February 3, 1999   Vol. 21, No. 6

KUMC surgeon performs rare kidney-pancreas transplant

Daniel Murillo, MD, received special training in simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplants. Photo by Leslie Champlin.

In a rare and complex operation, KU Medical Center's Daniel Murillo, MD, assistant professor of surgery, performed a rare simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplant Jan. 27.
Dr. Murillo and the transplant team performed the six-hour operation on Larry Hatz of Overland Park, who was diabetic and has depended on daily insulin injections for six years. He also required kidney dialysis. Hatz came through the surgery well and was expected to return home within one and a half weeks of surgery. While he will take anti-rejection medications for the rest of his life, Hatz was expected to discontinue his dialysis and insulin.
People with Type 1 diabetes who have kidney failure are the only candidates for this procedure, said Dr. Murillo. The pancreas-kidney transplant enables people with hard-to-control, insulin-dependent diabetes to end their dependence on insulin shots and reduce the risk for complications of diabetes. At the same time, it ends the patient's need for thrice-weekly dialysis.
"This is not necessarily a life-saving operation," said Dr. Murillo. "However, it is a quality-of-life operation."
Dr. Murillo received special training in this procedure and is the only transplant surgeon in the area performing this operation.

Hospital named to elite health care provider network

KU Hospital has long been recognized throughout the region for its dedication to quality. On Jan. 18, that recognition was extended to an international level, when the hospital was accepted as a member of the Quality Management Network (QMN).
QMN is an elite group of health care systems dedicated to the improvement of U.S. and Canadian health care. Members, which are chosen on the basis of a rigorous selection process, must demonstrate a system-wide commitment to continuous improvement and employ quality management methods in all aspects of operations.
On being accepted for membership, the hospital joins such notable health care systems as Cedars-Sinai Health System, Los Angeles; Henry Ford Health System, Detroit; Johns Hopkins Medical Center, Baltimore, and Yale New Haven Health System, New Haven, Conn. QMN is limited to only 40 health care organizations. The hospital is the only health care center in Kansas City-and within an eight-state region-included in the network.
"This is a distinct honor," said Bob Page-Adams, vice president, organizational improvement. "To be selected means an elite group of peer institutions has recognized the hospital's accomplishments in quality improvement."
Designed as a learning partnership, QMN allows participating organizations to share knowledge, experience, ideas and resources to improve the level of services and products they provide to patients and the community. Page-Adams said QMN membership not only gives the hospital access to the finest health care systems in the country, but also allows the hospital to share with other members its health care and organizational expertise.

From the KU School of Medicine-Wichita

Wichita campus scene of many developments, initiatives
By Joseph C. Meek, MD

Joseph C. Meek, M.D., is dean of the KU School of Medicine-Wichita. A KU Medical School graduate, Dean Meek served on the Kansas City faculty for 11 years before moving to Wichita in 1985 to chair the Department of Internal Medicine. He became dean at the Wichita campus in 1991.

I would like to highlight some of the recent developments on the Wichita campus. We are very proud of a long list of accomplishments in our 25 years of service to our community and state, and we look ahead to a great future in partnership with our Kansas City colleagues.
As we approach our silver anniversary, the medical school is in an enviable position, thanks to the support of the community, the four fine teaching hospitals with whom we are affiliated, and the nearly 800 area physicians who make up our faculty.
Being part of the University of Kansas and KU Medical Center has been a long-standing source of pride for the Wichita campus. We fully support Chancellor Hemenway's "One University" initiative and are gearing up to do our part in his upcoming major capital campaign.
Wichita has long been committed to enhancing health-care delivery in the rural areas of our state. The establishment of six medical education hubs (Salina, McPherson, Pittsburg, Hays, Garden City and Manhattan) into a regional network has been a major step in that effort. The Wichita campus has recently begun administering the Salina and McPherson sites.
We also strongly support rural initiatives such as the Scholars in Primary Care Program, which guarantees admission to medical school for qualified undergraduates from non-urban communities, who are more likely to establish medical practices in rural areas. The Wichita campus is also a sponsor of the Primary Care Summer Mentor Program, which matches pre-med students with physicians in smaller communities throughout Kansas to encourage their interest in primary care medicine.
In the past, physical distance has been a barrier to allowing all of our campuses to truly feel like one university. However, technological advances have enabled us to hold classes and meetings simultaneously at more than one location. Regular flights between Kansas City and Wichita have made face-to-face meetings much easier. The fact that Kansas City and Wichita are just four digits away on the telephone has long been a boon to our relationship. And of course, e-mail is just one more example of how we can now share information quickly and easily among everyone of both campuses.

