Looking Forward - Ochsner Academics - Ochsner.org

Inside This IssueLooking ForwardThe Measures of Our SuccessClinical Research Support2007 Alton Ochsner AwardNursing ResearchRadiologic TechnologyNewsProfessional MeetingsLibrary and Archives NewsLibrary EventsRetirementsSummer Science YouthAcademyOchsner Making a DifferenceOchsner West BankConnects to IraqWeb NewsNews NotesAnnouncing MediasiteGrant Support Intranet1234567891011121314151616The Measuresof Our SuccessOver the first three quarters of 2007, the Academic Division hasseen growth in almost every area of focus. Although our metricsfor this quarter are not quite complete due to the timing of thispublication, I would like to take this opportunity to share our areasof strategic focus going forward into 2008.The five strategic objectives for 2008 and beyond that will givedirection to our planning and resource allocation are as follows:Research• To develop and implement a Translational Research Instituteto support growth of research activity and funding by 50%over the next three years.• To develop and deliver community-based programs, inpartnership with Academic Outreach, to educate thegeneral public about opportunities for participation inclinical research.EducationTheMeasuresof Our Success© 2007 Academic DivisionAll rights reserved.1514 Jefferson HighwayNew Orleans, Louisiana 70121To contribute to Academic Update orfor more information, contact:tel: (504) 842-3761fax: (504) 842-5137email: medicalediting@ochsner.orgAcademic Update Staff:Ethel Madden, MLIS, AHIPDirector, Center for KnowledgeManagementLori MonteleoneSenior Medical EditorBarbara Siede, MSArt DirectorMarion Stafford, MSEditorial ConsultantConnie Kringas, MASenior Medical EditorSiobhan McKiernan FlahiveEditorial Assistant• To restructure the current Medical Education Department, addressing processand infrastructure to achieve a model of outcomes-based medical education.• To increase training affiliation to support workforce development and physicianrecruitment and retention.• To identify and develop space opportunities for state-of-the-art educationfacilities, which would include dedicated classroom space to accommodate liveand virtual programs and simulation training.Carrying out these objectives will bring us to an enhanced level of performance andproduction. With each objective, multiple metrics will be followed and reported tokeep us on track and create accountability.This plan demonstrates the commitment and investment of the organization inour academic mission. Our challenge will be to execute the plan with everyone inthe division taking ownership of those elements that they can impact. We haveconsistently raised expectations of our performance over the last three years andhave significantly raised the stakes for the next three.I am confident in our ability to meet these expectations and our capacity to continueto make academics a differentiator for this organization. I look forward to sharingour progress as we move forward.To access the Academic Update online,go to www.ochsner.org/publications.

Clinical Research SupportThe Clinical Research Support Departmentconducts research programs in areas of medicalrelevance. By providing ongoing support, the departmentencourages the exchange of ideas among scientistsand the public, and provides research training for staff.The department also facilitates the development andadministration of clinical research programs among thedivisions of Ochsner Health System.The department primarily impacts patientcare, scientific integrity, and education by providingpedagogical guidance to research studies through theutilization of 42 well-trained clinical research coordinatorswho assist over 200 physician investigators in 27 clinicaldisciplines.At any given time, approximately 400 clinicaltrials are taking place, which include pharmaceutical anddevice trials (primarily Phases II–IV), as well as survey,observational, and retrospective studies.Lynn Thibodeaux, the Director of ResearchSupport, is responsible for strategic planning, assuranceof regulatory compliance, and the development of theoverall accountability for the department. In addition, sheoversees the training and development of research staffa n d investigators, and acts as a resource forresearch investigators, scientistsand coordinators in mattersrelated to research regulationand good clinical practice.Ms. Thibodeaux alsocoordinates and overseesfunctions and operations ofthe Clinical Research SupportDepartment.The Senior EducationalCoordinator develops andimplements all of the department’s educational activitiesand programs, and helps residents and physiciansbetter understand the research process in developingand conducting research protocols.The Quality Assurance Coordinator overseesthe conduct of clinical trials and serves as an internalmonitor for adherence to good clinical practice.Bridgit Maniger, PharmD, and Pat Pandya,PharmD, are the two Investigational Pharmacistsresponsible for maintaining research drug inventory,accountability, pharmacy budget preparation, and inservicetraining for pharmacy and nursing staff.The staff of Clinical Research Coordinatorswork in collaboration with principal investigators toinitiate, evaluate, and maintain all activities related tothe conduct of clinical trials. They serve as liaisons toinvestigators, study sponsors, Institutional Review Board(IRB), monitors, and other healthcare providers to ensuresuccessful and safe conduct of assigned protocols.Special Services Coordinator Gwen Loecherprovides administrative and secretarial support to theDirector of Research Support and manages the office.The Clinical Research Assistants help clinical researchcoordinators with various clerical and research-related duties.In the future, the department will be focusing its effortson growth and identifying opportunities for improvement in theclinical research processes at Ochsner, as well as expandingresearch activity to the hospital’s satellite facilities.The department is guided by Ochsner’s missionstatement, “Our commitment to patient care, education andresearch will enable us to serve our patients and communitiestoday and in the future,” which ultimately contributes to patientsreceiving healthcare with peace of mind.For more information about the Clinical ResearchSupport Department, contact Lynn Thibodeaux, Director, at(504) 842-4685.

