MUSC Catalyst 6-21-2013

June 21, 2013

MEDICAL UNIVERSITY of SOUTH CAROLINA

Vol. 31, No. 43

Inside Brainiacs: Camps offered all summer Hurricane SeaSon

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The AshleyRutledge parking garage may be utilized as an emergency pet care center during a storm. cigareTTe

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addicTion

A study, published

by MUSC researchers, looks at the signaling in the brain that causes relapse.

5 Meet Kathryn 7 Strategic plan 10 Applause T H e c aTa ly S T online http://www. musc.edu/ catalyst

By Ashley BArker Public Relations

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hildren interested in science spent part of their summer looking at tissue slices, hair cells and bugs under microscopes, touching a human brain used for research and performing their own experiments.

They’re participants in the 16th year of Kids’ College at Trident Technical College, which offers 104 summer camps ranging from topics on culinary arts, video-game design and mobile application programming to SAT prep help, forensics knowledge and 21st century life skills.

Three of the camps are taught by fifth-year MUSC student Natasha New, who is pursuing a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences with a concentration in neuroscience.

She taught Biology Brainiacs, June 10 – 14, and will lead the Biomedical Imaging Technology and Neuropalooza camps in July Biology Brainiac campers, ages 8 to 11, examined brains and a spinal cord supplied by MUSC. and August.

“Seeing kids get excited about science is really awesome to me,” New said. “High-school-aged kids don’t really get too excited about school. I know I didn’t when I was that age. So to see them voluntarily come to a camp about something they’re interested in and wanting to learn about it is really cool.”

In Biology Brainiacs, New presented a human brain to the campers, ages 8 to 11, and went over the body systems.

Left, fifth-year MUSC student Natasha New “When my mom told me we were showed the students at Trident Technical going to look at brains, that made College’s Kids’ College a human brain that is me want to do the camp,” said Ian used for research.

Above, students who atSalters, a 9-year-old Porter-Gaud tended the Biology Brainiacs camp, June 10-14, School student. He and 10 other were allowed to touch human brains and a campers took a just-for-fun memory spinal cord on the final day.

See Brain on page 10

2 The CATAlysT, June 21, 2013

Study: Sunlight tied to lower blood pressure

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xposing skin to sunlight may help reduce blood pressure, cut the risk of heart attack and stroke, and even prolong life, according to a small study out of the University of Edinburgh.

Researchers studied the blood pressure of 24 volunteers who sat beneath tanning lamps for two sessions of 20 minutes each. In one session, the volunteers were exposed to both ultraviolet rays and the heat of the lamps. In the other, the UV rays were blocked so that only the heat of the lamps affected the skin.

The results showed that blood pressure dropped significantly for one hour following exposure to UV rays but not after the heat-only sessions. UV light exposure may lead to the production of nitric oxide, a compound that lowers blood pressure, the researchers said.

While vitamin D has been thought of as the primary health benefit of the sun,

the researchers found volunteers' vitamin D levels were not affected during both test sessions.

The researchers concluded that since heart disease and stroke kill 80 times more people than skin cancer in the U.K., where the study took place, the blood pressure benefits from sunlight outweigh the risks for skin cancer.

Critics point to the lack of sustained blood pressure reduction and recommend following evidence-based methods such as those suggested by the American Heart Association: Taking prescription medications to lower blood pressure, eating a healthy diet, reducing salt intake, avoiding obesity, not smoking and limiting alcohol use. There is also a more skin-friendly way to reduce those numbers: eating foods that are rich in polyphenol, such as dark chocolate and tea.

Women’s Club accepting nominations for scholarships The Medical University Women’s Club is accepting applications for scholarship recipients. All full-time MUSC students in their second or subsequent years from any of the six colleges are eligible. Previous applicants may also apply.

Applications may be downloaded from http://academicdepartments. musc.edu/womensclub/scholarship.

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

843-792-4107 Fax: 843-792-6723

htm. The deadline for submission is 4 p.m., Aug. 27. Applications may be submitted via email to muwcscholarship@gmail.com or dropped off at the Volunteer Services Office, 101 North Tower (behind admissions desk).

