MUSC Catalyst

May 11, 2012 MEDICAL UNIVERSITY of SOUTH CAROLINA Vol. 30, No. 37

READ THE CATALYST ONLINE - http://www.musc.edu/catalyst

63 NursiNg ExcEllENcErEmEmbEriNg a lEadEr

Statewide conference selectsMUSC nurses for best practices.

2

11

5Dr. George Cooper leaves a rich legacyat Gazes Cardiac Research Institute.

Around Campus

Meet Wendy

Classified Ads

By Dawn Brazell

Public Relations

MUSC Nurse of the Year goes to…Cheryl Morrisette sits stunned outside of St. Luke’s

Chapel processing that she just won MUSC’sNurse of the Year at the awards ceremony.

“I was surprised. I was taken aback. I’m stillsurprised,” she said, laughing as she watches her fellownurses enjoy a reception May 7 honoring their hardwork and standards of excellence.

Morrisette said she loves her work as a nurse in theoperating room at MUSC’s Ashley River Tower (ART).She assists with open-heart and other surgeries andfinds it fascinating work. “It’s just very interesting work.It’s what I’ve always done. I work with a great groupof people, doctors, nurses, perfusionists, residents andanesthesia staff. I couldn’t ask for a better group ofpeople to work with.”

Morrisette, who has been atART for four years and a nursefor more than 30 years, saidwhat makes a good nurse toher is someone who is caring,dependable and level-headed.“You have to be able to getalong with a lot of differentpersonalities because OR nurses have to work well as ateam.”

Nurses do face more stress and pressure, but it helpsthat she has an even temper. “I don’t get flustered.”

Fred A. Crawford, M.D., a Distinguished UniversityProfessor, said she’s intensely loyal to the cardiothoraciccenter and to MUSC as a whole. “The patient is alwaysfirst. She comes prepared. If she has any questions, shecalls the day before. If I see her scrubbing in, I knowI’m going to have a good day.”

Crawford, who dislikes people who whine, said he

If I see herscrubbing in, Iknow I’m going tohave a good day.

visit http://tinyurl.com/7d8smuq

watcha ViDeo

“”

MUSC’s 2012 Nurse of the Year Cheryl Morrisette takes a moment in the spotlight.

Dr. Fred A. Crawford See nurse on page 9

2 the catalyst, May 11, 2012

Around CampuseVentsPeoPle

Haley Buff LindnerHaley Buff Lindner won the JuniorInvestigator Award for her abstracttitled “pGIcNAc NanofibersStimulate a Scarless Wound HealingProgram.” The award was presentedto Lindner, a second-year studentin the Dental Medicine ScientistTraining Program, at the national Wound HealingSociety meeting in Atlanta. The project was fundedin part by Marine Polymer Technologies Inc. Lindnerworks in the lab of Robin C. Muise-Helmericks, Ph.D.,associate professor, Department of RegenerativeMedicine and Cell Biology.

Etta PisanoCollege of Medicine Dean EttaPisano, M.D., was the recipientof the American Roentgen RaySociety 2012 Gold Medal. TheGold Medal is the society’s highesthonor awarded to recipients fordistinguished service to radiology.The society, founded in 1900, is thefirst and oldest radiology societies in the United States.The mission of the society is to advance medicinethrough the science of radiology and its allied sciencesby enabling the creation and exchange of knowledgeand information in the field through its journal,meetings and other means. To see a list of past winners,visit www.arrs.org/AboutARRS/GoldMedals.aspx.

Don RockeyDon Rockey, M.D., will be thenew chair of the Department ofMedicine. Rockey currently serves asprofessor of internal medicine andchief of the Division of Digestive andLiver Diseases at the University ofTexas Southwestern. Rockey led thedevelopment of clinical, educational,and both basic and clinical researchprograms and will be joining the Department ofMedicine on Sept. 1. Rick Silver, M.D., is serving asinterim chair.

Benefit Concert, Silent AuctionThe Brain & Spine Tumor Program is sponsoring aconcert May 12 at King Street Grille on James Island.Call 792-6592 for information.

Leslie McCravy Memorial 5K Run/WalkThe Annual Leslie McCravy Memorial 5K Run/Walkwill be held May 12 at Folly Beach. The walk is heldin memory of Leslie McCravy, who died in 2007.Proceeds will benefit Pet Helpers. For information,visit www.lesliemccravyrun.com.

