musc catalyst

May 25, 2012 MEDICAL UNIVERSITY of SOUTH CAROLINA Vol. 30, No. 39

READ THE CATALYST ONLINE - http://www.musc.edu/catalyst

72 SPECIAL-NEEDS CLINICSCHOLAR REMEMBERED

A College of Dental Medicinegraduate donates $1.5 million.

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5Dr. Gene Burges, an MUSC alumna and VAdermatologist, died May 5 after a long illness.

Applause Program

Meet Mack

Medical Center Excellence

BY DAWN BRAZELL

Public Relations

Need Blood? You can bank on it at MUSCDespite the occasional vampire joke, Jerry Squires,

M.D., Ph.D., practically gushes about his job.The former national medical director of the

American Red Cross came to MUSC four years agoto “get back to the patients” in his position as medicaldirector of transfusion and associate professor ofpathology. Squires said he was drawn to the fieldbecause of his interest in pathology and teaching andwasn’t put off by working in a blood bank as some ofhis colleagues were.

“Transfusions save lives every day here. Buttransfusion, like many medical therapies, carry somerisk. It is this knowledge that makes every personworking in the transfusion service so focused on doinga good job and on doing what is best for the patient,”he said.

Leading a tour of MUSC’s Blood Bank, Squiresexplained what a huge undertaking it is to keep a LevelI trauma center, such as MUSC, always prepared forwhatever emergency might arrive.

He points to a board listing blood types, with theamount of units stocked in each. All donors arewelcomed, but particularly type O, since this universalblood type may go to anyone. Other blood types aremore restricted as they must be matched for a safetransfusion.

“We have 60 units of O, so we’re good,” he said,noting the bank has a minimum level it tries to keepwithin each blood type. “But we can have a patientcome in by helicopter in a big trauma case and thatstock is gone.”

A single car accident victim can require as manyas 100 pints of blood. Other areas of great need fortransfusion are patients with cancer and sickle celldisease. Sickle cell affects more than 80,000 people inthe nation, many of whom have to have frequent bloodtransfusions throughout their lives. More than

Left, employees tour MUSC’sBlood Bank where Dr. JerrySquires and Karen Garner,manager of transfusion services,dqor jeqhfpklhu tl klq vqwi smncreceives about 40,000 units ofblood and blood products fromthe American Red Cross, about 60percent, red blood cell units;20 percent, plasma units; 18percent, platelet apheresis; and2 percent, cryoprecipitate.See BANK on page 6

2 THE CATALYST, May 25, 2012

The Catalyst is published once a week.Paid adver tisements, which do notrepresent an endorsement by MUSCor the State of South Carolina, arehandled by Island Publications Inc. ,Moultrie News, 134 Columbus St. ,Charleston, S.C., 843-849-1778 or843-958-7490. E-mail: [email protected].

Editorial of ficeMUSC Office of Public Relations135 Cannon Street, Suite 403C,Charleston, SC 29425.843-792-4107Fax: 843-792-6723

Editor: Kim [email protected]

Catalyst staff:Cindy Abole, [email protected] Brazell, [email protected]

Gene Elizabeth Burges, M.D., Ph.D., arespected clinician, advisor, scholar andMUSC alumna diedMay 5 at her homeafter a long illness.

A Charlestonnative, Burgessreceived herundergraduate degreefrom VanderbiltUniversity in1968 and earnedher medical anddoctorate degrees inmicrobiology and immunology in 1983.She went on to complete an internalmedicine internship and dermatologyresidency in 1988.

She established a private practice indermatology in 1988 and remained as aclinical attending physician at MUSC. In2005, she joined MUSC full-time in dualappointments as an associate professorof dermatology and dermatologic surgeryand in the Department of Microbiologyand Immunology. She was named chiefof dermatology at the Ralph H. JohnsonVeterans Affairs Medical Center in 2005.

Regarded as an enthusiastic,knowledgeable and engaging teacherand lecturer to her students, Burges wonseveral teaching awards including theGolden Apple Award in 2009.

In 2011, she was presented with theMUSC Foundation Teaching ExcellenceAward in the educator/lecturer category.

She also was the author of morethan 30 publications and abstracts

during her career.Burgess served on numerous campus

committees including the Departmentof Dermatology Career Planning andCurriculum committees and Year 2College of Medicine’s curriculum reformcommittee, the MUSC medical centercredentials and telemedicine committees.

Additionally, she held membershipswith the American Academy ofDermatology, the American MedicalAssociation, South Carolina MedicalAssociation, the Charleston CountyMedical Society and Alpha OmegaAlpha Medical Honor Society. She was alifetime member of St. John’s LutheranChurch.

Burges was born Jan. 11, 1947 to Juliusand Margaret Burges of Charleston. Sheis survived by her two sons, StephenEstes Jr., and Philip Estes, and otherfamily.

