TODAY news - October 23, 2003

Thursday, October 23, 2003 TODAY

East Campus news

Orthopaedic, Rehabilitation, and Neurosurgery Institute Advisory Council inaugurated

Michael Jackson, MPH (second from right), senior vice president, LLUMC, administrator, East Campus, and J. Lynn Martell, DMin (left), vice president of advancement, LLUMC, extend their appreciation to the Advisory Council.

The Loma Linda University Orthopaedic, Rehabilitation, and Neurosurgery Institute held the inaugural meeting of its Advisory Council on August 27. The Council is composed of people who are committed to the institute’s efforts to transform lives through its services.

Former patient Gina Cooper shared her inspiring testimonial of the impact Loma Linda had on her rehabilitation process. When bacteria attacked Gina’s body after a bout with strep throat, she was hospitalized at Loma Linda in serious condition. She lost consciousness and remained in a coma for four months. When her arms and legs became infected, doctors had to amputate to save her life.

When Gina awoke, she no longer had hands or feet and had lost the ability to hear. She wondered how she would provide for her two daughters, Hannah and Emily.

Clinicians fitted Gina with prosthetic devices to help her regain independence.

“My therapists would tell me I would be okay, and that I could get through it,” says Ms. Cooper. “Sometimes I didn’t believe it was possible, but I always knew they believed in me.”

The advisory council will play an integral role in the

continued success of the institute with patients like Gina. As ambassadors, they will inform patients, health-care professionals, and other individuals about the institute’s comprehensive services. They will also help to identify and generate financial support for the institute’s programs.

Advisory council members include Jack Dangermond, Redlands; Larry and Jan Davis, Redlands; Jim Haney, Glendale; Randall Lewis, Upland; Jerry McIntosh, Kingwood, Texas; Sandra Peterson, Claremont; Sandra Garcia-Tolson, Bloomington; Robert Wiens, Redlands; and Tom and Vi Zapara, Laguna Beach.

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New physician takes the wheel in stroke research

Murray Brandstater, MD (left), chair of physical medicine and rehabilitation, shares a cake from the staff with Marjie Anacaya, MD, the new attending physician on unit 6300.

The staff of unit 6300 hosted a combination thank you/welcome party on September 28 for Murray Brandstater, MD, chair of physical medicine and rehabilitation department, and Marjie Anacaya, MD, the new attending for the stroke rehabilitation program and research study. The unit is transitioning as Dr. Brandstater completes his role as the stroke program attending and the stroke research project administrator and turns the positions over to Dr. Anacaya.

“I wasn’t going to leave the positions until I was sure someone could fill my place,” smiles Dr. Brandstater. He, along with the rest of the staff, are sure Dr. Anacaya is the one to do that.

Dr. Anacaya finished her residency last year in the physical medicine and rehabilitation program at Loma Linda University Medical Center. After completing the program she was asked to join the rehabilitation team, which she is very happy to do.

The party was thrown to welcome her to the unit after her first month as stroke rehabilitation attending physician.

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Thursday, October 23, 2003 TODAY