Nationwide Children's News Room

Three Marketing and Public Relations Internships Offered Summer 2012 at Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:00:00 -0500

POSITION 1: Media Relations Intern FULL-TIME PAID
This position will assist the media relations team with reactive and proactive media/public relations strategies for Nationwide Children’s Hospital and its entities.
Opportunities include, but are not limited to:

Write news releases and media advisories
Pitch stories to media
Coordinate media interviews and photo shoots
Escort media on hospital campus
Contribute to media relations team with seeking out news story ideas/topics
Track and compile weekly media activity for hospital’s CEO
Manage and update media relations activity log
Participate in media relations strategic planning with team and agency of record
Manage online News Room (i.e. post news releases, multi-media releases, media advisories, etc).

POSITION 2: Physician Marketing Intern FULL-TIME PAID
This position will work with the physician marketing team to develop and execute comprehensive marketing tactics targeted to local and regional physicians that may include online, internal, public relations and consumer communication.
Opportunities include, but are not limited to:

Develop marketing collateral (i.e. fact sheets, brochures) with project lead and creative services team
Assist with planning physician recognition events
Report competitive media information or news activity
Update marketing databases
Assist with online initiatives and content updates
Interact with all teams

POSITION 3: Interactive Marketing Intern FULL-TIME PAID
The interactive marketing team is responsible for maintaining the external Nationwide Children’s Hospital Web site - www.NationwideChildrens.org. This internship position will support team initiatives and will receive hands-on training and real-world Web marketing and social media experience.
Opportunities include, but are not limited to:

Write Web copy for various audiences
Assist with Search Engine Optimization and Marketing (SEO & SEM) opportunities
Coordinate data for reporting needs
Learn Web management tools and update the site
Assist with social media opportunities

QUALIFICATIONS
Position 1 – Media Relations
Students working toward a degree in public relations, communication or journalism. Completion of basic public relations or related courses, and familiarity with Associated Press style required. Excellent writing and communication skills are musts. Previous media relations, public relations or communication internship experience preferred.

Position 2 – Physician Marketing
Students working toward a degree in marketing or communication. Documented completion of basic courses toward degree is required. Must possess strong, concise writing abilities with solid verbal communication and organizational skills. Must be proficient in all aspects of Microsoft Office, primarily Excel and Word. Web design or content development experience is a plus. This position would provide the opportunity to work directly with physicians and external audiences.

Position 3 – Interactive Marketing
Qualified students include those who are working toward a degree in marketing, Web communications, public relations or a related communication field. Documented completion of basic courses toward a degree is required. Good writing and communication skills are required, and students must be proficient in Microsoft Office. Also required are strong organizational/time management skills. Previous Web experience is not required but industry knowledge is preferred. Students interested in expanding their technical skills and knowledge of Web management tools are encouraged to apply.

TO APPLY
To apply for a summer internship in Marketing and Public Relations at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, visit www.NationwideChildrens.org, scroll to the bottom and click “Career Opportunities” and then click on “Apply for a Job.” Once on this page, select “Business” and hit “Search.” Scroll through the open positions to find the internships listed above.
*If you have trouble finding the specific internship you’re interested in applying for, please call Human Resources at (614) 355-4111.

Love’s Travel Stops and Jeffersonville Hardee’s® Contribute $30,000 to Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 06:00:00 -0500

As a participant in the 2011 Children’s Miracle Network Hospital (CMNH) Campaign, Love’s travel stops in the Columbus market raised $30,357 for Nationwide Children’s Hospital, making them one of the CMNH top locations for percentage increase from 2010. In addition, the Jeffersonville Hardee’s^®, which is operated by Love’s, raised more than $10,000. This was the #1 restaurant location for Love’s during the CMNH campaign.

“We are extremely grateful to have a partnership with Love’s Travel Stops,” said Susan Brewer, Assistant Director for Annual Giving with the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation. “Our patients and families will benefit greatly from their commitment and dedication to Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Our friends at Love’s and the Jeffersonville Hardee’s will continue to set high goals for fundraising in order to improve the quality of healthcare to children in our communities.”

The Columbus market has two Love’s locations in Zanesville and Jeffersonville supporting Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Love’s is a family owned and operated chain of food and fuel stops with over 285 locations in 39 states across North America, earning a #7 on Forbes Magazine’s 2011 listing of America’s largest privately held companies. They are a national franchisee of six restaurant concepts across the country, including 16 Hardee’s restaurants. Believing that ‘giving back’ to each community in which they operate is an important factor in their success, Love’s has participated in the CMNH Campaign for 13 years raising more than $5.8 million for children’s hospitals nationwide.

Hardee’s Food Systems is a wholly owned subsidiary of CKE Restaurants, Inc. As of the end of Q3 fiscal 2012, CKE, though its subsidiaries, had a total of 3,219 franchised, licensed or company-operated restaurants in 42 states and in 23 countries, including 1,292 Carl’s Jr.^® restaurants and 1,917 Hardee’s^® restaurants. For more information, or to find a Hardee’s near you, go to www.hardees.com. Hardee’s social media sites include www.facebook.com/hardees, www.twitter.com/hardees and www.youtube.com/hardees.

Renowned Pediatric Cardiology Physician-Scientist Linda Cripe Joins Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:00:00 -0500

Linda H. Cripe, MD, a distinguished pediatric cardiologist, has joined the Heart Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Dr. Cripe will also be a member of the faculty at The Ohio State University College of Medicine.

Dr. Cripe is well-known for her continuing work in studying the care and treatment of cardiomyopathy associated with neuromuscular disease, especially Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). She was a member of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) National Steering Committee – Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Standards of Care, and has been an invited lecturer nationally and internationally on cardiomyopathy related to DMD. She currently is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board for Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy.

Dr. Cripe was most recently the Chair of the Reappointment, Promotion and Tenure Committee and Coordinator for Medical Student Education in the Division of Cardiology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and served as an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati. She completed her residency at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and served as a pediatric cardiology fellow at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and at Children's Hospital Boston. She also has held faculty appointments at The Children's Hospital in Denver, Colorado, and at The University of Wisconsin.

“Linda Cripe is a preeminent physician-scientist and her recruitment to our clinical and research staff allows us to expand our capabilities in understanding and treating patients with cardiomyopathy and particularly those with neuromuscular disease,” said Steve Allen, MD, Nationwide Children’s CEO. “Recruiting staff of the caliber of Linda enables us to continue expanding our role as a leading institution in pediatric research and care.”

NOTE TO EDITOR: Dr. Cripe is a resident of Dublin, OH (43017).

Study: Bariatric Surgery in Adolescents Improves Obesity-related Diseases Within First Two Years

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:00:00 -0500

Today, about one in five children in the United States are obese. That means that in just one generation alone the number of obese kids in this country has quadrupled.

Doctors at Nationwide Children’s Hospital who perform weight loss surgery (bariatric surgery) on adolescents took a look at their patient population in a retrospective study published in the January 2012 print edition of Pediatric Blood & Cancer. They found that their patients had experienced a significant loss of excess body weight and showed improvement in many obesity-related diseases within the first one to two years following surgery.

Investigators performed a retrospective analysis of 15 morbidly obese adolescents (10 females and five males) who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass between 2004 and 2009. They compared baseline clinical and demographic data with the same data collected one and two years after surgery.

Results showed that the adolescents experienced significant loss of excess body weight and improved or resolved several common obesity-related diseases during this time period. Four of five patients who were being treated for high blood pressure before surgery resolved their high blood pressure two years after the operation.

“We do not yet know whether the improvements of these patients will correspond to long-term resolution of weight-related diseases or reduce their risk for future weight-related diseases,” said the study’s author Marc Michalsky, MD, surgical director of Bariatric Surgery at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “Although our findings suggest that the most significant metabolic impact occurred within the first post-operative year, findings may differ in studies involving more patients who are followed longer-term.”

Dr. Michalsky, who also chairs the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Pediatric Committee’s best practice guidelines, says that weight loss surgery should be a last resort for teenagers, but can be a very effective intervention.

“The argument is quite compelling that we really do need to be doing it this young to avoid the chronic burden of disease these patients will suffer from if nothing is done,” said Dr. Michalsky.

In the Center for Healthy Weight and Nutrition at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Dr. Michalsky’s patients first go through several months of evaluation to see if patients are even candidates for weight loss surgery. This includes an introductory information session attended by the adolescent and parent, and assessments of the potential candidate by a number of staff in the Center including dieticians, bariatric nurse practitioners, psychologists, physical therapists and surgeons. Candidates for weight loss surgery are those that have gone through several failed attempts at diet and exercise regiments. These teenagers have significant organ damage and their quality of life is poor, Dr. Michalsky said.

“Bariatric surgery in adolescents is never a cosmetic procedure,” explained Dr. Michalsky who is also a faculty member at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. “These teens are very sick, they are suffering and they can benefit from weight loss surgery. Our study demonstrates the safety and efficacy of weight reduction surgery in morbidly obese adolescents.”

Nationwide Children’s is one of a few centers in the country involved in long-term clinical research of adolescent bariatric surgery, looking not only at what happens in the short-term post-surgery, but long-term as well.

Megan Muncy, 16, has lost more than 130 pounds since her gastric bypass surgery in 2009.

Teenagers that are suffering from severe obesity, actually have some very significant organ damage.

Preeminent Pediatric Cancer Physician-Scientist Timothy Cripe Joins Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:00:00 -0500

Oncologist and cancer researcher, Timothy P. Cripe, MD, PhD, has been appointed Chief of the Division of Hematology/Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Dr. Cripe will also be a member of the faculty at The Ohio State University College of Medicine.

Before coming to Nationwide Children’s, Dr. Cripe was Medical Co-Director in the Office for Clinical and Translational Research and is the founding Director of the Comprehensive Musculoskeletal Tumor Program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. At the University of Cincinnati, he was a Professor of Pediatrics and Director of Pilot and Collaborative Studies in the Center for Clinical and Translational Science and Training. His clinical interests include gene and viral therapies for solid tumors in children, including brain tumors, neuroblastoma, and bone and soft tissue sarcomas. His current research focuses on developing and testing new, targeted therapies for pediatric solid tumors and translating those findings into clinical studies. He also investigates the use of viruses that selectively infect and kill cancer cells, studies their utility for killing cancer stem cells, and was among the first in the country to launch clinical trials of attenuated viruses in children.

Dr. Cripe is a magna cum laude graduate of Princeton University and completed his MD, PhD in genetics and pediatric residency training at the University of Iowa. He was a clinical fellow in pediatric hematology/oncology at the Children's Hospital and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, and a research fellow at the Children's Hospital and University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver. Following his subspecialty training, he was an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin Children's Hospital and Comprehensive Cancer Center in Madison and was the Pediatric Medical Director of the UW/ American Red Cross Hemophilia Treatment Center.

“By recruiting an outstanding physician-scientist like Tim Cripe to the Nationwide Children’s clinical and research community, we expand our world class capabilities in understanding and treating pediatric cancer and blood diseases,” said Steve Allen, MD, Nationwide Children’s CEO. “Tim’s leadership as chief of Hematology/Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation will enhance our role as an international leader in pediatric research and care.”

NOTE TO EDITOR: Dr. Cripe is a resident of Dublin, OH (43017).

Dr. Timothy Cripe, chief of the Division of Hematology/Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation.

National Study Shows Majority of Self-Harming Adolescents Don’t Receive a Mental Health Assessment During Emergency Room Visit

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:00:00 -0500

A national study of Medicaid data shows most young people who present to emergency departments with deliberate self-harm are discharged to the community, without receiving an emergency mental health assessment. Even more, a roughly comparable proportion of these patients receive no outpatient mental health care in the following month. These are the findings from a study conducted by researchers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital that appears in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.

Deliberate self-harm is one of the most common reasons for an emergency department visit by young people in the United States. Eighty to 90 percent of young people who deliberately harm themselves meet criteria for at least one psychiatric disorder, most commonly mood disorders. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence has advised that all patients presenting to emergency departments with an episode of deliberate self-harm should receive a mental health evaluation before discharge.

“Emergency department personnel can play a unique role in suicide prevention by assessing the mental health of patients after deliberate self-harm and providing potentially life-saving referrals for outpatient mental health care,” said Jeff Bridge, PhD, principal investigator in the Center for Innovation in Pediatric Practice of The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and lead study author. “However, the coordination between emergency services for patients who deliberately harm themselves and linkage with outpatient mental health treatment is often inadequate.”

In an effort to examine the quality of the emergency mental health management of young people who are discharged to the community after an act of deliberate self-harm, Dr. Bridge and colleagues examined Medicaid Extract files throughout the country for children ages 10 to 19.

They found that in this Medicaid population, most young people who presented to the emergency departments with deliberate self-harm were discharged to the community as opposed to inpatient care. Only 39 percent of all patients who are discharged to the community received a mental health assessment while in the emergency department.

Dr. Bridge says without more detailed information on whether the deliberate self-harm occurred with or without a suicidal intent it is impossible to exclude the possibility that some discharged patients are at relatively low risk, although deliberate self-harm is the main risk factor for completed suicide. The greatest risk of suicide occurs in the period immediately after an episode of deliberate self-harm.

“Our findings suggest that the decision to provide emergency mental health assessment is dictated less by the clinical characteristics of individual patients and more by staffing patterns or established emergency department evaluation protocols,” said Dr. Bridge. “This study highlights the need for strategies to promote emergency department mental health assessments, strengthening the training of physicians in pediatric mental health and adolescent suicide prevention and timely transitions to outpatient mental health care.”

Consistent with previous research of adult patients on Medicaid who present to emergency departments after self-harm, recent mental health treatment emerged as the most powerful predictor of follow-up outpatient mental health care. Nonetheless, only about one half of patients who had visited the emergency department for a mental-health-related reason up to 60 days before, received a mental health assessment during their self-harm incident visit. “This association and the lack of an association between emergency mental health assessment and follow up care suggest that a portion of the follow up mental health visits simply represent ongoing mental health care rather than new emergency-department-driven referrals,” said Dr. Bridge.

Co-authors of the study include Steven C. Marcus, PhD, from the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the University of Pennsylvania; and Mark Olfson, MD, MPH, from the New York State Psychiatric Institute and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University.

Dr. Jonathan Thackeray Appointed Leadership Roles Supporting Child and Family Advocacy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:00:00 -0500

Jonathan Thackeray, MD, has been named medical director of The Center for Family Safety and Healing and chief of the Division of Child and Family Advocacy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Thackeray has served as a physician at The Center for Family Safety and Healing, formerly known as the Center for Child and Family Advocacy, at Nationwide Children’s since 2005. Prior to his recent appointment, Dr. Thackeray was the clinical director of the Child Assessment Center in The Center for Family Safety and Healing, which provides responsive and timely medical assessment and treatment along with interviews of children and family members for those who may have experienced child abuse. In 2011, he was named Interim Medical Director of The Center for Family Safety and Healing.

In his role as Medical Director of The Center for Family Safety and Healing, Dr. Thackeray will continue to integrate the work of the Center and the work of Nationwide Children’s while providing clinical leadership and ensuring high-quality, evidence-based and family-centered care for the clinical services offered at the Center. He will focus on strengthening the collaboration between the Center and community partners to ultimately strengthen the community response to family violence. Dr. Thackeray will also contribute to the training missions of the multidisciplinary specialty areas working in the field of family violence.

As Chief of the Division of Child and Family Advocacy, Dr. Thackeray will lead and manage a team of physicians within The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics dedicated to clinical care, education, training and research in the field of child abuse, neglect and family violence while ensuring quality and safety of clinical care provided to patients and their families. He will also help develop a research agenda for faculty incorporating multiple medical disciplines including Obstetrics/Gynecology, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Psychiatry and Pediatrics.

During his tenure, Dr. Thackeray, also assistant professor of Clinical Pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, has published numerous studies on child abuse, neglect and family violence. He has also received thousands of dollars in grant funding and has presented on child and family violence on a local and national level. His professional interests include intimate partner violence and resident education.

