wayne state university school of medicine scribe...robert lucas, m.d. w. ralph mabry gwen mackenzie...

Page ThreeMichigan Doctors Making a Difference supports GovernorGranholm’s proposed physicianprovider tax.

Page FourWSU will participate in newpediatric ICU research network.

Page Six3D scan predicts heart diseasewith 99 percent accuracy.

Page TenCongratulations to the class of 2005 on Match Day.

Spring 2005 Volume 16, No. 2

scribe“Wayne First” capital campaign launched

Wayne State University publicly launched its “WayneFirst” Capital Campaign at a May 24 kick-off ceremonythat included an announcement of $251 million indonations to date. The capital campaign goal is $500million.

Two individual gifts totaling $24 million were given byCalifornia businessman Nick J. Labedz in honor of WSUSchool of Medicine alumnus Dr. Richard J. Mazurek andby Yousif Ghafari, a Wayne State alumnus and chairmanof Ghafari Associates Inc. in Dearborn.

“This is a critical moment in the life of Wayne StateUniversity. If we are to remain a leader among thenation’s public universities, we must attract increasingsupport from those who believe in our ability to trans-form the lives of students and contribute positively tosociety,” said Irvin Reid, president of Wayne StateUniversity.

Inside

Page SixteenAlumni and development newsinside.

www.med.wayne.eduWayne State University School of Medicine

scribeCalifornia businessmanNick Labedz’s $15 milliongift is the largest individualgift ever made to the uni-versity. It will be directedto the Wayne StateUniversity School ofMedicine in honor of hispartner, noted physicianDr. Mazurek, who was bornand raised in Detroit.

This significant gift willsupport the construction ofthe Richard J. Mazurek, M.D.,Medical Education

Commons, a state-of-the-science education facility wherestudents will be trained in the art and science of medicine.Dr. Mazurek earned his medical degree from Wayne State in1961 and settled in Los Angeles.

“It’s appropriate to give back to Dick’s medical school thathe was so proud of — in the college from which he gradu-ated — to serve an area to which he devoted his life,” Labedzsaid. “And now to embody his legacy through the medicaleducation facility envisioned and realized. We are carrying onthe very thing that is ‘Dick Mazurek.’This gift, this new para-digm in medical education, is an outgrowth of him — anevolution of the man. It all makes sense.”

The Medical Education Commons will physically connectScott Hall and the Shiffman Library on the medical schoolcampus. It will serve as the nucleus of all programs for under-

Celebrating WSU's first comprehensive capital campaignare major donor Nick Labedz, WSU President Irvin Reid,and WSU School of Medicine Dean Dr. Robert Frank.

The Richard J. Mazurek, M.D., Medical Education Commons is expected to become a model for medical schools by transforming medical education and training through newservices, programs and technologies that advance learningand teaching opportunities for students and physicians.

Largest individual gift in university history honors med school alum, Dr. Richard Mazurek

graduate, graduate and continuing education in medicine.The vision includes optimizing the on-campus educationalexperience for students and clinicians at every career stageand designing spaces for services that enhance campus lifeand convenience for students, faculty, health professionalsand guests. It will also serve as the base for education andinformation services, and innovations that will be deliveredand received through state-of-the-art technologies.

To make a contribution to the Richard J. Mazurek, M.D.,Medical Education Commons, please contact David Lepper,executive director of Development and Alumni Affairs, at(313) 577-3574 or [email protected].

Nick Labedz has pledged$15 million of the $30 millionneeded to establish theMedical Commons facilityand related programs.

alum note

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02 scribe Spring 2005

Dean Frank reports on research enterpriseDr. Robert R. Frank’s second Conversation with the Dean,a new public forum for discussions about School ofMedicine issues, focused on the WSU research enterprise.

In his opening remarks, he acknowledged that someWSU faculty members are mainly clinicians and some aremainly teachers, but research is part of everyone’s life at anacademic institution. “Even for people who don’t doresearch as a full-time job, it is part of what we do here,” hesaid.

He began by noting research successes at the school. “Weshould be critical and self-critical, but we’re not really goodat patting ourselves on the back,” Dr. Frank said. He gavekudos to medical student John Stasko who won first prizeat an American Medical Student Association meeting forhis People of Detroit project. He also acknowledged Dr. EricAyers, a WSU assistant professor of medicine who wasnominated for the Association of American MedicalCollege’s Humanism in Medicine award, and Dr. LindaHazlett, WSU chair of anatomy and cell biology, whorecently entered her 26th year of funding on her study,“Alteration with Age of Resistance of Eye Infections.”

He highlighted the departments that had high NationalInstitutes of Health research rankings, including theDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, which is rankedNo. 1 in the country with more than $16 million in annualfunding, and the Department of Emergency Medicine,which is ranked No. 4 out of 10 academic emergency medi-cine departments. He also listed those individualresearchers who were part of the “million dollar club,” hav-ing grants of $1 million or more.

Dr. Frank emphasized his focus on research leadershipand announced the permanent appointments of formerinterim positions, namely Dan Walz as associate dean forresearch and Larry Grossman as director of the Center forMolecular Medicine and Genetics. A search is now under-way for an assistant dean for clinical research, and a strong

research emphasis is a critical criterion included in the WSUSchool of Medicine dean search position specification.

Regarding facilities, the third floor of Scott Hall will berenovated, starting with the demolition process in May.July is the targeted date for completion. The plans call for anew classroom as well as a revamped floor plan overall.Dean Frank acknowledged that the process may be diffi-cult for some, but that it would be worth it.

School of Medicine leadership is also meeting with theWSU Office of the Vice President for Research to begin dis-cussions about the possibility of a new, state-of-the art lab-

oratory research facility. Such a building would costapproximately $100 million, which Dean Frank said wouldbe a challenge, but one that could be met.

He also reported the findings of a committee establishedby the School of Medicine to suggest ways to improveresearch administration. As a result of the committee’swork, the following steps have been taken: 1) Wayne StateUniversity has committed to modifying the Banner systemto forecast salary encumbrances. 2) An adhoc committee

has been established to pursue financial incentives for pro-ductive researchers with a target of having such incentivesin place by October 2005. 3)The School of Medicine willserve as a beta test site for a reorganized research adminis-tration office. Details of the reorganization will beannounced within 60 days.

Dr. Frank also answered faculty questions about researchdirections, faculty tenure and recruitment issues. Finally, heexpressed his commitment to seeding translationalresearch collaborations and working with other colleges inthe university to expand collaborative efforts.

Dr. Robert Frank emphasizes the importance of research.

scribe is published quarterly for the faculty, staff, students andalumni of the Wayne State University School of Medicine. Yourcomments, suggestions and submissions are encouraged.

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Dr. Frank highlighted the departments that had high National Institutes of Health research rankings,

including the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, which is ranked No. 1 in the country with more

than $16 million in annual funding.

School of Medicine AdministrationRobert R. Frank, M.D.Interim DeanKertia Black, M.D.Assistant Dean for Student AffairsPatrick Bridge, Ph.D.Assistant Dean for Medical Evaluation and Education ResearchJoseph Brocato, Ph.D.Assistant Dean for Community EducationDonna DauphinaisChief of Staff Kenneth Ginsburg, M.D.Assistant Dean for Clinical Science EducationMichael HerbertAssistant Dean of Administration and FinanceMatthew Jackson, Ph.D.Interim Assistant Dean for Basic Science EducationMark Juzych, M.D.Assistant Dean for Graduate Medical EducationStephen Lerner, M.D.Associate Dean for Faculty AffairsHelene Lycaki, Ph.D.Assistant Dean for Health AffairsJohn Malone Jr., M.D.Associate Dean for Medical Center RelationsSilas Norman, M.D.Assistant Dean for AdmissionsKenneth Palmer, Ph.D.Assistant Dean for Graduate ProgramsDavid Pieper, Ph.D.Assistant Dean for Continuing Medical EducationJ. Edson Pontes, M.D.Assistant Dean for International AffairsJohn Ruckdeschel, M.D.Associate Dean for Cancer ProgramsBasim Dubaybo, M.D.Assistant Dean for Veterans Administration AffairsMaryjean Schenk, M.D.Interim Associate Dean for Academic & Student ProgramsDaniel Walz, Ph.D.Associate Dean for ResearchCharles Whitten, M.D.Associate Dean Emeritus for Special Programs

Wayne State University Executive OfficersIrvin ReidPresidentNancy BarrettProvost and Senior Vice President for Academic AffairsJohn DavisVice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial OfficerMeredith GibbsExecutive Vice President; Chief of Staff; Interim Vice President for Development and Alumni Affairs; and Interim President for the Wayne State University FoundationHarvey Hollins IIIVice President for Government AffairsLouis LessemVice President and General CounselJulie MillerSecretary to the Board of Governors and Executive Assistant to the PresidentJohn OliverVice President for Research

Wayne State University Board of GovernorsRichard BernsteinEugene DrikerDiane DunaskissElizabeth HardyPaul HillegondsPaul MassaronAnnetta MillerJacquelin WashingtonIrvin Reid, Ex-OfficioJulie Miller, Secretary

School of Medicine Board of VisitorsKaren BatchelorJan BertschBeth ChappellJulius Combs, M.D.John ConwaySteve EwingOscar FeldmanMelvin Hollowell Jr.Arthur Johnson, Ph.D.Mary KramerTaylor Lewis, M.D.Robert Lucas, M.D.W. Ralph MabryGwen MacKenzieFlorine MarkMariam NolandWilliam O’Neill, M.D.Jack Ryan, M.D.Howard SimsCharly VickeryRichard Webb

Dean’s Distinguished Advisors/ConsultantsTrudy DunCombe ArcherGeorge Dambach, Ph.D.Deborah DingellSteve Larned, M.D.David PageJohn Schwarz, M.D.Margaret SmithGary Valade

Wayne State University School of MedicinePublic Affairs and Publications5D University Health Center4201 St. AntoineDetroit, MI 48201(313) 577-1429

Director of Public AffairsKathleen Wedemire, [email protected]

Editor/Senior WriterAmy [email protected]

Contributing WritersJennifer DayLeslie Mertz

DesignMidnite Oil Creative

PhotographyRobert Stewart Photography Ltd.

Tom Owoc, Biomedical Communications

03 www.med.wayne.edu

Michigan Doctors Making a Difference, a coalition ofphysicians dedicated to improving access to health carefor the under- and uninsured, is calling on the MichiganLegislature to pass Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s proposedphysician-provider tax to ensure the health of the state’sMedicaid program. The proposed 2.3 percent tax on physi-cian provider revenues would generate as much as $433million, potentially opening new doors to care for thosewho are underinsured or uninsured.

Steven DeSilva, M.D., president of the WSU PhysicianGroup and a member of MDMD, believes that the tax isgood for both patients and physicians, particularly those inboth urban and rural communities.