For information on the scholarships, email Tiffany Talacs at muwcscholarship@gmail.com.

EmployEE WEllnEss The Employee Wellness program promotes the health and wellness of the MUSC community.

The following are events and classes offered through the program.

For information, contact Susan Johnson, Ph.D., at johnsusa@musc.edu, Susan Johnson or Suzan Benenson Whelan, at whela@musc.edu. Events, speakers, classes, or any other ideas are welcome. Be sure to like the Employee Wellness page on Facebook to keep up with events.

Health at work

Employee Wellness events q Farmers markets: Fresh fruits and vegetables are available from local farmers on Friday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Horseshoe. q Blood drives: Donors are needed from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., June 21 at Ashley River Tower’s first-floor auditorium and June 26 at the Horseshoe. Schedule your donation online at redcrossblood.org (sponsor code: MUSC). All presenting donors will receive a free cup of frozen yogurt courtesy of Sweet CeCe’s Charleston and

be entered into a drawing for $25 for the cafeteria courtesy of Sodexo. q MUSC Healthy Challenge Tuesdays with the RiverDogs: Tuesday night games will now be geared toward living and promoting a healthy lifestyle featuring sponsorships with the MUSC Wellness Center, Healthy Charleston Challenge and MUSC Urban Farm.

Healthy concession options are available throughout the season and feature the veggie taco, which is made from crops grown on the MUSC Urban Farm.

Special discounted tickets to all Tuesday games throughout the season are available at http://cr1.glitnirticketing. com/crticket/web/gpcaptcha.php. When prompted, enter the group password: “healthy.” Tickets must be purchased by noon the day of the game. Gates open at 6 p.m., and the game time is 7:05 p.m.

MUSC Urban Farm q Early-bird maintenance: Get your day started with a little tender loving care for the farm from 7:30 until 8:30 a.m., June 26. q Work and Learn with child-friendly activities: From 9 until 11 a.m., July 6, bring a plastic bag and take home some fresh produce in return for work efforts on the farm or help gather for donations on certain days. Wear closed-toe shoes.

STudenTS vow To TreaT wiTH compaSSion

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.

Editor: Kim Draughn catalyst@musc.edu Catalyst staff: Cindy Abole, aboleca@musc.edu Ashley Barker, barkera@musc.edu

Class of 2015 dental students recite the Dentist’s Pledge after receiving their white coats. The coats mark their transition from classroom studies to clinical care.

The CATAlysT, June 21, 2013 3

MUSC Hero: Nurturing leader goes extra mile

By Cindy ABole Public Relations There’s something to be said of a person who consistently embraces and honors others with the same level of care, respect and compassion as with all living creatures.

Showing kindness to animals and an empathy for people is a connection that is especially natural for Health Information Services director Sue Pletcher, R.N. For 18 years, Pletcher’s coworkers and employees experienced that first hand, initially as she served as a nurse manager in critical care and emergency services and later as a leader and manager in Patient Access Services, now Health Information Services.

On June 12, Pletcher retired from MUSC with more than 30-plus years in critical care nursing and health information services management. Looking ahead, she plans to devote more of her time supporting the loved ones in her life — her pets, family and people in need within her community.

A Pennsylvania native, Pletcher received her nursing degree from Harrisburg Polyclinic Hospital School of Nursing. Later she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business management and public administration from Penn State University before

Sue Pletcher, who retired June 12, managed MUSC’s first emergency pet care center. working as a critical care manager and medical transport services manager at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. She moved to Charleston in

1995.

In MUSC’s hospital circles, she’s known as an employee’s manager – leading by example, recognizing staff members for their talents and experiences, and encouraging her employees in various goals.

Clinical Documentation Integrity & Abstraction manager Phyllis J. “PJ” Floyd, R.N., has worked with Pletcher for the past year after relocating from Florida.

Floyd came to admire her director’s leadership style, work ethic, mentorship and sense of humor.

“Leadership is definitely one of Sue’s strengths,” said Floyd. “She has the ability to see the strengths and talents in others and find a way to project those talents so that they strengthen the entire team.”

