Trianglephy janfeb 2018 proof3

january/february 2018

The Triangle Physician T H E

M A G A Z I N E

F O R

H E A L T H

C A R E

P R O F E S S I O N A L S

Johnston Health Therapeutic Wound Center Caring and Experienced Staff and Physicians Go Above and Beyond to Save Limbs

“After losing my right foot to an infection fueled by diabetes that I didn’t even know I had - I needed physical and emotional healing. I found both at Johnston Health’s Therapeutic Wound Center!

Now, at last, I’m back customizing show vehicles - and riding my bike again!”

Joshua Bailey Kenly, NC

For Joshua’s complete story, visit “Patient Stories” at: johnstonhealth.org.

For more information on our Therapeutic Wound Center visit: johnstonhealth.org/woundcare

Expert Care - Close To Home!

SMITHFIELD

www.johnstonhealth.org www.johnstonhealth.org

CLAYTON

From the Publisher

Healing Power This month’s cover story on the Johnston

broader community preparedness and the

Health Therapeutic Wound Center explores

laws that govern disaster planning.

the expertise needed to harness the healing power of state-of-the-art hyperbaric oxygen

Here’s wishing you a successful 2018. Are

therapy and treat stubborn wounds. The

you prepared with a well-devised plan

well-written feature article conveys the

for promoting your services and unique

practice’s high degree of quality of care

qualities?

and professionalism, as well as a culture of genuine patient care.

We invite you to consider the costeffective use of The Triangle Physician as

Also in this issue, physician advocate

a communication vehicle that reaches a

Marni Jameson Carney reports that the

key market, the more than 9,000 directors,

Association of Independent Doctors has

administrators and managers within the

added two more state chapters. AID is

Triangle medical community. We welcome

working to reverse the trend of economic

your medical news that runs free of charge,

pressures that cause independent

and we offer competitive ad rates for

physicians to join hospitals, which AID

increasing awareness of your healing power.

members believe is not good for patients,

Contact us at info@trianglephysician.com

doctors or communities.

for details.

The question is not if a disaster will strike

With great appreciation,

one’s medical practice, it’s when, according

Publisher

to practice management consultant Margie

John Teague

Satinsky. In the first of her two-part series on disaster planning, Satinsky addresses potential risk, and takes into consideration

The Triangle Physician T H E

M A G A Z I N E

F O R

H E A L T H C A R E

P R O F E S S I O N A L S

Copy Editor John@TTP2LC.com

Creative Director - Joseph Dally jdally13@gmail.com

Contributing Editors Marni Jameson Carey Margie Satinsky, M.B.A.

News and Columns Please send to info@trianglephysician.com

Advertising Sales info@trianglephysician.com

2

The Triangle Physician

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Every precaution is taken to insure the accuracy of the articles published. The Triangle Physician can not be held responsible for the opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors.

The Triangle Physician makes no warrant to the accuracy or reliability of this information.

All advertiser and manufacturer supplied photography will receive no compensation for the use of submitted photography. Any copyrights are waived by the advertiser. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission from The Triangle Physician.

Table of Contents january/february 2018

Vol. 9, Issue 1

DEPARTMENTS 8 Physician Advocacy

Independent Doctors Group Forms Chapters in Pennsylvania and Texas This update on the Association of Independent Doctors reports a growing number of members and chapters

10 Practice Management

4

Disaster Planning, Part1: Understanding Practice Risk

12 Research News Cancer drug discover methods used to identify new lyme disease therapy

COVER STORY

Johnston Health Therapeutic Wound Center Caring, Experienced Staff, Physicians Go Above and Beyond to Save Limbs On the Cover: Since opening in 2003, Johnston Health Therapeutic Wound Center has saved limbs and improved the lives of hundreds of patients.

Members of the staff are, from left to right, standing: Naomi Parker, CNA II; Judy Williams, certified hyperbaric technologist; Teri Smith, RN; Dr. Manmohan Singh, medical director; Angela Fortson, RN, director; Kris Popilek, RN; Carol Parker, RN; and David McCoy, RN; and seated: Rebecca Evans, RN; Mary Lena Canupp, RN; Paige Gregg, RN; Stephanie Keene, RN; and Danielle Bass, registrar.

enduring gratitude February 3, 2018

The 9th annual Enduring Gratitude event honoring veterans and active members of the finest forces of The United States Military.

