MUSC Catalyst

July 6, 2012 MEDICAL UNIVERSITY of SOUTH CAROLINA Vol. 30, No. 45

Several MUSC faculty members, residents, nurses,students and others soon will be traveling to

a remote village in West Africa to work with localGhanaian nurses and physicians.

This remote village is home to 2,500 people, 1,400of whom are children. The group will be addressing theprimary health goals of the village, including malariatesting and surgeries for goiter, hydrocele and visionproblems. The group is seeking donations to aid in thisHealth Outreach trip to Okurase in Ghana.

Cynthia Cupit Swenson, Ph.D., is a professor inMUSC’s Family Services Research Center, a part ofMUSC’s Department of Psychiatry and BehavioralSciences, and is involved with community-based servicesand research. People associated with Project Okurase inGhana have been at work for many months organizingthe Health Outreach on the ground, she said.

Including the 15 people going from America, therewill be 75 volunteers in all. The outreach will be led bylocal Ghanaian physicians and nurses. The Charlestongroup is set to arrive to begin the outreach on July12.

“We are very excited about this phenomenal eventand our partnership with Ghana. We hope that thisis the start of a more formal arrangement for futurerotations and internships for MUSC students andresidents.”

Swenson said despite the strengths and work ethicof the people, this village has no clean water, lack ofproper sanitation, limited medical care or educationalopportunities, malnutrition and food security issues(see photo exhibit on second floor of the Colbert

Local grouphelps villagegrow stronger

The village children are a big part of the appeal for MUSC volunteers who go to Okurase, Ghana.

What Will Be happening?q Screening, treatment and

surgeries (1,350 people were seenin 2011)q Children’s camp, organized

locally by Charleston students,that includes English, science andother educational activities, as wellas soccer and songsq Piloting telemedicine for

health consultsq Piloting the use of technology

for an electronic classroomwhere village students can joinclassrooms at a local high school inCharleston

q Collecting information forthe website and public relationsq Under the direction of a

medical coordinator from MUSC,Eve Spratt, M.D., collectinginformation for the backgroundof grant applications (health,nutrition, sanitation, water)

q Helping with building of theeducational center, the NkabomCentreq Health education to be shared

with people waiting to be seenq Partnering with Water

Missions International to conducta site assessment to determinewater needsq The opening of a women’s

new small business in gariproduction (a roasted cassava root)See Village on page 8

READ THE CATALYST ONLINE - http://www.musc.edu/catalyst

Summerville expreSSStudentS recognized

The Charleston Area Regional TransportationAuthority expands its route to Summerville.

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5The South Carolina Dental Associationwelcomes future dentists at annual meeting.

Around Campus

Meet Janet

Applause4 7

2 The CaTalysT, July 6, 2012

The Catalyst is published once a week.Paid adver tisements, which do notrepresent an endorsement by MUSCor the State of South Carolina, arehandled by Island Publications Inc. ,Moultrie News, 134 Columbus St. ,Charleston, S.C., 843-849-1778 or843-958-7490. E-mail: [email protected].

Editorial of ficeMUSC Office of Public Relations135 Cannon Street, Suite 403C,Charleston, SC 29425.843-792-4107Fax: 843-792-6723

Editor: Kim [email protected]

Catalyst staff:Cindy Abole, [email protected] Brazell, [email protected]

Around CampusPeoPle

open houSeVisitors to MUSC’s UrbanFarm’s open house June 28got to tour the garden, meetcommittee members and get ataste of fried green tomatoes.Above, committee memberstalk about the purpose of thegarden, located at the cornerof Bee and President streets.University hospital executive chefBrett Cunningham, left, givesa live cooking demonstration.He and other chefs explainedhow to prepare meals usingfresh ingredients. Sessions alsowere held on urban chickens,composing and beekeeping. Formore information, visit www.musc.edu/urbanfarm.

John WallerJohn Waller,M.D., professorof anesthesia andperioperativemedicine, was namedthe first universityombudsman.The Office of the

Ombudsman offers services to facultyand post-doctoral trainees and providesa confidential, impartial, informal andindependent resource for information orconflict management. The office assiststhose who seek guidance with resolutionof academic or administrative issues anddisputes.

Barry HainerBarry Hainer, M.D.,Department ofFamily Medicine,has been appointedinterim chair ofthe Department ofFamily Medicine.Hainer received

his medical degree from GeorgetownUniversity in 1976, and has been atMUSC since 1992.

