Alex Sweeney, M.D., is an assistant professor and the Dorothy

L. McGee Endowed Chair in the Bobby R. Alford Department of

Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Baylor College of

Medicine with a subspecialty in otology, neurotology and skull base

surgery. After a number of sports-related injuries, Dr. Sweeney found

medicine, specifically surgery, to be his calling. He holds particular

interests in hearing loss, tumors of the ear, facial nerve disorders and

cochlear implantation. Dr. Sweeney completed his M.D. and residency

training at Baylor College of Medicine. He then spent two years of

clinical and research training as the Michael E. Glasscock III fellow

of the Otology Group at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

Dr. Sweeney then returned to Houston to join the Department of

Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

THE PARTNERSHIP FOR BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE EDUCATIONAL LUNCHEON

1

WHAT DID YOU SAY? HAVING PROBLEMS HEARING?

ALEX SWEENEY, M.D.OTOLOGY, NEUROTOLOGY AND SKULL BASE SURGERYAssistant Professor and Dorothy L. McGee Endowed Chair Bobby R. Alford Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck SurgeryDepartment of Neurosurgery

JANUARY 17, 2017

FROM PAST TO PRESENT

In 1977, the Neurosensory Center of Houston, a joint project of Baylor College of Medicine and The Methodist Hospital, opened. The Center launched with a focus on the treatment of disorders that affect the brain, nose, ears, eyes, throat and nervous system. In this photo from the February 1973 edition of Inside Baylor Medicine, courtesy of the Baylor College of Medicine Archives, Trustees Corbin J. Robertson, S. Marcus Greer and David C. Bintliff inspect a model of the then-proposed center.

Forty-three years later, the Center houses Baylor’s departments of neurology and otolaryngology, Baylor’s Innovation Development Center, ophthalmology labs and the Department of Surgery. Courtesy of Baylor College of Medicine Archives

PROOF

2 3

NOTES

PETER HOTEZ, M.D., Ph.D.Professor and Dean, the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine

Tropical Medicine Expert Identifies Two-Pronged Strategy To Tackle Spread Of Zika Virus

Peter Hotez, M.D., has identified important steps to take to prevent the Zika virus from spreading through the Americas.

“We now need a global strategy to reduce the incidence of Zika in the Western Hemisphere,” he said.

Dr. Hotez notes the previous successes in eradicating the Aedes aegypti mosquito in 18 Latin American countries between 1947 and 1962 as a means to eliminate dengue and yellow fever. This is the same mosquito that now can transmit the Zika virus.

“We need to look at historical successes to embark on similar programs in Zika-affected countries,” said Dr. Hotez.

In addition, Dr. Hotez notes that this needs to coincide with pilot studies evaluating new technologies to prevent transmission of the virus, such as novel insecticides, bed nets, genetically modified mosquitoes and mass drug administration with the antiparasitic ivermectin, among others.

Zika virus can cause fever, rash, headache and joint pain, but many affected by the virus have been asymptomatic.

One of the major concerns is the link between the virus and an increased risk of microcephaly in infants, a condition in which the brain does not develop fully before birth.

According to Dr. Hotez, the three main factors fueling the outbreak of Zika are human migrations, climate change and extreme poverty.

ZIKA FAST FACTS

� It is transmitted almost exclusively by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

� Within the past year, there have been over one million cases each in Brazil and Colombia.

� There is a link between the virus and microcephaly, in infants. With this condition, the brain does not develop fully before birth.

� Most people who acquire Zika only experience a mild infection, although some individuals may also develop neurological complications such as Guillain-Barré Syndrome.

� Of greatest concern is that if the virus infects a woman who is pregnant, especially early in her pregnancy, it can infect the unborn baby.