Hurricane Awareness DayThe Hurricane Awareness Day event will be heldfrom 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 23 in the Horseshoeand portico. Representatives from the AmericanRed Cross, SC Emergency Management Divisionand others will be available to answers questions onhurricane protection. For information, call 792-4463.

Roommate Finder PartyThe MUSC Off-Campus Housing office is holding aroommate finder party from 5 – 6 p.m. June 8. Theevent is for MUSC students, faculty and staff. Tomake a reservation, call 792-0394 by June 6.

The Kidzymphony Orchestra from theCharleston Academy of Music, performed atthe Hollings Cancer Center (HCC) April 17. Theconcert was hosted by the HCC ComprehensiveCancer Support Program and the MUSCCultural Projects Council in an effort to bringmusic and the health community together andto give patients, families and staff a welcomemusical respite in the middle of the day.Students at the Charleston Academy of Music,ranging from ages 7 to 9, learn to play the violin,cello or viola in an afterschool program in urbanCharleston at no cost to the families.

The CatalystEditorial of ficeMUSC Office of Public Relations135 Cannon Street, Suite 403C, Charleston, SC 29425843-792-4107Fax: 843-792-6723

Editor: Kim [email protected]

Catalyst staff:Cindy Abole, [email protected] Brazell, [email protected]

The Catalyst is published once a week. Paidadver tisements, which do not represent anendorsement by MUSC or the State of SouthCarolina, are handled by Island PublicationsInc. , Moultrie News, 134 Columbus St. ,Charleston, S.C., 843-849-1778 or [email protected].

the catalyst, May 11, 2012 3

MUSC lost a valued colleague, researcher and mentorApril 28 with the death of George Cooper IV, M.D.,Distinguished University Professor of Medicine anddirector of the Gazes Cardiac Research Institute.

An internationally renown expertin heart physiology and heart failureresearch, Cooper was professor ofmedicine in the Department ofInternal Medicine. Cooper waschief of cardiology at the RalphH. Johnson Veterans Affairs (VA)Medical Center and appointed todirector of Gazes Institute in 1994.

M. Rita Young, Ph.D., associatechief of staff for research at theRalph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, valued Cooper’scareer and experience that was helpful to juniorresearch faculty on campus.

“George was a VA investigator for the past 25 years,with his VA research focusing on the causes of heartfailure, a significant problem in the aging veteranpopulation. He was a passionate researcher and a highly

respected mentor for junior scientists, faculty, cliniciansand students. As both a VA researcher and chief ofcardiology at the VA Medical Center, George was trulydedicated to advancing the health of veterans.”

Cooper grew up in Alexandria, Va., and receivedhis bachelor’s degree in 1964 from Williams Collegeand medical degree in 1968 from Cornell UniversityMedical College in New York. He completed hisinternal medicine training at Case Western ReserveUniversity in Cleveland, Ohio, and research andcardiology fellowships at the Mayo Clinic and DukeUniversity Medical Center. He also conducted researchat the Naval Medical Research Institute in Bethesda,Md.

During his career, he authored more than 80scientific articles and 10 book chapters in the fieldof cardiac mechanics and served on editorial boardsof major cardiology journals and specialized boardswith the National Institutes of Health and Veteran’sAdministration.

Gazes Cardiac Research Institute acting director andcolleague Donald R. Menick, Ph.D., praised Cooperfor his leadership, vision and compassion to improvecardiac care. “George had a great passion for promotingcardiovascular research. Most importantly, he wanted toensure what he discovered in the lab made a difference

in his patient’s lives. To this end, he brought togethertalented clinical and basic scientists focused onunderstanding and treating heart disease, which becamethe Gazes Cardiac Research Institute. He has had agreat impact on all of us who worked with him and onresearch here at MUSC.”

Julius Sagel, M.D., Division of Endocrinology,Diabetes and Medical Genetics and former head of themedicine service at the VA Medical Center, has workedwith Cooper at MUSC and the VA hospital for almost30 years.