Lindsay PerryLindsay Perry, DPT,earned her specialtycertification withthe AmericanPhysical TherapyAssociation as aneurological clinicalspecialist. Perry,

in the Department of Health Scienceand Research and the Division ofPhysical Therapy, is the fifth physicaltherapist in South Carolina to earn thiscertification. In addition to Perry, SaraKraft, DPT, also has earned her specialitycertification.

eVenTs

Grantsmanship WorkshopThe Office of Research Developmentwill offer a special summerGrantsmanship Workshop: One-on-One Consultation Series with IsraelGoldberg, Ph.D., president of HealthResearch Associates, July 25 and 26 inRoom 101-C, Basic Science Building.To schedule a consultation, [email protected] or [email protected].

Bridal Boot CampA Bridal Boot Camp will be held from5:15 to 6:15 p.m., every Monday andWednesday, July 16 through Aug. 24at the MUSC Wellness Center. Tosign up, go to www.musc.edu/hsc orvisit the MUSC Wellness Center. Apersonal trainer will guide participantsthrough marine-style drills and discussthe importance of healthy eating andmanaging stress. For more information,email Jennie Brooks at [email protected].

Caring ClownsThe Volunteer Office is starting a newservice at MUSC — Caring Clowns.This volunteer role is an opportunityfor those that can spare three hoursa week, have a sense of humor andlike helping others. To sign up to bea caring clown at MUSC or for moreinformation, visit www.MUSCHealth.com/volunteer.

Toiletry SuppliesAdult Volunteer & Guest Services isin need of toiletry supplies for familiesduring their extended stay at MUSC.Items needed include shampoo,conditioner, combs, toothpaste,toothbrushes, deodorant, lotion andsoap. Items may be dropped off at theAdult Volunteer & Guest ServicesOffice, Room 101, North Tower.Donations also may be dropped off inRoom 2104, Ashley River Tower.

VolunTeer offiCe

The CaTalysT, July 6, 2012 3

D aydreams of the blazingbeach sun and the taste of

a strawberry milkshake, whichI have been craving since myboards lockdown began, hadbecome more intense with everyfive minute break I took inbetween the hour sections of mynational board examination.

Not now, I pleaded with myself,please not now. This game ofsubconscious rebellion begunin past few weeks leading up towhat I had labeled on my calendar as “Game Day.” Theclarity of the dreams intensified with every repetition,with distinct improved additions. The sunset would bemore colorful, my company would be delightful andI’d laugh harder than ever before. But then I wouldbe yanked back to the present by the reality of a timerticking through my allotted break and by the shiversinduced by a frigidly cold room, destroying any residualwarmth of the scene I had created.

Throughout the examination, I would feel thetest administrator looming behind me adjusting thethermostat. He explained prior to the start of theexam that for every person in the testing room thetemperature would be decreased; a semi-successfulattempt to discourage daydreams and nodding off ofthe examinees. One would think the adrenalin createdby the most important examination of my life wouldbe enough, and yet the body seems to have adapted asa result of the numerous surges of anxiety experiencedduring the past two years. There also is the acquiredcalm I’ve gained knowing I had studied all I was capableof and ‘what will be will be.’

In lieu of this fact, I progressed through every sectionwith a ritual of a daydream to remind myself whatwaited on the opposite end of the exam and a pep talkto ground myself to the present moment. Yet, within amatter of a few hours, it was over. This exam that I hadheard about for two years with increasing frequency, tothe point of avoiding classmates in the last few weeksbecause that’s the only subject matter that we seemedto be able to utter to one another, was simply over. I gotup from my desk, signed out by giving my final set offingerprints and was out the door without a look back.I currently find myself on a two-week hiatus, and I amenjoying it thoroughly.

I recall reading a passage at the beginning of myboard prep book about reintegration after the boards.I have found no such reference necessary. The firstweek I spent cramming every desire I had deniedmyself for the past five weeks. One night I foundmyself at a local rooftop bar enjoying the company ofthose who had supported me throughout the priormonth and just feeling on top of the world. We hadthe Charleston breeze slipping around us, choruses oflaughter springing from every direction and the distinctabsence of the gnawing burden of guilt that normallyaccompanies a medical student. This feeling was theexact reason why one works so hard: the chance to enjoyachievement without the slightest bit of regret.

Now it seems that I am gearing up for the start of anew era. I have graduated from the imprisonment ofthe library to be a willing captive of the hospital wards,and I couldn’t be more thrilled. Medical school has anuncanny ability to offer such excitement for the future,that it is often difficult to remember the emotionalaspect of the past hard times. While I can remembermy rants of never wanting to enter the library again, thestrength of the feeling is impossible to conjure. Instead Ihold fast to a sense of contentment with the expanse ofprogress I’ve experienced during the past two years andan anticipatory excitement about what still lies ahead.

Medical student finds herself ready to take challengeEditor’s Note: Chelsey Baldwin of Little River is a third-yearmedical student. This column follows the journey of her classin becoming doctors.

