Vital Signs, Spring 2004

ITAL SIGNSVWRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

SPRING 2004—VOLUME 28, NUMBER 1

ITAL SIGNSV

2 | VITAL SIGNS SPRING 2004

Dean Howard Part, M.D.

Innovative and dynamic are words I like

to use to describe Wright State Univer-

sity School of Medicine.

Those concepts are clearly

reflected in a unique partnership between

the nationally recognized Theatre Arts

Department at Wright State and our

school. Two renowned filmmakers are

helping develop medical education

modules, using footage from their

documentary on childhood cancer. Over

five years in the making, the documentary has provided a wealth of

material for discussion in our Social and Ethical Issues in Medicine

Courses and has potential for health care professions education

nationally.

Other stories in this issue reflect those themes as well. The

use of technology is making dynamic changes in medical education,

and our clinical departments are embracing technological innovations

for both residents and medical students. Unique interventions in the

treatment of childhood obesity are on the forefront of patient care,

and the community-based organization of the Academy of Medicine

looks toward the future after more than 25 years of service.

Innovative and dynamic portray key characteristics that allow

the School of Medicine to establish and maintain beneficial

partnerships and to quickly adapt to external and internal needs. As

the school continues to advance and grow, those characteristics

provide a steadfast foundation.

Sincerely,

Howard M. Part, M.D.,

Dean

About the Covers

Front:Filmmakers JuliaReichert and SteveBognar are workingwith Mary White,Ph.D. (R), director ofthe Division ofMedical Humanities,to develop medicaleducation modulesusing footage from adocumentary onchildhood cancer. Inthe background isJustin, one of thechildren featured inthe modules.

Back:Al, diagnosed withnon-Hodgkin’slymphoma, and hismother are anintegral part of thedocumentary, whichfollows five familiesand their health careteams for years.

Dean’s Message

VITAL SIGNS SPRING 2004 | 3

FeatureFate Forms Unique Alliance:Theatre and Medicine

pages 2–5

EducationMedicine’s PeripheralBrain

pages 6–7

ResearchClinic ConfrontsChildhood Obesity Epidemic

pages 8–9

Service andCommunityThe Academy of Medicine:Envisioning the Future

pages 10–11

DepartmentsAdvancement and

Alumnipages 12–13

Class Reunionpage 14

Class Notespage 15

Alumni Profilespages 16–17

Match Daypages 18–19

New Facespage 20

Of Primary Interestpages 20–24

ContentsContents


Fate Forms Unique Alliance:Theatre and Medicine

A phone call “out of the

blue” changed everything

for nationally renowned

filmmakers Julia Reichert and

Steve Bognar. The end results

include a PBS documentary on

childhood cancer and curriculum

modules for medical education at

Wright State’s School of Medicine.

In 1996, Julia Reichert’s

teenage daughter had just com-

pleted a yearlong treatment for

cancer. She was in remission, and

life was getting back to “normal.”

The phone call was from the chief

of hematology/oncology at Cincin-

nati Children’s Hospital Medical

I have found power in

the mysteries of thought,

exaltation in the

changing of the Muses;

I have been versed in the

reasonings of men;

but Fate is stronger than

anything I have known.

—Euripides

(484–406 B.C.)

Center. He proposed a documentary

on childhood cancer, envisioning a

film that would follow children for

several years with the story unfold-

ing chronologically.

“What a huge coincidence,”

says Ms. Reichert, professor of

motion pictures and community

health at Wright State. “Childhood

cancer is relatively rare—12,400

children are diagnosed every year

in the United States. How likely is

it that this doctor is going to pick

up the phone and call filmmakers

he doesn’t know to make a film on

childhood cancer? It was a fated

call.”

“We were interested in the human journey and how families

face this crisis, how families get over the hurdles. Cancer is a

life-changing experience.”

Alexandra Tim Justin Jennifer Al



Their first reaction, though, was

not positive. “It was the worst year

of our entire lives,” says Ms.

Reichert. “Getting her through

cancer treatment, fearful all of the

time, and the terrible side effects.

But we quickly realized that this

subject would be an amazing story.

We were interested in the human

journey and how families face this

crisis, how families get over the

hurdles. Cancer is a life-changing

experience.”

Filming began in July 1997,

and the duo have logged almost 500

hours of footage that follows the

journey of five young people with

cancer, their families, and their

health care providers. “We followed

them through their care both at

home and at the hospital,” says Mr.

Bognar. “Our motivation, and that

of the families who agreed to be

filmed, was to tell a story that really

hasn’t been told, and to tell it in

great depth and intimacy. But I

don’t think that we could have done

it justice if we hadn’t been on the

inside for a while ourselves.”

As part of the editing process,

the filmmakers often invite friends

in to view footage and provide

feedback. One “fateful” day they

invited a neighbor, Mary T. White,

Ph.D., associate professor of

community health, unaware that she

taught medical ethics at Wright

State’s medical school. As director

of the Division of Medical Humani-

ties, Dr. White clearly saw the

potential of this film. The footage

depicted numerous ethical dilem-

mas, such as competence, end-of-

life choices, provider/patient

relationships, and interpersonal

communication.

“This footage offers a powerful alternative to

traditional teaching methods.”

“What we try to do in ethics is

raise students’ awareness,” says Dr.

White. “We’re trying to teach

students how to see, how to read

people, and appropriately interpret

conversations. We are constantly

trying to find more engaging, more

thought-provoking ways to develop

this awareness. This footage offers

a powerful alternative to traditional

teaching methods.”

With assistance from the

Arnold P. Gold Foundation and the

Levin Family Foundation, selected

footage has already been developed

into teaching modules on several

topics, such as communication,

end-of-life care, and competence.

One such module focuses upon

Justin, a veteran cancer patient who

was diagnosed with leukemia 10

years ago at the age of nine. After

recovering from several relapses of

leukemia and a devastating stroke,

Justin and his family are in crisis.

As Justin undergoes an experimen-

tal protocol with serious side

effects, the family struggles to

Justin (R) with his mother,who, for the past 10 years,has dedicated herself toher son’s care.



remain both positive and realistic as

Justin’s health quickly declines. The

filmmakers’ module encourages

discussion on how cancer affects

families and examines quality of

life—and death—issues.

“They’re both great teachers,”

says Dr. White of the filmmakers.

“They engage us in the film, and

they draw out students’ responses

very well, which enriches what we,

the lecturers, say.”

In December, the first-year

course, Social and Ethical Issues in

Medicine, used some film footage

to explore issues of competence,

medical decision-making, and

patient/physician communication.

The story of Tim, a slim 15-year-

old with Hodgkin’s disease, unfolds

in three short clips shot over a year-

plus time frame. The first clip

introduces Tim, his mother, and

primary nurse at a time when Tim is

feeling good and actively question-

ing the need for treatment by

flushing his medication down the

toilet. The second clip presents an

uncomfortable medical intervention

designed to help stem Tim’s weight

loss; the third shows a serious

discussion between Tim and his

physician about his treatment

options. The carefully edited clips

endear Tim to a roomful of medical

students, and the issues he faces

frame the discussion. In March,

film footage involving end-of-life

care provided the basis for the final

exam for the Social and Ethical

Issues in Medicine Course.

Tim’s story is of a bright,curious young manwhose future is thrownfar off course by a varietyof factors, includingcancer.

Jennifer is diagnosedwith leukemia at age 7.Quiet by nature, she hastrouble adjusting toschool and her ownfragility. By age 12, Jen hasbecome resilient,compassionate ... and therival of her older sister onthe basketball court.

Some medical students, though,

have had a much closer relationship

with the film. Midway through her

first year of medical school,

Rebecca Podurgiel, M.D. (’03),

began to serve as a logger and

researcher. A logger reviews

footage and provides a nutshell

description of people, places, and

events, and a researcher provides

factual information that comple-

ments the footage. Dr. Podurgiel, a

master’s-level social worker before

medical school, was hooked.

Although she did get summer

elective credit for her efforts, most

of her hours with the film became a

labor of love that didn’t end until

she entered an out-of-state resi-

dency.

“I could see how I could

integrate my training as a social

worker with my training as a

physician,” she says. “With my

background in mental health and

substance abuse, I understood how

environment influenced what I saw

unfolding. I could see the subtlety

of communication.” Ms. Reichert

refers to Dr. Podurgiel as “the

model.” “Rebecca noticed things

like family dynamics and patient/

physician relationships, and she

understood the more technical side

of the medical procedures. Also,

she did a vast amount of research

for the film, obtaining statistics and

other information we needed.”

