MSRDP reports positive practice plan news

There was positive news at the quarterly meeting of the Medical Service Research and Development Board (MSRDP) July 20, with reports of the Medical School’s practice plan posting year-to-date increases in gross charges, net patient revenues, total revenues, and contractual revenues.

“More than 30 percent of the Health Science Center’s finances are represented by the practice plan,” said Kevin Dillon, executive vice president, chief operating and financial officer, adding that more than $9 million of MSRDP funds have been used to pay for research-related expenditures in the basic science and clinical departments of the Medical School this year.

Dillon characterized fiscal year 2009 as a “bit of a rebuilding year,” with faculty salaries up by 13 percent over last year at this time.

Dr. Brent King, executive vice dean for clinical affairs of the Medical School, reported on the voting in of the new MSRDP bylaws. “The major change involves the definition of membership, which now states that anyone who is employed at 50 percent or more as a clinical faculty member is designated as a member of MSRDP,” he said.

UT Physicians highlights included new uniforms and plans to expand to Sienna Plantation. Andrew Casas, chief operating officer of UT Physicians, said that front-line employees of UT Physicians are now wearing uniform shirts and that all employees are participating in an enhanced customer-service training program.

A location for a multidisciplinary clinic is in the early planning stage in Sienna Plantation. “This is an exciting opportunity for UT Physicians and a great location to provide care to a community that needs our services,” Casas said.

Dr. Steve Brown, associate dean for Harris County Programs, reported an increase in patients at LBJ General Hospital, including a 6 percent increase in emergency center visits and a 6.5 percent increase in deliveries so far this fiscal year.

Dean Giuseppe Colasurdo stressed the importance of the positive performance of the group practice.

“That charges are up 13 percent from last year at this time is remarkable considering the economic challenges we are facing. The revenue cycle is making improvement, and I appreciate the hard work of all of our physicians for making this happen,” he said.

— Darla Brown, Office of Communications, Medical School

Research pinpoints cause of colic

Medical School researchers say one organism discovered during their study may unlock the key to what causes colic, inconsolable crying in an otherwise healthy baby.

Published in the July 23 online edition of the Journal of Pediatrics, the study points to an organism called Klebsiella, a normally occurring bacterium that can be found in the mouth, skin, and intestines. In the study of 36 babies, half of which had colic, researchers found the bacterium and gut inflammation in the intestines of the babies with colic.

“We believe that the bacterium may be sparking an inflammatory reaction, causing the gut inflammation,” said Dr. Marc Rhoads, professor of pediatrics and the lead investigator for the study. “Inflammation in the gut of colicky infants closely compared to levels in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Colic could prove to be a precursor to other gastrointestinal conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, and allergic gastroenteropathies.”

Babies in the study, recruited from UT Physicians’ pediatric clinics and Kelsey-Seybold clinics, were fed with breast milk and/or formula. Previous research articles have not shown significant data supporting the theory that breastfeeding protects infants against colic.

“During our study, we also found that the babies that didn’t have colic had more types of bacteria in their intestines. The presence of more bacteria may indicate that specific bacterial species (phylotypes) are beneficial to humans,” Rhoads said.

Colic is defined as unexplained and severe crying in an otherwise healthy newborn. It usually occurs in infants three months old or younger and lasts for more than three hours daily for at least three days a week.

“Colic affects about 15 percent of normal, healthy infants. More than half of infanticides fall into the age category of colic. We may be able to prevent deaths if we can find a treatment,” Rhoads said.

A larger study is needed, Rhoads said, to examine Klebsiella and the use of a probiotic, which is a dietary supplement made up of good bacteria, to control the gut inflammation. But first, UT researchers are recruiting 40 adult patients to examine the safety of the probiotics in healthy adults.

Other Medical School researchers included Nicole Fatheree, research coordinator; Dr. Yuying Liu, researcher; Dr. Joseph Lucke, former associate professor of pediatrics; and Dr. Jon Tyson, professor of pediatrics and obstetrics and Michelle Bain Distinguished Professor in Medicine and Public Health.

The study was funded by the Gerber Foundation.

— Melissa McDonald, Office of Institutional Advancement, Media Relations

Wiggles support Reach Out and Read

The Wiggles are proud to support the nationwide early literacy program Reach Out and Read on their "Go Bananas Live!" Summer Tour.

Reach Out and Read (ROR) trains doctors and nurses to advise parents about the importance of reading aloud and to give books to children between 6 months and 5 years old at regular pediatric checkups. Attendees of The Wiggles Houston performance are asked to bring a new children's book that will be donated to a child in need in the area. For a list of recommended books, visit The Wiggles Web site.

The Wiggles Houston show is set for 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9 at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.

Tickets are available through all Ticketmaster locations or by calling 713.629.3700. Prices range from $18–$36 (additional facility fees and service charges may apply). Seating for tickets purchased at the $36 level will take place in the “hot potato seats” and will include an exclusive Wiggles giveaway.

AAMC accepting applications for development program

The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) is now accepting applications for the Mid-Career Women Faculty Professional Development Seminar program, scheduled for Dec. 5–8, 2009, at the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Designed for women associate or full professors with clear potential for departmental and institutional leadership, the seminar objectives are to:

• Visualize potential paths to leadership and develop career plans to advance toward that vision;
• Improve knowledge of institutional finance and departmental budgeting processes;
• Strengthen selected skills such as negotiation, communication, conflict, personnel, and time management; and
• Expand networks of mentors and colleagues in academic medicine.

Applicants are asked to submit a current curriculum vitae with their online application by Friday, Aug. 7, 2009. The full program and application materials are available at the AAMC Web site.

If you have any questions about the program, please contact Jennifer Leadley.

For questions about logistics, please contact Meghann Shinners.

Palliative, geriatric medicine conference set for July 31

The Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine is hosting its first symposium on palliative and geriatric medicine July 31.

The daylong conference is designed to provide a clinical knowledge of physicians, nurses, and other health care providers regarding proper assessment and management of patients in palliative and geriatric care settings. It will be held at LBJ General Hospital’s UT Annex Auditorium 216.

The topics to be addressed include interdisciplinary symptom management (physical, emotional, and spiritual), socio-cultural challenges, and effective communication with patients facing advanced illnesses and their families. Discussion topics will include the impact of sensory changes associated with aging on quality of life, the proper management of elder patients in the hospital setting, and spirituality in health care. There will also be a panel discussion about elderly abuse and neglect.

Medical School speakers include Dr. Nasiya Ahmed, Dr. Alejandro Chaoul, Dr. Carmel Dyer, Dr. Marvin Guay, Dr. John Halphen, Shreda Paire, and Dr. Grace Varas.

Onsite registration is $30 and breakfast, lunch, and refreshments are included. For more details, please call 713.566.2130.

Walk this way

 

Location & Contact

6431 Fannin Street,
Houston, Texas 77030

PO Box 20708,
Houston, Texas 77225

713.500.4472