TODAY news - January 8, 2004 - Loma Linda University news

Thursday, January 8, 2004 TODAY

Loma Linda University news

LLU adds School of Science and Technology

Loma Linda University added a new school, the School of Science and Technology, bringing the total number of schools at LLU to eight. The Board of Trustees approved the plan to separate the Graduate School into a new school in February, 2003, and recently approved of the new name on December 11, 2003.

The School of Science and Technology houses the behavioral sciences (marital and family counseling, social work, and psychology) and natural sciences (biology and geology) programs. It will also develop a new component in technological sciences.

The Graduate School will return to a more traditional role of managing graduate degrees rather than housing disciplines and their faculties. The Graduate School will also act as an external auditor, making appointments to the graduate faculty, setting policies, and forming publication guidelines for dissertations and theses.

This change will also provide needed academic structure to grant undergraduate degrees for programs that are currently housed in the Graduate School. The programs will be limited to the mission of LLU.

An example of this is the bachelor of science degree in geology that is offered by the natural sciences department. The tradition would be for this degree to be awarded by the school in which the department resided. However, that arrangement would have resulted in a bachelor’s degree being awarded by the Graduate School. The temporary solution was to have this degree as the only degree awarded by LLU rather than by one of the schools of the University. The new school will now be able to award this degree.

“It’s an exciting development,” says Lisa Beardsley, PhD, MPH, vice chancellor, academic affairs, LLU. “The existing structure focused on professional degrees and some of our most promising fields lie under the interdisciplinary programs in health care, research, and science.”

One purpose of the School of Science and Technology is to bring greater identity and focus to the existing programs. There is now an administration team that focuses solely on each individual department.

To provide leadership for the Schools and the School of Pharmacy following the recent resignation of W. Barton Rippon, PhD, three new interim deans have been appointed. They are Avis Erickson, PharmD, for the School of Pharmacy; Ronald Carter, PhD, for the School of Science and Technology; and Anthony Zuccarelli, PhD, for the Graduate School.

“This change is a rebirth as it gives us the opportunity to plan new goals and start again,” states Dr. Carter.

As one of the eight schools of LLU, the School of Science and Technology joins the School of Allied Health Professions, School of Dentistry, School of Medicine, School of Nursing, School of Public Health, School of Pharmacy, and the Graduate School.

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MRA Toy Run delivers toys and smiles to LLUCH

A Santa biker rides on his “Rudolph the red-nosed Harley” before passing out presents to children at LLUCH.

They come from far and near, all across Southern California. A deep rumble, heard from half a mile away, undeniably announces their arrival. But it’s not Santa’s reindeer riding into town—it’s 290 bikers rolling up to the entrance of Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital for their 11th Annual Toy Run.

This year’s Motorcycle Riders Association (MRA) Toy Run culminated on Sunday, December 21. The MRA brings together clubs and riders from all around Southern California to participate in this toy drive for the kids at the Children’s Hospital. The tough exteriors of these leather-clad road warriors belie the tenderness of their hearts. The gathering brings smiles to the faces of patients and riders alike, with their bikes all decked out in Christmas cheer.

Brian Burnett (right) presents a $2,000 check to Patti Pettis, executive director of the Children’s Hospital Foundation, on behalf of the MRA.

Chester Phillips, president of the MRA and a member since 1985, presented a check for $2,000 to the Children’s Hospital along with all the toys—enough for each patient to pick two.

“On the ride over everyone was honking and waving, coming out of their houses to watch, even when we were stopping traffic,” says Mr. Phillips, “and seeing those kids is unreal.”

The toy ride is held each year in memory of Ashton Ashley, who died at the Children’s Hospital while waiting for a heart transplant.

“It’s a very special day for me and my family,” George Ashley, Ashton’s father, said to the many bikers gathered in front of Children’s Hospital. “We lost our son here at Loma Linda hospital. He needed a heart transplant and lived for 54 days here. My wife and I basically sat out here in the parking lot in a motorhome and waited for a transplant to come. For the last 10 years we’ve been here [at the ride] and it’s been an honor to have all of you every year just pour out your hearts to these kids in the hospital.”

Adriel Ramierez, 3, is entertained by a puppet brought by a biker from Temecula.

The Ashleys donate a rocking chair each year to the neonatal intensive care unit in Ashton’s memory because they feel that it is so important “to have a place to sit down and hold your baby and spend all the time you can with your baby in the intensive care nursery.” This year six rocking chairs were donated to the NICU.