Since then, several other

medical students have become

involved with the film. Rama



Chandrashekaran, Class of 2004,

watched early clips in her ethics

class. She was considering a career

in pediatric oncology, but had not

yet accrued much clinical experi-

ence. She knew working on the film

would be a good opportunity to

observe her chosen field. Rama

spent an elective logging footage

and helping to identify powerful

scenes to be considered for inclu-

sion in the film. The work strength-

ened her resolve to pursue her

specialty; she has since performed

an “away” rotation in hematology

and oncology at Cincinnati

Children’s Hospital Medical

Center, where the footage was

filmed. “It humbles you,” says

Rama. “It shows what you can and

cannot expect from medicine.”

Citing the dedication of the film-

makers and their personal experi-

ences with childhood cancer, she

adds firmly: “You can trust them to

bring out the best in a topic.”

Matt Ohr, also of the Class of

2004, came to the project with a

background and interest in film-

making. During his elective, the

filmmakers were developing study

modules for ethics classes. He was

impressed by their editing choices.

“They approach it from a very

interesting perspective, and they’re

very fair in what they show and

don’t show.”

Kristen Beck and Kate

Conway, both from the Class of

2005, also volunteered to work on

the film. Kate was drawn to the

Alexandra (L) wasdiagnosed with leukemiaat age 4, and by age 7, shehas undergone severalprotocols for her highlyresistant disease.

Al was critically ill uponadmittance to thehospital, diagnosed witha tumor that almostsuffocated him. As themonths pass, he doeswell in treatment andhandles side effects withincreasing maturity.

science in it, and to scenes where

doctors communicate among

themselves and with the patients.

She says there is no substitute for

seeing scenes from real life—“We

practice among ourselves, watch

videos, and act out scripts, but

about the closest we came was in

‘Bad News’ (a simulated patient

scenario). To be able to step back

and see the human side is so

helpful. This movie is going to be

very powerful and I’m excited and

grateful to be a part of it.” From the

Class of 2007, Phoebe Abraham

and Elizabeth McIlduff will be

helping with this project.

In addition to an envisioned

series of teaching modules, PBS

will share the stories of these five

children, their families, and their

health care providers in a three-part

series, A Lion in the House, in the

fall of 2005. Mr. Bognar hopes the

series will spark “the energy and

the empathy to motivate you to

learn more or do more or do

something in support of families

fighting cancer and the organiza-

tions who help in the fight.” And

fate? He says, “If you believe in

fate, you’d have to say that there

were machinations going on

upstairs.”

—Judith Engle and Sue Rytel

“This movie is going to be very powerful and I’m

excited and grateful to be a part of it.”



Medicine’sPeripheral BrainMedicine’sPeripheral Brain

The pockets of a physician’swhite coat are no longer stuffed andweighted down with small well-used notebooks holding handwrit-ten formulas, pharmaceutical notes,or reference materials. Instead, onepocket is lightly filled with apersonal digital assistant (PDA).The evolution of technology ischanging the way physicians andmedical students acquire and usemedical information. The PDA,with its compact size and technicalcapability, is one revolutionary toolfor practicing medicine.

Barbara Schuster, M.D., chairand professor of internal medicine,

has helped promote and establishthe use of PDAs within thedepartment’s residency program.Residents use a PDA for fasterdrug, dosage, and interactionreferences. “Through the support ofDAGMEC (Dayton Area GraduateMedical Education Consortium),residents also use the device fordownloading schedules andaccessing assigned curricula for aparticular month and location,”Dr. Schuster explains. “This is amanagement tool that is both timesaving and accurate for ensuringadherence to the resident require-ments set forth by the Accreditation

Council for Graduate MedicalEducation.”

With hospitals around thecountry slowly updating computersystems to include wireless net-works, handheld technology will bean integral part of the patient/doctor/information connection. Inhospitals that have gone wireless,physicians and residents usehandhelds and passcodes to accesspatient information, includingcurrent labs, x-rays, and other vitalinformation about the patient’shealth care. “Although with HIPAAregulations there are some concernsabout using this technology,” Dr.Schuster notes, “through the use ofaccess codes and secure dedicatedservers, the wireless means ofpatient information access isprobably more secure and privatethan the use of paper documenta-tion that is normally passed hand tohand.”

Steven Burdette, M.D. (’00),Infectious Disease Fellow andinstructor for the Department ofInternal Medicine, splurged on hisfirst Palm Pilot as a fourth-yearmedical student working at GreeneMemorial Hospital alongsideemergency medicine and intensivecare physician Dr. Timothy Janz.He saw firsthand the potential of aPDA, and he hasn’t looked back.Now on his 10th version, hisnewest PDA, with a 400-megahertzprocessor and 64 megabytes ofmemory, is nearly as powerful as apersonal computer. For the pastseveral years, Dr. Burdette has beeninvolved in educating other physi-cians and medical personnel aroundthe state and country on the use andpotential of PDA technology. “APDA’s use is limited only bymemory, battery life, and, formedical students, probably theDr. Barbara Schuster downloads vital information to her PDA.

“The wireless means of patient information accessis probably more secure and private than the use ofpaper documentation that is normally passed handto hand.”


cost,” says Dr. Burdette.“The programs andreference materialsavailable for purchaseand download to a PDA,especially for the variousmedical specialties, arewonderful time andspace-saving tools forphysicians.”

James E. Brown,M.D., assistant professorand director of theEmergency MedicineResidency Program, saysthe Department ofEmergency Medicine hasused handheld technol-ogy for more than fiveyears and is using it moreextensively all the time.Dr. Brown, along withRobert Spence, M.D., a2003 graduate from theresidency program, wroteand published a customPDA program targetedfor emergency medicine that tracksprocedures performed by a residentduring emergency patient care. Thiscaptured data is downloaded to adatabase and tracked, providingneeded documentation for eachresident to meet the residencyprogram’s requirements. Anotherprogram written by Dr. Spence,titled “Palm PEP,” was supportedthrough a grant from the Centersfor Disease Control. This PDA-based program provides a way for aphysician to determine whattreatment a health care workerstuck with a needle requires. Thisinformation can also be down-loaded and tracked nationwide.

Dr. Brown states, “The poten-tial for use of PDA interconnectiv-ity in the near future will includeordering tests for patients, physical

Dr. Steven Burdette, using his PDA, shares essentialinformation with his patient.

potential to assist in datamanagement, and saysthat ideas for moreinterface options arebeing developed for ourmedical students for useat both hospital andoutpatient sites.

Today’s technologyhas increased the accessto and improved thespeed of exchange ofinformation betweenphysicians and theirpatients. From Dr.Schuster’s perspective,technology and its useshave both good and badfacets. “With all thattechnology, e-mail, cellphones, computers, andPDAs provide,” she says,“there is nothing that canreplace the one-on-one,face-to-face, personalexchange between a

physician and patient.Seeing those visual cues and cluesthat are key to a patient’s well-being cannot be replaced.”

—Nancy Harker

PDA Sites recommendedinclude:

www2.epocrates.comwww.studentdoctor.netwww.medicalmnemonics.comwww.suim.org/pda

and history information available ata glance, and seeing who the nextpatient will be on a resident’sschedule.” He says, “The portabil-ity, backup ability, and minimiza-tion of error makes this technologyvery integral for what our residentsdo. It would be difficult to functionnow without it.”

PDAs are now a common toolfor medical students as well. JohnWest has used a handheld for morethan eight years. As a first-yearmedical student, he uses his PDAprimarily to keep track of hisstudent schedule, addresses, andto-do list. Dean Parmelee, M.D.,associate dean for academic affairsstates, “I think the greatest use forPDAs in medical school at this timeis for the third and fourth yearstudents.” He sees the tremendous



Clinic Confronts Childhood Obesity

Prevalence of overweight among children and adolescents

ages 6-19 years, 1971-2000

0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

12%

14%

16%

18%

20%

1971

1973

1975

1977

1979

1981

1983

1985

1987

1989

1991

1993

1995

1997

1999

Perc

ent

overw

eig

ht

6-11 Years 12-17 Years

Expon. (6-11 Years) Expon. (12-17 Years)

Source: National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys(NHANES) of 1971–74, 1976–80, 1988–94—known as NHANES I,II, and III respectively—and 1999–2000. The survey has beenconducted periodically by the National Center for Health Statistics,part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Beginningin 1999, data has been collected on an ongoing basis.

Andy was drowsy and unresponsive on arrival atThe Children’s Medical Center (CMC) ER. The5-year-old had been referred by his school after

he lost consciousness and his lips turned blue. Just fourfeet tall, he weighed 136 pounds and had a history ofwaking at night to raid the refrigerator. Although hisEKG and echocardiogram were normal, his bloodpressure was 126/80 and the oxygen level in his bloodwas dangerously low.

