May 10, 2013

MEDICAL UNIVERSITY of SOUTH CAROLINA

Vol. 31, No. 37

Inside QUIT THE

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SMOKING HABIT

A new study shows that magnetic stimulation may help people to stop smoking.

MEMORIAL

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BED PLANTED

The memory of former MUSC employee Nickie Kopacka was honored with a small garden in the Urban Farm.

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Nurse of the Year goes to diabetes educator

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4 Library honored 5 Meet Tiffany 11 Classified ads T H E C ATA LY S T ONLINE http://www. musc.edu/ catalyst

Registered nurse Sharon Schwarz was presented W!8" 8"& K6<:& ?% 8"& J&D< DWD<( D@( H?W&<: BS L-/7 *"!&% @6<:!@# ?%I*&< 5<E LD<!YS@ /*"D%%@&<E

USC’s 2013 Nurse of the Year, Sharon Schwarz, R.N., was chosen for the honor because of her efforts to revamp the Pediatric Endocrinology Clinic’s diabetes teaching program. As an advanced practice nurse and certified diabetes educator, Schwarz has worked in the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology since 1996. She is credited with developing teaching materials for the families of

children diagnosed with onset Type 1 diabetes. She also helped develop researchsupported insulin pump management techniques, according to clinic manager and nominator Heather Dolan, R.N. “Nursing students seek her out because she has a genuine passion to teach them,” Dolan said. Schwarz received her award during an event held May 6.

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Cravings decreased through magnetic brain stimulation Despite a growing number of ways to quit smoking by altering the function of the brain, such as medications, behavioral therapies, hypnosis and even acupuncture, smoking cessation remains difficult for most people. A new study led by MUSC and published in the Journal of Biological Psychiatry now reports that a single 15-minute session of high frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation over the prefrontal cortex temporarily reduced cue-induced smoking cravings in nicotine-dependent individuals. “While this was only a temporary effect, it raises the possibility that repeated TMS sessions might ultimately be used to help smokers quit smoking,” said Xingbao Li, M.D., assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences’ Brain Stimulation Laboratory. “TMS, as used in this study, is safe and is already FDA approved for treating depression. This finding opens the way for further exploration of the use of brain stimulation techniques in

MUSC Excellence

smoking cessation treatment.” Li and his MUSC colleagues examined cravings triggered by smoking cues in 16 nicotine-dependent volunteers who received one session each of high frequency or sham-repetitive TMS applied over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. This design allowed the researchers to look at the effects of the real versus the sham stimulation, similar to how placebo pills are used in evaluating the effectiveness and safety of new medications. TMS is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells. It does not require sedation or anesthesia, and patients remain awake, reclined in a chair, while treatment is administered through coils placed near the forehead. Researchers found that cravings induced by smoking cues were reduced after participants received real stimulation. They also reported that the TMS-induced craving reductions were greater in those with higher levels of nicotine use. ODA&: 9E X(WD<(: 7?YY&#& ?% 5&@8DY L&(!*!@& 5&D@ 5<E O?"@ /D@(&<: *?@#<D86YD8&( 0?U!& /&Y8Q&<G Y&%8G D@( MS@@ L*5?@DY( D: <&*!>!&@8: ?% 75L1: I<:8 =6D<8&<1: /8D%% 0&*?#@!8!?@ 2<?#<DAE /8D%% A&AB&<: "?@?<&( /&Y8Q&< D@( L*5?@DY( W!8" D Y6@*" ?@ ;><!Y )'G which included a speech by Sanders.

Israeli companies visit exchange hosted by MUSC

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

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.

Eight Israeli companies were in Charleston, May 6-7, at the U.S.-Israel Neurotechnology Business Exchange. The conference and matchmaker event was designed to further business and research relationships with U.S. stakeholders and to attract innovative companies to South Carolina. Hosted by MUSC, the event offered a focused opportunity for Israeli companies to present their technologies and meet with leading companies, health care institutions and investors in North America with the goal of fostering joint venture research and development, investment, clinical and marketing alliances. At the event, South Carolina Department of Commerce Secretary Robert Hitt and Consul General of

Israel to the Southeast Opher Aviran announced the decision to form an agreement between South Carolina and Israel to further collaboration in the field of industrial research and development. This agreement will create a funding mechanism for joint industrial research and development projects between Israeli and South Carolina companies and universities. The event was built on the premise that the United States remains one of the major hubs for innovation, development and commercialization of new products for the diagnosis and treatment of brain disorders. Israeli companies working in this field have seen that their presence in the U.S. is a critical step for success. For further information, visit http:// neurotech.usisraelexchange.com.

