Fall 2009

BUCK EYE OPHTHALMOLOGY OHIO STATE

www.eye.osu.edu

Fall 2009

EYE & EAR INSTITUTE

GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION

The Ohio State University Eye & Ear Institute (OEEI) Grand Opening Celebration took place August 7th and 8th. Two months after opening the doors to its first patients, OEEI celebrated by inviting the community—and everyone’s favorite mascot, Brutus Buckeye—to a Saturday open house to witness the grand opening of the building and ribbon cutting ceremony. The Eye and Ear Institute is home to Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology, Plastic Surgery, Hand Surgery, and Women’s Health.

The weekend celebration began with an alumni, benefactors, and community faculty reception. The Friday evening was a huge success, with over 200 visitors reuniting with colleagues and reminiscing about how the department has changed over the years. Guests enjoyed good food, live music, and a tour of the Department’s new home.

The following morning, an official ribbon cutting ceremony launched the Community Day festivities. The ribbon was cut by Steven Gabbe, MD, Medical Center CEO; Thomas Mauger, MD, Ophthalmology Chairman; and Brad Welling, MD, Otolaryngology Chairman; along with Medical Center Administration and faculty for the entire building.

Once the ribbon was cut, all in attendance were invited to socialize, take photos with Brutus, and enjoy light refreshments. There were face painters for the children and everyone was treated to tours of the building.

Top Left Photo: (from left) Drs. Welling, Gabbe, and Mauger Top Middle Photo: Phyllis Havener with daughters Gail and Ann Top Right Photo: Mascot Brutus Buckeye Bottom Photo:(from left) Kathy McKinney, Craig Andrew, Peggy Bellows with daughter Maggie, and Lori Andrew

The open house tour ended on the fifth floor, where attendees were able to fully admire the spectacular 360-degree view from the building, overlooking Grandview to the west and the Columbus skyline to the southeast.

The grand opening was a wonderful conclusion to the weekend’s events, and allowed the community to explore our fantastic new location. With such an amazing facility at our fingertips, our vision of continued excellence in patient care, education, and research is well within reach.

Left Photo: Linda Meikle, RN, Surgery Center Director, leading a tour Center Photo: (from left)Drs. James McHale, John Christoforidis, Cedric Pratt, and Garret Mouser Right Photo: (from left) Dr. Clay Marsh, Gail Marsh and Dr. Paul Weber

Development Ghana & Nicaragua Missions

newest faculty members.

In July 2009, they traveled to Nicaragua to volunteer their Saving sight in developing countries time and abilities, and were also able to take ten donated With the recent news fixation on nationalizing healthcare, it corneas supplied by the Tissue Bank International. Because is easy to forget that such a debate is only possible because Nicaragua does not have a tissue bank, these donated corof the level of healthcare already available in the United neas were a particular blessing to those requiring extensive States. Developing nations are constantly struggling with a surgery. severe shortage of physicians, trained staff, and basic medi- “There was one girl,” said Dr. Kuennen, “about twelve or cal supplies. thirteen, who needed a cornea transplant. She was a beautiRecognizing that need, faculty and alumni from the Haful girl, but her cornea had been badly scarred. After the vener Eye Institute have volunteered their time and skills in surgery she was crying, she was so happy she could see Nicaragua and Ghana, two of the poorest countries in the again.” world.

Drs. Mauger and Kuennen treated about fifty patients, ranging in age from two to eighty. They performed corneal Nicaragua Despite being the largest country in Central America, Nica- transplants and other necessary surgeries, while the local physicians, residents, and staff at the hospital watched and ragua is the second poorest country in the Western Hemilearned. sphere. At least partially due to these factors, medical care In a letter, one grateful nurse shared her appreciation: for the almost six million citizens of Nicaragua is limited, and can be far more expensive than many Nicaraguans can “Thanks to our dear friends Dr. Tom Mauger and Dr. Rebecca Kuennen . . . Nicaragua is a needy nation . . . the patients, afford. hospital and doctors here [are] very grateful.”