Memorials may be made to the MUSCFoundation, Class of 1984 ScholarshipFund, 261 Calhoun St., Suite 306,MSC 182, Charleston, S.C., 29425;Tricounty Family Ministries, 3349 RiversAvenue, North Charleston, S.C., 29405;Ashley Hall School Science Programs,172 Rutledge Avenue, Charleston,S.C., 29402; or Hospice of CharlestonFoundation, P.O. Box 417, MountPleasant, S.C., 29465.

“Dr. Burges’ passion was counselingmedical students and young physicians.She was the consummate mentor. Shewas most proud of the recognition shereceived from MUSC, including theGolden Apple Award in 2009, and theMUSC Foundation Teaching Excellence

Award in 2011.”—Bruce H. Thiers, M.D., professor andchairman, Department of Dermatology andDermatologic Surgery

“Dr. Burges had a profound impact onMUSC and all those who knew her, andshe will be greatly missed.”—Etta D. Pisano, M.D., vice president formedical affairs and dean, College of Medicine

“I will miss Gene so much. We met sixor seven years ago when teaching in themicrobiology and immunology course atMUSC. She was an outstanding mentorand role model, super smart and alwaysmeticulous and conscientious abouther work. You could always count onher. Seeing all that she did these lastthree years after her diagnosis also reallychanged my view of living with cancer.She was inspiring.”

—Laura Kasman, Ph.D., Department of

Microbiology & Immunology

“Dr. Burges was my fellow colleaguein dermatology at MUSC and the RalphJohnson VAMC. She was an outstandingclinician, an excellent teacher ofdermatology and microbiology/immunology, and was dedicated tomedical students and resident education.Dr. Burges also was quite creative andestablished a fine tele-dermatologyprogram at the VAMC.—Ross Pollack, M.D., MUSC Dermatology

“I would not be starting a career indermatology in only a few short weeksif it weren’t for Dr. Burges. She was anincredibly unique person: exceptionallypragmatic, painstakingly meticulous,consistently selfless, considerate, quick tosmile and always kind.”—Roger Sullivan, M.D., resident, MUSCDermatology

BY CINDY ABOLE

Public Relations

Burges

Scholar, clinician remembered for compassion

Nominations are being accepted forthe Peggy Schachte Research MentorAward.

This award was established by anendowment from the College ofMedicine in honor of Margaret P.(Peggy) Schachte, who founded andserved as director of the MUSC Officeof Research Development from 1993to 2009. During her tenure, Schachterecognized the significance of researchmentorship and played a major role ininitiating and championing researchmentorship activities at MUSC.

The purpose of this award is torecognize individuals at MUSC whomentor faculty in obtaining researchsupport from private and publicorganizations or government agencies.The award is aimed at a facultymentor or other colleague who iswidely recognized as an outstandingresearch mentor who encourages andsupports the advancement of othersas successful, extramurally funded

investigators. The Research MentorAward will be presented at the MUSCFaculty Convocation and will include$1,000 as part of the recognition.

Nominations are accepted fromall MUSC faculty and staff. Thenominating package should include thefull curriculum vitae of the nomineewith examples of research mentorshipactivities; three supporting lettersfrom MUSC faculty, postdoctoralfellows, students, or staff attestingto the research mentorship activitiesof the nominee; and a letter fromthe nominator (not to exceed 1,000words) summarizing the nominee'sbackground and achievements as aresearch mentor.

Nominations should be sent to:Stephen Lanier, Ph.D., associateprovost for research, c/o RobinHanckel ([email protected]) ColcockHall, MSC 002. For information,call 792-4333. The deadline fornominations is June 14.

Schachte Research MentorAward accepting nominations

THE CATALYST, May 25, 2012 3

As the temperaturerises, we naturally beginto migrate outside to thebeach, our neighborhoodpool or a Sundayafternoon baseball game.In doing so, we alsomay be reaping somehealth benefits from theabsorption of vitamin D,the “Sunshine Vitamin,”but if so, the questionsare what are these benefitsand how much is enough.

Vitamin D, which is actually a hormone producedin the body, is used to aid in the body’s absorptionof calcium. People who get too little vitamin D maydevelop soft, thin and brittle bones. In addition,muscles need vitamin D to move and the immunesystem needs vitamin D to fight off invading bacteriaand viruses.

Some researchers have found that vitamin Ddeficiency is associated with increased inflammation inotherwise healthy people and that inflammation waslowered by simple vitamin D. Increased inflammation

in the body can increase the risk of chronicinflammatory conditions, including coronary heartdisease (CHD) and diabetes. These studies, however,are controversial and have been subject to debate in themedical community.

