Albany Med

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VoluMe 7 NuMber 11 | deceMber 2012

2012: A Year of Accomplishments at Albany Med

A Message from Albany Med President Jim Barba“every day, remarkable events occur within our walls in patient care, medical research, education and training. As 2012 comes to a close, it is appropriate to pause and recognize the exceptional scope of work happening at this institution. The people who make up the Albany Med community continue to push the boundaries of excellence in every arena.

“The overview provided in this edition of Albany Med Today includes some of the recognitions we have received for our work and highlights select advances made this year. what we can’t begin to capture in print is the extraordinary difference we make in people’s lives every day. Albany Med truly is known for our expertise and chosen for our care.”

Patients who had mechanical heart pumps implanted were united at a reception to celebrate life and their success at overcoming the challenge of heart disease. Thanks to newly available specialized heart pumps, they are enjoying a higher quality of life.

The Solitaire device, the latest weapon for treating stroke, became available this year locally only at Albany Med. See story on Page 2.

“Every day, remarkable events occur within our walls in patient care, medical research, education and training.”

– albany Med President Jim Barba

Research at Albany Medical College continues to thrive. Dr. Damian Shin, above, published research on an amino acid that could be used as a future epilepsy treatment.

Please turn to page 3 for a list of 2012 highlights.

In October, Albany Medical Center became the largest single enrollment site for a landmark cancer study.

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distinctions:

• Surgical Team Recognized for Exemplary outcomes. The American college of surgeons National surgical Quality improvement Program recognized Albany Med for achieving exemplary outcomes for surgical patient care, one of only three hospitals in New york state to be so honored.

• Epilepsy Center Receives Highest designation. For the fifth consecutive year, Albany Med’s epilepsy and Human brain Mapping Program received the highest designation from the prestigious National Association of epilepsy centers.

• Recognized for Performance by US News and World Report. The Medical center was recognized as high-performing in eight practice areas, more than any other hospital in the region: cancer, gastroenterology, nephrology, orthopedics, diabetes/endocrinology, geriatrics, neurology and neurosurgery, and urology.

• Heart/Stroke association awards albany Med distinction. The Medical center was chosen to receive the American Heart Association/stroke Association’s highest honor—the “Get with The Guidelines-stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award” – and was the only hospital in the region, and one of 13 statewide, to receive this recognition.

• Bariatric Program Receives Highest accreditation. Albany Med’s bariatric surgery program achieved the highest level of accreditation in its field, becoming the only program in the capital region and one of only 10 in the state to achieve this status.

• Highest accreditation for Graduate Medical Education. Albany Med’s Graduate Medical education was awarded five-year accreditation, the maximum, by the Accreditation council for Graduate Medical education, the major regulatory body overseeing graduate medical training programs throughout the us.

• albany Prize Winners Receive Nobel Prizes. two past winners of the Albany Medical center Prize in Medicine and biomedical research received Nobel Prizes in 2012. cell scientist robert lefkowitz, Md, was awarded the Nobel in chemistry, and stem cell researcher shinya yamanaka, Md, Phd, received the Nobel in Medicine.

• First with online Bioethics doctorate Program. The Alden March bioethics institute began offering an online bioethics doctorate program—the first of its kind in the nation.

• Family Medicine Program Wins National Excellence award. The American Academy of Family Physicians named Albany Medical college’s Family Medicine interest Group one of 10 “Programs of excellence.”

Medical and Scientific advances:

• First in Heart Care. Albany Med continued to be the region’s only hospital to use the transcatheter aortic valve replacement (tAVr) to treat aortic stenosis. Albany Med also continued to build its cardiac mechanical assist program utilizing the first FdA-approved long-term heart pump (lVAd) to treat end-stage heart failure as bridge to transplant or destination therapy.

• Region’s First Single-Port Robotic Procedure. t. Paul singh, Md, chief of minimally invasive surgery, successfully removed a diseased gallbladder through a single incision in a patient’s navel using the da Vinci robot.

• New Clinic for Chronic Kidney disease. Albany Med began to offer a new multidisciplinary approach to treating patients with chronic kidney disease in its newly opened chronic Kidney disease clinic. Here patients have access to a team of specialists who can manage the numerous medical issues caused by kidney disease.

• First to Provide Most Sophisticated Imaging Technology available. The 3 tesla (“3t”) magnetic resonance imaging (Mri) scanner became available locally only at Albany Med. it provides the clearest images of the human anatomy currently possible, thus improving diagnostic accuracy.

