November 9, 2012 MEDICAL UNIVERSITY of SOUTH CAROLINA Vol. 31, No. 13

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53 Pharmacy StudentS Win BigautiSm Study With area childrenStudents from MUSC and the University of SouthCarolina participated in the skills competition.

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6MUSC received a $1 million grant involvingTri-county children for a three-year study.

U.S. Navy veteran

Thank you veterans

Meet Julio

By Cindy ABole

Public Relations

There are two things that U.S. AirForce retired Chief Master Sgt.

Jennifer Hooks carries as a reminderof her 26-year military career prior tojoining MUSC in 2010.

One is a gold two-tone chief signet ringthat she wears on her right hand. Thesignet features an image of an AmericanIndian chief’s head, which symbolizesthe U.S. Air Force’s top enlisted rank ofa chief master sergeant. The Indian chiefis regarded as the highest member of thetribe and as an elder whom others lookto for leadership.

Tucked away in her purse, Hooksalso carries a military challenge coin – atradition that she and other militarymembers embrace to commemoratetheir military affiliations or successfulmissions.

Hooks, the manager for thePerformance Improvement Departmentin the medical center’s Office of Qualityand Patient Safety, said a military careerafforded her opportunities in variousclinical, administrative and performance-improvement experiences around theworld.

Hooks has been able to translate thattraining and experience to health careand establish best practices for quality-driven systemwide projects. Her effortscut costs for the medical center andimproved overall patient care. Hooks’Air Force and post-retirement healthcare careers came full circle. Born in

Brooklyn, N.Y., Hooks later moved toMarion, before enrolling in TridentTechnical College’s dental assistantprogram in Charleston, where sheconducted her clinical work at MUSC.In the 1980s, she remembers theCharleston area as a vibrant militarytown with the Charleston Air Force Base,Charleston Naval Base and Shipyard,and The Citadel as active entities. Shethought, “These folks are having somuch fun. I want to be able to do that,too.”

After much courting by the U.S. Navyand U.S. Air Force, she enlisted as an AirForce dental assistant in 1985. Her firstassignment was working with the 78thDental Squadron at Robins Air ForceBase (AFB) in Georgia from 1985 to1998. Robins AFB was home to the AirForce Headquarters Reserve Unit so shecared for military personnel, airmen andtheir families. There, she rose from therank of airman to master sergeant.

Hooks also went on to holdassignments at Hanscom AFB outside ofBoston; Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage,Alaska; McGuire AFB in Lakehurst, N.J.;and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurstin Wrightstown, N.J., where she retiredas superintendent and principle seniorenlisted advisor of the 87th MedicalGroup, with the rank of chief mastersergeant. She was in charge of thetraining, progression and performance ofmore than 200 enlisted personnel.

Throughout her career, Hookscompleted a variety of leadership coursesand professional training including

Jennifer Hooks, shown at her home in Alaska, is selected as chief mastersergeant in 2005. Hooks is among just 1 percent promoted from the AirForce’s enlisted ranks to chief. Watch a video on Hooks at http://bit.ly/MUSC_JenniferHooks.

Air Force veteran instillsquality in new career

the USAF’s Noncommissioned OfficerLeadership Academy, Chief MasterSergeant Leadership Course and otherprograms. She also earned both herbachelor’s degree in occupationaleducation (2005) and a master’s degreein business administration (2010).

In 2007, Hooks participated in theAir Force’s newest program to improvequality and performance in airfieldoperations, intelligence and defenseactivities. The program was based onthe Lean Six Sigma methodology tosupport one mission at McGuire AFB.

See Air ForCe on page 10

In recent years, improving healthcare quality has become a toppriority in the health care system.MUSC’s Performance ImprovementDepartment’s passion is to improvehealth care performance. Thecontinuous use of MUSC’s standardapproach Improve model has driventhe success of many project teams. Forinformation or to register for classes,visit http://mcintranet.musc.edu/cceps/I.M.P.R.O.V.E./index.htm.

MUSC PerformanceImprovement Department

2 The CATAlysT, November 9, 2012

By Ashley BArker

Public Relations

David Soper, M.D., the J. MarionSims professor of obstetrics and

gynecology, was in the United StatesNavy Medical Corp for 10 years, reachingthe rank of commander prior to startinghis academic medical career.

He joined the Navy in 1972 in order topay for medical school at the Universityof Miami. After completing his residencyin San Diego, Calif., Soper, along withhis wife and two sons, was eventuallystationed at Subic Bay, Republic of thePhilippines, for two years.

“I had always been committed toan academic medical career, but I wasstruggling to find a niche. I liked it all. Iliked delivering babies and performinggynecological surgery, making the choiceof sub-specializing in either obstetricsor gynecologic cancer untenable. It wasat this time I visited the St. LazarusHospital in Manila.”

The hospital was full of patientswith Third World diseases includingtuberculosis, malaria and tetanus. Ironlungs were still being used. This startedhis fascination with infectious diseases,and he decided to apply for an adultinfectious disease fellowship.

Initially, the Navy didn’t want toassign an OB-GYN doctor to what was

an internal medicine fellowship. It tooka pivotal decision by then Rear AdmiralFran Shea, director of the Navy’sHealth Science Education and TrainingCommand, to allow the additionaltraining. “It almost chokes me up,” hesaid. “She was able to recognize thepossibilities and give me that uniqueopportunity. I’ll never forget her.”

