MUSC Catalyst

March 2, 2012 MEDICAL UNIVERSITY of SOUTH CAROLINA Vol. 30, No. 27

Trauma medical director Dr. Bruce A. Crookes and his team prepare for emergencysurgery at 1:20 a.m.

photo by Tyrone Walker and the Post and Courier

MUSC’s trauma program firstin state to receive confirmationA fter an extensive review by the

American College of Surgeons (ACS),MUSC’s trauma program was verified as aLevel 1 Trauma Center. This verification isthe highest level any trauma program in thecountry can achieve.

“In fact, our Level 1 Trauma Program isthe only one in the state to have receivednational trauma verification at any level,”said Bruce Crookes, M.D., associateprofessor and trauma medical director.“Achieving this recognition required totalcommitment from the entire hospital, andit means our patients can expect the highestlevel of care available at any time, day ornight.”

The ACS Level 1 verification differs fromthe status designated by the state of SouthCarolina.

The actual establishment and designationof trauma centers is the function of local,regional or state agencies. ACS verificationprovides confirmation that a hospital hasdemonstrated the ability to provide thehighest quality trauma care. The processrequires an on-site review by ACS surgeonsand a verification committee review.

Only after meeting hundreds ofdemanding criteria is a hospital awardedthis distinction. ACS surveyors found nodeficiencies in MUSC’s trauma programwhen visiting in November 2011.

MUSC’s trauma team is staffed aroundthe clock, led by a trauma surgeon withboard certification in both surgery andsurgical critical care, and a team of highlytrained personnel from the emergency room,operating room, intensive care, radiology,blood bank and respiratory therapy.

Physicians from more than 10 specialtiesare all immediately available. MUSC treatsapproximately 2,100 trauma patients each yearand participates in trauma-related research,

community outreach and education, andinjury prevention activities.

“MUSC is prepared 24 hours a day, 365days a year to offer immediate care for life andlimb-threatening injuries,” said Crookes. “We

provide trauma patients with instant accessto the most advanced technology, surgicalsuites and critical care services, which canmake all the difference in saving lives anddecreasing disabilities.”

A study in the New England Journal ofMedicine showed that patients treated atLevel 1 trauma centers fare significantlybetter than those with comparable injurieswho are treated at non-trauma centers.Findings showed Level 1 trauma centers canlower the risk of death for severely injuredpatients by 25 percent.

“The closest hospital with an emergencyroom may not be the best place to take

a trauma patient. For a seriously injuredpatient, transport to a Level 1 center suchas MUSC can increase his or her chances atsurvival,” said Crookes.

10

6Customized

therapy

Dr. Stephen Ethierwill co-lead theHollings CancerCenter’s genetics

program.

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5

MUSC’sRehabilitation

Research Centerworks with patientsindividually to treat

injury disorders.

Scholars fund

Meet Tom

Classifieds

Inside

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http://www.musc.edu/

catalyst

CanCerGenomiCs

“For a seriously injuredpatient, transport to aLevel 1 center such asMUSC can increase his orher chances at survival.”

—Dr. Bruce Crookes

2 The CaTalysT, March 2, 2012

The physician organization that isthe majority owner of Roper St. FrancisHealthcare System has established a newscholarship fund to benefit doctors-in-training at MUSC.

The Medical Society of SouthCarolina established the Roper St.Francis Physicians Scholars Fund witha gift to the MUSC Foundation. It isthe first scholarship at MUSC to beestablished by the society, which wasfounded in 1789 and whose membershiptoday consists exclusively of physiciansaffiliated with Roper St. Francis.

Although the society’s gift wascharitable in nature, it was pragmatic inintent, said the group’s president, StanWilson, M.D.

“In our view, the high cost of a medicaleducation is preventing too many giftedstudents from pursuing a career inmedicine,” said Wilson. “We see this as away to ensure that Roper St. Francis andevery other hospital in South Carolinacan continue to recruit talent from a welltrained pool of physicians.”

The Office for Healthcare WorkforceAnalysis and Planning published a reportin October 2011 suggesting that SouthCarolina’s rapidly growing and agingpopulation would place a serious burdenon its health care system in the years tocome. The report concluded that thestate would need to recruit, train andretain more physicians in order to meetanticipated demand.

Unfortunately, the job of recruitingthese students has become increasingly

difficult in South Carolina, wherescholarship support is in short supplyand tuition has been driven upwardby several consecutive years of statebudget cuts, said MUSC President RayGreenberg, M.D., Ph.D.

“The cost of medical education isbecoming a real barrier to many studentsentering the field, and it affects careerchoices beyond graduation,” saidGreenberg. “The Medical Society wiselysaw this as a challenge to the long-termviability of the Lowcountry’s medicaldelivery system and came to us with atangible and practical solution.”

