NewsRounds 2010

2010·3.2 MB·English

by  Rush University Medical Center (Chicago, Ill.)

February/March 2010 Volume 49, Number 1 Rush University Medical Center
Great Leapfrog Forward
—
Ru s h R a n k e d a m o n g C o u n T RY ’ s To P h o s P I Ta L s
Rush’s goal is to be among the we do,” says Larry Goodman, entry systems, which have
very best medical centers in MD, Rush president and CEO. been shown to reduce
the country — and the results medication errors by up to
The Leapfrog Hospital Recog-
of a comprehensive hospital 85 percent, and for passing
nition Program measures and
survey show that we’re on our Leapfrog’s test of their system
evaluates hospital performance
way toward achieving that
to recognize achievements and • Fully meet stringent perfor-
high standard. Rush recently
encourage improvements in mance standards for complex,
was named among the top
the efficiency of hospital care. high-risk procedures, such as
hospitals in the country for
The program’s latest rankings heart bypass surgery
safety, quality and resource
drew on information gathered
• Meet standards for staffing
use by the Leapfrog Group,
through the 2009 Leapfrog
the intensive care unit with
a national organization that
Hospital Survey, which com-
doctors and nurses specifically
promotes health care safety piled data reported by 1,206
trained in critical care, which
and quality improvement. hospitals in 41 states. The
have been shown to reduce
survey is the only national,
Rush is one of only 45 hospi-
mortality by 40 percent
public comparison of hospitals
tals that made Leapfrog’s
or more
on key issues, including mor-
top hospitals list for 2009
tality rates for certain common • Score in the top 10 percent Nichole Banks, BSN, RN, (left) and Colleen McGuire, BSN, RN, (right),
out of 1,206 hospitals sur-
procedures, infection rates, in the country for efficiency. staff nurses in adult critical care, 8 North Atrium, work together to
veyed, and Rush was one of
safety practices and measures The Leapfrog Hospital Rec- help a patient.
only three Illinois hospitals
of efficiency. ognition Program measured
to be so honored. The top
heart attack and pneumonia at Rush that Leapfrog has
efficiency in terms of qual-
hospitals were announced To be designated a Leapfrog patients. Efficiency was a found we’re providing excel-
ity outcomes, length of stay,
in December. top hospital this year, city new category this year, an lent care for our patients, and
readmission rates, and inci-
“These results demonstrate hospitals needed to fulfill dence of hospital-acquired addition that reflects the doing it in a cost-effective
that Rush is dedicated to the the following criteria: conditions and infections. growing concern about the way,” Goodman says. “I thank
highest standards of quality • Fully meet Leapfrog stan- The efficiency standard cost of health care. and congratulate everyone at
and patient safety and makes dards for implementing applies to heart bypass “It’s a great testament to the the Medical Center for their
them the focus of everything computer physician order surgery, heart angioplasty, very skilled and dedicated staff part in this achievement.”
TRansfoRmaTIon mILesTone: Rush Tops off The New hospiTal
The Medical Center celebrated an historic milestone in the
Rush Transformation in December when the final steel beam
used in the construction of the East Tower was raised. Before-
hand, employees had the opportunity to sign the 25-foot beam,
leaving their mark on the 14-story new hospital building cur-
rently under construction at the corner of Harrison Street and
Ashland Avenue. The East Tower will be completed in 2012.
Mick Zdeblick, vice president, campus transformation, was one
of many on hand to help celebrate. “This achievement puts us
one step closer to achieving our goal of making Rush the medi-
cal center of choice,” Zdeblick explains. “It’s symbolic of our
vision in providing the best possible care to our patients in the
city and from around the country.”
Learn more about Rush’s Transformation and how its trials
and mock-ups of rooms and equipment have helped shape the
project’s development over the last few years. Read the story on
page 3. To learn more about the Rush Transformation, please
visit www.rush.edu/transformation.
Vanessa R. Badgett, who works in finance, signs the final steel beam.
new YeaR, As you can see, NewsRounds has undergone some changes. Starting with this issue, the newsletter will be in full color and a
larger size. We’ve made these changes, in response to feedback from our readers, in order to make NewsRounds an even better
source of information about what’s happening at Rush. Best of all, this new look doesn’t affect the cost of production.

new Look! We hope you’ll enjoy the revamped NewsRounds and that you’ll take the time to read about the exciting developments
and interesting people at the Medical Center. Thanks for reading. If you have any questions or comments, please e-mail
[email protected] or call us at ext. 2-5582.
IN ThIS ISSUe FReIdeNFeldS CoMBINeS CUSToMeR SeRVICe, SeCURITy
for Lauris freidenfelds, safety and
Transformation mock-ups customer service go hand in hand.
freidenfelds has been the director of
and Trials
security at Rush since June of 2008,
page 3
and since his arrival he’s emphasized
engagement with Rush visitors as a
primary method of keeping Rush secure.
new Rush university Course
page 3 “a good security principle is to get
involved and interact with people and
help them with whatever issue they have,”
Rush Research in the news he explains. “That approach will create a
page 4 positive atmosphere for the people who
really want assistance and deter people
who just want to hide out in the crowd.”
Janet wolter, md, Retires
freidenfelds has spent more than 20
after 46 Years
years in the security profession. Before
pages 4-5
coming to Rush, he consulted for a variety
of clients, including numerous academic
medical centers. at Rush, he supervises a
nutrition Q&a staff of 64 people, including 56 full-time
Lauris Freidenfelds and Eric Turner, a Rush security officer, speak with a visitor at the Medical Center.
page 5 security officers.
we want to be very sensitive in dealing Freidenfelds: our primary service is escort-
he was drawn to the job by the opportu-
with these situations, especially when ing patients, visitors and employees —
nity to put into practice the concepts he’d
Quarterly employee awards patients are involved. The security officers giving them a ride, walking them to their
been advocating as a consultant. “as a
page 6 have a complex situation. They’re deal- cars when it’s dark, accompanying them
consultant I made recommendations, but
ing with scenarios that require thinking when they’re carrying valuables. we also
I didn’t get to act on them. This position
quickly on their feet to resolve problems. assist with wayfinding.
was a great opportunity to both make the
People news
recommendation and take on the chal- NewsRounds: how are the officers Customer service also can be as simple as
page 7
lenge of implementing them,” he says. trained? asking someone who’s standing in a lobby
who they’re waiting for or if we can call
NewsRounds spoke with freidenfelds about Freidenfelds: The International association
someone for them. It’s a good way to learn
the state of campus security — and how of hospital safety and security provides
news Briefs the reason people are here and to prevent
helping patients and visitors also helps officers with training. we also go through
page 8 people who aren’t supposed to be here
keep Rush safe. training with the psychiatry department
from doing something.
about how to address situations, and we
NewsRounds: From your perspective,
do monthly in-service training. we’re progressing in the right direction by
how safe is Rush’s campus?
becoming visible on the floors. we used to
NewsRounds: The Rush campus includes
Freidenfelds: we’re in a very safe environ- walk the floor once a day; now it’s twice a
a lot of public buildings. What are some
ment here. The immediate campus, from shift. The main thing is combining helping
NeWSrounds of the challenges involved in maintain-
Polk street to Jackson Boulevard, wood with protecting.
ing security in them?
street to ashland avenue, is a very safe
february/march 2010 To contact Lauris Freidenfelds for more infor-
area. Very, very little happens here. Freidenfelds: hospitals are required
mation about campus security, call ext. 2-6395
to be able to lock down in an emergency.
when you get outside our campus, when or e-mail [email protected].
editor we don’t have electronic ways of closing
you start to get toward the south and
anne Burgeson doors. we have a lot of front, back and
west, that’s where issues of crime are
SAFeTy TIpS oN CAMpUS
side doors, and we don’t know if they’re
more prevalent. a lot of our work force
Managing editors secure or not without sending a security Lauris freidenfelds recommends that
comes in from around those areas. we
elizabeth higgins and kevin mckeough officer to check them. I’m working on Rush personnel take the following
can’t escort people home, so I need to
obtaining grants and capital money to precautions to increase their personal
educate people about what they need to
Contributors find a more effective means to lock down safety when traveling to and from the
do when they get on the train or take a
Cindee Castronovo, nancy difiore, Judy the hospital in an emergency, so that Rush campus:
bus. (see freidenfelds’ tips in the box to
germany, Jill goldberg, Thurston hatcher, we can press a button and lock down • Stay in a well-lit area
the right.)
