Dr. Lackland to serve on NIH Study Section

Daniel Lackland, Dr. P.H., Professor in Biostatistics and Epidemiology, has accepted an invitation to serve as a member of the Kidney, Nutrition, Obesity and Diabetes Study Section, Center for Scientific Review for the term beginning July 1, 2009 and ending June 30, 2013.  Members demonstrate competence and achievement through  the quality of research, publications in scientific journals and other significant scientific activities, achievements and honors.

Dr. Lackland came to MUSC as an Assistant Professor in 1009 after earning his doctorate in Epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh where he was on an NIH Cardiovascular Training Fellowship.  He has served on several Editorial Boards including  Hypertension, Preventive Medicine, and the Journal of Clinical Hypertension.  He has also served as a reviewer on numerous peer reviewed journals.

Dr. Lackland’s Awards include an Excellence in leadership Award from the Consortium for Southeastern Hypertension Control, a Distinguished Service Award from the American Heart Association, and membership as a Fellow in the American College of Epidemiology, the Council on Epidemiology and Prevention of the American Heart Association and the Council for High Blood Pressure Research of the American Heart Association.

Dr. Lackland has more than 136 publications in peer reviewed journals, and has served as PI and co-PI on numerous grants.

Dr. John Feussner receives Higgins Award

John Feussner, MD, MPH,  Distinguished University Professor and Chairman of the Department of Medicine, has been awarded the 2009 Earl B. Higgins Achievement in Diversity Award for his contributions to the promotion of equality and diversity in every aspect of work, service and diverse learning. 

Dr. Ben Clyburn, Internal Medicine Program Director, praised Dr. Feussner saying, “from the moment he arrived on campus, he has made increased diversity an explicit goal for the Department of Internal Medicine...he has provided leadership, vision and financial support in these efforts.”

Dr. Deborah Deas, College of Medicine Senior Associate Dean for Diversity, stated that even in the interview process, prior to coming to MUSC, Dr. Feussner “was able to outline a systematic plan of inclusivity within his department and recognized the need and value of having individuals of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.”

Dr. Leonard Egede, Director of the MUSC Center for Health Disparities Research, stated that, “Dr. Feussner’s interest in diversity in academic medicine dates back to when he took over as division chief if GIM at Duke University.  He recruited the first African American physician to ever be hired in that division.  Under him, the GIM division at Duke was one of the first non HBCU (historically black colleges and universities) to establish a sustained presence at the NMA (National Medical Association) meetings for both enhancing the institutional visibility and for the explicit goal of recruiting African American physicians.”

Ms. Carter named Program Coordinator of the Year

Lindy Carter, Program Coordinator for the Emergency Medicine Residency Program has been voted "Program Coordinator of the Year" by the Emergency Medicine Residency Association. According to Dr. Larry Raney, Director of Emergency Medicine, “This is a very prestigious honor, granted yearly to that PC who most embodies the values of EMRA and our main organization, ACEP. Every year, several programs nominate their PC's, and send supporting endorsements from the residents. The selection is made blinded, based on the resident's endorsements.  We are thrilled to have our program and our Coordinator so honored!”

Dr. Marcy Bolster named to Appeals Panel

Marcy Bolster, MD, Professor in Rheumatology and Immunology, and Program Director for the MUSC Rheumatology Fellowship Program, has been unanimously approved for a six year appointment to the Appeal Panel for Rheumatology by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.

Welcome Dr. Joelle Roche!

Dr. Joelle Roche joined the Division of Hematology-Oncology as a full Professor on February1, 2009.  Dr. Roche earned her Doctorate of the 3^rd Cycle, PhD degree in Biochemistry at the University Lyon1, France in 1978.  Dr. Roche also earned her State Doctorate, PhD in Natural Sciences and Molecular Biology from the University of Grenoble, France in 1985. 

In 1983, Dr Roche moved to the University of Lyon1 as an Assistant Professor and was promoted to Associate Professor in 1988. She worked with Dr Drabkin on lung cancer at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver from 1992 to 1995. In 1995, she was promoted to Full Professor in Molecular Biology at the University of Poitiers (France).

Dr. Roche’s expertise is in the areas of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Cellular Biology.  Dr. Roche’s research has included gene regulation, chromatin organization, chromosome mapping, gene cloning, and molecular oncology.  She has actively been involved in collaborations with various national and international investigative laboratories in France, Canada, and the U.S.  Included among these laboratories, are those of Drs. Harry Drabkin and Robert Gemmill in the Division of Hematology-Oncology.   

Dr. Roche’s research interests include the role of semaphorins, especially SEMA3F, in the pathogenesis and treatment of lung cancer, and SEMA3F gene regulation. She is also interested in HDAC inhibitors for therapeutic applications in cancer treatment.  Dr. Roche has a wide range of teaching experience at both the undergraduate and graduate level and hopes to develop an exchange program between MUSC and the University of Poitiers, France. 

