The Wright Stuff - Sept. 13

Dear WVU Medicine colleagues,

Happy Tuesday! This week we celebrate National Neonatal Nurses Week, so to all you neonatal nurses out there, especially those who work in our NICUs, thank you for all you do!

It takes a truly special person to provide direct patient care, and our neonatal nurses are no exception. Their challenge, of course (and what drives them), is to care for the tiniest of our patients - the most fragile, neonatal lives. To be sure, the work our neonatal nurses do is incredible, as is the work of the entire care team who cares for these small miracles!

This special week is also timely, as we’re in the final stretch of opening our new Children’s Hospital on Sept. 29. A cornerstone of the Hospital will be its Level IV NICU.

In fact, it will occupy an entire floor of the new Hospital and will have 50 private rooms so that parents or other family members can stay overnight if they choose. (And if you happen to be in Morgantown on Saturday, September 24, we’ll be hosting a community open house at the new Hospital from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., so stop by!)

To celebrate this week, I’ve included pictures of some of our neonatal nurses from across the Health System – many thanks to them and their teams.

They do great work, as do all of you. Have a great week! (You can also view my video greeting by clicking on my image or on this link.) 😊

IN OTHER NEWS

​​WVU Cancer Institute Celebrates Mobile Lung Cancer Screening Program’s Anniversary, Recent Accolades

LUCAS, a first of its kind, state-of-the-art mobile lung cancer screening unit, performed its first screening on Sept. 14, 2021. A commemorative celebration of the day was held yesterday at the WVU Medicine outpatient center at University Town Centre, where the mobile unit is parked when it’s not on the road.

In its inaugural year of operation, LUCAS, a service of WVU Medicine WVU Hospitals and the WVU Cancer Institute, traveled to 22 West Virginia counties, provided more than 800 lung cancer screenings, and found seven cases of lung cancer through low dose computed tomography (LDCT) scans.

As the only fully mobile, artificial-intelligence-powered CT unit for low-dose lung cancer screening in the nation, LUCAS has garnered wide-spread attention from healthcare organizations across the U.S. and in Europe seeking to replicate similar programs in their own communities.

“The primary objective of LUCAS was to improve access to life-saving lung cancer screening in our state,” Hannah Hazard-Jenkins, MD, director of the WVU Cancer Institute, Jean and Laurence DeLynn Chair of Oncology, and associate professor of surgery at the WVU School of Medicine, said. “We know it is the number one cause of cancer death in our state, and most patients diagnosed with lung cancer are diagnosed at an advanced stage when it is less curable. We know we must change that narrative of cancer care in the state. Having national and international attention is a byproduct of our intentions, one that I hope will help other communities struggling with access to care and thus continue to impact lung cancer outcomes.”

The WVU Cancer Institute Mobile Screening Program received the 2022 Mobile Clinic Innovation Award at the National Mobile Healthcare Association meeting in Phoenix in August and was accepted into the inaugural Mobile Healthcare Innovation Collaborative, a project of Harvard Medical Schools’ Mobile Health Map and the Mobile Healthcare Association working to explore best practices around measuring and communicating mobile program impact.

Leaders from the Program have also been invited to share their expertise at upcoming events, including the 2022 National Lung Cancer Roundtable Annual Meeting in December in Washington, D.C., and the Oncology Nursing Society Annual Congress in April 2023 in Texas.

“LUCAS takes lung cancer screening to people in areas of our state who are limited in their access to healthcare. Our hope is that this will begin to raise awareness of the importance of lung cancer screening and start to shift diagnosis to an earlier stage thereby improving lung cancer survival in our state,” Dr. Hazard-Jenkins said. “Lung cancer screening, whether it is on LUCAS or at a stationary site, is essential to improving the quality of life and outcomes of people diagnosed with lung cancer.”