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Top cancer stem cell immunologist joins MUSC

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ne of the country’s leading researchers in hematopoietic stem cell therapy, Xue-Zhong Yu, M.D., has joined the MUSC faculty. Yu will hold the Robert K. Stuart, M.D., Distinguished Endowed Chair in Hematology/ Oncology, the second chair within the SmartState Cancer Stem Cell Biology and Therapy Center of Economic Excellence. Yu, a professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Department of Medicine, will focus on the biology of graft-versus-host disease Yu and graft-versus-leukemia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The ultimate goal of these studies is to prevent or treat GVHD while preserving GVL effect, which could greatly enhance the therapeutic potential of HSCT. “I look forward to joining the excellent team of faculty members at Hollings Cancer Center and MUSC’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology,” Yu said. “My commitment is to promote

significant and innovative research in the field of transplantation and tumor immunology, and to provide outstanding professional training to others.” Yu received a Bachelor of Science degree in Medicine (an M.D. equivalent) and a Master of Science in Immunology from Peking University Health Sciences Center in Beijing, China. After his residency in Nanchang, China, Yu completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. Most recently, Yu held full member and professor positions at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute and the University of South Florida’s College of Medicine. Throughout his career, Yu also has been awarded more than $11 million in grant awards as a principal investigator or co-investigator. “We are fortunate to recruit Dr. Yu to MUSC. He has held positions at two of the best cancer centers in the country, and he is currently supported by multiple R01 grants from the National Institutes of Health,” said Stephen Lanier, Ph.D., associate provost for research at MUSC. “There is no doubt that Dr. Yu will have a major impact on the continued expansion of our research and technology development programs in Hollings Cancer Center and across the state." Zihai Li, M.D., Ph.D., chairman of MUSC’s

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, holds the other chair in the SmartState Cancer Stem Cell Biology and Therapy Center of Economic Excellence. “We are very happy to have someone of Dr. Yu’s caliber joining our department. Dr. Yu has an impressive portfolio of research, and we are eager to explore how his discoveries can be translated into patient care,” Li said. “His work could eventually lead to a better understanding and control of GVHD so that stem cell transplantation can be done safely to save the lives of many people suffering from blood cancers or other diseases.” Melvin Williams, a member of the Hollings Cancer Center advisory board and the SmartState review board, said Yu is the tenth SmartState chair whose research focuses on cancer. “The center, a collaboration between Clemson University and MUSC, has raised nearly $6.5 million in extramural funding beyond its required $5 million center match. The SmartState Program continues to be very committed to cancer research and improving cancer screening in South Carolina,” Williams said. “The SmartState Program works hand-in-hand with Hollings to develop new therapies for cancer, as well as to translate major cancer-related discoveries from the laboratory to the market.”

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USC is a recipient of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine’s digitalization and conservation award. Projects that included transcribing and digitizing 19th century botanical materials, theses and historical text that was used to develop MUSC’s new Porcher Medicinal Garden and details about a Women’s Health Portal received regional awards. MUSC was notified of receiving NNLM’s Southeastern Atlantic Region digitization and conservation awards on April 15. The digitalization project was initiated in 2012 and resulted in scanning and digitizing 140 theses written between 1830 and 1860. Among them is a thesis written by MUSC alumnus and program namesake Francis Peyre Porcher, M.D., an 1847 graduate of the Medical College of the State of South Carolina. Porcher’s thesis, titled “A Medico-Botanical Catalogue of the Plants and Ferns of St. John’s Berkeley, South Carolina,” was among other botanical-related papers and studies relating to the development of medical remedies. The theses are available via the MUSC’s Waring Historical Library’s digital library called MEDICA. According to Susan Hoffius, Waring Library curator, library user statistics have identified that botanicals are the most searched category. To help satisfy user needs, library staff selected 140 theses about topics ranging