Soper is one of a few OB-GYN doctorsin the country with formal infectiousdisease training, and he now directshis own reproductive infectious diseasefellowship.

Academic career enhanced by 10 years in U.S. NavyDr. David Soper, right,reached the rank ofcommander in the UnitedStates Navy beforehe joined the MUSCstaff in 1996. He willbe thinking about theservicemen and theirwives, whom he took careof while stationed in thePhilippines, on VeteransDay. Soper also is vicechairman for clinicalaffairs at MUSC. Towatch a video on Soper,visit http://bit.ly/MUSC_DrSoper.

The CatalystEditorial of ficeMUSC Office of Public Relations135 Cannon Street, Suite 403C, Charleston, SC 29425.843-792-4107Fax: 843-792-6723

Editor: Kim Draughncatalyst@musc.edu

Catalyst staff:Cindy Abole, aboleca@musc.eduAshley Barker, barkera@musc.edu

The Catalyst is published once a week. Paidadver tisements, which do not represent anendorsement by MUSC or the State of SouthCarolina, are handled by Island PublicationsInc. , Moultrie News, 134 Columbus St. ,Charleston, S.C., 843-849-1778 or 843-958-7490.sales@moultrienews.com.

“I really loved being a medical officerin the Navy,” he said. “I would havestayed in the Navy for 20 years if Icould have been more supported inmy academic pursuits, research andeducation.”

After 10 years in the military, Soperdecided to leave the Navy and join thecivilian ranks in an academic institution.He spent 10 years at the Medical Collegeof Virginia before moving to MUSC in1996.

“We take care of patients here inthe Lowcountry that have husbands

MUSC, along with other community partners,is bringing the film “Addiction Incorporated” toCharleston for two free screenings to be held Nov. 14and 15 at MUSC and the College of Charleston. Theevents are being held in conjunction with the AmericanCancer Society’s Great American SmokeOut, which isNov. 15 – a day when cigarette smokers are encouragedto try and quit for a day and hopefully a lifetime.

The film tells the story of former Phillip Morrisemployee Victor DeNoble, Ph.D., who blew thewhistle on how the company engineered cigarettes tobe highly addictive when he testified before Congressin 1994. His testimony revealed how certain additivesin cigarettes dramatically increased the addictiveness.DeNoble’s revelations about how cigarettes wereengineered to keep people hooked contributed to thegroundbreaking litigation that has hounded the tobaccoindustry ever since.

In addition to the screening, a display titled “Century

of Cigarettes” will be in the Drug Discovery Buildinglobby. The display depicts the factors that have ledto the rise and fall of lung cancer rates in the UnitedStates during the 20th century. The Hollings CancerCenter and Department of Psychiatry & BehavioralServices are sponsoring the film screening and display.

The MUSC event will be held in the DrugDiscovery Building auditorium. A brief reception withrefreshments will be held at 5 p.m. followed by the filmscreening at 5:30 p.m. including a question and answersession with the film’s producer, director and attorneyJodi Flowers. Flowers is with the Charleston-basedlaw firm Motley Rice, which led the litigation againstthe tobacco industry in the late 1990s that eventuallyresulted in the Master Settle Agreement and therelease of 60 million pages of previously secret internalcompany documents. For information on this event andto register, go to http://hcc.musc.edu/addictioninc oremail Pam Knox at knoxp@musc.edu.

Film about tobacco industry whistle blower to be shown at MUSC

who are serving in Afghanistan ordeployed on Navy ships,” he said. “Itimpacts everything they do from normalfamily life to planning a pregnancy tocelebrating birthdays.”

On Veterans Day, Soper said he willbe thinking about those servicemen.“My family has a familiar respect forthose who serve in the military andan appreciation for the sacrifices theymake,” he said. “Veterans Day helpsus remember those who have given theultimate sacrifice for the freedoms weenjoy in this country.”

The CATAlysT, November 9, 2012 3

First-of-its-kind autism study with local children launchedMUSC received a $1 million grant from Autism

Speaks to do a large-scale, first-of-its-kind study ofchildren born in 2004 in the Tri-county area involvingfamilies willing to participate.

The three-year study, called the South CarolinaChildren’s Educational Surveillance Study (Success),will conduct broad screening and targeted diagnosticassessment to better understand typical developmentin 8-year-old children as well as estimate the prevalenceof autism spectrum disorders among children inCharleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties.

Co-principal investigator Laura Carpenter, Ph.D.,said it’s exciting to be part of a study that can shed lighton a disorder that affects record numbers of children.“This study is the first of its kind to be conducted inthe U.S.,” she said. “What makes it exciting is that wereally don’t know what we will find. On the one hand,similar studies in other countries have found high ratesof autism in the general population, maybe higher thanwe suspect. On the other hand, many people also thinkthat autism is being over diagnosed.”

Lydia King, Ph.D., who also serves as co-principalinvestigator on the study, said that all survey resultsare kept confidential and that participating familieswill receive a letter or phone call regarding their child’sresults. Some children will be invited to participate ina second phase of the study, for which compensation

is provided. Parents who complete the survey are notobligated to participate in the second phase of thestudy.

Walter Jenner, information officer for the state’sAutism and Developmental Disabilities MonitoringNetwork (ADDM) study, is part of the team taskedwith making connections with local schools. More than130 schools including public, private, charter and evenhome school, will be included, marking the first largescale involvement in regular education schools and withparents.

