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Clinical Center News

Published monthly for CC employees by Office of Communications, Patient Recruitment, and Public Liaison.

past issues

January 2011


Sweet candy constructions fill Clinical Center atrium for annual gingerbread house contest

Collaboration offers Clinical Center resources to external investigators

CC Director's Awards honor exceptional teams and individuals

Patient Advisory Group member Susan Lowell Butler dies

NIH study could lead to improved care for rare immune disease

DCRI food drive benefits Clinical Center patient families

Nutrition Department supervisor dies in accident

Hamlisch performs at Family Lodge

DCRI supervisor retires after more than three decades with NIH

Pediatric patient's portraiture honors staff

Children of the Clinical Center get a holiday visitor

Green Team Bright Ideas

Share your story with CCNews

New clinical research protocols

Upcoming Events


       

Sweet candy constructions fill Clinical Center atrium for annual gingerbread house contest

video guy on desk filming dr. hastings in front of crowd at the gingerbread houses

ABC7 filmed a spot for their "Good Morning, Washington!" segment at the Clinical Center Seventh Annual Gingerbread House Decorating Contest. Chief Nursing Officer Dr. Clare Hastings wished viewers happy holidays.


By: Kelli Carrington

What's sweet, colorful, comes in many shapes and sizes, and smells like a candy shop? It's the Clinical Center's annual Gingerbread House Decorating Contest held in December.

Twenty eight delicious configurations were showcased in the Hatfield Building atrium for two weeks waiting to be judged a favorite by passersby. Now in its seventh year, the competition drew more than 2,500 votes, and on December 17 CC Director Dr. John I. Gallin announced the winners. First place went to 3NE for their gingerbread rendition of a Disney firehouse. Patient-care unit 3SE North captured second place for their "Toy Story" model, and rounding out the top three was 7SE for their creation of "Alice in Wonderland."

So what is the winning formula? Creativity and dedication said Susan Perry from the winning team. "Our favorite part was creating it, building it as a team from scratch," she said.

What began as a teambuilding activity among nursing units has evolved into a festive holiday tradition celebrated across CC departments. "The competition brings staff together for a friendly creative challenge," said Ann Marie Matlock, competition coordinator from Nursing and Patient Care Services.

Whether it is the smell of warm ginger and sweet candy or the sight of the couple-feet tall creations that draws viewers, it is clear that many are attracted to the display.

winning team stands behind their Disney Firehouse creation

The winning 3NE team—represented by (from left) Amanda Wiggins, Susan Perry, Stephanie Wildridge, Georgia Campbell, Tracy Kirby, Beverly Smith, and Phyllis Vincent—with their intricate Disney firehouse which was even decorated on the inside with a firepole and beds for the firemen.


"It seems people are always in the atrium to view the gingerbread houses. Some stop to visit two or three times," said Matlock. "You see something new every time."

This year's collection featured several familiar stories in addition to the winning themes, including Harry Potter, "The Wizard of Oz", and Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." Other celebrated icons included Snoopy, "The Addams Family", Candy Land and, of course, Santa Claus. Some creative structures resembled castles, cottages, and a stable, along with a circus, Eiffel Tower, and United Nations facility. Even a nod to biomedical research came with laboratories, operating rooms, and lab mice.

Coverage of the competition stretched to local and national media outlets. ABC7 broadcast news recorded a "Good Morning, Washington!" greeting from a crowd of staff and patients at the display, which aired December 20. The Washington Post featured a festive holiday story in their All We Can Eat food blog on December 17.

Teaming up with the competition for its fifth year, the annual food drive for The Children's Inn collected a wealth of donations, exhibiting the kind generosity of staff and visitors. The drive is organized by Cynthia Herringa, nursing recruitment consultant.

three women stand behind an edible Toy Story creation with a Christmas tree and train

Representing the 3SE North second place team—for their "Toy Story" Christmas tree and train—were (from left) Melissa Amaya, Yvonne Wall, and Heather Holdread.


people stand behind an Alice of Wonderland creation with a red bow on it

A group of patients and staff from 7SE—Laurie Dodson, Jim Hoagland, Randy Lucienvaught, Victoria Liberty, Chris Ellis, and Sandy Bowles—took third place for their "Alice in Wonderland" creation.