MUSC is one of 20 U.S. sites chosen ito participate in this important endeavor.  Dee Ford, MD, MSCR, Assistant Professor in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, is the WELPICUS project leader for MUSC. The WELIPICUS project was initiated by the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine and the American Thoracic Society to develop an international consensus statement for end of life practices in ICU’s.  End of life decisions occur in ICU’s and trouble patients, families and challenge public authorities.  There is an urgent need for more transparency, improved end of life care and worldwide harmonization of standards.

Physicians Certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine

In 2006 the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) and the American Board of Psychology and Neurology (ABPN), among other major credentialing bodies, recognized Hospice and Palliative Medicine as a separate specialty.  In Oct. 2008 the first ABIM sponsored certifying exam was offered.  The MUSC Palliative Care Program is pleased to announce that three Dept. of Medicine faculty passed this exam representing an important milestone for our Program.   Dee W. Ford, M.D., M.S.C.R. (Div of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Sleep), Paul Rousseau, M.D. and Jerry Kurent, M.D., M.S., M.P.H. (Div. of General Internal Medicine/Geriatrics) are the DOM faculty newly certified in this emerging field. 

Dr. Ford is also certified by the ABIM in internal medicine, critical care medicine, and pulmonary disease; Dr. Rousseau is also certified by the ABIM in internal medicine; Dr. Kurent is also certified by the ABPN in neurology and neuromuscular medicine.

Congratulations Drs. Ford, Rousseau and Kurent!

Dr. Edward Jauch Co-Chairs NIH Roundtable 

Dr. Edward C. Jauch, MD MS FAHA FACEP, of the Division of Emergency Medicine, co-chaired the National Institutes of Health Roundtable on Opportunities to Advance Research on Neurological and Mental Health Emergencies held at the NIH on December 3 and 4th.  This roundtable, cosponsored by several NIH institutes (NINDS, NIMH, NICHD, NCRR, NIAAA, NIDA), focused on exploring areas of opportunity and need for neurological, psychiatric, substance abuse, and other mental health disease conditions that present to the emergency setting (prehospital or Emergency Department).  In conjunction with two additional NIH roundtables on trauma and emergent medical and surgical issues, these roundtables and the resulting white paper will help the NIH restructure its research and training portfolio in emergency care research across all institutes in accordance with the NIH Roadmap and IOM Report.

Dr. Brenda Hoffman named one of America’s Top Doctors for Women

 Brenda Hoffman, M.D. , Professor in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, was recently included in Women's Health Magazine's listing of America's Top Doctors For Women. Women's Health teamed up with the research firm Castle Connolly to create an exhaustive list of America's best physicians for women. Dr. Hoffman was one of only five gastroenterologists listed for the entire southern United States.

Dr. Mark DeLegge hosts radio interviews

As part of a joint effort between ReachMD and the American Gastroenterological Association, MUSC's Dr. Mark DeLegge was approached to host G.I.-related radio interviews with various national experts.

ReachMD is an innovative communications company that delivers thought-provoking and informative medically-related radio programming via XM Satellite Radio Channel 160, as well as via online streaming.

Starting with his first broadcast back in September 2008, Dr. DeLegge has so far hosted thirteen different interviews, including one with Dr. Peter Cotton. That interview is titled "Quality Outcomes for Endoscopy."  Dr. DeLegge's two most-recent podcast interviews are "Managing Esophageal Cancer from the Onset" and "Understanding and Treating Chronic Constipation."

Dr. Leonard Egede Awarded RO1 Grant

Leonard Egede, M.D., M.S., Associate Professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics and Director of the Center for Health Disparities Research, was recently awarded an R01 grant titled “Telephone Delivered Behavioral Skills Intervention for African Americans with Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM).”  The grant is awarded from 8/1/2008 – 6/30/2012 with a budget of $2,066,132. 

This study will test the effectiveness of separate and combined telephone-delivered diabetes knowledge/ information and motivation/behavior skills training intervention in high risk African Americans with poorly controlled T2DM.  The study will also examine whether the intervention improves physical activity, diet, medication adherence, and self-monitoring of blood glucose at 12 months of follow-up compared to usual care.

Dr. Larry Afrin to join Editorial Board

Larry Afrin, M.D., Associate Professor in Hematology/Oncology has been invited to join the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Medical Informatics, the premier journal worldwide in the field. 

Dr. Adrian Reuben invited to Mayo Medical School

Adrian Reuben, M.D., Professor in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, has been invited to inaugurate the Mayo Medical School Humanism in Medicine Lecture Series in honor of the late Dr. Hugh Butt. The invitation cited Dr. Reuben’s consistent demonstration of his commitment to the value of humanism in his professional and personal endeavors and his ability to express this commitment eloquently.  Dr. Reuben not only leads the Hepatology Section, but is also known as an eloquent speaker, drawing large audiences to his annual Grand Rounds lectures - an average of 32% more than other MGR speakers in the last 5 years.

Dr. Gary Gilkeson joins the Henry Kunkel Society

Gary Gilkeson, M.D., Vice Chairman for Research and Professor in Rheumatology and immunology, has been approved as a new member of the Henry Kunkel Society. The Henry Kunkel Society is dedicated to fostering patient-oriented research, particularly in the field of immunology, as exemplified by the scientific life of Dr. Kunkel. The Society aims to continue to grow as an organization that brings together and fosters the success of investigators with similar goals.

