McLaren Regional Medical Center
Summer 2011
Newsletter for the
Medical Staff of
McLaren Regional
Medical Center
In this issue
P u l s e
Cardiologists
Research Early
Detection of
Heart Attack
Pages 1-2
Dr. Majed Nounou,
Interventional
Cardiologist,
is inserting the
Guardian System in
patient Mark Roberson,
a participant in the
ALERTS clinical trial,
which is studying
if heart attacks can
be detected in their
earliest stages.
Cooling System
Aids Cardiac
Arrest Patients
Page 3
Cardiac Media
Campaign
Launched
Page 4
Bioethics
Committee
Available
to Help
Page 4
Proton Therapy
Center Presented
at National
Conference
Page 5
PT Moves
to 1 North
Page 8
Avoid
Medicare/
Medicaid Fraud
and Abuse
Page 9
IM Physicians
Awarded at ACP
Associates Day
Page 10
Cardiology
Interventional Cardiologists Researching
Earlier Detection of a
Heart Attack
A clinical trial is now available for mid-Michigan
residents who have had a heart attack, or an intervention
to open up clogged arteries to prevent one. The goal of
the ALERTS clinical trial is to detect heart attacks at
their earliest stages, improving symptom-to-door time.
McLaren interventional cardiologists Jeffrey Harris, D.O.;
Majed Nounou, M.D.; and Abdul K. Alawwa, M.D., are
participating in the study.
Continued on page 2
The goal of the
ALERTS clinical trial
is to detect heart
attacks at their
earliest stages,
improving
symptom-to-door
time for patients.
PULSE 1
Interventional Cardiologists Researching
Earlier Detection of a
Heart Attack
Mark Roberson is shown here looking at the
computer that checked and registered his heart
attack detection equipment for the clinical
study he is participating in. He was able to
go home the day after having it inserted .
Continued from page 1
“We are looking forward to seeing if this
helps patients know when to seek medical
attention, before they even realize they
should,” states Dr. Majed Nounou. “Too
many people think they are not having
typical heart attack symptoms and delay
getting treatment, when in fact they are
having a heart attack and permanently
damaging their heart muscle.”
Efforts like the ALERTS study, are
emphasizing symptom-to-door time.
The clinical trial involves a small,
pacemaker-sized device, inserted into the
chest in a manner similar to a pacemaker,
to detect rapid ST segment shifts that
may signify major cardiac events, such
as coronary artery occlusions caused
by life-threatening vulnerable plaque
ruptures. Once the ST shift is detected,
the system is designed to alert patients
2 PULSE
to seek medical care by delivering a
series of vibratory, auditory warnings,
as well as visual warnings delivered
through a pager-sized device the patient
wears. The device, called the Guardian
System, does not deliver any therapies
like pacemakers do. Instead, the device
monitors a patient’s heart 24 hours a
day, seven days a week, looking for
changes that may indicate that person’s
heart is not getting enough oxygen and
might soon experience a heart attack. n
McLaren’s cardiologists are
the only specialists in the
region involved in the study.
For more information you can
contact Drs. Harris, Nounou
and Alawwa at 810-733-0790.
New Cooling System
Aids Cardiac Arrest Patients
McLaren is the First and Only –
hospital in the region to offer patients a hypothermia
procedure to reduce cell damage following cardiac arrest.
The ArcticSun® Temperature Management System
has been used on at least eight patients since its
introduction at MRMC in December 2010.
M
ost patients who suffer cardiac
arrest outside of hospitals die because
their brains have been starved of oxygen.
Even if the patient is revived and a pulse
restored, the lack of oxygen can trigger
cell death, a process called apoptosis.
However, studies show that if the pulse
can be restarted and the body temperature
cooled, patients have better survival rates
and less brain damage.
That body-cooling process is the primary
function of the hypothermic cooling
system utilized by McLaren. With the
ability to perform controlled cooling of
the body temperature following cardiac
arrest, patients have an even greater
chance of being able to return to a full and
active life following an event where their
heart stopped beating.
Cardiac arrest patients meeting specific
eligibility requirements are treated with
cooling therapy as soon as possible.
