1. science
2. medicine
3. surgery

For staff, students, faculty and friends of LSU Health Shreveport
Vol. 12, No. 6 November-December 2012
School of Medicine
School of Graduate Studies
School of Allied Health Professions
LSU Medical Center
LSU Children’s Hospital
Health Sciences Center
Huey P Long Medical Center
EA Conway Medical Center
LSU Health Sciences Foundation
World’s Smallest Microscope
Helping Doctors Spot Potential Cancer Cells Non-Invasively
T
he world’s smallest microscope, smaller than the tip of a
pen, is helping doctors at LSU Health Shreveport spot potential lung cancers and other diseases at the very earliest
stages and without surgery. LSU Medical Center is the first
hospital in the southeast US to acquire the imaging technology,
Cellvizio, with magnification so powerful pulmonologists can see
individual cells even in the farthest reaches of the lungs. Since
August, Dr. Adam Wellikoff, Assistant Professor of Pulmonary and
Critical Care in the Department of Medicine, and his fellow physicians have used it more than 40 times. As a result, they have been
able to prevent more invasive procedures, identify infectious vs.
malignant diseases and non-invasively monitor the treatment for a
mass in the airway of a young woman. Their discovery of the cellular structure of a condition called fibrosis – caused by scarring
of the lungs – led to an invitaDr. Adam Wellikoff
tion for Dr. Wellikoff to present (Left)
shows off “the world’s
his findings to the American Tho- smallest microscope,”
new technology funded
racic Society.
by the LSU Health
As thrilled as he is with Sciences Foundation,
that can spot lung
what has been accomplished changes at the cellular
Goal of NIH Funding Is
Healthy Understanding
of Scientific Terminology
LSU Health Shreveport Professors Terry Davis, PhD, and Connie Arnold, PhD,
are nationally recognized for their expertise in explaining scientific research in terms
non-scientists can understand. Over the next five years they will help scientists from
eight Louisiana institutions translate their research findings into real-world advice about
chronic disease prevention and obesity.
The health literacy experts will receive nearly $1.2 million from a $19.9 million
National Institutes of Health
grant awarded in September. The
funds will be used to establish
the Louisiana Clinical and
Translational Science (LACaTS)
Center, which is expected to ramp
up Louisiana research efforts
and expand clinical trials by
providing centralized resources
and fostering collaboration
among scientists with similar
projects. The initiative is led
by Pennington Biomedical
Research Center, with the goal of
improving the overall health of
Louisiana residents, particularly
the underserved.
Increasing the health underTerry Davis, PhD,
standing of patients is one of six
(left) and Connie
Arnold, PhD
primary goals of the new center.
7980
By the
Numbers
The collective number of years of service for this
year’s 644 Employee Service Award recipients
with the Cellvizio so far, Dr. Wellikoff is even more enthused about
the future. For one thing, LSU Health Shreveport will be among 20
centers in the US to contribute tissue samples to a new lung registry
that could dramatically increase the ability to recognize and treat
lung cancers in the future. Dr. Wellikoff can also visualize the day
when he and other pulmonologists will be able to use the Cellvizio
in combination with the navigational software acquired earlier this
year, along with non-invasive treatment technologies such as cryotherapy and radiotherapy to sample and stage lung cancer in as
little as an hour. Today that process takes as long as six months –
enough time for the cancer to advance considerably.
As LSU Health Shreveport continues to broaden its non-invasive interventional pulmonology program and word gets out about
the new technology, the pulmonologists are looking forward to an
influx of patients from a wide
area. They have already been
able to treat several who had
sought help elsewhere without
success – and that is no small
accomplishment.
level when it is threaded
through a bronchoscope
into the lungs. (Right) Dr.
Bob Holladay, Associate
Professor of Medicine,
and Dr. Wellikoff.
Chancellor’s Corner
Would
you
be
surprised to hear that
LSU Health Shreveport is
among the “most wired”
hospitals in the nation?
It’s true.
Last month, we were
notified by the research
firm HIMSS Analytics that we are among only
391 hospitals in their database of more than 5,300
to reach Stage 6 in the adoption of Electronic
Health Records (EHR). That puts us among the
top 10 percent on their seven-stage progress scale
for converting from paper to electronic medical
records. It’s a big accomplishment.
What is most amazing is how quickly we
have reached such a high level. Our “go live”
date for EHR in Shreveport was just one short
year ago. We made the transformation in one “Big
Bang.” At midnight November 6, 2011, all of our
departments, clinics and nurses’ stations were
using paper charts and at 12:01 am, everything
changed to computer.
Making the transformation was no easy task,
especially for the physicians, nurses and other
frontline staff who were used to the old way.
Peggy Herring, who was the nurse champion for
the project, did an informal poll recently among
her nurses and got a resounding “no” when she
asked if they would like to go back to paper.
They acknowledged that it was difficult at first to
learn the new system, but past the learning curve
and some software bugs, they have found it to be
easier, more convenient and safer for their patients.