The Institute of Medicine recently increased theDietary Reference Intake (DRI) to 600 internationalunits (IUs) per day (up from 400 IU) to maintain healthfor adults and 800 IUs for those 71 and older. Butevidence shows that this may still not be enough to reapthe benefits of vitamin D. Studies support intakes of2,000 – 5,000 IUs daily in adults to replenish deficientstores without causing toxicity.

Very few foods in nature actually contain vitaminD. The flesh of fatty fish (salmon, tuna, and mackerel)and fish liver oils are among the best sources. Smallamounts are also found in beef liver, cheese and eggyolks. Fortified foods such as milk, most ready-to-eatbreakfast cereals, some brands of orange juice, yogurtand margarine provide most of the vitamin D in theAmerican diet. For example, almost all of the UnitedStates milk supply is fortified with 100 IUs per 8 ouncecup.

In addition, the body makes vitamin D when skin isdirectly exposed to the sun. The National Institute of

Health estimates that 80 to 90 percent of the vitaminD in our bodies comes from sun exposure. It has beensuggested by some vitamin D researchers, includingMUSC’s Bruce Hollis, Ph.D., professor of pediatrics,biochemistry and molecular biology, that just fiveto 30 minutes of sun exposure between 10 a.m. and3 p.m. twice a week to the face, arms, legs or backwithout sunscreen usually leads to sufficient vitaminD synthesis. Cloudy days, shade, and dark-colored skincut down on the amount of this vitamin the body canconvert into usable form.

Those especially at risk for not getting enoughvitamin D include older adults, as their skin doesn'tmake the vitamin when exposed to sunlight asefficiently as when they were younger and their kidneysare less able to convert vitamin D to its active form;people with dark skin, because their skin has less abilityto produce vitamin D from the sun; and obese people,because their body fat binds to some vitamin D andprevents it from getting into the blood.

Obtaining sufficient vitamin D from natural foodsources alone is difficult. For most people, consumingvitamin D-fortified foods, taking a supplement or beingexposed to some sunlight are essential for maintaining ahealthy status.

Vitamin D: Sun, supplements or food sources?

Nutritionmatters

Margie SharpeMUSC Dietetic Intern


APPLAUSE PROGRAMThe following medical center and university employees

and offices received recognition through the ApplauseProgram for going the extra mile:

Medical CenterAmelia Hoak, Ashley River Tower (ART) 6E; MargieMyers, Gastroenterology & Hepatology; ChristinaMoore, DDC; Bobbie Miller, Endoscopy; Nicole Na-jim, ART OR; Diane Kramer, ART OR; Heather Tay-lor, ART OR; Michelle Kennedy, Women’s Services;Tanchella Perry, Revenue Cycle Operations; CynthiaFitzgerald, Pain Management Clinic; Libby Wood-ward, Women’s Services; Deborah Oliver, PediatricAmbulatory Care; Kerry Hammond, Surgery; Kather-ine Morgan, Surgery; Tory Kindley, ART 6E; FarrahRivera, ART 6E; Becky Hank, ART 6W; Adam Mill-er, ART 6E; Eve Sparger, ART 6E; Mona Murdaugh,ART 6W; Christina Chapman, Meduflex Team; ElyseMiller, Radiology; Kathleen Purl, Radiology; JoellenRedders, Emergency Department; Lewis Eisele, ARTCCU; Corinne Dolan, MedSurg ICU; Ann Peterson,Volunteer & Guest Services; Gwen Brown, Pediatrics;Melvena Nelson, Environmental Services; Wendy Wil-liams, 10W; Emily Deguzman, 6E; Megan Moore, Ther-apeutic Services; Brett Green, 10W; Courtney Nettles,10W; Michelle Magwood, Volunteer & Guest Services;Vanessa Stewart, Volunteer & Guest Services; PatriciaTotaro, University OR; Valerie Jamison, PACU; JessicaEdwards, Peri-Anesthesia; Rebecca Cleaves, Pharmacy;Angela Raney, Hollings Cancer Center Clinics; KellieAdams, Radiology; Douglas Simon, Safety & Security;Porsche Berry, Medical Records; Jill Norman, 10W;John Carson, 10W; Brett Mills, 10W; Clive Brock,Family Medicine; Jonathan Abbas, Hematology/Oncol-ogy; Darryl Lee, Revenue Cycle Operations; MichelleMoore, 2 JRU; Richard Marchell, Dermatology; Con-stance Manigault, Dermatology; Melody Bess, RevenueCycle Operations; Kate Miccichi, Revenue Cycle Op-erations; Laurie Krafsig, Revenue Cycle Operations;Andrea McCall, Rheumatology; Doris Simmons, Chil-dren’s Services Registration; Andrea Rochon, Chil-dren’s Emergency Department; LaCrystal Bartelle, Rev-enue Cycle Operations; Deborah Bellinger, Radiology;Anne Bromley, Revenue Cycle Operations; DeborahCepeda, Revenue Cycle Operations; Lisa Shealy, 8W;Sheba Pringle, Environmental Services; Leslie Power,Transplant Center; Margaret Sights, Transplant Cen-ter; Susan Gay, Women’s Services; Tawanna Singleton,Dietetic Services; Rita Forrest, Environmental Services;Adam Miller, ART 6E; Sara Sullivan, ART 6E; JennieCurry, ART 6W; Diana Martin, ART 6W; Rie Reid,ART 6W; Melkannah Cochran, ART 6E; Elaine Sola,ART 6E; Martha Perry, ART 6E; Shatora Williams, GIClinic; Shinika Phillips, Volunteer & Guest Services;

