Apioneer in the research of

polycystic kidney disease

(PKD) at the University of Kansas

Medical Center has received an

international honor. Jared

Grantham, MD, University

Distinguished Professor and direc-

tor of the Kidney Institute, has been

awarded the inaugural Lillian Jean

Kaplan International Prize for

Advancement in the Understanding

of Polycystic Kidney Disease.

Grantham will receive the

$50,000 prize, one of the most sig-

nificant in the medical research

field, on June 9 at the International

Society of Nephrology World

Congress in Berlin, Germany.

PKD is the most common of all

life-threatening genetic diseases,

affecting 600,000 Americans and

12.5 million people worldwide. It is

more common than cystic fibrosis,

muscular dystrophy, hemophilia,

Down’s syndrome and sickle cell

anemia combined. There is no

known cure or treatment for PKD.

A normal kidney is the size of a

human fist. However, with PKD, cysts

develop in both kidneys. There may

be just a few cysts or many, and the

cysts may range in size from a pin-

head to a grapefruit. When many cysts

develop, the kidneys can grow to be

the size of a football or larger and

weigh as much as 38 pounds each.

Grantham established the PKD

Foundation in Kansas City in 1982

with businessman Joseph Bruening,

whose wife had the disease. He

remained an officer with the foun-

dation until 1998. The PKD

Foundation provides nearly $2.5

million in research funding through-

out the United States.

“I am honored and humbled

that an international panel of scien-

tists has chosen me as one of its

first recipients of this prestigious

award,” said Grantham. “I think it

is a particularly important event for

the University of Kansas Medical

Center, as the PKD research move-

ment, now involving hundreds of

scientists worldwide, began on this

campus in the late 1970s.”

Thomas Kaplan of Paris, France,

established the Lillian Jean Kaplan

International Prize, in honor of his late

mother who died of the disease. The

prize, to be awarded every other year

after 2003, was created to stimulate

interest in advancing research that can

lead to new treatments and a cure for

PKD. The International Society of

Nephrology and the PKD Foundation

sponsor the prize.

“The impact of Dr. Grantham’s

research on the lives of thousands of

people around the world is immense,”

said Donald Hagen, MD, KUMC

executive vice chancellor. “He has

brought honor to his profession and the

University of Kansas. Thanks to his

work, NIH grants have been awarded

to construct new offices and labs for

the Kidney Institute here. These facili-

ties should be ready this summer.”

Page 2 Food Service Changes

Page 3 KU First FamilyTime & Attendance

Pages 4-5 Front & Center

Page 6 Stroke Survivors

Page 7 What’s News

Page 8 Classifieds, etc.

KUMC Kidney Researcher Wins International Prize

The University of Kansas Medical Center

15 MAY 2003 • VOLUME 5 • NUMBER 20

Inside

Jared Grantham, MD, PKD pioneer

Have you noticed all the new

improvements in the cafeteria?

New carpeting, booths, tables

and chairs, fresh paint and artwork

on the walls and a new coffee bar –

all are making the cafeteria a more

inviting and relaxing place for

patients, their families, visitors,

employees and staff.

But the changes don’t stop there.

In addition to the physical

improvements, employees can look

for faster service, checkout lines

that move more quickly, more food

variety and other changes that add

up to better and more consistent

customer service.

Those are some of the plans

Andrew Stonestreet brings to his

new position as director of Dietary

and Nutrition Services.

Stonestreet, a native of Kansas

City, recently returned to the area

with his wife and three children

from Oklahoma City, Okla., where

he served as food service director for

the Oklahoma University Medical

Center. He has more than 30 years of

experience in food service.

“We’re a service department,”

Stonestreet emphasized. “We sup-

port nurses’ efforts at bedsides by

providing patients with more than

165 menu items from which to

choose. We also provide staff, fami-

ly members and guests a place to

get away and relax from the stresses

of the day.”

Stonestreet wants to focus on

creativity and increased variety in

food choices. He also plans to

improve signage, reduce congestion

and enhance the overall customer

service experience.

“You’ll see me at the front door

of the cafeteria at breakfast, lunch

and dinner,” Stonestreet said. “I

want to meet people and find out

their needs.”

