Lisa Lacasse
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Lisa Lacasse has been appointed as the new chief financial officer of
the Clinical Center.
Lacasse has served as acting CFO since Feb. 2002, overseeing the planning,
formulation and execution of the Clinical Center's $330 million budget.
"This position allows me to focus on the things I like to do," said
Lacasse. "It's rewarding to be able to find more efficient ways for the
Clinical Center to expend its resources in order to assure a robust and
flexible clinical research support environment."
Lacasse received her Masters of Business Administration with a focus
in Health Care Management from the The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
After a graduate fellowship with the University of Maryland Medical System
in Baltimore, Lacasse was named assistant vice president, executive affairs
of UMMS. She was later promoted to senior director of Management Services
at UniversityCARE, LLC, as part of a joint venture created between the
University of Maryland Medical System and University Physicians, Inc.,
the physician practice group of the University of Maryland Medical School.
In 1999, Lacasse joined the Clinical Center as special assistant to the
director where she led the development of computerized protocol mapping
and served as project leader for the Clinical Research Information System
(CRIS).
"Ms. Lacasse has demonstrated extensive skills in management of financial
and human resources, and has successfully addressed complex financial,
organizational and operational issues," said Clinical Center Director
John Gallin. "Her experience within the clinical research setting coupled
with her knowledge of academic health care make her uniquely qualified
for this position."
Lacasse credits her 12-member staff with much of the office's success
while serving as acting CFO. "The people who work for me are talented,
dedicated and have an incredible vision for this place," said Lacasse.
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9-year-old donates $100 to FOCC
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When each student in 9-year-old Charlotte Mecklenburg's
Sunday School class received a crisp $100 bill to donate to the
cause of their choice, Charlotte instantly remembered the kind treatment
her late grandmother received while a patient at the Clinical Center.
"She did a lot of things for other people," said Charlotte. "Maybe
I can do something for other people, too, and learn from what she
did." The Sunday School project was designed to teach children how
to share something they value to benefit others. Charlotte presented
the $100 bill to Therese Clemens, executive director of the Friends
of the Clinical Center. The money will go to buy toys for the 14th
floor playroom and waiting areas in the outpatient clinics.
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Neuroscience Nurse Internship Program class of 2003
A Certificate of Program Completion was recently presented to the fourteenth
class of the Neuroscience Nurse Internship Program. The NNIP, jointly
sponsored by the Clinical Center Nursing Department and the National Institute
of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, is a six-month neuroscience clinical
internship for recent nursing graduates. The program is also designed
for registered nurses with recent clinical experience interested in beginning
careers in neuroscience nursing.
The 2003 class was comprised of five
registered nurses (front row, l to r), LaToya S. Sewell, Laurel Nicole
Kepner, Janelle M. Stank, Lindsay Karen Blair, and Rachel C. Perkins.
The Neuroscience Leadership Team was comprised of (back row, l to r) Clare
Hastings, R.N., Ph.D., chief, Nursing and Patient Care Services; Marsha
Moore, R.N., acting nurse manager, Neuroscience and Ophthalmology Program
of Care, Nursing Department; Henry McFarland, M.D., clinical director,
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; Beth Price, R.N.,
clinical nurse specialist, Neuroscience and Ophthalmology Program of Care,
Nursing Department; and Audrey Penn, M.D., acting director, National Institute
of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
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2002-2003 Duke clinical research training class
graduates
Members of the 2002-2003 NIH-Duke Training Program in Clinical
Research gathered for a luncheon held in their honor in late May. The
program, established in 1998, is administered through a joint collaboration
between Duke University School of Medicine and the Clinical Center's Office
of Clinical Research Training and Medical Education. To date, 24 participants
representing various NIH institutes or centers have completed the program.
The program provides NIH physician-scientists with formal academic training
in the quantitative and methodological principles of clinical research
and leads to a Master of Health Sciences in Clinical Research conferred
by the Duke University School of Medicine. For more program information,
contact DeNedra McPherson dmcpherson@cc.nih.gov. Pictured above (l to
r) are: Gabor Illei (NIAMS), Fathia Gibril (formerly with NIDDK), Miroslawa
Nowak (NIAMS), and Manish Agrawal (NCI). Not pictured are Imelda Cabalar
(formerly with NIAMS), Patricia Chulada (NIEHS), Alison Ehrlich (NCI),
Marjorie Garvey (NIMH), Nicole McCarthy (NCI), Elizabeth Molloy (NIMH),
Jordan Prutkin (NIH Clinical Research Training Program), Charles Sansur
(NIH Clinical Research Training Program), Irini Sereti (NIAID) and David
Squires (NCI).
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Orientation provides overview for Clinical Fellows
NIH leadership welcomed new Clinical Fellows at a reception held in conjunction
with the annual orientation program on July 2. The orientation program,
sponsored by the Clinical Center, Office of Clinical Research Training
and Medical Education, provides an overview of the programs and services
that will be an integral part of the Fellows' training experience. Following
the orientation program, Fellows meet informally with institutional leadership.