College of Dental Medicine/Patient Admissions Of-fices; Derek Bell, College of Dental Medicine; SharonBond, College of Nursing/Nurse Midwifery Clinic; JimCorr, University Press; Charles Preston Hamrick, Col-lege of Dental Medicine; Kimberly Jones, College ofDental Medicine; Richard Medaska, Engineering &Facilities; Trent Pierce, College of Dental Medicine;Deborah Reynolds, College of Dental Medicine; DawnSimmons, College of Dental Medicine; Dee Skinner,Pulmonary & Critical Care; Cindy Tumbleston, Collegeof Dental Medicine; JoAnne Waller, College of DentalMedicine; Laura Walters, Vice President of AcademicAffairs Office; and Debbie Wood, College of DentalMedicine.

University

Melissa Leslie, GI Clinic; Karen Boinest, Volunteer &Guest Services; Susan Hecker, Residents Surgery; JohnToole, Surgery; Ana Virella, Women’s Services; Kath-ryn Davidson, Respiratory Therapy; Carrie Bagley, 7A;Karen Loury, 7A; Lindsay Domrese, 7A; Shane Cox,Radiology; Thomas Pollehn, Emergency Medicine; Bev-erly Barrineau, University Internal Medicine; MonicaWigfall, 5E; Hope McFadden, Anesthesia & Periopera-tive Medicine; Chiquita Anderson, 5E; Kaitlyn Mitch-ell, Labor & Delivery; Kelly Fink, Social Workers; AprilSlagle, Labor & Delivery; Courtney Boyd, 5E; SharonGroat, 5E; Angela Welker, Antepartum; Simone Gra-ham, Labor & Delivery; Murray Passo, Pediatrics Rheu-matology; Lamor Coaxum, Labor & Delivery; SheenaCalliham, Operations; Betty Capers, EnvironmentalServices; Glennie Davis, Patient Transport; Mary Sch-ram, Pulmonary Clinic; Michael Snyder, Safety &Security; Don Fylstra, Obstetrics-Gynecology; LillianJenkins, Revenue Cycle Operations; Jill Serguson, Ra-diology; Eric Rovner, Urology; Gwen Nesbitt, UrologyClinic; Erin Langendorfer, ART Pre-Op Testing; DoraJohnson, ART Pre-Op Testing; Terrence Walker, 6W;Ramona Smith, 9W; Jason Taylor, Anesthesia & Peri-operative Medicine; Jennifer Nash, Transplant Center;Melissa Dutton, Radiology; Haley Fitzsimmons, 10W;Shane Pais, 2 JRU; Nicholas Swatt, 7B; Anne Redick,2 JRU; Amber Crawford, Transplant Center; JenniferSaunders, Physical Therapy; Sheila Dawson, ART 6W;David Hall, Anesthesia & Perioperative Medicine; AnnaHinzmann, Transplant Center; Tawana Gadsden, Medi-cal Records; Ashley Watkins, Safety & Security; NancyMurray, Dialysis Unit; Lauren Haney, Pharmacy; MaryParks, 5E; Jacqueline Heyward, PAS; Monica Davis,PACU; Curtis Grant, Environmental Services; Eliza-beth Richter, Storm Eye Institute; Twanda Ferrell, Envi-ronmental Services; Whitney Hamrick, 6W; Julie Ross,6W; Catherine Gaillard, Radiology; and Pamela Grady,OCIO Information Services.

William Stewart, College of Dental MedicineClass of 2015, leads an interactive session in oneof the four second-grade classes at HarborviewElementary school.

The College of Dental Medicine’s Class of 2015, aspart of the MUSC Gives Back program, completed aseven-week program of training in oral health to secondgrade classes at Harborview Elementary on JamesIsland.

Eighty students received instruction on topics suchas tooth development, dental decay, oral hygiene andnutrition using teaching techniques and materials toactively engage the students.

