360 -- Spring 2015

F O R T H E E M P L O Y E E S O F C I N C I N N AT I C H I L D R E N ’ S

SPRING 2015

PEDIATRIC GENOMICS WHAT’S INSIDE

3 A Word From Peggy Hostetter

4 Genomics to the Rescue: Researchers Unravel Secrets to Save the Day

10 Burden of Proof: Studying the Genes that Cause Brain and Cranial Malformations

12 Clinical Sciences Pavilion to Open in June

We’ve all seen sci-fi movies that depict a future filled with wondrous discoveries and inventions. Although the advances are intended to ease the human condition—and they do—the movies often come with a warning about the danger of wielding power we don’t fully understand.

Here at Cincinnati Children’s, we’re working hard to understand. We’re doing research that gets to the essence of life itself—what makes us who we are and how disease originates. It’s awe-inspiring stuff, and our researchers and physicians approach it with the utmost respect.

The stories in this issue give you just a glimpse of the possibilities that come with increased understanding—innovative treatments, preventive therapies and knowledge that can help physicians and families make more informed decisions about care.

These are revolutionary times in science and medicine. How exciting that we get to help shape the future for ourselves and generations to come.

Cindy Duesing, editor

Volume 3, Issue 2 | 360° is an employee

publication of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital

Medical Center, produced by the Department

of Marketing and Communications, MLC 9012,

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center,

3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH

45229-3026, 513-636-4420.

To give us your feedback or request additional

or fewer copies of this newsletter, email us at

[email protected].

O N T H E C O V E R :

Researchers and cl inicians are on the

frontl ine of genomics—exploring this new

frontier and f ighting disease at its or igin.

(See if you can f ind the hidden symbol of

medicine.)

Editor: Cindy Duesing

Contributors: Karyn Enzweiler,

Kate Harold and Molly Vargo

Senior Art Director: Anna Diederichs

Designers: Elyse Balster and Gina Johnston

Contributing Photographers: Cindy Duesing,

Karyn Enzweiler and Mark Lyons

8300-38256 0315

PEDIATRIC GENOMICS

Accelerating discovery, innovation and translation—you’ll be hearing these words a lot as we roll out our Strategic Plan 2020 in the coming months. One of the important ways we’ll achieve this critical aim is through our newly established Center for Pediatric Genomics.

Genomics is the new frontier in science and medicine. If Cincinnati Children’s aspires to be the leader in improving child health, we must place our stake in the field. Genomics allows us to understand the genetic basis of disease—why it occurs and how—so we can make more accurate diagnoses and develop more effective treatment and preventive therapies.

We’re not just looking at rare diseases. We’re also looking at more prevalent conditions, like asthma, ADHD and Type I diabetes, and how we can understand them on a more innovative level.

Our colleagues at Boston Children’s, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Phoenix Children’s have all established genomics centers. But we have taken it a step further. We have made genomics a priority—by including it as a focus of our strategic plan and by putting money on the table to fund specific projects submitted by our faculty from around the medical center (see p. 8–9 for more details).

To do this kind of work, we need to have large-scale collaboration between clinicians and basic scientists. I am confident in our ability to achieve this, because at Cincinnati Children’s, we have a small-town culture housed in a world-class institution. Collaboration is what we do best.

We are moving forward using the most modern technology available to understand disease as we’ve never understood it before. It’s a no-holds-barred approach, which we expect will pay off in exciting discoveries and treatments that will give children their best opportunity for a normal and productive life. In the years ahead, we will be changing the outcome together for patients and families in ways we’ve only begun to imagine.

Peggy Hostetter, MDphysician-in-chief and chair of pediatricsdirector, Research Foundation

A Word From Peggy Hostetter

3

GENOMI CS TO THE RESCUE : Researchers Unravel Secrets to Save the Day

360°

Consider this scenario: Your 17-year-old son has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. You are prepared for this news, however, because the genetic sequencing doctors performed when he was born revealed he was predisposed to the condition. When the disease symptoms begin to show, you consult with a psychiatrist who evaluates him and refers to his genetic profile. He then prescribes the most effective medication and dose to alleviate his symptoms. There is no guesswork, no weaning him off one drug and switching him to another, or trying to find the right dosage with the least side effects. He is able to resume his life with minimal interruption, to be productive and healthy.