For more information regarding military registration, voluntering, or donations, please visit

www.enduringgratitude.org

january/february 2018

3

Category

Johnston Health Therapeutic Wound Center

Caring, Experienced Staff, Physicians Go Above and Beyond to Save Limbs Although it’s been 14 years, Manmohan Singh,

There had been local demand, too, for

care at the wound clinic on opening day at

wound care. At his practice, the surgeon had

Johnston Medical Mall in Smithfield. He was a

been seeing bedsores on neglected patients

Raleigh educator who had seen the new service

who had nowhere else to go for treatment.

advertised on TV.

trators added a wound care clinic to the plans

Therapeutic Wound Center, grabbed attention

for the medical mall, which required an exten-

because it offered, among other things, hyper-

sive renovation of the shuttered Burlington In-

baric oxygen (HBO) therapy. Back then, such

dustries textile mill across the street.

was in Durham.

The Triangle Physician

Responding to the need, hospital adminis-

The clinic, now called Johnston Health

clinics were few and far between. The closest

4

eral surgeon.

M.D., remembers the first patient who sought

For that first patient, Singh prescribed HBO therapy to stop internal bleeding, which had

“We knew there was great demand for

been caused by radiation therapy to treat pros-

wound care because the clinic at Duke Hospital

tate cancer. The patient had been seeing his urol-

was overflowing,” says Singh, medical director

ogist, who had done everything he could to help.

of the Johnston Health clinic and a retired gen-

“After several sessions in the HBO chamber,

Johnnie Dupree shares a light moment with registered nurse David McCoy, as he examines the healed wound on Dupree’s foot. The staff prides itself on personalized, compassionate care.

the patient healed completely,” Singh

Typically, sores or wounds that

says. “Since then, I’ve seen him out and

don’t heal from conventional treatment in

about, and he’s doing great.”

about 30 days are considered non-healing, or chronic. The clinic sees a variety

Treating Wounds Is a Science

of chronic wounds, from diabetic, pres-

Although HBO chambers have been

sure, venous and arterial, to burns, spi-

used to treat chronic wounds since the

der bites and traumatic injury wounds.

1960s, few physicians back then knew about HBO therapy or understood the

Wound Detectives

complexity of wounds, Singh says.

Investigate Causes

So how does hyperbaric oxygen

Angela Fortson, director of Johnston

promote healing? As patients relax inside

Health Therapeutic Wound Care, says

the transparent, cylindrical chamber,

the first step in treating a wound is find-

they breathe in pure oxygen at an air

ing out why it hasn’t healed. At their

pressure two to three times higher than

initial visit, patients can expect tests,

normal. This increased flow of oxygen

health-related questions and, sometimes,

reduces swelling and helps form new

a procedure.

blood vessels.

“If patients have diabetes, we’re

“Treating wounds has become a

looking at how well it’s under control,”

science,” says Singh, who is certified in

she says. “If they have pressure ulcers,

wound care. “There are so many meth-

we’re looking at how to relieve that pres-

ods of therapy, from debridement to neg-

sure. What kind of bed are they lying on?

ative-pressure wound therapy to biologi-

What kind of shoes are they wearing?

cal grafts using the frozen cells of animal

We’re looking at all factors.”

and human tissue.”

january/february 2018

5

Registered nurse Stephanie Keene has worked at Johnston Health Therapeutic Wound Center since it opened in 2003. For continuity of care, patients see the same nurse and physician at every visit.

Depending on their needs, patients may be assigned to a particular physician on the medical staff. If they have problems with blood flow, they may see Thomas Powell, M.D., a vascular surgeon. If they have a wound caused by MRSA and need IV therapy, they may see Octavio Cieza, M.D., an infectious disease specialist.

Rounding out the medical staff are Mark Bowling, M.D., and Marie-Luise Zaldivar, M.D., both primary care physicians. All have training in wound care and hyperbaric therapy.

A culture or tissue biopsy, an X-ray or

By the time Johnnie Dupree, 77, a

there’s infection in the tissue or bone.

former truck driver, got to the wound

Arterial studies may be needed to find out

center, his foot ulcer was the size of a

if there’s enough blood flow to deliver oxygen,

quarter and deep enough to see bone.

nutrients and medications to the wound. If

“I couldn’t feel it so I didn’t realize

blood flow is poor, then the patient may need a

it was that bad,” he says. “It had gotten

surgical intervention.

to the point that I could hardly walk. I

A venous Doppler ultrasound may be ordered to check for blood clots.

