musc catalyst

January 20, 2012 MEDICAL UNIVERSITY of SOUTH CAROLINA Vol. 30, No. 21

By Dawn Brazell

Public Relations

Luck, novel treatment save the dayIt was Dec. 13, late afternoon on a warm

Tuesday, a good day for a run or so Justin

Repshas thought. The College of Charleston

senior had finished a tough exam and needed a

break before studying for his next test.

Meanwhile, MUSC College of Nursing

student Meg Skeele was having a very bad day.

She was exhausted between exams and work

and just felt out of sorts in general. A friend

coaxed her to go out to eat to cheer her up. She

agreed.

In an unusual turn of events, MUSC

research fellow Michael Bernard, M.D., Ph.D.,

was able to leave work early — a very rare event

— to go Christmas shopping for his wife at a

cookware store downtown.

How they all happened to end up on a side

street downtown just when Repshas’ life

depended on it, no one knows. Repshas is just

glad they did. The three recently got to meet at

MUSC, celebrate how well Repshas is doing

and share their stories.

Dr. Michael Bernard, Justin Repshas and Meg Skeele meet at MUSC to celebrate how well Repshasis recovering following his collapse Dec. 13.

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

42 Community support

MUSC employees and staff giveback through Trident United Way.

3

11

5MUSC employees and students may takeadvantage of free smoking-cessation classes

Meet Allyson

Classified Ads

tobaCCo-free marCh 1 Excellence in Nursing

See Repshas on page 8

The Diagnosis:Repshas has left ventricle noncompactioncardiomyopathy. It’s an abnormal developmentof heart muscle where the muscle fibers donot form a compact layer. Instead the musclefibers are loosely packed in almost a sponge-like manner, which can lead to heart failure,

arrhythmias and other heart disorders.Occurrence:Repshas condition is very rare (1-2 per1,000,000 people). Bernard said there are doc-tors who’ve been at MUSC for three decadeswho haven’t seen this type of case. Repshas istreated with hypothermia protocol.

2 The CaTalysT, January 20, 2012

The Catalyst is published once a week.Paid adver tisements, which do notrepresent an endorsement by MUSCor the State of South Carolina, arehandled by Island Publications Inc. ,Moultrie News, 134 Columbus St. ,Charleston, S.C., 843-849-1778 or843-958-7490. E-mail: [email protected].

Editorial of ficeMUSC Office of Public Relations135 Cannon Street, Suite 403C,Charleston, SC 29425.843-792-4107Fax: 843-792-6723

Editor: Kim [email protected]

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

The word is out; MUSC is becomingtobacco-free March 1.

In support of those employees andstudents who choose to quit smoking asa result of this policy or who are simplyready to kick the habit, MUSC PresidentRay Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D., requestedthat smoking-cessation resources bemade available free of charge for a six-month period to coincide with the newtobacco-free campus policy.

A multi-disciplinary team ofprofessionals, led by Susan Johnson,Ph.D., of MUSC Employee Wellness,has developed a comprehensive program,MUSC’s Pitch the Pack, to help smokersquit — free of charge.

“Knowing that a combination ofmedication and therapy creates thebest results, we are providing classes,counseling, and medications free ofcharge for our folks,” Johnson said. “Wehave options to meet every schedule andpreference – whether it is face to face,online, telephonic or simply to go solowith the help of cessation medications.”

The program uses resources from theMUSC community – from psychologistsand physicians to pharmacists anddietitians – to provide as manyopportunities to help employees andstudents quit.

Pitch the Pack is available to MUSCstudents and employees free of chargethrough June. The first step is tocomplete the online enrollment format http://www.musc.edu/medcenter/health1st. Questions will direct thestudent or employee to services,including one month of nicotine

replacement therapy or a one-monthstarter supply of prescription medicationas recommended by a physician.