For each of the next four years, theRoper St. Francis Physicians Scholarsprogram will offer one full scholarshipand two half scholarships to in-statestudents from each entering class.Scholarship recipients will continue toreceive financial support throughouttheir four-year training period, providedthey maintain sufficiently high grades.

When fully implemented, the programwill provide four full scholarships andeight half scholarships on an ongoingbasis.

College of Medicine Dean Etta Pisano,M.D., said MUSC is grateful for theopportunity to partner with the MedicalSociety of South Carolina at this level.

“This is an inspiring commitmentto help the next generation of medicalpractitioners, and it is a great example ofhow community physicians and MUSCcan partner together for the benefit ofthe entire community.”

Medical Society of SCcreates MUSC scholarship

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]

College of Dental Medicine students, residents, post doctoral staffand junior faculty gathered Feb. 23 to learn more about dentaleducation. The event was part of the dental school’s annual scholarsday which featured table clinics, a poster competition and vendorshow held at the James E. Clyburn Research Center. Participantsalso heard from keynote speaker Dr. Christopher Fox, InternationalAssociation for Dental Research, who spoke about valuing oralhealth and the outlook for dental and craniofacial research. To seethe winners, visit http://tinyurl.com/7gdehhe and to watch the DentalScholars Day video, visit http://bit.ly/DentalMedicineScholarsDay.

Dental Scholars Day

Family Fund accepting 2012 grant applicationsThe YES (Yearly Employee Support)

Family Fund is accepting applications for2012 grants.

The submission form must includename and title, department phone, workaddress, name of project or programand the total amount requested (not toexceed $2,500).

On a separate sheet of paper, providea brief summary explaining the project(not to exceed one page).

All grants must be in compliance

with the MUSC Foundation guidelinesand cannot be made for any requests ofunallowable expenses as defined by thefoundation.

For information, call 792-1973 oremail [email protected]. Applicationsare due March 31. Send via campusmail to: Office of Development, YESCampaign, 261 Calhoun St., MSC 182.

To download the application, visithttp://www.musc.edu/catalyst/archive/2012/co1-27familyfund.html.

The CaTalysT, March 2, 2012 3

Donna Jenkins was awarded themedical center’s 2008 Employee ofthe Year on Aug. 13.

Employee of the Year remembered for compassionDonna Odessa Jenkins, a social

worker in the Department ofPsychiatry and Behavioral Sciences YouthDivision, died Tuesday, Feb. 21. She was54.

Jenkins worked for more than 15years at MUSC and was known for herwork with the Innovative Model forParent and Child Treatment program(IMPACT) and the StabilizationTreatment Assessment and Reintegration(STAR) Ladson Children’s DayTreatment program, helping at-riskchildren who are diagnosed with severepsychiatric and developmental disorders.

Jenkins was recognized for hercompassion and dedication when shereceived the medical center’s 2008Employee of the Year award.

She is the mother of Dexter AllenJenkins, the daughter of Vernell EvansJenkins and the late Elix Jenkins Jr.,the sister of Arvernell Jenkins-Shivers,Marilyn Yvonne Jenkins and the lateElix Jenkins III, the sister-in-law of AnitaJenkins, the granddaughter of Geneva

E. Evans and the late Emily C. Jenkins.Jenkins is the niece of 11 aunts, fiveuncles, the aunt of six nieces and onenephew.

“She was a remarkable woman. Ihave worked with Donna for themajority of the past 20 years. She wasthe most energetic, dedicated, andcompassionate person with whom Ihave had the good fortune to work.She will be dearly missed.”—Owen Shoemaker, Ph.D., Director ofIMPACT Program

“Ms. Donna would make us kickup our heels and shout with joyand laughter. She brought love andhappiness to children who were inneed of it.”—Silvie Counts, Clinical Counselor,Institute of Psychiatry

“I was most fortunate to work withDonna Jenkins for many years withinthe Youth Division at the Instituteof Psychiatry. She truly epitomizedall that a superb clinician and awonderful human being could be

and will be greatly missed by patients,families and colleagues. She gaveunselfishly to other staff by sharingher tremendous knowledge base andbeing an excellent role model, as wellas being conscientious and reliableas any human being that I have everknown. Because of the person Donnawas, I believe that we can only guessregarding the extent of her serviceto others, as she never talked aboutherself and her commitment to herorganization, MUSC, her churchmembers and her family and friends. Ifeel my life has been enriched in manyways just by knowing Donna. I willcherish my memories of her, especiallyhow she connected with the IMPACTand STAR program children in amanner that blended unconditionalcaring and love with structure andsupport.”—Meredith Lyons-Crews, Assistant Professor,Institute of Psychiatry


Pharmacy student Liz O’Hara ismore than just an ordinary student. Ahumanitarian with a passion for helpingothers, she works to make a difference inthe lives of the Charleston homeless.