“I was associated with Dr. Cooper since his arrival toMUSC and the VA Medical Center. I gained enormousrespect for his intellect, scientific productivity andability to guide the careers of young faculty. Dr. Cooperwas able to develop a very strong cardiology sectionand helped strengthen the affiliation between bothinstitutions. In addition to his highly successful researchcareer, he also dealt appropriately with clinical issues.”

Cooper is survived by his wife, Elizabeth RoemigCooper, and sons, George, F. Cullen, William Wise,James Andrew and other family.

Memorials may be made to St. Michael’s EpiscopalChurch, 71 Broad St., Charleston, S.C., 29401 or theGazes Cardiac Research Institute at MUSC, 18 Bee St.,Charleston, S.C., 29401.

MUSC remembers distinguished heart researcherBy cinDy aBole

Public Relations

Cooper


Applause ProgramCycle Operations; Pam Polite, RevenueCycle Operations; Becky Hank, ART6W; Jessica Wiegel, ART 6E; Vicki Shel-ton, ART 6W; Mautisha Jones, ART6E; Elizabeth Smith, ART 6E; LavetteGreen, ART Venipuncture; Adam Mill-er, ART 6E; Melkannah Cochran, ART6E; Eugenia Mathias, ART 6E; Kim Pou-lakis, ART 6E; Janice Quinn, RespiratoryTherapy; Paul Rousseau, General Inter-nal Medicine/Geriatrics; and AmandaCain, Clinical Effectiveness.

The following employees received recog-nition through the Applause Program forgoing the extra mile:

Medical CenterShirely Jones, Radiology Registration;Nathalie Scott, PAS; Linda Garbett,HCC; Janie Gonzalez, HCC; KarmaThompson, Radiation Oncology; BrieLawrence, Radiation Oncology; JennyWilder, Radiation Oncology; Betsy En-glehardt, Radiation Oncology; LeanderCannick, Radiation Oncology; Eva Su-arez, Radiation Oncology; Jennifer Harp-er, Radiation Oncology; Doris Thomas,Medical Records; LaCrystal Bartelle, Rev-enue Cycle Operations; Melanie Hines,ART 6E; Gina Mathias, ART 6E; ElaineSola, ART 6E; Elice Graham, MedicalRecords; Sharon Schuler, Clinical Ef-fectiveness; Diana Evans, ART 9PCU;Nadirah Peterson, ART 4E; DeborahCepeda, Revenue Cycle Operations; Mel-vena Nelson, Environmental Services; JillNorman, 10W; Kara Bogue, MeduflexTeam; Deveat Anderson, EnvironmentalServices; Betty Capers, EnvironmentalServices; Brenda Brown, Revenue CycleOperations; Mary Scarborough, Respira-tory Therapy; Mary Morgan, Storm EyeInstitute; Hilarie Boone, Revenue CycleOperations; Shawnteah Thompson,Revenue Cycle Operations; Kate Mic-cichi, Revenue Cycle Operations; TaraBackman, Children’s Services Registra-tion; Mark Hoy, Otolaryngology Head& Neck Surgery; Diane Graves, Revenue

Julie DesMarteau, Neurology; ToniJackson, Transportation; Sharon Kelly-Brown, Pediatric Endocrinology; Bur-gess Canty, Parking Management; Val-erie Assey, Infectious Diseases; CristolDuke, Developmental Pediatrics; MaryBeth Chalk, HCC; Robert Black, Oph-thalmology; Debra Poinsette, Otolar-yngology; Linda Kinlock, EnrollmentManagement; Rebecca Blair, PediatricNeurology; Becca Britton, Pharmacy;Tanya Buck, Pediatric Neurology; MattGillespie, Stimulation Center; MaryMauldin, Library; Melinda Anderson,Parking Management; Jonathan Coultas,Library; Carolyn Kay, Neurology; DougZemp, Pharmacy; Heidi Hamilton Hen-dricker, Pathology; Carla Bistrick, Col-lege of Health Professions/DHP CP;Alfred Miller, Comparative Medicine;Wendy Sosebee, Education and StudentLife; Nicholas Pietris, Pediatrics; andCathy Rubinstein, Surgery.

University

Women at high risk for developinginvasive breast cancer now have amore definitive answer for appropriatescreening methods, given an AmericanCollege of Radiology Imaging Networktrial reported April 4 in the Journal ofAmerican Medical Association.

