171 Ashley Ave.
Charleston, SC 29425
843-792-1414
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October 2004
This edition:
Letter from the Chair
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| Dr. Lyndon Key, MD |
This year will mark the occupation of our newly constructed space in the Children's Research Institute and it is exciting to see us accumulating new faculty to run and work in this facility. Dr. Reddy from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania joined us in July and will head up the osteoclast/bone lab. His efforts will include starting basic studies which will lead to new treatments for a variety of metabolic bone disorders.
Dr. Furlanetto, the director of endocrine is working with Dr. Singh to create a new program in diabetes prevention. A variety of programs developing neuro-protective strategies are being started by Dr. Eicher and Dr. Clark Brown is researching neonatal asphyxia and sickle cell disease. Dr. Carol Wagner and Dr. Bruce Hollis are investigating the value of vitamin D supplementation to eventual bone density and strength and clinically.
Dr. Loesek has been added to our superb crew of emergency medicine physicians to spearhead the first dedicated and fully-staffed pediatric emergency department in South Carolina. The reality of our pediatric ED is the result of the vision of not only Dr. Tecklenberg, whose plaque now is seen on the ED wall, but also that of Stuart Smith, Dean Reves, President Greenberg, and the board of trustees who have provided us the resources to continue to advance the care of South Carolina's children.
It truly is an exciting time to be at the MUSC Children's Hospital. Everyday we are reminded that we are indeed "all about children." A heartfelt thank you to our faculty and staff for making our hospital the best it can be. We should all feel proud. It is my hope that we will all continue to strive to achieve excellence in our teaching, clinical care and research endeavors.
L. Lyndon Key, MD
Chair, Department of Pediatrics
Letter from the Administrator
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| Dr. John Sanders |
A Community Resource
Since 1987, the people of the Lowcountry have counted on the MUSC Children's Hospital to provide excellent care
for the area's sickest children. There is no doubt that when a child was seriously ill or injured that the Children's
Hospital is the best choice of care. We appreciate that confidence and also believe that we provide an environment
that is the best place for children no matter how serious the health issue is. We are now seeing that families and
local pediatricians feel the same way. Over the last year over 20 community pediatricians have gained privileges at
the Children's Hospital and admitting their patients.
Other hospitals in the community support this change and recognize the focus the Children's Hospital has on kids.
Pediatric wards in other facilities are decreasing. To make sure that we can provide the care that is needed for
our new friends, we have developed a new Children's Emergency Room that is the only full-service pediatric emergency
department in the state of South Carolina. To accommodate higher volumes of patients, we have extended the hours of
operation of the Same Day area, where children who need a little more time to recover from a procedure or receive a
specific treatment that does not require an inpatient admission can be housed.
We are also looking towards the future. As the Medical Center builds its new hospital, space will be made available
within the Children's Hospital and adjacent areas. Planning is now occurring to develop new bed space with new exciting services for neonates
and children. Existing inpatient areas are being upgraded to improve the décor and
functionality of the hospital to continue to improve the environment for the children. A newly renovated Pediatric
Cardiac Intensive Care Unit is expected to open next Spring.
The MUSC Children's Hospital is the Lowcountry's children's hospital. No matter what the problem, the Children's
Hospital is seen as the best solution for kid's health.
CRI News Brief
The Children's Research Institute will receive its first occupants in the next couple of weeks. Starting the week of September 20, occupants on the 2nd and 3rd floors will begin moving in. Programs that will be housed on the 2nd and 3rd floors include the following:
- Pediatric Obesity, Insulin Resistance, and Diabetes
- Childhood Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases
- Osteoclast Biology and Bone Disease
- Antenatal and Early Childhood Nutrition
- Pediatric Pulmonary Biology
- MUSC Proteomics Center
- Clemson-MUSC Bioengineering Program
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Dr. Bernard Maria, MD, MBA
Executive Director of the CRI |
A recent article in the Post and Courier (Institute Puts Focus on Children, September 16, 2004) featured the programs in antenatal and early childhood nutrition directed by Drs. Hollis and Wagner, and the osteoclast biology and bone disease program directed by Dr. Reddy who recently joined our department. In addition, the two groups are exploring collaborations and it seems clear that there is considerable expertise that will be pooled in the Children's Research Institute to tackle important questions on bone metabolism and disease.
The creation of the antenatal and early childhood nutrition program will allow ongoing research in the areas of antenatal and neonatal nutrition and disease prevention in response to national, state, and local needs. The primary objective of the program is to disseminate scientific information obtained in the study of nutritional needs of the mother and her developing fetus during pregnancy and of the mother and her infant during lactation through infancy and early childhood. Through well-designed scientific studies that will foster our understanding of antenatal and childhood nutrition, the program will serve as a link between national objectives and the South Carolina community.
