N E W S F R O M T H E R E G I O N ’ S P R E M I E R A C A D E M I C M E D I C A L C E N T E R

ADVANCES MARCH 23, 2017

Program Spotlight:Match Day

Kevin Dickerson, a 50-year-old electrician from Topeka, has struggled with essential tremor much of his life. The uncontrol-lable movements became so advanced he could barely drink from a coffee cup, use a drill or write his name.

Medications weren’t helping, so Dickerson turned to neurolo-gists at The University of Kansas Health System. In November they used an innovative deep-brain stimulation (DBS) treatment, the first of its kind in our area.

His wife nearly gasped when she saw the results a month later.

“I’ve watched Kevin struggle with this for over 20 years – and watched my teenage son start to struggle with it,” Debbie Dickerson said. “So it got to me to see him hold his hand out and not shake. That’s why today is so amazing.”

DBS treatment isn’t new: Neurologists have used the ap-proach thousands of times since

the mid-1990s to help patients with Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders bet-ter control their motor functions.

During the procedure, a small device called a neurostimulator is implanted under the skin in the chest. It sends an electrical pulse through a lead, or wire, implanted in the brain, blocking the brain’s erratic signals that cause a patient’s involuntary movements.

The new DBS treatment pioneered at our health system

incorporates several new technologies. Called the Infinity System, it features a segment-ed lead for the brain, allowing neurologists to better direct the device’s electrical stimulation to the intended target in the brain, meaning fewer side effects for patients, such as numbness, tingling or slurred speech.

The new system also allows physicians using an iPad to be more precise programming the pulse in the patient’s brain. And

patients use wireless program-mers the size of a smartphone to fine-tune how they control their tremors.

“The wireless platform makes it more convenient for the patient and easier for us to do the programming,” said neurologist Vibhash Sharma, MD. “But the real advantage is the directional lead, which allows us to steer the electrical current in the brain.”

Deep-brain stimulation … with more precision

By the Numbers: Colorectal cancer March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Though it’s the second-deadliest form of cancer, colorectal cancer mortality rates are falling, thanks primarily to increased screening.

To suggest a By the Numbers, email Advances@kumc.edu.

32% Decline in the rate of colorectal cancer diagnoses, 2000-2013, for those 50 years and older

Colorectal screening percent of adults age 50 and older, 2014

Estimated cancer deaths (2017)

Common cancers treated The University of Kansas Cancer Center, 2015

Colorectal, 51,360 Lung, 620

Lung, 155,870 Breast, 1,216

Pancreas, 43,090Male genital, 424

Breast, 41,070Bladder/kidney/renal, 423

Prostate, 26,730Lymphatic system, 353

Liver/intrahepatic bile duct, 28,920Colorectal, 366

Massachusetts (highest), 76%

Colorado (median), 68%

Kansas, 66%

Missouri, 64%

Wyoming (lowest), 58%Leukemia, 24,500

Female genital, 322

Skin, 322

Rajesh Pahwa, MD, with Movement Disorders nurses Valerie Goodale, RN (left), and Meghan Bui, RN, uses an iPad to program the DBS device. Our health system has implanted the new system in a dozen patients since last fall.

Events FALL PREVENTION SERIES –

Build your confidence as you move around your home and the larger world. Practice physical exercises that improve strength and balance, learn meditations to help you be less distracted and find out how to avoid several fall risks at home and in public. The series is 10:30 a.m. -noon Wednesdays, April 5-26, at Turning Point: The Center for Hope and Healing in Leawood. Call 913-574-0900 to register.

HEAD AND NECK CANCER FUNDRAISER – “A Celebration of Taste,” the eighth annual tasting event hosted by The University of Kansas Cancer Center’s Head and Neck Cancer Support Group, is 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, in the Westwood Campus Atrium. The event features a motivational speaker and samples of local restaurants’ specialties. Cost is $20 per person. Information: Jane Myer, LSCSW, or Dorothy Austin, RN, at 913-588-3630 or 913-588-6576.

FREE HEAD, NECK CANCER SCREENING – As part of Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, The University of Kansas Cancer Center offers the screen-ing 1-3 p.m. Friday, April 21, in the ENT clinic (level 3 of the Medical Office Building at the main campus). Appointments required at 913-588-6701. The screening is recommended especially for people with risk factors such as smoking/chew-ing tobacco, or anyone who has risk concerns. Questions? Contact Dorothy Austin, RN, at 913-588-6576 or Carol Are at 913-588-0763.

FREE SKIN CANCER SCREENING – The University of Kansas Cancer Center again will offer “Melanoma Monday,” a free skin cancer screening for the public and staff, 1-5 p.m. May 1 in the Dermatology clinic (level 4 of Medical Office Building). Registration is required. Contact Rebecca Keopke to make an appointment: 913-588-3908; rkeopke@kumc.edu.

PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT

A rite of passage for young physiciansEvery third week in March,

medical schools across the country display their own brand of March Madness, and its name is Match Day.