• Innovative Spinal Cord Injury Research Published. two of the first 15 patients worldwide to test a new technology that is helping paralyzed individuals to stand are being followed at Albany Med. The latest on the trial was reported in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

• albany Medical College Receives Largest Research Grant Ever. The center for immunology and Microbial disease received a $10.2 million grant from the National institutes of Health for biodefense research related to inhalation tularemia, a respiratory disease for which there is no vaccine.

• NIH awards $6 Million for Cardiopulmonary Research. scientists in the center for cardiovascular sciences received grants for research related to the basic workings of the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems.

• Expansions in Community-Based Care. Multispecialty practice offices opened in clifton Park and delmar, making access to specialists easier for many patients in these communities. in addition, progress was made on Malta Med, an emergent care facility in Malta scheduled to open in 2013. it is a joint venture with saratoga Hospital.

More good news:

• Patient Pavilion Takes Shape. The six-story Patient Pavilion started the year as a shell of metal beams and ends the year enclosed in brick and closer to its grand opening in 2013. The expansion will offer patients state-of-the-art operating and recovery rooms and an updated and expanded Neonatal intensive care unit, among other features. in April, local philanthropist carl touhey made a gift of $1 million to support the Pavilion.

• International Inroads. supported by a multi-million dollar grant from the european union, Albany Med researchers were tapped to lead an international academic partnership to create a research lab in italy that may someday help those paralyzed or disabled communicate with computers and a new generation of prosthetic devices using only their thoughts.

• Busiest Trauma Center in Ny. Albany Med continued to be the most active trauma center in New york state, according to the Nys department of Health. it had that distinction between 2003-2006 as well.

• CdPHP’s Generous Support. cdPHP committed $1.4 million to support patient safety and quality care initiatives at Albany Med, including advanced technologies that improve health, safety and quality of care.

• Largest Single Registration Site for Landmark Study. Partnering with the American cancer society, Albany Med became the largest single enrollment site for a study to determine factors that cause cancer.

2012: A Year of Accomplishments at Albany Med (Continued from the cover)

Among the highlights of 2012, 220 students graduated from Albany Medical College during commencement ceremonies at SPAC in May.

Lydia Skiba, RN, celebrated 50 years of nursing at Albany Med in 2012.

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because daniel Nugent of rotterdam is a heavy sleeper, he unwittingly became an ideal candidate for new technology offered at Albany Med that is offering new hope for stroke patients.

one night last March when his wife susan awoke and found him unresponsive to her nudging and appearing unable to speak, she knew something was wrong and called 911.

An ambulance transport from the Nugents’ rotterdam home to a local hospital confirmed a stroke but because he had been sleeping, physicians could not pinpoint how long it had been since the stroke began.

if strokes are caught early enough, they can be treated with medications or other therapies. but because there was no way to know how long he had been affected, his physicians told susan that daniel would need to be transferred to receive a higher level of care, and he was flown to Albany Med.

once at Albany Med, alan Boulos, Md, endovascular neurosurgeon and chief of the division of neurosurgery, said that the newly available solitaire clot-removal device was the best option to achieve full recovery.

Approved by the Food and drug Administration (FdA) in March, solitaire is a metal tube that is surgically inserted through a small incision in the groin and threaded through the femoral artery to the location of the blood clot in the brain. There, the surgeon can attach it to the clot and remove it from the body, thereby opening the vessel and restoring blood flow to the brain.

According to boulos, solitaire, which is offered regionally only at Albany Med, is a more efficient option for restoring blood flow than some of the clot retrieval devices previously used.

“solitaire has dramatically improved our ability to open vessels in the brain and to do so safely and quickly,” boulos said.

After being treated, daniel was admitted to the stroke unit, where susan still worried what effect the stroke would have on his speech and other functions, or whether he would be functional at all. she recalled the moment she knew the procedure had worked.

“when his neurologist, dr. Gary bernardini, made his rounds that morning and asked daniel whether he had feeling in certain areas of his body and was able to move, and he responded ‘yes’—that was when i finally felt relieved and knew he would be oK,” she said.

“we couldn’t have been happier. everything about our experience at Albany Med, from the physicians and nurses to the custodial staff, was wonderful.”

Albany Medical center Graduate Medical education has been awarded the five-year accreditation status—the maximum—by the Accreditation council for Graduate Medical education (AcGMe), the major regulatory body overseeing graduate medical training programs in the united states.

