Idea Transcript
A Penn State Hershey Eye Center Communication
Fall / Winter 2010
Penn State Hershey Eye Center Welcomes Dr. Bowie and Dr. Callahan! The Penn State Hershey Eye Center has expanded to include fifteen full-time faculty members representing nearly all specialty areas of ophthalmic care. We are excited to announce the arrival of the Penn State Hershey Eye Center’s newest faculty members.
and surgical care of patients with retinal diseases including diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration.
Christine Callahan, MD joins us as Associate Professor of Ophthalmology with special expertise in the medical and surgical Esther Bowie, MD is management of patients Associate Professor with glaucoma. Dr. of Ophthalmology. Callahan earned her medical Dr. Bowie earned degree at the Penn State her medical degree College of Medicine. She from the University completed her residency of the West Indies. in Ophthalmology at Penn She completed her State and her glaucoma residency training in fellowship at the Bascom Ophthalmology at the Palmer Eye Institute in Medical University Miami, Florida. Dr. Callahan of South Carolina had been Assistant Professor (MUSC) and her retina of Ophthalmology and fellowship at the Glaucoma at the University University of Iowa of South Florida Eye Institute Hospitals and Clinics. and the VA Residency Dr. Esther Bowie, left, and Dr. Christine Callahan, right. Prior to joining Penn Program Director at James State, Dr. Bowie served A. Haley VA Medical Center as Assistant Professor of since 2004. She is certified Ophthalmology at MUSC since 2005. She is certified by the American by the American Board of Ophthalmology and was named one of Board of Ophthalmology and was named one of America’s Best America’s Best Doctors in 2007. Doctors in May 2009. Dr. Bowie has special expertise in the medical
COVER PAGE: Introduction to new
PAGE 2: 2nd Annual Eye School,
INSIDE PAGES: Community out-
BACK PAGE: Who’s Who of PSHEC
doctors
New Babies
reach, Graduation, Team update
Providers, “the Nittany”
P e n n S t a t e H e r sh e y E y e C e n t e r
Second Annual Eye School makes the grade Alistair Barber, PhD
The second annual Eye School, run by the Penn State Hershey Eye Center, took place on Saturday November 6th at the University Conference Center. A large number of people registered for this half-day community education program. About 70 people attended the free event, which included breakfast, and each participant was given a tote bag with note paper and pen. The ages of our attendees ranged widely from retirees through to high school students interested in earning extra credit. Several of the school students said they were interested in going to medical school one day and saw this as a great opportunity to learn more about ophthalmology. The event was also attended by a number of high school science teachers as well as several representatives from the local PA Lions Club chapters. Despite Eye School being a free event aimed to educate the local lay community, the curriculum for the day provided in-depth medical information on a variety of subjects. Dr. David Quillen described the many different structures that make up the eye, and showed how various diseases can affect different tissues. He also described how cataract surgery is performed and explained the common complications. After this, there was a presentation on the range of commonly treated eye emergencies, delivered by our recently recruited new faculty, Dr. Christine Callahan. Dr. Callahan covered many eye emergencies from corneal abrasions, the different causes of “pink eye” or conjunctivitis, and also described how small foreign objects such as flakes of metal are removed from the eye. A major take-home message from this talk was to always wear eye protection whenever you are working with power tools. After the coffee break, Laura Walter, COA gave a fascinating talk summarizing the long history of the development of ophthalmology. She explained how ophthalmology was one of the earliest forms of medical care, dating back to the ancient Egyptian civilization. Laura went on to describe the evolution of ophthalmology as an accepted medical discipline. One of the first types of surgery conducted in the ancient Middle East was called “couching” and involved using long needles to push cataracts our of the patient’s line of sight, without the benefit of anesthesia. Patients were miraculously able to see again but the process used was most likely the cause of serious eye infections which were explained at the time as the mythological “evil eye”. In the final presentation, Tim Bennett, CRA, FOPS, OCT-C, our ophthalmic photographer, gave a talk on the many different ways that internal structures of eyes can now be imaged, using filtering photography, fluorescent imaging and laser confocal ophthalmoscopy. Finally, Tim hosted a round of Ophthalmic Jeopardy which helped the audience test their knowledge and have fun too.
