University of Illinois Medical Center
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eNewsletter — Issue 2
Straight from the top conversations with the CEO & Dean
The new marketing communications program for The University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center is rolling out with the theme line, “Changing medicine. For good.” What’s it all about?
MR. DENARDO: Our new marketing campaign is the result of input from over 100 physicians, employees and leaders of the College and the Medical Center. What we found is that we needed to get the word out, internally and externally, about our many strengths and accomplishments. So people will be seeing messages about what we’re calling our “points of pride” and how we are changing medicine for the benefit of people everywhere.
DEAN FLAHERTY: That’s something we can say with conviction. The College of Medicine and the University of Illinois Medical Center have been advancing medicine and benefiting people since 1881. I think it’s safe to assume, no other academic medical center has been part of more changes in medicine.
MR. DENARDO: And we are still among the nation’s leaders in important medical developments like new robotic techniques, live donor transplants, neuro-science, groundbreaking diabetes research and patient safety. These are the messages that people will be seeing in the Medical Center, the College of Medicine and on the East and West Campuses. A campaign for the general public is scheduled to begin in January.
What are some of the other ways we are “Changing medicine?”
DEAN FLAHERTY: Certainly, education is one way. We train more new physicians than any other medical school in the country--young men and women who will be providing the care, discovering the breakthroughs and training future generations. It stands to reason, they will create more positive changes in medicine than the graduates of any other medical school.
MR. DENARDO: We have physicians here who are known locally, nationally and internationally as leaders in their fields. They represent dozens of specialties and receive more NIH funded research grants than researchers at any other institution in the area.
Can you elaborate on what we mean by “For good?”
MR. DENARDO: We are unique among Chicago’s academic medical centers: We are part of a proud university, a public institution highly respected in its own right for research and technology. We will be true to our commitment to the people of Illinois to provide compassionate, high quality health care and be an acclaimed leader in advancing the art and science of medicine.
DEAN FLAHERTY: For me, “Changing medicine. For good.” means we are moving medicine forward in ways that are lasting and important, and will benefit people everywhere. Each message in our new marketing campaign provides examples and evidence of how we are doing it.
Look for more conversations with John DeNardo and Dean Joseph Flaherty in upcoming issues of this newsletter.
We welcome your questions and comments. Send them to mktg@uic.edu.
Upcoming Events
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Fri. November 3–7, 2008
Employee Recognition Week
Employee Recognition Week is a time for departments to thank individuals who exhibit excellence in service everyday and demonstrate how they are Changing medicine. For good. Throughout the week, individual departments will hold celebrations for their employees. In addition, everyone is encouraged to visit the “Hall of Fame” outside 1400.
Thu. November 6, 2008
Lunch & Learn: Health Management Resources
The November Lunch & Learn focuses on Health Management Resources (HMR), an alternative program for weight loss and wellness. 12–1 p.m. in the Medical Center conference rooms 1130 & 1135. Refreshments provided.
Fri. November 14, 2008
National Donor Sabbath
The University of Illinois Medical Center recognizes the life-giving benefits of organ and tissue donation and encourages everyone to register in Illinois’ new donor consent registry. The new registry will help save hundreds more lives each year. To register as a lifesaving donor, visit www.donatelifeillinois.org or visit the registry table in the UIMC lobby on November 14th. For more information about donation, contact Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network at 888/307-DON8 or www.giftofhope.org.
Providing Independence, One Islet at a Time
For many people with diabetes the disease is an annoyance, but something they can live with. However, for many adults diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes later in their lives, the drastic lifestyle changes required can be devastating. They are suddenly stuck with daily glucose checks, insulin shots and the need to have people around them at all times in the event of an episode.
University of Illinois Chicago researchers have made promising advances in islet cell transplants for patients and are altering lives for the better. In a recent study, researchers developed a new islet cell procedure by taking the cells from a donated pancreas and infusing them into the liver.
“For those patients who have been injecting insulin for 20 to 30 years, it’s like being reborn,” said Dr. Jose Oberholzer, Chief of the Division of Transplant.
Progress in islet cell transplantation has been limited by the shortage of donor organs, but according to Oberholzer, “This study is extremely promising and shows that we can achieve success with fewer islet cells.”
UIC is one of only a few centers worldwide able to achieve reproducible and consistent insulin independence in severe type 1 diabetes patients.