Maureen McDaniel, former Health Informational Services manager who now works part-time in the department, has worked side by side with Pletcher, witnessing and participating in much of the changes in their health information services area and subsequent transition from paper files to electronic medical records.

“Sue’s a natural leader and loves guiding staff and building teams through so much change. She genuinely cares for her staff and managers,” she said.

Lisa P. Montgomery, vice president for finance and administration, can’t praise Pletcher enough for her

See Leader on page 9

4 The CATAlysT, June 21, 2013

Emergency pet care offered during hurricane season

By MoniCA FABunAn Public Relations

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or 2013, scientists have warned that the Atlantic hurricane season may have between seven and 11 named storms. With the season in its first month, employees wanting to utilize an emergency pet care center on campus need to make preparations.

An emergency pet care center is offered to MUSC employees who are on Team A during a weather emergency. Team A employees are required to stay at the hospital during a weather emergency and maintain the specific functions of their department.

Avid animal lover Sue Pletcher, R.N, the director of Health Information Services, said that the idea of an emergency pet care center on campus resulted from fulfilling an unknown need.

“I was working as a nurse and director of Critical Care Services at the time, and there were tropical storm warnings and hurricane warnings. Then, we went through our usual preparation procedures for a weather emergency and got a call from Paul Moss, the head of hospital security, who told me there was a dog in the ICU, in the surgical intensive unit,” said Pletcher. A traveling nurse had brought her family’s dog to the hospital to ensure its safety during the rough weather.

After this unexpected call, Pletcher started thinking about the hassle it took to ensure her pets’ safety and how difficult it must be to find a safe place for pets if the owner is at work and prohibited to leave during the storm. The next year, Pletcher pitched the idea of a pet care center to the administration and gained support.

After the idea was approved by her department head and the chief executive officer, Pletcher found space away from the hospital to finally launch the emergency pet care center.

EPCC will be located on the second floor of the Ashley-Rutledge parking garage in the event of an emergency, and employees will be able to drop off their pets. Due to limited space, there is a maximum of three pets per employee allowed in the center. EPCC can only handle 60 cats and dogs; therefore, reservations will be on a first-come, first-served basis with a $10 fee per pet.

EPCC will only accept cats and dogs with updated vaccinations. These include: Dogs: Rabies; DHLPPC/C and ITT (Bordetella): must be given five days prior to boarding the animal to be effective.

Cats: Rabies; FVRCP and Feline Leukemia Animals are not allowed in the hospital work area or any private offices located throughout the hospital or university buildings. If the pet care center is full, animals will have to be transported to other locations off campus.

Pet owners will have to provide a two-week supply

To utilize the emergency pet care center on campus, employees must bring a three-day supply of food for their pet and provide proof that vaccinations are up to date. of any medications the pet may need as well as a crate labeled with the owner’s and pet’s name, a telephone number and the veterinarian’s name. Also, animals should have a collar with an identification tag, leash, bowls, water and a three-day supply of food.

If a pet isn’t accustomed to being around other animals, consider bringing a blanket to cover the crate or speak to a veterinarian about possible sedation.

Retiring after 18 years of service on June 12, Pletcher has handed over the EPCC leash to Clinical Documentation Integrity & Abstraction manager Phyllis J. “PJ” Floyd, R.N. For more information about EPCC, visit http://tinyurl.com/ mjrorho or contact Floyd at floyp@musc.edu.

PJ Floyd, left, and Sue Pletcher tour the emergency pet care center, located on the second floor of the Ashley-Rutledge parking garage.

While at the center, volunteers supervise the animals and allow them play time outside of their crates.

The CATAlysT, June 21, 2013 5

mEET KATHryn

Kathryn Roberts Department MUSC Physicians Corporate, Operations How you are changing what’s possible at MUSC I am a part of the outreach ambulatory operations team, which is motivated and committed to creating the best experience for our patients, providers and staff.

How long at MUSC In July, it will be a year. I attended graduate school at MUSC to obtain my Master of Health Administration from 2010-2012.

The best thing about living in Charleston I am fortunate to get to live with my older sister. She enjoys what I love about Charleston: The food, beach and shopping!

Meal you love to cook Taco Tuesday. It consists of taco salad with fresh ingredients paired with homemade guacamole, chips and salsa.

