COMmunicator
University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga
Ruffner Named Interim Dean
Healing
Teaching
Leading
Volume 7, Issue 4
August 2006
Interim Dean Named
Best wishes to
Dr. Blankenbaker
Publications
and Presentations
Departing Residents:
Where Are They Now?
2006 COMC
Resident List
Welcome
Congratulations
Note to PI
Almeida Cartoon
Continuing Medical
Education
B Winfred Ruffner, Jr., MD assumed the interim dean position of the UT College of Medicine Chattanooga (COMC)
on August 1. He replaced Ronald Blankenbaker, MD, who
will pursue special projects at the University of Tennessee
at Chattanooga (UTC) and will serve as a liaison for the
COMC with the UTC campus and community.
Dr. Ruffner will be guiding the COMC through a time of
significant transition. New leadership at the system level
as well as in Memphis creates opportunities for growth
and redefinition of goals and opportunities for our faculty, residents, medical students, and staff.
The Dean has hit the ground running, participating in meetings with Dr. Owen and
administrators in Memphis, Mr. Brexler and the EHS Board, with the Graduate
Medical Education Committee, the department and program chairs, department
coordinators, and COMC staff.
Dr. Ruffner’s impact is felt on the state level as well through his position as a
trustee in the Tennessee Medical Association (TMA). He represents the TMA as a
member of the TennCare Stakeholder Group and is also an appointee to the
Governor’s Safety Net Study Committee. Prior to assuming his current position,
Dr. Ruffner was assistant dean of the College of Medicine Chattanooga from 1997
to 2004. He continues as chairman of UT Physicians, a clinical practice group in
Chattanooga. Dr. Ruffner holds a medical degree from Duke University School of
Medicine and completed fellowships at the Laboratory of Biochemical Genetics,
National Heart Institute, and the National Institutes of Health.
When asked what changes he sees for the future, Dr. Ruffner describes the expansion of the residency and medical school programs in Chattanooga. Specifically,
he hopes to have pharmacy students complete their final year of Pharmacology
School here at Erlanger, to have medical students complete their final two years of
training in Chattanooga and receive their diploma in Memphis, and to increase the
number of residents in the COMC by 30 percent. He would also like to increase
community awareness of the size and exceptional quality of our residency program.
Chancellor Owen’s four-tiered mission of education, research, patient care, and
community service creates a strong base for the COMC to grow as a major presence in southeastern Tennessee. Dr. Ruffner’s leadership will be instrumental in
the transition to a new permanent dean for the College of Medicine.
Congratulations to Dr. Ron Blankenbaker
and thank you for your nine years of
service as Dean of The College of Medicine
Chattanooga
Publications and Presentations
Alvarez RG, Marini A, Schmitt C, Saltzman CL. Stage I and II posterior tibial tendon dysfunction
treated by a structured nonoperative management protocol: an orthosis and exercise program. Foot
Ankle Int. 2006 Jan;27(1):2-8.
Desbiens NA. The presence of hypotheses in the scientific literature. J Philos Sci Law. 2006 July; 6:517.
Kennedy JW, Wong L, Kalantarian B, Hayes C. A paper entitled An Unusual Presentation of Methotrexate Induced B-cell Lymphoma of the Metacarpophalangeal Joint: A Case Report and Literature
Review has been accepted for publication in The Journal of Hand Surgery.
Miller L and Stroud J. “Poster Presentations: High Impact, Minimal Technology.” Poster presentation
at the annual conference of The NMC: The New Media Consortium, 2006 June, Cleveland Ohio. The
NMC is an organization of 200 universities and technology partners that work with digital media in
higher education.
Panda M, Staton LJ, Chen I, et al. The influence of discordance in pain assessment on the functional
status of patients with chronic nonmalignant pain. Am J of Med Sci. 2006 July; 18-23.
Schmitt CM, Lightdale CJ, Hwang C, Hamelin B. A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, 8-week
comparative trial of standard doses of Esomeprazole (40 mg) and Omeprazole (20 mg) for the treatment
of erosive esophagitis. Dig Dis Sci. 2006 Apr 27; [epub ahead of print].