Students will be directed to StudentHealth or Counseling and PsychologicalServices for individual consultations.Employees should visit their physicianor may be referred to MUSC FamilyMedicine or Rapid Access physiciansfor assistance. Coupons for medicationsmust be redeemed at MUSC pharmaciesor MUSC Family Medicine to takeadvantage of the free offer. Registrationfor classes is available through the onlineenrollment form and includes:p Smoking Cessation Clinics – Monthlythree-session cessation clinics facilitatedby a multidisciplinary team, includingphysicians, psychologists and trainedstaff free of charge for MUSC employees,

students and family members. Classesmeet once a week at 5:30 p.m., Room102, Colbert Education Center &Library beginning Jan. 23.p Non-Smoking Section – Offeredby the Institute of Psychiatry, QuitSmoking class from noon to 1 p.m. onthe first Wednesday of each month,at the Center for Drug and AlcoholPrograms (CDAP), 4-North, beginningFeb. 1. The class is conducted bya licensed clinical psychologist and offerssuggestions to help achieve a smoke-freelifestyle. Anyone is welcome to attend;no pre-registration is needed.p Freedom From Smoking Clinic– Developed by the American LungAssociation and provides a group settingfor adults to work through the quittingprocess. There are eight group sessionsled by trained facilitators and physicianswho are also MUSC employees. Thisclinic is open to all MUSC employees,students and spouses. This seven-weekclinic meets at noon on Thursdays inRoom 102, Colbert Education Center &Library beginning April 19.

In addition to group classes, thefollowing individual resources areavailable in person, online or by phone:p Pharmacy Counseling – Clinicalpharmacists are available at anyMUSC pharmacy to answer questionsrelated to cessation medications andconditions. Participants may be eligiblefor one-on-one specialized counselingwith a credentialed pharmacistthrough the pharmacotherapy clinic ifreferred by an MUSC physician. Thisprogram provides an individualizedsmoking cessation program developedby ambulatory clinical specialists thatmay involve behavior modification,medications and other resources. Forinformation, call 876-0199 or visithttp://www.muschealth.com/prescriptionrefill/.p Quit for Life Program – This onlineprogram was developed by the AmericanCancer Society and Alere Wellbeingand is offered by the State Health Planand BlueChoice to subscribers and theircovered dependents. It includes a shortterm supply of nicotine replacementtherapy free of charge and individual

phone consultations by an individualquit coach. Free for employees coveredunder the state health plan, visit https://www.quitnow.net/scstatehealthplan/ProgramLookup/EnrollNow/ to register.p The SC Tobacco Quit Line – Free toall S.C. residents, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW(784-8669) or visit http://www.scdhec.gov/health/chcdp/tobacco/quitforkeeps.htm.

Participants who register for Pitchthe Pack through the online enrollmentform may be eligible to participate in astudy using a smart phone app designedto relieve stress activated urges to smoke,led by researchers Frank Treiber, Ph.D.,and Jeanette Andrews, Ph.D., of MUSCCollege of Nursing. In addition, allparticipants will receive a complimentarysuccess kit filled with gifts to helpthem successfully stop smoking such aspedometers, stress balls, exercise bands,passes to the Wellness Center andcoupons for a free beverage at MUSCcafeterias. Follow-up consultations andsupport groups will be available to ensurelong-term success.

For information on Pitch the Pack,call 792-1245 or email [email protected]. Other opportunities to learnabout resources will be provided onTobacco Free Tuesdays the month ofFebruary. One-hour information sessionswill provide employees and students theopportunity to learn about cessationoptions during their lunch break. Classesare scheduled at noon in Room 113,Colbert Education Center & Library.Information booths will also be set up invarious locations between 11 a.m. and 1p.m. on Feb. 14, 21 and 28.

For information on MUSC’s Tobacco-free campus and policy, visit http://www.musc.edu/tobaccofree.

“MUSC is committed to creating aculture of wellness and providing theseservices is just one step in our journey toa healthier community and a healthierSouth Carolina,” said Johnson. Visithttp://tinyurl.com/7ll6y5n.

To view a video of Respiratory Care’sAmanda McGarrigle, visit http://tinyurl.com/7lm3fe2. McGarrigle talks aboutthe effects of carbon monoxide found incigarettes.

Employees offered free smoking cessation resources

Clearing the AirPitch the Pack program

The CaTalysT, January 20, 2012 3

Statewide nursing awards honors MUSC recipients

Five MUSC nurses were recognized for excellenceand outstanding contributions to health care in

the Palmetto state by the South Carolina League forNursing. The 2011 Award for Excellence was presentedto MUSC nurses during the annual awards banquetNov. 11 in Columbia.