2007 Alton Ochsner AwardRelating Smoking and HealthThe Selection Committee for the 2007 AltonOchsner Award Relating Smoking and Health ispleased to announce the selection of Caryn Lerman,PhD, and Rachel Tyndale, PhD, as this year’swinners.Dr. Lerman is the Mary W. Calkins Professorin the Department of Psychiatry and the AnnenbergSchool of Communication at the University ofPennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. She is also directorof the NIH-funded University of PennsylvaniaTransdisciplinary Tobacco Use Research Center,which translates research in neuroscience,pharmacology, and genetics to developpharmacological therapies for nicotine dependence.Recently, she and her colleagues discovered thatvariations in genes in the brain and opioid systeminfluence how smokers respond to medications fornicotine dependence. Such research will help createtargeted treatments for people to successfully quitsmoking with a reduced chance of relapse.Dr. Tyndale is the Canadian Research Chairin Pharmacogenetics at the Centre for Addictionand Mental Health, Toronto, Canada. She and hercollaborators were the first to discover a majorgenetic link to nicotine dependence when theyproved that certain enzymes in the liver, whendefective, decreased a person’s risk of smoking andthe number of cigarettes smoked. Her latest researchis focused on establishing what role certain enzymesin the brain play in changing the effectiveness andtoxicity of drugs designed to work within the brain,as well as determining how genetic variations ofthese enzymes in individuals affect their risks fordrug dependency and disease such as lung cancer.These two scientists and educators havebeen highly productive in similar areas of research,prevention, and in medical and public educationrelating cigarette smoking with cancer. Bothinvestigators are nationally and internationallyrecognized. Their research efforts have focused onthe use of specific drugs that are directed to promotethe choice, dose, and duration of treatment of tobaccoWinners of the Ochsner Award: Caryn Lerman, PhD, University of Prnnsylvania (L)and Rachel Tyndale, PhD, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto (R).dependence based on a smoker’s genetic characteristics.Additionally, both scientists have made scholarly contributionsto our understanding of the ethical and health policy issuesthat must be addressed for the successful clinical translation ofpharmaceutical research. They have made a great contributionto society by serving on advisory committees on researchfunding, publishing scientific articles, and providing educationto scientific and lay advisory groups.Prior recipients of the Ochsner Award have been honoredfor work demonstrating important relationships between tobaccoconsumption and nicotine addiction; lung cancer and othermalignancies; lung function and emphysema; and other diseases,including atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. The award isnamed for the late Dr. Alton Ochsner, the first person to recognizethat cigarette smoking is the major factor underlying lung cancer.The Alton Ochsner Award is supported by the OchsnerClinic Foundation and recognizes outstanding scientificachievements that have provided pivotal insights into the biologicaland clinical mechanisms that relate tobacco consumption tohuman disease. This year’s winners will each receive a monetaryaward, a special medallion, and a scroll, which will be presentedto the honorees at the Annual Convocation of the AmericanCollege of Chest Physicians during its scientific sessions to beheld in Chicago, IL, on October 21, 2007.

NursingResearchThis is an exciting time for nursing research atOMC. The Center for Nursing Research now representsa partnership between OMC and the LouisianaState University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC)School of Nursing. The partnership is expected tonot only increase the volume of research studies bynursing faculty, but provide multipleopportunities for staff nurses to bementored in the research process. Inaddition, graduate nursing students willhave the opportunity to participate inresearch experiences by assisting OMCnurse researchers with data collectionand data entry. Although this research partnershipprovides both LSUHSC faculty and students with accessto OMC as a research site, other schools of nursing andexternal nurse researchers are also encouraged to usethe Center’s services.The scope of services includes• consultation to provide guidance in all phases ofthe research process, from protocol proposal tomanuscript development;• promotion of the development of communityresearch scholars through mentoringopportunities and educational programs; and• facilitation of nursing research proposals forsubmission to Ochsner’s Institutional ReviewBoard (IRB).Other joint endeavors include• the first OMC/LSUHSC School of NursingResearch Day on November 16, 2007, and• co-sponsorship of the Epsilon Nu Chapter ofSigma Theta Tau International Honor Society ofNursing’s Annual Research Day in April 2008.more storms (p = 0.0149). The current disaster planallows nurses to choose either Team A or Team B eachhurricane season. Less than 10 percent of respondentsagree with the current system. Participants of the studyindicated they would like to see a rotational systemput into place in either weekly (65%) or monthly(61%) blocks. Fifty percent of therespondents indicated that they wouldlike to see nurses change from Team Ato Team B year to year, and 39 percentof the responses showed an interest inrotating teams after each storm. Thesefindings are expected to provide somedirection for future disaster plans.Shelley investigated nurses’ readiness for evidencebasedpractice (EBP). The findings from this study,“Assessing Nurses’ Readiness for EBP,” will guideprogram development for a formal nurses’ scholarsprogram that is expected to be available in 2008.Shelley was also recently awarded first place for theposter presentation “Improving Medication Safety inthe NICU” at the 2007 Summer Institute on Evidence-Based Practice, sponsored by the University of TexasHealth Science Center at San Antonio. Shelley receivedthe award on behalf of the multidisciplinary team thatco-authored the project. Other team members includedHarley Ginsberg, MD (Medical Director), DawnRicouard, BSN, RNC (Unit Director), Kathy Bell, NNP,Margaret Pizzatolo, RNC, and Mersina Lawrence,PharmD.One of the goals of the Center for Nursing Researchis to increase the volume of relevant clinical research.The NICU nursing staff seems to be leading the way,and is challenging other nursing areas in the field ofresearch. Reneé Taylor, NNP, and Shelley Thibeau,MSN, RNC (NICU), have both recently completedstudies.Reneé presented the findings from “DisasterPreparedness: Nurses Concerns and Needs of Nursesin a New Orleans Hospital” at a recent researchconference in Baton Rouge. The Internet-accessiblesurvey targeted nurses employed at OMC on August29, 2005. Of 509 eligible nurses, 216 (42%) responded.Significant study findings include an increased numberof single nurses on Team A (p = .0085), and an increasednumber of Team A members being in-house for five orNancy Davis, Senior Vice President/SystemChief Nursing Officer, congratulating ShelleyThibeau.The vision of nursing research at OMC is to generatenew knowledge about the art and science of nursing.However, our immediate focus is to improvemeasurable clinical outcomes through the translationof the best scientific evidence into nursing practice.Changing Practice…Changing Lives

