MUSC Catalyst

May 18, 2012

Inside Teaching excellence

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Drs. Kelly Ragucci, Gretchen Seif, Tom Smith and Patricia CokerBolt are recognized by the MUSC Foundation.

leadership awards

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The annual awards ceremony recognized students and organizations for giving back.

5

Meet Veronica

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Epic Update

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Classifieds

The

c aTa ly s T Online http:// www.musc. edu/ catalyst

MEDICAL UNIVERSITY of SOUTH CAROLINA

Vol. 30, No. 38

sTOry Of healing

Commencement speaker shares past in hopes to change future

By Dawn Brazell Public Relations

N

ot many pediatric neurosurgeons with the trailblazing career that Benjamin Carson has had would admit to the stories in his past.

Not only does Carson admit it, he’s happy to share it. His story was the subject of a memoir and a movie that premiered on TNT in 2009 titled, “Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story.”

Carson will be the speaker May 18 for MUSC’s 183rd Commencement ceremony marking the milestone passage of this year’s more than 750 graduates.

MUSC chief of staff Sabra Slaughter, Ph.D., said Carson was nominated by MUSC’s Student Government Association to be the speaker. He met Carson in 1994 at a keynote address for about 1,000 aspiring health professionals from high schools throughout South Carolina that was sponsored by the S.C. Area Health Education Consortium.

“Dr. Carson delivered a riveting address recounting his journey from childhood in inner city Detroit to the position as director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital at the age of 33. The ideas captured in his speech were later elaborated in his books, “Gifted Hands” and “Think Big.” I expect that his speech to MUSC graduates will be equally engaging.”

Carson said he likes doing commencement addresses and enjoys seeing young people launching off to promising careers. His career highlights include the first and only successful separation of craniopagus (Siamese) twins in 1987 who were joined at the back of the head that took a 70-member surgical team, led

by Carson, 22 hours to perform and the

successful separation of type-2 vertical craniopagus twins in 1997 in South Africa.

Despite such milestones, Carson said his proudest accomplishment is the thousands of calls and letters he gets from people who thank him for sharing his story.

“The medicine is great, and I’ve been very grateful for the career that I’ve had, but I also recognize that a lot of people are affected – in terms of the quality of their lives – by the inspiration they derive.”

HumBle roots One message that comes through clear in Carson’s talks is that no one has to be a victim. It’s a lesson he learned from his mother, who was one of 24 children. She got married at age 13, and would later find her husband had another family. She only had a third-grade education but worked domestic jobs to raise him and his brother.

“She noticed that no one she knew who went on welfare ever seemed to come off of it, so she was determined she would work as long and hard as necessary. She never became a victim, and she never let us become victims. I think that’s the best thing she ever did for us.”

His mother laid the groundwork for his success.

Considered dumb in his elementary years, Carson rose to become a full professor of neurosurgery, oncology, plastic surgery and pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, where he has directed pediatric neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center for more than 25 years.

One of the pivotal changing moments came for him when his mother began to

See Healing on page 10

Dr. Benjamin Carson’s latest book published by Zondervan.

“

There is no such thing as an average human being. If you have a normal brain, you are superior.

”

2 tHe Catalyst, May 18, 2012

Foundation honors professors for teaching excellence Four faculty members will be honored for teaching excellence at MUSC’s annual Faculty Convocation at the beginning of the 2012-13 academic year at 4:30 p.m.

Aug. 21 at the Drug Discovery Building.

The faculty members are: Patricia Coker-Bolt, Ph.D., Clincal-Professional: Educator-Mentor; Kelly Ragucci, PharmD, Educator-Lecturer; Tom Smith, Ph.D., Educator-Mentor: Academic-Scholarship; and Gretchen A. Seif, DPT, Developing Teacher.

Presented for the first time in 1995, these universitywide teaching awards were proposed as part of MUSC’s Educational Strategic Plan. In addition to a commemorative medallion, each recipient will receive a cash award from the MUSC Foundation.

Kelly Ragucci, PharmD Educator-Lecturer Ragucci is assistant dean for curriculum, professor, Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Outcomes Sciences, South Carolina College of Pharmacy, associate professor, Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine.

It would be difficult, if not impossible, to describe in one word someone with the skills and talents Ragucci possesses, but “passionate” would be a good start. Maintaining that passion could be difficult with a pharmacy school spread over three campuses, yet students in Charleston and Columbia rate her as one of the most effective teachers in distance education. Students have described her lectures as riveting, interspersed with clinical cases to actively engage them in the learning process.

Additionally, she leads discussions with College of Medicine students on rotation and lectures to physician assistant students.

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843-792-4107 Fax: 843-792-6723 Editor: Kim Draughn catalyst@musc.edu Catalyst staff: Cindy Abole, aboleca@musc.edu Dawn Brazell, brazell@musc.edu

As respected as Ragucci is in the classroom, however, she appears to rate higher when mentoring students, taking time to make sure students understand concepts and help prepare them for other challenges.

Gretchen Seif, DPT

Developing Teacher

Seif is assistant professor, Division of Physical Therapy, College of Health Professions.

The quotation “Those who can – do; those who can’t – teach” and its derivatives are often attributed to Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw. It is unfortunate that he never met anyone like Seif, for he might have changed his mind. Her students praise Seif for her innovative teaching skills, her vast knowledge of the subject and her rapport with them. She will gladly spend extra time outside the classroom to ensure that her students understand the clinical concepts involved. As time-consuming as this can be, Seif manages to remain actively engaged in her profession, currently serving as president-elect for the state chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association. She also is a board-certified orthopaedic physical therapy clinical specialist and a Fellow in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists.