Marcia Taylor helps organize the ride. She says it is the kids that keep her coming back.

“I love to see the children’s faces,” she says. “It brings me joy to see their faces when they see the toys and bikes. I know we are bringing happiness.”

Brian Burnett, who announced the winners of the bike decoration categories and handed out the check presentation, also knows why he has done this every year.

“The best moment is looking out and seeing all those people,” he says, “and knowing they’ve all come for the kids. The kids are why we keep doing this.”

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SIMS hopes to complete health clinic in Mexico

SIMS volunteers pass out flyers about their free health care to a local family in Enseñada, Mexico.

A little girl with pigtails clenches her mother’s arm with a look of sadness. A man hangs his head down while massaging his temples. An elderly woman wipes her eyes with a tissue. These individuals in Mexico are part of the 60 percent in their region’s population who cannot afford health care. That is why they wait patiently to receive free health care from LLU Students for International Mission Service (SIMS).

Since the 1960s, LLU has been providing health care in Mexico. Every month a group of students, doctors, and other health professionals spend a weekend in Enseñada, Mexico, to help those who can’t afford a doctor. However, temporary locations for the clinic have prevented expansion and a permanent setting for its patients.

“For many years we have borrowed a state location to use as our clinic,” says Juan Carlos Belliard, PhD, MPH, assistant professor, international health. “However, when there is a change in government, we are often left without a clinic.”

Now there is a chance to solve that problem. A permanent clinic will be completed this year if SIMS can raise $10,000.

Nicholas Dahlquist, 10, son of medical preceptors who volunteer with SIMS on a regular basis, helps construct the health clinic.

“Those we help in Mexico can’t access health care other than free clinics like ours,” explains Dr. Belliard, “especially when you look at dentistry. There is really no coverage for dental services. For medical care, we get people who have never been to a doctor before.”

This special building that is currently under construction belongs to the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Enseñada, Mexico.

“Once it is built, we can make long-term plans for the clinic and the activities that are going to happen within it,” says Dr. Belliard.

Along with SIMS and local church members of the Iglesia Adventista Church, the Van Nuys Seventh-day Adventist Church is helping construct the health clinic.

“I was talking with one of the members of the church in Mexico,” says Mike Kim, pastor, Van Nuys Seventh-day Adventist Church, “and he is looking forward to fulfilling the dreams they have in telling others about God through this clinic.”

Currently, SIMS provides health care in the Sabbath School rooms at Iglesia Adventista Church in Enseñada. “Because we don’t have a permanent and actual clinic, the health care LLU provides is limited,” says Maxine Newell, MPT, coordinator of SIMS Mexico trips, and DrPH student. “For example, we do minimal dental care because there is no way to bolt down our dental chairs at the church,” she explains.

For information on how to give a tax-deductible monetary gift for this project, you may contact SIMS by calling (909) 558-8089, visit their web site at <www.llu.edu/llu/sims>, or make a check out to Students for International Mission Service and send it to: SIMS, Loma Linda University, Nichol Hall Cottage 80, Loma Linda, California 92350.

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Medical Center department of radiology celebrates new MRI facility

The Siemens Magneton Sonata Maestro Class short bore MR system is the newest state-of-the-art imaging equipment in the Inland Empire.

Loma Linda University Medical Center department of radiology celebrated the newest addition to the department’s services on December 10 with an open house at the newly remodeled Professional Plaza site. Boasting the Inland Empire’s newest state-of-the-art MRI facility—equipped with a high-field strength, patient friendly short bore MR system—the Siemens Magneton Sonata Maestro Class machine began operations in October and now accommodates 20 patients a day.

“Our goal was to make it as easy for the patient as possible,” says Joe Felipe, radiology technologist. The advanced equipment’s short bore, wide aperture imaging system scans patients faster and “the image quality is phenomenal.”

A sagittal image of a lumbar spine.

The latest applications make the Pro Plaza’s MRI facility a one-stop process for patients. Everything is digital, meaning as soon as the scan is finished the images are viewable throughout the radiology department’s system, even at the Medical Center and at the Faculty Medical Offices. The staff can burn CDs with scanned images for patients to take to their primary care physician.

“Our main motivation for this was convenience for the patient,” remarks Mr. Felipe. The new MR machine is low to the ground and takes up a fraction of the space of older machines, offering easier access for patients. The shorter scan times makes it easier for those with claustrophobic tendencies.

A 3D MR angiography study showing vessels in the legs.