“This accreditation validates our intense efforts to fulfill our educational mission to provide outstanding graduate medical training for our residents and fellows that best prepares them for independent practice,” says Joel Bartfield, Md, associate dean for Graduate Medical education.

Graduate medical education refers to the training period that occurs after physicians receive their medical degrees and includes residencies and fellowships.

Albany Med’s exemplary compliance with the AcGMe’s requirements was measured through a lengthy institutional review which included extensive documentation and a site visit earlier this year. The accreditation process confirmed that Albany Med demonstrates proper oversight and management of 35 graduate medical programs that train residents in such specialties as internal medicine, emergency medicine, anesthesiology and pediatrics, among many others.

Leadership in Stroke Care Continues with Use of Solitaire Device

Albany Med Receives Highest Accreditation for Physician Training Programs

Dr. Alan Boulos is one of three neurosurgeons using the Solitaire device to treat stroke.

Albany Med Specialists Open Practice in Delmar specialists with the Albany Med Faculty Physician Group are now seeing patients at the delaware Avenue Health Park, 250 delaware Ave., delmar. This multispecialty practice provides a convenient option for patients who reside south of Albany.

specialists in obstetrics and gynecology, endocrinology, surgery and neurology are now accepting appointments. it is Albany Med’s fourth community-based location.

“by bringing our specialists closer to where their patients live, we have been making it easier for patients to access Albany Med’s world-class care,” said Ferdinand Venditti, Md, vice dean for clinical affairs at Albany Medical college and head of the 350-member Albany Med Faculty Physician Group.

in addition to the new delmar office, Albany Med specialists also see patients at Multispecialty offices in clifton Park (453 route 146), Malta (Malta Medical Arts, 2388 route 9) and latham (capital region Health Park at 713 troy-schenectady road) as well as the Physicians Pavilion at Albany Medical center and Albany Med’s south clinical campus.

to make an appointment, patients can visit the physicians directory on Albany Med’s website (www.amc.edu) for contact information or call (518) 264-0701 or their individual doctor’s office.

daniel, since fully recovered, agrees.

“i’m thrilled to be alive and without any debilitating side effects,” he said. “i commend Albany Med for my excellent results and fast recovery time.”

daniel is one of nine patients Albany Med neurosurgeons boulos, and John dalfino, Md, and Junichi yamamoto, Md, have treated with solitaire to date.

‘Melodies’ Builds Lasting Connections

New Book Focuses on Young People with CancerAs she was writing part three of her fantasy science fiction book series, Janine cammarata hit a roadblock.

“i was writing fiction, but non-fiction stuff kept popping into my head,” she said. “i knew that that i had to stop everything else and write it.”

in fact, she is living the “non-fiction stuff.” The mother of a patient who was treated at Albany Med’s children’s Hospital, her words share the stories of her son Nick and eight other cancer patients. once strangers, these kids are eternally linked by their battle with a terrible disease.

“i got very connected to all the families and really hoped for these young adults to heal,” said cammarata, the president of the Nick’s Fight to be Healed Foundation. “A lot of them reminded me of my son.”

Nick was just 13 when he lost his fight with leukemia. luke romano, another of the young adults whose story Janine tells, was only 17 when he died. Her book, What Makes Them Amazing: Inspiring Stories of Young Adults Fighting Cancer, shares special moments from the lives of Nick and luke, as well as seven others ages 13 to 24 who are still battling on. cammarata said the determination and the selfless caring shown by

those affected are truly inspiring.

“Quite a few of them have relapsed, and despite having to face some pretty hard obstacles, like re-learning how to walk or swallow, they still stay positive, and they wanted to do something for other children too,” cammarata said.

Proceeds from the sale of her book support the Nick’s Fight to be Healed Foundation, whose many volunteers work to improve the quality of life for children and young adults who have cancer. This is done, in large part, through support of a child life specialist from the Melodies center for childhood cancer and blood disorders at the children’s Hospital at Albany Med.

while the inspiration to write this book came easily to cammarata, she said the actual writing was difficult but, at times, cathartic.

when the final curtain fell on Melodies of christmas 2011, bob and Megan sheridan thought it might be the Melodies finale for their family as well. After all, their son ian, a singer for the past 11 years, was a high school senior. once he graduated and went off to college, they thought he would have to give it up.

but ian wouldn’t.