O’Hara is being recognized as part ofthe MUSC's National Women's HistoryMonth program in March celebrating its2012 theme of “Women’s Education –Women’s Empowerment.”

Fourth-year student O’Hara, whograduates in May, spends much of herfree time working with local non-profit

organizations inthe Charlestonarea. She hasvolunteered as astudent pharmacistsince 2008,working to betterserve the homelesswith the CARESclinic and CrisisMinistries.

Her efforts begana few years ago when she attended theHumanitarian Conference, a trip thatwas funded by President Ray Greenberg,M.D., Ph.D. O’Hara was exposed to an

organization called Operation Safety Net.This organization offers health care tothe homeless, which is her passion.

O’Hara was inspired by OperationSafety Net and decided she wanted totry to bring some of the group’s ideasto Charleston. “In my opinion, thereis a huge gap in Charleston as far ashomeless outreach goes. The healthclinics for the homeless often reach onlya handful of people at a time. This needsto change so that more people can haveaccess to treatment, and MUSC has thepersonnel and the resources to instituteexactly that change,” she said.

It’s O’Hara’s compassion and

leadership that won her the admirationof her fellow students and colleagues.She earned the Charles H. Banov, M.D.Humanitarian Award in 2011, receivinga $1,000 check. She also received theWalmart/Pharmacy Times Respect,Excellence, and Service in PharmacyAward for the 2011-2012 school year.

O’Hara takes a humble approach toreceiving awards. “It feels a little strangereceiving an award for my service work,because through service to others, Ibelieve we have the honor of fulfillingour highest purpose in health care, andthrough that action are supported andnurtured in our practice,” she said.

Pharmacy student is awarded for community serviceBy hollen DoDDs

Public Relations

O’Hara

EmployEE WEllnEss

Healthat workSusan Johnson

q “Pitch The Pack”Smoking CessationClinics: Monthlythree-session cessationclinics facilitated by amulti-disciplinary team,including physicians,psychologists andtrained staff free ofcharge for MUSCemployees, students andfamily members. Thenext clinic will be heldat 5:30 p.m. March 5,Room 102, Colbert Eduation Center &Library. Visit http://mcintranet.musc.edu/health1st and click on “SmokingCessation Enrollment Form” to registeror email [email protected] forinformation.q Non-Smoking Section: Offered byMUSC’s Institute of Psychiatry, one-hourQuit Smoking class from noon - 1 p.m.on the first Wednesday at the Center forDrug and Alcohol Programs, 4-North.The class is conducted by a licensedclinical psychologist and offers tips andsuggestions to help achieve a smoke-freelifestyle. The next class is scheduled forMarch 7, anyone is welcome to attend;no pre-registration needed.q Wellness Wednesday: March isNational Nutrition Month and the focusis to “Get Your Plate in Shape.” Join

MUSC dietetic interns from 11 a.m. - 1p.m. outside the cafeteria at Ashley RiverTower as they provide nutrition tips,interactive games, prizes and free food.q Lunch & Learn: “Snack Time notGuilt Time.” Join Lisa Hanhauser,registered dietitian, to learn about thebenefits of healthy snacking, includingexamples of healthy snacks and howthey can fit into a calorie-controlleddiet from 12:15 – 12:45 p.m. March 8,Room 102, Colbert Education Center& Library. Space is limited, register [email protected]. Participantswill receive a 10 percent off coupon forthe Wellness & You item featured in themain hospital cafeteria.q Worksite Screening: March 14 inRoom 803, Harborview Office Tower.This screening, valued at about $350,is available to employees with the StateHealth Plan for $15 (covered spousescan also participate for $15). Employeesand spouses without this insurancecan participate for $42. The screeningincludes: height, weight, blood pressureand a blood draw for a blood chemistryprofile, hemogram, and a blood lipidprofile. To register, visit http://www.musc.edu/medcenter/health1st and click“Worksite Screening.”