6

The Triangle Physician

A Patient’s Story

magnetic resonance imaging can determine if

was afraid I was going to lose my foot.”

For the next 12 weeks, Dupree

During the first visit, the physician may de-

spent two and a half hours every week-

bride or remove tissue that may be hindering

day in the HBO chamber. At home, his

the wound from healing. A topical anesthetic is

granddaughter, a certified nursing as-

applied, if needed, Fortson says.

sistant, administered a daily regimen

Before the patient leaves, a case manager

of antibiotics through a peripherally

may be asked to place orders for supplies,

inserted central catheter (PICC) to

equipment or visits from home health – any-

fight an infection that had spread to

thing the patient needs to start healing.

the bone in his foot.

Patients return to the clinic weekly until

“After my treatment started, I be-

their wounds are at least 50 percent healed.

gan to feel stronger and better every

Afterward, they’re seen as needed until they’re

day,” he says. “I have more energy.”

completely healed, she adds.

His foot has since healed, and he will

“Our patients see the same doctor and

return to the clinic for one last visit.

Dupree says he’ll always remember the kindness of the staff. Because he is blind, they

walking, Fortson says. “Her turnaround was

nurse, so they get

remarkable.”

to know each other

Fortson, a nurse certified

take him to and from the bus when it arrives at

in wound care, thinks the

the medical mall. If he has to wait, they bring

clinic stands out because of

him coffee, fixed the way he likes it.

its personalized care. “Our

Turns out his ulcer was caused by a

patients see the same doc-

poor-fitting shoe. At the medical mall, two or-

tor and nurse, so they get

thotics companies set up two days a week to

to know each other well,”

see patients. The staff scheduled an appoint-

she says. “We truly care and

ment for Dupree to get inserts and the special

worry about our patients.”

diabetic shoes that he now wears.

very well.

We truly

care and worry about our patients.”

- Angela Fortson

Fortson says patients also receive counseling on

“Saving Limbs Is What Makes Our Job

health factors, such as smoking ces-

So Rewarding”

sation, proper diet and taking medications

Fortson says many patients come to the clin-

as directed.

ic for second opinions after being told they

“More and more often, we’re finding that

need amputation. “They’re upset and feeling

many patients don’t have a family doctor,”

hopeless,” she says. “Saving limbs is what

she adds. “They may know they have diabe-

makes our job so rewarding.”

tes, but they don’t have anyone to help them.

Her favorite story is about the patient who arrived on a stretcher, the flesh on her

We do all we can to connect the dots, and get them the care they need.”

foot rotting and dotted with maggots. But with

To schedule an appointment or to get

every visit for debridement, HBO therapy and

more information about Johnston Health

skin grafts, her foot got better.

Therapeutic Wound Center, call (919) 938-

At first, the patient was so despondent that she didn’t speak. But as she started to

7716. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

heal, she started talking, and then began

Judy Williams, a certified hyperbaric technologist, operates the two HBO chambers at the wound clinic.

It’s been proven that oxygen heals wounds.

january/february 2018

7

Physician Advocacy

Independent Doctors Group Forms Chapters in Pennsylvania and Texas Frustrated by the increasing pressures on in-

said Carey. The four-year-old association has

dependent doctors to sell out to hospitals and

nearly 1,000 members in 33 states. In forming a

health systems, doctors in Pennsylvania and

state chapter, which requires a minimum of 15

Texas have banded together to form the two

members, the independent doctors recognized

newest state chapters of the Association of In-

that they would be stronger together.

dependent Doctors.

Marni Jameson Carey is the executive director of the Association of Independent Doctors. You may reach her at (407) 571-9316 or marni@aid-us.org. Visit www.aid-us.org for more information.

8

The Triangle Physician

Nationwide, large hospital systems have

The Pennsylvania and Texas chapters

been aggressively acquiring independent doc-

bring the total number of AID state chapters

tors and turning them into employed physi-

to six. With this addition, the fast-growing na-

cians, Carey said. Studies show that is one of

tional nonprofit, which also has chapters in

the leading drivers of higher health care costs.