Or better yet: At birth, your son’s genetic profile shows a predisposition to cystic fibrosis. He undergoes therapy to replace the faulty gene and never has to experience this devastating disease at all.

Now imagine we could treat many illnesses, such as cancer, asthma and Type I diabetes, in this way.

Sound too good to be true? Talk to Peter White, PhD, and John Harley, MD, PhD, co-directors of the new Center for Pediatric Genomics (CpG) at Cincinnati Children’s. They will tell you that this is the direction medicine is heading, that we only have an inkling of the secrets the human genome will eventually impart.

Says White, “Each individual genome holds the key to that person’s potential physical lifecourse. If we can fully understand each patient’s genetic blueprint, we will be able to predict, intervene, treat, and perhaps even prevent many diseases.”

Emphasis on the word “understand.” White compares the genome to a book that contains all the information—the substance—of life. Sequencing the genome is like determining what letters are on the pages. “The letters constitute a language we don’t comprehend,” he explains.

“If one letter is different, it may change the entire plot line of the story.”

Harley expands on the analogy, “Some letters in the genetic code don’t seem to affect anything at all. So we’re looking at strings of letters—the genetic ‘words,’ (genes) so to speak, and how they relate to each other and to what we observe. These genes determine such characteristics as your size, whether you have five or six toes on each foot, or if you are likely to get a disease.”

Understanding the content and structure of the human genome introduces the possibility of changing it. Says Harley, “For example, if we know which genes are responsible for a devastating syndrome, we might be able to prevent it by introducing a corrective copy, or a drug that restores normal gene function. We’re looking at how best to make a difference in the safest, most effective way possible.”

GENOMICS TO THE RESCUE : Researchers Unravel Secrets to Save the Day

5

P R E PA R I N G F O R T H E F U T U R ECincinnati Children’s has been conducting genomic research for some time now, as well as being able to handle the “big data” challenges that come with genomics. “Before Pete arrived here last July, the institution had already made a 10-15-year investment in informatics to lay the groundwork for what we’re doing in the CpG,” says Harley, who is also director of the Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology (CAGE).

“We’ve built one of the best foundations for genomic discovery and clinical care in the world.”

Having that solid informatics capability is critical, because the study of genomics depends on acquiring and analyzing lots of very complex and poorly understood data—genetic profiles of people with all manner of diseases, infections and inherited conditions—and searching for meaningful patterns that could lead to a breakthrough in treatment or prevention.

Other strengths in our favor include the large number of patients we see who have a variety of common and rare childhood diseases. We have clinical expertise in these diseases, and we have a collaborative culture that enables us to effectively translate research into tangible healthcare improvements.

Says White, “Many groups here were already working on genetic and genomic problems. I was brought in to partner with the University of Cincinnati to find better ways to analyze data to improve care for children and adults, including during the transition period from pediatric to adult care.”

He adds, “We have two big opportunities here—to understand the molecular basis of disease from infancy throughout the human lifespan and to use this information to improve ways to help children even before they get a disease.”

John Harley, MD, PhD, shown here with a high-throughput DNA scanner, says genetic databases of the future will be much larger and more useful than what we have today.

360°

A H U G E U N D E R TA K I N GThe research world has published whole genome data for more than 1,000 organisms. Research centers have amassed immense repositories of genetic profiles, and enormous libraries store details on how thousands of medications and promising chemical compounds affect human and animal genomes.

“In the future, if we have an economy that can afford it, we’ll be able to run an individual’s genome against a huge database of everything that’s known,” says Harley. “From that analysis, we can draw conclusions about what to look out for. The database will be vastly larger than it is now, and it will constantly be changing. That’s good though, because the more data you have, the better the predictions. So it will be much more useful than what we have now.”

At Cincinnati Children’s, clinic registrars already do their part to contribute to the research effort. As part of the

registration process, they ask families if we can use any leftover materials, e.g., blood or tissue samples, from medical tests for genomic research. Says Harley, “If the registrars didn’t do this, we’d have to collect these specimens in another way that would probably cost a fortune.”