Email [email protected] to becomeinvolved in employee wellness at MUSCor for a listing of additional events.


mEEt tom

Thomas Hamm IIIDepartmentEducation and Student LifeHow long at MUSC5 yearsHow are you changing what’spossible at MUSCI strive to make use of existing andsometimes overlooked campus resources.Why go outside when MUSC can providetop-quality media in house? With each newproject, I try to push the edge of what’spossible and produce an end product thatno one thought we were capable of.Favorite sportFootball. I used to always watch pro-ball,but now I enjoy college football more.Favorite artistI have always been drawn to theRenaissance masters. My favorite of thosewould be Vermeer. After that, probablywhoever drew Mad Magazine’s Spy vs.Spy.Favorite holidayI have always been partial to the Fourth ofJuly. Come on barbecues and fireworks.Favorite genreBeing a child of the 80s, I’ve damaged myhearing with everything from Aerosmith toHoward Jones. Now, I listen to classic rock.


Aaron E. Embry,DPT, makes his final

calculations, adjusts aninvestigative stimulation devicehe’s using to treat Alaskan LisaVon Bargen, and then helps gether walker set.

“OK. Make magic,” he said,following closely behind ashe assesses her response to atargeted intervention to reducefoot drop. “Let’s go down thisway.”

Von Bargen nods as sheheads down the hallway on thesecond floor of MUSC’s Centerfor Rehabilitation Research inNeurological Conditions. That’swhy she traveled all the wayfrom Alaska to participate inresearch studies currently beingconducted. It was past time forsome magic in her life.

Five years ago, a car accidentinjured her spinal cord. Shehad to have one vertebraeremoved and two others fused.With a diagnosis of incompletetetraplegia, the former longdistance runner found at firstthat she was unable to movefrom the neck down.

“They gave me less than a 5percent chance that I wouldever be able to walk again, soit was a huge change. To quoteJames Bond, ‘I do not play theodds.’ I was very assertive withmy rehab. I was lucky that theaccident happened at work, soI had insurance coverage, andI’ve had friends and family whohave worked with me until Icould do it on my own.”

When she was in Seattlerecently consulting with herphysical therapist, she washanded a magazine articlethat described the researchand vision of MUSC’scenter to develop a toolboxof best measurements and

interventions to allow therapiststo provide the best patienttreatments. Her therapist toldher that the approach MUSCwas developing was what sheneeded.

solD aT hello

Von Bargen, the communityand economic developmentdirector for Valdez, ended uptalking to researcher MarkBowden, Ph.D. Bowdenexplained how the centercustomizes research intoexperimental interventionsaimed at retraining thebody to maximize a person’srehabilitative capacity.

“I was sold in an instant. Hehad me at ‘hello’ at that point.It’s all I could have imaginedand more because it’s state-of-the-art technology and peopleworking on the cutting edge ofresearch.”

Researchers at the center,which celebrated its grandopening last May, focus onbehavioral measurementtechniques, detailed engineeringanalyses and novel explorationsinto nervous system functionand plasticity to help individuals

with neurological injury anddisorders. They don’t believe inone therapy fits all.

An advantage of the centeris its high-tech equipment thatincludes an instrumented split-belt treadmill that can measure3-D ground reaction forces,a motion-capture system thatallows movement data to becollected at a speed of up to 242frames a second, a perturbationsystem for investigating balanceduring walking and a $150,000,Zero G computer-controlled,bodyweight support system thatassists someone walking on atreadmill or on the ground.

Bowden, who’s an assistantprofessor in the Department ofHealth Sciences and Researchand the Division of PhysicalTherapy, said the ‘permissive’environment created bythe bodyweight supportsystem allows researchers tochallenge Von Bargen in anew way. They can removeher walker and challenge herbalance to get her to activatetrunk muscles she needs tostrengthen. This environmentalso allows researchers tochallenge an individual’s speed

and endurance more thana traditional rehabilitationlaboratory. Detailedbiomechanical analyses allowthe therapists to understand herspecific deficits, which is criticalfor choosing the most effectiveinterventions, he said.

CusTomizeD Therapy

Her schedule kept her frombeing able to participate inan intensive experimentalintervention, so they decidedto do several days of cross-sectional research experiments,assessing her immediateresponses to a variety of theory-based interventions. At theend of the week the researchersdiscussed what they hadfound and synthesized thosefindings into a description ofher underlying deficits and herresponses to various theoreticalinterventions, he said.

While the researchers willuse this information to suggestwhat they believe to be themost promising experimentalinterventions, Von Bargen willcoordinate the research findingswith her clinical team in Alaskawith the end goal of developing

a program that she couldindependently follow at home.She hopes to return for twoweeks in September to enroll ina mobility training program.

Von Bargen said she couldtell a difference in her walkingjust in her brief visit here. It’sgiven her hope that she cancontinue to make mobility gainsin the future. “They told me,‘you now have a partner in lifeas you go through this,’ and thatwas incredible.”

To her, life is about movingand being able to functionindependently.