“of course i said no,” said the suNy oswego freshman, who has been a patient at the Melodies center for childhood cancer and blood disorders since he was 3-and-a-half. “i absolutely love being a part of the Melodies of christmas. i honestly plan on coming back each year until they tell me i can’t.”

ian is one of many veterans of the show who participate in this holiday tradition as a way to help others get the same expert and compassionate care they received.

“i will never forget the nurses and doctors who saved my life. when i was sick with leukemia, i had so much support from others and i do my best to give back. The feeling is phenomenal,” ian said.

sixteen-year-old Hayley Mattice shares that feeling. she became a Melodies singer in 2001, the same year she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

“by being part of Melodies, i am able to represent something much bigger than myself. our singers symbolize hope and strength,” she said. “when i am on stage with the other silent Night singers, i feel so strong because i am standing amongst the strongest people i have ever met.”

Nick bowen, at 25 years old, is the senior member of the Melodies singers. He saw his first Melodies show while he was undergoing his first round of chemotherapy for an inoperable brain tumor. He remembers his mother’s tears that night.

“she was crying tears of joy for the survivors, tears of sadness for those who had passed, and tears of hope for kids like me,” he remembers.

Just a few years later, Nick walked proudly onto the stage as a Melodies singer, a place he’s now stood since 2003, saying he feels so much gratitude toward those who have helped him, and is honored to be able to give back.

The Melodies of christmas has created a bond between singers that is less about the diseases they’ve battled and more about the family they’ve become.

it’s a connection that makes the Melodies of christmas an unforgettable holiday tradition.

This year’s Melodies of Christmas performances are december 20-23 at Proctor’s Theatre in Schenectady. For tickets, please visit the Proctor’s Theatre box office, www.Proctors.org, or call 518-346-6204.

Dr. John Balint Receives “Living the Legacy” AwardJohn A. balint, Md, professor of medicine and founder of the bioethics program at Albany Medical college, was honored with the whitney M. young, Jr. Health center’s 2012 “living the legacy” award. The award recognizes individuals who have exhibited a strong belief in education as a tool to a better life, who believe that social justice and fairness are paramount to a just society, and who reach out to adversaries to find common ground. dr. balint joined the faculty of Albany Medical college in 1963 as head of the division of Gastroenterology. He became chair of the department of Medicine in 1981. Fourteen years later, he developed the center for Medical ethics education and research (now the Alden March bioethics institute).

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Through the generosity of our partners, CBS 6, Freihofer’s, and

Price Chopper, as well as that of our loyal audiences, the 33 years

of Melodies of Christmas performances have raised $6,494,394 in

support of the children and programs of the Melodies Center at

Albany Med.

Patients and former patients singing Silent Night is always a special part of the Melodies of Christmas.

Holiday Gala Set for December 7The 29th annual dancing in the woods, a black-tie gala to benefit the Melodies center for childhood cancer and blood disorders at the children’s Hospital, will take place at 9pm Friday, dec. 7 on the 7th floor of the riverview center in Menands. The evening features a beautiful array of specialty foods and desserts, champagne, and live music by the New york Players. For ticket prices and more information, visit: www.amc.edu/foundation/ or call the Albany Medical center Foundation at (518) 262-3322.

Annual Lecture to Focus on ‘Genetic Theory of Infectious Diseases’Albany Medical college and the center for immunology (ciMd) and Microbial disease will present the 2012 Theobald smith Annual lecture at 4pm Friday, dec. 7 in Me-700. “toward a Genetic Theory of infectious diseases” will be presented by Jean-laurent casanova, Md, Phd, professor at The rockefeller university in New york city and head of the st. Giles laboratory of Human Genetics of infectious diseases, and an attending physician at rockefeller university Hospital. The event is hosted by dennis Metzger, Phd, professor and Theobald smith Alumni chair and director of the ciMd. For more information, call (518) 262-6750.

This annual lecture, presented as a forum for talks by eminent scientists, is named for dr. Theobald smith (class of 1883), one of Albany Med’s most renowned graduates, who is credited with discovering that insects are able to transmit diseases to humans, thus “unlocking the mysteries of yellow fever, malaria and other viral parasitic illnesses.”