Cari kornblit, ken Quandt, erin Thorne, automatically.
• Travel in groups
Juliana walker and molly wolfe NewsRounds: What changes have you
we’ve also developed a limited access • Be aware of your surroundings and
made to campus security since you
procedure to respond to a severe pan- the people in the area when traveling
Designer arrived?
demic situation due to something like to and from campus
kristen marzejon Freidenfelds: when I got here, we were the h1n1 [swine flu] virus. as you know,
• Keep your valuables out of sight
using a style of security that focused on recently we raised the level of security
photographers • Keep your cell phone in your pocket
responding to problems. I prefer to focus in response to the rate of flu infection,
steve gadomski, Leo garcia and on a more proactive customer service and we screened visitors at entryways • Keep your laptop computer hidden
Bill Richert approach. By helping people, you can for flu virus. and protected in a bag
determine if someone really belongs here. • Stay off your cell phone and avoid
have a news item or story idea for NewsRounds: you mentioned customer
I’ve also shifted the focus from driving looking at or being distracted by your
NewsRounds? Contact the editor at: service earlier. What kind of services do
around the hospital, street patrol, to iPod or similar devices
Phone: [phone] the security officers provide?
giving security officers responsibility for
fax: [phone]
buildings and a sense of ownership of
e-mail: [email protected]
their area.
CoRReCTIoNS
marketing and Communications NewsRounds: What kind of security
Triangle office Building issues do you face most often? In the december issue of NewsRounds, we used the
1700 w. Van Buren st., suite 456 wrong photo for Regina Chen in People news.
Freidenfelds: nursing and hospital
Chicago, IL 60612
an article about research at Rush in the october, 2009
staff are the no. 1 victims of workplace
issue of NewsRounds identified molly martin, md, as
violence. Probably not a week goes by
an assistant professor of pediatrics and preventive
that we don’t have three or four calls
medicine. while martin holds appointments in both
about patients who become agitated,
the department of Preventive medicine and the
especially psychiatric patients, or visitors
department of Pediatrics, her research is conducted
who become distraught and act out, such
solely in the department of Preventive medicine.
as loved ones dealing with a loss in a
potentially harmful manner. NewsRounds regrets the errors.
Regina Chen
2
TeST dRIVINg MATeRIAlS
IN The NeW eAST ToWeR
If you’ve ever bought a car, you know the the initial design. The acute care and critical
value of first doing research, taking cars for care patient room mock-ups are a good
test drives and kicking the tires. much like example. The rooms were toured by a
that process, Rush has done quite a few wide range of groups, including clinicians,
“test drives” by seeking input from staff, patients, housekeeping, maintenance, risk
patients and visitors on many aspects of management, infection control, food and
the east Tower. we’ve done this in two key nutrition, and security. In addition, the
ways: with mock-ups — scale or full-sized nursing alumni association and philanthropy
models of a design or device — and trials department ran open houses. as the ooT
— testing a product to determine if it is the team gathered feedback from each of these
best choice for our needs. These have helped groups, they modified the mock-ups, chang-
Visitors to the East Tower will have an easier time finding their way to public elevators thanks to the
guide key decisions about everything from ing everything from room sizes and window
“green” wall that will be the trademark feature of the lobbies outside these elevators.
placement to the location of furniture and
what type of chairs visitors will sit on in our
outlets. now, as the interior construction
lobbies to what materials will be used to some of the trials have tested carpet- east Tower, a six-month trial of carpeting
starts to take shape in the east Tower, the
build the east Tower’s exterior walls. ing, flooring, lighting, furniture and wall in corridors proved that commercial
team will take what it learned from these
finishes. while most of the trials have carpeting is superior in cleaning and
“mock-ups help in the decision-making mock-ups and complete an acute care
been completed, some of the tested functionality and helps to reduce noise.
process, because people respond much and a critical care patient room in the new
materials will remain in the atrium
better to a full-sized, three-dimensional hospital building to ensure that all of the all of these “test drives” are critical
Building until the east Tower opens and
design than to a drawing,” says Joe deVoss, approved recommendations have been to assure that the Rush Transformation
renovation of the atrium and kellogg
assistant vice president, office of Transfor- satisfied before construction of the rest creates an environment with all the
buildings begin. In some instances, the
mation (ooT). “They actually expedite the of these rooms. features necessary for everyone who
products tested have proven to be the
decision process, which protects the overall works at Rush to do their best — a key
“Trials are also useful tools,” adds deVoss. right choice, such as the patient lobby
design and construction schedule.” goal of the project.
“They help us to understand the appropriate furniture and environmentally friendly
since even before transformation construc- use of a new product and judge the ease of plumbing fixtures. however, there also To learn more about the Rush Transformation,
tion began in 2007, ooT has conducted its maintenance and the general wear and have been some unexpected outcomes. please visit www.rush.edu/transformation.
numerous mock-ups that have provided tear it can withstand. The longer the trial, after many staff voiced objections about For questions, please contact the Office of
valuable input and resulted in changes to the more information we can gather.” carpeting corridors in patient units in the Transformation at [email protected].

Thank You
Rush uNiveRsiTy CouRse aiDs from the adopt-a-family
Program and the Rush united way Committee
sTuDeNTs iN CollaboRaTioN
for the first time in Rush university’s his- to what faculty expect will be long-term
while the holidays are over, the giving spirit of the season continues to benefit families and
tory, all students in the College of health professional relationships.”
charitable organizations throughout the Chicago area, thanks to Rush’s adopt-a-family
sciences, Rush medical College and the
“health Care in america” is very project Program and the medical Center community’s support of the united way.
Rush university College of nursing are now
focused. In the fall quarter of 2009,
taking an interdisciplinary course, entitled The department of Community affairs would like to thank everyone who participated in
there were 30 team projects, with eight
“health Care in america.” The course the 2009 adopt-a-family Program. This year, 123 families were adopted and received food,
to nine students assigned to each project.
introduces students to the complexity of clothing, housewares and children’s toys — all purchased by Rush employees, medical
Topics focused on patient safety, quality
the u.s. health care system, including its staff, students and friends. This support and generosity helped make the holiday season
management/process improvement and
historical development, as well as the orga- a time of celebration for these families in need. To learn more about the adopt-a-family
contemporary issues in medicine. In one
nization and delivery of health sciences; the Program, contact Verneice Cherry at ext. 2-5961.
project, students had to analyze a real
economics and financing of health care; the
event that jeopardized patient safety at Thank You from united way
nation’s health care workforce; access to
Rush and make recommendations about Rush has collaborated with the united way of metropolitan Chicago for many years to help
and quality of health services; health policy
how to prevent such an event. support charities that work with people in our community. employees at Rush always have
and the public’s health; and future direc-
Rush College of nursing to been very generous and supportive of the united way, and during this year’s campaign,
tions of the country’s health care system.
develop much-needed Curriculum more than 34 percent of all employees contributed, raising approximately $217,000.
while the university has offered the inter- for LgBT and hIV Positive adults Thank you again for another successful united way Campaign. Your donations will be
disciplinary course for the last 14 years, it extremely beneficial in helping to improve the lives of community members throughout
In other university news, the howard
wasn’t until last fall that medical students the Chicago area. for information about the united way of metropolitan Chicago, please
Brown health Center in Chicago has
were enrolled in it. In all, the course enrolls visit www.uw-mc.org. If you’d like to share your united way volunteering story, send an
partnered with Rush university College
247 students from the three colleges. “It e-mail to [email protected]. If you have any other questions, please contact Lauren
of nursing to develop a first-of-its-kind
brings students from various health care goebel at ext. 3-3280.