Dr. Thackeray graduated with his medical degree from Medical College of Ohio. He went on to complete his residency at Indiana University and a fellowship in child abuse pediatrics at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. He is active in the American Academy of Pediatrics' Section on Child Abuse and Neglect and serves as editor of the section's newsletter. He recently completed a two-year term as president of the Ohio Chapter of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children and is a Member of the Ray E. Helfer Society and a member of the Ambulatory Pediatric Association. He is Co-Editor of Chadwick’s Child Maltreatment, one of the premier textbooks in the field of child maltreatment. He is board certified in general pediatrics, internal medicine and child abuse pediatrics

The Center for Family Safety and Healing represents an unparalleled opportunity to make a powerful statement that ending child abuse and family violence is a community-wide priority. Through a combination of public and private resources, the Center is the first facility in the country to fully integrate child abuse and domestic violence services offering a continuum of services and expertise for victims from prevention through long-term therapy and support.

The Division of Child and Family Advocacy is housed at The Center for Family Safety and Healing, which offers clinical social services, law enforcement, behavioral health services, child protective services, domestic violence advocates and home visitation programs. These services provide a coordinated and comprehensive approach to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all aspects of family violence.

NOTE TO THE EDITOR: Dr. Thackeray resides in Upper Arlington (43220).

Dr. Jonathan Thackeray, medical director of The Center for Family Safety and Healing and chief of the Division of Child and Family Advocacy

Tickets On Sale for “Seussical”

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:00:00 -0500

Tickets are available for the production of Seussical presented by Pleasure Guild of Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Seussical is a magical musical extravaganza featuring favorite Dr. Seuss characters including Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, Mayzie, Jojo and the “Whos” among others. Performances are scheduled for March 2, 3 and 4, 2012 at the Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215. Proceeds benefit the Hospice and Palliative Care program at Nationwide Children’s.

Pleasure Guild, an auxiliary women’s volunteer group of Nationwide Children’s, fundraises specifically on behalf of the hospital’s Hospice and Palliative Care program and produces an annual theater production as its primary benefit. Last year, Pleasure Guild presented a check for $346,238 to the hospital.

Seussical Performance Schedule:

7 p.m. Friday, March 2
2 p.m. Saturday, March 3
7 p.m. Saturday, March 3
2 p.m. Sunday, March 4

Tickets can be purchased by calling the CAPA Ticket Office at (614) 469-0939 or Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Patrons may also visit the CAPA Ticket Office at the Ohio Theatre (39 E. State Street, Columbus, OH 43215) or any Ticketmaster outlet. For more information about Pleasure Guild and Seussical, visit www.pleasureguild.org.

About Pleasure Guild
Pleasure Guild is the oldest women’s auxiliary of Nationwide Children’s Hospital dating back to 1908. The organization is dedicated to raising funds – more than $200,000 annually – for the Hospice and Palliative Care program at Nationwide Children’s.

Contact:
Carrie Dombrowski
Pleasure Guild
PGMarketing@pleasureguild.org
(614) 487-0641

New suits brighten outlook for young sickle cell patients

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 06:00:00 -0500

John Martin (Columbus, 43224) receives blood transfusions every four weeks and has done so since he was 4 years old. The 21-year-old continually smiles warmly and hopes to be healthy enough to land a job, and also coach basketball, in the future.

John’s brother, Dustin, 18 (also of Columbus, 43224), isn’t healthy enough to receive regular transfusions so he lives with pain. “I just do my regular stuff and have gotten used to the aches and pain,” Dustin says.

Both Martins have sickle cell anemia. Despite the debilitating illness, John and Dustin graduated from Beechcroft High School in Columbus and plan to attend Columbus State College. John hopes to line up some job interviews in the near future. Dustin likes looking sharp. His mother, Marion Martin, calls Dustin “Mr. Fashion.”

Now through the vision of former Buckeye football player and current Pittsburgh Steeler Will Allen and the Will Allen Foundation, John will have a custom high-end suit for his interviews and Dustin will look sharp whenever he wants.

The Will Allen Foundation, Astor & Black Custom Clothiers and Nationwide Children’s Hospital are partnering to bring custom pre-owned suits to young men in need. Astor and Black, through donations from professional athletes in the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL, is providing the suits for the Will Allen Foundation program. Each recipient will receive a custom-made suit, originally designed and made for one of a handful of professional athletes.

“If a suit can help these young men further their dreams or better their positions in life, or removes a barrier that could prevent them from achieving their personal best, I’m all for it,” says Allen. “Each recipient will have the suit best suited for them, custom tailored to fit their specific sizing needs.”

In 2004, David Schottenstein founded Astor & Black Custom Clothiers at the age of 21 and started selling suits out of the trunk of his car. Now, with over 70 representatives nationwide, Astor & Black has more than 800 professional athletes as customers. The quality of the custom clothing has won a loyal and prestigious clientele.

Sickle cell anemia is carried by more than 70,000 Americans. It is caused by an abnormal type of hemoglobin, called hemoglobin S. Hemoglobin is a protein inside red blood cells that carries oxygen. Hemoglobin S changes the shape of red blood cells, especially when the cells are exposed to low oxygen levels. The red blood cells become shaped like crescents or sickles. The fragile, sickle-shaped cells deliver less oxygen to the body's tissues. They can also get stuck more easily in small blood vessels, and break into pieces that interrupt healthy blood flow.

Working with Nationwide Children’s to identify patients in need, the Will Allen Foundation hopes to provide suits regularly to deserving patients like the Martins.

Tanica Jeffries, Nationwide Children’s sickle cell program coordinator, has known the Martins for years. “On behalf of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, we would like to thank the Will Allen Foundation for giving our patients this opportunity. I know that our patients will cherish this gift for a life-time,” Jeffries said.

Dustin and John are proud and happy with their new suits. “I might wear mine all the time,” said Dustin. “I just want to look different and my suit makes me feel like I am different.”

From left to right: Nationwide Children's Hospital Hematology/Oncology & BMT Psychologist; Tanica Jeffries, Nationwide Children’s Sickle Cell program coordinator; John Martin, sickle cell patient; Marion Martin, John's mother.

John Martin, sickle cell patient; Will Allen, former Buckeye football player and current Pittsburgh Steeler

Contact Information:
Dan Steinberg, The Will Allen Foundation, 614.432.7777
Mary Ellen Peacock, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 614.355.0495

Childhood Cancer Research Grant Awarded to The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 06:00:00 -0500

It takes life-saving research and access to clinical trials to help children with cancer. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a volunteer-driven charity dedicated to raising money for childhood cancer research, awarded an infrastructure grant of $47,000 to the Biopathology Center (BPC), housed in The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The Foundation’s infrastructure grants provide institutions with resources to enable them to conduct more research and enroll more kids in ongoing clinical trials – their best hope for a cure.

Worldwide, more than 160,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year and it remains the leading cause of death by disease among children in the United States. With only 4 percent of all federal cancer research funding dedicated to pediatric cancer research, and more than 70 percent of children receiving treatment through clinical trials, St. Baldrick’s Foundation infrastructure grants are critical to finding cures for all childhood cancers.

“We are very thankful for the recent award provided to us by the St. Baldrick’s Foundation,” said Nilsa C. Ramirez, M.D., Medical Director of the BPC and Director of Surgical Pathology in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Nationwide Children’s. “This award will be used to purchase the Cray CX1-iWS system to act as a Digital Pathology Analytics Engine (DPAE), providing an electronic quality assurance program. This system will analyze tissue images using computer algorithms that have been built and tested at our BPC. As new images are generated, the DPAE will automatically review and identify flaws prior to sharing images with the expert pathologists. The use of the DPAE will significantly accelerate the pace of providing high quality whole slide images by reducing technician time and allowing us to automatically evaluate image quality. These images are analyzed for various purposes, including evaluation of material used in cutting edge pediatric translational research efforts, many associated with Children’s Oncology Group (COG) sponsored clinical treatment trials.”

Ramirez, who is also on the faculty of The Ohio State University College of Medicine, explained that the BPC currently utilizes 10 imaging robots to generate whole slide images for several National Cancer Institute sponsored translational research efforts and three cancer cooperative groups, including the COG. Some of the more sophisticated equipment that complements the robots was also purchased in previous years using similar St. Baldrick’s Foundation awards. The addition of the DPAE will allow the BPC to efficiently utilize the imaging robots and improve the turn-around time of the quality assurance process. These virtual images will subsequently be shared with expert pathologists via the Virtual Imaging for Pathology, Education & Research (VIPER) web-based application developed by the BPC.

“For us, it is an honor to be the recipient of St. Baldrick’s Foundation infrastructure grants, as these awards assist us in providing cutting edge digital pathology services to numerous national and international investigators involved in pediatric oncology research,” Ramirez added.

The infrastructure grants, combined with the more than $19.6 million awarded in June, bring the
St. Baldrick’s Foundation’s funding total to more than $21 million awarded in 2011. Infrastructure grants were awarded based on the need of the institution and its patients, anticipated results of the grant and local participation in St. Baldrick’s events.

About the St. Baldrick’s Foundation
The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives. The Foundation funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government. St. Baldrick’s funds are granted to some of the most brilliant childhood cancer research experts in the world and to younger professionals who will be the experts of tomorrow. Funds awarded also enable hundreds of local institutions to participate in national pediatric cancer clinical trials, a child’s best hope for a cure. Since the Foundation’s first grants as an independent charity in 2005, St. Baldrick’s has funded more than $78 million in childhood cancer research. For more information about the St. Baldrick’s Foundation please call 1.888.899.BALD or visit www.StBaldricks.org.

Media Contact:
Traci Shirk
626-792-8247 ext. 50
traci@stbaldricks.org

Investigators to Study a New Way to Assess Heart Function in Children on Life Support

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 10:00:00 -0500

Investigators at Nationwide Children’s Hospital are evaluating a new way to assess cardiac function while children are supported by mechanical life support, thanks to a $110,000 two-year grant from the American Heart Association.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a form of mechanical life support which is used to help critically ill children, especially in cases of cardiac failure. A form of ECMO called veno-arterial (VA) ECMO can be used for poor heart function and provides support that can lead to patient recovery, transplantation if appropriate and eligible or complications of ECMO therapy lead to stopping care. Long-term use of VA-ECMO can lead to complications including infection, organ injury, stroke and bleeding.

“A delicate balance exists between keeping patients on mechanical support until they recover cardiac function and removing them before complications arise,” said Andrew Yates, MD, a pediatric cardiologist and critical care physician in The Heart Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and principal investigator on the grant. “Unfortunately, there is currently no standardized, quantifiable way to assess cardiac function while patients are supported by VA-ECMO.”

Traditional ultrasound measures of cardiac function are not reliable in this setting since VA-ECMO manipulates how blood flows through the heart.

Using National Clinical Research Program funding from the American Heart Association, Dr. Yates, who is also with The Ohio State University College of Medicine, and colleagues will investigate whether traditional or newer advanced ultrasound measurements obtained during different levels of support from the ECMO pump can predict which patients will be safely able to stop VA-ECMO support.

The study aims to develop a non-invasive measure of cardiac function that is accurate with VA-ECMO support and can be used clinically to decrease complications and improve outcomes for some of the sickest children.

Dental Health Experts at Nationwide Children’s Hospital Remind Parents About Scheduling Infants for Dental Visits

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 06:00:00 -0500

While infants under 12 months old may only have a few teeth, experts say they should been seen by a dentist within the first year of life. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s revised guidelines on infant oral health recommend infants 6 to 12 months old should to be seen by a dentist. More than 40 percent of children have tooth decay by the time they reach kindergarten. In order to help prevent tooth decay, dental experts at Nationwide Children’s Hospital are reminding parents to schedule dental appointments for their infants.

Studies have shown that if children experience tooth decay in their baby teeth, they are more likely to develop tooth decay in their permanent teeth. By bringing their child to a dentist at an early age, parents learn about the structure of the child’s mouth, preventative information on infant oral health and introduce their toddlers to the act of brushing their teeth.

“Infant oral health is the foundation for preventing future tooth decay,” said Paul Casamassimo, DDS, MS, chief of Dentistry at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “If a child experiences tooth decay at an early age, it is a very difficult process to stop. The purpose of this initial visit is not only to introduce these infants and toddlers to visiting the dentist, but also to provide preventative information to prevent tooth decay.”

The Dental Clinic at Nationwide Children’s sees about 35,000 patients and many of these patients under the age of 3. Dr. Casamassimo and his team formed a Baby Dental Clinic in the early 90s for toddlers from birth to 3-years-old. As one of the first baby dental clinics in the country, this clinic has proven to be successful in helping educate families on infant oral health.

“By establishing the relationship between family and dentist, parents learn early on how to take care of their toddler’s teeth,” said Dr. Casamassimo, also professor of Pediatric Dentistry at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. “Taking a proactive approach to infant oral care can make a difference that will last a life time.”

For parents of a toddler, here are a few tips for taking care of a toddler’s teeth:

Move your toddler off the bottle as soon as possible. By no later than one year, infants should be drinking liquids from some form of a cup
When your toddler’s teeth start coming in, start brushing their teeth to get them used to the idea of brushing
Confine sugar intake to mealtime. Experts suggest sugared-sweetened beverages should not be consumed throughout the day

During a toddler’s first dental visit, parents can expect to meet with a dental hygienist and a dentist. Normally seated in a parent-assisted position (knee-to-knee), the hygienist or dentist will do a brief examination of the toddler’s mouth; they are examining the oral structure of the mouth while also introducing the toddler to the feeling of a toothbrush. After the examination, parents will learn about dental and oral development, fluoride adequacy, teething, non-nutritive habits, injury prevention, dietary information and oral hygiene instructions. The hygienist or dentist will also explain future age-specific needs and dental milestones including scheduling the next appointment.

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By establishing the relationship between family and dentist, parents like Jane learn early on how to take care of their toddler’s teeth.

Experts suggest when your toddler’s teeth start coming in, start brushing their teeth to get them used to the idea of brushing.

Robbie watches as his sister, Ellie brushes her teeth while Mom starts brushing the teeth that have already come in.

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital Improves Neurodevelopmental Outcomes and Lowers Readmissions

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 06:00:00 -0500

The use of an interdisciplinary team approach has led to better outcomes for infants who suffer from bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), the most common pulmonary complication of prematurity. A team of experts at Nationwide Children’s Hospital formed the Comprehensive Center for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (CCBPD) in 2004; patients cared for within the CCBPD showed improved neurodevelopmental outcomes compared to a large national sample, and decreased rates of hospital readmissions.

BPD is a common pulmonary disease associated with death, medical complications and impaired neurodevelopment leading to lifelong disability. In order to determine the effectiveness of the program, a team of physicians at Nationwide Children’s studied the neurodevelopmental outcomes and readmissions rates of these fragile infants in the CCBPD.

The study, appearing in the Journal of Perinatology, details outcomes for more than 100 neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) infants with the most severe forms of BPD seen in the CCBPD. When treated, these infants’ developmental scores were significantly higher than the national average and readmission rates dropped from 29 percent before the implementation of the center to 5 percent after the center was formed.

“By including a wide range of experts in our Comprehensive Center for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia, we’re addressing the diversity of clinical needs for these extremely complicated infants,” said Edward Shepherd, MD, chief of the Section of Neonatology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and the study’s lead author. The interdisciplinary BPD team consists of a core group of neonatologists, pulmonologists, nurse practitioners, nurses, nutritionists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, social workers, case managers, pharmacists, speech therapists, respiratory therapists, parent support advisors and pediatricians. “The composition of the team was designed to address the individualized, and often highly complex, needs of the infant and the family.”

While the care of each infant in the CCBPD is highly individualized, there are several principles that apply when caring for these infants: prevention of infection, prevention of right heart failure, optimal nutrition for growth and repair, intensive neurodevelopmental assistance and minimal-impact respiratory support. Involvement with the CCBPD begins during each infant’s initial hospitalization, often as early as 28 days of life when babies weigh as little as two pounds, and continues after discharge and through the first two to three years of life.