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Collaboration offers Clinical Center resources to external investigators

A new pilot partnership between the Clinical Center, the National Cancer Institute's Center for Cancer Research, and the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation will offer some of the capabilities and expertise of the CC to an outside group of clinical investigators in cancer research.

Damon Runyon Clinical Investigators (DRCIs) are early career physician-scientists whose focus is on the translation of basic science discoveries into practical therapies. Since 1946, the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation has invested more than $230 million in early career cancer researchers who have the potential to become leading innovators in their fields.

"Thanks to the new three-component partnership, these young investigators can apply to use certain equipment, facilities, and patient cohorts at the Clinical Center in research collaborations with NIH clinician-scientists," said CC Director Dr. John I. Gallin.

An approved research proposal could also provide access to select research materials, services, or products that may not be available or possible at their home institutions—such as products from the Pharmacy Department's Pharmaceutical Development Facility.

If the pilot proves successful, the NIH and the CC may pursue similar partnerships with other NIH institutes and centers and external organizations.

"This is a first step toward opening the doors of the Clinical Center to a new band of clinician-scientists, further supporting the NIH mission to enhance health and reduce the burden of disease," said Gallin.

The partnership allows DRCIs to partner with an NIH-tenured or tenure-track investigator on a research project. If the NIH research partner is not identified independently, the DRCI can submit a research proposal to the NCI and the CC for assistance in naming a suitable collaborator.

A scientist applying for a Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation Clinical Investigator Award could apply with a mentor from the NCI or another NIH institute or center. The application would identify the research to be done and the resources used at the CC.

"We are thrilled to offer these opportunities and resources to the clinical investigators we fund," said Lorraine Egan, executive director of the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation.

To facilitate these partnerships, the CC and the NCI Center for Cancer Research will create an annually updated portfolio of ongoing research and of the research interests of NIH investigators.

In addition to scientific collaborations, this pilot partnership will provide interested DRCIs opportunities to participate in the CC's clinical research training curriculum: Introduction to the Principles and Practice of Clinical Research, Principles of Clinical Pharmacology, and Ethical and Regulatory Aspects of Clinical Research. DRCIs can also apply to the CC "Sabbatical in Clinical Research Management."

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CC Director's Awards honor exceptional teams and individuals

The 2010 Clinical Center Director's Awards recognized 140 individuals whose commitment, creativity, and collaboration help benefit patients, strengthen community, and further the mission of the CC. "We are here today to celebrate the work of many of the people who help make this place as special as it is," said CC Director Dr. John I. Gallin at the December 17 ceremony, "Our successes would never have been possible without the dedication and hard work of each and every CC employee."

Administration
Diane Aker, NPCS; Chiquita Bennett-Clark, OAM; Jeffrey Green, PET; Maria Joyce, OD; Merel Kozlosky, Nutrition; Kathleen Krisko, OAM; John Pollack, Spiritual Ministry; Sandy Seubert, OD

Contact Center Redesign Team (OCPRPL): Allyson Browne, Kelli Carrington, Kimberly Cragg, Carol Daniels, Dinora Dominguez, Omar Echegoyen, Deborah Fatula, Gloria Grantham, Elaine Hancock, Michele Hanlon, Mandy Jawara, Nicole Martino, Maggie McGuire, DeShawn Riddick, William Schmalfeldt, Wendy Schubert

Radiology DCRI Support Team: Devery Donovan, DCRI; Theresa Eng, DCRI

Radiology PACS Team (RIS): Dr. Roberto Maass-Moreno, Sue Powell, James Vucich, Dr. Xiao Zhang, Dr. Jianhua (Jack) Yao

Jesse Ferguson Customer Service Award
Paula Cohen, OD; Ana Garrido, HFCD; Thomas Hayden, ORS; Mary Leshko, NPCS; Susan Nsangou, NIDA; William Schmalfeldt, OCPRPL

MRD Mediological Section (MRD): Libby Byrd-Nelson, Maritza Frazer-Sinclair, Nancy Holmfeld, Shannon Matthews, Jean-Pierre Tierra, Marisa Starr, Edith Slaughter