“Wayne State University Physicians recognize that provid-ing for those who are under- and uninsured is a societalproblem that requires sweeping change; we also recognize,however, that the need for change is immediate,” Dr. DeSilvasaid. “We, as physicians, are willing to take the first step infinding better ways to fund the Medicaid system in the hopethat others will join us in this endeavor.”

Of the $220 million that would be generated by the tax,$40 million could be used to immediately plug the 4 percentcut in Medicaid rates in this year’s state budget. The remain-ing funds would be eligible for a federal match, generatingan additional $253 million for a total of $433 million.

Physicians who accept Medicaid currently are reimbursedat levels far below the actual cost of treatment; additionalfunds generated by the tax could bring reimbursement ratesfrom below standard to baseline, or equal to that ofMedicare. Physicians would not realize a net loss in revenuefrom the provider tax, as long as at least a small fraction –3.5 percent – of their patients is Medicaid insured.

“Ultimately, our hope is that this tax will improve access tocare for those who carry Medicaid by encouraging physi-cians to open their practices,” Dr. DeSilva said. “By bringingreimbursement rates in line with the Medicare standard,physicians will no longer have a disincentive for acceptingMedicaid. Patients can receive the care they need, and physi-cians will be able to stay in business.”

Michigan Doctors Making a Difference is a coalition ofphysicians dedicated to advancing the concerns of urbanand rural medicine. The group’s leading priority is to identifyand work for the implementation of pragmatic solutions toimprove access to care for under- and uninsured patients.

Dear Colleagues,

The Detroit Free Press of Tuesday, May 3, 2005, featured a front-page story, along with an editorial, about the current Medicaid funding crisis and the further harm that would befall theprogram should Governor Granholm’s proposed four percent reduction in reimbursement tophysicians for Medicaid services be enacted. The articles point out that rising costs are forcingthe legislature to consider large cuts, and that Medicaid recipients, particularly children andthe working poor, stand to lose.

Unfortunately, these articles incorrectly describe the Governor’s proposed 2.28 percent (not 1 percent as cited in the stories) tax on physician revenues as another blow to the provision ofcare to Medicaid patients, characterizing the tax as a further squeeze on physicians and deterrent to care for this population.

The Wayne State University Physician Group does not agree with this claim, and is whole-heartedly endorsing the proposed 2.28 percent physician provider tax to fund Medicaid. Webelieve that the tax, while not a panacea, is a reasonable response to an imminent crisis infunding and the health of our population. The tax would result in about $430 million in relieffor Medicaid, $250 million of which would be new funding to the state from the federal government through match programs.

Further, the tax would be used to bring Medicaid payment levels to physicians to a rate levelwith Medicare, which would relieve the burden to physicians who treat Medicaid patients andprovide incentive to those who do not.

The faculty physicians of the Wayne State University must take the lead in addressing the crisisin the provision of care, which impacts a large portion of our patient population. We urge youto support the tax at 2.28 percent as one step toward a permanent solution.

Please join us in expressing your support to the legislature, the media, and your physician colleagues.

Sincerely,

Stephen DeSilva, M.D.President, Wayne State University Physician Group

Robert R. Frank, M.D.Chairman, Board of Directors, Wayne State University Physician Group

To join Dr. DeSilva and the Michigan Doctors Making a Difference coalition, please click on: www.mdmdcoalition.org.

Michigan Doctors Making a Difference call on state legislators to pass tax, bolster Medicaid


Children’s Hospital of Michigan and the Wayne StateUniversity Department of Pediatrics have been named oneof only six centers in the country to be accepted for partic-ipation in the National Institutes of Health’s CollaborativePediatric Critical Care Research Network.

Kathleen Meert, M.D., WSU professor of pediatrics, servesas principal investigator for the Detroit arm of this five-year, multi-center program designed to perform multipleclinical trials and translational research for children whoare critically ill.

“It is vitally important to advance pediatric critical care.Because of the urgent demands of children in this intensivecare unit (ICU) setting, current treatment modalities arebased on limited tested knowledge,” Dr. Meert said. “Within apediatric intensive care unit, there are many different typesof diseases—sepsis, trauma, congenital heart problems andcancers, for example. This makes it difficult to do sound clini-cal research. We need large numbers of patients with thesame underlying problem to be able to expand treatmentoptions.”

According to the National Institute of Child Health andHuman Development, this collaborative clinical researchnetwork will accelerate pediatric critical care research andlead to evaluation of promising new approaches to life sup-port and critical decision-making in complex illnesses. Itmight take a single institution several years to gatherenough data for thorough analysis, but the six NIH-desig-nated centers working together can bring about meaningfulresearch more rapidly. The other five centers are: ArkansasChildren’s Hospital, Children’s National Medical Center inWashington, D.C., Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh,Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and Children’s Hospital andRegional Medical Center in Seattle. The data coordinatingcenter is Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah.

“Given that there are 120 pediatric departments in thecountry, all with critical care units, the competition wasfierce to become one of the first six centers in the NIH net-work,” said Bonita Stanton, M.D., WSU chair of pediatrics.“This critical care group already has a highly productiveresearch portofolio, and now they are participating in theestablishment of a national network that is on par with theNeonatal Intensive Care Units Network, the Maternal-FetalMedicine Unit Network, and the Pediatric PharmacologyResearch Unit Network—all of which are already in opera-tion at WSU. I am especially thrilled because the research Dr.Meert proposes deals with non-traditional topics of deathand bereavement in the ICU, potentially expanding theresearch focus of the network beyond biomedical researchto behavioral and quality of care issues. All of these areas areof great importance and overlapping in their consequencesas we strive to further improve the care of critically ill chil-dren and their families.”

Each qualifying principal investigator submitted a researchproposal outlining the expertise he or she planned to con-tribute to the comprehensive research agenda. While theother centers stuck to traditional biomedical topics, Dr.Meert’s $1.7 million proposal deals with critical behavioralresearch dealing with death and bereavement for parents ofpediatric patients.

If approved as a network project, Dr. Meert plans toexpand her current line of research and study “The Effect ofPhysician-Parent Post-Mortem Conference in Parental GriefOutcomes.” Dr. Meert sees immense value in developing and

WSU one of six national centers to participate in pediatric ICU research network

testing a strategic communication intervention in which thephysician who was with a child at the time of death has apersonal consult with the child’s parents approximately sixweeks later to discuss the illness, go over autopsy reports,answer questions, offer guidance and provide compassion-ate counseling and bereavement resources. This meetingwould be followed up for one year with measurements of thefamily’s grief, psychological status and family relationships.

“Unfortunately, these personal meetings with grievingfamilies rarely happen. When they do, however, we find thatparents more than anything want reassurance. They want toknow that the parents and doctors did all they could do.They want to know that solid decision-making took place.They want to understand more about the illness or compli-cations and feel comforted that all best efforts were made.And general information about disease is not good enough.The parents need to rely on the relationship they formed

Dr. Meert’s $1.7 million research proposal deals with behavioral research focusing on death and bereavement for parents of pediatric patients.

with the physician who personally cared for the child. Thiscan be very constructive,” Dr. Meert said. She is also inter-ested in providing best practice guidelines for physicians, forexample: how to say it, tone, body language, who shouldattend such an intervention, etc. She is developing thisencounter with Terrance Albrecht, Ph.D., a WSU professor offamily medicine and health communication expert at theBarbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute.

“Most children who die in the United States die in hospi-tals, and most of those are in intensive care units. This is adifficult setting and we need to do everything we can tohelp the children we care for and their parents,” she said.

Dr. Meert graduated from the Wayne State UniversitySchool of Medicine in 1984, did her pediatric residency atthe Detroit Medical Center, and since 1989 has been anattending staff at Children’s Hospital and a faculty memberat WSU.

According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, this collaborative

clinical research network will accelerate pediatric critical care research and lead to evaluation of

promising new approaches to life support and critical decision-making in complex illnesses.


A report by Wayne State researchers found new evidenceof rapid protein evolution, signaling biochemical adapta-tion and positive selection in the anthropoid primate line-age. The report, (article #09714) published in the April 25-29 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy ofSciences (PNAS), further elucidates the biochemical mech-anisms involved in aerobic energy metabolism, a complexprocess that coincides with the expansion of the energy-dependent neocortex of the brain during the emergenceof higher primates like monkeys, apes and humans.

The study’s corresponding author, Lawrence Grossman,Ph.D., professor and director of the Center for MolecularMedicine and Genetics, said the WSU team, which alsoincluded Timothy Schmidt, Derek Wildman, Monica Uddin,Juan Opazo, and Morris Goodman, found rapid evolution atthe cytochrome c (CYC) binding site on cytochrome c oxi-dase (COX) in anthropoid primates. CYC is known to interactdirectly with COX during electron transport by binding tospecific sites. Previous research has shown that in verte-brates, CYC and COX are largely conserved and have fewamino acid replacements. In contrast, the WSU researchershave identified 57 amino acids of COX that may bind CYCduring electron transfer. Furthermore, the replacement ratefor these residues was significantly accelerated in anthro-poids compared to tarsiers, the most closely related non-anthropoid primate.

“With thorough DNA sequencing, we are identifying thosepositively selected mutations that shaped the genetic basisof being human,” Dr. Grossman said.

COX is the enzyme that catalyzes the final step of electrontransfer through the respiratory chain, thus playing a vitalrole in providing energy for aerobic tissues. Phlyogenetic

Rapid evolution of protein provides clues to human evolution at DNA level

analyses of gene sequences in different families indicatepositively selected evolution of COX in lineages leading togorilla, human and chimpanzee.

By parsimony from an interspecies alignment of bindingsite residues, the scientists discovered 27 changes from theearlier eutherians (placental mammalian ancestors) tohumans, of which 59 percent were at electrostatically signifi-cant (ES) residue positions. The changes to the ES residuesreduced the overall number of charged residues at the CYCbinding site. The ES changes occurred only in stem-anthro-poids and stem-catarrhines, and few changes occurred inthe ape and Old World monkey lineages.

“This reduction in rate of amino acid replacement is con-sistent with the hypothesis that the changes in ancestral lin-eages were advantageous and positively selected and, indescendent lineages, have been maintained by purifyingselection,” Dr. Grossman said.

Dr. Grossman and his colleagues have developed evidencethat cytochrome c and subunits of complex III and COX thatinteract with it have undergone a period of accelerated evo-lution suggestive of positive selection at similar times in anancestor of modern primates. “We believe that this remodel-ing of the electron transport chain supported the expansionof the energy-consuming enlarged neocortex that was tak-ing place in these primate lineages. We are now seeking tocharacterize biochemically any modifications in electrontransport that resulted. Finally, we are interested in the rela-tion between rapidly evolving genes and human disease,” hesaid.

This paper was contributed by Morris Goodman, Ph.D.,who was elected into the National Academy of Sciences in2002.