The idea was born from a consultation betweendental medicine’s Class of 2013 students Marie Cross,Graham Lee and MUSC Gives Back director LizSheridan.

According to second-grade teacher Terri Ulichinethe students anxiously awaited for the dental studentsto arrive every Tuesday. “The lessons were always wellprepared and actively involved all of the students. Wewere very impressed how the dental students handled somany second graders at one time. Our students learnedso much and had lots of fun. We would love to do thisevery year.”

CDM students teachothers about hygiene


MEET MACK

Mack Ellis Shieder Jr., R.N.Department2N, Institute of Psychiatry, PediatricBehavioral HealthHow long at MUSC8 yearsHow are you changing what’spossible at MUSCBy continuing to seek opportunitiesfor improvement in providing excellentpatient and family careWhy did you choose nursingAs a child, I always aspired to be a policeP\I_]N iQ^ i M_ZPPW L]i_Z]Nc `KNMYQ[ [YJ]MR] i WYLLW] P\ hPLZc a []L LZ] POOPNLKQYLfto educate and teach others along withOPWY_YQ[ LZ]YN Z]iWLZ iQ^ g]WWdh]YQ[cDream jobSNP hP^f hKYW^]N PN OPg]N WY\L]Nc a PQ_]WPJ]^ LP WY\L Z]iJf g]Y[ZLMcHeaviest weights you have lifted405 pound bench press, 525 pound squat,285 pound shoulder press, 605 pound^]i^WY\L iQ^ VeVTb OPKQ^ W][ ON]MMc aURP\I_YiWWf N]LYN]^ \NPR YL iWWc a LZYQX aURready to live life as a normal strengthZKRiQ h]YQ[cGreatest momentsThe birth of my two children


1 million new people are diagnosed withcancer each year, with many of themneeding blood, sometimes daily, duringchemotherapy treatment.

MUSC receives blood from the RedCross that has been processed and tested.Squires raves about the services. “Wetalk to the Red Cross every day. They’reincredibly valuable to us. The Red Crossdoes a superior job here.”

One blood donation can save up tothree people, given all the componentsin blood that are needed. Red cellsare stored in refrigerators at 6 degreesCelsius for up to 42 days. Platelets arestored at room temperature in agitatorsfor up to five days. Plasma and cryo arefrozen and stored in freezers for up toone year.

Karen Garner, manager of transfusionservices, points out an oscillator wherethe platelets are kept jostling. “We have

one of the lowest expiration rates ofplatelets because of our large use.”

There are otherways MUSC’sBlood Bank,which providesthe bloodproducts neededto support 42,000transfusions ayear, stands out.

Squires saidMUSC is oneof few hospitals

committed to providing space for theRed Cross. The donor room, located inRoom 279, university hospital, acrossfrom 2 West Amphitheater, is open from10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesdayand Thursday.

Most MUSC technologists holdadvanced degrees, which shows theirdedication. When blood arrives fromthe Red Cross, it still has to be matched

to patients’ needs. This isn’t as easy asit may seem. A sickle cell patient, forexample, needs careful matching, aservice that not all hospitals have thestaffing and resources to perform.

Hanging on the wall in the BloodBank is an elaborate chart of bloodantigens. The transfusion of donor redblood cell units that lack certain redcell antigens (such as C, E and K) whenthe corresponding antigens are absentfrom the recipient’s red cells has beenshown to reduce the risk of red cellalloimmunization in patients with sicklecell disease.

Squires and his staff help advise staffabout whether patients need transfusionsand if so, test blood products to ensurethe best match. “It’s such a high-poweredfacility,” he said scanning the room’svarious testing areas and equipment fromirradiators to oscillators.

Another part of his job he likes is thatthe daily flow of blood through the bank

is a testament of people’s altruism. It canget challenging during holidays whenfewer people think to donate blood, butyet the need remains there. “There’salways this pressing need. It never takesa vacation. It never quits. There couldalways be more donors.”

Barbie Kolar, donor recruitmentrepresentative with the American RedCross, praised MUSC for donatingspace. It’s crucial for the Red Cross tohave that support. Blood can be safelydonated every 56 days, which is a goodthing since every two seconds, someonein the nation needs blood. Nearly 5million people need blood transfusionseach year, and one in 10 people enteringthe hospital needs blood.

Often family members in the hospitalwaiting for news on their loved one willdonate blood, knowing that one day itwill be used to save someone else.

She smiles. “Those are special days forus.”

INSIDE MUSC’S BLOOD BANK

Every two seconds, someone in theUnited States needs blood. About 500people need to give blood or plateletseach week to meet hospital demand. TheMUSC Donor Center is located in Room279 of the university hospital.

Karen Garner, manager of transfusiomservices, holds up a bag of plateletsthat they call ‘liquid gold.’ One blooddonation can help save the lives of up tothree people.

