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This file is provided for reference purposes only. It was current when it was produced, but it is no longer maintained and may now be out of date. Persons with disabilities having difficulty accessing information may contact us for assistance. For reliable, current information on this and other health topics, we recommend consulting the NIH Clinical Center at http://www.cc.nih.gov/.
NIH Clinical CenterNational Institutes of Health
On the Frontline of Medical Discovery

Clinical Center News

Published monthly for CC employees by Clinical Center Communications

past issues

October 2002


Doppman memorial lecture to be held Oct. 30

A year later . . .

Ireland interest in NIH biotechnology

Room service in 30 minutes or less

Hypnosis helps patients cope with pain and anxiety

NIH clowning provides the best medicine

Cartoon book eases recovery process with laughter

Second floor cafeteria scheduled to receive facelift

Pharmacy department staff reap rewards and honors

Medicine for the Public lecture series

October calendar

Studies

News briefs


Doppman memorial lecture
to be held Oct. 30

Photo of Dr. John L. Doppman Dr. John L. Doppman

Doppman memory kept alive through annual lecture

Dr. Ralph Weissleder will present "Molecular Imaging: Exploring the Next Frontier," during the second annual John Doppman Memorial Lecture on Wednesday, October 30.

Dr. Weissleder is a professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School, director of the Center for Molecular Imaging Research, and attending interventional radiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Radiology. He is also a founding member of the Society for Molecular Imaging Research where he currently serves as president.

Born in Zell, Germany, Dr. Weissleder received his undergraduate training at the University of Freidburg Medical School and later graduated cum laude from the University of Heidleberg where he received both his M.D. in medicine and Ph.D. in radiobiology in 1985.

Most of Dr. Weissleder's work has been performed in the field of cancer, leading to new approaches to the disease. However, he is also well known for his significant contributions to molecular imaging research. Recently, he developed methods to image gene expression by MRI; optical methodology to reveal enzyme activities in vivo; methods to follow stem and progenitor cells in living organisms; and agents to visualize lymph node metastases in cancer patients. Dr. Weissleder has written more than 190 peer-reviewed scientific articles and more than 50 review articles on molecular imaging. He is the author of several textbooks and publications and has more than 10 NIH grants and 10 U.S. and international patents.

The John Doppman Memorial Lecture was instituted last year to pay tribute to its namesake, who died of cancer on August 21, 2000. Dr. Doppman was chief of the Diagnostic Radiology Department for 26 years and an interventional radiologist at the Clinical Center for 36 years. He retired in April 2000.

Dr. Doppman joined the Clinical Center in 1964 as deputy chief of the Diagnostic Radiology Department. In 1970, he left to take a position as a radiology professor at the University of California, San Diego, but later returned to the department to serve as chief from 1972 to 1996.

Dr. Doppman developed, refined and performed numerous semi-surgical radiologic procedures. He was a pioneer in angiography, a technique that uses injections of radio-opaque dye to visualize blood vessels and tumors. He researched vascular malformations of the spinal cord and developed ways to visualize and treat them. His research culminated in the publication of the first text on this subject in 1969. Later, Dr. Doppman concentrated on endocrinology research and developed techniques for locating ectopic or elusive grandular tumors. Many of these techniques are now standard practice in medical centers worldwide.

In October 2001, the Clinical Center dedicated the 1C520 conference room in memory of Dr. Doppman, whose career earned him recognition by his colleagues as a skilled physician and pillar of the clinical research community.

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A year later...

Photo of Lt. Cmdr Lucienne Nelson Lt. Cmdr Lucienne Nelson, R.N.

On Sept. 11, Lt. Cmdr. Lucienne Nelson, R.N. (r), research nurse, Pediatric Oncology Branch, and Tannia Cartledge, R.N., M.S., chief, Adult, Pediatrics and Behavioral Health Services, were recognized by U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona and HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson for their role in helping during the tragedy of last year's terrorist attacks. Lt. Cmdr. Nelson spoke before a crowd in the Humphrey Building and told of her experiences at Ground Zero. "I was inspired by the strength of the people coming together and I was in awe of humanity—humanity expressed by school children sending battery-filled flashlights, each with a hand-written note attached saying thanks, you are our heroes," said Lt. Cmdr. Nelson. Secretary Thompson also acknowledged Alice Rosenberg, nurse case manager, NIAID, who learned that her daughter, a student at New York University, was providing food for workers. She drove from Maryland to New York and joined in to help, stating "food I can do."

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Ireland interest in NIH biotechnology

Photo of Dr. Gallin with visting Irish dignitaries
Ireland's Deputy Prime Minister Mary Harney (r) and Clinical Center Director Dr. John Gallin discuss opportunities for Irish companies to do business with NIH.