“While most of the care takes place in an inpatient setting, caring for these vulnerable infants continues through the transition home and extends through the resolution of the illness,” said Dr. Shepherd, also assistant professor of Clinical Pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. “The encouraging results from the CCBPD suggest that infants are best served by taking a comprehensive approach focused on neurodevelopment throughout the hospital stay and enhancing relationships among neonatologists, the patients and families and physicians.”

Bob Evans Farms and Nationwide Children’s Hospital Partner to Improve Pediatric Diabetes Care

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:00:00 -0500

Bob Evans Farms, Inc. is proud to announce a partnership with Nationwide Children’s Hospital to fund the Bob Evans Family Clinical Diabetes Pediatric Research Fund. Bob Evans Farms, Inc. is making a $250,000 multi-year gift to support innovative pediatric diabetes care and to help provide the highest quality health care, advocacy, research and education possible for pediatric diabetes patients.

The Bob Evans Fund will facilitate world-class researchers and medical scientists in their goals to create innovative pediatric diabetes care. The Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes department at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, led by David Repaske, MD, PhD, provides compassionate care and comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services to children with diabetes throughout central Ohio. With Bob Evans’ gift, Dr. Repaske and his team will be able to fund research and studies that will improve the care of adolescents with Type 1 diabetes which affects about 1 in 400 children.

“We are pleased to support the important work of Dr. Repaske and his team with this gift. They are making incredible strides to improve the care and quality of life for the many children touched by Type 1 diabetes – and their families,” says Steven A. Davis, chairman & CEO of Bob Evans Farms.

Children with diabetes require years of visits to doctors to manage their condition; Bob Evans seeks to help those children spend less time in the hospital, and more time enjoying their childhood. The gift will help fund medical findings in the field of pediatric diabetes that will improve well-being for children living with chronic diabetes.

“This gift will allow us to initiate several innovative studies that aim to make the lives of children and adolescents with diabetes as normal as possible. We will target both the improved control of diabetes in individual patients as well as the improved approach to the care of diabetes in adolescents. What we learn will not only directly benefit the patients of Nationwide Children’s, but will ultimately be applicable to all young people with Type 1 diabetes,” said Dr. Repaske.

The partnership between Bob Evans Farms, Inc. and Nationwide Children’s has one goal – to improve the lives of children with pediatric diabetes across the country and around the world. Each year, Bob Evans Farms support corporate philanthropic initiatives that touch children and families in the areas of food, nutrition, health and wellness, and education.

About Bob Evans Farms, Inc.
Bob Evans Farms, Inc. owns and operates full-service restaurants under the Bob Evans and Mimi’s Café brand names. At the end of the second fiscal quarter (October 28, 2011), Bob Evans owned and operated 564 family restaurants in 18 states, primarily in the Midwest, mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions of the United States, while Mimi’s Café owned and operated 145 casual restaurants located in 24 states, primarily in California and other western states. Bob Evans Farms, Inc. is also a leading producer and distributor of pork sausage and a variety of complementary convenience food items under the Bob Evans and Owens brand names. For more information about Bob Evans Farms, Inc., visit www.bobevans.com.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Named Semi-Finalist for TechColumbus Innovation Awards

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 11:00:00 -0500

On Thursday, February 2, 2012 the annual TechColumbus Innovation Awards will showcase Central Ohio’s many achievements by honoring its top innovators. It is a night of networking, prestige, and celebration. Winners in 13 award categories will be announced to an audience of 1,100+ attendees.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital is proud to be a semi-finalist in the “Outstanding Technology Team” category. “It is an honor to be a semi-finalist for this award and to be recognized for our innovations,” commented Brian Shea, chief technology officer at Nationwide Children’s. “We look forward to the event to be surrounded by our peers, colleagues and mentors to learn if we will be named a finalist.”

Nationwide Children’s Hospital achieved a semi-finalist ranking for the way the hospital is utilizing virtualization technology to provide access to clinical applications in an innovative way. The hospital is doing this through “eChart Connect”. This solution combines leading virtual technology solutions to create a suite of unique delivery services. These services are designed to swiftly and securely deliver clinical information to the right person at the right time and to the right device. Similar concepts are being considered at other organizations, however, they are not as comprehensive as eChart Connect which includes the Desktop, Toolbar, Remote and Mobile services.

The TechColumbus Innovation Awards celebrate the spirit of innovation by recognizing outstanding technology achievements in Central Ohio. This prestigious evening showcases the region’s advancements and promising future. For more information, visit www.techcolumbusinnovationawards.org.

COMPANY AWARD CATEGORIES:
Corporate Innovator of the Year, Outstanding Startup Business, Outstanding Product (fewer than 50 employees), Outstanding Product (more than 50 employees), Outstanding Service (fewer than 50 employees), Outstanding Service (more than 50 employees), Outstanding Technology Team, Green Innovation, Innovation in Non-Profit Service Delivery

INDIVIDUAL AWARD CATEGORIES:
Executive of the Year (fewer than 50 employees), Executive of the Year (more than 50 employees), Outstanding Woman in Technology, Inventor of the Year

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Adds Three to Neonatology Team

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 06:00:00 -0500

Nationwide Children’s Hospital welcomes three new neonatologists to the Section of Neonatology: Thomas Bartman, MD, PhD, Susan Lynch, MD, and Nehal Parikh, DO, MS.

Thomas Bartman, MD, PhD, joins Nationwide Children’s as the director of Quality Improvement for the Section of Neonatology and an associate professor of Pediatrics. Dr. Bartman will be responsible for directing and coordinating quality improvement efforts throughout Neonatal Services’ 191 bed network. Currently, these efforts occur in conjunction with the Vermont Oxford Network (VON), the Children’s Hospital Neonatal Consortium (CHNC), the Ohio Perinatal Quality Consortium (OPQC), the Neonatal Research Network (NRN) and the Ohio Better Birth Outcomes (OBBO), in addition to internal efforts on improving safety of care. His areas of initial focus will be on reducing medication errors, reducing the readmission rate for recently discharged newborns and assisting OBBO in reducing the prematurity rate in our region. Dr. Bartman will also work with senior leadership to teach other Nationwide Children’s faculty and employees about Quality Improvement Science.

He completed his pediatric residency and neonatal-perinatal medicine fellowship at The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). His postdoctoral research, completed at UCSF’s Cardiovascular Research Institute, focused on using zebrafish to discover that biomechanical forces in the developing embryonic heart control later steps of structural development. He continued his research founding the zebrafish research program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and authored numerous peer reviewed publications and research studies.

Susan Lynch, MD, comes to Nationwide Children’s and will serve as the director of the Comprehensive Center for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (CCBPD) and an associate professor of Pediatrics. The CCBPD is comprised of an interdisciplinary team that addresses the medical, nutritional, developmental and social needs of patients and families in a single medical home. She completed her pediatric residency and a fellowship in neonatology and perinatal medicine at West Virginia School of Medicine. She has authored several professional publications on neonates with sleep disorders, hypotension and bronchopulmonary dysplasia among others.

Nehal Parikh, DO, MS, joins Nationwide Children’s as a principal investigator in the Center for Perinatal Research of The Research Institute and as an associate professor of Pediatrics. His goal is to eliminate the neurodevelopmental disabilities that occur in the vast majority of very preterm infants. His lab focuses on developing accurate and reliable brain segmentation methods for advanced brain MRI, and employing epidemiologic principles to elucidate the etiology, pathogenesis and diagnosis of perinatal-neonatal brain injury in high-risk preterm and term infants.

He completed his pediatrics residency at Winthrop University Hospital of State University of New York at Stony Brook. Following his residency, Dr. Parikh completed a fellowship in neonatal-perinatal medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia and received an MS in Clinical Research from University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. His research has been cited by the American Academy of Pediatrics, featured by NIH (NICHD web-based Outcomes Estimator) and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Pediatrics and other widely cited journals. He is a study sub-committee member and site principal investigator for the NICHD Late Hypothermia Trial for newborns with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

“I am thrilled to welcome these world-class physicians to the Neonatology team here at Nationwide Children’s Hospital,” said Edward Shepherd, MD, chief of the Section of Neonatology. “Each will be a valuable part of our team as we work toward not only treating, but ultimately preventing, all complications of prematurity, including BPD and neurodevelopmental abnormalities and ensuring quality standards in our NICUs."

The Section of Neonatology at Nationwide Children's Hospital has become one of the largest neonatal networks in the country. The main goal of this Section is to establish the resources and expertise necessary to provide extraordinary, family-centered care. Each program within the Section provides state-of-the-art capabilities for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of extremely premature and medically fragile neonates.

NOTE TO THE EDITOR: Dr. Bartman resides in Dublin, Ohio (43017), Dr. Lynch resides in Dublin, Ohio (43017) and Dr. Parikh resides in Upper Arlington, Ohio (43220).

Dr. Thomas Bartman, director of Quality Improvement for the Section of Neonatology

Dr. Susan Lynch, medical director of the Comprehensive Center for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Dr. Nehal Parikh, principal investigator in the Center for Perinatal Research

Dr. Don Hayes Appointed Medical Director of Lung and Heart-Lung Transplant Programs at Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 10:00:00 -0500

Don Hayes, MD, MS, MEd, recently joined Nationwide Children’s Hospital as medical director of the Lung and Heart-Lung Transplant programs. He comes to Nationwide Children’s from the University of Kentucky Medical Center where he served as the medical director of various programs including Advance Lung Disease and Lung and Heart-Lung Transplant programs as well as the Pediatric Sleep Disorders and Asthma programs.

Dr. Hayes, a nationally recognized physician being named a 2011 Top Physician, has been published in more than 60 peer-reviewed journals and has served as both an international and national speaker at symposia. Dr. Hayes has been actively involved in teaching and community service while receiving numerous grants to fund research.

Dr. Hayes brings to Nationwide Children’s an interest and experience in supporting or “bridging” patients with severely advanced lung disease to lung transplant with artificial technology such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or ECMO. Thus, he will lead research efforts to further advance treatment of patients with severe lung disease.

Dr. Hayes completed his medical training at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine graduating with honors. He pursued his combined internal medicine and pediatrics residency at East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine. He then completed three fellowships at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health with a concentration in advanced lung disease and lung transplantation during his adult pulmonary training. Dr. Hayes also has two master’s degrees – one in clinical and translational science and the latter in medical education.

The Transplant Program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is comprised of Heart Transplant, Lung Transplant, Heart-Lung Transplant, Kidney Transplant and Blood and Marrow Transplant.

Heart transplants are available for end-stage cardiac failure refractory to medical therapy. Lung transplants are available for pulmonary disease that can no longer be treated adequately by traditional means. Heart-lung transplant is available in situations where long standing unrepairable heart disease has damaged the lungs leading to cardiopulmonary failure to the point that a heart transplant alone would not succeed. Heart-lung transplant may also be performed in patients with advanced pulmonary vascular disease resulting in irreversible heart failure. All thoracic transplant programs are certified by the United Network for Organ Sharing, approved by the Ohio Department of Health and Human Services and accepted into the Ohio Solid Organ Transplant Consortium. For more information, go to www.NationwideChildrens.org/Lung-Heart-Transplant.

NOTE TO EDITOR: Dr. Hayes is a resident of Upper Arlington, Ohio 43220.

Dr. Don Hayes, medical director of Lung and Heart-Lung Transplant Programs.

Distinguished Guests Recognized at Youth Sports Safety Summit for Contributions to Education, Research and Legislation

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:00:00 -0500

The Youth Sports Safety Alliance is dedicated to bringing attention to the issue of safety in youth sports. With 65 member organizations, there are literally hundreds of individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing preventive measures and interventions. The Alliance recognizes the following individuals who have distinguished themselves as tireless advocates and are honored today for their efforts to bring issues forward to the public, conduct important research, propose legislative solutions, provide safety equipment, and educate athletes, parents and all those who work on playing fields and in locker rooms:

R. Dawn Comstock, PhD has dedicated much of her professional life to research and the epidemiology of injury among the physically active. In particular, her work focuses on the study of sports, recreation and leisure-time activity-related injuries among children and adolescents as well as the life-long health benefits associated with an active childhood. She is a research faculty member at the Center for Injury Research and Policy (CIRP) in The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and an associate professor at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics and College of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology. As a result of her continued examination of youth sports and injury surveillance, Comstock is considered one of the country’s leading experts on the topic, and her studies have had wide-reaching impact and attention across the national landscape. Comstock’s dedication to her profession and continued publication of studies make her an invaluable resource to the organizations closely monitoring and adopting new medical protocols that protect today’s young athletes.

Rep. Tim Bishop (NY-1) represents New York’s First Congressional District which spans the eastern end of Long Island from Smithtown to Montauk Point. A lifelong resident of the area, he was first elected to Congress in 2002. A strong advocate for America’s youth, this year Congressman Bishop sponsored HR 469, the Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act of 2011. This legislation would provide for minimum state requirements for the prevention and treatment of concussions caused by participation in school sports. He also sponsored HR 6172 for the same purpose in the 111th Congress. Rep. Bishop introduced this legislation in order to build on actions of Washington, Oregon and others in asking school districts across the country to implement a concussion safety and management plan.

Rep. Keith M. Ingram (Arkansas) successfully shepherded HB 1743 through the 2011 Arkansas Legislature. It is now known as Act 1214, and it was written “to promote the health and safety of students in public school athletic activities through the use of athletic trainers and professional development for coaches.” Though 35 states and the District of Columbia have acted to protect students from the potentially catastrophic results of severe or repeated concussions, Ingram took his state a few steps further. His bill covers a variety of potential dangers for young athletes. School districts in Arkansas will be required to develop procedures that include recognition and management of the following: concussion, dehydration, or other emergencies; environmental issues that threaten health or safety of students; and communicable diseases; furthermore, the bill sets up a pilot grant program to provide access to certified athletic trainers in schools. Rep. Ingram’s legislation will have far-reaching effects on the health and safety of Arkansas students.

Beth Mallon is an inspirational and dedicated woman who turned a devastating personal situation into a crusade for better youth sports safety health care and awareness. She is making a difference not only to her local San Diego community, but also to the nation at large. Mallon, along with her son Tommy, established Advocates for Injured Athletes (AIA) in October 2010. The foundation was created after Tommy suffered a career ending catastrophic injury in the final game of his senior high school lacrosse season. He suffered a concussion, his neck was fractured (C1) and one of his vertebral arteries had been dissected. The experience inspired Beth and Tommy, who is now a sophomore at the University of San Diego, to establish AIA with the mission of promoting sports safety through education. The organization has two primary goals: to educate the public on the essential need for certified athletic trainers to be present at all athletic events and to educate student athletes on recognizing signs and symptoms of potentially life threatening conditions. AIA has also has created a unique education program called Athletes Saving AthletesTM slated to launch early 2012 in San Diego County high schools.

“Football High” a PBS FRONTLINE production with Ark Media that aired on PBS in April 2011, investigated the new face of high school football and what is being done to ensure the players’ safety as the intensity of the sport grows. The documentary examined real life-and-death incidences of heat illness and head injuries, and beyond the broadcast, FRONTLINE expanded its coverage to include online chats with medical experts and provided extensive information for parents, players, coaches and media to sustain this vital dialogue. Producers Rachel Dretzin and Caitlin McNally led the team that created this groundbreaking special report at a time when youth sports safety legislation was, and continues to be, considered at both the state and national levels. Recent months have seen an increase in states passing laws that ensure the appropriate on-site medical care and clearance of the athlete to return to play. FRONTINE’s behind-the-scenes look at the level of play and incidence of heatstroke and head injuries – and the vital need for continued education to treat and prevent them – has raised national awareness of these issues and made a difference in the way youth sports are played today.

NOTE TO EDITOR: Dr. Comstock is a resident of Columbus 43235.