Andy was diagnosed with life-threatening obstruc-tive sleep apnea and admitted to the hospital’s inpatientweight management program directed by DanielPreud’Homme, M.D., C.N.S., associate professor ofpediatrics and director of CMC’s lipid clinic. Andy hadhis adenoids and tonsils removed, lost 18 pounds, andwas sent home 24 days later with a Continuous Posi-tive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device (a mask usedduring sleep that fits over the mouth and nose to keepthe airway open). Additional weight loss supervised bythe clinic allowed him to discontinue CPAP four weeksafter discharge.

Once rare, childhood obesity has increased at analarming rate in recent years, Dr. Preud’Homme says.“It has reached epidemic proportions among all ages andacross ethnic lines. Although we see children with arange of lipid problems in our clinic, probably 90 to 95percent also are severely obese.”

Since 2002, Dr. Preud’Homme has admitted 38children between the ages of 4 and 17 to CMC’s inpa-tient weight loss program. Their vital functions must beclosely monitored during the initial phase of treatmentbecause they face life-threatening complications relatedto obesity. The average patient stays for two weeks andloses about 5 percent of his or her weight. With contin-ued treatment, most were able to discontinue medica-tions and supportive therapy for other conditions likehypertension and apnea.

The 1999–2000 National Health and NutritionExamination Survey conducted by the Centers forDisease Control and Prevention found that 15 percent ofyouth ages 6 to 19 are overweight and more than 10percent of those between 2 and 5 are overweight. TheCDC considers a child overweight if he or she has abody mass index (BMI) above the 95th percentile on the2000 CDC Growth Charts. The survey also foundanother 15 percent of children at risk of becomingoverweight.

In the cholesterol program he started at Children’sin 1993, Dr. Preud’Homme primarily treated childrenwith unusual genetic lipid disorders. Things began tochange about four or five years ago. “I started seeingchildren with very high triglyceride levels. Quite a fewhad type 4 hyperlipidemia, a lipid disorder seen inmetabolic syndrome. I was quite surprised.”

Obese children are at risk of type 2 diabetes, hyper-tension, asthma, liver and kidney diseases, attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder, scoliosis, and a variety ofother physical and behavioral problems. Social isolationand depression due to bullying are common.

“Soon I realized that as many as 50 percent of ourpatients had this. I started to see it in children as youngas 4 years old. I knew if they could lose weight, theycould improve some of this comorbidity. But, I felt thatjust sending them home, saying ‘exercise 30 minutes aday and eat this diet,’ wasn’t going to do it. That’s whenI decided to start the lipid clinic.”

The clinic saw about 450 different patients in 2002and close to 800 in 2003. “For 2004, it looks like it’sgoing to be more than a 1,000. And, this is all withoutany form of advertising.”

Clinic Confronts Childhood Obesity


Epidemic WSU Researchers ProvideUnique Obesity Resource

The Fels Longitudinal Study, housed withinWright State’s Lifespan Health Research Center(LHRC), provides a unique resource for trackingobesity from childhood to adulthood. Using Fels data,LHRC researchers have determined that adult obesitytracks from two critical periods in childhood.

“This is vital information,” says Dr. Shumei Sun,professor of community health. “We have not beenvery successful at reducing obesity in adults. Adultoverweight should be prevented early when it starts todevelop in childhood.”

Between the ages of 4 and 8, children are at theirleanest, with a low BMI. Being overweight during thistime tracks directly into adulthood with an increasedpercentage of total body fat. And, the earlier a childbegins to add fat during these years, the more likelyhe or she is to have weight problems as an adult. Thesame tracking occurs for girls in another criticalperiod—adolescence—says Dr. Sun, who served onthe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention panelthat developed new growth charts incorporating BMIinformation in 2000.

The Fels Study is the world’s largest and longestrunning study on human growth, body composition,and risk factors for heart disease. Fels researchershave been involved with the internationally distributedgrowth charts since the first ones were produced in1977. Since then, the charts have become a standardreference for both pediatricians and parents.

The CMC Lipid Clinic team includes a nutritionist, nurse diabetic specialist,social worker, and a resource nurse. (From left) Theresa Taylor, Dana Kitchin,Deanna Mayes, Trina Rushing, Christie Bernard, Dr. Daniel Preud’Homme, andMyrna Miller. Photo by Tom Suttman courtesy of The Children’s Medical Center.

Although he doesn’t advertise, Dr. Preud’Hommedoes want to spread the word among primary carephysicians to be alert for early signs of weight prob-lems in children. To that end, he has developed anutrition course for first-year medical students, madepresentations to internal medicine and family practiceresidents on type 2 diabetes in childhood, and workswith pediatric residents in the clinic.

“You must bring in all the

institutions involved in rearing the

children to address obesity.”

The clinic team evaluates each child’s cardiovascu-lar, gastrointestinal, metabolic, and exercise tolerancestatus. They develop diet, exercise, and lifestyle plansgeared to the child’s age, physical capabilities, andsocioeconomic conditions. “We look into the familyand the community for resources. You must bring in allthe institutions involved in rearing the children toaddress obesity,” Dr. Preud’Homme points out.

He’s been especially pleased with the cooperationof most schools, recreation centers, and other commu-nity programs in response to the children’s needs. “TheYMCA offered scholarships so children of any age canuse their treadmills with a prescription. I wrote a notefor a 12-year-old asking if she could to go to WeightWatchers with her mom, and they agreed.”

Maintaining a positive attitude is the key to treat-ing children with such seemingly intractable problems,he says. “It’s only human torelapse. We never judge. We nevercondemn or get upset with thechildren or their families. Wealways try to provide a positiverestructuring.”

If a child is happy, healthy, andachieving many of his or her goals,Dr. Preud’Homme says the child issucceeding. “We see a lot ofsuccess.”

—Robin Suits

Editor’s note:Andy’s story was first published byThe Children’s Medical Center in itsPediatric Clips series on its Web site.


Epidemic


The Wright State UniversityAcademy of Medicine wasfounded in 1977 by the founding

dean and four community physicians andhas grown steadily since its inception. Nowthe board of the Academy is makingchanges to usher the organization into anew era.

The traditional role of the Academy hasbeen to provide low-cost loans and torecognize student and faculty achieve-ments, according to Glenn Hamilton, M.D.,current chair of the Academy’s board oftrustees. Through membership, the Acad-emy has circulated over $2 million instudent loans—saving more than 500students the high costs of commercialloans. With loan repayments and Academymemberships, nearly $125,000 is beingadded to the pool annually.

“The students like it because they feellike it’s from one colleague to another,”said Gwen Sloas, Ed.D., director of finan-cial aid. “This feels like a mentor kind ofrelationship. And I think it helps influencethem to give back in the future. It creates acycle.”

Academy loans are important not onlybecause they’re low interest, but alsobecause they can fill in holes in the budget.“We’re using it as a lifesaver. It reallyprevents them from getting into deeperdebt,” said Ms. Sloas. “The fact that there’sno interest while they’re in school reallyhelps.”

While much has changed in medicaleducation since the Academy’s inception,one factor hasn’t: medical educationcontinues to get more expensive. “As thecost of medical education spirals upward, Iwould imagine increased reliance on theAcademy as a funding source for medicalstudents,” said John Lyman, M.D., agraduate of the school’s charter class in1980 and chair of the Academy’s Member-ship Committee. To better enable the

The Academy of Medicine:

Dr. Gwen Sloas reviews financial aid opportunitieswith a student.

Academy to meet this need, the board oftrustees has adopted three goals: expand itsmembership, create new avenues of com-munication with members, and enhance itsAnnual Spring Dinner.

Expanding Membership

This past year, the Academy sent asurvey to members and non-members in thecommunity. “What we found was our baseof support was very stable,” said Dr.Hamilton. “We’re planning to expand themembership base, both in terms of mem-bers and diversity.” One new group theAcademy is looking to recruit is WrightState’s medical alumni. “The Academy is ameans of giving back to the school with amoderate investment,” said Dr. Hamilton.“The Academy should be considered theschool-related membership of choice forgraduates, in addition to their alumnigroup.”

The Academy is also looking to partnerwith medical groups, societies, and associa-tions. “This year we have been looking tomedical group practices within the Daytoncommunity, designing a participationpackage that would be attractive to suchgroups,” said Dr. Lyman.


To Dr. Hamilton, Academy member-ship is an extension of a physician’s role inthe community. “Part of the HippocraticOath is we will support those who followus,” he said. “Part of that support is supportin a financial sense. This is a clear gift backto medicine, to their alma mater, and to themedical school in our community.”

