Grand Rounds March on Memphis Medical News

Grand Rounds March

Medtronic Receives Fda Approval For First Replacement Heart Valve Implanted Without Surgery

In a significant development for congenital heart disease patients, Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT), announced today that its Melody® Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval under a Humanitarian Device Exemption (HDE). This innovative medical device is the first transcatheter heart valve to receive FDA approval.

Delivered through a catheter requiring only a small incision, the Melody valve will benefit children and adults who are born with a malformation of their pulmonary valve. These patients often require open‐heart surgery to restore effective blood flow to their lungs. Previously, the only way to repair or replace a failed pulmonary valve conduit was through additional surgeries. To date, more than 1,100 patients worldwide have received a Melody valve.

The Melody valve gives patients with congenital heart disease a new, non-surgical approach to managing their disease.

Dr. John Liddicoat, vice president and general manager of the Structural Heart division, part of the CardioVascular business, at Medtronic said that Medtronic is leading the development of transcatheter therapies for heart valve disease and FDA approval of the Melody Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve is evidence of that leadership.

In October 2006, the Melody valve became the first transcatheter valve to receive regulatory approval anywhere in the world when it received the CE (Conformité Européenne) mark. It is now approved by the FDA for use in the United States under an HDE, a special regulatory approval for treatments intended for fewer than 4,000 U.S. patients per year. HDEs are granted for medical devices that have demonstrated reasonable safety and probable benefit, but not clinical effectiveness.

Medtronic CardioVascular is committed to advancing the treatment of coronary, peripheral, aortic and structural heart disease through collaboration with leading clinicians, researchers and scientists worldwide.

Doyle Named President of PNA

Lynn Doyle of Delta Medical Center was recently named President of the Professional Network on Aging, a network of professionals serving senior adults.

Baptist Memorial Health Care and NEA Clinic Announce Partnership

JONESBORO, Ark., – Baptist Memorial Health Care and NEA Clinic announced that the two have partnered to form a not-for-profit health system in Northeast Arkansas named NEA Baptist Health System. As part of this new initiative, NEA Clinic announced that the largest physician-owned medical group in the state will convert to not-for-profit status.

The newly formed, Arkansas-based not-for-profit health system will be an affiliate of Baptist Memorial Health Care and will steer the activities of both NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital and NEA Clinic, whose name will change to NEA Baptist Clinic.

Local management of NEA Baptist and NEA Clinic will remain unchanged with this new health system structure. A board made up of NEA Clinic physicians, Baptist leadership and other community members will govern the new health system.

According to NEA Clinic and Baptist officials, the partnership will bring more efficiencies, advanced technology and provide an even higher level of care to patients. The integration allows the system to continue to grow and expand services to meet the health care needs of Northeast Arkansas.

Creating one health system positions NEA Clinic for national health care reform according to Jim Boswell, CEO. He said there is a clear national trend toward large physician groups and hospital systems coming together in partnership and forming integrated clinical enterprises. NEA Clinic and Baptist have spent many months looking at organizations like St. John’s, Mayo and Cleveland Clinic to see firsthand the benefits for patients and the community. Boswell said that the multi-specialty group practice model integrated with a highly successful hospital has been proven to provide higher quality care in a more efficient, cost-effective manner.

Caring Physician Receives Prestigious “Barnabas Award”

Dr. Steve Rice was named recipient of the prestigious Barnabas Award presented by the Christian Medical and Dental Association of the Mid South. The Barnabas Award is presented annually to a Physician who through his/her practice, witness and life has brought encouragement to healthcare professionals and medical students in Memphis as well as other parts of the world. The award is named after Barnabas who was the Apostle Paul’s companion on his first missionary journey. He provided Paul support when they both faced adversity, disappointment and even death.

Dr. Rice is a Psychiatrist who has held a practice in the Memphis area for a number of years. He currently serves as the Medical Director for the Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Out Patient Programs at Delta Medical Center.

Mary Hammons, CEO, said Rice is a wonderful physician and a fine man who is completely deserving of the award

The West Clinic Joins Cancer Clinics of Excellence

The West Clinic, a world-class center of excellence in oncology, hematology, radiology and other advanced medical care, joined Cancer Clinics of Excellence, the nation’s only practice-owned and physician-driven network of community oncologists. The announcement was made by Lee S. Schwartzberg, MD, FACP, Chief Medical Officer for The West Clinic, during the 5th Annual Community Oncology Conference held in Scottsdale, Arizona. Dr. Schwartzberg served as the conference’s Chairman.