Dawn Comstock, research faculty member of the Center for Injury Research and Policy

Media Contacts:
Robin Waxenberg
National Athletic Trainer's Association
212-489-8006
robin@robwax.com

Ellen Satlof
National Athletic Trainer's Association
972-532-8859
ellen@nata.org

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Reminds Parents to Stay Alert During Holidays

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:00:00 -0500

The holidays are an exciting and busy time of year as parents race to finish the shopping, decorating and baking. As the number of days left in the calendar year winds down, be sure to allow plenty of time in that hectic schedule for playing with your child and sharing holiday traditions as a family. Nationwide Children’s Hospital reminds parents to keep alert to various holiday dangers.

Holiday visits to homes of family and friends can be fun for children, but they also may be potentially unsafe. Remember others’ homes may not be “childproof.” Keep an eye out for breakable items, medications, uncovered electrical outlets and other potential dangers within your child’s reach. Also, your childproof home might become more dangerous for a few hours, if a visitor leaves her purse and its contents in easy reach of children. There is a potential danger when a guest leaves medicine, an alcoholic beverage or cigarettes within reach. When having guests at your house, lock up your medications. This protects toddlers from getting into any medicines that can be dangerous to their health and protects others from taking your medications.

Avoid the temptation to wait until the next day to clean up after a holiday party. Just one or two ounces of alcohol left in the bottom of a glass can be fatal to a curious, early-rising toddler, and bits of food left on plates can be choking hazards or even cause food poisoning.

Plants typically used for holiday decorating including holly, mistletoe, evergreens and poinsettias can be poisonous depending on the quantities ingested. Eating holly berries, mistletoe berries or evergreens can make children sick with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or skin rash, and higher doses can be even more dangerous. Poinsettias are minimally toxic but can cause an upset stomach if ingested in large amounts. Keep dangerous holiday plants out of a child’s reach. Pick up fallen leaves and needles, and wrap mistletoe in netting to protect children from fallen berries.

Perfume, cologne, wine and electronics with batteries make great gifts for adults but are dangerous if swallowed by children. Never leave these Hanukkah or Christmas gifts in reach of children.

You might easily forget about little dangers such as the tiny batteries used in cameras, calculators and other popular gifts, but these “button” batteries can cause serious health problems for children if swallowed. Store all batteries in a safe place. If a child accidentally swallows a small battery, the first step is to call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the child is having trouble breathing, the poison specialist will recommend an ambulance ride to the hospital. Magnets also carry a risk. Swallowing a magnet carries special risks if any other metal, including another magnet, has been swallowed. Keep these out of reach of children and if one is swallowed, call your local poison control center or your doctor as an x-ray may be needed.

Holiday baking is a tradition in many families, but young chefs need careful supervision. Turn pot handles away from the front of the stove so they won’t tip, and remind children that cookie sheets are hot when they come out of the oven.

Ornaments, tinsel and other decorations fascinate children but can be hazardous. Many are choking hazards, and broken ornaments can cause painful cuts.

Lights and candles are fire hazards. If you use electric lights, look for frayed or exposed wires, and make sure no wires are pinched by furniture and no cords run under rugs. Don’t use the same extension cord for more than three strands of lights and turn off all lights before going to bed. When lighting candles, remove flammable materials from the area and never leave a burning candle unattended. The liquid in bubble lights and oil lamps can cause death if ingested by a child. Immediately throw away a bubble light if it is cracked or broken. If you suspect that a child might have swallowed this liquid, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.

Instructions for new toys should always be read to make sure toys are appropriate for your child’s age and abilities. Some toys may pose a choking hazard to children younger than 3 years of age. Toys that are too advanced or too simple can be misused and lead to injuries. Protect young eyes by avoiding toys that shoot objects into the air.

Don’t underestimate the importance of a toy’s size. Parents can determine if a toy or toy part is a choking hazard for children younger than 3 years of age by placing it in a small parts test device available at many children’s toy stores and through mail order companies. Because small balls or ball-shaped toys pose an even more serious choking hazard, these should pass the more rigorous test of not being able to pass through a toilet paper tube that is 1 ¾ inches in diameter. A child’s doctor also can provide advice about what kinds of toys are appropriate if parents are unsure.

Adolescents also can be injured by toys. Avoid gifts such as hobby kits and chemistry sets for children younger than 12 years and always supervise children ages 12 to 15. Toys with arrows or darts should have blunt tips made from rubber or flexible plastic.

Your attention is the best holiday gift you can give to your child. Involve children in holiday preparation as much as possible.

Sitters should be selected carefully when children can’t tag along to holiday parties. Be sure your babysitter knows whom to call in an emergency – including the numbers where you, fire and police departments, the local poison control center, your child’s doctor and other trusted adults can be reached. Nationwide Children’s Hospital offers babysitting classes which would make a great gift for adolescents.

To check whether the gifts you are giving or receiving have been recalled, visit www.recalls.gov.

For more information regarding child safety and injury prevention, please call the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital at (614) 722-2400, e-mail cirp.info@nationwidechildrens.org.

Contact the Central Ohio Poison Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital at 1-800-222-1222 24 hours a day to talk with a specially-trained pharmacist or nurse about a suspected poisoning. For general poison information and assistance in “poison-proofing” your home, please call the Central Ohio Poison Center at Nationwide Children’s during normal business hours.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Proves to be an Innovator in Web Excellence

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 06:00:00 -0500

In 2011, Nationwide Children’s Hospital was awarded several web awards in a variety of categories including overall website, blogs and social media channels. The website, www.NationwideChildrens.org, was redesigned in 2011 to reflect a new look and enhanced social media integration.

The hospital’s website received the following award recognitions:

Silver Award for “Best Web 2.0 Website” (rich media and social networking) – Presented by eHealthcare, this award is part of their Leadership Awards which recognizes the best websites and digital communications of healthcare organizations, online health companies, pharmaceutical firms and business improvement initiatives.
Bronze Award for “Best Redesigned Website” – Presented by Greystone.Net and Krames StayWell, this award is part of their Best-in-Class Website Awards which recognizes the finest in hospital and healthcare website design, content, functionality and strategic thinking.
“Healthcare Provider Standard of Excellence” – Presented by the Web Marketing Association, this award is part of their WebAwards which recognizes people and organizations that create the most effective and best Internet marketing and website development.
The Nationwide Children’s website also received several awards from the Summer/Fall 2011 Web Health Awards. These awards recognize high-quality health information including websites, blogs, e-newsletters, mobile and more.
- Gold Award for “PediaCast,” a pediatric podcast for parents www.PediaCast.org.
- Silver Award for the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Facebook Page www.facebook.com/NationwideChildrensHospital.
- Bronze Award for the Nationwide Children’s Hospital website www.NationwideChildrens.org.
- Merit Award for “Children’s on Quality” blog www.ChildrensOnQuality.com.

Top redesign priorities were page optimization to better promote content for Nationwide Children’s audience and embedding social media throughout the website. The website’s new elements include YouTube videos, Flickr slideshows, Google Maps and RSS feeds. These new elements, in addition to enhanced site usability with search-friendly URLs, help visitors find what they need and enable the team to continue interacting with its users.

Nationwide Children's Hospital Selected a 2011 Leapfrog Top Children's Hospital

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 06:00:00 -0500

The Leapfrog Group’s annual class of top hospitals – 65 from a field of nearly 1200 – was announced yesterday in Washington, D.C., and included Nationwide Children’s Hospital on the list of only ten children’s hospitals.

“There are too few sources of information on the safety and quality of children’s hospitals,” said Leah Binder, CEO, The Leapfrog Group. “The Leapfrog Group is proud to be one of the only national sources of information that families can turn to when they are faced with the tough decision of which hospital is best for their child. Leapfrog’s safety and quality measures allow families to compare hospitals on things like preventing infections and putting practices in place that are known to reduce medical errors. We are honored to recognize Nationwide Children’s Hospital as a Leapfrog Top Hospital. Nationwide has out-performed other hospitals across the country and we congratulate them on their continued excellence and commitment to transparency.”

While numerous agencies and organizations collect and publicize hospital quality data, the Leapfrog Hospital Survey, now in its eleventh year, is the toughest standard-bearer and provides the most complete picture of a hospital’s quality and safety. The 2011 list includes university and other teaching hospitals, children’s hospitals and community hospitals in rural, suburban and urban settings. The selection is based on the results of the Leapfrog Group’s national survey that measures hospitals’ performance in crucial areas of patient safety and quality. The results of the survey are posted on a website open to patients and families, the public, employers and other purchasers of health care. It is the most complete picture available of a hospital’s quality and safety. The website is www.leapfroggroup.org.

“The Leapfrog Top Children’s Hospital designation is an affirmation that our Zero Hero quality and safety initiative is creating a culture in which every single employee recognizes and accepts a duty and responsibility to provide a safe day every day for every patient and family we serve,” said Steve Allen, MD, Nationwide Children’s CEO. “We are gratified to be on this list and it strengthens our resolve to provide quality care while ensuring the safest possible experience for our patients.”

Nationwide Children’s Zero Hero project was launched in July of 2009 and is designed to emphasize the safety role of every Nationwide Children’s Hospital employee. By striving to zero, the program seeks to eliminate preventable harm by 2013. The program teaches staff to incorporate behaviors into their everyday clinical activities that have been shown to reduce the likelihood of committing an error.

The Leapfrog survey, which launched in 2001, focuses on four critical areas of patient safety: the use of computer physician order entry (CPOE) to prevent medication errors; standards for doing high-risk procedures such as heart surgery; protocols and policies to reduce medical errors and other safe practices recommended by the National Quality Forum; and adequate nurse and physician staffing. In addition, hospitals are measured on their progress in preventing infections and other hospital-acquired conditions and adopting policies on the handling of serious medical errors, among other things.

A Leapfrog 2011 Top Children’s Hospital must achieve a Quality Score of 95 or better as calculated through Leapfrog’s Hospital Recognition Program, which uses standards from the Leapfrog Hospital Survey to calculate an overall quality score for each children’s hospital. The quality score, which is a numerical value from 0 to 100, includes Leapfrog’s standards for preventing medication errors (CPOE), ICU Physician Staffing, Safe Practices, Never Events, and in some cases preventing hospital-acquired conditions such as infections. Hospitals with high quality scores have demonstrated strict adherence to Leapfrog’s safety and quality standards.

The Leapfrog Group is a coalition of public and private purchasers of employee health coverage founded a decade ago to work for improvements in health care safety, quality and affordability. The annual survey is the only voluntary effort of its kind. More information with a complete list of the 2011 Leapfrog Top Hospitals is available at www.leapfroggroup.org.

Tobias Elected Chairperson-Elect of AAP Section on Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 09:00:00 -0500

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Section on Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine has elected Joseph D. Tobias, MD, FAAP, Chief of the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, to the position of Chairperson-Elect. Dr. Tobias began his two-year term in this role on November 1, 2011, and will subsequently begin a two-year term as Chairperson of the Section on November 1, 2013.

Dr. Tobias joined the staff at Nationwide Children’s in 2010 and is board certified in Anesthesiology, Pain Medicine, Pediatrics and Pediatric Critical Care. He is also on the faculty at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. Dr. Tobias is nationally recognized as one of America’s Best Doctors and is active in numerous societies including the American Society of Anesthesiology, the International Anesthesia Research Society, the Society for Pediatric Research and the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia. He has been widely published in numerous professional publications and is actively involved in research and teaching. Dr. Tobias leads the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Anesthesiology team in the management of anesthesia care for the entire spectrum of surgical diseases from complex congenital heart surgery through solid organ transplantation. Anesthesia is provided by pediatric anesthesiologists who have extensive training in the care of young patients - their expertise is one of our greatest assets. Nurses and other clinical staff are also specially trained and dedicated to the special needs of children.

The AAP is an organization of 60,000 pediatricians committed to the attainment of optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. The AAP Section on Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine was established in 1965 as the voice of pediatric anesthesia for the pediatric community and the American Academy of Pediatrics. It is the primary means to convey issues about the quality of health for children relevant to anesthesiology on behalf of the American Academy of Pediatrics and through the Academy to government agencies. The Section educates pediatricians and other medical and surgical specialists in anesthesia-related issues as they apply to infants and children. It actively participates in the Academy's educational programs to familiarize its members with anesthesia-related issues as they apply to children up to 21 years of age. The Section encourages the participation of its membership in the advancement of the clinical practice of pediatric anesthesia, which includes anesthesia for surgical, diagnostic, and therapeutic procedures, as well as the relief of pain, by serving as a forum for the presentation of research projects, either recently completed or in progress, and seminars and conferences that serve that purpose.

NOTE TO EDITOR: Dr. Tobias is a resident of (43017).

Dr. Joseph Tobias, cheif of Anesthesiology

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Unveils First Mobile Application

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 06:00:00 -0500

According to a recent Pew Internet & American Life Project survey, more than 80 percent of American adults own a cell phone, and about half of these users have used their cell phone at least once to get information they needed right away. So, as consumers begin to rely more and more on their mobile devices, Nationwide Children’s Hospital has created a mobile application called “Locator” to help consumers find the nearest facilities.

This free, easy-to-use application provides users with turn-by-turn directions to Nationwide Children’s facilities. With more than 50 locations extending out across Ohio and beyond, this app will help users locate our facilities with just a few clicks of a button. The “Locator” app features:

Locating the nearest Urgent Care
Locating the Emergency Department on the hospital’s main campus
Locating a Close To Home Center
Locating the nearest Nationwide Children’s location by name or facility type

This app is compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad and provides access and directions to the main campus, located at 700 Children’s Drive, and all of Nationwide Children’s offsite locations.

“Our main goal is to help families when they need us,” said Jack Clark, senior vice president at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “By creating this application, we now have a presence in a space where so many consumers are looking to for quick, accurate information. ‘Locator’ is just the first of many applications we are planning to develop as we open our new 12-story main hospital.”

To download “Locator,” visit the iTunes App Store. For more information on the ‘Locator’ app, visit www.nationwidechildrens.org/mobile-applications.

Dr. Gary Smith Receives CPSC Chairman’s Circle of Commendation Award

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:45:00 -0500

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that Chairman Inez Tenenbaum has awarded the first Chairman’s Circle of Commendation Awards to five individuals and groups for their exceptional contributions to consumer product safety. Gary Smith, MD, DrPH, director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy of The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, is a recipient of this prestigious award.

The new program was established to identify and honor people and organizations who have contributed in an important way to the benefit of consumers by directly and significantly reducing deaths, preventing injuries and improving product safety.

“Consumers are safer today because of the work of these five individuals and groups,” said Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. “Each has, in their own way, pushed the envelope with safety innovations, advocacy, or product testing. Their contributions to product safety are invaluable.”

The five winners of this year’s Chairman’s Circle of Commendation Awards include:

Dr. Gary Smith, Director, Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio – Dr. Gary Smith is a nationally-recognized pediatrician and professor of pediatrics, epidemiology, and emergency medicine at Ohio State University, who has dedicated his life to injury prevention. He has long advocated preventing injuries through design changes, educating consumers, and eliminating product hazards. Dr. Smith has appeared on numerous nationally-broadcast television shows and has been quoted in newspapers around the world.
ASTM Subcommittee F15.18 on cribs, toddler beds, play yards, cradles and changing tables – This ASTM subcommittee has been instrumental in adopting tough new voluntary safety standards for children's nursery products, especially cribs. These standards have saved countless numbers of children's lives and prevented serious injuries. The subcommittee's work was crucial to the development of CPSC's new mandatory crib standards – the strongest in the world.
Nancy Cowles, Executive Director, Kids in Danger – Nancy Cowles is a nationally-recognized leader in children's product safety. She has been Executive Director of the Chicago-based Kids in Danger since 2001 and has worked tirelessly on behalf of children's safety issues. Nancy is a leading voice on many voluntary standards committees working to improve the safety of children's products and she has been quoted in media across the country on children's safety issues.
Consumers Union – The expansive work of Consumers Union to test and research the safety of products has contributed to numerous recalls, helped consumers be better informed, and supported CPSC in preventing deaths and injuries. Celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, Consumers Union has provided insightful educational materials dedicated to consumer safety, including its magazines, blogs, and videos. The group advocates on behalf of consumers before CPSC and Congress and is deeply involved in the voluntary standards setting process for consumer products.
Gene Rider, Intertek Inc. – Gene Rider is President of Intertek Consumer Goods, North America. He has worked for more than two decades to identify risks and improve the safety of consumer products for children. Notably, Gene has focused on preventing childhood injuries and deaths due to choking, strangulation, and aspiration hazards.

