NewsRounds, 2012

2012·13.3 MB·English

by  Rush University Medical Center (Chicago, Ill.)

March 2012 Volume 51, Number 1
Tower Welcomes First Patients
Rush LauNches
There’s nothing unusual about Rush connect the Tower and the New adVeRtisiNg
patients being moved around the Medical Atrium Building. Three nurse
caMpaigN
Center in wheelchairs and on gurneys. practitioners were stationed
on the bridge to assess each
But the destination of approximately 200
patient during the course Rush launched a new and excit-
of those patients made Jan. 8 special,
of the move and respond ing advertising campaign in early
marking a milestone in Rush’s history and
the beginning of a new way of delivering to any medical needs. January. Building on past Medical
patient care. Rodina White, who had Center advertising, the new cam-
undergone a total knee paign focuses on the Tower and
That morning, Rush nursing and physi-
replacement surgery the how its unique features benefit
cian leadership, along with support staff,
welcomed the first patients into the Tower. previous morning, was the patients.
first patient to cross the
Relocated from rooms in other Rush facili-
“The extensive and positive media
ties, the patients were moved by transport threshold into the Tower. Rush staff transport an intensive care patient into the Tower
coverage of the Tower’s dedication
on Sunday, Jan. 8.
staff, and some were escorted by teams “The hospital is simply and our move into the new hospital
that included doctors and nurses as the gorgeous,” she said. “I can see the Chicago spinal surgery the previous Friday and enjoy- provided a great foundation for the
patients’ conditions required. The transition skyline. What a great way to have to go ing his new room and view of the skyline. start of our advertising,” says Lori
was carefully planned to ensure patient through recovery. I don’t feel like I’m closed “I’m elated to be one of the first patients Allen, associate vice president,
safety and comfort. in at all; I feel like I’m at home.” at this new facility,” Harris said. marketing and communications.
The transfer of some existing Rush patients White and the other patients were assisted It was the third time Harris has been an The campaign includes three new
was the final phase of the weekend-long not only by working staff but also hundreds inpatient at Rush. His first stay was in 1976. television ads, posters on train
move into the new hospital building. of Rush employees, faculty members and platforms along all Chicago Transit
“There’s obviously a huge difference in the
“It’s exhilarating,” said Kydie Grosshuesch, students who volunteered their time to assist facilities and how they have been upgraded,” Authority (CTA) rail lines, full-page
RN, who helped receive the first patients as with the move. Students from Rush’s College Harris said. “But the one thing that remains newspaper ads and online advertising.
the assistant unit director on the Tower’s of Nursing were stationed in each of the the same is the service. The doctors, nurses Three downtown CTA bus shelters
feature Rush advertising on all sides,
13th floor. “It’s nice to have everything run rooms to welcome patients and orient them — the whole staff is wonderful. I’ve gone to
and a large butterfly shape adorns
smoothly and to get things going. It’s excit- to their new location. other hospitals, but this is the top. I wouldn’t
the top of each shelter. In addition,
ing to start a new chapter in Rush’s history.” want to go anyplace else.” •
One such patient was Frank Harris, the first
a print ad specifically about acces-
Patients were brought to the new hospital man to be moved into the new hospital. To learn more about the Tower, visit sibility in the Tower will run for
via one of the glass enclosed walkways that Harris said he was feeling good following transforming.rush.edu. several months in Ability, a national
magazine geared toward people with
disabilities.
The Tower’s First Surgery
The ad campaign features Rush fac-
ulty and staff members talking about
the Tower and how it will enhance
Ear, nose and throat surgeon Guy Petruzzelli, locations at the Medical Center. Thanks “We can position these monitors so the
patient care. “Like all of our market-
MD, PhD, spent more time in the operating to the video screens in the Tower ORs, surgical assistant, along with the scrub nurse
ing and communications about the
room than usual Jan. 9, as he performed surgeons such as Petruzzelli are able to see and everyone in the room, can see what’s
Tower, the messages in our advertis-
one of the first surgeries in the Tower. But exactly what the pathologist is seeing under going on, which helps them more quickly
ing focus on quality of care, patient
he didn’t mind. He considers it a giant step a microscope in real time, and they can anticipate the needs of the surgeon,”
safety, and the patient and family
forward in patient care. discuss the results “face to face.” Petruzzelli says.
experience,” Allen says.
During one of the approximately 60 This capability saves precious time and Surgeons can also use the monitors for
The new ads also continue to build
operations performed in the brand-new improves communication. It’s just one of the teaching residents and students in the
Rush’s distinct brand: They present
operating rooms in the Tower that day, features of the Tower that had Petruzzelli so room, and the images can be sent to other
Rush as an academic medical center
Petruzzelli used a robotic procedure to excited following the procedure. teaching hospitals around the world for
with a uniquely approachable brand
remove a small tumor from the back of a “It’s very important for surgeons, especially educational needs. of medicine — with superbly skilled
patient’s throat. This procedure requires that cancer surgeons, to communicate with the Everyone viewing Petruzzelli’s procedure and respected teams of physicians,
a pathologist analyze a tissue sample from pathologists,” Petruzzelli says. “We can that morning saw a very safe surgery that nurses, scientists, researchers and
the tumor, and prior to the move to the new have a conversation with the pathologists was executed well. For that, Petruzzelli made staff who believe that science and
hospital, Petruzzelli would have needed to about what they’re seeing at that moment sure to credit the nursing leadership, includ- technology is, first and foremost,
leave the operating room (OR) to consult and have them describe that to us without ing the unit director of perioperative services, about treating the patient. •
with the pathologist about the results. leaving the operating room. It is really Leslie Wirtz, RN, and her team. Thanks
To see the television commercials, visit
But thanks to new technology available to incredible.” largely to their hard work — not just over www.rush.edu and select the “Rush on
the weekend, but during the years of plan-
Petruzzelli and other surgeons at Rush in Petruzzelli also noted another communi- TV” section. If you have any questions
the new hospital building, meetings with cation feature of the new ORs. There are ning that preceded it — the room’s equip- or comments, please contact Lori Allen at
ment and other infrastructure were ready.
pathologists are now through video com- four high-definition monitors dispersed ext. 2-8708 or at [email protected].
munication. First, the specimen sample is throughout the room, allowing everyone “Given the magnitude of the transition
sent to the pathology department through there to see what the surgeon is seeing and change, it was really spectacular,”
Rush’s pneumatic tube system, a network of during robotic procedures, which make Petruzzelli says. “Things went very safely
tubes that can propel canisters to different use of small video cameras. and very well.” •
An End And A BEginning:
RuSH’S NEW EMERGENCy DEPARTMENT
From left to right: Ed Ward, MD, medical director, Department of
Emergency Medicine; Patti Altman, RN, unit director, emergency
medicine; and Dino Rumoro, DO, chairperson, emergency medicine,
move patient monitoring equipment to the new emergency department.
To read more about Rush’s emergency department, please go to page 2.
A behind-the-scenes look at the making of the
new Rush television ads.
iN this issue An End And A BEginning:
RuSH’S NEW EMERGENCy DEPARTMENT
Tower Opening Events
page 3 NewsRounds writers and
photographers from the Rush
Tower in Review Photo Group spent the morn-
page 3 ing of Friday, Jan. 6, observ-
ing the closing of Rush’s old
Rush Transformation Timeline emergency department and
pages 4 -5 the opening of the new one
in the Tower. The following
Tower Move-in is their hour-by-hour account
page 4 of this historic transition.
Friday, Jan. 6, isn’t any normal day in
universal Design Rush’s emergency department (ED).
page 5 It’s moving day.
At about 4 a.m., there are 12 patients
Medical Group Home Designation in the ED, ranging from a child with
page 6 Denone Dillard, equipment technician (at left) and Torrence Whitfield, transport specialist (right) get ready to wheel
pneumonia to psychiatric patients to
patients into the new emergency department on its first morning.
people with orthopedic conditions.
“Every day is an anything-can-happen
Leapfrog Award
day,” observes Ed Ward, MD, medical
page 6
director of the Rush Department of
Emergency Medicine.
Martin Luther King Day
The department is moving into its
page 6
new home in the Tower from a space
spread across two buildings on the
Tower Art northwestern edge of the Medical
page 7 Center campus — including the Jones
Building, which was built in 1888 and
is the oldest building at Rush.