Jenner said study results, available in 2015, willgive health professionals and legislators a betterunderstanding of autism prevalence as well as arich source of information on characteristics anddevelopmental trajectory. “It should help communitiesin planning and policy decisions. Some of the resourcesthat are needed include therapies, trained teachers,diagnosticians, health care providers and related serviceprofessionals. Understanding the characteristics andnumber of children who have ASDs is key to promotingawareness of the condition, helping educators andproviders to coordinate service delivery, and identifyingimportant clues for further research,” he said.

Researchers are taking great care to ensure that alldata collected for Success is stored on a secured systemdesigned specifically for research. No information about

any of the participating families will be shared withschools or any other state agency.

Carpenter said one hope of the study is that theymay be able to identify some children who may havefallen through the cracks otherwise, while another isto evaluate the changing criteria in diagnosing autism,particularly given the revision of the Diagnostic andStatistical Manual of Mental Disorders to a new versionthat will change the criteria of its diagnosis. “One ofthe biggest challenges of researching a disorder likeautism is that the criteria keep changing over time,” saidCarpenter.

“It can be very difficult to determine whether thereare more kids with autism, or whether our criteria havebroadened to include more kids. We want to know howthe upcoming changes in diagnostic criteria may impactwho is diagnosed with the disorder. We know there aregoing to be some changes in who is identified, but it’snot clear what those changes will be.”

The Success team will be in Charleston Countyschools during the 2012-2013 school year and inDorchester and Berkeley county schools during the2013-2014 school year. Children in private schools andbeing home schooled also will participate during bothstudy years.

For information, visit www.musc.edu/success, emailsuccessteam@musc.edu or call 876-2875.

4 The CATAlysT, November 9, 2012

Currents Nov. 5People – Fostering employeepride and loyaltyEmployee of the Month—Septemberq Kevin Freeman, 6EEnvironmental Services,was recognized for helpinga transplant patient and his familyclean up a dysfunctional toilet that wasemptying human waste in the patient’sshower. Freeman cleaned the area andcalled maintenance to fix the problem.(Nominated by Wendy Weesner,patient’s wife)

q Carolyn Simmons, 9E, was praisedfor her dedication to provide qualitypatient care as the unit secretary.Simmons helped an out-of-town patientconfirm his appointment at the NorthCharleston specialty clinic. The nursemanager asked Simmons for her help inrescheduling the patient’s appointmentand confirm directions. Simmons metwith the patient to communicate details.(Nominated by Leah Ramos)

q Belinda Christy, Volunteer & GuestServices, assisted a Heart & Vascular

patient and his wife who received care atMUSC last July. The husband had justcompleted a cardiac ablation procedureand was having dinner in the NorthArea and had passed out. The patientwas transported back to MUSC forcare. Christy volunteered to shuttle thepatient’s wife back to North Charlestonto pick up the couple’s car and guidedthe wife back downtown so she wouldarrive safely. (Nominated by Kennethand Susan Daniels, patient and wife)

2012 MUSC Angel TreeLiz Nista, Transplant Center, was

joined by members of the MUSC AngelTree board. Members are employees fromaround MUSC’s campus invited to planfor this campaign. Last year, employeesadopted more than 1,500 angel tree gifttags to provide tbikes and other items tocelebrate the holidays. This year’s angeltree tag distribution will take place atnoon, Nov. 9 in the Horseshoe. Thecollection and parade is Dec. 7 and willhonor MUSC and Tri-county veterans.Other parade participants include thePatriot Guard Riders, the U.S. Air ForceHonor Guard, and floats featuringveterans and Santa.

To Medical Center Employees:Medical center town hall meetings are scheduled from Nov. 7 through Nov. 20

at the times and locations listed below. There will be a number of department-based town hall meetings that are not included in the schedule below. You canaccess the schedule on the intranet at https://www.musc.edu/medcenter/news/townhall.htm.

Town hall agenda topics include: Wins; Joint Commission survey results;HIPAA Privacy update; overview of employee engagement survey action plans;and a discussion concerning our challenging health care environment, includingMedicare/Medicaid reimbursement reductions and MUSC’s strategies torespond to the challenges. Everyone is encouraged to attend a town hall meeting.

On another matter, at the Nov. 5 communications meeting, Pamela Smith,nurse manager of chest pain center and adult emergency department, askedfor everyone’s cooperation to discontinue any inappropriate use of the PatientTransport Elevator (elevator 6) on MUH West. This elevator, referred to as the“trauma elevator,” should be used only for transport of critical patients, patientsfrom the ED to the OR/ICU/inpatient areas, or to transport stroke patientsto NIR. Staff members are asked to refrain from overriding the emergency callsystem when activated. Security has been asked to provide badge access reports.Everyone’s cooperation will ensure for the best and safe care of our patients.

Thank you.

W. Stuart SmithVice President for Clinical Operationsand Executive Director, MUSC Medical Center

Town Hall Meetings: Nov. 9, 9 a.m., Ashley River Tower Auditorium (ART); Nov.12, 11 a.m., 2West Amphitheater, and noon, ART Auditorium; Nov. 13, 10 a.m., 2WestAmphitheater; Nov. 14, 11 a.m., Institute of Psychiatry Auditorium; Nov. 15, noon and6:30 p.m., ART Auditorium; Nov. 16, 7:30 a.m. and 10 a.m., 2West Amphitheater; andNov. 20, 7:30 a.m., ART Auditorium

excellence in actionOrthopaedic Surgery’s Dr.Bart Sachs gives a thumbs upto the chicken Tim Harrisonbrought to share with STICUstaff. Harrison’s son, TJ, backcenter, was treated by Sachs andthe staff of STICU. “Dr. Sachs,Tyrone and the entire staff ofSTICU took such great care ofTJ we had to share our famouschicken with them,” Harrisonsaid. The Harrison’s also madea banner, “TJ’s Golden ChickenLeg Award.”