This new award program recognizes contributions to consumer product safety made by individuals, organizations, businesses, state and local governments and other groups. All nominees were reviewed by an internal CPSC staff panel that made recommendations to Chairman Tenenbaum. The final decision on the award recipients was made by the Chairman.

For more information on the award program or to forward a nomination to CPSC, visit CPSC's website. The CPSC Chairman's Circle of Commendation Award is not an endorsement of any individual, organization, company, service or product.

NOTE TO THE EDITOR: Dr. Gary Smith resides in Gahanna, Ohio (43230).

Dr. Gary Smith, director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy

Ohio Healthy Weight Outcomes Coalition Part of Elite Group Participating in National Program

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 06:00:00 -0500

With obesity levels in the United States at all-time highs, healthcare leaders are working together to address local concerns through “Collaborate for Healthy Weight,” a nationwide initiative led by the National Initiative for Children’s Healthcare Quality (NICHQ) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The Ohio Healthy Weight Outcomes (OHWO) coalition is one of 10 teams from across the country participating in this ground-breaking program that will bring solutions to the local community and share strategies on a broader scale through innovative partnerships between primary care, public health and community organizations.

OHWO is a public-private, multi-sector coalition established in 2009 by Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus City Schools, Columbus Public Health, Children’s Hunger Alliance, Action for Children and The Ohio State University Prevention Research Center. OHWO was formed to direct a coordinated and comprehensive effort to decrease the prevalence and consequences of childhood obesity. OHWO’s mission is to optimize the health of the pediatric population by ensuring all children achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle and reach their full potential.

OHWO members joined a select group of teams from coast-to-coast for the project’s first Learning Session in Washington, DC, in September. The meeting featured a keynote speech from Howard K. Koh, MD, MPH, Assistant Secretary of Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Mary Wakefield, PhD, RN, Administrator of the US Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), also delivered opening remarks.

“We are thrilled to have been selected by NICHQ to participate in this initiative based on our solid commitment to achieving healthy weight and health equity in Columbus,” said Ihuoma Eneli, MD, Medical Director of the Center for Healthy Weight and Nutrition at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and a member of OHWO. “Our goal is to create ways to promote healthy weight for families and children, particularly in disadvantaged areas. We look forward to sharing what we learn in this project with communities in other areas of the county. We are thankful to NICHQ and HRSA for giving us the opportunity to get involved in this important work.”

The other teams participating in “Collaborate for Healthy Weight” represent communities in Arkansas, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, New York, Virginia and Washington.

“Health doesn’t begin and end in the doctor’s office,” said Dr. Koh in his keynote speech. “It starts where people live, labor, learn, play and pray – in short, it happens in communities. I am very excited about this program, one of the first attempts to improve public health quality with respect to obesity.”

Dr. Wakefield also addressed participants and called obesity “a serious threat to America’s health.” She added, “You are engaged in a pioneering effort to expand prevention and treatment in your communities.”

The participating teams have met with national experts, exchanged ideas, and created plans for becoming best practice models for other communities to follow. OHWO is initially working on implementing a replicable multi-level demonstration obesity prevention and treatment project in the low-income area surrounding Nationwide Children’s Hospital through the hospital’s Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Families project.

OHWO and the other teams will reconvene early in January 2012 for the second Leaning Session to discuss innovative strategies and to review results. Soon after that, NICHQ will select an additional 40 teams to join the project.

Charles Homer, MD, MPH, is NICHQ’s President and CEO. He said, “We are so proud of these teams that are laying the ground work to tackle this serious public health issue. As the project expands, OHWO and the other teams will make a huge difference in the lives of children and their families across the nation. NICHQ looks forward to supporting their collective efforts.” Founded in 1999, NICHQ is an independent, not-for-profit organization that seeks to improve child health by improving the systems responsible for the delivery of children’s healthcare.

The Center for Healthy Weight and Nutrition at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is engaged in wide-ranging childhood obesity initiatives including participation in the National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions’ obesity focus group which published a supplement in the September journal Pediatrics representing the first comprehensive look at how children’s hospitals are addressing childhood obesity. The Center offers a comprehensive approach to weight management with programs for prevention and treatment of overweight children, ranging from community-based intervention and physician private practices to intensive multidisciplinary lifestyle programs, medical assessment clinics and bariatric surgery. In addition, Nationwide Children’s has collaborated with Columbus Public Health on an “ACHIEVE” grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to enhance local communities’ abilities to develop and implement policy, systems and environment change strategies to prevent or manage health-risk factors focusing on pregnancy through birth to five years. The hospital was also one of the first businesses in the state to be awarded the Healthy Ohio Breastfeeding Friendly Employer Award by the Ohio Department of Health in September.

For more information, visit www.collaborateforhealthyweight.org or www.nichq.org.

Study details the effects of computerized neurocognitive testing for high school athletes with concussions

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:30:00 -0500

Only 40% of United States (US) high schools use computerized neurocognitive tests when assessing sport-related concussions, according to researchers at Children’s Hospital Boston. This is unfortunate, as these neurocognitive assessments are capable of detecting incomplete recovery.

These findings, reported by William Meehan, III, MD, of the Sports Concussion Clinic at Children's Hospital Boston, along with R. Dawn Comstock, PhD and colleagues at Nationwide Children's Hospital, stem from a national study of injured athletes at US high schools and a survey of athletic trainers employed by those highs schools soon to be published in Pediatrics.

Awareness of the problem of concussions in young athletes has grown dramatically in recent years, as medical practitioners realize the potential for long term effects of sustaining multiple concussions. Computerized neurocognitive assessments offer an objective means of monitoring recovery. The study by Meehan and his colleagues showed that athletes who are managed with computerized neurocognitive assessments are less likely to be returned to sports within 10 days of their injury, presumably because the computerized assessments detect persist symptoms or problems with brain functioning that the remainder of the clinical assessment does not reveal.

Despite such a benefit, most US high schools are not using computerized neurocognitive assessments. But Meehan is optimistic. “Our study shows that the proportion of US high schools using computerized neurocognitive testing has increased from 26% in the 2008-2009 academic year to 41% during the 2009-2010 academic year. I suspect this number will continue to rise,” Meehan said.

Although Meehan notes that there are several computerized neurocognitive assessments available, the current study shows that 93% of the schools employing these tests use a progam developed by scientists at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center known as “ImPACT,” (ImPACT Applications, Inc, Pittsburgh, PA).

There is some controversy regarding exactly who should be interpreting these tests. Some neuropsychologists feel that these tests should only be interpreted by neuropsychologists. However, the study by Meehan and colleagues shows that the vast majority of these assessments are being interpreted by physicians and athletic trainers, while only 17% are interpreted by neuropsychologists. On this point, Meehan is unambiguous. “Ideally, every concussed athlete would be assessed by an athletic trainer, a physician, and a neuropsychologist,” Meehan said. “But given the large number of athletes sustaining concussions, and the relative scarcity of neuropsychologists, that is simply not possible.” Thus, the study emphasizes the need to train other medical professionals to administer and interpret computerized neurocognitive tests for the limited purpose of assessing sport-related concussions. However, Meehan cautions, “no athletic trainer, physician or neuropsychologist should attempt to interpret these assessments without first undergoing proper training.”

The study was supported by the national Institutes of Health, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Federation of State High School Associations, the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment, EyeBlack, and Don-Joy Orthotics.

The Diabetes Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital Recognized by American Diabetes Association

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 07:00:00 -0500

The Diabetes Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital was awarded the prestigious American Diabetes Association Education Recognition Certificate by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) for meeting National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education.

This distinction is awarded to programs that improve clinical outcomes, adhere to national standards and provide quality education to diabetes patients. While participation is voluntary, the programs that receive this recognition are required to maintain the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education during the four-year recognition period. ‘Recognition Status’ is received by programs whose staff provides state-of-the-art information about diabetes management for patients.

“This award is a great accomplishment for the Diabetes Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital,” said David Repaske, PhD, MD, chief of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “By receiving this award, the American Diabetes Association recognizes that we have created a high functioning multidisciplinary team approach to caring for our diabetes patients while educating them on diabetes management.”

Assuring high-quality education for patient self-care is one of the primary goals of the Education Recognition program. Through the support of the health care team and increased knowledge and awareness of diabetes, the patient can assume a major part of the responsibility for his/her diabetes management.

The American Diabetes Association Education Recognition Certificate assures that educational programs meet the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs. These standards were developed and tested under the National Diabetes Advisory Board in 1982 and were revised by the diabetes community in 1994, 2000 and 2007. The ADA is the nation’s leading non-profit health organization supporting diabetes research, advocacy, and information for health professionals, patients and the public. Founded in 1940, ADA has an area office in every state and conducts programs in communities nationwide.

Ticket Sales Kick off for “Seussical” the Musical

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 06:00:00 -0500

Ticket sales began today for “Seussical,” presented by Pleasure Guild (PG) of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, with performances scheduled for March 2, 3 and 4, 2012, at the Palace Theatre in Columbus. Proceeds will benefit central Ohio’s only pediatric hospice and palliative care program.

PG, an auxiliary women’s volunteer group of Nationwide Children’s, fundraises specifically on behalf of the hospital’s hospice and palliative care program and produces an annual theater production as its primary benefit. Last year, Pleasure Guild members presented a check totaling $346,238 to the hospital.

This year’s ticket sales include a contest.

“We’re introducing a new ticket-giveaway contest this year, “said PG President, Miranda Roberts. “Visit and ‘like’ Pleasure Guild’s Facebook page during December and we’ll select one winner at random to receive four free tickets to the performance.”

“Seussical” is a magical musical extravaganza featuring favorite Dr. Seuss characters including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, Mayzie, Jojo and the “Whos” among others.

Performance Schedule:

Friday, March 2 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 3 at 2 p.m.
Saturday, March 3 at 7 p.m.
Sunday, March 4 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com or at the Ohio Theatre Box Office starting December 1, 2011. For more information about Pleasure Guild or “Seussical,” or to purchase tickets, please visit www.pleasureguild.org.

“As Dr. Seuss says,” added Roberts, “You’ll miss the best things if you keep your eyes shut!”

About Pleasure Guild
Pleasure Guild is the oldest women's auxiliary of Nationwide Children's Hospital, dating back to 1908. The organization is dedicated to raising funds, more than $200,000 annually, for central Ohio’s only pediatric hospice and palliative care program www.pleasureguild.org.

World AIDS Day Helps Community Remember the Past and Paves Steps for the Future

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 10:00:00 -0500

Hundreds of Central Ohioans will participate in World AIDS Day events on December 1. World AIDS Day, started in 1988, provides an opportunity for the community to raise funds, increase awareness about the HIV/AIDS epidemic, fight prejudice, and improve HIV education. The Central Ohio HIV Planning Alliance (COHPA) and its member agencies have two events planned for this year’s World AIDS Day: a World AIDS Day art show at Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Child Advocacy Center and the annual candlelight vigil opened by Mayor Michael Coleman and Health Commissioner Dr. Teresa Long at Columbus Public Health.

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) states that there are currently 3,375individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Franklin County and that in 2009, there were 269 new HIV diagnoses in the county. According ODH, Franklin County still has the highest rate of new HIV diagnosis in the state. Clearly, there is still a substantial amount of work to be done in fighting the epidemic. This year’s World AIDS Day theme is ”Getting to Zero,” according to the World AIDS Campaign. To break it down further this means, zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination, and zero AIDS related deaths.

On Thursday, December 1, 2011 Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman and Columbus Health Commissioner Dr. Teresa Long will commemorate World AIDS Day by leading the community in the annual Candlelight Vigil on the front steps of Columbus Public Health. The building will be lit (RED). This year’s event begins at 7:00pm in the auditorium of the Columbus Public Health building at 240 Parsons Ave, following a procession from Livingston Park near Nationwide Children’s Hospital at 6pm The general public and media are welcome. During the vigil, names of those lost to HIV/AIDS will be read.

About the Central Ohio HIV Planning Alliance:
The Central Ohio HIV Planning Alliance was established to identify the needs of Central Ohioans affected by and infected with HIV/AIDS and to help reduce the spread of HIV infection. Through collaborative means, COHPA strives to assure the integration of effective, accessible HIV prevention, medical case management, and housing services, and to provide community planning and partnerships for the implementation of the Ryan White Program, the Central Ohio Case Management Network, the Federal HIV Prevention Program, and the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program.

AAPD Announces Pediatric Oral Health Research and Policy Center Director

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 06:00:00 -0500

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), the recognized leader in children's oral health, today announced the appointment of Dr. Paul S. Casamassimo as Director of the AAPD Pediatric Oral Health Research and Policy Center (POHRPC).

Established in February 2011, the goal of the Center is to inform and advance research and policy analysis that will promote optimal oral health care for children. Through the AAPD, the Center will conduct research studies and policy analysis to further the understanding of practices which will improve oral health for all children.

According to AAPD President Dr. Rhea M. Haugseth, "With the development of the POHRPC, the AAPD has demonstrated the importance of directing research and policies that will impact the oral health of our nation's children. By selecting Dr. Paul Casamassimo as Director, we have clearly set the stage for unprecedented insight, thoroughly investigated research and clear, concise outcomes. Our Center will undoubtedly become the model for any that will follow under his thoughtful guidance."

Dr. Casamassimo will continue his teaching, clinical, and scholarly duties at The Ohio State University and Nationwide Children's Hospital while directing the Center. A distinguished academian for more than 20 years, he received his dental degree from Georgetown University in 1974 and a Master of Science and Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from the University of Iowa in 1976. He has taught at the University Of Iowa College Of Dentistry (1976-78) and the University Of Colorado School Of Dentistry (1978-88). Casamassimo is past president of the AAPD and past president of the Academy of Dentistry for the Handicapped, as well as past editor of the Journal of Dentistry for the Handicapped and Journal of Dentistry for Children. He currently is a delegate to the Ohio Dental Association from the Columbus Dental Society, where he served as president in 2008 and vice president of the Ohio Dental Association.

Casamassimo has received numerous professional, humanitarian and teaching awards in his career. He is board-certified in pediatric dentistry and practices at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, where he is a past-president of the medical staff. Casamassimo has authored over 300 publications, including three books, 31 text chapters and seven monographs in the areas of pediatric dentistry, care of children with special health care needs and dental education.

In response to his appointment, Dr. Casamassimo stated, "We have many challenges facing us as a nation, including eliminating oral health disparities in our children. The Policy Center's purpose is to push the agenda of pediatric oral health with sound policy, watchful opinions, and meaningful and compassionate participation at the table of change. This is a position everyone passionate about children would love to have, and I feel fortunate to have this opportunity."

For more information on POHRPC developments and initiatives, please visit http://www.aapd.org/policycenter/.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
Founded in 1947, the AAPD is a not-for-profit membership organization representing the specialty of pediatric dentistry. AAPD's 8,000 members are predominately pediatric dentists and primary care providers who deliver comprehensive specialty treatments for infants, children, adolescents and individuals with special health care needs. As advocates for children's oral health, the AAPD aims to promote the use of evidence-based policies and guidelines, foster research concerning pediatric oral health, and educate health care providers and the public to improve children's oral health. For further information, please visit the AAPD website at www.aapd.org.