Patient Care
Jeasmine Aizvera, SWD; Rizaldy Cacanindin, DTM; Theresa Cooley-Zgela, NPCS; Dr. Gary DiPatrizio, Pharmacy; Dr. Fred Gill, OD; Dr. Tim Jancel, Pharmacy; Sue Johnson, NPCS; Dr. Julia Labovsky, DPM; Carol Levinson, NPCS

Bedside Ultrasound: Dr. Jason Elinoff, CCMD; Dr. Vandana Sachdev, NHLBI; Dr. Anthony Suffredini, CCMD; Dr. Bradford Wood, RIS

Charles S. Carter Cellular Therapy Laboratory Staff (DTM): Zorayda Aben, Quyen Chau, Sue-Ellen Frodigh, Larry Moses, Chauha Pham, Victoria Pham, Minh Tran, Thai Truong

CT Physician/Nursing: Dr. Les Folio, RIS; Jacquin Jones, RIS

Dialysis Consult Service: Dr. Howard Austin, NIDDK; Richard Gustafson, NPCS; Denise Knisely-Carrigan, NPCS

POIS Information System Implementation: Tom Dawson, DCRI; Susan Houston, DCRI; Nova Little, DPM; James Oseth, DCRI; Tim Rajah, DPM; Susan Rynders, DPM

Research Lab Order Improvement: Seth Carlson, DCRI; Chung-Hee Row, DLM

Patient Safety Champion
Influenza Vaccination Team: Maggie McGuire, OCPRPL; Angela Michelin, HES; Joan Morris, OMS; Robin Odom, HES; Dr. Tara Palmore, HES; Lisa Ruprecht, OD; Wendy L Schubert, OCPRPL; Dr. Patrick Vandersluis, OMS

Quality of Worklife/Diversity
Denise Ford, Hospitality Services

Science
Dr. Nancy Ames, NPCS; Dr. Diane Damiano, RMD; Dr. Thomas Fleisher, DLM; Dr. Daniel Mollura, RIS; Ninet Sinaii, OD; Dr. Robert Wesley, OD; Dr. Aradhana Venkatesan, RIS; Dr. Ena Wang, DTM

Bone Marrow Stromal Cell Product Development Team (DTM): Virginia David-Ocampo, Dr. Jiaqiang Ren, Dr. Marianna Sabatino

Microbe Identification by MALDI-TOF Team: Dr. Patrick Murray, DLM; Dr. Steven Drake, CCMD; Dr. Adrian Zelazny, DLM; Dr. Paul Saleeb, NIAID

Strategic Initiatives
Mutation Analysis Team: Dr. Thomas Fleisher, DTM; Dr. William Gahl, NHGRI; Dr. Suzanne Hart, NHGRI; Kathleen Hilburn, OAM; Colleen McGowan, OAM; Bridget Moore, OAM; Nancy Roth, DLM

NIH Clinical Data Center Migration (DCRI): Mark Bradley, Doug Butters, Jason Chan, Dempsey Dunn, Alex Gregg, Barrett Grieb, Chris Klein, John Kocher, Todd Myrick, Brad Snakenberg, David Vin, Richard Walker, Judy Wight, Tadele Yenegeta

NPCS Barcode Training and Implementation Team (NPCS): Kathy Feigenbaum, Helen Mayberry, Sandra Phelps

Sabbatical in Clinical Research Management Implementation Team: Courtney Bell, OD; Virginia Hill Condon, OCRTME; Tanya Shackelford, OCRTME

DTM RBC Genotyping Implementation Team (DTM): Dr. Willy Flegel, Hallie Lee-Stroka, Dr. Pirmin Schmid, Sherry Sheldon

Teaching/Training
Sybil Barnaby, NPCS; Maria Fagoaga, DLM; Julie Kohn Godbout, NPCS; Dr. Barry Goldspiel, Pharmacy; Nancy Muldoon, CCMD; Mary Price, NPCS; Patricia Prince, SWD; Diane Vollberg, NPCS

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Patient Advisory Group member Susan Lowell Butler dies

Susan Butler poses with President Obama

One of the first faces President Barack Obama saw upon entering the Clinical Center on September 30, 2009, was that of longtime patient advisory group member Susan Lowell Butler. Butler died on December 18.