Sizemore J, Lakeman F, Whitley R, et al. The
spectrum of genital herpes simplex virus infection
in men attending a sexually transmitted disease
clinic. J Inf Dis. 2006 Apr; 193(1):905-11.
Did you know that Erlanger Health System
recently won a Telly Award for its television commercial featuring a patient of Paul Apyan, MD, a COMC
orthopaedic surgeon?
Stevens CA, Roeder ER. Ser351Cys mutation in
the FGFR2 gene results in severe Pfeiffer syndrome. Clinical Dysmorphology 2006 July, 15(3):187188.
*************************
Dr. Phillip Lackey’s abstract entitled Giant Basal Cell Carcinoma: Surgical Management and Reconstructive Challenges was accepted at the Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
(SESPRS) annual scientific meeting for presentation in June 2006. He is a first year resident in the Dept.
of Plastic Surgery. Through the SESPRS this paper will be published in the Annals of Plastic Surgery in
2007. Doctors Larry Sargent, Lesley Wong, Mark Brzezienski and Woody Kennedy are co-authors.
Dr. Alina Sholar’s abstract entitled The Specialized Wound-Care Center: A Seven-Year Experience at a
Tertiary Care Hospital was accepted to the Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (SESPRS) annual scientific meeting and was accepted for presentation at the annual meeting in
June 2006. Dr. Sholar is chief resident in the Dept. of Plastic Surgery. Through the SESPRS this paper
will be published in the Annals of Plastic Surgery in 2007. Doctors Lesley Wong and Larry Sargent are
co-authors.
COMC Departing Residents
NAME
Alexander, James
Batten, Casey
Bhatia, Vishal
Cheriyath, Pramil
Cornejo, Christian
Dacus, Elizabeth
Davit III, Alexander
Evans, Scott
Gadadhar, Harsha
Gouge, Susan
Graham, Carliss
Hart, Lisa
Hourigan, Jon
Johnston, Jr., William
Jones, Norman
King, Stephen
Lawley, Janet
Luce, Kevin
Makdesi, Samad
Mantha Bala, Tripura
McIntire, Lisa
Miranda, Dee Jay
Moore, Jason
Munson-Jackson, Julie
Noe, Jacob
Nwadike, Joy
Oaks, Jason
Parker, William
Petit, Jonathan
Pooler, Jason
Post, III, Garrett
Robertson, Jason
Shah, Jasmine
Sholar, Alina
Simpson, Elizabeth
Singh, Rajdeep
Spens, Linnea
Stephenson, Earl
Tudor, Maria
Waldrop, Jimmy
Wallace, Cynthia
Wilson, Mark
Zhao, Peng
Ziegler, Martha
Where are they now?
DEPARTMENT
Transitional
Family Medicine
Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine
Pediatrics
OB/Gyn
Surgery
Family Med-Geriatrics
Internal Medicine
Family Medicine
Surgery
OB/Gyn
Surgery
Family Medicine
Surgery
Orthopaedics
Pediatrics
Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine
Transitional
Pediatrics
Surgery
Family Medicine
Transitional
OB/Gyn
Transitional
Pediatrics
Orthopaedics
Surgery
Surgery
Family Medicine
Internal Medicine
Plastic Surgery
Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine
Surgery
Plastic Surgery
Internal Medicine
Surgery
Pediatrics
Transitional
Transitional
Familiy Medicine
GOING TO:
Radiology Residency, University of Florida
Sports Medicine Fellowship, UC-Berkeley/Davis
Oregon (underserved area)
Private practice/faculty (Hershey, Pennsylvania)
Private practice (Seattle, Washington)
Private practice (Charleston, South Carolina)
Plastic Surgery Residence, UT COM Chattanooga
Private practice (Charleston, South Carolina)
Oncology Fellowship, East Tennessee State Univ.
