Patients at the University of Kansas

Hospital are benefiting from a

new positron emission tomography/

computerized tomography (PET/CT)

scanner in the Nuclear Medicine

Department and a new chest X-ray

unit in the Cancer Center.

The combined PET/CT scanner

features the latest digital imaging

technology, according to William

Bunnell, director of Radiology. It

blends two advanced imaging tech-

nologies: The CT scanner produces

sharp anatomical detail while the

PET measures tissue metabolic

activity, even in cancer cells that

might be “hiding” behind bones and

organs. The new scanner simultane-

ously combines the two images.

“With combined PET/CT imag-

ing, physicians can more easily

diagnose and follow cancer and

neurological diseases and treat them

more specifically,” said Bunnell.

The new PET/CT replaces an

earlier version, which helped hospi-

tal physicians treat more than 3,600

patients following its installation five

years ago. It joins a comprehensive

array of diagnostic, interventional

and therapeutic options offered at the

hospital, making it the leading med-

ical imaging facility in the region.

In the hospital’s Cancer Center,

patients who need chest X-rays now

receive results more quickly and

conveniently because of a newly

installed Del Medical X-ray unit. It

is located just a short distance from

the waiting area.

“Our new chest X-ray unit is a

wonderful convenience for our

patients,” said Stephen Williamson,

MD, medical director of the Cancer

Center. “Many have disabilities and

fatigue that limit their ability to

walk long distances. The wait time

in the Cancer Center is now much

shorter because our patients are the

only ones using the machine.”

Williamson said it is also a ben-

efit to patients whose immune

systems are compromised. “Having

chest X-ray equipment right here in

the Cancer Center reduces their

exposure to bacteria and viruses,”

he said.

The new chest X-ray unit also

saves time because physicians can

see a digitized picture within minutes

of ordering it. That means the physi-

cian, patient and family can discuss

diagnosis and treatment right away. It

also means one less scheduled clinic

appointment, which results in saved

time, travel and expense for all.

Page 2 Front & Center

Page 3 What’s News

Page 4 Classifieds, etc.

The University of Kansas Medical Center

08 JULY 2004 • VOLUME 6 • NUMBER 28

Inside

A new high-performance 16-slice PET/CT scanner helps physicians view disease earlier and treat it more specifically. Radiology patients began usingthe scanner last week.

The Cancer Center’s new chest X-rayunit is more convenient for patientsand promises quicker results. BillPeden, field engineer, SourceOneHealthcare Technology, tests the unit.

Latest Technology Advances Patient Care

Tour for Latino Students Latino Math and Science Academy

participants toured the KUMC

campus on June 25. The summer

program is sponsored by the

University of St. Mary in partnership

with the KU School of Medicine’s

Office of Cultural Enhancement and

Diversity. While on campus, the

group heard presentations from

admissions representatives and

toured Neis Clinical Skills Lab,

Emergency Department, Pathology

Lab and Occupational Therapy.

New ResidentOrientationRight, new residents and fellows

attended orientation June 29 and

30 in Battenfeld Auditorium. The

annual event is organized by the

KU School of Medicine’s Graduate

Medical Education Department.

Kerrie Jordan, GME senior coordina-

tor, visited with, from left, Natalia

Villate, MD, from Colombia; Nivedita

Ganguly, MD, from India; and Inna

Porter, MD, from Belarus. All three are

new residents in Internal Medicine.

Racing for KidsEvery race weekend, former Indy Racing League driver Robbie Buhl, owner of

car number 24, comes to town a day early and visits with kids at local hospitals.

His July 2 visit to KUMC’s Pediatrics Department was part of Racing for Kids, a

program that raises money for local causes. Felipe Giaffone, below right, the

car’s new driver, accompanied Buhl. Gerald Belle, chief executive officer of

Aventis Pharmaceuticals, presented a $2,500 check

to the KUMC Pediatrics Program during the visit.

2

3

Medicaid AgreementThe University of Kansas

Hospital, the State of Kansas and

the federal Centers for Medicare

and Medicaid Services have

reached an agreement on the hospi-

tal’s Medicaid status. The issue had

threatened millions of dollars of

Medicaid reimbursement for the

Kansas Medicaid Program.