cultural competency curriculum for the
disciplines together to enhance their under-
care of lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans- Kateri Evans (left), RN, BSN, nurse clinical coordinator for the Coleman Foundation Comprehensive
standing of the health care team concept
gender (LgBT) and/or hIV positive older Clinic for Gastrointestal Cancers; and Carol Hallinan (right), RN, senior clinical review coordinator,
and develops their communication skills
adults. marilyn wideman, dnP, Rn-BC, oncology administration, drop off gifts for the Adopt-A-Family Program.
across disciplines,” says diane howard,
assistant professor, director of faculty
Phd, assistant professor, health systems
practice and outreach, College of nursing,
management.
and angela moss, anP, ms, Rn, assistant
howard is the course co-director along with professor, College of nursing, will col-
keith Boyd, md, associate dean for cur- laborate with their colleagues from the
howard Brown health Center to develop
riculum, Rush medical College. Boyd says
a comprehensive program to provide
the course gives students an appreciation
education and training in geriatric care
of the role of other health care profes-
for LgBT and hIV positive individuals. The
sionals. “The students come to realize the
curriculum will begin later this year and
importance of being introduced to other
will train up to 280 nursing professionals
disciplines to better understand what the
and nursing students annually. Based in
discipline is; the type of professionals who
Chicago’s uptown neighborhood, howard
gravitate to various disciplines; and how
Brown health Center is one of the nation’s
they will need to work with these disci-
largest LgBT health care organizations.
plines once they enter the workforce,” he
explains. “It also breaks down communica-
For more University news, please go to the Rush
tion barriers and serves as a springboard
University Web site at http://www.rushu.rush.edu.
3
A Lifetime of Healing
JaneT woLTeR, md, ReTIRes afTeR 46 YeaRs aT Rush
To honor wolter, Rush is hosting a seminar seVenTh gRade PLans had no computers. electrocardiograms
of former residents and fellows on feb. 27 a native of River forest, wolter declared (ekgs) were done on photographic paper,
and will name a new teaching area after her intention to be a doctor in a seventh and every floor in a hospital had a dark-
her. The Janet wolter, md, Clinical and grade essay. In the late 1940s, she first room where you’d develop the ekg.”
educational Conference Room will provide came to what would become Rush during
The advent of the polio vaccine in the
a comfortable, high-tech home for the a clerkship at Presbyterian hospital while
mid-50s eventually led to the end of
education of residents and fellows and for attending the university of Illinois (u of I)
her program, and wolter joined the
collaboration among clinicians of various College of medicine. (Presbyterian eventu-
Presbyterian-st. Luke’s hospital faculty
specialties. The room will be built as part ally merged with both st. Luke’s hospital
in 1963 to collaborate with pioneering
of the renovation of the 10th floor of the and Rush medical College to form what
physician samuel g. Taylor III, md, in his
Professional Building later this year to now is Rush university medical Center.)
work treating cancer patients with hor-
house Rush’s new outpatient cancer center.
world war II had just ended when she mones and chemotherapy. “It wasn’t
The educational focus of these tributes was accepted into medical school. “a lot even called oncology. There wasn’t even
reflects wolter’s enduring influence on of the guys weren’t out of the service a name for it then,” she remembers.
generations of physicians. “she served yet,” wolter recalls. “In my class of 165, “There really wasn’t anything that could
as a role model, for me and many other 21 were women, but the next year be called cancer care. If the surgeon
when Janet wolter, md, first
oncologists who trained at Rush; for our when everybody came back from the couldn’t remove the tumor, that was it.”
began practicing medicine,
internal medicine residents and students; war, it went down to four women and
over the coming decades, the field
the polio vaccine hadn’t yet and especially for many female physicians,” 161 men.”
advanced with the development of
been discovered, and cancer says Philip Bonomi, md, alice Pirie wirtz
after receiving her medical degree in chemotherapy and radiation, hormone
professor of medical oncology and director
was so feared that it wasn’t 1950, wolter completed training at and targeted therapies. while her early
of hematology-oncology at Rush, who
discussed openly. Johns hopkins hospital, duke university experience included all kinds of cancer,
trained with wolter as an oncology fellow.
hospital, the university of Illinois Research wolter’s primary focus has been breast
By the time she retired as Brian Piccolo “she’s a very fastidious physician who has and education hospital and Presbyterian cancer, an interest that ultimately led
Chair of Cancer Research and professor taken excellent care of patients. There’s hospital before joining the u of I faculty. to her role in Rush opening the first
of internal medicine at Rush at the end no one better,” Bonomi continues. “on There, she treated polio patients, who compre hensive breast center in the
of november 2009, wolter had provided monday mornings, the oncology team were confined in iron lungs that enabled midwest. after remaining largely
thousands of cancer patients with hope goes through new cases, and to this day them to breathe. unchanged from 1930 to 1990, breast
and made important contributions to the her remarks are incredibly insightful and cancer death rates decreased by 27
advances that have transformed cancer pertinent, not only in breast cancer but “all the equipment back then was big and percent from 1990 to 2005, according
care and outcomes. other cases.“ rigid and heavy,” wolter remembers. “we to the american Cancer society.
Rush Research
I n T h e n e w s
Rush university medical Center’s physicians, scientists and researchers are pur-
suing a new understanding of complex medical questions and new treatments
and techniques, all with the aim of ultimately improving care. The following Rush
researchers and studies recently have received local and national media attention.
• A new study explores a widely used, choles- Catheterization Laboratory. Rush was the
terol-lowering drug and how it may prevent only Illinois site and one of 10 cardiac
the progression of Parkinson disease. The centers across the country that participated
research is led by study author Kalipada Pahan, in the 53-patient, double-blind, placebo-
PhD, professor of neurological sciences. controlled Phase I trial.
• Ece Mutlu, MD, gastroenterologist and princi- • The National Institutes of Health (NIH)
pal investigator of a study funded by the U.S. has awarded a consortium of Chicago-
Department of Defense, explores the relation- based institutions led by Rush a five-
Kalipada Pahan, PhD Ece Mutlu, MD
ship between bacteria in the gastrointestinal year, $3.75-million grant to establish a
tract and how microbial imbalances may developmental center for AIDS research.
impact diseases like breast cancer. The center will create a comprehensive
research infrastructure to spur basic sci-
• Caryn Etkin, PhD, study co-investigator and
ence, clinical studies and translational
project manager in adult health nursing,
research in the prevention, detection
along with other researchers in the College of
and treatment of HIV infection and
Nursing, have begun a study to evaluate the
AIDS. The center in Chicago involves
potential benefits of incorporating a physical
investigators from Rush, the University
activity program into the daily lives of care-
of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) and Cook
givers of Alzheimer’s and dementia patients.
County Health and Hospitals System,
• Results from a recent study suggest that adult who will collaborate across disciplines
stem cells from donor bone marrow may help and institutions to advance HIV/AIDS
repair muscle cells damaged by heart attack. research. Alan Landay, PhD, chairperson
The study principal investigator is Gary of immunology and microbiology at Rush,
Schaer, MD, director of the Rush Cardiac is the director of the center. Gary Schaer, MD Alan Landay, PhD
For more information about these studies and the latest news about Rush research, please visit the “Rush In The News” page on the Rush Web site, www.rush.edu. Print articles also are
available for viewing on the Rush intranet site located at http://iris.rush.edu/news. To access the articles, go to the green bar on the left side of the page and select the link, “Media Clips.”