According to Schwartzberg the goals of The West Clinic and CCE to improve patient care are in complete synergy. He said membership in CCE will extend the measurable benefits of evidence-based medicine in their practice, and that CCE’s proprietary Evidence-based Treatment Protocols are the foundation of practicing evidence-based medicine across the continuum of care in oncology.

West Clinic has been a leader in the quality movement in oncology, developing clinical pathways and partnering with payers to ensure consistency of treatment across many different cancer types.

With the addition of The West Clinic, CCE will now comprise nearly 10 percent of all community-based medical oncologists. CCE’s network of community-based oncology practices treats over 200,000 patients annually, and its members work diligently to address the challenges facing community-based oncologists nationwide.

Dr. Richard Gordon Joins Stern Cardiovascular Center in Munford

Dr. Richard Gordon has joined the physicians and staff at The Stern Cardiovascular Center at its new location at 76 Tabb Road in Munford.

Dr. Gordon, along with Dr. Jason Infeld, will oversee Stern’s cardiovascular practice in Munford, which includes a state-of-the-art full-service cardiac testing center, offering nuclear testing and echocardiography, in addition to cardiac consultation.

Dr. Gordon is also director of outreach services for Stern’s cardiovascular medical practice, which serves primarily West Tennessee. Since 2004, Dr. Gordon had been the principal cardiologist at the Gordon Heart Clinic in Munford. He will continue to see patients at Stern Cardiovascular Center’s offices in Millington, Ripley, Somerville, and Oakland.

Dr. Gordon holds a medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He received his cardiology training at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, and studied cardiac MRI testing at The Royal Brompton Hospital in London, England.

The Memphis Medical Society Announces New Board Chairman And Board Members

The Memphis Medical Society announces the election of new officers and three new individuals to its Board of Directors. James K. Ensor, Jr., M.D. an internist at Memphis Internal Medicine replaces Clarence B. Watridge, M.D. as the 133rd President of the Society. Additional officers that were elected are Jerome W. Thompson, M.D., President-elect; Robert H. Miller, III, M.D., Vice-President; Alim Khandekar, M.D., Secretary and Charles N. Larkin, M.D., Treasurer. Incoming new board members are Nancy A. Chase, M.D.; Stacy C. Smith, M.D. and Melanie L. Woodall, M.D. Returning board members are Marion Dugdale, M.D.; Thomas J. O’Donnell, M.D.; Edmond W. Owen, Jr., M.D.; Autry J. Parker, M.D.; Frederick Pelz, M.D. and Claudette J. Shephard, M.D.

President of the Memphis Medical Society, James K. Ensor, Jr., M.D. was born in Cookeville, Tennessee. He received his medical degree from the University of Tennessee – Memphis where he also completed his residency and internship. Dr. Ensor is Board Certified in Internal Medicine. He is an internist with Memphis Internal Medicine. Dr. Ensor has served on the Society’s board since 2004. He was on the Grievance Committee from 1997 to 2004. He served on the Ethics Committee in 1991, 1993 and from 1997-2001. Dr. Ensor is also a TMA delegate. Dr. Ensor is a past president of the Memphis Academy of Internal Medicine.

President-elect Jerome W. Thompson, M.D. received his medical degree from the University of California – Los Angeles. He completed his internship and residency at UCLA School of Medicine. He did a fellowship in pediatric otolaryngology at Los Angeles Children’s Hospital. Dr. Thompson is a professor and Department Chair of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery at UT Health Science Center. He served on the Society’s Legislative Committee from 1995-2003. He is currently on the Finance Committee. Dr. Thompson served as Treasurer from 2004 to 2009.

Vice-President Robert H. Miller, III, M.D. received his medical degree from Vanderbilt University. He did an internship and a general surgery residency at Vanderbilt. He completed his residency in orthopedics at Campbell Clinic. He did his fellowship in sports medicine at Hughston Clinic. He is an orthopedic surgeon with Campbell Clinic. He has served on the Medical Society’s board since 2003. He is a TMA Alternate Delegate. He has also served on both the Third Party Insurers and Contract Review Committees.