Welcome New Babies Congratulations to Jennifer and Kevin Conkle. Cameron Phoenix was born July 6, 2010 at 8:03 PM. He was 4 pounds and 4 ounces. Dr. Ahmad Aref and wife Noha welcomed Layla on October 13th, 2010. Her birth weight was 7 pounds 11 ounces. Dr. Aref graduated our residency program in June 2010 and is now serving his fellowship in Miami, Florida. Dr. Tabassum Ali and her husband Kaynan Doctor celebrated the birth of their daughter Laila Maryam on December 6th, 2010. Dr. Ali Aminlari and his wife Paymaneh became proud grandparents for the first time on January 6th, 2011. Lyla Aminlari weighed 5 pounds and ¾ ounces. Layla Yasmeen Aref
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Laila Maryam Doctor
Lyla Aminlari
P e n n S t a t e H e r sh e y E y e C e n t e r
Bill Robinson graduates with Ph.D. Alistair barber, Phd
Bill Robinson completed his Ph.D. thesis defense on September 29, 2010. He has been a graduate student in Dr Alistair Barber’s research lab since June 2007. He was part of the Anatomy graduate program, which is unusual because it requires the students to learn Anatomy with the 1st year medical students, and then teach the class each year following this, until they graduate. The Ph.D. also requires the student to complete a research project and thesis, which can take several years.
completed a histological analysis of sections of retina from postmortem human donors. He also performed histological and protein analysis on retinas from diabetic mice, and finally accomplished a novel electrophysiological study on diabetic mouse eyes. His work illustrated some of the common mechanisms of vision loss in human and mouse eyes during the early phases of diabetes. Some of Bill’s work will also be submitted for publication in the near future.
Bill grew up in Tennessee, and took his first degree, a Bachelor of Science in Biology, at Belmont University in Nashville. He followed up by earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy and spent several years practicing and teaching physical therapy in Nashville. After realizing that his first love was teaching in medical school, he decided to become a full-time student once again, to acquire a Ph.D. in Anatomy here at Hershey, with the ultimate goal of joining the teaching faculty at a medical school.
While Bill was studying at Hershey he received several other awards. Earlier this year he won the Student-Fellow Research Award from the Penn State Hershey Eye Center, for the best student presentation in Vision Research Day. He also won the 1st place prize in the Sigma-Aldrich Histotechnology Stain Contest in 2009. This is an international competition for microscopy images, which is judged on both technical merit and artistic appearance. Bill’s winning image was taken from a human retina stained with several fluorescent markers, and was part of his original study on the effect of diabetes on the structure of the human retina.
Bill became a popular teacher with the 1st year medical students during his training at Hershey. He also embraced the challenges of his Ph.D. research project. His research thesis was titled, “Histologic and Electroretinographic Evidence of Diabetesinduced Retinal Neurodegeneration.” The project involved three approaches to study neurodegeneration in the retina. First he
Bill was a hard worker, and always a light hearted and easy person to get along with in the lab. After finishing his Ph.D. he rejoined his wife Resa, and son Foster, in Tennessee. We wish him the best of luck in finding a new teaching job closer to home.
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P e n n S t a t e H e r sh e y E y e C e n t e r
PSHEC Community Outreach at Bethesda Mission Kim Powell, ABOC, NCLC
Members of the Penn State Hershey Eye Center returned to the Bethesda Mission on October 23 for the 8th Annual Community Outreach. Located in Harrisburg, the mission provides food, clothing, shelter, and counseling to people in need. The purpose of the outreach program is to provide eye care for those who do not have access. Thirty-seven guests of the shelter were seen by Penn State medical students, ophthalmic technicians, residents, and faculty members as they moved through the various stations. Three were referred to the Eye Center for further evaluation. For many of the clients, this is the only opportunity they have to receive eye care in addition to eyeglasses. Without the generosity of New City Optical Lab, it would be challenging to provide the eyewear that some participants need. For several years, the lab has donated all ophthalmic lenses for the outreach program. Because of the increasing need for eyeglasses, other vendors became involved this year. Kenmark Group and New York Eye donated frames and HILCO donated readers for those requiring reading glasses only. Eleven pairs of reading glasses were dispensed on site and twenty-four pairs of eyeglasses were processed and sent back to Bethesda Mission to be distributed. Volunteer staff members included: J. Snow, CO, Cliff Myers, COA, Lisa Peters, COA, Mary Hershey, COMT, Mary Eichelberger, COA, and Kim Powell, ABOC. Faculty and residents volunteering this year were: David Liang, MD, Michael Wilkinson, MD, William Cantore, MD, and Amanda Ely, MD. Twelve medical students attended this year’s event, learning new skills from the faculty and staff.
Penn State Hershey Eye Center Grand Rounds Ophthalmology Grand Rounds are held on the third Thursday of each month at 8:00 AM in the rear waiting room of the Penn State Hershey Eye Center (Suite 800, University Physicians Center), except in November. Lectures begin at 8:00 AM, immediately following Resident Case Presentations scheduled from 7:00 - 8:00 AM. January 20, 2011
Robert E. Harbaugh, MD, FACS, FAHA, Chairman Department of Neurosurgery “Management of Symptomatic Carotid Artery Disease”.