The process begins in the Emergency
Department before the patient is moved
to Coronary Care Unit or Intensive Care
Unit. Patients are sedated, and chilled
fluids are administered to begin the
cooling process internally. Special multilayer pads with automatic temperature
control are placed on the legs and
torso. Depending on the patient’s
beginning temperature, the process
of cooling the body to 33 degrees
Celsius (92 degrees Fahrenheit) can
take from two hours to four hours. The
patient is kept at the cooled temperature
for 24 hours, followed by a very gradual
warming process of 0.5 degree every hour.
When the process is complete, the patients
are evaluated and physicians prescribe any
further care needed.
At the time of publication, the therapy
is only used for cardiac arrest patients
meeting specific criteria. According to
John Paul Stohon, RN, Manager of CCU
at MRMC, the Medical Center is in the
process of creating a policy to use the
cooling therapy on stroke patients as well,
citing reports that many people suffering
a stroke and receiving the cooling therapy
show a lower incidence of brain damage.
McLaren’s purchase of Arctic Sun System
was made possible through a donation by
the McLaren Auxiliary. Because of the
success realized in the first six months of
use, MRMC officials are considering the
purchase of a second cooling system. n
John Paul Stohon, RN and
Fraser Wadenstorer, MD,
with the Artic Sun training unit.
FACTS
•300,000 Americans
suffer cardiac arrest in a non-hospital setting each year
•The historical survival rate of this occurrence is less than 7 percent
•2/3 of survivors have severe brain damage
PULSE 3
Cardiac Media Campaign Launched
T
he faces of MRMC Cardiac Specialists
will be spotted around town this summer
on television commercials promoting
the advanced cardiac services available
at MRMC. The Television campaign is
running on ABC TV12, WNEM TV5, WEYI
TV25, and Comcast channels. In addition,
there is a radio campaign, as well as direct
mail, print advertising in the Flint Journal
and View Newspapers, and billboard
coverage. Overall, the theme is:
“Give Your Heart a Fighting Chance”.
To view the cardiac television ad
anytime, visit mclarenregional.org,
click on:
and select:
“See Our Commercials”
“Fighting Chance Commercial”
Bioethics:
Advances in medical technology
physicians, nurses, administrators,
lawyers, clergy, social workers, and
psychologists. A consultation may be
requested by a physician, patient, family
or ancillary medical staff. A physician
order is not required. Some situations
may be resolved informally by bringing
together the appropriate interested
parties and facilitating communication
and discussion. If the issues are more
complex, or resolution cannot be reached
informally, then a formal ethics consult
may be required. The committee does
not make decisions, but seeks to assist all
involved in difficult decision making. n
Bioethics
How complex decisions
are reached through
professional means
4 PULSE
By Nancy Walsh-Clifford,MSEd, LBSW
Call the Case Management
Department at (810) 342-4156
to request a copy of the
complete article.
4 PULSE
and a growing public interest in health
care issues have given rise to complex
ethical, legal and social questions about
healthcare decision making. McLaren's
Bioethics Committee is available to help
patients, physicians, family members
and other healthcare professionals in
the resolution of these medical ethical
decisions.
McLaren has an active Bioethics
Committee, with Dr. Frazer Wadenstorer
as the Committee Chair. This committee
consists of Medical Center and
community representatives including
Oncology
Proton Beam Therapy Center
Presented at National Conference
PT
A Lower-Cost, Breakthrough
Hesham E. Gayar, M.D., recently
CO
Technology
Center in Michigan
G
presented information regarding the
McLaren Proton Therapy Center at
the international
m e e t i n g of t h e
Particle Therapy
Co-Operative
Group (PTCOG)
held this past May
i n Philadelphia.
Dr. Gayar’s poster
presentation detailed the attributes of the
McLaren Proton Therapy Center currently
under construction on the campus of
Great Lakes Cancer Institute-McLaren.
Advances in treatment technology and
construction methods enable the Center to
be built with more sophisticated treatment
capabilities such as pencil-beam scanning
and cone-beam CT at nearly half the cost
of current proton treatment facilities. n
McLAREN PROTON THERAPY CENTER:
ARTICLE
HERAPY
OPERATIVE
ROUP
Hesham Gayar, MD1,2 • Philip Incarnati3 • Alfred R. Smith, PhD4 • Greg Lane3 • Daniel Medrano3 • Brent Wheeler1 • Dave Dickey3 • Don Kooy1 • Jack Nettleton, MD1,2, et al.
