the pm&r newsletter for mercy st. francis upmc … · welcome new alumni class of ... phd and...
TRANSCRIPT
Winter 2013
Table of Contents
Class of 2012......................1
Alumni Spotlight: Brad Dicianno, MD..............4
Alumni Achievements/Department News...............5
AAPMR Reunion................ 6
New Residents....................7
Community Action...............8
The PM&R Newsletter for
Mercy St. Francis UPMC Residency and Fellowship Alumni
Betty Y. Liu, MD, Senior Editor
Mary Ann Miknevich, MD, Editor
Mary Synnott, Artistic Director
Stacey Snead-Peterson
PM&R Residency ProgramKaufmann Building, suite 2013471 5th AvenuePittsburgh, PA 15213
Mercy
UPMC
St Francis
the PM&R Alumni Newsletter
The Point
WELCOME NEW ALUMNI CLASS OF 2012
PM&R RESIDENT AND FELLOWS
The Class of 2012 PM&R residents and fellows graduated on June 16, with a celebration for
families, friends and faculty at the Green Oaks Country Club in Verona, PA. The department
also took time out to recognize outstanding residents and faculty for the invaluable support
and contributions they made to the program over the course of the year.
Cara Camiolo Reddy, MD, Director, Brain Injury Medicine
Fellowship; Henry Huie MD, PhD and Justin Hong, MD
BI Fellows, and Gary Galang, MD.
Graduating residents: l to r: Matthew Pauli, DO, Mohammed Mawla, DO; Anna Gaines, MD;
Robert Campbell, MD, Eric Helm, MD; Jesse Sally, DO; Shahla Hosseini, MD. PhD;
David DeChellis, DO; David Alcantara, MD (missing is Mohammed Khan, MD)
Angela Garcia, MD, first graduate
of the 2 year accredited
Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine
Fellowship.
Shown at graduation with
her parents, George and Susan
Garcia.
Amrish Patel, MD,
Musculoskeletal
Sports and
Spine Fellow
Melissa Alvarez, MD.
Spinal Cord Medicine
Fellow
Mohammed Khan, MD
2013 Resident
JUST IN!Our department holds the #1 rank for NIH research dollars in a PMR academic program.
#1
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2GRADUATION 2012
PM&R graduation celebrations are not reserved for PGY4s alone. Several awards are given in recognition
of resident achievements throughout the academic year.
Rising Star Award goes to the PGY2 resident who best demonstrates
teamwork with fellow residents, students and staff. The resident also
displays advanced knowledge beyond the PGY2 training level and
provides superior clinical care.
Justin Berthold, DO, 2012 Rising Star is a 2010 graduate of Lake Erie
College of Osteopathic Medicine - Bradenton.
Award of Excellence in Musculoskeletal Sports and Spine Medicine was
presented to Trasey Falcone, DO and Matthew Maxwell, MD.
The award is given in recognition of exemplary patient care, teaching,
knowledge, and professionalism. The resident is enthusiastic and shows
initiative through his/her involvement in research, extramural activities, and
journal clubs. PGY 2 to 4 residents are eligible. Trasey and Matt were PGY-3s
when they received the Award of Excellence.
Trasey Falcone, DO is a 2009 graduate of Lake Erie College of Osteopathic
Medicine - Bradenton.
Matthew Maxwell, MD, is a 2009 graduate of Chicago Medical School,
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.
Justin Berthold with wife, Jaclyn.
Excellence in Mentorship is given by fellow residents to
a graduating resident who has shown leadership and
dedication in teaching and mentoring other
residents.
Excellence in Residency is presented by the faculty to a
resident(PGY2-PGY4) who demonstrates excellence in
patient care, teaching, knowledge and professionalism.
Anna Gaines, MD graduate of both the University of
Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the PMR residency
program received both awards.l ot r: Marie Sonnet (mother) Anna, John Spitznagel
(father), and husband, Derrick Gaines.
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3GRADUATION 2012
Gary Galang, MD, a 2004 alumnus was awarded the first
Resident’s Advocacy Award. Graduating residents vote
for the faculty member who best advocated for resident
concerns.
Dr. Galang served as chief resident while in our program.
After graduating he completed SCI and TBI fellowships at
UMDNJ where he remained as a staff physiatrist until
returning to Pitt in 2009.
The 2012 Excellence in Teaching Award was given to Gary
Chimes, MD, PhD in honor of his academic commitment
to the program and his exemplary teaching skills.
Dr. Chimes completed the UMDNJ PMR residency and
went on to receive the Friedmann-Daiser Sports and Spine
Fellowship at RIC.
