TODAY news - July 29, 2004

Medical Center emergency department began its first emergency medical services (EMS) fellowship on July 1. This is only the second EMS fellowship in California, and the 33rd in the nation, focusing on pre-hospital care from the logistics of resource deployment to the delivery of medical attention in the field.

Jeff Grange, MD, FACEP, director of emergency medical services for LLUMC, oversees the progress of David Reiley, MD, emergency medical services fellow.

Dr. Reiley, who finished his undergraduate degree and medical degree at the University of Arizona, completed his three-year residency program in emergency medicine in June as chief resident at LLUMC. He began the yearlong fellowship July 1.

"I like the challenge and reward of seeing sick patients and making a difference for them," says Dr. Reiley. He says he likes emergency medicine because it puts him on the "frontlines" of patient care. EMS is a natural extension of that drive to be the first to help. Dr. Reiley will be an attending physician at the Medical Center's emergency department doing shifts to complete the clinical hour requirements for the fellowship, along with conducting research, training, and prehospital care planning.

Dr. Reiley will specialize in pre-hospital medical care not only in general but with an emphasis on special events and in the air environment. The program will collaborate with San Bernardino County Sheriffs Air Rescue Team, California Speedway, and local fire and EMS agencies. Dr. Reiley will actively participate with the Sheriffs Air Rescue Team as their assistant medical director. He will also be an assistant medical director at California Speedway and learn how to provide medical support for large events such as the NASCAR Nextel Cup races and Indy Racing League races, among others hosted at the California Speedway. Dr. Reiley will also be participating in some international EMS projects such as providing medical support for the Baja 1000 and other races.

"There are so many opportunities available here in EMS," says Dr. Reiley. "It's an exciting year to be doing this."

Co-directors of the Loma Linda University Medical Center Orthopaedic Department Research Group, Ian C. Clarke, PhD, and Thomas Donaldson, MD, noted that during May of 2004, the R&D orthopaedic team had represented LLUMC well at the "World's Biomaterials Society" meeting in Sydney, Australia.

Douglas Green, MS, Toshiyuki Tateiwa, MD, and Paul Williams, MS, had eight presentations showcasing the research from orthopaedics at LLUMC at this meeting considered the "Olympics" of the biomaterials world. While there, the joint-replacement team met with Bill Walters, MD, one of the major ceramic joint surgeons collaborating with LLUMC from Sydney.

Also joining the Loma Linda University Medical Center orthopaedic team this month is John Bowsher, PhD, from London, UK. Dr. Bowsher has made many studies of hip joint designs, most recently his wear analysis of contemporary allmetal bearings in both small and large diameters of hip joints. His acquisition will add greatly to the expertise of the Orthopaedic Research Group at LLUMC, said Dr. Donaldson.

Maria Isabel Ancona, who received the life-saving Christmas gift of a liver transplant on December 26, 2003, celebrated her second birthday on June 25.

In for a routine check-up at Loma Linda University Transplant Institute in preparation to return to her home in Mexico, Isabel had no idea staff were prepping an exam room for a surprise birthday party. While Isabel had her check-up in room 1404, transplant staff frantically decorated room 1406 right next door with balloons, streamers, and an ice cream birthday cake for Isabel.

Laura and Jose Antonio, Isabel's parents, were just as surprised as the little 2 year old. Isabel walked into the room and was stunned--until she saw the balloons.

Isabel received a liver transplant at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital to replace her abnormal liver. She had biliary atresia, a rare disease that only affects one out of every 15,000 babies by making the bile ducts in the liver form abnormally.

Laura and Jose sold their car, mortgaged their home, and spent all of their savings trying to find a way to help their daughter. When doctors in Mexico failed to correct the problem with an operation when Isabel was 2 months old, it became apparent that the only other way was a liver transplant.

Part of their celebration included a show of gratitude and gratefulness to the transplant team who helped their daughter reach the age of 2, and to the donor family.

"We don't know who they are or where they're from, but we are extremely grateful to this family for this marvelous gift," says Ms. Ancona.

With six months of observation finished, Isabel is ready to head for home in Mexico.

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Revised August 26, 2004
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