On this day, some 36,000 graduating medical students learn where they will be matched for their residency training. The match includes their specialty and where they will practice their clinical skills for the next three to seven years, depending on their specialty.

As with many medical schools, Match Day at the University of Kansas School of Medicine is a lively affair. Graduating students head to the stage one at a time, sometimes with their children and spouses in tow, where they rip open white envelopes and loudly proclaim their next stops on the path toward practicing physicians.

In the audience, spirited fam-ily and friends join with school faculty and staff to raucously cheer each announcement.

“The excitement and energy on Match Day are unparalleled throughout the academic year,” said Robert Simari, MD, the school’s executive dean. “Our

students were highly success-ful, and we are proud of each and every one of them.”

Matches are based in part on students’ applications and interviews with hospitals and residency programs around the country. The National Resident Matching Program uses an algorithm to determine the pairings based on preferences submitted by the applicants and the residency programs.

At our School of Medicine, a total of 201 total graduating

students participated in this year’s Match Day – 124 at the main cam-pus, 72 at the Wichita campus and five at the Salina campus.

The medical school prides itself on being a national leader in producing primary care physicians, and this year was no exception: 43 percent of the students matched in primary care. And many of the students will stay in the area for their residencies. Of the 201 total students matched, 58 will stay in Kansas for their residencies.

EXPOSURE

Tops in blood collectionsThe University of Kansas Health System and University of Kansas Medical Center have been crowned No. 1 locally for blood dona-tions in the hospital category. Generous staff, physicians and students donated 1,189 units in 2016, surpassing the 958 units collected by Children’s Mercy Hospital, which has held the top spot for years. At the March 15 ceremony (from left): the Community Blood Center’s Chelsea Tibbetts; the medical center’s David Vranicar; Pathology and Laboratory Medicine’s Arda Peterson, MT(ASCP); Student Life’s Nick Hayden; and the Community Blood Center’s Heidi Tracer.

At the University of Kansas School of Medicine’s Match Day on March 17, graduating medical student Jill Grothusen announced her residency in Family Medicine at Valley Medical Center in Renton, Wash. Her family – 2-year-old Ellis, 4-year-old Esme and husband Gene Lee – joined her on stage.

New

s Brie

fsIn the NewsA recap of recent articles, TV segments and other media coverage of the region’s leading academic medical center

FIGHTING CUTS TO MEDICAL RESEARCH – Tribune News Service, March 17. Republican lawmakers in Kansas and Missouri say they plan to battle President Donald Trump’s budget proposal to slash nearly $6 billion, or 19 percent, from the National Institutes of Health. “More than 300 members voted to boost medical research by billions in November,” said Kansas Rep. Kevin Yoder. “We cannot turn around a few short months later and slash its budget.” The University of Kansas Medical Center received $51.3 million from the NIH last year.

TIP OF THE HAT FROM ROYALS OUTFIELDER – The Kansas City Star, March 16. Royals outfielder Paulo Orlando has been shuttling back and forth from spring training in Arizona to The University of Kansas Hospital to spend time with his wife and newborn son, Derek Alexander. “I just want to say thank you for all the nurses and doctors back in Kansas City,” Orlando said. “They took care of my wife and my family, so we appreciate it.”

COMBATTING DEADLY BACTERIA AROUND THE GLOBE – Healthline, March 14. The World Health Organization is urging pharma-ceutical companies worldwide to fast-track new drugs to combat 12 deadly “priority pathogens” that are drug-resistant. Lee Norman, MD, chief medical officer at The University of Kansas Health System, and other experts say preventive measures such as better hand-hygiene among caregivers also are key. “Drug discovery is just a piece of a very big puzzle,” he said.

THE DANGERS OF DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME – KQTV-2 (St. Joseph), March 14. The average person loses 40-50 minutes of sleep when we set our clocks to “spring forward,” which is hard on the body, according to Neurology’s Suzanne Stevens, MD, a sleep specialist at The University of Kansas Health System. It takes most people about a week or two to really adjust. “That time change doesn’t just lead to a lack of productivity and sleepy drivers,” she said. “It also has a negative impact on overall health.”

Record recruiting With Cambridge North Tower opening later this year, Human Resources staff at The University of Kansas Health System are preparing to recruit a record number of nurses from this spring’s class of BSN graduates. The health system typically hires roughly 100 nurse grads each spring, but more than 200 are expected to be hired this spring. Last month, a group of nurses preparing to graduate met with HR recruiters before interviewing with nurse managers.

Burn survivors offer tales of courageThe University of Kansas Health System this month

co-hosted the annual Mo-Kan Regional Burn Conference and lecture series, which attracted more than 150 burn experts and related caregivers to Kansas City from throughout the Midwest.

Caregivers studied an array of topics about the latest innova-tions in burn care during the two-day conference. The event’s dramatic highlight likely was a burn survivor panel, where two former patients – Pat Maxwell and Chris Gifford, along with their wives – discussed their injuries and burn care at the health system and even offered tips to nurses in the audience.