4
Janet Wolter, MD, (center) when she was
chief resident at the University of Illinois
Research and Education Hospital in 1954.
makIng a dIffeRenCe:
ComPRehensIVe CaRe
one of wolter’s greatest satisfactions is the
role she’s played in this progress. she served
on the executive committee and board of
directors of the national surgical adjuvant
Breast and Bowel Program, a national
Cancer Institute-supported cooperative
group of researchers conducting clinical
trials of cancer treatments, and she was the Clinic in the mid-1970s, and she served regimen to reduce its side effects and to or as little as she wants, and we hope
principal investigator for the Rush arm of until her retirement as the clinic’s medical give her more time with her husband and she will continue to serve as an advisor,”
the program from 1989 until January 2010. director. The multidisciplinary clinic provides three children. Bonomi says.
preventive screening for skin cancer and
“I’ve put hundreds of patients on their “There are no words to describe what she’s “she can’t be replaced, no question about
sees about 500 patients a year.
clinical trials, which helped us define not done for me and my family,” Juliana says. it,” he adds. “But even though she may
only what hormones are going to work and In treating her patients, wolter combined “she’s even met with each of my children not be here, the things we’ve learned
how long we should administer them, but the pursuit of medical advances with com- individually to address their concerns. That’s from her will continue to help us in taking
all kinds of combinations of chemotherapy,” passionate, personal attention. she routinely how she treats all her patients. she makes care of patients, doing clinical research
wolter reflects. “These are things that gave patients her home phone numbers — each person feel special. having her as a and maintaining the highest standard of
nobody can claim as personal triumphs, “they never abused it, and it meant so much doctor fills you with hope and strength.” integrity.”
but you get a lot of satisfaction from being to them” — and maintained an optimistic
wolter’s deep dedication to her patients
part of the answer.” outlook. “as soon as patients have a little
kept her working 50-hour weeks into her The Janet Wolter, MD, Seminar and Luncheon
bit of hope, they feel better,” wolter notes.
Bonomi credits wolter with another impor- 80s. “I love it,” she says “all these people will take place on Saturday, Feb. 27 from
tant innovation in cancer care. “she had “she’s the ultimate doctor: she’s caring, are so interesting, and they’re so grateful 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information,
the idea of having nurse specialists in she’s knowledgeable, she has a great sense for whatever you do for them. It’s the most contact Lisa Gerberding or send an e-mail
oncology working in tandem with oncolo- of humor, and she’s always available,” says satisfying thing you can do.” to [email protected].
gists and began training them 35 years ago Juliana, a Chicagoan in her 40s who has
even in retirement, wolter isn’t leaving Rush Rush is raising funds for the conference room
or more, long before medicine had nurse been a patient of wolter since being diag-
or medicine behind entirely. she plans to that is being named in Janet Wolter’s honor.
practitioners,” he says. nosed with cancer in 1989.
help the oncology research program with To support this initiative, please contact
In addition, wolter took the initiative in Juliana credits wolter with keeping her alive regulatory issues, working from her Chicago Linda Roche in the Office of Philanthropy
establishing the Rush Pigmented Lesion and for tailoring her ongoing chemotherapy home. “we’ve told her she can do as much (312-942-6112 or [email protected]).
&
Q
uesTIons
A
nsweRs aBouT a heaRT-heaLThY LIfesTYLe
at Rush, keeping people healthy includes helping Rush staff, employees, students and volunteers lead healthy lifestyles. as part of that goal,
NewsRounds asked Cassie Vanderwall, ms, Rd, Ld, a registered dietitian at Rush and a certified personal trainer, to offer her heart-healthy tips.
why is a heart-healthy lifestyle known to increase LdL cholesterol and how much salt is too much? what other lifestyle changes
good for everyone? promote cardiovascular disease. If saturated The recommended daily allowance for sodium will benefit my heart and cardio-
good nutrition and exercise significantly fat is bad, than trans fat is worse. Trans fats is 2,300 mg., or one teaspoon of salt. salt can vascular system?
reduces your risk — by 50 percent — of have been found to both increase “bad” easily sneak up on you because it is the most Besides good nutrition and daily exercise,
heart disease and stroke, which remains (LdL) cholesterol and decrease “good” common preservative in packaged foods. the following changes will help you to
the no. 1 killer of americans. The Diet and (hdL) cholesterol. achieve a heart-healthy lifestyle:
Lifestyle Goals for Cardiovascular Disease Does sugar affect my heart? • If you smoke, stop smoking.
Risk Reduction, published by the american what are omega 3 fatty acids? Yes. elevated blood sugar levels and people • Drink eight glasses of water per day.
heart association, are proven lifestyle omega 3 fatty acids are unsaturated fats with diabetes are at an increased risk for • Relax and find ways to lower your
changes to promote heart health, which that are found in fish oil, flaxseed oil, walnut heart disease and stroke. stress level.
leads to lower total and LdL cholesterol oil and many other nuts and seeds. This type
If you are interested in learning how to
levels, decreased triglycerides, reduced of fat has been shown to decrease triglyc- what are some easy ways to
apply these guidelines, or have additional
blood pressure and blood glucose control. erides, lower blood pressure, decrease the include heart-healthy exercise in
questions, please contact a registered
risk of arrhythmias and decrease the growth my daily routine?
dietitian at (312) 942-DIET (3438) or via
what does a heart-healthy meal of arterial plaque. eating fatty fish — such aerobic exercises help to keep our hearts
e-mail at [email protected].
plan include? as mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, strong. These exercises include walking,
heart-healthy eating includes everything, albacore tuna and salmon — two times per jumping rope, jogging, stair climbing,
in moderation. This style of eating focuses week will meet this recommendation. dancing, etc. To include exercise daily, try
on foods that are lower in sodium, any of the following activities:
healthier fats and proper portion sizes. is chocolate really good for • Count your steps! Use a pedometer
my heart? and work your way up to 10,000 steps
what types of fat should i consume Yes, three and a half ounces of dark choco- per day.
on a daily basis? late daily is heart healthy! dark chocolate • Grab a friend or a pet and go for a walk.
heart-healthy fats are those that are fluid has 65 percent more cacao flavonoids than • Dance to your favorite music.
at room temperature, such as olive oil, milk or white chocolate. flavonoids provide • Park farther away from the store, or
fish oil, and the oils from nuts and seeds. both the pungent taste and the health ben- take public transportation.
fats that are solid at room temperature efits, such as decreasing blood pressure and
• Forget elevators and escalators, and
are called saturated fats, and they are blood cholesterol.
take the stairs.
5
Employee
Aw a r d s
3rd QuaRTeR
each quarter, Rush employees are recognized for going above and beyond the call of duty
for patients, families, visitors and co-workers. These employees are shining examples of
Rush VaLues awaRd
the Rush I CaRe values (innovation, collaboration, accountability, respect and excellence).
“Rebecca fransted from the special
The following are the winners of Rush’s awards for the third quarter of fiscal year 2009.
Care nursery is a true example of
nursing excellence,” says Rebekah
emPLoYee of The QuaRTeR
gaffin, Rn, Bsn, supplemental staff-
diane skierkiewicz, administrative assistant, anesthesiology, is a ing office, who was a patient here at
true team player. she went out of her way to help Jonathan Burke, Rush last year. “Becky began caring
a new administrative assistant in the department, excel in his posi- for one of my twin daughters, elaina,
tion. knowing how stressful it can be to transition into a new job, after I delivered prematurely at 29
skierkiewicz took Burke under her wing. “diane’s experience and weeks. when we lost elaina’s twin sister, eva, she helped my new
time at Rush are invaluable to our department, and her friendly, family cope and recommended various resources available to help
helpful nature put me at ease from day one,” says Burke, who us deal with our loss.” fransted reassured gaffin’s family by keep-
nominated skierkiewicz for the award. “she is the heart of ing them constantly informed about their daughter’s progress. after
our department.” spending long hours in the neonatal intensive care unit, fransted
encouraged gaffin’s family to take the time to care for themselves.