The study confirms a significantbreast cancer detection benefit bysupplementing annual mammographyscreening with ultrasound in women atelevated risk due to dense breast tissueand at least one additional risk factorsuch as family history of the disease.The study also found that a singlescreening MRI following three years ofannual mammography and ultrasoundscreenings identified additional cancers.The majority of additional cancersdetected by the supplemental ultrasoundand MRI screenings were early-stageinvasive cancers that had not spread tothe lymph nodes.

“For women who have dense breasts,adding ultrasound to mammography willincrease the chance of finding invasivecancer before it spreads to lymph nodes,”said the trial’s principal investigatorWendie Berg, M.D., Ph.D., professor ofradiology at the University of PittsburghSchool of Medicine, Magee-WomensHospital of UPMC. “MRI detectedadditional invasive cancers not seen onmammography or ultrasound; however,we found that MRI was significantlyless tolerable than mammography orultrasound for many study participants.Of participants offered an MRI, only 58percent accepted the invitation.”

Berg also noted that the study resultsconfirm that mammography alone is notthe best screening process for womenwith dense breasts. MUSC Collegeof Medicine Dean Etta Pisano, M.D.,served as a co-author and investigatorof the study, and agreed with Berg thatstudy results illuminated a much betterpicture of what ultrasound screening cando to protect high-risk women, and thata costly MRI is not always the answer.

“It is important for each patient tospeak with her physician about whichscreening process is most appropriategiven her own medical history,” said

Pisano. “Womenwith dense breasttissue should notassume that havingan ultrasound orMRI is essential.”

Study resultswere reported for2,662 women atincreased breastcancer risk whohad three annualmammography plus ultrasoundscreenings and for a subset of 612 studyparticipants who agreed to undergoan MRI after completing all threemammography and supplementalultrasound screenings. A total of 111breast cancer diagnoses were made in 110study participants with 33 (30 percent)cancers seen only by mammographyand 32 (29 percent) cancers seen onlyby the supplemental ultrasound, foran added annual cancer detection ratedue to ultrasound of 4.3 cancers per1,000 screens. The single MRI screeningrevealed additional cancers not seen bymammography or ultrasound at a rateof 14.7 per 1,000 screens. Nine cancers(“interval” cancers, 8 percent) weredetected clinically in between the annualimaging exams (1.2 per 1,000 screens).

Of the 32 cancers seen only onultrasound, 30 (94 percent) wereinvasive, accounting for a 34 percentabsolute increase in invasive cancerdetection, and of the nine cancers seenonly on MRI, eight (89 percent) wereinvasive.

Ellen Mendelson, M.D., co-investigatorand Lee F. Rogers Professor of Radiologyat the Feinberg School of Medicine,Northwestern University, Chicago gavethese guidelines. “While supplementalultrasound and MRI screening detectmore cancers, it is important toemphasize that an annual mammogramis still recommended and neitherultrasound nor MRI is meant to replacemammography,” she said.

The authors also reported the risk offalse positives decreased significantlywith annual screening ultrasound in thisstudy compared with the first screen.

Ultrasound added to mammographyincreases invasive cancer detection

Pisano


Meet Wendy

Wendy Parker, R.N.DepartmentBusiness Development & MarketingServicesHow long at MUSC22 years totalHow are you changing what’s possibleat MUSCI am a registered nurse with the centralizeddischarge call program, a specialized team ofnurses dedicated to connecting with patientsafter discharge from MUSC. We ensurepatients have what they need in order toheal, prevent unnecessary readmissions andbring closure to their hospitalization.Unique talentSwimming. I was South Carolina statechampion in swimming in 1980.Why did you choose nursing as a careerI am fascinated by people and what makesthem tick.Dream jobTraveling and eatingWhat do you do on a rainy dayCurl up and watch a movie with mydaughter, Perrin, in our jammiesGreatest momentsGetting married and the birth of ourdaughter


2012 PalmEtto gold WiNNErsNurses place emphasis oneducation, best practices

At the 10th annual S.C. NursingExcellence Conference in Columbia,MUSC nurses picked up multipleawards, including three first placeshowings that bode well for how MUSCnurses are well on their way in achievingMagnet status.