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Medicine for the Public returns for 2003 season
The Clinical Center's 27th annual Medicine for the Public Lecture series
will take place September-October in Building 10's Masur Auditorium. The
lectures, which are free and open to the public, are presented at 7 p.m.
on Tuesdays. NIH videocasts will be available for each lecture. For more
information go to: http://www.cc.nih.gov/about/news/mfp.shtml or
call 301-496-2563.
September 16
Alzheimer's Disease: Advances and Hope
Trey Sunderland, M.D. Chief, Geriatric Psychiatry Branch National Institute
of Mental Health
Despite many recent advances in the understanding of Alzheimer's disease,
its diagnosis is still based on vague clinical criteria and confirmed
only by biopsy or autopsy. Diagnosis by an experienced doctor is accurate
80-to-85 percent of the time. This presentation will describe the rationale
behind, and progress to date, of a comprehensive study to examine the
spinal fluid of Alzheimer's patients during the course of their illness
compared to healthy patients. The research study also involves an extended
view of a special group of normal subjects perceived to be at risk for
developing Alzheimer's disease. The hope is to isolate specific biological
traits which may aid in the early identification of the disease.
September 23
Preparing for SARS, or Smallpox, or Whatever Comes Next: Responding to
Emerging Infectious Diseases and Bioterrorism Threats David Henderson,
M.D. Deputy Director for Clinical Care Warren Grant Magnuson Clinical
Center The world has recently seen an emergence or reemergence of infectious
diseases such as smallpox, SARS, West Nile virus, and monkeypox. What
is the public perception of these diseases? How are they spread? Are we
prepared if they occur close to home? How will hospital workers be protected?
This presentation will cover these issues and how the Clinical Center
has responded to new diseases in the past. It will also address new technologies
controlling the airborne transmission of disease.
September 30
Sickle Cell Anemia: Moving from Pain to Cure
Mark Gladwin, M.D. Senior Investigator Section Chief, Sickle Cell/Nitric
Oxide Therapeutics Section Critical Care Medicine Department
Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder in the
United States. Scientists have learned a great deal about the medical
condition during the past 30 yearsÑwhat causes it, how it affects the
patient and treatments that do or don't work. Understanding the disease
and its warning signs aids researchers working to unravel the mysteries
of sickle cell. This presentation will cover those topics and related
ongoing clinical research. Current investigations include efforts to understand
the role of lung complications in adults with sickle cell disease and
evaluating the role of current and future therapies in sickle cell disease
treatment.
October 7
Stem Cell Transplantation: Promise in Cancer Treatments and Blood Disorders
Michael Bishop, M.D. Investigator and Clinical Head Experimental Transplantation
and Immunology Branch National Cancer Institute
Bone marrow transplantation has been in clinical use for more than 30
years. The bone marrow contains stem cells that give rise to the blood
components, including white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets.
Today, bone marrow transplantation is more commonly referred to as stem
cell transplantation, as stem cells can be obtained from several other
sources other than the bone marrow, including the peripheral blood and
umbilical cord blood. Stem cell transplantation is commonly used for a
variety of malignant disorders such as leukemias and lymphomas. However,
it is also used for a number of other diseases such as immune deficiency
states and non-malignant blood disorders. This presentation will discuss
current research efforts at the National Cancer Institute that focus on
increasing the application of stem cell transplantation to a broader patient
population by increasing the potential stem cell donor pool, decreasing
transplant-related toxicities and investigating its use in diseases not
commonly treated with stem cell transplantation.
October 21
When Too Much Iron Is Bad: Hemochromatosis, the Silent Blood Disease Susan
Leitman, M.D. Acting Chief, Transfusion Medicine Department
Too little iron in the blood results in a disorder called anemia. Yet
too much iron in the blood can also cause health problems. Less well known,
but carrying potentially serious effects, is a blood disorder called hemochromatosis.
Hemochromatosis affects 1 in 200 Caucasians in the United States. It can
cause liver damage and premature arthritis. This easily detectable and
treatable disorder, often called the silent blood disease, is the focus
of this presentation. Hemochromatosis research efforts will also be covered.
October 28 Complementary and Alternative Medicine: From Promises to Proof
Stephen Straus, M.D. Director National Center for Complementary and Alternative
Medicine Arthritis, depression, menopause, cancerÑfor millions of Americans,
these and other health concerns are not being adequately addressed through
conventional medicine. Many are turning outside the medical mainstream
to approaches that embrace the whole person Ã? mind, body and spirit. In
fact, Americans spend more money for complementary and alternative medicine
or CAM than for all other health care needs. From acupuncture to massage
therapy to dietary supplements, CAM approaches are affordable and accessible,
but largely untested. This presentation will discuss current research
on which CAM practices work, why and how they work and whether they are
safe.
