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A Year in Review CAMPUS University, hospital’s smoke-free policy goes into effect  The purpose of the new smoke-free policy for both hospital and university is to minimize the risk of fire, provide a healthy environment, eliminate the effects of passive smoke, and encourage good health habits within all MUSC facilities. Jan. 5 Congress gives $36.8M for hospital One of the last legislative actions carried out before the 109th session of Congress turned out the lights in early December benefits a planned partnership between Charleston’s medical university and veterans medical center. Jan. 5 SACS off-site review favorable for MUSC Following Thanksgiving, MUSC President Ray Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D., received results of the university’s Reaffirmation Draft Report by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) Off-Site Review Team. Jan. 12 Radiation ranking exhibits star quality In its 10th year of accreditation, MUSC’s Department of Radiation of Oncology is edging toward the national apex of radiology. This month, the department learned that it is now ranked third among 74 competing programs certified by the American Board of Radiology (ABR) in the United States. Feb. 2 Project depicts diverse life, people of S.C. A unique display of photographic art depicting South Carolinians in their daily lives was on display at MUSC’s Education Center/Library Building. March 9 Ashley River Tower joins excellence in patient care with innovative design The Ashley River Tower (ART) will focus on delivering quality heart, vascular and digestive disease services, and is scheduled to open in February. The first of its kind on many levels in the Southeast, ART  adds 641,000 square feet of clinical space and feature a diagnostic and treatment building, a patient hospitality tower, and a conservatory designed to connect the two spaces while offering a comfortable gathering place for patients, families and employees. April 20 Disparities conference looks for solutions A need to narrow the health care gap among whites, blacks and other minorities resulted in a gathering of health proponents, educators and policymakers to share ideas and discuss solutions to the problem. July 27 Riding CARTA Express benefits pocketbook Each week, more MUSC employees and students are discovering the joys of worry-free commuting throughout the Lowcountry area by using the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority. Sept. 7 New MUSC logo reflects rise of hospital, services  MUSC’s anticipated opening of the new Ashley River Tower heralds a new era in health care. It also comes with a new visual identity that reflects its potential in medical advancement and progress for South Carolina residents and beyond. Sept. 28 University Guest House changes hands At MUSC’s campus, visitors and guests have enjoyed the convenience of the University Guest House while conducting business or visiting with family and friends at the medical center. Now visitors can continue to enjoy Lowcountry hospitality and more thanks to operational changes and partnership with the Ashley Inn and Cannonboro Inn. Nov. 16 CLINICAL Nurse receives prestigious national awards You feel like you could tell her anything. Carolyn Cavanaugh, R.N., is an unassuming, kind, compassionate person, and she is one of MUSC’s and Storm Eye Institute’s most valued treasures. Jan. 5 Anesthesiology professor receives South Carolina’s highest civilian honor When Charles Wallace, M.D., gathered with his family near Beaufort for annual holiday festivities Dec. 16, he anticipated being surrounded by the more than 40 family members. What he didn’t expect was to receive the highest civilian honor bestowed from the state of South Carolina via the governor’s office. Jan. 12 Children’s Hospital cited among top 10 for emergency care by magazine  MUSC Children’s Emergency Department was ranked as the ninth best pediatric emergency care facility in America by Child magazine. Jan. 12 Peds rheumatologist only one in state  In her formative years, Natasha Ruth, M.D., pediatric rheumatology, experienced an intimate understanding of the conditions she has come to diagnose and treat. March 9 Center offers ‘one-stop’ shop resources Lowcountry children diagnosed with Down syndrome and their families have a new resource for comprehensive care with the opening of MUSC’s Down Syndrome Center. May 11 Leaders reach pact to develop neuroscience On May 9, an Australian premier visited MUSC to sign an agreement as part of the Sister-State Memorandum of Understanding established in 1999 between Queensland and South Carolina. May 25 Team performs EXIT procedure on fetus In the first ex-utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) at MUSC in several years, doctors operated on a fetus that was diagnosed with an estimated 6 cm neck mass detected during a routine ultrasound. June 15 Research advancements could lessen scleroderma complications The ultimate weapon for scleroderma treatment would be “a silver bullet” that specifically targets problem cells and their signals stopping the over-production of collagen. With the accelerated pace of learning at MUSC, physicians will soon be using these specialized agents as safer and more effective means of therapy. June 15 FACULTY 2007: the year of endowed chairs Following is a list of those chairs: Melvyn Berlinsky Distinguished Endowed Chair, Robert M. Gemmill, Ph.D. (Sept. 7); Sherman Financial Group Endowed Chair in Neuroscience, Injerdit Singh, Ph.D. (Oct. 12); Arturo and Holly Melosi Chair in Ophthalmology, Kerry Solomon, M.D. (Nov. 30); Pawek-Vallotton Chair in Ophthalmology, Craig Crosson, Ph.D. (Nov. 30); Stanley H. and Theodora L. Feldberg Chair in Ophthalmology, Gene Howard, M.D. (Nov. 30) Nursing professor named associate dean Sally