The Clinical Center lost a longtime friend when Susan Lowell Butler died on December 18. Active with the CC since she sought treatment here for a simultaneous diagnosis of breast and ovarian cancer in 1995, Butler was an original member of the Patient Advisory Group and the consumer representative on the NIH Advisory Board for Clinical Research.

She received the 2004 CC Director's Award for commitment to enhancing patient care. Butler was a keynote speaker at the dedication ceremonies for the new Mark O. Hatfield Clinical Research Center in 2004, and was selected to be the patient greeter of President Barack Obama during his 2009 visit. She served as a faculty lecturer for CC course "Introduction to the Principles and Practices of Clinical Research" and contributed the only patient-written chapter to the course's textbook.

"Susan gave her time, her energy, and her love to the Clinical Center and to all of us," said CC Director Dr. John I. Gallin. "Her words at the dedication of the new Hatfield Building six years ago included the phrase ‘the house of hope'—words repeated many times since. Her courage and strength touched and inspired all who knew her and we will miss her terribly."

Butler served on the National Cancer Institute's first consumer advocacy board—the NCI Director's Consumer Liaison Group—and as a peer reviewer on numerous NCI scientific review panels.

She was also a founder, past vice president, newsletter editor, and long-time board of directors member of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, and founder and past chair of the Ovarian & Gynecologic Cancer Coalition/Rhonda's Club. Butler was executive director of the DC Cancer Consortium, a 60-organization collaborative funded by the District of Columbia and dedicated to cancer control and prevention in the nation's capital.

She is survived by her husband Jim Butler and step-children James, Kevin, and Michael Butler.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the DC Cancer Consortium, the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, or the Ovarian & Gynecologic Cancer Coalition/Rhonda's Club.

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NIH study could lead to improved care for rare immune disease

NIH investigators have observed that the survival rate of people with a rare immunodeficiency disease called chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is greatly improved when even very low levels of microbe-killing molecules are present. Because production of these molecules, made by an enzyme called NADPH oxidase, can be predicted from genetic analysis, a patient's risk for severe CGD could be assessed very early in life, allowing for more personalized treatment, say the researchers.

The study was conducted at the Clinical Center and led by researchers from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and their associated labs at SAIC-Frederick Inc. The study is available online in the New England Journal of Medicine.

"Advances in treatment of CGD have made it possible for people with this once-fatal disease of early childhood to survive into adulthood; however, the disease remains difficult to manage," said NIAID Director Dr. Anthony S. Fauci. "Having a marker to help predict disease prognosis will enable physicians to recommend treatment options that are more tailored to the needs of individual patients."

People with CGD have increased susceptibility to infections caused by certain bacteria and fungi. They can have abscesses in the lungs, liver, spleen, bones or skin. Those with severe disease also can have tissue masses, called granulomas, that can obstruct the bowel or urinary tract. CGD affects an estimated 1,200 people in the United States and approximately 25,000 people worldwide.

The disease is caused by inherited mutations in any one of five different genes required by immune cells to make the NADPH oxidase enzyme, which in turn makes superoxide, an oxygen-derived molecule that immune cells use to destroy harmful bacteria and fungi. All CGD patients have impaired superoxide production, but some make a little superoxide, while others make none. The research team found that the level of superoxide production was linked to the type of mutation in the NADPH oxidase gene, and that the more superoxide a patient with CGD can make, the better the life expectancy.

Until now, the severity of CGD has been linked only to how people inherit the NADPH oxidase gene mutation. If people inherit the mutation as an autosomal recessive trait, meaning that two copies of the abnormal gene, one from each parent, are present, the disease has generally been less severe than in those who inherit the mutation as an X-linked trait, meaning that the abnormal gene is located on the female sex chromosome. The majority of people with CGD inherit the mutation as an X-linked trait.

For their study, the NIH team tested the level of superoxide production by immune cells isolated from blood samples taken from 287 people with CGD, aged 1 to 64 years old, compared with superoxide production in healthy people. Some tests dated back to 1993, though patients and families affected by CGD have come to the CC for treatment since the 1970s.

The NIH researchers used methods that could detect even trace amounts of superoxide and grouped people with CGD based on the amount of superoxide made by the immune cells. The patients who produced the highest levels of superoxide had the highest survival rates, whereas those who produced the lowest levels of superoxide had the lowest survival rates.

