ADVANCES Media Relations Program Spotlight 2 NOVEMBER 20, 2014 NEWS FROM THE REGION’S PREMIER ACADEMIC MEDICAL CENTER A $10 million challenge grant for cancer care Civic leader and philanthropist Annette Bloch has committed $10 million – in the form of a dollar-for-dollar challenge – to expand cancer programs at The University of Kansas Hospital’s Cambridge North Tower. The $10 million matching gift is part of the hospital’s new $100 million campaign, which will raise funds for the $279 million specialized tower across from its main campus. “The growth of surgical cancer services at the Cambridge North Tower will provide greater access to medical advancements for which the hospital and cancer center are nationally known,” Bloch said. “The hospital is a special place, and we are lucky it is here in Kansas City,” she added. “It takes more than the power of one gift for its programs to continue to grow. I want others to take a look at the critical role the hospital and the cancer center play in the health of the region and the nation. I challenge others to support the clinical innovation and compassionate care the hospital provides.” “We are recognizing Annette’s gift by naming the inpatient surgical oncology unit in the tower the Richard and Annette Bloch Surgical Oncology Unit,” said Bob Page, hospital president and CEO. “Annette Bloch has devoted her energy to helping newly diagnosed cancer patients start their cancer journey with hope through education and support.” The facility is designated for surgical oncology, neurology, neurosurgery and ear, nose and throat services on the main campus. It will enable specialists to diagnose and treat more patients with complex illnesses, while facilitating clinical research and teaching. The 300,000-square-foot facility will feature 92 patient care beds, including 28 intensive care beds, 12 operating suites, imaging services, a lab and Annette Bloch Cambridge North Tower pharmacy. The gift will support the construction and technology for interventional labs and surgical oncology operating suites. “Annette Bloch is generously making this gift, provided the community commits another $10 million to match the challenge, over the next couple of years,” said Tammy Peterman, RN, executive vice president, chief operating officer and chief nursing officer. “The successful By the Numbers: Fall enrollment The University of Kansas Medical Center trains future healthcare professionals through a full range of undergraduate, graduate, professional, postdoctoral and continuing education programs. 3,371 Students enrolled on all campuses this fall Student enrollment (All campuses) 2007 3,108 2009 3,178 2010 3,196 2011 By School 3,362 2013 3,349 2014 3,371 Every gift to the Cambridge North Tower is an important step toward helping the hospital match Annette Bloch’s $10 million challenge. Donate at kumed. com/building or contact Fund Development at 913-588-2800. MD program (All campuses, includes MD/PhD students if in their MD Phase) Nursing 681 Medicine 2,059 Health Professions 601 Fall 2010 702 Fall 2011 726* Fall 2012 3,270 2012 How you can help To suggest a By the Numbers, email [email protected]. 2,918 2008 completion of this effort will support The University of Kansas Hospital as we provide the very best care for generations to come.” Other 30 766 Fall 2013 817 Fall 2014 830 *Initial first-year class for Salina campus and the expansion of Wichita campus to include first-year class. Events Fall Symphony – The Medical Arts Symphony will perform 8-10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, in Battenfeld Auditorium on the main campus. The 45-person orchestra, founded by medical professionals in the metro, features an ensemble including medical students and retired physicians. Led by conductor John Bell, they will perform pieces by Schubert, Mozart, Sibelius, Verdi and World Orchestral Premiere by Gavin Lendt. The concert is free and open to the public. De-clutter your life – Clutter comes in many forms, from physical items and people to bad memories, fears, regrets and toxins in the body. The good news: You can clean house, literally and figuratively, and be free. Learn how at a class called Free Your Space, 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, at Turning Point: The Center for Hope and Healing in Leawood. Call 913-383-8700 to register. Living with heart failure – CareConnext is designed to help patients with heart failure stay at home and out of the hospital. Patients are examined briefly by a nurse practitioner and meet and brainstorm with others living with heart failure. The group, which also is open to primary supporters, meets 1:30-3:30 p.m. Thursdays, Dec. 4-Dec. 18, at Turning Point: The Center for Hope and Healing in Leawood. Call 913-383-8700 to register. Holiday shopping – An open house at Missys’ Boutique features 10 percent off retail (excluding medical necessities), $10 off select bras and purses, stocking stuffers at $10 and under, gift drawings and more. The open house is 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5. Missys’ Boutique (kucancercenter.org/missys) is an accredited appearance center in the Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion in Westwood. More events are at kumed.com/ event-detail. PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT New studio enhances media outreach Last month, more than 23 million viewers around the globe watched The University of Kansas Hospital’s Chief Medical Officer Lee Norman, MD, lead news conferences concerning a patient being tested for Ebola – broadcast live from the hospital’s new Dolph C. Simons Jr. Family Broadcast Studio. The media relations team since June has used the studio’s stateof-the-art broadcast equipment and cutting-edge “smart cloud” technology to develop and launch Medical News Network (MNN). The news feed service is thought to be among the first of its kind in a U.S. hospital. The broadcast studio, combined with MNN, is a game-changer for hospital