and doctoral-level

nurse practitioner students.

“The students love the interaction and discussion offered through this program. They also enjoy meeting fellow students from other disciplines who share their interest in primary care and will be among those who make up the interprofessional health care teams.

As nursing professionals, they realize the importance of understanding new policies and their effects on practice and the delivery of care. They want to stay involved,” said Fowler.

In an effort to facilitate communication, participants are encouraged to share information with other institute fellows using a passwordprotected Facebook page. This page will be used to help faculty stay in touch with students and for students to communicate with each other throughout the year.

According to Kristin Cochran, director of recruitment and student programs, a new cohort of students will be recruited in the fall. Other practicing primary care clinicians from across the state will assist as mentors and preceptors for students during their communitybased clinical rotations. A preceptor retreat is scheduled for June 1, and an annual conference for both students and preceptors is set for spring 2014.

SUPPORT CAMPAIGN KICKS OFF MUSC Provost Dr. Mark Sothmann checks in I!3" /8K193%%6 56!%K 0869!4'"? '%93%6? <9& -$A'% of Development’s Stephanie Greer, right, at the annual Yearly Employee Support Campaign kickoff luncheon April 4 at the Drug Discovery lobby. Employee-donors were honored for their continued years of support to the annual '<:7<!#9 I!3" '%63!A'<3%4 <9& 3"<9L G81 #!$34 to commemorate consecutive years of giving to MUSC. Donors were welcomed by MUSC President Dr. Ray Greenberg and 2013 Campaign Chair Betts Ellis. This year’s campaign goal is $300,000, which will go to assist about 1,300 funds within the MUSC Foundation. To donate, visit https://giving.musc.edu/yes/.

THE CATALYST, April 19, 2013 5

MEET PETER

Peter Kalivas, Ph.D. Department Neurosciences How long at MUSC Almost 15 years How you are changing whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s possible at MUSC Together with my MUSC colleagues we built arguably the strongest addiction research program in the country that is generating new treatments for addiction through a unique collaboration between basic neuroscientists and clinicians.

A must-have in the freezer Microwavable Brussels sprouts High school memory I received the award for best hair as a senior.

Best thing about living in Charleston Two of our three children live here, and I love my research colleagues.

Greatest moment in your life Surprising my wife on her 50th birthday with a party in a cave in Arkansas Meal you love to cook ,)#& )"( *'!+($*% Favorite place in the world Southern Ethiopia

6 THE CATALYST, April 19, 2013

Adventure Out campaign nurtures ‘green’ exercise

BY DAWN BRAZELL Public Relations

D

ance instructor Rob Powell crouches low and drums in the air, face alight, sweat flying, Latin rhythms pulsing in the air.

As a Zumba fitness instructor at MUSC Wellness Center, he’s having a blast. The only thing better would be to take the party outside, he said about why he’s one of more than 20 Wellness Center fitness professionals who will be hitting Charleston County parks in full force in May. The goal is to get people more active in outdoor or green exercise, which research is showing delivers more health benefits than its indoor counterpart.

The pilot Adventure Out program is a partnership among MUSC and its Wellness Center, Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission and the Parklands Foundation of Charleston County.

Susan Johnson, Ph.D., director of MUSC’s Office of Health Promotion, said each partner brings valuable input.

“The Office of Health Promotion had the vision and the desire to promote outdoor fitness to MUSC and the community. MUSC Wellness Center had the fitness experts and instructors.

CCPRC had the facilities and resources, and Parklands Foundation had the means and vision for an even larger, comprehensive ‘exercise is medicine’ movement.

We all have something unique to contribute that, together, hopefully it will translate into a healthier community.”

There will be more than 25 free fitness activities to pick from with the purchase of an Adventure Out T-shirt ($10) and there will be early-admission mornings at certain parks for participants to walk, run and exercise on their own. The scheduled fitness classes are geared for all levels and include a wide variety of offerings, including sunrise yoga, family games, Tae Bo, interval conditioning classes, trail running lessons and aqua aerobics. The T-shirt also gives participants free park admission when attending a class.