To help alleviate the difficulties facing Nicaragua’s healthcare system, volunteer physicians and staff operate a free clinic Ghana called el Centro Nacional de Oftalmología (the National Oph- Ghana is another nation struggling to provide even basic thalmology Hospital) in Managua, Nicaragua. Among these eye care. In addition to having too few ophthalmologists volunteers are some of our own faculty, Dr. Thomas Mauger, for a population of 23 million, almost 30% of Ghanaians are department chairman, and Dr. Rebecca Kuennen, one of our unable to afford healthcare, as they live below the interna-

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Establishing a Tradition in Ophthalmology Development

tional poverty line of $1.25 per day.

Dr. Mauger and Dr. David Adam, a community faculty member of the Havener Eye Institute, have both conducted trips to the impoverished nation. April 2009 was Dr. Mauger’s second trip to the St. Theresa Eye Center in Akim Akroso, Ghana. In 2005 and again in 2009, Dr. Adam traveled to Ghana to volunteer at the Bishop Ackon Christian Eye Center in Cape Coast, where he performed surgeries and trained Ghanian physicians and residents. He even provided instruction in phacoemulsification (a modern cataract surgical technique) to some of the local ophthalmologists in Tema, Ghana.

“I admire the many people in ophthalmology at Ohio State who have done multiple mission trips over the years” said Dr. Adam. “Pat Carroll, MD from Dayton made several trips to Ghana with Ohio State residents, and that helped inspire me to go also. Restoring sight to people who otherwise would not have access to care at any price helps me to get back to the best reasons we all went into ophthalmology.”

The Havener Eye Institute is proud of the faculty and alumni who have volunteered to help out in these developing countries. Their generosity inspires us all to greater levels of giving.

(From left) Dr. Alan Letson, Dr. Landon Colling, Clark Kellogg, Ellen Tressel, and Tina Sketos

Kellogg Headlines 2009 Golf An early morning rain did little to dampen the spirit of the enthusiasm that pervaded the 2009 BuckEYE Golf Classic. The heavily anticipated event was held at the OSU Scarlet course, one of the top collegiate courses in the nation. The assembled charity golfers looked forward to playing the difficult course, but were equally excited to meet former OSU basketball player Clark Kellogg. Kellogg, a lead NBC basketball analyst, was an extremely charming and outgoing special guest. He signed autographs, posed for photos with guests, and answered hardhitting sports questions while the golf course dried out.

This year we were lucky to have a bonus guest, Dr. Landon Colling, a World Long-Drive Champion and current OSU ophthalmology resident. Dr. Colling shared with participants his tips and tricks on how to drive the golf ball over 400 yards.

“Having Clark Kellogg and Dr. Colling as our special guests was even better than we hoped,” said Laura Sladoje, Outreach Director. “They were so friendly and personable. We had a great time and raised a lot of money for the residents.”

“We want to thank all of our sponsors, including Fifth Third Bank, Star Ophthalmics, Taft Law Firm, and Morgan Stanley to name a few,” said Dr. Alan Letson, Residency Program Director. “Their support provides the resources and helps us educate to the best of our ability. After all, the ophthalmologists that we are training today will be taking care of our grandchildren. That is not a responsibility that we take lightly.”

(From left) Dr. Jack Dingle, Michael Baker, Dr. Todd Dowling, and Dr. Doug Baker

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Faculty

Welcome New Faculty Colleen Cebulla, MD, PhD

Dr. Cebulla joins the Havener Eye Institute as an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology specializing in vitreoretinal diseases and ocular oncology. This is not her first time living in Columbus—after graduating Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Macalester College in St. Paul, MN, Dr. Cebulla completed the Medical Scientist Program at The Ohio State University, earning both an MD and a PhD in Pathology. She was awarded ASIP (American Society of Investigative Pathology) two years in a row based for her research during graduate school.

