By Jane Brust

The Trojan Family has grown by twowith USC’s acquisition of the USCUniversity Hospital and USC NorrisCancer Hospital, effective April 1.

The deal in which USC purchasedthe two private hospitals from TenetHealthcare Corp. for $275 millionclosed March 31.

USC, one of the world’s leading pri-vate research universities, and UCLAare now the only two Los Angeles-areauniversities owning hospitals. USC’spurchase includes 471 inpatient bedsand 1,600 hospital employees. Planningis already under way for recruiting addi-tional physicians, hiring additional nurs-es and other personnel, refreshing facili-ties and enhancing patient amenities.

With the hospital acquisition, USC’sfaculty physicians will care for privatepatients at two hospitals owned andmanaged by the university, allowing forgreater physician direction of clinicalprograms and acceleration of innovativetherapies and surgical techniques for

cardiovascular and thoracic dis-eases, urologic disorders, neuro-logical issues, organ transplan-tation, cancer treatment, dis-ease prevention and otherhealth concerns.

USC President Steven B.Sample credits key members ofthe USC Board of Trusteeswith helping to bring theacquisition to a successful con-clusion.

“Our trustees were crucial tothis intricate and exactingprocess. Our current chairman,Ed Roski, like so many of hisboard colleagues, wholeheart-edly believed that USC’s clini-cal enterprise would flourishremarkably once the universityowned and integrated its aca-demic medical center,” Samplesaid. “And our immediate pastchairman, Stanley Gold, likewise lenthis zeal and considerable talent to theproject for two years, proving himself an

astute chief negotiator for USC in thislandmark acquisition.”

Negotiations have been under way

since April 2008, when USC and Tenetsigned a non-binding letter of intent for

VOLUME 15, NUMBER 11 APRIL 3, 2009

See HOSPITALS, page 3

As the USC Trojan

Family expands with the

purchase of the USC

University Hospital and

USC Norris Cancer

Hospital, our weekly cam-

pus publication is expand-

ing in its coverage of our

new hospitals and its

reach to the staff who

work there.

Watch for the debut of

the new Weekly on April

10, featuring a new

graphic design, a larger

size and tabloid format.

This special edition will

serve as a commemorative

issue focused on the hos-

pital acquisition and its

significance to the work

of our faculty, staff and

students.

It’s a new day on the

USC Health Sciences

Campus.

A new day,a new

Weekly

By Sara Reeve

Students from the Keck School ofMedicine enjoyed Trojan Spirit Day onMarch 30, complete with food, folks and funcourtesy of the Keck School.

Keck School Dean Carmen A. Puliafitowelcomed students on the sunny springafternoon, and invited them to enjoy the freelunch. “Welcome to the Keck School ofMedicine Spirit Day,” he said. “Let’s have around of applause from all the fans of ourfriends at In-N-Out Burger!”

An In-N-Out Burger cookout trailer sta-tioned in the Harry & Celesta Pappas Quadprovided free soda, hamburgers, cheeseburg-ers and grilled cheese sandwiches. Studentswho needed a sugar rush could also visit thebuild-your-own ice cream sundae table.

As music played and a game of volleyballbegan in the court, students filed out ofclasses to line up for lunch. “We just fin-ished exams on Friday, so the timing is per-fect,” said Jenessa Nyvall, a first-year studentat the Keck School. “It’s also really nice tocelebrate and come together as a class—it’s awelcome break from the everyday routine.”

The student band “Sunday Grunge Club”entertained students with a medley of late-90s hit songs while students listened fortheir raffle ticket number to be read as awinner for one of the many USC spirit prizepackages.

USC buys two hospitals in historic $275 million deal

Got Spirit? Let’s Hear It! — Keck School fetes students on ‘Spirit Day’

Jon

Nal

ick

Above, Keck School students

line up for free In-N-Out

burgers as part of its annual

Trojan Spirit Day. Left, mem-

bers of the Sunday Grunge

Club band—(from left) Chris

Coyne, Davy Cohen, Juan

Espinoza and Justin Wagner

belt out tunes at a

lunchtime show in Harry

and Celesta Pappas Quad.