After several decades working on the leading-edge of cardiac medicine, medical imaging technologist Noreen Laviska is now looking forward to a decidedly less high-tech pastime—learning to spin wool and travel with her husband, a retired dairy farmer. laviska is retiring this fall from Albany Med’s cardiac catheterization lab after 43 years of service.

laviska, who was born and raised in a small town in New Hampshire, arrived at Albany Med in 1964 to study in the X-ray technician program. After working in general radiology for four years, in 1969 she applied for a job in Albany Med’s fledgling cath lab where she has worked ever since.

“i have loved my work here, but i am looking forward to a simpler life,” she said.

The field of radiology has changed tremendously since she first entered the field. in the early days, she says X-ray cameras were large and difficult to place in the exact position necessary. smaller, more portable equipment made her job easier, she said.

one of the most dramatic changes was the invention of digital radiology, which eliminated the use of X-ray film and the time-consuming and chemically intensive darkroom process.

“digital X-ray technology made a big difference in the cath lab,” she said. “we used to use as much as 500 feet of film for each procedure.”

she is especially proud that she was part of the team of Julio Sosa, Md, when he invented the sosa contrast delivery system, which eliminated the danger of air bubbles developing in the dye solution used in the cardiac catheterization procedure.

laviska’s colleagues said they have always known her to be supportive. Frank Zima, a cardiovascular tech who worked with laviska for 27 years, said that no matter how busy and demanding the work was, “Noreen was always the calm voice of reason that we could depend on.”

colleague debbie Barbaro credited laviska with bringing her to Albany Med in 2005. They first met when a member of barbaro’s family was treated in the cath lab. “The procedure went so well, and Noreen was so warm and professional that i decided i wanted a career at Albany Med too,” she said. The two became not just colleagues but good friends.

laviska’s sister, daughter and niece are also in the radiology field. “i am so proud of them. i guess you could say this work runs in our family,” she said.

Cath Lab Employee Reflects on 43 Years at Albany Med

Noreen Laviska, center, celebrates with colleagues.

“it’s been a very hard process as i re-live a lot of it. i feel very connected to all the kids and when they suffer, i suffer. it’s important that they learn there’s always hope. it’s helped me to heal. it also gives them something that will inspire them to grow,” she said.

copies of the book can be pre-ordered at info@fighttobehealed.org.

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Vol. 7, No. 11 • December 2012

Albany Med Today is published monthly by the department of communications at Albany Medical center. comments and story suggestions can be directed to beth engeler, director of communications, at (518) 262-3421 or EngeleB@mail.amc.edu.

AlbANy MedicAl ceNter oFFicers

JAMes J. bArbA, JdPresident and chief executive officer

steVeN M. FriscH, Mdexecutive Vice President of ids andHospital systems General director

williAM c. HAsselbArtHexecutive Vice President and chiefFinancial officer

GeorGe t. HicKMANexecutive Vice President and chiefinformation officer

GAry J. KocHeMexecutive Vice President and chiefoperating officer

ViNceNt Verdile, Mddean and executive Vice President for Health Affairs

terri cerVeNysenior Vice President for development

KeNNetH collotoNsenior Vice President, center for innovation

JoHN dePAolAexecutive Associate dean andchief operating officer, AlbanyMedical college

louis FilHour, rNsenior Vice President for clinical Quality

KiM FiNesenior Vice President for Policy,Planning and communications

cAtHeriNe HAlAKANsenior Vice President for Human resources

lee r. HessberGsenior Vice President and General counsel

Noel HoGANsenior Vice President and chiefcompliance officer

deNNis P. McKeNNA, MdVice President for Medical Affairs andMedical director

berNAdette Pedlowsenior VP for Hospital business servicesand Hospital chief operating officer

MAry elleN PlAss, rNsenior Vice President and chiefNursing officer

HeNry PoHl, MdVice dean for Academic Administration

FerdiNANd VeNditti, MdVice dean for clinical Affairs

using a large-scale drill that simulated multiple fire scenarios in operating room settings, Albany Med in october took its ongoing efforts to prepare for disasters an important step further.

involving more than 100 people, the october drill brought together operating room staff, the anesthesia department, surgeons, residents, risk management specialists and staff from the department of environmental Health and safety as well as emergency Management. The deputy fire chief from the Albany Fire department was also on hand to observe and provide feedback.