Tom Smith, Ph.D. Eductor-Mentor: Academic/Scholarship Smith is professor and associate director, Center for Academic Excellence/Writing Center.

There are few individuals on the MUSC campus whose influence transcends all six colleges; Smith is one of them. In his position with the Center for Academic

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Excellence, he comes in contact with students from all colleges, even some from learning online. These students could be in their first year of study or professionals working on their doctorate, ranging in age from their early 20s to 50s or later in the midst of a career change. His clientele, however, is not just limited to students. He also works with faculty is assessing student development and assisting in scholarly publications and grant applications.

Smith also conducts workshops on study techniques and has helped establish orientation programs for international scholars.

Patricia Coker-Bolt, Ph.D. Educator-Mentor: Clinical-Professional Coker-Bolt, assistant professor of occupational therapy, College of Health Professions, has been praised by colleagues and students for her work in and out of the classroom.

Inside the classroom she lectures and teaches students about infant motor skills, muscle development and pediatric occupational therapy.

Outside the classroom, she can be found working with the Charleston Miracle League, which provides the baseball experience for children and adults with special needs; serving as camp counselor with Camp Hand to Hands, a therapy program for preschool children with cerebral palsy; mentoring students on a medical mission trip to Uganda and other community programs. One of her favorite quotations about teaching is this Chinese proverb: “Tell me and I’ll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I’ll understand.”

Will, Estate Planning Seminars 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., May 23 or 24 MUSC’s Office of Gift Planning will be hosting its annual Wills and Estate Planning Seminars on May 23 and 24. Local advisers and attorneys will be on hand to answer questions and provide resources.

Seminars will be held from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Room 202 Basic Sciences Building. Both days will feature attorney panel question and answer sessions and planning resources. On May 23, the presentation will be “Basic Wills 101: Do I need a will?” The topic on May 24 will be “Help I am now an executor – personal representative.”

All seminars are open to the public. Attendees will receive a free guide to wills and trusts. For information, contact McLaurin Bruce at 792-0002, brucem@ musc.edu or visit www.MUSCGiving.org.

tHe Catalyst, May 18, 2012 3

Graduate’s advice: Don’t give up on your dreams

By CinDy aBole Public Relations Nekaiya “Kay” Jacobs, M.D., looks smart in a pair of her Aldo 6-inch platform wedge shoes. The shoes were one of her many finds that she and several classmates collected as part of their “retail therapy” excursions in downtown Charleston. Shopping was one thing this student did to unwind and achieve balance.

But don’t let Jacobs’ chic style and communal pastime fool you. She has brains, talent and an exciting future as a pediatric resident starting July 1 at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield, Ill. The eldest daughter of three, Jacobs is the first in her family to graduate from medical school. She is among 142 new physicians in her class graduating from the College of Medicine in the May 18 Commencement ceremony.

Described as carefree, conscientious, selfless and hardworking, Jacobs is

Nekaiya couldn’t have made it without: q Family and friends q Dancing q Collecting shoes with heels q Music q Reality TV shows

Dr. Kay Jacobs with her books and her newest pair of Aldo 6-inch floral platform shoes. excited to realize her dream.

She credits her success to her parents who instilled hard work and family values fixed on excellence through

education. Mom, Jackie, returned to school later in life to become a middle school guidance counselor and father, George, rose through the ranks to become a supervisor working at UPS Inc. Her grandmother, at age 62, completed her GED alongside her granddaughter in 2003 when they both earned their high school diplomas.

A solid student all her life, Jacobs didn’t seriously consider a career in medicine until college. She earned a biology degree from the University of South Carolina (USC), Columbia in 2007. At USC, she was a member of the African-American Pre-Med Students, a group of minority students who enjoyed science and explored health careers

through shadowing experiences and participation in health-related activities.

It was through this group that Jacobs realized the value of having minorities in medicine, especially African-American women, as role models to influence younger generations toward health care.

“To me there exists a fine line between someone telling you that ‘you can do this’ to ‘I hope I can do this’ to finally, ‘I know I can do this.’ I’ve met individuals who pushed me throughout life to give me confidence to know that I possess the right skills and drive to accomplish my goals,” she said.

So when Jacobs was denied admission in 2007, she didn’t give up. Instead, she and three other students were admitted as part of the college’s Post baccalaureate Reapplication Education Program (PREP), a selective, year-long program that admits qualified students who show academic promise to adequately prepare them for entry into medical schools.

See Dream on page 14

4 tHe Catalyst, May 18, 2012

SCCP grad credits college’s learning environment

By Dawn Brazell Public Relations

T

here’s a reason graduate ‘Rita T.’ has a nickname among her S.C. College of Pharmacy (SCCP) Class of 2012.

For some reason her Russian name, Margarita Taburyanskaya, gets people tongue tied. The nickname just makes it easier, she said smiling. She has learned to make many such adjustments since leaving her home in the Ural Mountains.

Taburyanskaya, PharmD, was studying nuclear physics in Russia, but thought it was boring. She came to America in 2001 as an exchange student, working in Myrtle Beach at a small restaurant. She had friends there who had connections.

“You are 19 and it was a lot of fun,” she said, smiling. She was to return two more times on trips and during one of those visits learned about SCCP’s program.

She decided that was the challenge she wanted and enrolled in September 2008.

She didn’t let cultural or language differences hold her back. She has

found it enriching to have the cultural exchange and feels a tolerance for other cultures is very important in a world that increasingly has no borders, she said.