Likewise for physicians. “While we have
and continue to face challenges, I think most
physicians see this is the future and realize the
potential benefits,” Dr. Ricky Bass said. Both the
doctors and nurses noted that having patients’
charts always accessible helps them provide
care safely and efficiently – and online records
take away the issue of deciphering hurried
handwriting.
Although we will constantly strive to
improve our Electronic Health Record, it’s nice
to have so much of the hard work behind us. This
month EHR went live at EA Conway and HP
Long hospitals. Now when patients from any one
of our hospitals visit any other hospital or clinic,
their medical records will be a mouse click away.
How’s that for being wired?
Sincerely,
Robert A. Barish, MD MBA, Chancellor
Inside This Issue:
New Pathology Chair..........................................................................page 2
Alumni Gather.....................................................................................page 3
Huey P Long Honored .......................................................................page 3
Cartwheel Over Cancer......................................................................page 6
2 on the Inside
Research Wrap: Head & Neck Cancers and Parkinson’s Disease
Head and Neck Cancers
An LSU Health Shreveport researcher has been awarded an NIH grant of nearly $500 thousand to continue work on her research into a virus that causes development of head and neck cancers, particularly in individuals with HIV. The newest grant will provide for a new collaboration
between scientist Lindsey M. Hutt-Fletcher, PhD, Professor of Microbiology and Immunology,
who studies how Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) gets into human cells and others studying EBV and
the Human Papilloma virus (HPV), which causes cervical cancers.
A common virus carried by all humans, EBV generally is dormant. Most who get infected
do not become ill, though it can cause mononucleosis, Dr. Hutt-Fletcher said. However, in some
individuals it has been shown to cause cancer.
HPV has recently been implicated in an epidemic of tumors in the base of tongue and tonsils. Dr. Hutt-Fletcher and her lab associates have found that some of these tumors also carry
EBV. The researchers speculate that the viruses may actually help each other get into and survive
in cells and then work together to make the infected cells multiply. By understanding the interactions between the viruses and cell proteins that allow a virus to get into cells and make them
develop into tumors, the researchers hope to identify risk factors, markers and potential new
treatments that can target the viruses to prevent tumor growth.
Master of Science in Physician Assistant
graduate Rebecca Arceneaux is all smiles after
the August 11 ceremony at the Shreveport
Convention Center. Sixty-one allied health and
two graduate studies students received diplomas
during commencement.
(National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research of the National Institutes of Health
Award R01DE016669.)
Parkinson’s Disease
A group of LSU Health Shreveport researchers has learned that their work identifying a cellular mechanism that may play a role in Parkinson’s disease will be published in the prestigious
journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). Widely read by researchers
around the world, PNAS Online receives over 21 million hits per month.
The research, funded by the National Institutes of Health, could explain the progressive loss
of dopamine-producing neurons that occurs in Parkinson’s disease. The LSU Health Shreveport
lead investigators are Stephan Witt, PhD, Professor of Biochemistry, and Shaoxiao Wang, PhD,
a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Witt’s lab. Shile Huang, PhD, Associate Professor of Biochemistry,
collaborated.
The findings are the result of work funded by a five-year, $1.4 million grant awarded to Dr.
Witt in 2008.
The mobility problems of Parkinson’s disease result from the death of neurons that generate
dopamine, but the cause of this cell death is unknown. While previous studies have linked a protein in the brain called alpha synuclein to the destruction, the Witt study goes further, suggesting
that as the protein builds up, it disrupts the ability of the neurons to respond to external stresses
Researchers Stephan Witt (left) and Lindsey Hutt-Fletcher
such as oxidants, heavy metals or even heat, as in a fever. This triggers the slow, progressive loss
of the dopamine-producing neurons, the researchers theorize.
A unique aspect of the research was that the scientists used baker’s yeast as a model then
replicated the findings using human cells. Dr. Witt says yeast models are often used in the study
of human genetic diseases because they offer researchers a simple system that allows them to
clarify how genes work. If further studies in animals prove their theory, the findings could lead
to new treatments that could suppress or even prevent Parkinson’s disease.
Pathology Chairman Back
With New Ideas
Life Savers
Raises
Money for
Cancer
Research
About 600 people
came to Feist-Weiller Cancer Center’s internationally themed fundraiser September 29. Food offerings
from around the world,
live performances and a
silent auction were all part
of the night, which raised
approximately $100,000
for in-house cancer research grants.
The “Greatest ENT Dept. in the World” hams it up in front of the photo booth.
Chancellor Robert & Jenny Barish
Feist-Weiller Cancer Center Director Dr. Glenn Mills with his wife, Denise,
and Life Savers Chairmen Drs. Moona and Sudar Tanga.
When Dr. Guillermo Herrera left Shreveport, his
one-of-a-kind home and his position as Chair of the
Department of Pathology for a tempting offer in St.
Louis, it was with mixed feelings. So, when the position became vacant again five-and-a-half years later,
he jumped at the opportunity for a do-over.
“I own a house there and I’m a Tiger fan,” were
his first thoughts. When he met with administrators
and heard their thoughts on the position, his mind was
made up. After all, he had been missing teaching and
research as he had moved into the corporate world
with the laboratory company, Bostwick Labs.