“we do smaller-scale drills on a regular basis, but this was one of the largest and most complex fire drill to date,” said Scott Heller, director of emergency management.

with four fire scenarios going on simultaneously in 12 different ors and mannequins playing the roles of patients, Heller said that each team responded appropriately to activate fire response systems. And, while the fire department was not brought in on site, Heller said each team responded appropriately to activate fire response systems.

executing the event took tremendous preparation. Heller worked with clinical Nurse specialist Heather Boyle, risk Manager Neda Narkiewicz, and safety coordinator and Fire Marshal Joe Conroy to develop scenarios, brief senior or managers who were facilitating the exercise, and set up rooms ahead of time to be ready for the tight early morning time slot when the operating rooms would be empty.

And then the “fires” began – not real fires, but simulations conducted under the watch of monitors and evaluators, as well as staff members who watched the drill live-streamed from another room.

Afterward, in a debriefing, staff members shared lessons learned.

“There’s no substitute for going through the actual steps you’d be doing in an emergency to make people think about what’s needed,” conroy said. “The or is a unique situation. by doing the drill there, it highlighted not only the things that could occur, but also simple precautions people can take to enhance patient safety.”

“it certainly makes me feel staff is prepared if something like this does happen,” boyle said. “They are ready and they know what they need to do to have the best outcome for their patient.”

in addition to dozens of fire drills, Albany Med carries out various drills each year involving disaster preparedness across all of the Medical center. These exercises play a critical role in helping to mobilize staff quickly in the event of an actual emergency, says Hospital chief operating officer Bernadette Pedlow.

“because of the drills and exercises we do, when an actual event occurs and it is time to mobilize, everyone knows their roles, especially what’s needed to protect patients, staff and visitors from harm,” she said. “in response to any kind of emergency, it’s absolutely critical that planning and practice have been ongoing, so we can capably adapt to the situation at hand.”

For example, in the wake of Hurricane sandy, a full range of actions were put in place for the potential of high winds and casualties. well ahead of the storm, steps were taken to ensure adequate supplies of fuel, food, water, linens and more, and to safeguard the building and construction site. These measures turned out not to be needed, but the hospital was ready if they were.

“Preparedness is the key to ensuring we are ready for any contingency,” Pedlow said.

Staff in the OR practice emergency procedures.

Large-scale Fire Drill Keeps Albany Med Prepared for the Unexpected

AlbAny Med TodAy | deCeMbeR 2012 | 7

Plastic surgeon ashit Patel, Md, has treated numerous patients for a variety of animal bites, but when 25-year-old daniel beck came to the Plastic surgery clinic at Albany Med with an alligator bite, it was definitely a first.

“during my training, i spent time in south Africa, and i never even saw anything exotic there. i really didn’t expect to see my first alligator bite in Albany, New york,” laughed Patel, an assistant professor of plastic surgery and attending surgeon.

in all seriousness, however, Patel said beck was extremely lucky. He still has full function of his right arm even after a 7-foot alligator took hold of it during a live reptile show in ohio. Patel has been treating beck since August when beck came to rotterdam to recuperate at his mother’s home.

beck, a 2006 graduate of schalmont High school, works as an animal trainer and wildlife educator in Hollywood, Fl. He began traveling nationally this past spring with the “Kachunga and the Alligator show.”

“during the show in question, i was trying to wrestle the alligator from behind,” explained beck. However, his right arm bent just enough for the alligator to catch it out of the corner of his eye. The alligator turned and grabbed his arm near the elbow. beck got loose with the aid of his training partner, but only after 21 very long seconds.

beck sought treatment at a cleveland emergency room where he was relieved to find out that the several-inch gash had not penetrated to any bones and that he had not sustained tendon or muscle damage. “i got stiches and then the biggest concern was infection,” he said. As it turned out, he did develop a bacterial infection and spent the next week in a Midwestern hospital for treatment with iV antibiotics.

once discharged and back in rotterdam, beck said he wouldn’t have considered seeking additional care at any hospital other than Albany Med. when Patel first saw beck, he was still dealing with the after-effects of infection, which had left him with a large open wound and a drain.

because an audience member had recorded the attack on a cellphone, Patel said he was able to watch it on the internet, which helped in his assessment of beck’s wound.

“i could see that the alligator grabbed him on the lateral side of his forearm, near the elbow, which is an area clear of critical structures. if the bite had been just a few centimeters toward the inside of his arm, vital arteries and nerves could have been damaged, and he could have lost the use of his hand,” Patel explained.

since being seen at Albany Med, the wound is healing well, Patel said.

even after beck returns to his job in Florida, Patel will continue to see him over the next year to watch how the scar continues to heal. Further treatment could be needed if the scarring makes it difficult for beck to bend his elbow.

beck said he is not concerned about the appearance of the scar and has chosen to leave the jagged ring-shaped scar as it is.