Dr. Larry Grossman directed the workof Timothy Schmidt who was first

author on the evolution paper andcompleted this research while at WSU.Dr. Grossman is particularly interested

in evolving genes.


Patients at risk of developing a stroke caused bynarrowed brain arteries should take aspirin ratherthan a well-known anti-clotting medication to pre-vent a stroke from occurring, according to theresults of a major national study published in theNew England Journal of Medicine on March 31,2005.

Seemant Chaturvedi, M.D., Wayne State Universityassociate professor of neurology and director of theuniversity’s stroke program, conducted the Detroit-area portion of the study and served on the study’ssteering committee. The research was led by Dr.Marc Chimowitz of Emory University.

Funded by the National Institute of NeurologicalDisorders and Stroke, a division of the NationalInstitutes of Health, the nearly $15 million, five-yearstudy ended early because the anti-clotting drug,warfarin (marketed under the brand name

WSU part of national study recommending aspirin overCoumadin to prevent stroke

Lower doses of estrogen alone or in combination with a proges-terone-like drug increase mean bone-mineral density, according toa new Wayne State University School of Medicine study publishedrecently in Osteoporosis International.

In a two-year study assessing the impact of hormone-replacementtherapy on bone loss, women who took lower doses of estrogenalone or in combination with a progesterone-like drug suffered signif-icantly less bone loss in their spines and hips than women who took a

placebo. The study, which was conducted at four U.S. universities, wasled in Detroit by Michael Kleerekoper, M.D., WSU professor of medi-cine in the Division of Endocrinology.

“The message of the article is that even in low doses estrogen pre-vents bone loss at menopause in the vast majority of women. That’sexciting news when you consider that women experience up to 20percent of their lifetime bone loss in the five to seven years after themenopause,” Dr. Kleerekoper said. “The need to give every woman theold standard, one-size-fits-all dose is gone.”

In the randomized, double-blind study, 822 healthy post-menopausal women with intact uteri received either a placebo orvarying doses of conjugated estrogens alone or in combination withtwo different doses of medroxyprogesterone acetate. The women alsotook 600 mg of calcium per day.

More than 85 percent of women receiving hormone therapy experi-enced no additional bone-mineral density loss at one year and twoyears, in comparison to 30.6 percent of women on placebo at 12months and 36.5 percent of women on placebo at 24 months.

Dr. Kleerekoper also served on the planning committee for the SixthInternational Symposium on Osteoporosis, “Current Status & FutureDirections.” Sponsored by the National Osteoporosis Foundation, it isthe only biennial scientific meeting in the United States to focus onosteoporosis and bone health across the lifespan. Dr. Kleerekopernotes: since no single specialty is focused on this disease, it is impor-tant to reach all healthcare professionals — including primary careproviders, physical therapists, geriatricians, nurses and orthopedists— with the tools to fight osteoporosis.

Low-dose estrogen prevents bone loss at menopause in mostwomen, WSU study finds

Dr. Kleerekoper touts the benefits of low doses of estrogen to prevent bone loss.

Dr. Chaturvedi was the local director for the studyreported in the New EnglandJournal of Medicine.

The face of cardiology is changing as the tools of the trade advance from research novel-ties to highly reliable diagnostic tests. Forget about invasive cardiac catheterizations andoutpatient surgeries to detect heart disease. Instead, hold your breath for 20 seconds inthe doctor’s office while he or she snaps your picture. That’s it.

Multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) provides a 3-dimensional, high-resolution ren-dering of the heart. It allows doctors to see the heart on a computer screen as if were actu-ally in plain view in the operating room. Once used mainly for research purposes, MSCT isquickly challenging traditional coronary angiography as the non-invasive alternative fordetecting blockages, lesions, calcifications and plaque in the heart—even before a personexperiences symptoms. Within seconds, a physician can look at the rendering on the screenand assess the health of the heart.

“The equipment is readily available, but has just recently passed rigorous testing andresearch to proclaim it to be highly accurate, and ready for clinical use,” said Pierre Atallah,M.D., clinical associate professor of internal medicine at WSU, chief of CT coronary angiogra-phy at Harper University Hospital, and chairman of the Rochester Medical Center.

A recent manuscript, submitted to the Journal of the American College of Cardiology by Dr.Atallah and WSU colleague Dr. Richard Spears, reports that MSCT can diagnose coronaryartery disease with a 99 percent negative predictive value. Their study compared the sensi-tivity and specificity of non-invasive coronary angiography using MSCT with invasive coro-nary angiography. MSCT’s sensitivity was at 95 percent and its specificity was at 98 percent.These findings support the high accuracy level of non-invasive MSCT in the diagnosis ofunderlying obstructive coronary artery disease.

“The results of MSCT are now useful in clinical decision making and justifiably limit unnec-essary diagnostic invasive angiography. It has fewer risks for the patient than standard

3D scan detects heart disease with 99 percent accuracy


Coumadin), was associated with more complications while showing no advantagesover a high dose of aspirin. The study is known as the Warfarin-Aspirin SymptomaticIntracranial Disease study, or WASID.

Doctors describe narrowed or clogged arteries in the brain as intracranial arterialstenosis, accounting for approximately 90,000 strokes or stroke warning spells (tran-sient ischemic attacks or TIAs) per year in the United States. Patients with this condi-tion are at high risk for another stroke.

Warfarin or similar drugs were first suggested as a treatment for stroke caused bynarrowed brain arteries 50 years ago. Previous studies had suggested that warfarinmay be superior to aspirin for this cause of stroke, but the finding was inconclusivebecause of the limitations in the design of those studies.

The WASID study was conducted in a double-blind fashion, meaning that neitherparticipants nor researchers knew which medication (warfarin or aspirin) was beingtaken until the study ended. Participants took either dose-adjusted warfarin (accord-ing to monthly blood tests) or 1300 mg. of aspirin daily (a higher dose than is usuallyrecommended for heart disease and strokes of other causes).

The higher dose of aspirin was chosen because this was the dose for which therewas the most reliable data from previous studies. There is some evidence that higherdoses of aspirin may be more effective for inhibiting inflammation of blood vesselsand preventing platelets (blood cells important for clotting) from sticking to the nar-rowed artery, although this is controversial. The concern with using higher doses ofaspirin is the risk of causing stomach ulcers and bleeding from the gastrointestinaltract.

When the WASID study started in February of 1999, researchers had planned to

enroll more than 800 participants over five years at more than 50 sites in the U.S. andCanada. However, after 569 participants were enrolled, NINDS stopped the study earlyon the recommendation of the independent Data Monitoring Committee because thewarfarin group was developing complications at a higher rate than the aspirin group.

Complications included higher rates of major bleeding (8.3 percent of warfarin par-ticipants vs. 3.2 percent of aspirin participants) and death (9.7 percent of warfarin par-ticipants vs. 4.3 percent of aspirin participants) during an average follow-up time of1.8 years.

“This study is likely to have a significant impact on physician practices for patientswith narrowed blood vessels leading to the brain,” Dr. Chaturvedi said.

The researchers point out that warfarin is still a useful treatment for a variety of dis-orders, including atrial fibrillation. Patients who have questions about the use of war-farin should consult their doctors before making any decisions about altering theirprescription regimens.

The researchers note that the costs to treat intracranial arterial stenosis would bereduced by using aspirin instead of warfarin. Not only is warfarin more expensive topurchase, repeated blood tests must be done also while taking the drug. Expensesclimb again for treatment of increased complications of warfarin compared to aspirin.The researchers estimate that these savings could amount to at least $20 million peryear.

The research group is now planning another study that will evaluate the use ofstenting (using a device to hold the blocked arteries open) to treat stroke related tonarrowed brain arteries, in the hope that it will prove more effective than existingtherapies.

angiography and is more economical as well,” said Dr. Richard Spears, professor of internalmedicine and interim chief of cardiology at WSU and co-author on the study. “The gold stan-dard for diagnosis of coronary artery disease may be changing, and that’s especially greatnews for people who have multiple risk factors, but no symptoms, and don’t want toundergo an invasive procedure.”

Dr. Atallah’s main reason for touting the benefits of 3D heart scans rests in this fact: only 30percent of people with serious blockages will ever show symptoms. For most people, thefirst symptom of heart disease is a heart attack or sudden cardiac death.

Although he doesn’t believe everybody needs to be universally screened with this $1000heart scan, he believes it bridges the gap for high-risk people, with multiple risk factors, whowant assurance in their diagnosis. If a person presents with chest pain or exertional short-ness of breath, Dr. Atallah prescribes a traditional nuclear stress test and echocardiogram. Ifthose tests show no need for concern, he considers their age, lifestyle behaviors, history ofhypertension and genetic predisposition—all of which are determining factors for whoshould get the MSCT study.

He uses the example of an active, seemingly healthy 52-year old woman who went to Dr.Atallah because her three brothers had serious heart disease at a very young age. Nothingsuspicious showed up on the stress test or ECHO; but because of her family history, she hadthe scan. The results showed severe triple vessel disease, and she immediately had threedrug-eluted stents surgically placed. “We saved her life, but we would have never known hercondition without this imaging technology,” he said.

“This isn’t the future of cardiology, it’s the present,” Dr. Atallah said. “We are doing it now.”Dr. Atallah has been a WSU faculty member since 1976. He trains cardiology fellows and

spends one day each week at the cardiac cath lab at Harper. He recently presented his workon MSCT coronary angiography at the Department of Internal Medicine Grand Rounds atWSU’s Scott Hall. As a keynote speaker, he recently presented his data at the “New Frontiersin Cardiology,” a CME symposium with nationally acclaimed staff, jointly offered by HarperUniversity Hospital and Wayne State University. Incidentally, his son, Pierre, has recently beenaccepted to the WSU School of Medicine and will begin his medical education in the fall.

This CT machine and workstation with sophisticated software,offer the non-invasive heartscan as a great alternativefor many patients.

This heart image, renderedwith MSCT technology,illustrates soft plaque causing an 80 percentobstruction in the proximalleft anterior descending(LAD) artery. Incidentally,this patient was asympto-matic, but had multiple riskfactors, and a reversibleantero-septal defect on hismyocardial perfusion study.


Following his announcement in December to establisha Department of Medical Evaluation and EducationResearch for the School of Medicine, Interim DeanRobert R. Frank, M.D., announced the appointment ofPatrick D. Bridge, Ph.D., to head the new initiative.

As assistant dean for medical evaluation and educationresearch, Dr. Bridge is responsible for overseeing a school-wide program to ensure the most progressive and effec-tive medical curriculum and faculty development.

Dr. Bridge has been closely involved in medical schoolcurriculum development and evaluation since joining theWSU faculty in 1997. An assistant professor of family med-icine, Dr. Bridge has assisted in educating faculty in thedevelopment of research and evaluation methods andthe application of statistical tests and educational theory(psychometrics). His role as medical educator has guidedhis scholarship and research activities in the areas of pro-

gram evaluation, community-based cancer education and educational theory. He was fun-damental in integrating the unique use of hand-held computers, or PDAs, into the medicaleducation curriculum.