So, Dr. Herrera is back. In Shreveport. In his
one-of-a-kind home. And as Chair of Pathology. He
is excited about his homecoming and the fact that
things are relatively the same as when he left. Shreveport still offers
the same smalltown hospitality.
The home his
wife adored just
needed
some
spruce-up, and
his department is
still “90 percent
the same,” with
more than half of
the same staff.
While he
is happy for the
Guillermo Herrera, MD
constancy, Dr.
Herrera doesn’t
expect to stand still in his renewed role. He is already
making plans to increase his department’s revenue potential by expanding the outreach program he began
the first time around. Contacts he has made in the interim will help in that effort, particularly with his area
of specialty: renal pathology.
He is also proud of the department’s research division, which he considers “truly outstanding,” with
three of the best-funded scientists in the institution.
Growing that area, including his own research associated with myeloma, will be a priority, he said.
View Dr. Herrera’s CV at: http://www.lsuhscshreveport.edu/Pathology/Pathology-GuillermoAHerrera.aspx
November-December 2012
3
Huey P Long Named Top Performer
for Quality of Patient Care
Huey P Long Medical Center is among the top 20% of hospitals in the
nation for their care of pneumonia and surgery patients, based on their scores
on quality measures tracked by the nation’s leading accreditation agency.
The Joint Commission announced that HPL is one of 620 hospitals in the
nation earning the distinction of Top Performers on Key Quality Measures
for attaining and sustaining excellence in patient care. Hospital Administrator
Gary Crockett praised the hospital staff for their dedication to providing quality
healthcare. “We are pleased the efforts are being recognized by The Joint Commission,” he said.
The ratings are based on data reported to The Joint Commission during the
2011 calendar year by more than 3,400 eligible accredited hospitals.
Each of the Top Performers had to achieve a 95 percent for individual
accountability measures. The accountability measures include care measures
which have been shown to improve patient outcomes, such as giving aspirin
at arrival for heart attack patients, giving antibiotics one hour before surgery
and providing a home management plan for children with asthma. A 95 percent
score means a hospital provided the best possible standard of care 95 times out
of 100.
Besides inclusion in The Joint Commission’s publications, the hospital
will be recognized on The Joint Commission’s Quality Check website (www.
qualitycheck.org).
Hot Off the Press
LSU Health Shreveport Neurology Professor Dr.
Alireza Minagar has pulled together a large volume
of information from a select group of scientific articles focusing on neurology and neurosurgery breakthroughs for The Year Book of Neurology and Neurosurgery. Expert evaluations accompany each article
and detail its application to clinicians. “I was honored
to work with some of the finest neurologists and neurosurgeons from around the globe,” Dr. Minagar said
of the process. The book was published by Elsevier.
(Above) Class of 2002
Alumni Weekend Celebration
Medical School Classes of 1982, 1992 & 2002
Return to Shreveport
More than 100 graduates reconnected during alumni reunion
weekend this October. A tour of the medical school with Dr. David DeSha, a favorite professor of many, an opening reception at
the Petroleum Club of Shreveport and a continuing medical education class were among the highlights of the weekend.
(Above) Darien Slaughter, a
1992 graduate, with wife LaNee
Acupuncture Added to Integrative
Oncology Program
Feist-Weiller Cancer Center now has an acupuncturist on staff as part of its
integrative oncology program. Acupuncture is believed to encourage the body
to promote natural healing and improve function. Evidence shows it may lessen
the side effects of chemotherapy. Cancer patients currently under treatment and
in remission stages may be eligible to participate under a doctor’s supervision.
For more information, call Lori Panu at 318.813.1405.
(Above, from left)
2002 graduates Jeff
Gosslee, with wife Kelly,
Chip Roth and Jason
Romero
(Above, from left) Jeff White, Ted Warren, Kerry Anders and
Keith Christy from the Class of 1982
Inside
on the
To submit an article, comment on an article or receive additional
copies, contact:
Sally Croom, Executive Director, Communications & Public Affairs
scroom@lsuhsc.edu
Meg Willett, Public Relations
mwille@lsuhsc.edu
Lory Tubbs, Graphic Design
ltubbs@lsuhsc.edu
On the Inside is a bimonthly publication of LSU Health Shreveport.
Current and past issues of “On the Inside” can be viewed at
lsuhscshreveport.edu>More News>On the Inside
Michelle Basco & Dr. David DeSha from alumni affairs with medical student Jim Rabalais and
Dean Andrew Chesson.
Class Connections
An idea from a medical student is now a reality thanks to the support of an alumnus.
Third-year student Jim Rabalais wanted to create a connection between current students and alumni. With
help from Class of 1981 graduate Dr. Tom Latiolais , the dean’s office and the office of alumni affairs, senior
class composites are now being hung in the medical school.
On the 8th floor, composites can be found for the first graduating class, 1973, through the Class of 1996.
Composites for the Class of 1997 through 2011 will be hung on the 4th floor.