Radiologic TechnologyNewsRadiologic TechnologyClass of 2008The Our Lady of Holy Cross College/Ochsner MedicalCenter Radiologic Technology Program is pleased towelcome the Class of 2008. These students will completetheir baccalaureate degrees in Health Science andgraduate from the program in May 2008.Back row, L to R: Ashlie Randazza, Alissa Dupont, Heather Zanco,Lindsey Klotz, Beth Digirolamo, Judy Lee, Chimene Morris (ClinicalInstructor). Front row, L to R: Kristin St. Ann, Melissa Murden, CaseyWagner, Brookes Falgoust, Ashley Knopp.Our Lady of Holy Cross College/Ochsner Radiologic TechnologyProgram is Second in the State!The Louisiana Society of Radiologic Technology (LSRT) held its 50th Annual State Convention and Educational QuizBowl Competition in Baton Rouge, Louisiana from July 26–28, 2007. Ochsner Health System and Our Lady of Holy CrossCollege were very well represented at the educational competition.The radiography students placed second out of 11 participating Louisiana universities and colleges, which includedLouisiana State University - Eunice, Louisiana State University at Alexandria, McNeese State University, Northwestern StateUniversity, Southern University at Shreveport, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Our Lady of the Lake College, DelgadoCommunity College, Baton Rouge General Medical Center, Lafayette General Medical Center, and North Oaks MedicalCenter.The students were recognized for their outstanding performance and were presented their second place awards atthe awards banquet on Friday, July 27, 2007.Radiologic Technology Program Quiz Bowl Team 2007. Pictured (L to R): Judy Lee, Casey Wagner, Ashlie Randazza,Chimene Morris (Coach/Clinical Instructor), Ashley Knopp, Lindsey Klotz, and Brookes Falgoust.

Professional MeetingsRecent Presentations at Professional Meetings2007 Annual Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance, June 25-27, 2007, Bethesda, MD“In Vitro Testing of Daptomycin plus Rifampin Against Oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)Resistant to Rifampin.”Poster presentation.Faisal Khasawneh, MD, Deborah Ashcraft, MT(ASCP)SM, and George Pankey, MD, Ochsner Clinic Foundation,New Orleans, LA26 th Annual SWACM (Southwestern Association of Clinical Microbiology) Meeting,September 5-8, 2007, New Orleans, LA“Comparison of Time-kill Assay with Two Etest Methods for the Detection of Synergy with hMeropenem(MER) Plus Polymyxin B (PB) against MER-resistant Acinetobacter Baumannii.”Poster presentation.George Pankey, MD, and Deborah Ashcraft, MT(ASCP)SM, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA47 th Annual ICAAC (Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy)Meeting, September 17-20, 2007, Chicago, IL“Polymyxin B (PB) Plus Meropenem (MER) Shows Synergy Against MER-resistant AcinetobacterBaumannii by Time-kill Assay.”Poster presentation.George Pankey, MD, and Deborah Ashcraft, MT(ASCP)SM, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LAAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AGOG) District VII Annual Meeting,October 26-28, 2007, Las Vegas, NE“Treatment of Severe Pulmonary Hypertension in Pregnancy with Epoprostenol: A Case Report.”Poster presentation.Jennifer Lohmann-Bigelow MD, Surma Jain MD, Alfred Robichaux III MD, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, NewOrleans, LAUpcoming Presentations at National MeetingsAmerican College of Gastroenterology 2007 Annual Scientific Meeting and PostgraduateCourse, October 12-17, 2007, Philadelphia, PA“Liver Transplantation for Infliximab-induced Fulminant Hepatic Failure.”Poster presentation.John L. Gosserand, MD, Shamita Shah, MD, K. Shiva Kumar, MD, Divisions of Gastroenterology and Hepatology,Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA“Immunization for Vaccine-preventable Illnesses in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.”Poster presentation.Shamita Shah, MD, John L. Gosserand, MD, Rahul Jasti, MD, Sandra Kemmerly, MD, K. Shiva Kumar, MD, JamesW. Smith, MD, Divisions of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA

Library and ArchivesNewsOchsner’s Medical Library and Archives has undergone a major transformation in thelast two years, not only physically, but in the way it provides its services.In 2005, the library was a traditional hub of information, witha textbook and bound journal collection, eight computerstations, and six library staff members. There were severalelectronic resources, which included 70 online journals, 50books, and 10 databases. It was extremely fortunate thatthe library did not incur any damages during HurricaneKatrina. After the storm, the library realized the need notonly to rebuild its library services fordisplaced healthcare professionals andpatients, but to develop a completely newway of offering its expanding resources tothe growing Ochsner community.In September 2005, Ethel Madden,who was the Library Director, and NitalSheridan, Outreach Librarian, receivedfunding from the National Library ofMedicine to establish electronic librarystations across Southeast Louisiana formedical research support. Working withlibrarians from the Southeast LouisianaHealthcare Education Center and theChabert Medical Center, Ethel and Nitalwere able to establish virtual libraries atseven unaffiliated locations in Orleans,Lafourche, St. Tammany, and TerrebonneParishes.In June 2006, library services expandedto Ochsner St. Anne General Hospitalin Raceland. In addition to updatingtextbooks to support the clinical needs ofhospital staff, two computer workstationsproviding access to library resourceswere installed. Librarians travel to St.Anne once monthly to provide on-sitereference and information services, aswell as individual and group training onlibrary resources.In January 2007, the library held openhouses at the OMC–Kenner and OMC–West Bank Medical Libraries. Bothlibraries have a text collection and twocomputer workstations. Librarians visitboth locations regularly to provide trainingto departments and coordinate specialprograms such as National Library WeekPhysicians’ library at Ochsner Medical Center -West Bank.activities and the Summer Reading Program. In April2007, the OMC Baton Rouge Library opened its doors.This branch location also has the standard reference textcollection and one computer workstation.The library continues to deploy electronic computerworkstations to clinics. Six patient e-stations were setup in July at the Ochsner Health CenterBaton Rouge on Bluebonnet. At theworkstation, patients are directedto the Library’s “Health Links forPatients” web page, which includesresources from the National Libraryof Medicine. This page is divided intodifferent sections of health topics,whose links are selected and deemedreliable by our staff librarians. TheMedical Library and Archives willcontinue this project throughoutOchsner clinic locations.On October 10, 2007, the OchsnerBaptist Medical Library and Archiveshad its grand opening. The libraryis located on the second floor ofthe Napoleon Medical Plaza in theAzalea Room. The collection includesreference textbooks and boundjournals. There are four computerworkstations to provide a gateway tothe library’s electronic resources, aswell as print and copy services.In the past two years, the library hasgrown in many ways. The collectionnow includes 650+ electronicjournals and 100+ online books andhas added Cardiosource Plus to itslist of databases (see p. 14). Thesix library locations now span fromBaton Rouge to Raceland. For2008, the library is planning new andexciting ways to expand its services,which will include on-demandclasses available straight from thedesktop, reference tools for bedsidepatient care, and instant messagingfor reference assistance.

LibraryPathway to Wellness FairEventsOn July 13, 2007, the Medical Library and Archivesparticipated in the annual Pathway to Wellness fair. With thelibrary’s table ready to go, we were able to educate thosewho stopped by about health and medical information. Thelibrary has the Pathway to Wellness DVDs available forcheck out, so stop by early and pick up your copy to receiveall your points.The featured Library database at the fair wasMedlinePlus, a resource provided by the National Libraryof Medicine for consumer information on health topics,diseases and conditions, medications, health directories,tutorials, and much more. To visit the site, go to www.medlineplus.gov.Internet Training in RacelandOn August 3, 2007, Scott Peters, Medical LibraryServices Coordinator, and Amanda Riley, Outreach Librarian,traveled to Raceland, LA, to conduct two specialized classesfor the employees of Ochsner St. Anne General Hospital.The class, entitled “How to Use the Internet and MedicalLibrary,” involved hands-on, interactive training on howto navigate through the multifaceted, unlimited resourcesof the Internet. Once employees were comfortable withsurfing the net, they were then introduced to the vastresources at their fingertips provided through the MedicalLibrary and Archives.Evidence-based Medicine TrainingOn August 8, the Medical Library held an evidence-basedmedicine presentation with Ochsner pediatric physicians.The physicians posed clinical questions, and librarymanager Nital Sheridan and librarian Judith Gardnerdemonstrated which library resources to use to answerthe questions. The Library plans to continue monthlydemonstrations of its evidence-based medicine resourceswith the pediatric physicians, and the staff hopes to holdfuture evidence-based medicine resource demonstrationswith other departments as well.Upcoming Library ClassesThe Library is offering the following hands-on classes, whichare open to all Ochsner employees. Register through OchsnerHealthstream and earn OD&T credit.Resources for Evidence-Based MedicineMonday, September 24 , 1:30 – 3:30 P.M.Brent House Training Room (Brent House 226)Evidence-Based Medicine Resources for NursesThursday, October 25, 12:00 – 1:00 P.M.OMC Baptist, Bayou RoomFinding Patient Education MaterialsMonday, November 12, 1:30 – 3:30 P.MBrent House Training Room (Brent House 226)Special Halloween Class: Ghosts, Goblins, and Blogs!Tuesday, October 30, 2007. 12:00 – 1:00 P.M.Monroe HallLearn how to use new technology tools to stay up todate in your field!Save the DatesJob Shadow Day February 13, 2008Writing Awards Entries must be submitted toMedical Editing byMarch 24, 2008Research Night May 13, 2008Summer Reading ProgramThis year’s Summer Reading Program was a huge successthanks to those who participated. We kicked the summer offwith a great party in the Brent House Atrium on June 7, 2007and closed it out on July 31, 2007. This year’s theme wasBook a Trip, in which readers could travel to far-off lands andgalaxies without ever leaving their homes. This is the secondyear in which the Ochsner Medical Library & Archives broughtthe Summer Reading Program to all employees, guests, andpatients. Special thanks to the Jefferson Parish Public Library forhelping us provide this program to the Ochsner community.