The CATAlysT, November 9, 2012 5

q Zumba at Harborview Office Tower: Join licensedZumba instructor Felecia Curry for a weekly Wednesdaynight Zumba class from 5 to 6 p.m., Room 910,Harborview Office Tower. Zumba is a dance-basedaerobic exercise class and Curry tailors the workout toaccommodate any fitness level. Space is limited. Emailcurryf@musc.edu or call 822-6136 for information or toregister.

q Flu shot satellite clinic: Employees may get a flushot from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 14, in the Children’sHospital lobby. For faster service bring a completedinfluenza consent form, found in My Records.

q Worksite screening: The next worksite screening willbe Nov. 15, in Room 628H, Clinical Sciences Building.Visit musc.edu/employeewellness and click on worksitescreening appointment to register.

q Fitness series: A free Pilates and yoga class will beheld from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., Nov. 21 at the MUSCWellness Center. Email musc-empwell@musc.edu toregister. A free day-pass to the Wellness Center will beprovided for all participants.

q Farmers markets: Fresh fruits and vegetables areavailable from local farmers on Wednesday at AshleyRiver Tower, and Friday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at theHorseshoe and the area next to Ashley River Tower.

MUSC Urban Farmq Work & Learn: A work and learn session will beheld from noon to 1 p.m., Nov. 13 at the Urban Farm.The session will include crops and soil testing. Takehome some fresh produce in return for work efforts onthe farm. Bring water and sunscreen, and wear closedtoe shoes. Email urbanfarm@musc.edu to register. Theevent is open to everyone.

q Early bird maintenance: Participants interested inassisting in maintaining the garden may help from 7:30to 8:30 a.m., Nov. 13 and 14.

Contact Susan Johnson, Ph.D., at johnsusa@musc.edu for information on the Office of Health Promotionat MUSC and Suzan Benenson Whelan at whela@musc.edu for specific information about EmployeeWellness. Events, speakers, classes or any other ideas arewelcome. Like our Facebook page and keep up with thewellness events at MUSC.

employee Wellness

The S.C. Collegeof Pharmacy team ofMaryjoy Lepak (USC) andMarley Linder (MUSC)was the first combined-campus team to competeand win at the S.C.Society of Health-SystemPharmacists’ clinical skillscompetition on Oct. 25 inColumbia.

Student teams wereasked to develop a planto treat a child’s medicalproblems based on aprovided scenario.

Three other teams fromMUSC also participatedand finished in the topfour: Jacqueline Prattand Kaitlyn Turner,Rachael Lanier and CarrieAlderman, and Caroline

Griggs and Sarah Glaholt.Each winning team

member received a $500cash award, along withindividual first-placetrophies and a large teamtrophy to bring back tothe school.

The nationalcompetition will beheld Dec. 1 – 2 atthe American Societyof Health-SystemPharmacists’ mid-yearclinical meeting in LasVegas.

Student pharmacistsfrom MUSC haveperformed well in thenational competition inthe past. Winners fromMUSC include: JulieLong and Karen HembreeSpry in 2006 and AubreyCartwright and KelliDavis in 2001.

Pharmacy students winskills competitionBy Ashley BArker

Public Relations

6 The CATAlysT, November 9, 2012

Jason Abbott, Efren Almonte, Thomas Daniel Altman,Juan Anavitate, Teresa Anderson, Thomas Anderson,Richard Anderson, Michael Andrews, Melanie Archer,Lucy Arnold, James R. Atkins, Rosebelinda Augustus,Durwood Bach, Kenneth Bachewicz, Patrick Baker,Steve Baker, Tod Baldovin, David Ball, John Ballard Jr.,Larry Banks, Andrew Barrett, J. Mark Barry, MarilynBeal, Carlson Beeman, Barbara Bell, Ronald Bell, GregBellamy, Rebecca Benesh, Dionne Bennett, FrederickBennett, Connie Best, Robert Bethea, Robert J. Black,J. Herman Blake, Ted Blevins, LaRonda, Boddie,Wallace Bonaparte, Nicole Boofer, John Boolen, JohnBosart, Donna Bouissey, Michael Bouissey, PamelaBowens, Yvonne Bradley, Hazel Breland, Frank Brescia,Michael Briggs, Mary Brigman, Robert Bristow, RobertBritt, Jeffrey Brittain, Arthur Brown, Ron Brown,Christopher Brown, Jay D. Brown, Keith Browning,Stephanie Brown-Guion, W. Brzezinski, Alfred Bryant,Scott Burroughs, Timothy Bussey, Melvin Butler, JamesCage, David Callahan, Burgess Canty, Joseph Cantey,James Carter, Tonia Carter, Tamara Cawthorn, BruceChambers, Rudolph Chapman, Jerimaine Chatman,Edward W. Cheeseman Jr., Robert Chisholm III,Stephanie Chomos, Marsha Cisa, Ted Clark, D. EdwardCollins, Jason Collins, Rodney Coons, Samuel Cooper,Mullen Coover Jr., Brandon Couch, Alfred Cox, FredCrawford Jr., Morris Crockett, Arthur Crumbley,William Crummer, James Cummins, Theresa Cuoco,Casandra Daniels, Robert Davis, Charles Davis Jr., RayDeas, Sharon DeGrace, Timothy Dermody, AngienitaDeVeaux, Christopher DeVeaux, Samuel Deveaux,James DeWitt, Christopher Drake, Anthony Dunbar,Catherine Durham, Raymond Edwards, Michael BrettEhlert, Andrew Eiseman, Bruce Elliott, Dallas Ellis, JillEvans, Jo Lynn Evans, Arthur Fayne, Anita Feliciano,Bernard Ferrette, Russell Fickett, Julius Fielding,Cornette Flanning, Dennis Frazier, Geoffrey Freeman,Charles Ferguson, Thomas Fernandez, Nathaniel Fickett,Louis Franz, Melissa Freeland, Gerald Garza, CalvinGathers Sr., Patricia Gaylor, Stephen Giallombardo,Greg Gischia, Joseph Good Jr., George Goodhue, EmuelGreen, Joel Green, Rickey Greene, Susan Greene, RobertGregowicz, Jennifer Griffin, Tiffany Griles, KennethGrismore, Dana Grissom, Richard Gross, David GuarinoJr., David Guarino Sr., James Guest, Brande Guillory,