VA REAP Award- Center for Disease Prevention and Health Interventions for Diverse Populations

The Center for Health Disparities Research was awarded a VA REAP award for the Center for Disease Prevention and Health Interventions for Diverse Populations.  The award was given a period from 10/01/2008 to 09/30/2012 with a core budget of $1,324,000.  Leonard Egede, M.D., Associate Professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics and Director of the Center for Health Disparities Research is the principal investigator of the recent award. 

The Center for Disease Prevention and Health Interventions for Diverse Populations’ vision is to develop into a nationally and internationally recognized center focusing on research excellence in disease prevention and health interventions for diverse populations.  The Center’s research focus is on the development of interventions for primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of disease and its complications in veterans, the development of interventions to eliminate racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, and gender disparities in quality of care and health outcomes for veterans, and the development of interventions to improve the health of rural dwelling veterans.

The Center includes 30 investigators, 18 core investigators and 12 affiliate investigators, working together from both MUSC and the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center.  The Center investigators come from diverse disciplines including Medicine, Psychiatry, Psychology, Nursing, Health Economics, Allied Health, and Biostatistics.  The Center for Disease Prevention and Health Interventions for Diverse Populations also collaborates with the MUSC Center for Health Disparities Research, the Center for Health Economics and Policy, the Department of Biostatistics, Bioinformatics, Epidemiology, the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Outcomes Sciences, and the Department of Psychiatry.

Active VA Merit Grants within the Center

1. IIR-06-219-2 Mauldin (PI)/Egede (Co-PI)2/1/2008-1/31/2010 Total Budget: $190,100

Ethnic Differences in Medication Adherence and Cost for Elderly Veterans with DM

This proposal will estimate the financial impact to the federal payer (VA and Medicare) of medication non-adherence among elderly veterans with type 2 diabetes.

2. IIR 07-139-3 Pope (PI)/Egede (Co-PI)      Total Budget: $705,600     10/1/2008-9/30/2011

Racial Variations in Communications Decision Making & Diabetes Outcomes

This research study will record and examine the communication process and outcomes for African American and Caucasian veterans with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

3. IIR-04-421-3 Egede (PI)      Total Budget: $1,019,900      8/1/2006-7/31/2010

Telepsychology Service Delivery for Depressed Elderly Veterans

To evaluate the effectiveness of in-home telepsychology to deliver Behavioral Activation Therapy to depressed elderly veterans

Department of Medicine Teaching Awards

Valerian Fernandes, M.D., Assistant Professor, Cardiology, and Jennifer Clark, M.D., Instructor, General Internal Medicine & Geriatrics have been awarded the MUSC Department of Medicine Teaching Awards.  These awards are given out twice a year based on votes by the Department of Medicine Residents and Medical Students.

MUSC Professor Emeritus receives Order of the Palmetto Award

Charleston, SC, (December 9, 2008) – John A. Colwell, M.D., Ph.D., Professor Emeritus at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), received the Order of the Palmetto Award in a Dec. 5 ceremony at the College of Nursing Historical Library. The Order of the Palmetto award is the state’s highest civilian honor awarded by the Governor of South Carolina.

In his letter to Colwell, Governor Mark Sanford cited Colwell’s position as outstanding physician and leader in the medical community; his dedication to the cause of diabetes research, patient care and education; his vision for and guidance of the establishment of the Diabetes Initiative of South Carolina; his leadership in numerous medical organizations and academic committees; his participation in various editorial boards, as a manuscript reviewer, as a teacher, and invited lecturer, and his many publications

In South Carolina, Colwell has served on virtually every committee of the S.C. Affiliate of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), including chairman of the affiliate board and president of the ADA during 1987-1988. A graduate of Northwestern University Medical School, where he received his M.D., M.S. and Ph.D., Colwell served as professor of medicine at MUSC and board chairman of the Diabetes Initiative of South Carolina until 2007, when he retired. The Diabetes Initiative of S.C. has produced programs of education and care for people affected by diabetes, and for health professionals in the state. These programs have contributed significantly to a 40-50 percent decrease in hospitalizations due to complications of amputation and stroke among people living with diabetes in S.C. within the last decade. 