Secretary Alim Khandekar, M.D. was born in Burdwan, India. He received his medical degree from Dacca Medical College. He completed a general surgery residency at Bridgeport Hospital in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He did his fellowship in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery at the University of Tennessee, Memphis. Dr. Khandekar has served on the Legislative Committee since 2005. He is a past president (2005-2006) of the Bin Sina Society, a local organization of Islamic-American physicians.

Treasurer Charles N. Larkin, M.D. received his medical degree from the University of Tennessee – Memphis. He completed his internship and residency at Navy Regional Medical Center in San Diego. He has served on the Society’s membership committee from 1995 to the present. Dr. Larkin is a pediatrician with Pediatrics East, Inc.

The Memphis Medical Society is a professional membership society for physicians. It was founded as the Shelby County Medical Society in 1876. The Memphis Medical Society currently has 1,432 members.

PRSA Names Meri Armour Communicator of the Year

The Memphis Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) today named Meri Armour, president and CEO of Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center, as its 2009 Communicator of the Year.

Armour was honored at the chapter’s monthly luncheon at the Fogelman Executive Center on the University of Memphis campus. About 100 local public relations practitioners from corporate, agency and non-profit organizations, as well as area business leaders attended the luncheon.

The award is presented to a member of the community who exhibits the ability to communicate effectively to general or specific publics; has public visibility as a communicator; is a respected member of the community; and invests his or her time and talent communicating a specific message or messages.

Since becoming the president and CEO in 2007, Armour has effectively communicated both internally and externally her vision for the children’s hospital. In 2009, she led efforts to align the hospital with key local organizations; successfully guided fund-raising efforts for the $340-million building set to open in June, and effectively built support within the organization for her 10-year plan.

Armour was saluted Wednesday by past award winner, Allie Prescott; Dr. Steve Schwab, interim chancellor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center; and Jennilyn Utkov, administrative director of marketing and communications at Le Bonheur. The Communicator of the Year award was established in 1976. Bud Dudley, founder of the Liberty Bowl, was the first recipient. The list of honorees includes John Calipari, Kevin Kane, My Harrison, Dr. Carol Johnson, Arnold Perl, Deanie Parker, W.W. Herenton, Gayle Rose, and Allie Prescott.

PRSA Names Lynn Maples Professional of the Year

The Memphis Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) today named Lynn Maples as its 2009 Professional of the Year.

Maples was honored at the chapter’s monthly luncheon Wednesday at the Fogelman Executive Center on the University of Memphis campus. About 100 local public relations practitioners from corporate, agency and non-profit organizations, as well as area business leaders attended the luncheon.

The award is presented to a member of PRSA for greatest service to the chapter in the prior year.

Maples, president-elect of the chapter, was recognized for his successful coordination of the organization’s 2009 Vox Awards Gala. He has also served as the chapter’s secretary and managed its Web site, prsamemphis.org. Maples is a communications projects coordinator at QSource.

Humboldt General Hospital Awarded Accreditation from the Joint Commission

By demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission‘s national standards for healthcare quality and safety, Humboldt General Hospital has earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™.

Humboldt General Hospital has been an affiliate of West Tennessee Healthcare since 1989 and in recent years has experienced expansion of its Emergency Department, Dietary Department, Rehabilitation Department, and the addition of the Dunlap Conference Center.

The Joint Commission conducted an unannounced, on-site evaluation of Humboldt General November 3-6, 2009. The accreditation award recognizes Humboldt General’s dedication to complying with the Joint Commission’s state-of-the-art standards on a continuous basis.

Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve the safety and quality of care provided to the public through the provision of healthcare accreditation and related services that support performance improvement in healthcare organizations. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 15,000 healthcare organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 8,000 hospitals and home care organizations, and more than 6,800 other healthcare organizations that provide long term care, assisted living, behavioral healthcare, laboratory, and ambulatory care services. The Joint Commission also accredits health plans, integrated delivery networks, and other managed care entities. In addition, The Joint Commission provides certification of disease-specific care programs, primary stroke centers, and healthcare staffing services. An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in healthcare.

Stewart And Wilbrun-Wren To Join West Tennessee Woman’s Health Center

JACKSON – Board certified doctors Thulani Stewart M.D. and Kristie Wilburn-Wren M.D. began a practice, West Tennessee Woman’s Health Center, in Jackson, on February 8. Dr. Wilburn-Wren works at West Tennessee Women’s Health Center in Brownsville and plans to work at the Jackson location one day a week. Dr. Stewart will work primarily throughout the week at the Jackson location.