NOTE TO THE EDITOR: Dr. Casamassimo resides in Upper Arlington, zip code, 43221.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Hosts Information Sessions on Weight Loss Surgery for Adolescents

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 06:00:00 -0500

On Tuesday, November 29 and Tuesday, December 13, Nationwide Children’s Hospital will host Bariatric Surgery Information Sessions to discuss weight loss surgery options available for teens to combat obesity. Both sessions begin at 5 p.m. in the Ann Isaly Wolfe Education Center located at Nationwide Children’s – 575 S. 18th Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205.

The sessions are led by surgeon Marc Michalsky, MD, and Ihuoma Eneli, MD, both of the Center for Healthy Weight and Nutrition at Nationwide Children’s, and feature former bariatric surgery patients talking about their experiences. Discussions will center on the criteria for adolescent bariatric surgery, lifestyle interventions, financing, surgical weight management process and the benefits and risks of the three types of bariatric surgery offered at Nationwide Children’s – gastric bypass surgery, lap band surgery and gastric sleeve surgery.

The sessions are free and are open to all teens, their families and supporters seeking more information about adolescent weight loss surgery. Underage participants are encouraged to come accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Parking is available in the visitors parking garage located at the corner of S. 18th Street and Mooberry Dr. Once parked in the garage, enter the Outpatient Care Center lobby and ask to be directed to the Bariatric Surgery Information Session in room 131 of the Education Center.

For more information about this session and other upcoming sessions, and to register, visit www.NationwideChildrens.org/Bariatric-Surgery, or call (614) 355-0662.

Physicians at Nationwide Children’s Hospital Warn Consumers of the Dangers of Button Batteries

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 06:00:00 -0500

With the increasing production of electronic products in the consumer market, more button batteries are found in the home setting. From remote controls and watches to musical greeting cards and toys, these small, shiny objects are the perfect size for a curious child to swallow or even push into their nasal cavity or ear canal. It is important for parents to be aware of the dangers that button batteries pose to young children and the damage that these batteries can cause.

The incidence of button battery ingestion is rising. Between 2007 and 2009, more than 3,400 cases annually were reported to U.S. poison centers. The clinical challenge for physicians who may evaluate children who ingest button batteries is that they can be asymptomatic or present with non-specific symptoms such as irritability, fever, cough, poor oral intake and/or vomiting similar to those of a common viral infection. This, combined with the likelihood of an unwitnessed ingestion event, is the recipe for disaster, leading to a delay in the diagnosis and more severe injury.

“The clock is ticking when a button battery is placed in the body,” said Kris Jatana, MD, a pediatric head and neck surgeon at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “In as little as two hours, these button batteries can cause severe injury.”

Button batteries, small and large, are dangerous in the hands of a child. While the smaller batteries, such as those found in hearing aids, will typically pass through the gastrointestinal system on their own, the larger batteries can get stuck, causing the most significant injury when swallowed by young children. Some complications from button battery ingestions include eroding through the esophageal wall or into the adjacent airway, damage to the nearby nerves which supply the vocal cords, or even more serious – eroding into a major blood vessel such as the aorta which has always been fatal.

“I have seen many otherwise healthy children suffer serious injury from button batteries,” said Dr. Jatana, also an assistant professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. “While educating parents about the dangers of these batteries is important, it is equally important for physicians to be aware of the increasing frequency of button battery ingestions when evaluating children in the primary care or emergency room setting. An x-ray can be done to confirm the diagnosis.” If a child is suspected of swallowing or pushing a button battery into their nasal cavity or ear canal, the child needs to be taken to an emergency room immediately. The diagnosis can be confirmed by a two view x-ray, which from a distance, may be mistaken for a commonly ingested foreign body in children – a coin. The key to differentiating a button battery from a coin is to magnify or zoom into the image to look for the double ring or halo seen around the button battery. In addition, on the side view x-ray, one can often see a small step-off or notch with most batteries. “Identifying a metallic foreign body as a button battery is critical as the battery creates an electrical current around the outside of the battery generating hydroxide, an alkaline chemical, causing the rapid tissue injury,” said Dr. Jatana.

The treatment for a button battery lodged within the body is emergent removal. When swallowed, these batteries can get lodged in the esophagus which requires general anesthesia for removal in an operating room. When pushed into the ear canal or nasal cavity, the removal can usually take place in an emergency room setting.

On March 17, 2011, Dr. Jatana presented with a panel of experts from across the country to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in Bethesda, on the hazards of button batteries. Later on that month, the CPSC released a public warning statement emphasizing the dangers of button batteries to consumers. In June, two U.S. senators, Senator John D. Rockefeller and Senator Mark Pryor, introduced new legislation entitled the “Button Cell Battery Safety Act of 2011.” If this legislation passes through Congress, the CPSC would be able to regulate electronic devices that contain these batteries to make them safer for children. “The initiation of this legislative process shows the true commitment of members of U.S. Congress and the CPSC to the safety of children,” said Dr. Jatana.

“Parents need to be aware of this potential household risk to ensure that button batteries themselves, and any electronic devices that do not contain them in a properly secured compartment, are kept out of the reach of young children,” said Dr. Jatana.

The key to differentiating a button battery from a coin is to magnify or zoom into the image looking for a double ring or halo. This x-ray shows a small ridge on the object that this toddler has swallowed – a button battery.

While coins and button batteries look very similar and are of equal size, button batteries can cause severe damage if not removed quickly after it is ingested.

Mark and Susan never thought their son, Max would be capable of opening a remote and swallowing a button battery.

Dr. Kris Jatana presented with a panel of experts to the Consumer Product Safety Commission on the hazards of button batteries.

The Center for Family Safety and Healing

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:45:00 -0500

The Family Violence Coalition at Nationwide Children’s Hospital has a new name. Effective immediately, it will be known as The Center for Family Safety and Healing.

In April 2011, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Board of Directors Chair Abigail Wexner announced the merger of the Center for Child and Family Advocacy (CCFA) at Nationwide Children’s with the Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence (CCAFV). The combined new organization was called The Family Violence Coalition at Nationwide Children’s, formed to bring together the strengths of two well-established programs, both combating the impact of family violence.

After thoughtful consideration and feedback from patients, families and staff, it was decided that The Center for Family Safety and Healing better reflects the work of the organization and will help raise community awareness and change attitudes about child abuse and family violence.

The name change does not affect operations and the center will continue to operate out of the current location at 655 East Livingston Avenue in Columbus. Karen S. Days is President of The Center for Family Safety and Healing, which remains a service of Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Bacteria Responsible for Middle Ear Infections, Pink Eye and Sinusitis May Protect Themselves by Stealing Immune Molecules

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 06:00:00 -0500

Bacteria responsible for middle ear infections, pink eye and sinusitis protect themselves from further immune attack by transporting molecules meant to destroy them away from their inner membrane target, according to a study from Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The study, published in the November issue of PLoS Pathogens, is the first to describe a transporter system that bacteria use to ensure their survival.

When the body senses an infection, one of the first lines of defense is to send immune molecules called host-derived antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) to target and kill bacteria. However, bacteria have learned to resist AMPs through a series of countermeasures such as remodeling their outer membrane surface to be less permeable. Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI) is such a bacterium.

NTHI resides in the human upper airway, typically without causing any harm. However, NTHI has the ability to change from a non-harmful bacterium to a disease causing pathogen, responsible for pink eye, sinusitis, middle ear infection and complications of cystic fibrosis. “When transitioning to a harmful pathogen, NTHI defends against increased production of AMPs by using the Sap, which stands for sensitivity to antimicrobial peptides, proteins to arm against attack, ” said Kevin M. Mason, PhD, principal investigator in the Center for Microbial Pathogenesis at The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and lead study author. “Yet, it’s unclear just how the Sap transporter complex provides protection against AMPs.”

To help explain the mechanisms that NTHI uses to protect itself from AMPs, Dr. Mason’s team examined an animal model of middle ear infection. They had previously shown that NTHI bacteria lacking the protein SapA were susceptible to AMP attack. In the study, they describe the Sap transporter system that recognizes and transports host immune defense molecules into the bacterial cell. This system is necessary for the bacteria to survive in the host.

“It seems that NTHI senses the presence of these immune molecules, steals them from the host and arms itself to protect against future attacks,” said Dr. Mason. “NTHI imports AMPs into the bacterial cell and then degrades them in the interior of the cell. By remodeling its membranes, the bacterium appears as already attacked, which protects it from being bothered by additional AMPs. Basically, transporting AMPs acts as a counter strategy to evade innate immune defense and ultimately benefits the bacterium nutritionally.” This study provides the first direct evidence that the protein SapA contributes to bacterial survival by providing protection from AMPs in the host.

Dr. Mason says that targeting the Sap transport system may provide a way to use AMP derivatives as alternatives to antibiotics to treat NTHI infections. “Our long-range goal is to block this uptake system and starve the bacterium of essential nutrients. If we could develop a small molecule inhibitor that could block binding and transport, we could render NTHI susceptible to immune attack, while preserving the body’s normal bacteria that are often disrupted by conventional antibiotic use.”

Study: Children Experience Differing Changes One Year After a Sibling’s Death from Cancer

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 09:00:00 -0500

The majority of children experience personal changes and changes in relationships one year after their sibling has died from cancer; however, positive and negative changes are not universal. These are the findings from the first study – published online November 3, 2011 in Cancer Nursing – to examine changes in siblings after the death of a brother or sister to cancer from three different perspectives: mothers, fathers and siblings.

Nearly 60,000 children under the age of 20 die each year in the United States and Canada, leaving behind an estimated 480,000 grieving siblings over the past 10 years. Yet, limited research has examined the frequency and nature of changes experienced by siblings after the death of a brother or sister from cancer.

“Studies of bereaved siblings have occurred two months to seven years post-death, but seldom within a year,” said Cynthia A. Gerhardt, PhD, principal investigator in the Center for Biobehavioral Health at The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and one of the study authors. “Also, rarely are mothers’, fathers’ and sibling perspectives included in the same study, which allows us to understand sibling grief within the family context.”

To address this gap in the literature, Dr. Gerhardt and colleagues interviewed 40 families as part of a multi-site longitudinal study following the death of a child from cancer. During the study, siblings were asked to describe how they have changed since their brother/sister’s death. Parents also were asked how the sibling has changed.

Findings showed that the majority of family members perceived that siblings experienced personal changes and changes in relationships after the death. However, change was not universal. Most participants reported either positive or negative changes in siblings’ personality rather than both positive and negative.

Siblings reported greater maturity as the most common personal change. More than twice as many siblings reported greater compassion and changes in life priorities than their parents reported for them. Parents reported negative changes in siblings such as being sad, angry, withdrawn or fearful of experiencing another death more often than the siblings did themselves.

A new finding emerged indicating that bereaved siblings were motivated by their deceased brothers or sisters. This finding was unique, as siblings’ motivation seemed to stem from an internal desire to be more like their deceased brothers or sisters.

Siblings reported changes in peer relationships more frequently than parents, suggesting that parents may not be as attuned to the effects on important social relationships relative to observable changes in the sibling’s personality or emotional well-being.

“There were some differences the kinds of changes parents and children perceived in the siblings,” said Dr. Gerhardt, also with The Ohio State University College of Medicine. “Our findings suggest that the assessment of sibling grief responses should involve direct communication not only with parents, but also with siblings.”

She says that healthcare providers may encourage families to discuss possible changes that siblings can experience after the death of a sibling. Families may benefit from knowing the positive nature of siblings’ reports and by knowing that the death of a brother or sister is profound for some siblings. Providers can provide reassurance that change may not be universal to all bereaved siblings and that the range of positive and negative responses is part of the grief process.

Dr. Gerhardt warns that these findings might not be generalizable to all bereaved siblings as participants in this study were primarily White, English-speaking and included families whose children died of cancer.

“More research is needed to further our understanding of sibling grief in response to other types of loss,” she said.

Collaborating institutions on this study include Vanderbilt University, Hospital for Sick Children, and University of Colorado.

Shepherd Appointed Neonatology Section Chief at Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 06:00:00 -0500

Edward G. Shepherd, MD, has been appointed Chief of the Section of Neonatology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Shepherd has served as a neonatologist at Nationwide Children’s since 2005 while also holding a role as assistant professor of Clinical Pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. In 2010, he was named Interim Section Chief of Neonatology and Interim Program Director of the Comprehensive Center for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia.

“Dr. Shepherd is the ideal physician leader to support and enhance the delivery of the highest level of newborn care available anywhere,” said Rich Brilli, MD, FAAP, FCCM, Chief Medical Officer at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “Having completed his residency and fellowship here at Nationwide Children’s and joining our medical staff six years ago, he has exhibited expertise as a clinician and as a researcher, as well as an outstanding educator. Nationwide Children’s Section Chiefs are highly visible leaders in the hospital’s drive to improve patient safety. Dr. Shepherd has been a tireless and innovative leader in that leadership role to provide the safest possible care to these very fragile infants.”

His clinical interests focus on bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and developmental care of the vulnerable infants. He is currently involved in several studies of the diagnosis and progression of BPD as well as the best developmental care for infants so afflicted. He regularly presents on neonatology topics, most recently focusing on the presentation, diagnosis and management of infants with congenital anomalies and the ethics of neonatal care.

Dr. Shepherd will lead one of the largest neonatal centers in the United States with 191 beds located at Nationwide Children’s and at satellite nurseries through the region. Patients are referred from throughout the region for Nationwide Children’s specialized care and expertise in extreme prematurity and complex conditions such as BPD and infant feeding disorders.

During his tenure, Dr. Shepherd has been instrumental in developing guidelines for treating extremely premature infants. The Small Baby Guidelines provide a uniform, interdisciplinary approach to family-centered care for the most delicate infants. A few years ago, the survival rate for babies born at 23 weeks was 10 percent. Today, the survival rate at Nationwide Children’s is 63 percent due to the standardized care that these guidelines provide. After implementing the guidelines, a 10-bed small baby pod was created within the Nationwide Children’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) which provides a quiet environment with controlled lighting.

Dr. Shepherd graduated with his medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. From there, he came to Nationwide Children’s where he completed his pediatric residency and neonatal/perinatal medicine fellowship. He has authored numerous studies on neonatology topics including BPD, quality outcomes and necrotizing entercolitis (NEC). Dr. Shepherd also serves as Physician co-chair of developmental steering committees at Nationwide Children’s and Riverside Methodist Hospital.

NOTE TO THE EDITOR: Dr. Shepherd is a resident of Columbus, zip code 43220.

Dr. Edward Shepherd, chief of the Section of Neonatology

Songs for Sound: Behind The Music

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 10:30:00 -0500

Join us for Songs for Sound: Behind The Music on Friday, December 9, 2011 at the Bluestone (583 East Broad St.) from 7 to 11 p.m. This intimate evening with the Nashville singer/songwriters directly benefits the ENT program at Nationwide Children’s. Visit SongsForSound.com or call the Nationwide Children's Hospital Foundation at (614) 355-0888 for ticket and sponsorship information.

The event will feature Woody from 92.3 WCOL’s Woody and the Wake Up Call (emcee). NEIL THRASHER, ASCAP SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR/2004; Neil has written hits such as Take Me There, Fast Cars & Freedom, I Melt, (Rascal Flatts); I Lost It, There Goes My Life, (Kenny Chesney); Strange, (Reba McEntire); Some People Change, (Montgomery Gentry). WENDELL MOBLEY, hits include His songs have been at number 1 for 23 weeks and they’ve sold 50 million records. Wendell has had huge success with acts including Rascal Flatts (“Take Me There”, “Fast Cars and Freedom”, “I Melt”), Kenny Chesney (“There Goes My... Life”, “How Forever Feels”), Alabama, Carrie Underwood, Trace Adkins, Lonestar, Montgomery-Gentry, Trisha Yearwood, the legendary Kenny Rogers and pop star Edwin McCain among many others. He wrote Julianne Hough’s huge hit "That Song In My Head"; JASON SELLERS Sellers has co-written include "You Can't Hide Beautiful" by Aaron Lines, "Some People Change" by Montgomery Gentry, "If You Didn't Love Me" by Phil Stacey, "I Still Miss You" by Keith Anderson, "Strange" by Reba McEntire and "Don't You Wanna Stay" by Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson.