What did make life challenging, though, was the arrival of her daughter Emma two years ago. Her husband manages a restaurant in Myrtle Beach, so she has carried most of the childcare duties.

“It’s hard. It’s a lack of sleep. You have to do what you have to do for school and you have to give up something. I give up sleep.”

Though motherhood complicates being a student, Taburyanskaya said she has found time to participate in class organizations. She was vice president of three groups, the Student National Pharmaceutical Association, the Academy of Student Pharmacists and the Association of Community Pharmacists during her third year. She’s very excited that she will be doing a residency at MUSC. She’s interested in pursuing work in the fields of infectious diseases

or critical care.

“I would like to see more pharmacists who take more responsibility with patient care. There’s more collaboration with physicians and nurses, and I think that’s great.”

SCCP has been a wonderful learning environment. She likes that lectures were available electronically. “It’s doable, but you have to stay organized. You have to stay on time and multitask all the time. I never sit down and just watch TV.” What she does is rush from class to get her daughter and then go to the playground, dinner, bath, read a book shift and then study from 9 p.m. to as long as she can stay awake. “Then I wake up at 5:30 and do it all over again.”

Taburyanskaya just keeps her eye on the final goal.

She likes how fast-paced the field of pharmacy is with the new drugs and technologies. “There will be a lot of opportunities for research. It’s the ultimate goal to do work that helps to cure someone.”

Dr. Rita T. has her eyes on the final goal: opportunities for research.

Physical therapist thrives on helping patients regain function

L

Dr. Lori Merrow admits husband Josh keeps her grounded. The Merrows, with sons, Kiser and Boston, kept in touch with Skype and email.

ori Merrow, DPT, doesn’t let it bother her that at 32 she’s one of the oldest in her class. Life has a way of taking a circuitous route to end up right where it’s supposed to. At least that’s what the 2012 College of Health Professions graduate has found.

The mother of two followed her husband to Charleston, who left the military to do contract work overseas. She had her undergraduate degree in recreational therapy with a license in aquatics but found it difficult to get a job. She did bartending and waitressing to help the family make ends meet, but found it wasn’t satisfying.

Merrow, originally from Bessemer City, N.C., decided to go back to school and got accepted into MUSC’s doctor of physical therapy program in 2009.

“I love school. I love the knowledge. I just enjoy learning whatever I can about a subject.”

She admits at times it has been tough. With her husband overseas half of the time she’s been in school, she’s had to get creative with childcare for her sons Kiser, 10, and Boston, 4. “I’ve had to pay for a lot of childcare,” she said.

It has taken sacrifices to push through, but she doesn’t regret it. “It gave me confidence that I could raise two kids and get through school. You just find the strength from places that you didn’t know you had.”

Her children have been good sports. She was in a pediatrics class that focused on how to do assessments for children. “We had Boston come in and we had him doing crunches and push-ups.”

She hopes to go into an area dealing with acute or outpatient care. “You see people come in on ventilators who can’t even follow commands and then you see them walk out. It’s fulfilling. You never know what you’re going to get or what people are going to say. You’re really teaching them how to regain function.”

Technology has helped their family stay in touch. She has been able to email and Skype with her husband, Josh. On her last rehabilitation rotation when she felt overwhelmed and stressed, she called to vent on her husband and he calmed her right down. “He can bring me to reality. He’s very logical and analytical, whereas I’m more spontaneous.”

She hopes one day to have ownership in a company, but wherever her path may lead, she wants to make sure she has patient contact. It’s what she enjoys the most about physical therapy, she said.

She and her husband, who returned to the states this month, hope to stay in the area. She’s glad to have Josh back into the swimming lesson, T-ball rotation. She laughs. “I told him, ‘No more overseas or my hair’s going to fall out.”

tHe Catalyst, May 18, 2012 5

Meet Veronica

Veronica Ramos de Nunez College Accelerated BSN Program, College of Nursing, Class of 2012.

Extracurricular activities I run, bike and hike trails with my husband, Daniel. I also love soccer and volleyball and am an avid dancer with the Wii, but only in the privacy of my home.

Meal you love to cook Rice, beans, baked chicken and fried plantains with avocado slices on the side Where do you see yourself in 5 years Serving my country, missionary work and starting a family Advice to future nursing students Nurses are not second-class citizens. Take pride in what you do and serve with all your heart.

Aspect of nursing you enjoy most Serving people Places visited Italy, Japan, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Puerto Rico Watch her video at http://bit.ly/Veronica_ Ramos

6 tHe Catalyst, May 18, 2012

Dental student takes advantage of AHEC program

By CinDy aBole Public Relations

F

ive years ago, Danielle Gill graduated from Presbyterian College as an academic scholar and NCAA athlete participating on the volleyball team.

Today, this standout has nailed another achievement: becoming a dentist and graduating among 56 of her classmates from the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine.

Gill, who is a native of Kings Mountain, N.C., came to MUSC via Presbyterian’s pre-dental program and exploring careers through the S.C. Area Health Education Consortium (AHEC) Future Health Professionals Academy held in summer 2007. The program was established to help minority students prepare for careers in dentistry, nursing, medicine, pharmacy and other health profession jobs at programs throughout the state. An academic pioneer for her family, Gill is the first dentist in her family and first to earn a doctoral-level degree.