"By precisely measuring superoxide production, we observed that even tiny residual amounts, at levels below what doctors paid attention to in the past, had a significant impact on patient survival," said CC Director Dr. John I Gallin, chief of the Pathophysiology Section of the NIAID Laboratory of Host Defenses, and senior author on the paper.

Treatment of CGD consists of lifelong antibiotics and antifungal medications. Some people also receive injections with interferon-gamma, a protein that can stimulate the immune cells to fight infections. For people with the most severe forms of CGD, bone marrow transplantation is a treatment option, but it carries potential complications that can make patients and their families reluctant to elect this therapy.

Based on the research team's observations, doctors should be able to use DNA gene-typing results to help identify those patients who are candidates for more aggressive treatments, including possible bone marrow transplantation. In addition, therapies designed to promote NADPH oxidase function might reduce CGD severity.

"This study is a great example of the special strengths of the Clinical Center," commented Gallin. "We have worked for over three decades with patients with CGD, which at one time was almost entirely fatal, and have seen vast improvements in care and treatment. This work now gives us another tool to help individuals fight this disease."

Additional support for this research was provided by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and the National Cancer Institute.

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DCRI food drive benefits Clinical Center patient families

women standing near a cart piled with food donations

The Department of Clinical Research Informatics emphasized sharing, helping, and caring this December with their third annual holiday food drive. The department collected canned foods and non-perishable food items through the month of December to donate to five families of CC patients, selected with the help of the Social Work Department.

Food drive coordinator and DCRI employee Sandra Rodgers estimates that the group collected enough food to feed each family for a week. "So many people get so wrapped up in Christmas," she said, "It is important to step back and remember that it's not about us. It's about helping and giving back to our community."

The group handed off the items on December 21. Involved were (from left) Margo Aron (SWD), Stacy Coleman (DCRI), Dr. Adrienne Farrar (SWD), Jeasmine Aizvera (SWD), Pam Carter (DCRI), and Patty Sengstack (DCRI).

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Nutrition Department supervisor dies in accident

Clinical Center Nutrition Department employee Zavon Felton III passed away unexpectedly at his home on December 19. Felton had worked as a CC kitchen supervisor for more than four years.

His supervisor Jenny Widger said Felton was dedicated to providing CC patients with excellent food and service. "He would not close up the kitchen and go home until he knew every patient had a meal," she said. She remembered him for his baritone voice, tender heart, and caring manner.

Felton enjoyed computers, learning new things, and conversing with his colleagues, whom he regarded as his friends. He was an advocate and mentor for those he supervised and he worked to maximize individual's potential. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him, Widger said.

According to a DC Fire and EMS spokesman, Felton's death was likely due to high carbon monoxide levels found in the home. His wife passed away on December 12.

A memorial service was held for the couple on December 22. The event's program included the sentiment, "Just as the sun will set then rise with each and every dawn, the souls of two who loved each other will live on."

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Hamlisch performs at Family Lodge

Marvin Hamlisch at the piano and marissa Regni on the violin

National Symphony Orchestra conductor Marvin Hamlisch and violinist Marissa Regni presented a holiday concert at the Edmond J. Safra Family Lodge in December.


Renowned composer, conductor, and principal pops conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra Marvin Hamlisch presented his annual holiday concert at the Edmond J. Safra Family Lodge on December 11. Also in concert with him were Marissa Regni, principal second violinist of the National Symphony Orchestra, and guest soprano Mikaela Schneider.

The event was jointly organized by the Clinical Center and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) for patients, Family Lodge residents, and invited guests.

Hamlisch is one of only two people to have been awarded Emmys, Grammys, Oscars, and a Tony plus a Pulitzer Prize (the other is Richard Rodgers). He is a friend of Lily Safra and her late husband. Mrs. Safra, through the Edmond J. Safra Philanthropic Foundation, provided the major funding that made possible the building of the Family Lodge.

More than 70,000 family caregivers from around the world have stayed here at the Edmond J. Safra Family Lodge since it opened in 2005.

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DCRI supervisor retires after more than three decades with NIH

A mentor to many, John Franco retired from his position in the Clinical Center Department of Clinical Research Informatics this January.