Members of the WVU Cancer Institute Mobile Screening Program celebrated the first anniversary of the LUCAS mobile lung cancer screening program with a cake. Pictured are (front row, left to right) Crystal Rosenberger, Amy Allen, Lauren McCauley Hixenbaugh, Stephenie Kennedy-Rea, Julie Kennedy-Rea, and Jenny Ostien. In the back row (left to right) are Gary Osborne, Grenaville Guthrie, Eric Reed, and John Trembly.

WVU Medicine Home Health and Hospice – Compassionate and Outstanding Care Delivered in Your Home

The following patient story is a testament to the great work our team members at WVU Medicine Home Health and Hospice do every day.

When Kevin Knopf, 43 of Morgantown, became paralyzed from his mid-torso down due to a spinal cord infection in 2019, he knew his life would change drastically. He would have to find new ways to navigate not only the world, but his health. “I spent five months in and out of the hospital and rehabilitation facilities,” Kevin said. “I had a wound VAC, and that’s when I started working with Home Health.” (A wound VAC – vacuum-assisted closure – is a type of therapy used to help wounds heal.)

WVU Medicine Home Health and Hospice provides care to patients of all ages in their homes following a surgery or illness. The goal is to reduce the need for hospital readmissions and help patients and their families with end-of-life-care.

For Kevin, Home Health helped restore his independence, allowing him to go back to remote work. He said he initially viewed the fact that he needed home health services as a negative, but his opinion has changed. Now, he believes he might not be alive today without the services they provide.

“The nurses who come really know what they’re doing regarding wound care and using a wound VAC. They know how to prevent issues because there are many things that can happen that inhibit wound healing. They’ve been proactive, and since I started with WVU Medicine Home Health, I haven’t had any infections or problems with the wound VAC that they didn’t foresee. I wouldn’t be where I am today without their help. I still have a way to go, but they have put me on the right path,” he said.

“If someone has a question about whether their condition or situation can be handled from home, I encourage them to at least talk to someone from Home Health. They are honest and confident in what they can do. They know when you need to go to the doctor, the emergency department, or urgent care, or if it’s something that can wait until their next visit. You don’t have to play that guessing game. They’re there to keep you out of the hospital or a skilled nursing facility. They help you take care of things from home and not have to worry about handling the medical side of things on your own.”

WVU Medicine Home Health and Hospice helps patients manage their illnesses not only through treatment, such as wound care and medications, but also through education, such as how to adapt to diet changes after a cardiac or diabetes diagnosis. Providers can see the patient’s inpatient records and care plan through EPIC. This helps provide a seamless transition of care from the hospital to Home Health for patients in the WVU Medicine system.

“I think, too, that it’s important to remember that oftentimes these patients are either diagnosed with a new problem or they are dealing with an exacerbation of a problem. In the hospital environment, you're trying to learn about taking care of yourself and trying to learn about your new medicines or a lifestyle change, but your care team is doing that for you. A dietitian decides what you should eat for lunch, and it’s delivered to your room. Or your medications are delivered when and how you need to take them by nursing staff. Home Health staff helps people transition from the hospital to home and teaches them how to implement their new healthcare plan,” Linda Carte, R.N., WVU Medicine Home Health and Hospice vice president, said.

“Studies have shown that if you can keep a patient out of the hospital for three weeks, you are more likely to be successful in preventing rehospitalization. We try to maximize our services during that time to make sure the patient is receiving the care they need and that we are identifying and addressing any barriers to care.”

Social workers from WVU Medicine Home Health and Hospice work to connect patients to resources in their communities to ensure they are in a safe environment and have their needs met, such as assistance paying utility bills and having enough to eat or making their home safe and accessible. They also work with Veterans Affairs to ensure that qualified veterans have access to the resources they provide.

For patients who have a life-limiting illnesses but are not ready to transition to hospice care, the WVU Medicine Home Health and Hospice Bridge Program helps maintain their quality of life. This includes meetings with hospice care providers to determine what the patient’s goals are and how to meet them, whether it is spending as much time with their family as they can or preventing hospital readmissions.