HEARING REHABILITATION TECHNOLOGY:

KNOW THE DIFFERENCES

HEARING AID

� Amplifies natural, acoustic sound to stimulate the hearing nerve, and thus, requires a functional hearing nerve and inner ear

� It is fitted and programmed by an audiologist

� Does not generally require surgery, though new technology is under evaluation to make these implantable with a minor procedure

� Direct-to-smartphone connectivity � Many cochlear implant users wear a hearing aid on

their non-implanted ear � New hearing aid technology can communicate with

cochlear implants to enhance overall hearing

BONE CONDUCTION IMPLANT

� Converts natural, acoustic sound to vibrations that can be heard but not felt, which is helpful when the ear canal, ear drum or ossicles do not work appropriately

� Requires a short surgery, after which an audiologist programs the device

� Involves both an internal part and external part � Bone conduction hearing aid � Uses acoustic information to stimulate the hearing

nerve � Direct-to-smartphone connectivity

COCHLEAR IMPLANT

� Converts natural, acoustic sound to an electrical signal that can be processed by the brain, which is helpful when the inner ear and cochlear nerve do not work well enough for a hearing aid

� Requires a short surgery, after which an audiologist programs the device

� Involves an internal and an external part � Many cochlear implant users wear a hearing aid on

their non-implanted ear � Some new hearing aid technology can directly

communicate with a cochlear implant

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN ALL THREE

� Rehabilitates hearing � Utilizes Bluetooth technology to connect the users’

smartphones and other accessories � Automatic function that manages sound in different

listening environments

UPCOMING EVENTS AT BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

LET ME DOWN EASYPresented by the Center for Medical Ethics and Health PolicyTONIGHT, January 17, 20177 p.m.Wortham Center501 Texas Avenue, 77002

DIVA U SPEAKER SERIESBenefiting the Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy

March 9, 2017Savitri Fedson, M.D.

April 13, 2017Christopher Scott, Ph.D.

May 11, 2017Amy McGuire, J.D., Ph.D.

NoonGrappino di Nino Restaurant2817 West Dallas Street, 77019

For more information on any of these events, please visit: https://www.bcm.edu/giving/upcoming-events

WHAT IS A NEUROTOLOGIST?A surgeon who specializes in the following:

� Pediatric and adult hearing loss

� Cochlear implantation

� Benign and malignant tumors of the temporal bone and skull base

� Temporal lobe brain hernias and cerebrospinal fluid leaks

� Facial nerve disorders

� Balance disorders

TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT:

Center for Hearing and BalancePhone: 713.798.3200Email: hearing_balance@bcm.eduWebsite: www.bcm.edu/hearingandbalance

PROOF

4

JOIN THE PARTNERSHIP OR RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP NOW

You won’t want to miss any of the exciting educational and social events we have planned for The Partnership for Baylor College of Medicine. Join or renew your membership, invite your friends and start having fun today!

All members enjoy: � Invitations to all Partnership events, educational programs and tours. � Updates on cutting-edge health news from the College. � Opportunities to meet some of the best minds in medicine today.

MEMBER LEVELSSupporting Member – annual dues $50Patron Member – annual dues $200Endowed Lifetime Member – one time fee of $1,500All membership fees are fully tax deductible.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORSEDUCATIONAL LUNCHEON SERIESAll luncheons take place at the Junior League of Houston from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

March 21, 2017 Fighting the “Big C...Cancer”

May 16, 2017 The Aging Family Member: Dealing with the Issues

GRAND ROUNDS TOURSMembers only.

February 9, 20176 - 7:30 p.m. An Exploration of Aphrodisiac Tastes with the Center for Reproductive Medicine

April 20, 2017Time: TBA Center for Sleep Medicine

Benefactor - $5,000

Supporter - $2,500

Grand Rounds Supporter - $2,500Amy and Lloyd Kirchner

Mobile 713.806.2633Email mvinson@marthaturner.com

Margaret VinsonREALTOR® Associate - Circle of Excellence

ROB TODD

GC75828

b e cause you are invited to

A Return To The Glamorous Gilded Age At The Stork Club

CAFÉSOCIETYSoi4ée

theSave Date

ChairsCORA SUE AND HARRY MACH

HonoringC. KENT OSBORNE, M.D.

BenefittingThe Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center at Baylor College of Medicine Where Care and Caring Unite to ConqUer CanCer

The Briar Club2603 Timmons LaneFriday, April 7, 2017

Baylor Partnership Gala STD_5.5x8.5.indd 1 11/21/16 2:19 PM

For more information about The Partnership, please contact

partnership@bcm.edu or 713.798.5460.

PROOF