This public document was published at a total cost of $943.99 or about
39 cents per copy. 2400 copies of this public document were published
in this printing at a cost of $943.99. The total cost of all printings of this
document, including reprints is $943.99. This document was published
by LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport to inform the public of
institutional events and accomplishments. This material was printed in
accordance with the standards for printing by state agencies established
pursuant to R.S. 43:31. Printing of this material was purchased in
accordance with the provisions of Title 43 of the Louisiana Revised
Statutes.
November-December 2012
4
Recognitions and Presentations
Awards & Honors
Quyen Chu, MD FACS, Charles Knight Professor in Surgery, Associate
Professor & Division Chief, Department of Surgery: awarded 2013
American College of Surgeons Japan Traveling Fellowship
Roger Kim, MD FACS, Assistant Professor and Head of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of Surgery: inducted, fellow of the American
College of Surgeons
Selena Kremer, Sunyoung Kim, Jenny Jeon, Yara Moustafa
and Apeng Chen, Graduate Students, Department of Biochemistry
& Molecular Biology: co-authors of a paper given the designation of
“special significance” in its field by Faculty of 1000
Randolph Stone II, Graduate Student, Department of Biochemistry &
Molecular Biology, received a pre-doctoral fellowship from the NIH for
“The role of the mitotic spindle protein RHAMM in early stage bladder
cancer.”
Appointments and Elections
Quyen Chu, MD FACS: elected to the Leadership Development Program Selection Committee and the Educational Book Editor Search Task
Force, American Society of Clinical Oncology
James Lu, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Internal
Medicine: appointed to Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committee,
Louisiana Medicaid
Mark Ryan, PharmD, Director of the Louisiana Poison Control Center
and Assistant Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine: elected to
Board of Directors, American Association of Poison Control Centers
Michael Salvatore, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Neuroscience: appointed Handling Editor, Journal
of Neurochemistry
Talicia Tarver, MLIS, Assistant Librarian/Assistant Professor,
Department of Medical Library Science: elected Secretary of the Health
Sciences Library Association of Louisiana
Wayne Zhang, MD, Associate Professor and Vascular Division
Chief, Department of Surgery: elected Associate Editor, Annals of
Vascular Surgery
International Outreach
Sami Bahna, MD, Professor and Chief, Section of Allergy/Immunology: “Should Patients Use Epinephrine Autoinjector at the First Symptom
of Allergic Food Reaction?” and “Exploring Food Allergy: Bench to
Bedside,” European Academy of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Geneva;
“Diagnosis of Allergy to Food Additives,” “Causes of Uncontrolled
Asthma” and “Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis,” Mexican College of Pediatric Immunology & Allergy, Tuxtla
Dixie Jones, MLS, Associate Professor, Department of Medical Library
Science: “MLA Update,” Upstate New York and Ontario Chapter of the
Medical Library Association, Cornwall, Ontario, Canada.
EJ Mayeaux, MD, Professor, Departments of Family Medicine and
Obstetrics & Gynecology: “Gender-Neutral Burden of HPV Disease,”
International Gynecologic Cancer Society, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Presentations
Kenneth Abreo, MD, Professor, Department of Medicine: “Fluoroscopic/Peritoneoscopic Guided PD Catheter Placement: Patient Selection
and Outcomes” and “AV Access Surveillance and Monitoring: What’s
Expected and How’s It Really Being Done in the US?” Annual Controversies in Dialysis Access Meeting, Chicago; “Does Placement of PD
Catheters by Nephrologists Increase PD Prevalence?” American Society
of Nephrology Annual Meeting (ASN), San Diego
Nuri Akkus, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine,
Saurabh Rajpal, MD, Resident, Department of Medicine, Elvis Peter,
MD, Fellow, Department of Medicine, Kenny Newgene, MD, Resident,
Department of Medicine: “Mean Platelet Volume Is Higher in Coronary
Artery Disease Compared to Peripheral Arterial Disease Regardless
of Its Severity,” American College of Physicians (ACP) Mississippi and
Louisiana Chapters Scientific Meeting, Point Clear, AL
Sami Bahna, MD: “Should Peanuts Be Banned In Schools?” “Hypoallergenic Formulas: Choices for Treatment vs. Prevention,” “Why Is This
Child’s Asthma Not Well Controlled?” and “Not Every Food Allergy or
Drug Allergy is Allergy,” American Academy of Pediatrics Practical
Pediatrics Course, Las Vegas
Matthew Clavenna, MD, Resident, and Timothy Lian, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Otolaryngology: “Pharyngeal Horizontal
Closure in Total Laryngectomies,” Annual Meeting of the American
Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS), Washington DC
Montie’ Dobbins, MLIS, General Librarian/Instructor, Department
of Medical Library Science; John Cyrus, MLIS MA; Talicia Tarver,
MLIS; Mararia Adams, MLIS, Associate Librarian/Associate
Professor, Department of Medical Library Science: “The YMCA of NWLA
Project,” South Central Chapter of the Medical Library Association (SCC/
MLA) Annual Meeting, Lubbock, Texas
Andrew Stevenson Joel Chandranesan, MBBS, Andres Vargas,
MD, Resident, Department of Medicine, Madhuchhanda Choudhary,
MD, Nuri Akkus, MD, Joan Blondin, MD: “Hemophilus Parainfluenzae Endocarditis,” ACP MS/LA
Xin Gu, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Pathology: “Anatomic
Pathology, Pathology Immunohistochemistry and Laboratory Medicine”
and “Acantholytic Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Upper Aerodigestive
Tract: Histopathology, Immunohistochemical Profile and Epithelial
Mesenchymal Transition Phenotype Change,” International Conference
on Pathology, Philadelphia
Kunal Suryawala, MD, Resident, Department of Medicine, Stacey
Fulton, MD, Resident, Department of Medicine, Kamran Shahid,
MD, Resident, Department of Medicine, William Kurban, MD,
Resident, Department of Medicine: “Hiding in the Shadows - A Story of
Hepatocellular Carcinoma,” ACP MS/LA
Samina Hayat, MD, Professor, Department of Medicine, Jon
Wilson, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, Sachin
Pai, MD, Resident, Department of Medicine, Madan Acharya, MD,
Resident, Department of Medicine: “Curious Etiology of Rash in HIV
Disease,” ACP MS/LA
Dixie Jones, MLS; Mararia Adams, MLIS; Talicia Tarver, MLIS;
Alejandro Garcia, MBA, Project Manager, Computer Services: “The
Librarian’s Role in Linking Patients to Their Personal Health Data and
Contextual Information,” SCC/MLA
Roger Kim, MD FACS: “From Heartburn to Esophageal Cancer” Ask
the Expert! Feist-Weiller Cancer Center Lecture Series, Shreve Memorial Library
Brian Lawton, MD, Resident, Department of Otolaryngology, Shubhnum Chaudhery, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology
and Cherie-Ann Nathan, MD FACS, Professor & Chair, Department
of Otolaryngology: “Bilateral Water-Clear Cell Double Parathyroid
Adenomas,” AAO-HNS
Blake LeBlanc, MD, Resident, Department of Otolaryngology,
Elizabeth Martin, MD, Resident, Edward Milligan, MD, Assistant
Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, Sherry Ryan, MD, Assistant
Professor, Department of Medicine, Gloria Caldito, PhD, Associate
Professor, Department of Biometry, Cherie-Ann Nathan, MD FACS:
“Thyroid Nodules in a Veterans Affairs Population,” AAO-HNS
Timothy Lian, MD, Frederick Stucker, MD, Professor, Department
of Otolaryngology, and Stewart Little, MD, Assistant Professor,
Department of Otolaryngology: “Geriatric Rhinoplasty,” Annual Meeting
of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery,
Washington DC
David Ludlow, MD, Resident, Department of Otolaryngology and
Timothy Lian, MD: “Wound Healing after Ischemic Injury in a Cutaneous Flap Murine Model,” AAO-HNS
Jerry McLarty, PhD, Professor, Department of Medicine: “Communications Technology,” National Mobile Health Clinics Forum, Charlotte, NC
Srikanth Paladugu, MD, Resident, Department of Medicine, Saurabh Rajpal, MD, Resident, Department of Medicine, Taru Saigal,
MD, Resident, Department of Medicine, Kenneth E. Booth, MD,
Associate Professor, Department of Medicine: “A Curious Case of Symptomatic Hypercalcemia in an HIV Patient,” ACP MS/LA
Jeff Phillips, MD, Resident, Department of Otolaryngology, Kunal
Sonavane, MD, Resident, Department of Otolaryngology, Tara
Moore, Research Lab Manager, Olex Ekshyyan, PhD, Assistant
Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, Fleurette Abreo, MD, Professor, Department of Pathology, and Cherie-Ann Nathan, MD FACS:
“Curcumin Inhibits UV Radiation-Induced Skin Cancer in Vivo,” AAO-HNS
Jeff Phillips, MD, and Cherie-Ann Nathan, MD FACS: “Recurrent
Laryngeal Neurofibroma Unrelated to NF Type 1,” AAO-HNS
Saurabh Rajpal, MD, Abhishek Seth, MD, Resident, Department of
Medicine, Taru Saigal, MD, FA Luaque, MD: “Watershed Infarcts Can a Prescription Cause an Infarction?” ACP MS/LA
Bharat Sachdeva, MD, Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine:
“Peritoneal Dialysis(PD) First/PD as a Bridge,” ASN
Richard Wigle, MD FACS, Associate Professor, Department of Surgery,
Advanced Trauma Life Support Director Course at Ft. Sam, Houston, Texas
Deidra Woodson, MLS, MA, MT (ASCP), General Librarian/Instructor; Dee Jones, MLS, Associate Librarian/Associate Professor; Donna
F. Timm, MLS, Associate Librarian/Associate Professor, Department of
Medical Library Science: “Playing Online Interactive Games for Health
Education: Evaluating Their Effectiveness,” SCC/MLA
Posters
John Cyrus MLIS, MA & Talicia Tarver, MLIS: “So Far So Good: The