Favorite summer activity Sitting and chatting on the dock with my family in Pawleys Island in the late afternoon or early evening.

Favorite quote “Keep your nose to the grindstone, keep a well-organized notebook and don’t take any wooden nickels.” My dad would say this to my siblings and me every morning before school.

6 The CATAlysT, June 21, 2013

Lab uncovering clues to relapse, addiction By dAWn BrAzell Public Relations

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mokers who’ve tried to kick the habit and failed, take heart.

A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences by MUSC researchers casts light on the brain biology of nicotine relapse that can fundamentally shift how cigarette addiction is treated, said Peter Kalivas, Ph.D., professor and co-chair in the Department of Neurosciences.

The two-year study evolved as researchers in his lab shifted their focus to look at addiction as a compulsive, relapsing disorder, studying what’s happening in the signaling in the brain that causes relapse, he said.

An addiction researcher, Kalivas said the field traditionally has relied on replacement therapies to treat drug dependent patients, such as giving methodone for heroin and varenicline (trademarked Chantix) for smoking cessation.

“That’s the state of the art right now in the treatment of addiction. The experiments in this report point out new avenues to treat the impaired ability to regulate a maladaptive habit, drug use in the case of smoking.

WATCh If these avenues become a focus relATed Videos of pharmaceutical development, http://youtu.be/ it’s a very different focus than cUnUm3Eh9wQ we’ve had to date. We may be dealing with the pathology that is mediating this behavior regardless of whether the maladaptive behavior is associated with drugs, eating or gambling. It’s potentially a whole new way of looking at drug development for treating addiction.”

Kalivas and Cassandra Gipson, Ph.D., lead author on the study, said they were surprised by the study’s results.

Researchers in Kalivas’ lab study the neuroplasticity underlying the development of addiction to drugs of abuse. They had hoped that the signaling pathologies found in the brain in previous cocaine and heroin studies might also play out for nicotine, but they didn’t expect the findings to be so close.

The idea behind the study was this: People know addictive drug use leads to negative consequences, ranging from difficulty coping with family and job issues to serious health problems, yet many still cannot control their habitual, drug-seeking behavior, he said.

There’s a disconnect in the regulation of brain circuits between the decision-making frontal cortex and the nucleus accumbens, the portal by which the frontal cortex can regulate habit circuitry. Gipson said they decided to measure signaling between these areas while nicotine- addicted animals were in the process of relapsing.

“While the animal is relapsing, we can measure

Above, Dr. Peter Kalivas (left) with research associates Dr. Cassandra Gipson, lead author on the study, and Dr. Yoni Kupchik.

Above is an electrophysiology ‘rig’ used to study brain tissue. things like an increase in glutamate, which is a neurotransmitter,” Gipson said. “By presenting the nicotine-addicted rat with cues that it associates with nicotine delivery, we induced a release of glutamate that causes relapse and a rapid, transient change in the structure and function of accumbens neurons that is correlated with the intensity of relapse.”

Kalivas said the study shows an expansion in the receptive area in the brain during this relapse period with it becoming much more sensitive to the glutamate.

The researchers went on to show that when they used a compound to block glutamate receptors, or a

compound to prevent the large release of glutamate, the rats were no longer motivated to seek nicotine, even when given the sound and light cues that signaled nicotine availability.

“In this study, we were able to prevent this increased sensitivity of the nucleus accumbens by pretreating the animal with a drug, and it blocked the whole thing,” Kalivas said. “The animal didn’t relapse and show this big expansion in synaptic strength.”

The team now is working with Kevin Gray, M.D., an MUSC colleague in psychiatry on a pilot clinical trial to test one of these compounds, N-acetylcysteine, in cigarette smokers. Gipson said they will use N-acetylcysteine in combination with varenicline to treat smoking relapse, hoping for an additive effect that will prove to be a more effective way to stop smoking.

Gipson said she loves how rapidly their work is being translated to potentially help patients. “It’s exciting to have a finding like this. You cross your fingers, and you graph it, and you hope. Everyone knows someone who smokes. It’s a difficult habit to kick, and the relapse rates are ridiculously high. It’s a huge personal and societal health care problem that may be diminished if our ideas are correct,” she said.