Franco held many different positions within DCRI throughout his tenure at the CC, after being hired as the medical information system manager in 1983. He joined NIH in 1977. Franco retired as CC information system security officer, though he also had worn the hats of database manager, mainframe systems programmer, data center operations manager, and systems and operations section head.

"He was the heart and soul of the department," said CC Chief Information Officer Dr. Jon McKeeby.
In 2007 Franco received an NIH Director's Award as part of the NIH Information Security Program.

"The reason I stayed in the CC all these years is because of the patients. I think most, if not all, of the people who work at the NIH do it because we know we are doing good," Franco said. "No matter what job we're doing, we are helping find cures."

Frankie Smyth, a nurse consultant and analyst within DCRI, worked with Franco for more than 25 years. She described him as a "steady force," within the department. "He has been constantly cool, calm, and collected, and he has taught many of us to be that way, too. He's always had a positive attitude; he's always smiling,"' she said.

Franco is looking forward to working with his church, volunteering, and traveling with his wife in his retirement.

James Franco

John Franco retired this month after a 30-plus-year career that included many titles and an NIH Director's Award.


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Pediatric patient's portraiture honors staff

crayon and construction paper drawings of staff members on a bulletin board

The staff of 1NW are depicted in crayon on the unit's wall thanks to patient Shouq Neama, who drew each employee a special portrait.


The walls of the 1NW pediatric patient unit are a bit brighter thanks to the work of one young artist. Shouq Neama, 9 years old, from the country of Qatar immortalized the staff of 1NW in crayon, displayed on a bulletin board in the unit. The third-grader has been at the Clinical Center for the last five months as she prepared for and went through a bone marrow transplant. Her father said she did the twenty or so portraits in less than a week.

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Children of the Clinical Center get a holiday visitor

little boy on Santa's lap

Clinical Center patient Fei Yu Chen showed Santa his wish list before receiving a bag of toys collected by the NIH Police and Fire Department's toy drive.


Santa Claus visited the Rehabilitation Medicine Department Recreation Therapy Section Main Playroom on December 14 and helped distribute more than 1,000 toys collected by the NIH Police and Fire Department's annual Toys to Share Because We Care program.

Across the hall, the "North Pole" was packed with kids preparing for their visit by writing colorful letters to Santa and singing Christmas carols with staff and volunteers.

After listing their wishes and posing for a photo with Santa, CC patients and their family members left with bags full of toys almost as big as the kids dragging them. Two Washington Redskins cheerleaders joined in on the festivities, helping kids unpack boxes and bags full of stuffed animals, art kits, dolls, and cars.

Recreation Therapy staff member Drew Robinson was thrilled to help the kids celebrate. "It was great to see how Santa made the children feel individually special," he said. "I never get tired of seeing how shy children and even teens get when they approach Santa."

Santa made a special trip to the 1NW pediatric unit to visit the children there, promising to be back again on Christmas Eve night.

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Green Team Bright Ideas

Throughout the Clinical Center, employees are helping the hospital improve its environmental performance by considering the resources they use throughout the day.

"In many cases, I have to go out of my way to ensure I'm recycling as much as I can," said Virginia Hill Condon, special assistant for educational affairs and strategic partnerships in the Office of Clinical Research Training and Medical Education and CC Green Team member.

Fellow Green Team member LCDR Jennifer Graf, clinical research dietitian in the Nutrition Department, also supports the small efforts that can help reduce the amount of resources the CC uses throughout the day. "Think of using the stairs before the elevator," she said. "Take public transportation or invest in a reusable water bottle rather than buying plastic ones. Every effort we make counts."

1. Think before you print
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, paper is the most common item found in the garbage. Storing items electronically and printing only what you need eliminates unnecessary waste.

2. Lights out when you're out
NIH is the largest consumer of electricity in the region, paying more than $5 million each month for electricity. Save energy by turning off the lights if you are leaving a room for more than five minutes.

3. Recycle mixed paper and comingled goods
The NIH produces 95 tons of trash each week, much of which could be recycled. Recycling turns materials that would otherwise become waste into valuable resources.