Around KUMC...

Goldstein, Goist to provide medical coverage for regional gymnastics meet
Approximately 550 young people competing in the Feb. 5-7 Dragon Invitational gymnastics meet will be in good health care hands throughout the competition, thanks to KU Medical Center. That's because KUMC will provide the medical coverage for the meet.
Led by Randy Goldstein, MD, pediatrics resident, the KUMC team will include Heather Goist, MS, PT, assistant director of sports medicine and clinical assistant professor in the School of Allied Health, and other representatives from sports medicine and physical therapy. The team will provide preventive services as well as care for any injuries that may occur.
"It's nice to have physical therapists and athletic trainers available during these large meets so kids have the opportunity to have their questions about health issues answered," said Dr. Goldstein. "These kids are preparing themselves for college as well as Olympic competition. Some are potential national level gymnasts who have worked very hard to get to this level."

Dey receives MERIT award
Sudhansu K. Dey, PhD, professor in the Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, has received a National Institute of Health (NIH) Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award. The prestigious award, which was announced Jan. 28, is given only to selected scientists who have demonstrated superior ability and outstanding productivity during previous research endeavors. The award provides support for five years, with the opportunity for an additional two to five year extension, for Dr. Dey's existing NIH-supported research into molecular signaling between the embryo and the uterus during pregnancy. The MERIT award includes an endorsement by the National Advisory Child Health and Human Development Council.

For university and KUPI employees

Customer service training set for Feb. 11
"You Never Get a Second Chance to Make a First Impression" is the title of a customer service training seminar for university and KUPI employees that will be offered Feb. 11 and March 10. The training sessions, sponsored by the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor, will be conducted by Steve Siemens from Siemens People Builders, Des Moines, Iowa, who conducted popular sessions on the power of positive feedback several years ago.
The training seminar lasts two hours. Two sessions will be offered each day. University and KUPI employees can make reservations by contacting Deb Moore via e-mail at <dmoore2>. If you have any questions, call Moore at ext. 2500.
Coming Up

Thursday, Feb. 4:
•     American Cancer Society "Fresh Start" smoking cessation program, 7:30-8:30 a.m., Dykes Library Conference Room, free.
•     Manic Depressive/Depression Support Group, 7 p.m., Cottonwood Room, Delp Cafeteria.

Friday, Feb. 5:
•     Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Grand Rounds, "Booze & the Blues," 10:30 a.m., Clendening Amphitheater.
•     KUMC "Big Blast" at the Blades tickets on sale, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., outside Main Cafeteria.

Monday, Feb. 8:
•     Alzheimer's Disease Support Group, noon-1:30 p.m., Cottonwood Room, Delp Cafeteria (brown bag lunch).
•     Alzheimer's Disease Caregiver's Information Workshop, 4:30-7:30 p.m., Cottonwood Room, Delp Cafeteria.
•     National Stuttering Project Support Group, 7-9 p.m., Room 1018, Orr-Major.