February 17, 2011
NO GRAND ROUNDS DUE TO CURRICULUM EVALUATION MEETING.
March 17, 2011 April 14, 2011
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TBA. Kathryn Colby, MD, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School - “Update on the Boston Keratoprosthesis”.
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Residents and Students Successful in 2010-2011 Matches Michelle Ball
Each year, ophthalmology residents and medical students participate in the fellowship and residency match programs, respectively. Applicants apply to training programs across the country. Following a busy interview season, the applicants rank their program choices from most desirable to least desirable. Programs rank the applicants in a similar manner. The lists are sent to a central application service and the “matching” process begins. This year two of our senior residents successfully matched in fellowship training programs. In addition, the Penn State Hershey Eye Center program filled its three residency slots with excellent medical students. The match results are listed below: Ravi Singh, MD matched at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Vitreo Retinal Surgery. Ravi earned his MD degree from the Government Medical College, Patiala, India. He completed a post-doctoral research experience in the Penn State Hershey Eye Center prior to his residency training.
Dr. Ravi Singh
Jordana Smith, MD matched at Northwestern University in Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. Dr. Smith earned her MD degree from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA. She is the first resident in recent memory to pursue a fellowship in pediatric ophthalmology. Jordana plans to secure additional training in oculoplastic surgery following the completion of her fellowship.
Dr. Jordana Smith
Our newest Penn State Hershey Eye Center Residents starting July 2012: Christopher Weller, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA; Ravi Patel, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC; and Jason Mayer, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA. Two of Penn State’s College of Medicine students were successful in this year’s residency match. In addition to Christopher Weller, Bozho Todoric matched at the Duke University Eye Center in Durham NC. Bozho is a MD/PhD and completed his PhD degree in the department of Cellular and Molecular Biology in 2009. Christopher Weller
Ravi Patel
Jason Mayer
Congratulations to all and best wishes for continued success in your ophthalmology training!
Dr. Boltz featured in local media Marianne Boltz, OD, FAAO, was recently interviewed for an article entitled, Interdisciplinary CoManagement: An Evolution of Integrated Vision Rehabilitation and Patient Care. The article was published in “Visibility”, a newsletter for low vision and vision rehabilitation specialists. It discussed various approaches to co-managing low vision cases and how best to utilize the skills of other vision care providers to maximize the benefit to patients. Dr Boltz is an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Penn State Hershey Eye Center and was recently elected to her fourth term on the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Optometric Association. 5
P e n n S t a t e H e r sh e y E y e C e n t e r
Apeliotus Vision Science receives grant from Ben Franklin Technology Partners While Dr Greg Jackson spends most of his time performing clinical research as part of the Penn State Hershey Eye Center, he is also Chief Scientific Officer of a start-up company called Apeliotus Vision Science. Along with John Edwards, CEO, Jackson is developing a new instrument to detect early vision loss in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Imagine you are staring at the mini-blinds in your living room, when suddenly the blinds appear wavy and tilted. Some rows disappear all together. When you open the blinds and bright light hits your face, you are blinded for what seems like far too long. This is how many patients discover age-related macular degeneration. In the U.S., 1 in 6 people over the age of 65 have AMD, which can result in blurred vision leading in some cases to almost complete vision loss. While there are several new treatments for the disease, there is currently no low-cost method for detecting the early stages
of AMD. Apeliotus Vision Science aims to provide a simple, costeffective tool for early diagnosis of AMD, before patients have suffered significant visual impairment. Apeliotus is currently developing a new diagnostic technology, called ADAPTDx. This new device uses a test of night vision to detect early changes in vision due to AMD. In September the company received $200,000 from the Ben Franklin Technology Partners to help test ADAPTDx for FDA approval. With the addition of the Ben Franklin grant, Apeliotus begins the long process of applying for FDA approval, submitting data and prototyping their commercialized product. The device--a large box akin to a viewfinder--has been tested and developed for distribution. Once it receives FDA approval the company will be ready to go into production to help early diagnosis for thousands of AMD patients. (Adapted from KeystoneEdge.com)
Team Update Lauren Basti grew up and still lives in Hershey. She graduated from Shippensburg University in May 2010. While she was at Shippensburg she was in the Drumline. Lauren also works at HersheyPark in the summer season and at the Bear’s games in the winter. Lauren also enjoys spending time with family and friends and cheering on the New York Yankees, Green Bay Packers, Penn State and Shippensburg football. Ed Rhoads grew up and still lives in Lebanon County. He is married with two children. Ed has been with the Hershey Medical center for about 13 years and has previously been employeed by the Penn State Hershey Eye Center. Ed enjoys fishing, hunting, playing golf and spending time with his family. Michelle Ball joined the team in December 2010 as our new Residency Program Coordinator. She is a graduate of Penn State Harrisburg who previously worked in the School of Public Affairs and coordinated student programs at Penn State’s College of Medicine. Michelle enjoys spending time with her family and friends and scrapbooking to commemorate those experiences. She’s a fitness training enthusiast and hones her dog-training skills with Bella, the family’s goldendoodle. As of November 8, 2010 our new technician supervisor is Mary Hershey, COMT. Mary worked in the Eye Center from 1995 to 2003. She came back to do ophthalmology research in 2006 fulltime until she took the position of technician supervisor in November. Heather Smyser started working at the Hershey Medical Center in July 2010. She did her four week rotation here at the Penn State Hershey Eye Center. Heather joined the Penn State Hershey Eye Center team in September. She previously worked at Boshinski Eye Clinic. Heather enjoys going to her boyfriend’s ice hockey games and she is a HUGE Flyers fan. We welcome all our new employees to the Penn State Hershey Eye Center!