Phil Manly, USC University Hospital chaplain, flashes a victory sign in front of a banner announcing the hospitals’change of ownership. He said, “We’re looking forward to being a huge family serving our community, as we havefaithfully, down through the years. We have some of the best doctors, nurses, therapists, social workers, chaplains,volunteer department—we have it all here. We have the potential to really make a difference.”

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Postdoctoral fellow receives prestigious Giannini Medical Research Fellowship

HSC Weekly is published for the faculty, staff, students and community of the Universityof Southern California’s Health Sciences Campus. It is written and produced by theHealth Sciences Public Relations and Marketing staff. Comments, suggestions andstory ideas are welcome via the contact points listed above. Permission to reprint articleswith attribution is freely given.

Assoc. Senior Vice Pres., Health SciencesPublic Relations and Marketing: Jane BrustExecutive Director of Communicationsand Marketing: Ina FriedEditor: Jon Nalick

Senior Vice President, UniversityRelations: Martha HarrisContributors: Eva Blaauw, Beth Dunham,Veronica Jauriqui, Meghan Lewit, KatieNeith, Dietmar Quistorf and Sara Reeve

Phone: 323-442-2830 Fax: 323-442-2832 Email: hscwkly@usc.edu Web: uscnews.usc.edu/hscweekly/ Next Issue: April 10

By Ina Fried

Developing a novel in utero genetherapy for cystic fibrosis (CF) is thegoal of a research project that has led toa prestigious award for Suparna Mishra,a Keck School of Medicine postdoctoralfellow.

Mishra has been selected to receive aMedical Research Fellowship for up tothree years from the A. P. GianniniFoundation. Her fellowship is one ofonly seven being awarded for 2009.

CF is the most common genetic dis-ease in the United States, affecting oneout of 2,500 live births per year. CF iscaused by mutations in the CFTRgene, which leads to an ion/waterimbalance in the lungs, intestines andother organs, Mishra explained.Consequently, sticky mucus blocks thelungs and intestinal tract, leading tochronic infections and malnutrition.

There is no cure for CF, and patientshave an average lifespan of 36 years.The main cause of mortality is lungfailure. However, Mishra said, it hasbeen determined that as little as 5 per-cent correction of the mutated CFTRgene can restore the ion/water balance.

Mishra works in the division ofimmunology/bone marrow transplant atChildrens Hospital Los Angeles in thelaboratory of Carolyn Lutzko, assistantprofessor of pediatrics. Lutzko’s labora-

tory has developed a system in which a‘test’ gene can be transferred to the lungand intestine of a normal mouse fetus.They have found that after birth, up to14 percent of the epithelial cells in themouse’s lung have the ‘test’ gene.

Mishra aims to use this approach toevaluate whether transferring the nor-mal CFTR gene to mouse fetuses withCF can prevent the development of CFdisease. These studies may be able to

provide the important proof-of-princi-ple for novel in utero therapy for CF inhumans.

It has been 20 years since USC lastgarnered one of the Giannini MedicalResearch Fellowships. Each year the A.P. Giannini Foundation invites promis-ing young postdoctoral investigators inthe early stages of their careers to applyto the program. Out of a large numberof initial applicants, the foundation

invited 19 candidates for interviews.Based on a presentation about herresearch, Mishra received a top ranking.

The foundation, formerly theGiannini Family Foundation, was estab-lished in 1945 by A. P. Giannini,founder of the Bank of America. Since1951, the foundation has awarded 600fellowships to postdoctoral biomedicalresearchers at California’s eight accred-ited medical schools.