Upon completing her MD and PhD, Dr. Cebulla spent one more year in Columbus as a transitional-year intern at the Riverside Methodist Hospital before moving to Miami,

Florida for her Ophthalmology residency at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Dr. Cebulla then furthered her education by completing a research fellowship in Ocular Oncology, followed by a two-year Vitreoretinal fellowship, both at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute.

Dr. Cebulla is actively involved in research. Her primary research interests are retinal detachment, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, uveal melanoma, retinoblastoma, hypoxia, and vascular biology. She has continued the research interests that she developed in graduate school at OSU and applied them to the eye in an effort to reduce the morbidity and mortality of retinal diseases and eye cancer. She is a member of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology and has published over 20 peer reviewed publications.

Physicians Educating Our Residents

Volunteer Physicians at Dayton VA Clinic

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The Dayton Veteran Affairs (VA) Medical Center serves veterans from a 16-county area in southwestern Ohio and Richmond, Indiana. The VA ophthalmology clinic is almost entirely staffed by volunteers. Dr. Pat Carroll, a former OSU ophthalmology resident, has been volunteering at the VA clinic as chief for the last 28 years, and has been assisted for the last 12 by Andrea Inderrieden, ophthalmology clinic manager.

“The volunteer faculty are pleased that OSU residents consistently rate their Dayton VA experience so highly,” said Dr. Carroll. “The residents do a great job taking care of the veterans. Interacting with the young doctors has enhanced all of our professional lives over many years.”

The volunteer physicians assist OSU residents with patients and surgeries. They also perform minor surgical and laser procedures in the clinic. The subspecialty clinics are covered on specific days by alternating volunteers. Mondays and Wednesdays, patients with corneal conditions can be seen by Drs. Michael Besson and Carrie Lembach. Glaucoma

patients can also be seen on Mondays, and also on Fridays, by Drs. Fareed Hasan, Amy Kopp, and Steve Schumann.

Tuesdays are reserved for patients with retina problems, who are seen by Drs. Pat Carroll, Warren Sobol, Marie Martinek, and Bruce Buerk. The comprehensive division, staffed by Drs. Paul Moyer, David Adam, Walter Hartel, and Richard Liston, sees patients on Thursdays and Fridays. Finally, patients with neuro-ophthalmic or oculo-plastic conditions are treated on Fridays by Drs. Walter Hartel, and John Kunesh. In addition, a monthly Grand Rounds is coordinated by Dr. Liston.

It takes a lot of volunteers to ensure the smooth operation of the Dayton VA Ophthalmology Clinic. We want to thank everyone who contributes to the education of our residents and to the excellent care of U.S. veterans. As it says in the VA manifesto, “Our nation’s veterans deserve no less.”

Establishing a Tradition in Ophthalmology Education

June Research Symposium Winners We want to congratulate the winners of the 2009 June Research Symposium. Drs. Anupuma Horne, Katie Bastion, and Andrea Sawchyn were each honored for their resident research presentations. Bongsu Kim was the recipient of the post-graduate award for his excellent presentation.

Welcome New Residents Adam R. Cloud, MD Completed medical school at The Ohio State University College of Medicine and remained in Columbus to complete his internship at Riverside Methodist Hospital.

Leah K. Vaccarella, MD After completing medical school at Penn State University, she relocated to Columbus to complete her internship at Riverside Methodist Hospital.

(From left) Drs. Anupama Horne, Katie Bastion, and Andrea Sawchyn

Dr. Carla Ford receives Humanism Award

Ophthalmology resident recognized for outstanding care Carla D. Ford, MD, a recently graduated ophthalmologist, has received the Robyn D. Howson Humanism Award. The Humanism Award is given to recognize a housestaff member who is widely regarded as routinely exhibiting attributes of ethics, integrity, caring, and compassion for patients and patients’ family members; effective communication with patients, physicians, and other healthcare professionals; and excellent customer service.