Gill said her dental school experience at MUSC was more than she ever imagined. “Where else can you learn and play with new equipment and the latest dental technology,” she said, proudly showing off before and after cell phone photos of a patient who just received newly milled crowns that she created with only a computer. Gill and her fellow students used the school’s new computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) systems that create dental crowns, veneers, inlays and onlays. In 2009, the dental school became the first program in the nation to implement CAD/CAM technology in

its preclinical curriculum.

In addition to MUSC, Gill also received dental school offers at UNCChapel Hill, the University of Louisville and New York University.

“Attending MUSC for dental school was the right choice for me. After a couple of visits, Charleston quickly became home. Everyone from the college’s dental leadership to faculty and staff became family to me. It was a good feeling.”

Frederick T. Moore Jr., DMD, associate professor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, compared Gill’s excitement and presence as a breath of fresh air among dental students. Moore, who teaches oral surgery on the second floor of the school’s new clinical education center, offers guidance to dental residencies, post-graduate training programs and job opportunities. Moore, who managed oral and maxillofacial surgery practices in Buffalo and Boston before arriving at MUSC in 2007, talked to Gill about several Northern-based general practice residency (GPR) programs and other options. Gill matched to a competitive, one-year dental GPR residency at the Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in New Jersey.

“It’s hard to miss a person like Danielle with her presence, smile and boundless enthusiasm. She’s positive and focused in whatever task she’s involved in. I feel her upcoming residency has the potential to open up her world and perspective in dentistry by a great deal. Working in a hospital to provide multidisciplinary oral health care will give her the experience and confidence to handle any type of dental need.”

College of Dental Medicine graduate Dr. Danielle Gill wouldn’t have made it through dental school without Red Bull, friends, Subway, old CDM study materials and her DVR.

Veronica Mack, who works in the college’s diversity office, describes Gill as fun, caring and determined. She has worked with her on minority recruiting and other activities. “Danielle’s a joy to be around and she’s comfortable working with a variety of student groups.

She’s hard-working and a natural leader.”

An exceptional student, Gill also balanced her time outside of the classroom as an American Student Dental Association chapter representative and Delta Sigma Delta dental fraternity’s Philanthropy Committee member, Student National Dental Association vice president, while also participating in dental mission trips to Uganda and Trinidad and coaching youth volleyball.

Gill is grateful for the team support of her parents, Donnell and Nevessa Moore Gill; brother, Daniel; other family and friends who will cheer her on at the May 18 Commencement.

“There’s really nothing better than this. I feel I’ve been given a gift with my career in dentistry and everything so far in my life. My journey’s just beginning.”

The Catalyst, May 18, 2012 7

Dental couple plan on continuing to give back

By CinDy aBole Public Relations

Juliana and Nathen Head’s story began long before dental school. It goes as far back as second grade when the two were classmates at North Springs Elementary School in Northeast Columbia. Their paths and story have taken them through a unique journey that has fulfilled both their personal and professional lives.

Juliana Head, DMD and Nathen Head, DMD, are graduates of the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine. The Heads are the first married couple to enter and graduate together from the dental school.

And somewhere between the didactic classes and lectures and clinical years, they also became parents welcoming son, Reiland Clark, last March. Their dental school and life experiences have prepared them for the hard work ahead of them as dental professionals working and giving back to the community.

Juliana always loved science and held an interest to work in health care. Likewise, Nathen was as a model student and enjoyed working with his hands. But careers in engineering or mathematics didn’t interest him enough until he met Presbyterian College predental advisor and biology professor John Inman, Ph.D., who steered him and Juliana towards dentistry.

Still in college, they traveled to Charleston and

Drs. Juliana and Nathen Head with son, Reiland Clark. attended MUSC’s Dental Day program, a daylong dental career exploration program offered to undergraduate students or those interested in dentistry.

“Dental Day helped us both see what dental school was really like. We loved that the dental school hosted small class sizes, good student-to-professor ratios and

open interaction with faculty and staff. The collegiality was something Juliana and I were already used to at Presbyterian and we liked that,” said Nathen.

Once in dental school, the Heads thrived in the school’s dental science curriculum, clinical experiences and student life.

Department of Stomatology associate professor Rick Albenesius, DMD, enjoyed getting to know the Heads and accompanied them and other students to formal and informal functions. He was impressed with Juliana’s leadership and organizational skills as Psi Omega Dental Fraternity’s president.

Additionally, Juliana was Class of 2012 secretary and enrolled in the American Association of Women Dentists, American Student Dental Association and S.C. Academy of General Dentists. She also was the 2012 recipient of the Psi Omega Fraternal Achievement Award. Both are active members of James Island Christian Church.

Nathen also had his own achievements as vice president of the MUSC Chapter of the S.C. Academy of General Dentists and the American College of Dentists Award outstanding student and leader award.

According to Albenesius, both are hard working, dependable and good honest people. “They’re both

See Dental on page 13

8 tHe Catalyst, May 18, 2012

Bookstore roots pay dividends

By Dawn Brazell Public Relations

I

intrigued by the research that Hannun and his colleagues were doing and was impressed with Perry Halushka, Ph.D. M.D. dean of the College of Graduate Studies and MSTP director, and the stellar program that he had built over the years.

“To get the NIH MSTP designation is a big deal in and of itself. Only the best programs get that designation. I quickly learned about MUSC’s tradition of excellence, both clinically and scientifically. Because of this strong background and track record of turning out really stellar M.D./Ph.D.s, I knew that MUSC was the right place for me.”

He remembers arriving for his interview in November. “I got on the plane in Washington where it was 40 degrees and raining and I got off the plane in Charleston, where it was 75 degrees and sunny. It was love at first sight, and things went better and better from there on.”