People News
page 7 “It is amazing to me that we cared
for almost a half a million patients in
the 10 ½ years I worked in this ED,”
NewsBriefs
Ward reflects. “While the facilities
page 8 Rev. Dolores Weins, the retired emergency department chaplain, speaks during a dedication ceremony for the new
were cramped, we helped a lot of
emergency department.
people in our community.”
“It’s such a welcoming environment. “They were very attentive, everyone SAyING GOODByE
“Many of the emergency patients we All the decisions have been made was very nice,” says Svarc, a retired At 7:30 a.m., Zach Willette, a
have treated over the years in this old around what we can do to enhance building contractor from Antioch. The staff chaplain, leads a closing
facility have been coming to our ED the experience, to include the family,” following Sunday, Jan. 8, he is among ceremony for the old facility.
for care for several years. Even though Silva says. “It’s a dream come true the patients who are transferred to Each member of the ED staff
the walls and floors are old, the care for us.” the Tower from rooms in other Rush holds a stone representing his
Newsrounds patients received from our staff The new emergency department facilities. He will go home in three or her personal experiences and
always has been top notch,” adds days after undergoing a successful places it in a bowl.
includes 60 treatment bays with a
Patti Altman, RN, unit director. follow-up surgery.
March 2012 surge capacity of 133 percent. Each “It’s a celebration of all of our
In the early morning hours, a team of treatment bay has space and seating A BIG OPENING hard work,” says Maureen
Editor 12 doctors, nurses, medical techni- for family members to accompany As work is wrapping up in the old ED, Keane, patient liaison. “It was
Anne Burgeson cians and support personnel care the patients and a television to help the new one is opening, marking the nice to share it with everybody
for patients. At the same time, staff take patients’ minds off whatever beginning of patient care in the Tower who works the night shift. We
Managing Editor
members roll equipment out to the pain or discomfort they’re feeling. after more than seven years of plan- finished the night. It’s a part
Elizabeth Higgins
entrance to be loaded onto a van and In addition, the ED provides ning and three years of construction. of history.”
Contributors moved to the new ED, part of the temporary parking for arrivals and When the new ED officially opens
Ward is the last person to leave
Judy Germany, Anthony Giornalista, Robert R. McCormick Foundation a large, pleasant waiting area with at 6 a.m., it already is full of people,
the ED. Before he goes, he
Mary Gregoire, Megan Marz, Kevin Center for Advanced Emergency a separate waiting area for pediatric including clinical staff, a small army
pauses to take a photo of the
McKeough, Cassandra Sura and Response, which occupies the entire patients and their families. of technical support personnel, and
whiteboard on which the names
Cassie Vanderwall first floor of the Tower. The first of its members of Rush leadership.
and status of patients in the old
kind in the u.S., the center is designed Earlier during the night, the old ED
designer ED are written.
to provide an unprecedented level went on bypass — that is, ambu- In the midst of it all, Altman, having
Kristen Marzejon
of readiness for large-scale health lances temporarily were instructed just come over from the old ED, is The night shift staff heads home
Photographers emergencies, such as a mass outbreak to stop brining patients to Rush, so in perpetual motion, walking briskly — many of them are back at
Steve Gadomski, Bill Richert of an infectious disease, a bio-terrorist that the ED could treat the patients through the new department’s wide, work that evening for their first
attack, or an accident that spills already there and close down. As brightly lit hallways. “We can do this,” shift in the new ED. “I’m feeling
Have a news item or story
hazardous materials. dawn approaches, one by one the she tells a group of nurses, check- a little nostalgic,” says Jessica
idea for NewsRounds?
patients are sent home, if they are ing to make sure they have the Epic Stults, RN, who began working in
Contact the editor at:
By and large, members of the depart- well enough, or are being admitted. electronic medical record system and the ED six months earlier. “This is
Phone: [phone]
ment are excited about the new, far the Tower’s new cell phone system
where I got my start as a nurse.”
Fax: [phone] larger and better equipped facility. “I “We ready to roll? We got phone up and running. She finds computer
Email: [email protected]
couldn’t be happier,” Ward says. “A charger, phone? Socks, don’t forget support for a doctor; advises a nurse “One thing that’s not going to
Marketing and Communications lot of thought went into this place your socks,” says Jenna Pederson, about entering patient information change is the way we work as a
Triangle Office Building to make it comfortable for patients. RN, as she rolls out a patient in a on the new computers; and shows team,” Stults adds. “Everybody
1700 W. Van Buren St., Suite 456 We’re going to be able to do such a wheelchair with a family member staff members how to use both the is always there for one another.
Chicago, IL 60612 great job caring for people there.” following. supply dispenser cabinets and the Everyone is very supportive. They
coffee maker. care a lot about the patients,
Ward came to Rush 10 years ago from The last patient to leave the old ED
and they care a lot about each
Resurrection Hospital, along with his is Dag Svarc, who is experienc- “This is exciting,” she says, “think
other.” •
Rush is a not-for-profit health care, education and colleagues Dino Rumoro, DO, chair- ing complications related to a hip how we’ll feel at 9 p.m.” Then she
research enterprise comprising Rush University person of the emergency medicine, replacement surgery he underwent heads back to the old ED to join her To learn more about Rush’s new
Medical Center, Rush University, Rush Oak Park
Hospital and Rush Health. and Julio Silva, MD, MPH, chief a few weeks earlier. He is admitted staff in bidding their former work- emergency department, visit
medical information officer. to the hospital. place farewell. transforming.rush.edu.
2
Rush Community Gathers to Mark Tower Opening

Rush hosted several events in We wanted to not only bring our Tower and the caregivers who that goes into ensuring continuity neighborhoods surrounding the
December celebrating the campus up to modern standards, would be working there. It was of care and the best possible envi- Medical Center, turned out for
completion of the Tower, the but to provide the very best in referred to as “Many Hands,” a ronment and experience for tours of the new hospital on
Medical Center’s new hospital medical technology for our caregiv- recognition that it took the work our patients.” Saturday, Dec. 10. Children
building. Joined by Chicago ers. And most important, we didn’t of many hands to build the new enjoyed having their favorite
COMMuNITy MEMBERS
Mayor Rahm Emanuel, u.S. compromise on quality and safety; hospital, and that it is the work stuffed animals examined in the
VISIT THE TOWER FOR
Representative Danny Davis on the contrary, we increased of all our hands that makes it set new emergency department’s
THE FIRST TIME
and other elected officials, Rush our commitment to all these apart — or sacred — as a place Teddy Bear Clinic.
More than 1,000 additional visi-
held a grand opening ceremony important issues.” of healing and wholeness. As the
tors, including the families of Rush
To learn more about the Tower,
on Thursday, Dec. 8. Rush/Stroger Gospel Choir sang a
RuSH’S OWN TuRN OuT employees and residents of the visit transforming.rush.edu. •
blessing, chaplains offered anoint-
Larry J. Goodman, MD, Rush CEO, TO CELEBRATE
ing of the hands for any of the
remarked that it was a time for
Rush employees, students and
employees gathered who wished it.
celebration and a time for thanks.
volunteers got to see the Tower
“It’s certainly a big event when for themselves on Friday, Dec. 9. Employees counted their steps in
a hospital opens in a community. They took self-guided tours of the the Tower with help from Choose
It’s an important new resource Tower that included the state- Health, Rush’s employee wellness
for that community, and that’s of-the-art emergency center; the program, and put their thumb
certainly one of the reasons that interventional platform; one of the print on some special artwork for
we’re here today, to celebrate that butterfly-shaped patient care floors; the Tower.
new resource,” he said.
and the fourth floor public areas,
“Being a part of this event was
Emanuel stressed the importance including the patient and family so special for me,” said Priya
of the city’s partnership with garden, family lounge and a special Patel, project coordinator, human
Rush. “This is exactly the type of exhibit about the history of Rush. resources. “Not only was I able to
investment that’s appropriate for
Reverend Clayton Thomason, JD, tour the Tower and see all of the
the city of Chicago to be a part
MDiv, chairperson, religion, health intricate details, but I also had the The Rush/Stroger Gospel Choir performed in the Brennan Pavilion during the
of, because of the job creation
and human values, blessed the chance to learn about everything employee open house on Dec. 9.
and economic growth it creates,”
he said.