Juanetta J. Acevedo, Edward W. Agbevey, Kelly Ameduri,Paul O. Begnoche, Blake W. Bennett, Charles W.Bergman, Daniel L. Brinton, Merritt M. Brockman,Raymond C. Brown, Alexandra D. Butler, Ashley R.Cemper, William D. Cook, Jane R. Cowan, Jennifer A.Creech, Pamela Dean, Daniel Brinton, Naomi B. Grif-fin, Calvin Grubbs, Steven C. Hayes, Shannon J. Heil-ing, Todd E. Hixson, Ernest C. Hood, Lamar C. Hood,Jacob T. Hurley, Michael P. Jacobbe, Elizabeth A. Jensen,Roxanne M. Johnson, Walter R. Kirby, Jason A. Kopp,Yianne G. Kritzas, Joshua A. Larsen, Lori A. Lee, GlenN. Lilly, Adam L. Luckey, Trevy Martin, Derek H. Mar-tindale, Steffany M. Mattson, Ashley S. Maybin, RichardMcKinney, Lane S. Nelson, John S. Pearson Jr., MichaelG. Petrides, Britney M. Rodgers, Kristoffer N. Rodriguez,Kristin L. Sheehan, Bethany L. Shively, Eugene J. Sibal,Rodmond L Singleton, Leonor Spahr, Angela Y. Stanley,Jimmie H. Toler Jr., Tiffany R. Vanmaanen, Michael J.Wagner, James R. Walker, Katherine A. West, Amy B.Wilkerson, Michelle L. Wilkins, James B. Wright Jr.,andShaquinta D. Wright.

John Hales, Bradley Hammond, Jason Haney, MichaelHaschker, Joshua Haumschild, Kevin Heis, Jim Hensley,Krisitin Highland, Kenton Holden, Elizabeth Holmes,Jennifer Hooks, Jerome Hopkins, Reedy Hopkins III,Tom Hubbard, Jesse Hudson, Clint Infinger, GabrielIngraham, Ronald Ingram, David Ivey, Paul Jacques,James Johnson, Lance Johnson, Laureen Johnson, TeriJohnson, Frederick Jones, LaSonya Jordon, CatherineKlassy, Peter Kobes, Andrew Kraft, Tammy Lamont,Melissa Lampkin, John Lancaster, Lori Langston, JohnLazarchick, Brian Leach, David Lee, Richard Leinster,Chris Lengel, Laura Link, Larry Littman, Paul LoCicero,Karla Locklear, Christopher Long, Joseph Losek Jr.,Herbert Love, Howard Lucas Jr., KellyLee Lucas, ScottLuedtke, Timothy MacFall, Ceferino Magpantay Jr.,Robert Malcolm, Stephen Malley, Robert Mallin,John Malmrose,Lawrence Manaker, Barry Mathis,Tommy Maw, Mark W. McCaslin, Catherine McClure,Augustas McConnell, Shareen McCoy, Allen McCreary,Clifton L. McDonald Sr., Davis McDougald, TerryMcFall, Gerald McKee, George McLauchlan, MaryEllen McNeal, Justin McNealy, Karen Menendez, JohnMetcalf, Arnie Metz, Theodore Middleton, ChristineMiley, Terri Mizner, Lawrence Mohr, Ivan Molano,Rebecca Moore, Tonnia Mullen, Kelly Mullen, AngelaMund, Steve Naert, Albert Nance, William Neece, DavidNeff, Melody Nelson, Robert Neuner, Pam Nevill, DonNewburn, Nash Newsome, Shawn Nimons, ThomasNoble, Jackie Nolen, Matthew J. Nutaitis, Jeffery Osmer,Henry Othersen Jr., Kibbie Otruba, Kelly Pate, StevePaterniti, Roger Peebles Jr., Monica Peeples, CharlesPegram, Robert Peiffer, Ishmael Pendergrass Jr., DavidPenick, Gregory Perron, Harley Perry, Rosalyn Peterson-

The Veterans Day Celebration12:15 – 1 p.m., Nov. 9

Basic Science Building AuditoriumMUSC President Dr. Raymond S. Greenberg andVice President for Academic Affairs and ProvostDr. Mark Sothmann, along with the Veterans DayTask Force invite MUSC employees, students,faculty and staff to the Veterans Day Celebration.

