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N E W S F R O M T H E R E G I O N ’ S P R E M I E R A C A D E M I C M E D I C A L C E N T E R

ADVANCES MAY 5, 2016

Program Spotlight:New MS support

2

Hall’s big gift ensures cancer center ‘will be ready’ for next step

An $8 million gift from the Hall Family Foundation will enhance The University of Kansas Cancer Center’s pursuit of an NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center designation.

The cancer center, currently a National Cancer Institute-designated center, plans to apply for the higher comprehensive designation in September.

Bill Hall, president of the Hall Family Foundation, said the opportunity to support advance-ments in cancer care was an inspiration behind the gift, which was announced April 20.

“The KU Cancer Center provides local patients the assur-ance they are receiving the most advanced cancer treatments and availability to clinical trials,” he said. “We are pleased to join with so many others who have sup-ported the KU Cancer Center.”

The Hall gift is divided into three areas: • $4 million toward recruitment

of a director of medical oncology• $2 million matching gift for

the recruitment of a researcher specializing in hematological malignancies and immunother-apy, in concert with Children’s Mercy Hospital

• $2 million to support the Institute for Advancing Medical Innovation, whose mission is to develop pharma-ceuticals and diagnostics with a clear path to market

The cancer center seeks to take its NCI designation to the next level: Comprehensive cancer center designation, the highest recognition for an academic cancer center. The step would open doors to expanded research funding and related economic benefits, and it would bring the most advanced cancer care to patients.

Out of 5,000 cancer centers in the country, just 69 are NCI-designated. Of those, only 45 have achieved comprehensive designation.

“We are very grateful for the

Hall Family Foundation’s ongoing support,” said cancer center Director Roy Jensen, MD. “This generous gift will support our ef-forts toward meeting the amplified criteria for NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center designation.

“The cancer center will face a rigorous evaluation process after our application is submitted in September,” he added. “This gift ensures the KU Cancer Center will be ready.”

Major boost for NCI Comprehensive effort

For the cancer center’s Roy Jensen, MD (left), the $8 million gift from the Hall Family Foundation, led by Don Hall (center), will support advanced research and patient care.

To suggest a By the Numbers, email Advances@kumc.edu.

Every first Monday in May – known as Melanoma Monday – The University of Kansas Cancer Center hosts the area’s largest free screening for melanoma and other skin cancers. 533People screened on Melanoma Monday since the program started

15.5% Percentage of screenings that

required biopsies (2013-2015)

By the Numbers: Melanoma screeningsScreenings by year Screenings by gender How many cancer cases

will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year?

Prostate ......................................180,000 Respiratory ...............................243,000 Breast ...........................................249,000 Digestive ...................................304,000 Skin cancer...................... 6,000,000* Suspicious findings

2013

2014

2015

2016

Female

74.3%

Male

25.7%

* 76,000 melanoma 5.4 million basal and squamous cell

Events Derby Fest – The Kansas City

Derby Fest, a Kentucky Derby watch party benefiting the University of Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Center, is 3-6 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at Cleaver & Cork in the Power & Light District. Activities include a live band, parade of local race horses, silent and live auctions and best derby hat contest. Go to kcderbyfest.com for tickets and details.

Power of gratitude – What happens when we use the power of our heart and are aware of things in life for which we are truly grateful? We may experi-ence a more hopeful attitude, less stress, clearer perspective and improved relationships with ourselves and others. The interactive group session is noon-1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 12, at Turning Point: The Center for Hope and Healing in Leawood. Call 913-574-0900 to register.

Chronic pain support – Join a supportive environment with others who experience chronic pain. The class, structured to focus on common challenges of dealing with pain and how to meet these challenges, is 2-3 p.m. Thursday, May 19, at Turning Point: The Center for Hope and Healing in Leawood. Call 913-574-0900 to register.

Heart Walk – The University of Kansas Hospital again is form-ing a team to participate in the American Heart Association’s annual Heart & Stroke Walk/5K, which is Saturday, June 18, at the Power & Light District. The team is open to staff and the public. Email Nichole Kempf (nkempf@kumc.edu) to join.

London calling – The second annual “Party of the Summer” is Saturday, June 25, under the 12th Street Bridge in downtown Kansas City. The evening, which features a range of London-themed food and entertainment stations, benefits programs at The University of Kansas Hospital’s Turning Point: The Center for Hope and Healing. Go to turningpointkc.org for details.

PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT

More help for multiple sclerosis patientsThousands of people in Kansas

and the greater Kansas City area afflicted with multiple sclerosis (MS) have a new place to seek treatment and support.

The MS Achievement Center, which opened last month at the University of Kansas Medical Center, is one of just eight programs in the country providing integrated services for people with MS to improve their emotional health, physical function and lifestyle habits.

MS is an often disabling disease of the central nervous system, disrupting the flow of information within the brain and between the brain and body. There is no cure, but treatments can help speed recovery from attacks, modify the course of the disease and manage symptoms.