Stroud understands the need for coordination and communication between faculty and students. As the new associate dean for the College of Nursing, Stroud, Ed.D, R.N., is the policy and procedure go-to official as she continues her role as teacher and mentor to aspiring nurses at MUSC, which she has done for more than a decade. Sept. 14 MUSC, others help build hope to African village Two hundred years after their ancestors came to Charleston as slaves, representatives of Ghana will arrive as partners to local groups committed to building a new future for their village and people. Oct. 19 Governor’s Professor of the Year named Nancy Duffy, R.N., assistant professor in the College of Nursing, was named the Governor’s 2007 Professor of the Year for four-year institutions of higher education. Nov. 23 EDUCATION Bracing for next phase in dental expansion If architecture is petrified music, according to 19th century author and scholar Felix E. Schelling, the music to come from the College of Dental Medicine’s new clinical education center site may be a little loud. June 1 Scholars steered toward nursing, dentistry Some of South Carolina’s brightest minority undergraduates spent the first week of June exploring careers in nursing and dentistry, and gaining experiences from shadowing as part of the South Carolina Area Health Education Consortium (AHEC) Future Health Professionals Academy. June 22 White coat ceremony marks first transition The 50 students in the class of 2008 of MUSC’s physical therapy educational program had a small, dignified and landmark white-coat ceremony on Friday as the first class that will graduate from the school with doctorates in physical therapy. Aug. 3 Pharmacy program to celebrate 50 years The pharmacy residency program at MUSC enters its 50th anniversary next year as it celebrates one of the most established pharmacy residency training traditions in America. Sept. 21 RESEARCH Dentists to address alcoholism in patients  Addiction experts at MUSC say the link between oral cancer and heavy drinking makes dentists ideal sources of alcohol intervention. The study that appeared in the December issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association also finds that most patients don’t mind discussing alcohol use with their dentist. Jan. 19 VNS could play role in obesity treatments Scientists at MUSC determined that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) may play a role in developing clinical treatments for obesity and emotional eating. The first of its kind, the study examined the effects of VNS on food cravings in adults with major depression. Feb. 9 MUSC, CDC announce autism study results The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported findings  from the first and largest summary of prevalence data from multiple U.S. communities participating in an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) surveillance project. Feb. 16 MRI more sensitive than CT in diagnosing common form of acute stroke Results from the most comprehensive study to compare two imaging techniques for the emergency diagnosis of suspected acute stroke show that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide a more sensitive diagnosis than computed tomography (CT) for acute ischemic stroke. Feb. 23 Research expands crystallography abilities Imagine the possibilities as MUSC researchers are capable of conducting real-time research using cutting edge technology from more than 750 miles away. March 9 State’s first patient simulation research, education center opens The first in a statewide network of patient simulation research and education centers opened March 14 at Greenville Health System, linking MUSC clinicians to the Upstate through the Center of Economic Excellence in Clinical Effectiveness and Patient Safety. It has the earmarks of becoming a national model for clinical training, quality care and safer hospitals. March 23 Study of spinal cord injury therapy leads to breakthrough discovery A multidisciplinary investigation led by MUSC’s Inderjit Singh, Ph.D, has resulted in a breakthrough in the treatment of spinal cord injuries. April 6 MUSC receives $7.6M in funds for research U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) announced that MUSC will receive more than $7.6 million in medical research grants. Aug. 10 MUSC leads national women’s health study An MUSC psychiatrist is leading national research that is intended to vastly increase scientific understanding of women’s health and the difference that gender play in various health conditions, particularly addiction. Nov. 2 Obituaries Peggy Ann Wallace, a unit secretary in 2-Center Med Surgery for almost 35 years, died Dec. 21. Jan. 26 Arthur Williams Jr., M.D., former director of the Division of Nephrology (1970 to 1989), scientist, pioneer and author, died Feb. 15. March 23 Calvin “Cal” DeWayne Lindeman, a computer technician with MUSC Children’s Hospital, died at his home May 9. May 25 Dena Finnegan, who had the distinction of being MUSC’s oldest volunteer, died May 14. June 8 Newton C. Brackett Jr., M.D., Professor Emeritus of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, died at a local hospital Sept. 2. Sept. 14 Cindy Garmon, assistant director, Office of Parking Management (OPM), died Sept. 11 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Sept. 21 Jacquelyn “Jackie” Russell, Hospital Patient Accounting, died Oct. 25. Russell had been employed with MUSC since 1999. Nov. 9 Joseph (Joe) Webber, a floor technician working with environmental services at Charleston Memorial Hospital, died Dec. 4 after a battle with cancer. Dec. 14 Editor's note: All stories can be read in their entirety by accessing the Catalyst Online at http://www.musc.edu/catalyst/archive/2007/arch2007.htm Friday, Dec. 21, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.