“Becky would encourage us to get off the unit to eat or rest or just
to gather our thoughts and would say ‘I’m here and will call you if
manageR of The QuaRTeR
anything changes.’ It was incredibly comforting during this stressful
Traci Colvin, research study manager in the Rush alzheimer’s
experience knowing that she was there watching our daughter,”
disease Center (RadC), was nominated by her department for her
says gaffin.
exceptional interpersonal and management skills, hard work and
many achievements. Colvin mentors a large staff working on several It’s not easy living with a complicated,
externally funded studies and is creative in her approach to making chronic illness. one young girl coped
sure data is collected. she collaborates with study sites, offering new with cystic fibrosis with the help of
educational opportunities to keep participants engaged. “much of Lori Yoder, licensed clinical social
our success can be attributed directly to her leadership and char- worker in the department of Case
acter. This departmental nomination for manager of the quarter management, who also works in
can only begin to express the appreciation we feel daily for Traci’s the Rush Cystic fibrosis Center. The
contribution,” says Tracy faulkner, RadC department manager. young patient and her grandmother,
who cared for her, began to have
financial difficulty and ended up living
in a homeless shelter. Yoder, aware of their circumstances, sought
Team of The QuaRTeR financial help from community organizations and individuals to
assist this family in renting an apartment. Yoder also led an effort of
Rush is a place for teaching as
collecting donations from community organizations that furnished
well as healing. The 7 south
their new apartment and provided food and clothing. “Lori has
atrium discharge teaching team
taught me that we can make a difference in the lives of those we
took the time to teach three
serve,” says nominator susan hauptman, technical supervisor,
members of a family with no
pediatrics pulmonary function testing lab, and respiratory therapist,
medical background how to care
Rush Cystic fibrosis Center.
for a loved one who needed total
dependent care. The group cre-
ated various teaching tools and
CaRoL sTege awaRd foR
provided a great deal of emo-
tional support to the family. The enVIRonmenTaL seRVICes
family learned how to make sure
Barbara milner, environmental services
the patient’s artificial airway was
The 7 South Atrium discharge teaching team with award presenter technician on 5 north of the Johnston
clear while providing nutrition
Jane Grady, PhD, human resources (center): (Left to right) Megan R. Bowman Center, used her own
through a feeding tube; how
Smyriotis, RN; Julie Lopez, RN; Liza Villanueva, RN; Melissa Datu, RN; resources to create and produce an
to administer medications; and
MaryJo McHugh, RN; and Sue Brady, RN. Not pictured: Julia Anderson, organizational workbag for her co-
how to carefully turn, position
RN; Angela Brunfeldt, RN; Amber Engstrom, RN; Ashley Martucci, RN; workers. The bags included cleaning
and bathe their loved one. The
and Betsy Parrino, RN. products and patient information
team includes the following
packets. “she shows pride in her work and is regularly recognized
members: Julie Lopez, dnP, Rn, unit director; maryJo mchugh, Rn, senior case manager; susan
by the neonatal intensive care unit staff and the parents of patients.
Brady, Rn, case manager; and 7 south atrium nursing staff members Julia anderson, Rn, angela
If parents need anything, she goes out of her way to make them
Brunfeldt, Rn, melissa datu, Rn, amber engstrom, Rn, ashley martucci, Rn, Betsy Parrino, Rn,
feel comfortable. her friendliness lifts everyone’s spirit,” says Jack
megan smyrniotis, Rn, and Liza Villanueva, Rn.
stires, director of environmental services.
PaTIenT saTIsfaCTIon “sTaR”
every quarter, an employee whose name appears in two or more favorable patient evaluations is
awarded the patient satisfaction “star” award. This quarter, five stars were honored: elizabeth scott,
Rn, ambulatory surgery; Joy (Jensen) warner, Rn, new Life family Center; maria hoy, Cma, Rush head
and neck associates; Lolita Reynolds, endoscopy technician; and sabina kuduzovic, x-ray technician,
emergency department. Their patient evaluations included the following comments:
• “My nurse Liz was very helpful. While I was in recovery she consistently asked about my pain level.”
• “Joy was an excellent nurse! She took the time to help me breastfeed two nights in a row.”
• “Maria was always prompt, courteous and empathetic about what I was going through. She has
a keen sense of humor, which put me at ease.”
• “Lolita was wonderful. She made me laugh and feel less nervous before surgery. Awesome
personality and smile.”
• “Sabina was extraordinarily sensitive when taking care of me. She covered me with a warm
Left to right: Maria Hoy, CMA; Lolita Reynolds; Sabina Kuduzovic; and
blanket and was very helpful.”
Elizabeth Scott, RN. Not pictured: Joy Warner, RN.
To nominate someone for a quarterly award, call Clare Quinn at ext. 2-3641.
6
People News
Appointments association of hip and knee surgeons his outstanding achievements in the project’s long-term goal is to develop
Clinical Research award. della Valle field of vitreoretinal training and for an intervention that will help these
daniel deziel, Md, has been
received the award during the associa- his support of cooperation between fathers develop and sustain positive
appointed acting chairperson of the
tion’s annual meeting in november in asRs and eVRs. The prize is named for involvement with their children.
daniel deziel, md
department of general surgery. deziel
dallas. he was honored for his study Relja Zivojnovic, one of the founders
speech-language pathology students
has spent most of the past 31 years in
examining standard care for patients of vitreoretinal surgery.
Katherine Flood and Abigail polglase
the department, starting as a resident,
whose total hip replacements have
Stephanie pesa, a fourth-year doctor have been accepted as Illinois Leader-
and is currently a professor and senior
failed because of infection, which
of audiology (aud) student, has ship education in neurodevelopmental
attending surgeon. deziel is past
may occur in as many as three
received the sonus foundation disabilities (Lend) trainees, with
president of the society of american
percent of cases.
scholarship. The sonus foundation Karen Tessler, phd, assistant professor,
gastrointestinal and endoscopic
Mark Foreman, phd, RN, College of scholarship was established to department of Communication
surgeons and immediate past presi-
nursing, is collaborating with three financially assist third-year and disorders and sciences, serving as
dent of the Chicago surgical society.
engineers from the university of fourth-year aud students. discipline coordinator. The students
In december, howard Kaufman, Md,
Illinois at Chicago on a study entitled will be part of a large and multidisci-
guy J. petruzzelli, Md, chief of the
joined Rush as the first director of the
“effective Communication with plinary Lend traineeship at the
section of head, neck and skull
Rush Cancer Program and associ-
Robotic assistants for the elderly: university of Illinois at Chicago’s
Base surgery in the department of howard kaufman, md
ate dean of Rush medical College.
Integrating speech, Vision, and Institute on disability and human
otolaryngology, received the american
kaufman comes to Rush from new
haptics.” funded by the national development. The Lend Interdisci-
academy of otolaryngology —
York’s Columbia university, where he
science foundation with american plinary Training Program is a one-year
head and neck surgery (aao-hns)
was chief of the division of surgical
Recovery and Reinvestment act of training program that incorporates
distinguished service award at the
oncology, director of the Columbia
2009 funds, this three-year study is a instructive and experiential learning in
2009 aao-hnsf annual meeting and
melanoma Center and chairperson
communication interface [a combina- clinical and community-based settings.
oTo eXPo, in san diego in october.
of the oncology service line at new
tion of speech, gestures and physical
York Presbyterian hospital. The Rush aao-hns presents the award to Principle investigator Joellen Wilbur,
interactions (haptics)] between the
Cancer Program comprises all of the medical professionals in recognition of phd, RN, professor and associate dean
elderly and a robotic assistant, with
cancer-related clinical, research and extensive service through the presenta- of nursing research and scholarship;
the goal of promoting independence
educational efforts at Rush. In the new tion of instructional courses, scientific and co-investigators lynne Braun, phd,
of older people.
program director position, kaufman papers, participation on a continuing CNp, professor, College of nursing, and
will be responsible for the program’s Steven gitelis, Md, professor and vice education committee or academy nurse practitioner, Rush heart Center steven gitelis, md
strategic planning process and chairperson, department of orthope- leadership position. for women; lou Fogg, phd, professor,
execution. he also will help guide dic surgery, and director, section of department of Psychology and College
david C. Shelledy, phd, ellis Jones
orthopedic oncology, was honored by
the development, refinement and of nursing; Arlene Miller, phd, RN,
endowed Chair and dean of the
the michigan state university football
growth of the cancer service line. professor and chairperson, department
College of health sciences, was elected
team during a game this past october
of Community, systems, and mental
to the association of schools of allied
Kudos against northwestern university in health nursing; Tricia Johnson, phd,
health Professions (asahP) Board
east Lansing, mich. he was honored
associate professor, department of
In december, Rush received a healers for his work on a football scholarship of directors for a three-year term.