“I still have what I call ‘blowmy head off’ kind of days whereI get so frustrated not being ableto do a task or be independent.It’s a struggle. Every day is astruggle. Having a spinal cordinjury is like killing someonewithout taking their life away.You go from being an activeperson and a normal regular lifeto being absolutely trapped, andI’m more fortunate than most.”

She encourages other peoplewith spinal cord injuries torealize it is the hardest workthey’ll face in life, and that theywill have to push themselves.She’s glad to see a shift inrehabilitation to customizetreatment programs and hopesinsurance will be able to offermore coverage for that typeof treatment to others in thefuture. There are people withher type of injury who haven’thad access to the therapy she’sgotten and have not shown thesame improvement, she said.

Bowden agrees.“We don’tdo a good job in our currentmedical model for spinalcord injury rehabilitation indetermining what that capacitycan be,” he said. “In doing so,we can help patients reach theirpotential rather than settling forsome externally defined capacitythat may or may not be true.”

Rehabilitation research center extends far reachBy Dawn Brazell

Public Relations

Drs. Aaron E. Embry and Mark Bowden (center) adjust a stimulation device to assessAlaskan Lisa Von Bargen’s response to a targeted intervention to reduce foot drop.

The Catalyst, March 2, 2012 7

A s a Southerner by birth buta recent transplant from

Minnesota, I welcomed tradingblizzards for palm trees when Iaccepted the position of managingeditor of “Progress Notes.” I think itonly fitting that the February issue,the first issue I have written, featuresan alligator on the cover — a tributeto my new Lowcountry home.

This column will cover highlightsfrom “Progress Notes,” a bimonthlypublication for doctors that covers the clinicalinnovations and exciting research under way here thatcould revolutionize the medicine of tomorrow. It’swhy there’s an alligator on the cover as a tribute to thework of Louis Guillette Jr., Ph.D., who studies howenvironmental pollutants affect human reproductivehealth by monitoring changes caused by them inwildlife, such as the alligator.

Alligators, like canaries in a mine, alert us to a dangerin the local environment. Guillette has documentedunderdevelopment or malformation of alligatorreproductive organs that can be traced back to exposureto environmental toxins, such as those that can betraced to pesticides, plastics, industrial solvents, andpersonal care products like lotions and shampoos.His findings have led him to believe that manydiseases or disorders found in adult women, such as

endometriosis or uterine fibroids, can be traced back toenvironmental exposure to toxins as well.

Also covered in this issue is the research being doneat the new Bioengineering Building. The work of theseresearchers is quickly blurring the lines between sciencefiction and scientific fact.

Take, for example, the tissue-based pacemaker beingdeveloped by Martin Morad, Ph.D. When I think of apacemaker, I see a battery-operated device that is put ina patient, must be replaced every so often, and sets offairport scanners.

The pacemaker Morad hopes to develop, on the otherhand, would never need replacing. It could changethe heart rate to meet the body’s changing needs (forexample, speeding it up for jogging). One of the bestfeatures is that it would introduce nothing foreigninto the body. A patient’s own skin cells would betransformed into cells known as induced pluripotentstem cells and then developed into cardiac cells thatcould be injected into the heart to naturally control itspacing.

Another fascinating area is the regrowth of brainor spinal tissue after serious injury, a feat oncethought impossible. Celebrities like Superman actorChristopher Reeve have drawn attention to theneed to encourage cutting-edge research into tissueregeneration. The number of soldiers returning fromIraq and Afghanistan with traumatic brain injuriesmakes that need more pressing than ever.

Xuejun Wen, M.D., Ph.D., and Ning Zhang, Ph.D.,of the Clemson-MUSC Bioengineering Program, havefound a way to promote the regrowth of brain tissue.Wen and Zhang have developed a hydrogel — a liquidthat becomes gelatinous after being administered — thatcan be injected into the empty cavity in the brain leftby a stroke or traumatic brain injury. The hydrogelprovides a base on which blood vessels can regrow, thefirst step in regrowing brain tissue. Such hydrogels mayone day restore function to those with brain and spinalcord injury.

Another area of research offering hope is the workbeing done by the Center for Biomedical Imaging,headed by Joseph A. Helpern, Ph.D. Many fear one daydeveloping Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, but rightnow there is no way to know who is more likely to doso. Helpern’s group uses new imaging techniques tosearch for early, tiny changes in brain tissue that predictwho will develop such diseases. Early detection couldone day mean earlier, more effective treatment.

To read more about the work of bioengineers as wellas other clinical and research innovations at MUSC,visit the February issue of “Progress Notes,” available atMUSChealth.com/progressnotes.