Guest SpeakerCol. Thomas S. Clark III, USMC

Commanding Officer, Naval ROTC, The Citadel

MUSC Public Safety Color GuardVideo in Celebration of MUSC Veterans

Presentation of Lapel Pins to All VeteransReception to follow in the Basic Science Building lobby

MUSC employees also serve in military capacityE ach day MUSC employees are valued for their

efforts and contributions in the education of healthcare professionals and providing patient care. MUSCemployees and students also share an important dualrole as citizen-soldiers working with National Guard,active duty or reserve troops.

emPloyeeS, Staff

Hale, Pamela Polite, Clayton Polite, Cassandra Poole,Evan Pusillo, Carl Queener, Mansle Raines Jr., CarlosRamirez, Jon Rampton, Steven Ratliff, James Ravenel,Archie Reid, Rie Reid, William Rentz, Jonn Rhoton,Beth Rhoton, Stacey Ribble, John Richardson, AmandaRitsema, David Rivers, Tyrone Rivers, Quantella Rivers-Bradley, Jacob Robison, James Roche, Jose Rodriguez,Phyllis Ross, George Rossi, Roger Rowell, TimothyRoylance, John Runyon, Robert Sade, Lynn Sandahl,Robert Sarrica, Stephen Schaer, Christine Schaub,Bradley Schulte, Wade Seigler, John Bayne Selby Jr.,Donnalynne Selvyn, Leanne Shattuck, Warren Sholl,Rodney Schlosser, Shenikqua Simmons, CephusSimmons Sr., Desha Simpson, Julie Singleton, ChristineSkope, Sabra Slaughter, DeBorah Smalls-Brown, BryanSmith, Caroline Smith, John D. Smith Jr., Sally Smith,Shawanda Smith, David Smith, Sanford Solomon,David Soper, Ed Sookikian, William Southgate, CharlesStevens, Robert Stickney, Russell Stillwagon, ShanitaStrickland, Elena Sullivan, Chris Summers, MichaelSwindle, Jeffrey Taylor, Anthony Thomas, JosephThompson Jr., Vernell Threat, Lori Tisdale, EdwinTufts, Peter Van Dorsten, Mark Van Horn, Karenvan Maanen, Michael Vanderhurst, Kenneth Vanek,C. Shaun Wagner, John Walton, Carl Wanamaker,Linda Washington, Marion Watson, Matthew Weas,Edgar Weiss, Thomas Weslager, Scot Wetzig, OliviaWhitehurst, Floyd Whittington, George Whitton Sr.,Mark Wilberding, Raymond Williams, Melvin Williams,Kevin Williams, Ruthel Williams, Edward Wilson andAndrew Young.

StudentS

The Catalyst, November 9, 2012 7

meet Julio

Julio Chalela, M.D.DepartmentNeurosciencesHow long at MUSC7 1/2 yearsHow are you changing what’s possibleat MUSCBy implementing a multidisciplinaryprocess for rounding in the ICU centeredaround the critical care nurseMilitary rankMajor. Brigade Surgeon 415th ChemicalBrigade, Greenville.Where are you currently stationedCamp Bondsteel, Kosovo. I will return inJanuary.First thing you’ll do when you returnHug my wife, Susan, and son, Nico!How does being in the military help inyour MUSC careerThe Army fosters leadership skills that areuseful in any job, it also promotes resilience,physical fitness, sense of duty and loyalty.Just like caring for patients is a privilege, sois wearing the U.S. Army uniform.Last book read“No Easy Day,” by Mark Owen. It’s thestory of the raid that killed Osama BinLaden.

Three months ago, ophthalmologist AndrewEiseman’s days were full and his weeks were long whileworking as an oculoplastic surgeon. He performedcomplex eye reconstruction procedures for injuredsoldiers evacuated from battlefields in Iraq andAfghanistan. He also provided sight-saving consults tomedical teams in field hospitals and remote facilitiesthousands of miles away using the most moderntelemedicine techniques to support telesurgery andother technologies.

For 15 years, Eiseman was chief of the ophthalmicplastic and reconstructive surgery services at WalterReed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.,providing care to soldiers Marines, sailors and airman.For his final year, he was the chief of the newly formedophthalmology service at the Walter Reed NationalMilitary Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., after WalterReed and Bethesda Naval Hospital combined facilitiesin 2011.

Today, Eiseman has learned to translate hisknowledge and trauma care experience to improving theeye health of his civilian patients at Storm Eye Institute(SEI). A decorated career military man, Eiseman retiredfrom the U.S. Army as a colonel in October after 2626 years of active duty service and became an associateprofessor of ophthalmology at MUSC in September.

For Eiseman, his retirement and move to SouthCarolina is a homecoming of sorts. Earlier in his career,Eiseman and his family were stationed in Augusta, Ga.and enjoyed their time in the South. When he beganplanning for the second stage of his career, Eisemanconsidered the challenge of establishing a privatespecialty practice, but saw the opportunities at MUSCand SEI.