He’ll also be on the units talk-

ing to nurses and patients about

how to improve food services. And

he welcomes customer comments.

To offer your suggestions or com-

ments, e-mail Stonestreet at

cafeteriacomments@kumc.edu.

New Dietary and Nutrition Services DirectorStresses Customer Service

Kansas Congressman Dennis Moore’s office is looking for volunteers to

go door to door in Wyandotte County areas affected by the tornado to identi-

fy people in need. These volunteers will work May 20-22, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Volunteers are also needed for Saturday cleanup crews. If you would like to

help, please contact Paul Davidson at 913-621-0832.

Volunteers Needed for Disaster Relief

Andrew Stonestreet, director ofDietary and Nutrition Services.

2

3

Ask Mary Luder, BSN, what

she does at KUMC and you’ll get

several answers. She’s a labor and

delivery nurse and mother/baby

nurse at KU Med, where she also

teaches childbirth classes. She’s a

graduate teaching assistant in the

School of Nursing’s skills lab, and

she’s a student in the family nurse

practitioner program in the SoN.

As both a teacher and a student,

Mary’s ties to the school are strong.

That’s why she has made several

gifts to the SoN, where she received

her bachelor’s degree in 1993.

“My nursing degree changed

my life,” Luder said. “It put me in a

new income bracket and gave me a

rewarding career. I feel it’s impor-

tant to give back to the place that

has given you a better life.”

Her gift counts toward the $500

million goal of KU First: Invest in

Excellence, the largest fund-raising

campaign in KU history.

KU Endowment is conducting

KU First on behalf of KU and

KU Med through 2004 to raise funds

for scholarships, fellowships, profes-

sorships, capital projects and

program support for the university,

and capital projects, program support

and patient services for the hospital.

KU First Family CampaignStrong Ties to SoN Prompt Gift

New Time and Attendance System GoesLiveKU Med’s switch to a new

computer-based time and atten-

dance system for hourly employees

officially took place at 7 a.m.,

Sunday, May 11.

To use the new system, most

employees slide their ID badges

through time clocks in their depart-

ments. Step-by-step instructions are

posted by each time clock. About

70 employees who don’t have

access to time clocks use a comput-

er-entry method.

“After just a few days, the sys-

tem is working very well,” said Bill

Marting, vice president, Financial

Operations. “Whether employees

use a time clock or a computer to

clock in and out, it’s important they

remember to consistently and cor-

rectly use the system. This ensures

they will be properly paid for the

hours they’ve worked.”

The system automatically

deducts a half-hour meal break dur-

ing every shift of at least six hours.

Employees don’t need to clock in

and out for their meal breaks unless

they last for more than a half-hour

or employees leave the hospital,

KU Medical Center campus or

other off-campus work facility.

If employees have supervisor

permission to not take a meal break,

they should use the “No lunch”

option on the time clock. This

should be entered at the end of their

shifts by pressing the “No lunch”

option and sliding their ID badges

through the slot. Then they should

slide their ID badges again to end

their shifts. Employees using the

computer-entry method should

check the box that cancels all meal

deductions for the day.

Any KU Med employees who

have questions about the new time

and attendance system, should talk

to their department managers.

Dwight Kasperbauer, (below)

KU Med vice president Human

Resources, greeted Barbara

Lessovitz, RN, nurse manager, Float

Pool, at the Olathe entrance, during

National Hospital Week.

KU Med employee Margaret Davis

(below right), Information Desk, was

welcomed to work Monday by

members of the executive team.

Greeters at the front door of the

hospital included Jon Jackson,

senior vice president System

Integration, Bob Page-Adams, sen-

ior vice president and chief

operating officer, and Tammy

Peterman, vice president of Patient

Care and chief nurse executive.

Flipping Over KU MedA Chris Cakes staffer (in Uncle Sam hat)

flips pancakes for KU Med employes at

a special recognition breakfast held

May 13 to celebrate National Hospital

Week. More than 1,500 pancakes were

served 6:30-9 a.m., along with

sausages and orange drink.

Skin Cancer AwarenessMay is Melanoma and Skin

Cancer Awareness Month.