Tuesday, Feb. 9:
•     American Cancer Society "Fresh Start" smoking cessation program, 7:30-8:30 a.m., Dykes Library Conference Room, free.
•     Cognitive Therapy Addiction Treatment Group, 1-2:30 p.m., Family Medicine Clinic.
•     Center on Aging Research Seminar, "Can Vitamin D Deficiency Contribute to Vascular Disease in the Elderly?" 4-5 p.m., Clendening Amphitheater.
•     Burn Patient Family Support Group, 6-7 p.m., Burn Center Waiting Room.

Wednesday, Feb. 10:
•     Diabetes Self Management Series, 9-11 a.m., Room 1107, Cray Diabetes Self Management Center.
•     KUMC Interfaith meeting, noon-1 p.m., Room 3041, Wescoe.
•     Hepatitis Support Group, 6:30 7:30 p.m., Prairie Room, Delp Cafeteria.

Dr. Narayan named chair of microbiology, molecular genetics and immunology

Opendra (Bill) Narayan, DVM, PhD, has been named chair of the department of microbiology, molecular genetics and immunology at KUMC.
Dr. Narayan has been a professor in the department, and the Marion Merrell Dow Foundation Distinguished Professor and director of the laboratory of viral pathogenesis at KUMC since 1993. He came to the medical center after 22 years at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore.
Dr. Narayan has gained international attention recently for his research with a vaccine that prevents AIDS in primates. He will continue with his research.
"Dr. Narayan is one of the world's premier AIDS researchers and a biologist of extreme distinction," said Deborah Powell, MD, executive dean of the School of Medicine.
Kenneth Welch, MD, senior associate dean for Research and Graduate Studies, agreed. "Dr. Narayan's appointment is an important part of building KU Medical Center's and KU's research initiatives," he said.
Dr. Narayan sees his new position as an opportunity to emphasize the department's research. "The main reason I took this job was to promote the research aspects of the department," he said.

Student News

KSNA Day at the Legislature set for Feb. 11
The Kansas State Nurses Association Day at the Legislature will be Feb. 11 in Topeka, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The National Student Nurses Association Annual Convention will be April 21-25 in Pittsburgh, Penn. For more information about attending either of these events, e-mail Lori Tesch at <ltesch> or Lynee Epp at <lepp>.

Scholarship applications at KU Bookstore
Academic and community scholarship applications are now available at the KU Bookstore. Twelve scholarships of $500 each are available to full time, on-campus students for the 1999-2000 academic year. Completed applications must be returned to the bookstore by March 15, 1999.

Hospital Recruitment Team serves growing need for quality employees

The Hospital Human Resources Department Recruitment Team includes (l. to r.): Jan White, employment coordinator; Carol Thies, recruiter, nursing staff; Kristen Tharp, recruiter, ancillary departments and IS; Karen Scheunemann, employee relations director; Monica Glynn, recruiter, nursing support; Marc Jackson, human resources assistant; Choua Her, recruiter, special services; Leslie Kinney, human resources assistant, pre-employment processing; Gao Thao, human resources assistant, and Kristy Hightower, receptionist. Photo by Jim Burton.

Everyone knows that a first-class organization needs first-class people. To increase its effectiveness in finding those people, the hospital has recently formed a Hospital Human Resources Department Recruitment Team.
The recruitment team was created to address the continually evolving needs of the hospital since the Oct. 1, 1998, transition to the Hospital Authority Board. In recent months, the 10-member team has launched a variety of initiatives to improve recruitment efforts.
In addition to expanding employment advertising to the internet and other regional outlets, the team is finalizing plans to list job opportunities with local colleges, universities and other community organizations. The team has also added more effective screening procedures, and improved the pre-employment process by bringing new hires in a day before their actual start date to take care of TB skin tests, photo IDs and initial paperwork.
Because of the hospital's national reputation, the team often attracts applicants from across the nation and from a range of backgrounds.
"The hospital has always taken pride in having a diverse work force," said Karen Scheunemann, employee relations director. "It is our goal to build on this heritage as we develop our recruitment plan for all positions."
Since last October, the team has recruited an average of 21 new employees per week. Scheunemann added that the team has reduced the number of days it takes to hire new employees. Whenever possible, team members even conduct on-the-spot interviews with people who walk into the employment office inquiring about jobs.
"Our team is committed to meeting the recruitment needs of each hospital department as quickly as possible, so we can have the staff we need to provide high quality patient care," she said.