“Pat Bridge brings a high level of expertise and scholarship to this important new initia-tive,” noted Dean Frank. “He will do an excellent job in guiding medical education througheffective use of new technology and applications in order to maintain our strength as afirst-rate medical school.”

Dr. Bridge received his doctorate in evaluation and research from WSU in 1995. He holdsa master’s degree from the University of Detroit and earned his undergraduate degreefrom Eastern Michigan University. He held positions as medical software product designerwith the MEDSTAT Group in Ann Arbor, as senior research administrator for SelectCare, Inc.in Troy and as quality improvement specialist/biostatistician with Sinai Hospital beforejoining the faculty.

Matthew Jackson, Ph.D., associate professor ofimmunology and microbiology, has been appointedinterim assistant dean for basic-science education.Previously, the post was held by James Hazlett, Jr.,Ph.D., who died unexpectedly Feb. 22.

“Although we are still mourning the loss of Dr. Hazlett,we are dedicated to preserving the important work heled here at the School of Medicine,” said MaryjeanSchenk, M.D., M.P.H., interim associate dean for academicand student programs. “I am very grateful to have anexemplary educator and scholar such as Dr. Jackson tobuild on the foundation laid by Dr. Hazlett.”

In 1989, Dr. Jackson joined the WSU School of Medicine as an assistant professor ofimmunology and microbiology; he was promoted six years later to the rank of associateprofessor. His research has focused primarily on E. coli.

Dr. Jackson also has a strong interest in technology-enhanced medical education. In2002, he led an effort to supply personal digital assistants, or PDAs, as educational toolsto sophomore students. The interactive program allows course instructors to gauge inreal time how well students are grasping various concepts discussed during a class.

Dr. Jackson received his Ph.D. in microbiology from Kansas State University in 1985before completing a postdoctoral research fellowship at the Uniformed ServicesUniversity Health Sciences, in Bethesda , Md. He also obtained a master’s degree inmicrobiology as well as a bachelor’s degree in biology at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Dr. Jackson received an Excellence in Teaching Award from the WSU School of Medicinein 2000. He has served as a member of several study sections; Dr. Jackson is currently amember of the Enteric Diseases Panel, Military Infectious Disease Research Program, inHerndon, Va.

Dr. Jackson appointed interim assistant dean for basic-science education

Patrick Bridge, Ph.D., to head medical evaluation and research initiative

A WSU alum, Dr. Bridgereceived his doctorate inevaluation and research. Hewill continue to lead theSchool of Medicine’s effortsin this field.

When Janet Miller defended her dissertation on March 27,she also summarized research that identifies for the firsttime a suite of genes that switch on or off as congenitalhydrocephalus develops. “I’m really proud of the work shehas done,” said Miller’s doctoral advisor Pat McAllister,Ph.D., a WSU professor of neurological surgery.

Miller’s goal at the outset was to search for a genetic com-ponent that was triggering the closure of the cerebral aque-duct and causing hydrocephalus. The aqueduct is a canalbetween balloon-like spaces, or ventricles, in the brain.Cerebrospinal fluid normally fills the ventricles and drainsthrough the cerebral aqueduct. When the aqueduct closes

or narrows, the fluid builds up and causes hydrocephalus, or“water on the brain,” a condition that affects as many asthree of every 1,000 children born in the United States.

In her project, Miller sifted through the 7,000 estimatedgenes in the rat genome, she said. “Instead of studying onegene at a time, I tried to screen the entire genome to findout what was happening.”To do it, she turned to a rare ani-mal model at Wayne State. In this rat colony, one of just ahandful worldwide, the animals years ago developed aspontaneous mutation that caused them to develop hydro-cephalus just as humans commonly do: by a closure of thecerebral aqueduct.

She examined the animals at 5 days old when those withthe condition develop the domed head that is an obviousexternal sign of hydrocephalus. With guidance from GaryKrause, M.D., WSU professor of emergency medicine, shethen compared midbrain RNA from affected and unaffectedrats using isometric microarray analysis, and discovered 47transcripts related to the incidence of congenital hydro-cephalus. “Those 47 transcripts were representations of 21genes, and the other significant transcripts representedexpressed sequence tags. Seventeen of the 47 were upregu-lated, which means that there were more of them present inthe hydrocephalic animal than in the control animal, and 30

of them were downregulated,” she said. “Then, usingPubMed to search for any commonalities between our studyand previously done research on hydrocephalus, I found thateight of the genes we identified were already known to beassociated with hydrocephalus. To me, that was like findingeight little needles in this huge haystack of genes.”

The eight previously identified genes resulted from sepa-rate studies on human or other models, Miller said. “I thinkit’s pretty cool and significant that using a rat model, we stillfound a change in the same genes that these other laborato-ries did using different animals. The only common thing washydrocephalus.”

Her findings are just the beginning, she said. “If we can tar-get those genes that are acting to cause the closure of thecerebral aqueduct in animal models, we then have a spring-board to start looking for those genes in humans.” Sheadded, “It’s not going to be just one gene that magicallyturns on or off hydrocephalus. It’s going to be a conglomera-tion of genes acting together, but this at least gives us astarting point to ask, ‘If they’re altered in the rat, can they bealtered in the human model as well, and if so, what can wedo to change that and stop it from occurring?’”

Miller is a graduate student in the physiology department,performs research through the neurology department and isassociated with the pediatric neurosurgery department atChildren’s Hospital. Funding for her study came from theSTARS Foundation.

Graduate student finds genetic clues to hydrocephalus

With her newly acquired Ph.D., Dr. Janet Miller plans to continue post-graduate work at WSU.

Dr. Jackson


Student recognized for outstanding community service

Meredith Greene, who won an Outstanding Community Impact Award, is making service the foundation of her medical career.

kids through Code Blue, is a youth mentor for CovenantHouse, was elected a medical student representative to theWayne County Medical Society, is an advisor to theDetroit/Wayne County Public Health Authority, and has justfinished her role as president of WSU’s chapter of theAmerican Medical Student Association (AMSA). She wasrecently honored with an Outstanding Community ImpactAward from Michigan Campus Compact, an organizationthat encourages Michigan college students to be civicallyengaged citizens.

As part of her award, Greene was granted $200 to bedonated to an organization of her choice. She donated it toCovenant House, which provides services to homeless andat-risk youth. Greene mentored a young man there for ayear-and-a-half, providing encouragement and friendship.The young man has since left the shelter and is succeedingon his own.

“In order to understand and address any issue facing thecommunity, it is critical to spend time with the people wholive in the community to see the problems they are facingand the services they need,” Greene said. “Through mentor-

Healthy lifestyles are often hard to come by in urban areaslike Detroit, where residents may not have reliable trans-portation, convenience stores and fast-food chains out-number fresh produce markets, and many people haveinadequate health insurance. Second-year WSU medicalstudent Meredith Greene understands these problemsand is taking steps to improve access to care in Detroit.

Greene volunteers at the Cass Clinic, educates inner city

When sickness or injury requires hospitalization, ouralready compromised immune system may be furtherinsulted by anesthesia and surgical procedures.Interactions between anesthesia and the immune systemare of clinical relevance because anesthetics are generallyimmunosuppressive.

Second-year medical student Leila Wing studied theeffects of anesthetics on the immune system during a sum-mer research preceptorship at the University of MichiganMedical School last year. She presented that research at theMidwest Anesthesiology Residents Conference in April andwas awarded first place in her category—anesthetic mecha-nisms. Her win is especially impressive because she wascompeting with anesthesiology residents from prestigiousinstitutions including the Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic andNorthwestern University.

Wing’s research tested propofol, an injectable anesthetic,which is thought to have less impact on immune functionthan volatile anesthetics. To elucidate further interactionsbetween propofol and the immune system, she used thepro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1) to induceacute immune responses in rats and determined the impactof these interactions on anesthesia time (or time it takes to“go under”), loss of righting reflex (ability to return to anupright position), and brain temperature.

Several results suggest clinical relevance of thepropofol/immune system interaction. “The observation thatcentral injections of IL-1 increases the proportion of animalsthat become anesthetized suggests that immune activationmay sensitize the animal to anesthetic actions. In addition,because central IL-1 did reduce the duration of propofol-induced hypothermia, some mechanisms common to IL-1responses and anesthetic actions may become activatedwith IL-1 administration. It is possible that manipulations atdifferent circadian times or using different doses of IL-1and/or propofol would reveal additional interactions.Additional investigations aim to further clarify relationshipsbetween immune activation and responses to anesthetics,”she said.

Professor Mark Opp, Ph.D., was Wing’s mentor during theU-M summer research program. “Leila’s project was difficultbecause it focused on interactions among anesthetics, anactivated immune system and physiological responses. Shetackled this project with enthusiasm, and the results of herinitial study have provided a framework for future investiga-tions. Leila was without doubt the best medical student Ihave had in my laboratory. I believe she will have a promis-ing career in academic medicine.”

Wing hopes her research will help find anesthesia proto-cols that facilitate recovery after surgery.

Medical student wins award at resident research conference

Medical student Leila Wing won a first place research award at the Midwest Anesthesiology Residents Conference,beating out anesthesiology residents from prestigious institutions including the Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic andNorthwestern University.

ing, I have learned what it is like to survive the foster caresystem and survive life on the streets of Detroit. Similarly, byworking at Cass Clinic, I see firsthand how many people areleft out of the existing medical system and about the con-cerns they face including unemployment, lack of benefits,substance abuse, lack of prescription drug insurance cover-age and difficulty getting to appointments because of inad-equate public transportation.”

Laurie Boore, who nominated Greene for the award afterserving with her on the AMSA board, said, “Meredith has anendless supply of energy to fuel her compassion. She is verydedicated to everything that she is involved with and sheinspires other students to serve their community to theextent that she does.”

Greene believes it is her obligation as a future physician toadvocate for and empower patients. She intends to practicemedicine in an area like Detroit where there is a real needfor improved medical care. She earned her bachelor’s degreein chemistry and Spanish from Albion College in 1999, andexpects to pursue a career in primary care and public healthwith a focus on service to the community.