Songs for Sound
Songs for Sound is an organization inaugurated by Kevin & Jaime Vernon, parents of toddler and cochlear implant recipient, “Lexi” Alexis Vernon. The focus of the organization is to financially support cochlear implant programs, tell the world about cochlear implants, how cochlear implants work, how bilateral implantation has changed our lives, and how cochlear implants can change the lives of thousands of deaf individuals. Many people are moderately deaf and benefit from hearing aids. There is a large group of severe to profoundly deaf people who receive no benefit from hearing aids, but they can benefit from cochlear implants. Simply put, Songs for Sound was established to restore hearing to the deaf through the miracle of cochlear implants--- Give the gift of sound thru song, so they, too, can hear and heal through music.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Cochlear Implant Program and Hearing Clinic
Nationwide Children’s Hospital is dedicated to helping infants and children with hearing loss/deafness and other communication challenges reach their highest potential for a full and productive life through therapeutic intervention and cutting edge technology.

The Nationwide Children’s team assesses each patient and makes medical recommendations including further diagnostic testing, appropriate assistive listening devices and surgeries including cochlear implants. Parents are given information to connect resources in education and speech and language development. It is their mission to provide a family-centered visit where patients and families leave feeling educated and supported as they work to help their child with hearing loss.

Columbus Physician Receives AMA Young Physician Award

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 06:00:00 -0500

The American Medical Association (AMA) today awarded Don Hayes, M.D., medical director of the Lung and Heart-Lung Transplant programs at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, with the Dr. William Beaumont Award in Medicine. This honor is awarded each year to a distinguished young physician for his or her work in medical sciences. Dr. Hayes received the award today at the AMA’s semi-annual policy-making meeting.

“Dr. Hayes is a young physician who has already proven himself to be a leader in pulmonary medicine, research and education,” said AMA President Peter Carmel, M.D. “The AMA is pleased to honor Dr. Hayes’ accomplishments, which are an inspiration to other young physicians and medical students.”

Dr. Hayes has received numerous grants for research to advance the treatment of patients with severe lung disease. He has been published in more than 60 peer-reviewed journals and has served as both an international and national speaker at symposia. Dr. Hayes is also actively involved in teaching and community service.

Dr. Hayes completed his medical training at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, graduating with honors. He completed his combined internal medicine and pediatrics residency at East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine. He then completed three fellowships at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, with a concentration in advanced lung disease and lung transplantation during his adult pulmonary training. Dr. Hayes also has dual masters degrees in clinical and translational science and medical education.

Nationwide Children's Hospital Announces New Surgeons Deans and Minneci to Lead Center for Surgical Outcomes Research

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 06:00:00 -0500

Katherine J. Deans, MD, MHSc, and Peter C. Minneci, MD, MHSc, have joined the Department of Pediatric Surgery at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and will co-direct the new Center for Surgical Outcomes Research (CSOR) at Nationwide Children’s. Both also hold faculty appointments in The Ohio State University College of Medicine.

Drs. Deans and Minneci will be responsible for developing and leading the Center for Surgical Outcomes Research (CSOR) at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The CSOR will be a comprehensive surgical outcomes research program which will employ a wide range of methodologies in order to determine optimal interventions for the management of surgical diseases and the minimization of post-operative complications. This center will become one of the largest children’s surgery clinical research centers in the United States.

In addition, Drs. Deans and Minneci will offer the full range of clinical services in pediatric surgery. They both have extensive experience in the evaluation of the fetus and neonate with congenital anomalies and they will play important roles in developing the Columbus Fetal Medicine Collaborative. Dr. Minneci is an accomplished minimally invasive surgeon and will further expand Nationwide Children’s ability to offer laparoscopic and thoracoscopic approaches to pediatric surgical problems.

Prior to their arrival in Columbus, Dr. Deans served as an Assistant Professor of Surgery and Dr. Minneci was an Instructor of Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Dr. Deans graduated from Dartmouth Medical School and completed a surgery residency and research fellowship at the Massachusetts General Hospital and the National Institutes of Health. She is board certified by the American Board of Surgery in Surgery, Surgical Critical Care, and Pediatric Surgery. She is a member of the American College of Surgeons, Society of Critical Care Medicine, and the American Pediatric Surgical Association.

Dr. Minneci graduated from New York University School of Medicine and completed a surgery residency and research fellowship at the Massachusetts General Hospital and the National Institutes of Health. He is board certified by the American Board of Surgery in Surgery and Surgical Critical Care and is a member of the American College of Surgeons, Society of Critical Care Medicine, and Alpha Omega Alpha.

Visit NationwideChildrens.org/Surgery to learn more about pediatric surgery at Nationwide Children’s.

Survey details inconsistencies in how concussions are managed in high school athletes

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:00:00 -0500

Concussions account for nearly 15 percent of all sport-related injuries in high school athletes, according to researchers at Children's Hospital Boston. But who takes the lead role in managing those injuries and in deciding when an athlete can return to play, as well as how the injuries are managed, can vary widely.

These findings, reported by William Meehan, III, MD, of the Sports Concussion Clinic at Children's Hospital Boston, along with colleagues at Nationwide Children's Hospital, stem from a review of the largest national sample to date of athletes sustaining concussions in high school sports, published in the November issue of The American Journal of Sports Medicine.

Awareness of the problem of sport-related injuries, especially concussions, has grown dramatically in recent years, largely due to studies illustrating the scope of the long-term cognitive and neurological damage that can result from such injuries.

What the medical and athletic communities together currently lack, though, are evidence-based guidelines for diagnosing and managing concussions suffered by athletes at sporting events, especially those at the high school level. The medical resources high school teams have at their disposal can differ greatly from those available to professional or college teams.

Recognizing the paucity of published data available on who manages concussions on the high school sports field and how they are managed, Meehan and his colleagues conducted an exhaustive review of data in the High School Reporting Information Online (HS RIO) database. This injury surveillance system tracks reports from 192 U.S. high schools on athletes participating in 20 sports. All of the participating schools employ athletic trainers, who submit weekly reports of injuries sustained on the practice and/or playing field.

In their paper, Meehan’s team describe variability in how high school athletes receive care following a concussion – which accounted for nearly 15 percent of the 7,257 injuries captured in the HS RIO system during the 2009-10 school year. The majority of athletes in the sample were examined by medical professional – an athletic trainer, a physician, or both – following their injury. Of the athletes who saw a physician, 60 percent saw only a primary care doctor.

Almost 20 percent of athletes underwent a CT scan after their concussion, while 3 percent were assessed via MRI. “We see imaging selection as a particular opportunity for improvement,” Meehan said. “There is growing recognition in medicine of the need to limit kids’ cumulative radiation exposure, which would argue for assessing concussions by MRI rather than CT.”

“We also noted increased use of computerized neuropsychological testing over the previous academic year,” Meehan added. “It would be wonderful to see more AT’s and physician trained on the use and administration of these tests.” Such tests, which can help judge whether an athlete has completely recovered from the neurological aspects of a concussion, are a relatively recent and low-cost addition to the sports medicine toolkit.

With the descriptive statistics in hand, Meehan suggests that steps aimed at reducing the numbers of concussions are key. He also recommends that only physicians or athletic trainers should make the call as to when a concussed athlete can return to play. “We know from other studies that only about 42 percent of U.S. high schools employ an athletic trainer, and just in the HS RIO data we found that non-medical professionals make the return-to-play decision for 2.5 percent of concussions,” Meehan said. “This is cause for concern, because if the athlete’s symptoms haven’t completely resolved, putting them back on the field puts them at serious risk.”

The study was supported by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Federation of State High School Associations, the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment, EyeBlack, and Don-Joy Orthotics.

"Christine’s Christmas" Concert Slated for December 10

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 07:00:00 -0500

During the holidays, we reflect on loved ones who have touched our lives and hearts. In 2003, Christine Wilson and four of her friends perished in a tragic arson near the campus of The Ohio State University. To honor her precious life, the 8th annual “Christine’s Christmas” will be presented. Doors open at 7 p.m. with the concert beginning at 8 p.m. on Saturday, December 10, 2011 at the Capitol Theatre, Vern Riffe Center in downtown Columbus. Proceeds from the event benefit the Burn Program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Christine had a passion for bettering the lives of those around her, particularly children, and this special concert keeps that passion – and her memory – alive. Through the Burn Program at Nationwide Children’s, nearly 1,500 patients are treated and cared for each and every year. Funds from Christine’s Christmas will ensure that the highest level of care for thermally injured children and adolescents continues at the hospital.

The concert features pianist Mark King who, inspired by his friend Christine, performs Christine’s Christmas. He is joined on stage by special guests including vocalist Willie Grové, Chamber Music Connection Orchestra, Jerome High School A Cappella Choir, event emcee Chuck Strickler of WBNS-10TV and a variety of musical talent.

The performance is followed by an elaborate dessert and coffee bar in the Capitol Theatre lobby overlooking the breathtaking view of the Capitol building. In addition, guests can finish their holiday shopping by taking part in a silent auction.

Reservations are $75 for adults and $25 for students/children. To make reservations, please visit www.NationwideChildrens.org/ChristinesChristmas or call (614) 355-0888.

The event is presented by MACY’s and underwritten by major sponsors Battelle, Tiffany & Company, Scott’s Miracle Gro, Dr. William Shiels and The Wilson Family. In addition, long- time media sponsor, WBNS-10TV, is joined by The River 104.9 radio, Old Trail Printing and Made From Scratch catering.

The Christine Wilson Foundation was formed to honor the memory of Christine Wilson who, on April 13, 2003, perished in a tragic fire near The Ohio State University campus along with four friends. Her family and friends honor Christine’s love of giving through the Christine Wilson Foundation. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised more than $250,000 for Columbus charities. The Foundation’s mission is to provide annual scholarships to incoming freshmen planning to attend Bishop Watterson High School and to reach out to other Columbus community charities involving children. Additional information on the foundation can be found at www.christinewilsonfoundation.org.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Earns National Distinction as a Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Team

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 06:00:00 -0500

The Commission on the Approval of Teams of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA) and the Cleft Palate Foundation (CPF) recently voted to fully approve the Cleft Lip and Palate Center and the Center for Complex Craniofacial Disorders at Nationwide Children’s Hospital as a Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Team for a period of five years beginning January 1, 2012.

“This national distinction is one that is well-earned by an extraordinary team of health care providers who are selflessly dedicated to the care of children born with a facial difference,” said Richard Kirschner, MD, FACS, FAAP, chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “Further, the honor underscores the commitment of Nationwide Children’s to achieving the best clinical outcomes and quality of life for the children we serve.”

Cleft/craniofacial teams are composed of experienced and qualified professionals from medical, surgical, dental and allied health disciplines working in an interdisciplinary and coordinated system. The purpose and goal of such teams is to ensure that care is provided in a coordinated and consistent manner with the proper sequencing of evaluations and treatments within the framework of the patient’s overall developmental, medical and psychological needs.

As a means to verify the quality of the care provided by such Teams, the ACPA and CPF developed an approval process in order to provide:

Standards that identify essential characteristics of quality for team composition and functioning in order to facilitate the improvement of team care
Accurate information to patients and families/caregivers regarding services provided by those teams that meet specified standards

These standards have received widespread peer-review and represent minimum expectations for approval of teams providing care to individuals with clefts and craniofacial conditions.

The ACPA and CPF also established standards for care and have identified the following six components as essential to the quality of care provided by interdisciplinary teams of health care specialists to patients with craniofacial anomalies, regardless of the specific type of disorder:

Team Composition
Team Management and Responsibilities
Patient and Family/Caregiver Communication
Cultural Competence
Psychological and Social Services
Outcomes Assessment

The Cleft Lip and Palate Center and the Center for Complex Craniofacial Disorders at Nationwide Children’s offer children and their families comprehensive care from a multi-disciplinary team of nationally recognized clinicians. Led by Dr. Kirschner and Gregory Pearson, MD, respectively, the two Centers comprise of experts from numerous specialties including genetics, plastic surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, otolaryngology (ENT), neurosurgery, ophthalmology, audiology, speech-language pathology, nursing, dentistry, social work, audiology and psychology. This team of medical professionals helps optimize facial appearance, speech, hearing, dentofacial development and overall self-concept for children with cleft lip and palate.

Kinder Key Calls for Caroling Groups

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 07:00:00 -0500

Celebrate the holiday season by organizing a group of friends, family or co-workers to sing songs of cheer and bring new hope to young hearts for the annual Kinder Key holiday caroling drive – Caroling for a Cause.

Kinder Key, an auxiliary of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, invites the public to form groups of neighbors, boy/girl scout troops, societies and organizations to join the fun of singing holiday carols and Caroling for a Cause during the month of December. Donations collected from the caroling groups will benefit The Heart Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Kinder Key will also be coordinating groups to carol for the shoppers at Easton from November 18 through December 23 and other areas around Columbus.

For more information and/or to receive a caroling kit, contact the Kinder Key Caroling Hotline at (614) 722-2965, or visit www.NationwideChildrens.org/KinderKey for online registration. Caroling kits include song sheets, identification stickers, collection canister, a neighborhood welcome letter and more.

About Kinder Key:
Kinder Key serves as an auxiliary of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and is dedicated to supporting the lifesaving work in The Heart Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The group, founded in 1954, has demonstrated their commitment to Nationwide Children’s by raising more than $3 million since its inception. The name, Kinder Key, originated from kinder meaning “children” in German and key symbolizing the unlocking of the heart. Today, active members are working to continue the Kinder Key legacy of new hope for young hearts.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Transport Team Receives Award from the Association of Air Medical Services

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 06:00:00 -0500

The Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) is proud to announce its 2011 Community Awards recipients. Each year, these national awards are presented to individuals and organizations that exemplify the best of the air-medical and critical-care-ground transport community. This year’s recipients were honored at the special awards dinner on October 17, 2011 during the Air Medical Transport Conference (AMTC) held in St. Louis, MO.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Transport Team received the 2011 Neonatal & Pediatric Transport Award of Excellence during this year’s conference. Sponsored by Airborne Life Support Systems, this award recognizes an individual or team that has made a significant contribution to the overall enhancement, development, leadership and/or promotion of neonatal and pediatric patient care, education, research or safety in the medical transport setting.

The Transport Team at Nationwide Children’s uses a variety of modes of transportation: ground, using mobile intensive care units (MICU); rotor wing, including helicopter transport through a cooperative agreement with MedFlight of Ohio and a fixed wing aircraft through cooperative agreements with Airmed International and MedCenter Air. The medical transport crew members are cross-trained to provide all of the skills and procedures necessary to being a top-notch Transport Team. In addition to their transportation responsibilities, the team also actively contributes to clinical research. As a result, a life-saving protocol was developed to initiate early head cooling for infants with a hypoxic cerebral injury. The team has also implemented several programs which have helped earn this recognition:

Flight safety officer program
Ground safety awareness program, includes a risk assessment system for MICU transports which provides crews with a tool to aid in decision making when faced with adverse situations
Neosessities, teaching initial care procedures for critically-ill neonates

The other 2011 Community Award categories and award recipients include:

2011 Program of the Year Award, sponsored by American Eurocopter – LIFE STAR/Hartford Hospital in Hartford, CT.

2011 Marriott-Carlson Leadership Award, sponsored by Bell Helicopter, A Textron Company – Sandra Kinkade Hutton, RN, MSN, MBA from Kinkade International in Solana Beach, CA.

2011 Barbara A. Hess Research & Education Award, sponsored by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation – Russell MacDonald, MD, MPH, FRCPC from ORNGE Transport Medicine in Mississauga, Ontario.

2011 Jim Charlson Aviation Safety Award, sponsored by American Eurocopter – Kent Johnson from Intermountain Life Flight, Salt Lake City, UT.

2011 Transport Mechanic’s Award of Excellence, sponsored by AgustaWestland – Ed Haslow from Metro Life Flight in Cleveland, OH.