Johnson said her original goal was to find ways to motivate employees to be more active, but then she began learning more about the value of green exercise.

“Exercising in nature has significant benefits to mental and emotional health, can reduce stress and can

County Parks and Recreation Commission, said he loves the partnership with MUSC and the concept of Adventure Out in that it helps the public to see how the county parks are fitness facilities. The program helps cast the parks as destination sites for health and wellness.

“MUSC has a long tradition of providing expert wellness programs. Partnering with Charleston County Parks, through our Parklands Foundation will cast a much larger net for the wellness needs in the community.”

O’Rourke said that challenging health and wellness issues facing the community need to be addressed.

“Communities are going to need to take responsibility for providing the solutions as well as the education to create a healthier, more vibrant community. It is going to take creative private – public partnerships like the MUSC – CCPRC partnership to truly make a difference.”

The second Adventure Out kickoff will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., May 4 at James Island County Park at the Wappoo Pavillion and stage. There will be jump castles, a climbing wall, family fitness games, a Zumba dance class and food trucks. Johnson said one goal of the program is to expose people to new activities and to try out the benefits of green exercise.

Johnson said she’s excited to be promoting the green exercise trend, given the research showing its additional benefits, including stress management, improved selfesteem and mood, increased frequency of exercise, and improved sense of well-being.

Rob Powell crouches low for some drumming An outdoor fitness enthusiast, Johnson said she knew during a Zumba class at MUSC’s Wellness firsthand the benefits of exercising outdoors.

Center. He’s one of more than 20 instructors “Now there’s actually evidence of its benefits, and launching Adventure Out. To watch a Zumba we want to share that with the public in a fun way class, visit http://youtu.be/-1u6AiWY8KO. that motivates individuals and help re-set circadian rhythms for families to adventure out. We those who work long hours or at are so fortunate to have all night. My hope is that through these amazing natural resources this program, our employees will available to us, and most of us start going to the parks more, live within a short walk or drive start exercising more, maybe join of a park. We want to make it the Wellness Center if they find a easy and fun for folks to live great instructor – but mostly that more active, healthy lives through they realize the value of ‘green’ this campaign.”

Tom O’Rourke exercise and make it a part of Adventure Out T-shirts may be their lives.” purchased at multiple locations The launch of the Adventure and events during April, at the Out program for MUSC will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., launch events or at MUSC Office of Health Promotion May 1 in the Horseshoe and in the north garden area – 17 Ehrhardt St., Suite 5, call 792-9536 for pick up next to the Urban Farm. It will feature fitness booths, times; MUSC Wellness Center – 45 Courtenay Drive, a climbing wall and fitness trail. MUSC employees main membership desk, 792-5757. who purchase a Charleston County parks gold pass will For information, on how to enroll or volunteer, receive an Adventure Out T-shirt for free. contact Johnson at 792-1245, email johnsusa@musc.

Tom O’Rourke, executive director of Charleston edu or visit www.musc.edu/adventureout.

“MUSC has a long tradition of providing experts wellness programs.”

THE CATALYST, April 19, 2013 7

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USC’s arboretum will receive its Tree Campus USA certification on National Arbor Day, celebrated on April 26. The celebration will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Tree Campus USA designation honors colleges and universities and their leaders for promoting healthy trees and engaging students and staff in the spirit of conservation.

To obtain this distinction, MUSC had to meet the five core standards for sustainable campus forestry required by Tree Campus USA, including the establishment of a tree advisory committee, evidence of a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance, and the sponsorship of student service-learning projects.

The Tree Campus USA designation will ensure a perpetual landscape plan for the campus, requiring that landscape planning be included in all new construction and renovation plans. Purposely by plan, and as trees and selected plants need replacing on campus, the full variety of native specimens will be planted to form the basis of a comprehensive collection of flora native to the Lowcountry to celebrate the natural environment of Charleston, surrounding islands and coastal plain.