“For someone who educates people about wild animals, the scar is actually a really good tool to show people just how fierce some of these animals can be,” he said.

Albany Med First: Gator Bite

Dr. Ashit Patel inspects patient Daniel Beck’s healing scar.

A new study provides the first clear evidence that vision or eye problems are rarely the cause of recurring headaches in children, even if the headaches usually strike while the child is doing schoolwork or other visual tasks. Many parents assume that frequent headaches mean their child needs glasses, so they ask their doctor to refer their child for an eye exam. This study was conducted by pediatric ophthalmologists at Albany Medical center and was presented at the 116th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of ophthalmology in chicago.

in this retrospective study, which was conducted at the ophthalmology clinic of Albany Med, researchers reviewed the medical records of 158 children under age 18 who were seen at the clinic for frequent headaches from 2002 to 2011. All of the children received complete eye exams by the clinic’s ophthalmologists.

No significant correlation was found between their frequent headaches and a need for vision correction. The researchers reached this conclusion by comparing the results of the clinic’s exams of the children with headaches to the records of their previous eye exams and other relevant medical care. eye health and vision test results remained unchanged from earlier exams for 75 percent of the children. Also, children who already had eyeglasses were not found to need new prescriptions at the time they were seen at the

clinic for headaches. Although about 14 percent of the children reported that their headaches occurred while doing visual tasks like homework, and about nine percent reported visual symptoms associated with their headaches, a need for vision correction did not appear to be the primary cause or a significant factor in any of these cases, according to the study.

The researchers considered it positive that most of the children’s headaches resolved over time. Follow up reports from parents showed that headaches improved in 76.4 percent of all study subjects, including those who did and those who did not receive new vision correction prescriptions. children who received new prescriptions were not more likely than others to have their headaches improve. Assessing the causes of the headaches and addressing the children’s long-term outcomes were beyond the scope of this study.

“we hope our study will help reassure parents that in most cases their children’s headaches are not related to vision or eye problems, and that most headaches will clear up in time,” said Zachary Roth, Md, who led the research team in conjunction with John Simon, Md, professor and chair of pediatric ophthalmology. “The information should also be useful to family doctors and pediatricians in caring for children and parents who have this common health concern.”

Albany Med Study: Children’s Headaches Rarely Indicate a Need for Eyeglasses

Albany Medical center Foundation43 New scotland Avenue (Mail code 119)Albany, New york 12208(518) 262-3322 Fax (518) 262-4769email: development@mail.amc.eduwww.amc.edu

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while the Patient Pavilion under construction on New scotland Avenue will enhance the care we deliver for our patients, a second construction project nearing completion will enhance the environment by powering the Medical center with state-of-the-art, fuel-efficient technology.

Albany Med is the first hospital in the region to install a cogeneration plant, one that not only efficiently generates power and reduces emissions but also uses the heat that is typically lost or wasted by conventional power plants.

because it is so efficient, the new system will deliver enormous cost savings over time. The plant is expected to pay for itself within seven years and to save Albany Med nearly $70 million over the next 20 years.

“it’s a win-win proposition for both Albany Med and the environment,” said emilio Genzano, assistant vice president of engineering and construction.

Genzano said the “cogen” plant, which is now in the final test phase, is designed to reduce emissions to a minimum by channeling exhaust from the turbines through a cleansing stack.

Fueled by natural gas, the plant will produce electricity to power all systems throughout the medical center. The waste heat will be recycled and used to create steam for sterilization and hot water. it will provide 80 percent of the Medical center’s power needs in the winter and 50 percent in the summer.

supported by a $2 million grant from the New york state energy research and development Authority (NyserdA), the 20,000-square-foot, 4.6 megawatt cogen plant is located behind the Medical college along Myrtle Avenue.

one advantage of having an on-site cogen plant is that less energy is lost because it is distributed right here at the Medical center, rather than being transmitted from a centralized power plant a long distance away, Genzano said.

“whether it’s through our numerous recycling programs or building this plant, Albany Med is committed to doing our part to preserve our environment,” he said.

Environmentally Friendly ‘Cogen’ Plant Will Fuel Medical Center

Pipes run to and from the Cogen plant, center, along Myrtle Avenue.

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