health systems management; and
who heal the Community award from student who was diagnosed with shelledy also is one of the five asahP
Annabelle Volgman, Md, associate
diversity healthcare, Inc., in honor osteosarcoma, a rare type of bone commissioners who serve on the
professor of medicine and medical
of the medical Center’s commitment cancer not often seen in teenage Commission on accreditation of allied
director, Rush heart Center for women;
to improving the quality of life for boys. with assistance from his health education Programs.
received a five-year grant from the
blacks and Latinos. Rush was chosen colleagues in the Limb Preservation Beth Volin, Md, director, division national Institute of nursing Research guy J. Petruzzelli, md
to receive the award in the friends in Center at Rush, gitelis helped the of general Pediatrics, and associate and the national Institutes of health
health-health systems category by a patient walk again. In addition to chairperson, department of for a research project entitled
selection of insurance and finance pro- gitelis, the team includes the following Pediatrics, received the emory College “Reducing health disparity in
fessionals, parents and clergypeople. orthopedic surgery faculty members:
distinguished alumni award for lead- african american women: Physical
diversity healthcare, Inc., is a Chicago Walter Virkus, Md, orthopedic oncolo-
ing community service programs for activity adherence.” The purpose of
organization that develops health and gist, associate professor; Mark Cohen,
children at Rush, including the kids this clinical trial is to test the success
training programs for corporations, Md, director, section of hand and
shelter health Improvement Project of the women’s walking Program,
health professionals, schools and elbow surgery, professor; and John
(kidshIP). In 1997, Volin founded the which consists of recommendations for
communities and provides free health Fernandez, Md, orthopedic surgeon,
kidshIP program, which has served an active lifestyle and telephone calls
education programs to black and assistant professor. The patient was
more than 9,000 homeless children between visits to encourage physical
Latinos communities. even able to work out with the spar-
over the past decade, helping them activity and improve health outcomes.
tan team during practice — something david C. shelledy, Phd
The american society for Radiation receive comprehensive health care. she
many didn’t think was possible. The national Cancer Institute has
oncology (asTRo) has selected also serves as the director of the Rush
awarded the College of Nursing’s
Carrie daly, ApN, for its 2009 asTRo Rush-Presbyterian-st. Luke’s nurses Reach out and Read Program, which
Interdisciplinary palliative Care
nurse excellence award, which is alumni association named Judith promotes early literacy by giving chil-
education program a fifth year of
given to a registered nurse who J. McCann, phd, RN, professor in dren books in pediatric exam rooms.
funding in the amount of $267,689.
goes above and beyond the normal the department of adult health and
Principal investigator Wrenetha Julion,
This is the final year of the grant, which
standards of nursing practice. daly gerontological nursing and a research
phd, RN, associate professor, College
has been led by project director Susan
received her award during asTRo’s scientist with the Rush Institute for
of nursing, and her research team of
Breakwell, AphN-BC, dNp, associate
annual meeting in Chicago this past healthy aging, its 2009 distinguished
debbie gross, dNSc, RN, the Leonard
professor, College of nursing.
november. daly is an oncology nurse alumna. she was honored at the asso-
& helen stulman Professor at Johns
manager and advanced practice nurse ciation’s homecoming celebration in The u.s. department of health and
hopkins university school of
in the Rush department of Radiation september. Presented annually by the human services recently awarded Rush
medicine and adjunct professor in
oncology. In the four years she has alumni association, this award honors University Medical Center its national Beth Volin, md
the Rush College of nursing; Susan
been at Rush, daly has developed alumni who have given distinguished Breitenstein, phd, RN, instructor, medal of honor for the medical Center’s
site specific educational materials for service to the nursing profession and is
department of Community, systems work in saving and enhancing lives
patients receiving radiation therapy the highest honor the association can
and mental health nursing; and through organ and tissue donation.
and implemented skin care and mouth bestow on one of its own members.
donald Waddell, MSW, project direc- Rush was one of 22 hospitals in Illinois
care protocols for radiation therapy
Kirk packo, Md, professor, chairperson tor; have received funding for their to receive this honor for its collabora-
patients. asTRo is the largest radiation
of the department of opthamology, project entitled, “The african american tive work with gift of hope organ and
oncology society in the world, with
received the Relja-Zivojnovic Prize dur- non-Resident fatherhood Program.” Tissue donor network. gift of hope is a
more than 10,000 members who
ing the ninth annual Congress of the This two-year project, funded by the nonprofit organ procurement organiza-
specialize in treating patients using
european Vitreo Retinal society (eVRs) national Institutes of health, will entail tion that coordinates organ and tissue
radiation therapies.
in september. Packo, a past president the development of a fatherhood donation and services to families of
Craig della Valle, Md, orthopedic sur- of the american society of Retina spe- program for african american fathers donors in the northern three-quarters
geon at Rush, has won the american cialists (asRs), received the award for who do not live with their children. The of Illinois and northwest Indiana. Joellen wilbur, Phd, Rn
7
news Briefs
The Rush Gospel
fRee CoMMuNiTy eveNTs
Choir entertains
Rush University Medical Center offers an ongoing series of free Rush employees,
community events led by Rush experts. Registration is requested students and
for most events. To register, please call the Rush physician referral volunteers during
service at ext. 2-5555 or (888) 352-RUSH (7874). the holiday party
on Dec. 15.
Joint preservation Treatment options
Saturday, March 20, 9 to 11 a.m. sTop by The woMaN’s
Searle Conference Center, fifth floor
boaRD GifT shops
Learn the latest treatment options for joint preservation of the
aND see whaT’s New
hip and knee, including osteotomy, arthroscropy and resurfac-
ing, from leaders in orthopedic treatment and research — the
If you haven’t been to one of the two woman’s Board gift
private practice physicians at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush. shops at Rush lately, you might be surprised to discover
what’s available there. The Atrium Court gift Shop
Stroke: Know the Warning Signs (located on the fourth floor of the atrium Building, next
to au Bon Pain) now offers a Rush logo clothing line from
Wednesday, March 24, 10 a.m. to noon
nike and under armour, plus unique gifts from mariposa
Searle Conference Center, fifth floor
and others. The shop recently updated its fragrance offer-
Experts from the Comprehensive Stroke Program at Rush, ings to include some of your favorite new perfumes. This
which is certified as a primary stroke center, will present vital store is open monday through friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
information about how to reduce your risk of having a stroke
The Atrium gift Shop (located on the fourth floor of the west end of the atrium Building) offers snacks
and how to recognize and respond to the warning signs.
and beverages; magazines; greeting cards; toys; baby and children’s gifts; and a lot more seasonal items
(including easter items). The shop now features a new line of healthy snack options — just in time to help
New developments in dentistry to Combat
you get back in shape after the holidays.
the Aging process
don’t miss out on all the new products both shops offer. Remember, 100 percent of net profits from the
Wednesday, March 31, 10:30 a.m. to noon shops go to the medical Center to help provide the best care for our patients and to support education,
Searle Conference Center, fifth floor research and community service.
Oral health is an important component of general health
and quality of life for older adults. Improved oral health can
contribute to self-confidence, productivity and socialization. Rush GeNeRaTioNs
Join a discussion on the latest advances in dentistry to help
healTh faiR is a hiT
you more easily maintain a healthy mouth.
approximately 280 people attended the Rush
diabetes Management generations health fair on nov. 6 in the searle
Conference Center. Participants included Rush
Wednesday, April 7 and 28, 10:30 a.m. to noon
generations members, as well as older adults from
Searle Conference Center, fifth floor
communities all around Chicago and the suburbs. The
Diabetes is a growing concern — nearly 40 percent of older
four-hour event featured screenings for vision, hearing,
adults have either diabetes or pre-diabetes, and many of them heart health, glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure and
Melissa Frey, LSW (left), and Erin Woodhead, PhD
are unaware of it. Come learn more about the latest develop- more. Various Rush departments were on hand, as well
(right), both fellows of the Rush Brighten pro-
ments in the treatment of diabetes, including medications, as outside organizations. “we were very pleased with
gram, provide screening and information related
blood glucose monitoring, healthy eating and exercise the turnout for the health fair,” says dana Bright, Lsw,
to aging and mental health, such as depression.
recommendations. Our experts also will discuss risk factors coordinator, community health. “any time we can help
The Brighten program evaluates adults 65 and
and prevention strategies for you and your loved ones. people better understand their health issues and how
older for depression and anxiety through their
to get the necessary information and services they need
physician’s office, offering follow-up care.