Richard M. Jaffee, chairman
of the Rush Board of Trustees,
talked about the commitment the
Medical Center made to bring
about this major event in Rush’s
175-year history. “It’s an incred-
ibly exciting moment for all of
us because it’s a realization of a
vision that began more than 10
years ago,” he said. “We commit-
ted to making Rush one of the
finest academic medical centers
and the destination for the best
From left to right: U.S. Representative Danny Davis, Alderman Walter Burnett Ed Ward, MD, medical director of the Rush Department of Emergency Medicine,
in patient care here in Chicago.
Jr., Susan Crown, vice chair, Rush Board of Trustees, Chicago Mayor Rahm tends to a young girl’s stuffed animal during the community event’s Teddy Bear
We committed to transform our
Emanuel and Dino Rumoro, DO, chairperson, Department of Emergency Clinic in Rush’s new emergency department.
campus over the next 10 years. Medicine, on a tour of the Tower on Dec. 9, 2011.
TrAnsforMATion: THE TOWER IN REVIEW
The Rush Transformation is heaLiNg eNViRoNMeNt techNoLogy eNViRoNMeNtaLLy eMeRgeNcy
dramatically changing the aNd aMeNities The Tower is equipped with the latest FRieNdLy pRepaRedNess
way Rush provides medical Patient, visitor and staff comfort technology to help clinicians make the best underscoring its commitment • At nearly twice the size of
were taken into consideration when possible decisions about their patients’ care. to being green, Rush is seek- the previous emergency
care, allowing the Medi-
establishing the Transformation’s • To meet patients’ needs quickly and ing gold Leadership in Energy department, the Robert
cal Center to better support
guiding principles, which include efficiently, a remote device next to the bed and Environmental Design R. McCormick Foundation
patient needs with improved “optimize the patient and family has four different buttons associated with (LEED) certification for the Center for Advanced Emer-
quality, safety and efficiency. experience” and “design a comfort- patients’ most common needs — nurse new hospital. The u.S. Green gency Response includes 60
This change is particularly able environment to support Rush attention, pain relief, water and the bath- Building Council, a non-profit individual treatment bays.
values.” Amenities that support a room — each of which sends an alert organization, awards LEED • The center is designed to pro-
evident in the Tower, which
healing environment in the new to a nurse’s or patient care technician’s certification to buildings with vide an unprecedented level
opened in early January. Tower include the following: (PCT) wireless phone. high environmental standards. of readiness for large-scale
• Nurses and PCTs carry these wireless
• Rooftop gardens • Green roofs (partially cov- health emergencies, such as
phones when they are on duty, allowing
The Tower allows Rush to ered with soil and plants) a mass outbreak of an infec-
• Use of color — bright greens,
them to communicate with patients’
meet its community’s needs slow the flow of rainwater tious disease, a bio-terrorist
blues, white and natural wood
family members and physicians directly
with a one-of-a-kind advanced into city storm sewers attack or an accident that
• Large windows with views of the instead of using a paging system,
emergency response center, and reduce heat from the spills hazardous materials.
Chicago skyline in every patient which requires that calls be made and
state-of-the-art technology, sun. Parts of the roofs not
room answered at the nurse’s station.
environmentally friendly design, covered are white to reflect The new hospital building
• Use of glass and windows • An audiovisual system links all of the
and a healing environment for sunlight, requiring less is the cornerstone of Rush’s
throughout the building for Tower’s operating rooms, located on the
patients, families and visitors. energy to cool the building. plans to reorient all of our
natural light fourth, fifth and seventh floors, the main
Here’s a review of the many • Energy-efficient lighting facilities and care around
radiology reading room on the third floor,
ways the Tower will enhance • Lounges with comfortable seating fixtures and bulbs are used
the pathology lab in the Jelke Building patients and their families
patient care: and quiet spaces throughout the hospital.
and an educational room in the Tower. to reduce costs and improve
• Meditation/respite room on • Recycled steel, wallboard,
toweR Quick stats This feature enhances communication outcomes. In addition to
inpatient floors wall coverings, concrete and
and collaboration between clinicians.
• 304 private patient rooms archived editions of
• Vending on each floor and an wood were used as much as
• A portable monitoring device is attached
• 14 floors NewsRounds on the intranet,
employee-only restaurant on possible in the construction
to the wall next to the patient’s bed and
• 806,000 square feet the seventh floor of the building. more details about the new
can be moved with the patient, allowing
• Individual emergency • Woman’s Board Gift Shop the patient’s vital signs to be displayed • Housekeeping uses Tower can be found at Inside.
room bays • Artwork that promotes a healing continuously and eliminating gaps in mon- environmentally preferable Rush.edu/transformation and
and welcoming environment itoring during transit between locations. products. Transforming.Rush.edu. •
3
The Rush Transformation Timeline

2004 October 2005 September 2008 June 2009 June 2009 Nov. 16, 2009
The Medical Center The Transformation team Groundbreaking marks the New parking garage opens Epic, Rush’s electronic medical The Orthopedic Building
reveals its plans for the is formed to lead the beginning of construction for staff and students. record system, is implemented opens, housing the Depart-
Rush Transformation, a project, followed by user on the Tower. on inpatient units, signifying ment of Orthopedic Surgery,
10-year project to build groups made up of staff an investment in state-of- Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush
new facilities, renovate from areas across the the-art technology to improve and state-of-the-art imaging
existing buildings and organization. patient care and communica- technology.
adopt state-of-the-art tion between clinicians. Medi-
technology. cal records at Rush’s inpatient
units became fully electronic.
2004
A capital fundraising
campaign begins to
fund the reinvention of
the Medical Center and
transformation of the
landscape of medicine
in Chicago.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony is held to commemorate the open-
ing of the new staff and student parking garage. Members of
the Office of Transformation and the Rush Parking Committee
look on as John Wolfe (center), a resident of the Johnston R.
Bowman Retirement Apartments, does the honors. Wolfe had The new Orthopedic Building, located on the
Larry J. Goodman, MD, Rush CEO, cuts a Tower-shaped cake, been tracking the progress of the new garage’s construction corner of Ashland Avenue and Harrison Street,
joined by members of the groundbreaking celebration committee. since the beginning from his sitting room. joins the Medical Center campus.
On the Move
Below: Bob Clapp, FACHE, senior vice president for hospital affairs, greets Frank Harris, the
first male patient transferred into the Tower.
Top right: From left to right: Lois Halsted, PhD, RN, vice provost and vice president of Rush
university, and Jill Gabbert, MSEd, director, student affairs, Rush university, help move supplies
into the Tower during move-in weekend.
Bottom right: Employees from across the Medical Center work in the command center to
help ensure a smooth transition to the Tower. Front row, left to right: Cynthia Barginere, DNP(c),
RN, FACHE, vice president, chief nursing officer; Richa Gupta, MBBS, MHSA, associate vice
president, performance improvement and clinical effectiveness; Peter Butler, Rush president
and COO; and Melinda Noonan, director, nursing operations. Back row, left to right: Robert
Scott, MPH, ambulatory care safety consultant, occupational safety; Anne Burgeson, internal
communications director, marketing and communications; and Cassandra Sura, public relations
specialist, marketing and communications.
4
The Rush Transformation Timeline
The opening of the Tower follows years of planning, preparation and construction.

Here’s a look back at the milestones along the way to this historic event.
Nov. 30, 2009 Jan. 31, 2011 October 2011 Week of Jan. 6-8, 2012
Dec. 8, 2011
A topping-off ceremony The Rush university Cancer Center Employees, physicians and students The new hospital, including the
is held as the final beam opens on the 10th floor of the Profes- begin touring and training in the Rush holds multiple
Robert R. McCormick Foundation
is set in place on the sional Building. The new outpatient new Tower to help them become events to celebrate
new Tower. center features 56 chemotherapy familiar and comfortable with their the opening of the Center for Advanced Emergency
infusion stations, complementary new space. new hospital. Response, opens.
therapies and state-of-the-art exam
and procedure rooms.