RetirementsRecent Presentations at Professional MeetingsCharles W. Heim, Jr., FAHP, Vice Presidentand Director, Division of Philanthropy26 years of Service and DedicationOn Monday, August 27, 2007, from 3:00 – 5:00P.M. in the Brent House Atrium, Ochsner employees andpatrons joined together in celebrating the career of CharlieHeim, Vice President and Director of the Department ofPhilanthropy for the past 26 years.Mr. Heim began his career at Ochsner on January 1,1981 and served his last day at Ochsner on August 31, 2007.Mr. Heim was especially proud to have had the pleasureand opportunity of knowing Dr. Alton Ochsner.Under Mr. Heim’s direction, Ochsner’sDepartment of Philanthropy raised $107,000,000over the past 26 years. The areas that benefitedfrom these funds included, but were not limited to,Patient Care, Graduate Medical Education, the newPediatric Building, Cardiovascular Area upgradesand renovations, cancer research and buildingfund, and capitol campaigns for the new ResearchBuilding and Research Endowment.In 1995, Mr. Heim was also instrumental increating the Founders’ Week celebrations, wheredonors are honored for their philanthropic support.During these events, donor names are unveiled onseveral recognition displays: the Benefactor Wall,the Business Partner Wall, the Annual Giving Wall,and the “Circle of Friends.” This device recognizesemployees and medical, management, nursing, andretired staff who give through ANCHOR (AssistingNurses Community and Healthcare by producingOutstanding Results).The Academic Division salutes Mr. Charles Heim, Vice Presidentof Philanthropy (R), for his commitment to research and educationthroughout his career at Ochsner. This famous photographincludes Dr. Frank Riddick, CEO Emeritus, and Mr. Heim as theyportrayed the Blues Brothers in the late 1990s.Charlie Heim with Philanthropy staff.Sandy Phillips Retires after 36 years at OchsnerThe Academic Division wishesSandy Phillips the very best asshe retires after serving Ochsnerfor 36 years in Nursing. Sandywas always a strong supporterof Research and Education.Left to Right: Patricia Schaefer,Pat Pankey, Gwen Booth, JanicePiazza, Sandy Phillips, ArleneBecker, Linda Landry, RossJohnson, Bonny Patterson.10

Summer Science Youth AcademyCulmination CeremonyThe Academic Division was pleased and excited tohost the Ochsner Summer Science Youth Academy’sClass of 2007. Eleven students participated in twosix-week sessions during June and July.The culminating ceremony for the Summer ScienceYouth Academy’s Class of 2007 was held on August 1,2007, in the Brent House Conference Center. JanicePiazza, Vice President of Academics, welcomedall students, parents, school administrators, andOchsner faculty to the event, impressing on them theimportance of the Summer Science Youth Academyand similar programs to help develop students’interest in healthcare careers. In his keynote address,Dr. William W. Pinsky, Executive Vice President forSystem Medical Affairs and Chief Academic Officer,told the students that he was impressed with themfor dedicating their summer to the program, and that hehad high hopes for their future roles as doctors and/orresearchers.Kaela Barnett, Summer Science Youth Academy ProgramCoordinator, along with Rachel Ohlmeyer and MaryTocco, Summer Science Youth Academy Team Leaders,presented the Summer Science Scholars with participationcertificates. The graduating class included students JulianneBrown, Tasneem Chowdhury, Joseph Craft, Nikki Jenkins,Cinnamon Mitchell, Craneisha Nettles, Justin Noil, KrishnaPatel, Ajantha Ramachandran, Chelsea Ross, and ShantellVine.The following Summer Science Scholars received specialawards and recognition:Distinguished Young Leader Award: TasneemChowdhuryMs. Chowdhury is a rising junior at Patrick F. Taylor Scienceand Technology Academy. While at Ochsner, she continuedto show an unwavering commitment to learn and alsoserved as a volunteer in the Patient Relations office. Hercareer aspirations include being a cardiologist.Soaring Beyond the Stars Award: Craneisha NettlesMs. Nettles is a rising junior at New Orleans Charter Scienceand Mathematics High School. She earned the SoaringBeyond the Stars Award in recognition of her performanceand participation in the program. Her career aspirationsinclude being a pediatrician.Moving Spirit Award: Shantell VineMs. Vine is a rising senior at New Orleans Charter Scienceand Mathematics High School. Throughout the program,Ms. Vine showed a level of compassion and OchsnerSpirit to all students and to those she encountered in theAcademic Division and the Volunteer Services department.This was particularly evident during the students’ field tripto Elmwood Fitness Center, when Shantell stepped up tothe plate to assist a fellow Scholar.The program is designed to provide high school studentswho excel in science with an opportunity to participatein hands-on scientific research in a laboratory settingwith research-funded scientists in the areas of CellularImmunology, Infectious Diseases, Molecular Cardiology,Molecular Genetics, and Pediatric Endocrinology.The Summer Science Youth Academy would like to extend avery special thanks to the GPOA Foundation and the PatrickF. Taylor Foundation for their financial contributions and forrecognizing the importance of education and healthcare inthe community.Participants in the 2007Summer Science YouthAcademy benefitedfrom a generousgrant from the PatrickF. Taylor Foundation.Founded by Mr. andMrs. Patrick F. Taylorasa charitable extension ofTaylor Energy Company, the Foundationfocuses its efforts on promoting unlimitededucational opportunities for individuals whoare willing to learn. This generous supportof the Ochsner Summer Science YouthAcademy complements the Foundation’semphasis on education and helps preparetoday’s high school students for thefuture with excellent science programs.11