Andrea Coyle, R.N., professionalexcellence coordinator and MUSC NurseAlliance chair, believes these statewideaccomplishments emphasize the medicalcenter’s commitment to nursingexcellence and quality patient outcomes.These ideas will contribute to SouthCarolina’s nursing efforts and make animpact on positive patient outcomes.

“MUSC nursing has a great history ofprofessional growth and development.Our success at the 2012 South CarolinaNursing Excellence Conference validatesour continued commitment anddedication to ‘Changing What’s Possible’in health care,” she said.

The March 30 event was sponsored byS.C. Area Health Education Consortiumand was held at the S.C. HospitalAssociation in Columbia. This year’stheme was Growing and SustainingExcellence focusing on the IOM’s(Institute of Medicine) report on “TheFuture of Nursing: Leading Change,Advancing Health” and translatingthose recommendations into a statewideimplementation plan.

Participants discussed how nursescan become active participants in anevolving health care system and thedelivery of care. Conference participantslearned about the South Carolina “OneVoice, One Plan” Future of NursingAction Coalition, which is an effort toimplement statewide nursing workforcerecommendations for the future. Thereport calls for nurses to achieve higherlevels of education and training.

Several MUSC nurses were multiplewinners in the 2011 South CarolinaNursing Excellence Conference Postersession. Three MUSC nurses won firstplace in their category and one nurse wasa second place winner.

The competition featured posterprojects that addressed IOM’s report andnursing, advancing nursing educationand research and evidence-basedpractice.

First PlacE WiNNErs

Category: The Impact of the IOMReport on the Future of Nursing as itRelates to the State of South Carolina(Cynthia Edwards, R.N., and CherylHolderfield, R.N., for the poster,“Nursing Nurturing Nurses: A Strategyfor New Graduate Nurse Developmentin the Neuroscience Intensive CareUnit”).

Holderfield is the NeuroscienceIntensive Care Unit (NSICU) nursemanager and Edwards is an NSICUnurse.

Category: Evidence-based Practice(Melinda Biller, R.N., Beth Rhoton,R.N., Jill Thompson, R.N., JoelCochran, R.N., Rose Augustus, R.N.,Natalie Ball, R.N., and Patricia Prause,R.N., for the poster, “Our Journey toZero: Preventing Central Line AssociatedBlood Stream Infections in the PediatricICU”).

Biller is the Pediatric Intensive CareUnit (PICU) 7C nurse manager; Rhotonis an infection control nurse, whileCochran, Augustus, Ball and Prause arewith the 7C PICU staff.

sEcoNd PlacE WiNNErsKaren Boyd, R.N., and Jessica

By cinDy aBole

Public Relations

Johnson, R.N., for the poster, “A BetterDischarge Process: Improving Patients’Experiences.”

Boyd and Johnson work with the 10West Orthopaedic/Trauma Unit staff.

Category: Nursing ResearchFirst place – Emily Andrews, R.N.,for the poster, “Silent Hours on 9East.” Andrews works in 9 East’sNeuroIntermediate Unit.

Cynthia Edwards, left, and CherylHolderfield, receive first place fortheir poster promoting nursingmentorship in the NSICU.

Nine MUSC nurses and nursing educators were recognized as amongthe state's top leaders and role models as 2012 Palmetto Gold awardrecipients. Top row: Debra Cassidy, left to right, Leianne Jinkins, Dr.Brian Conner, Perette Sabatino, Dr. Ida Spruill, Linda Formby andDr. Berry Anderson were recognized with this honor. Not picturedare Drs. Ruth Conner and Sally Kennedy. The winners were among100 South Carolina nurses who were nominated and selected bynursing employers and peers working in nursing education and athealth care facilities across the state. Winners were celebrated at theApril 21 Palmetto Gold Gala and each received a special pin andcertificate. Palmetto Gold is the premier statewide nurse recognitionprogram honoring registered nurses for exceptional nursing practiceand commitment. Proceeds from the gala will help fund nursingscholarships in approved South Carolina nursing programs.

Emily Andrews takes home firstplace for her research poster.