Editor’s note: “Progress Notes” is a bimonthly publicationproduced by Business Development & Marketing Services andsent to all physicians licensed in South Carolina to informthem about clinical and research innovations at MUSC.

‘Progress Notes’ covers clinical innovations, research

Kimberly McGhee

Frontiers

leap year babyarrives earlyMUSC 5East mother Syreeta A. Richardsonand newborn daughter, Arionna YasminNesbitt, celebrate her birth Feb. 29.Helping Richardson with her baby isregistered nurse Mary Beth Parks. Arionna,who arrived two weeks early, was born at3:21 a.m. and is a rare leap day baby. Leapyear occurs every four years. Each year is abit longer than 365 days; therefore to keepthe calendar aligned with the seasons,an extra day is added to the shortestmonth — February. Mom and family planto celebrate Arionna's birthdays Feb. 28during the alternative years.


The growing use of backscatter X-raydetection systems at airports to identifyweapons and concealed objects ontravelers and its long-term health effectsfrom radiation continues to be debated.

MUSC radiologist Walter Huda,Ph.D., professor in the Department ofRadiology and Radiological Science,examined international research andradiology studies and wrote about it inthe February issue of InPractice Insight,a monthly journal published by theAmerican Roentgen Ray Society. Hudafound no evidence that full-body scans,which emit small amounts of radiationwhen used at airports, are unsafe.

Backscatter X-ray imaging technologyfeatures body imaging machines thatperform full body scans of airlinepassengers to detect objects such asconcealed weapons, explosives, tools,narcotics and other contraband. Thistechnology is a big improvement to metaldetectors, which cannot detect explosivesor nonmetallic weapons.

This type of X-ray imaging systemuses ionizing radiation instead of high-energy light photons used in standardX-rays. The backscatter system picks upimages produced when materials scatterX-ray photons and are better at imagingorganic material and therefore have thepotential to damage chemical bonds. Theeffective dose from a single scan from abackscatter X-ray machine delivers about0.1 micro-Siervert (uSV).

According to Huda, ionizing radiationis accepted as being carcinogenic at highdoses, but the existence of radiation risksat doses below 50 to 100 mSV continues

to be debated. Reasons for the ongoingdebate about radiation risks at low dosespoint to the lack of convincing evidenceand the fact that such risks, if any, arelikely to be small, he said.

In 2010, about 60 backscatter X-rayscanners were installed in airports acrossthe country. Today, more than 500 bodyscanners (backscatter and millimeter-wave) are in use at airports. TheTransportation Security Administrationplans to roll out additional scanners toairport security checkpoints by 2014.

At European Union airports,backscatter X-ray scanners have beenprohibited for use “in order not to riskjeopardizing citizens’ health and safety.”Instead, EU airports use millimeter-wavescanners that use radio frequency waves

versus low levels of ionizing radiation.To put the radiation doses from

airport scanners into perspective, peoplereceive about 1,000 uSV every year frombackground sources and many also willreceive about two to three times thisamount from Radon exposure.

Air crew, such as pilots and flightattendants, who spend about 1,000hours in the air flying at 30,000 feet, alsoreceive an additional annual exposure ofabout 5,000 uSV. According to Huda, itis evident that the additional radiationdose from an airport X-ray scanner istrivial and irrespective of how often theyfly.

Huda believes that these backscattersystems do not pose any hazard to anyexposed individuals.

When it comes to radiation risks,organizations such as the NationalCouncil on Radiation Protection andMeasurements (NCRPM), the NationalAcademy of Sciences in the UnitedStates’ Biological Effects of IonizingRadiation committee support that wholebody doses of more than 100 mSv maybe harmful.

“It clearly makes no sense to attemptto make use of any quantitativeradiation risks at doses of the order of0.0001 mSv, because these doses aresix orders of magnitude lower than thecarcinogenic risks of radiation exposurethat are generally accepted by most of thescientific community.” Huda said.

Huda reports that other scientificbodies and organizations regard anyradiation concerns from backscatterX-ray machines to be of no practicalimportance. The NCRPM, the HealthyPhysics Society and American Collegeof Radiology have stated that there isno specific evidence that full-body scanare unsafe. The UK Health ProtectionAgency has written that the doseis extremely low and the EuropeanCommission reports that the backscatterX-ray system poses no known health risk.

“Whether backscatter X-ray machinesshould be introduced to screenpassengers is a political decision that willneed to be addressed along with otherissues including an analysis of costs andbenefits as well as considering otheralternative technologies,” Huda said.

To read the story, visit http://www.arrs.org/Templates/TemplateIP_1col.aspx?id=2167.

Backscatter X-ray detection systems a risk or hype?