“Our goal was to provide today’s researchers with historical texts about plants, which were used for drug therapies. Perhaps contemporary scientists will rediscover some of South Carolina’s native resources.” /6:D@ R?%I6: from specific botanicals (Apocynum and rosoemifolium, Lobelia inflate and quinine) to chemicals (mercury, iron and potassium iodide). Hoffius explained that the project supplements ongoing work documenting the history of the Medical College and its early curriculum (with current efforts in the areas of drug discovery). “Our goal was to provide today’s researchers with historical texts about plants, which were used for drug therapies. Perhaps contemporary scientists will rediscover some of South

Carolina's native resources,” said Hoffius. All selected theses in this project document mid-19th century medicinal methods and teaching practices. Both are relevant for current research personnel who are interested in the history of medical education, therapies and the study of medicinal drugs and its treatment of disease. The handwritten theses ranged from 11 to 63 pages in length. The medical theses project totaled 2,982 pages with additional pages of transcripts loaded via the institution’s MEDICA digital library. The second award promotes awareness and access to the MUSC Library’s Women’s Health Resource Portal. The portal serves as a resource for educators, researchers, staff and students. Activities devised in the portal project complement the Office of Research on women’s health and its National Institutes of Health strategic plan for women’s health research. Baseline data on faculty awareness and knowledge on how to access the portal will be collected and compared with survey data at the end of the grant period. Methods for improving awareness and access to the portal will include targeted learning opportunities, social media, websites and innovative teaching strategies. Learning opportunities include lectures and promotion of interprofessional activities with faculty from all six colleges to develop case studies examining health disparities among women.

THE CATALYST, May 10, 2013 5

MEET TIFFANY

Tiffany Mullins, R.N. 5&>D<8A&@8 Pediatric Intensive Care Unit How you are changing whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s possible at MUSC By being a part of my unit, which has reduced the CLABSI (central line-associated bloodstream infections) rate to zero during three years after implementing a CLABSI bundle What made you choose nursing Growing up with and watching my mom, who is the most giving and caring nurse Words of advice for a new nurse Try not to get discouraged. It takes a while to get into your own style. In the meantime, you can learn something special from every nurse you encounter. What is your idea of a dream job Working for a boss who supports, believes and trusts in you. Greatest moment in your life I have had so many great moments â&#x20AC;&#x201D; taking a nursing class in Ireland and traveling to Europe, graduating from nursing school, meeting families and patients who have forever changed me, moving to Chicago, then Charleston, getting a job in PICU, seeing my patients walk back into the unit, and marrying my husband.

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Cessation program for patients in development

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BY ASHLEY BARKER Public Relations

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educing tobacco use has been high on MUSC’s priority list since the campus became tobacco-free in March 2012. But more work needs to be done, according to Graham Warren, M.D., Ph.D., vice chairman for research in the MUSC Department of Radiation Oncology at Hollings Cancer Center. Warren’s most recent report, released in March in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology, helped inspire a new program for patients. The study of lung cancer doctors found that 90 percent believe tobacco use affects cancer treatment outcomes and that tobacco cessation should be provided, but only 40 percent routinely provide assistance to help their patients stop smoking. “Continued tobacco use by cancer patients increases mortality, increases cancer recurrences, increases the risk of getting another cancer later and increases toxicity associated with treatment,” Warren said. “We’re looking at the biology behind how tobacco products decrease the effectiveness of cancer treatment.”

As much as it seems like common sense, the issue of cancer patients continuing to use tobacco products is what Warren and a team of more than 50 investigators at seven different institutions in the United States have devoted years of research to try to understand. For about eight years, Warren has been evaluating the effects of tobacco-related products on cancer response, primarily involving radiation and chemotherapy. “We have an enormous amount of information leading up to a diagnosis, but we have proportionally very little information after a cancer diagnosis. Assessing what patients do, whether they keep smoking and if they quit what helps them, are big questions,” Warren, who joined MUSC on Feb. 18, said. Warren is working with the Cummings report’s co-author, Michael Cummings, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and co-director of Tobacco Policy and Control at Hollings