Gwen DePriest (left) and

Traci Wilper of the Kansas

Cancer Institute recently

provided information on

melanoma and skin cancer

prevention at a table out-

side the cafeteria.

Employees received compli-

mentary sunscreen and

registered to win one of three gift packs that included “cover up” items such

as beach towels, sunscreen, T-shirts, sunglasses and more. The winners were

Beth Vandenberg, RN, Victoria Clark, Medical Records, and Peggy Steppig,

KU Med Human Resources.

4

Front & Center

National Hospital Week

Kisses for Charity The Hershey’s Kissmobile was on the

KUMC campus May 6 to raise aware-

ness and donations for the Children’s

Miracle Network and the University of

Kansas Medical Center. Austin Tilford

of Kansas City, Mo., (below left)

receives Hershey Kisses and a book

from chocolate ambassador Alisa Lowman (in costume). The Hershey

ambassdors later visited the KU Med Pediatrics Unit. The Kissmobile can store

nearly a ton of Hershey’s Kisses in its refrigerated compartment.

SoN NursingReception

The University of Kansas School of

Nursing recognized faculty and staff

during a reception May 12 in honor

of Florence Nightingale's birthday

and National Nurses' Week. Above

left, Rita Clifford, RN, PhD, associate

professor and associate dean for

Student Affairs, Yevette Harrell, RN,

clinical instructor, and Sharon

Kumm, RN, clinical assistant profes-

sor, enjoy food and conversation

during the reception.

Janet Wiglesworth (right), KU Med

volunteer, used one of the hospital’s

new Staxi Taxi wheelchairs to pick

up a patient. Staxi Taxis “stack” one

inside another like grocery carts to

save storage space. They are easy

to push and provide a smooth, com-

fortable ride for patients who weigh

up to 450 pounds. Three new wheel-

chairs were purchased for the

Volunteer Services Department

through the KUMC Auxiliary Projects

Fund. Events such as the fall bazaar

and the spring plant and bake sale

raise money for the Projects Fund.

KUMC Auxiliary Gift

5

6

A group of 33 stroke survivors

gather three times a week for a rig-

orous eight-week wellness and

fitness program in a small ground-

floor room in KUMC’s Delp

Building.

As they exercise, they work on

increasing their muscle tone, mobili-

ty, balance, strength and endurance.

They talk to one another about their

strokes. They vent their frustrations.

And together, they celebrate their

successes.

They also may be changing the

way science – and insurance com-

panies – view stroke survivors and

their recovery.

“Currently, stroke survivors

receive physical therapy up to six

months following a stroke,”

explained Denise Gobert, PhD,

assistant professor, Department of

Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation

Sciences. “After six months, insur-

ance payments stop. The current

theory is they have plateaued. They

are considered chronic stroke sur-

vivors, and they go into

maintenance mode.”

Gobert’s “Stroke Wellness and

Fitness Program,” a research study

funded by the American Stroke

Foundation, challenges that theory

by continuing to help stroke sur-

vivors – some who have had strokes

years before. The program creates a

customized exercise and fitness reg-

imen and provides a support system

that helps stroke survivors stick

with an exercise program for life.

In addition to seeing remark-

able physical improvements in

balance and mobility, Gobert

hopes the study will prove that an

on-going exercise regimen

decreases blood pressure and

reduces the risk of subsequent

strokes – a common occurrence

with stroke survivors.

“Stroke victims have a five to

10 percent chance of having another

stroke during the first year,” Gobert

said. “That percentage increases to

30 percent at five years.”

Gobert is also tracking a variety

of quality of life issues, including

depression.

“Depression is common among

stroke survivors,” Gobert said.

“Stroke often means loss of work

and independence. Stroke changes

everything for survivors, their fami-

lies and other caregivers. It can be

overwhelming.”

John Holmes, an active partici-

pant in the study since last August,

has survived five strokes, his last

one more than four

years ago. The for-

mer construction

superintendent, who

built his own house,

is now confined to a

wheelchair. But he

is not disheartened.