“When a provider consents for a patient to participate in the Bridge program, we make sure that their symptoms are controlled, they have a life filled with quality, and when the time comes either from a physical standpoint or a psychological standpoint, that they can easily and more comfortably transition over into their hospice benefit,” Carte said. “I think that’s the biggest thing that sets us apart from other providers.”

When patients and their providers determine it is time to transition to hospice care, WVU Medicine Home Health and Hospice provides not only for the needs of the patient, but their family.

You can learn more about WVU Medicine Home Health and Hospice by clicking here.

Below, Knopf of Morgantown (right) poses for a photo with Sarah Champlin, a nurse with WVU Medicine Home Health and Hospice.

WVU Medicine Fairmont Medical Center Opens Sleep Evaluation Center

Patients in the Marion County area can now access sleep medicine studies and consultations close to home at the new Sleep Evaluation Center at WVU Medicine Fairmont Medical Center, which officially opened yesterday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The Center features state-of-the-art evaluation equipment for the diagnosis and management of sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy, parasomnias such as nightmares, sleep walking and talking, bed-wetting, restless leg syndrome, and snoring.

“Sleep disordered breathing is highly prevalent and under-recognized in West Virginia and leads to worsening heart and lung disorders. The new Sleep Evaluation Center will help improve access to these studies for patients who wish to remain closer to home,” Sunil Sharma, MD, chief of the WVU Medicine Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, said.

“We’ve seen an increase in sleep disorders post-COVID, particularly insomnia. Making sure you are receiving adequate sleep is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Sleepiness and fatigue can not only worsen underlying medical conditions, but it can also lead to increased accidents and injuries.” In addition to Dr. Sharma, Michael Grace, MBA, EdD, FACHE, president of WVU Hospitals; Aaron Yanuzo, vice president of support services at Fairmont Medical Center; and Mary Jo Thomas, chair of the Marion County Chamber of Commerce Health, Safety, and Wellness Committee, also spoke at today’s event.

In the below photo, Dr. Sharma is joined by leadership from WVU Hospitals, Fairmont Medical Center, and the Marion County Chamber of Commerce as he cuts the ribbon on the new Sleep Evaluation Center at the hospital.

Re-accreditation Celebration

St. Joseph’s Hospital celebrated its successful Joint Commission re-accreditation with a “Flamingle” Ice cream social. Staff were treated to delicious treats, and some even got into the spirit by doing the limbo!

WVU Heart and Vascular Institute 1^st in West Virginia to Implant Cordella® Sensor

The heart failure team at the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute was the first in West Virginia to implant the Cordella® Pulmonary Artery Pressure Sensor System. This procedure is part of the PROACTIVE-HF Pivotal Trial sponsored by Endotronix. The study, which began earlier this year, aims to reduce hospitalization in heart failure patients over two years. So far, the heart failure team has implanted multiple sensors over the past few months.

George Sokos, DO, FACC, Associate Chief of Cardiology and Medical Director of Advanced Heart Failure at the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute, said the wireless sensor was implanted during a minimally invasive right heart catheterization procedure and seamlessly integrates pulmonary artery (PA) pressure measurements into the comprehensive Cordella® Heart Failure System for proactive heart failure management. Dr. Sokos said this allows staff to monitor a patient’s condition and adjust medications accurately and remotely. It allows patients to remain at home and have guided treatment by the expert team at the HVI.

The team involved in the research study includes Ramesh Daggubati, MD, Affan Haleem, MD, Marco Caccamo, DO, Christopher Bianco, DO, and Kevin Felpel, DO. Congratulations to them and the entire care team responsible for this great moment!

Pictured below are the care team members who implanted the pressure sensor – congratulations!

Eleven WVU Medicine Hospitals Recognized by Donate Life West Virginia

Eleven of WVU Medicine’s member and managed hospitals were recognized last Friday at the Donate Life West Virginia Hospital Challenge Awards Luncheon held at Stonewall Resort in Roanoke.

The Challenge encourages West Virginia hospitals to increase organ donation awareness and donor designations within their hospital and community. The awareness and designation activities are captured on a scorecard for participating hospitals to achieve levels based on point totals. The levels – from highest to lowest – are Titanium, Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze.