Currently, the $1.5 million equipment helps the staff to do functional imaging of the vascular system and other soft tissues inside the body. Mr. Felipe and his staff of 11 imaging specialists are excited to begin work toward cardiac and prostate imaging as well.

Physicians like the image quality produced by the new machine.

“This is the highest quality MRI in the Inland Empire,” says David B. Hinshaw Jr., MD, chair of radiology at the School of Medicine. The only limitation is the actual width of the patient being scanned.

“It’s a fun machine to work on from a technical side,” says Mr. Felipe. “It’s like looking at pictures from an anatomy book.”

The new MRI facility is open for operation from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Pro Plaza-Building B, Suite 107 B, 25455 Barton Road, Loma Linda. The facility focuses on outpatient body imaging. For appointments please call (909) 558-4010.

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January chapels feature students

Fred Kasischke, DMin, assistant dean for admissions, service learning, and spiritual nurture, and assistant professor, School of Dentirstry, will speak January 14, 2004.

The Loma Linda University chapel programs for January include an assistant dean and nine students.

Fred Kasischke, DMin, assistant dean for admissions, service learning, and spiritual nurture, and assistant professor in the department of dental educational services, School of Dentistry, will be the speaker for the January 14 chapel program.

Dr. Kasischke was formerly associate pastor of the University Church for 23 years and a teacher in the Faculty of Religion and the marriage and family therapy program, Graduate School.

The week of January 20 through 23 is the student week of devotion. Anthony Frazier, School of Nursing; Ute Peterson, School of Allied Health Professions; Julianne Kanzaki, School of Public Health; Julia Magana, School of Medicine; Douglas Ng, School of Dentistry; Glenn Scott, Graduate School; James White, School of Public Health; and Lindsey Venden, School of Nursing, are scheduled to speak.

Mission emphasis week will be the focus of the January 28 chapel program. Maxine Newell, School of Public Health student, will be the speaker for that day.

Loma Linda University chapel programs are sponsored by the office of student affairs and are held in Gentry Gymnasium on the Loma Linda campus. Programs are held every Wednesday from 8:10 to 9:00 a.m.

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SP students celebrate ASP Day

On December 2, 2003, students from the class of ’06 and ’07 and faculty from the School of Pharmacy took time to celebrate Academy of Students of Pharmacy (ASP) Day at AMF Arrowhead Lanes in San Bernardino. The students dedicate their time serving the community by hosting a variety of programs including Operation Diabetes, Operation Immu-nization, Operation Christmas, as well as a senior health fair. ASP Day is a day to celebrate and acknowledge the accomplishment of the students’ hard work and dedication.

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Music group Selah to perform

A Nashville, Tennessee, contemporary music group, Selah, will appear in concert for the Calimesa Community Concert Series on Saturday, February 7, 2004, 7:30 p.m. at the Yucaipa Christian Church, 12954 Bryant Street, Yucaipa.

Cosponsored by the Concert Series and the Yucaipa Christian Church, the visiting performers, Todd and Nicol Smith, will be accompanied by a third member of the group, Allan Hall, pianist. This is the first time that the group has been scheduled to appear in the Yucaipa Valley region.

According to Robert Soderblom, MD, director of the Calimesa Community Concert Series, the Selah group has won five Dove Awards, two consecutive Dove Award nominations for Group of the Year, two number one hits, and five top 10 singles.

The Selah group has appeared on a number of television programs such as “The 700 Club,” “The Hour of Power,” and an appearance at New York’s prestigious Carnegie Hall.

Dr. Soderblom has announced that seats are limited at the Yucaipa Christian Church and encourages those interested to make reservations as soon as possible.

Tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased at Loma Linda and Riverside ABC Bookstores, the Colton and Riverside Berean Bookstores, and the Loma Linda University Office of Student Affairs.

Tickets may also be obtained by sending a request and the correct remittance with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Concert Series, PO Box 647, Calimesa, California 92320.

For more information you may call (909) 795-4960.

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Associate dean of admissions retires from SM

Henry Lamberton, PsyD (right), associate dean of student affairs, presents John Thorn, EdD, associate dean of admissions, with a collection of current and former students memoirs about receiving “the call” from him accepting them into the School of Medicine.

Colleagues, friends, and family gathered on December 16, 2003, to honor and recognize the 12 years of service that John Thorn, EdD, associate dean of admissions, gave to the School of Medicine. The dinner held to celebrate his service and announce his retirement brought many touching testimonials from coworkers and students alike regarding the patience, professionalism, and organization Dr. Thorn brought to the position.