Award recipients include Jeanne Barriera andMelinda Biller, Children’s Hospital, June Darby,Melissa Forinash and Leah Ramos of the UniversityHospital. Tiffany H. Williams, a nursing instructor inthe College of Nursing, received a teaching scholarship.

Barriera is an advanced practice nurse honoredfor her contribution to evidenced-based practice inbreastfeeding. A lactation consultant in MUSC’sLactation Center, Barriera works with very lowbirth weight infants and their mothers to increasebreastfeeding rates among term mothers and infants.

Biller is nurse manager of the Pediatric IntensiveCare Unit. She has been instrumental in promoting aninterdisciplinary, evidenced-based practice to ensure ahigh level of specialty care in her 11-bed unit.

Described as a collaborator and advocate for hernurses, Biller is involved with improving programs forpatient safety.

By CinDy aBole

Public Relations

MUSC nurses Leah Ramos, from left, JuneDarby and Melissa Forinash were among sixnurses recognized for nursing excellence asrecipients of the 2011 S.C. League for Nursingawards. Not pictured are Children’s Hospitalhonorees Jeanne Barriera and Melinda Biller.College of Nursing’s Tiffany H. Williams was arecipient of a teaching scholarship.

Darby is a 40-year nursing veteran who works as theadministrator for the Neuroscience Service Line. Darby

began working at MUSC in 1998 as a manager of theAdult Medical Surgical Services area in AmbulatoryCare and later as director of nursing for TherapeuticServices in 2004. She serves as president of the S.C.Organization of Nurse Leaders.

Forinash, director of patient care systems andbusiness support services, OCIO, was recognized forher excellence and experience working in nursing andhealth care information technology. A nurse of 36 years,Forinash has been involved in multiple key hospitalsystem applications and nursing informatics programscombining the effective use of technology and healthcare to improve the patient experience.

Ramos is nurse manager of the 9East NeuroscienceIntermediate Unit, a 23-bed step-down unit andone of the primary units for the Joint Commission-accredited Primary Stroke Center. Named recently asMUSC Nurse Manager of the Year, Ramos is regardedas a mentor, leader and role model to her staff andcolleagues.

Williams received both her undergraduate andmaster’s degrees in nursing from MUSC. With 18years of pediatric nursing experience, Williams is anactive advocate for families parenting children withspecial needs. She works with her faculty practice at theFranklin C. Fetter John’s Island site and MUSC school-based health clinics in the Tri-county.

CM07-672900

Selling Charleston

• South Carolina Native – MUSC Focused• Placing your home on 40+ websites• 15 years marketing and sales leadership

experience• [email protected]

BryanThompsonRealestate.com

Bryan Thompson843-452-1686

IP01-684792


Employees donating up to $1,000 each

Employees, staff supports charities, organizationsMUSC would like to thank the hundreds of MUSC,

Medical University Hospital Authority, MUSC Physiciansand Carolina Family Care employees who donatedduring the 2011 Trident United Way (TUW) Campaign.More than $192,000 was raised for TUW’s charitableorganizations in the Lowcountry. For information onthe campaign, call 792-1973. Thank you to the followingindividuals who donated this year:

More than $1,000 each

Jayne Ahlstrom, Mary Albano, Concetta Albertine, Jen-nifer Aldrich, Mary Allen, Shirley Anderson, RichardAnderson, Andrew Atz, Thierry Bacro, Luanna Bar-tholomew, Lillian Batiste, Susan Bishop, Deborah Black-well, Marcy Bolster, Beth Borden, Andrew Bracken,Karen Bridgeman, Robert Brooks, Deborah Browning,Faith Brownlee, Faith Butler, Deborah Byrd, MaryannCarruthers, Gena Ciabattari, Susan Clark, DeborahCody, Kristen Coe, Carleen Cohen, Brian Collins, Cas-sidy Conner, Harriet Cooney, Linda Cope, Betty Craig,Jean Craig, Kathryn Cullinan, Bienvenido Dadulla,Camilia Darby, Anna Delamar, Joseph Dipiro, Chris-topher Discolo, Ann Donaldson, Becky Dornisch, ArlyDouglass, Erin Drevets, Mary Dubis, Judy Dubno, Su-san Duckworth, Valerie Durkalski-Mauldin, Dallas Ellis,Gwendolyn Ewing, Charles Ferguson, Pamela Ferguson,Mary Fischer, Jeanine Gage, Christine Gainer, BarbaraGarrett, Gerry Garza, Candace Gillespie, Sharon Gil-liard, Therese Ann Ginn, Helen Gosnell, Kesha GrahamBrett Green, David Habib, Dieter Haemmerich, MyraHaney, Nasiru Haruna, Ray Heissenbuttle, Marilyn Hen-derson, Karen Hills, Karen Hiott, Cynthia Hipp, JohnHolmes, Patricia Iverson, Richard Jablonski, Leigh Jai-mes, Nicole Jefferson, Dorothea Jenkins, Andre Kadima,Diane Kamen, Cynthia Karr, Michael Keels, Jane Kelley,Kelly Kercher, Lisa Kerr, Sharon Kest, Peter Kobes, Kath-leen Kuhn, Michelle Lattimore, Anne Leclercq, MorrisLent, Eric Lentsch, Susan Lucas, Nancy Macaulay, Ste-phen Malley, Phyllis Malpas, Leigh Manzi, Vicki Marsi,Debbie McCravy, Marshall McFadden, Toni McHugh,Nancy McKeehan, Whitney McLuen, Meaghan McNa-mara, Ted Meyer, Maralynne Mitcham, Jennifer Nall,Jean Nappi, Pauline Nelson, Brad Neville, James Oates,Stephanie Oberempt, Terrence O'Brien, Kimberly Orr,Alison Padlan Gillette, G. Shashidhar Pai, WendyParker, Elizabeth Parrish, Lauree Pearson, John Pigott,Tiombe Plair, Susan Pletcher, Joseph Powell, RobertPoyer, Katherine Prechter, Amanda Putney, CarolynRagsdale, Deborah Reynolds, Beth-Ann Rhoton, Shan-non Richards-Slaughter, Catherine Rogers, Robin Rose,Erica Rouvalis, Debra Ryan, Naomi Sampson, BettySandifer, Rodney Schlosser, Sharon Schuler, SuzanneScott, Anbesaw Selassie, Melissa Serrano, Hazel Shef-ton, Michelle Shorter, Donna Simmons, Joseph Sistino,Judith Skoner, Karen Sloggatt, Allison Slyby, ZacharySoler, Edward Soltis, Nancy Springs, Terry Stanley, SallyStroud, Kellie Suggs, Nancy Tassin, Paula Thies, Ken-

neth Thomas, Michael Ul-lian, Odessa Ussery, KarenWager, Robert Warren,Karen Weaver, Nancy Wes-sell, Susan Wetherholt,Karen Wiggers, Chara Wil-liams, Kimberly Willis, Laurel Willis, Melissa Wimberly,Marilyn Winkel, Cynthia Wright and James Zoller.

Anne Abel, David Adams, Lawrence Afrin, Thomas An-derson, Raymond Anton, Jane Ariail, David Bachman,Prabhakar Baliga, Nicholas Batalis, John Bosso, ThomasBrothers, Amy Campbell, James Carter, Donald Castell,Laurine Charles, Alexander Chessman, Philip Costello,Peter Cotton, Caroline Counts, Fred Crawford, NancyCurry, Terrence Day, Brenda Dorman, Nancy Duffy,James Edwards, Juanita Epps, Evert Eriksson, HowardEvert, Samir Fakhry, Jim Fisher, David Garr, MarionGillespie, Michael Gold, Raymond Greenberg, RichardGross, Orin Guidry, James Harris, Langdon Hartsock,Marc Hassid, Joshua Hornig, Mark Hoy, Walter Huda,

William Hueston, Peter Kali-vas, Darcy Kalles, Janice Key,Dana King, John Kratz, JeromeKurent, Jan Kylstra, Paul Lam-bert, John Lazarchick, StuartLeon, Walter Limehouse,

Kathleen Mahoney, Mary Mauldin, Jill Jenkins, WilliamMcKibbin, Bruce Mills, Lisa Montgomery, David Neff,Roger Newman, Edward Norcross, Paul O'Brien, Ste-ven Ornstein, Murray Passo, Krisha Patel, Steve Pater-niti, Fletcher Penney, Mae Millicent Peterseim, JenniferPierce, Etta Pisano, Ross Pollack, Paul Pritchard, Shan-non Ravenel, Charles Rittenberg, Martha Roddy, EricRovner, Michelle Rovner, Lisa Saladin, J. Philip Saul,Peggy Schachte, Marilyn Schaffner, Michael Schmidt,Sally Self, William Simpson, Chloe Singleton, CharlesSmith, Rosanne Smith, W. Stuart Smith, David Soper,Mark Sothmann, David Soutter, Eve Spratt, Gail Stu-art, M. Michael Swindle, Fred Tecklenburg, Paul Under-wood, Bruce Usher, James Vandorsten, Dennis Watson,C. Wayne Weart, David White, Amy Wilson, DaynnaWolff and Catherine Wood.