Ireland has identified biotechnology as a key industry initiative with aims of enterprise development and becoming a leading knowledge-based economy. With those objectives in mind, a delegation from Ireland toured the Clinical Center on September 5 and visited with Director Dr. John Gallin. Ireland's Deputy Prime Minister Mary Harney T.D. led the delegation. Delegation members listened as Dr. Gallin highlighted select Clinical Center accomplishments. The visitors' questions ranged from what is a protocol to how are your patients selected and bioethics issues.

The Irish visitors' time at NIH also included stops at the National Library of Medicine and the NIH Director's office. They learned about the NIH's vast body of research work and the models used for technology transfer and commercialization of research. They explored opportunities for collaborative research and for Irish companies to do business with the NIH.

"Other countries look to the U.S. and the NIH in particular, as the outstanding model of successful technology transfer activities that ultimately benefit the public health throughout the world," said Mark Rohrbaugh, director, Office of Technology Transfer, NIH.

NIH uses its authorities under U.S. laws and regulations to encourage production interactions among government, academic and industrial laboratories while preserving the interests of the public in a robust research enterprise." In addition to the Ireland initiative, the Office of Technology Transfer has welcomed delegations from other countries around the world. These interactions have had the positive result of stimulating research collaborations, providing opportunities for NIH to license its technologies and offering foreign delegations strategies which they have adopted to enhance their own technology transfer activities.

Subsequent interaction with Ireland will include companies from that country meeting with intramural scientists and technology development coordinators from various research institutes or centers that are interested in exploring further collaborations.

The recent establishment of Science Foundation Ireland, a new research funding body, was launched to establish Ireland as a center of research excellence in strategic areas related to economic development such as biotechnology and information communications technologies.

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Room service in 30 minutes or less

Photo of Rene Brown and Catherine Worrell inspecting a patient dinner tray Rene Brown and Catherine Worrell inspect an order of a beef burrito with mexican rice before it is delivered to a patient.

New system saves time, money and food

A new dining experience has patients feeling as if they are staying in a four-star hotel instead of a hospital. Room Service is a system designed by the Nutrition Department that allows patients to order food from a four-page menu and have it delivered within 30 minutes, anytime during the day.

"This works really well," said Wendy Daubel, a patient at the Clinical Center for four years. "I generally eat later than the normal times they serve, now I can just order when I'm hungry."

Patients can order from 6:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. by dialing 1-FOOD. A trained health technician will take the order and input it into the computer. The computer prints the information out onto a ticket in the kitchen area where different stations are set up to complete the order. Once the order is filled, it is inspected for accuracy and sent out for delivery.

"This is a lot easier because you can send the patient what they want instead of sending them something that they are not happy with," said Andre Williams, a cook in the Nutrition Department.

For the patient's convenience, breakfast, which includes a variety of cold and hot cereals, fruits, pancakes and several varieties of omlettes, is served all day. "Many patients have testing in the morning and want to have breakfast at noon," said Amanda Krawchuk, health technician. "Now they can get it whenever they want it." Other specialty fares include southwestern grilled flank steak, sauteed salmon with dill sauce and classic meatloaf for dinner, and a host of salads, hamburgers, deli sandwiches, and french fries for lunch. Weekly specials are available, and include jerk chicken, beef tips with mushrooms and breaded catfish.

Since its implementation in May, the Nutrition Department has seen an increase patient satisfaction rate. According to Alberta Bourn, chief Nutrition Department, this helps the department to better meet customer service and customer satisfaction goals.

Photo of Madeline Michael and Amanda Krawchuk using the new food-ordering system Health technician Amanda Krawchuk (l) and Madeline Michael, chief, Clinical Nutrition Services, take an order from a patient. The order is then submitted in the form of a ticket and processed by workers in the kitchen.

"With the traditional system, patients were saying that we were sending the meals too early, or they would over select when they ordered because they weren't sure about what they would want to eat by the time the food was delivered," said Bourn. "With the new service we are seeing less food being ordered and less food being wasted."

The traditional system required patients to select their meals at least 24 hours in advance, with meals delivered at a set time. Bourn said patients don't always know what they will feel like eating a day in advance, so they would order too much food and a lot of it would not be eaten. "Just to be able to give patients control over the time they can eat is a large factor in customer satisfaction," she said.

The program was piloted on 13-West in May. After one month, the program expanded to other patient care units. The program is now available throughout the Clinical Center for eligible patients. According to Bourn, the room service menu meets the needs of many patients, however certain patients require special diets that cannot be accommodated with the Room Service software.