“I’m very proud to be here and to have the chanceto share my expertise with patients and staff at StormEye. I feel comfortable taking care of patients fromthroughout the state for ocular trauma care due toinjury but also provide other reconstructive andcosmetic surgeries as well,” said Eiseman, who is a1986 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy in WestPoint. He went on to earn his medical degree in theUniformed Services University of the Health Sciencesin 1990 and later completed a fellowship in ophthalmicplastic and reconstructive surgery at the Wills EyeHospital in Philadelphia.

At Walter Reed, Eiseman was prepared to conductthe most complex repairs and ophthalmologicreconstructions that would often involve thecollaboration of neurosurgeons, otolaryngologists andother specialists. At SEI, he may not treat patients for

Ocular trauma surgeon translatesexpertise beyond battlefieldBy Cindy ABole

Public Relations

injuries from bomb blasts, but he is prepared to carefor patients suffering from other trauma that affects theeye. In addition to trauma, Eiseman can provide peoplewith eyelid repairs after tumor removal, brow and lid

See TrAumA on page 10

Storm Eye Institute’s Dr. Andrew Eiseman isan oculoplastic surgeon who will help expandMUSC’s Ocular Surgical Service.

8 The CATAlysT, November 9, 2012

In January, Debbie Bryant, DNP, R.N., didn’t thinkshe had even a small chance at winning the Robert

Wood Johnson Foundation Community HealthLeaders Award. She was nominated by Leonard David,DDS, chair of Hollings Cancer Center disparitiesboard, and went on with her everyday life as theassistant director of cancer prevention, control andoutreach at the cancer center.

In March she was asked to fill out a more completeapplication. In early June, she was informed that sheadvanced to round three of the process and officialsfrom the foundation would be making a site visit toMUSC in late June. That’s when the award suddenlybecame attainable.

One Friday in August, while Bryant was sitting at herdesk on the phone, an email popped up on the screen.The simple word “congratulations” said it all.

“I was like, ‘Oh my God, I won!’” she said. “A fewpeople heard me screaming, and they came down. Itwas pretty phenomenal.”

She was one of 10 leaders to receive the Robert WoodJohnson award, which includes a $105,000 grant tosupport a defined project at MUSC that Bryantcomes up with and a $20,000 grant for her to use for

Employee named state’s first RWJ Foundation winnerBy Ashley BArker

Public Relations

personal development.The award has “recognized leaders who work in their

neighborhoods and communities to address some ofthe nation’s most intractable health care problems”since 1993, according to the foundation’s website.

Bryant, the first South Carolinian to receive theaward, was honored for several outreach servicesthat she helped establish for the Lowcountry’s poor

Dr. Debbie Bryant, R.N., bottom row, far left, was one of 10 leaders to receive the 2012 Robert WoodJohnson award. She met the other nine winners at an awards ceremony in San Antonio. Bryant isthe first South Carolinian to receive the award.

See Winner on page 10

The CATAlysT, November 9, 2012 9

Captain earned dolphins insignia before joining MUSCBy Gerry le

Public Relations

R etired U.S. Navy Supply Corps Capt.Robert H. Peiffer, administrative

manager in the MUSC Departmentof Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,followed the traditional military way oflife. He grew up in a military household— his father served in the Army for mostof his childhood — and knew there wasnever a question that he’d follow in hisfather’s footsteps.

Initially, Peiffer joined the Navy in1965 because, he said, it offered thebest college program. His intention wasto go to college on a Navy scholarship,graduate and serve his four-yearcommitment before becoming aforeign service officer with the StateDepartment. At the time, he would havepreferred to go to Harvard or Yale, butthe Navy chose Miami University inOhio. “It was one of the best things thatcould have happened to me,” said Peiffer.“My experience at Miami University wasabsolutely superb.”

At the end of his four-year service,rather than go into the foreign service,he opted to stay in the Navy. Peifferretired in 1991, after 26 years in theservice. “I realized it wasn’t a bad careerchoice,” he said.

During his time in the Navy, Peiffertraveled to the ends of the earth. Heworked in various submarines on theWest Coast. He also spent four years inHawaii and two years in the Philippinesbefore arriving in Charleston.

While in the service, Peiffer saidthat one of his proudest moments wasgetting through the rigorous trainingto be qualified in submarine work.That is where he earned his submarinewarfare insignia, known as dolphins.Subsequently, he transferred to the NavySupply Corps where he was involved inhandling finances and purchasing andadvanced to the rank of captain. In hisfinal Navy assignment, he was namedcommanding officer of the Naval SupplyCenter in Charleston.

What he misses most about militarylife is all of the sightseeing, he said.

“I worked with wonderful people inthe Navy,” said Peiffer. “But I also workwith wonderful people here at MUSC. Iended up exactly where I was supposedto.” Peiffer lives in Charleston withhis wife of 20 years. For this VeteransDay, Peiffer hopes that citizens will

give military officials the gratitude theydeserve. “Veterans Day is an opportunityto tell our veterans we appreciate whatthey’re doing. My son-in-law just gotback from a tour in Afghanistan. I knowI wouldn’t trade places with them, so Iappreciate what they’re doing.”

Bob Peiffer, right, who joined MUSC in 1998, with Nancy White andAnthony Scott. To watch the video, visit http://bit.ly/MUSC_BobPeiffer.

10 The CATAlysT, November 9, 2012

population since joining Hollings Cancer Center in2005.

They include a voucher system that helps uninsuredpatients afford follow-up cancer care, a cancer mobilescreening unit that provides care in areas with limitedaccess, and a lay-navigators program that connectstrained professionals from a similar background topatients for peer counseling.