MUSC’s Storm Eye Institute hosted a dinner in honor of Dr. Baerbel Rohrer who is therecipient of the Stanley H. and Theodora L. Feldberg Endowed Chair. Rohrer is a principalinvestigator at the institute whose eye research focuses on neuro-protective agents in retinadevelopment and disease. From left are: Margery Feldberg of New York; Dr. Lucian V. DelPriore, Pierre Jenkins Professor and Chair, Ophthalmology Department; Mark Feldberg ofCalifornia; Dr. William Stell, University of Calgary, Canada; Theodora L. Feldberg of HiltonHead Island; Rohrer; Dr. Christian Rohrer and Doris Rohrer of Stuttgart, Germany; Dr. RayGreenberg, MUSC president; and Dr. Etta Pisano, dean of the College of Medicine.

Recipient of Feldberg Endowed Chair named


Meet Allyson

Allyson DodsonCollegeSecond semester, Accelerated Bachelorof Nursing Program in the College ofNursingHow are you changing what’spossible at MUSCI am taking an active role in preventingchildhood obesity through programs suchas the Junior Doctors of Health.Dream jobPsychiatry nurse practitionerWhat do you admire most about Dr.Martin Luther KingHe utilized nonviolent means to achievehis goals. Dr. King never gave up on hisdreams or the goodness of people even inthe face of extreme diversity. He taughtthat all life is interrelated, realizing thatstatement would unify people much betterthan hate and separation.Last book read1984 by George OrwellAmust-have in the pantryPopcornMeal you love to cookLasagnaDream vacationI would go to Costa Rica for a few weeksto spend time on the beach and explore thejungles, then travel around Asia for a fewmonths.

For more information on the Community Celebration, contact IdaSpruill, Ph.D., R.N., 792-3873, or email [email protected].

MUSC will recognize National PrimaryCare Week Jan. 23 – 26. Presentationswill be held from noon until 12:50 p.m.in Room 100, Basic Science Building

According to the American MedicalStudent Association, the event highlightsthe importance of primary care andbrings health care professionals togetherto discuss and learn about generalist andinterprofessional health care.

Lunch will be provided to the first75 students. The seminars are: Jan.23–“Telemedicine and Rural HealthCare: The Present and Vision for theFuture;” Jan. 24–“Rural Health Care andthe Interprofessional Team: ProfessionalSatisfaction and Financial Incentives;”Jan. 25–“The Roles and Scope ofPractice for Physician Assistants, NursePractitioners, and Registered Nurses inRural Settings;” and Jan. 26–“How OralHealth Prevention Can Be Enhancedwith Medical/Dental Collaboration.”

Visit http://www.musc.edu/catalyst/archive/2012/co1-20primary.html for acomplete listing.

MUSC to observePrimary Care Week

CM

02-670875

Helping people achieve the American Dream is the best job in the wholeworld. As a sales and marketing Broker for the Bee Street Lofts andworking with numerous healthcare professionals, my dream of “makinga difference” and giving back is coming to fruition.

Very simply, when you by or sell a home through me, I donate a portionof my net commission to the 501 (C) 3 charity of your choice in yourname. No smoke, no mirrors, no kidding.

My Heavenly Reward Can Be Yours, Too!

Josephine Traina, Broker Associatec 843.793.4023 • Josephine@CarolinaOne.comWWW.BEESTREETLOFTS.COMwww.charlestonwelcomehome.comwww.myheavenlyreward.com49 Broad Street • Charleston, SC 29401

CM07-672943


Okurase: celebration forges global bondsMUSC hosted a special exhibition of

images from Ghana, West Africa, as partof its global health strategic initiative.