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Hypnosis helps patients cope with pain and anxiety

Photo of Dr. Daniel Handel Dr. Daniel Handel, the newest member in the Pain and Palliative Care Department, helps patients manage their pain
through hypnosis.

Handel coaches patients in therapeutic hypnosis

The 14-year old boy was terminally ill and in severe pain. A brain tumor was causing blinding headaches and he suffered multiple fractures of his ribs because of the metastases spreading throughout his side. At night, he clutched a stuffed teddy bear to keep from crying out.

He could have remained at the hospital and received constant attention, but he wanted to return to his home and family. With a regimen of medicines and just a few training sessions in clinical therapeutic hypnosis, he was able to do that.

"It was a transformative experience for me and, I think for him and his family," said Dr. Daniel Handel, the man who trained the young patient and who now describes himself as the "new kid on the block" in the Pain and Palliative Care Department. "To see what people can do when they have a strong motivation to help themselves and to work with the tools-I'm constantly amazed at what we, as humans are capable of."

Handel came to the Clinical Center in January, bringing with him more than a decade of skills in pain management and a strong interest in therapeutic hypnosis. Originally from Minnesota, he spent the last 13 years at Harris Medical Hospital in Fort Worth, Tx., where he worked with critically ill patients.

"I'm very impressed with hypnosis as an effective adjunctive clinical tool," he said. "I think of it as a natural, God-given state of mind that we can tap into." What he's learned, he said, is that people can have significant control over their bodily functions and sensations-far more than most people can imagine. And because he's asked others to do it, he's taken great care to practice what he preaches.

Years ago in medical school, he had two wisdom teeth removed, an experience he described as grueling. Impacted, the teeth were removed with some difficulty, leaving Handel with a great deal of swelling and in considerable pain. " The doctor said to come back when I was ready and we'd do the other two," he recalls. " So ten years later, I was ready."

This time a friend, who also was a colleague, trained him using self-hypnosis. But Handel was nervous. His wisdom teeth had become even more impacted in the ensuing years. To his surprise, after the procedure there was no swelling or pain. He used his hypnotic training steadily and after three days used only two tablets of ibuprofen.

" Most of us have this ability," he said, " and it's important to realize it isn't something one person does to another, but is something we do for ourselves following appropriate training. It's not magic."

Of course, people have varying degrees of ability to be hypnotized and it's not always easy to determine who will be most susceptible. Far from what many think, he said, you never surrender control under hypnosis and you can bring yourself out of it at any time. "It's simply an altered state of consciousness through which we can accomplish phenomena that we may not otherwise feel capable of accomplishing."

According to Handel, a hypnotic trance is simply concentration or focusing—very similar to what a driver might experience on a long straight road or highway. " If someone jumped out in front of your car, you would react, but otherwise you might find yourself wondering where the last 60 minutes went." Outside of clinical uses, hypnosis can be used as a means of relaxation or preparation for study.

Clinically, hypnosis has been used effectively not only for pain, but anxiety, control of nausea-induced vomiting and for sleep disorders. It can be used by itself or as an adjunct to other therapies. For an enduring effect, it requires motivation, work and practice, which he admits are not easy. Still, the results can border the incredible. Handel has seen hypnosis used in surgery instead of anesthesia for operations on bone. But it's the day-to-day successes that impress him the most.

" This is something that has been closely studied in a clinical setting for 35 years," he said. " It's well researched and proven, yet we still don't know some of the underlying mechanisms of how it works."

Recent studies have shown that subjects given Positron Emission Tomography brain scans while actually looking at a flower can be put into a hypnotic trance later and be induced to " look" at it again through hypnotic hallucination. PET scans at that time reveal activation of the same brain sites as in the original visualizing event. But if the subjects were asked simply to recall the plant from memory, without hypnosis, different sites involving visual memory would be activated.

Such research fascinates Handel. "As the new kid on our team, I'm equally as impressed, and proud, that so many healing disciplines are used at the Clinical Center in assisting our patients toward wellness and comfort."

For further information on clinical therapeutic hypnosis, visit the website of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis at http://www.asch.net.

-by John Iler

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NIH clowning proves the best medicine Photo of NIH student clowns applying their makeup Members of the NIH Clinical Center Caring Clowns first cohort group learn how to make up their clown faces.



Caring clowns make debut Oct. 30

In her blue-sequined visor and rainbow-colored vest, Teresa Gretton drapes a stethoscope with a toilet plunger cup on one end around her neck. Reaching into her bag of tricks she pulls out a handbag, a purse in the shape of a human hand, and slings it over her shoulder. She grabs a shoehorn, a shoe with a built-in musical horn, and belts out a soulful tune. Finally, she rests a monkey puppet on her arm and talks to it. She then explains to her audience that the "more you play with your props, the more they become part of you."