Enhancing Communication

“I want to make sure that the medicalcommunity has a clear understanding ofour mission,” said Dr. Hamilton. “That’swhy we’ve been putting out our newnewsletter.” The Academy’s website(www.med.wright.edu/aom/) has adownloadable version of the newsletter. Italso has a list of previous events, a list ofprevious award winners, information on theAcademy’s history, a list of life members,and an online membership application.

The board is planning on taking anactive role in recruiting and has developeda PowerPoint slideshow that board mem-bers can show to other physicians in thecommunity.

Invigorating the Spring Dinner

Another focus for change in theAcademy is enhancing the Annual SpringDinner. Past speakers at the dinner haveincluded Carl Reiner, Paula Zahn, andGeraldine Ferraro. “There are a limitednumber of times when the medical commu-nity gets together. We’re looking forward tomoving from what it’s been to an evenmore special and celebrating event,”explained Dr. Hamilton.

One of the highlights of this event isthe awards given to students, residents, andfaculty. “It’s really what Wright State’s allabout, that the faculty are so willing to helpout the students,” said Chris Savage, MSIV,winner of last year’s Academy Outstanding

Third-Year Student Award. “It makes itmore meaningful. It means that they’rebehind us 100 percent. It promotes schol-arly activity.”

This year’s dinner was held April 28 atthe Dayton Art Institute, featuring thefounder of biomedical nanotechnology,Mauro Ferrari, Ph.D., associate vicepresident for health science technology andcommercialization at The Ohio StateUniversity. “The Academy provides aforum for fellowship within the medicalcommunity,” said Dr. Lyman. “The high-light of this fellowship is the annualdinner.”

Joining the Academy

“There are a variety of ways one cancontribute to the School of Medicine—andthe medical community at large—andparticipation in the Academy of Medicineis one such avenue,” noted Dr. Lyman.“Participation in the Academy allows oneto promote excellence in medicine, supportresearch, and recognize examples ofprofessionalism throughout the community,while at the same time providing fundingfor the ever-increasingly expensive medicaleducation.”

There are different options for Acad-emy membership: associate membership($50) for residents, regular membership($250), and life memberships ($1,000 plus$100 for each year under age 60). Corpo-rate memberships are also available for$5,000.

“Participation in the Academy is anespecially gratifying way of giving back tothe school in that participation is so multi-faceted,” added Dr. Lyman. “The participa-tion of those of who have been there beforesends a powerful message to those who arethere now as well as those who will enterthe system in the future.”

—Robert Boley

Envisioning the Future2004 Academy

of Medicine

Awards

Outstanding Fourth

Year Student Award

Karl Siebuhr

Outstanding Third

Year Student Award

Emily Johnson

Outstanding Second

Year Student Award

Mike Griesser

Outstanding First

Year Student Award

Kristen Massimino

Professional

Excellence Award

(Clinical Faculty)

James C.Binski, M.D.

Outstanding

Achievement in

Medical Education

and Research Award

(Senior Faculty)

Nicholas V.Reo, Ph.D.

Excellence in Medical

Education and

Research Award

(Junior Faculty)

Hari M.Polenakovik, M.D.

Outstanding Resident

Award

James R.Ouellette, D.O.



David Roer, M.D. (center), accepts the OutstandingAlumni Award from President Kim Goldenberg, M.D.(L), and Dean Howard Part, M.D.

most of whom are Wright Statealumni. While a full-time practiceis certainly very time consuming,Dr. Roer has been dedicated toserving the community in otherways. “Kids have been my primaryfocus on what I choose to do,” saysDr. Roer. He has served on theCenterville City School Board since1994, serving as president in 1997,2001, and this year. As a member ofthe school board, he spearheadedthe effort to remove soda fromCenterville schools out of concernfor high rates of child obesity. “Thepop machines are gone from theschools,” he says. “The candies aregone.”

Dr. Roer is also a member ofthe Centerville-Washington Town-ship Diversity Council, formed topromote multicultural diversity andtolerance throughout the commu-nity. Dr. Roer and his wife Jennialso co-chaired the Dayton HolidayFestival in 1996, an event he wasattracted to because of its focus ondiversity.

He has also served on theDaybreak Board of Directors,where he helped establish the SafePlace program, which providestroubled and/or runaway youth avenue of support as an alternative torunning away. As a member of theSpecial Wish Foundation Board(emeritus now), Dr. Roer helped achild realize his dream of golfingwith Tiger Woods. As an originalmember of the Children’s Museumof Dayton Board of Directors, Dr.Roer helped initiate the museum,now known as the BoonshoftMuseum of Discovery. He hasserved on multiple committees atChildren’s Medical Center and is aclinical assistant professor ofpediatrics with the School ofMedicine.

School of Medicine Outstanding Alumni


Building Greatness from Within

In February, the university kicked off the Family Celebrationportion of Tomorrow Takes Flight: The Campaign for Wright StateUniversity.

The Family Celebration is the combined effort of faculty, staff,retirees, parents, and students to provide ongoing support to theareas most important to them. A goal of $2 million across theuniversity has been set for the Family Celebration, and many havealready contributed to the campaign.

Clearly, the School of Medicine’s family is very supportive.Last fiscal year alone, School of Medicine employees generouslydonated $71,794. “Philanthropic gifts from the ‘family’ are endorse-ments, announcing to corporations and foundations that the Schoolof Medicine is truly an institution worthy of support,” says RobertCopeland, director of advancement.

Advancement & Alumni

Based on nominations fromSchool of Medicine alumni, theMedical Alumni AssociationAdvisory Board selected David L.Roer, M.D., as the recipient of thisyear’s Outstanding Alumni Award.A graduate of the Class of 1984,Dr. Roer practices with PediatricAssociates of Dayton, Inc.

While Dr. Roer was alwaysinterested in science, his motivationto practice clinical medicine camefrom his youth. “When I was

growing up, mymom was aregistered nurse,”says Dr. Roer.“So, over holi-days and sum-mers, I worked atfacilities withkids with mentalretardation.” Thisexperienceplanted the seedfor his medicalcareer and causedhis focus to shiftfrom research to

clinical care. Naturally, the Schoolof Medicine’s focus on primarycare appealed to him. “Part ofWright State’s philosophy has beentowards primary care,” says Dr.Roer. “We’re not getting into it forthe money.”

After graduating in 1984 andfinishing his pediatrics residency inDayton, he and fellow classmateDr. Rick Smith founded PediatricAssociates of Dayton, Inc. Thepractice now has 12 physicians,


The Medical Alumni Associa-tion of the Wright State UniversitySchool of Medicine recentlycelebrated its 20th anniversary.Graduates of the School of Medi-cine established the association in1983 in an effort to further theeducational, social, and charitableinterests of School of Medicinealumni. Since its inception it hassteadily grown in the number ofactive members and in the scope ofbenefits available to each alum.

Throughout our formativeyears of development, the MedicalAlumni Association always soughtopportunities to assist its currentand future members. The MedicalAlumni Association is guided by anadvisory board that consists of 10School of Medicine alumni and amedical student liaison from eachof the current classes. As a graduateof the School of Medicine you aregranted membership in the MedicalAlumni Association. I encourageyou to become active in both theMedical Alumni and the WrightState University Alumni Associa-tions.

at the Newport Aquarium. Back ondry land, even more excitement wasgenerated by our visit to Cleveland,Ohio, to host a dinner reception foralumni prior to cheering on LebronJames and the Cleveland Cavaliers.More alumni outings, both nearand far, are in the works.

Our graduates are committed tocreating a legacy of excellenteducational opportunities formedical students at Wright State.Our alumni have generouslysupported educational scholarshipsfor its medical students. Throughyour support the advisory board iscurrently finalizing efforts toestablish the Medical AlumniAssociation Endowed Scholarship.In an effort to further assist ourstudents in their career develop-ment, the Medical Alumni Associa-tion has revitalized the Bed andBoard Program. Alumni fromacross the nation have registered forthe program and matched with overa dozen fourth-year medicalstudents.

In response to surveys sent inby several alumni, the ReunionWeekend has moved to August 13–15. The event will include classparties, a CME, a golf outing, aformal dinner, a Dayton Dragons

baseball outing, and more. Weanticipate a great turnout for whatpromises to be a memorable event.