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Caring Canines: improving
morale among patients and their families
In 1988, Holly Parker, a recreation specialist at the Clinical Center,
began investigating the idea of using dogs as therapy. The idea actually
came from a patient who raised dogs and understood the calming effect
it could have on ailing people. "He felt the companionship of his own
dog was beneficial and thought that other patients might derive the same
sort of comfort and companionship from animals, even if they weren't their
own," Parker said. But there were procedures and concerns that had to
be carefully thought out. Where could they find the animals? How could
the dogs be certified to be friendly and clean? Who would they visit and
how often? It was determined that both dogs and owners would be recruited
as volunteers. At regular intervals owners would bring the dogs to the
Clinical Center. There they would interact with children, the elderly,
cancer, HIV, epilepsy and other neurological patients. Upon arrival, the
dogs would be spot checked by the Clinical Center veterinarian. Each also
would have to be bathed and clipped before their daily assignments, and
the dogs had to be socially outgoing. Burton Goldstein has been bringing
MG (Micah Goldstein), his shih-tzu (lion dog) for more than three years.
With pig tails, MG often is mistaken as a female, Burton grumbles, but
repeatedly explains to patients and visitors that there's no way he can
keep the hair Caring Canines: improving morale among patients and their
familiesout of the dog's face but to create two petite ponytails and tie
them with ribbons. "I had a friend in the Caring Canines program, and
about four years ago I got MG. I waited until he was old enough and we
entered the program." Burton adds that MG enjoys making rounds and even
does support work at other hospitals. Many patients are dog lovers, but
even cat lovers seem to love dogs and the attention they provide. Burton
said MG is versatile. "He knows how to play with the kids and cuddle with
the elderly. And he can handle anything in between." To one young outpatient,
Brooks, it makes coming to the hospital fun. "I love petting the dogs
and just being around them," he said. "It makes me feel good that I'm
making the dog feel good." Currently there are 12 dogs in the program.
Owners and their dogs visit the Clinical Center four times a month. "Each
visit with patients is facilitated by a recreation therapist," said Parker.
"We feel that the animal-assisted therapy program is an effective part
of an overall treatment and we have had a highly favorable response rate
from the patients." -by John Iler
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Clinical Center Online
CASPER The Clinical Center's Computer Application Service Provider Resource
(CASPER) is an online service providing users access to a large set of
computer applications. Before CASPER was launched by the Department of
Networks and Applications in 2000, these applications could only be accessed
onsite at NIH through Microsoft Windows workstations. All relevant offsite
NIH users now access the same applications on both Windows and non-Windows
operating systems via CASPER's web-page or client-based versions of the
Citrix application (the remote access product called Metaframe). CASPER
represents the Clinical Center's implementation of a application environment
where all applications are stored and run from centrally-managed servers.
System administrators can guarantee that the corporate-supported applications
are running in a virus free, fully-supported environment. Recent upgrades
to CASPER include improved security, an enhanced web interface and the
ability to optimize server-based software. New features and services will
be added as technology and user requirements develop. For more information, send an e-mail to
CasperAdmin@mail.cc.nih.gov. ProtoType The clinical research protocol
writing tool, developed by the Clinical Center Office of Protocol Services,
has entered formal testing. An intramural orientation session was held
during the week of July 21. The testing phase for the web-based program
known as Prototype proceeds through August and September, training principal
investigators, clinical directors and protocol coordinators. Full implementation
of the program and availability for intramural use is anticipated for
the fall, with release to the extramural clinical research community expected
as a long-term endpoint. For more details, contact Kim Jarema kjarema@cc.nih.gov.
Joint Commission With preparations underway for the Joint Commission on
the Accreditation of Healthcare Organization's October 2003 survey visit,
new and helpful information continues to be added to the JCAHO web pages.
To view the latest updates go to: http://intranet.cc.nih.gov/od/jcaho/;
for more information on the Clinical Center's JCAHO work, contact Laura
Lee, llee@cc.nih.gov. 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Clinical Center's
50 years of research continues. The video presentation shown at the July
9 ceremony may now be viewed on the 50th Anniversary web page. Go to:
www.cc.nih.gov/50th and click on "Bench-to-Bedside and Back." For more
information on 50th Anniversary activities, contact Elaine Ayres, eayres@cc.nih.gov.
Readers are encouraged to share ideas and items for Clinical Center Online.
E-mail dneedham@cc.nih.gov.
August
calendar
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6
12 noon-1 p.m.
Clinical Fellows Lecture
Healthcare Economics in the Academic Medical Center
Peter R. Holbrook, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Children’s
National Medical Center, Washington, D.C.
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12 noon - 1 p.m.
Clinical Fellows Lecture
Medical Error: Treatment and Prevention
Saul N. Weingart, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine,
Harvard Medical School, and Medical Director of Patient Safety for
CareGroup Healthcare System
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20
12 noon-1 p.m.
Clinical Fellows Lecture
The
HIPAA Privacy Rule and Research - Lessons for NIH
Valerie Hurt, J.D., Senior Attorney, NIH Office of General Counsel
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12 noon-1 p.m.
Clinical Fellows Lecture
Cancer
Screening: The Clash Between Intuition and the Scientific Method
Barnett S. Kramer, M.D., M.P.H., Director, Office of Medical
Applications of Research, and Associate Director, Office of Disease
Prevention, NIH
Lectures
can be viewed on the NIH Videocast Past Events at http://videocast.nih.gov/PastEvents.asp
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Editor:
Tanya C. Brown
Contributing
writers: Colleen Henrichsen, Dianne Needham, John Iler, Pat McNees
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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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