USC School of Dentistry marks end ofHarold Slavkin era with ‘heartfelt gratitude’By Beth Dunham

On March 26, the USC School ofDentistry celebrated the deanship ofHarold Slavkin, who led the schoolfrom 2000 through 2008.

Faculty, staff, alumni, family andfriends marked the occasion with areception in the University Club, com-plete with a performance by membersof the Trojan Marching Band. Actingdean Sigmund Abelson welcomedattendees and lauded Slavkin as avisionary, innovator and great commu-nicator.

“You are admired and loved by yourSchool of Dentistry,” Abelson said. “Weare all the better because of your car-ing.”

Ralph Allman, chair of the School ofDentistry’s Board of Councilors, salutedSlavkin’s “lifetime of achievement”while Executive Vice President andProvost C. L. Max Nikias conveyed his

and President Steven B. Sample’s“heartfelt gratitude” for Slavkin’s leader-ship.

“The School of Dentistry will bebuilding on the solid foundation youhave laid for years to come,” Nikiassaid. “The university did not achievethis lofty standing through magic orluck; USC’s success is part of his excep-tional legacy.”

Slavkin’s grandson Max Slavkin, aUSC senior majoring in political sci-ence, recalled accompanying his grand-father to his laboratory as well as toacademic functions overseas and gettinga sense of the respect and admirationSlavkin received from his peers. Headded that his grandfather’s career andphilosophies have made an impact onhis life and goals as he approaches grad-uation.

“It’s all about leaving the world a lit-tle bit better than we found it,” he said.

Slavkin, who will have spent morethan four decades at USC when hereturns as a School of Dentistry facultymember in 2010, thanked everyone fortheir support as well as the opportunity

to be a part of the school’s community.“After all is said and done, it’s a

human endeavor,” Slavkin said. “Thankyou for letting me be a part of yourlives.”

Acting dean Sigmund Abelson, left, and longtime dean Harold Slavkin.

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By Meghan Lewit

A study by Robert Kloner, professorof medicine at the Keck School ofMedicine and heart researchers atGood Samaritan Hospital found thatfootball fans in the U.S. are atincreased risk for heart attack death,especially following a losing SuperBowl game.

The finding was presented March28 at the American College ofCardiology annual meeting inOrlando, Fla.

“Stress may trigger cardiovascularevents,” Kloner said. “Emotionalstress involving a local sports team,especially in a highly publicized rivalryas in the Super Bowl, is no exception.

Both losing a Super Bowl game andthe intensity of the game may play arole.”

Researchers analyzed post-gamedeaths on the day of and for twoweeks after the Los Angeles Rams lostto the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1980 andwhen the Los Angeles Raiders defeat-ed the Washington Redskins in 1984.They also looked at data from theSuper Bowls between 2000 and 2004when Los Angeles did not have a pro-fessional football team.

Los Angeles County total deathrates and those caused by heart diseaseand heart attacks were significantlyhigher on days related to the losing1980 game compared to non-Super

Bowl related control days. Death rateswere also higher for circulatory deaths,cardiovascular deaths and heartattacks.

On the other hand, there was alower death rate in 1984 when the LARaiders won the game and in 2000 to2004 when Los Angeles did not havea professional football team.

The increase in deaths and cardiacdeaths associated with the losing 1980game could be related to emotionalstress, Kloner noted. The decrease indeaths in 1984 may be related to theeuphoria of victory, and the slightdecrease in death surrounding the2000-2004 games may be related to adecrease in physical activity.

USC study links football losses to heightened risk of fatal heart attacks

the university to acquire the two hospi-tals. Throughout the negotiations, USChas been advised by Moelis &Company. The University filed a lawsuitin August 2006 seeking to end the rela-tionship with Tenet, and Tenet filed acounterclaim against the Universityseeking monetary damages. The litiga-tion was set aside a year ago as negotia-tions began.