Says White, “The clinical data that’s captured during patient visits is critically important for genomics, and when combined with other findings, we’ll be able to predict whether a patient will have a disease or a reaction to a

specific drug. This helps us to create patient care solutions that are tailored to each individual, which is really the basis of precision medicine.”

We’re already doing some of that now. For instance, we can identify if a patient is genetically predisposed to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). SCA is a common predisposition, as evidenced by the stories you hear of young athletes collapsing while participating in an athletic event. Most people don’t get screened for this risk unless they’re having symptoms, like fainting spells, or if there is a family history. But it’s devastating when it happens. “With genomics,” says White, “we can affordably and accurately test everyone and identify who’s at risk before a tragedy occurs.”

U N R AV E L I N G M Y S T E R I E SThe genetic research we’ve performed and the knowledge we’ve acquired so far is impressive, but we’ve only dipped a toe into the gene pool.

“An individual’s personal genome doesn’t tell us what’s going to happen to them,” says White. “It only gives us information about what’s possible.”

Harley agrees. “Having the gene for a disease doesn’t mean you will develop it. We call it ‘penetrance.’ If everyone with a specific genetic change has the disease every time, that’s 100 percent penetrance. With many genetic changes, it may only be 2 percent or 50 percent and varies with each gene and disease pair.”

White predicts there will soon come a time when many, if not all patients who come to Cincinnati Children’s will have their DNA sequenced in the same way they have their blood drawn or their vital signs taken today. The power of that information will help us be more proactive in treating or preventing specific diseases. “We’ll get better in our predictions as we understand the biology of disease through genomics,” he says.

This will also change the dynamic of patient care. “Genomics provides information that helps guide clinical practice,” says White. “Typically, when patients come in for a visit, they tell the doctor what their symptoms are, and the doctor plays detective, trying to figure out what’s going on and how to fix it. The patient or parent knows more than the doctor does about their condition. With genomics, the reverse will be true in many cases—the doctor will potentially have much more information about the patient than he or she does before they even walk through the door.”

Both White and Harley are excited about the CpG and what they hope to accomplish.

Peter White, PhD, sees a day when having your DNA sequenced will be as routine as having blood drawn or your vital signs taken.

Says Harley, “When you do a genetic study, you’re often not sure what will result. You don’t always start with a hypothesis. Instead, you may let the genome tell you how it works. Once you provide information back to people, suddenly there’s a whole community of researchers working to understand it better and develop therapeutics.”

Says White, “The wonder that our human biology represents is what’s most gratifying to me. The human body has been extremely clever in finding ways to construct and operate itself. Every few years, a whole new class of ways we regulate ourselves is discovered, and it completely changes the field. There’s room for everyone to find their niche.”

If you were to recite the entire ATCG sequence (3 billion letters in all) at a rate of 100 sequences per minute without sleeping, eating or drinking, you would cite for 57 years.

If you laid out all the DNA from all the cells in your body, you could reach the moon 6,000 times.

You could fit 1 million threads of DNA across the period at the end of this sentence.

Although scientists have mapped the human genome, there are still gaps and missing segments. Because of this, the exact number of human genes isn’t known, though it’s estimated to be around 19,000.

On average, one out of every 180 children is born with a chromosomal abnormality, the most common of which is Down syndrome.

More isn’t necessarily better—a butterfly has about 380 chromosomes, while humans have 46. The length of the butterfly’s genome is 124,900 (million base pairs). Humans have 3,300 (million base pairs).

Two individuals share as much as 99.9 percent of the same genetic material and differ in only 0.1 percent of it.

Sources: Gene Planet, Scribd, DockGenetics

GEE WHIZ GENOMICSThe human genome is composed of 3,164.7 million chemical nucleotide bases

(adenine, thymine, cytosine and guanine—ATCG)

7

R E V V I N G O U R G E N O M I C E N G I N E SMany institutions have invested in genomics, but not so much in involving the entire enterprise and including anyone who wants to participate, says Peter White, PhD, co-director, Center for Pediatric Genomics.