MedicalmusingsChelsey Baldwin


By Cindy aBole

Public Relations

Third-year dental students present results from their research at theSouth Carolina Dental Association annual meeting in Myrtle Beach.

SCDA invites students to present research findings

A team of dental students, whopresented their research projects on

campus in February, got a second chanceto discuss their findings with statewidedentists and dental practitioners.

Nine rising fourth-year dental studentswere invited to the South CarolinaDental Association’s (SCDA) 143rdAnnual Session in Myrtle Beach,May 3-6. Students, working individuallyor in teams of two, competed Feb. 23at the second annual James B. EdwardsCollege of Dental Medicine (CDM)Scholars Day at MUSC. The programfeatured student and post-doc-levelposters and research results from avariety of dental, oral and craniofacialresearch. Awards were presented in fourcategories that awarded top winners aninvite to present at a national dentaland dental research meeting. Honorablemention entries were invited to presentposters at the SCDA meeting.

The research poster session was heldduring a May 4 luncheon at the EmbassySuites Kingston Plantation Hotel

Dental student Paul R. Lambert IIIrelishes any opportunity to talk aboutthe research work he and co-studentBrandon Hagan collaborated on about anew dental hearing aid as an option forpeople suffering from hearing loss. The

removable device is revolutionary andworks with bone conduction to transmitsound. The Soundbite device is fixed toa molar in the upper jaw. According toLambert, the device and technology isalready well-known in the ear, nose andthroat medical community. Lambert andHagan first presented this research at theDental Medicine Scholar’s Day and wereinvited to present again in Myrtle Beach.

Lambert, who is experienced atpresenting on a national level, wasexcited to address this statewide audiencewhom he regards as his future peers.

“Dentists are so busy that they don’thave extra time to stay up-to-date onresearch. Our presentations offered asnapshot of research ideas that are on thehorizon. It allowed practitioners to stop,talk and ask questions.”

Lambert also praised the experience,which allowed for valuable networkingtime with practitioners.

“I met with dentists and specialistswho could work on tooth modificationsand prep work for this device and otherswho said they knew of a patient whocould benefit from this type of dental

hearing system.”Lambert hopes other dental students

will take up the mantle that he andHagan left behind. Other students nowhave an opportunity to write an abstracton Lambert and Hagan’s findings andsubmit it for future publication.

“MUSC provides so many greatopportunities for students to challengethemselves and excel. It’s up to studentsto take advantage of this and bededicated to work hard to get the bestresults,” Lambert said.

Joe Vuthiganon, DMD, CDMinstructor and CDM Scholar’s Daystudent coordinator, was happy toorganize and support the dentalstudent’s participation in thisprofessional venue.

“Our dental scholar’s day event wasso successful that we wanted to inviteour dental students to communicatetheir research work to statewide dentalprofessionals. Everyone’s efforts wereboth important and meaningful. I feel itallowed others to appreciate the researchside of dentistry.”

White coat markStranSition of care

CDM students participatingat the annual meetingCarson Hund, Amber Houston,Kathryn Harrison, Paul R. LambertIII, Brandon Hagan, K. BryanWingate Jr., Jeanette S. Wingate,Scott Brown and Jonathan Puza.

The College of Dental Medicine Classof 2014 celebrates their transitionfrom didactic coursework to clinicaltraining during their White CoatCeremony June 15 at the Church of theHoly Communion. A total of 71 dentalstudents donned the traditional whitecoat in front of dental faculty, staff,student’s family and friends.

photo by Anne Thompson, Digital Imaging


Meet Janet

Janet MasonbergDepartmentVolunteer & Guest ServicesHow long at MUSCI have been a volunteer for 12 years.How are you changing what’s possibleat MUSC?I talk to new moms about the importance ofreading to their babies.Why do you volunteerThe nurses cannot get all their work donewhile holding fussy babies. The parentscannot always be there to hold their babies,but they can be assured that I will be thereto comfort the babies when they need it.Unique talentI can sing a song about almost anything.Favorite place in the worldThe deck on the back of my houseFavorite vacationAn African safari. We traveled to Tanzaniaand had the experience of a lifetime. FromTanzania we flew across Africa to CapeTown. Those two weeks could not have beenany more memorable.


By Caroline alTman

Public Relations

Warehouse reveals supply trove of ‘gold’

In what makes great sense for recyclingand for global health, MUSC’s latest

outreach to Tanzania involves thedonation of more than $1 million worthof surplus equipment no longer beingused here.

Randy Pauling, biomedical engineeringsupervisor, said just because equipmentis old, doesn’t mean it no longerworks. “Stuff that’s trash to us is goldto someone else, and these monitorsare gold to the Tanzanians,” he said,referring to the one lone battery-operatedpulse oximeter that currently exists in the150-bed Lutheran Memorial Hospital inHaydom.