From left to right, Howard Kaufman, MD, director of
the Rush University Cancer Center; Alderman Walter
Burnett, Jr.; Susan Crown, vice chair, Rush Board of
Trustees; Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley; Larry J. From left to right: Samantha Franco, employee and
Goodman, MD, Rush CEO; U.S. Senator Dick Durbin; organizational development consultant, leads a tour in
The last beam is ceremoniously and Philip Bonomi, MD, director, Rush Division of the Edward A. Brennan Entry Pavilion with Priya Patel, Transport specialist Samarha McCoy, hospital trans-
hoisted into place. Medical Oncology, prepare to cut the ribbon celebrat- project coordinator, human resources, and Cari Kornblit, port services, transfers patient Rodina White into
ing the opening of the new outpatient cancer center. Web editor, marketing and communications. the Tower.
toweR’s uNiVeRsaL desigN FeatuRes pRoMote accessibiLity FoR aLL
Rush is a nationally recognized eNtRaNces help patients with low vision
leader in accommodating the distinguish where walls are
• All major entrances to the
needs of patients, students and located.
Tower use automatic doors
employees with disabilities,
that open when sensors patieNt RooMs
and this leadership is evident
detect someone approach-
• All acute care and critical
throughout the Tower. The new
ing. The doors open by
care adult patient rooms
hospital incorporates what is
sliding to the side, rather
have built-in ceiling tracks
known as universal design — that
than opening outward, to
to accommodate lift devices
is, features that make the build-
allow unobstructed access
for patients with disabilities
ing accessible to people with
for people in wheelchairs
Patient phones have large
and without disabilities and that
and scooters.
numbers on the dial pad that
equip it to meet the needs of
both populations. • The grade of the slopes of are easier for people with
the ramps between the new visual impairments to see.
“I’m very excited about what we hospital and the Atrium
• Bathroom doors in patient
have done,” says Eugene Thonar, Building are barely notice-
rooms swing in both directions,
PhD, professor of biochemistry able, making it easier for allowing people in wheelchairs
and orthopedic surgery. Thonar, people in wheelchairs to to enter and leave easily; and
who has a disease of the joints propel themselves up and all acute care patient bath-
and uses crutches and a scooter down the ramps. rooms have a five-foot-diam-
to assist with his mobility, was The Tower was designed to provide accessibility throughout the building, including
a member of a task force that haLLways, eLeVatoRs eter turning radius to allow the fourth floor quiet area seen here.
aNd wayFiNdiNg for patients in wheelchairs to
ensured accessibility was a
maneuver inside the room. • White boards in each room • Patient registration counters
central part of the Tower’s design. • Handrails are abundant
allow staff to write notes for are at a level that is accessi-
throughout areas where • In all patient room bathrooms,
patients with hearing disabilities, ble for people in wheelchairs.
“I’m not aware of any other patients travel. handrails are affixed near the
and all televisions in patient
health care facility the size and toilet and inside the shower “We’ve gone beyond what
• Public elevators in the rooms have closed-captioning.
scope of Rush that is committed so that patients can lift them- the rules and regulations say
Tower incorporate digital
in such a cross-organizational selves up and ease themselves tReatMeNt aNd seRVices we should do, because that’s
display, Braille alongside
way to examining the issues down, and showers have a what our patients expect,”
floor buttons, and audio • New MRI machines can accom-
for people with disabilities and
fold-down seat for patients modate patients with unique says Paula Brown, manager,
announcements of the
addressing those issues,” observes
who cannot or prefer not spinal curvatures. Office of Equal Opportunity.
floor location to accom-
Marca Bristo, president and CEO
to stand. “We excel in making every
of Access Living, a Chicago dis- modate people with visual • A wireless phone system allows
accommodation necessary for
ability rights organization, and disabilities. • Pivoting arms on patient chairs doctors, nurses and other hospi-
whoever needs it. That’s what
member of the Rush Board of • Wayfinding signs are in in acute care and critical care tal caregivers to communicate we’ve become. That’s how we
Trustees. rooms can be lifted up to allow directly via mobile phones,
English and Spanish and in work.” •
access to the patient; when reducing noise from overhead
high contrast to promote
As a result, the Tower includes down, the arms allow patients paging and ringing telephones, To learn more about universal design
visibility.
the following key features to guide and stabilize them- which can cause confusion in at Rush, visit www.youtube.com,
that promote an unrestricted • Contrasting borders on the selves when they are moving people with mental illness and and search for Rush University
environment for all people: edges of hallway carpeting into or out of the chair. dementia. Medical Center, universal design.
5
pRiMaRy caRe pRactices at Rush ReceiVe pRestigious MedicaL hoMe desigNatioN
Seven primary care practices at Rush In the medical home concept, each Medical Group, Rush Health, Rush • Rush University College of Nursing
have received designation as a medi- patient has a personal physician who, University Medical Center, the Rush advanced practice nursing students
cal home by the National Commit- together with a care team, coordinates University College of Nursing and the participate in outreach to patients,
tee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). care beyond the physician’s office. seven primary care practices: Associates care coordination and patient exams.
This designation means that each of The emphasis is on keeping patients in Internal Medicine; Lifetime Medi-
• Rush University Medical Group rede-
the practices goes beyond episodic healthy, preventing illness and making cal Associates; Rush Pediatric Primary
signed practice flows to put the patient
care of their patients — that is, the right care available to the patient Care Center; Rush University Family
at the center of care while creating
treating illnesses on a by appoint- at the right time. Physicians; Rush University Physi-
resource efficiencies.
ment basis — to focus on overall cians at Lincoln Park; Rush University
The seven practices at Rush are the first
health improvement. Senior Care; and West Loop University • Rush Health hired medical home
at an Illinois academic medical center to
Medicine. Between them, these practices nurses to support care coordination
receive the NCQA’s pres-
serve more than 43,000 patients. and ensure continued success with
tigious Physician Practice
the medical home model.
Connections – Patient “This recognition is consistent with
Centered Medical Home Rush’s mission of providing the very • Rush Case Management enhances dis-
(PPC-PCMH) level three best care for our patients,” says Larry J. charge planning and identifies patients
designation. The NCQA Goodman, MD, Rush CEO. “I congratu- who are at a high risk for re-admission.
is a not-for-profit organiza- lation all the team members involved in
• Rush Health and Aging, formerly
tion dedicated to improv- this effort.”
known as Older Adult Programs,
ing health care quality, and
Reflecting Rush’s emphasis on collabora- provides social work services for
its PPC-PCMH program
tive care, the medical home project took
elderly patients.
assesses whether physician
a multidisciplinary approach and shared
practices are functioning “Just as the Tower transformed our
clinical resources. For example:
as medical homes and rec- campus to improve the delivery of
ognizes such practices for • Physicians developed templates to
acute care, we are transforming the way
their efforts. Level three document patient goals, progress
patients receive care in our primary care
designation is the highest and education at each visit.
offices,” Goodman says. “The success of
recognition level that the
• Rush Health developed a Web-based implementing the medical home model
NCQA awards.
patient registry that organizes patient shows the commitment of our primary
The achievement of medi- data and presents information in a care physicians to continuously pursue
cal home designation has way that helps clinicians understand excellence in patient-centered care. I
been the result of a col- patient patterns, identify high-risk thank everyone involved for embrac-
laborative year-long effort patients in need of care and appropri- ing this process for the benefit of our
between Rush University ately allocate resources. patients.” •
day oF seRVice ceLebRates aNd uphoLds
Rush agaiN RaNked aMoNg top
Legacy oF MaRtiN LutheR kiNg, JR.
hospitaLs by LeapFRog
Rush university students commemorated Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Jan. 16 with a day of
service. Approximately 200 students from each of Rush’s colleges, along with Rush staff and
For the third consecutive year, Rush
Laurance Armour Day School school-age students, packed boxes of toiletries and snack food
university Medical Center has been named
at the Armour Academic Center for the Wounded Warrior Project, a program that donates
among the top hospitals in the country
items to u.S. military personnel serving overseas. They collected 200 boxes of items donated
for safety, quality and resource use by the
by Rush students, faculty and staff, as well as signed cards and notes of thanks to be
Leapfrog Group, a national organization
delivered to the servicemen and servicewomen.
that promotes health care safety and
quality improvement. This event was cosponsored by the Student National Medical Association, Latino Medical
Student Association, and Rush university’s Office of Multicultural Affairs and Community
Rush is one of only 65 hospitals
Service and the Office of Student Affairs.
nationwide and five hospitals in Illinois
recently honored as a “Top Hospital” Rush students also coordinated several other King Day activities on and off campus,
including preparing breakfast for approximately 300 residents at the Franciscan House of
at Leapfrog’s annual meeting in Wash-
ington, D.C. The top hospitals were Larry J. Goodman, MD Mary and Joseph near the Medical Center; entertaining patients at the Westside VA Hospital;
delivering homemade cookies to a Ronald McDonald House; and counseling area teenagers
announced in early December.
physicians at the institution must enter about possible careers in health care.