First Two Years of an In-Library Editing Service,” SCC/MLA
Jennifer Minadeo, MD, Resident, Scott McRight, MD, Resident,
Department of Medicine, Jennifer Ranz, MD, Resident, Department of
Family Medicine, Armaghan Nemathullah, MD, Resident, Department of Family Medicine, Kevin Cormier, MD, Resident, Department
of Radiology, Corinna Irwin, MD, Resident, Department of Pathology,
Madhu Chhanda Choudhary, MD: “Lingering Shadow from the Past:
Syphilis a Historical Disease in Present Day Louisiana,” ACP MS/LA
Ben Fischer-Valuck, Medical Student: co-presented posters, Multidisciplinary Symposium in Thoracic Oncology, Chicago
Dhaval Patel, Graduate Student, Department of Biochemistry, Yong
Joo Lee, PhD, Fellow, Department of Biochemistry, Tak Yee Aw, PhD,
Professor, Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stephan
Witt, PhD, Professor, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology:
“Deletion of a Gene Involved in Iron Uptake Protects Yeast Cells from
the Parkinson’s Disease-Associated Protein Alpha-Synuclein,” Neuroscience Day, LSU Health Shreveport
Deidra Woodson, MLS MA MT (ASCP): “Changing the Rules in
Cataloguing: From AACR2 to RDA,” SCC/MLA
Publications
Frederico Ampil, MD, Professor, Department of Radiology, Gloria
Caldito, PhD, Benjamin Henderson, MD, Resident, Department of
Surgery, Benjamin Li, MD FACS, Professor and Chairman, Department
of Surgery, Roger Kim, MD FACS, Gary Burton, MD, Professor,
Hematology/Oncology, Quyen Chu, MD FACS: “Carcinoma of the Axillary Tail of Spence: A Case Series,” Anticancer Research
Quyen Chu, MD FACS: “Margin Status Following Lumpectomy: Does
Surgical Method Matter?” Journal of Surgical Research
Jennifer Hamm, MD, Resident, Department of Surgery, Shubnum
Chaudhery, MD, Roger Kim, MD FACS: “Laparoscopic Resection of
Small Bowel Sarcoma,” Surgical Laparoscopy, Endoscopy & Percutaneous
Techniques
Cherie-Ann Nathan, MD FACS: “Microgranular Curcumin Biomarker
in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer,” National Cancer Institute Annual Report on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Research
Kaavya Reddy, MD, Resident, Department of Surgery, Tim Matatov,
MD, Resident, Department of Surgery, Linda Doucet, RN, Department of Surgery, Maureen Heldmann, MD, Professor, Department
of Radiology, Cynthia Zhao, MD, Resident, Department of Pathology,
Wayne Zhang, MD: “Grading System Modification and Management
of Blunt Aortic Injury,” Chinese Medical Journal
Taru Saigal, MD, Saurabh Rajpal, MD, Abhishek Seth, MD,
Ankur Sheth, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine:
“Pseudomelanosis Duodeni - A Benign Coincidence,” ACP MS/LA
Kaavya Reddy, MD, Tim Matatov, MD, Linda Doucet, RN, Cynthia Zhao, MD, Wayne Zhang, MD: “Experience with a Negative
Pressure Incision Management System in Prevention of Groin Wound
Infection in Vascular Surgery Patients,” Journal of Vascular Surgery
Taru Saigal, MD, Saurabh Rajpal, MD, Abhishek Seth, MD, L.
Keith Scott, MD, Professor, Department of Medicine: “Catastrophic
Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome- Catastrophe of a Thrombotic
Storm,” ACP MS/LA
Tze-Woei Tan, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery: coauthored “Shorter Duration of Femoral-Popliteal Bypass is Associated
with Decreased Surgical Site Infection and Shorter Hospital Length of
Stay,” Journal of the American College of Surgeons
Navdeep Samra, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery,
“Role of Hyperbaric Oxygen in Critically Ill Patients,” Trauma/PICU
Grand Rounds, LSU Health Shreveport
Gazi B. Zibari, MD FACS FICS, Professor of Surgery, Malcolm
Feist Chair in Transplantation, Director, Willis-Knighton /LSU Regional
Transplant Center, Department of Surgery: co-authored “Association of
Clinical Events with Everolimus Exposure in Kidney Transplant Patients
Receiving Reduced Cyclosporine,” Clinical Transplantation
Abhishek Seth, MD, Saurabh Rajpal, MD, Taru Saigal, MD,
Shawn Milligan, MD, Professor, Department of Medicine: “Spontaneous Epidural Hematoma-Beware of the Benign Back Pain!” ACP MS/LA
Andrew Stevenson Joel Chandranesan, MBBS, Resident, Department of Medicine, Madhu Chhanda Choudhary, MD, Associate
Professor, Department of Medicine, L. Keith Scott, MD, Joan Blondin, MD, Professor, Department of Medicine: “Varicella Pneumonia in
Pregnancy,” ACP MS/LA
5 on the Inside
New Infant Transporter Dedicated to Sarah Claire Touchstone
On what would have been Sarah Claire’s first birthday, parents Rachel
and Trey Touchstone gathered with family, friends and LSU Health
Shreveport faculty and staff to honor her short life by unveiling a
new infant transporter. The Touchstones worked with the LSU Health
Sciences Foundation to raise approximately $150,000 over the past year to purchase the
new equipment in memory of their daughter, who lived for 36-hours after being delivered by
emergency C-section at the hospital following a car accident.