Thanks to MUSC and a local non-profit Madaktari Africa, there soonwill be 12 more of them in Haydom’shospital. More than 40 Phillip monitorsand 100 Nellcor pulse oximeters fromMUSC are going to three hospitals inTanzania.

In Tanzania, the hospitals havelimited resources and only 5.2 healthcare workers for every 10,000 people.The Department of Anesthesia andPerioperative Medicine has been sendingfaculty and residents to the BugandoMedical Center in Mwanza, Tanzania,for the past three years as part of theglobalization efforts in MUSC’s StrategicPlan 2010-2015. In addition, the goal ofthe program is to give African medicalstaff the tools and training they need toprovide health care to patients and teachothers how to do the same.

During a trip to Tanzania in 2010,Carlee Clark, M.D., assistant professor ofanesthesia and perioperative medicine,found that physicians were trying toprovide anesthesia with limited resourcesand needed equipment. The donatedequipment will allow physicians tomonitor patients’ vital signs and helpthem determine what treatment toprovide for them.

Pauling, who helped with organizingand packing the equipment, learnedfrom the MUSC anesthesiologists thatpatients were dying both in the operating

rooms and later in the recovery roombecause of an inability to monitorpatients undergoing surgery. “Thereis no way to alert medical personnel ifa patient starts having complications.These monitors will save lives.”

MUSC’s former neonatal ICUequipment had been sitting in awarehouse for more than a year,unusable to the hospital anymore.Meanwhile, Scott T. Reeves, M.D.,chairman for the Department ofAnesthesia and Perioperative Medicine,was arranging for the equipment to bedonated by MUSC and sent to Tanzaniato support his department’s efforts inMwanza. As the equipment was beingcataloged, it became possible to expandthe opportunity to provide equipmentto three Tanzania hospitals includingthe Lutheran Memorial Hospital inHaydom, the Muhimbili NationalCardiac Center in Dar Salam and theBugando Medical Center in Mwanza.

Through months of volunteer work,the equipment has been packed intomultiple crates and is being shippedto Tanzania. Once the shipment hasarrived, Robert Tritt, biomedicaltechnician, will be visiting to teach how

to install, maintain and work on theequipment. Pauling said Tritt was theperfect choice to go because the NICUwas his area. “I was really happy whenhe wanted to go, because he knows thesemonitors as well as anyone here.”

Tritt said it will be fascinating to be inTanzania teaching others how to workon the same equipment that he has beenworking with for the past eight yearsin Charleston. “I’ve taught people overhere, but this is a little different. Once Ileave Tanzania, they are on their own. Ineed to make sure I convey everything Ineed to them.”

Kathleen Ellis, director of operations,Center for Global Initiatives, saidthis project shows the amazing impactof what can happen when multipledepartments collaborate across campus.The long-term plan at the center is towork across campus to develop a formalprocess for donating surplus medicalequipment and supplies overseas so

to do it on a project-by-project basis.“The benefits are great for everyone.

This type of initiative supports our globalhealth and community service missionswhile allowing us to look at ways to help

lower operational costs, reduce waste andpromote resource sustainability throughthe recycling of usable surplus medicalsupplies and equipment.”

Ellis said what makes this initiative soeffective is that Reeves and his colleaguesspent time up front, assessing the needsof the local hospitals and the limitationsof basic infrastructure, such as electricityreliability and staff support, beforeassembling the appropriate equipment.

“Sending a ‘trainer’ to ensure thatthe people receiving the supplies knowhow to use them and maintain them iswhat makes all the difference. It meansthe donated supplies that often end upunused in developing countries due tolack of training, lack of replacementparts or inability can actually be used.”

To learn about MUSC’s Centerfor Global Initiatives, visit http://globalhealth.musc.edu or join MUSCGlobal on facebook.

Equipment being sent to Tanzania was organized, crated and stored inMUSC’s warehouse before being sent to Tanzania.

Robert Tritt, left, and RandyPauling packed the supplies.

Reeves said the project happened withthe support of many people, including:Lisa Montgomery, MUSC CFO forassisting with state appropriations;Teresa Hacunda, director of Civic Affairsfor Covidien, for aiding in gettingsupplies; Dan Altman, support servicesoperation manager, for establishingcontact with Hacunda; Chris Fennell,courier coordinator at the warehouse,for navigating the state system to obtainthe donation; Carlee Clark, M.D., foridentifying appropriate equipment;Doyle Word, CEO of Madaktari Africa,for arranging the container ship andground transportation; and Cathy andTownsend Reeves, for packing.

there’s a structured process versus having

The Catalyst, July 6, 2012 7

T he Charleston Area RegionalTransportation Authority (CARTA)

announced the expansion of its busroute with service to Summerville. TheDorchester Road Express is the newestaddition to CARTA Express commuterservices.