Internal Medicine Resident Quality Improvement Projects

The second year Internal Medicine Residents are each responsible for devising and completing a quality improvement project. Once completed, a formal presentation on the process and findings is made.  Faculty mentors guide each project.  Specifically residents are expected to address the following questions in their presentations:

What is the clinical question? What does the background literature tell us (and references)?  What is the study design? (Dr. Kit Simpson and Dr. William Moran help with this) What data set characteristics do I need to identify (e.g. age, sex, diagnosis of CHF??)?  How will the data be analyzed? (Dr. Simpson and Dr. Moran to help with this)

This fall the following projects have been finalized and presented:

1. Who Provides Better Hypertensive Control-- Trainees or Attending Physicians?   Laurel Bailey MD, Stephen Clark MD, Ben Clyburn MD, Kit Simpson DrPH,  Brent Egan MD

2. What is the Rate of Inappropriate Initiation of Acid Suppression Therapy (AST) in Patients Hospitalized with Community Acquired Pneumonia?  Eli Penn MD, Brad Sapp PharmD,MD,  Kit Simpson, DrPH

3. Training Internal Medicine Residents in a Hi-Fidelity ACLS Simulator May Improve Survival in Patients with Vfib/Vtach Cardiac Arrest.  Eli Penn MD, Brad Sapp Pharm D,MD, Kit N. Simpson, DrPH; Sheila Scarbrough, RN, MSN; Patrick J. Cawley, MD, FACP

4. Diagnosis and Empiric Treatment of Neutropenic Fever in the Emergency Room  Jonathan Abbas MD, Lara Lambert MD, Nick Paphitis MD, Erin Alexander MD,   Deborah DeWaay MD, Kit Simpson DrPH

5. Relationship Between Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infections and Use of a Needleless Valve Access Device Ashley Abide MD, Kristi Lentsch MD, Chelsea Rainwater MD, Kristine McDonald MD, Deborah DeWaay MD, Kit Simpson, DrPH, Cassandra Salgado, MD, MS

6. Clopidogrel following  Non-ST Elevation MI Richard Bayer MD, Jonathan Hoda MD, Monique Sandhu MD, Kit Simpson DrPH, William Moran MD

7. How Well Does MUSC Screen for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients with Hepatitis C?  Kevin Meyers MD, Eric Molloy MD, Pete Naas MD, Erick Singh MD, Kit Simpson DrPH

8. Syphilis Screening in HIV Infected Patients Sara Scherrer MD, Ashley Pyle MD, Stephen Clark MD, Kit Simpson DrPH

9. The Effect of the $4 Wal-Mart Prescription Plan on Blood Pressure Control   Logan Richards MD, Jeremy McClure MD, Sheree Walker MD, Brent Egan MD, William Moran MD, Kit Simpson DrPH

10. What Percentage of Echocardiograms Obtained in Heart Failure Exacerbations are Unnecessary? Courtney Cave MD, John Shoffeit MD, Jenks Thompson MD, Thaddeus Tuten MD, Bruce Usher MD, Kit Simpson DrPH, William Moran MD

11. Optimization of Diabetic Regimens for CHF Exacerbation Patients Upon Discharge  Shantae Jenkins, MD PhD, Linda Meyers, MD, Kit Simpson, DrPH, Kathie Hermayer, MD

12. Contact Precautions: How compliant are we? Elton Chambers, MD and Lara Hourani, MD, Cassandra Salgado, MD, Kit Simpson, DrPH

13. Outcomes Associated with NIPPV Use in Acute Respiratory Failure Rahul Argula MBBS, MPH, Matthew Madden MD, Anand Achanti MD, Charlie Strange MD, Dee Ford MD, MSCR, Kit Simpson DrPH

14. Rates of Negative Coronary Angiography Based on Clinical Acumen Erick Funke, Yoaav Krauthammer, Geoff Lewis, Anil Rajendra , Eric Powers, MD; Kit Simpson DrPH; William Moran, MD

15. Are Antibiotics Being Administered within One Hour in Patients Meeting Criteria for Sepsis, Severe Sepsis, or Septic Shock ? Keri Holmes-Maybank MD, Temeia D. Martin MD, William Moran MD, Kit Simpson, DrPH

We would also like to thank our faculty mentors for their guidance on these projects!

7 Pilot Projects Funded for FY 2009

The Center of Health Disparities Research provides support for 6 pilot projects for graduate or post-graduate students, fellows, or faculty from MUSC through its Pilot Project program.  The Pilot Project program is a one year program that supports up to $5,000 per project each year.  In FY09, 7 pilot projects were funded by the Center of Health Disparities Research.  These pilot studies are expected to serve as vehicles to collect preliminary data for subsequent competitive applications. 

In the Department of Medicine, Cheryl P. Lynch, M.D., Assistant Professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics was among the 7 recipients awarded pilot projects in FY09.  Dr. Lynch, principle investigator of the project titled “Diabetes Prevention Program Lifestyle Intervention in African Americans with Obesity” was awarded a budget of $4, 267 with a project period and budget period from 11/01/2008-09/30/2009.  The following persons throughout MUSC were also awarded pilot projects for FY09:

1.  Erica Blender, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine  Principal Investigator

Project Title: Assessing Patient Education Needs with a Diagnosis of Chronic Pancreatitis

Award Budget: $2,929   Budget Period: 11/01/2008 – 09/30/2009, Project Period: 11/01/2008 – 09/30/2009

2.  Eve G. Spratt, MD, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine  Principal Investigator

Project Title: Maternal Mental Health and Vulnerable Babies   Award Budget: $5,000

Budget Period: 11/01/2008 – 09/30/2009, Project Period: 11/01/2008 – 09/30/2009

3.  Erika T. Brown, PhD, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine  Principal Investigator

Project Title: Identification of Mutations in African-American Women Associated with Greater Susceptibility to Triple Negative Breast Tumors