If you are not receiving the department’s publications, Rehab Progress Newsletter and UPMC Rehab Grand Rounds, and would like to contact:
Mary Synnott
To view recent publications go to the newsletter and grand rounds pages on
http://www.rehab.medicine.pitt.edu
Rehab Progress
Newsletter
Rehab Grand
Rounds
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4
Brad Dicianno became acquainted with the UPMC Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
department when he rotated thru the PM&R fourth year elective as a medical student at Pitt.
Since his 2005 graduation from the residency program, he has paved a personal path of research
and clinical care that incorporates all of his combined interests. Recently promoted to Associate
Professor within the department, Brad is nationally known for his work and research in assistive
technology and spinal cord disease and injury. Through his work as the Director of Medical
Student Research, he is promoting interest in physiatry and attracting medical students of
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine to the specialty.
Fortunately for the rehab world, Brad is just starting his journey toward this department's goal
of “Advancing the Science and Practice of Rehabilitation Medicine”.
To gain some more insights into Dr. Dicianno, below are some answers he gave to The Point :
What made you decide to choose PM&R as a specialty?
During high school and my undergraduate studies I worked as a summer camp counselor for
kids with disabilities, so I have always had an interest in disability medicine. When I was a first
year medical student(at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine), I had an opportunity
to do summer research at HERL(Human Engineering Research Lab) on a research project
involving wheelchairs. While working with Dr. Boninger, I found a field of medicine that
encompassed all my interests in disability, technology, neurology, and musculoskeletal medicine.
I just hadn't known it existed until that point.
What do you consider your greatest professional accomplishment?
I am now the Associate Medical Director of HERL, the very laboratory that sparked my career in
PM&R, and this accomplishment is quite rewarding to me.
What do you consider your greatest personal accomplishment?
I have traveled to many countries, all over the world, and I have a commitment to myself to
travel abroad at least once a year to a place I have never visited. Through this travel, I have had
the opportunity to meet many amazing people and maintain close relationships with friends I've
met all over the world. This is probably one of the most rewarding aspects of my personal life.
Brad Dicianno, MD, MS
University of Pittsburgh, 1997
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 2001
UPMC PM&R Residency, 2005
University of Pittsburgh School of Engineering,
Bioengineering, Rehabilitation Engineering and
Human Movement 2011
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT, CONT
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5
Tell us a little about your current practice.
I am the Medical Director for the Center for Assistive Technology, where I lead a multidisciplinary
team to provide advanced technology to people with mobility and sensory impairments. I am the
Director of the Adult Spina Bifida Clinic and also treat adolescents and young adults with Spina
Bifida and other disabilities as they transition from pediatric to adult care. My research interests
focus on developing and studying interventions targeted to improving health and wellness in
individuals with complex disabilities (wheelchairs, adaptive sports, telemedicine, virtual reality,
and preventative care programs). I completed an NIH fellowship within the Rehabilitation
Medicine Scientist Training Program.
What are your interests outside of medicine?
I am very interested in exercise, nutrition, and wellness. I love outdoor activities including running
and kayaking. I also love to cook.
What advice would you have for new physicians entering the field?
Sometimes the interventions we provide as physicians, to us, seem small in the scope of a patient's
condition and entire life. However, sometimes those interventions are the changes that make the
world of difference to our patients, promoting independence and improving their quality of life.
My advice to new PM&R physicians is to spend a moment at the end of each day thinking about
the impact you've had on people's lives. These small victories will be some of the greatest rewards
in your life, will get you out of bed every morning, and will make you love your job.
Alumni Achievements
Shailen Woods (’10 and MSS Fellow ‘11)
is the newly appointed director of the
Musculoskeletal Sports and Spine (MSS)
Fellowship at UPMC Department of
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.