Kalivas said varenicline acts to suppress nicotine

See Addiction on page 9

The CATAlysT, June 21, 2013 7

By 2015, MUSC Health strives to be among top-25 academic medical centers 7 Driving Strategies Integration: Continue to build upon the strength of the health system to better serve the MUSC Health community Brand Awareness: Enhance MUSC’s name regionally and nationally Access: Improve and simplify patient access to the MUSC Health community Growth: Expand services in South Carolina Partnerships: Partner with health care providers across the state to ensure that patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time Infrastructure: Building the infrastructure (human and financial) to advance science and discovery toward evidence-based practice, innovative solutions and the education of future leaders Information Technology: Connect in “real time” with patients, referring physicians and hospitals through advancing MUSC’s information technology capabilities

MUSC Health Goals As MUSC pursues its health strategic intent to be among the top-25 academic medical centers for reputation, quality, service, efficiency and financial performance by 2015, it is critical for all employees to understand how their efforts align with the plan.

Therefore, the Clinical Leadership Council, along with representatives from the College of Medicine, medical center and MUSC Physicians, has developed enterprise goals for fiscal year 2014. These goals will provide stronger integration and collaboration throughout MUSC Health. Like the plan, these goals are laserfocused on continuing to deliver the best in comprehensive and innovative care to MUSC patients. Below are the fiscal year 2014 goals.

For more information, email clinstrategic@musc.edu or visit the MUSC Health Strategic Plan website at http://www.muschealth.com/strategic-plan.

8 The CATAlysT, June 21, 2013

Heart doctor’s extra effort saves patient’s eye

By Allyson Bird Office of Development and Alumni Affairs

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t 97 years old, Jeff Lewis still mows his own lawn and spends his weekends cutting wood.

When he goes to see his cardiologist at MUSC, Lewis likes to tell Michael Gold, M.D., about his motorcycle.

Lewis outlived his pacemaker, and Gold installed a new one in May 2012 without any complications.

But the retired steel mill worker from Conway faced a bigger problem.

He had developed basal cell carcinoma, a slowgrowing form of skin cancer, in his right eye a year earlier. In the months leading up to his heart surgery, the cancer began to grow so aggressively that Lewis’ eyelid permanently closed, and the growth began to bleed.

Lewis and his wife, Frances, went to see his ophthalmologists and received upsetting news: The doctors wanted to remove the eye. “I cannot tell you how stressful that was,” she said. “If you’re 97 years old, you don’t want to hear that.”

The couple discussed prosthetics and eye patches, and they scheduled Lewis’ pacemaker surgery in the meantime. Gold visited with Frances while her husband recovered from the procedure, and she told him about the eye surgery planned for a few days later.

Gold offered to help the couple get a second opinion. Within a matter of minutes, a nurse had arranged for Lewis to see an MUSC ophthalmologist.

The ophthalmologist told Lewis he wanted to try radiation therapy before any surgery and referred him to Carolina Regional Cancer Center in Myrtle Beach.

Lewis’ eye opened after the first round of radiation, but doctors worried that the cancer pushing against Lewis’ optic nerve could cost him his vision as the treatment continued.

Lewis and his wife again discussed the possibilities.

They made a list of priorities: First, save Lewis’ life.

Second, save his eye. Then, if possible, save his vision.

After eight rounds of radiation, doctors called Lewis a miracle. He can see perfectly.

Lewis and his wife traced their success story back to the phone call from Gold.

“Here’s a heart doctor who took a look,” she said.

“He took that little minute to walk back through that door, and he saved Lewis’ eye.”

make a donaTion Employees and staff may make a donation to the Cardiology Education Fund by visiting http:// academicdepartments.musc.edu/development.

Click on “Online donation,” scroll down to “Other” and type in Cardiology Education Fund.

Jeff Lewis, a 97-year-old retired steel mill worker from Conway, enjoys working in his yard.

“Sometimes you have to go the extra step. Imagine if this is your father, grandfather or greatgrandfather.”