The audience, a group of NIH professionals, attempts to write down her instructions amidst their laughter. Gretton, a professional clown from Waldorf, Md. is introducing them to the art of clowning. Welcome to Clowning 101-a traditional eight classes of clowning condensed into three sessions.

Photo of NIH student clowns In full clown reglia, meet Carrie-On, Dr. Ruze and Klutzy (l-r, back row); Nurse Ladybug (center: and Blinky, Evie-The-Clown and Shy Annie (l-r, front row).

It's not certain Sandy Bishop, Eva Chen, Dana Cotton, Barbara Loesch, Scott Paul, Deb Price, Susan Robertson, and Cindy White knew what they were in for when they volunteered for the Clinical Center's first foray into clown school. The classes are sponsored by the Rehabilitation Medicine Department's Recreation Therapy Section. Section Chief George Patrick, Ph.D., is coordinating the new program and serves as dean of clowns.

"Our clowns are in preparation to volunteer with our Clinical Center patients, both adults and children, and their family members. It's never a bad idea to lighten up the emotional environment in a hospital-a smile, a grin, or laughter can be good medicine," he said.

The clowns-in-training are preparing to become caring clowns-those who perform mainly in hospitals or similar facilities for audiences of individuals with specific physiological, psychological, spiritual, or social needs. Caring clowns entertain with empathy. Gretton opened the first session of Clowning 101 with a brief lecture on clown types and which is best suited to the caring clown demeanor.

"The whiteface is the troublemaking clown, shrewd and sophisticated. The tramp and hobo clowns came about in the Depression era, depicting how you can be down but not out. The auguste (German meaning 'foolish') clown tends to be the silly, comedic one who usually appears to not know what's going on and plays to the whiteface, the traditional straightman," she said. With hospital clowning, the auguste is the best match, she explained. "Auguste clowns don clothing that is a seamstress' nightmare and wear make-up that reveals facial flesh tones."

After the briefing on clown types, the students in round robin fashion described their personality traits, highlighted some of their likes and dislikes, mentioned nicknames they may have gone by or been called, and gave general thoughts on being a clown. These remarks should remain within their clown cohort.

It quickly became obvious in that first session that props could be a clown's best friend as Gretton, while discussing the tramp/hobo clown types, demonstrated how to use a blue cord to hang a rubber chicken from a back pants pocket to create "cordon bleu" (chicken). She emphasized again and again the role of props but that any type of "shtick"—big glasses, a red nose, a sticker (like this group's favorite, "IYQ") works.

Dr. Patrick pointed out that the Recreation Therapy section would lend its Humor Cart items to the volunteers during their clowning.

At last, the prop theme closes and the subject turns to finding "the clown character." Gretton asks each student to "look at you" as she hands out mirrors. She explains this helps with both personality and make-up development. "See what types of emotional faces you have and can make. Wake up your clown character."

The clowns-in-training leave the first class with two assignments: "Find your smile lines, and begin to find the clown within." They were reminded to bring items for 'making-up'-headbands, showercaps, hairpins, talcum powder, a white crew-style sock, baby oil, make-up brushes, and a mirror.

Second day of training

The conference room on the Clinical Center's 14th floor for the second clown training s ession resembles backstage Broadway. Mirrors, make-up, hats, and dress-up stuff everywhere. Gretton and her husband Bob, with nearly 50 years of professional clowning between them-she as Blinky, he as Bunky, drill the students. "Use a dry make-up approach. Then powder. Let it set to be sure all the crevices are taken care of. When you use the powder, pat it, don't rub it on. You should be able to jump into a swimming pool and not have your make-up run." A quick note on the sock and powder: the secret is to pour the talcum into the white sock and then 'lightly pound' your clown face with it to 'set' the make-up. The clown trainees were in the thick of it inquiring, "How do you get rid of your eyebrows?" and "What would show nursing, a cross or a heart on my nose?" And Dr. Patrick, the dean of clowns, was thinking these employees who will be clown volunteers should have new ID badges for their clown characters.

Photo of NIH student clowns Dana Cotton (left) practices clown greetings with clown instructor Teresa Gretton
(aka Blinky).

Students' facial features transform. Each has become quickly adept at drawing on their mouth shape, eye features and nose. The before and after is impressive, leaving even the instructors wondering if any of the students has done t his before. "A good make-up design enhances the expressive qualities of the person's face and allows the clown to portray many emotions including joy, sadness, desire, and pain," said Teresa Gretton. "It is even possible to be a clown and use little or no make-up."