Iftekhar U. AhmadMedicine-Preliminary (1)Henry Ford Health SystemDetroit, MichiganRadiation Oncology (2)Wayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Risa A. AlperinPediatricsNew York Presbyterian Hospital – CornellNew York, New York

Melissa T. AndrzejakObstetrics-GynecologyWilliam Beaumont HospitalRoyal Oak, Michigan

**Hassan Arshad (AOA)Surgery-Preliminary (1)Otolaryngology (2)West Virginia University School of MedicineMorgantown, West Virginia

Benjamin E. AtkinsonTransitional (1)Neurology (2)Wayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Salman M. AzamInternal MedicineCase Western University HospitalCleveland, Ohio

Natasha Bagdasarian (AOA)Internal MedicineUniversity of Michigan HospitalsAnn Arbor, Michigan

Jeremy S. BedtelyonMedicine-PediatricsIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolis, Indiana

Jeneita M. BellPhysical Medicine and RehabilitationWilliam Beaumont HospitalRoyal Oak, Michigan

Amanda L. BergInternal MedicineTulane University School of MedicineNew Orleans, Louisiana

Edward J. BergeronSurgery-PreliminaryWayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Aash P. BhattInternal MedicineUniversity Iowa Hospital/ClinicsIowa City, Iowa

Abhay N. BilolikarInternal MedicineUniversity of Michigan HospitalsAnn Arbor, Michigan

Vincent M. BlumSurgery-PreliminaryLoyola University Medical CenterMaywood, Illinois

Sara M. BobakPsychiatryUniversity of Michigan HospitalsAnn Arbor, Michigan

**Dianne M. Boesch (AOA)Transitional (1)Oakwood HospitalDearborn, MichiganOphthalmology (2)Wayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Thomas P. BoikeMedicine-PreliminaryWilliam Beaumont HospitalRoyal Oak, Michigan

Spyridon BoukourisEmergency MedicineSt. John Hospital and Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Matthew P. BoydFamily MedicineGrand Rapids Medical EducationGrand Rapids, Michigan

David P. BradleyInternal MedicineUniversity of Wisconsin Hospital/ClinicsMadison, Wisconsin

Robert L. BrandtEmergency MedicineSynergy Medical Education AllianceSaginaw, Michigan

Navneet K. BrarPediatricsCase Western Reserve Metrohealth MedicalCenterCleveland, Ohio

Nicole M. BudyrsObstetrics-Gynecology William Beaumont HospitalRoyal Oak, Michigan

Tracie V. BurchFamily MedicineProvidence HospitalSouthfield, Michigan

Shaun J. CardozoInternal MedicineUniversity of Illinois College of Medicine/UIHChicago, Illinois

Michelle CatenacciObstetrics-Gynecology Case Western Reserve Metrohealth MedicalCenterCleveland, Ohio

Larry Charleston, IVMedicine-Preliminary (1)St. John Hospital and Medical CenterDetroit, MichiganNeurology (2)Baylor College of MedicineHouston, Texas

Rae-Pei R. CherngObstetrics-Gynecology St. John Hospital and Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Amy F. CortisPostponing post-graduate training

Shawn M. CorwinEmergency MedicineSt. John Hospital and Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Sara N. CramtonObstetrics-Gynecology William Beaumont HospitalRoyal Oak, Michigan

Trevor M. CummingsEmergency MedicineGrand Rapids Medical EducationGrand Rapids, Michigan

Alessandro G. CusanoSurgery-Preliminary (1)UCLA Medical CenterLos Angeles, California

Neil D. DalalGeneral SurgeryUniversity of Illinois Metro Group HospitalChicago, Illinois

Samuel A. DaneshvarInternal MedicineUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, California

*Ilaaf Darrat (AOA)OtolaryngologyHenry Ford Health SystemDetroit, Michigan

Hussein F. DarwicheOrthopaedic SurgeryWayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Andrea R. DeanInternal MedicineUniversity Texas Medical SchoolHouston, Texas

Bernadette M. DeGuzmanFamily MedicineCase Western/University HospitalsCleveland, Ohio

Lyndsey B. DeLeonEmergency MedicineHenry Ford Health SystemDetroit, Michigan

Frederick J. DeryTransitional (1)St. Joseph Mercy – OaklandPontiac, MichiganPhysical Medicine and Rehabilitation (2)Virginia Commonwealth University HealthSystemRichmond, Virginia

Erin M. DivineyFamily MedicineOakwood HospitalDearborn, Michigan

*LeeAnn K. Dohring (AOA)Family MedicineUniversity of California San Diego MedicalCenterSan Diego, California

Phillip W. DooleyMedicine-PreliminaryNew York Medical College/St. Vincent’sHospitalStaten Island, New York

Bryan C. DryerPediatricsUniversity of Wisconsin Hospital/ClinicsMadison, Wisconsin

Michelle M. DumlerEmergency MedicineEmory University School of MedicineAtlanta, Georgia

Ahmed A. El-Sanhouri (AOA)Transitional (1)Ophthalmology (2)Wayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Michael J. EllenbergMedicine-Preliminary (1)St. John Hospital and Medical CenterPhysical Medicine and Rehabilitation (2)Detroit, MichiganUniversity of Michigan HospitalsAnn Arbor, Michigan

Burton G. EngelFamily MedicineWilliam Beaumont HospitalRoyal Oak, Michigan

Valary M. EvansMedicine-PreliminaryOakwood HospitalDearborn, Michigan

Waleed H. EzzatSurgery-Preliminary (1)Otolaryngology (2)Thomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania

John M. FalluccaRadiology-DiagnosticHenry Ford Health System Detroit, Michigan

Michael D. FarrowEmergency MedicineWilliam Beaumont HospitalRoyal Oak, Michigan

Joshua R. FarthingSurgery-PreliminaryMcGaw Medical Center – NorthwesternUniversityChicago, Illinois

Kris FergusonAnesthesiologyWayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Susie M. FlinkEmergency MedicineWayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Olga E. FlominObstetrics-Gynecology William Beaumont HospitalRoyal Oak, Michigan

Terry T. FowlerOrthopaedic SurgeryMount Carmel Health SystemsColumbus, Ohio

Therese H. FrancoMedicine-PrimaryUniversity Connecticut Health CenterFarmington, Connecticut

Christopher Gappy (AOA)Transitional (1)Ophthalmology (2)Henry Ford Health SystemDetroit, Michigan

*Benjamin L. GeerOrthopaedic SurgeryUVM/Fletcher Allen Health CareBurlington, Vermont

**Elena M. Gianfermi (AOA)Transitional (1)Ophthalmology (2)Wayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Nel R. GoTransitional (1)Henry Ford Health SystemDetroit, MichiganRadiology-Diagnostic (2)Medical College of OhioToledo, Ohio

Sara M. GoichEmergency MedicineSinai-Grace HospitalDetroit, Michigan

Kevin S. GostenikRadiology-DiagnosticOakwood HospitalDearborn, Michigan

Angela K. GrovesEmergency MedicineSinai-Grace HospitalDetroit, Michigan

Richard G. GruczFamily MedicineOakwood HospitalDearborn, Michigan

Class of 2005Congratulations to the class of 2005 who

celebrated Match Day and will pursue

post-graduate medical training at the

following institutions. Transitional students

will begin training at one place and later

transfer to another for their second year of

postgraduate training, as indicated.

Andrew Weise will train in emergency medicine

at Henry Ford.

Smiles are obvious for Iftekhar Ahmad and Aniel Majjhoo,both of whom will do residencies in the Detroit area.

05


Peter H. GummaMedicine-Preliminary (1)Akron General Medical CenterAkron, OhioPhysical Medicine and RehabilitationWayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Vasso B. HajiharisOral Maxillofacial SurgeryHenry Ford Health SystemDetroit, Michigan

Rashmi B. HalkerMedicine-Preliminary (1)St. Louis University School of MedicineSt. Louis, MissouriNeurology (2)Mayo Graduate School of MedicineScottsdale, Arizona

Kenny E. HannaGeneral SurgeryWilliam Beaumont HospitalRoyal Oak, Michigan

Ivan D. HansonInternal MedicineWayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Ronela HansonTransitional (1)Hurley Medical CenterFlint, MichiganRadiology-Diagnostic (2)Wayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Mazen S. HarakeGeneral SurgeryHenry Ford Health SystemDetroit, Michigan

Tiffany J. HardawayTransitional (1)St. Joseph Mercy – OaklandPontiac, MichiganAnesthesiology (2)Cleveland Clinic FoundationCleveland, Ohio

Tonya B. HendersonObstetrics-Gynecology (1)Wayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Meret R. HenryPediatricsWayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Andrea N. HodgesMedicine-PediatricsWilliam Beaumont HospitalRoyal Oak, Michigan

Nickoleta L. HoeflingMedicine-Preliminary (1)Oakwood HospitalDearborn, MichiganRadiology-Diagnostic (2)University of Illinois College of MedicineChicago, Illinois

Hoylond L. HongTransitional (1)St. Joseph Mercy – OaklandPontiac, MichiganPhysical Medicine and RehabilitationStanford University ProgramsStanford, California

Christopher M. HornMedicine-Preliminary (1)Neurology (2)Case Western/University HospitalsCleveland, Ohio

*Kathleen A. Hosmer (AOA)Emergency MedicineThe University HospitalCincinnati, Ohio

Rayan R. HouraniInternal MedicineWayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Joseph B. HouseEmergency MedicinePitt County Memorial Hospital/Brody School ofMedicineNorth Carolina

Jurek R. HuszczoInternal MedicineUniversity Minnesota Medical SchoolMinneapolis, Minnesota

Peter R. HutchesonAnesthesiologyLoyola University Medical CenterMaywood, Illinois

John-Mina M. IbrahimEmergency MedicineHenry Ford Health SystemDetroit, Michigan

Fatin JaafarPostponing post-graduate training

Mark K. JacobMedicine-PreliminarySt. John Hospital and Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Darlene A. JohnsonPediatricsWayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Jonathan N. JohnsonPediatricsMayo Graduate School of Medicine Rochester, Minnesota

Peter S. JohnstonOrthopaedic SurgeryWayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Shanna C. JonesEmergency MedicineWilliam Beaumont HospitalRoyal Oak, Michigan

Samer H. KaisGeneral SurgeryHenry Ford Health SystemDetroit, Michigan

Roger K. KakosSurgery-PreliminaryWayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Ameeta S. KalokheInternal MedicineEmory University School of MedicineAtlanta, Georgia

George J. KargulInternal MedicineThomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania

**Kristiana R. Kaufmann (AOA)Emergency MedicineThe University HospitalCincinnati, Ohio

**Emily L. Keimig (AOA)Henry Ford Health SystemDermatologyDetroit, Michigan

**Ayesha S. Khan (AOA)Emergency MedicineWayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Denis J. KimEmergency MedicineAlbert Einstein Medical CenterPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania

*Justin D. Klein (AOA)General SurgeryWayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Alicia M. KnowlesEmergency MedicineEmory University School of MedicineAtlanta, Georgia

Armond KotikianHenry Ford Health SystemOral-Maxillofacial SurgeryDetroit, Michigan

Christopher D. KreulenOrthopaedic SurgeryWayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Tushar KumarMedicine-Preliminary (1)Henry Ford Health SystemDetroit, MichiganRadiation-Oncology (2)Wayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Shanyn C. LancasterFamily MedicineMedical College of Wisconsin AffiliatedHospitalsMilwaukee, Wisconsin