Keeping players healthy at ‘Sweet 16’ The NCAA Men’s Basketball Midwest Regional is at Sprint

Center this week, and The University of Kansas Health System’s caregivers again are suited up and ready.

Ready to address any healthcare needs, that is. This is the eighth year our health system is the Preferred Healthcare Provider of College Basketball at Sprint Center.

Much like the Big 12 Championship two weeks ago, our health system provides a nine-person medical team for this week’s games at Sprint Center, including an orthopedic surgeon, family medicine physician, two athletic trainers, radiology technician, dentist and more.

That level of medical expertise is comforting to Tim Allen, senior associate commissioner of the Big 12 Conference.

“When you’re talking about the medical professionals who assist us at the Big 12 or NCAA basketball tournaments, it comes down to three key words: peace of mind,” Allen said.

“When the teams and coaches come to the facility, they want to know they don’t have to worry about anything,” he added. “We do a good job, through The University of Kansas Health System, providing information to the teams in advance so they know we’ll be able to handle any of their medical needs.”

While they all travel with athletic trainers, about half the teams opt to not bring a physician to the tournament, said Family Medicine’s Joe Noland, MD, medical director of the program. That’s due in part to his medical team’s reputation.

Although he has the advantage of having the health system nearby, Noland and his team do most of their work within the confines of Sprint Center. “Given that it’s not really a clinic,” he said, “it’s amazing what is available to us.”

Pat Maxwell and his wife, Jennifer, were part of a patient panel. Maxwell suffered burns on 64 percent of his body in the 2011 Atchison grain elevator explosion that claimed six lives.

Our People EXCELLENCE IN PATIENT

CARE – Internal Medicine’s Ghulam Rehman Mohy-Ud-Din, MD (“Dr. Manni”), has been named Outstanding Resident of the Quarter at The University of Kansas Health System.

The award honors a medical resident who displays excellence in medical practice, including profes-sionalism, attention to safety and a focus on patient and family care.

“As a nurse I’ve seen him connect with his patients and build trust,” said Unit 62’s Emily Knox, RN. “I’ve witnessed him sit down next to patients and explain their plan of care patiently. I’ve watched him circle back to patients later in the day, once concerned family members arrive with more questions.”

Nurses on Unit 42 also nominated him. “When he speaks to patients, he gets on their level, looks them in the eye and gently lays out the plan, explains a procedure or educates the patient on a level they can un-derstand without being condescend-ing,” they wrote. “Patients respond to his calm and reassuring voice. He treats all his patients with the same respect and understanding.”

HONORING CLINICAL PROFESSIONS – Respiratory Therapy’s David Northrop, RRT,

has received the Clinical Professions Leader of the Year award at The University of Kansas Health System.

The award is the top honor in Clinical Professions, which encompasses approximately 800 health system employees in a dozen departments.

Colleagues say Northrop, who joined our health system 25 years ago, demonstrates dedication to his profession while continuously looking for ways to deliver outstanding care to every patient he encounters.

He also has led many respira-tory evidence-based protocols to help streamline process-es in the 145-person Respiratory Therapy department. The

results have led to quicker patient discharges and provided staff more time to care for patients.

A year ago he developed a math-ematical equation in Excel to calculate the day, evening and night shifts’ staff balance. The department now relies on the equation to ensure optimal staffing every day. It’s believed no other respiratory therapy department uses the unique mathematical equa-tion to assist with staffing.

ADVANCES

is a biweekly publication produced by:

The University of Kansas Health System Corporate Communications

5799 Broadmoor, Suite 700 Mission, KS 66202

Send story ideas to Advances@kumc.edu.

BOB PAGE, President and CEO The University of Kansas Health System

DOUG GIROD, MD, Executive Vice Chancellor University of Kansas Medical Center

KIRK BENSON, MD, President The University of Kansas Physicians

STAFF: Mike Glynn, Editor Kirk Buster, Graphic Designer

facebook.com/kuhospital facebook.com/kucancercenterfacebook.com/kumedicalcenter

youtube.com/kuhospitalyoutube.com/kucancercenteryoutube.com/kumedcenter

@kuhospital@kucancercenter@kumedcenter

Internal Medicine’s Ghulam Rehman Mohy-Ud-Din, MD, was nominated by nurses on Units 42 and 62, who honored him during the award presentation.

David Northrop, RRT (left), conducted “competency validations” with Respiratory Therapy colleagues John Harris, RRT, and Mindy Strecker, RRT, on a mechanical ventilator.

GET IN.GET OUT.GET BETTER.For minor injury and illness. We’re here when you need us, where you need us.

Convenient urgent care locations. Convenient hours.

Gladstone | Shawnee | Sprint Center Kansas City, Kansas | Westwood

kansashealthsystem.com/urgentcare

David Silverman, MD Ophthalmology

New

Phy

sicia

ns

Nicholas Haglund, MD Cardiology

Ajay Tejwani, MD, MPH Radiology Oncology

Steven Glorsky, MD Trauma Surgery

Angela Martin, MD OB/Gyn

Maria Adjemian, DDS Dentistry