With make-up in place, the students must now find their clown groove. It can take years to find one's clown character. As one clown expert noted, "The character can contain exaggerated traits in the individual's personality, ones he wishes he had, and ones he has observed in others."

Bob Gretton emphasized that the make-up and wigs do not make the clown character. "It comes from here" (thumping his head) "and here" (patting his heart)," he said.

Teresa Gretton reminds the students to leave the second class pondering one thought. "What type of character do they want to be? Are you quiet, silly, bashful, happy, what feels comfortable?"

While listening to this instruction the students are slowly removing their make-up and are already talking about the costumes, or parts of, they'll bring to the third and final class.

Final session

Photo of NIH student clowns Barbara Loesch (aka Klutzy) shows off her clown shoes.

At the final session, you feel like you should go home to get that black velvet Alice in Wonderland Madhatter tophat you wore once for a skit at a meeting because you feel underdressed. The NIH professionals are gone and the clowns are in. Meet: Miz Quito, Evie-The-Clown, Nurse Ladybug, Klutzy, Dr. Ruze, Hug-a-Bunch, Carrie-On, and Shy Annie.

To enable the clown trainees to be the best caring clowns possible, the Grettons provide advice on how to enter the patient's room, what to do once inside, how to respond to the patient, how to entertain, how long to stay, leaving the room, and those interactions with others such as staff outside the patient's room. Dr. Patrick said the new clowns will go out in teams of two, each a minimum of once a month. He feels confident they understand the value of, and are ready to spread the benefits of, therapeutic humor to both patients and staff.

The NIH Clinical Center's Caring Clowns will debut as a group at the Recreation Therapy's Halloween party on October 30. In the meantime if you have a clown emergency or find your clown rising from within and want to join in the volunteer fun in Clowning 102 contact clownologist George Patrick at 301-496-2278 or email him at gpatrick@mail.cc.nih.gov.

-by Dianne Needham

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Cartoon book eases recovery process with laughter

Graphic showing three cartoon frames from Ben Canha's book

Cartoons reveal lighter side of recovery process

Let's laugh with recovering alcoholics and drug addicts. Ben Canha does. In fact, he's published an entire book of cartoons that not only looks at the lighter side of the recovery process, but teaches lessons as well.

12 Step Recovery Cartoons is a 137-page book full of humorous cartoons that portray the struggles of four characters as they move through the 12 traditions and 12 steps of recovery.

According to Canha, the steps are the foundation for personal recovery, while the traditions help groups sustain their unity and fellowship.

"There are some funny things that people say and do in [recovery] meetings," said Canha, R.N., 6-West patient care unit. "This is just a different way to convey the message. A lot of recovering addicts think the party is over and their life is over after they give up alcohol, but the cartoons show that you can be clean, learn to laugh and have fun."

In one cartoon, character Seymore P., an alcoholic who has been 30-days clean, is being told that if he replaces alcohol with pot then that would be like switching seats on the Titanic.

"Either way, the boat is still going down," said Canha. "The purpose of the first step is to remove all mind and mood altering substances and admit that you are powerless over alcohol and drugs."

Canha began drawing cartoons two years ago and submitted them to several recovery newsletters. When coworkers saw the drawings they asked him to create several related to the Clinical Center. After that, Canha never stopped. Within one year, he drew 275 cartoons. That's when he decided to put them together in a book.

"I think I have a good sense of humor. I don't think I draw that great, but I'm blessed with certain insights," said Canha. "I had a moment of clarity where everything just clicked, so I went with it and it's been growing ever since."

Photo of Ben Canha and Brian Johnson Ben Canha (1) and coworker Brian Johnson review Canha's book, which is used during recovery sessions with patients.

Nearly 200 copies of the self-published book have been sold around the world. Other copies have been distributed to patient care units throughout the Clinical Center and used during Alcoholic Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous conventions. "Sales are starting to pick up," he says. Since launching his website http://www.recoverycartoons.com last December Canha has received an average of 7000 hits per month, not to mention the emails he has received from around the world from people requesting to publish the cartoons in newsletters and magazines.

"I don't think there is another piece of literature like it," said Canha. "At least nothing that deals with all 12-steps of the recovery process with funny cartoons."

Canha said he even has enough material to publish a second edition, which he hopes to title Conference Approved, internal humor that plays on the fact that all Alcoholics Anonymous publications used during sessions, must be approved by the national organization.

A nurse for 22 years, Canha began his career working with schizophrenic patients at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Washington. Looking for new challenges he decided to take a position as director of an addiction program in Oxon Hill, Md.