Department News
A fond farewell to Shana Heald, Administrative
Coordinator for the PM&R Residency and
Fellowship programs. Her support was
stellar. Our misfortune is good fortune for
the UPMC Department of Anesthesiology
where Ms. Heald is the new GME Academic
Manager.l to r: Stacey Snead Peterson, PMR Academic Manager;
Shana Heald; Wendy Helkowski, MD, Residency
Program Director
Mercy
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St FrancisThe PointALUMNI REUNION 2012
6
l to r: Ayman Hamed (Mercy ‘03), Samir Hanna and Ghada Hanna(Mercy ‘06)Mary Ann Miknevich (SF ‘83) and husband, Greg Maloney, and Maryanne Henderson (SF ‘95)
l to r: Gregory D’Eramo (UPMC ‘07) Milton Swaby (UPMC ‘07) and Fernando Grandas (UPMC SCI Fellow ‘05)
l to r: Fides Pacheco (UPMC-SCI Fellow ‘02), Michael Boninger, PMR Chair, and Chris Reyes-Littaus (UPMC ‘07)
l to r: Kirk Lercher (Brain Injury Fellow ‘13), Joy Perkey (’13),Wendy Helkowski, Program Director, Tim Burg (’13) and Kristen Schuerle (’13)
2012 Reunion Pittsburgh PM&R Alumni at the
annual assembly of AAPMR in Atlanta
l to r:Thiru M. Annaswammy, AAPMR,Evidence Committee Chair andEdward Garay (’13)
We hope to see you at the 2013 assembly, October3-6 in Washington, DC
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7
Residents
PGY1 - PGY4
Resident PGY Medical/Osteopathic School
Jessica Ziebarth, DO 2 Lake Erie School of Osteopathic Medicine
Prakash Jayabalan, MD, PhD 2 King's College London School of Medicine
Tulasi Gude, MD 2 Ohio State University College of Medicine
Thomas Burnett, MD 3 The University of Toledo College of Medicine
Kyle Klitsch, DO 4 Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Adrienne Jordan, DO (in circle) 2 Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Erin Murdock, MD (top of circle) 3 Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine
Marzena Buzanowska, MD 2 Wright State University School of Medicine
Yevgeniya Dvorkin-Wininger, MD 2 Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Jessica Berry, MD 3 University of Maryland School of Medicine
Aerin Spitz, MD 2 Weill Cornell Medical College
Valerie Brooke, MD 2 Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine
Patricia Bornhorst, DO 3 Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Beth Stepanczuk, MD 3 Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Mary Beth Miller Phillips, MD 2 Texas Tech University School of Medicine
Kim Leishear, DO (Chief) 2 Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
James Crownover, MD 3 Medical College of Georgia School of Medicine
Edward Garay, MD, PhD 4 UMDNJ New Jersey Medical School
Matthew Maxwell, MD 4 Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
Justin Berthold, DO 3 Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - Bradenton
Natasa Miljkovic, MD 3 University of Novi Sad (Serbia)
Lisa Huynh, MD 3 Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Sarah Hagerty, DO 2 Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Robert Donlan, MD 3 University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey/School of Osteopathic
Timothy Burg, DO (Chief) 4 Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Joy Codera, MD (Chief) 4 New York Medical College
Trasey Falcone, DO 4 Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - Bradenton
Kristen Schuerle, DO 4 Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Nicholas Weber, DO 3 Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
standing in rear
missing from photo
Perkey,
Awards and Accolades
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8COMMUNITY EVENTS
UPMC Rehabilitation Institute SCI Research Appreciation Picnic
Tim Hemmes and Mike Boninger, MD talk about the importance of volunteering for research. On Sunday, July 29th, 2012 over one-hundred patients, family, friends, and volunteers gathered at the Thelma Lovette YMCA in the Hill District for the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute SCI Research Appreciation Picnic. The event was organized as a “Thank You” to patients and their families who have participated in Spinal Cord Injury research at the University of Pittsburgh. It included Wheelchair Basketball and Rugby demonstrations, a wheelchair obstacle course
competition, current research demonstrations by Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation faculty and staff, and tours of the new YMCA's accessible fitness equipment and pool. Tim Hemmes, who was the keynote speaker, spoke to the group about his experiences as the first participant in the Brain Computer Interface research project.
UPMC Rehabilitation Institute and UPMC Mercy SCI Support Group2nd Annual Wheelchair Wash and Tune-upUPMC Mercy Rehabilitation Institute Staff and Volunteers washed and shined eighteen (18) Manual and Power wheelchairs belonging to patients and community members at the 2nd Annual Wheelchair Wash and Tune-up on June 7th, 2012. In addition, local vendors were on-site performing minor repairs, troubleshooting and eval-uating potential problems with the wheelchairs. Recent research at the University of Pittsburgh found that 52% of people with a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) required wheelchair repairs in the preceding six months and many experienced adverse conse-quences as a result. Therefore, the UPMC Rehab-ilitation Institute and UPMC Mercy SCI Support Group strive to teach and motivate patients about the importance of maintaining the function and prolonging the life of their wheelchairs by promoting and supporting this annual event.
Mary Synnott
Kaufmann Medical Bldg, Suite 202
Dept. of PM&R Research
3471 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
fax to 412.692.4354
Email to [email protected]
Tim Hemmes and Michael
Boninger, MD
Douglas Pawlak, Union Orthotics/Prosthetics and
Ian Smith, PM&R washing wheelchairs