The backscatter X-ray scanner is being used by many U.S. airports by theTransportation Security Administration.

CM

02-653313


Nutritionmatters

Molly Jones

In March, the Academy of Nutritionand Dietetics, formerly the American

Dietetic Association encouragesAmericans to “get your plate in shape” inobservanceof NationalNutritionMonth.NationalNutritionMonth is anutritioneducationandinformationcampaign that focuses on the importanceof making informed food choices andcreating healthy eating and physicalactivity habits.

The awareness effort started inMarch 1973 as a week-long event andgrew to a month-long observance in the

1980s with increasing public interest innutrition. In 1977 the mascot of goodnutrition, Nutribird, a body shaped likea head of lettuce and a carrot beak, firstappeared. Many dietitians and dieteticinterns dressed in Nutribird costumesin the late’70s and early’80s to promoteNational Nutrition Week and sharehealthy eating messages with childrenand adults. However, the mascot quicklydisappeared and is no longer used todaybecause dietitians did not believe thiswas an appropriate image for them asprofessionals.

As National Nutrition Monthcontinues to grow in popularity, foodand nutrition professionals becomemore creative in finding ways to promoteeach year’s theme. This year’s theme“Get Your Plate in Shape” encouragesconsumers to make sure they are eatingthe recommended amounts of fruits,

vegetables, grains, protein foods anddairy each day by thinking about whatthey put on their plate.

Throughout the month of Marchat MUSC, we have many events andopportunities for you to get involvedwith National Nutrition Month andlearn how to get your plate in shape. Besure to participate in the events (listed atthe right) for a chance to win prizes suchas cookbooks, restaurant gift certificates,local stone ground grits and even moneyto use in the MUSC cafeteria.

Registered Dietitian Day is alsocelebrated in March and is designed torecognize registered dietitians for theirhard work and commitment to helpingpeople enjoy healthier lives.

On March 14, be sure to expressyour appreciation to any of the MUSCregistered dietitians, easily identified bytheir brown scrubs.

‘Get Your Plate in Shape’ for nutrition monthWhat’s happening at MUSCq March 1: Kickoff featuring“MUSC Good Eats” from 11 a.m. -1p.m. at the library porticoq March 7: Wellness Wednesdayfrom 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. outside AshleyRiver Towers cafeteria q March 8, 15,22, 29: “Lunch & Learn” from 12:15– 12:45 p.m., Room 103, ColbertEducation Center & Library.q March 14, 21, 28: WellnessWednesday, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.,Children’s Hospital lobby.q March 14: Registered Dietitian Dayq March 1 - 30: Wellness & YouCompetitionq March 1 - 30: Color My Plate

Visit http://www.muschealth.com/nutrition/ for a detailed list of eventsand rules for the Wellness & YouCompetition.


Stephen P. Ethier, Ph.D., anoted researcher in breast cancerbiology and cancer genomics,will co-lead the Hollings CancerCenter’s Cancer Genetics andMolecular Regulation Program.

Ethier, a professor of pathologyand laboratory medicine, holdsthe Spaulding-Paolozzi Chairin Breast Cancer Diagnosis,Treatment and Research.Ethier’s research explores thegenetic drivers of cancer, specifically which few geneticalterations among the thousands found in cancer cellsdrive a tumor’s growth. While his work has largely

focused on breast cancer, Ethier said that causal geneticdrivers for one type of cancer likely play a role in others.“This is one of the most exciting frontiers in cancerresearch. The genetic focus on cancer means that we’llbe able to develop more drugs that target tumors basedon their genetic signatures rather than where theyoriginate in the body,” he said. “This is going to make adramatic impact in cancer treatment.”

Ethier said that all National Cancer Institute-designated centers such as Hollings are rampingup their genetics research programs by investingin scientists and sophisticated DNA sequencingtechnology that will help revolutionize how cancer isdiagnosed and treated. The work he and his team dowill have scientific applications across MUSC’s campus.

Steve Lanier, Ph.D., associate provost for research,said MUSC is fortunate to have recruited Ethier toHollings. “His work will clearly help accelerate ourprograms in cancer genomics and in our push to havethe latest in genome-based technologies on campus forour research and clinical teams. He is highly regardedin the field and will have an immediate impact on ourresearch programs across campus.”

Nigel Redden, president of the Spaulding PaolozziFoundation, said the foundations’ board of directors ishonored to have someone of his caliber serving as theSpaulding-Paolozzi chair. “Dr. Ethier brings with himvery impressive credentials. His expertise and leadershipexemplify the kind of excellence people have come toexpect from MUSC.”

Genetics researcher joins HCC to co-lead program

Ethier

The Vice President for AcademicAffairs and Provost is acceptingnominations for the DistinguishedFaculty Service Award.