"Alcoholics and addicts come into the program with their lives in shambles," said Canha. "When they leave, it is a profound change and it makes you feel good when they come back and thank you."

Canha joined the Clinical Center, working with NIAAA in 1997. In the near future, he hopes to have his book published by a major publisher, have his cartoons syndicated for the newspapers and possibly branch out into greeting cards that celebrate recovery anniversaries.

-by Tanya Brown

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Second floor cafeteria scheduled to receive facelift

Renovations and incentives are upgrading the Clinical Center cafeterias to become more customer-friendly dining centers.

Beginning this month, the second floor cafeteria is undergoing a facelift. The upgrades will be completed in the evening, allowing the cafeteria to remain open for service during the day.

"The second floor cafeteria took a heavy beating when the B1 cafeteria closed," said Dwayne Parris, concessions manager, Office of Research Services, Division of Support Services, Worksite Enrichment Programs Branch. "We wanted to give it more of a clean, dignified look."

Black, patterned carpet will be installed along with new tables, cream-colored vinyl chairs, and a coat of fresh paint. Parris added that more tables will be made handicapped-accessible. The current tables meet the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements; however, additional features will make maneuvering a wheelchair under the table easier.

"Our main goal is to please the customer," said Parris. "We are always looking for new ways to make the atmosphere more pleasing and offer a variety of foods that will make the customer happy."

The latest endeavor has turned both dining centers into miniature sushi bars. Last month, prepackaged California rolls and seaweed-wrapped finger rolls-both raw and cooked-were made available near the salad bars. Each package is made fresh every morning and comes with its own wasabi sauce. Sales have increased to 30 packages a day since the first week of introducing sushi to the dining centers.

For coffee lovers, there is a special deal: buy nine cups of coffee and get one free. The coffee program, which began last month, gives employees a business-sized card to be stamped each time they purchase a cup of coffee. After purchasing nine cups, the cardholder is entitled to a free cup. Employees can also get 10 percent off each cup of coffee they purchase when they buy a large travel mug for $8.95. The mug is identical to the Starbucks travel mug and can be refilled at each cafeteria and the coffee shop. Each refill also comes with a 10 percent discount.

Parris said that this is just the start of the ideas he hopes to initiate in the future. He is currently looking into merchant accounts that allow employees to use debit or credit cards to purchase food. He also plans to update the website to include a recipe-of-the-month along with a bio for each chef.

For more information, visit the website at http://www.nih.gov/od/ors/dss/special/eurest.htm.

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Pharmacy department staff reap rewards and honors

Photo of Dr. Calis

Karim Anton Calis, Pharm.D., M.P.H., was recently recognized by two health organizations for outstanding clinical pharmacy practice. The Association of Military Surgeons of the United States (AMSUS) awarded Dr. Calis with the AMSUS 2002 Award for Excellence in Clinical Pharmacy Practice. The award recognizes the leadership of federal pharmacists in the transformation of pharmacy practice by working closely with other health care providers to optimize pharmacotherapies in a safe, efficacious and cost-effective manner. The American College of Clinical Pharmacy has also recognized Dr. Calis as a Fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy. Fellowship in the college recognizes and rewards the highest level of excellence in the practice and science of clinical pharmacy. The awarding of Fellow status is the highest honor the American College of Clinical Pharmacy can bestow on its members.

Photo of Dr. Goldspiel 
                receiving his award


Dr. Barry Goldspiel, Projects Coordinator Pharmacist in the Pharmacy Department was installed as the fourth president of the International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners (ISOPP, www.isopp.org) at the Eighth International Symposium on Oncology Pharmacy Practice (ISOPP VIII) in Vancouver, Canada.

Alice K. Pau, PharmD, FASHP, clinical pharmacy specialist, has been awarded the 2002 Aventis Outstanding Clinical Practice in Infectious Diseases Pharmacotherapy Award, sponsored by the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists. The award recognizes an SIDP member who has developed an innovative and/or excellent clinical practice site. The award serves to support attendance at Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, and other endeavors enhancing the educational background of the recipient. In a letter to Dr. Pau, SIDP President Charles Ballows said "It was indeed impressive to learn of the clinical practice you have established and the high regard with which your colleagues hold you. I congratulate you on your outstanding practice, which should serve as a model for new practitioners in Infectious Diseases Pharmacotherapy."

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Medicine for the Public lecture series

MFP logo

The 2002 Medicine for the Public lecture series, now in its 26th year, features physician-researchers working in the frontiers of medical discovery at the National Institutes of Health. The series helps people understand the latest developments in medicine with an emphasis on topics of current relevance presented by speakers who can relate stories of science to the lay public. Sponsored by the NIHI Clinical Center, the lectures are held at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays in Masur Auditorium, Building 10. All lectures are free and open to the public. Visit Medicine for the Public on the web at http://www.cc.nih.gov/ccc/mfp/series.html for more information.