Dr. Malik Ibrahim Hired At Regional Neurology Associates

JACKSON - Dr. Malik Ibrahim recently joined Regional Neurology Associates specializing in treatments such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and dementia.

Ibrahim received his fellowship from Vanderbilt University and the University of Connecticut. He also specializes in treating patients with headaches, back and muscle pain, seizures, sleep disorders and brain ageing diseases.

Women’s and Children’s Pavilion Opens at Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown

Doctors are now performing women’s surgeries and delivering babies at the brand new Women’s and Children’s Pavilion at Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown Hospital. A ribbon cutting ceremony Friday, February 12, celebrated the opening of the Pavilion.

The Women’s and Children’s Pavilion is the first facility in the Memphis area to provide a 24/7 board certified OB hospitalist. The Pavilion also has a neonatal specialist on staff 24/7 and a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with 24 private rooms where patents can remain with their newborn throughout their infant’s hospital stay. Spacious labor and delivery rooms were designed with the family in mind and equipped for the ultimate in privacy, infant safety and comfort. Also, a special Women’s Boutique provides a wide selection of women’s health garments and support products for women of all ages.

West Clinic Interventional Radiologists Perform Region’s First Radiofrequency Ablation for a Metastatic Tumor in the Pancreas

The West Clinic, a world-class center of excellence in oncology, hematology, radiology and other advanced medical care, announced that Tom Hodgkiss, MD, and Scott Baum, MD, Interventional Radiologists, performed the region’s first Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) procedure for metastatic lesion to the pancreas. The procedure was one of only a select few performed nationwide. A metastatic lesion is a tumor that occurs at another site in the body away from the primary origin of the cancer.

The results of RF ablation are remarkable according to Hodgkiss. The patient was diagnosed six years ago with ocular melanoma and has now undergone seven other RF ablation procedures. The previous RF ablations were successful and included 4 different sites. The patient underwent chemotherapy which was unsuccessful and the pancreatic lesion grew 50% with chemotherapy. After reviewing the scans further and discussing options with the patient, she elected to have the RF ablation performed on her pancreas revealed Hodgkiss.

RFA is a state-of-the-art treatment modality utilizing thermal energy to destroy tumors in patients who are not surgical candidates and/or or have not responded to conventional therapies. Board-certified in radiology and fellowship-trained in interventional radiology, Hodgkiss and Baum have performed hundreds of RFA procedures in patients with liver, lung, kidney, and breast cancers.

For patients previously considered untreatable, radiofrequency ablation is a breakthrough technology because when the needle is inserted into the bone, patients an find immediate relief according to Baum.

The West Clinic is the only cancer center in the region providing comprehensive diagnostic and interventional radiology services in the clinic’s state-licensed Ambulatory Surgery Center at the Humphreys location.

Saint Francis February Physician of the Month Mike Nelson, MD

Mike Nelson, MD, Cardiologist joined the SFH-Memphis medical staff in 2008. His professionalism and commitment to meeting patient needs are appreciated by hospital staff, as evidenced by comments from his nomination: “An employee was sent to the ER and was seen by Dr. Nelson who provided medical care in a very prompt and kind manner.”

OrthoMemphis Hires Three Athletic Trainers for Sports Medicine Outreach

OrthoMemphis, a division of MSK Group, P.C., announces the addition of Athletic Trainers Marty Scruggs, Justin Emmons and David Dabbs to the Sports Medicine Outreach Program.

Scruggs is the new Director of the Sports Medicine Outreach Program at OrthoMemphis, which launched in June 2009. He and Emmons will serve as the Athletic Trainers for Christian Brothers High School. Dabbs will work as the Athletic Trainer at Evangelical Christian School.

Scruggs received a degree in Exercise Science from the University of Memphis and became a Certified Athletic Trainer and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist in 1996. He has worked as an Athletic Trainer at Christian Brothers High School for over 11 years.

Emmons graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology with a specialization in Athletic Training and then received his Masters degree from Oklahoma University. He previously worked with another local orthopaedic group providing outreach to Memphis University School.

Dabbs received his degree in Athletic Training from the University of Tennessee at Martin and his certification in Athletic Training from the Campbell Clinic. He has worked as an Athletic Trainer at Evangelical Christian School for over six years.

OrthoMemphis physicians have provided Sports Medicine Outreach physician services for these schools, White Station High School and Collierville High School.