The Arbor Day celebration will include several learning workshops around campus and various vendors and sponsors will be present, including: ! Tree services and arborist ! Landscaping and gardening services ! Landscape and garden supply companies ! Local and state forestry and parks services ! Artists, photographers, sculptors and carvers with a focus on trees, nature and wood ! Vendors selling lunch For information, visit http://www.musc.edu/ arboretum.

*"% '<:714 "<4 :<9G @8I%6 #<6&%94 41'" <4 3"% 89% K8'<3%& <3 3"% 7<6L!9# #<6<#% 89 3"% '869%6 8$ Bee and President streets. Below: Trees also grace MUSC’s Horseshoe.

National Arbor Day Celebration 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

April 26 9 – 10 a.m.: “Attracting birds and wildlife to the garden,” presented by Mary Helpern, MUSC Urban Farm at the Butterfly Garden (Basic Science Building/Ashley Avenue) 10:15 – 11: 15 a.m.: “Designing and maintaining a backyard orchard,” demonstrated by Jimmy Kirby, Angel Oak Nursery, at the Urban Farm 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Exhibitors and vendors in Horseshoe and lunch for sale in the Horseshoe Noon – 12:15 p.m.: Tree Campus USA announcement and dedication by Dr. Jerry Reves, MUSC Arboretum board chairman, and Dr. Mark Sothman, vice president for academic affairs and provost, in the Horseshoe

Left photo: Grounds crew Nate Dubosh, from left, Thomas Robinson and Troy Durham transplant a Japanese maple tree in the Horseshoe. The arborteum has an inventory of more than 200 trees with 65 different species represented. For more information, visit the MUSC Arboretum website at www.musc.edu/ arboretum. Help plant trees by signing up with Dubosh@musc.edu.

12:15 – 1 p.m.: Proper tree planting and establishment by Nathan Dubosh, MUSC campus arborist, in the Horseshoe 1 – 3 p.m.: Tree plantings will be held at several locations around campus. Participants will meet by the flag in the Horseshoe.

3 – 4 p.m.: MUSC Arboretum advisory board meeting

8 THE CATALYST, April 19, 2013

Charleston Arthritis Walk honors champions at May 4 event

T

he Charleston Arthritis Walk 2013 will take place May 4. The event, presented by Trident Pain Center and the Arthritis Foundation, will help raise funds for research, support and awareness against arthritis.

The walk will be held at James Island County Park.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. with the walk starting at 10 a.m. Participants can walk a three-mile or onemile course to support friends or family with arthritis.

Individuals with arthritis are encouraged to wear blue hats to promote awareness.

The event is part of the Let’s Move Together national campaign encouraging people to prevent and treat arthritis through movement and activity. The walk celebrates National Arthritis Month in more than 300 communities nationwide to fund arthritis research, health education and advocacy initiatives.

To commemorate the walk, the Arthritis Foundation recognizes three champions. They include medical honoree Natasha M. Ruth, M.D., who joined MUSC Children’s Hospital in 2006 as its first board-certified

pediatric rheumatologist; pediatric honoree Melissa Whaley; and Linda Klomparens, who died in April 2012 following her 32-year battle with rheumatoid arthritis. Klomparens will be celebrated as an honoree.

Ruth specializes in caring for children with rheumatic diseases such as juvenile arthritis, lupus, vasculitis, inflammatory muscle disease and fibromyalgia. She is involved in juvenile arthritis research looking at novel treatment modalities and managing the hospital’s national pediatric rheumatology registry. Ruth also contributes to lupus research specifically looking at neurocognitive lupus, a lupus application for mobile phones and lupus kidney disease.

“I hope to continue MUSC’s efforts in discovering new treatments for children with juvenile arthritis and improving their quality of life,” said Ruth.