The Medical Alumni Associa-tion has accomplished a great dealover the past two decades, but withyour involvement even greaterfuture successes are assured. Thenext time that you sit down at yourcomputer, take the opportunity tolog on to www.med.wright.edu/alumni/ and add your name to ourclass listings, subscribe to the SOMalumni e-newsletter, register withthe Bed and Board Program, andcontribute to our searchable classnotes database. Don’t forget toorder a few items from our SOMclothing line from our online storeso that you can proudly advertiseyour alma mater to the world.

I am excited about what theMedical Alumni Association hasplanned for the upcoming years. Allwe need to make it work is Y-O-U.If you have any suggestions forfuture alumni events or would beinterested in serving as a memberof the Medical Alumni AssociationAdvisory Board, please contact us.We look forward to hearing fromyou soon.

—Gary LeRoy, M.D., ChairMedical Alumni Association

Advisory Board

Dayton Dragons Mascot Gem withalumni group.

A large alumni contingent attendeda Cleveland Cavaliers game.


A Message to School of Medicine Alumni


In addition to sponsoring anannual CME and Reunion Week-end, the Medical Alumni Associa-tion has hosted an exciting varietyof activities over the past yeardesigned to appeal to the fullspectrum of our graduates. A verysuccessful event in 2003 broughtalumni to the banks of the OhioRiver to enjoy an after-hours party

August 13–15



1983

Philip A. Cusumano,M.D., was recentlylisted in ClevelandMagazine’s “Top Docs”listing of internalmedicine physicians inthe Cleveland area. Hepractices internalmedicine at theCleveland Clinicregional medicalpractices in ChagrinFalls. He and his wifeBarbara have fourchildren: Laura, Christy,Katy, and Chelcie.

After spending the lastfew years with CernerCorporation as physicianexecutive doing CPOEprojects across thecountry, Philip A.Smith, M.D., has takenon the role of vicepresident for medicalaffairs for a communityhospital in Tampa Bay,Florida, and as medicaldirector of clinicalinformatics for theAdventist Health System(30 hospitals), as theyinstall advanced clinicalinformation systemsincluding CPOE at 27 oftheir hospitals. He andhis wife Beth are activein their local church andlove teaching financialstewardship andinvesting. They havethree children: Amy 21,Brian 17, and Christina15.

1984

Gregory M. Boone,M.D., started a newpractice, LickingMemorial SurgicalServices, at LickingMemorial HealthProfessionals in Newark,

Ohio. Prior to this, hewas affiliated withMetropolitan Surgery,Inc., in Columbus. Heand his wife Kimm havetwo sons: Brian andSean.

1986

Thomas E. Green,M.D., practices withWhite Oak FamilyPractice in Cincinnati.

1988

Jeanne M. Bohrer,M.D., has joined theBoard of Trustees forUnited RehabilitationServices in Dayton. Shepractices with Contem-porary Pediatrics, Inc.,and is a fellow in theAmerican Academy ofPediatrics. She ismedical director atStillwater Center andassistant clinicalprofessor with WrightState University. Sheand her family live inHuber Heights.

Eric M. McHenry,M.D., has been inprivate practice for morethan 12 years with SouthDayton Family Physi-cians in Kettering. Heand his wife Carrie havetwo sons: Scott andJonathan.

1990

Mark S. Pack, M.D.,recently started a newgeneral surgery practiceat Holzer MedicalCenter in Jackson, Ohio.Prior to this, he treatedpatients through HolzerMedical Center’semergency department.Dr. Pack completed his

surgical residency atEisenhower ArmyMedical Center inAugusta, Georgia.

1994

Rebecca S. Lundquist,M.D., recently took afaculty position as anassistant professor ofpsychiatry at theUniversity of Massachu-setts. The position isprimarily clinical, andshe teaches bothresidents and medicalstudents. Last Septem-ber, she marriedJonathan DiNitto, Ph.D.,a biochemist.

1998

Steven F. Brezny, M.D.,received the AmericanMedical Association’sExcellence in MedicineAward, presented toyoung professionals whosupport medicaleducation by takingleadership positions inthe community. He isactive with numerouscommittees for the OhioAcademy of FamilyPhysicians, and is anational speaker andadvocate of electronicmedical records. Hepractices in Powell,Ohio.

Jennifer M. Hill, M.D.,opened an internalmedicine practice atMedical ServiceAssociates in Fairborn.She completed herresidency throughWright State School ofMedicine and is amember of the GreeneMemorial Hospitalmedical staff.

1999

Major Mark Green,M.D., was named flightsurgeon of the year forthe U.S. Army. Heworked with specialforces units duringOperation Iraqi Freedomand Operation EnduringFreedom.

Timothy A. Rak, M.D.,practices emergencymedicine with SacredHeart Hospital inPensacola, Florida. Helives in Gulf Breezewith his wife Nageen, adentist.

2000

Sean J. Barnett, M.D.,is at the University ofMinnesota, where he isperforming laboratoryresearch in the field ofunresectable neuroblas-toma treatment. He isworking towards a Ph.D.in experimental surgeryand plans on obtaining afellowship in pediatricsurgery at the conclusionof his general surgicaltraining. He and his wifeKelly, an attorney, havea daughter, Cade.

Heather L. Hilkowitz,M.D., is currently chiefresident in obstetrics/gynecology at Indiana

University School ofMedicine. She and herhusband Fred, asoftware engineeringmanager at Raytheon,Inc., were married in2001 and are expectingtwins in May 2004.

Adam J. Houg, M.D., isin residency at RiversideMethodist Hospital inColumbus. He marriedKelly Essex in July 2003in Athens, Ohio.

Amy Keebler Jones,M.D., is with SamaritanPediatrics in HuberHeights. She and herhusband Chris, aconsultant, have onechild, Harrison.

2001

Kerri M. Bagnall,M.D., will begin afellowship in pediatrichematology/oncology atthe University ofCincinnati in 2004. Shemarried ChristopherWoody in August 2003.

John Salter, M.D., hasbeen named chiefresident of internalmedicine at KetteringMedical Center,Kettering, Ohio.

In MemoryThe School of Medicine extends its

deepest sympathies to the family of

Andrew C. Renz, M.D., Class of

1988. A pediatrician in Louisville,

Kentucky, Dr. Renz died at the age of

42 from chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Class Notes



S ince the sixth century B.C. andthe classical athletic games ofancient Greece, athletes have

honed their skills for competition.In today’s society, competitors ofall ages take part in many forms ofathletic rivalry. For physicians whowork with these athletes, careencompasses more than just makingsure an injured player gets help. Itis working alongside the athletictrainers, coaches, and other physi-cians to ensure that physicalconditioning and well-being areconsidered during warm-ups,workouts, training, and play.

Most team physicians arevolunteers. They give their time tocoordinate the physical health ofathletes for many reasons, usuallybecause it is fun, fast-paced,exciting, and has many long-lastingrewards.

Sean Convery, M.D.“They make you want to do more, workharder, and in turn become successful inall you do.”

Team Physicians: On the Field and in the

Sean Convery, M.D.Photo by Ron Alvey, Dayton Daily News.

2004 Capitol One Bowl in Orlando, FL—Purdue vs. Georgia. Startingquarterback Kyle Orton dislocates his left thumb during the game and isassisted by Dale Snead, M.D. Photo by Thomas Campbell.

Dale Snead, M.D.“I love orthopedics, and I want to be thebest—just like most athletes work hardto be their best.”

Dale Snead, M.D. (’91), is theteam physician for Warren CentralHigh School in Indiana, PurdueUniversity, University of India-napolis, and the Indiana Firebirdsarena football team. Dr. Snead sayshe volunteers because he has apassion for athletics and for seeingyoung people grow and succeed—both in athletics and in life. As an

Sean Convery, M.D. (’81), isthe team physician for bothKettering Fairmont High Schooland the University of Daytonathletic teams. He says a volunteerteam physician must be interestedin kids. “It takes a lot of work, andentails long hours, but those thingsare more than made up for whenyou see the kids do well,” says Dr.Convery. “Working with kids andwith a healthy population is fun.They make you want to do more,work harder, and in turn becomesuccessful in all you do.”


ALUMNI PROFILES

orthopedist, his goal is to be anexpert in his field. “I love orthope-dics, and I want to be the best—justlike most athletes work hard to betheir best,” he says. “As a volunteerphysician, the players look at me ina different way. They know I taketime away from my family to helpthem. This makes them want towork harder to get better, becausethey know I am there to help themget back on the field and accom-plish their goals. There is a greatdeal of information that can betranslated from sports-relatedorthopedics to a variety of everydaypatient needs. For most people theircareers as athletes are short. How-ever, the translation of orthopediccare can be effectively applied tothat of anyone, from weekendwarriors to businessmen andwomen.”