“When I came

into the program, it

took three therapists

to help me walk the

10-foot length of the parallel bars,”

Holmes said. “Now, I can do 22

laps back and forth with the help of

one therapist.”

Stroke Survivors Make Big Strideswith Long-Term Fitness Program

Maxine Kennard exercises twice aweek on the recumbent step machine.

Physical therapist Joe Foecking(left) assists Jim Bowden on theEquiTest machine that helps strokesurvivors develop balance andimprove mobility.

7

Visiting LecturerThe Distinguished Visiting

Scholar Lecture Series will present

“Food Frequency Questionnaires:

Design and Data Analysis”

Tuesday, May 20, noon-1 p.m.,

1050 School of Nursing.

The speaker will be Amy

Subar, PhD, Applied Research

Program, Division of Cancer

Control and Population Sciences,

National Cancer Institute (NCI).

Subar is widely known for her

work on dietary assessment, includ-

ing the use of food frequency

questionnaires in epidemiological

and behavioral research. She has

been at NCI for 12 years and serves

on the editorial board of the Journal

of the American Dietetic Association.

Lunch will be provided for the

first 35 attendees. Continuing med-

ical education credit is available.

Award WinnerKathy Davis, KU Med director

of Pediatric Education and Child

Life, received a “Reasons to

Believe” award from the Kansas

City, Kansas School District during

a celebration May 2 at Harmon

High School. The award recognized

12 outstanding community and

business leaders who are graduates

of the district’s schools.

Bereavement ExpertRev. Jennie Malewski,

KU Med staff chaplain for 14

years, has received designation

from the Association of Death

Education and Counseling

(ADEC) as “Certified in

Thanatology: Death, Dying and

Bereavement.” The certification is

awarded for demonstrating knowl-

edge of thanatology, documenting

professional and educational

achievements in the field, and ful-

filling prescribed standards

required for certification.

Malewski is the first board-certi-

fied chaplain in the Greater

Kansas City area to receive this

certification from ADEC.

Parkinson’s BenefitThe Parkinson Research

Center at KUMC will benefit

from “Race to Plant Cure 2003,” a

5K run/walk and one-mile family

fun walk, Sunday, May 16.

Proceeds from the event at

Corporate Woods in Overland

Park will be disbursed through the

Parkinson Foundation of the

Heartland. Race-day registration

is from 6:30-7:30 a.m., and the

race begins at 8 a.m. For more

information, contact Loretta

Jenkins at 8-6924.

Holmes is so happy with his

progress that he has recruited 25

fellow stroke survivors from the

study to participate as a team in the

American Stroke Foundation’s

“Walk on the Wild Side” Saturday,

May 17, at the Kansas City Zoo.

He and his teammates hope to

go the distance. But even if they

can’t complete the four-mile walk,

they are making giant strides in

their own recovery while helping

the American Stroke Foundation

provide services and programs to

other stroke survivors.

Gobert has pledged $1 for

every step Holmes makes. Holmes

says he’s up to the challenge and

hopes to make a large donation to

the foundation.

If you would like to make a

pledge, contact the American Stroke

Foundation at 913-649-1776.

Denise Gobert, PhD, (left) talks tofive-time stroke survivor John Holmesduring her “Stroke Wellness andFitness Program.”

Irene M. Cumming Donald Hagen, MDPresident and Executive Vice ChancellorChief Executive Officer University of KansasKU Med Medical Center

Barbara Jaekel, EditorVal Renault, Senior Writer

Kevin White, Senior Graphic DesignerJan Lewis, Editorial Manager

Mary King, Communications Services DirectorIn The Center is a weekly employee publication pub-lished by the KU Med Communications ServicesDepartment. Send story ideas to Barbara Jaekel, Bldg.48, Room 1070, or e-mail bjaekel or call 8-1074.Ad Policy - Send or bring your ad, 30 words or less, toBldg. 48, Room 1070, fax to 8-1063, or e-mail bjaekelby noon Thursday of the week before it is to run. Adsrun free of charge for employees, students and volun-teers. All ads must include the advertiser’s name andwork extension (or student box number) for verifica-tion. Only home phone numbers–no pager numbersor work extensions–will be published. Please includearea code. No ads for commercial services or pets forsale will be accepted. Ads will not be taken by tele-phone. Ads may be held a week if space is limited.