Private practice (Chattanooga, Tennessee)
Surgery Residence, Orlando Regional
Family Medicine Residency, Mississippi
Colo/Rectal Surgery Fellowship, GRMERC, Michigan
Private practice (Vicksburg, Mississippi)
Surgery Residency, Iowa Methodist Medical Center
Private practice (Alabama/Georgia/North Carolina)
Private practice (Chattanooga, Tennessee)
Hospitalist (Memorial Hospital, Chattanooga)
Hospitalist (Knoxville, Tennessee)
Hospitalist (Memorial Hospital, Chattanooga)
Ophthalmology Residency, Wake Forest
Practice/Faculty (Chattanooga, Tennessee)
Surgery Residency, Greenville, SC Hospital
Private practice (Chattanooga, Tennessee)
Radiology Residency, UT Graduate Sch of Medicine
Private practice (Chattanooga, Tennessee)
Radiology Residency, Johns Hopkins University
Hospitalist (Pediatrix, Chattanooga, Tennessee)
Private practice (Columbia, Tennessee)
Anesthesiology Residency, University of Oklahoma
Family Medicine Residency, Emory University
Sports Medicine Fellowship, Alabama Sports Med.
Pulmonary Medicine Fellowship, Univ. of Virginia
Private practice (Evansville, Indiana)
Hospitalist (Chattanooga, Tennessee)
Neurology Residency, Syracuse, NY
Surgery Residency, University of Minnesota
Private practice (Alabama/Georgia/North Carolina)
Hospitalist (Memorial Hospital, Chattanooga)
Plastic Surgery Residency (UT COM Chattanooga)
Private practice (Tennessee, Tennessee)
Radiology Residency, University of Florida
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency
Private practice (Chattanooga, Tennessee)
2006 COMC Residents
The following residents have begun their programs as of July 1, 2006:
NAME
Abdu, Adio “Ben” Ishmael
Afridi, Saifullah Khan
Arnold, Kelly M.
Baker, Jennie M.
Balabanova, Liliya
Bishop, Christianne
Blease, Robert
DEPARTMENT PGY
OB/GYN
1
Geriatrics
4
Family Med
1
Pediatrics
1
Internal Med
1
Family Medi
1
Orthopaedic
6
Trauma Fellowship
Brackett, Stephen
Surgery-Prelim 1
Butler, Jeffery Miles
Surgery-Prelim 1
Campbell, William Bradley
Surgery-Cat
1
Carlton, Kimberly
Family Med
1
Carpisassi, Melinda Dubose
Transitional
1
Chowdhury, Aparna Saha
Internal Med
1
Cincere, Amanda Leigh
Internal Med
1
Cincere, Brandon Alexander
Ortho Surgery
1
Clark, Jason Michael
Surgery-Prelim 2
Collier, Christopher Whitney
OB/GYN
2
Davit, Alex
Plastic Surgery 6
Dutta, Gautam
Internal Med
1
Edwards, Chad Randall
Surgery-Prelim 1
Eppihimer, Brandon
Family Med
1
Evans, Lindsay Carol
Surgery-Cat
1
Fagan, Scott Richard
Surgery-Prelim 1
Farmer, Tony R.
Pediatrics
1
Fayner, Yuri B.
Transitional
1
Gafford, Philip S.
Surgery-Prelim 2
Hawken, Kristi Anne
OB/GYN
1
Hester, Andrew Barrett
Ortho Surgery
1
Hill, Jason Andrew
Transitional
1
Huffman, Ryan Isaac
Transitional
1
Jacobson, Tatiana
Internal Med
1
Kaako, Ahmad
Internal Med
1
LeSar, Jonathan David
Surgery-Prelim 1
Lusk, Christy Auburn
Pediatrics
1
Makdsi, Fadi
Internal Med
1
Marti, Jonathan Joseph
Surgery-Cat
1
Martin-Ross, Amber
Transitional
1
McCroskey, Christina Marie
Pediatrics
1
(Simmons)
Mealer-McArtor,
Transitional
1
Amanda Michelle
Mocanu, Brindusa Iona
Internal Med
1
Nakhaee, Beheshteh
Internal Med
1
Patel, Shetul Ishver
Pediatrics
1
Pettes, Christy Lynn
Family Med
1
Rader, Melissa M\ichelle.