The new stop, located at the Park &Ride lot at Dorchester Village ShoppingCenter (corner of Dorchester and Trolleyroad), provides a consistent connectionto the CARTA system for Summervillearea residents. The express service willrun during the week (every half-hour)from 5:15 to 9:46 a.m. and 3:07 to7:39 p.m.

The service, effective June 20, is alimited stop service that runs weekdaysduring peak drive times, morningsand afternoons, commuting fromSummerville to downtown Charlestonwith multiple stops including MUSC.

The service will initiate fromSummerville and pick up passengers inNorth Charleston with stops at RobertBosch Corp., the Boeing South Carolinaplant, and continue to downtownCharleston with stops at Meeting andColumbus streets (Piggly Wiggly),Meeting and John streets (CharlestonVisitors Center), Calhoun and St. Phillipstreets (College of Charleston) andCalhoun and Jonathan Lucas streets

(MUSC).The new express route is included in

MUSC's free CARTA program. MUSCemployees and students, using theiruniversity ID badge can ride any regularlyscheduled CARTA route seven days aweek.

For information about CARTA andCARTA Express, visit http://www.ridecarta.com.

CARTA Express serviceexpands to Summerville

CARTA passengers take advantageof the new Summerville stop fromdowntown Charleston.

Blacks in South Carolina, with early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), are less likely

than Caucasians to receive surgical treatment for theirdisease, thus significantly reducing chances of survival.

This reflects a national trend that the HollingsCancer Center and statewide partners hope to changewith a $1.8 million federal grant.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths inthe U.S. While surgery is the standard of care for theearly stage of this cancer and offers the best chance forlong-term survival, fewer than half of black patientsdiagnosed undergo surgery. This study, funded bythe National Institute of Health’s National Instituteon Minority Health and Health Disparities, will test

whether statewide patient navigation interventionimproves receipt of surgery, time to surgery and survivalin black patients with early stage NSCLC.

The study, led by Nestor F. Esnaola, M.D., a surgicaloncologist and medical director of MUSC’s oncologyservice line; and Marvella E. Ford, Ph.D., associatedirector for Cancer Disparities at the Hollings CancerCenter, will be conducted at MUSC and five othercancer centers across South Carolina:q McLeod Regional Medical Center (Florence)q Palmetto Health (Columbia)q Self Regional Healthcare (Greenwood)q Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System(Spartanburg)

q The Regional Medical Center of Orangeburg andCalhoun Counties (Orangeburg)

Ford said the hope is that this study will uncovermodifiable causes of underuse of lung cancer surgeryamong this group. “The patient navigation interventionmay prove to be a practical and powerful strategyfor use by other health care providers, institutionsand communities seeking to reduce persistent racialdisparities in lung cancer surgery and outcomes.”

Esnaola added: “This project has the potential totransform the care of African-American lung cancerpatients in our state and demonstrates our cancercenter’s commitment to improving the health of allSouth Carolinians facing cancer.”

Researchers receive federal grant to help transform cancer care


Applause Program10W; Brett Mills, 10W; Wendy Wil-liams, 10W; Brett Green, 10W; Court-ney Nettles, 10W; Dusti Roberts, 10W;Haley Fitzsimmons, 10W; Sam Guffey,10W; Tracy Bernard, 10W; Jill Norman,10W; Alaina Heyward, 10W; LaurieMoultrie, 10W; Ashleigh Millen, 10W;Jennifer Smith, Environmental Services;Libby Woodward, Women’s Services; Jes-sica Johnson, 10W; Metzfe Sulyma, 10W;Kelley Westbrook, PAS; Lauren Mikell,ART 3W; Keisuke Shirai, Hematology/Oncology; Patricia Barrineau, Women’sServices; Pamela Polite, Revenue CycleOperations; Diane Graves, RevenueCycle Operations; Valerie Collins, Medi-cal Records; Mary Washington, Cardiol-ogy; Karl Byrne, Surgery; Karen Legare,ART Pre-op Surgery; Denise Car-neiro-Pla, Surgery; Wade Reardon,Residents Surgery; and Sandra Buck,RT Urology Clinic.