Addressing Sensitive Issues in Men and Women is a success.”
Tuesday, April 27, 6 to 8:30 p.m. Rush generations is a free program for health and aging, offering a wide range of health promo-
Armour Academic Center, room 994 tion and disease prevention programs and events. To find out more, call [phone] or e-mail
[email protected].
Pelvic and abdominal health isn’t always easy to discuss. As
a result, problems often go undiagnosed and untreated, which
can seriously affect your quality of life. Learn how you can pre-
Rush and social Media – Tweets, blogs, facebook and More
vent and address these issues with nutrition, physical therapy,
exercise and, in some cases, medical and surgical treatments. from facebook to Twitter, from YouTube to our two the public an inside look at the people and programs
new blogs, Rush university medical Center is right in at Rush, including doctors, nurses, researchers and
the middle of the social media revolution. Rush, one patients, while the Rush news Blog aims to highlight
What you Need to Know About Women’s Cancers
of more than 450 u.s. hospitals involved in social top events, honors and research across the medical
Wednesday, April 21, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
media, uses Twitter and facebook to post regular Center and university.
Armour Academic Center, room 994
updates about news and events at Rush — including
since launching its pages last summer, Rush has
The cancer program at Rush offers patients the latest treat- everything from groundbreaking research and clini-
gained more than 900 followers on Twitter and
ments and research while providing customized, comprehen- cal trials to the Rush Transformation — along with
almost 900 fans on facebook. You can become a
sive care plans for patients. Join us at this free event to learn photos, videos and interesting health-related stories
fan or follower of Rush by visiting any of the
on other web sites.
more about the diagnosis and treatment options for women following sites:
with breast and gynecologic cancers as well as the latest facebook , a social networking web site, and Twitter
facebook: www.facebook.com/Rushuniversitymedi-
information on prevention. (a “microblog” featuring posts of up to 140 char-
calCenter and www.facebook.com/Rushuniversity
acters) also enable Rush to interact with patients,
employees and those who might benefit from Rush Twitter: twitter.com/Rushmedical
services and resources. Rush staff members regularly YouTube: www.youtube.com/rushmedicalcenter
monitor what people are saying about the medical
Rush news Blog: rushnews.rush.edu
Center and follow up to offer help or address
CheCK oUT The gReeN TeAM’S WeB SITe their concerns. Rush InPerson blog: rushinperson.rush.edu
Rush’s green Team has a new web site. To learn the latest about Rush also has a fast-growing video library on If you’d like to contribute to the Rush InPerson
YouTube, and it recently launched two blogs. Rush blog or have ideas or suggestions, please contact
the medical Center’s recycling efforts, as well as read about past
InPerson (rushinperson.rush.edu) is designed to give Thurston hatcher at [email protected].
news and events, please visit www.rushu.rush.edu/sustainability.
May/June 2010 Volume 49, Number 2
Mission of Mercy
—
CliniCians at Rush tRavel to haiti
to help eaRthquake viCtims
Two brothers, ages 10 and 6 years old, the Medical Center was organized by
had lost their entire family in the dev- Rush, while the teams that followed
astating earthquake that struck Haiti have been working in conjunction with
on Jan. 12. They hadn’t eaten in three a nonprofit humanitarian organization,
days. When finally given food, the International Medical Corps, which is
older boy gave his share to his younger helping coordinate medical volunteers.
brother, insisting that he eat to
The volunteers have included doctors
regain his strength.
and nurses in internal medicine, family
For more infor-
It was just one of medicine, orthopedics, surgery and
mation about Rush
the many heart- other specialities. In March, Martin
volunteers’ medical
wrenching scenes Gorbien, MD, director, Section of
mission work in haiti, that clinicians Geriatric Medicine, and Lauren
One of the many collapsed buildings in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Much of the city is in ruins.
including photos and from Rush have Kessler, LCSW, Rush University Senior
videos, please visit the witnessed while Care, were among the first older adult and kidney failure. The physicians also a group of 19, which included clini-
in Haiti to specialists to travel to Haiti to provide
Rush news Blog at performed as many as 30 to 50 surgeries cians from Rush, the John H. Stroger,
provide medi- care at make-shift nursing homes.
rushnews.rush.edu. daily and organized an intensive care Jr. Hospital of Cook County and the
cal treatment for
Because the airport in Port-au-Prince, unit in the tent hospital on the grounds University of Illinois Medical Center.
earthquake victims
Haiti’s capital, had been made inoper- of General Hospital, Port-au-Prince’s
Volunteers from Rush have reported
and others in need of care.
able by the earthquake, most of the main hospital. The first team also saw
being stunned by the extent of the
The first team of volunteers from Rush
volunteer teams have flown to Santo many medical problems that were the
devastation, which has left block upon
left on Jan. 25.
Domingo in the Dominican Republic, result of poor access to medical care
block of buildings in ruins, and the
“When the earthquake occurred, it was which shares a border with Haiti on the in general, rather than being directly
overwhelming medical needs of earth-
our natural instinct to want to go down Caribbean island of Hispaniola. Travel- related to the earthquake.
quake victims. “It’s like a scene from
there and help,” says David Ansell, ing by truck and bus for up to 10 hours,
“We wanted to make sure that future the Civil War,” Ansell wrote in a Rush
MD, MPH, vice president for clinical the volunteers have made arduous
teams coming to Haiti would have better News blog (http://rushnews.rush.edu)
affairs and chief medical officer, who drives over dirt roads to Port-au-Prince.
conditions than what we encountered. about the scene at General Hospital.
was part of the first volunteer team.
During the first team’s 10-day stay In the end, we were able to do the
One of Haiti’s three nursing schools
As of May 1, six teams totaling 42 in Haiti, they treated thousands of work we intended, despite the logistical
was completely destroyed, killing 150
clinicians from Rush have volunteered patients suffering from fractures, challenges,” says Stephanie Wang, MD,
students, and nurses are needed in Haiti
in Haiti. The trip by the first team from wounds, infections, even heart failure internal medicine. She led the first team,
continued on page 3
New Coleman Foundation Comprehensive Brain and Spine Tumor Clinic
oFFeRs CollaBoRative CaRe, advanCed tReatments and hope
Few diagnoses are more frightening than a tumors, including tumors that have spread pate in clinical trials of promising new therapies the Cancer therapy and Research Center of
brain tumor, news that often sends patients from other parts of the body. not available anywhere else in Chicago. the university of texas health science Center
searching the internet and traveling great a joint endeavor of the departments of “We want to be the solution for patients with in san antonio. he also previously was medi-
distances to receive the most advanced care. neurological sciences, neurosurgery, and complex brain and spine tumors,” says Richard cal director of the northern illinois university
those patients can find that care at Rush. radiation oncology and the division of Byrne, md, chairperson of neurosurgery at Rush. institute for neutron therapy at Fermilab in
already home to one of the busiest brain hematology/oncology, the clinic brings Batavia, ill.
physicians with the clinic meet every Wednesday
tumor programs in the Chicago area, the together expert physicians at Rush who along with their Rush colleagues, aiken and
afternoon to review patient cases and discuss
medical Center launched the new, multidis- collaborate to determine the course of diaz provide the necessary staffing to establish
treatment plans. “We all have our own individ-
ciplinary Coleman Foundation Comprehen- treatment for patients with these complex, the clinic. “We were very fortunate to recruit
ual expertise, and this meeting is a way of airing
sive spine and Brain tumor Clinic earlier this challenging conditions. in addition, the clinic them,” Byrne says. “they’re both nationally
everybody’s opinions and arriving at a consen-
year. the clinic treats both benign (non-can- provides patients with advanced diagnostic recognized people with lots of experience with
sus as to what the appropriate treatment should
cerous) tumors and malignant (cancerous) procedures and the opportunity to partici- clinical trials, and they’re very used to working
be. the result is that patients get a much more
in a multidisciplinary team.”