Whaley was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at 17 months old. Growing up, she had to sleep with braces on her legs and wrist, and she received treatment at MUSC. Now age 14, Whaley is an active teen playing a variety of sports.

Klomparens was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 1978 and had joint pain in her hands.

After having joint replacements, Klomparens’ pain and inflammation increased to become very severe. She died in 2012 from respiratory complications related to her disease.

In South Carolina, there are nearly 1 million people who are diagnosed with some form of arthritis. About 4,000 of those diagnosed are children. Arthritis can affect children as early as a year old. Without treatment, it can interfere with a child’s normal growth and development. Although there is no cure for arthritis, specific treatments can help control and prevent further damage to a patient’s joints and other tissues.

The Arthritis Foundation is the largest private, non-profit contributor to arthritis research worldwide, funding more than $400 million in research grants since 1948.

For more information or to donate, visit http:// tinyurl.com/c298eu4 or contact Joyce Gilles, 686-7399 or gilles@arthritis.org.

Association recognizes MUSC as a ‘Fit-Friendly Worksite’ MUSC was recognized as a platinumlevel Fit-Friendly Worksite by the American Heart Association for helping employees eat better and move more.

The program recognizes employers who make their employees’ health and wellness a priority.

Platinum-level employers offer employees physical activity options in the workplace; increase healthy eating options at the worksite; promote a wellness culture in the workplace; implement at least nine criteria outlined by the American Heart Association in the areas of physical activity, nutrition and culture; and demonstrate measurable outcomes related to workplace wellness.

For more information about the FitFriendly Worksite program call 853-1597 or visit startwalkingnow.org.

MUSC Employee Wellness ! Worksite screening: A screening valued at $350 will be available to employees and their spouses with the State Health Plan on April 23 in Room 102, Colbert Education Center & Library. The fee is $15. Employees and spouses without this insurance can participate for $42. To register, go to www.musc.edu/employeewellness and

D)+2 3%<:4 C-$A'% 8$ F%<K3" ,68:83!89 <9& M(B '8:7%3% !9 3"% Push Up & Up Challenge in Marion Square. Proceeds from the April 13 '"<KK%9#% ;%9%A3%& 28::19!3!%4 !9 +'"88K4= click Worksite Screening Appointment. ! Adventure Out: During the month of May, more than 25 free fitness activities are planned for people who purchase a $10 Adventure Out T-shirt.

Classes include sunrise yoga, beach sculpting, family games, Tae Bo, interval conditioning classes, trail running lessons and more. The T-shirt allows free park admission when attending a class.

Purchase T-shirts at the following locations: Office of Health Promotion,

17 Ehrhardt St., Suite 5; call 792-9536 for pick up times; MUSC Wellness Center, 45 Courtenay Drive; ask for Janis Newton, 792-4141; and Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission, 861 Riverland Drive; call 795-4386 ! Free Fitness Day at the Wellness Center: An MUSC ID will earn you a free day pass to the Wellness Center April 24. The MUSC Wellness Center offers something for the beginner to the advanced athlete, ranging from cardio

and aquatics to an indoor track. ! MUSC Healthy Challenge Tuesdays with the RiverDogs: Tuesday night games will be geared toward living and promoting a healthy lifestyle featuring a sponsorship with MUSC Wellness Center, Healthy Charleston Challenge and with support from MUSC Urban Farm. Healthy food options are now available throughout the season, featuring the MUSC Urban Farm Veggie Taco, made from crops grown on the MUSC Urban Farm.

In addition, special discounted tickets are available to Tuesday games with reserved group seating just for MUSC. Tickets must be purchased by noon the day of the game. To purchase discounted tickets, visit http://cr1.glitnirticketing. com/crticket/web/gpcaptcha.php. Type the word “healthy” when prompted to enter the group password. While at the game, stop by the MUSC table to enter a drawing for free Wellness Center passes and other giveaways.

Email Susan Johnson, Ph.D., johnsusa@musc.edu for information on the Office of Health Promotion, and email Suzan Benenson Whelan at whela@musc.edu for information about Employee Wellness.

