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DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL MEDICINE NEWSLETTER

internalmed.slu.edu

November 2009

SPOTLIGHT ON: Saint Louis University Hospital Caring Physician Awards 2009 Miguel A. Paniagua, MD, assistant professor, Division of Geriatric Medicine, was one of four Saint Louis University physicians who were recognized at the 2009 Caring Physician Awards Interfaith Prayer Service Celebrating the Feast of St. Luke on October 16, 2009. This event is sponsored by the Pastoral Care Department. The criteria for the award is based on the highest ethical standards which include partnership and collaboration with staff and the practice of holistic, innovative and spiritual care. Other nominees from the Department of Internal Medicine included: Erin Bakanas, MD, GIM Jeffery R. Brown, DO, Cardiology Fellow Mary Burton, MD, GI & Hepatology Bishnu P. Devkota, MD, GIM Adrian Di Bisceglie, MD, GI & Hepatology Zainal M. Hussain, MD, Cardiology Fellow Shashi K. Katukoori, MD, IM Resident Ganesh Kudva, MD, Hem/Onc Kevin J. Martin, MD, Nephrology Peter C. Mikolajczak, MD, Cardiology Thomas J. Olsen, MD, GIM Seth J. Page, MD, Hem/Onc Resident Bryan D. Piotrowski, MD, Cardiology Fellow Health Care Hero Awards The St. Louis Business Journal accepts nominations for its annual Health Care Heroes awards and selects 20 people to recognize. These high achievers are our citys leaders in health care and medicine. They go

above and beyond the high demands expected of a doctor, nurse or other health care provider. This year, Robert Belshe, MD, professor and Director of the Division of Infectious Diseases, was recognized as a Lifetime Achievement Winner. Last year, Raymond Slavin, MD, won. Bruce R. Bacon, MD, professor and Director of the Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, was also recognized as a physician finalist for his dedication to treating patients with liver disease and ground-breaking research. SLUStars The Department of Internal Medicine is pleased to announce that two staff members were recognized as SLUStars during the ceremony held on November 19, 2009 at the Bannister House where Fr. Biondi was present together with Ken Fleischmann, VP of Human Resources. Florence (Flo) Jeffreys, nurse practitioner, Division of Cardiology, provides substantial medical care and offers critical services for the cardiology patients at the SLUCare, University Club Towers location. She consistently exemplifies a commitment to her patients and their families and embodies what it means to be in service to others. Carol Stengel, administrative secretary, Division of Gastroenterology, treats patients with respect and follows-up with phone calls making sure their needs have been met. Carol recently came up with the fundraising activity of the Liver River Lucky Ducky Derby (see below). The race raised over $1,500 with all of the proceeds staying at the University helping to promote education and research in liver diseases.

DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL MEDICINE NEWSLETTER

internalmed.slu.edu

November 2009

Charity Hockey Game The Division of cardiology in conjunction with the Saint Louis Emergency Nurses Association, the Saint Louis Bandits junior hockey league team, the Saint Louis Blues Alumni, and Saint Louis University Hospital held a charity hockey game at Scottrade Center on November 20th. The event served two purposes: to raise money and awareness for lifesaving equipment for the City of St. Louis EMS units and to honor EMS paramedics who have contributed to helping many in St. Louis get prompt treatment for a heart attack. The event was able to raise $50,000 to kick off a fundraising campaign to provide the City of St. Louis EMS units with 12-lead EKG equipment that can also wirelessly transmit to any hospital. In order for us to be able to get this equipment for all of the Citys units, a total of $325,000 is needed.