California, Florida, New England (Vermont and

“AID is working to reverse that trend,

Maine) and South Carolina, gives local inde-

which is not good for patients, doctors or com-

pendent doctors a voice on the national stage,

munities,” said Carey.

and a vehicle through which they can be ac-

“By joining forces with AID, we can bring

tive locally, said AID Executive Director Marni

greater attention to the issues facing indepen-

Jameson Carey.

dent doctors and their patients,” said Cristin

“When doctors from one area join the as-

Dickerson, M.D., a radiologist and partner of

sociation, their collective voice gets louder,

Green Imaging in Texas. “We must do all we

and they can better protect their professions,”

can to protect patients’ access to the person-

Physician Advocacy

alized care offered by independent doctors.”

While consolidation in health care is a national problem that all independent doctors should protect against, states also have regional issues that a concentrated group of local doctors can influence, said Carey.

“Forming a chapter of AID will help us ensure that consolidation doesn’t completely wipe out independent doctors, which have been proven to offer the most cost-effective care to patients,” said Dr. Anthony Dippolito, M.D., a surgeon in Bethlehem, Penn.

The doctors also will benefit from AID’s infrastructure, national reach and resources.

Members who opt to make their names public will become part of AID’s online directory of independent doctors, a growing database

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january/february 2018

9

Practice Management

Disaster Planning, Part I:

Understanding Practice Risk

By Margie Satinsky, M.B.A.

Disasters that interrupt a practice’s ability to provide

well beyond the practice’s four walls. Disaster plan-

care for patients can happen at any time and in any

ning, therefore, necessitates looking beyond your

place, not just Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico or Cali-

immediate environment and developing a good un-

fornia. It’s likely that both large and small disasters

derstanding of preparations that are made in your

will impact you at some point during your medical

community, in your state, and at the national level.

career.

In this first of a two part-series, we address the potential risk to your practice, your practice’s fit into Margie Satinsky is president of Satinsky Consulting LLC, a Durham, North Carolina, consulting firm that specializes in medical practice management.

She is the author of numerous books (e.g. Medical Practice Management in the 21st Century), and articles for The Triangle Physician, and other publications.

Satinsky’s 2017 White Paper on Disaster Planning is available at: http://www. satinskyconsulting. com/documents/ DisasterPlanning WhitePaper2017.pdf.

To request other practice management services, contact margie@ satinskyconsulting.com.

We recommend communicating in advance with at least the following private and public health care providers, agencies, and organizations:

the larger context and state law. In our second arti-

•H ealth care providers: local hospital; regional

cle, we’ll recommend helpful suggestions for restor-

hospital or academic medical center; ambula-

ing your business to normal operations as quickly

tory surgery center; nursing homes; rehabili-

as possible.

tation facilities; medical colleagues in your specialty; other providers

Potential Risk of Disaster to Your Practice The risk of disaster in your practice is broad. It in-

•P ublic health departments (local, county, state)

cludes both natural and human-made disasters.

•P ublic safety departments (local, county, state)

Natural disasters include hurricanes, tornadoes,

•F ire departments (local)

flooding, and other major weather events that often

• S tate medical board

but not always are predictable in advance of their

• S tate medical society

occurrence. Unpredictable natural disasters include

•F ederal Emergency Management Agency

fire, bioterrorism and contagious diseases. They may occur suddenly, spread over a widespread geographical area and require a more complicated

(FEMA) • Department of Homeland Security (National Incident Management System [NIMS] program)

response than that needed for forecasted disasters.

Given the heavy dependence on technology

North Carolina Law

of most medical practices, the potential for human-

North Carolina has many laws and regulations that

made disasters is also great. Problems with tele-

govern disaster planning for medical practices.

communications, computer operating systems and

Here’s a partial list of common questions and an-

applications, heating and air conditioning systems

swers.

and equipment malfunctions also qualify as disasters that can both interrupt your business and have

Laws and Regulations that Govern

a devastating impact on your practice.

Disaster Planning for North Carolina Medical Practices

Your Practice’s Fit Fit into the

disasters? Chapter 166A of the North Carolina

Most medical practices focus on the day-to-day

General Statutes and Article 36A of Chapter 14

care of patients and on those organizations with

of the North Carolina General Statutes (Chapter

which they frequently collaborate (e.g., medical

The Triangle Physician

166A has 4 articles).

colleagues, hospitals, laboratories, vendors and

2. Is the statute that deals with natural disas-

suppliers). Although unanticipated failures in com-

ter broad enough to cover emergencies that

puter or telecommunications systems are restricted

would arise out of a pandemic flu? Yes

to the practice itself, many other disasters extend

10

1. What state laws govern emergencies and

Larger Context

3. How does North Carolina define a disaster?

acquisition and relocation for supple-

have during a disaster or emer-

widespread or severe damage, injury,

mental repair and replacement hous-

gency?

or loss of life or property resulting from

ing to individuals and families, and for

health director is related to quaran-

any natural or man-made accidental,

any programs authorized by the Gen-

tine and isolation.

military, or paramilitary cause (G.S.