AAO Chicago, Illinois was the host city for the American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting. Janelle Reese, COA and Tammy Scott, COA represented the Penn State Hershey Eye Center at this year’s event. Ophthalmic technicians have the opportunity to network while also earning continuing education credits at the annual meeting. Not only did Janelle and Tammy learn new skills, but they also found time to enjoy the sights of the city while touring on a double-decker bus. 6
Tammy Scott, COA on the left and Janelle Reese, COA on the right
Penn State Hershey Eye Center 500 University Drive UPC 1, Suite 800 Mail Stop HU19 Hershey, PA 17033-0850
Phone (717) 531-5690 Fax (717) 531-5009
h t t p: // w w w. p e n n s t ate h e r s h ey.o r g / we b /eye ce n te r/ h o m e
Cataract, Glaucoma, & Anterior Segment
Oculoplastic Surgery
Ali Aminlari, M.D., F.A.C.S. Joseph W. Sassani, M.D., M.H.A. Christine E. Callahan, M.D.
Optometry
Cornea & Refractive Surgery David Liang, M.D.
Neuro-Ophthalmology William A. Cantore, M.D.
Michael Wilkinson, M.D.
Marianne E. Boltz, O.D., F.A.A.O. James F. Wilmarth, O.D., M.S. Donald J. Williams, O.D.
Basic Research Alistair J. Barber, Ph.D. Gregory R. Jackson, Ph.D.
Pediatric Ophthalmology & Optometry Joel M. Weinstein, M.D. Marianne E. Boltz, O.D., F.A.A.O.
Retinal & Vitreous Disease Esther M. Bowie, M.D. Kimberly A. Neely, M.D., Ph.D. David A. Quillen, M.D. Ingrid U. Scott, M.D., M.P.H.
Save the date, April 2, 2011! The PSHEC will host the Third Annual Mid-Atlantic Ophthalmic Imaging Update. This program is designed to provide continuing education for Ophthalmic Medical Personnel who perform or are interested in ophthalmic imaging. This educational course will be submitted to OPS and JCAHPO for consideration of CE credit.
The PSHEC “Nittany” Mary Eichelberger, coa
It’s hard to find a more storied and striking symbol than Penn State’s Nittany Lion. Beyond majesty, the lion embodies many traits most desirable in an individual: strength, pride, dignity, and courage. As members of the Penn State Hershey Eye Center, these are characteristics we choose to exemplify and promote as part of our daily work. Beyond these individual goals, TEAM Ophthalmology also strives to deliver Excellence in all we do, with a positive Attitude, so that we can Make a difference in the lives of our patients and peers. To recognize Team members who excel in their performance and dedication to our mission, a monthly honor was established. Mirroring the qualities of the Penn State “Lion”, the distinction was nicknamed “the Nittany”. Each month the previous recipient chooses the Team Member they feel most deserving of recognition.
Congratulations to our 2010 Nittany Lion Recipients July, 2010 Mary Hershey Clinical Trial Coordinator
September, 2010 Brian Swope Medical Coder
November, 2010 Jeff Sundstrom 3rd Year Resident
August, 2010 Susan Chobanoff Technician Supervisor
October, 2010 Lisa Grubb MOA 2
December, 2010 Jennifer Conkle and Lisa Stack Phone Schedulers
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