“This survey considers hospitals that
at least 75 percent of medication orders
“The day was fabulous,” says Sharon Gates, MA, senior director, multicultural affairs and
give the best quality of care in the
through a CPOE system, and the hospital
community service. “The students, faculty and staff performed outstanding work in the
most efficient way possible,” says Larry J.
must demonstrate in a test that the sys-
name of Dr. King and Rush. They totally understand the meaning behind Dr. King’s quote,
Goodman, MD, Rush CEO. “This is an affir-
tem can alert physicians to at least half
‘intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education.’ ”
mation of our staff’s commitment to being
of common serious prescribing errors.
among the best through their hard work The Department of Community Affairs also honored the day with a special event titled
• Fully meet stringent performance stan-
and dedication. I’m grateful to everyone “Celebration of Life: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” Held in the J. Hall Taylor Memorial Chapel
dards for at least half of the complex,
who works at Rush for their efforts to in the Kellogg Building, it featured Charles Jenkins, lead pastor, Fellowship Missionary
high-risk procedures performed at the
make this achievement possible.” Baptist Church, who spoke on the topic, “The Beloved Community.” •
hospital, such as heart bypass surgery.
The Leapfrog Hospital Recognition Research indicates that a patient’s risk
Program measures and evaluates hospital of death is reduced between two and
performance to recognize achievements four times, depending on the procedure,
and encourage improvements in the if the care is received at a hospital that
efficiency of hospital care. The program’s meets Leapfrog’s standards.
latest rankings drew on information gath-
• Meet standards for staffing the intensive
ered through the 2011 Leapfrog Hospital
care unit with doctors and nurses specifi-
Survey, which compiled data reported by
cally trained in critical care, which has
nearly 1,200 hospitals in 45 states.
been shown to reduce mortality by
To be designated a Leapfrog Top Hospital 40 percent.
this year, hospitals in urban settings such
• Achieve a score of at least 69 out of 100
as Rush needed to fulfill the following
for efficiency (the intersection of quality
criteria:
and cost). The Leapfrog Hospital Recog-
• Fully meet Leapfrog standards for using nition Program measured efficiency in
computerized physician order entry terms of quality outcomes and resource
(CPOE) systems, which have been shown use (measured by length of stay and
to reduce adverse drug events by up to readmission rates), with quality
88 percent. To be named a Top Hospital, weighted more heavily. • Rush students serve breakfast at the Franciscan House of Mary and Joseph homeless shelter.
6
the toweR’s iNteRNaL cityscape
Nearly 1,400 pieces of art can be found throughout the new
Tower, in both public and staff areas. Some of these pieces
were donated, while others were created by local artists. All
were specially selected by Rush’s Art Advisory Group to
represent Rush’s values, history and community. The group
was made up of employees from across the organization who
selected the pieces to create a comfortable, welcoming, heal-
ing environment for patients, visitors and staff alike. One of
the Tower’s centerpieces is the 30 x 20 foot cityscape in the
Brennan Pavilion — and it was designed by our very own
Steve Gadomski (right) from the Rush Photo Group. The
graphic is made up of 63 different photos using the new Tower
as the vantage point. To watch a time-lapse video of the
30-hour installation, visit www.youtube.com, and search for
Rush University Medical Center, Brennan Pavilion Mural.
People News
Appointments worked for Malcolm X College, ccLs, director, Child Life Services, recognizes that good health comes of stem cell therapy. The study
first as a college advisor, then as is one of the book’s co-authors. not just from receiving quality medi- focused on human pluripotent
The Solid Organ Transplant
the assistant director of financial cal care but from stopping disease stem cells (PSCs), a promis-
Service Line has a new leadership
Health and Human Services
aid; he ultimately spent the last before it starts. Five Rush ing source of cells for use in
structure. david ansell, Md, Mph,
Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has
several years as the registrar. university students were able to regenerative medicine. Nature
chief medical
appointed three new members,
attend the meeting introducing published the study online in
officer, and
Rush’s Department of Medi- including Rush alumnus courtney
the national prevention strategy in November.
brian smith,
cal/Surgical Nursing appointed h. Lyder, Nd, to the National
Chicago: Robert Trevino and Vanessa
vice presi-
stephanie d. yohannan, Ms, Advisory Council for Nursing • Joshua Jacobs, Md, the Wil-
Archil (medicine); Katie Tomarelli
dent, Medical
Mba, RN, as unit director of Research (NACNR). The NACNR liam A. Hark, MD/Susanne G.
and DeShuna Dickens (nursing);
Affairs, now
transplant/ is the principal advisory board Swift Professor and chairman,
and Anne Hazard (health systems
co-chair the
general sur- for National Institute of Nursing Department of Orthopedic
management).
newly formed Transplant Council.
gery, 9 North Research. Council members are Surgery, and Markus wim-
Ansell provides medical director-
Atrium. Before drawn from the scientific and lay Nikhil Verma, Md, sports medicine mer, Md, associate professor,
ship of the service line, and Smith
coming to communities, representing a specialist and Department of Orthopedic
is the business partner. Janice
Rush, she was diverse perspective from the associate profes- Surgery, along with researchers
burkart has assumed the position
the clinical fields of nursing, public and sor, Department from Northwestern university
of administrator, Solid Organ
coordinator for a comprehensive health policy, law and economics. of Orthopedic and the university of Duisburg-
Transplant Service Line.
cardiac care unit at North Shore Surgery, recently Essen in Germany, presented
kimberly smith, Md, Mph, associ-
university – Evanston. was elected as findings about the human
The Rush university College of
ate professor
a member of body’s response to friction in
Nursing has chosen chandice
Kudos of medicine,
the American Shoulder and Elbow metal-on-metal implants used
covington, phd, RN, as chairper-
Section of Infec-
son of the college’s Department gary alder, dds, Section of Den- (ASES) Association, a society made in hip replacement surgery.
tious Diseases,
of Women, Children and Family tistry, was the keynote speaker up of leading national and inter- The study was published in
received the
Nursing. Covington has conducted at the opening session of the Fox national orthopedic surgeons who the Dec. 23 issue of Science.
2011 HIV Clini-
extensive research in women’s River Valley Dental Association specialize in shoulder and elbow
cal Educator • david bennett, Md, the Robert
health, which is reflected in her meeting on Nov. 15, 2011. He surgery. ASES membership is by
Award from the HIV Medicine C. Borwell Professor of Neuro-
more than 70 publications in spoke on the management of invitation only; there are 347
Association (HIVMA) for her logical Sciences and director of
scientific and clinical journals. the new patient experience and members nationally.
achievement in the area of HIV the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease
She also brings a history of fund- innovations in modern dentistry.
clinical care and provider educa- Recently, results from four groups of Center, and denis evans, Md,
ing from the National Cancer
craig J. della Valle, Md, associ- tion. Smith created a monthly researchers at Rush were published section director, Section of Epi-
Institute and the National Institute
ate professor, Department of forum in Chicago to update in either Science or Nature scientific demiology, Alla V. and Solomon
for Nursing Research as well as
Orthopedic Surgery, won two of community-based medical journal. This accomplishment is Jesmer Professor of Medicine,
support from National Aeronautics
three competitive awards from providers on the latest advances unprecedented at Rush and prom- were part of a team that exam-
and Space Administration, the
the American Association of Hip in HIV treatment. ises to increase Rush’s reputation for ined the toxicity of a peptide
National Indian Health Service,
research excellence worldwide. The known to be an important con-
and the u.S. Department of Health and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) dur- In her role as a presidential
authors of the four studies and their tributor to Alzheimer’s disease.
and Human Services. ing the group’s annual meeting appointee to the Federal Advisory
findings are as follows: The results were published in
last November. As part of a team Group on Prevention, Health
Science in October.