Surgery-Cat
1
Ragon, Jr. William Stansul
Ortho Surgery
1
Rahman, Abu-Ahmed Zahidur Internal Med
1
Razdan, Rishi Norman
Surgery-Prelim 1
Rockholt, English Allison
OB/GYN
1
MED SCHOOL
Medical University of SC
AGA Khan Medical College (Karachi, Pakistan)
UT Memphis
UT Memphis
Kiev Medical Institute (Kiev, Ukraine)
Creighton University (NE)
Uniformed Services Univ. –
Edward Herbert School of Medicine
University of AL (Birmingham)
Mercer University (GA)
Medical University of SC
Medical College of Georgia
Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University
University of Dhaka Medical College (Bangladesh)
UT Memphis
UT Memphis
Medical University of SC
University of Texas Southwestern (Dallas)
Wake Forest University
University of Dhaka Medical College (Bangladesh)
Mercer University (GA)
Medical College of Georgia
University of AL (Birmingham)
Tulane University (LA)
Mercer University (GA)
UT Memphis
Meharry Medical College (Nashville, TN)
East Tennessee State University
Medical College of Georgia
UT Memphis
Yale University
Krasnoyarsk State Medical Academy (Russia)
University of Aleppo (Syria)
Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara (Mexico)
University of Alabama (Birmingham)
University of Damascus (Syria)
Mercer University (GA)
St. George’s University
East Tennessee State University
UT Memphis
Univ. de Medicina Si Farm (Romania)
Shahid Beheshti University (Iran)
American University of the Caribbean
UT Memphis
Medical College of Georgia
UT Memphis
Universitry of Dhaka Medical College (Bangladesh)
Mercer University (GA)
UT Memphis
2006 COMC Residents (continued)
NAME
Samuel, Sandy
Seeley-Dick, Sarah
Sepp III, Howard William
Staton, Brent D.
Strelnikova, Natalie S.
Suarez, Olga Marie
(Winowiski)
Tindni, Arshdeep
Vasser, Elizabeth Catherine
Waldrop, Jimmy
Winick, Kathryn Annette
DEPARTMENT
PGY
MED SCHOOL
Pediatrics
Pediatrics
Pediatrics
Family Med
Transitional
Transitional
1
1
1
1
1
1
Windsor University (St. Kitts - West Indies)
Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine
Wright State University
Flinders University (Australia)
UT Memphis
Universidad Autonoma Del Estado de Mexico
Internal Med
Surgery-Prelim
Plastic Surgery
OB/GYN
1
1
6
1
University College of Medical Sciences (Delhi, India)
Texas Tech University
Medical College of Georgia
Ross University (Dominica, West Indies)
Welcome
Langhorne Waterhouse is the new Manager of the Medical Library. She grew up throughout
the southeastern states, including Virginia, Florida, Kansas, Texas and Louisiana. Her family
moved to Chattanooga in 1972 where she finished high school and college before moving to
Georgia. Marriage to native Ed Waterhouse brought her very happily back to Chattanooga
two years ago.
After receiving her Masters degree in Library Science in 1988, Ms. Waterhouse began her
career in research at the University of Georgia’s Main Library as a reference librarian. Then,
having worked with such a broad range of subjects, she decided to focus her work efforts on
special libraries--collections dedicated to a single subject or discipline. Ms. Waterhouse brings to Erlanger a rich
history of researching a variety of topical areas, among them, small business, pulp and paper science, library
services and collection development, database and web site maintenance (with some design of each), management
consulting and executive search. She is looking forward to working with the Medical Library’s talented staff to
provide literature searching and access to online and print resources.
We also welcome Renay Thibodeaux Metzger to the COMC staff as secretary for Graduate Medical Education
and Continuing Medical Education. Ms. Metzger was born in Houston, Texas but has spent her life traveling
around the world as the daughter of a career military officer. She has lived in Japan, Greece, Germany, Italy and
Switzerland. Renay is currently working on her PhD in Sociology at UT Knoxville. She has a special research
interest in using education to reduce the attitudes that lead to hate crimes.