media relations, said Public and Government Relations Director Dennis McCulloch. “As a leading academic medical center, it’s our responsibility to inform and educate the public on medical issues,” he said. “These new tools help us communicate accurate information more clearly and quickly than ever before, spreading the word about our world-class patient care and medical innovations to a far greater audience.” EXPOSURE Physicians in training Dozens of local high school students considering a career in medicine enjoyed being “Doctor for a Day.” Hosted by Internal Medicine at the University of Kansas Medical Center, the Oct. 15 event allowed teens to read EKGs, test pulmonary function, tour research facilities, quiz medical staff and even sit in on lectures. Jentry Scherer (left), from Atchison County Community High, tested her skills intubating patients with the help of Sonia CastilloVega, MD. When the hospital treated a possible Ebola patient in October, the new studio helped legislative and medical leaders communicate efficiently with media worldwide. A major gift from longtime hospital advocate and Lawrence Journal-World publisher Dolph C. Simons Jr., his wife, Pam, and their family funded construction and equipment for the studio on the hospital’s ground floor. MNN (medicalnewsnetwork. org) provides news media key resources for reporting emerging medical news, medical breakthroughs and research, health and wellness information and compelling patient stories – all backed by a leading academic medical center. News outlets, including print media, can also develop their own stories on tight deadlines through around-the-clock access to MNN’s virtual medical library of pre-taped interviews with physicians, other medical experts and patients, background video, audio files and an image gallery. “We hadn’t expected to be on the world stage quite so soon, but we were ready,” said Jill Chadwick, MNN news director and hospital spokesperson. In recent months, the hospital’s media relations team has fielded media requests from as far away as Japan and Russia. Physicians and hospital leaders have interviewed live with MSNBC, Fox News, the Weather Channel, BBC and Al Jazeera America, as well as with local media. A recap of recent articles, TV segments and other media coverage of the region’s leading academic medical center Organ swap is area’s first – KCTV 5 News, Nov. 13. A couple from Andover, Kan., has completed Kansas City’s first “paired kidney donation” at The University of Kansas Hospital. Vicky Lovato wasn’t a match for her husband, Carlos Lovato, who needed a kidney, but she was a match for a patient in Pennsylvania. The patient’s spouse happened to be a match for Carlos. Their donated kidneys passed in flight. “It has to be a very choreographed day,” said Bruce Kaplan, MD, a hospital nephrologist. “Everything has to go right for it to work.” The hospital is the only one in the area participating in the national program. U.S. success against Ebola – The Medical Express, Nov. 12. The medical news website asks: With the comparatively good outcomes for Ebola patients treated at U.S. hospitals, is the virus really so deadly? Medical care must focus on maintaining patient fluid levels and responding to organ failures, said Lee Norman, MD, chief medical officer of The University of Kansas Hospital. That means providing IV fluids, giving blood transfusions and correcting electrolyte imbalances. West African caregivers may lack those basics. Gene therapy could restore hearing – Fox 4 News, Nov. 11. Otolaryngology’s Hinrich Staecker, MD, PhD, is leading a study at the University of Kansas Medical Center to test a drug, infused in the inner ear, that may restore hearing in some patients. Staecker has been working on the gene therapy for 17 years. In mice it restored hearing by generating cells that detect sound vibrations. Results of the initial human study, which involves 21 patients, should be known within six to eight weeks; public results may be a year away. Dangers of glow sticks – KCTV 5 News, Nov. 11. A viral video shows an Ohio teen microwaving a glow stick, which explodes, splattering the boy with hot gel. The kid was fine – and his dad’s condescending reaction priceless. Tama Sawyer, PharmD, who directs The University of Kansas Hospital’s Poison Control Center, said her staff often receives calls about the glow sticks, especially during Halloween. She said the devices contain dibutyl phthalate, which can cause skin irritation. Most troubles happen when younger children chew on them and rub their eyes, causing eye or throat irritation. News Briefs In the News Exploring WWI’s Base Hospital #28 When the United States entered the First World War in 1917, the U.S. Army mobilized medical resources around the country to create 100 large base hospitals in Europe. They were located miles behind the front but accessible by highly efficient ambulance trains. One of the facilities, Base Hospital #28, was formed by Kansas City physicians and nurses. Located in Limoges, France, it was led by doctors affiliated with the University of Kansas School of Medicine before and after The Great War. Initially planned for 500 beds, the hospital expanded to nearly 3,000 beds as battle casualties and influenza epidemic patients poured in. Now the University of Kansas Medical Center has created a website (www.kumc.edu/wwi), in cooperation with The National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial, devoted to the history and stories of Base Hospital #28. Records are extensive and include a variety of reports, patient records, hospital records, X-rays, statistical data and more than 1,000 black-and-white images from photo albums and scrapbooks detailing medical and hospital practice. “The doctors and nurses from our area who served at Base Hospital #28 made a tremendous contribution to the U.S. war effort,” said Frederick Holmes, MD, professor emeritus in History and Philosophy of Medicine and a driving force behind