Cancer Center, and several other MUSC employees on a two-fold approach to tobacco cessation in patients. The first part of their program, named SC Quits, is expected to be introduced hospitalwide within the next six months, according to Cummings. He explained that when a patient is identified as a smoker, he or she will be assessed and automatically referred into a cessation follow-up service. “If you’ve had a heart attack, or you’ve got COPD, or if you broke your leg and want to have it repaired quicker, it doesn’t help to be smoking. Smoking has bad outcomes on a lot of things,” Cummings said. “We have many patients who come to MUSC, about 27,000 hospital adult discharges each year. Roughly about 5,000 of those people are going to be cigarette smokers. It’s a teachable moment.” The service will then contact the patient by phone after he or she is discharged. If the patient is interested in quitting, he or she will be provided access to support back at the hospital, at a local community resource or at a primary doctor. Danielle Scheurer, M.D., medical director of quality for the Medical University Hospital Authority and overseer of the implementation of the hospital-based program, said, “MUSC is thrilled to be a leader in the state around tobacco cessation, as evidenced by these efforts. To promote population health, we have a moral obligation to do everything we can to assist tobacco users in cessation efforts.” The second part of the SC Quits program, which is being spearheaded Scheurer by Warren, targets cancer patients. When a cancer patient is identified as a tobacco user, instead of the physician or nurse having to be trained on the methods of quitting smoking, the physician will refer the patient to a dedicated tobacco cessation specialist.

“Providing good evidence can sometimes be best accomplished by taking a few people who are very good at tobacco cessation and keeping them updated and trained,” Warren said. “It’s a lot easier than trying to train hundreds of practitioners every year on the effects of tobacco and cessation. Our goal is to try to assist clinicians in helping provide cessation support of cancer patients, not take the patients away from them.” The ultimate decision still remains in the hands of the patient, which is something that Warren has found to be beneficial to cancer patients who tend to lose much of their decision-making abilities. “When a cancer patient is diagnosed, a lot of times they don’t have control of what they’re doing. Chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are the mainstays of cancer treatment. That can be very stressful, which could make people want to smoke more,” he said. “Smoking cessation is something that I can recommend, but only a patient can decide to do it. It is one part of cancer treatment that can really make a difference in the outcome that is completely in control of the patient. We can help them stop, with medication and support, but it’s up to the patient.” Once the cessation program is fully in place at MUSC, Warren and Cummings are both interested in expanding it to other hospitals and cancer centers around the country. “My hope is to network this into every hospital and to all cancer centers,” Cummings said. “There are 70 comprehensive or NCI-designated cancer centers. Why not have everyone utilize the same system rather than having them invent their own thing?” Both researchers suggested that it’s never too late to quit smoking. Their research has found that stopping the habit at any stage of life can give a patient some health benefits. “The majority of the side effects from tobacco – heart disease, lung cancer, etc. – show up down the road,” Warren said. “Even if tobacco miraculously disappeared from the planet today, a significant medical burden is still coming 10 to 30 years down the road. Smoking cessation now reduces the risk and improves the health of all patients.”

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Urban Farm memorial bed planted for employee A

small group gathered beneath the leaves of a live oak tree on the MUSC Urban Farm recently to honor the memory of Nickie Kopacka, a former MUSC employee. Kopacka’s friends and coworkers approached the Urban Farm team in early February to explore the possibility of making a contribution in her memory. After visiting the garden, the group decided to contribute funds for a memorial bed that would include a variety of tomatoes, which were the pride of Kopacka’s garden. Their contribution funded soil amendments such as compost and perlite, plants, fertilizer and trellising supplies. In addition to the supplies for the memorial planting, the group decided to donate gloves, pruners and harvest tubs to support the farm’s educational programs. Once the soil was prepared and the weather was right, the bed was ready for planting. After a demonstration provided by Urban Farm educator Mary Helpern, friends and family members kneeled beside the soil and carefully planted tomatoes along with beneficial companion plantings of basil, chives, parsley and marigolds. The plants will be cared for by the volunteers who maintain the Urban Farm and will be utilized in educational sessions attended by a variety of patient groups including pediatric groups with Urban Farm’s Mary Helpern, left, shows OCIO system analyst Tabitha Ottiwell the vines on a tomato plant. ; 8?AD8? B&( is planted in memory ?% K!*[!& N?>D*[DG W"? passed way K?4E +'G )C+)E

special dietary needs, adolescent groups from the Institute of Psychiatry’s Star Program, weight management and bariatric surgery support groups, as well as youth from local schools and community organizations. The harvest will be shared with the educational groups and volunteers, the Hope Lodge, the Ronald McDonald House and the Lowcountry Food Bank. A sign commemorating Kopacka will be placed near the tomatoes each season, and she will be remembered as the tomato-red harvest tubs are filled with produce from the farm to share in creating a healthier community.