Congratulations
Tebra Dixon, MD, has been selected for a Travel Award to attend the 2006 National Medical Association Annual
Meeting and Scientific Sessions in Dallas, Texas. This award was very competitive with qualified applicants
from many regions of the US and was granted based on Dr. Dixon’s accomplishments and academic commitment.
Dr. John Peterson, President of the University of Tennessee System, has recognized the following employees for
their years of service:
Phillip Burns, MD, Chairman, Dept. of Surgery
Jane Clay, Business Manager, COMC
Ann Rybolt, MD, Dept. of Medicine Faculty
Pamela Scott, Director, Graduate Medical Education
Elizabeth McGhee, Senior Administrative Assistant, COMC
30 years
30 years
20 years
20 years
5 years
Note to PI
New Year for the Coordinator Forum
The Coordinator Forum will begin the fourth year of monthly noon conferences on Tuesday, September 12th. This forum is open to all investigators, nurses, and support staff who
want to stay current on changes in federal and local policy as well as establish a network in
the research community. It’s an excellent introduction to the challenges of research for new
coordinators and it provides an opportunity for experienced research staff to share their
expertise and serve as mentors. Please mark your calendars, bring a lunch, and join us.
9/12/06
Medical Record Management
and Portal Demonstration
Ann Anderson
EHS Clinical Applications Analyst
10/10/06
Big Shots Who Undermine Compliance
Rich Metzger, PhD
UTC Professor, Psychology
11/14/06
How We Communicate #2
W. Ed Smith, PhD, UTC Counseling
12/12/06
Showcase of UT COM/EHS Research
UT/EHS Research Coordinator presentations
1/9/07
OHRP Determination Letters;
What Can We Learn
Sylvia Friedl, CIP
COMC Human Subject Protections
2/13/07
The CIA and You (Hint: It’s
NOT the Central Intelligence Agency
Alana Sullivan
Director, EHS Compliance
2/22/07
Research Compliance Conference
Probasco Auditorium
3/13/07
Research Challenges from a
Child’s View
Leisa Haslerig, CPS/CRP, CCRP
TC Thompson; Pediatric Oncology
4/10/07
Legal Developments in Biological
Research
Sherry Shurden Brewer, JD, CIP
Director, OHSP Knoxville
5/8/07
The IRB Negotiations and Contracts
Stacey Hendricks, CIM
COMC IRB Specialist
6/12/07
HIPAA Update
Rita Bowen
Director, HIM
Correction: In spite of multiple attempts at proof-reading, the June 2006 UT COMmunicator welcomed Dr. Darwin Koller to the COMC faculty and T.C. Thompson Emergency Services, but his name
was spelled “Killer”. We apologize for this most unfortunate typo.
Comments, articles, and announcements for the COMmunicator can be submitted in publishable format to Sylvia Friedl, Office of
Human Subject Protections, [email protected], 423.778.3899.
Practical Approaches to Healthcare Quality Improvement
October 20, 2006
The Chattanoogan Hotel & Conference Center, Chattanooga TN
Concept: This conference is designed to accelerate change in health care by cultivating promising
concepts for improving patient care and turning those ideas into action.
Featured Presentations
Lean Thinking to Improve the Quality of Healthcare
Joseph E. Scherger, MD, UC San Diego
Facilitating Change in a Children’s Hospital: The Big Hairy Audacious Goal for Best Practices, Safety, and Risk Reduction
Edward Ogata, MD, Children’s Memorial Hospital (Chicago) and
Northwestern University
Quality Improvement through Story Telling
Ruben Puentedura, PhD, Hippasus
EBM Approaches to Management of Chronic Pain
Mukta Panda, MD – COMC
Paradigms for Healthcare Leadership in the 21st Century
C. Stephen Byrum, PhD, Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston TX
Used with permission of author
Collaborative Networking Scatter Sessions
Hands-on EBM
Mukta Panda, MD, COMC
Point-of Care Learning: Will It Make a Difference
Larry Miller, PhD, COMC
MERC: Reducing Medical Errors
Norman Desbiens, MD, COMC
Using Data to Make Improvements
John Barnes, MSEd,, BCBST
Meta Analysis & Its Role in QI
John Standridge, MD, COMC
Surgical Perspectives on Quality Improvement
Joe Cofer, MD, COMC
Desktop Research for Quality Improvement
Richard Metzger, PhD, UT Chattanooga
Community Health Informatics
Bruce Taffel, MD, Shared Health
Medical Policy Development
Steve Martin, RN, BSN, MSEd, BCBCT
NUTS AND BOLTS
Research Symposium
The Chattanoogan Hotel
Friday, September 29, 2006
7:30 am – 5:00 pm
A collaborative approach to research development,
study design, academic promotion, authorship, and
ethics.