Friday, May 16• Neurology Grand Rounds,

“Provisionally Acute Spinal CordCompression,” Ram Venkatesh, MD,assistant professor, Neurology,8:30-9:30 a.m., 1563a hospital.

• Psychiatry Grand Rounds,“Depression in Parkinson’sDisease,” Sally Frutiger, PhD, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Sudler Auditorium.

Sunday, May 18• Commencement Ceremony,

2:30 p.m., Memorial Stadium,University of Kansas, Lawrence.

Tuesday, May 20• Distinguished Visiting Scholar

Lecture Series, “Food FrequencyQuestionnaires: Design and DataAnalysis,” Amy Subar, PhD, noon-1 p.m., 1050 School of Nursing.

Wednesday, May 21• KU Stroke Caregivers’ Support

Group, 6:30 p.m., Landon Center.

• Diabetes self-management classes,“Monitoring for the Future,” WanitaWalker, RN, 9 a.m., “ManagingYour Diabetes with Medications,”Jim Backes, PharmD, 10 a.m.,Room 1107, hospital.

• KUMC Credit Union picnic,11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., MurphyCourtyard.

Coming UpClassifieds, etc.

Automotive:1997 Jeep Cherokee Sport, 6-cylinder,new tires, roof rack, trailer hitch, tintedwindows, well maintained, $6,500. 913-244-6659.

1992 Honda EX, perfect condition, sun-roof, Alpine CD player, one owner,194K, $3,500. 913-481-2570.

1990 Toyota Supra Turbo, partiallyrestored, many extra parts, $3,000. 816-260-0097.

1995 Honda Civic, green with sunroof,CD/AM/FM cassette, A/C, 115K, verygood condition, $3,800 OBO. 816-728-2601.

1994 Grand Prix, black, excellent condition, 68.2K, $4,850. 913-362-7349.

For Sale:2 BR, 11/2 BA KCK Berkshire VillageTownhouse, full basement, quiet andfriendly neighborhood, 2 window A/Cs,2 ceiling fans, window coverings includ-ed, must qualify for HUD, $4,975.913-362-0574.

Mission home, 6150 W. 61st St., 3 BR,2 BA, basement, deck, 2-car garage, FP,central air, attic fan, near park/pool/ten-nis, mature trees, level backyard, 10min. from KUMC, appliances included,$154,500. 913-262-3522.

Slumberjack sleeping bag, Superpacker+20 model, forest green, rated to 20degrees, regular length, excellent condi-tion, used only twice. $45. 913-722-6319.

Blackburn bicycle spinner, $100;Trinitron 19" flat screen monitor, $125;traditional style coffee table, $50;Broyhill end table, $25; La-Z-Boyloveseat with hide-a-bed, $150; PVamplifier, $40; Marshall Valvestate100W “half-stack” guitar amp, model8100 and 8412, $500. 913-481-2570.

Pine computer armoir, $175; green La-Z-Boy chair, $75; queen headboard,dark wood, $35; wrought iron bistro set,$30; Lifestyle Cardiofit exercisemachine, $45. 913-897-9069.

To Rent:Duplex, 79th and Antioch, Overland Park,3 BR, 1 BA, 1-car garage, deck, availableJune 1, $895/mo. 913-906-9015.

Duplex, 79th and Antioch, Overland Park,3 BR, 1 BA, 1-car garage, deck, fencedbackyard, available June 1, $925/mo.913-906-9015.

Free:Two 5-hole rims for 1966-68 Mustang.913-722-3489.

Rescued Border Collie-AustralianShepherd mix, female, 7 months old,friendly, good natured. 913-236-7407.

Wanted:Study subjects, women 20-35 years ofage to participate in non-invasive studyof memory processes, maximum of 45minutes. Call Jennifer or Tania at 8-5956.

CenterOff

3901 RAINBOW BOULEVARD • KANSAS CITY, KS 66160 • (913) 588-5000 • WWW.KUMC.EDU

“It's called commencement because you can now commence to pay back your student loans!”