McLaren Regional Medical Center, Flint, Michigan • 2Great Lakes Cancer Institute, Flint, Michigan • 3McLaren Health Care, Flint, Michigan • 4Proton Therapy Consultant
1
Introduction
For about half a century, patients received proton
therapy at proton research centers throughout the
world. The first proton treatment center was built
in the United States in 1990. Since 2000, several
(first generation) proton treatment centers have
opened. The cost of these centers ranged from
$125 million to $200 million.
Further improvement in proton beam delivery
via utilization of pencil-beam scanning and
volumetric imaging at the treatment isocenter
are badly needed. Currently, the clinical use of
pencil-beam scanning is very insignificant in the
United States. Cone-beam CT has not been used
in clinical setup.
With a total cost of $65 million, the McLaren
Proton Therapy Center (MPTC) will take further
steps towards better treatment delivery, imageguidance and will open doors for future clinical
research for proton beam treatment.
Technology
Figure 1. Cutaway of the McLaren Proton Therapy Center
The 42,000 square-foot McLaren Proton Therapy Center (MPTC)
includes a synchrotron, three gantry treatment rooms, an additional
CT simulator and a PET CT. The MPTC is fully integrated with the
existing Great Lakes Cancer Institute at McLaren Regional Medical
Center. The Cancer Institute includes a medical oncology/hematology
practice and a state-of-the-art radiation facility. The current radiation
facility is equipped with three linear accelerators (including TrueBeam
and TomoTherapy), a CT simulator and an HDR system.
Existing radiation facility
Three gantry treatment rooms
with pencil-beam scanning
nozzle and cone-beam CT
PET CT unit
Radiance 330
synchrotron
Additional
CT simulator
Facility
Construction of the McLaren Proton Therapy
Center began in late October 2010. All “heavy”
shielding concrete of the three treatment rooms
and synchrotron beam line was completed by
April 2011 in spite of a severe Michigan winter.
These shielding walls and lids are significantly
less thick than existing facilities (1/2 to 1/3
the thickness), and the square footage of the
required shielded area is also much less than
current existing technology. The clinical side
was designed to support daily treatment-related
activities. It houses patient and family support
areas, four examination rooms, a CT/SIM suite,
physician and physicist offices. The construction
of the clinical side of the building began in spring
of 2011 with completion of the entire facility slated
for December of 2011. This construction duration
of approximately 13 months is also significantly
less than any other proton facility in existence.
As the MPTC is physically linked to the existing
cancer center, the designers were able to integrate
the use of assets already on the campus and thus
reduce new construction square footage. The
existing and new sides also will share access to
a healing garden courtyard that will allow patients
and family to enjoy nature in a contemplative and
serene setting.
For further information, contact:
Hesham Gayar, MD, MB, ChB
Great Lakes Cancer Institute-McLaren
4100 Beecher Road, Flint, Michigan 48532
Phone: (810) 342-3800
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
McLaren Health Care Corporation is building a proton
treatment center at its Great Lakes Cancer Institute (GLCI)
in Flint, Michigan, adjacent to McLaren Regional Medical
Center. The proton center and existing cancer center will be
clinically and operationally integrated. The proton center will
have 52,000 sq. ft. of space (42,000 new and 10,000 renovated
GLCI space). The center will have three treatment rooms, each
with isocentric gantry and modulated pencil beam scanning
treatment delivery system. The gantries will have 180 degree
Figure 2. Vault Interior
The MPTC includes a synchrotron, three gantry
treatment rooms, an additional CT simulator and
a PET CT. The three gantry treatment rooms of
MPTC will be seamlessly sharing proton beam,
generated by the Radiance 330 synchrotron made
by ProTom International. The synchrotron is a
compact design that is 5 meters in diameter and
accelerates protons up to 250 MeV for therapy and
330 MeV for proton tomography. Each of the three
treatment rooms will have an 180°, 45 ton gantry,
a treatment table with robotic positioning with an
accuracy of 0.5mm. Each gantry will have a pencil
beam scanning nozzle. For isocentric, volumetric,
and orthogonal imaging, each of the three rooms
will be equipped with ceiling-mounted robotic
C-arm with cone-beam CT and multiple panel
X-ray imaging capabilities. Robotic tables, ceiling
mount C-arm cone-beam CT and image alignment
are manufactured by Forte Automation Systems,
Inc. and CIVCO Medical Solutions. Each of the
treatment rooms is designed to accommodate inroom CT simulation systems—to be installed at a
later date—that will share the robotic treatment
table. All rooms are equipped with in-room
and out-of-room CT image viewing consoles
for volumetric image guidance and possible
future dosimetric adaptive proton planning
and treatment. Vision RT will be used for active
patient positioning and respiratory gating. Varian
“Eclipse” treatment planning system and “Aria”
operating systems will be utilized for planning
image storage and operation. In addition to a
second CT simulator—just outside the treatment
rooms—a PET CT unit will be placed steps away
from the proton treatment rooms. This will allow
for further research for post-proton treatment
PET imaging and will aid in PET CT treatment
planning.