Track 1:
Track 2:
Research Development and Design
Research in the Academic Setting
7:30
Registration
Continental Breakfast
8:00
Welcome
B W. Ruffner, MD
8:15
8:45
9:15
9:45
Research in Academic Medicine
Research How-To’s in a Community Setting
Bottom Line: Research, Tenure, and Promotion
Point-Counterpoint:
Pharmaceutical Support
TBA
Greg Heath, DHSc, MPH
Billy Arant, Jr., MD
Billy Arant, Jr., MD
Norman Desbiens, MD
Joy Longley, Pharm D
10:45 Break
11:00 Track 1: Writing an Abstract
Track 2: HSC Research Update
Mukta Panda, MD
Rusty Johnson, PhD
12:00 Lunch
Evidence-Based Medicine:
Stephen Teutsch, MD, MPH
Implications for Coverage, Practice, and Research
1:30
Track 1: Data, Databases & Discovery
Track 2: Research from the Employer
Perspective: What Works and What Doesn’t
Andy Novobilski, PhD
Ken Mitchell, PhD
2:30
Collaborative Research Network
Four 20-minute sessions
with university & community
investigators
4:00
Ain’t Misbehavin’
Deputy Editor, JAMA
Drummond Rennie, MD,
Dr. Rennie has done numerous studies on the pathophysiological effects of acute and
chronic hypoxia in the Andes, the Alps, the Yukon, Alaska, and the Himalayas. As codirector of the San Francisco Cochrane Center he is concerned with the creation and
dissemination of regularly updated systematic review of the effects of medical interventions. He was a member of the recent PHS Commission on Research Integrity.
NUTS AND BOLTS RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM
The Chattanoogan Hotel & Conference Center
September 29, 2006
Name____________________________________________________________________
(Last)
(First)
(MI)
(Title or Degree)
E-mail ____________________________________________________________________
Hospital/Practice/Company ____________________________________________________
Address ___________________________________________________________________
City __________________________________State ______________Zip_______________
Phone (______)_____________ Fax (_______)______________
PLEASE INDICATE YOUR REGISTRATION FEE BELOW
Tuition includes educational sessions, program syllabus, continental breakfast, refreshment breaks, and
lunch. Travel, lodging, and other meals are not included. Cancellation refund requests must be in writing and
received by Sept. 15, 2006. All registrations must be pre-paid.
Physician
Retired Physician, Nurses, Others
Student
$175
$125
$ 75
PAYMENT
Make checks payable to Erlanger CME Dept.
Please complete credit card information below:
__VISA
__MC __American Express
Card # ______________________________
Exp. Date:_________
Signature____________________________
CVV Security Code ____________________
RETURN TO
UT College of Medicine, CME Dept.
960 East Third Street, Suite 104
Chattanooga TN 37403
FAX: (423) 778-3673
Phone: (423) 778-6884 or (800) 947-7823 x6884
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.CMEConferences.org
Student
Resident
$75
No charge bur registration is required
Accreditation: The University of
Tennessee College of Medicine is
accredited by the Accreditation
Council for Continuing Medical
Education to provide continuing
medical education for physicians.
The University of Tennessee College of Medicine designates this
educational activity for a maximum
of 8.25 hours AMA PRA Category 1
Credit(s).™ Physicians should only
claim credit commensurate with the
extent of their participation in the
activity. Each physician should only
claim those hours of credit actually
spent in the educational activity.
Nurses may receive up to 8.25
contact hours of ACCN CEUs
through the University of Tennessee
at Chattanooga.