For more information about the Clinical Islet Transplant Consortium studies, call UIC at (312) 996-6087 or visit www.citisletstudy.org or www.thechicagoproject.org
Shining Stars
Circle Of Class
Circle of Class awards are given to three time Class Act Winners. These employees go above and beyond the call of duty by lending a helping hand, taking the time to listen, and helping create a positive work environment. The following winners received their 2007 Circle of Class Award at the Spring dinner in 2008.
Circle of Class Award Recipients
- Doris Allen
- Rupa Ganatra
- Wendy Jaffe, RN
- Larisa Tsinman
UIC receives multi-million dollar grant for stroke research
UIC has been awarded a five-year, $2.1 million grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke to lead a multi-center study to assess blood flow and stroke risk.
While much of prior and current medical research focuses on the major lobes in the front of the brain, this study will focus on the arteries that supply blood to the back of the brain.
Dr. Sepideh Amin-Hanjani, Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery and Principal Investigator in the study says that even a small stroke in this area of the brain can have very devastating consequences.
The study will enroll 80 patients at five sites who have first-time stroke symptoms caused by 50 percent or greater blockage of the arteries leading to the back of the brain.
Patients will receive standard brain imaging with MRI or CT, imaging of the blood vessels and possible medication therapy. As part of the study, patients will additionally undergo magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion and quantitative magnetic resonance angiography (WMRA) that measures blood flow using “NOVA” technology – developed right here at UIC by Neurosurgeon Dr. Fady Charbel. The Noninvasive Optimal Vessel Analysis measures the volume of blood flow, direction and provides a four-dimensional view of the shape and form of blood flow.
Patients will be imaged when they are first enrolled in the study and six and 12 months later. They will be monitored monthly for any recurrent symptoms that would suggest a stroke.
Dr. Amin-Hanjani and her team hypothesize that patients who have better blood flow to their brains are going to be the ones that do not have new strokes.
“If we know who is at highest risk, we may be able to figure out who is going to benefit the most from interventional treatment,” said Amin-Hanjani.
Other institutions that will participate in the study include Mercy Hospital in Chicago, Columbia University in New York, Washington University in St. Louis and the University of California at Los Angeles.
For more information, visit http://veritas.neur.uic.edu
New Cardiac CT Test Available
Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women in the United States, accounting for one in five deaths. Prevention is key in this silent killer, and at UIMC we are ahead of the curve in helping detect the disease before it’s too late.
We have just begun offering a non-invasive diagnostic test for some patients at risk of cardio-vascular disease, which allows physicians to rule out significant coronary artery blockage without cardiac catherization.
Dr. George Kondos, Professor of Medicine, Chief, Clinical Cardiology, is dedicated to the cause of preventing often-undetectable variations of heart disease before it’s too late.
“A third of people with heart disease don’t have any of the traditional risk factors — diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, family history or peripheral vascular disease — and their condition goes undetected until they drop dead or have a heart attack,” said Kondos.
At UIMC, the new technique of Cardiac Computed Tomographic Angiography (CCTA) helps detect just these kinds of cases. Through the use of a 64-slice high-speed CT scanner, cardiologists have the unique ability to completely assess coronary arteries quickly with minimal or no risk to the patient. A CCTA is non-invasive and can be performed in less than 30 minutes as an outpatient procedure. It offers cardiologists a wealth of information including the strength of the heart muscle, amount of calcium in the heart arteries, and type of plaque.
Dr. Mladen Vidovich, Assistant Professor of Medicine in Interventional Cardiology is currently conducting all of the Cardiac CCTA procedures at UIMC. He is pleased with the increased accuracy provided by the test.
“The CCTA is definitive,” said Vidovich. “If the results are normal, we know that there is no blockage. We don’t have to worry about the false positives that plague stress tests and often require unnecessary follow-up.”
The new diagnostic technique is now available to appropriate patients through the cardiology department.
Isabelle Wilkins, MD, Director of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of OBGYN, has been named one of the Top Chicago Women Docs by Women’s Health magazine for her special expertise in multiple gestation, congenital anomalies, and prenatal ultrasound.Bariatric Department Receives High Honors
The University of Illinois Medical Center’s Bariatric Department has been accredited by the American College of Surgeons as a Center of Excellence in Bariatric Surgery. The accreditation means that we:
- Meet high quality standards
- Report our surgery complication rates and outcomes to a national database
- Offer comprehensive multidisciplinary services including nutrition and wellness, psychological evaluation, and a wide range of specialty services in addition to surgery.
This is a testament to the quality of care provided at UIMC.
For more information, visit http://www.facs.org/cqi/bscn/overview.html
Heart Walkers Burn 27,000 Calories
“My mother died of heart disease that was a complication of diabetes and I have diabetes myself, so I know I have to take care of myself.”