fusion therapy in the catheterization lab. The City EMS units currently have only a limited ability to perform an EKG and do not have any capability of transmitting this information to any of the hospitals in the city. New Faculty Iliana S. Bouneva, MD, joined the faculty of Saint Louis University School of Medicine in November of 2009. Dr. Bouneva comes to us from Duke University and has also worked at the University of Kentucky. Her clinical and research interests are mainly in the area of hepatology, including end-stage liver disease, liver cancer and liver transplantation. She is actively involved in the Saint Louis University Liver Transplant Program. Dr. Bouneva has extensive experience in general gastroenterology and hepatology, including performing a wide range of routine endoscopic procedures and liver biopsies. We welcome Dr. Bouneva to our division and to the Department of Internal Medicine. Gerald M. Mahon, MD, the Division of Geriatric Medicine is pleased to announce the return of Dr. Gerald M. Mahon. Dr. Mahon rejoined the faculty of Saint Louis University School of Medicine in November of 2009. Dr. Mahon was a faculty member from 1989 through 1991 before leaving to go into private practice. Dr. Mahon will be seeing inpatients at Saint Louis University Hospital, Des Peres Hospital ACE (acute care for the elderly) Unit and in our Des Peres Senior Care Outpatient Clinic.

Pictured: Dr. Michael Lim with the Saint Louis Blues Alumni (including Dr. Mark Varvares), Helen Sandkuhl form the Emergency Department, Laura Keller from SLUH marketing, and St. Louis City EMS Chief Yancy.

Pre-hospital EKGs have been shown to contribute significantly to an overall decrease in the time it takes to provide patients with STsegment elevation myocardial infarctions reper-

DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL MEDICINE NEWSLETTER

internalmed.slu.edu

November 2009

Presentations Bernard R. Chaitman, MD, professor, Division of Cardiology, presented a Late-Breaking abstract on results of the BARI 2D study at the American Heart Associations Scientific Sessions on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. The paper was published online simultaneously with the presentation. Chaitman BR, Adler D, Gebhart S, Grogan M, Hardison RM, Oscampo S, Ramires JA, Schneider D, Sopko G. Prompt coronary revascularization reduces non-fatal myocardialinfarction inpatients with type II diabetes and more extensive vascular disease: results from the BARI2D. (Circulation 2009: published online before print November 17, 2009, 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA. 109.913111) Dr. Chaitman coauthored a second abstract accepted as a Late-Breaking Clinical Trial presentation: Carson JL, Terrin ML, Chaitman BR, Magaziner J, Sanders D. Impact of transfusion triggers on postoperative myocardial infarction or death. Accepted for Late-Breaking session at the American Heart Associations Scientific Sessions, November 16, 2009, Orlando, Florida. Dr. Chaitman participated as an invited guest lecturer for the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions Symposium entitled Chronic Stable Angina: Home/Self Care and presented on Pharmacology Therapy. He also participated in the symposium entitled, Symposium Optimizing Outcomes in Ischemic Heart Disease Management: Issues and Answers and presented on the topics of Stable Ischemic Heart Disease Downstream

Consequences of Oxygen Suply-Demand Imbalance and How Do Newer Antianginal Therapies Fit into the Treatment Paradigm? Denim & Diamonds 7 On Saturday, September 26, 2009 Naomi Judd returned as the Inspirational Speaker for Denim & Diamonds 7 at the Westport Sheraton Lakeside Chalet. Naomis presentation highlighted her personal journey after being diagnosed with hepatitis C. She gave thanks to Dr. Bruce R. Bacon, professor and Director of the Division of Gastroenterology, and the Saint Louis University Liver Center staff for the care that she received and credits her cure to the treatment she received at the Saint Louis University Louis University Liver Center. More than 300 guests and 44 volunteers came together for a fun-filled night of dinner, dancing, and a silent and live auction. Many of the Liver Center Faculty were present to enjoy the festivities and to support this years event. Over $265,000 was raised to help support education and research in liver diseases. New Research Grants Awarded Alex Befeler, MD, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, $32,853 from Mayo Clinic / NIDDK for Multicentered Randomized Trial of High-Dose Urso in PSC. Frank Burton, MD, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, $15,635 from the University of

DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL MEDICINE NEWSLETTER

internalmed.slu.edu

November 2009

Pittsburgh / NIDDK for NAPS2 Continuation Genome Wide Association Study. Sharon Frey, MD, Infectious Diseases, $112,998 from Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center for HIV Vaccine Trials PIF Funding. Charlene Prather, MD, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, $87,625 from Mayo Clinic / NIDDK for Antidepressant Therapy for Functional Dyspepsia. Hans-Joachim Reimers, MD, Hematology and Oncology, $39,000 from The Childrens Mercy Hospital / CDC for Prevention of the Complications of Hemophilia Through HCTS (Children) and $39,000 from The Childrens Mercy Hospital / MCHB for Great Plains Regional Comprehensive Hemophilia Program (Adult). Gul Shah, PhD, Endocrinology, has been awarded a Seed Grant from the Dean of the Medical School in the amount of $25,000 for one year. Marcia Sokol-Anderson, MD, Infectious Diseases, $21,000 from Washington University / HRSA for Ryan White Part C Outpatient Early Intervention Services Program and $37,949 from Washington University / HRSA for Grants for Coordinated Services and Access to Research for Women, Infants, Children and Youth. Division of Rheumatology News The Division of Rheumatology received the Research and Education Foundation Fellowship Award for being one of the top 25 Rheumatology Fellowship Programs from the American College of Rheumatology.

Michael Ombrello, MD, former Rheumatology subspecialty resident, received the "Distinguished Fellows Award" from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) for the year 2008-2009. Dr. Ombrello also received the "2008-2009 Pediatric Rheumatology Research Fellowship Award" given to the most outstanding pediatric rheumatology research project from the ACR. Newest Patient Advocate Sadie, a very affectionate yellow lab (shown here on graduation day) is specially trained for pet therapy visits. She accompanies Carole Moore, wife of Terry Moore, MD, on visits to SLUH.

Liver River Lucky Duck Derby The first annual Liver River Lucky Ducky Derby was held on Friday, October 16, 2009. Three hundred ducks raced down the stream in front of the Doisy Research Building and no one was left behind.

DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL MEDICINE NEWSLETTER

internalmed.slu.edu

November 2009

Stay tuned for informtion regarding next years event when the goal is to race 1,000 of our lucky duckies. Congratulations to the First Annual Liver River Lucky Ducky Derby winners: 1st Place - Barbara Ulmasov, PhD 2nd Place - Andrea Morris 3rd Place - Jennifer LaBundy, MD 4th Place - Tracy Burnau 5th Place - Lisa Baseel 6th Place - Vanita Talkad CLINICAL TICKER:
PRACTICE LOCATION FY 08 YTD BILLED AMB ENCs 2,979 247 951 16,411 0 84 538 5,062 2,318 3,566 2,588 34,744 FY 09 YTD BILLED AMB ENCs 3,546 241 1,842 17,382 0 92 610 4,785 2,201 3,587 2,884 37,170 107.0%

DATES OF NOTE: December 18, 2009, Semi-Annual Faculty Meeting, 7:30 am, LRC Auditorium. February 18, 2010, Faculty Retreat, 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm, location to be determined. WEBSITE: Access the Department of Internal Medicine website at http://internalmed.slu.edu.
INFORMATION FOR NEXT NEWSLETTER:

CANCER CENTER CARDINAL GLENNON DES PERES DOB MIDWEST ENDOSCOPY OP CATH LAB SLEEP DISORDERS CENTER SLUH SNF/NF/CC/HOSPICE UNIVERSITY CLUB TOWER OTHER GRAND TOTAL FY 09 / FY 08 YTD AMB ENCs

If you have any news, grants, notices, achievements that you would like to be included in the next newsletter or if you think something important was missed, please let Camille Goff know at goffcj@slu.edu .

Editor Adrian M. Di Bisceglie, MD, FACP Professor of Internal Medicine Chairman