The authority of the state

16. If there is an imminent threat of

eral Assembly.

9. During a disaster or emergency in

contagious animal disease, what

4. How does North Carolina define a

North Carolina, who in the state

powers does the State Veterinar-

state of emergency? The condition

has the power to protect the pub-

ian have? The state veterinarian can

that exists whenever, during times of

lic? The governor has broad author-

implement emergency measures and

public crisis, disaster, rioting, catas-

ity. He/she can delegate certain duties

procedures, including quarantine and

trophe, or similar public emergency,

to the secretary of the Department of

public safety authorities are unable

Crime Control & Public Safety.

N.C.G.S. 166A-4(1)).

warranted inspections.

17.

During a disaster or emergency,

to maintain public order or afford

10. During a crisis, can the governor

is there protection from potential

adequate protection for lives or prop-

require public workers to work?

malpractice liability? NCGS 166A-

Yes

14(a) classifies those working in emer-

erty, or whenever the occurrence of such condition is imminent (NCGS 14-

11.

During a disaster or emergency,

gency management as working in

what authority does the governor

government functions and therefore

5. Who in North Carolina can declare

have over local governmental au-

protected from liability for the death

a state of disaster? The governor can

thorities? If the governor finds that

or injury to persons or property dam-

make a proclamation or the General

local control of the disaster or emer-

age resulting from their activity. The

Assembly can pass a resolution.

gency is insufficient to adequately

exceptions to this important protec-

6. What types of disasters can be de-

protect lives and property, s/he can

tion is willful misconduct, gross neg-

clared? Type I disaster – provided

exercise his/her powers (Article 36A

ligence, or bad faith.

288.1(10)).

three criteria are met. This is not a

18. How does the protection from mal-

of Chapter 14).

federal disaster. Type II and Type III

12.

What are some of the ways in

practice liability apply to health

disasters – can be declared only when

which the governor can act during

professionals during a disaster or

the United States president declares a

a disaster or emergency? He/she

emergency? Providers have immu-

major federal disaster that triggers as-

can procure by purchase, condemna-

nity protection if they are operating

sistance from Federal Emergency Man-

tion, seizure, or other means to con-

as emergency management workers

agement Agency (FEMA) and Small

struct, lease, transport, store, main-

at the request of the state or other

Business Administration (SBA).

tain, renovate, or distribute materials

level of government. If they are pro-

and facilities for emergency manage-

viding care to patients on their own

ment (NCGS 166A-6(c)).

initiative but are not considered emer-

7. What do we need to know about a Type I disaster? Type I disaster lasts for 30 days after the declaration and

13. If our practice offers to allow the

gency management workers, they do

can be renewed for up to three addi-

state to use our property, can we

not receive special protection. (NCGS

tional months. State financial aid avail-

expect compensation? No

166A-14(d).

able mirrors the federal FEMA and SBA

14. If our property is used during an

19. Does the North Carolina Medical

help that would be available in Type II

emergency to shelter and protect

Board have special powers dur-

and III disasters.

people other than our own pa-

ing a disaster or emergency? Yes.

8. What do we need to know about

tients, can we be held civilly liable

The North Carolina Medical Board

Type II and III disasters? Type II di-

for the death of injury of any per-

can issue a limited physician assistant

sasters last for six months and can be

son or the loss or damage to prop-

volunteer limited license allowing

extended for up to one year. State funds

erty where these losses and inju-

physician assistants to perform medi-

may be made available for acquisition

ries resulted from the use of the

cal acts, tasks, and functions without

and relocation and for supplemental

property for the above purposes.

compensation, provided certain con-

repair, and replacement housing to in-

There is a waiver of private civil liabil-

ditions are met (NCGS 90-12.1).

dividuals or families. Type III disasters

20. If a physician or other health care

ity (166A-15).

last for 12 months and can be renewed.

15.