During his M.D./Ph.D training, Russ studied sphingolipids and how they specifically relate to inflammation in cancer.

Sphingolipids are bioactive molecules in the cell that function as signal transducers – serving in the cascade that provides information about what’s happening outside the cell in biochemical form. His project centered on a particular enzyme, acid sphingomyelinase (aSMase), and how that enzyme – in

n person, Khaled Moussawi, M.D., Ph.D., exudes a certain buoyancy, an innate happiness born of a grateful heart.

The co-recipient of this year’s College of Graduate Studies Distinguished Graduate of the Year recognizes the gifts he has received have helped him to be where he is today. He has Lebanese friends who weren’t as lucky as he to escape the difficult and war-torn past that they shared, he said.

Receiving his top choice of residency, Moussawi will be heading to Boston for a residency in neurology at Harvard. His internship will be at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) department of internal medicine with his friend and the co-recipient of the graduate award, Russ Jenkins, M.D., Ph.D. The remainder of his neurology residency will be carried out at both MGH and Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

His research mentor, Peter W. Kalivas, Ph.D., research chair of the Department of Neurosciences and Distinguished University Professor, said Moussawi is highly deserving of the award.

“Khaled has three characteristics in abundance that collaborate to make him one of the most promising people in his emerging generation of young clinician scientists – high native intelligence, abundant curiosity and optimism about what is possible, and a highly collegial approach to research.”

His parents had much to do with his success, said Moussawi. Living through a civil war during his childhood was very difficult. Safety was a major issue.

“There was all this bombing and shelling happening around us all the time, so we couldn’t enjoy our childhood.

Our parents were always worried and wouldn’t let us go out.”

Even though the capital city Beirut was just over an hour away, they could never visit because of the danger. His parents, who were teachers, ran a bookstore to

See Jenkins on page 9

See moussawi on page 9

Medical scientists forge new paths

Mighty Duo For the first time, MUSC has two recipients for the College of Graduate Studies Distinguished Graduate of the Year Award - Drs. Russ Jenkins, left, and Khaled Moussawi, both of whom will be going to Massachusetts General Hospital, a Harvard-affiliate hospital for an internal medicine internship. To see a video of them, visit http://bit.ly/MUSCDistinguishedStudentsAward.

By Dawn Brazell Public Relations

M

ost oncologists would love to say they found a way to combat metastatic cancer – the most aggressive stage of cancer.

Russ Jenkins, M.D., Ph.D., just might get to do it.

The co-recipient of this year’s College of Graduate Studies Distinguished Graduate of the Year was drawn to MUSC’s Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP), in part, because of the stellar reputation of Yusuf Hannun, M.D., former chair of MUSC’s Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Jenkins graduated from the University of Virginia with a bachelor’s in biology and decided to do a post-baccalaureate research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 2003. While there he heard a talk by a former post-doctoral fellow of Hannun’s about sphingolipids and inflammation.

“It was an area I had absolutely no knowledge of – none whatsoever, but it was very fascinating to me. I figured it was filling the gaps of a lot of unknowns in a lot of different areas, and I went to talk to him afterwards about Dr. Hannun, MUSC and the MSTP.” That conversation was the beginning, and after further research, Russ applied to and interviewed at MUSC. He was

tHe Catalyst, May 18, 2012 9

moussawi Continued from Page Eight supplement income. They also insisted Moussawi spend his time reading.

“It broadened my horizon and understanding. My parents taught me that education is my only way out. That was what made me feel free. My mind was pouring over all these books and novels – just everything, which expanded my perspective and imagination, and eventually forged my identity and helped me decide who I wanted to be.”

One book in particular dramatically affected his life, Sophie’s World, a history of philosophy. He saw how ideas could change humankind, and it began a lifelong fascination for him of how the brain affects the way people think and feel, what motivates them, and even how they perceive beauty. He was drawn to the fields of neuroscience and medicine.

Seeing the impact of the war and the suffering it caused birthed in him a desire to help people, he said.

Attending the American University of Beirut (AUB), he also found he loved research. AUB had established a collaborative relationship with MUSC that allowed him to transfer to MUSC’s Medical Scientist Training Program, a move that was just right for him.

Moussawi said he was fortunate to have

Drs. Khaled Moussawi and Peter Kalivas Kalivas as his mentor while here.

“Peter has been an amazing mentor.

He’s always thinking outside the box.

Every meeting with Peter is a friendly intellectual challenge. He’s always passionate about what he’s saying. He’s one of the world leaders in addiction.

On a personal level, he’s supported me at every stage of my journey. I’ve needed a lot of support as a foreigner. He’s been available to give me the extra push.”

Their research identified cocaineinduced neuroadaptations that happened in animal models in the

Jenkins Continued from Page Eight response to an inflammatory stimulus – signals the cell to release other potent inflammatory molecules, known as chemokines. Chemokines attract other inflammatory cells to sites of inflammation, thus adding fuel to the fire, and over time can make cancer more aggressive and ultimately drive metastases.

“Chronic inflammation is capable of driving many forms of cancer, and it is our hope that inhibitors of aSMase will interrupt the cycle of inflammation that is present in these forms of cancer. If we are successful, aSMase inhibitors may someday serve as novel therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and other inflammatory conditions.”

When discussing his research, Jenkins becomes animated. His interest in medicine started when he was younger. With a father as a judge and a mother as a nurse, pursuing a career in law or medicine seemed logical. With a string of outstanding high school science teachers, Russ decided to further explore his interest in medical science. During his undergraduate studies at the University of Virginia, everything locked in place, he said. He worked for an M.D./Ph.D. faculty member

brain, in particular in the corticostriatal circuits controlling goal-directed behaviors. These brain pathways were being changed.