The following employees received recog-nition through the Applause Program forgoing the extra mile:

Medical CenterKasey Hamlin-Smith, Pediatrics Genet-ics & Child Development; AdrienneGregory, Revenue Cycle Operations;Tiffany Coakley, PAS; Melvena Nelson,Environmental Services; Anne Redick,2JRU; Fatima Bellinger, 2JRU; PamelaScarborough, 2JRU; Natasha Sheppard,2JRU; Floyd Whittington, NSICU;Maria Lopes-Virella, Endocrinology,Diabetes & Medical Genetics; SharonDupree-Capers, Revenue Cycle Opera-tions; Elice Graham, Medical Records;Helen Hicks, Hollings Clinics; DelilahMcKinney, Outpatient Registration;Philip Egloff, HCC Retail Pharmacy;Darryl Lee, Revenue Cycle Operations;Eric Lentsch, Otolaryngology Head &Neck Surgery; Marie Thompson, ARTPre-op Surgery; Karen Adams, ART Pre-op Surgery; Lisa Cordes, HCC RetailPharmacy; Darnella White, OutpatientBilling Office; Robin Edwards, HollingsBMT; Jennifer Wood, HCC; Moya Mc-Fadden, Radiology; Connie Vendrick,6W; Jessica Brown, 6W; Sara Speakman,MICU; Chris Hairfield, Transplant Cen-ter; Jill Norman, 10W; John Carson,

Kiften Carroll, Pediatric Surgery; KathyChessman, Pharmacy; Kevin Drayton,Engineering & Facilities; Julie Mansfield,Pediatric Surgery; Michael Meacham,College of Health Professions; LaurenParnell, Operational Analytics; andMargaret Seabrook, Maxillofacial Prosth-odontics.

University

Education Center & Library).Sarah Logan, a student going on the

trip, established a project to acceptdonations at MUSC. Donation boxesare located in the lobbies of the BasicScience Building, the library, theuniversity hospital and the Children’sHospital, the Wellness Center, theCannon Street building, Ashley RiverTowers, McClennan Banks first floorand Harborview Office Towers.

Organizers are asking for donations

of any of the following non-expiredsupplies: scrubs, patient gowns, surgicaltools, otoscopes, ophthalmoscopes,stethoscopes, skin calipers, scales, gloves,glucometers, glucose strips, schoolsupplies and batteries.

Tax-deductible monetary donationsalso are needed to buy medicationsand malaria testing kits in Ghana.Contact Swenson, MUSC Departmentof Psychiatry, fourth floor, McClennanBanks, 876-1802; [email protected] ormail to: Project Okurase, 2449 BeaconStreet, North Charleston, S.C. 29405.

Village Continued from Page One

S pecial needs children with chronic medical ordevelopmental conditions already have it tough,

but a study from MUSC indicates that being bullied orshunned poses a greater risk of anxiety ordepression than the challenges presentedby a medical condition.

The study, presented by leadinvestigator Margaret Ellis McKenna,M.D., senior fellow in MUSC’sDevelopmental-Behavioral PediatricsDepartment, investigated the impact ofbullying, ostracism and diagnosis of chronic medicalcondition on the emotional well-being of children withspecial health care needs, ages 8 to 17.

When looking at both parent and child reports,McKenna found ostracism (being left out or ignored)by peers was the strongest indicator of symptoms fordepression or anxiety and that ostracism and bullyingoften go hand-in-hand. This finding may come asa surprise to some, particularly given the immensephysical health challenges these children must face.

“These findings show that despite all the manychallenges these children face in relation to theirchronic diagnoses, being bullied or excluded by their

peers was the factor most likely to predictwhether or not they reported symptoms ofdepression,” McKenna said.

Participants were recruited fromMUSC during routine visits to theirphysician. Participants and their parent orguardian completed three questionnaires

that screened for emotional well-being(psychosocial adjustment). In all, there were 109participants with a variety of chronic medical ordevelopmental diagnoses.

Main categories of diagnosis included:q ADHD (39 percent)q cystic fibrosis (22 percent)q Type I and II diabetes (19 percent)q learning disability (11 percent)q sickle cell disease (11 percent)q obesity (11 percent)

q autism spectrum disorder (9 percent)There were several children who had a combination

of these diagnoses. One questionnaire screenedfor symptoms of depression, while the other twoquestionnaires broadly screened for “internalizingconditions,” which include anxiety and depression.

The child’s age, gender and scored self-reports ofbeing bullied or ostracized were analyzed. Previousresearch has shown that ostracism and being bulliedoften occur together, which McKenna also found inthis group of children. Based on the children’s answers,these two factors were the strongest indicators ofdepression or other internalizing symptoms.

Given these findings, McKenna recommends thathealth and education professionals increase the levels ofvigilance needed to identify bullying and ostracism inthis already vulnerable group of children. For example,she suggests that schools adopt policies to preventand address ostracism, with the goal of implementingprograms that promote a culture of inclusion and asense of belonging for all students.

Being 'left out' increases risk of depression for children

A call for nominations is underway for the MUSC Women ScholarsInitiative Award for Advancement ofWomen Faculty.