Located at the medical center’s Landon Center on Aging, the new MS center allows caregivers to see more patients in a better environment.

“The idea is we can give better quality care to our patients if we have more space, and we can help coordinate that care more efficiently,” said neurologist Sharon Lynch, MD, the center’s

medical director. “We can also better manage our research into treatments and cures for MS and our clinical trials.”

The opening follows years of fundraising, including an $800,000 grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.

Seventy percent of the center’s 49 patients, called members, are in wheelchairs. There’s room now for more than 100 members.

The new area offers five exam rooms, and every feature of the facility is equipped for MS patients dealing with mobility, balance and dexterity obstacles.

The center also includes a therapy gym with specialized equipment, a kitchen for meal prep and home modification strategies, and a stu-dio with a large-group gathering space for movement classes, yoga and education programs.

“We are all about hope and providing options for people who haven’t had a lot of options,” said Executive Director Judy Markwardt-Oberheu. “Members come for physical therapy and occupational therapy, and they stay for the connections they create with others who understand their disease and how it affects their life.”

EXPOSURE

A peek into healthcareApproximately 60 girls from inner-city middle schools toured The University of Kansas Health System’s main cam-pus last month, part of an inaugural event to foster young women’s interest in science and healthcare careers. At 10 stations they practiced a wide range of skills, from using stethoscopes and taking blood pressure to casting a broken bone (a carrot, actually) and simulating patient intubation. The tour was hosted by the resident/fellow section of the medical center’s Women in Medicine and Science group.

The new center better accommodates the needs of those with MS, including Cheryl Howell (left), with caregiver Stacia Troshynski Brown, PT, DPT.

Added weekend closures for bridge work Due to April showers, the weekend street closures related

to The University of Kansas Hospital’s Cambridge North Tower pedestrian bridge will be extended to May 6-9 and May 13-16.

As with past weekend closures, the work will require a complete shutdown from 2 p.m. on Fridays to 6 a.m. Mondays on 39th Street from Cambridge Street to State Line Road, in-cluding access to the front of the hospital on Cambridge from 39th Street. Emergency Department access from Rainbow Boulevard will not be impacted.

Chiefs player a ‘superhero sidekick’ It was National Superhero Day, and Travis Kelce showed

why he is a hero on and off the field.The Chiefs star jumped into action April 28 at The University of

Kansas Hospital as a superhero sidekick to 18-month-old Daxton, a recovering cancer patient. They helped other young patients in Pediatrics feel like superheroes as they battle their ailments.

The dynamic duo of Daxton and Travis distributed masks and capes to the kids as well as Shadow Buddy dolls. The dolls are designed specifically for children in hospitals to help them better cope with their stay.

“I’ve been super sidekick all day,” Kelce said. “I just threw on a mask and hopefully made these kids feel like they are the stron-gest individuals in the world for what they’re going through.”

The superhero visit was made possible through the support of the Shadow Buddies Foundation.

Trainers key to ‘Safe Sports’ recognitionAthletic trainers from The University of Kansas Hospital have

helped three more high schools achieve “Safe Sports Schools” status.

Blue Valley, Shawnee Mission North and Shawnee Mission East high schools received the recognition, which is given by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association. The award recog-nizes schools around the country that take the crucial steps to keep their athletes free from injuries.

Our hospital’s athletic trainers, part of the Sports Medicine & Performance Center, are at 14 area high schools; seven of them have now received the award. In addition to Blue Valley, Shawnee Mission North and East, they are Mill Valley High School, De Soto High School, Shawnee Mission West High School and Blue Valley North High School.

New

s Br

iefsIn the News

A recap of recent articles, TV segments and other media coverage of the region’s leading academic medical center

New chair for Advancement Board – The Kansas City Business Journal, April 27. Former Kansas City Business Journal Publisher Joyce Hayhow has been named chair of the University of Kansas Medical Advancement Board. “The opportunity to be advocates for our healthcare professionals and researchers is an honor,” she said. “The KU Academic Medical Center not only provides outstanding patient care but is an economic force in our community.” The board supports various initiatives involving The University of Kansas Cancer Center, The University of Kansas Hospital and University of Kansas Medical Center.

Teen praised for speaking up – KCTV 5, April 19. A school bus attendant who made increasingly inappropriate comments to a student is off the job, and a physician is praising an Independence teenager’s braveness for speaking up. “That is huge because a lot of kids wouldn’t have done that,” said Loretta Nelson, MD, pediatrician at The University of Kansas Hospital. She said the key is for parents to set distractions aside when their child has something to share. “If you haven’t had that open communication when they get to 14, you’re not going to just develop it, so it’s something you need to foster from the beginning,” Nelson said.

Dangers of high levels of lead – KCTV 5 News, April 18. Some Olathe residents were forced to drink bottled water due to high levels of lead in the water lines. “In adults, lead can cause problems with mental capacity, as well as kidney and other problems,” said Pediatrics’ Stephen Lauer, MD, PhD, at The University of Kansas Hospital. And in children, “overex-posure to lead can lead to developmental delays,” he added. “It can also cause problems with anemia, gut problems and kidney problems.”