Of the nearly 670 OSUMC residents and fellows training, Dr. Ford was one of 5 recipients of this award. Dr. Ford is very deserving of this award. She routinely received thank you letters from patients while in training. Her nomination letter stated that, “Dr. Ford works selflessly and effectively. She is enthusiastic about ophthalmology and her enthusiasm is contagious. Dr. Ford truly makes our department better just by being in it. While we will certainly miss having her around next year, we will certainly be proud to call her a graduate of our program.”

Dominic Buzzacco, MD Attended medical school at Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine and relocated to Columbus to complete his internship at Riverside Methodist Hospital.

Palak B. Wall, MD Completed medical school at The Ohio State University College of Medicine and briefly left Columbus to complete her internship at Loyola University Medical Center.

Irene T. Tung, MD Completed medical school at Baylor College of Medicine and completed two years of a pediatrics residency at Baylor prior to switching specialties to ophthalmology.

Bryan R. Costin, MD Attended medical school at Case Western Reserve University and then moved to Columbus to complete his internship at Riverside Methodist Hospital.

(From left) Drs. Andrew Thomas, Carla Ford, and Alan Letson

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Research

O SU R E SE A RC H OPPORTUNITIES At the Havener Eye Institute, we actively seek out new diagnositic tools and treatments for eye diseases. Our researchers are pushing the boundaries of medicine with challenging new studies in every subspecialty in ophthalmology.

How can you help?

By checking the following list of studies to see if you are a potential candidate and talking with your doctor or calling Kathy McKinney or Jill Salerno at (614) 293-5287.

Do you have newly diagnosed wet Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?

Groundbreaking MRI Study Developing new technology

Nearly 100,000 cases per year present with blockage of the central retinal artery and vein as well as the posterior ciliary vessels.

Despite this, we have no method that exists for imaging these vessels to determine where the blockage has occurred because they are located behind the surface of the optic nerve (Figure A).

Dr. John Christoforidis, a retina specialist at the Havener Eye Institute, has been working in collaboration with the Department of Radiology to image these structures with the use of a 7 Tesla MRI machine in conjunction with a dedicated eye coil (Figure B).

This is currently the only such system in the world and the initial images are already unprecedented in terms of their resolution. Dr. Christoforidis presented the initial results at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) on normal volunteers this past year, but there is still reasearch to be done. Additional funding would allow for the continued improvement of the parameters and optimize the resolution of the imaging system.

If you would like to make a donation to support this research, call (614) 293-8760 and designate fund # 313022 “John Christoforidis, MD Ophthalmology Support Fund.”

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AMD is leading cause of blindness in patients over 50  Study compares Avastin© vs. Lucentis©; both treat AMD  Study patients must have insurance 

Are you a diabetic patient about to undergo cataract surgery?

After cataract surgery, diabetics often develop Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)  DME is swelling in the back of the eye that causes blurred vision  Nevanac© may prevent DME  Patients paid up to $280 over 3 months 

A

Do you have untreated wet Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)?

B

AMD is leading cause of blindness in patients over 50  Lucentis© treats AMD  Lucentis© and office visits free of charge  Patients paid up to $2000 over 2 years 

Call Kathy McKinney or Jill Salerno at 293-5287 for more information.

Establishing a Tradition in Ophthalmology Events

Resident Graduation

Congratulations to all of our graduating residents, and good luck with all of your future plans.

Carla Ford, MD has joined Spectrum Eye Care, Inc. located in Findlay, Ohio.

Andrew Hendershot, MD is staying on to complete a fellowship in Cornea and External Disease.

Andrea Sawchyn, MD is completing a glaucoma fellowship at Wills Eye Hospital and will return to the Havener Eye Institute upon her completion.

Anupama Horne, MD has joined the Eye Institute of North Carolina in Durham, North Carolina.

Ted Loizos, MD has joined the Fairview Eye Center in Fairview Park, Ohio.