eddie J. phillips, Jr., joined Rush effort with other physicians from Promotion, and Integrative and • thomas decoursey, phd, profes-
as the univer- around the country, he received Public Health, susan swider, phd, sor, Department of Molecular StudentAdvisor.com named Rush
sity registrar the AAHKS Clinical Research aphN-bc, professor, College of Biophysics and Physiology, and university a top 100 social media
in January. Award for the paper “Diagnos- Nursing, participated in the group’s colleagues in the department college in October. The ranking
Phillips has ing Periprosthetic Infection with first regional meeting with u.S. presented new insights into the compares more than 6,000 col-
oversight of all C-Reactive Protein in Joint Fluid.” Surgeon General Regina Benjamin,
mechanism of how the chan- leges and universities and post-
operations in He also received the James R. MD, to begin work to implement a
nel functions within cells. Nature secondary schools in the country
the Office of Rand young Investigator Award national prevention strategy at the
published the study online in terms of their mastery of public
the Registrar. Along with the regis- for his study “Leukocyte Esterase regional level. Swider and fellow
in October. social media methods, tools and
trar’s staff, he will play an integral Reagent Strips for the Rapid advisory group members met with
websites. Rush university was
role in providing vision and direct- Diagnosis of Periprosthetic Joint the Surgeon General in Chicago • Jeff kordower, phd, the Jean
noted for its virtual campus tour
ing the daily operational services, Infection.” in December to collaborate on Schweppe Armour Professor of
that lets prospective students
such as class registration, course and discuss the national preven- Neurological Sciences and direc-
apply directly to the school
schedules, the annual university The American Journal of Nursing tion strategy. This strategy, with tor of the Rush Research Center
while online. To learn more, visit
catalog and commencement. He is named “Therapeutic Activities for input from the advisory group, was for Brain Repair, in collaboration
www.rushu.rush.edu. •
also responsible for ensuring that Children and Teens Coping with designed as a comprehensive plan with researchers at Memorial
the university is compliant with Health Issues” the book of the that will help increase the number Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in
the Family Educational Rights and year in its maternal-child nursing of Americans who are healthy New york, reported a significant To read more People News, please
Privacy Act. Phillips most recently category. Robyn hart, Med, at every stage of life, and that advancement in a potential form visit www.inside.rush.edu.
7
News Briefs
food sErviCE in ThE TowEr: what you caN expect
Rush opeNs heaLth cLiNic
FoR youNg woMeN The opening of the Tower brings for patients who don’t feel up to
with it changes to how nearly every eating the regular meal.
The Rush University College of Nursing recently opened a
area of patient services works, and
The newest members of the food
health center at the Chicago Public Schools’ (CPS) Simpson
food and nutrition services is no
Academy for Young Women, which educates pregnant women service staff are robotic carts, known
exception. New galley kitchens,
and young mothers. It is the college’s third school-based as automated guided vehicles
Café 7 and the assistance of robots
health center. (AGVs). Patient meal tray carts ride
all will enhance food service for
on the AGVs from the central kitchen
To mark the opening, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Friday, Rush patients and staff.
in the sub-basement of the Atrium
Jan. 27, at Simpson Academy, which is located at 1321 S. Pau-
lina, a few blocks south of the Rush campus. Attendees included The patient care units welcome Building all the way to the patient
Rush CEO Larry J. Goodman, MD; CPS CEO Jean-Claude patient food service assistants units in the Tower.
(PFSA) to the patient floors in
Brizard; Cook County Commissioner Robert Steele; Simpson
The Tower also includes Café 7, a
Academy Principal Joi Kidd-Stamps; 27th Ward Alderman the Tower. PFSAs will be working
staff-only area on the seventh floor
Walter Burnett; 2nd Ward Alderman Robert Fioretti; Melanie with dietitians, diet technicians
where employees can enjoy a meal
Dreher, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean, Rush University College of and other members of the health
or break. The café offers grab-and-go
Nursing; Marilyn Wideman, DNP, RN, assistant professor and care team to help meet patients’
salads and sandwiches, hot entrees, Likithia Shannon, a patient food service
director, faculty practice, College of Nursing; and others. nutritional wants and needs. The
assistant, delivers a meal to a patient in
soups, and specialty coffee drinks,
Tower also includes galley units
The Simpson Academy is a small school serving grades six to the Tower.
smoothies and milkshakes. The Café
on floors 10, 12, 13 and 14, which
12 that accepts students from throughout Chicago. Nurse prac-
titioners from Rush and students from the College of Nursing are used to prepare hot food for is open Monday through Friday from “Although much is new in the Tower,
provide on-site health and educational services. They also patients between meals. There, 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Food service food and nutrition services staff will
provide services for infants at a day care center at the school. PFSAs are able to prepare late trays establishments, including the caf- provide the same great food and ser-
The center’s aim is to help mothers and expectant mothers for patients who aren’t in their eteria and In-A-Rush on the second vices to ensure a positive and health-
remain focused on schoolwork. rooms at meal service time because floor of the Armour Academic Center, ful experience for patients, visitors,
of tests or procedures. The PFSA is and Remedies on the first floor of volunteers, students and employees,”
“This special health service provides an additional type of sup-
port to keep these girls on a solid academic track,” says Sally also able to prepare an alternate the Jelke Building still are available says Mary Gregoire, PhD, RD, director,
Lemke, RN, an instructor at the College of Nursing and the cen- food item, such as a bowl of soup, for other dining options. food and nutrition services. •
ter’s lead health care provider. “Many of the girls were missing
school because of prenatal visits or physical complaints related to
Rush hosts Visits FRoM
their pregnancies. Our hope is to increase the attendance rates.”
The center’s health services include primary care, prenatal care, seNatoR duRbiN aNd
school and sports physicals and contraceptive services. There is
also a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner to provide FoRMeR MayoR daLey
one-on-one and group sessions with students. A family nurse
practitioner provides infants with well-child care, urgent care united States Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois and former
and immunizations, among other services. Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley made separate visits
“We anticipate that the addition of a comprehensive set of to Rush in January to see the Tower for the first time.
health services to the students attending Simpson Academy for
On Jan. 12, Sen. Durbin received a tour of the new
Young Women will address barriers to learning and promote
hospital from Larry J. Goodman, MD, Rush CEO, Richard
school attendance, as well as student behavior and engagement,”
M. Jaffee, chairman of the Rush Board of Trustees, and
says Richard G. Smith, chief officer for the Office of Special
Dino Rumoro, DO, chairperson of the Department of
Education and Supports at Chicago Public Schools. “Together, Left to right: Richard M. Jaffee, Larry J. Goodman, MD, and
Emergency Medicine.
with strong instructional practices and clinical and related ser- Sen. Dick Durbin in the Edward A. Brennan Entry Pavilion
vices, we believe that these supports will assist the students Durbin’s tour included stops throughout the 14-story
in being successful.” Tower, but he was particularly excited to see the new
Robert R. McCormick Foundation Center for Advanced
From left to right: Melaine Dreher, PhD, RN, FAAN; Marilyn Wideman, DNP, RN;
Emergency Response. The senator’s steadfast support
State Representative Derrick Smith; Ald. Walter Burnett Jr.; Larry J. Goodman,
over the past decade has been instrumental in funding
MD; Jean-Claude Brizard; Simpson student Deborah Smiley; Joi Kidd-Stamps;
training and equipment for the center, which encom-
Ald. Robert Fioretti; State Senator Annazette Collins; and Yvette Clinton.
passes the emergency department.
Daley visited the Tower on Jan. 9, receiving a tour of
the new hospital from Goodman and President and
Chief Operating Officer Peter Butler.
The former mayor saw the Tower from top to bottom:
He was shown patient rooms in the Herb Family Acute
and Critical Care Tower; received a presentation about
Left to right: Larry J. Goodman, Richard M. Daley, Terry
the interventional platform from Scott Sonnenschein, Peterson, vice president, government affairs, Peter Butler and
vice president, hospital operations; took in the spec- Scott Sonnenschein in the Tower’s interventional platform
tacular view of the city’s skyline from the ninth floor
employee outdoor garden; visited the new emergency Daley, who completed his 18 years as mayor in 2011,
department; and marveled at the automated guided was a major supporter of Rush’s transformation during
vehicles in the building’s basement. his time in office.