The CpG hopes to jumpstart discovery by piloting a grant program in which they invite clinical and basic scientists to submit their best scientific projects encompassing genomics for funding. For this initial round, the CpG steering committee received a whopping 56 internal applications representing 37 divisions and 179 applicants and co-investigators. Of those 56 applications, 11 were chosen to receive funding. They are:

1. Hansel Greiner, MD Neurology T I T L E : Biomarker development in focal cortical dysplasia

GOA L : To identify the children with epilepsy who will benefit the most from surgery

2. Taosheng Huang, MD, PhD Human Genetics T I T L E : Mutations in SLC25A46 cause autosomal recessive optic

atrophy and axonal peripheral neuropathy GOA L : To develop treatment for optic atrophy and peripheral neuropathy

3. Sonata Jodele, MD Bone Marrow Transplant & Immune Deficiency T I T L E : Genetic predisposition for thrombotic microangiopathy GOA L : To understand why some patients develop systemic blood vessel injury, which is a severe transplant complication

4. Kenneth Kaufman, PhD CAGE T I T L E : Validation of Arg>Cys 77 AGER polymorphism in hereditary

pulmonary alveolar proteinosis GOA L : To test if one or both gene variants are necessary for this rare lung disease and determine whether transplanting normal lung macrophages constitutes a cure

5. Kasiani Myers, MD Bone Marrow Transplant & Immune Deficiency T I T L E : Inherited bone marrow failure: Mechanisms and therapy through gene discovery

GOA L : To discover new genetic causes for bone marrow failure syndromes and develop novel, less toxic treatments to prevent and treat it, as well as leukemia in children and adults

6. Derek Neilson, MD Human Genetics T I T L E : Genomic approach to prevent a painful syndrome: Ehlers Danlos Hypermobility Type

GOA L : To transform EDS-HT from an “incurable disorder” into a condition that can be medically treated

360°

+

9

7. Steve Potter, PhD Developmental Biology T I T L E : Genetics of hepatoblastoma and congenital kidney disease

GOA L : To determine the genetic cause of patients with these two rare disorders, which will allow for earlier detection and better clinical management

8. Senthilkumar Sadhasivam, MD, MPH Pain Management T I T L E : EMR machine learning and validation of genetic associations

and postoperative pain and opioid outcomes in children undergoing

tonsillectomy

GOA L : To more effectively and efficiently identify genetic predisposition to unfavorable postoperative outcomes in children, due to inadequate pain relief and opioid complications

9. Rolf Stottman, PhD Human Genetics T I T L E : Forward genetic analysis of congenital craniofacial

malformations

GOA L : To identify the genetic causes of congenital craniofacial malformations associated with rare or unique syndromes seen in CCHMC clinics

10. James Wells, PhD Developmental Biology T I T L E : Generating corrected beta cells from patients with genetic forms

of diabetes

GOA L : To identify patients with genetic forms of diabetes who could be treated with healthy insulin-producing beta cells created using a corrected gene

11. Chunyue Yin, PhD; Alexander Miethke, MD Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition T I T L E : Identification and functional relevance of gene variants

in progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis patients

GOA L : To advance our understanding of cholestatic liver disease and enable personalized treatment to save livers and lives

+

F o r a comple te desc r ip t i on o f each p ro jec t , go t o ht tp : //cen ter l ink .cchmc.org /con ten t1/159834/.

A l l o f t he awardees and a number o f add i t i ona l p r oposa ls a re be ing incuba ted t o de te rmine a l t e rna t i ve

s t rategies for suppor t , including work ing wi th our Center for Technology Commercia l izat ion and Development

Depar tment , as wel l as addi t ional in ternal and ex ternal funding agencies. You can a lso keep up wi th what CpG

i s do ing on Yammer by go ing t o ht tps : //w w w.yammer.com/ and c rea t ing a Yammer accoun t ; t hen add t he

C en te r f o r Ped ia t r i c G enomics t o your g roups .

360°

You might think Rolf Stottmann, PhD, is referring to a photo album from a recent vacation: “I get to look at these beautiful pictures. It’s so visually gratifying.” In fact, he’s talking about brain cells and other experimental results in the laboratory.