THE CATALYST, April 19, 2013 9

EMPLOYEE Continued from Page Two

of our attending, Brad traveled with Meducare to pick up the patient with a special ventilator from MUSC. Even though it was almost the end of his shift, Brad agreed to go without hesitation..”

Nominated by Dee Ford, Janet Byrne and Mallory Hannon Yvette Wilson, Dietetic Services “Yvette was getting off work and saw me struggling to walk in the parking lot and ran to get a wheel chair. I am 20 weeks pregnant and was in so much pain

that I blacked out. When I came to she was there and had been for more than two hours holding my hand. I lost my husband recently, and her comfort and kindness will never be forgotten.”

Nominated by Keri McDonnel (a patient)

10 THE CATALYST, April 19, 2013

IRON Continued from Page One said. “I run to run my errands. I’ll run to the store to pick up bananas and food then just put them in my book bag and run back home.”

He tries to get that message across to children that he spends time with at the Jerry Zucker Middle School of Science in North Charleston through Louie’s Kids, an afterschool program that is designed to help obese children get healthy.

“I came from being obese and couldn’t even complete a mile to competing in the world championship – essentially the Olympics of triathlons,” he said. “As long as you really want something and really want to change, anybody can do it.”

He volunteers at the school a few times a month and tries to give the students fun activities that will get them moving. When the students complete an activity or choose a healthy item to eat, they earn points

that they can cash in for new shoes, bicycles or workout equipment.

The program also offers support to overweight children, something Holshouser leaned on his older brother for when he was losing his weight.

“You couldn’t pass gym class unless you could run a mile, and in ninth grade, I couldn’t do it,” said Holshouser, who had to retake the class in tenth grade. “My brother said, ‘Let’s just try to run a half mile.’ Then we ran 3/4 a mile, and eventually we worked up to a full mile.”

The following year, Holshouser passed his gym class, joined the cross country team and was hooked into endurance sports.

“I had never pushed myself to actually feel endorphins, to feel my muscles recovering and the feeling of being fit. When you get to the point of feeling better, you relate

exercise to making yourself feel better,” he said. “Stuff like that drives you.”

The IRONMAN World Championship on Oct. 12 will determine the future for the Mount Pleasant native. Holshouser could earn his pro card, get sponsorships and put his Ph.D. on hold to do races around the world. If he doesn’t go pro, his plan is to return to MUSC and focus on his research while getting faster on shortdistance races, like 5Ks and half marathons.

“It’s all up in the air. My whole goal in life was to qualify. I don’t know what will happen now that I’ve met that goal. We’ll just have to see,” he said.

To find out more about Louie’s Kids, visit www.louieskids.org/. For information on the IRONMAN World Championship, visit www. ironman.com.

KAPPA PSI DROPS OFF 1,700 POUNDS OF CANNED FOOD

Members of the South Carolina College of Pharmacy’s Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity Incorporated chapter dropped off more than 1,700 pounds of canned food at the Low Country Food Bank March 29. A number of events were held during the school year to accumulate a donation of more than 3,000 pounds, including a chicken bog, turkey fry, swamp party and pancake breakfast.

THE CATALYST, April 19, 2013 11

Homes For Sale

Misc. Services

The Cottages, Johns Island.

Built 2011, 1700sf,3BR/2.5BA $219,000, 843-478-4730 or vanlaera@musc.edu

Basic Lawn Care Reasonable Rates Greg 843 303-2615

Rental Properties Downtown 3BR/2BA apt. avail.

6/1/13. W/D, D/W incl. HW flrs, central heat/air. No pets. $2100/mo+dep. 843-723-6581

Items for Sale IOP Annual Yard sale #24 28th Ave. Isle of Palms Saturday, April 20 8:00am- until (Rain or Shine) Over 50 Vendors

Follow us on Twitter: @Catalyst_ MUSC

12 THE CATALYST, April 19, 2013