The Catalyst, May 11, 2012 7

Volunteer and Guest Services’ Cassandra Poole, right, sprints withher pony down the homestretch and ahead of hospital volunteer-competitor Anky Patel, left, as part of the obstacle course at MUSC'sinaugural National Hospital Week Kickoff Event May 3. More than80 employees converged on the Horseshoe to participate in severalactivities including field noodle hockey, tug-of-war and more. Thetop three departments with the highest employee participation ratewon a pizza party. Winners are the Meduflex Team (Steve Schaer,nurse manager), 8 East-Medical Acute Care Unit (Polly Guffin), and 9West-Neurology and Neurosurgery (Ramona Smith).

suPPortiNg NatioNal HosPital WEEk


In observance of National EmployeeHealth and Fitness Day, employees areinvited to recognize the importance ofbeing active at work by walking togetheraround MUSC May 16.

MUSC EmployeeWellness and theAmerican HeartAssociation are joiningtogether to promotewalking groups atMUSC and areencouraging employeesto sign up for the 2012Heart Walk to be heldSept. 29. Designedto promote physicalactivity and heart-healthy living, theHeart Walk helps raisefunds to fight heart disease and stroke inan environment that’s fun with friends,family and coworkers.

Last year MUSC recruited 203 teams(1,239 walkers) and raised $209,921 tobenefit the American Heart Association.

Workplace wellness programs have

been shown to benefit the employersthrough enhanced productivity,improved health care costs, reducedabsenteeism and decreased rates ofillness and injuries. National EmployeeHealth and Fitness Day was createdto promote the benefits of a healthylifestyle to employers and their employeesthrough worksite health and wellnesspromotion and initiatives. The NationalAssociation for Health and Fitness,which sponsors National EmployeeHealth and Fitness Day, said it is thelargest workplace health and fitness eventin North America.

Employee Wellness eventsq May 16 MUSC Moves! A Mile – Joinus for a walk around MUSC. Meetoutside at Ashley River Tower near theentrance at noon. We’ll be walking toBee Street – Ashley Avenue – Calhounand finishing on Courtenay Avenue.Representatives from the AmericanHeart Association will have informationon the upcoming Heart Walk and willbe signing up individuals and teams who

wish to participate.q MUSC's Pitch the Pack Program: Freesmoking cessation program offered toMUSC employees and students. Classes,counseling and a one-month supplyof medications are available to eligibleparticipants. Receive a complementarysuccess kit with enrollment. Enrollonline at http://ceii.muschealth.com/SCP/SCPRegistration.aspx.q MUSC Urban Farm: Work & Learn– Learn through working with the soiland seeds in the MUSC Urban FarmMay 16 from noon – 1 p.m. Familyworkday from 9 – 11 a.m. May 19. Bringa plastic bag and take home some freshproduce. Harvest should include kale,chard, totsoi and radishes. Please bringwater, sunscreen and wear closed-toeshoes. Email [email protected] more information and to register.“Like” us on Facebook: “MUSC UrbanFarm.”q MUSC Employee Fitness Series:Join fitness expert Katie Blaylock for afree Step class from 12:15 – 12:45 p.m.May 16. Registration is required and

space is limited. Sign up by sendingyour name and email to [email protected]. See MUSC Wellness CenterMembership Desk for sign-in anddirections to the classroom.q Worksite screening: May 17 inRoom 2408, Ashley River Tower. Thisscreening, valued at about $350, isavailable to employees with the StateHealth Plan for $15 (covered spousescan also participate for $15). Employeesand spouses without this insurancecan participate for $42. The screeningincludes height, weight, blood pressureand a blood draw for a blood chemistryprofile, hemogram and a blood lipidprofile. To register, go to www.musc.edu/medcenter/health1st and click WorksiteScreening.q Farmers market: Fruits and vegetablesare available from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.every Friday in the Horseshoe and in thegrassy area next to Ashley River Towerbehind Charleston Memorial Hospital.

Contact Johnson at [email protected] to become involved in employeewellness at MUSC.

Walk planned for national employee fitness day

Researchers at MUSC, the University of California,San Diego, and American Life Science Pharmaceuticalsof San Diego (UCSD) have validated gene cathepsinB (CatB) as a target for improving memory deficitsand reducing Alzheimer’s disease in animal modelsrepresentative of most patients with the disease.