Stottmann is an assistant professor in the Division of Human Genetics. His research team studies the genes that play a part in congenital defects, which are defects that are present at birth. The team’s specific area of focus is on birth defects that occur in the brain and face, called craniofacial malformations.

Back when Stottmann was working on his master’s degree, he was introduced to the field of developmental neurobiology. He was hooked. “I found development of the brain inherently interesting,” says Stottmann, who came to Cincinnati Children’s nearly four years ago.

Burden of ProofStudying the Genes That Cause Brain and Craniofac ia l Malformations

BREAKING DOWN THE DNAIn the Stottmann lab, researchers study the genes, and the changes or mutations within those genes, that might be causing congenital malformations in babies. To do this, they use genomics—which means they look at sequence variations in large segments of DNA storing the code for all the genes in one child or family.

Their aim is to find which gene has been disrupted to bring about a defect in a child. That knowledge can contribute to a greater understanding of how malformations develop and could one day lead to a cure. It can also help families today. “When the clinical geneticists we collaborate with can tell a family that a specific gene mutation caused their child’s defect, that can help them know what sorts of issues to look for genetically, and it can help inform their decision about having more children,” Stottmann explains.

The team’s work has the potential to affect families of children with craniofacial malformations such as cleft lip and cleft palate, as well as those with intellectual disability disorders, autism, epilepsy, and other neuropsychiatric disorders that can lead to lifelong suffering and disability.

PRO VING THEIR CAS EStottmann’s team starts their work when a family comes to Cincinnati Children’s for clinical care and is referred to a genetics professional. After the geneticists share the case with the Stottmann laboratory, they develop a hypothesis about what caused the child’s malformation using something called next-generation sequencing, where they determine the order of millions of fragments of the child’s unique DNA. When they find the change in a gene they think is causing the malformation, they attempt to reproduce the malformation using mouse models. If they successfully do that, they have proven why the baby developed the defect. This is one way

Rolf Stottmann, PhD, assistant professor, Human Genetics,

prepares DNA for sequencing.

1111

Stottmann uses one of his lab’s microscopes to examine

the properties of cells.

He admits he sometimes envies his colleagues who test specific treatments and see results relatively quickly. But he’s just as accepting that his legacy will be one that others build on for years to come.

The thrill of discovery keeps him and his team going. “When we’re looking at a new animal model or experiment results, I tell my team, ‘You are quite possibly going to see something that no one else in the world may have ever seen,’” Stottmann says.

“Seeing that for the first time is really exciting.”

In the same breath, Stottmann says he pauses at these times to recognize that there is a child living with the defect his team is looking at. The children affected by these malformations remain ever present in his thoughts. They are what keep Stottmann motivated as he works to help families generations into the future.

the basic science laboratory experiments merge with the clinical genetics to make new discoveries about the basis for human disease.

Stottmann likens these investigations to working on an endless series of puzzles. He and his team put pieces together every day; sometimes they get the right fit, and sometimes a piece seems like it might never fit at all.

“Being able to bounce back and forth between interesting and relevant puzzles keeps me going,” he says.

IN DUE T IMEA particular challenge is the amount of time research takes. “It’s hard for people outside of bench research to appreciate how slow progress is,” Stottmann says.

“Even a brilliant experimental discovery can change what your next experiment will be.” One answer might mean a whole new set of questions to consider. Stottmann acknowledges that results of his work that can be translated into actual clinical treatment—where a patient’s life is changed as a direct result of his work— might not be seen in his lifetime.

A fter three years of work, a 15-story research tower is on schedule to open this summer at Cincinnati Children’s Burnet Campus. The 425,000-square-foot

building, which has been named the Clinical Sciences Pavilion (aka Location T), connects the hospital’s main clinical center to a twin research tower that opened in 2008. The new tower brings our total research space to more than 1.4 million square feet, making Cincinnati Children’s one of the country’s largest pediatric research centers. More than 1,500 physicians, scientists and support staff will work here.

A BRIDGE BETWEEN RESEARCH AND CARE The new tower physically expresses a deeply held aspect of Cincinnati Children’s culture—close and cordial cooperation between physicians and scientists to move the very latest innovations rapidly from the lab to the bedside. “This building symbolizes translational research in every way—geographically, structurally, and functionally,” says Kristine Justus, PhD, vice president of research operations and assistant director of the Research Foundation. “This is the piece that connects our research to our clinical care in a fundamental way.”