Ochsner Making a DifferenceCultural Leadership BreakfastOchsner’s Respect Through Understanding Committee and the Academic Divisionhosted a breakfast on June 27, 2007 for Cultural Leadership, a non-profit organizationbased in St. Louis that fosters tolerance and understanding by providing AfricanAmerican and Jewish teenagers with a variety of service and learning opportunities.During the group’s stay in New Orleans, the students visited Ochsner to learnmore about our experience during and after Hurricane Katrina. They watched abrief video about the Ochsner experience and participated in a question-and-answersession with a panel of Ochsner speakers, which included Dr. Hector Ventura, WayneSciacca, Norris Yarbrough, and Janice Piazza. While the group was here, both CulturalLeadership and Ochsner Health System received proclamations from the City of NewOrleans. Cultural Leadership has already requested to come back with its fourth class next year!Cultural Leadership students and group leaders during their visit to Ochsner.Field TripAs part of Knowledge Management’s academic outreach effort,the Medical Illustrations Department hosted a series of educationalfield trips for the art students from the Patrick F. TaylorScience and Technology Academy. A slide lecture on medicalillustration as a profession, a bone drawing lab with demonstrationof illustration techniques, and a computer demonstration ofgraphics software were presented to the students.Medical Illustrator Barbara Siede (center) conducts a bone drawing lab with students.12

Ochsner West Bank Connects to IraqWhile most headlines report deaths and injuries inIraq, this story is about the beginning of life. John Harlow, whooperates the Freedom Calls Foundation, connects families inthe United States with their loved ones overseas. Harlow wascontacted and agreed to set up a video conference with Cpl.Jonathan Paul Hingle, stationed 8,000 miles away in Iraq, sothat he could see his baby boy who was born at 11:55 P.M. onSeptember 5, 2007 at Ochsner Medical Center – West Bank.It was no easy task, as Hingle was scheduled to go ona mission on September 7, 2007. As a result, a flurry of phonecalls were made and the video conferencing staff set up theequipment for the call. Marketing also contacted Meg Farrisof local television station WWL to cover the story. Through thediligent efforts of Marc Bonin, Ochsner’s video conferencingspecialist, the necessary technical aspects of the call wereput together and on September 6, 2007, the new father wasable to see his new baby and speak with his wife and familybefore he left on his military mission. Also, Brian Clark withthe Information Services department at the West Bank facilitywas very helpful in getting the network secured to make thishappen.The call lasted an hour and a half, allowing the Hinglesplenty of time to share in this event and creating a memorabletime for all those involved. The baby slept peacefully duringthe call and was the only one who didn’t cry. Freedom Callsand the Ochsner staff were able to create an opportunity fora family to share a blessed event across 8,000 miles.The staff at Ochsner Medical Center – West Bankare to be commended for their help in coordinating a spaceto do the video conference and for being on hand in casethe mother or child had any medical needs. Freedom Calls(www.freedomcalls.org) did an excellent job in providingtechnical assistance in connecting to Iraq, and is providing amuch needed service for the families of our troops stationedoverseas.The video conferencing department at Ochsner isproviding opportunities like this for families as well as settingup telemedicine units, enabling doctors to consult bedsidewhile at another location. The number of conference units isgrowing rapidly, as it is a necessary tool for communication inmedical, scientific, and educational advancement. The videoconferencing staff have shown that last-minute problemsare merely challenges that may be overcome through ourcombined efforts.Top: Robin Hingle and her son, Blain Anthony Hingle.Bottom: Cpl. Jonathan Paul Hingle, father.OMC - Kenner Welcomes Its First BabySince Hurricane KatrinaOchsner Medical Center - Kenner welcomed its first babysince Hurricane Katrina at 10:33 A.M. on September18, 2007. A 6-pound, 12-ounce baby boy from Reserve,Louisiana, became the first delivery in what Kennerhospital officials hope is a new option for moms in thegreater Kenner community. Ochsner anticipates deliveringup to 125 babies by year’s end and 700 babies by the end of2008.The baby boy was delivered by obstetrician Dr. AdrianColeman just one day after the opening of Ochsner MedicalCenter - Kenner’s Well-Baby Nursery and NeonatalIntensive Care Unit (NICU). The first-time mother is20-year-old Chikita Lee.13

