N E W S F R O M T H E R E G I O N ’ S P R E M I E R A C A D E M I C M E D I C A L C E N T E R

ADVANCES OCTOBER 6, 2016

Program Spotlight:Interpreter Services

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Cancer center files for NCI’s highest level

Four years ago, when The University of Kansas Cancer Center achieved National Cancer Institute designation, the celebra-tory balloons had barely touched down when Director Roy Jensen, MD, started talking about the next major milestone.

He set his countdown clock for Sept. 26, 2016, the date for the cancer center to apply for NCI’s highest level of designa-tion, Comprehensive status. Of the nation’s more than 5,000 cancer centers, only 69 are NCI-designated, and just 47 of those have achieved the higher Comprehensive level.

And sure enough, the cancer center on Sept. 26 filed its 1,611-page application for Comprehensive status.

As part of its rigorous evalu-ation process, the cancer center will hold a mock site visit in January followed by an actual

site visit in February involving leaders from other NCI cancer centers. NCI’s announcement is expected next summer.

Since reaching the first NCI level in 2012, the cancer center has broadened the depth and breadth of its research with a sharper focus on early detection and prevention, staff say.

For instance, they have increased the number of NCI-funded studies and clinical trials and increased the trials’ participa-tion levels. They’ve also expanded cancer prevention outreach, including a focus on curbing obe-sity, smoking and skin cancer and boosting human papillomavirus

(HPV) vaccinations. The cancer center has strength-

ened collaboration with cancer biologists, geneticists and others in the field. And it has expanded pa-tient care into new areas, such as

the Survivorship Transition Clinic, which opened two years ago to address long-term health issues in childhood cancer survivors.

To battle cancer, “We need an organization that gets up in the morning, and it’s the first thing employees think about and it’s the last thing they think about when they go to bed,” Jensen said. “And I can guarantee you that is our cancer center.”

Right on time for ‘Comprehensive’ application

The Survivorship Transition Clinic, which opened two years ago, is one of many factors supporting the cancer center’s push toward Comprehensive designation.

Put a star on it To apply for NCI’s

Comprehensive designation, staff used a huge wallboard (left) to track the cancer center’s progress in 16 areas, adding a gold star to the top of each when completed.

Director Roy Jensen, MD (from left), joined cancer center staff Lisa Harlan-Williams, PhD, and Teresa Christenson – who helped write, edit and coordi-nate the application – to attach the ceremonial final gold star.

By the Numbers: Leukemia and lymphomaIn recognition of Sept. 17’s Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Night at Kauffman Stadium, we spotlight The University of Kansas Cancer Center’s support of patients with these blood cancers.

A closer look at those patients

Clinical trial enrollment Blood and marrow transplants

To suggest a By the Numbers, email Advances@kumc.edu.

862Leukemia and lymphoma patients treated at the cancer center (2014)

2012

2013

2014*

2015

2016**

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

n Blood and Bone Marrow n Lymphoma

n Leukemia/Myeloid n Lymphoma/Myeloma

*Decrease due to system conversion**Through Aug. 31

Blood and marrow transplants are lifesaving treatments for patients with leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and related blood diseases.

Hodgkin’s Disease 40Other 93

38

77

75

5645

3140

64

42

68

Non-Hodgkin

277

Leukemia293

Multiple Myeloma

159323

298

303

230

215

Events Emotions of neuro disease –

For people living with a neuro-logical disease such as Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis, and for their families and friends, each morning can pose a challenge. Who will they be today – joyous, sad, calm, frustrated, graceful or awkward? Learn practical, everyday skills for managing the ups and downs of living with neurological condi-tions. The session is 10 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Oct. 11, at Turning Point: The Center for Hope and Healing in Leawood. Call 913-574-0900 to register.