Employee Wellness events ! Employee fitness series: A free Tae Bo class will be held from 12:15 until 12:45, May 15. Fitness expert Katie Blaylock, from the MUSC Human Performance Lab, will direct the class. Participants should check in at the Wellness Center membership desk for directions to the class and will receive a free one-day pass to the Wellness Center. E-mail muscempwell@musc.edu to register. ! Worksite screening: A screening, valued at about $350, will be held May 16 at the Wellness Center auditorium. The screening is available to employees and their covered spouses with the state health plan for $15 each. Employees and spouses without this insurance can participate for $42. The screening

K!*[!& N?>D*[D "?Y(: "&< #<D@( @&>"&W W"!Y& B&!@# :6<<?6@(&( BS ?<*"!(:E N?>D*[DG D %?<A&< L-/7 &A>Y?S&&G "D( D >D::!?@ %?< #D<(&@!@#E includes: height, weight, blood pressure and a blood draw for a blood chemistry profile, hemogram and a blood lipid profile. To register, visit www.musc.edu/ employeewellness and click “Worksite Screening Appointment.” ! Mindful Eating at the Urban Farm: From 12:15 until 12:45 p.m., May 16, guests are invited to bring a lunch, sit in the environment of the farm, open their senses and be guided into an experience of nourishment. After several minutes of eating in silence, guests will discuss what was noticed with event leader J. Ramita Bonadonna, Ph.D. ! Bike to Work Day: Charleston Moves is encouraging residents to bike to work on May 17. A police escort will pave the way from 7:30 a.m. at Earth Fare in West Ashley, over the Ashley River Bridge and through downtown Charleston. The finish line will be MUSC’s Clyburn Plaza on the corner of President and Doughty streets. Healthy snack and bicycle tips will be available, along with information and a chance to win prizes. ! MUSC Healthy Challenge Tuesdays with the RiverDogs: Tuesday night games will now be geared toward living and promoting a healthy lifestyle and will

feature a sponsorship with the MUSC Wellness Center, Healthy Charleston Challenge and the MUSC Urban Farm. Healthy concessions options are available, featuring the MUSC Urban Farm veggie taco made from crops grown on the farm. Special discounted tickets to Tuesday games for MUSC are available at http://cr1.glitnirticketing. com/crticket/web/gpcaptcha.php. When prompted, enter “healthy.” ! Work and Learn with child-friendly activities: From 9 until 11 a.m., May 18, bring a plastic bag and take home some fresh produce in return for your work efforts on the farm or help gather for donations on certain days. Wear closedtoe shoes. No experience is necessary. The event is open to everyone. ! Early-bird maintenance: Get your day started with some tender loving care for the farm from 7:30 until 8:30 a.m., May 15. Contact Susan Johnson, Ph.D., at johnsusa@musc.edu, for more information on the Office of Health Promotion, and Suzan Benenson Whelan, at whela@musc.edu, for details about Employee Wellness. Events or any other ideas are welcome.

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Nurses shine in annual excellence poster awards BY CINDY ABOLE Public Relations

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USC nurses continued to demonstrate excellence by finding ways to improve patient safety and translate them to evidence-based best practices at the annual South Carolina Nursing Excellence Conference Poster Session held last month in Columbia. A total of 39 MUSC nurses attended the April 19 conference. Nurses submitted 16 of 39 total posters in the categories of research, patient safety, evidence-based practice and process/ quality improvement. Presentations were provided by first-place winners of last year’s Nursing Excellence Conference Poster Session. Conference attendees viewed posters and voted on the winners. MICU nurses Deidra Huckabee, R.N., Kristin Ashby Nivia, R.N., and Brenda Swant, R.N., were among those who submitted posters. Huckabee won first place in the research division for her work exploring differences in the

measurement of arterial blood gasses in ventilator management in intensive care units. Swant’s poster in the evidencebased practice division explored the value of early mobility of extended stay patients in hospital ICUs that has a family-centered focus. MICU nurse manager Janet Byrne, R.N., supports nurses in her unit to participate in research. Several of her nurses have developed award-winning research that has impacted patient care, changed nursing practice and provided a cost savings to their unit. “I’m proud of the work and effort that’s been generated by our MICU nurses. Their research efforts have saved money and improved practice that’s both efficient and effective,” said Byrne. Nine East neurosciences nurses Caroline Rivera, R.N., Mary Claire Pegram, R.N., and Anna Leigh Wilford, R.N., won second place in the patient safety division for their poster, Wipe Out: the Second Wave! The project included evidence-based research conducted by last year’s neurosciences