Plasma can bekept frozen forup to a year.

Technologists in MUSC’s Blood Bank testpatients’ blood to make the best matcheswith the donated blood.

BANK Continued from Page One

Squires

The Catalyst, May 25, 2012 7

An alumna of the James B. Edwards Collegeof Dental Medicine (CDM) has given a $1.5

million gift to name a special-needs dental center inthe school’s new clinical building. The gift also willestablish an endowment for the center.

Pamela M. Kaminski, DMD, MUSC CDM Class of1989, is a board-certified pediatric dentist in Grants,N.M., where she sees many patients with a broadspectrum of physical, mental and emotional disabilities.She said that, on the whole, too few dentists have beentrained how to address the secondary challenges thatcan accompany such conditions.

“Many of these patients have very specific needs interms of medication, anesthesia and the manner inwhich they’re treated,” she said. “Unless they’ve beentrained in these areas, very few dentists are going to befully prepared for the challenges that come with treatingsomeone with, say, cerebral palsy or Down syndrome.”

In recognition of these challenges, the CDMdesignated 1,500 square feet in its new clinicaleducation building to teach and practice special-needsdentistry.

CDM Dean John Sanders, DMD, said that there’sa huge demand for added capacity in this field. About14 percent of children in the United States have specialneeds, according to a 2005-2006 survey by the National

Survey of Children with Special Care Needs.“Some of these patients come to us with physical

disabilities that make it difficult just to get them in achair,” said Sanders. “Others have mental or emotionalproblems that create a very high level of anxiety, whichmakes it difficult for them to remain still or seated forlong.”

When the Pamela M. Kaminski Center for SpecialCare Dentistry Center is complete and fully functional,it will include four operatories equipped with chair lifts

and other amenities designed to facilitate special-needspatient care. The endowment, which will be fundedthrough Kaminski’s estate, will be used for outreach-related programs or to provide treatment for special-care patients. In addition to its expanded clinicalcapabilities, the space also will bring new depth to thecollege’s educational program.

“Right now, dental students get relatively littleexposure to these cases on a regular basis,” Sanderssaid. “This center will allow us to bring together whatare now independent pockets of clinical expertise andintegrate them into our core curriculum, so that all ofour students receive special-needs experience as part oftheir training.”

Kaminski said her gift allowed her to advance twolongtime passions: her alma mater, and serving a groupof people she describes as one of the most vulnerableand underserved populations of patients out there.

“I have been looking for a way to give back to theinstitution that took me in and made so many thingspossible for me. I’ve also spent most of my career caringfor special-needs patients,” she said. “When I wentback for my 20th reunion in 2009 and heard about thecollege’s plans for serving these people, I knew rightaway I wanted to be part of this center. For me, thedecision to become involved was very easy.”

Gift from dental graduate to support special-needs clinic“I have been looking for a wayto give back to the institutionthat took me in and made somany things possible for me.I’ve also spent most of mycareer caring for special-needspatients.”

Dr. Pamela Kaminski


Rebecca Britton, RT OutpatientPharmacy

“I contactedBecca about amedication that afamily needed fortheir child. Themedication costmore than $700 ata local pharmacy.She researched themedication andwas able to get the cost reduced to lessthan $100 a month. The family not onlyhas a child with special medical needs,but the mother is out of work. Beccataking the time to go the extra mile willimpact this family. Becca is an exampleof MUSC Excellence!”Nominated by Susan Fawcett

Kimberly Mitchell, MedicineScheduling

“A universityinternal medicinenurse informedme that one ofmy team memberssaved a patient’slife. Kim Mitchellrecognized thepatient needed tospeak immediatelyto a nurse as she had taken her insulinincorrectly, mixing up her sliding scaleand regular dose. The nurse informedme that the patient would have probablydied in about 30 minutes had she notreceived medical intervention. Despitethe fact that Kim is not clinically trained,she realized the potential danger themedication mistake could have on thepatient and put her in direct contactwith a nurse who arranged for EMS totransport the patient to the emergencydepartment. The nurses told us that thepatient is doing well.”Nominated by Jac Tepper

Kelly Howard, Ashley River TowerAdult Heart Cath

“Kelly Howard, an X-ray technician

and Heart &Vascular Center(HVC) value analysiscoordinator, wastaking the CARTAbus home whena passenger (whowas also an MUSCemployee) collapsed.The bus wascrowded and Kelly jumped out of herseat and assessed the man. She foundhim to be pulseless and started CPR. Sheasked if the bus had an AED [automatedexternal defibillator] and learned it didnot, however, two bus riders knew whereto find one in a building nearby andretrieved the AED. She connected itto the patient, and it delivered a shockto him. At this point, EMS arrivedand shortly there after transported theman to MUSC for further treatment.Reportedly this patient is recoveringwell thanks to the quick interventionsof Kelly Howard and the MUSC teamcaring for him. Kelly Howard is one ofmy most valuable employees. She puts110 percent into everything she does.Prior to conceiving our 5/10 plans,her work contributed to saving MUSCmillions within the HVC throughvendor control, great negotiations andcollaboration with other departmentsresponsible for purchasing and billing.She has outdone herself again.”Nominated by Natalie Ankney