Web NewsAcademics Website DebutsClinical Trial ListingThe Research home page on the Ochsner Academics websitenow allows users to search for information about clinicaltrials currently underway at Ochsner facilities. Clinical trialsare research projects that rely on human volunteers to testnew medicines, medical devices, and techniques. Humanvolunteer protection is ensured by Ochsner’s InstitutionalReview Board, and most of the researchprojects are performed under thesupervision of the National Institutesof Health.Sixteen medical departments arelisted in the box labeled “Find aclinical trial” on the Research homepage. Selecting one of these medicaldepartments displays a list of theclinical trials being conducted, with afocus on the area of medicine servedby that department.A keyword search is also availablefrom the department list and fromthe clinical trials listing page. This keyword search allowsthe user to input specific text that might identify a particularmedical problem; the website will search for and display a listof all clinical trials that pertain to the keyword entered by theweb user.To get more detailed information about a specific trial, theweb user clicks on the name of that trial in the list generatedby the keyword search or the medical department listing.The Clinical Trial detail information includes Study Title,Principal Investigator, Purpose, Eligibility, and ContactInformation about a specific research project. An examplescreen of the Clinical Trial detail information is shownbelow.The Clinical Trial Detail screen also allows the web user toview other research projects being conducted by the trial’sprincipal investigator. Pressing thebutton labeled “View more trialsby this physician” will display a listof all clinical trials in which a givenphysician is serving as principalinvestigator.The Academic website’s goal is tomake our web user community morefamiliar with the clinical researchprojects that are being done atOchsner. Ochsner believes thatgreater information about clinicalresearch will allow web users anopportunity to participate in projectsthat may improve their health, increasemedical knowledge, and advance medical science.For more information, visit http://academics.ochsner.org/researchhome.aspx.Introducing Cardiosource PlusAn online cardiovascular information and educational resource produced by the American College of CardiologyFoundation, Cardiosource enables cardiovascular professionals to easily stay up to date with the most relevant researchfindings and best practices, with analysis and commentary by experts in the field to help put the findings in perspectivefor immediate application in practice.However, Cardiosource Plus is not just for cardiologists:• Physicans - CME credit, cardiology resources• Nurses - Practice guidelines, CE credit• Pharmacists - Epocrates drug and medications database• Researchers - Clinical trials• Educators - Teaching tools• Administrators - Cost analysis, news, meetings• Students - Case studies, learning toolsFor more information about Cardiosource Plus access or training,please contact the Medical Library and Archives at (504) 842-3760 or infodesk@ochsner.org.14

News NotesRamon Rivera, MD, staff physician in the Department ofGastroenterology at Ochsner Medical Center - New Orleans, waschosen for the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy(ASGE) Video Editing Scholarship Program. He will be provided alaptop with software and added hardware to create an educationalvideo, which will be eligible for one of three new Pentax AdvancedFellows Video Awards of $1,000 to be presented at the ASGEVideo Forum in 2008.In August 2007, Carl J. Lavie, MD, FACC,FACP, FCCP, was named AssociateEditor of the American Journal of GeriatricCardiology. Dr. Lavie is the Medical Directorof Cardiac Rehabilitation and Preventionand Director of the Exercise Laboratories atOchsner Medical Center - New Orleans.Message from theInstitutional ReviewBoard (IRB)The IRB staff is pleased that there was very little, if any, interruption in our ability to provide excellentservice to our customers both during and immediately after our move on August 24, 2007, tothe second floor of the new Research Building. We would like to thank everyone who made thetransition go so well, especially our clients, who were patient and understanding during that time.Upcoming and RecentDonald J. Krogstad, MDA Basic Science in Clinical Medicine Lecture was held on Friday, October5, 2007, at noon in Monroe Hall. Guest speaker Donald J. Krogstad,MD, Henderson Professor and Chair of Tropical Medicine, Director, Centerfor Infectious Diseases, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, NewOrleans, LA, presented a lecture entitled “Aminoquinolines Active AgainstDrug-resistant Malaria Parasites.”American College of Physicians Resident and Faculty DevelopmentForum sponsored a lecture entitled “Presentations Skills for Physicians” byScott Litin, MD, Professor of Medicine, Mayo Medical School, Rochester,MN. The lecture was held Tuesday, October 9, in Monroe Hall at OchsnerMedical Center - New Orleans.Pandemic Prep DayThe Center for Quality Excellence’s Infection Control Department hosted a PandemicPlanning Prep Day in the Brent House Conference Center.on October 1, 2007 from 8AM to 4 PM. Randy Gauvin, PA-C, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, FranklinCommunity Health Network, served as the facilitator. Attendees included EmergencyDepartment, Nursing Leadership, Infection Control, Employee Health, EmergencyPreparedness and Response, Security, Accreditation, Pediatrics and FacilitiesManagement staff. Ochsner Baptist Medical Center, Ochsner Medical Center -Kenner, Ochsner Medical Center - New Orleans, Ochsner St. Anne General Hospital,Ochsner Medical Center - West Bank, and Ochsner Health Center - North Shorewere represented. Attendees were provided information on pandemic influenza,given resources to review, and charged to develop a thorough pandemic plan forOHS. Various teams assembled to discuss and draft plans on infection control andsurveillance, triage, clinical guidelines, legal issues, occupational health, antiviral andvaccine distribution, and education.15ConferencesSurgery M&MThe Center for Quality Excellence’s InfectionControl Department along with the SurgeryDepartment hosted apresentation entitled“Reducing the Riskof Surgical SiteInfections: ImprovingSurgical OutcomesThrough FocusedInterventional Practices”to OMC-NO Surgeons andSurgery Residents. Theinvited speaker wasCharles E. Edmiston,Jr., PhD, CIC, Professor of Surgery & HospitalEpidemiologist, Medical College of Wisconsin,Milwaukee, WI. The event was held in theBowen Conference Room on October 10, 2007at 6:30 AM.APIC-GNO ConferenceThe Association of Professionals in InfectionControl (APIC) – Greater New Orleans Chapter027 will host a conference on November 7,2007 in the Brent House Conference Centerat Ochsner Medical Center New Orleans. Theconference theme is INFECTION CONTROL:Building a Business Case for InfectionPrevention - From Hand Hygiene to HealthcareRegulation Compliance and From People toPandemic Planning. The Center for QualityExcellence’s Infection Control Departmentmanager, Deoine Reed, PhD, serves asPresident. Dr. Reed says that “every individualinterested in reducing infections and improvingpatient safety is welcome.” To register for theconference, contact Opal Dibble, LPN, at (504)842-6110 for more information. APIC’s NationalPresident ‘07, Denise Murphy, RN, CIC, VPPatient Safety, Barnes Jewish Hospital, St.Louis, MO, is the featured keynote speaker.