“The hospital acquisition is an his-toric investment by USC and a strategicmove to create an integrated academicmedical center,” said USC ExecutiveVice President and Provost C.L. MaxNikias. “We look forward to enhancingthe patient service that comes with theoutstanding care provided by ourDoctors of USC. In so doing, we willelevate the Keck School of Medicine ofUSC to a nationally acclaimed leaderamong the nation’s medical schools.”

Effective April 1, Mitchell R. Creembecame Chief Executive Officer of thetwo hospitals following a nationwidesearch led by Nikias. A seasoned hospi-tal administrator widely known for hisexperience in revitalizing academicmedical centers, Creem joined USC asVice Provost in June.

With 25 years of management expe-rience, Creem has influenced all aspectsof the health care industry, includinghospital, research and faculty grouppractice management.

As CEO, Creem reports to Nikiasand will work collaboratively with KeckSchool of Medicine Dean Carmen A.Puliafito, who also reports to Nikias.

In an e-mail memo April 1, Creem

welcomed hospital employees to theTrojan Family. “Now, the work of run-ning our hospitals begins as we createour new USC academic medical center,”he said. “We will be working togetherin new and different ways to improveexisting systems, create and expand ourpatient-focused programs and enhanceour services throughout the clinicalenterprise.

“I am privileged to have the opportu-nity to carry the USC tradition of qual-ity and excellence to these two hospi-tals,” Creem said. “Together, with ourfaculty physicians, nurses, hospital staffand Keck School leadership, we willlead the USC University Hospital andthe USC Norris Cancer Hospital into anew era of excellence in academic medi-cine.”

Puliafito has commented that Creembrings keen medical center expertiseand a collaborative leadership style tothe new academic medical centermodel. “Mitch already has cultivatedproductive relationships with our KeckSchool of Medicine faculty physicians,and we look forward to working withhim to create the integrated academicmedical center that we all envision forUSC.”

Facilities at the 411-bed USCUniversity Hospital include the new10-story Norris Inpatient Tower, whichprovides 11 new operating rooms and150 inpatient rooms, many of whichhave never been used. Facilities at theUSC Norris Cancer Hospital include60 beds. When USC opens the newinpatient beds at University Hospital,

the Doctors of USC will be caring forpatients throughout a 1,400-bed sys-tem, including the 600-bed LosAngeles County+USC Medical Centerand the 317-bed Childrens HospitalLos Angeles.

USC’s more than 500 Doctors ofUSC are well known for the care theyhave provided to patients at LACounty’s LAC+USC facilities for morethan 100 years, building the largest aca-demic training program in the countrywith more than 900 residents and fel-lows.

In recent decades, the Doctors ofUSC also have built private practices atthe USC Norris Cancer Hospital andthe USC University Hospital. Theacquisition of the two private hospitalswill allow the Keck School of Medicineto recruit additional world-renownedacademic physicians who are committedto excellence in patient care both at theCounty facilities and at the private hos-pitals, while also committing to excel-lence in medical education and clinicalresearch.

USC University Hospital opened in1991 under the ownership of NationalMedical Enterprise Inc., which laterbecame Tenet. An acute care hospital,USC University Hospital currentlytracks 7,700 inpatient visits and 56,000outpatient visits each year.

Tenet acquired Norris CancerHospital in 2003. Devoted exclusivelyto the treatment of patients with cancer,the hospital is affiliated with the USCNorris Comprehensive Cancer Center,one of the original eight such centers inthe U.S.

Employees hail change in hospital ownership to USC: ‘It’s like a brand new day!’

HOSPITALS: Creem assumes role as chief executive officer, seeks to enhance patient servicesContinued from page 1

Technology specialists in “IT Transition Team” shirts worked around the clock prior

to April 1 to help with the transition from Tenet Healthcare Corp. to a USC patient

records system. By 5 p.m. April 1, the transition was completed. From left: Christina

Henson, Kim Thompson, Isabell Schneider, Susan Perry and Cynthia Barber.