“For me, my work was really about access to care,” shesaid. “At the end of the road, we’re trying to ensure that

cancer is diagnosed and treated early.”On Oct. 17, Bryant was invited to San Antonio for

a ceremony to meet her fellow 2012 winners and anannual conference of more than 200 other RobertWood Johnson awardees from the past.

“I felt very special. It was a phenomenal experience,really, truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” she said.

Back at MUSC now, Bryant is working on a conceptfor the award-funded project and continuing to findways to do what the foundation emphasizes.

“When you’re here every day, you’re just doing yourwork. You’re just trying to make the ball move. You

Winner Continued from Page Eight

Hooks led the coordination, logistics andrepackaging of several C-17 Globemastercargo planes, which were scheduledto carry food, supplies, emergencyequipment and additional people toAfghanistan. “The project we focused oncould accurately measure space within aplane and reconfigure a plan that wouldlogistically work,” she said.

She continued to use the Lean SixSigma strategies throughout her workas superintendent of the 305th MedicalGroup and 87th Medical Group.

At MUSC, Hooks trains and guidesmanagers to understand and benefitfrom the Lean Six Sigma methodologyin both the hospital and universitydepartments. Her six-member team isable to visit a location and evaluate thework, methods and processes to makeareas more efficient. “We strive to helppeople realize that some change is good,”she said.

Chris Rees, director of Quality andPatient Safety for the medical center, isproud to have Hooks on his team.

“Jennifer’s presence and work ishelping to push some importantconcepts across MUSC. Her knowledge,

training and understanding of keyprocess-improvement concepts is animportant part of our goals to meetthe clinical enterprise’s health strategicplans. She’s a natural leader who’sapproachable, communicative, anddependable and a stabilizing force in anarea that affects change,” Rees said.

When asked what she misses mostabout military life, Hooks is quick toshare her answers. “Travel and how manylives I’ve been able to touch, especially inhumanitarian assignments,” she said.

Hooks was involved in many missions,from providing support to accommodateHaitian evacuees following the 2010earthquake to supporting communityprojects in Anchorage, Alaska.

She coordinated medical screeningsand provided legal, housing andemployment assistance to veterans.Those projects results in Hooks beingnamed 3dWing and Team Elmendorf2003 Senior NCO of the Year atElmendorf AFB. She also assisted in the9/11 investigation identifying Pentagoncrash victims using forensic dentistry.

Hooks and her husband, Rod, adisabled Air Force veteran, strive tomaintain a grounded family life for theirchildren, Jazmin and Jalen.

Air ForCe Continued from Page One

lifts, wrinkle reduction using Botoxand chemical peels.

“SEI provides a full spectrum ofophthalmic plastic surgery fromreconstruction and cosmetic needs.Our Ocular Surgical Service isprepared to care for patients and theirneeds throughout the span of theirlifetime,” Eiseman said.

Although Eiseman was neverdeployed to the war front, his ocularsurgical knowledge and traumaexperience were best served closer tohome. According to Eiseman, about85 percent of all injured soldiersstationed in Iraq and Afghanistan aremedically evacuated to Walter Reedhospital. The military’s evacuationchain for injured soldiers triaged themfirst for emergency surgery in Iraq orAfghanistan before being transportedto Landstuhl Regional Medical Centerin Germany. Next, patients would besent for further medical treatment ateither Walter Reed or Brooke ArmyMedical Center in Houston, Texas.

According to Eiseman, thepercentage of ocular injuries sustainedby U.S. soldiers in combat has risensharply compared to total war injuries.

During the Gulf War, ocular injuriesaccounted for 13 percent of totalinjuries compared to Vietnam (7percent) and World War II (2 percent).

In addition to providing ophthalmicplastic and reconstructive surgeryand treatment of complex orbitaldiseases, Eiseman will continue hisresearch interests in lacrimal drainagesystem abnormalities, ocular traumaand telemedicine evaluation of eyelidlesions. He also is primary instructorof SEI’s ophthalmology residentsin oculoplastics and orbital diseasemanagement.

work hard to get it pushed in one direction or theother,” she said. “But you don’t really feel extraordinary.I didn’t know that anyone would feel that I was thatgreat. It’s not that folks don’t tell you that you’re doinga great job here. I’m just one of many doing what needsto be done.”

A reception will be held at the Hollings CancerCenter Nov. 19 to celebrate Bryant’s award with theMUSC family.

For information about the Robert Wood JohnsonFoundation Community Health Leaders Award, visitwww.communityhealthleaders.org.

TrAumA Continued from Page Seven

Army Col. Andrew Eiseman withwife Amy, and daughter 2nd Lt.Allison. The Eisemans also havea son, Mark.

The CATAlysT, November 9, 2012 11

annual dental day recognized

The James B. Edwards College ofDental Medicine hosted DentalDay Nov. 2 for prospectivestudents. More than 100 studentsand their college advisorsparticipated in the event.Third- and fourth-year dentalstudents served on a panelto answer questions and talkabout dental school life. Leftphoto: Participants heard fromMUSC leadership and dentalfaculty including CDM diversitydirector Dr. Gwendolyn Brown,left, who met with students andhosted the program. Studentsheard presentations fromdental faculty, curriculum, theapplication process, and touredthe clinics and lab areas.

12 The CATAlysT, November 9, 2012