Neonatal infant transport team members Crystal Fiedler, Ryan Milholen, Mike Reed, Tamara
Prudhomme, Jennifer Anderson, and Laura Duncil with the new infant transporter on LSU Health
Shreveport’s helipad, following the dedication ceremony September 6 with Rachel and Trey
Touchstone (above right).
Remembering Saul Mintz
Saul Mintz was a devoted advocate of EA Conway Medical Center and wise investment advisor on
the LSU Health Sciences Foundation Board for nine
years, but the last thing he expected or wanted was
recognition. When the civic leader, philanthropist
and LSU Health Shreveport supporter died September 15 at the age of 80, he was rightfully celebrated
for his many business and charitable contributions to the Monroe area.
While a director for the foundation, he served on the Investment Committee where he provided invaluable guidance and leadership. During his
service, the foundation’s assets grew from $29 million to $100 million.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the foundation by calling
318.861.0855 or visiting the website, www.lsuhsfoundation.org.
Dr. Zibari Performs First Robotic
Adrenal, Gall Bladder Surgeries
Faculty, Alums Dominate List of Region’s Best
LSU Health Shreveport was well-represented on the annual SB Magazine list of Top
Doctors and Dentists. The magazine published the list in its October issue and more than
half of the doctors had ties to the campus, including 44 current faculty members and 255
medical school graduates and former residents.
The honorees were selected by fellow physicians.
To see the LSU list, go to www.lsuhscshreveport.edu and click on the Top Doctors banner.
New Anatomy Endowment Honors Legends
In more “firsts” for the robotics program at LSU Health Shreveport,
Professor of Surgery Gazi B. Zibari, MD FACS FICS, performed the first
robotic procedure to remove a patient’s adrenal glands as well as the first
robotic gall bladder surgery recently.
Purchased last year by the Foundation, the surgical robot, daVinci, enables surgeons to perform intricate operations through tiny incisions. It has
previously been used by various faculty physicians for urologic and gynecologic procedures as well as head and neck surgeries.
E
xcellence
Outstanding Employees Honored
They are capable, compassionate, caring. Enthusiastic,
responsible, positive, hardworking and dedicated. The “go-to”
person, available to do whatever it takes, always with a smile and
kind word. They are the 15 winners of the 2012 Employee Excellence
Awards and this is how their co-workers and supervisors described
them in glowing comments accompanying their nominations. Each
received a $250 check and trophy from the LSU Health Sciences
Foundation. They are:
Dr. Robert Clawson
EA Conway
Tracey Pace, LPN, Supply Distribution
Christy Lofton, Applications Analyst, Computer Services
Shirley Mims, Management Analyst, Property Control
Huey P Long
Diana McCraw, IT Analyst, Computer Services
Becky Savoy, RN Manager, Outpatient Clinic
LSU Health Shreveport
Vicki Gallagher, Administrative Assistant, Pulmonary/Critical Care
Kristy Grubbs, RN, Labor Unit
Nell Hays, Administrative Coordinator, Medical Library Science
Shontasha Leftridge, RN, Nursing Department
Jim Nelson , Telecommunications Analyst, Shreveport Wireless
Steven McAlister, Manager of Accounting Services
Jena Reed, Administrative Assistant, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Stacey Simpson, Business Manager, Department of Surgery
Earnestine Williams, Nurse Assistant, Surgery Clinic
Tracy Wipf, Clinical Coordinator, LSU Children’s Clinic
Dr. David DeSha
Former students have responded with enthusiastic generosity to support an Endowment for the Advancement of Medical Anatomy Education at LSU Health Shreveport. Since mid-June, gifts of nearly $25,000
have been received in support of the endowment, initiated by the Class
of 73’s Dr. Mark Wicks.
The endowment honors the school’s first anatomy department,
which included Dr. Adrian Reed as chairman, and professors: Dr. Bob
Clawson, Dr. Ron Cowley and Dr. David DeSha. In a letter to them, Dr.
DeSha and Dr. Wicks asked former students to honor the memory of
Dr. Reed and Dr. Clawson “because of their marvelous contributions
in founding the fledgling medical school and the anatomy department.”
Dr. Reed died in 1982. Dr. Clawson retired, but is still teaching
medical students, as is Dr. DeSha.
Dr. DeSha hoped former students would be encouraged to donate
due to their fond memories of their experiences learning from the professors. The endowment will be used for equipment and facilities, as well
as anatomy software.
Gifts are still being accepted, and checks can be sent to LSUHS
Foundation with a notation that they are for the Endowment for Anatomy Education.