Dr. Michael Gold Gold said he looks forward to his annual visit from Lewis. Gold worried about how eye surgery would change Lewis’ life and wondered if it could be avoided.

“Sometimes you have to go the extra step,” Gold said. “Imagine if this is your father, grandfather or great-grandfather. We needed to allow him to continue leading his remarkable life as a 97-year-old.”

Jeff and Frances Lewis recently donated to MUSC’s Cardiology Education Fund in Gold’s honor. He also included a note.

“You are a great heart doctor,” he wrote. “But you saved my eye!”

The CATAlysT, June 21, 2013 9

Quality patient care isn't one size fits all

I

Food insecure diets may be comprised t wasn’t very long into my dietetic of cheap high-calorie, high-fat meals or internship before I realized that not snacks found at gas stations or fastall of our patients’ nutrition problems food restaurants. Transportation to the can be solved by dietetic intervention. grocery store or farmers’ Often patients face health market can be a luxury. problems that cannot be While discussing a renal fixed within the confines of diet with a patient recently, a hospital.

I was quick to label him in The foods, supplements my mind as non-compliant or medications that when he rattled off all health care professionals of the foods that he ate recommend aren’t regularly. After a bit more always easy to come by Melissa Macher questioning, he explained or affordable. One in Dietetic Intern that he is sometimes left six Americans will face with whatever he can get food insecurity, according from the food bank. Some of my typical to Feeding America, a non-profit recommendations were not feasible organization dedicated to fighting in his case. He may have been nonhunger. Eighteen percent of South compliant, but it wasn’t always by choice.

Carolinians fall into that category. The It’s difficult to pause and remember percentage is even higher for children that not all of our patients are on a level in South Carolina, which rises to 28 playing field, especially with the weight percent.

One problem health care practitioners of deadlines and agendas. Some health face is that it’s not always easy to identify problems can’t always be remedied in a hospital, but we can be more useful and the patients who face such problems. effective if we take some extra time to get Many of those who are food insecure the whole picture. lack the access to an adequate diet.

Nutrition matters

leAder Continued from Page Three leadership and dedication.

“Sue’s what I would call a ‘nurturing leader’ as she genuinely cares about her staff and goes the extra mile for them to celebrate their birthdays, holidays and other special occasions.”

An animal lover (she owns both dogs and cats), Pletcher was the original “pet keeper” as she was known around the medical center. In 1999, she organized and established a volunteerrun emergency pet care center to support working employees with pets during severe weather.

Pletcher cares equally about the quality of care shown to patients and their families When Patient Financial Services manager Cheryl McWilliams joined her mother in Washington D.C. for President Barack Obama’s first inauguration in January 2009, McWilliams fell while crossing the street and was severely injured.

She worried that she would have to remain in Maryland for an indefinite time as part of her recovery. A friend shared McWilliams’ news with Pletcher, who

coordinated her medical care and return back to Charleston.

“Sue’s advocacy on my behalf was amazing. I hope she never loses the desire to help those in need. She’s such a blessing to me and others,” said McWilliams.

Editor’s note: At MUSC, heroes abound. They exist in the form of caregivers, faculty, students and staff. MUSC Heroes is a feature that offers employees and students a chance to recognize MUSC’s everyday heroes. Send an e-mail about your MUSC hero to catalyst@musc.edu.

AddiCTion Continued from Page Six

cravings, whereas the compound in their study targets the more fundamental neural circuitry that his team thinks underlies the basic pathology of the addiction.

“By fixing the neuropathology as well as suppressing craving, the combination of drugs might help turn the key and be a useful combination in treating cigarette addiction and possibly other addictions, as well.”

Pushing the lab’s research beyond illegal drugs into the realm of other addictive substances, such as nicotine, serves as an economic incentive to pharmaceutical companies potentially attracted by the larger population that could be served by drug development in this area, Kalivas said.

“Pharmaceutical companies are interested in finding drugs to treat nicotine and alcohol addictions, and obesity as well, since there can be a compulsive component to why some people gain weight,” he said, citing research in his lab exploring if there are similar disorders in brain signaling

in obesity-prone animals, as has been found after cocaine, heroin and nicotine use.