The purpose of the award is torecognize the MUSC faculty memberwho best demonstrates excellencein his or her commitment to theadvancement and promotion ofwomen faculty at MUSC. This annualaward will be announced duringFaculty Convocation, and in additionto a commemorative plaque, the

recipient will receive a monetary awardfrom the MUSC Foundation

To be eligible for this award, thenominee must be a full-time facultymember at MUSC. Male or femalenominees are welcomed.

Nomination packets should besubmitted as one single PDF file toMiriam Hutto ([email protected]) nolater than 5 p.m., July 13.

For information, visit http://academicdepartments.musc.edu/womenscholars/index.htm.

Initiative accepting nominations for women faculty award


T he MUSC DAISY (DiseasesAttacking the Immune System)

Award winner for May is Amy Dugan,R.N., NSICU. The following is Dugan’snomination letter, submitted by CherylHolderfield, manager of NSICU.

“It was around 7 p.m. on a Saturdaywhen the MUSC fire alarm went offand the staff thought it was just anotherfire drill. As it turned out smoke beganto filter through the vents and began toirritate staff and patients causing themto cough. As the staff was preparing forshift change, it became obvious that thepatients would need to be evacuatedto a safer location. As you can imaginebeing on the ninth floor with a fire justunder you reported on the eighth floor,things could get panicky. Instead, staffon 9NSICU followed the fire evacuationplan and were able to safely move all ofthe patients to another area without asingle incident. Amy was not the onlystaff that evening who did a wonderfuljob, but because so many of our teamwere off for another staff member’swedding, Amy ended up in charge forthe first time. Amy will always rememberher first night as charge, especially sincethe patients were relocated to the PACUarea where supplies and equipmentwere different for staff. The primaryreason that I am submitting Amy as aDaisy Award winner was not becauseshe was in charge for the first time, in anew location, during a fire and patientevacuation, but because before her shiftended she had written a long email

recognizing and thanking everyone fortheir help during the night. As you canguess, I am very proud of Amy and myentire team. I am not sure if I would havethought to write such a nice email tothank people for their help as Amy did.”

The award for nurses is a monthlyaward and is part of the DAISYFoundation’s program to recognize thesuper-human efforts nurses perform

every day. The foundation was formed inJanuary 2000 by the family of J. PatrickBarnes who died of complications ofidiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

All award winners receive an AfricanShona Tribe sculpture titled, “A Healer’sTouch,” a certificate, and a DAISYAward pin. The DAISY Foundation alsodelivered cinnamon rolls to all the nursesin each winner’s unit.

MUSC is among 400 medical facilitieshonoring nurses with the DAISY Award.This is one initiative of the foundationwhose overall goal is to help fightdiseases of the immune system.

To nominate a nurse, visit https://www.musc.edu/medcenter/formstoolbox/DaisyAward/index.htm.To see more on the DAISY Foundation,visit http://www.daisyfoundation.org.

Registered nurse Amy Dugan, third from right, accepts the May Daisy Award. Helping her to celebrate heraward is the NSICU staff.

DAISY winner stays cool under extreme pressure

photo by Jenny Perry Photography

To commemorate OB-GYN chair Dr. Peter Van Dorsten steppingdown as chair and being the latest recipient of the Order of thePalmetto award, the highest civilian honor in the state, a portraitwas painted by artist Charles DeAntonio. The portrait waspresented to Van Dorsten, left, and wife, Brett, and DeAntonio,June 24. The portrait hangs in the department’s conference room.Van Dorsten is honored for his career contributions and leadershipin the area of high risk pregnancy, decreasing the rates ofpremature births and improving the lives of newborns. On July 1,Dr. Donna Johnson became the department chair.

order of the palmetto aWard


Heat, sun, insects are among the listof skin concerns during the summer.Here are a few tips to keep skin healthyand free of burns, rashes and bites thissummer.

q Sun protection: Exposure toultraviolet light, UVA or UVB, fromultraviolet rays can damage unprotectedskin in 15 minutes, and it only takesa few bad sunburns to raise the risk ofdeveloping skin cancer later in life.

Choosing the right sunscreen is thefirst step in preventing sun damage. Lookfor sunscreens that contain zinc oxideor titanium dioxide with an SPF of 15or higher. Sunscreen should be appliedliberally enough to all sun-exposedareas that it forms a film when initiallyapplied.

It takes 20 to 30 minutes for sunscreento be absorbed by the skin, so it shouldbe applied at least a half an hour beforegoing out in the sun and be sure tore-apply often. If skin does becomeburned, use cool compresses to sootheand cool, anti-inflammatories to decreaseinflammation, ibuprofen to help controlswelling and to reduce pain and over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams to furtherremove the sting of the burn and theredness associated with sunburn.