NoMiNate soMeoNe FoR a wow awaRd
youNg-oNset aLzheiMeR’s suppoRt gRoup Meets MoNthLy
The WOW Award recognizes an individual Rush employee, physician, stu-
dent, volunteer or team for an exemplary act of caring and kindness or an
Individuals and their
outstanding demonstration of the I CARE values (innovation, collaboration,
family members who
accountability, respect and excellence). Anyone can nomi-
are living with young-
nate someone for a WOW Award. (Please limit team
onset Alzheimer’s
nominations to nine members or less.) If your nominee
disease are invited to
is chosen, you will receive a pair of free movie tickets.
a support group that
To nominate someone, please provide the name, meets monthly. A pre-
employee number, title and phone extension for screening is required.
yourself, the nominee and the nominee’s manager, as Contact Susan Frick
well as a description of the outstanding act of caring or kindness (please for a screening at
include specific dates, actions or statements by the nominee). you may also [phone]. More
want to include any specific I CARE values that the nominee demonstrated.
information about the
Submit the nomination information by faxing it to Marva Jones-Hoover group is available by
at ext. 2-5839 or emailing it to [email protected]. visiting www.rush.edu.
April 2012 Volume 51, Number 2
ANAtomy LAb FieLd trips CAptiVAte ANd eduCAte
Nearly two dozen high school a wide variety of other Rush University examining them — a prospect that’s
students are circled around an academic programs, including physician caused understandable nervousness in
examination table in Rush’s human assistant, speech pathology and audiol- some students.
anatomy lab as James Williams, ogy classes.
“All right, we’re doing it. Oh man,”
PhD, the lab’s director, removes a
“Anyone who’s a student here, we try one young man says, rocking back
large mass from a human cadaver
to get them here at least once,” says and forth on his heels but not quite
and holds it up in his blue
Anthony Serici, laboratory coordinator. able to bring himself to start unzip-
surgical-gloved hand.
ping the bag. During the course of the
In recent years, the lab also has
It’s a fatty tumor, a benign growth morning, the joking and trash-talking
become a popular destination for area
the size and shape of a small foot- of the male students suggest they’re
high school classes. An average of one
ball. After the students pass around considerably more nervous than their
class a week, drawn from the suburbs
the tumor to examine it, Williams female classmates, who go about their
and city schools near Rush, visit the lab.
has several of them take turns business with quiet concentration and
It also hosts college students, including
cutting it open with a scalpel. no evident squeamishness. It probably
the anatomy and physiology class at
helps that the cadavers’ faces are kept Left to right: James Williams, PhD, shows an organ to York Community High
“Now we’ve discovered some- neighboring Malcolm X College.
covered in a show of respect. School students Glenn Miller and Alexander Carson.
thing,” Williams announces in a
deep, softly growling voice, his “I saw an opportunity when I took Wearing yellow surgical gowns and says, pointing to something shield- them to school. “If we see each
light drawl reflecting his Oklahoma over,” says Williams, who is a professor blue gloves given to them on their ing the chest cavity. He then reveals other in Elmhurst, say hello,” Wil-
upbringing. “This is fat, fat, fat, but of anatomy and cell biology and has arrival, the students look over the that it’s actually the outer lining of a liams calls to them as they depart.
at the center, there’s a kidney that been the lab’s director since 2004. cadavers, guided by three York teachers lung that was inflamed by asbestos. Williams regards these visits,
“We just started opening our doors.
had died. It was way too small to and an Elmhurst veterinarian who’s Lifetime Lessons particularly by classes from schools
We saw kids learning and enjoying
do anything. Kidneys are normally volunteered his assistance. Williams For the students, who are consider- near the Medical Center, as both
themselves. We saw they could deal
surrounded by fat, but the extra fat makes the rounds from table to table, ing various careers in the health sci- a form of community service and
with handling a cadaver.”
here may have formed to protect making observations, asking questions, ences, the look into the human body an extension of Rush’s educational
it when it became damaged.” Dramatic Touches giving the students opportunities to try is a revelation. “We learn about mission. “We need to let people
On this Tuesday morning in late their hand at suturing shut an incision individual systems, then you come in our community know we care
A Popular Destination
February, the lab is hosting 86 students in a cadaver. here, you can see it all together,” about them in an educational way,”
These sorts of lessons are common
enrolled in either the medical career “He had diabetes,” he declares, point- says Natalie Heinle, a senior who he says. “We have smart kids who
in the human anatomy lab, located or sports medicine class at York Com- ing out a color change in a cadaver’s will be attending Michigan State need someone to show them the
behind a locked door in Armour munity High School in Elmhurst. Coin- liver and fingers. “This is an unusually University in the fall and plans to way and say, ‘yes, you can do this.
Academic Center. The 34 human cidentally, Williams lives in Elmhurst, large heart,” he says as students at major in nursing. You don’t have to be a doctor or
cadavers currently lying on tables in nurse, but it’s achievable.’”
a western suburb — his children another table pass around the organ. “They learn from models, but to
the lab’s three adjoining rooms are
went to York, and one of the students “Your heart should be the size of actually be able to see it up close He knows full well the impact such
the remains of people who arranged
visiting the lab lives on his block. your fist.” in a real body increases their knowl- a visit can have. “Believe me,”
with the Anatomical Gift Associa-
tion of Illinois (AGAI) to have their Williams began the visit with an open- Tall, white-haired, goateed and edge of anatomy. They’re able to Williams says, “these kids will be
pick out things that aren’t normal talking about this forever.”
bodies donated to science after ing talk in which he told the students dressed in hot pink scrubs, Williams
and wouldn’t be in the models,”
their death. Provided on loan that taking a college anatomy class is a commanding presence, and his For more information about the anatomy
says Kathy Van Hoeck, a York
from the AGAI, the cadavers are was one of the two most important presentations combine a sense of lab, please visit www.rushu.rush.edu.
science teacher.
used primarily to teach the human experiences in his life (the other was drama, sensitivity and humor. “We
The number of bodies donated to science
anatomy course for first- year Rush meeting his wife). He then instructed took his rib cage out and saw this, About 90 minutes after their arrival, has been decreasing over the past 10
Medical College students, but they the students to unzip the body bags and we thought, ‘my goodness, this the students shed their gowns and years. For more information, please visit
also are part of the curriculum for containing the cadavers and begin guy grew a second set of ribs,” he head back to the bus that will return www.agaillinois.org.
Diversity Week Promotes inclusion
Presentations, a fair, games, and lunch and ordinarily encounter in the course of their work
learn sessions all were part of Rush’s annual day and to learn something more about peo-
diversity week, which took place Feb. 6 ple who are different from them,” says Paula
through 9. The events explored diversity issues Brown, manager of the Office for Equal Oppor-
such as how to connect with patients and tunity and member of Rush’s Diversity Leader-
co-workers who have different backgrounds ship Group. “We learned, asked, accepted and
and lifestyles; working in health care as a celebrated ourselves and others.”
member of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and
About 450 people attended the events.
transgender (LGBT) community; and recruiting
Diversity week was sponsored sponsored by
culturally diverse nursing students. Each event
the Diversity Leadership Group, Rush Pride, the
challenged attendees to think about diversity
Rush University College of Nursing, the Office
and their interactions with each other in
for Equal Opportunity and the Employee and
caring, compassionate ways, and allowed
Organizational Development Department.
them to share their own experiences as well.
For more information about diversity at Rush,
“Diversity week gives people at Rush an please visit the Rush Diversity Leadership
opportunity to meet folks they wouldn’t Group site at http://iris.rush.edu/diversity.
Top left: Beverly Huckman, associate vice president for equal opportunity (right), speaks with Rush Board
of Trustees member Marca Bristo (left) after Huckman received this year’s J. Robert Clapp, Jr. Rush Diversity
Leadership Award. Huckman has championed the Medical Center’s efforts with regard to diversity, equal
opportunity, affirmative action and inclusiveness throughout her 38-year career at Rush.
Top right: Health care consultant and best-selling author Quint Studer speaks as part of the Clapp
award ceremony.