The study has been published in the online edition ofthe Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease (Vol. 29, No. 4).

Lead investigator Mark S. Kindy, Ph.D., professorof Neurosciences of the MUSC College of Medicineand career research scientist at the Ralph H. JohnsonVA Medical Center, feels the study is importantbecause it could lead to new treatments for improvingmemory deficits of patients with Alzheimer’s disease.Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative and ultimately fataldisorder affecting as many as 5.3 million Americans andan estimated 80,000 South Carolinians, according tothe Alzheimer’s Association.

Another gene, BACE1, has long been thought to bea cause of the disease because deleting BACE1 fromanimal models reduces brain plaque, which is thesubstance responsible for some Alzheimer’s diseasesymptoms. However, deleting the BACE1 gene wasreported to make memory deficits significantly worse in

animal models.In the current study, the researchers show that

deleting CatB in mouse models improves memorydeficits and also reduces plaque.

Co-authors of the study were Gregory Hook, Ph.D.,of American Life Science Pharmaceuticals in SanDiego, and Vivian Hook, Ph.D., of the UCSD, JinYu, M.D., and Hong Zhu, M.D., MUSC; and SalimS. El-Amouri, Ph.D., Cincinnati Children’s HospitalMedical Center, University of Cincinnati.

The study was supported in part by grants from theNational Institute of Aging of the National Institutesof Health, the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundationand the Alzheimer’s Association.

MUSC targets gene related to Alzheimer’sdisease, suggests new treatment path

According to Dr. MarkKindy the study couldlead to new treatmentsfor improving memorydeficits of patients withAlzheimer’s disease.

Healthat workSusan Johnson


never has to worry about that withMorrisette. She’s like a bulldog andsticks it out to the end on whatever casethey may be working. “She’s there, andshe gets it done right.” It allows him tofocus on the case at hand.

Also, attending the ceremony wasDave Morrisette, director of the Divisionof Physical Therapy at MUSC’s Collegeof Health Professions and Cheryl’shusband. The award didn’t surprisehim at all. She’s very high energy anddefinitely a Type A personality, he said.She’s always on the move at home, andonly sits down to watch the news onTV. When they were dating, he had torun – literally – to catch her. Their firstdate was a movie, but after that theydiscovered they both loved running.

“After that, every date was a run,followed by cinnamon chocolate milkshakes,” he said. “And she’s faster thanme.”

She enjoys swimming and plans tocompete in the Lowcountry Splash, a 2½ mile swim in the Charleston harbor.Dave said his wife is a great mother totheir two sons and a very caring person.Even the next door neighbor’s JackRussell terrier came to their house whenhe got hit by a car. “She has a warm spotfor animals.”

That’s true for patients and fellow co-workers too.

Crawford said the center has anexcellent staff of scrub nurses andeveryone loves her. She has a knack forknowing what he needs in surgery. “If Iput out my hand and she puts somethingin it, I better know what it’s for.”

nurse Continued from Page One

Cheryl Morrisette, Nurse of the Year, celebrates with Dr. Fred Crawford.Other Nurse of the Year nominees were: Andrea Homan, MICU; MackShieder, IOP; Eugenia Mathias, 6W ART; Jaime Nettles, AmbulatoryCare; and Tressa Heinen, Pediatrics.



Rental Properties

CLASSIFIED PCLASSIFIED PAGEAGE• Household Personal Items for

MUSC employees are free.All other classifieds are charged at rate below. Ads considered venture-making ads (puppy breeder, coffee business,

home for sale, etc.) will be charged as PAID ADS •• PROOF OF ELIGIBILITY REQUIRED* NO MORE THAN 3 LINES * FREE ADS RUN 2 WEEKS ONLY!

PAID ADS are $3 per line ( 1 line = 35 characters) DEADLINE: TUESDAY – 10:00 AM* CLASSIFIED ADS CAN BE E-MAILED TO [email protected],

OR MAILED (134 Columbus St., Charleston SC 29403)Please call 849-1778 with questions. *Must provide Badge No. and Department of Employment

for employees and Student I.D. Number for MUSC Students.IP01-681634

Great medical office spaceavailable NOW. 3300 sq feetready to move right inConvenient Mount Pleasantlocation Tim Rogers 843-412-2221

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