Award Budget: $5,000   Budget Period: 11/01/2008 – 09/30/2009, Project Period: 11/01/2008 – 09/30/2009

4.  Kristine Wallace, PhD, Department of Biostatistics, Bioinformatics & Epidemiology, College of Medicine

Principal Investigator

Project Title: A Pilot Study to Investigate the Relationship of Race with Decisions to Undergo Treatment for Stage IV Colorectal Adenocarcinoma

Award Budget: $4,669   Budget Period: 11/01/2008 – 09/30/2009, Project Period: 11/01/2008 – 09/30/2009

5.  Katherine R. Sterba, PhD, Department of Biostatistics, Bioinformatics & Epidemiology- College of Medicine

Principal Investigator

Project Title: Racial Differences in Psychosocial Functioning Following a Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Award Budget: $4,845  Budget Period: 11/01/2008 – 09/30/2009, Project Period: 11/01/2008 – 09/30/2009

Medical Student: Vidya Fleetwood, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Medical Genetics

Graduate Student: Christopher Potter, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology

Post Doc Basic Science: Santhosh Mani, PhD, Division of Cardiology

Clinical Fellow: Eduardo Freitas, MD, Division of Infectious Diseases

Clinical Junior Faculty: Cassandra Salgado, MD, Division of Infectious Diseases

Research Junior Faculty: Hesham El-Shewy, PhD, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Medical Genetics

We would like to thank each of the 58 participants for sharing their innovative research, as well as the reviewers for taking the time from their busy schedules to support the Department of Medicine’s research community.

A special Thank you to

John Feussner, MD, MPH             Maria Buse, MD                 Robert Gemmill, PhD

Patrick Flume, MD                      Michael Kilby, MD              Donald Menick, PhD

David Ploth, MD                         Paul McDermott, PhD         Louis Luttrell, MD, PhD

Faye Hant, DO, MSCR                 Antine Stenbit, MD, PhD     Maria Lopes-Virella, MD, PhD

Diane Kamen, MD, MSCR              Lina Obeid, MD                 Adam Smolka, PhD

Luciano Costa, MD                     Susan Taylor                    Alexander Awguleswitsch, PhD
Gerry Garza, MBA                       Jill Griffith, MBA                 Krystal Guice

 Dr. William Moran receives $2 million Reynolds Foundation Award

Forty-eight academic health centers applied for grants in response to a call for proposal from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation in November 2007.  With the assistance of a panel of geriatrics experts, 10 were selected, including the Medical University of South Carolina.  The Principle Investigator for this $2 million project at MUSC will be William Moran, MD, MS, Director of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, as well as McKnight Chair for the Study of Aging.

The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation has announced 10 grants, totaling almost $20 million, to strengthen physicians’ geriatrics training across the United States.  The grants will support comprehensive projects in academic health centers to train medical students, residents and practicing physicians in geriatrics.

The awards represent the fourth group of grants under the Foundation’s Aging and Quality of Life program.  The Aging and Quality of Life Program was conceived by the Foundation in response to a growing consensus that physicians lack adequate training to meet the increasing needs of the frail elderly patient.  Such patients typically suffer from multiple, interactive physical and psychosocial conditions—both acute and chronic—that compromise their capacity to function in daily life and lessen their independence. 

Dr. Steve Sahn selected to receive the Alfred Soffer Award for Editorial Excellence


Steven Sahn, MD, Professor and Director of the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, has been selected to received the Alfred Soffer Award for Editorial Excellence by the American College of CHEST Physicians.  Dr. Sahn is the ACCP Editor in Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care Update and is a long-standing member of the CHEST Editorial Board.  Dr. Sahn is one of the leading experts in pleural disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Dr. Sam Kini selected to receive the International Excellence in Teaching Award

Sam Kini, MD, Associate Professor and Program Director of the Emergency Medicine Residency Program, has been selected to receive a prestigious Service Award along with the International Excellence in Teaching Award from the American Academy for Emergency Medicine in India. Dr. Kini will be recognized at the EM CON 2008 to be held November 16—18, 2008 in Salem, Tamilnadu, India.

Lingappa S.Amernath, MD, President of the American Academy for Emergency Medicine India and Director of Education for the Department of Emergency Medicine at the VA Medical Center, Syracuse, NY said, in the letter to Dr. Kini that, “Our conference attendees have always given you the highest evaluations on your presentations. Your lectures are living proofs of the effort you had put in to create the awareness our organization’s goals. Your time and efforts in helping hospitals and medical colleges to improve their emergency care of patients by educating the physicians, nurses, and paramedics have made a great impact. You have always inspired the medical students and others and generated an enthusiasm for Emergency Medicine.”