From left: Drs. Carla Ford, Ted Loizos, Andrea Sawchyn, Andrew Hendershot, and Anupama Horne

New Eye & Ear Institute

eventually host the Hand Center. The group is comprised of Ohio State’s experts in plastic surgery and orthopaedics to The first floor is entirely dedicated to an Outpatient Surgery treat, through medicine or surgery, issues of the hand, elbow, Center, which was designed and is being managed by a multiand arm. Also located on the third floor are medical records, disciplinary team of surgeons, anesthesiologists, administrators, the Ophthalmology administrative and human resources ofand nurses. It has six operating rooms and twenty-five preopera- fices, and a large conference room with a high-tech built-in tive and post-anesthesia care units, and has been equipped with projection system. state-of-the-art technology, such as Otolaryngology (ENT) takes up high-definition imaging equipment the fourth floor, offering the most and electronic medical records. advanced ear, nose, and throat care Linda Meikle, RN, Surgery Center in the region. ENT physicians cover Director, has also “paid special atthe spectrum of otolaryngology: tention to the visually challenged audiology and hearing aids, facial in our communication to patients plastics, sinus and allergy treatduring their stay.” ments, and balance disorders. Their The second floor contains a comfaculty also includes some of the fortable waiting area for family and nation’s leading ENT researchers. friends of patients. They can moniThe fifth floor is occupied by the tor the progress of their loved one Department of Ophthalmology, on a patient tracker board, access Havener Eye Institute, which has the free WiFi, and relax with drinks, been a center of excellence for over sandwichs, and Donatos pizza. The eighty years. The Institute offers second floor is also home to the comprehensive eye care as well as Center for Women’s Health and the specialty consultations for cataPlastic Surgery Division. The Cenracts, diabetic retinopathy, macular ter for Women’s Health focuses on degeneration, glaucoma, neuromeeting the lifelong health needs of ophthalmology, and laser vision women, and includes physicians from correction. primary care, obstetrics and gynecology, endocrinology, and cardiology.

As the first OSU outpatient surgery The Plastic Surgery Division perform center, we are proud to bring the reconstructive surgery for deformities outstanding care that is the hallcaused by cancer, trauma, burns, or congenital abnormalities, as well mark of OSU to the Columbus community. as aesthetic procedures.

The third floor is still partially under construction, but will

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Havener Eye Institute

915 Olentangy River Rd, Suite 5000 Columbus, Ohio 43212

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Columbus, Ohio Permit No. 711

Establishing a tradition in Ophthalmology Ohio State BuckEYE Ophthalmology is a publication of the Havener Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology at The Ohio State University.

Thomas Mauger, M.D., Chairman; Laura Sladoje, Outreach Director; Christina Stetson, Program Coordinator.

Comments/Questions? Contact the Havener Eye Institute (614) 293-8760 or eye@osu.edu. Visit us online at www.eye.osu.edu.

Upcoming Events For more information on these upcoming events call (614) 293-0547 or email eye@osu.edu.

53rd Annual Postgraduate Symposium in Ophthalmology

June 7, 2010 OSU Scarlet Golf Course The Ohio State University

Havener Eye Institute

BuckEYE

“Ocular Imaging”

March 5, 2010  7:30am - 5pm For information contact rebish.3@osu.edu

Golf Classic

2010

The Havener Eye Institute will host two free continuing education seminars. If you are an optometrist and would like to be added to our “20/20 Seminars” mailing list, contact us at (614) 293-0547 or eye@osu.edu.

“Ready, Aim, Refract!”

September 29, 2009 6435 Post Road

“Extra! Extra! Technology Stamps out Glaucoma” November 4, 2009 915 Olentangy River Road

AAO AnnualAlumni Reception October 24, 2009  5:30-7:30 pm

Join us for our Annual Havener Eye Institute AAO Alumni Reception Saturday, October 24, 2009 at the Golden Gate Room in the Hotel Nikko, downtown San Francisco. All alumni, faculty, and friends are invited to attend. Hors d’oeuvres will be served and a cash bar will be available. Direct questions to eye@osu.edu or (614) 293-0547.