WVU Medicine hospitals recognized in this year’s Hospital Challenge include:

• Titanium Level – Braxton County Memorial Hospital, Camden Clark Medical Center, Grant Memorial Hospital, J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, Reynolds Memorial Hospital, Summersville Regional Medical Center, United Hospital Center, and Wheeling Hospital.

• Platinum Level – Potomac Valley Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital, and Thomas Health.

Camden Clark Medical Center was also recognized for successfully recovering the first placenta for tissue donation in the state.

“We are so grateful to our hospitals for spreading awareness of the vital importance of organ donation,” Michael Shullo, PharmD, WVU Medicine associate vice president for transplant services, said. “Heart disease and kidney disease are among the leading cause of death for West Virginians. By encouraging people to register as organ donors, we can provide life-saving transplants for all West Virginians right here at home.”

The awards were presented on the same day that the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), the private, non-profit organization that manages the nation’s organ transplant system under contract with the federal government, announced that the U.S. has achieved its 1 millionth organ transplant, more than any other country in the world.

The WVU Medicine Transplant Alliance at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital is West Virginia’s first and only multi-organ transplant center, offering heart and kidney transplant for people across the state and region. To register as a donor, visit RegisterMe.org/WVUMedicine.

Local Physicians Honored with Preceptor Awards

Two WVU Medicine physicians recently received recognition for their work with West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) students.

Zachary Henry, DO, received the 2022 Outstanding Primary Care Preceptor Award for the Central East Region of WVSOM’s Statewide Campus. Dr. Henry is a family medicine physician at United Physicians Care Salem Family Healthcare in Salem, W.Va.

Jonathan Stanley, DO, received the 2022 Outstanding Specialty Preceptor Award for the Central East Region of WVSOM’s Statewide Campus. Dr. Stanley is an infectious disease specialist at United Hospital Center.

Preceptors assist and provide guidance to WVSOM medical students in their third- and fourth-year clinical rotations. Each year, Outstanding Primary Care and Specialty Preceptor Awards are given to physicians from each of WVSOM’s seven Statewide Campus regions who have demonstrated excellence in teaching and mentoring. These health professionals have also demonstrated a commitment to community wellness and service.

There are 84 hospitals, clinics, and medical centers across West Virginia and surrounding states that participate in WVSOM’s Statewide Campus system.

Below, Dr. Henry, left, and Dr. Stanley pose with Josalyn Mann, DO, a WVSOM regional assistant dean.

(This program does not apply to Barnesville Hospital, Harrison Community Hospital, Uniontown Hospital, or Wheeling Hospital.)

Coach Huggins Raises $231K for WVU Cancer Institute at Beckley-area Dinner Event

Current and former West Virginia University men’s basketball players joined Head Coach Bob Huggins for a southern West Virginia dinner event that raised more than $231,000 to aid patient care and research at the WVU Cancer Institute.

“An Evening with Bob Huggins,” presented by Little General, was held Aug. 27 at the Fairchild Motor Company showroom in Beaver, West Virginia. More than 200 attendees joined Huggins for food, special guests, music by 18 Strings, live and silent auctions, and more.

All proceeds from the event benefit the Norma Mae Huggins Endowment at the WVU Cancer Institute, established by Coach Huggins after his mother died of colon cancer in 2003. A $75,000 contribution from Little General, presented by President Greg Darby and CEO Cory Beasley, boosted the evening’s fundraising total to over $231,000.

“I have heard Greg Darby say many times throughout our years of friendship, ‘If you can, you should,’” Coach Huggins said. “I will be the first to say he and his team do that. For over a decade, Little General has been the key supporter to Norma Mae, helping me honor my mother and fight this terrible disease that we are all touched by in some way. I thank Greg, Cory, and their LG team for standing by my side in this fight.”

To date, Coach Huggins’ memorial endowment has raised more than $16 million to support clinical research trials and innovative treatments for patients at the WVU Cancer Institute and WVU Medicine facilities throughout the state.