Alex Corea, USC University

Hospital respiratory therapist

‘It feels good to be a USCemployee. I expect the hospitalto move forward in the medicalfield with innovation. It’s a posi-tive move forward for us, espe-cially in these economic times, toactually see more patients beingadmitted. More employees aretaking pride, wearing their USCTrojan shirts, and feeling moreownership.’

Doris Arroyo, USC Norris regis-

tered nurse, intensive care unit

‘It’s not an easy transition, but Ithink everyone is willing to do theirpart, so I think that is important.Everyone is excited to pitch in, andthat makes a big difference.’

Alba Luzuriago, USC Norris

Direct Care Partner and

phlebotomist

‘It feels good to be a Trojan. I’vegot big smiles today. I’ve been atNorris 14 years, and the spirit herehas always been very positive, butwith Tenet, we lost that Norrisspirit—it went away. I’m lookingforward to the return of good feel-ings to Norris. We feel like a familyin this place.’

Michael Kline, USC University

Hospital gastroenterologist and

GI fellowship program director

‘Having the hospital under ourleadership is going to add to thequality of the fellows that apply toour program—we’re seeing thatalready.’

Michael Godinez, USC Norris

admitting representative

‘I’m so excited, in light of thenew outlook and the changesthat we’ve heard will take place.I have a lot of hope for thefuture. It’s already a lot better—it’s like a brand new day.’

Photos: Brook Photography and Veronica Jauriqui

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USC Health SciencesPublic Relations1975 Zonal Ave.KAM 400Los Angeles, CA 90033

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. POSTAGE PAIDUniversity of Southern

California

HSC NEWSMAKERS Complete listing at: www.usc.edu/uscnews/usc_in_the_news/

A March 30 USA Today arti-cle highlighted research by car-diologist Robert Kloner pre-sented during the AmericanCollege of Cardiology meetingin Orlando. Kloner and col-leagues found that fans of los-ing Super Bowl teams are morelikely to die than fans of win-ning teams. U.S. News & WorldReport, the Los Angeles Times,Reuters, KABC-TV andHealthDay News also coveredthe research.

A March 30 San DiegoUnion-Tribune article citedepigenomic expert and USCNorris Comprehensive Cancer

Center director Peter Jones in astory on epigenomics, the studyof chemicals that control generegulation.

A March 30 Los AngelesTimes article remembered kid-ney disease expert and professoremeritus William Schwartz.

A March 26 Los AngelesTimes article cited a USC studylinking highway pollution tostunted lung growth in chil-dren.

A March 25 Newsweek articlefeatured a new study by envi-ronmental health experts

Carrie Breton and FrankGilliland on secondhandsmoke susceptibility. A varia-tion within a single gene candetermine how susceptible chil-dren will be to secondhandsmoke, even in utero, the studyfound. U.S. News & WorldReport, Forbes and HealthDayNews also covered the story.

On March 25, ABC News’“Good Morning America”interviewed fertility expertKarine Chung about a womanwho did not realize she waspregnant before going intolabor.

Calendar of EventsFriday, Apr. 3 – Friday, Apr. 10

Global Health Awareness Week. Thisweek’s program features a series of guestlectures and a diverse range of events.Info: http://ghaw.info

Monday, Apr. 6

NOON. “Case Presentations,” ShahroozBemanian, USC. DNT B3B105. Info:(323) 409-7995

NOON. “NEPHSAP: Hypertension,”Mitra Nadim, USC. GNH 4420. Info:(323) 226-7307

Tuesday, Apr. 7

9 A.M. Neurology Grand Rounds.“Inflammation and Neurodegeneration:Insights From the Study of MultipleSclerosis,” Wendy Gilmore, USC. ZNI112. Info: (323) 442-7686

Wednesday, Apr. 8

NOON. “What Conscience Rights forHealthcare Workers,” Laila Muderspach,USC and Fr. Juan Velez. NOR MedicalLibrary. Info: (818) 450-4720