Ladies’ night – The University of Kansas Cancer Center is host-ing a free Ladies’ Night Out series, with local lifestyle specialists and physicians discussing healthy living in a comfortable, support-ive setting. The fourth and final session, “Happy Healthy Holidays,” is 6-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, at the South location (I-435 and Holmes Road). Combine nutri-tion tips with great recipes, and you can plan holiday menus that are festive and fitness-friendly. Go to kucancercenter.org/lno or call 913-588-1227 to register and for more information.

Smoking cessation – Midwest Cancer Alliance, the outreach division of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, is offering a free smoking cessation program. It consists of eight sessions: noon-1 p.m. Wednesdays Oct. 19-Dec. 21 at the KU Clinical Research Center in Fairway. To register, contact Susan Krigel, PhD, at 913-945-7534.

Blood drive main campus – The Community Blood Center will host a blood drive 7 a.m.- 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, and Wednesday, Oct. 26, at the main campus Hixson Atrium. To regis-ter, go to esavealifenow.org and use uofkansas in the sponsor code field. Walk-ins are welcome. The center is the primary sup-plier of blood to patients at The University of Kansas Hospital.

More events are at turningpointkc.org.

PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT

When ‘Lost in Translation’ won’t do The University of Kansas

Hospital is situated in the Heartland, but its patient popula-tion reflects the nation’s immense diversity.

Consider the hospital’s Interpreter Services, which helps patients on the main campus com-municate effectively with staff.

In 2004, the department provid-ed 17,726 face-to-face interpreta-tions. The top languages then were Spanish (90 percent), American Sign Language (4 percent), Russian (4 percent), Mandarin (4 percent) and Farsi (4 percent).

By last year the number of interpretations had climbed to 30,000. Top languages now are Spanish (80 percent), Burmese (6 percent), American Sign Language (3 percent), Nepali (2.3 percent) and Russian (2 percent). You’ll also hear some Somali, Swahili, Mandarin, Vietnamese and Arabic.

“We continue to see a signifi-cant shift in requests for more languages, reflecting the diversity and changing demographics of our patient population,” said Cecilia Abbey, who leads Interpreter Services.

Formed in 1997, the depart-ment encompasses more than 40

staff and contract interpreters who provide the majority of face-to-face Spanish, American Sign Language, Burmese and Nepali interpreta-tions for our patients.

For access to approximately 150 other languages, hospital caregivers can pick up a phone round-the-clock for near-instant connection to external interpreters. In addition to speech (interpreting), staff re-ceive written (translating) support.

“I remember when we didn’t have full-time Spanish interpreter availability or access to telephone interpreters,” said Mike Carroll, nurse practitioner in the Emergency Department. “The change for both these services has been a huge help to our patients and providers.”

Interpreter Services in recent

months has tested Video Remote Interpreters in several locations. The technology – some refer to it as “WALL-E” or “interpreter on a stick” – consists of an iPad attached to a mobile unit. Self-contained, mobile and wireless, it provides access to American Sign Language with a limited number of spoken languages.

Abbey notes hospital policy requires the use of qualified inter-preters. Using family and friends as ad hoc interpreters is discouraged.

“Trained and qualified inter-preters increase patient safety and patient satisfaction,” she said. “We also can increase the therapeutic relationship between patient and provider and take a little of the fear out of hospitalization.”

EXPOSURE

Exploring the meaning of teamworkMore than 450 students, faculty and staff from the University of Kansas School of Health Professions gathered last month on the KU Edwards campus for a day of collaboration and creative thinking. The workshop included team-building exercises – here with paper airplanes – and other activities designed to foster better interprofessionalism within the school’s eight departments and three certificate programs. The ultimate goal: better patient-centered health-care as students move on with their careers.

Cecilia Abbey (seated), with a new Video Remote Interpreter, leads the department, which includes (from left) Yamir McCroskie, Matthew Bates, Brenadette Garcia, Norma Reyes, Fred LeBlanc and Maria Donado.

Striking Beacon Gold on Medical ICUThe University of Kansas Hospital’s Medical ICU (Unit 65)

has received a Gold Beacon Award for Excellence, the award’s top category.