“It worked for nicotine to our surprise, so we’re betting that the obese-prone animals will show similar cue-induced changes in cortical regulation of habit circuitry, whereas the obese-resistant animals will not.”

At any rate, it gets Kalivas one step closer to his dream as a scientist and researcher.

“I’d love it if our research generated effective drugs for treating addiction.

That would be the ultimate. If we can target the maladaptive brain physiology underlying addiction, it’s just a matter of time before pharmaceutical agents are developed that can help lessen or even reverse the effects.”

Links to the abstract paper “Reinstatement of nicotine seeking is mediated by glutamatergic plasticity” and the PNAS first look blog at the brain biology of nicotine can be found on MUSC’s News Center at http:// academicdepartments.musc.edu/pr/ newscenter/2013/kalivas.html.

10 The CATAlysT, June 21, 2013

ApplAusE progrAm The following employees received recognition through the Applause Program for going the extra mile: Medical Center Dawn Salem, 6W; Sally Key, 6W; Catherine Watson, 6W; Georona Gadsden, Emergency Department; Darian Epps, 6W; Brandon Gates, 6W; Lisa Bates, 6W; Dorothy Weiss, 6W; Joseph Jenrette, Radiation Oncology; Megann Helton-Rieter, Residents OB/GYN; Edward Kosnik, Pediatric Neurosurgery; Lisa Cordes, HCC Retail Pharmacy; Philip Egloff, HCC Retail Pharmacy; Karen Shanshala, Meduflex; Norah Scott, Therapeutic Services; Roberta Lockwood, Women’s Services; Julie Hanover, Case Management; Shatora Williams, GI Clinic; Chris Harmon, 5E; Karen Goff, Volunteer & Guest Services; Lawanda Anderson, Revenue Cycle; Betty Chandler, 6W; Shevella Brisco, 6W; Estelle Asby, PAS; Jennie Asaro, Meduflex; Sandra Barnett, Emergency Department; Anna Hinzman, 6E; Heather Criddle, Women & Infant Services; Jaime Maskill, Meduflex; Mary Shaw, Public Health Sciences; Kenneth Ford, Engineering & Facilities; Jessica Edwards, PeriAnesthesia Unit; Virginia Wright, Radiology; Terika Green, 8E; Shelkecia Lessington, 8E; Marvena Hughes, Environmental Services; Leigh Anne Irwin, 6E; Chris Early, Children’s Services; Kara Bradley, Meduflex; Tammy Miller, Radiology; Leondra Green-Marshall, Call Center; Saurabh Chhabra, Hematology/Oncology; Marilyn Peterson, PAS; Cynthia Brown, 6E; Josiah Brown, Radiology; Dawn Salem, 6W; Anita Deveaux, Medical Records; Cecilia Gillens, 6E; Dedra Bennett, Family Medicine Lab; Woody Atkinson, Respiratory Therapy; Mary Scarborough, Respiratory Therapy; Martha Gomez, Pediatrics; Chris Chambers, Residents Oral Surgery; Jeanette Parker, Therapeutic & Professional Support Services; Shania Broughton, 2JRU; Shawn Ellis, Facilities; Jazzy Gilmore, Facilities; Elysa Nessenzia, 2 JRU; Ashleigh Millen, 10W; Susan Johnson, 6E; Ryan