Laboratory spaces are organized in “neighborhoods” to encourage collaboration, and research divisions that work together frequently will be located near each other. “Beehive” spaces will be equipped with conference rooms and 24-hour refreshment areas to support impromptu gatherings.

CONNECTING PATIENTS TO CLINICAL TRIALSFrom spaces for advanced imaging research to clinics tailored to participants in clinical studies, the new tower will be a nexus to bring children and science together. The first three floors will feature a soaring, open atrium where families participating in clinical trials will find a one-stop shop to receive study-related exams, scans and tests. Features include an integrated pharmacy to compound and manage investigational medications, a consolidated shipping area where clinical samples can be quickly packed in dry ice, a metabolic kitchen where families can learn how to prepare foods for children with special dietary needs, and more.

A ribbon-cutting is slated for Friday, June 12. Cincinnati Children’s will also host a research symposium that day. An open house for employees and the construction crew will take place on Saturday, June 13.

360°

An artist’s rendering of the completed Clinical Sciences Pavilion. A ribbon-cutting will take place on Friday, June 12.

CLINICAL SCIENCES PAVILION TO OPEN IN JUNE

BUILDING HIGHLIGHTS

COST: $205 million

HEIGHT: 201 feet

FUNDING SOURCES: Operating

cash, investments and philanthropy

ARCHITECTS: GBBN, GBR, HDR

BUILDER: Messer Construction

KEY FEATURES:• New labs for clinical and

translational research

• Research imaging facility

• Research-focused outpatient clinic

• Collaborative space known as the Beehive

• Rooftop respite garden

• Office space for executive leadership and staff

snapshots

Department Pastoral Care

Role Senior director

What I love most about what

I do is (1) supporting and

empowering my staff so they

can use their gifts to the fullest,

and (2) providing pastoral care

to staff, especially those in

leadership.

When I’m not here, you can

usually find me at home

reading, cooking, watching a

movie (and rooting for the Red

Sox in season).

A phrase that describes me

Hospitable and fun.

What I love about CCHMC

is its commitment to the

children it serves and the

support it provides for the

work that my department does.

I was born in Munich, W.

Germany, during the

occupation following WW II.

The guiding principle of my

life is Servant leadership

Person I admire most

Jimmy Carter

People would never guess

that I used to be a hippie.

What’s on my bucket list

Visiting the eight states I have

not yet been to, especially

Alaska

Department Division of

Veterinary Services

Role Operations coordinator


I do is knowing the work we do

and the services we provide

have an impact on all children.


usually find me camping,

boating or relaxing with my

family.


Energetic, willing to try most

anything.


is being able to work with good

people and knowing that what

we accomplish makes a

difference in the community.

I was born in Cincinnati and

raised with 11 siblings. I learned

quickly how to share.


life Hard work always pays off.


My mother. She was a good

listener and knew how to

stretch a dollar.


that I play sand volleyball.


To travel out West

Department Pediatric

Ophthalmology

Role Ophthalmologist, Eye

Genetics Clinic


I do is the opportunity to serve

patients and families from

diverse backgrounds with

complex medical and genetic

conditions affecting the eye.


usually find me exploring

Cincinnati with my son.


Enthusiastic and compassionate

with a strong sense of justice

and a deep inner faith.


is the collegiality and patient-

centered focus within my

department and among the

subspecialties.

I was born in Cleveland, OH—

Go Browns!


life is The Ten Commandments


My parents


that I enjoy playing ragtime on

the piano.


To complete a triathlon and

sample every flavor of Graeter’s

ice cream

Department Audiology

Role Audiologist II


I do is helping families and

making their experience at

CCHMC as easy as possible.


usually find me at one of my

children’s sporting events.


Laid back


is that everyone is committed

to helping the children and

families achieve the best

outcomes.

I was born to take care of

those around me.


life is Do not judge anyone

for any reason. Always put

yourself in others’ shoes.


My brother Jeff who passed

away from ALS in 2013.


that I love to refinish furniture

and do decorating/painting

around the house.