“Specifically, I found that after prolonged exposure to cocaine, changes in extracellular glutamate levels contribute to changes in synaptic strength and synaptic plasticity in these pathways, which control drug seeking. I also showed that reversing some of these neuroadaptations inhibits relapse to cocaine seeking.”

These findings resulted in a provisional patent and 11 research publications.

“This captivating experience allowed me to directly witness how insight into mental faculties and illnesses could be gathered at the bench side and translated into potential interventions at t h e bedside. This only strengthened my resolve to pursue studies in clinical neuroscience,” he said.

Another experience that brought this home to him happened during a psychiatry rotation where he was at a North Charleston nursing home and met a 95-year-old woman whose parents were from Lebanon. She saw Moussawi, and they shared their stories, her face lighting up as she cried tears of joy.

“If you can increase someone’s survival six months, that’s six months longer they have with their family.”

Dr. Russ Jenkins who specialized in Parkinson’s disease, and was able to conduct research and also shadow his physician-scientist mentor in clinic once a week.

“It seemed like a dream come true. I couldn’t find a better calling or a better job. I knew it was the right thing for me.”

Jenkins, 32, said it has been a long haul getting through the eight-year program. His wife, Courtney, has been incredibly patient, kind and understanding.

Receiving his top choice of residencies, Jenkins will be heading to Boston for internal medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital, a Harvard affiliate hospital, in late June, with hopes to stay in Boston for

Then Moussawi watched as everything went blank, and she could remember nothing, not even meeting him, he said.

“She was losing her identity. She was losing her biography. It was so devastating to be talking to her and then she forgets everything despite the huge emotional reaction she had. Imagine how devastating that is for the family.

That was Alzheimer’s disease in action.”

Moussawi said he feels very privileged for the opportunity to participate in what he sees as an exciting ‘brain era.’

He wants to continue to study the connection between brain pathology and behavioral and cognitive changes, including personality, executive functions and memory.

Despite the medical-scientist training being a long journey, Moussawi said he has loved it all. “I would do it again.”

Moussawi said he enjoys living in America and identifies with the culture and the values of freedom that are embodied here. He likes being in a position where he can give back.

“I’m a dreamer, with big ambitions.

With hard work and a bit of luck, I believe nothing is impossible. At the same time, I try to enjoy my every day.

Life is not necessarily easy, but it is beautiful.”

his Hematology-Oncology fellowship training. Khaled Moussawi, M.D., Ph.D., the other co-recipient of the Distinguished Graduate of the Year, also will be going there. They are thrilled to be together a little longer.

The medical scientist training opens many possible pathways for both of them, he said.

“One of the amazing things about having dual degree training is that we can create the kind of careers we want that include clinical and research work. I enjoy getting to care for patients but also getting to advance the care for those patients.”

One day Jenkins hopes that someone with metastatic cancer won’t feel they’ve necessarily been given a death sentence.

“My goal is to successfully treat or prevent metastatic cancer, something that currently lacks a successful treatment option, where the survival rate is less than 10 percent or 5 percent – to give those people some hope. That’s where I’d like to direct my efforts. If you can increase someone’s survival six months, that’s six months longer they have with their family. But, that’s just the beginning. I’m hoping that my research will set the stage to turn six months into years or longer.”

10 tHe Catalyst, May 18, 2012

Healing Continued from Page One

require that he and his brother turn off the TV and read more. She made them write book reports, even though she couldn’t read them.

“Reading was critical for me. It took me from inner city Detroit to the whole rest of the world.”

The reading would pay off. In fifth grade, Carson recalls his science teacher holding up a rock. He asked if anyone knew what it was. Carson, who never answered questions in class, had gotten interested in geology through his reading and happened to know what it was.

“Everybody was shocked, and I explained how it was formed. Then I was shocked. I said, ‘Wait a minute, I’m the only one who knows the answer and I’m supposed to be the dummy, and the reason I know the answers is because of reading.’ From that point on, I read everything I could get my hands on.”

moving on Within the space of a year and a half, Carson went from the bottom of the class to the top of the class. However, he faced his own inner demons, battling a bad temper that led to him trying to stab

“There’s no reason physicians should not be healers of society, as well as healers of patients.”

Dr. Benjamin Carson another youngster at age 14.

“That was very traumatic for me because I realized my temper was out of control. I was trying to kill someone. I locked myself in the bathroom, and I just started praying. I said, ‘Lord, you got to help me because I just can’t control it.’”

There was a Bible in there, and he picked it up and turned to the book of Proverbs where he found all these verses about anger.

“It seemed there were all written about me. There also were these verses about fools, and it seemed they were written about me, too,” he said.

Carson said he realized that what he had to do was step outside of the circle

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and understand that everything was not about him. He had to learn to look at life from other people’s point of view.

God took away his temper, he said.

“All of that happened during a three hour period. When I walked out of the bathroom, my temper was gone.”

That cleared the way for Carson’s natural talents to bloom, and he was able to pursue his dream of becoming a physician. In 2001, Carson was named

by CNN and TIME Magazine as one of the nation’s 20 foremost physicians and scientists. That same year, he was selected by the Library of Congress as one of 89 “Living Legends” on the occasion of its 200th anniversary.

Carson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2008, which is the highest civilian honor in the land.