October 8, 2002
Nutritional Therapies for Age-Related Eye Diseases
Emily Chew, M.D. Deputy Director Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Research National Eye Institute

October 15, 2002
The Teen Brain
Jay Giedd, M.D. Chief of Brain Imaging Child Psychiatry Branch National Institute of Mental Health

October 29, 2002
Endometriosis: Scrambled Eggs and Killer Cramps
Pamela Stratton, M.D. Chief, Gynecology Consult Service Pediatric and Reproductive Endocrinology Branch National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

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  October calendar

1
Medicine for the Public
7 p.m. Masur Auditorium

Coping with Anxiety and Depression in Uncertain Times
Dennis Charney, M.D., NIMH
2
Grand Rounds
noon-1 p.m. Lipsett Amphitheater

Hypnotic Strategies for Managing Intractable Symptoms
Daniel Handel, M.D., CC
The Genetics of Alzheimer's Disease
John Hardy, Ph.D., NIH

Wednesday Afternoon Lecture 3 p.m. Masur Auditorium The Physiology and Psychophysics of Visual Attention
Michael E. Goldbert, M.D., Columbia University
8
Medicine for the Public
Nutritional Therapies for Age-Related Eye
Diseases

Emily Chew, M.D., NEI
9
Grand Rounds: Great Teachers Series
noon-1 p.m. Lipsett Amphitheater

What ADHD Really Means: A Developmental Disorder of Self-Control (Motor, Cognitive, and Social-Emotional)
Martha Bridge Denckla, M.D., Johns Hopkins University

Wednesday Afternoon Lecture
3 p.m. Masur Auditorium

Integrating Genetics, Genomics, and Biology of Malignant Melanoma
Jeffrey M. Trent, Ph.D., NHGRI
15
Medicine for the Public
7. p.m. Masur Auditorium

The Teen Brain
Jay Giedd, M.D., NIMH
16
NIH Research Festival
23
Grand Rounds
noon-1 p.m. Lipsett Amphitheater

Molecular Mechanisms and Treatment of Renal Sodium Retention in Nephrotic Syndrom
Georges Descheses, M.D., PH.D., NHLBI

Special Wed. Afternoon Triple Lecture
2-4 p.m. Masur Auditorium
EGF Receptor Circuit Operation: A Paradigm From Quantitative Cell Biology
Douglas A. Lauffenburger, Ph.D., MIT, Cambridge

The Robustness of Evolved Genetic Networks Would Be Astonishing Were It Not Essental
Garrett M. Odell, Ph.D., University of Washington

The Cenn Cycle: Spatial and Temporal Control of a Multicomponent Genetic Network
Lucille Shapiro,Ph.D., Stanford University
29
Medicine for the Public
7 p.m. Masur Auditorium
Endometriosis: Scrambled Eggs and Killer Cramps
Pamela Stratton, M.D., NICHD
30
Grand Rounds
noon-1 p.m. Lipsett Amphitheater
John Doppman Memorial Lecture

Molecular Imaging: Exploring the Next Frontier
Ralph Weissleder, M.D., Ph.D., Harvard Medical School

Wednesday Afternoon Lecture
3 p.m. Masur Auditorium

The SNP Endgame
Neil J. Risch, Ph.D., Stanford University

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Studies

Twins needed
The National Institutes of Health is conducting an immunological diversity study for healthy identical twins, ages 18-35, involving two brief outpatient visits. History and physical, blood draws, apheresis, and possible further questionnaires are involved. Both twins must participate and be in good health. Compensation provided. Call 800-892-3276 (TTY 866-411-1010); email: prpl@cc.nih.gov.
Healthy women needed
NICHD seeks healthy women to participate in an ovarian function study involving five brief outpatient visits. Blood draws, ultrasound and an injection of a natural body hormone are involved. Participants are eligible if they do not smoke or take any drugs, including birth control. Regular menstrual cycles (ages 18-55) as well as a past pregnancy are required. Compen-sation provided. Call 800-892-3276 (TTY 866-411-1010); email: prpl@cc .nih.gov.
HIV vaccine study
Men and women ages 18-60 who do not have HIV, are asked to participate in an HIV vaccine study. This study will test the safety of an experimental HIV vaccine. Participants will be compensated and receive no-cost, medical exams and tests. The vaccine will not infect participants with HIV. Call 866-833-LIFE.
Healthy children needed
NINDS seeks healthy children, ages 6-17, to participate in a sweat measuring study. The sweat measuring test is non-invasive. Participation involves a one hour-long outpatient visit. Compensation provided. Call 800-892-3276 (TTY 866-411-1010); email: prpl@cc.nih.gov.
College educated adults needed
Middle-aged college educated adults are needed for a two-day outpatient study at NIMH. Involves blood draw, routine clinical, neurological and cognitive procedures. Compensation provided. Call 301-435-8970.