2011 Fixed-Wing Award of Excellence, sponsored by LifePort, Inc., A Sikorsky Aerospace Services Company – AeroCare Medical Transport in Sugar Grove, IL.

2011 Critical Care Ground Award of Excellence, sponsored by Sponsored by American Emergency Vehicles and Northwestern Emergency Vehicles – Sunstar Paramedics Critical Care Transport in Largo, FL.

About the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS):
The Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) is the only international trade association serving the entire air and ground medical transport community. AAMS strives to enhance the medical transport industry by promoting the highest level of industry safety; promoting quality patient care; inspiring commitment to the industry’s work, causes, and viability; and providing superior service to its members. For additional information, visit the AAMS’ web site at www.aams.org.

About the Air Medical Transport Conference (AMTC):
The Air Medical Transport Conference is a one-stop shop for access to representatives from myriad key aviation and health-care-related organizations. In addition to AAMS, other organizers include the Air & Surface Transport Nurses Association, the Air Medical Physician Association, the International Association of Critical Care & Flight Paramedics, the National Association of Air Medical Communication Specialists, and the National EMS Pilots Association.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Receives Quality Care Award from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:00:00 -0500

During a ceremony held November 5, 2011 in Anaheim, Calif., the Pulmonary Medicine team at Nationwide Children’s Hospital received the 2011 Quality Care Award from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Nationwide Children’s is among 11 institutions nationally recognized, and one of three in the state of Ohio.

“We are honored to have been selected as one of the recipients of the 2011 Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Quality Care Awards,” said Karen McCoy, MD, chief of Pulmonary Medicine at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “Our entire staff is to be credited for this special recognition.”

The CF Foundation instituted the Quality Care Award in 2008. The awards are presented each year at the United States Center and Program Directors’ meeting held in conjunction with the CF Foundation’s North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference. Recipients of the award are chosen by the CF Foundation Center Committee during the most recent fall and spring site visit cycles.

The criteria set forth for being considered for the award is sustained quality improvement work that improved outcomes. The quality improvement performance standards to identify centers that meet these criteria include:

The center actively uses clinical outcomes data to identify opportunities for improvement and documents results of improvement efforts;
aligns improvement efforts to result in measurable improvement in important clinical outcomes;
consistently and actively involves patients and families in identifying, designing and/or implementing improvement efforts;
employs innovative strategies to improve care processes and outcomes;
implements system changes that result in high reliability of care processes.

Centers selected for the 2011 Quality Care Award include:

Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Columbus, Ohio
Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, Adult Program
Long Beach, California
Yale University
New Haven Connecticut
Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Pediatric Program
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Monmouth Medical Center
Long Branch, New Jersey
Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York/Long Island Jewish Medical Center
New Hyde Park, New York
Akron Children’s Hospital
Akron, Ohio
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center/University of Cincinnati University Hospital
Cincinnati, Ohio
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Pediatric Program
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC/University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Seattle Children’s Hospital/University of Washington Medical Center
Seattle, Washington

About the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the world’s leader in the search for a cure for cystic fibrosis. The Foundation funds more CF research than any other organization, and nearly every CF drug available today was made possible because of Foundation support. Based in Bethesda, Md., the Foundation also supports and accredits a national care center network that has been recognized by the National Institutes of Health as a model of care for a chronic disease. The CF Foundation is a donor-supported nonprofit organization. For more information, go to www.cff.org.

Study Finds Orally-Fed Infants Experience More Instances of Acid Reflux than Tube-Fed Infants

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 06:00:00 -0500

Infants who are fed through a tube from the nasal cavity to the stomach are not at an increased risk for acid reflux events. However, that is not the case for infants who are orally-fed; these infants having a higher risk of developing acid reflux. Highlighted in the November issue of the Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, this is the first study to examine the impact feeding variables have on the characteristics of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in infants.

GER is a condition in which the stomach contents leak backwards from the stomach into the esophagus. It is a frequent occurrence in infants with feeding problems who are receiving care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). About 48 percent of premature infants are discharged from the NICU on acid-suppressive medications.

The first step of managing GER often includes advice on feeding strategies. Feeding strategies, including the method by which feeds are administered, are often changed for NICU infants because of complications suspected to be linked to GER. However, the impact of feeding methods on the prevalence of GER events is not clear.

“Knowledge about the characteristics of GER events across the feeding cycle in relation to different feeding strategies in premature infants may clarify prevailing myths about neonatal GER and feeding methods,” said Sudarshan R. Jadcherla, MD, FRCPI, DCH, AGAF, director of The Neonatal and Infant Feeding Disorders Program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and lead author of this study.

To evaluate the impact of feeding variables on the acid and nonacid characteristics of GER events, Dr. Jadcherla led the evaluation of 35 infants with feeding problems who were suspected to have GER. The team tested the effects of feeding methods, feeding volumes, feeding duration, feeding flow rates, postprandial phases, feeding type (human milk or formula) and caloric density on the frequency and acid characteristics of GER events. They found higher GER rates in oral-fed infants as compared to tube-fed groups. Tube-fed infants were not naturally at increased risk for GER because on an indwelling tube. Longer feeding duration and slower milk intake or slower milk flow rates were associated with fewer GER events. The type of milk (breast milk or formula) or its caloric density had no increased effects on GER frequency or characteristics.

“The findings of this study support that modifying feeding duration and feeding flow rate can significantly reduce the frequency and characteristics of GER events,” said Dr. Jadcherla, also professor of Pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. “Our findings indicate that higher GER rates in oral-fed infants as compared to the gavage-fed group are contrary to the frequent speculation in current clinical practice.”

Nationwide Children's Hospital and Ohio State Researchers Design a Viral Vector to Treat a Genetic Form of Blindness

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:00:00 -0400

Researchers at Ohio State University Medical Center and Nationwide Children’s Hospital have developed a viral vector designed to deliver a gene into the eyes of people born with an inherited, progressive form of blindness that affects mainly males.

The vector is part of a clinical trial investigating the use of gene therapy to cure choroideremia, a disease that affects an estimated 100,000 people worldwide. The trial is being conducted by researchers at the University of Oxford in England.

The vector was designed by Dr. Matthew During, professor of molecular virology, immunology and medical genetics and of neuroscience and neurological surgery at Ohio State, in collaboration with Robert MacLaren, professor of ophthalmology at the University of Oxford, who also leads the trial.

Researcher Dr. K. Reed Clark, director of the Clinical Manufacturing Facility at the Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and his team produced the clinical-grade vector that is administered to patients in the trial.

During, who is also a visiting professor of translational neuroscience at Oxford, was in the operating room during the pioneering surgery. “I and my colleagues are excited about contributing to this significant medical breakthrough,” During says. “We have worked for many years to engineer and optimize viruses to safely deliver genes to humans, and the eye is an ideal target in many ways. The clinical vector manufacturing facility at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is outstanding, and Dr. Clark and his team deserve congratulations for providing a clinical vector that for the first time offers these patients the possibility of an effective therapy.”

During and his colleagues designed the viral vector to infect the light-sensitive photoreceptor cells that line the back of the eye and make up the retina. Choroideremia causes a degeneration of these photosensitive retinal cells and progressive blindness. The diagnosis is usually made in childhood and leads to blindness by around age 45.

“This trial represents the first attempt to treat this disease and the first time that gene therapy has been directed towards the photoreceptor cells of the human retina,” During says. “We believe it holds great promise for the treatment of other genetic causes of blindness such as retinitis pigmentosa.”

The trial’s 12 patients will be treated in one eye. It will take 24 months to know whether the gene-therapy treatment has stopped the degeneration. The trial builds on gene-therapy research performed in collaboration with Professor Miguel Seabra at Imperial College London, along with During and Clark at Ohio State.

“This disease has been recognized as an incurable form of blindness for over a hundred years,” MacLaren says. “I cannot describe the excitement in thinking that we have designed a genetic treatment that could potentially stop it in its tracks with one single injection.”

Kroger Matches Customer Contribution for $200,000 Donation to Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:00:00 -0400

Kroger customers confirmed “Kids Come First” when they donated $100,000 to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, during Child Safety Month in September. Kroger will match the donation for a $200,000 total contribution to Children’s Hospital on November 2nd at 10am Bruce Macaulay, president, The Kroger Co., Columbus Division, will make the check presentation.

Funds contributed will support Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s mission to provide the highest quality of care for all children regardless of their ability to pay. Kroger raised the money by offering coin boxes in every central Ohio Kroger store and selling paper basketballs promoted with signage featuring Thad Matta, The Ohio State University’s men’s head basketball coach.

“Keeping kids healthy and happy is a team effort that spreads across the entire community,” Matta said. “I am pleased to be involved with this fundraising opportunity to help create miracles for children whose families may not be able to afford medical attention.”

More than 2,700 children enter Nationwide Children’s Hospital every day seeking help, hope and the promise of a miracle. The hospital cares for every child—no young person is ever turned away because of the family’s inability to pay.

“Children often suffer most during difficult economic times because they have no control over their circumstances,” Macaulay said. “We are grateful to our customers for their tremendous response and willingness to reach deeply into their pockets to help kids in central Ohio enjoy a better quality of life.”

“Thank you to Kroger, Coach Matta and the entire central Ohio community for their continued support of Nationwide Children’s Hospital,” said Steve Allen, MD, chief executive officer of Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “It is with the support of our local community that we are able to care for our patients and their families – so that they can stay right here in central Ohio to receive the finest pediatric care.”

This marked the first year for the “Kids Come First” fundraiser, with Kroger planning to make the campaign an annual tradition to benefit Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

About Nationwide Children's Hospital
Ranked in U.S.News & World Report’s 2011-12 “America’s Best Children’s Hospitals,” Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit freestanding pediatric healthcare networks providing wellness, preventive, diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitative care for infants, children, and adolescents as well as adult patients with congenital disease. A medical staff of 1000 and a hospital staff of 7,600 provide state-of-the-art pediatric care for more than 949,000 patient visits annually. As home to the Department of Pediatrics of The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Nationwide Children’s Hospital physicians train the next generation of pediatricians and pediatric specialists. The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of the top 10 National Institutes of Health-funded freestanding pediatric research facilities. Nationwide Children’s remains true to the original mission since its founding in 1892 of providing care regardless of a family’s ability to pay. More information is available at NationwideChildrens.org.

About Kroger
Kroger, the nation’s largest traditional grocery retailer, employs more than 338,000 associates who serve customers in 2,458 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Jay C, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith’s. The Company also operates 786 convenience stores, 361 fine jewelry stores, 1,014 supermarket fuel centers and 40 food processing plants in the U.S. Kroger, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, focuses its charitable efforts on supporting hunger relief, health and wellness initiatives, and local organizations in the communities it serves. For more information about Kroger, please visit www.kroger.com.

For more information, please contact:
Jackie Siekmann
Media and Government Relations Manager
Kroger Columbus Division
4111 Executive Parkway
Westerville, Ohio 43081
614-898-3223

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Announces Successful Completion of Miracles At Play Challenge Supported by Nationwide Insurance and Wolfe Associates, Inc.

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:30:00 -0400

Nationwide Children’s Hospital announced today the successful completion of the Miracles At Play challenge with 100,000 people signing up to support the movement, resulting in a $100,000 gift from Wolfe Associates, Inc. The funds will be donated to Nationwide Children’s to support clinical programs, research and treatment for patients whose families have no ability to pay.

This past Valentines Day, Nationwide Insurance and Wolfe Associates, Inc. joined with Nationwide Children’s Hospital to launch Miracles At Play – a community-wide movement aimed at celebrating the many miracles that take place each and every day at the hospital. To kick-off Miracles At Play, a dramatic downtown wallscape featuring the “Miracle 7” children was unveiled. Donated by Nationwide Insurance, it towers 12 stories above downtown Columbus at 8 E. Long Street, and is one of the largest wallscape advertisements of its kind in the country.

“We’re pleased to see Miracles at Play gain traction in our community,” said Chad Jester, vice president of corporate citizenship for Nationwide. “The wallscape provided a dramatic way to introduce Miracles at Play, and support from partners like Wolfe Associates added to the momentum that began in February. It's great to see the support of Nationwide Children's Hospital grow as more people learn about the miracles happening there every day."

The public was invited to become a part of the movement by signing up at MiraclesAtPlay.org, “liking” the hospital on Facebook, following the hospital on Twitter @nationwidekids, or sharing their own miracle stories at MiraclesAtPlay.org. For each person who signed up to support the movement, Wolfe Associates, Inc. offered to donate $1 to the hospital.

“We are gratified that the community embraced this challenge and joined the Miracles At Play movement to support the hospital,” said John F. Wolfe of Wolfe Associates, Inc. “The challenge provided a way for everyone in the community to join us to help the children who are still waiting for their miracle to happen. Wolfe Associates, Inc. is proud to have been a part of the Miracles At Play kick-off challenge.”

The sign-up challenge was just the beginning of Miracles At Play, and what Nationwide Children’s hopes to be an on-going community effort. After joining the movement, supporters learn more about inspirational stories from inside Nationwide Children’s and are able to share their own miracle story (as patients and families). As part of the movement, they also have the opportunity to support the hospital through events and on-line activities such as sending e-greeting cards to hospitalized patients.

“On an average day, nearly 3,000 children and their families turn to Nationwide Children’s,” said Steve Allen, MD, chief executive officer of Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “We are here to provide the absolute best care for every one of them and no child is turned away because of the family’s inability to pay. This is only possible because of the amazing support we have here in Columbus from individuals and organizations like Nationwide Insurance and Wolfe Associates, Inc. Miracles are made possible at Nationwide Children’s because the people in this community care so much about all of our kids. On behalf of our patients, we extend heartfelt appreciation to our community, Nationwide Insurance and Wolfe Associates for their generous support.”

Gail Besner, MD, Receives R01 Grant from National Institutes of Health to Continue Research on Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 07:00:00 -0400

Gail Besner, MD, principal investigator in the Center for Perinatal Research in The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, has been awarded a 4-year R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health to continue her work on heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) and intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Dr. Besner, who holds the John E. Fisher Endowed Chair in Neonatal Research and is a Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, initially discovered HB-EGF in laboratory experiments with human white blood cells, and it was later found to be a member of the epidermal growth factor family of growth factors. This family of growth factors is important in regulating development and maintenance of various tissues.

Dr. Besner’s research examines the ability of HB-EGF to treat and prevent various forms of intestinal injury including neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Primarily seen in premature infants, NEC is the most common and most serious gastrointestinal disorder among hospitalized preterm infants. It is also their leading cause of surgical death.

Recent data suggest that HB-EGF may not only serve to treat NEC, but may also improve intestinal function afterward. Based on her laboratory discoveries, approval has been received from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to begin using HB-EGF in human clinical trials.

“Dr. Besner has been conducting this outstanding research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital for the last 20 years,” said R. Lawrence Moss, MD, surgeon-in-chief at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “This would be an impressive accomplishment for any researcher. For an individual who also manages a large clinical practice and directs a fellowship training program, the achievements are monumental. Dr. Besner’s discoveries will positively influence the lives of babies with NEC around the world.”

In addition to her role as a researcher in the Center for Perinatal Research, Dr. Besner also serves as the Program Director of the Pediatric Surgery Residency Training Program and as the Associate Burn Director at Nationwide Children’s. She is a member of the American College of Surgeons Executive Committee of the Surgical Research Committee, and recently completed a 4-year term as a full-time member of the Surgery, Anesthesia and Trauma Study Section of the National Institutes of Health. The long range goal of Dr. Besner's work is the use of HB-EGF in the prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of neonates at high risk of developing NEC in order to prevent and treat this often devastating disease.

The Research Project grant (R01) is the original and historically oldest National Institutes of Health grant mechanism. RO1s support a discrete, specified project to be performed by the named investigator.

NOTE TO EDITOR: Dr. Besner is a resident of 43016.

Gail Besner, MD, prinicpal investigator in the Center for Perinatal Research