Immunotherapy extending lives – Fox 4 News, April 18. A national study has found immunotherapy drugs help people with melanoma live longer. “The drugs train the immune system to go and kill cancer cells, so it’s a different way to look at cancer treatment,” said Prakash Neupane, MD, oncologist at The University of Kansas Cancer Center. More than a third of advanced melanoma patients on immunotherapy survived at least five years, twice the overall survival rate.

New ‘tower’ on displayThe University of Kansas Hospital’s Cambridge North Tower, slated to open in 2017, welcomed its first official tour last month. Visitors included the Campaign Steering Committee – the group overseeing fundraising for the facility. Jon

Jackson, senior vice president and chief administrative officer, hosted the group, which toured the facility’s first two floors. Among the many stats: The amount of concrete poured so far would fill three Goodyear blimps.

Travis Kelce handed out masks, capes and plenty of smiles to young patients in Pediatrics.

ADVANCES

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Send story ideas to Advances@kumc.edu.

Bob Page, President and CEO The University of Kansas Hospital

Doug Girod, MD, Executive Vice Chancellor University of Kansas Medical Center

Kirk Benson, MD, President The University of Kansas Physicians

Staff: Mike Glynn, Editor Kirk Buster, Graphic Designer

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@kuhospital@kucancercenter@kumedcenter

Our People Hospital volunteers: Varied backgrounds, similar compassion –

Volunteers often are the first face patients and visitors see at The University of Kansas Health System. They make sure the lost find their way, the uncertain get answers and patients who need a pick-me-up receive a smile.

As part of National Volunteer Recognition week, we spotlight three of the approximately 300 volunteers in our health system – shining examples of compassion.

Alfred Savage started volunteering at the hospital 11 years ago, working in transport, mail and flower delivery. He hails from Gambia, Africa.

“In Gambia, I was a banker and was able to help people with money. I helped them buy a house or become successful business owners. It was personal and it touched me,” he said. “It’s the same here. I get to help someone in need, show them a little joy and love. That’s why I love volunteering here.”

Janice Montgomery started volunteering when The University of Kansas Cancer Center first opened and remains committed to comforting cancer center patients. She operates the coffee cart, which brings snacks and refreshments to the patients at the Westwood Campus.

“These cancer center patients are in need of someone to give them a little extra attention. I like to help people, and being able to provide this service to patients is rewarding,” she said. “They are so apprecia-

tive of the smallest things. I enjoy being able to make their visit just a little more relaxing in a time of need.”

Terry Wolf has been a volunteer for four years. He staffs the Information Desk and is one of the first people patients and visitors see when they enter the hospital.

“I have a master’s degree in microbiology and biochemistry and have always been comfortable in a hospital setting,” he said. “My motivation is helping people. I enjoy working to calm patients and inform visitors. The hustle and bustle of the hospital com-bined with the ability to assist those in need makes my service a natural fit.”

Scholarly Research Awards – Two researchers at the University of Kansas Medical Center have received KU’s 2016 Scholarly Achievement Awards, which recognize significant scholarly or research achievement for scholars in the middle of their careers.

Christie Befort, PhD, associate professor in Preventive Medicine and Public Health, and Wen-Xing Ding, PhD, associate professor in Pharmacy, Toxicology and Therapeutics, are among five KU faculty who will be honored during a ceremony Wednesday, May 11, in Lawrence.

“These five researchers have excelled in their respective fields,” said KU Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little, PhD. “Their research is novel and origi-nal, and they all show remarkable promise for the rest of their careers. These awards are a testament to their efforts as part of KU’s top-flight faculty.”

Befort joined the faculty at the medical center in 2007. Since then she has developed a reputation for her work in obesity, especially as it relates to cancer and cancer prevention.

She has completed more than 20 research grants as a principal investigator or as a co-investigator, includ-ing a $10 million award from the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute in 2014. That award focuses on treating obesity in rural areas. With that award, Befort is evaluating three different approaches for treating obesity in primary care settings.

Her current research builds on her landmark 2012 study that drew atten-tion to the extent of obesity in rural America.

Ding, who came to the medical center in 2009, has published more than 90 peer-reviewed publications and chapters, most of which are in high-tier journals. His studies at the medical center have caused a paradigm shift in cell death research to include adaptive mechanisms to stress as key events that determine the ultimate outcome of cell death or survival.

He is considered a leader in the field of autophagy, a process involving cell content destruction in the body, and its relationship to alcohol- and drug-induced liver injury.

Fact:My stroke stopped here.

Deb Wagman, 64, stroke survivor©The University of Kansas Hospital

Every second matters during a stroke. Do you know the signs and symptoms? Choose The University of Kansas Hospital’s Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center for innovative treatment options.

Put the power of academic medicine to work for you. Call 913-588-1227 or visit kumed.com/stroke.

The clock is ticking

Befort

Ding