New Associate Vice Chairman for Graduate Medical Education

Brad Keith, MD, Assistant Professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, has accepted an appointment as Associate Vice Chairman for Graduate Medical Education in the Department of Medicine. Dr. Brad Keith attended the College of Charleston Honor's Program from 1992-1996, earning his B.S. degree in Biology. He received his M.D. from the MUSC (1998-2002). Afterwards, he stayed on at MUSC to complete both his internship and residency here in Internal Medicine (2002-2005) plus an additional year at MUSC as a Chief Resident/Clinical Instructor in the Department of Medicine (2005-2006). Dr. Keith achieved American Board of Internal Medicine certification in 2005.

Dr. Gooz to be Section Editor

David W. Ploth, MD, Editor-in-Chief of The American Journal of the Medical Sciences recently announced the addition of  Monika Gooz, MD, PhD to their Editorial Board.  Dr. Gooz, an Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, will serve as Section Editor for Molecular Medicine. Dr. Gooz’ contributions to the medical community are significant, having published a large number of papers, book chapters and abstracts.  According to Dr. Ploth, Dr. Gooz has a rapidly developing reputation in cellular/molecular medicine, and we are honored to include Dr. Gooz as part of our Editorial Board.

Schwartz Center Rounds

Schwartz Center Rounds will be starting at MUSC on Friday Nov. 7, 2008 and will occur the first Friday of every month.  Our first meeting will be titled, “Going Beyond “Reasonable Care”. This noon conference will be held in the Gazes auditorium and free lunch is provided from Ted's Butcherblock.  This multi-disciplinary conference is an opportunity for MUSC providers to discuss the social and emotional challenges around specific patient cases.  Initiated at MUSC by Dee Ford, MD, MSCR, Assistant Professor, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, and Ramita Bonadonna , PhD, RN, Psychiatric Consultation Liaison Nurse, Schwartz Center Rounds have been implemented at 151 sites in 29 states.

MUSC is the first hospital in South Carolina to implement this program. This program is supported by a grant from the Schwartz Center which is based out of Massachusetts General Hospital. 

Clinical Wins!

Two of our over 25 outstanding outpatient clinics were recognized this week for their exceptional patient satisfaction scores for July – September 2008.  West Ashley Cardiology achieved a near perfect score for the fifth quarter in a row.  They have held onto the “Outstanding Outpatient Satisfaction – Outreach Area” banner since July 2007.  Patients report decreased waiting time, staff friendliness and ease of scheduling as the main satisfiers for this clinic.  Achieving the top score for 15 months and counting is unprecedented!

Our other clinic recognized this quarter is HCC 2 Pulmonary, lead by Dr. Gerard Silvestri.  This is the second time the HCC 2 Pulmonary clinic has won the “Outstanding Outpatient Satisfaction – On Campus” banner.  All 32 patients that responded to the survey reported full confidence in Dr. Silvestri and his team and indicated they would recommend Dr. Silvestri and MUSC to others. 

We are very proud of these clinics but also the seven other clinics that achieved an 80th percentile or above score this quarter.  80th percentile is our pillar goal for FY09 and we have many excellent clinics already performing at or above this level.  Thank you for providing the best clinical care and high patient satisfaction everyday!

We are pleased to report that the Department of Medicine has received 30 award notices for NIH supported research for the period July through September, 2008.  Twenty four of these awards are direct awards to MUSC from NIH, and six of these awards are for sub-contract awards from other Universities. The total amount awarded for this period is $6.3 Million.  Awards include new and competing renewals for the following faculty:

Maria Lopes-Virella, MD, PhD, Endocrine                                       John Arthur, MD, Nephrology  
Michael Zile, MD, Cardiology                                                        Jim Oates, MD, Rheumatology
Sonya Coaxum, PhD, Nephrology                                                 Thomas Mullen (Graduate Student)
Leonard Egede, MD, General Internal Med icine                              Gary Gilkeson, MD, Rheumatology
Edward Jauch, MD, Emergency Med icine                                       John Raymond, MD, Nephrology
Louis Luttrell, MD, PhD, Endocrine                                                 Juan Carlos Velez, MD, Nephrology
Hideharu Sekine, PhD, Rheumatology                                           Maria Trojanowska, PhD, Rheumatology

Congratulations to these faculty for successfully competing for NIH funding during times when funding from the NIH is extremely competitive.

Dr. Feussner Designated a Distinguished University Professor

At the MUSC Board of Trustees meeting last week, one of our own, Dr. Jack Feussner, was recognized for his accomplishments and contributions to MUSC.  Dr. Feussner, Chairman of the Department of Medicine, was designated a Distinguished University Professor effective August 8, 2008.

 In my opinion Dr. Feussner is exactly the type of faculty member that  was envisioned when the Distinguished University Professor designation  was created by the Board of Trustees. Given to fewer than thirty  individuals in the history of MUSC, DUP status is the highest academic  distinction given to our faculty. This designation means that Dr.  Feussner has excelled as a nationally recognized scholar in his field,  and has contributed in meaningful ways to the university outside of  his primary academic field. His contributions to the literature of  evidence-based medicine have been of the highest quality. He transformed the national VA Research Service during his time as Chief  Research and Development Officer for the entire VA system, overseeing  an enterprise that generates more than $1 billion in annual research  funding. His leadership contributions to our Department, MUSC, the  UMA, and the College of Medicine have been exemplary. We are fortunate to have Jack as a leader and faculty member at MUSC.