In researching osteoporosis, the osteoclast biology and bone disease program has made significant contributions to understanding osteoclastic origin, development, and function. However the major unanswered question is, "how is the process of bone resorption and bone formation coupled to normal bone development and maintenance?" The program goal is to define the pathobiology so that bone diseases can be understood, treated, and prevented. Prevention is the best way to address the problem of osteoporosis. However, when prevention does not work, strategies need to be developed to provide safe, effective therapy for children as well as adults.
In coming issues of this newsletter, we will feature other key programs and accomplishments of investigators. This is an exciting time for children's research and for the Department of Pediatrics.
Children's Research Institute scheduled for completion Jan. 2005
Janice Key Receives University's Distinguished Service Award
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| Dr. Janice Key, MD |
Janice Key, MD was recently awarded the Distinguished University Service Award. Dr. Key, a professor in the Departments of
Medicine and Pediatrics received the reward for her contributions to community service, education, clinical care, and research.
Dr. Key joined the MUSC faculty 13 years ago as an assistant professor charged with setting up the division of adolescent
medicine. She immediately made her mark, working with Jan Owens, a nurse practitioner to start the first school-based clinic
in South Carolina. She served for many years on the School Health Committee of the Charleston County Medical Society. She has
also been active in medical teaching, not only for a new division but also developing the combined medicine/pediatrics residency
program. Her research activities have been focused in the area of pregnancy prevention has been rated as the most effective
program in preventing repeat pregnancy. The program has also resulted in a 100% graduation rate among participants in a high
school with a less than 50% graduation rate. She has also found time to work in community health clinics, and is a much
sought-after speaker about adolescent health issues. Dr. Key is a model faculty member who has balanced family, work, and
community. As her nominator, Dr. Charles Darby stated in his letter, "She looks and sees what needs to be done and she does it."
Trading Spaces: A Place for Our Families
By: Mary A. Johnson, RN, MSN
The Children’s Hospital is partnering with the Ronald McDonald House
charities to construct a Ronald McDonald Family Room on the seventh floor of
the Children’s Hospital. The room will be located in the current family
lounge area (735-CH ) which will be renovated and decorated to feel more
like a den or family room. Food and beverage vending machines currently
located in the room will be relocated to the patient elevator lobby on the
seventh floor. The room will be managed by the Ronald McDonald House staff
and volunteers. Funds for the renovation will be from donors to the Ronald
McDonald House Charities. Look for construction to start in September and
for a grand opening in November to coincide with the groundbreaking of the
new addition to the Ronald McDonald House.
New Faces: Meet Dr. Losek
By: Mary A. Johnson, RN, MSN
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| Dr. Joseph Losek, MD |
To move cross country from St. Paul, Minnesota to Charleston, South Carolina
might seem unlikely, but we can thank Dr. Losek’s daughter for bringing
him to MUSC Children’s Hospital.
In April 2004, Dr. Joseph Losek joined the staff of the Pediatric Emergency
Department. He brings with him a wealth of experience in all areas of
pediatric emergency medicine including clinical care, administration,
research, and teaching. Dr. Losek received his medical degree from the
University of Wisconsin and completed a pediatric residency at Ohio State
University. Upon completing his residency, he worked in private practice in
Vancouver, Washington.
He was quickly drawn into the newly emerging specialty of pediatric
emergency medicine. He joined the staff of the Medical College of Wisconsin
in Milwaukee where he was instrumental in developing the pediatric emergency
department. He served as the first medical director of the department
and was very involved in academic medicine as an associate professor. He
also started a pediatric emergency medicine fellowship program at the
university.
After 11 years in Wisconsin, he became interested in focusing exclusively
on clinical care. He accepted a position as a pediatric emergency physician
at the Children’s Hospital of St. Paul, Minnesota. His talents and skills as
an administrator, however, were quickly called into service when the
current medical director had to step down. Dr. Losek assumed the role and
continued to hold the position for 11 years.
When his daughter moved to Charleston, he and his wife began to think about
relocating to a warmer climate. He explored positions in the Southeast and
soon found the perfect opportunity at MUSC Children’s Hospital. Dr.
Losek chose MUSC because the position offered every item on his list-a
rapidly growing program in a newly redesigned department and an opportunity
to continue in clinical teaching and serve as a research mentor for junior
faculty. Since Dr. Losek arrived, changes have continued in the new
pediatric emergency department. The department recently began offering
24-hour pediatric physician coverage and has launched an advertising
campaign
to let families in the community know about the area’s only pediatric
emergency department. Dr. Losek has many short and long-term goals for the
department including 24-hour coverage by emergency medicine trained
physicians, a fast-track program to handle less acute cases, and ultimately
a pediatric emergency medicine fellowship program.