Kathy Dixon, M.D.“The most important thing is knowingwhen to keep an athlete out of the game.”

Kathy Dixon, M.D. (’88),began volunteering as a teamphysician for her sister’s volleyballteam and eventually took on theElgin High School Comet footballteam. She helps coordinate all thesports physicals for the youngathletes in the county, where morethan 300 kids are given free physi-cals by county physicians once ayear. “Sports are an excellent outletfor kids of all ages,” she says. “Ithoroughly enjoy seeing the kidsadvance in their sport, and whenthey are hurt, it is rewarding to seethem work so very hard to improveboth physically and, through theprocess, in their own self-esteem.”

Alongside the local EMSsquads and athletic director, Dr.Dixon works the home game

Locker Room

Roger McCoy, M.D., (L) with Luis Gonzalezholding the World Series trophy for theDiamondbacks.

sidelines, cheering the team on.“The most important thing isknowing when to keep an athleteout of the game,” she says. “Kidsalways say they are all right be-cause they really want to get backout there in the action. Therefore, inthe heat of the moment, when thereis a lot of pressure, I tell myself‘this is, after all, just a game,’ and ifI have any doubt, they are stayingout. Everyone is very supportive ofmy decisions.”

Roger McCoy II, M.D.“I’ve enjoyed being involved in sportsmedicine, and much of what I’ve learnedin training and on the field I have put togood use in my private practice.”

Roger McCoy II, M.D. (’90),volunteers as the head primary careteam physician for Arizona Dia-mondbacks baseball and is the teamphysician for both Arizona StateUniversity (ASU) and MountainPointe High School in Phoenix. Asa primary care sports medicinephysician, he is responsible foreach athlete’s total health care—from colds to sprains. He providesboth pre- and post-season sportsphysicals, game coverage, and anyimmediate care that is requiredduring events. (He treated andadmitted National League MVPBarry Bonds to a hospital lastsummer during a game.) Free timeis sacrificed so he can cover all thehome varsity football games andweekly training room visits for thelocal high school. He is paid asmall stipend for his event coverageat ASU and works one full day perweek on campus at ASU, alongwith covering different events whenneeded. Dr. McCoy’s involvementwith the Diamondbacks entailsfrequent trips to Tucson during

their spring training and coveragefor most of the 81 home games, forwhich he is provided two front rowseason tickets and any travelexpenses during the playoffs. Dr.McCoy states, “I’ve enjoyed beinginvolved in sports medicine, andmuch of what I’ve learned intraining and on the field I have putto good use in my private practice.It has always been a joy helpingsomeone get back to his or heractivities as quickly and as safely aspossible.” His recommendation is

to, “Get involved with a high schoolteam in your area. Work on a paperor research project in the sportsmed area. Apply for a sportsmedicine fellowship.”

After the coin is tossed, thewhistle blows, or the ref shouts,“Play Ball!” cheer both the compet-ing athletes and those unheraldedheroes—team physicians—whogive of themselves to keep athletesat the top of their game.

— Nancy Harker


MATCH DAY

Soozan Abouhassan

Anesthesiology

University Hospitals

Cleveland

Susan Razavi

Abouhassan

Internal Medicine


Cleveland

William Abouhassan Jr.

Surgery-General

Summa Health/

NEOUCOM

Akron

Xavier Adrien

Anesthesiology

University of Texas

Medical School

Houston

Anuj Agarwala

Internal Medicine

Indiana University School

of Medicine

Indianapolis

Mohammad Almubaslat

Neurosurgery

Tulane University

New Orleans

Micah Baird

Pediatric Physical

Medicine & Rehabilitation

University Hospital

Cincinnati

Jacqueline Barnes

Internal Medicine

Kettering Medical Center

Kettering, OH

Jana Bourn

Family Practice

Wright State University

School of Medicine

Dayton

Thomas Brady

Internal Medicine

Mount Carmel Health

Columbus

Jeremy Brywczynski

Emergency Medicine

Vanderbilt University

Medical School

Nashville

Ryan Buchholz

Medicine/Pediatrics

University Hospital

Cincinnati

Jamie Byler

Obstetrics/Gynecology

Akron General Medical/

NEOUCOM

Akron

Shawn Campbell

Emergency Medicine


School of Medicine

Dayton

Rama Chandrashekaran

Pediatrics

University of Tennessee

College of Medicine

Memphis, TN

Allen Chudzinski

Surgery-General

New York Medical

College/St. Vincent’s

Hospital

New York

Max Clark

Transitional Year

Balboa Naval Medical

Center

San Diego

Alisahah Cooke

Family Practice

Carolinas Medical Center

Charlotte, NC

Mark DeBrunner

Pediatrics

Ohio State University/

Children’s Hospital

Columbus

Tanvi Desai

Pediatrics

Carolinas Medical Center

Charlotte, NC

Mariko DeWire

Pediatrics


College of Medicine

Memphis, TN

Amina Dilberovic

Pediatrics

Loyola University

Medical Center

Maywood, IL

Nathaniel Dittoe

Internal Medicine


Kettering, OH

Danyel Edwards

Family Practice

Louisiana State Univer-

sity School of Medicine

New Orleans

Kendall Erdahl

Family Practice

Clinton Memorial

Hospital

Wilmington, OH

Rudolph Fajardo

Medicine/Pediatrics

University Hospital-

University of Mississippi

Jackson, MS

Lori Finley

Pediatrics

Cleveland Clinic

Foundation

Cleveland

David Foulk

Orthopaedic Surgery

Indiana University

School of Medicine

Indianapolis

Matthew Fourman

Surgery-General

Synergy Medical

Education Alliance

Saginaw, MI

Mary Gendy

Emergency Medicine

Martin L. King Jr./Drew

Los Angeles

Jonathon Gerkin

Psychiatry

University of North

Carolina Hospital

Chapel Hill, NC

Natalie Godzik

Family Practice


School of Medicine

Dayton

Heidi Gullett

Family Practice

Oregon Health & Science

University

Portland, OR

David Hart

Psychiatry


School of Medicine

Dayton

Heather Haynes

Family Practice

Latrobe Area Hospital

Latrobe, PA

David Henderson

Psychiatry

Palmetto Richland

Memorial

Columbia, SC

Paul Hilliard

PGY1-Transitional Year

Akron General Medical/

NEOUCOM

Akron

PGY2-Anesthesiology

University of Michigan

Ann Arbor, MI

Amanda Holbrook

Internal Medicine

Ohio State University

Medical Center

Columbus

Kara Hughan

Pediatrics

Children’s Hospital

Cincinnati

Aaron Johnson

PGY1-Surgery-General

PGY2-Urology

Georgetown University

Hospital

Washington, DC

Heidi Kabler

Emergency Medicine


School of Medicine

Dayton

Lisa Kaiser

Family Practice

Miami Valley Hospital

Dayton

The Wright State Medical Sciences Auditorium was filled with family and

friends to learn where graduating seniors will enter residency. Fifty-three percent

will remain in Ohio and 21 percent in the Dayton area for residency training. Fifty-

eight percent will enter primary care and others a wide variety of specialty areas.