Classifieds

For Sale
Cordless Uniden telephone, works great, $10, AT&T answering machine, works great, $10. Call 524-5391.

Dresser, 6' x 31", nine drawers, w/mirror, $50, Somma king-size waterbed, exc. cond., $100, Schwinn Sidewinder trail bike, $50. Call 381-5113.

Beautiful, sturdy, solid wood bunk bed set and matching six-drawer chest, like new, $225 OBO; add two new, hardly used twin mattresses, $325. Call 962-5636.

Pentium 120 MHz computer, no monitor or mouse, inquire for details, $300, Sony Playstation, many controllers, two games, memory card, $120 OBO. Call 962-7971.

Japanese animation videos, Samurai Showdown, Red Hawk, Dragon Ball and more, in original boxes, exc. cond., $3 ea. Call Bob or Dave, 677-5354, 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Benchmark loveseat twin sleeper, custom-made with Waverly fabric of bold flowers in burgundy, navy and green on beige, 35"D x 32"H x 60"W, less than five years old, great condition, ideal for apt., $250. Call Chris, 831-9960.

Automotive
1966 Mercedes 230SL roadster, red, both tops and hoist, complete engine overhaul w/less than 5K miles, new braking system, 4-spd., $19,800. Call 785-843-4125.

1995 Chevy S10 Blazer LT, black, leather, 80K highway miles, six-disk CD changer, AM/FM cassette, new tires and brakes, $15,000. Call Jim or Andrea, 441-6275.

Housing
For rent: Nice one bedroom apartment 10 minutes from KUMC available for sublease in February and March. Call Andre, 789-8328

Wanted
Donations of used children's books for inner city students, fiction and non-fiction, 1st to 5th grade reading level, can pick up or you can deliver, receipt for taxes can be provided. Call 829-1921.

Wanted
Looking for Christian child care provider (prefer licensed and registered with state) near KUMC or in Overland Park area to care for future newborn daughter, begin late May or early June, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays. Call Hope evenings, 385-1542.

Kansas City Healthy Start located in CDU is needing cribs for participants, low cost or donation would greatly be appreciated. Call 588-5646.

Studies and Clinical Trials
Volunteers needed for flu study
The Lipid, Arteriosclerosis and Metabolic Clinic is looking for people with flu symptoms (fever, cough, chills) for an investigational clinical trial to examine the efficacy of a neurominidase inhibitor in decreasing the severity of and time taken to alleviate symptoms. Call within 36 hours of the onset of symptoms. Those who qualify will be asked to make five office visits for a 21-day period and will receive a free physical exam and study medication. For more information, call ext. 4064.

Topics Information
Topics is the employee publication of the University of Kansas Medical Center.
It is published weekly by the office of Public Relations and Marketing. The deadline for submitting news briefs for consideration is noon on the Wednesday before they are to appear. For longer articles or features, contact the editor in advance.
Send story ideas to Leslie Champlin, acting editor, G114 Hospital, or e-mail: lchampli@ kumc.edu or call ext. 1602

Topics ad policy
Send or bring your ad to Topics, G114 KU Hospital, or fax to ext. 1225, or e-mail: lchampli@kumc.edu by noon Wednesday of the week before it is to run.
Ads run free of charge for employees, students and volunteers. For-sale ads are limited to three items. All ads must include the advertiser’s name and work extension (or medical student box number) for verification.
Only home phone numbers --- no pager numbers or KUMC extensions --- will be published. No ads for commercial services or pets for sale will be accepted. Ads will not be taken by telephone. Only one phone number per ad.
Ads may be a held a week if space is limited.

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