This a very well earned, and heartily deserved acknowledgement from the entire University of their excellence not only as real scholars, but perhaps even more so as the complete package--physician, scholar, and all around superb human beings!!! Please join me in congratulating Dr. Feussner on  this honor!

John R. Raymond, MD
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
DCI Professor of Medicine
Medical University of South Carolina

Brian Collins, MHA selected as Department of Medicine Employee of the Year

We are pleased to announce that Brian Collins, Business Administrator for the Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, has been selected as the 1st Employee of the Year for the MUSC Department of Medicine. Please join us in congratulating Brian on a job very well done!

We would also like to Thank and  Congratulate our Employees of the Quarter for the past year:

Please join us in congratulating each of these individuals for their excellent contributions to MUSC and the Department of Medicine.
What great news! and what a great way to prove We Do This Everyday!
John R. Feussner, M.D., M.P.H.
Distinguished University Professor
Chairman, Department of Medicine

Dr. Patrick Cawley has been elected President of the Society of Hospital Medicine 

The Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM) recently announced that Patrick J Cawley, MD, Executive Medical Director of  the Medical University Medical Center and Assistant Professor of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, has taken office as President of SHM for the 2008-2009 term.

 “The hospital medicine movement as a whole will greatly benefit from Dr. Cawley’s stewardship of SHM over this coming year,” said Larry Wellikson, MD, SHM’s CEO. “His commitment to hospital medicine makes him a dynamic choice at an important time in the history of our specialty.”

Dr. Cawley is a charter member of SHM and has served on the Ethics Committee, served as the chair for the current Benchmarks Task Force and was the previous Treasurer for the Board of Directors. He is currently also a member of the Public Policy Committee. In addition to his committee involvement with SHM, he has also been a frequent speaker at the Society’s Annual Meetings. “In the spirit of SHM, I look to continue

and expand the growing influence of hospitalists in public policy and advocacy,” stated Dr. Cawley. “I also feel that by encouraging partnerships between hospitalists and hospital leaders, there will be an increased ability to significantly change how health care is delivered; pushing the hospitalist movement even further.”  

SHM is the premier medical society representing hospitalists. Currently, hospital medicine is the fastest-growing medical specialty in the U.S., with over 20,000 hospitalists today and is projected to grow to about 30,000 by the end of the decade. For more information about SHM, visit www.hospitalmedicine.org.

Dr. Jan Basile has been elected President of the Southern Medical Association

Recently, the Southern Medical Association announced that Jan Basile, M.D., Director of the Primary Care Service Line at the Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center and Professor of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics was has taken office as President of the SMA for the 2008-2008 term.

A native of Bronx, New York, Dr. Basile received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Natural Science from The John Hopkins University and received his medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia. He did a medical internship and residency at the Medical University of South Carolina from 1978-1981 where he was also chief resident from 1981-1982. Dr. Basile is board certified in internal medicine with a special certification in Hypertension, an area in which he is widely published.

Dr. Basile became a member of Southern Medical Association in 1974 as a medical student. During his time with the Association, he has represented SMA in various leadership roles including Associate Councilor for South Carolina from 1990-2002 and elected Councilor in 2002. He has served SMA on several committees including Chairman of the Coordinating Committee on Education, and as a member of the Coordinating Committee on Membership, Advisory Committee on Scientific Activities, and Advisory Committee on Young Physicians.  Dr. Basile has also served as Secretary, Vice-Chairman and Chairman of the Section on Medicine. In addition, he has chaired numerous educational conferences.

Dr. Basile is a member of The Society of 1906 which provides financial support to the Research and Education Endowment Fund designed to provide grants and scholarships for medical students and physicians-in-training.

Dr. Michael Kilby is the new Director of the Division of Infectious Diseases

J. Michael Kilby, MD became Professor and Director of the Division of Infectious Diseases effective August 1, 2008.  According to Dr. John Feussner, “Michael exhibits considerable skill as an investigator, teacher, and administrator – all areas of importance when considering a candidate to lead a Division, such as the Infectious Diseases Division.

Dr. Kilby comes to us from his most recent appointment as Associate Professor of Medicine with tenure at the University of Alabama at Birmingham as well as Director of the 1917 Clinic (UAB’s HIV Clinic) and Associate Director of UAB’s General Clinical Research Center. Dr. Kilby earned his BA with Honor’s in English (minor in Biology) Summa cum laude at Wake Forest University.  He earned his MD with Honors at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha.

Dr. Kilby completed his residency in internal medicine at Duke University Medical School including a year as Assistant Chief Medical Resident. He next completed an Infectious Diseases Fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham followed by a year as Chief Infectious Diseases Fellow.

Dr. Kilby’s clinical activities include being Medical Director of the UAB 1917 Clinic (AIDS outpatient clinic).  Earlier this year UAB’s AIDS program was ranked 5th in the nation by US News and World Report. He has routinely provided 2-3 months time as an attending on the General Medicine wards, as well as ID consult service months and extensive HIV clinic duties. Dr. Kilby is board certified in internal medicine and infectious diseases. He is a Fellow in the Infectious Disease Society of America as well as the American College of Physicians.