“This is a major accomplish-

ment that will help both the hospital

and the State Medicaid Program to

continue serving the people of

Kansas. This agreement will allow

the hospital to continue to deal with

rising uncompensated care, which

will exceed $60 million this recently

concluded fiscal year,” said Irene

Cumming, hospital president and

chief executive officer.

Cumming praised state and fed-

eral leadership in Kansas for

working with the hospital to find a

solution to the Medicaid issue.

Support came from members of the

Kansas Congressional delegation,

as well as Governor Kathleen

Sebelius and Kansas Social and

Rehabilitation Services.

Tuition AssistanceState of Kansas employees who

have worked full time at KUMC for

at least six months are eligible to

apply for tuition assistance. For on-

line information about the program

and to print an application form, go to

www2.kumc.edu/hr/training/tuition.html.Forms are also available in the

Benefits Office, 1044 Delp.

Completed applications should

be returned to 1044 Delp or 1024

Murphy. The deadline is July 23 for

the fall 2004 semester.

Study ParticipantsIndividuals ages 10-35 who are

overweight are needed to partici-

pate in a daylong study evaluating

brain activity before and after

meals. Participants will receive two

brain imaging scans, including

magnetoencephalography (MEG)

and functional magnetic resonance

imaging (fMRI). Psychobehavioral

assessments will also be completed.

Participants will receive $50 upon

completion of all tests.

For more information, contact

Stacey Ward, project coordinator, at

8-6499 or sward@kumc.edu.

Race for the CureThe University of Kansas

Hospital’s Race for the Cure Team

wants additional members. The 5K

run/walk and one-mile fun walk

take place at 7:30 a.m. Sunday,

Aug. 8, at Union Station.

Entry forms should be completed

by July 25 with “The University of

Kansas Hospital” listed as the team

name.

Team registration brochures are

available at several locations around

the hospital, including the Breast

Center on the hospital’s ground floor

or online at www.kckomen.org.

Proceeds from the race benefit the

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer

Foundation.

Lending a HandAbove, Landon Center on Aging staff

members and YWCA volunteers recently

helped retired Rosedale resident Mary

Crosswhite by clearing out rocks and

debris on her one-acre property and

planting a flower garden. Due to poor

health, Crosswhite is no longer able to

work in her yard. She was chosen by the

Rosedale Development Association’s

Operation Bright Side program to receive

help because of her many years as a

dedicated community volunteer. Landon

Center employees regularly donate their

time to help older neighbors as part of

their community outreach initiative.

Thursday, July 8

• Family Caregiver Training Series,

“Legal and Financial Issues,”

9:45 a.m.-noon, Landon Center.

Call Hallie Calloway at 8-0606

to register.

Friday, July 9

• “Understanding Alzheimer’s,”

noon-1 p.m., Landon Center,

Room 200. Call 8-1227 to register.

Monday, July 12

• Immunology Candidate Seminar,

Emilio Flano, PhD, 11:30 a.m.-

12:30 p.m., 1050 SoN.

Tuesday, July 13

• Weight Watchers at Work, noon-

1 p.m., Auxiliary Room,

Kirmayer Fitness Center. Call

Marcy Ruckman at 8-7702.

Wednesday, July 14

• Brown Bag Lunch Series, “How

to Advocate for Yourself: Getting

the Best Healthcare Possible,”

noon-1 p.m., Landon Center. Call

8-3094 to register.

• Central Plains Geriatric Education

Program Series, 12:30-2:30 p.m.,

Landon Center, Room 200. Visit

http://coa.kumc.edu/gec.

• KCK Chamber After Hours,

5-7 p.m., School of Nursing

Atrium.

Coming UpClassifieds, etc.

Automotive:1998 GMC cargo van, 3500 series, A/C,runs great, trailer hitch with electric brakes,must sell, $3,000 OBO. 816-767-1869.