Carson’s advice to medical professionals is to resist the tendency to become isolated. He’d like to see doctors become involved more in community affairs.

“We’ve withdrawn into our operating rooms and our clinics,” he said.

“Medicine is tough stuff. You have to stay constantly on top of your game.

Things are always changing and there is a lot of stress involved. If you allow it to, it

can completely consume you.”

People have asked him how he juggles managing a scholar’s fund, sitting on Fortune 500 boards, writing books and still run a practice. “I find that by being able to divert your attention to different things, it keeps you fresh. It keeps you from being burned out.”

Carson, who has been married for more than 30 years to his wife, Candy, said all three of his sons are successful, though none chose medicine. “They all thought I worked too hard,” he said, laughing.

He admits it can be trying to balance it all, but that it’s critical for medical professionals to get their voices heard in the community.

“My big message is that you will have a significant sphere of influence.

Be sure to use it in a positive way to be someone who encourages people rather than someone who tears people down. Be someone who knows how to discuss things with people even when you disagree without becoming mortal enemies. If we can do that, I think as a society we can make progress. There’s no reason physicians should not be healers of society, as well as healers of patients.”

tHe Catalyst, May 18, 2012 11

newesT class Of Md/phds

This marks a banner year for MUSC’s Medical Scientist Training Program, which graduates its largest class of nine students. Dr. Perry Halushka, dean of the College of Graduate Studies, said they all got their first choice of placement for internship/residency, which is a testament to the strength of the class. Pictured are Adnan Al-Ayoubi (MUSC-Surgery), from left, Adrian Sproul (UNC-Anesthesiology & Surgery) Christopher Gault (UPenn-Pathology), Khaled Moussawi (Mass. General-Internal Medicine) DeAnna Baker (Duke-Internal Medicine) Russell Jenkins (Mass General–Internal Medicine) and Thomas Mullen (UWashington-Radiation/Oncology). Not pictured are Ryan Rhome (Mt. Sinai-Radiation/Oncology) and Linda Heffernan-Stroud (Eastern Va. Medical School-Dermatology).

12 tHe Catalyst, May 18, 2012

Students, leaders honored at awards ceremony

By CinDy aBole Public Relations The campus’ most talented student leaders and volunteers shined during an evening filled with praise at the annual MUSC Student Leadership Award and Service Banquet April 11.

Hosted by the Office of Student Programs and MUSC Gives Back, the event recognized individual students and student teams and honored eight inductees into the MUSC Student Leadership Society. Students were selected based on their effectiveness for working with diverse groups, character, integrity, interprofessional characteristics and potential as leaders in their own profession, health care or biomedical research.

Mark S. Sothmann, Ph.D., vice president for academic affairs and provost, reminded students that leadership is not a static but a transitional, non-permanent state, speaking about the ongoing

“As MUSC’s student community is rich with service-minded student leaders, I feel many students deserve to be recognized. I grow prouder each year to be associated with our students as they grow in their leadership, achievements and service activities,” said Sheridan.

The 2012 inductees of MUSC’s Student Leadership Society include Ryan Rhome, College of Graduate Studies; Oday Alsarraf, OphthalmologyMedicine; Janna Cone, College of Health Professions; Margaret Croom, SC College of Pharmacy; Brandon Hagan, College of Dental Medicine; Daniel West, College of Dental Medicine; Ashley McColl, College of Nursing; and Mia V. Taylor, Pathology-Medicine. transformational outcomes related to Community Volunteer Awards. Gives health care reform.

Back director Liz Sheridan continues The leadership awards were presented to respond to student and community

by Darleen Shaw, Ph.D., associate requests for volunteer assistance and provost for education and student life. support throughout the Tri-county.

Also recognized were students In 2011, students contributed more and student organizations for their than 17,000 hours in 109 Lowcountry involvement with the Gives Back partnerships.

Dental Medicine — Psi Omega Dental Fraternity; Individual: Mary Alice Hughes. Graduate Studies — Multicultural Graduate Student Association; Individual: Joe Taylor.

Health Professions — Occupational Therapy Class of 2013; Individual: Melissa Kubinski. Medicine — Women Interested in Surgical Experiences; Individual: Thomas Beckham.

Nursing — Multicultural Student Nurses Association; Individual: Lindsey Palmer. Pharmacy — Kappa Psi Fraternity: Individual: Diane Okpala.

Universitywide Organizations CARES – A free clinic operated by student volunteers to provide health care for people without insurance.

Banov Humanitarian Award The 2012 Dr. Charles H. Banov Humanitarian Award is presented to Gino “Gini” Ikwuezunma, center, a College of Medicine (COM), Class of 2013 student and Masters in Clinical Research program candidate. Banov joins Wanda Taylor, COM admissions director as one of two faculty who nominated Ikwuezunma.

Medical center announces meetings The medical center will host meetings on the following days: May 18: 10 a.m., Ashley River Tower (ART); May 21: 10 a.m., ART; May 22: 9 a.m., Storm Eye Institute Auditorium; May 24: 10 a.m., 2 West Amphitheater; May 29: 7:30 a.m., ART, and 10 a.m., 2 West Amphitheater.

The Catalyst, May 18, 2012 13

Dental Continued from Page Seven

CM02-724378

examples of what every dentist strives to be.”

Wanting to remain in Charleston, the Heads signed on as associates with the new DentalSmart Dental Care Center in James Island, a new dental practice management concept that provides centralized dental care services under one roof. The franchise practice, which is owned by a local dentist, partners with a team of certified dentists to provide the best oral health care services using the latest dental technologies and preventive techniques to their patients. For the Heads, the associateship provides a stable schedule, continuing education and learning, steady salary and a chance to pay down their dental student loan debts. More importantly, they’ll learn the business as someday the couple would like to open their own practice in the Charleston area.