To swim with dolphins

13

360°360°

thebuzz

WHAT SCIENTIFIC OR

TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCE

WOULD YOU

MOST LIKE TO SEE COME TRUE IN YOUR LIFETIME?

“I want research to find

a cure for cancer. I also

wouldn’t mind a limo or jet that

picks me up and gets me to work/

home every day.”

Kendra Sawyers, business

manager, Pediatric

Ophthalmology

“I want an affordable,

reliable, non-invasive

tracking device for

dependent loved ones, such as

children, the elderly and pets. This

device would also include a built-in

emergency alert system.”

Beth Ann Witherow, senior

web designer,

Information Services

“I would like to see a cure

for diabetes. I have diabetes,

and it’s becoming more and more

common in this society.”

Lori Wilkinson, access control

specialist, Protective Services

“I would like a cure for

rheumatoid arthritis.

Thousands, including my

mom, are diagnosed each year.

It would be wonderful if they no

longer had to suffer.”

Kellie Whitaker, administrative

assistant, Center for

Destination Excellence

“I want a robot that

could take care of all

the household duties—

grocery shopping, cleaning,

cooking, laundry, yard work and

organizing the family calendar. I’d love

a ‘Rosie’ from the Jetsons!”

LaToya Jackson, lead,

Developmental and

Behavioral Pediatrics

“I would like to see a

truly ‘green’ battery—a

power source with little to no

environmental impact.”

Treva Lyke, RN, registered nurse II,

Emergency Department

“I would like to see a

device that can

verbalize the thoughts of

small children who can’t yet talk.

I’d love to know what’s going on in

their little noggins! Otherwise, I’d

settle for a teleportation device.”

Jimmy Lambert, supervisor,

Emergency Services

415

Mary Wentzel, RN, Oncology

Jacqueline Wessel, RD, Nutrition TherapyJill Winer, RN, B4/Newborn Intensive Care UnitLisa Witte, RN, Post Anesthesia Care Unit

Annamarie Borich, RN, A5 NorthLori Brunner, RN, Clinical Translational Research CenterKeith Brunswick , Food ServicesKim Burton, RN, Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)Shannon Carr, DentistryLesa Combs, RN, Vascular Access TeamJackie Dierig , RN, GI TransplantMichelle Fluegeman, Outpatient RegistrationKimberly Foster, RN, Home CareMarcia Gavin, RD, Clinical Translational Research CenterWilliam Hardie, MD, Pulmonary MedicineDavid Herrmann, Protective ServicesSheila Howard, RN, Inpatient Care ManagementMichelle Huffman, RN, B4/Newborn Intensive Care UnitTheresa Kerth, RN, A6 South

Linda Kollar, RN, CNP, Advanced Practice NursesSusan Lee, Lab Administration

Ann McCormick , Occupational Therapy/Physical TherapyVickie Neyer, RN, MSN, CardiologyBecky Russo, RN, Clinical Translational Research CenterBill Scrivener, Pastoral CareJulie Sullivan, RN, Liberty Campus/SurgeryKimberly Wheeler, RN, A7 North and South/Neurology and NeuroscienceDonna White, RN, Inpatient Care ManagementBonnie Wilson, Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy

Kirsten Ahrens, MD, Emergency MedicineAmy Cole, RRT, Sleep LabTom DeWitt, MD, General and Community PediatricsKathy Evans, Allergy and ImmunologyRoger Gibson, RRT, Respiratory CareMelissa Peck Huber, Drug and Poison Information CenterKeith Kombrinck , Experimental HematologyChristine Mayerik , Speech PathologyKaren Naugle, Veterinary ServicesPamela Schoettker, Anderson CenterJilda Vargus-Adams, MD, Physical Medicine and Rehabil itation

See a complete l ist of milestone service anniversaries online in this week’s edition of CenterNews.