Annoucing MediasiteMedia Production Services Introduces MediasiteMedia Production Services is pleased to announcethe availability of the new Mediasite technologyfrom Sonic Foundry. This new media service willenable the documenting of educational conferences,training sessions, and administrative meetings bysynchronizing the presenters’ comments with theirPowerPoint presentations and instantly combiningthem in a webcast format, which may be viewed byOchsner professionals and employees through theirweb browsers on the Ochsner network.On-demand viewing will enable viewers to watchprogramming at their convenience. The user interfacemay be used to start and stop the program, scanahead, or repeat sections. An online catalog willprovide a list of programs that are available for ondemandviewing.Grant Support Intranet PageGrant Support Services has an Intranet pageto help anyone applying for a federal grant. The pageis divided into four groupings to help you locate theinformation you need. The first group is “Forms” andhas the “Notice of Intent” form that must be completedand e-mailed to grantsupport@ochsner.org in order tonotify the appropriate people that you will be pursing agrant. The other form listed is the “Grant ApplicationRouting Sheet,” which must accompany all grants attime of submission.The second group is the “Links” section, whichhas links to several federal web pages that are very usefulwhen trying to learn about federal grants, to requestinformation on grants, or to submit grants. These includewww.grants.gov and the National Institutes of Health(NIH) webpage.The third and longest group lists current userguides for different information. These include eRA UserGuide, eSNAP User Guide, the www.grants.gov UserGuide and the Application Guide for the SF424 (R&R).All of these guides are very important in different facetsof grant submittal.The fourth group is called “Other Resources”and includes an FAQs page with important informationabout Ochsner Clinic Foundation that is required onThis same technology has the capability to captureand transmit sessions in real time to sites throughoutthe Ochsner system. Mediasite employs interactivepolling and viewer question-and-answer capabilitiesthat may be used during the real-time webcasts.These tools are invaluable for engaging the viewer inlive interactive sessions.The initial rollout will be for Intranet only. In thefuture, we hope to offer this service via the Internet,which will expand our reach beyond the Ochsnercommunity. We hope to provide CME content,educational lectures, community outreach, and othervaluable content as we move forward.If you have any questions regarding Mediasitewebcasting, please call Media Production Servicesat (504) 842-3756 for more details.ochweb/page.cfm?id=3039grant applications. This is a Microsoft Word documentfrom which you can copy and paste the information youneed onto the grant form. There is also a PowerPointslide show explaining www.grants.gov – the federalwebsite used to submit grants electronically. There is aFAQs sheet listing format information needed to submitthe SF424 application form, which is required for federalgrant submissions, and also a map of Congressionaldistricts.Also on the page is a link to the Grant SupportInternet page and a link to a page called “Grant SupportProcess” to give basic information on the process used atOchsner to submit a federal research grant application.To access this page, please go to the Intranet(Ochweb) and click on “Academic Division Intranet” onthe left side of the page. When the Academic Divisionpage shows on the screen, look at the far right of the pageunder “Support Services” and click on “Grant Support.”You will then arrive at the Grant Support Intranet page.If you have questions about, or suggestions for,this page, or if you would like to submit a grant proposal,please contact Barbara Attebery at grantsupport@ochsner.org or (504) 842-5092. Please note that we willbe offering more classes in the future to assist in grantwriting.16