H. Roger Hadley, MD, dean of the School of Medicine, welcomed all to the dinner, reminding them that “We’re here to celebrate the transition of John Thorn.” The rest of the evening reflected that thought.

Cliff Reeves, chair of the admitting committee that works closely with Dr. Thorn, was the first to share his praise of the associate dean.

“As chair of the admitting committee, I can say it’s been a real real privilege to work with Dr. Thorn.”

Henry Lamberton, PsyD, associate dean of student affairs, delivered a set of emails from former and current students recalling their experience when they got “the call” of acceptance from Dr. Thorn.

H. Roger Hadley, MD (left), dean of the School of Medicine, helps Dr. Thorn open a parting gift from the dean’s office—a timepiece recognizing his 12 years of service.

B. Lyn Behrens, MBBS, president of Loma Linda University, estimated that Dr. Thorn has processed 40,000 applications for the School of Medicine.

“You begin the journey with them as they formulate their career path,” says Dr. Behrens. “You open doors of opportunity.”

Dr. Thorn expressed his gratitude to all the staff he has worked with through the years. He credited his success on the “peaceful and productive” office staff that assisted him during his tenure. And he offered a special thanks to his friends and the admission committee, who helped him make some crucial decisions along the way.

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Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Board of Trustees meet

On Thursday, December 11, 2003, the Boards of Trustees of Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda University Medical Center, and Loma Linda University Behavioral Medicine Center met in full sessions. The following is a summary of actions taken and reports presented.

Executive appointment

• The Boards of Trustees of Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center and Loma Linda University Medical Center are pleased to announce the appointment of Ruthita J. Fike as the LLUAHSC executive vice president for hospital affairs, and the LLUMC chief executive officer and administrator. Ms. Fike, who will assume her new responsibilities on February 18, 2004, is currently executive vice president of operations and support services for Centura Health in Englewood, Colorado.

Currently, B. Lyn Behrens, MBBS, serves as president and CEO of both Loma Linda University Medical Center and Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center. Dr. Behrens will retain her positions as president of the Medical Center and president and CEO of LLUAHSC.

Loma Linda University

• Loma Linda University chancellor Richard H. Hart, MD, DrPH, featured the history of nutrition at Loma Linda University during his opening remarks. Beginning with the Cooks and Bakers School in 1908, the University has made major contributions to both the scientific and consumer education on nutrition through the past century. A Diet Manual began being published in 1945, with the latest edition edited by Georgia Hodgkin, EdD, now ready for use. Four International Vegetarian Congresses have been held, with the proceedings published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition each time. Patricia Johnston, DrPH, dean, School of Public Health; W. Bertrum Connell, PhD, chair, department of nutrition and dietetics, School of Allied Health Professions; and more recently, Joan Sabaté, MD, DrPH, chair, department of nutrition, School of Public Health, have provided leadership in these. The Nutrition & Health Letter for consumers is currently published by the School of Public Health and edited by Dr. Johnston. Finally, the Adventist Health Study–2 is a direct research endeavor with major NIH funding demonstrating the impact of a vegetarian lifestyle. Terry Butler, PhD, and R. Patty Herring, PhD, updated the board on current enrollment in the study.

• In February of this year the Board of Trustees approved a plan to separate the Graduate School into a “New” School housing the behavioral sciences (marital and family counseling, social work, and psychology) and natural sciences (biology and geology) programs, and develop a new component in technological sciences. The traditional activities of a graduate school of providing supervision for the academic degrees from the professional schools would remain within a reconstituted Graduate School. The name, School of Science and Technology, was approved for the new school at the current board meeting. To provide leadership for these two schools and the School of Pharmacy following the recent resignation of Graduate School dean W. Barton Rippon, PhD, three new interim deans have been appointed. They are Avis Ericson, PharmD, for the School of Pharmacy; Ronald L. Carter, PhD, for the School of Science and Technology; and Anthony J. Zuccarelli, PhD, for the Graduate School.

• The following emeritus faculty position was voted by the Board of Trustees: Maureen H. Bull, MD, emeritus associate professor, department of anesthesiology, School of Medicine.