It is anticipated that all equipment installation,
testing, and regulatory approval will be completed
by December 2012.
Conclusion
rotation. Full 360 degree beam delivery will be accomplished by
combination of gantry rotation and robotic patient positioning.
The proton accelerator will be a compact synchrotron, which
can accelerate protons up to 250 MeV for therapy and 330
MeV for proton tomography. Each treatment room will have
cone beam CT (CBCT) capabilities by use of a robotic C-arm
which rotates the imaging system around the patient at beam
isocenter. The treatment rooms are sized to accommodate inroom CT-SIM systems, which may be installed at a later date.
The above equipment will be supplied by ProTom International.
Varian Eclipse planning system and Aria operation system will
be used. The McLaren Proton Therapy Center will be the first
in the state of Michigan and will draw its patients from a statewide network of McLaren hospitals and clinics. The overall
cost of the equipment and building is substantially lower
than most existing proton treatment centers. The McLaren
Proton Therapy Center represents a new era for lower-cost,
breakthrough technology proton treatment centers.
The MPTC as designed and constructed shows
a model of reducing construction space via
integration with an existing radiation facility. The
Center provides pencil-beam scanning, a gantry
and cone-beam CT in every room, and PET CT
unit in the facility-all for a lower cost than recently
constructed operational facilities. The MPTC
represents another milestone in the progress of
the Proton Therapy industry.
Figure 3. McLaren Proton Therapy Center
To request a copy of the poster or for
more information, call (810) 342-4200
or email [email protected]
Interventional Cardiology Fellow
-Completes Training
M
cLaren Regional Medical Center’s first Interventional
Cardiology Fellow is nearing the end of his training. Mohamad
Sobh, D.O., came to McLaren in July of 2010. Jeffrey Harris,
D.O., Director of McLaren’s Cath Lab, graciously volunteered
to oversee Dr. Sobh during his Fellowship. Dr. Sobh’s residency
training was completed through POH Regional Medical Center, a
subsidiary of McLaren Health Care. MRMC is providing Dr. Sobh
the interventional rotation for his Fellowship. Physician members
of the Division of Cardiology and the Vascular Surgeons have
provided faculty and case experience for Dr. Sobh. Appreciation
is expressed to everyone who was part of this undertaking.
Pictured is Dr. Jeffrey Harris and Dr. Mohamad Sobh. n
PULSE 5
McLaren Celebrates Doctors’ Day
McLaren honored its medical staff
at the annual Doctors’ Day celebration.
Breakfast and luncheon was served.
To all doctors on the MRMC medical staff,
Internal Medicine residents Edsil deOcampo, MD
and Nageswar Pothula, MD
thank you for your hard work and dedication,
for the compassion, concern and kindness
you’ve shown to patients and their families,
and for your many contributions to the
Medical Center and the community we served.
Ioana Morariu, MD; Aileen Arguelles, MD;
Maral Kojian, MD, and Jami Foreback, MD
Sharon Baker and Hugo Lopez-Negrete, M.D.
Surgical residents Erick Rivas, MD
David Desimone and Armen Kirakosyan, MD
Peter Ng, MD and David Wiese, MD
Abd Alghanem, MD
PULSE
6 PULSE
Jawahar Tummala, M.D. and Doris Beebe
Same Face,
New Role &
Responsibility
By Edwin Gullekson, MD, FAAFP, FACFEI, CFP
When a door closes a new door opens. I heard that
knock from the CDS/Case Management Department and
gladly walked in. For the past year I have been working with
physicians on documentation.