the website. “We want to make sure their stories are told and preserved.” Research drives new Smart Aging class Military memories The University of Kansas Medical Center is expanding its reach to staff, faculty and students connected to the military. The new Military & Veterans Affairs initiative hosted two events during Veterans Day Week. Among those participating in a meet-and-greet were DeAnna Villarreal, Telecommunications Information Resources, who served as a maintenance analyst in the Air Force, and Enterprise Project Management Office’s Stan Sneegas, who served as an engineer and project manager in the Air Force. They reviewed WWII photos of the 77th Evacuation Hospital Unit, staffed by physicians and nurses from our medical center. Thursday mornings this fall, about 70 local residents gather in a conference room at the University of Kansas Clinical Research Center in Fairway to receive the latest information on healthy aging and the brain. The Alzheimer’s Disease Center at the University of Kansas Medical Center sponsors the 12-week Smart Aging class. It is designed to take the knowledge gained by the center’s researchers – about lifestyle factors and other means to improve and maintain brain health – and pass it on to members of the community. “The information we are giving to our participants is founded in the research we do here,” said David Johnson, PhD, director of neuropsychology for the Alzheimer’s Disease Center. “One hand reaches over to the other. They’re intricately intertwined.” Graduate students present the material and help ensure class attendees follow some of the advice they receive. “The big things they come to learn are research-based information on diet and exercise,” said Omar Ramirez, coordinator of the center’s Alzheimer’s Prevention Program. “They want to be able to get reliable information and learn the tools to apply healthy behavior and lower their risk for Alzheimer’s disease.” Exceptional student spotlight – As part of Veterans Day celebrations last week, we extend special gratitude to Tim Hornik, a doctoral student in the University of Kansas School of Health Professions. Hornik Ten years ago, as a U.S. Army tank commander during Operation Iraqi Freedom in Baghdad, Hornik was blinded by a sniper’s bullet. He never lost consciousness when the bullet hit his temple and exited through his right eye. After initial struggles with depression after losing his sight, he now is just as unyielding in his goals. Winnie Dunn, PhD, Occupational Therapy chair and one of Hornik’s instructors, said the student’s life experiences and sense of humor have an enriching effect on class discussions. “Everyone gets to choose how they handle challenges that change what they think is their life path,” she said. “Perhaps Tim’s focus and determination have supported him to make a choice to get the most out of life, no matter what.” Hornik, who was a psychology major in college, completed his master’s degree in social work at KU in 2010, taking advantage of the Army’s Wounded Warriors Scholarship. After retiring from the Army as a captain in 2011 – and winning a student social work award for his efforts at a Lawrence hospital – he has turned his attention to earning his PhD. ADVANCES is a bi-weekly publication produced by: The University of Kansas Hospital Corporate Communications 2330 Shawnee Mission Pkwy., Suite 303 Westwood, KS 66205 Send story ideas to [email protected]. @kuhospital @kucancercenter @kumedcenter As the first recipient of the Bill and Shanthi Eckert Wounded and Disabled Veteran Scholarship, he began his doctoral classes in therapeutic science this fall. The program generally takes four to five years to complete. Hornik, who credits his wife and a network of mentors for their support, said he plans to use his degree to assist and advocate for disabled veterans. After spending the last few years volunteering with different organizations, such as the Blinded Veterans Association, he believes he is best suited to serve in research, education and advocacy roles. The PhD will provide the necessary foundation to accomplish his goal. A leader in hospital IT systems – Greg Ator, MD, chief medical informatics officer at The University of Kansas Hospital, is one of the nation’s “25 CMIOs to know,” according to Becker’s Hospital Review, a healthcare industry publication. Ator The top 25 are “leaders in their field, offering their hospitals and health systems expertise both clinically and technologically,” the magazine writes. Chief medical informatics officers are increasingly important as hospitals unite clinical processes with information systems. Ator’s tenure, according to Becker’s, “has been characterized by using patient data to improve the hospital’s clinical and financial performance, and developing and implementing systems that give providers access to relevant and actionable information at the point of care. He is also an advocate for engaging physicians in the health IT implementation process.” New Physicians Our People Dipika Aggarwal, MD Neurology Skylar Bellinger, PhD Center for Child Health and Development Jessica Hamilton, PhD Psychology Ioannis Papagiannis, MD, Internal Medicine/ Endocrinology Anand Rajpara, MD Dermatology Zaid Shakir, MD Internal Medicine/ Pulmonary Hospitalist OPEN HOUSE Friday, December 5 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. • • • • • 10% off retail (excludes medical necessities) $10 off select bras and purses $10 and under stocking stuffers FREE GIFT with $20 purchase Gift drawings while supplies last Light refreshments 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 Staff: Mike Glynn, Editor Kirk Buster, Graphic Designer facebook.com/kuhospital facebook.com/kucancercenter facebook.com/kumedicalcenter youtube.com/kuhospital youtube.com/kucancercenter youtube.com/kumedcenter Inside the Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion 2330 Shawnee Mission Pkwy. | Westwood, KS 66205 913-945-5800 | kucancercenter.org/missys