Kellogg, Residents Neurosurgery; Charity Hollar, Epilepsy Center; Monica Rivers, Dietetic Services; Clarissa Dwight, Dietetic Services; Sharon Dupree-Capers, Revenue Cycle Operations; Ericka Gray, Revenue Cycle Operations; Barry Green, Radiology; Ebony Lampkin, Meduflex Team; Tolanda Henderson, 8W; Kayla Heyward, Meduflex Team; Diana Williams, Dietetic Services; Skylar Sharper, 8E; Kristine Richards, 8E; April Martinez, Newborn Special Care Nursery; Tom Martin, Volunteer & Guest Services; Juanita Butler, 7B; Kelly Pelletier, 5W; Bree Scales, Meduflex Team; Brooke Kiser, 7W; Patty Brakefield, Meduflex Team; Melvena Nelson, Environmental Services; Jeanne Harrison, PACU; Albertha Williams, MedSurg Registration; Vanessa Stewart, Volunteer & Guest Services; Daniel Williams, Patient Transportation; Romica Stephens, Laboratory Services; Kate Miccichi, Revenue Cycle; Ashley Hamilton, Laboratory Services; Sandy Olsen, OR; Lisa Klasek, 8E; Avita Wade, 8E; Tiffany Fishburne, 8E; Carol Johnson, Meduflex; Ana Rosa Virella, Women’s Services; Margarette Simmons, Environmental Services; Melissa Hulsey, DDSL; Monica Mallory, Med/Surg ICU; Faye Parker, Volunteer & Guest Services; Megan Artz, 4E; Cherita McNeil, HCC Clinics; Charlene Pruitt, Radiology; Gail Simmons, Environmental Services; Melissa Justice, HCC Clinics; Shonta Smith, HCC Clinics; Emily Pond, Children’s Services; Jeanne Bonadonna, Therapeutic & Professional Support Services; Karen Drozd, Women & Infant Services; and Courtenay Barfield, NNICU. University Donald Barnes, Transportation; Lester Dempsey, Engineering & Facilities; Michelle Drake, College of Dental Medicine/Pediatric Dentistry; Monica Eberhardt, College of Dental Medicine/Pediatric Dentistry; Marketha Green, Ophthalmology; and Allison Shokes, College of Pharmacy/Drug Discovery.

BrAin Continued from Page One test, discussed the differences between human and gorilla brains, and learned about the body’s fight or flight response during a stressful event.

“For the younger kids, I just want to get them interested in science. It’s kind of a mini-anatomy class,” New said.

Biomedical Imaging Technology and Neuropalooza are more advanced camps designed for youth between 12 and 16 years old.

New, who earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from the College of Charleston in 2008, designed the Biomedical Imaging Technology camp

for children who are interested in the physics behind the different imaging techniques.

The new course will be offered twice – July 8-12 at Trident’s Mount Pleasant campus and July 15-19 at Trident’s main campus in North Charleston.

New will teach the basics of wave optics, nanotechnology, nuclear chemistry and light spectroscopy in order to explain how a microscope works, how a camera bends light and how a person can use magnets to create a picture.

“It’s geared towards the science behind all of the pretty pictures that we see in

the newspaper,” New said.

In Neuropalooza, campers will learn about Alzheimer’s and other brain diseases, how exercise is good for the brain and the influence of drugs on the brain.

Students who have an interest in psychology, human behavior or neurobiology are encouraged to attend this camp, which will be held July 29 through Aug. 2 at the main campus.

For more information about the Kids’ College summer camps at Trident Technical College, visit www.tridenttech. edu/ce.htm. To register, call 574-6152.

Porter-Gaud School student Ian Salters, 9, holds a spinal cord.

The CATAlysT, June 21, 2013 11

Misc. Services

Rental Properties

B & V Covers Ulphostery, slipcovers, curtains, cushions, alterations, etc. FREE ESTIMATE Vicky/Martha 814-1727 or 553-4900 bvcovers@gmail.com

W.Ashley 3BR/1.5BA house w/ screened porch, big deck. Avail 8/1, $1150/mo 843-513-3749

12 The CATAlysT, June 21, 2013

SAVE THE DATE FACULTY CONVOCATION KEYNOTE ADDRESS: ROBERT M. SADE, M.D.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013 • 4:30 pm Drug Discovery Auditorium • DD110

THe maralynne d. miTcHam inaugural lecTureSHip 10:15 a.m. to 12 p.m., Friday, July 19 MUSC IOP Auditorium Speaker: Michael Iwama, Ph.D., OT (c) Professor and Chair, Department of Occupational Therapy Georgia Regents University

Topic: “East & West: Cross-Cultural Implications on the Construction of Theory and Knowledge in Occupational Therapy”

Dr. Iwama is an internationally known champion for culturally relevant occupational therapy. He created the conceptual Kawa Model, now taught in occupational therapy education and adopted in clinical settings. The Mitcham Fund was established in 2005 to create, in perpetuity, an annual lectureship program for the division. For information, call 792-2239.