The recognition is from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. It honors top U.S. hospital units that meet standards of excellence in recruitment and retention; educa-tion, training and mentoring; research and evidence-based practice; patient outcomes; leadership and organizational ethics; and creation of a healthy work environment.

Each Beacon-honored nursing unit holds the award for three years. Unit 65 won its first Beacon award in 2007 and again in 2009.

Unit 65 Nurse Manager Akiko Kubo, RN, attributed her unit’s success to several factors. “We promote a culture where the patient always comes first and we value excellent teamwork – not only among the nurses but with our physicians, ancillary team members and support staff,” she said. “We have a lot of fun doing serious work.”

As a Medical ICU, the 14-bed unit specializes in caring for critically ill pulmonary hypertension and cystic fibrosis patients, though staff treat a wide range of conditions, such as acute respi-ratory failure, severe sepsis and septic shock, multiorgan failure, cancer, drug overdoses/toxicity and diabetic ketoacidosis. Patients are medically managed by pulmonary critical care intensivists.

Our hospital is the only adult healthcare facility in Kansas or Missouri with a Beacon winner. Several other nursing units at our hospital have applied, or will reapply this year, for Beacon awards.

Komen grants target genes, inflammationResearchers at the University of Kansas Medical Center will

receive $650,000 in grants from Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The funding, announced Sept. 17, is part of $32.7 million in grants offered this year by the breast cancer nonprofit.

The grants include $200,000 to Cancer Biology’s Danny Welch, PhD, who is studying the role of genes that suppress the ability of breast cancer cells to spread to other parts of the body.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology’s Christy Hagan, PhD, will receive $450,000 to examine how inflammation fuels hormone-responsive breast cancers. Her research will help determine if anti-inflammatory drugs should be added as a treatment option in addition to anti-hormone therapies.

“As federal research dollars become increasingly difficult to secure, these awards give promising young researchers an opportunity to establish their careers and help ensure breakthrough breast cancer research continues for years to come,” said Komen CEO Judith Salerno, MD.

New

s Br

iefsIn the News

A recap of recent articles, TV segments and other media coverage of the region’s leading academic medical center

Female athletes underreport concussions – Physical Therapy Products, Oct. 4. In a study of 77 female high school athletes, almost half said they had suffered a diagnosed or suspected concussion but didn’t report it to their coaches or trainers. “Our results suggest that, most of the time, the athlete who is experiencing symptoms of a concussion doesn’t even recognize it as a concussion,” said Tracy McDonald, RN, Trauma Program director at The University of Kansas Hospital and the study’s lead author. “Even when they do recognize it as a concussion, they are unlikely to report it to seek help.” The study was published in the Journal of Trauma Nursing.

Drug overdoses and organ donations – KCTV-5. Oct. 3. More people are dying from drug overdoses, but are their organs safe for transplantation? “They are considered higher risk organs because of the drug overdose and the risk of other transmissible diseases,” said Timothy Schmitt, MD, director of transplantation at The University of Kansas Hospital. “But all our organ donors are screened for HIV, hepatitis C and other transmissible diseases, so they are essentially very good organs.” He notes demand for organs still far outweighs supply.

Expanding clinical trial information online – Kansas City Business Journal, Sept. 21. A new regulation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will help make more information consistently available to the public on clinicaltrials.gov. Researchers at the University of Kansas Medical Center support the change. “We think it’s really a great idea to get all of this information out publicly on the internet so patients have access to it,” said Richard Barohn, MD, vice chancellor for research. “I don’t think it changes anything we’re doing; it just underlines how important it is.”

Curing diseases with cord blood – KSHB-41, Sept. 16. More lives could be saved if more families decide to save their newborn’s cord blood. Stem cells from the cord blood can treat more than 80 diseases, including leukemia. “These two young ladies wouldn’t be here talking to us today, in this world, living their wonderful lives, without these transplants. So it’s absolutely miraculous,” said Joseph McGuirk, DO, medical director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center’s Blood and Marrow Transplant program, referring to two patients at a conference.