More than 200 people attended theJan. 12 celebration that Cynthia CupitSwenson, Ph.D., associate director ofthe Family Services Research Center(FSRC), described as a vivacious linkingof West African andLowcountry cultureand an introduction ofCharlestonians to thevillage of Okurase inthe eastern region ofGhana.

The evening beganwith a performanceby Djole — a youthWest African danceand drummingcompany from NorthCharleston. Samuel“Powerful” Yeboahand Ayodele Scott, hiscolleague from SierraLeone, followed witha Tamaraneh (comingtogether) performance.

MUSC PresidentRay Greenberg, M.D.,Ph.D., highlighted the university’sglobal strategic initiative and introducedYeboah, who updated the group onthe building of the vocational schooland hopes for a medical center. GeraldBybee, a renowned photographerfrom San Francisco, spoke about hisexperience in Okurase and developmentof Okurase: Portrait of a Village.

Swenson said the event raised$630 toward the 2012 Village HealthOutreach. Funds will be used primarilyto purchase malaria testing kits and antimalaria medications. “But, critical to

the work in Ghana was the connectionsmade and partnerships forged thatevening and the days that followed,” shesaid.

Project Okurase’s building goalsare to complete the vocational schooland begin job training programs andto conduct significant work towards

completion of the medicalcenter in 2012. Swenson saidthe plan is to develop anexchange program betweenGhana and MUSC inclinical research and healthcare.

All aspects of ProjectOkurase (Opportunity,Knowledge, Understanding,Renewed Health, Arts-Based, Skills Training andEducation) are guided bythe people of the villageand the goal is to developstrategies and interventionsto resolve key issues that arecontributing to significanthealth problems.

Swenson said Okurase isbecoming a teaching village.As strategies are learned

and implemented to overcome its keyhealth issues, those strategies will betaught to people in other villages inGhana and beyond by and through thepeople of Okurase. FSRC projects, partof MUSC’s Department of Psychiatryand Behavioral Sciences, reach across theglobe and typically involve community-based services and research on atreatment called multisystemic therapy.

For more information on ProjectOkurase or how to support its mission,visit http://www.projectokurase.org/about_us/.

Dr. Ray Greenberg,Ayodele Scott from

Sierra Leone, Dr.Cynthia Cupit

Swenson, GeraldBybee and Dr. Mary

Sanders from SanFrancisco, Roberta

Sokolitz and SamuelNkrumah Yeboahfrom Ghana gatherfor a group photo.

Samuel Nkrumah Yeboah - “Powerful” - performs. Pictured far right isDjole, a West African dance/drumming company from North Charleston.

Photos courtesy of Anne Thompson, Digital Imaging

See the recent Post andCourier story:

visit http://tinyurl.com/86oe34p

in The news

The Catalyst, January 20, 2012 7

More than 100 students and staffgathered to remember Dr. Martin LutherKing Jr. at a Jan. 17 ceremony at St.Luke’s Chapel.

This student-driven program featuredtalks from guest speakers, music frommultiple gospel choirs and spokenreflection. MUSC students also honoredMarvella Ford, Ph.D., a behavioralscientist and cancer epidemiologistwith Hollings Cancer Center’s CancerDisparities Program, with an award forher dedication, service and work withthe Lowcountry’s African-Americancommunity and her ongoing efforts thatembody and exemplify characteristicspromoted by King.

This event was sponsored by the BlackHistory Intercollegiate Consortium,which is composed of The Citadel,Trident Technical College, CharlestonSouthern University and MUSC.

At MUSC’s campus, the annual Dr.Martin Luther King Jr. CommemorativeProgram and Student Essay Contestwas held Jan. 12. MUSC studentswere invited to write a 1,200 wordessay reflecting on King’s quote: “Allprogress is precarious, and the solutionof one problem brings us face to facewith another problem.” The top threeessay winners received a plaque and

Dr. Marvella Ford, left, accepts the MUSC 2012 MLK Award from ElenaGore, a biostatistics and epidemiology student.

MLK’s legacy remembered

cash stipend. First place went to P.Andres Rodriguez, College of Medicine;second place, Allyson Dodson, Collegeof Nursing; and third place, RaenaHariharan, College of Medicine.

Andres Rodriquez won first placein the essay contest. To read thewinning essays, visit http://tinyurl.com/6u6nuc9.