A free skin cancer screening is beingoffered from 9 a.m. to noon, July 14 atthe Isle of Palms County Park on 14thAvenue.

q Bug bites: The best way to avoidan insect bite is to use repellent andtry to stay away from areas where pestsare found. Products with a DEETconcentration of 15 to 30 percentare safe and effective for children 2months and older, and adults, thehigher the concentration, the longerthe effectiveness. To avoid tick bites,avoid dense woods, fields, and brush.Mosquitoes love to hang around theseareas. Ticks and chiggers are alsonuisances that you can avoid by stayingaway from tall grass, woods, and brushand cover skin when in these areas.Treatment for most insect bites is firstto remove the stinger or tick, washwith antibacterial cleanser and use

hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion orbaking soda. If the area becomes red andpainful, see a physician.

q Rashes and skin irritations: Summeractivities, sun and heat increase the riskof skin rashes. There are many causes,including heat, insect bites, poisonousplants and reaction to products andmedications. Whatever the cause, it canbecome extremely irritating and itchyif left untreated. The best treatment isto prevent the rash from occurring byprotecting skin from irritants, avoidingareas prone to poison ivy and insects,and being aware of any medicationsthat might cause photosensitivity.However, if a rash does occur, the mosteffective treatment is hydrocortisone.It reduces the appearance of a rash andalso soothes inflammation and skinirritability. Poison ivy and oak rashesmay be soothed with calamine lotion.Again, if any rash becomes worse ordoes not respond to treatment, consult aphysician.

Employee Wellness eventsq MUSC's Pitch the Pack Program:Free smoking cessation program offeredto MUSC employees and students.Classes, counseling and a one-monthsupply of medications are available toeligible participants. Receive a success kitwith enrollment filled with gifts. Enrollat http://ceii.muschealth.com/SCP/SCPRegistration.aspx.q MUSC Urban Farm: Work & Learn.Participants can engage in hands-on learning about urban agricultureincluding planting and harvesting from 9to 10 a.m., July 12, and Family Workdayfrom 9 to 11 a.m., July 14.q Lunch & Learn: The next Lunch& Learn will be held from noon to1 p.m., July 12. A brief gardening ornutrition presentation will be followedby social interaction under the oak tree.Email [email protected] forinformation and to register for theseevents. “Like” us on Facebook: “MUSCUrban Farm”

Contact Susan Johnson at [email protected] to become involved inemployee wellness at MUSC.

A program title, “OperationHomecoming: Boot Camp for CivilianHealth Care Professions,” will be held8:30 a.m. to noon, July 11 in Suite 802,Harborview Office Tower.

The program’s goal is to educateclinical and behavioral healthprofessionals to provide better care tomilitary veterans and their familieswho suffer from post traumatic stressdisorder or traumatic brain injury.Funded by the Health Resources andServices Administration, the missionof this project is to train 10,000 clinicalprofessionals across the country tobetter serve the often unique needs of

military personnel returning from Iraqand Afghanistan. Although eligiblefor care through the Department ofVeterans Affairs (VA), veterans and theirfamilies living in rural area may find itdifficult to regularly visit a VA facility.This program is designed to provideclinical professionals across the country,particularly in rural areas, with the toolsthey need to better treat veterans andtheir family members.

To register for this program, visithttp://scahec.net/schoolsregistration.For additional information, contactJessica Huggins at 792-4981 or [email protected].

Boot camp’s goal: Help healthcare professionals treat veterans

eMployee Wellness


CLASSIFIED PCLASSIFIED PAGEAGE• Household Personal Items for

MUSC employees are free.All other classifieds are charged at rate below. Ads considered venture-making ads (puppy breeder, coffee business,

home for sale, etc.) will be charged as PAID ADS •• PROOF OF ELIGIBILITY REQUIRED* NO MORE THAN 3 LINES * FREE ADS RUN 2 WEEKS ONLY!

PAID ADS are $3 per line ( 1 line = 35 characters) DEADLINE: TUESDAY – 10:00 AM* CLASSIFIED ADS CAN BE E-MAILED TO [email protected],

OR MAILED (134 Columbus St., Charleston SC 29403)Please call 849-1778 with questions. *Must provide Badge No. and Department of Employment

for employees and Student I.D. Number for MUSC Students.IP01-681634

Homes For SaleHomes For Sale Misc. Services

984 Harbor Oaks, JamesIsland. 3BR, 2.5BA, 1582 sf.$179,900 Minutes fromConnector 843-696-1331

4154 Jean Laffite Tidal Creek -$449,000 4/5BR, 2.5BA, 3511sf. Disher, Hamrick & MyersHelen Butler 843-343-2222

Part-Time NP/PA needed atthe College of CharlestonStudent Health Services, noweekends, no evenings. Moreinformation at [email protected],job # JA#0600512

MUSC Catalyst

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