Contrenia Haynes, Volunteer &Guest Services

“On April 13, I received a traumavictim in the Intensive Care Unit. Acouple of hours later her family membersarrived. As they arrived I realized thata little boy was wearing only socks, hisT-shirt cut down the center, both pantlegs cut up the center, and his aunt wasdraped in a blanket with paper pantsand knees wrapped. I called Kieshathe social worker, and she was able togive me a pair of shorts and a T-shirtfor the little boy, but we didn't reallyhave anything for the young lady. After

Medical Center

‘Making a difference every day’April Employees of the Month

sitting at my desk,I thought I wouldcall downstairsto the VolunteerOffice. I spoke withContrenia to seeif any unwantedclothing was lyingaround. After tellingher of a car accidentof eight family members traveling fromFlorida to Maryland, she immediatelycame upstairs, greeted the family andoffered her assistance. Not knowing whatwas going on in Contrenia's mind, shewent to the store and bought a dress for

the aunt and a warm-up suit for the littleboy during her lunch hour and broughtit back to the waiting area. I thought,‘Wow, what an awesome gesture, andwhat a caring and loving person she isto go out with her money to purchaseclothing for a couple of the familymembers who didn't have anything towear.’

Not only did she spend her money onclothes for them, she bought lunch foreveryone. That is what I call going aboveand beyond the call of duty. Thank youfor being you, and my prayer is that Godreturns blessings to you in 100 folds.”Nominated by Vanessa Stewart


CURRENTS May 15People–Fostering employeepride and loyaltyEmployee of the month–March

Cassandra Poole, anadministrative coordinatorwith Volunteer and GuestServices, was recognized forher dedication and effort in providingtransportation for an overnight conciergeteam member who experienced cartrouble and could not get to work.On her own time, Poole picked upthe coworker and escorted him to theuniversity hospital (Nominated by KatyKuder).

HR updateKim Duncan, MUHA HRIS manager,

presented the following:! SuccessFactors – Employees whotransfer between July 1 and Aug. 31:Previous supervisor will complete reviewand new supervisor completes theplanning form; Transfers during thefiscal year: New supervisor completesreview and planning form; For anemployee in a new job more than sixmonths: the employee will be evaluatedon their new job duties using new pillargoals; for employees in a new job lessthan six months: access “Getfeedback”button in SuccessFactors; email betweencurrent and prior supervisor; or providepaper notes between current and priorsupervisor! How do I decide which job duties touse? New duties: current and former jobare similar; long enough to rate on newduties; and use regular planning form;Prior duties: current and former job isdifferent; not long enough to rate onnew duties; and use transitional planningform; Combination: feedback fromcurrent and former jobs are different;long enough to rate on new duties; anduse transitional planning form! Which Pillar Goals should I assign?Managers can apply goals to current job,prior job or a combination of both! Review forms are first sent toemployees and then sent to supervisorson or before June 1; Supervisors canallow employees more time to complete

the review even after the May 31 deadlineby using the Send Back Employee SelfReview button; employees hired April 1or afterwards will not be rated in 2012.! Users can use a number of tools,games and tutorials to help employeesthroughout the self-review process. Alltools are located on the SuccessFactorstraining site: https://www.musc.edu/medenter/SuccessFactors/training.html.! Classes (All classes will occur at 9a.m., Room 438, Colbert EducationCenter and Library) — Employee selfreview: May 22; Annual review for newleaders and administrative support staff:June 13, July 18 and Aug. 8; Refresherfor leaders and administrative supportstaff: June 28, July 11 and July 26; andReporting class: July 26 and Aug. 1.Register for all classes via CATTS.! For information, contact MichelleForeman, 792-6219 or Kim Duncan, 792-1962.

Phishing, privacyAnnette Drachman, J.D., MUHA

Legal Affairs director, gave a HealthInsurance Portability and AccountabilityAct (HIPAA) update and spoke tomanagers about campuswide problemswith email phishing. Phishing is whenindividuals use emails to gain personaland vital information from others underfalse pretense. She reminded employeesto be cautious sharing informationonline. Employees should not respondto and delete any suspicious emails.MUSC and MUHA will never askemployees to verify vital information orprovide their password by email. Eachreported incident must undergo a timelyevaluation and research to determine if aprivacy breach has been violated.