Angela L. LedbetterEmergency MedicineSt. John Hospital and Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Jennifer J. LeePsychiatryWayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Shirley W. LeeFamily MedicineOakwood HospitalDearborn, Michigan

*Lori A. Lemonnier (AOA)Surgery-Preliminary (1)Otolaryngology (2)Wayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Margaret R. Lesage-AusemaFamily MedicineFort CollinsFort Collins, Colorado

Melanie H. LewisTransitional (1)St. John Hospital and Medical CenterDetroit, MichiganAnesthesiology (2)Beth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterBoston, Massachusetts

Chong-Hsiang LiangObstetrics-Gynecology Cook County – Stroger HospitalChicago, Illinois

Daniel T. LisPediatricsMount Sinai Hospital Medical CenterChicago, Illinois

Lameitre C. LockhartObstetrics-Gynecology Providence HospitalSouthfield, Michigan

*Amanda C. Long (AOA)PediatricsUniversity of Michigan HospitalsAnn Arbor, Michigan

Yu Luo (AOA)Medicine-Preliminary (1)St. John Hospital and Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

**Eriks A. Lusis (AOA)Surgery-Preliminary (1)Neurological Surgery (2)Washington University/Barnes-Jewish HospitalSt. Louis, Missouri

Peter M. LuyehoInternal MedicineHenry Ford Health SystemDetroit, Michigan

Naznin A. MahmoodPediatrics (1)Wayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, MichiganNeurology (2)University of Chicago Hospital ChildChicago, Illinois

Aniel Q. MajjhooTransitional (1)Neurology (2)Wayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Shaneela MalikTransitional (1)Neurology (2)Henry Ford Health SystemDetroit, Michigan

Jacob J. Manteuffel (AOA)Emergency MedicineHenry Ford Health SystemDetroit, Michigan

Brian J. MarkleInternal MedicineUniversity of Illinois College of Medicine (UIH)Chicago, Illinois

**Alvara F. Martinez-Camacho (AOA)Internal MedicineBaylor College of MedicineHouston, Texas

Angel M. Martino-HorrallTransitional (1)Oakwood HospitalDearborn, MichiganAnesthesiology (2)University of Michigan HospitalsAnn Arbor, Michigan

Angela F. MataPediatricsWayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Mary K. MathewMedicine-PediatricsWayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Kassandra McGeheeFamily MedicineUniversity of Michigan HospitalsAnn Arbor, Michigan

**Samuel D. McGrath (AOA)Radiation-OncologyWilliam Beaumont HospitalRoyal Oak, Michigan

Matthew F. McNeillInternal MedicineSan Antonio Uniformed Services HealthEducation Consortium – Brooke Army MedicalCenterSan Antonio, Texas

Maysaa B. MerhiTransitional (1)Neurology (2)Wayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Amanda M. MeulenbergObstetrics-Gynecology New York University Downtown HospitalNew York, New York

Eleina V. MikhaylovTransitional (1)Neurology (2)Wayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Seema MisraEmergency MedicineHenry Ford Health SystemDetroit, Michigan

Seema MukerjeePostponing post-graduate training

William J. MurdochFamily MedicineBon Secours Cottage HospitalGrosse Pointe, Michigan

Andrew A. MuskovitzInternal MedicineUniversity of Illinois College of Medicine (UIH)Chicago, Illinois

Philip T. NajmEmergency MedicineHenry Ford Health SystemDetroit, Michigan

Dmitriy NikolavskySurgery-Preliminary (1)Urology (2)William Beaumont HospitalRoyal Oak, Michigan

Chantel Y. NjiwajiPostponing post-graduate training

*Michael J. Noud (AOA)Medicine-Preliminary (1)St. Joseph HospitalChicago, IllinoisRadiology-Diagnostic (2)University of Chicago HospitalChicago, Illinois

Wassim A. NoureddineInternal MedicineUniversity of Illinois College of Medicine (UIH)Chicago, Illinois

Masaru H. OshitaEmergency MedicineUniversity California Davis Medical CenterSacramento, California

Matthew D. OttoEmergency MedicineWayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Bryan J. PackOrthopaedic SurgeryWayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Christopher D. PackeyInternal MedicineUniversity of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorchester, Massachusetts

Amiesha S. PanchalFamily MedicineUniversity of VirginiaCharlottesville, Virginia

Alexander T. ParkerPsychiatryLong Island Jewish Medical CenterNew Hyde Park, New York

Hetal P. PatelPsychiatryHenry Ford Health SystemDetroit, Michigan

Mehul K. PatelTransitional (1)Hurley Medical CenterFlint, MichiganRadiation-Oncology (2)Henry Ford Health CenterDetroit, Michigan

Eddie L. PattonMedicine-Preliminary (1)St. John Hospital and Medical CenterDetroit, MichiganNeurology (2)Baylor College of MedicineHouston, Texas

Kimberly L. PatzerPostponing post-graduate training

Peter G. PerakisGeneral SurgeryWilliam Beaumont HospitalRoyal Oak, Michigan

Erin E. PerroneGeneral SurgeryWayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Jonathan M. PerryTransitional (1)Wayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, MichiganAnesthesiology (2)George Washington UniversityWashington, District of Columbia

Paul G. PetersOrthopaedic SurgeryWright State University School of MedicineDayton, Ohio

Matthew S. PezdaTransitional (1)Ophthalmology (2)Wayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Dawncherrie PickettFamily MedicineWilliam Beaumont HospitalRoyal Oak, Michigan

Brett W. PlattnerMedicine-PediatricsWayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Tiffany L. PowellSurgery-Preliminary (1)Virginia Commonwealth University HealthSystemsRichmond, VirginiaNeurosurgery (2)

Alison M. PremoObstetrics-Gynecology University of Illinois College of MedicineChicago, Illinois

**Rebecca L. Prepejchal (AOA)Emergency MedicineUniversity of Michigan HospitalsAnn Arbor, Michigan

Zachary P. PriceAnesthesiologyHenry Ford Health SystemDetroit, Michigan

**Thomas M. Pulling (AOA)TransitionalTripler Army Medical Center – Hawaii

Shehrzad RabbaniTransitionalHenry Ford Health SystemDetroit, Michigan

**Phillip A. Raduazo (AOA)Medicine-Preliminary (1)University South Alabama Medical CenterMobile, AlabamaRadiology-Diagnostic (2)University of Texas Southwest Medical SchoolDallas, Texas

Jason R. RamosFamily MedicineOakwood HospitalDearborn, Michigan

Christopher S. ReavillEmergency MedicineWayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Pamela A. ReidEmergency MedicineSinai-Grace HospitalDetroit, Michigan

Naomi J. ReynoldsFamily MedicineStanislaus Health ServiceModesto, California

Michelle D. RockwellEmergency MedicineSinai-Grace HospitalDetroit, Michigan

Daniald M. RodriguesInternal MedicineWayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Kelly M. RogalskiPsychiatryHenry Ford Health SystemDetroit, Michigan

Jason M. RosenInternal MedicineGeorge Washington UniversityWashington, District of Columbia

David J. RossowTransitional (1)Oakwood HospitalDearborn, MichiganRadiology-Diagnostic (2)University of Tennessee Graduate School ofMedicineKnoxville, Tennessee

Nicole L. RykeSurgery-PreliminaryWayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Joyoti SahaObstetrics-Gynecology Baylor College of MedicineHouston, Texas

Nahla H. SalemFamily MedicineOakwood HospitalDearborn, Michigan

Praveen SateeshInternal MedicineGeorgetown University HospitalWashington, District of Columbia

Michelle Dumler high-fives Rusty Masaru Oshita.


Raja SawhneyOtolaryngology Henry Ford Health SystemDetroit, Michigan

Brian J. ScallenEmergency MedicineMartin Luther King Jr./Charles R. Drew MedicalCenterLos Angeles, California

**Rupal J. Shah (AOA)Internal MedicineNew York Presbyterian HospitalNew York, New York

Shradha P. ShahEmergency MedicineWayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

George H. ShanlikianMedicine-PreliminaryOakwood HospitalDearborn, Michigan

Ahmed O. ShatilaTransitional (1)Neurology (2)Wayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Anupama ShivarajuInternal MedicineUniversity of Illinois College of Medicine (UIH)Chicago, Illinois

**Mahdi A. Shkoukani (AOA)Surgery-Preliminary (1)Otolaryngology (2)Wayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Aman K. ShukairyPostponing post-graduate training

Douglas A. ShumanInternal MedicineUniversity of Arizona Affiliated HospitalsTucson, Arizona

Crystal C. SimpsonInternal MedicineSt. John Hospital and Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Praveen SivakumaranInternal MedicineOchsner Clinic FoundationNew Orleans, Louisiana

*William A. Slater (AOA)Transitional (1)St. John Hospital and Medical CenterDetroit, MichiganRadiology-Diagnostic (2)Emory University School of MedicineAtlanta, Georgia

**Michelle A. Slezak (AOA)Emergency MedicineHenry Ford Health SystemDetroit, Michigan

*Ethan A. Smith (AOA)Transitional (1)St. Joseph Mercy – Ann ArborAnn Arbor, MichiganRadiology-Diagnostic (2)University of Michigan HospitalsAnn Arbor, Michigan

Jimson O. SmithEmergency MedicineMedicine-Preliminary (1)Cook County – Stroger HospitalChicago, Illinois

**Gabriel Solomon (AOA)Internal MedicineUniversity of Michigan HospitalsAnn Arbor, Michigan

Rachel E. StreuGeneral SurgerySt. Joseph Mercy – Ann ArborAnn Arbor, Michigan

Jeff Christian F. TangInternal MedicineHenry Ford Health SystemDetroit, Michigan

Vamshi R. ThandraPostponing post-graduate training

Eric D. ThomasMedicine-PediatricsWayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Christa M. ThomasmaFamily MedicineNaval HospitalBremerton, Washington

Rebecca L. ThoresonGeneral SurgeryUniversity of Iowa Hospital/ClinicIowa City, Iowa

Yvan TranTransitional (1)Neurology (2)Wayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Jennifer L. Trepte (AOA)Transitional (1)Wayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, MichiganDermatology (2)

Ryan B. UtarnachittInternal MedicineUniversity of California San FranciscoFresno, California

**Jennifer A. Van Dahm (AOA)Transitional (1)Wayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

**Kaisa M. van der Kooi (AOA)Transitional (1)Oakwood HospitalDearborn, MichiganWayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDermatology (2)Detroit, Michigan

Jeremy B. VandenBergTransitional (1)Grand Rapids Medical EducationGrand Rapids, MichiganAnesthesiology (2)McGaw Medical Center – NorthwesternUniversityChicago, Illinois