Marta Bonkowski, M.D. and Kiran Kinra, M.D.
The medical record is a story. It's a story of a patient’s history,
physical findings, test, procedures and a daily narrative on
the progress of care. More and more rules and regulations are
appearing every day as to what should be in the chart. Rules
come from the Joint Commission, Blue Cross-Blue Shield,
Medicare, Medicaid and other payers. If documentation isn’t
stated a certain way, it is as if the patient didn’t have it done;
resulting in being unable to code the care for proper billing.
Ultimately, the physician does not get credit for the severity
of illness of the patient. This is where I come in.
If a diagnosis is missing (for example serum sodium 01 114
is entered, but the diagnosis of hyponeutremia is missing), or
is incomplete (for example congestive heart failure must be
clarified as to acute vs. chronic, systolic vs. diastolic) then a
Physicians Documentation Clarification Request is generated.
D and Darren Perttu, MD
The physician is asked to document the clarification. The
record must support the clarification and the doctor or PA or
NP must agree and write it out. They also can add the update
in the computer.
James Vyskocil, MD
We now review all discharges to create a complete, correct
and compliant diagnosis for each patient: My job is to teach
physicians the “New Language.” n
D
PULSE 7
Therapy
Physical Therapy, Sports Medicine
and Wellness Center
to
moves 1 North
Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine have recently
moved to a newly renovated suite on 1 North across from the
Cardiac Rehabilitation Gym. McLaren Physical Therapy and
Sports Medicine specializes in all orthopedic conditions. Some
of these conditions are: total joint replacement (knee, hip,
shoulder, and ankle); ACL reconstruction; ankle, hip, shoulder,
and knee sprains/stains; and neck and back injuries. These
injuries can be a result of ordinary wear and tear, work related
accidents, motor vehicle accidents, or sports related activities.
Kudos
Carlo A. Dall’Olmo, M.D., a vascular
surgeon with Michigan Vascular
Center, was nominated and accepted
as a Distinguished Fellow of the
Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS).
He was recognized for his commitment
to excellence in teaching, creative
professional activities, and service to
the vascular professional community.
The Distinguished Fellow designation of
the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS)
is bestowed upon active members of the
society who distinguish themselves in a
sustained manner by making substantial
contributions in two of three categories:
research, service, or education. n
Under the guidance
of certified physical
therapists, patients
are prescribed
specific exercises
to promote body
strength, function
and mobility and
prevent future
physical injury.
The PT Gym is now
conveniently located
on the first floor of
the Medical Center’s
North building.
Physical therapy provides services for all ages and will
customize a home program designed specially towards patient
goals. A physician prescription is required for physical therapy
treatments. An after-therapy exercise program is also available
whereby our patients can utilize our new gym once they have
completed their physical therapy for one free month and,
thereafter, for a nominal fee. n
Call (810) 342-2356 to reach the Physical Therapy office.
8 PULSE
The Office of Inspector General Releases Guidance
to Help Physicians Avoid Medicare/Medicaid Fraud and Abuse
Most physicians strive to work ethically, render high-
The five most important
Federal fraud and abuse laws
that apply to physicians are:
quality medical care to their patients, and submit proper claims
for payment. Society places enormous trust in physicians,
and rightly so. Trust is at the core of the physician-patient
relationship. When our health is at its most vulnerable, we
rely on physicians to use their expert medical training to put
us on the road to a healthy recovery.
False Claims Act (FCA)
Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS)
Physician Self-Referral Law (Stark law)
The Federal Government also places enormous trust in
physicians. Medicare, Medicaid, and other Federal health
care programs rely on physicians' medical judgment to treat
beneficiaries with appropriate services. When reimbursing
physicians and hospitals for services provided to program
beneficiaries, the Federal Government relies on physicians to
submit accurate and truthful claims information.
The presence of some dishonest health care providers who
exploit the health care system for illegal personal gain has
created the need for laws that combat fraud and abuse and
ensure appropriate quality medical care. A brochure is available
which assists physicians in understanding how to comply with
these Federal laws by identifying "red flags" that could lead to
potential liability in law enforcement and administrative actions.
The information is organized around three types of relationships
that physicians frequently encounter in their careers:
Relationships with payers,
Relationships with fellow
physicians and other providers,
and Relationships with vendors.