CM

07-682240


Changing What’s possibleOn Dec. 13 Repshas, 22, an avid runner and soccerplayer, only remembers slowing down. Then he blackedout.

As Skeele was driving by, she remembers seeing acrowd of people around someone lying in the grass,someone who looked somewhat like her youngerbrother. Her ‘gut’ told her to stop, and her friend didn’tmind. She assessed the situation and realized he neededCPR. “He was just helpless on the ground and no onewas doing anything. His pulse was thready, and he hadstopped breathing.”

She dropped down to begin compressions, silentlysinging the Bee Gees’ tune “Staying Alive” as she hadbeen taught to do in trainings. She laughs. “It has theright rhythm.”

Mentally freaking out, she tried to remain composed.“It’s totally different from simulation lab,” she said.

Then Bernard, who specializes in heart arrhythmias,drove by after having no luck in getting a gift. He sawsomeone doing CPR and stopped to help. ThoughSkeele knew EMS had been called, she said it was sucha relief to see him arrive and have a “senior official”there.

Bernard monitored Repshas’ pulse and Skeelecontinued to do compressions. Help from theCharleston Fire Department and EMS arrived in whatseemed an eternity to Skeele, and Bernard briefed theemergency technicians on Repshas’ condition. At thetime, Skeele and Bernard thought the patient, who hadno identification, would be taken to another hospital.

Skeele said she got in her car and sat for awhile inshock. Later, she tried to find out how he was, butpatient privacy laws kept her from being able to getany information on his condition. Frustrated, Skeeleaccepted she may never know the young man’s fate, butthen she saw an email from her nursing college that lether know Bernard was looking for her.

Repshas ended up at MUSC for treatment since hehad no identification. Bernard said he noticed a 22-year-old was in ICU who had avoided sudden cardiac death.Bernard thought who else could that be?

In all the craziness he had forgotten Skeele’s name,but the family wanted to meet her. When Skeele cameto visit, the family was in the waiting room. She wasintroduced and the mom, Chris Bernock, beamed ather saying, “This is the one. Let me give you a big hug.”

Skeele said it was one of the most emotionally-charged moments she’s ever had and she instantly likedBernock. “His mom was so calm and pulled together. Itwas fantastic meeting her. I met his sister, too.”

Though Bernard was not directly involved withRepshas’ care, he did end up putting in his implantablecardioverter defibrillator before Repshas wasdischarged. Repshas has a very rare (1-2 per 1,000,000people) condition called left ventricle noncompactioncardiomyopathy. Bernard said there are doctors who’ve

been at MUSC for three decades who haven’t seen thistype of case. It’s an abnormal development of heartmuscle where the muscle fibers do not form a compactlayer. Instead the muscle fibers are loosely packed inalmost a sponge-like manner, which can lead to heartfailure, arrhythmias and other heart disorders.

Repshas was treated with a hypothermia protocolwhere the body core temperature is cooled for 24 hoursand then slowly rewarmed to a normal temperature.During this time, Repshas was sedated in a drug-induced coma and carefully monitored in the ICU.Bernard said the procedure has been shown to reducebrain injury after cardiac arrests.

Bernard praised how Skeele handled the situation,encouraging everyone who can learn CPR to do so.

“She provided prompt CPR that probably made thedifference in his outcome. Providing early and sustainedCPR is one of the most important factors in survival.

After sudden cardiac death, there is a very narrowwindow to successfully resuscitate somebody. After onlyfive to 10 minutes, survival approaches zero percent.The fact that she recognized the situation and actedaccordingly saved Justin’s life.”

As for Skeele, she said the event changed her life.She has found nursing takes her heart and soul. “Ittakes everything about yourself. I’ve learned a lotabout myself and what people have to go throughwhen they’re sick. This experience has changed me. It’sconnected me to what I want to do.”

She knows now more than ever that she has chosenthe right profession. In school nursing students hearhow they will make a difference in patients’ lives, buthaving it actually happen was inspirational for her, shesaid.

Repshas, who has returned to school, said theexperience has changed him as well. “I feel very, verylucky to come out as strong as I was before. It was veryscary.”

He’s very grateful that Skeele and Bernard showed upwhen they did, and the support he got from emergencypersonnel, the City of Charleston police and friendswho helped to get him identified and MUSC staff.