Joel T. Vander LugtTransitional (1)LDS HospitalSalt Lake City, UtahRadiology-Diagnostic (2)Indiana University School of MedicineIndianapolis, Indiana

Nitanth R. VangalaInternal MedicineUniversity of California Irvine Medical CenterOrange, California

Stephen A. Vartanian (AOA)Radiology-DiagnosticWilliam Beaumont HospitalRoyal Oak, Michigan

*Christine M. Veenstra (AOA)Internal MedicineUniversity of Michigan HospitalsAnn Arbor, Michigan

Krishnan VenkaatesanSurgery-Preliminary (1)Urology (2)Wayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Cheryl A. Villareal (AOA)Emergency MedicineHenry Ford Health SystemDetroit, Michigan

Sonia VishinInternal MedicineUniversity of Alabama Medical CenterBirmingham, Alabama

Eva WaineoPsychiatryWayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Stephanie W. WaldropPediatricsGeorgetown University HospitalWashington, District of Columbia

James P. WalekeObstetrics-Gynecology Oakwood HospitalDearborn, Michigan

Charles WangPostponing post-graduate training

Clara E. WardObstetrics-Gynecology Wayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Emily R. WattersPsychiatryMcGaw Medical Center – NorthwesternUniversityChicago, Illinois

Andrew J. WeiseEmergency MedicineHenry Ford Health SystemDetroit, Michigan

Barbara A. WhiteRadiology-DiagnosticOakwood HospitalDearborn, Michigan

Jill S. WhitehouseGeneral SurgeryMedical College of Wisconsin AffiliatedHospitalsMilwaukee, Wisconsin

*Kelly S. Wiersema (AOA)Obstetrics-Gynecology Grand Rapids Medical EducationGrand Rapids, Michigan

Barton W. WildPostponing post-graduate training

*Thomas J. Williams (AOA)Emergency MedicineSt. John Hospital and Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Troy R. WilliamsOrthopaedic SurgeryHenry Ford Health SystemDetroit, Michigan

James J. WoltzFamily MedicineWake Forest Baptist Medical CenterNorth Carolina

Latefa Y. WoodsFamily MedicineMcLaren Regional Medical CenterFlint, Michigan

Joanna Q. WuInternal MedicineUniversity of Texas Southwest Medical SchoolDallas, Texas

Ator YacoubInternal MedicineEisenhower Army Medical CenterFort Gordon, Georgia

Michael H. YooPsychiatryUniversity of Michigan HospitalsAnn Arbor, Michigan

Eric M. YoungMedicine-PreliminaryWilliam Beaumont HospitalRoyal Oak, Michigan

Zena G. YousifSurgery-PreliminaryWayne State University/Detroit Medical CenterDetroit, Michigan

Jennifer A. ZiegAnesthesiologyBaylor College of MedicineHouston, Texas

*Yevgeny ZolotarevskyInternal MedicineUniversity of Michigan HospitalsAnn Arbor, Michigan

Class of 2005

Celebrating among friendsare Naznin Mahmood, AmanShukairy, Nahla Salem andMary Mathew.

The appearance of a name on this list is presumptive but not conclusiveevidence of graduation.

(AOA) Alpha Omega Alpha Academic Honor Society

* With Distinction – Comprehensivehonors in Year I & III or II & III

** With High Distinction –Comprehensive honors in Years I, II and III

Mazen Harake and Waleed Ezzat offer mutual congrats.


� RoundsBrain awareness sharedReal, dead brains were on display March 19 at the DetroitPublic Library as part of the WSU School of Medicine’s BrainAwareness Day. Organized by graduate students in theCellular and Clinical Neurobiology Program, the event was theculmination of a week of events in schools throughout met-ropolitan Detroit that teach children about the human brainand its function.

“We spend our lives in the laboratories performing experi-ments to try to figure out how the brain functions and howdiseases alter that function,” said Mays Imad, one of the co-chairs of Brain Awareness Week. “It is refreshing for us to beable to take a step back and share our knowledge in anotherway by educating the community about the brain in a relaxedand fun atmosphere.”

Michigan legislators learn about life of medical residentsNearly 40 legislators and legislative aids from the state ofMichigan gathered at Project Medical Education, a programdeveloped to showcase the value of medical education toMichigan’s health-care system.

A partnership of the Wayne State University School ofMedicine and the Southeast Michigan Center for MedicalEducation, the program provided policymakers with an accu-rate background that will empower them to make sounddecisions about graduate medical education. These decisions,in turn, affect Michigan’s medical schools, affiliated teachinghospitals and the people they serve. As part of the two-dayevent, legislators participated in on-site learning experiencesthat illustrate the critical value of supporting the educationalenvironment within the health-care system.

Brain imaging advances new driver distraction researchWhat happens deep inside your brain when you’re talking onthe phone and suddenly have to brake? Soon, researchersfrom General Motors, Wayne State University and Henry FordHospital may have an answer, thanks to new researchrevealed at the SAE World Congress in April.

The research was conducted in 2003 and 2004 and bench-marks data against which future studies can be measured. Itwas funded by the GM Foundation and is believed to be the firstresearch that addresses driver distraction by using brain imag-ing to examine driving-like behaviors in a laboratory setting.

The team used functional (real-time) magnetic resonanceimaging (fMRI) at Wayne State and magnetoencephalography(MEG) at Henry Ford to determine where and when areas ofthe brain were activated when a test subject viewed a drivingvideo and stepped on a brake pedal when cued by a light.Human factors safety researchers consider this an establisheddriver performance test.

In the next phase of research, the team is studying how cellphone use while driving affects brain activity.

Research enhancement program benefits medical school researchersFor the third year in a row, President Irvin Reid has earmarked$1.8 million for the WSU research enhancement program, thebulk of which went to School of Medicine programs.

The program’s goal is to provide seed money to increase thenumber of successful requests for external research funding,particularly those entailing interdisciplinary research andscholarship.

This program is intended to contribute to developingresearch themes for the university with an emphasis on anurban mission, a global presence and technology. This year’sfunds are designated for research aimed at understanding andovercoming the disparity in health outcomes, particularly thoserelated to chronic diseases among medically underserved andethnic minority populations living in an urban environment.

Part of this year’s funds will be used to build capacity in theWSU Center for Urban and African American Health, which isfunded by the National Institutes of Health. Led by John Flack,M.D., M.P.H., WSU associate chair of internal medicine, the cen-ter seeks new ways to redress health disparities by identifyingpreventive strategies and therapeutic approaches to chronicdiseases that plague this population, namely obesity, cardio-vascular disease and cancer.

In addition to funding CUAAH, five additional WSU proposalswill receive funding from the research enhancement program. • “Looking for Answers in Lymphedema Prevention: Is it what

we inherit? Is it what we do? Is it what we treat?”The goal ofthis project is to reduce the incidence of arm lymphedemain breast cancer survivors in Detroit. The interdisciplinaryteam for this project is led by Mary Ann Kosir, WSU associ-ate professor of surgery at the Karmanos Cancer Institute.

• “Feasibility Study of Testing Fecal DNA/RNA and BacterialMarkers for Population Studies” The goal of this interdisci-plinary project is to gain knowledge that is useful in the pre-vention of colorectal cancer for high-risk populations, suchas African Americans. Ikuko Kato, WSU associate professorat the Karmanos Cancer Institute, leads this project.

• “Prostate Cancer Admixture Mapping in African-AmericanMen”This two-year study will use an approach called admix-ture mapping to identify genes involved in prostate cancersusceptibility in African-American men. The project is led byCathryn Bock, WSU assistant professor at the KarmanosCancer Institute, and Elisabeth Heath, WSU assistant profes-sor of internal medicine.

• “Reducing Health Disparities in Urban Adult Populationsthrough Personalized E-Technology: Impacts and Effects ofeHealthSmart”The goal of this project is to research use andeffectiveness of personalized computer software that iden-tifies and addresses specific health-promoting lifestyleneeds of individuals disproportionately affected by smok-ing, obesity and other chronic diseases. Joseph Tan, chair ofinformation systems and manufacturing at the School ofBusiness Administration, leads the interdisciplinary team forthis project.

• “Helping Older Minority Women Transition fromHomelessness” This two-year study involves 75 African-American women, age 45 and older, during their transitionfrom homelessness. The project’s interdisciplinary team isled by Olivia Washington, WSU associate professor of nurs-ing at the Institute of Gerontology, and David Moxley, WSUprofessor of social work.

Internal medicine researchers honoredCongratulations to the winners of the 12th annualDepartment of Internal Medicine Research Day. Dr. DianeLevine, executive director of medical education, said,“Research day represents the culmination of the scholarlywork of our trainees and serves as a stepping stone to pre-sentations at regional and national meetings and publica-tions. We congratulate our residents and fellows on theiraccomplishments.”1st place oral presentation - research Dr. Yelena Selektor – Is Troponin Elevation as a Single VariableSufficient to Refer a Patient for Cardiac Catheterization?2nd place oral presentation - researchDr. Sabeena Misra – Aging is Associated with DecreasedExpression of Cell Cycle Apoptosis Regulatory Protein (CARP-1) in the Colonic Mucosa1st place oral presentation - clinical Dr. Neesha Griffin Berry – Unusual Site of Internal JugularThrombosis Associated with Factor V Leiden Mutation2nd place oral presentation - clinicalDr. Leandro Perez – Michael’s Thyroid Factor, More ThanJust a Storm1st place poster presentation Dr. Nirav Mamdani – A Rare Case of ANCA NegativeWegener’s GranulomatosisDr. Julie Wright – A Rare Case of Primary Mediastinal Non-Seminomatous Germ Cell Tumor Presenting with SVCSyndrome

2nd place poster presentationDr. Khaled Esmaeel Awad- Aspirin Induced Stevens -Johnson Syndrome

Sinai Grace Research Day 2005 Congratulations to the Sinai Grace Research Day 2005 win-ners. This year’s program was a great success with a recordnumber of abstract submissions. First-place winners receiveda $500 prize; second-place received $250; and third-placewinners were awarded $100. Basic Science Research-OralFirst Place-PravinGoud, M.D., OB/GYNSecond Place-Aamir Memon, M.D., MedicineThird Place-Israel Hendler, M.D., OB/GYNCase Report-OralFirst Place-Courtney Jones, M.D., MedicineSecond Place-Kamal Nasser, M.D., MedicineThird Place-Wahed Ishaqsei, M.D., Medicine Case Report-PosterFirst Place-Saad Usmani, M.D., MedicineSecond Place (tie)-Asmita Patel, M.D., MedicineSecond Place (tie)-Phuong Ho, M.D., Emergency MedicineClinical Research-OralFirst Place-Irfan Hameed, M.D., MedicineSecond Place-Farah Mullah, M.D., Family MedicineThird Place-Jason Moore, M.D., Emergency MedicineClinical Research-Poster First Place-Israel Hendler, M.D., OB/GYNSecond Place-Mohamed Mitwally, M.D., OB/GYNThird Place-Lisa Potts, Pharm.D., Pharmacy

� HonorsThomas Beaumont, M.D./Ph.D., student, received aRuth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award fellowshipfor his proposal, “Activity-Dependent Gene Expression inEpileptogenesis.” Beaumont’s work is sponsored by JeffreyLoeb, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of neurology and a mem-ber of the Center for Molecular Medicine & Genetics. The awardcovers all educational expenses, provides benefits, a stipendand a limited institutional allowance for equipment. It alsoallows Beaumont to participate in career-development exer-cises, including mentoring and an annual trip to the NationalInstitutes of Health. Beaumont’s research focuses on molecularmechanisms leading to the development of epilepsy.