The key issues addressed in the brochure are relevant to all
physicians, regardless of specialty or practice setting.
Exclusion Authorities
Civil Monetary Penalties Law (CMPL)
Government agencies, including:
Department of Justice
Department of Health & Human Services
Office of Inspector General (OIG)
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
are charged with enforcing these laws.
As you continue or begin your career, it is crucial to understand
these laws not only because following them is the right thing
to do, but also because violating them could result in criminal
penalties, civil fines, exclusion from the Federal health care
programs, or loss of your medical license from your State
medical board. n
The complete "Roadmap for Physicians" brochure is available at the
Office of the Inspector General Department of Health and Human
Services website http://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/PhysicianEducation/
Bariatric
Bariatric News
McLaren Bariatric Institute has recently
Surgical
Outcom
es Compare
d to Colla
borative
Studies
G-3200 Be
echer Ro
ad, Su
Flin
Phone: (81 t, Michigan 48 ite MBI
532
0) 342-547
0 or 1-888
-342-547
0
5701 Bow
Clarkston Pointe Drive
, Michiga
n
48
Phone: (24
8) 922-6 346
830
mclarenreg
ional.org/
baratrics
released an informational booklet for physicians
listing surgical outcomes for patients of McLaren
Bariatric Institute compared to the broader
Michigan Bariatric Surgery Collaborative data.
Booklets will be mailed to several physician
practices this summer. n
Call (810) 342-5470 for more information or to request an additional copy.
PULSE 9
Education
IM Physicians
Receive Multiple Awards
at ACP Meeting
the Winners
Oral Category
2nd PLACE
~ Research ~
Maral Kojaian (Third Year Resident), Siva
Talluri (Faculty), Susan Harris (Tufts University Collaborator),
Shagun Arora (Third Year Resident), Jyothsna Talluri
(Third Year Resident), Matt Singh, Trevor Singh (Faculty),
and Radhika Kakarala (Faculty) for their project:
Lymphopenia as a Prognostic Factor for Overall
Survival in Colon, Lung and Pancreatic Carcinomas.
3rd PLACE
Siva Talluri (Faculty), Radhika Kakarala
(Faculty), Tezo Karedan (First year Resident), Madhuri Kakarala
(Collaborator from University of Michigan) for their project:
Male Breast Carcinoma in the United States:
Survival Rates and Determinants of Prognosis.
Aileen Arguelles, MD
Chetankumar
Chauhan, MD
Tezo Karedan, MD
Oral Category
~ Continuous Quality Improvement~
1 st PLACE
Maral Kojaian, MD
Mohammed Mozayen, MD Vanessa Pauig, MD
McLa ren I nter nal Med ici ne
residents took one third of the prizes at
the Michigan Chapter American College
of Physicians (ACP) Associates’ Day
Meeting, although they comprise only
4% of all internal medicine residents in
the state of Michigan.
The meeting was held in Ann Arbor
on May 20th. This meeting is for
the Associate Members of the ACP
(Residents and Fellows still in training)
though all projects must have faculty
collaborators.
The McLaren Internal Medicine
Residents won five prizes out of a total
of 15 awarded. n
Aileen Arguelles (Second Year Resident),
Vidya Kollu (Second Year Resident), Shagun Arora (Third
Year Resident), Vanessa Pauig* (First Year Resident), Anil
Nalubotula (Second Year Resident), Siva Talluri (Faculty),
Siddesh Besur (Faculty) for their project:
Improvement of Immunization Rates by a Nurse-Led
Standing Order Program Using a Modified Screening Form.
Poster Category
2nd PLACE
~ Research~
Mohammed Mozayen (Hospitalist - MRMC),
M Omaira (Second Year Resident - Hurley), Mohammed
Kanaan* (Second Year Resident), Khalil Katato (Hurley
Faculty) for their project:
The Impact of Barrett’s Esophagus on Overall
Survival of Colon Cancer Patients.
3rd PLACE Chetankumar Chauhan (Second Year Resident),
Hilana Hatoum (Third Year Resident), Mohammad Katout
(Third Year Resident), Ramesh Yarlagadda (Second Year
Resident), Nishant Sethi (Collaborator – University of
Connecticut), Fadi Rzouq (Synergy Hospitalist), Radhika
Kakarala (Faculty) for their project:
Elevated Monocyte Count - a Novel Predictor
for Severe Coronary Artery Stenosis in Patients
with Acute Coronary Syndrome.