What authority does the North

provider volunteers to provide

State funds may be made available for

Carolina State Health Director

care in the community, is there

january/february 2018

11

Practice Management

An occurrence or imminent threat of

immunity from malpractice li-

place of employment to people

health care provider licensed or certi-

ability? Yes. North Carolina grants

referred by a local health depart-

fied in North Carolina who provides

immunity to volunteer health care

ment or nonprofit community

services within the scope of his/her

health center (NCGS 90-21.16).

license or certification at a free clinic

professionals as follows:

is immune.

( 1) A volunteer medical or health

There is also immunity for a volun-

care provider who provides care

teer medical or healthcare provider

21.

Can the governor waive health

at a facility of a local health de-

who serves as medical director of an

professional licensure laws dur-

partment or nonprofit community

emergency medical service (EMS)

ing a pandemic or disaster? Yes.

health center, and (2) A volunteer

agency. A retired physician who

The governor can waive professional

medical or health care provider

holds a “limited volunteer license” is

licensure laws for authorized emer-

who provides care at his/her

immune. Any volunteer medical or

gency workers (NCGS 166A-14 (c).

Research News

Cancer Drug Discovery Methods Used to Identify New Lyme Disease Therapy Antibiotics are currently the only treat-

department of Pharmacology and Cancer

Duke researchers have begun screen-

ments available for Lyme disease and

Biology at Duke, are collaborating with sci-

ing a library of thousands of compounds

other tick-borne illnesses, but research-

entists at Johns Hopkins School of Medi-

looking for potential drugs that target a spe-

ers at Duke Health are working to expand

cine and Tulane Medical Center to perform

cific Borrelia burgdorferi protein, which

the medical toolkit by identifying vulner-

distinct functions of the study.

plays a key role in promoting the survival

able areas of disease-causing bacteria that

The Duke team will use technology

of the bacteria.

Haystead’s lab has pioneered for cancer

The research project represents a

The research project, which recently

drug discovery, which will identify protein

new exploration for Spector, a leading can-

received a $3.8 million grant from the Ste-

targets for the development of a completely

cer researcher who was instrumental in

ven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, relies

new class of molecularly targeted therapies

the development of lapatinib, the first oral

on drug discovery methods that have prov-

for Borrelia burgdorferi and Bartonella.

inhibitor of the HER2/neu cancer promot-

could lead to innovative therapies.

en successful in identifying treatments for

The team at Duke will then screen

ing protein approved by the United States

thousands of new compounds to identify

Food and Drug Administration for the treat-

“Our goal is to find alternatives to

those that target the desired proteins. The

ment of a subset of breast cancers.

antibiotics to treat Lyme disease, which is

new compounds identified at Duke will

Spector’s interest in Lyme disease re-

caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteri-

then be tested at Johns Hopkins in a high-

search stems from his personal experience

um, and illnesses that arise from the Barton-

throughput assay to evaluate their effects

with the infection, which he battled for

ella pathogen,” said Neil Spector, M.D., the

on the viability of Borrelia burgdorferi and

years without a clear diagnosis. After suf-

Sandra Coates Associate Professor Breast

Bartonella.

fering near-fatal heart failure, he underwent

cancer and viral diseases.

Cancer Research at Duke Cancer Institute and the study’s co-principal investigator.

The most promising drug candidates

a heart transplant in 2009.

will then be sent to Tulane, where research-

Spector said many features of cancer

“We’re hoping to move from isolat-

ers will determine their efficacy in animal

are also true of Lyme. For example, how

ing targets to identifying potential drugs to

models of Bartonella illnesses and Lyme

and where tumors spread is not random.

testing in animal models within three years

diseases, including in primates.

Similarly, Lyme affects different people in different ways, and Spector asserts that

– so a very aggressive timeline,” said Spec-

The Spector and Haystead labs have

tor, who was a Lyme patient himself and

already identified more than 20 bacterial

nearly died from complications of disease.

proteins that represent attractive targets

“I think there’s a way to capitalize on

“Our goal is to identify drugs that will target

for drug development. The protein targets

the lessons we’ve learned in cancer biol-

the Achilles’ heel of these pathogens while

are selected in part for their specificity to

ogy and basic research over the past 20

sparing the normal gut microbiome.”

Borrelia burgdorferi, which would reduce

years and apply them to Lyme research,”

the risk of adverse side effects, such as the

Spector said. “We don’t have to reinvent

destruction of normal, healthy gut flora.

the wheel.”

Spector and co-principal investigator Timothy Haystead, Ph.D., professor in the

12

The Triangle Physician

there are likely biological factors at play.

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