Mark Juzych, M.D., associate professor of ophthalmologyand assistant dean for graduate medical education, is a recip-ient of the Parker J. Palmer Courage to Teach Award grantedby the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.The award is given annually to 10 outstanding residency pro-gram directors of more than 8,000 eligible individualsthroughout the nation. According to the ACGME, “Programdirectors face many challenges in administering a residencyprogram. Those finding innovative ways to teach residentsand to provide quality health care in this harsh environmentshould be celebrated.

Ahmed Kaseb, M.D., internal medicine resident, won anaward for a research poster at the 2005 American College ofPhysicians National Meeting.

Tabarak Qureshi, MD, internal medicine resident, won anaward for a poster at the 2005 American College of PhysiciansNational Meeting. The research title was “Peripheral But NotCentral Chemoreflex Responsiveness is Enhanced in AfricanAmericans Compared to Caucasians During Wakefulness.”


Dr. John Crissman keeps good company as Case Western’s notable alumImagine a list that includes among its notables two for-mer U.S. surgeons general, three Nobel laureates, and aformer dean of the WSU School of Medicine. JohnCrissman, M.D., is a proud member of this list of notablealumni in health care and medicine from Case WesternReserve University. Dr. Crissman earned his medicaldegree from Case Western in 1966, the same year theMedicare program began, insulin was first synthesizedin China,and it cost a nickel to send a letter.

It’s true that former U.S. Surgeon General DavidSatcher, M.D., Ph.D., is on this notable alumni list for hisposition as “America’s doctor,” but at the same time, Dr.Crissman was running the nation’s fourth largest med-ical school, graduating more than 250 new doctors eachyear to care for patients all over Michigan and through-out the country. Furthermore, he successfully coordi-nated the WSU School of Medicine’s faculty practiceplans into a streamlined organization, the Wayne StateUniversity Physician Group—an achievement, in someWSU circles, that rivals the Nobel Peace Prize, jokeadministrators.

Upon graduation from Case Western, Dr. Crissmancompleted a surgery internship at the University ofMichigan and a residency at Detroit General Hospital.From 1968 to 1970, he was a captain in the UnitedStates Air Force, and then returned to Ohio for a four-year pathology residency.

Dr. Crissman was appointed to the faculty at theUniversity of Cincinnati in 1974 and remained thereuntil 1981 when he was named a professor of pathologyat Wayne State University. In 1990, he became chair ofthe Department of Pathology, pathologist-in-chief forthe Detroit Medical Center, and medical director for theDMC University Laboratories. After a short stint as asso-ciate dean for research and graduate programs at theWSU School of Medicine, he was named interim dean,until the faculty voted to forego the national searchprocess and appoint Dr. Crissman as permanent dean in2000.

During his five-year tenure as dean, Dr. Crissmanboosted the quality and stature of the school in manyways. He negotiated a landmark contract with theWSU’s primary teaching hospital system, the DetroitMedical Center, and ensured strong, long-term partner-ships. He built relationships with hospitals throughoutsoutheastern Michigan for education and researchopportunities. He increased peer-reviewed researchfunding by 30 percent, secured for the school a 10-yearcontract for the Perinatology Research Branch of theNational Institute of Child Health and HumanDevelopment, and established a formal research andeducation affiliation with Detroit’s Henry Ford HealthSystem.

A pathologist specializing in head and neck tumors,Dr. Crissman has written more than 250 papers andchapters on the study of cancer and the spread ofmalignant tumors. He continues to serve WSU as pro-fessor of pathology, and enjoys golfing and skiing in hisoff-time. Kudos to Dr. Crissman, a notable Case Westernalum indeed, and a distinguished WSU leader.

� NotesS. Preeya Banerjee, Ph.D., post-doctoral fellow in psy-chiatry and behavioral neurosciences, published a paper inDevelopmental and Behavioral Pediatrics on a possible newtreatment for children with severe phobia of choking on foodor liquids. Dr. Banerjee works with David Rosenberg, M.D.,Miriam L. Hamburger Endowed Chair of Child Psychiatry anddirector of the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ClinicalResearch Program.

Cancer researchers from WSU had 34 abstracts acceptedfor presentation at the 96th Annual Meeting of the AmericanAssociation for Cancer Research. The meeting was held inApril in Anaheim, Calif. Wayne State University was repre-sented well.

Seemant Chaturvedi, M.D., WSU associate professor ofneurology, co-chaired a session on the clinical aspects ofstroke at the 2005 American Academy of Neurology’s annualmeeting. In a separate matter, Dr. Chaturvedi recently wasinterviewed by Neurology Today, a publication of theAmerican Academy of Neurology, on the topic of carotidendarterectomy and stenting.

William Coplin, M.D., associate professor of neurology, ischair-elect of the American Academy of Neurology’s Sectionon Critical Care and Emergency Neurology.

Nicolas Cottaris, Ph.D., and Sylvia Elfar, Ph.D., assis-tant professors of ophthalmology, published a paper titled“How the Retinal Network Reacts to Epiretinal Stimulation toForm the Prosthetic Visual Input to the Cortex,” in the Journalof Neural Engineering.

Errol Crook, M.D., interim chair, Department of Medicine,decided to return to his home state of Alabama to accept aposition as chair of internal medicine at the University ofSouth Alabama College of Medicine in Mobile.

Robert Freedman, Ph.D., professor in the departmentsof obstetrics & gynecology and psychiatry & behavioral neu-rosciences, gave a talk at the National Institutes State-of-the-Science Conference on Menopause, in Bethesda, Md. The talkwas titled “Hot Flashes: Behavioral Treatments, Mechanismsand Relationships with Sleep.”

Richard Gallagher, Ph.D., professor of family medicine,has been appointed to the editorial board of Virtual CancerCentre.com, that educates primary care physicians andpatients about emerging treatments and clinical trials. He alsoparticipated in a meeting of the National Cancer InstituteCommittee G - Education in Washington, D.C. Dr. Gallagheralso serves as director of the Division of Medical Educationwithin his department.

David Grignon, M.D., professor and chair of pathology,was co-author a new long-term study by the RadiationTherapy Oncology Group (RTOG), a clinical research compo-nent of the American College of Radiology (ACR). The studyshowed that prostate cancer patients live longer when givengoserelin immediately following radiotherapy. It was pub-lished in the April issue of the International Journal ofRadiation Oncology Biology Physics and details the 10-yearresults of a national multicenter clinical trial that enrollednearly 1,000 patients with locally advanced prostate cancer.

Murali Guthikonda, M.D., interim chair of neurologicalsurgery, was invited by the Greater Detroit Endocrine Club asa guest neurosurgeon at their March 3 meeting.

Susan Hendrix, D.O., WSU professor of obstetrics & gyne-cology, was the first guest on “Author in the Room,”a new pro-gram sponsored by the Journal of the American MedicalAssociation and the Institute of Healthcare Improvement. Theprogram, a live conference call aimed at closing the gapbetween research publication and physician practice, willhelp journal readers consider the implications of study resultsfor improved practice. The first session focused on Dr.Hendrix’s recent study, “Effects of Estrogen with and withoutProgestin Therapy on Urinary Incontinence.”

Dr. Hendrix also served on a National Institutes of Healthstate-of-science panel that issued a statement stressing thatmenopause must not be viewed as a disease. The panel,which Dr. Hendrix helped to plan and served as a speaker for,found that many women move through the menopausal tran-sition with few disabling symptoms.

Peter Karpawich, M.D., professor of pediatrics and direc-tor of cardiac electrophysiology at Children’s HospitalMichigan, was an invited Grand Rounds speaker at New YorkUniversity School of Medicine. His topic was “InterventionalDevice Therapy in Children with Congenital Heart Defects.”Hewas also an invited faculty speaker at the 26th AnnualScientific Sessions of the Heart Rhythm Society, held in NewOrleans. His topics included “Hurdles in Pacemaker LeadImplant and Removal” and “Concepts, Strategies andTechnologies of Cardiac Pacing in Children.”

Omar Khan, M.D., WSU associate professor of neurology,co-chaired a session on clinical trials for multiple sclerosis atthe 2005 American Academy of Neurology’s annual meeting.

Michael Kleerekoper, M.D., professor of medicine in theDivision of Endocrinology, served on the planning committeefor the National Osteoporosis Foundation’s Sixth InternationalSymposium on Osteoporosis. “Current Status and FutureDirections,” which was held in April, is the only biennial scien-tific meeting in the United States to focus on osteoporosisand bone health across the lifespan.

Tammy Lundstrom, M.D., J.D., assistant professor ofinternal medicine, has been appointed to a newly establishedPandemic Influenza Working Group. The group was estab-lished by the National Vaccine Advisory Committee, a federalbody that reports to the Department of Health and HumanServices, to solicit input regarding national preparedness andresponse. Dr. Lundstrom was appointed to represent theNational Association for Professionals in Infection Control andEpidemiology.

Frank McMaster, Ph.D., post-doctoral fellow in psychia-try and behavioral neurosciences, was selected from a pool of150 applicants as a 2005 Wisconsin Symposium on EmotionTravel Awardee. The focus of the symposium is on genes,brain and emotion. He works with David Rosenberg, M.D.,Miriam L. Hamburger Endowed Chair of Child Psychiatry anddirector of the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ClinicalResearch Program.

Qasim Omran, M.D., resident in internal medicine, is pre-senting an abstract titled “Induction of Periodic Breathing,The Influence of Gender” at the 19th annual meeting of theAmerican Professional Sleep Societies in June. His researchmentor was Dr. Safwan Badr.

Sridevi Pitta, M.D., resident in internal medicine, pub-lished “ST-Segment Depression on the Initial ECG in Acute MI-Prognostic Significance and its Effect on Short Term Mortality:A Report from the National Registry of Myocardial Infarction”in The American Journal of Cardiology. Her research mentor isDr. Robert Zalenski.

Padraic Sweeny, M.D., associate professor of emergencymedicine, has been named chief of emergency medicine atDetroit Receiving Hospital and University Health Center.

wayne state university school of medicine scribe...robert lucas, m.d. w. ralph mabry gwen mackenzie...

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