*Dr. Kanaan presented Dr. Mozayen’s project and
Dr. Pauig presented Dr. Arguelles’ project.
10 PULSE
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Erika Chevrette, RN has been promoted to Cardio Vascular
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Care Unit and Non-Invasive Services Manager. Erika has a
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wealth of experience in cardiology services. She has been the
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Assistant Nurse Manager of Heart and Vascular Services since
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October, 2009. Prior to this assignment she was a staff nurse
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in the CVCU for three years. Erika's scope of responsibility in
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her new position will be to provide management oversight for
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CVCU, Non-Invasive Services, and Vascular Services.
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Kim Johnson, RNannouncements
has joined MRMCannouncements
as Director of
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Medical/Surgical Services.
Kim is an experienced
Director
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with expertise in Customer
Care, Operational
Effectiveness,
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and Process Improvement.
Kim has over announcements
27 years nursing
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experience, 22 of them
in nursing leadership.
She graduated
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with Bachelor of Science
in Nursing from Marion
College in
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Marion, Indiana. announcements announcements
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Cheryl Wieber has announcements
recently transitioned to
her new role as
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Director of Diagnostic Imaging, overseeing McLaren Imaging
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Center, Clarkston Imaging Center, Lapeer Imaging Center, and
announcements announcements
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MRMC Radiology. After working in Business Development,
announcements announcements
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she was promoted to Director of Cardiovascular Services,
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a position which she held for almost four years, until her
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recent move to Radiology. She is a graduate of University of
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Michigan-Flint Masters of Healthcare Administration program.
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Tracy Williams has
been promotedannouncements
to Director of
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Respiratory Therapy,
EEG and Pulmonary
Diagnostics at
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MRMC. Tracy has nearly
19 years experience
at McLaren,
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serving the last eight years
as Manager of Respiratory
Therapy.
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Tracy graduated fromannouncements
the respiratory therapy
program at Mott
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Community College inannouncements
1993. She received a Bachelor
of Business
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Administration fromannouncements
University of Michigan-Flint
in 2010.
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Announcements
Patient Services
Center Open
A contemporary, spacious new
area to welcome and service patients
has opened on at MRMC. Patient
Registration, Pre-Admission Testing,
and Lab Drawing Services are all
coordinated through one location called
Patient Services Center. The new space
is centrally located, just outside the
Central elevators on the First Floor. n
PULSE 11
Welcome to the
Medical Staff
Sankar A. Nair, MD
Orlando Benedict, MD
Medical Degree
Medical Degree
Pain Management Specialist
Northeastern Ohio Universities
College of Medicine
Roostown, OH
Residency & Fellowship
Pain Management
University of Michigan
Medical Center
Ann Arbor, MI
Office Location
McLaren Specialty Center
G-3200 Beecher Rd. Suite 02
Flint, MI
Family Medicine
University of Puerto Rico
School of Medicine
Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico
Residency
San Pablo Hospital
Bayamon, Puerto Rico
Office Location
8392 Holly Rd.
Grand Blanc, MI
Phone
(810) 695-1770
Phone
(810) 342-5500
P u l s e
Newsletter for the Medical Staff of McLaren Regional Medical Center
EDITORIAL DIRECTION
Donald Kooy, President and CEO,
McLaren Regional Medical Center
CONTRIBUTING
AUTHORS
Sherry Stewart
Ellen Peter
Laurie Prochazka
MANAGING EDITOR
Laurie Prochazka
Director of Marketing Communications, PHOTOGRAPHY
Ted Klopf
McLaren Health Care Corporation
Sherry Stewart
Ellen Peter
EDITOR
Ellen Peter
DESIGN
Linda Bedenis
McLaren Art
Department
PRINTING
McLaren
Graphics
Department
We welcome comments, suggestions and ideas: [email protected] or call (810) 342-4478.
12 PULSE
MISSION
McLaren Health Care, through its
subsidiaries, will be Michigan’s best
value in healthcare as defined by
quality outcomes and cost.
VISION
McLaren Regional Medical Center will
be the recognized leader and preferred
provider of primary and specialty
healthcare services to the
communities of mid-Michigan.
Visit our website and view Pulse online
www.mclarenregional.org