Healthy males needed
NIAAA seeks healthy males, ages 40-59, to participate in cognitive/ psychological studies. No medication is involved. Compensation provided. Call: 800-892-3276 (TTY 866-411-1010); email: prpl@cc.nih.gov.


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briefs

Director's Award
The 2002 Clinical Center Director's Annual Address and Awards Ceremony will be held Friday, November 15, from 1 to 3 p.m. in Masur Auditorium. Following the ceremony, a reception will be held in the Visitor Information Center. For the first time, the Clinical Center QWI/Diversity Council is sponsoring a new award category in the Director's Award program that will recognize employees who have made significant contributions to advancing quality of worklife and diversity.

Town Hall Meeting
NIH Director Elias Zerhouni will host a town hall meeting for the NIH community October 4 from 1 to 2 p.m., in the Masur Auditorium. Dr. Zerhouni will discuss his vision for NIH and important issues regarding the NIH community.

Share the Health forum
Join the NIH Office of Community Liaison for its fourth annual free community health forum, "Share the Health: An Exposition of Health Resources from NIH to its Neighbors." The event, which features health-related information, lectures, workshops, and screenings, will be held on Saturday October 26, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Natcher Conference Center, Building 45. The event promotes health through the prevention of diseases by offering the community access to NIH's vast resources.

Type O blood needed
The NIH Blood Bank urgently needs type O blood donors. Call 301 496-1048 to make an appointment at the Blood Bank (Department of Transfusion Medicine), located on the first floor of the Clinical Center. The Blood Bank is open Tuesday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. For more information visit www.cc.nih.gov/dtm/html/donrinfo.htm.

Hispanic Heritage Month II
The NIH Hispanic Employee Organization will hold part-two of its heritage month celebration by sponsoring the third annual NIH Hispanic Scientists Day, Thursday October 10 at noon in the Lipsett Amphitheater. Speakers include Dr. Antonio Fojo, chief, Cancer Therapeutics Branch, NCI, and Dr. Milton Hernandez, director, Office of Special Populations and Research Training, NIAID. Poster presentations and exhibits will be in the Visitor Information Center from 1:30 to 3 p.m. For more information contact Marta Leon-Monzon at 301-496-4564, or email leonm@od.nih.gov.

Foil the Flu
In the United States, flu season peaks between late December and early March. Vaccination is the best way to minimize serious adverse outcomes of Influenza infection. Influenza vaccine delivery is on schedule for this year. As in previous years, Clinical Center patients and staff who provide direct patient care will be the first to receive immunization. The schedule for the vaccination clinics for the general NIH population will be published as soon as the dates are available. Please visit the website www.nih.gov/od/ors/ds/flu/ for updates. NIH staff can also contact their personal physician or local health department to identify locations offering flu immunization programs.

National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center Patient Travel Office
The NIH Travel Management Center (TMC) contract provides a Patient Travel Office located at the Clinical Center. Dedicated to patient travel, this office also offers pick up of staff travel tickets (only) as a convenience to staff members Staff travel arrangements can be made by contacting Omega's Montrose Office at 301-984-1850. Since May 2001, Omega World Travel has provided a full range of travel services for NIH patients and those traveling with them.

Contact Information for the Patient Travel Office:

Location: Building 10, Room 1C200 (across from Admissions)
Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
Manager: Cate Cella
Phone: 301-496-6676
Outside Area: 1-866-227-9339
Email: clinicmd@owt.net

(For after-hours emergency service, the Patient Travel Office phones automatically transfer to the Admissions desk. The desk has staff who are available to assist with urgent patient travel needs that occur after normal business hours, weekends and holidays.)

For additional staff travel information and procedures visit http://www.nih.gov/od/ors/dss/special/travel.htm, or contact the TMC Project Office at 301-402-8180.

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Editor: Tanya C. Brown
Contributing writers: Dianne Needham and John Iler
 

Clinical Center News, 6100 Executive Blvd., Suite 3C01, MSC 7511, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-7511. Tel: 301-496-2563. Fax: 301-402-2984. Published monthly for CC employees by the Office of Clinical Center Communications, Colleen Henrichsen, chief. News, article ideas, calendar events, letters, and photographs are welcome. Deadline for submissions is the second Monday of each month.

 

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