Dr. Kilby’s clinical investigations have focused on the pathogenesis and treatment of HIV-1 infections. Dr. Kilby’s work has focused on translating concepts from bench to bedside and his work is often cited by other investigators.  His collaborative style of investigation has served him well as principal investigator or co-investigator on several multicenter AIDS Clinical Trials Group Studies that have been successfully completed and published. He has served on a Department of Veterans Affairs study section on HIV pathogenesis.

Dr. Kilby has published a significant number of original scientific articles, 48 in all, with 16 of those since attaining the rank of Associate Professor, and 19 as first author in journals that include Annals of Internal Medicine, Journal of Infectious Diseases and Chest. He also serves on the Editorial Board for the Journal of AIDS and the Journal of Viral Entry.

Throughout his career, Dr. Kilby has remained a dedicated educator at all levels.  While at UAB he has participated actively in both medical and non-medical education efforts.  Within the medical field he has mentored in both clinical and research  at all levels including medical students, residents and fellows.  Dr. Kilby was known for stellar teaching evaluations and dedication to medical education during his time at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Additionally he has organized and judged the annual Trainee Research competition at UAB.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Kilby to MUSC and the Department of Medicine!

Dr. Melanie Thomas is named first woman CoEE Endowed Chair 

Dr. Melanie Thomas is the 20th researcher recruited to South Carolina through the state’s Centers of Economic Excellence (CoEE) Program, established to drive the state’s economy by using state funds to create research centers at the state's three research universities.

She is also the first woman named as an endowed chair for the program. CoEE endowed chairs are internationally renowned scientists who direct the research conducted at the centers. Thomas will lead the Gastrointestinal Cancer Diagnostics CoEE at MUSC. Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers include cancers of the stomach, liver, pancreas, colon and elsewhere in the GI tract. Research at the CoEE will include searching for new targets for GI cancer treatment and identifying new ways to screen for GI cancer.

The CoEE will place an emphasis on esophageal cancer. South Carolina has the nation’s 14th-highest death rate from esophageal cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute. Thomas will develop a clinical trials program in gastrointestinal malignancies at the CoEE. Currently, she is the principal investigator for 17 clinical trials.

“Dr. Thomas is an active and accomplished teacher and mentor, a highly committed and talented physician and a scholar who is interested in translating basic molecular discoveries into clinical therapies,” said MUSC Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Dr. John Raymond.

Thomas will hold the Grace E. DeWolff Endowed Chair in Medical Oncology at MUSC. She will also be an Associate Professor of medicine in Hematology and Oncology and Associate Clinical Director of the Hollings Cancer Center.

“There is tremendous energy focused on leveraging the talent and expertise available at MUSC and Hollings Cancer Center to become known as a strong regional and national center for cancer care and clinical cancer research,” said Thomas. “The talent, energy and dedication available at MUSC and Hollings Cancer Center are a big draw for me.” 

Thomas previously worked at the MD Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas. She received her medical degree from Boston University. She received a master’s degree in engineering from Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Boston College.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Thomas to MUSC and the Department of Medicine!

About the CoEE Program:

The S.C. Centers of Economic Excellence Program was established by the South Carolina General Assembly in 2002, funded through South Carolina Education Lottery proceeds. The legislation authorizes the state's three public research institutions, Medical University of South Carolina, Clemson University and the University of South Carolina, to use state funds to create Centers of Economic Excellence in research areas that will advance South Carolina's economy. Each Center of Economic Excellence is awarded from $2 million to $5 million in state funds, which must be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis with non-state funds. The program also supports CoEE endowed chairs, world-renowned scientists who lead the Centers of Economic Excellence. By investing in talent and technology, the CoEE Program is designed to fuel the state's knowledge-based economy, resulting in high-paying jobs and an improved standard of living in South Carolina. For more information on the CoEE Program, visit www.sccoee.org.

American Heart Association Bronze Recognition 

MUSC has received the American Heart Association Bronze Recognition for quality work in Stroke, Coronary Artery Disease and Heart Failure.  This Triple Crown Performance Award was earned by only 25 hospitals in the US in 2008. Congratulations to Dr. Michael Gold the excellent faculty in our Cardiology Division for this great achievement!

Dr. Leonard Egede selected for Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Physician Faculty Scholars National Advisory Committee

Leonard Egede, MD, MS Associate Professor in General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, has been selected to serve on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s (RWJF) Physician Faculty Scholars National Advisory Committee. According to the RWJF, the National Advisory Committee (NAC) members are national leaders in health and health care who have been selected not only because of their prestige but their commitment to the goals of this program and its Scholars.

The NAC is involved in a wide range of activities including program design and oversight, Scholar selection, and Scholar mentorship. The program will assign each Scholar to a NAC mentor who will discuss project management and career development issues with them in person at the program’s annual meeting and throughout the year as required. NAC mentors may also offer other assistance, such as reviewing and critiquing manuscripts and grant proposals and writing letters of recommendation.