March/April - West Virginia State Medical Association

West Virginia University Healthcare and Health Sciences | NEWSWVU student presents cancer research at the CapitolJulie Diamond, a senior biologymajor at West Virginia University,presented her cancer research duringUndergraduate Research Day at theCapitol on Jan. 26 in Charleston.The annual event provides studentsin various disciplines at privateand public institutions throughoutthe state an opportunity to sharetheir research with members ofthe West Virginia Legislature andexecutive branch who providefunding for higher education.Working under Laura Gibson,Ph.D., at the Mary Babb RandolphCancer Center as part of her HonorsCollege Program, Diamond’sresearch focuses on a signalingmolecule found in leukemic cellsand believed to contribute to tumorgrowth. She also studies the effectsof chemotherapy on the molecule.“So far, we’ve discovered that thismolecule seems to be controlled by aspecific mechanism that contributesto its production,” Diamond said.“Research like this can potentiallyhelp millions of people sufferingfrom leukemia. I’m excited aboutexplaining the work we do in ourlab to lawmakers and helpingthem understand the importanceof funding biomedical science.”After she graduates from WVUin May, Diamond plans to pursuegraduate school and earn a Ph.D.in biomedical science. Ultimately,she wants to have her own laband do research on finding curesfor cancer and other diseases.Diamond is also a recipient ofthe WVU PROMISE Scholarship,Presidential Scholarship andthe Presidential Award forExcellence and Scholarship.Julie DiamondElectroconvulsive TherapyECT can be beneficial in the followingsituations:• A person’s depression is resistant to antidepressant therapy.• Patients with other medical problems that prevent the use ofantidepressant medication.• Persons who have had a previous response to ECT.• Patients with other clinically diagnosed psychiatric disordersthat have been shown to benefit from ECT.ECT at Beckley ARH Hospital is administered and monitored bytrained staff in an area adjacent to the Operating Room on the 2nd floor.ECT treatment is available on both an inpatient and outpatient basis,and ECT is the treatment of choice for pregnant patients with severe depression.For more information,contact Jeff Lilly at 304-255-3557.Beckley ARH Hospital306 Stanaford Rd | Beckley,WV 25801 | 304-255-3000Beckleywww.arh.orgMarch/April 2012 | Vol. 108 51