— Paula Pierce, African American Academic Network
Last month, 270 members of the UIC & UIMC community participated in a special edition of the American Heart Association’s “Start!” Heart Walk. Together they raised about $51,000 — more than any other hospital in the Chicago area!
The American Heart Association’s “Start!” Heart Walk was about more than walking for a cause. The theme this year, “Start! Make a Change,” was a reminder that the walkers can make a difference not only through the money they raise but also in their own heart health, through moderate exercise like walking. Flyers for the event reminded walkers that for every one hour of walking, you gain two hours of life.
First time walker, Paula Pierce, enjoyed being outside at lunch to enjoy the beautiful weather, but was also serious about the walk.
“This is really important,” said Pierce. “My mother died of heart disease that was a complication of diabetes and I have diabetes myself, so I know I have to take care of myself.”
Walkers from the East and West campuses combined efforts to raise money, each walking a mile towards each other, to converge in the middle at Arrigo Park. At the end of their mile, walkers were greeted by sign that read “You’ve walked to the one mile finish, burning almost 100 calories—same as a banana” and a free heart healthy lunch provided by Subway to enjoy in the park.
Otolaryngology Celebrates 150 Years of Success
The Department of Otolaryngology held a gala in honor of their 150th Anniversary last month. On hand to host the celebration and announce the new “Now Hear This!” Foundation was Oscar winner and “Dancing with the Stars” alum Marlee Matlin.
A native of Morton Grove, Ill., and a deaf person herself, Matlin has been dedicated to improving the lives of the deaf. She serves as the national spokesperson for the American Red Cross and was honored to announce the start of the “Now Hear This!” Foundation as its Honorary Co-Chair.
“The Foundation will be used for direct patient care. Helping patients in need receive treatment and access to educational resources and advancing the quality of life and treatment for people who experience deafness or hearing loss,” said Dr. J. Regan Thomas, Professor and head of the Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery as well as Co-Chairman of the “Now Hear This!” Foundation.
Over 300 guests attended the affair held at the University Club of Chicago in September. Overlooking beautiful Lake Michigan and Millennium Park, guests dined and enjoyed an evening honoring the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary.
Today, the Department of Otolaryngology continues to build upon its 150-year legacy of invention and its direct application to unsurpassed patient care. The start of the “Now Hear This!” Foundation will help us continue our excellence of improving the lives of our patients.
For more information, visit http://www.nowhearthisfund.com
“The Foundation will be used for direct patient care.”
— Dr. J. Regan Thomas
On Right: Marlee Matlin
Did you know that being moderately-intensely active for at least 30 minutes a day helps keep your heart healthy? You don't have to run a marathon, but simply taking a walk or picking the stairs over the elevator will get your heart going and keep it healthy.Honoring Class Act Employees
Class Act Awards are given to employees who go above and beyond the call of duty by lending a helping hand, taking the time to listen, and helping create a positive work environment. Honored every-other month, these employees represent UIMC’s best of the best and we would like to congratulate the July and September winners and thank them for all their dedication and hard work!
Nominations for Class Act Awards are accepted throughout the year and forms can be found in employee recognition display holders near the Hospital elevators and other Medical Center locations. There is also an online nomination form on the home page of the Medical Center’s Web site.
July Award Recipients
- April Clark: Physical Therapy
- Pamela Coleman, RN: UM/DC Planning
- Jo Debnar, RN: Hepatology
- Milagros Delgado: Environmental Services
- Andre Johnson: Health Social Work
- Susan Kecskes, MD: Pediatrics
- Patricia McDaniel: Internal Medicine Clinic
- Aleli Merto, RN: Transplant
- Melissa Murphey, NP: Bariatric Surgery
- Amy Phipps, RN: Pediatric Surgery
- Ellen Rayfield: Occupational Therapy
- Seema Sidhwani, MD: Medicine
- Susan Simon: Surgical Oncology
- Veronica Stefanek: Health Social Work
- Linda Walker: Patient Accounts
September Award Recipients
- Charita Barlow, RN: MRI
- Cornell Braggs: Emergency Services
- Tim Carrigan, RN: Transplant
- Aju Damodaran: 7 East
- Isabel Gonzales: Hospital Administration
- Min Joo, MD: Pulmonology Clinic
- Kurt Nykaza: Radiology
- Katherine Piscke-Winn, RN: Nursing Services
- Shirley Sheppard, RN: 7 East
- O’Shawn White: Internal Medicine Clinic