Double team Are we a Chiefs or a Royals town? On Monday it didn’t matter, as former players from both teams visited patients and staff at The University of Kansas Hospital. On Hematology/Oncology (Unit 45), Maria Vazquez-Guevara grabbed a proud selfie with Jim Eisenreich (left) and Anthony Davis. Other Royals and Chiefs greats meeting patients included Jamie Quirk and Dennis Leonard from the Royals and Art Still and Shawn Barber from the Chiefs.

Medical ICU (Unit 65) Nurse Manager Akiko Kubo, RN (holding award), celebrated with staff and physicians.

ADVANCES

is a biweekly publication produced by:

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Send story ideas to Advances@kumc.edu.

Bob Page, President and CEO The University of Kansas Hospital

Doug Girod, MD, Executive Vice Chancellor University of Kansas Medical Center

Kirk Benson, MD, President The University of Kansas Physicians

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Our People Chancellor stepping down –

Bernadette Gray-Little, PhD, the 17th chancellor of the University

of Kansas, has announced she will step down from the position next summer.

The first woman and first African-American to lead KU, she

joined the university in 2009 from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill as a highly regarded administrator and researcher.

During her tenure, the University of Kansas Medical Center has grown in many ways. In 2011 the School of Medicine-Wichita program expanded from a two-year to a four-year program, and the School of Medicine at Salina was created, helping educate more physicians.

The following year The University of Kansas Cancer Center achieved National Cancer Institute designa-tion. And construction began last year on the medical center’s Health Education Building.

“KU has always been a special place with terrific people and an in-stinctive spirit to change our world for the better,” she wrote in a Sept. 22 campus-wide email. “During the past seven years, we have made tremendous strides as a university and positioned KU for even greater achievements in the future.”

The university will announce details of the search process for her successor this fall.

Top doctors – For 18 years, Ingram’s magazine has published a list of the area’s Top Docs. This year’s list features two from The University of Kansas Hospital.

Urology’s David Duchene, MD – Hailing from Sioux Falls, S.D., Duchene, pursued a degree in biol-ogy and then medical school in Texas

before heading to our hospital, where he is director of mini-mally invasive urological surgery and kidney stone disease.

“Duchene,” the magazine writes, “has developed a reputation as a skilled operator using technologies that are advanc-ing rapidly. His specialty is a leader among surgical fields in the adop-tion of laparoscopy, robotic surgery and thermal ablation technology.

“I specialize in minimally invasive urological surgery,” he said, “so urol-ogy has offered an ever-changing and exciting career.”

DJ Lakkireddy, MD – He had plenty of options after finishing his training at Ohio’s Cleveland Clinic, but “the opportunity at KU was perfect, with a tremendous potential

to expand their complex arrhythmia ablation program and bring high-quality research, education and cutting-edge technology to

the greater Midwest,” said Lakkireddy, a native of Hyderabad, India.

As director of the hospital’s Center for Excellence in AF and Complex Arrhythmias, he calls cardiology “one of the most rewarding specialties in medicine. The ability to diagnose, manage and prevent disease and be able to appreciate the benefits immediately is quite satisfying.”

Ten physicians total were hon-ored this year; our hospital was the only one with two named to the list. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to surviving breast

cancer. At The University of Kansas Cancer Center, we have the largest dedicated team of breast cancer specialists providing comprehensive care at multiple locations.

Schedule your mammogram. Call 913-588-1227or visit kucancercenter.org/getyourpinkon.

Get your pink on!

Fact:Here, I learned to take charge of my health.

Shalena, 40, breast cancer survivor

NCIDesignated

Cancer Center

Brice Zogleman, MD Hospitalist

New

Phy

sici

ans

Justin Green, MD Trauma Surgery

Lisa Vopat, MD Pediatric Sports Medicine

Sarah Fandre, MD Anesthesiology

Bryan Vopat, MD Orthopedics

Abeer Anabtawi, MD Endocrinology

Gray-Little

Duchene

Lakkireddy