Dr. Cherie-Ann
Nathan Wins
Community
Award
Dr. Cherie-Ann Nathan, Professor
and Chairman of the Department
of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck
Surgery, was presented the prestigious ATHENA Award by the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce and the Bossier City Chamber
of Commerce October 18. The ATHENA Award aims to recognize women who excel in their careers
while also giving back to the community. “Dr. Nathan is one of only a few woman ENT chairs in
the country and has a real passion for encouraging other women to enter into scientific fields,” said
Chancellor Robert Barish, pictured (right) with Dr. Nathan and husband Dr. Raghu Nathan at the
awards ceremony. “Dr. Nathan is what we refer to in academic medicine as a triple threat—a clinician, researcher and teacher—and is most deserving of this honor.”
6 on the Inside
PTs Help Patient Prepare
for Journey
I
nstead of working in the School of Allied Health’s Rehab
Faculty Clinic as she would on a typical Monday in October,
physical therapist Amanda Mahoney, DPT, found herself cycling
down Highway 1. Amanda was a part of “Cycling for Independence,” a journey from Bossier City to Baton Rouge to raise
support for a full scale rehabilitation center in the ShreveportBossier area organized by Scott Wells.
It all started in June when Scott, a quadriplegic, came to
Amanda to train for the 250-mile hand cycle. On the second day,
he asked her to participate. Amanda often went on longer bike
rides with Scott on Saturday mornings, in addition to his therapy
sessions. She accompanied him on 3 days of the trip.
“It was very exciting to be a part of,” said Amanda. “It was an
awesome experience for me to personally see our months of training pay off on the road.”
Scott Wells with Dr. Marie
Fellow physical theraVazquez Morgan (left) and
pist Marie Vazquez MorDr. Amanda Mahoney at the
gan, PT PhD, has also been
“Cycling for Independence”
kick-off October 6.
a big supporter of Scott and
serves on the board of his
nonprofit, Independence
Regained.
“I love my therapists
for all that they have done
to help me achieve my goals
for my independence,” said
Scott. “Amanda and Marie
are both top of the line! I
couldn’t have asked for
anyone better.”
Coming Soon!
If you’ve been around third-grader GraceAnne Hodgson for more than 5 minutes,
chances are you’ll see her do a cartwheel. Aside from her love of gymnastics, there are a
few other things to know about GraceAnne: she loves art and science, hates cancer and
is launching a project called “Cartwheel Over Cancer” combining all of these things.
GraceAnne was inspired by the American Girl series. She stayed up late reading
and got up early to finish one of the books where kids were organizing projects to help
fight diseases. On the back of the book she read the “American Girl challenge” to help
people.
GraceAnne didn’t know of many local initiatives where children could get
involved and make a difference against cancer and so chose to partner with
Feist-Weiller Cancer Center at LSU Health Shreveport because it’s one of
only six St. Jude Affiliate Clinics in the country. Specifically, funds raised
will go toward the Arts in Medicine program.
South Highlands Magnet School students have received pledge
cards, and GraceAnne will lead an event November 15 to turn cancer
upside-down one cartwheel at a time. For more information, call Kelly
Hodgson at 318-820-4971.
Two LSU Nurses Among 2012 Great 100 Nurses of Louisiana
Two nurses LSU Medical Center nurses are among the Great 100 Nurses in Louisiana for 2012. Heather Kline, RN,
and Carol Kemp, RN, were nominated for the honor by the same former patient. Both work in the Medical Intensive Care
Unit. Co-workers noted their professionalism and ability to communicate well with patients.
The nurses were honored by the New Orleans-based P.K. Scheerle Great 100 Nurses of Louisiana Foundation for
their contributions to their profession. The foundation was created in 1986 as a support and recognition system for nurses
throughout the state.
Fall 2012
November 10 - Trauma Symposium, 8 am to 5 pm, LSU Health Shreveport Main Auditorium
November 14 - Ask the Expert! Breast Cancer and Nutrition with Dr. Dolly Quispe, 6 pm,
Shreve Memorial Library- Broadmoor Branch
LSU Health Shreveport
1501 Kings Highway • PO Box 33932
Shreveport, LA 71130-3932
Nonprofit Organization
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Shreveport, Louisiana
PERMIT NO. 4
November 17 - Men’s Health Day Seminar & Screening, 9 am to 1:30 pm, Southern Hills
Recreation Center
New Leaders and Faculty
Michelle M. Arnold, PhD, Assistant Professor, Microbiology & Immunology
Maura K. Cosetti, MD, Assistant Professor, Otolaryngology
Guillermo A. Herrera, MD, Chairman, Pathology
Kim Hoo Kim, MD, Assistant Professor, Pathology
Hoa N. Luu, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Anesthesiology
Vikas Mehta, MD, Assistant Professor, Otolaryngology
Navdeep S. Samra, MD, Assistant Professor, Surgery
Grace C. Sun, MD, Assistant Professor, Medicine/Endocrinology
Jiamin Teng, PhD, Assistant Research Professor, Pathology
Elba Turbat-Herrera, MD, Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology
Tze-Woei Tan, MD, Assistant Professor, Surgery
Tess B. VanHoy, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Emergency Medicine