This award was enacted by theuniversity board of trustees to honorMUSC faculty members who haveprovided exceptional contributions inteaching, research, health care or publicservice to the university and the citizensof South Carolina. Up to three awardsmay be made each year and each honoreewill receive a $3,000 contribution fromthe MUSC Foundation.

In order to nominate someone,provide a written justification to includea typed or printed narrative of no morethan two single-spaced pages directlyaddressing the contributions made toMUSC and those the institution serves.A copy of the nominee’s curriculumvitae or professional resumé shouldbe enclosed. The deadline for bothnominations is April 23 and should besubmitted to Mark S. Sothmann, Ph.D.,Vice President for Academic Affairs andProvost, 179 Ashley Avenue, ColcockHall, MSC 002, MUSC.

Nominations for clinician,faculty awards being accepted

outstandinG CliniCian awards

Nominations for the OutstandingClinician Award are being acceptedby the Office of the Vice President forAcademic Affairs and Provost.

The Outstanding Clinician Awardhonors full-time faculty who have madecontributions to patient care at MUSC.

Currently active clinicians that commita significant proportion of their timecaring for patients in ambulatory orinpatient settings are eligible for thisaward.

Awardees will have demonstrated ahigh level of professionalism, integrity,and devotion to patient care.

Their clinical excellence and service

commitment identify them as rolemodels for residents, students and theirfaculty colleagues.

An additional consideration willbe their abilities to collaborate in aneffective interprofessional manner.

The monetary reward of $3,000 will beused at the discretion of the awardees.

The nomination packet should consistof the curriculum vitae of the nomineewith an expanded description of thesection of clinical activity; three lettersof support, with at least one from a peer;and a statement from the nominator(not to exceed 1,000 words) outlining thecandidate’s qualifications for the award.

distinGuished FaCulty serviCe award

Applause ProgramThe following employees received recog-

nition through the Applause Program forgoing the extra mile:

Medical CenterJacqueline Smith, Women’s Services;Kristine Miles, 6W; Ashley Sevier, 6W;Michael Donovan, 2 CCV; Ruth Peter-son, Family Medicine; Susan Tilley, Fam-ily Medicine; Brenda Campbell, FamilyMedicine; Barry Williams, Radiology;Katherine Shelton, 6E; Vicki Shelton,6E; Joann Inchliffe, 6E; Terrie Hopkins,6E; Carnice French, 6E; Joy Singleton,6E; Sarah Mathes, Oncology & Medical/Surgical Services; Phillip Botham, Physi-cal Therapy; Farrah Rivera, 6E; AshliFender, 6W; Catina Williams,4E; Kath-erine Morgan, Surgery; Cindy Locklair,Human Resources; Melissa Youngblood,GI Clinic; Nathalee Nelson, PAS; ShirleyJones, Radiology; Reginald Harney, Pa-

tient Transport Services; Pamela Polite,MedSurg Registration; LaCrystal Bartel-le, Business Operations; Doris Simmons,Children’s Services; Kate Miccichi, Med-Surg Registration; Ruther Pinckney,MedSurg Registration; Irene Smith, Car-diology; Melvena Nelson, EnvironmentalServices; Wendy Williams, 10W; LaTo-sha Boyd, Meduflex; Courtney Nettles,10W; John Carson, 10W; ChristineStrange, Otolaryngology - Head & NeckSurgery; Iris Hamilton, Dietetic Services;Doris Thomas, Medical Records; AdrianGadsden, Medical Records; and Lori Mc-Call, Medical Records.

UniversityAnne Hawes, Cardiology; Angela Ste-vens, Dental Clinical Affairs; AnnetteStoney, Radiology; Ty Taylor, Endocri-nology; and Debra Wood, Dental Clini-cal Affairs.

Annual photo exhibit accepting student, staff artworkThe Annual MUSC Student, Staff

and Faculty Art and Photo Exhibit isaccepting artwork through March 16.The items may also be sold during theevent.

All 2-D forms of artwork and craftsare welcomed (paintings, photography,sketches, etc.). Drop off one or twopieces, prepared with adequate hardwareand ready to be displayed, to theOffice of Student Programs (9 a.m. to

5 p.m. Monday through Friday), at 45Courtenay Drive, Suite 213) from March1-16. Artwork will be displayed in theHarper Student Wellness Center fromApril 2-30.

The exhibit is sponsored by MUSCStudent Governement Association,Office of Student Programs, and MUSCCultural Projects Council.

For information, visit http://www.musc.edu/cpc or call 792-2693.


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Documents

MUSC Catalyst