MATCH DAY


Judith Kennedy


St. Vincent Hospital

Indianapolis

Andrew Khavari

Psychiatry


School of Medicine

Dayton

Heather Kleinhenz

Family Practice


Dayton

Steven Konrad

Psychiatry

Johns Hopkins Hospital

Baltimore

Nana Korsah

Internal Medicine

Metrohealth Medical

Center

Cleveland

Michael Krier

Internal Medicine

Keesler Air Force Base

Biloxi, MS

Katherine Lambes

Medicine/Pediatrics


School of Medicine

Dayton

Gretchen Lorenz

Family Practice


School of Medicine

Dayton

Vanessa Madrigal

Pediatrics

Miami Children’s Hospital

Miami, FL

Erica Mailler

Dermatology

University Hospital

Cincinnati

Sayyida Martin

Internal Medicine

Howard University

Hospital

Washington, DC

Samantha Mast


Good Samaritan Hospital

Cincinnati

Sarah McElwee-Denny

Pediatrics

University of Washington

Affiliated Hospitals

Seattle

Puja Mehrotra

Pediatrics

Rush University Medical

Center

Chicago

Todd Merrick

Internal Medicine

Providence Portland

Medical Center

Portland, OR

Anis Miladi

Internal Medicine

Naval Medical Center

Portsmouth, VA

Alicia Mills

Pediatrics

Texas Tech University

Health Science Center

Lubbock, TX

Elizabeth Muennich

Internal Medicine


Kettering, OH

Matthew Ohr

PGY1-Surgery-General

Riverside Methodist

PGY2-Ophthalmology


Columbus

Erin Owen

Pediatrics

University of Louisville

School of Medicine

Louisville, KY

Oluchi Ozumba

PGY1-Internal Medicine

Methodist Hospitals

Dallas

PGY2-Anesthesiology

University of Maryland

Baltimore

Eric Pennock


Allegheny General

Hospital

Pittsburgh, PA

PGY2-Ophthalmology

Nassau University

Medical Center

East Meadow, NY

Rachel Piening

Surgery-General

Grand Rapids Medical

Education and Research

Center

Grand Rapids, MI

Sara Rinala


Good Samaritan Hospital

Cincinnati

Mary Rodes

Family Practice


School of Medicine

Dayton

Christopher Savage

Otolaryngology

University of Cincinnati

Cincinnati

Joseph Seaman

Internal Medicine

University Hospital

Cincinnati

Crystal Shaffer

Family Practice


Dayton

Jason Sherman

Physical Medicine &

Rehabilitation


Medical Center

Columbus

Karl Siebuhr

Orthopaedic Surgery


School of Medicine

Dayton

Mindy Skiver

Pediatrics

Children’s Hospital-

NEOUCOM

Akron

Todd Smith

Internal Medicine


Cleveland

Anshuman Swain

PGY1-Transitional Year

Mount Carmel Health

PGY2-Anesthesiology


Medical Center

Columbus

Brian Syska

Emergency Medicine


School of Medicine

Dayton

Zeeshan Tayeb


University Hospital

Cincinnati

PGY2-Physical

Medicine and Rehabili-

tation

Medical College of Ohio

Toledo

Sybile Val

Surgery-General

SUNY Health Science

Center

Brooklyn

LaKeisha Woodyard

Transitional Year


College of Medicine

Chattanooga, TN

Shamolie Wyckoff


Virginia Commonwealth

University Health System

Richmond, VA

PGY2-Physical Medicine

and Rehabilitation

Johns Hopkins Hospital

Baltimore



New Faces

Sameh Abuerreisch, M.D.AssistantProfessor,InternalMedicineM.B.B.S.:University of

Jordan, Amman, Jordan

Residency: Indiana University

(internal medicine)

Fellowship: Wilford Hall

USAF Medical Center

(hematology/oncology)

Roberto Colon, M.D.AssistantProfessor,InternalMedicineM.D.:Pennsylvania

State College of Medicine

Residency: Kettering Medical

Center (internal medicine)

Anthony Ochoa, M.D.AssistantProfessor,InternalMedicineM.D.:Uniformed

Services

University of the Health

Sciences

Residency: WPAFB Medical


Fellowship: Wilford Hall

USAF Medical Center

(cardiology)

New Research Project Targets Inflammation


Julian Gomez-Cambronero, Ph.D., justreceived a $1.4 milliongrant from the NationalInstitutes of Health toexamine the molecularand cellular biologybehind the inflammationcaused by our immunesystem. The three-yearproject places WrightState University School ofMedicine at the forefrontof an exciting new

biomedical research field.Dr. Gomez-Cambronero,associate professor ofphysiology and biophysicsat Wright State’s Schoolof Medicine, studies whiteblood cell migration andthe chemical agents thatsignal that movement. Dr.Gomez-Combronero hasdiscovered one of theseemergency chemicalsignals is GM-GSF, anatural hormone normally

produced in bone marrow.He has also discovered thata fungus, Rapamycin, has aprofound inhibitory effectupon the chemical signal-ing done by neutrophils.This research has beenrecently published in fourscientific journals, and Dr.Gomez-Cambronero isnow serving as an ad hocgrant panel reviewer forthe National Institutes ofHealth.

Wright State University School of Medicine Establishes aNew Center for Genomics Research

The School ofMedicine will capitalizeon the scientific expertiseand infrastructure of itsstate-of-the-art GeneExpression Laboratory tocreate a new researchcenter of excellence ingenomics. This multiuserfacility was developedwith the assistance of TheKettering Fund, theDepartment of Defense,and other sources ofexternal funding over the

past three years. InDecember, The KetteringFund invested one-halfmillion additional dollarsto help create the newcenter.

Participating facultyin genetics research willnumber around 50 andinclude both basic scien-tists and clinicians.Collaborative projectsunderway include studiesof brain and ovariancancers, light damage to

the retina, HIV infections,and toxicology.

Steven J. Berberich,Ph.D., associate professorof biochemistry andmolecular biology, willserve as director of thenew center. Dr. Berberichreceived his doctoratefrom Wright State in 1990and completed hispostdoctoral work atPrinceton University.

(L–R) Dean Howard Part;chairman of the PremierBoard, Fred Weber; Dr.Steve Cohen, director ofthe Dayton VA; and Dr.Kim Goldenberg,president of Wright StateUniversity, at the pressconference announcingthe communitycollaboration to developa new Department ofGeriatric Medicine.

Of Primary Interest


New Faces

Michael Joseph Prayson,M.D.Associate Professor,Orthopaedic SurgeryM.D.: Northeastern Ohio

Universities College of

Medicine

Residency: Akron General

Medical Center (orthopaedic

surgery)

Fellowship: University of

Pittsburgh Medical Center

(orthopaedic traumatology)

Steven Ritter, M.D.AssistantProfessor,InternalMedicineM.D.: Indiana

University

School of Medicine

Residency: San Antonio

Uniformed Services Health

Education Consortium,

Lackland AFB, (dermatology)

Richard Simman, M.D., CWSAssistantProfessor,SurgeryM.D.: Louvain

Catholic

University,

Brussels, Belgium

Residency: Columbia

University–St. Luke’s/

Roosevelt Hospital Center,

New York (general surgery)

Fellowship: State University of

New York at Stony Brook (burn

and plastic surgery)

Community Outreach

In Memoriam

The School ofMedicine and medicalcommunity were deeplysaddened by the deaths ofRichard A. Falls, M.D.,and Raymond Kahn,M.D., last October. Dr.Falls established theFamily Medicine Resi-dency Program and theFamily Health Center atYellow Springs, using hisprivate practice as anucleus. Memorialcontributions may be sentto the Richard A. Falls,M.D., ScholarshipEndowment, which wasestablished in 1991 by the

Dr. Raymond KahnDr. Richard Falls

Department of FamilyMedicine.

Dr. Kahn was one offive founding members ofthe Academy of Medicineand held leadership rolesat the School of Medi-cine, the Department ofFamily Medicine, andthroughout the commu-

nity. Memorial contribu-tions may be made to theDr. Raymond and MelbaKahn Medical Advance-ment Fund, establishedby Dr. and Mrs. Kahn tobe used at the discretionof the dean of the Schoolof Medicine for directstudent benefit.

A new coalition, theBrothers to Brothers/Sisters to Sisters Coali-tion, rolled out a newcommunity outreach vanat the Drew HealthCenter, 1323 West ThirdStreet, in December. Thenew van will conductfree community educa-tion and testing, includ-ing blood sugar, bloodpressure, cholesterol,HIV and PSA-prostateblood tests. The mobileunit will be located atdesignated places aroundthe community and itsservices will be entirelyfree.

Partners in thecoalition, with assistancefrom the Substance

Abuse and Mental HealthServices Administrationin Washington, D.C.,include the AIDS Out-reach/ Prevention Project;Alcohol, Drug Addictionand Mental HealthServices Board; the AIDSResource Center-Ohio;Center on Alcoholism andDrug Addiction Services(CADAS); Consumer

Dr. Dennis Moore (R), associate professor of communityhealth and director of Substance Abuse Resources andDisability Issues, with a large turn out of communitymembers to roll out the new outreach van.

Advocacy Model (CAM);Crisis Care/SamaritanBehavioral Health;Montgomery CountyCombined Health Dis-trict; Project C.U.R.E.;Southern ChristianLeadership Conference;and Wright State Schoolof Medicine’s Center forInterventions, Treatmentand Addictions Research.