1996 Lincoln Mark 8, 55K miles, cream,mock convertible, power sunroof, powereverything, new tires, premium spokes/rims, traction control, 20 mpg city, only$7,600. 816-763-9550.

1993 Dodge Dakota LE, new tires,AC/heater, extended cab, $1,750 OBO.816-547-9039 or 816-456-9000.

1990 Honda Accord LX, 117K miles,garaged, power everything, AC, auto,very dependable, runs great. $2,500.913-248-0283 or 913-530-5767.

Dirtbike: 2001 Yamaha TT-R 125L,125cc, FMF pipe, low hours, one owner,$1,300 OBO. 816-833-2363.

RV 32' Carrie-Lite Trailer, 1993 model,fifth wheel, lots of storage and extrasincluding W/D, sleeps 4, all systems professionally upgraded and functioning,$19,500. 816-392-6536.

For Sale:Mountain bike: Trek 7000, good usedcondition, $900 new, asking $300. Johnat 785-969-2304.

Virtually new house, 6 blocks fromKUMC, 4304 Fisher, complete restora-tion, 3 BR, 11/2 BA, finished attic,abundance of upgrades and technology,$134,500. 913-722-3141.

Sleeper sofa, good condition, beige withsome other colors, approximately 6', $40.913-780-1329 or 785-979-4999.

Living room furniture: excellent condi-tion, includes sofa, love seat, 2 chairs,glass coffee table, end table, sofa table;will sell as a package or separately,$3,000 for set OBO. 816-468-8470.

Chief’s tickets: Aug. 23, St. Louis Rams;Aug. 28, Cleveland Browns; Nov. 28, San Diego Chargers; Section 325, Row17, Seats 3 and 4, Chief’s side; $69 perseat preseason games, $79 per seat regularseason games. Rob at 913-397-6458.

Solid brass chandelier, $50; antique oaksecretary with bookcase, wooden wheels,$800; pro dumbbells, 8 pairs, 10-60 lbs.,5' 3" tier pro rack, $290. 816-804-2924.

House for sale by owner, 1116 StineLane, KCK, 3 BR, 1 BA, appliances andsome furniture included, large lot withtrees, new roof, $47,500. 913-568-3456for appointment.

Ranch-style townhouse, end unit, 1760 S.32nd St., KCK, 2 BR, 1 BA, 900 sq. ft.,W/D hookups, new CA, new 5' fence,newer carpet, furnace humidifier, shed,pets allowed, $9,675 with $359/monthmaintenance fee. 913-432-8111.

Beautiful Brookside house, 5701Holmes, 3 BR, 2 BA+, media room,office, $209,000. Open house Sunday,July 11. Coco at 816-822-9800. Visitwww.salebyownerrealty.com/6160.

Free:Five-month-old mixed breed bull mas-tiff/presa canario puppy, dark brown withrust spots, named Sampson, very goodwith children, loving, unable to keep dueto move. Vicki at 816-741-5092.

Irene M. Cumming Donald Hagen, MD

President and CEO Executive Vice ChancellorThe University of University of KansasKansas Hospital Medical Center

Carolen Collins, Interim EditorVal Renault, Senior Writer

Kirk Buster, Graphic DesignJan Lewis, Editorial Manager

Mary King, Communications Services Director

In The Center is a weekly employee publication published by The University of Kansas Hospital’sCommunications Services Department. Send story ideasto Carolen Collins, Bldg. 48, Room 1070, e-mail ccollins9@kumc.edu or call 8-1074.

Ad Policy - Send or bring your ad, 30 words or less, to Bldg. 48, Room 1070, fax to 8-0241, or e-mailinthecenter by noon Thursday of the week before it isto run. Ads run free of charge for employees, studentsand volunteers. All ads must include the advertiser’sname and work extension (or student box number) forverification. Only home phone numbers–no pagernumbers or work extensions–will be published. Pleaseinclude area code. No ads for commercial services orpets for sale will be accepted. Ads will not be taken bytelephone. Ads may be held a week if space is limited.

3901 RAINBOW BOULEVARD • KANSAS CITY, KS 66160 • (913) 588-5000 • WWW.KUMC.EDU