Bottom: A panel made up of faculty members and clinicians discussed their experiences being LGBT and
working in health care. Speakers talked about the culture of inclusion and acceptance of diverse lifestyles
and values being an important reason they chose Rush as an employer or school. Left to right: Martin
Gorbien, MD, director, Section of Geriatric Medicine; Amanda Perry, fourth-year medical student;
Brandon Barton, MD, assistant professor, neurology; Michael Boffa, MD, resident, internal medicine.
change of heart
New Director of Cardiac Surgery Raman Discusses
Program Scope, Initiatives and Goals
Last September, Jaishankar Raman, MBBS, a muscular pump with valves in it that has a
MMed, PhD, joined Rush as the Medical Cen- blood supply. It has big blood vessels coming
ter’s new surgical director of heart transplant in and out of it, and it’s got an electrical sys-
and chief of the Section of Cardiac Surgery tem. If there are problems with the vessels that
in the Department of Cardiovascular-Thoracic come in and out of it, we fix those. If we have
Surgery. Raman — who attended medical to work on aortic aneurysms [bulging or bal-
school in his native India and received surgi- looning of the aorta], we do that. If the valves
Jaishankar Raman, MBBS, MMed, PhD, in his office and performing surgery
cal training and his PhD in Australia — came are abnormal or leaking, we repair them. If
to Rush after nine years at the University there are abnormalities of the rhythm, we treat Critical care, anesthesia, cardiology and From a research point of view, one of the
of Chicago Medical Center, where he was them. If there are problems with the rib cage, cardiovascular surgery, nutrition, respiratory big black holes in our understanding of the
a professor of surgery and cardiothoracic we do things to get the bone to heal better. If therapy and pharmacy — all the different heart is what we call diastolic dysfunction.
surgery and director of adult cardiac surgery. the pump is not working, we use a ventricular people who participate in patient care weigh Most of our therapies are aimed at systolic
An internationally recognized leader in car- assist device, which is like an artificial heart, in. That’s helped with postoperative care for function, which is the phase of contraction.
diac and thoracic surgery who has pioneered and failing that, we may perform a transplant. these complex patients. Therefore, we look at abnormalities of the
numerous new surgical procedures, Raman NewsRounds: How does the opening of We’ve also started using some newer pumps heart contracting, but half of the cardiac
spoke to NewsRounds about the expansion the Tower support what you’re trying for supporting the heart. That required training cycle is the heart expanding to receive
of Rush’s cardiac surgery program since his to accomplish? for the perfusionists and for nurses in the ICU. blood, which is called the diastolic phase.
arrival, innovations in cardiac surgery and For patients with kidney dysfunction, we work Since it is not as visually obvious, we don’t
raman: Minimally invasive surgery is almost
his vision of making the Medical Center a with the nephrology team to use a gentler know how to measure it, and we don’t
like a solo operation, because the room the
national leader in minimally invasive form of dialysis called continuous veno-venous know how to treat it when it goes wrong.
surgeon has to work in is so limited. In each
cardiac surgery. hemofiltration. This is something that affects all of us as
of the Tower operating rooms (ORs), however,
we get older, and I want to build a research
NewsRounds: Why did you decide to leave we have these big, beautiful monitors. On one, NewsRounds: You mentioned that you’re
group that looks at it specifically.
the University of Chicago (U of C) Medical we can show the image from a small video treating lower risk patients with minimally
Center and come to Rush? camera that’s mounted to a band around my invasive techniques. Tell us more about it. I also want to build a tissue bank for heart
head. On another, you can have the images to look for molecular, biological markers for
raman: Rush is providing the opportunity raman: When cardiac surgery first became a
from an echocardiograph, and on a third heart failure and abnormalities. We’re work-
to build a clinical program that could have specialty in the 1950s, the traditional approach
screen you can have the overhead camera. ing on it with Kevin Zhang, MD, PhD, the
a lasting legacy. One of the fortunate by- to most heart surgery was a big incision down
Everyone working in the OR knows what’s new head of pharmacology.
products of my stay at U of C was that I the middle of the chest, through the breast
going on, and therefore there’s a lot more
was able to develop expertise in minimally bone, which is called stenotomy. That proce- The other thing we’re looking at are new
inclusiveness and participation.
invasive surgery, the largest amount of expe- dure was popularized by Dr. Ormand Julian, ways of assessing risk. Historically, to
rience of anyone in the region. One reason to NewsRounds: How many patients is the who at the time was a senior surgeon at Rush. predict risk after cardiac surgery you take
come here was to try to expand that whole cardiac surgery program treating?
a big sample of patients and look at the
After the surgery was done, the breast bone
area and to help make Rush a regional
raman: We’ve tripled the volume in the was always lashed together with wire. That is average outcomes and standard deviations
center for minimally invasive surgery.
past few months, and I hope it continues still the accepted norm all over the world. One from them. I collaborate with a researchers
NewsRounds: What kinds of procedures to grow that way. of my contributions is to see how we can use at Northwestern University in their super-
does cardiac surgery encompass? NewsRounds: How have you expanded the metal plates and screws to fix the bone back computing lab, where we use data mining
together. If you lash the bone together with techniques [computer analysis that discovers
program so rapidly?
raman: It includes all the surgery on the
wire, it still moves a little, so it takes a long patterns in large amounts of data] to exam-
heart — bypasses, valve replacements, raman: We’ve lowered the risk profile for
time to heal. With plates, the bone doesn’t ine 100 or 1,000 different risk parameters.
valve repairs and transplants. The heart is minimally invasive procedures, so we’re able to
move and the healing is more effective. You can obtain much better risk predictors
use them to treat lower risk patients as well as
of whether or not to perform a certain
Wires don’t work well with minimally invasive
high risk patients who might not survive open
NeWs rounds procedure.
chest surgery, which has prevented surgeons
chest surgery. With my being here and the
recent addition of Dr. Malyala, [Raja Malyala, from performing it widely. Now we’re able to NewsRounds: You’re obviously very passion-
April 2012
MD, assistant professor of cardiovascular- use less invasive approaches because of these ate about your work. Why did you decide to
thoracic surgery] and Greg Stephenson, a plating techniques. We started doing minimally specialize in heart surgery?
editor
invasive surgery in the extremely high risk
cardiovascular physician’s assistant, we have
Anne Burgeson raman: When I finished medical school, I
patient population, where any other approach
augmented the operating staff. We now are
thought I wanted to be a plastic surgeon.
would be deemed too dangerous, and then
managing editor also able to treat heart failure with ventricular
Early on I got a chance to do a lot of micro-
brought down the risk profile significantly.
Kevin McKeough assist devices and heart transplantation. That
surgery [a common technique in plastic
opens up a whole pool of patients that were NewsRounds: What are your future goals for
surgery], but I found it to be very boring and
contributors not being served here for a while. the program?
very repetitive. Then, while I was exploring
Judy Germany
NewsRounds: In addition to resuming the raman: I want to make this a premier center jobs in Sydney, Australia, and I observed
Anthony Giornalista
heart transplant program, what other changes for heart surgery, focusing significantly on two cardiac surgery — a beating heart that was
Elizabeth Higgins
have you implemented since arriving at Rush? areas: minimally invasive aspects of all heart being operated on. I’d never seen it before,
Cassandra Sura
raman: We instituted multidisciplinary surgery and innovative therapies for heart and it was very compelling. It was love at
Designer rounds in the ICU. We do it twice a day. failure and transplantation. first sight. •
Kristen Marzejon
Photographers rush nurse receives hero’s Welcome Back
Lauren Anderson
Steve Gadomski Doctors, nurses and staff at Rush gave a surprise hero’s welcome for U.S. Army
Bill Richert
Captain Sherry Hedge, RN, an emergency room nurse who was deployed to
Afghanistan in April 2010 and recently returned to work at the Medical Center
Have a news item or story
after a two-year leave. On Friday, March 16, her second day back at work,
idea for NewsRounds?
Hedge was brought from the emergency department to the front entrance of
Contact the editor at:
the Tower, for a surprise welcome back celebration. As part of the reception, the
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone] Warriors Watch riders, a volunteer troop support group, led City of Chicago fire
Email: [email protected] and police vehicles in driving by to help welcome Hedge back to work.
Hedge worked in the emergency department at Rush for more than 10 years,
Marketing and Communications
before joining the U.S. Army shortly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. During
Triangle Office Building
two tours of duty in Afghanistan, she worked on the mobile surgical unit and
1700 W. Van Buren St., Suite 456
cared for the infantry unit on the front line. Hedge was injured during her
Chicago, IL 60612
second deployment while jumping out of helicopters to assist wounded soldiers
and underwent two knee surgeries and physical therapy.
“It was a nice welcome home,” Hedge says. “It was nice to be recognized
and see people supporting what the troops do overseas.”
Rush is a not-for-profit health care, education and Sherry Hedge, RN, (center) is welcomed back to work at Rush.
research enterprise comprising Rush University
Medical Center, Rush University, Rush Oak Park
Hospital and Rush Health.
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