Lynda Nicholas, RN, GI Transplant

Cindi Acree, RN, CNP, DNP, Advanced Practice NursesLauren Dardeen, RN, Liberty Campus/LA1 West

Kim Klotz, RN, GI Transplant Teresa Meyer, PharmacyDiane Morris, RN, Anderson Urgent CareSharon Nuby, Same Day SurgeryTimothy Parsons, PharmD, PharmacyLisa Phipps, RN, Liberty Campus/SurgeryLinda Rubush, RN, Liberty Campus/Same Day SurgeryCharlene Smith, Food ServicesDaniel Theile, Protective ServicesChristine Wills, Information Services

Frances Calloway, Surgery Kelly Cherry, RN, Cardiac CatheterizationRebecca Cook , RN, CNP, DNP, Advanced Practice NursesLois Curtwright , RN, RadiologyTina Eubanks, RRT, Respiratory CareDiana Glaubke, AdmittingBecky Hammoor, RN, Same Day SurgeryMark Keller, Behavioral Medicine/Clinical PsychologyAnna King , RN, NeurologySusan Ley, RN, Pediatric UrologyElizabeth Lohr, RN, Home CarePatti Mercurio, RN, Same Day SurgeryNancy Morgan, RN, Liberty Campus/Same Day SurgeryKaren Nelson, Liaison ResourcesTeresa O’Hara , RN, Pulmonary MedicineLaurie Perry, RadiologySteven Potter, PhD, Developmental BiologyTerri Price, RN, Information ServicesSusan Rayburn, RN, OtolaryngologyRosemary Robertson, Liberty Campus/Emergency DepartmentFred Ryckman, MD, Surgical ServicesCynthia Samuel, RN, Adolescent MedicineCarla Schulte, RN, A6 SouthCarol Shaw, RN, Clinical Development and EducationLois Siegle, RN, GI TransplantEva Spiegel, RN, Urology/Nephrology CenterAnnette Stambaugh, Human GeneticsDan Wells, RRT, Respiratory Care

milestones

25

20

30

Congratulations to the fol lowing employees who celebrate milestone service anniversaries in A P R I L , M AY and J U N E!

40

35

3333 Burnet Avenue, MLC 9012

Cincinnati, OH 45229-3026

a moment in history 1980s

In 1985 Sandra Degen, PhD, and husband, Jay Degen, PhD, joined Cincinnati Children’s. Jay’s research has focused on genetic analysis of hemostatic (coagulation) factors in common disease processes, including cardiovascular disease and cancer. Sandra’s research interests are the regulation of the expression of protein in blood coagulation and growth control. Additionally, Sandra has been a strong advocate for women in science, helping to establish the Schmidlapp Women’s Scholars Program. Both Jay and Sandra are retiring from Cincinnati Children’s at the end of June.

Ask Sadiq Silbak about his volunteer experience in the Emergency Department at Cincinnati

Children’s, and he’ll give a long, enthusiastic answer. But ask him to choose his most meaningful interaction with patients and families, and he sums it up in one sentence: “Every interaction I have with them is meaningful.”

Silbak is a graduate student at UC’s College of Medicine, pursuing a master’s degree in immunology. He’s

a regular on the Dean’s List, won the 2011 Outstanding Tutor Award from

UC’s Learning Assistance Center, and was named the 2009 Rookie of the Year

by our own Volunteer Services.

Silbak has always wanted a career in which he can positively impact children’s lives. Volunteering at Cincinnati Children’s seemed like an obvious opportunity to do that.

He recalls the couple who brought their infant to the ED. The mother spoke English. The father spoke Arabic. The doctor examined the baby and gave the child a clean bill of health, but the father understood nothing and was frantic. Silbak, who is fluent in Arabic, stepped forward and helped alleviate his fears.

Another time, a teenager came in with a fractured leg. She was wearing an ankle bracelet that needed to be removed. It had sentimental value for her, and she feared it would have to be cut off. “I battled that bracelet for 15 minutes, which gave everyone something to laugh about,” he recalls.

“I was able to save it, which taught me that you can come out of a rough situation okay as long as you are willing to work toward positively influencing the outcome.”

Silbak finds his volunteer experience rewarding. “I meet individuals from various backgrounds, cultures, faiths and languages,” he says. “I get to see how rich humanity truly is and learn about its treasures.”

Volunteer in the Spotlight Sadiq Silbak

360 -- Spring 2015

Documents

Transcript of 360 -- Spring 2015