To send an email that contains anypatient information, the file or contentsmust be encrypted. Visit http://www.musc.edu/infoservices/exchange/securemail.html.

Drachman told employees to becautious regarding their social mediaposts. Any information that’s patient-related should not be posted and is aviolation of HIPAA laws.

The MUHA Compliance team is

To Medical Center Employees:Medical center town hall meetings have been scheduled to take place from May

16 – June 1 at the times and locations listed below. There also will be some townhall sessions conducted in conjunction with departmental meetings not reflected inthe schedule below. Town hall meetings topics will include: update on our pillar-basedgoals; recognition of exceptional achievements of employees and departments; discussionconcerning the employee commitment survey participation rate and plan for rolloutof results; and general comments concerning the MUSC Health strategic plan, JointCommission accreditation survey outlook and Magnet journey. We will continue the 30minute town hall format. Attendance is strongly encouraged.

On another matter, as announced earlier this year, the Computerized AnnualTraining and Tracking System (CATTS) mandatory lessons now correspond with theJuly 1 – June 30 universal performance review period. All mandatory lessons need to becompleted by June 30. Everyone’s attention to this and cooperation by completing themandatory lessons by the June 30 deadline is needed.

Thank you very much.

W. Stuart SmithVice President for Clinical Operationsand Executive Director, MUSC Medical Center

Town Hall MeetingsMay 29: 7:30 a.m., Ashley River Tower Auditorium, and 10 a.m., 2 WestAmphitheater; May 30: 7:30 a.m., 2 West Amphitheater, and 11 a.m., Instituteof Psychiatry Auditorium; May 31: 7:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., Ashley River TowerAuditorium, 11 a.m., 2 West Amphitheater; and June 1: 10 a.m., 2 WestAmphitheater.

available for staff education. ContactReece Smith, 792-7795.

Quality – Providing qualitypatient care in a safeenvironment

Wayne Brannan,University RiskManagement, spoke aboutfire safety and alarmactivations of the medicalcenter’s fire systems. Brannan specificallyspoke about recent fire alarm activations

in the university hospital in March andMay, and asked managers to review theirunit or department’s fire plan.

Brannan praised hospital employeesfor their quick response the eveningof March 24 during an 8th floor fireincident. Staff relocated patients fromthe 8th and 9th floors and worked withRespiratory Therapy for patient support.He recognized Musculoskeletal ServiceLine manager Nancy Tassin, R.N., whoserved as hospital communicationsofficer for that incident.


Rental Properties

CLASSIFIED PCLASSIFIED PAGEAGE• Household Personal Items for

MUSC employees are free.All other classifieds are charged at rate below. Ads considered venture-making ads (puppy breeder, coffee business,

home for sale, etc.) will be charged as PAID ADS •• PROOF OF ELIGIBILITY REQUIRED* NO MORE THAN 3 LINES * FREE ADS RUN 2 WEEKS ONLY!

PAID ADS are $3 per line ( 1 line = 35 characters) DEADLINE: TUESDAY – 10:00 AM* CLASSIFIED ADS CAN BE E-MAILED TO [email protected],

OR MAILED (134 Columbus St., Charleston SC 29403)Please call 849-1778 with questions. *Must provide Badge No. and Department of Employment

for employees and Student I.D. Number for MUSC Students.IP01-681634

Homes For SaleHomes For Sale

Misc. Services

3BR/2BA House in AshefordPlace HW floors in den,kitchen, dining room. 1 cargarage,W/D, fridge incl. Exc.condition, Avail. immediately$1400/mo. 843-830-1900

Luxury Condo 3BR/2BA laun-dry room, screen/open porch.Incl pool/clubhouse/exerciseroom and more. 4mi frombeach, 10 min from DT 191K843-559-1982

Resp., N/S, MUSC student forP/T Nanny ;3 yr. old boy @dntwn residence;Tue/Thur 11-5w/ more hrs. in Summer; Exp.w/ toddlers/background checkreq.$11/hr.(843)324-6783

3BR/2BA House in W. Ashley:Available June 1st. High ceilingspacious master room w/ largegreat room. Screen porch, bigpond view, pool and two cargarage. W/D,fridge incl. 1922sqft $1400/mo.843-518-2280.Email: [email protected].

MUSC RESIDENTS! Bike towork DOWNTOWN in themorning, walk to AVONDALEbars/restaurants in theevenings, and spend week-ends lounging on FOLLYBEACH, all while PAYINGLESS THAN RENT! This 3bedroom beautifully main-tained brick cottage in ByrnesDown can easily offer you thisfabulous lifestyle. Call 1-800-294-1074 CODE 4079 for 24/7information, or 843-864-3777to arrange a showing. (TheAlan Donald Real Estate Teamat Keller Williams Realty.)

musc catalyst

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