Nine East nurses, from left, Caroline Rivera, Mary Claire Pegram and Leigh Williford celebrate their secondplace poster win in the category of patient safety D8 8"& ;><!Y 19 Nursing Excellence Conference in Columbia.

nurses who looked at reducing health care-acquired infection rates with VRE (vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus) and MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) in their unit. The team collaborated with personnel

from Infection Prevention and Control and 9 East unit staff to collect data and evaluate solutions. Both Rivera and Pegram conducted

See EXCELLENCE on page 10

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ight MUSC clinical and acute care nurses along with nursing educators were recognized among 100 exceptional nurses across South Carolina as Palmetto Gold Award winners. These nurses were recognized for their excellence and outstanding commitment. Recipients were (pictured on top row, from left) Dr. Pamela Williams, Janet Byrne and Dr. Jennifer Schearer; on bottom row, from left, are Barbara Haase and Dr. Shannon Smith. Not pictured are Dawn Terzulli, Carrie Cormack and Amy Williams. “Receiving the South Carolina Palmetto Gold Award was such an incredible honor. I’ve looked up to my colleagues for 13 years, and to be recognized with this award has great significance,” said Byrne, MUSC’s medical intensive care unit nurse manager. “I am passionate about my job and about making a difference in quality

outcomes for our patients and families. Without the full support of my staff and colleagues, I wouldn’t be able to do my job.” These nurses were nominated by employers and leaders working in nursing education and statewide hospitals and nursing education programs. They were celebrated at the 12th annual Palmetto Gold Gala held April 6 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. Established in 2002, the South Carolina Nurses Foundation annually honors 100 outstanding nurses for their contributions to patient care and achievements while raising funds to endow nursing scholarships for students in statewide registered nursing programs. In 2012, more than $232,000 in nursing scholarships were awarded and a nursing endowment established exceeded $100,000.

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CHILDHOOD CANCER RESEARCH RECEIVES BOOST

0D>!( ;**&:: 7&@8&< designed for employees

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The Rapid Access Center was created specifically for MUSC, University Medical Associates and Medical University Hospital Authority employees and their adult family members to have same-day primary and acute care. The center, located on the eighth floor of Rutledge Tower, is staffed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday with a designated provider and nurse from the University Internal Medicine faculty practice. The center is closed from noon to 1 p.m. RAC provides limited services such as treatment and care for the flu, sinus infection, musculoskeletal pain (excludes chest pain), vaginal discharge, ear pain, joint pain, pink eye, cough, rash, urinary tract infection, skin infection, sore throat, diarrhea and other services. Patients are asked to bring their insurance card and copay to the appointment. For information call the center at 8760888 or visit http://mcintranet.musc. edu/rapid_access/index.htm.

EXCELLENCE Continued from Page Eight earlier research as new graduate nurse residency students. They hope to mentor other new nurses in their project’s next phase or in other research ideas. Nine East has been free of central-line associated bloodstream infections for the past 23 months. “Working together on this research and attending the nursing excellence conference in Columbia was a great experience for us. As bedside nurses, we’re also encouraged to get involved in evidence-based practice projects that can someday directly impact patient care,” Rivera said. “We’re thankful for the encouragement given by 9 East nurse manager Leah Ramos and unit staff for their time and support.” The conference reflected on the theme “Growing and Sustaining Excellence” and expanded on progress in academic nursing education as it relates to the 2010 Institute of Medicine’s report, “The Future of Nursing: Leading Change,

“Working together on this research and attending the nursing excellence conference in Columbia was a great experience.” Caroline Rivera Advancing Health.” The report provides recommendations on how nurses can take leadership roles in improving the delivery of care. The conference was co-sponsored by the S.C. Area Health Education Consortium, S.C. Hospital Association, S.C. Organization of Nurse Leaders, Sigma Theta Tau Sorority International, the University of South Carolina’s Center for Nursing Leadership and S.C. Nursing Excellence Committee hospital members.

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