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Share your story with CCNews

Behind the cutting-edge research and biomedical breakthroughs of the Clinical Center are the people who spend their days or nights furthering the NIH mission. The hospital is full of well-rounded individuals, and our newsletter would like to feature stories of the off-campus activities that enrich our staff. Are you active in a community group that made a valuable contribution or did you run in a race to raise money for charity? Have you vacationed somewhere exotic recently or restored an old car? Let your coworkers get to know you and perhaps inspire them with your involvements and accomplishments. E-mail Maggie McGuire at mcguirema@mail.nih.gov or Nicole Martino at martinon@mail.nih.gov.

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New clinical research protocols

The following new clinical research protocols were approved in November:

  • Mobility Training to Improve Motor Behavior in Toddlers with or at Risk for Cerebral Palsy - A Pilot Study; 11-CC-0037; Diane L. Damiano, PhD; CC
  • Phase II Trial of IPH2101 (Anti-KIR) in Smoldering Multiple Myeloma (SMM); 11-C-0024; Carl O. Landgren, MD; NCI
  • Dicer1-Related Pleuropulmonary Blastoma Cancer Predisposition Syndrome: A Natural History Study; 11-C-0034; Christian P. Kratz, MD; NCI
  • Phase I/II Trial of Crolibulin (EPC2407) plus Cisplatin in Adults with Solid Tumors with a Focus on Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer (ATC); 11-C-0027; Antonio T. Fojo, MD; NCI
  • Phase I Study of the HSP-90 Inhibitor, AT13387, in Adults with Refractory Solid Tumors; 11-C-0029; Shivaani Kummar, MD; NCI
  • BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutations and Triple Negative Disease in Hispanic/Latino Breast Cancer Subjects; 11-C-0035; Michael Dean, PhD; NCI
  • Pilot Study of Inpatient Hospice with Procurement of Brain Tumor Tissue on Expiration for Research Purposes; 11-C-0036; Teri N. Kreisl, MD; NCI
  • Pilot Study of Weekly EZN-2208 (Pegylated SN-38) in Combination with Bevacizumab in Refractory Solid Tumors; 11-C-0042; Shivaani Kummar, MD; NCI
  • Dietary Linoleic Acid Regulation of Omega-3HUFA Metabolism: Satiety and Body Composition Among Overweight Female Subjects; 11-AA-0028; Christopher E. Ramsden, MD; NIAAA

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Upcoming Lectures

January 5
Clinical Center Grand Rounds
Lipsett Amphitheater, 12 noon
http://videocast.nih.gov

Ethics Rounds
Should Family Members Be Present at Clinical Rounds?
Lee Goldman, MD, MPH
Executive Vice President, Health and Biomedical Sciences and Dean of the Faculties of Health Sciences and Medicine
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons

Case Presenter: Henry Masur, MD, Chief, Critical Care Medicine Department, CC

January 12
Clinical Center Grand Rounds
Lipsett Amphitheater, 12 noon
http://videocast.nih.gov

Contemporary Clinical Medicine: Great Teachers
Sickle Cell Disease and Transfusion Therapy: Current Controversies
Kim Smith-Whitley, MD
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Clinical Director, Division of Hematology, and
Director, Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

January 19
Clinical Center Grand Rounds
Lipsett Amphitheater, 12 noon
http://videocast.nih.gov

HIV, HCV, and the Liver: Struggles and Solutions
Colleen Hadigan, MD, MPH
Staff Clinician, Laboratory of Immunoregulation, NIAID

Shyam Kottilil, MD
Staff Clinician, Immunopathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Immunoregulation, NIAID

January 26
Advanced Imaging Seminar Series
Doppman Conference Room, 9am

Demonstration of Thin-Client Image Processing Server (GE AWS)
Jack Yao, PhD
Staff Scientist, Manager, Clinical Image Processing Service, Radiology and Imaging Sciences

January 26
Clinical Center Grand Rounds
Lipsett Amphitheater, 12 noon
http://videocast.nih.gov

Pharmacotherapy for Pediatric Obesity
Jack Yanovski, MD, PhD
Chief, Section on Growth and Obesity, Program in Developmental Endocrinology and Genetics, NICHD

Challenges of the Rising Incidence in Childhood Diabetes
Kristina Rother, MD
Staff Clinician, Clinical Endocrinology Branch, NIDDK

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This page last updated on 12/20/2017



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