Meanwhile, Dr. Losek and his wife are adjusting to life in Charleston. They
have quickly adapted to heat, humidity and the threat of hurricanes and are
looking forward to the mild Charleston winters. Dr. Losek’s wife is becoming
very knowledgeable about the Lowcountry as she travels in Charleston and the
surrounding area in her position as a home health nurse. They recently sent
their youngest daughter back to college for her senior year at the
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Both parents are keeping their fingers
crossed that she too may relocate to Charleston after graduation. Meanwhile,
their oldest daughter who introduced them to Charleston married this
summer. Hopefully for us, the Charleston connection will continue for many
years.
New Faculty
| Adolescent Medicine |
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Sergio R. Buzzini, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor
Adolescent Medicine
Dr. Buzzini has completed fellowship training and is board certified in adolescent medicine and sports
medicine. You'll catch Dr. Buzzini traveling to provide patient care among off-campus clinics, such as
Burke High School, as well as the clinic at Rutledge Tower (3rd floor). He is really looking forward to
establishing a pediatrics sports medicine program and receiving outstanding career mentoring.
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| Endocrinology |
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Joseph J. Senn, PhD
Assistant Professor
Endocrinology
Hearing of the Children's Research Institute, Dr. Senn left California in order to take advantage to explore
research in Type 2 diabetes and obesity. Dr. Senn will soon be moving into the CRI where he will work
side-by-side with his longtime mentor Dr. Furlanetto who joined us last year.
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Sakamuri V. Reddy, PhD
Professor
Endocrinology
With his appearance in The Catalyst (August 6, 2004) and The Post and Courier (September 16, 2004),
people are learning that the department successfully recruited Reddy, an outstanding investigator from the
University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Reddy was lured to the campus as one of the inaugural researchers to benefit
from the new Children's Research Institute in order to expand his research in osteoclast biology. His
leadership should prove extremely beneficial to junior faculty hoping to translate bench science to clinical
practice for bone diseases.
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| Pediatric Cardiology |
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Geoffrey A. Forbus, MD
Assistant Professor
Cardiology
Having recently completed a fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina, Dr. Forbus will continue
work with the Children's Hospital in the area of non-invasive cardiac imaging and pediatric cardiac intensive
care. He completed his residency at the University of Mississippi Hospitals and Clinics. Dr. Forbus sees
patients at the Children's Hospital (6th floor) in addition to an off-campus clinic site in Beaufort. He has
remained at the Children's Hospital because of the people and the setting; he enjoys working out complex heart
problems.
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Jon F. Lucas, MD
Clinical Instructor
Cardiology
Dr. Lucas completed both a residency and fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina. His
specialty care with cardiac MRIs, CT and echocardiography keep him occupied on at the Children's Hospital
(6th floor). Dr. Lucas enjoys the fact that there is a wide array of conditions and that MUSC is one of the
few places in the country that offers the full spectrum of sophisticated heart imaging technologies for
children.
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Jeremy M. Ringewald, MD
Assistant Professor
Cardiology
Arriving on campus moments before press deadline, Dr. Ringewald will be providing patient care at the
Children's Hospital (6th floor) with his special interests being in interventional cardiac catheterization.
He is working on broadening the scope of use of stints and he is excited about being part of a program that
offers a full range of services to children with cardiac problems.
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| Pediatric Emergency Department |
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Jennifer M. Braden, MD
Clinical Instructor
Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Dr. Braden joined the pediatric faculty as the institution began expanding its pediatric emergency room
(located on 96 Jonathan Lucas Blvd.) service to seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day. She recently
completed her residency at the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Braden enjoys taking care of
children and addressing the challenges that are presented in the emergency room.
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Brett L. MacLean, MD
Clinical Instructor
Pediatric Emergency/Critical Care
Dr. MacLean recently completed his residency at the Medical University of South Carolina and was intrigued
with the expanded care of the pediatric emergency room (located on 96 Jonathan Lucas Blvd). Brett joins a
talented and growing group of people dedicated to handling every childhood emergency in our modern facilities.
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| Pulmnology |
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Ann-Marie Brooks, MD
Assistant Professor
Pulmonary
Already popular as a speaker (Pediatric Grand Rounds, September 10), Dr. Brooks joined the pediatric faculty
as the department continues to develop the specialty of pulmonology. You can find her practicing at the
Children's Hospital and Rutledge Tower Clinic (4th floor). A long range goal is to develop some clinical
trials in her areas of interest-asthma and lung disease in premature infants.
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| Licensed School Psychologist |
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Mary C. Kral, PhD
Assistant Professor
Child Development
Because of Dr. Kral's attraction to Charleston, it didn't take much to tempt her to stay at the Medical
University of South Carolina after completing an internship and postdoctoral fellowship in pediatric
neuropsychology. Dr. Kral has a special interest in sickle cell disease because it is so prevalent in
South Carolina and it's effects on a child's brain. She provides patient care at Rutledge Tower (3rd floor).
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Click here to view a complete list of all pediatric residents.
Upcoming Events
Pediatric Grand Rounds
Children's Hospital Fund Special Events
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