• The Board of Trustees approved the following academic programs:

Certificate and master of science in child life specialist

Certificate in forensic science

Certificate in medical dosimetry

PhD in family studies

PhD in clinical social work

Doctoral program in public administration

• The University continues to do well financially and is on budget in most areas. The 2002–2003 audit report showed no concerns and was accepted. Enrollment is back at the peak levels reached in 1997–98, with 3,574 students this fall quarter. All Schools have shown some growth, along with the addition of 44 students in the second class of the School of Pharmacy and the registration of a second cohort of Medical Center residents as students in the “core curriculum” designed to satisfy national ACGME requirements for broader resident education. The audited financial statements for June, 2003, were presented, noting that an unqualified opinion was rendered. This is the best type of opinion to receive. The June 30, 2003 Research or A-133 audit was also presented with one finding. That finding was the need to perform a physical inventory of all equipment on campus. Administration is now in the process of completing this task.

• The dean of students position has been expanded and redesignated as assistant vice chancellor for student services. This new position will be filled through a search process. He or she will assume responsibilities for student life, residence halls, and coordinate a variety of enrollment services.

• The 2004–2009 strategic plan was approved, providing long-term guidance for the future development of a variety of programs and activities within LLU.

Loma Linda University

Medical Center

•The Board received the results of the Press Ganey Staff Satisfaction Survey conducted in the summer of 2003. Fifty-eight percent of the staff completed the survey. Strengths identified in the results (as indicated by strongly/tend-to-agree responses) included:

Overall job satisfaction: 91 percent

Recommend health-care services: 93 percent

Community’s regard for LLUMC : 98 percent

Support for LLUMC’s mission: 99 percent

Opportunities for institutional enhancement were identified in the areas of customer feedback, benefits, and staff involvement in decision making and providing input for addressing customer needs.

• A patient placement service was initiated in the third quarter of 2003. Electronic bed management will be implemented in the first quarter of 2004. This system will provide real-time, predictive capacity, will optimize patient placement, and increase bed utilization.

• Recent results from the annual Patient Evaluation of Performance in California survey indicated that patients scored LLUMC above average in the areas of definitely recommending the hospital to others and in overall rating of patient care.

•Loma Linda University Medical Center ended the month of November, 2003, with an operating gain of $3,115,546 compared to budget of approximately $1,384,422. The November bottom line includes several one-time positives and negatives, without which LLUMC would have recorded a gain of approximately $650,000. The year-to-date operating gain of $6,191,721 is $9,076,745 lower than budget. Management is projecting a year-end close which will approximate $10,000,000.

• The Board of Trustees was presented with the financial operational plan for 2004. The plan outlines a projected increase in net assets of approximately $17,500,000. The plan includes increases in net revenue, primarily from HMO/PPO contracts and increased volume while including appropriate increases in expense.

•The LLUMC Board of Trustees voted the 2004–2008 facility modernization plan, and approved the 2004 capital budget. In 2004, $48.6 million of capital funds will be utilized including $33,000,000 from operations and $15,600,000 from grant or donated sources. Major projects include the start of the seismic upgrade projects, the build-out of unit 3800, and major improvements in the clinical information system.

• The Board of Trustees approved financing that would provide additional cash to the balance sheet and increase revenue through investment in the Loma Linda University Foundation income pool.

• The Board of Trustees approved an expansion of clinical laboratory services to the Faculty Medical Offices and Professional Plaza based on the clinical and financial data presented.

Loma Linda University Behavioral Medicine Center

• Loma Linda University Behavioral Medicine Center’s financial performance continues to be positive. LLUBMC has shown a positive bottom line for the past three years and anticipates this trend continuing. The month of October, 2003, ended with a net gain of $32,865. This resulted in a year-to-date gain of $267,704.

• The LLUBMC budget for 2004 was approved. The budget anticipates inpatient and outpatient census to remain consistent to 2003 numbers, with slight increases in the adult and adolescent eating disorder programs.

• A special presentation was made on the LLUBMC chemical dependency family program. A mother and son talked about their experience, strength, and hope in recovery. The young 17-year-old expressed how what he learned at BMC extends into all aspects of his life in such a positive way. His mother expressed her appreciation to BMC for providing such a wonderful program that not only addressed her needs but her son’s as well.

• Highlighted areas of focus for 2004 will include increased safety measures for both patients and staff, Press Ganey result evaluation with implementation of plans to improve staff satisfaction, exploration of information systems for documentation, continued evaluation of programs, census and productivity, increase governmental assessment as it relates to mental health issues, development of an advisory board for advancement efforts, successful preparation for JCAHO, contracting and marketing initiatives for each program, especially senior services, and increased parking for visitors, patients, and staff.

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Thursday, January 8, 2004 TODAY