“We saw this as a great opportunity to help get us to a better place in our career and lives. With both of us being students, we were concerned about the mounting student debt load that we’re carrying. With DentalSmart, we’ll be trained to manage patients and perform some administrative activities, but primarily we’ll provide clinical care for patients without the worry and pressure of handling a startup dental practice,” Juliana said.

Tariq Javed, DMD, associate dean for academic and student affairs, College of Dental Medicine, worked

Juliana couldn’t have made it without: q Nathen q Family’s support q Sister, Gracie, and brother-in-law, Layton Powers, who cared for son, Reiland q Maria’s Mexican Restaurant on John’s Island q Diet Coke Nathen couldn’t have made it without: q Juliana q My parents and in-laws q Eccentric Movement (CDM Class of 2012’s student band with Tyler Caruso, Adam Gordon, Mallory Northcutt, Ben Dreschler and Paul Goforth), Nathen played drums q James Island Christian Church q Charleston’s beaches and outdoors with the couple throughout dental school.

“Both have demonstrated themselves as excellent clinical dentists. What’s impressed me most is how they have encouraged each other. They’ve reorganized their lives, their family priorities around a demanding dental education and curriculum and have come out of it with special experiences that have made them the individuals they are today. It’s a wonderful job and achievement that they’ve accomplished,” said Javed.

SCTR town hall meeting to cover funding, renewal The South Carolina Clinical and Translational Research (SCTR) Institute will host a town hall meeting from 4 – 5 p.m., May 24 in Room 110, Bioengineering Building.

The agenda for the meeting includes a presentation of Wins from the first three grant years, an update on the new Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, information on how to access more than $1 million in pilot project funding and a presentation of results from the survey on future directions for the competing renewal. To respond to the survey, visit https:// redcap.musc.edu/surveys/?s=hLsFA2.

The meeting will conclude with a demonstration of the new Services, Pricing, and Applications for Research Center (SPARC) system. SPARC is an research service and resource request and pricing system. Phase 1 of the system was rolled out March 1 with SCTR services and two core facilities. Research services from other providers including laboratory, radiology, investigational drug pharmacy, and technical and professional services will be added incrementally in the near future. To access the system, go online to sparc.musc.edu. For further information, call 792-8300.

14 tHe Catalyst, May 18, 2012

Continued training, patience is key to Epic’s success After years of counting down to implementation, MUSC’s outpatient ambulatory Epic electronic medical record system went live in clinics across campus as well as in Carolina Family Care and other offsite clinics May 17.

The MUSC Epic leadership team concedes this transition is no easy task for anyone involved. In fact if it follows the path of similar implementations at peer institutions, it will take years of continuous optimization to take full advantage of this powerful tool.

That said, the team reminds clinics experiencing the anticipated growing pains that the new system will ultimately prove to support MUSC’s commitment to changing what’s possible in health care.

The team’s most relevant advice for go-live clinics right now? Be patient while working through the learning curve and know that there is a support team working in clinics and behind

the scenes to get issues resolved as quickly as possible.

The MUSC Epic leadership team also recommends users contine rigorous chart abstraction and further refine clinic workflow. Important information will be posted and regularly updated at http://epic.musc. edu (select ‘Go-Live Information’).

Daily half-hour conference calls between the MUSC Epic leadership team and go-live clinics are designed to provide status updates to end-users and to give clinics an opportunity to communicate key issues of the day directly to the team.

Approximately 55 MUSC Epic technical support staff are stationed in the Epic Command Center. Initial hours of operation for the center are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. The center will operate for at least two to three weeks after May 17.

For information, call 792-3742.

Dream Continued from Page Three

Students take advanced level science courses at the College of Charleston, receive supplemental instruction and complete other requirements.

“I knew this program would give me the right tools to improve my MCAT [Medical College Admissions Test] scores and be a stronger candidate to gain admission. I later realized that that program was exactly what I needed.”

When COM Senior Associate Dean for Diversity and Associate Dean for Admissions Deborah Deas, M.D., first met Jacobs, she was impressed with her tenacity and intense desire to study medicine.

“Although Nekaiya met many of the requirements to enter medical school, she still needed a pathway to help her succeed and she found that through PREP. We’re really proud of the success stories and students who’ve achieved much through this program. My hope is to someday recruit Nekaiya back to MUSC. She’s a teacher at heart.”

Starting in summer 2008, Jacobs was able to easily transition into

medical school’s fast-paced and rigorous curriculum. She did so well in gross anatomy class that she was asked to be a supplemental instructor to help her peers.

Throughout her clinical years, Jacobs excelled and relished learning through her student-patient interactions and collaborations with faculty and instructors. She felt the medical school’s curriculum prepared her for the clinical experiences and passing the medical board exams. The COM’s class of 2012 is the last class to matriculate under the school’s traditional curriculum.

An accomplished dancer, Jacobs also has found balance serving others and making a difference in the community.

She led the college’s Students Interested in Pediatrics group, participated in outreach work with the MUSC Cares Clinic, the Junior Doctors of Health program and a medical mission trip to Uganda in 2009.

“I feel so blessed to have the life that I’ve had and celebrate where I am right now. I wouldn’t trade my medical school experience with anything. I’m living my dream.”

The Catalyst, May 18, 2012 15

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