“Words can’t explain how grateful I am. They savedmy life. It was a really fortunate series of events that day.It gives you a different outlook in life. The small thingsin life matter more. I couldn’t be happier to be herewith my friends and family.”

Repshas, who is back in school at College of Charleston, took time out of his schedule to meet withlocal media to thank all the people involved in his miraculous recovery.

repshas Continued from Page One

“They saved my life. It wasa really fortunate series ofevents that day. It gives you adifferent outlook in life.”

Justin Repshas


A call for nominations is under wayto all faculty and students. The purposeof these awards is to recognize membersof the MUSC faculty who have madeoutstanding contributions to theuniversity through teaching.

Awards may be given from theClinical/Professional (Educator-Mentor);Scholarship/Academic (Educator-Mentor); Educator-Lecturer; andDeveloping Teacher.

Any regular, full-time facultymember who holds an academic rank

of instructor or higher in a college ordepartment of MUSC, who has notbeen the recipient of this award withinthe previous three years is eligible fornomination.

The deadline for nominations is Jan.27. Nominees will be invited to submitsupporting materials, and a committeeof faculty and students will select therecipients for this year’s awards.

Forms may be found at http://www.carc.musc.edu/nomination/.

For information, call 792-2228.

Nominations being accepted for awards

CM07-641598

Primary Care Physicianspecializing in pain

management needed ASAP.

Practice offers Botox/Restylaneinjections & laser hair removal services.

Willing to train. Part time position tostart leading to full time.

Salary negotiable.

Call for interview 843-873-5606.

SJ07-666367

IP07-671910a

HAFA Short Sale Certified REALTORSCall us to see if you qualify for this Short Sale Program

Call today to listyour home!

Visual Tourof theWeek.

Call Matt Poole at 830-0027 or

Randall Sandin at 209-9667to learn more

Final 2011 numbers- 67 closed sales!

Thanks to all our clientsfor a great year!

Visit www.EdHunnicutt.com843-270-0292

IP02-681304 1


C01-682179

1518 Savannah Hwy • 843-571-2727For Complete Inventory www.VolvoOfCharleston.com

Sales Hours Monday-Saturday 9am-7pm. Closed Sunday.

Visit Our Site For Other Makes and Models:

WWW.VOLVOOFCHARLESTON.COM

SERVICE SPECIAL FOR OUR LOYAL VOLVO CUSTOMERS$29.95 OIL CHANGE + COMPLIMENTARY

60 POINT INSPECTION* LIMITED TIME ONLY

*36-month lease, 10,000 miles per year, and $3,000 total due at lease signing. No security deposit required. Tax, tags, and fee included. All offers expire January 31, 2012. **Safe + Secure Coverage Plan excludes tires.

5 YEAR WARRANTY 5 YEAR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE 5 YEAR WEAR & TEAR

2012 VOLVO S60STK# 212335

MSRP $32,025LEASE IT NOW FOR

$299MO. FOR 36 MONTHS

2012 VOLVO XC60STK# 212532

MSRP $34,175LEASE IT NOW FOR

$399MO. FOR 36 MONTHS

YOUR VOLVO XC60 & S60

YOURSYOUR VOLVO XC60 & S60

YOURS


CM02-668088

PRACTICING LAW IN CHARLESTONFOR 23 YEARS

THE LAW OFFICE OF

PETER DAVID BROWN, P.A.749 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., Suite AMt. Pleasant, SC 29464www.peterdavidbrown.com • 843-971-0099

DISCREET HANDLING OF ADULT& JUVENILE CRIMINAL CHARGES

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

PERSONAL INJURY

SOCIAL SECURITY CLAIMS

IP04-675033

IP04-675034

Part Time Mothers Helperwanted for 10 month old babyboy. Must have pediatric experi-ence, RN/child life/ teachingexperience. Days/Evenings -Hours negotiable. $20-25 perhour. Call 843-754-0412

Studio Apt in historic house onAshley Ave across from MUSCApprox. 600 sf. New appliancesOff-street parking. Utilities provided except for cable&phone. Verquiet. $800/ mo. 864-240-2455 or864-569-4623.

Rental Properties

Misc. Services

CLASSIFIED PCLASSIFIED PAGEAGE• Household Personal Items for

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

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

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

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

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

TO ADVERTISEIN THE

CATALYSTCALL 849-1778


C07-674258

musc catalyst

Documents