Of Primary Interest


New Faces

Joshua L. Wright, M.D.Instructor, EmergencyMedicineM.D.: Medical College of

Wisconsin

Residency: Wayne State

University, Detroit, Michigan

(emergency medicine)

Jayson L. Yap, M.D.Assistant Professor, InternalMedicineM.D.: University of the

Philippines

Residency: Cleveland Clinic

Foundation (internal

medicine)

Fellowship: Stanford

University Medical Center

(nephrology)

Jason Yelk, D.O.Assistant Professor, InternalMedicineD.O.: Kirksville College of

Osteopathic Medicine

Residency: WPAFB Medical


National Recognition for Know Your Numbers Campaign

The Dayton area’s Know Your Numbers campaignwas presented with the “Excellence in Health Informa-tion” award and the “Healthy People 2010” awardduring the 10th Annual Health Information Awardsheld by the National Health Information ResourceCenter. These awards represent two of three majorawards given by the National Health InformationResource Center. The campaign also received theSilver Award for the category “Total Health Informa-tion.” These awards recognize Know Your Numbers as

among the nation’s best consumer health information programs.Area partners for Know Your Numbers include: the American Heart Association,

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, The Dayton Heart Hospital, General Motors,NCR, Pfizer, Premier Health Partners, Sanofi-Synthelabo, UnitedHealthcare, TheWellness Connection, and Wright State University School of Medicine. In additionto support from the partners, the campaign receives partial funding from the Na-tional Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. The area coalition is led by RichardSchuster, M.D., M.M.M., the Oscar Boonshoft chair and director of the Division ofHealth Systems Management and associate professor of community health andinternal medicine.

Ohio Department ofHealth Director J.Nick Baird, M.D.,kicked off an intense,four-day trainingaimed atstandardizingemergency responseto disasters. Hostedby Wright State University, the Basic and Advanced Disaster Life Support training isdesigned to better prepare Ohio’s health care professionals and emergency responsepersonnel for mass casualty events, whether natural or man-made, conventionalor unconventional. This was the first time this training has been offered in Ohio andincluded a mass triage, use of high-fidelity mannequins, and both classroom andinteractive educational modules.


Of Primary Interest


Alpha Omega Alpha (AΩA)Honor Medical Society

The 24th annualinitiation ceremony of theEpsilon Chapter of AlphaOmega Alpha (AΩA) HonorMedical Society was held onTuesday, April 27, at theCountry Club of the North.The following individualswere inducted:

Student InitiatesMohammad A. M.

AlmubaslatMicah W. BairdJeremy J. BrywczynskiSarah A. McElwee-DennyDavid M. FoulkNatalie J. GodzikAaron D. JohnsonEmily J. JohnsonShandra R. Kalter,

Vice President ElectErica A. MaillerAnis MiladiKarl F. SiebuhrMelissa A. SnyderStephen M. Wold,

President Elect

Faculty InitiatesTimothy J. Drehmer, M.D.Randy A. Sansone, M.D.

Resident InitiatesJigna N. Thakore, M.D.Bryan M. White, M.D.

Faculty notes

Glenn Hamilton,M.D., chair and professorof emergency medicine,received a Foundation 20medal from the Councilof the AustraliasianCollege for EmergencyMedicine in appreciationof his contribution to thedevelopment of thecollege from 1983 to2003.

Marshall Kapp, J.D.,M.P.H., professor ofcommunity health andpsychiatry, has beenappointed editor for theofficial quarterly schol-arly publication, theJournal of Legal Medi-cine, by the AmericanCollege of Legal Medi-cine.

Alex G. Little, M.D.,professor and the Eliza-beth Berry Gray Chair ofSurgery, served as editorof a recently published

Academic Excellence Awards

At the Annual AwardsCeremony, TeachingExcellence Awards werepresented to:S. Bruce Binder, M.D.,Ph.D., family medicineThomas Mathews, M.D.,neurologyStuart J. Nelson, Ph.D.,pathologyRobert P. Turk, M.D.,surgery

Mentors’ Awardswent to Robert D.Grubbs, Ph.D., pharma-cology and toxicology,and David G. Bienenfeld,M.D., psychiatry.

Excellence in Medi-cal Education Awardswere given to B. LaurelElder, Ph.D., pathology,and Maria Urban, M.D.,pediatrics.

book, Complications inCardiothoracic Surgery:Avoidance & Treatment.The book was publishedby Blackwell Futura inFebruary 2004.

Sherri Morgan,M.D. (’00), assistantprofessor of familymedicine, has beennamed to a three-yearterm on the Commissionon Special Constituenciesof the American Academyof Family Physicians.

John Pascoe, M.D.,M.P.H., professor ofpediatrics and chief of theDivision of General andCommunity Pediatrics,served as contributingeditor for the “Report onUndergraduate MedicalEducation for the 21stCentury: A NationalMedical EducationProject,” a supplement toFamily Medicine.


Dr. Brian Springerdemonstrates an emergencysling to Taryn Collingsworthof Fairborn during WildernessMedicine Expo 2004. TheDepartment of EmergencyMedicine hosted the daylongevent on February 21 for thegeneral public. Residents andmedical students presentedtopics ranging fromhypothermia to waterpurification. Workshopsdemonstrated first aid andemergency splintingtechniques.

Of Primary Interest


Student Notes

The Annual Student AwardsCeremonyICM I Award

Kathryn E. Lorenz

Human Structure Award

Matthew D. Jones

Molecular, Cellular, and TissueBiology Award

Kimberly J. Stockmaster

Principles of Disease Award

Marc V. Orlando

Term I Award

Shandra R. Kalter

Term II Award

Melissa Snyder

ICM II Award

Melissa Snyder

John C. Gillen Award for FamilyMedicine

Heather A. Kleinhenz

Medicine Clerkship Award

Joseph C. Seaman

Pediatrics Clerkship Award

Sarah A. McElwee-Denny

Dean Parmelee, M.D., associate dean for academicaffairs, presents an award to Melissa Snyder.

(Photo far left) ShaneKonrad and AnujAgarwala and (Photo left)Heather Haynes completedan international medicalelective in Swaziland.(Photo right) Fourth-yearstudent Sarah McElwee-Denny (Center) and Dr.Janice Duke (’96) (behindSarah) spent a one-monthclinical mission in Africa.

Women’s Health Clerkship Award

Sarah A. McElwee-Denny

James B. Peoples Silver Scalpel Award

Karl F. Siebuhr

Abraham Heller Psychiatry Clerkship Award

Tyler A. Hall

McGraw-Hill/Appleton and Lange Award

Thomas A. Coffelt andKimberly J. Stockmaster

The Shockers began as an intramural, co-ed softball team for the Class of 2006 andended playing in a Chicago-based tournament for medical schools. Advancing to thequarter finals, the team beat host Rush Medical School, as well as NorthwesternIllinois and the University of Illinois at Chicago among others. Team captains wereBill Brady, Matt Janik, and Shannon Armstrong.

Of Primary Interest


Center for HealthyCommunities AnnualMeetingJune 9, 2004

10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Kettering Center Lobby

For more information,

contact 775-1125

Student ClinicianCeremony

July 12, 2004

6:00 p.m.

Student Union Apollo

(Multipurpose) Room


contact 775-2934

Convocation and WhiteCoat Ceremony

August 1, 2004

3:00 p.m.

Student Union Apollo

(Multipurpose) Room


contact 775-2934

SOM Reunion Weekend

August 13-15, 2004

Downtown Dayton


contact 775-2972

Faculty Meeting

September 16, 2004

4:30 p.m.

232J Frederick A. White

Health Center


contact 775-2933

The Annual Medicine Ball

May 26, 2004

8:00 p.m.

Dayton Crowne Plaza


contact 775-2934

SNMA BanquetMay 27, 2004

6:00 p.m.

Dayton Country Club


contact 775-2934

GraduationMay 28, 2004

6:30 p.m.

Schuster Performing

Arts Center


contact 775-2934

Calendar

Vital Signs is published twice ayear for alumni, faculty, staff,and friends of Wright StateUniversity School of Medicine.

Direct all correspondence to:Editor, Vital SignsWright State UniversitySchool of MedicineOffice of Public RelationsP. O. Box 927Dayton, OH 45401-0927Fax: (937) 775-3366Phone: (937) 775-2951E-mail: [email protected]://www.med.wright.edu/

Editorial Planning Group andContributing AuthorsRobert BoleyDebbie DeichlerJudith EngleNancy HarkerSue RytelGwen Sloas, Ed.D.Robin Suits

Advisory GroupJudith EnglePaul Carlson, Ph.D.Mark Clasen, M.D., Ph.D.Jerald Kay, M.D.Peter Lauf, M.D.Barbara Schuster, M.D.

Managing EditorJudith Engle

Copy EditorsRobin SuitsRon Wukeson

DesignDebbie Deichler

Photography CoordinatorsNancy HarkerSue Rytel

PhotographyRobert BoleyRoberta BowersJudith EngleChris Snyder

© 2004 Wright State University School of Medicine

Printed on recycled paper

Of Primary Interest


NONPROFITORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE PAIDDAYTON, OH 45401

PERMIT NO. 551

School of Medicine3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy.Dayton, OH 45435-0001

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Vital Signs, Spring 2004

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