thorough and balanced assessment of their
situation and care that’s specifically tailored to eventually, the clinic will be part of the Rush
their individual needs,” says Robert aiken, md, university Cancer Center, which will be on the
director of the section of neuro-oncology and 10th floor of the professional Building and is
director of the Coleman Foundation Compre- scheduled to open later this year. until then,
hensive spine and Brain tumor Clinic. the clinic’s physicians are coordinating their
schedules so patients can meet with all of them
aiken arrived at Rush at the beginning of the
on the same day in their individual offices.
year from mt. sinai school of medicine in new
patients then need to make only one trip to the
York City, where he was director of neurologic
the medical Center for their consultations.
oncology and organized the brain tumor center,
as he also had done previously at Jefferson “it’s a lot more patient-and-family friendly
medical College in philadelphia. to bring it all together in one visit. We’ll also
be going to each other’s clinic space at times
he joins another new arrival, aidnag diaz, md,
Left to right: Aidnag Diaz, MD, MPH; Richard Byrne, MD; and Robert Aiken, MD, confer about
to meet together with patients,” says Byrne,
mph, radiation oncologist, who most recently
a patient case during one of the Coleman Foundation Comprehensive Brain and Spine Tumor
was director of image guided radiotherapy at continued on page 2
Clinic’s weekly conferences.
IN thIs Issue neW CliniC • Stereotactic radiosurgery, which delivers that are surgically removed from patients.
a high dose of focused radiation with Rush researchers will analyze these samples
continued from page 1
millimeter precision to the affected part to try to better understand the causes of
whose office is just two floors below of the brain brain tumors. studies already are underway
assistant secretary of aging visit
aiken’s in the professional Building. to determine how gliomas (a type of brain
page 2 • Intensity-modulated radiation therapy,
the clinic offers patients advanced diag- which delivers radiation in multiple small tumor) resist chemotherapy and the role
nostic capabilities, using state-of-the art doses guided by daily imaging, allow- certain developmental genes play in glioma
haitian mission (continued from page 1) imaging techniques — including spectros- ing the treatment to be customized to development, in order to determine if
page 3 copy, mRi, Ct scans and pet scans — that the size and location of a tumor while blocking those genes will stop the tumors
can detect even tiny tumors deep within the minimizing radiation exposure to from growing.
Rush abdominal transplant program brain. as part of the effort to identify the nearby tissue non-cancerous brain tumors once were
page 4 best individualized treatment options, the fatal, but now can be cured with surgery,
patients also will have the option of
clinic also performs genetic testing of many sometimes in combination with radiation
participating in clinical trials of the latest
tumor samples. therapy and biological therapy. although
therapies. in February, Rush was accepted
an organ donor’s story
the Coleman Foundation Comprehensive into the north Central Cancer treatment brain cancer currently is not considered
page 5
Brain and spine tumor Clinic can provide group (nCCtg), the mayo Clinic-national curable, aiken hopes that the combination
patients with the most advanced neurosur- Cancer institute led consortium for clinical of physician collaboration and cutting-edge
Rush nursing students promote gical, chemotherapy and radiation therapy trials. Rush is the only medical center in the treatment options will enable the Coleman
Blood donation treatments available, including the follow- Chicago area that is in the consortium and Foundation Comprehensive Brain and spine
page 5 ing protocols: able to make these trials available. tumor Clinic to prolong the lives of patients
for extended lengths of time.
• Surgery guided by a wide array of “there are new therapies that we hope
advanced imaging in order to maximize will offer a better outcome than existing “While many cancers are not curable, we
match day
page 5 tumor removal while protecting patients, treatments and aren’t available except in can treat them for a number of years,” he
including functional mRi to locate a clinical trial,” aiken says. “there also will observes. “our hope is we can do the same
speech and motor areas in the brain, be clinical trials that i will develop myself for brain tumors until we’re able to offer
quarterly employee awards mRi conducted during surgery, cortical and trials that will be available outside the curative therapy.”
page 6 mapping of the functional areas of the mayo consortium.” Each of the comprehensive cancer clinics
brain, carbon dioxide laser and high
in the Rush Cancer Center is named for
the nCCtg trials currently are undergo-
definition endoscopy
The Coleman Foundation, a private, inde-
people news ing review by Rush’s institutional Review
• Minimally invasive surgical techniques pendent grantmaker focusing primarily on
page 7 Board, which is responsible for making sure
that reduce risks and speed patient the Midwest. The foundation has made a
that all research involving patients is safe.
recovery; advanced skull base surgery $5 million challenge grant to create a
aiken hopes to receive clearance to begin
Rush programs moving to that allows for treatment of tumors that comprehensive outpatient cancer center
enrolling patients in the trials by June.
at Rush. That means the foundation will
orthopedic Building previously were considered inoperable
along with clinical research, the clinic is match every gift made to the outpatient
page 7
• An array of chemotherapies and
contributing to the medical Center’s basic cancer center, up to a $5 million maximum.
biological therapies
science research endeavors by creating a It is the largest single grant in the founda-
news Briefs • Vaccine therapies tumor registry that will store all the tumors tion’s nearly 60-year history.
page 8
assistant seCRetaRY oF aging visits Rush to heaR
CaRegiveR stoRies
the role of a caregiver for an older adult
is a complicated one, often leaving the
individual feeling isolated and mentally
NeWsrounds
and physically drained. as baby boomers
age, members of more and more families
may/June 2010 will take on this challenging role. accord-
ing to the u.s. administration on aging,
people 65 years or older numbered 38.9
Editor
million in 2008 – representing 12.8
anne Burgeson
percent of the u.s. population. By 2030,
this number will grow to approximately
Managing Editors
72.1 million.
elizabeth higgins and kevin mckeough
to learn more about the issues that these
Contributors caregivers face, kathy greenlee, assistant
Cassie vanderwall, nancy diFiore and secretary for aging in the u.s. department
Judy germany of health and human services, visited
Rush’s Johnston R. Bowman (JRB) health
Designer Center on march 16. she toured the cen- From left to right: Madeleine Rooney, MSW, liaison, Older Adult Programs; Kathy
kristen marzejon ter’s facilities, spoke with Rush staff and Greenlee, Assistant Secretary for Aging, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services;
and Anthony Perry, MD, attending physician, Section of Geriatric Medicine.
met with caregivers who provide care for
Photographers family members. “the work you’re doing
the caregivers’ stories were heart-wrench- and the anne Byron Waud Resource
steve gadomski, leo garcia and here is herculean,” greenlee said.
ing, as one person after another described Center, which provides counseling, com-
Bill Richert
greenlee’s visit to Rush was part of a the obstacles in navigating the health care munity resource assistance and other
national tour of senior care facilities that system, including insurance issues, obtain- supportive services for older adults and
have a news item or story idea for
she’s making to solicit recommendations ing quality care or even finding the time caregivers. For more information about
NewsRounds? Contact the editor at:
to incorporate into the reauthorization of for a few hours to themselves. one woman the older adult programs, please visit
phone: [phone]
the older americans act. the act, which summarized what everyone in the room the Rush Web site at www.rush.edu.
Fax: [phone]
expires in 2011, contains a key provision felt: “there have to be options so you can
e-mail: [email protected] “We are honored that assistant secre-
in support of caregivers. care for people at home with dignity.”
tary greenlee thought highly enough of
marketing and Communications
during greenlee’s visit, she listened to a greenlee selected Rush for her site visit the older adult programs to visit Rush,
triangle office Building
room of more than 20 caregivers share because of the excellence of its older and we look forward to partnering with
1700 W. van Buren st., suite 456
their stories about assisting their spouses, adult programs, which are housed in JRB. her in the future to help us provide qual-
Chicago, il 60612
partners, mothers, fathers and other fam- these programs encompass a wide range ity, much-needed care for the growing
ily members. “i want to hear your stories of activities to help seniors and their care- number of older adults in the country,”
and find out what your needs are as givers, including Rush generations, a free says Robyn golden, lCsW, director of
caregivers,” greenlee said. health and aging membership program, older adult programs.
2