Thursday, Apr. 9

11:30 A.M. “What Has Genetics TaughtUs About Alzheimer’s Disease?” RudyTanzi, Harvard. UPC AndrusGerontology Ctr. Info: (213) 740-1354

Friday, Apr. 10

8 A.M. CHLA Grand Rounds. “NewFrontiers in Diabetes,” Eba Hathout,Loma Linda Univ. CHLA SabanResearch Auditorium. Info: (323) 361-2935

NOON. “Case Presentations,” John Kim,USC. OPT A5C129. Info: (323) 409-7995

Monday, Apr. 13

NOON. “NEPHSAP: Fluid, Electrolyteand Acid-base Disturbances,” Alan Yu,USC. GNH 4420. Info: (323) 226-7307

NOON. “Case Presentations,” ShahroozBemanian, USC. DNT B3B105. Info:(323) 409-7995

Tuesday, Apr. 14

8:45-NOON. The 19th Annual CancerSurveillance Program EducationalSymposium. “From Surveillance toPrevention,” Various speakers. NORAresty Conference Ctr.RSVP: csp.symposium@usc.edu

11:30 A.M. Psychiatry Grand Rounds.“Body Dysmorphic Disorder,” KatharinePhillips, Brown Univ. ZNI 112. Info:(323) 442-4000

Thursday, Apr. 16

NOON. Cellular Homeostasis LectureSeries. “PPARs, Macrophage Activationand Insulin Resistance,” Ajay Chawla,Stanford. MCH 156. Info: (323) 442-3121

Friday, Apr. 17

8 A.M. CHLA Grand Rounds.“Challenges of Protecting Children: It’snot all ‘Law and Order’ and ‘CSI’,” KarenKay, USC/CHLA. CHLA SabanResearch Auditorium. Info: (323) 361-2935

NOON. “Case Presentations,” Yi Zheng,USC. OPT A5C129. Info: (323) 409-7995

Monday, Apr. 20

NOON. “NEPHSAP: Transplant,” YasirQazi, USC. GNH 4420. Info: (323) 226-7307

The HSC Calendar is online at www.usc.edu/hsccalendar

Notice: Deadline for calendar submission is 4 p.m. Monday to be considered for thatweek’s issue—although three weeks advance notice of events is recommended. Please note that timelysubmission does not guarantee an item will be printed. Send calendar items to HSC Weekly, KAM 400or fax to (323) 442-2832, or e-mail to eblaauw@usc.edu. Entries must include day, date, time, title oftalk, first and last name of speaker, affiliation of speaker, location, and a phone number for informa-tion.

CELEBRATING LEADERSHIP—At a reception honoring internationally renowned car-

diothoracic surgeon Vaughn Starnes upon his appointment as chairman of the

expanded Keck School of Medicine Department of Surgery are, from left: USC

Executive Vice President and Provost C. L. Max Nikias; Starnes; his wife, Julie; and

Keck School Dean Carmen A. Puliafito. Speaking at the March 24 reception held at

the California Club, Puliafito, who hosted the event, praised Starnes as an outstand-

ing physician and administrator who is “totally committed to USC.” Starnes, who is

also the H. Russell Smith Foundation Chair for Cardiovascular Thoracic Research and

surgeon-in-chief of the USC University Hospital and USC Norris Cancer Hospital,

thanked Tom DeMeester, his predecessor as chairman, for “setting the building

blocks in place” for growth of the department.

5k ‘Walk for Keck’ slated for April 16The USC University Hospital Guild will host its annual “Walk the 5k for

Keck” on April 16 to raise money for scholarships for Keck School students andmedical research.

The group invites students, staff, faculty and friends to participate in the event,which will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Harry and Celesta Pappas Quad. Entrycosts $10 and participants will receive a t-shirt, energy bar, water and lunch.

For more information or to register, e-mail Candy Duncan at cdadsc@aol.comor call (310) 545-2239.

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