“I am very honored to have been in attendance for Little General’s ‘Evening with Huggins’ event to benefit the Norma Mae Huggins Endowment here at the WVU Cancer Institute,” Hannah Hazard-Jenkins, M.D., director of the WVU Cancer Institute, Jean and Laurence DeLynn Chair of Oncology, and associate professor of surgery at the WVU School of Medicine, said. “I am so grateful for Greg Darby, Cory Beasley, and their entire Little General team. Their continued commitment is an instrumental piece facilitating the delivery of advanced clinical care and research to those in West Virginia and the region diagnosed with cancer.”

Coach Huggins’ guests for the event included former WVU basketball standouts Darris Nichols and Alex Ruoff, along with current student-athletes Emmitt Matthews Jr., Tre Mitchell, Erik Stevenson, Joe Toussaint, and Mohamed Wague.

More than two dozen sponsors provided generous support for “An Evening with Bob Huggins,” including Mid-State Ford, Fairchild Motor Company, Pasquale’s, and ITA Audio Visual Solutions.

“For the second year in a row, our Little General team, family of vendors, and close friends have made ‘An Evening with Huggins’ here in Beckley a success,” Mr. Darby said. “Being able to help fight cancer while also helping my friend Coach Huggins is very meaningful. I urge those who are interested in helping in this fight to support the Norma Mae Huggins Endowment.”

In the photo below, Coach Huggins (from left) watches as Little General President Greg Darby and CEO Cory Beasley present a check for $75,000 to benefit the Norma Mae Huggins Endowment.

WVU Hospitals Pharmacy, Allied Health Solutions Specialty Pharmacy Provide Meal for Family House Guests

Rosenbaum Family House, which provides a home away from home for families of patients who are receiving medical care at our main medical campus in Morgantown, is always looking for departments, groups, and individuals from WVU Hospitals to provide meals for its guests.

Last week team members from WVU Hospitals Pharmacy and the Allied Health Solutions Specialty Pharmacy stepped up to the plate – literally – and prepared a meal for Family House guests.

WVU Medicine Under Friday Night Lights

There were plenty of WVU Medicine and WVU connections at last Friday’s Harrison Central versus Union Local high school football game in Belmont, Ohio.

In the below photo, Lori Tenley and Michelle Dunlap are in the front row. Alex Gazdik, Jim Comerci, MD, Shaun Roe, DO, and Dave Phillips are in the back row. Doctors Comerci and Roe are affiliated with Barnesville Hospital and Harrison Community Hospital. Lori and Michelle work at Dr. Comerci’s medical practice. Alex is an athletic trainer affiliated with Wheeling Hospital; he is also the athletic trainer at Harrison Central. He and Dr. Comerci worked the Harrison sideline as medical personnel.

Dr Roe is the team doctor for Union Local High School. Dave Phillips, who is the president and CEO of Barnesville Hospital and Harrison Community Hospital, worked the press box as part of the clock operator crew. Union Local High School is also the alma mater of former WVU football standout Colton McKivitz, now with the San Francisco 49ers. Colton has recently started appearing in television ads promoting Barnesville Hospital!

Scenes from Saturday’s Football Game

Not the outcome we wanted, but fun nonetheless! As always, WVU Medicine was at the football game in a big way. Below are just a few of the photos from the day! (I saved the best for last though in the Final Thought.) 😊

• Top (left to right): Tom Takubo, DO; Me; Kishore Challa, MD; Tori Takubo, PA; and James Perry, DO.
• Middle left (left to right): Amy Bush and Steve Antoline’s granddaughter, Rozalyn Gabbert.
• Middle right (left to right): Me, Kristan Hornsby, MD; and Rawan El-Amin, DO, MPH – both members of our OB-GYN faculty.
• Bottom (left to right): Randy Mazey (WVU’s baseball coach); David Adelson, MD; Amy Bush; Jeff Hostettler; Tony Realini, MD, MPH; Ali Rezai, MD, and Mac Harman.

A FINAL THOUGHT…