January 6, 1999    Vol. 21, No. 1

Dedication set for Jan. 21
New center will provide premier burn injury services

David Hurlbut, who spent four months at the Burnett Burn Center recovering from fourth-degree burns
suffered in an industrial accident, enjoys the view from the new patient lounge in the Hurlbut Recovery Pavilion. Hurlbut’s donation made the new family centered pavilion possible.

In just a few short weeks, people in Kansas City and the surrounding area who suffer serious burn injuries will have access to the finest care in the region, when the new KUMC Burnett Burn Center celebrates its grand opening Jan. 21.
The new burn center on the fifth floor of KU Hospital has been under construction for a year, and will relocate from its current quarters in Wescoe Pavilion following the grand opening. The completely new center will offer the latest in burn treatment technology, as well as first-rate services from an interdisciplinary team that includes physicians, clinical nurse specialists, operating room staff, physical and occupational therapists, social workers, dietitians and psychological staff.

Construction workers put final touches on cabinetry in the new Burnett Burn Center
on the fifth floor of the hospital.

As the only burn center in the region providing care for both adult and pediatric burn patients, the new facility will further enhance KUMC's stature as a premier academic medical center.
"This facility will set the standard for burn treatment and rehabilitation for the entire Kansas City medical community," said Rosemarie Thompson, RN, clinical nurse specialist at the burn center. "With our state-of-the-art equipment, family centered approach to care and highly trained staff, the Burnett Burn Center will be one of the most comprehensive burn centers in the country."

Among the highlights of the new center is the Hurlbut Recovery Pavilion, which includes a lounge, kitchen, children's playroom, rehabilitation room and a home-training bathroom. The pavilion is named for David Hurlbut, a former burn center patient who donated funds to create the home-like facility, where patients and their loved ones can take a respite from the long, painful burn recovery process.

Neither rain, nor snow, nor cold of winter ‘99...

Frigid temperatures and blowing snow did little to daunt construction workers who continued their progress on the Nursing Education Building.

The Jan. 21 dedication will feature the unveiling of a stainless steel sculpture called "Full Length" by artist Gary Kahle, who was treated for severe burns at the burn center in 1977, and a parade of fire engines around the KUMC campus. For the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Kansas Gov. Bill Graves is expected to join KU Hospital President and CEO Irene Cumming and Anne Cramer, MD, burn center director and assistant professor of plastic surgery.
The Burnett Burn Center originally opened in 1973. It is named for Gene and Barbara Burnett, who donated seed money to establish the center.

Around KUMC...
What’s New

Alzheimer's support group meets Jan. 11
    The Alzheimer's Disease Center will sponsor a free support group for family and friends of Alzheimer's sufferers Monday, Jan. 11, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Cottonwood Room of Delp Cafeteria. Neurologist and Alzheimer's Disease Center Director Charles DeCarli, MD, will be available to answer questions about the disease and related disorders. Participants may bring a brown bag lunch.

Breast cancer support group meets Jan. 14 in Wahl West
    The KU Cancer Center and Schering/Biotech will host a Breast Cancer Support Group Thursday, Jan. 14, in Wahl West Auditorium. Jennifer Klemp, MPH, senior coordinator, clinical oncology will present "Options and Programs for Women with Breast Cancer and Family Members at High Risk for Breast Cancer." Social time and snacks begin at 5 p.m.; the program is 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. To RSVP for the meeting, call ext. 7750.

Faculty mentors sought for student research training
    Faculty can share their research expertise with students and receive contributions to their research programs by becoming a research mentor for students.
    The program matches faculty members with students, who gain
hands-on experience in everything from literature review to written and oral presentations of their findings. In doing so, the students augment the faculty member's research activities.
    Faculty who want to be mentors must complete a Research Project Description form, available by calling Karen Rodriguez, ext. 5241. Forms should be sent to Graduate Studies and Research, 5015 Wescoe Pavilion, or faxed to ext. 5242 by Jan. 11.

Cancer Institute round table set for Jan. 12
    The next Kansas Cancer Institute research round table is Tuesday, Jan. 12, from noon to 1 p.m. in Lied Auditorium. Dr. Harold Newmark, senior research associate at Strang Cancer Prevention Center and adjunct professor, Rutgers University, will present "Calcium and Vitamin D Adequacy: Potential for
Control of Breast Epithelial Hyperplasia." The round table is open to all at KUMC.

Power shutdown is Jan. 10
    If you haven't made plans already, do so now for the electric power shutdown schedueld for Sunday, Jan. 10, in Wahl East, Wahl West, Wahl Annex, Hixon, Orr-Major and Murphy buildings. The eight-hour shutdown will begin at 7 a.m., cutting off power to everything except critical equipment. Employees are asked to use dry ice, which will be provided by Facilities Management, and to consolidate materials where ever possible. If you have a concern regarding the shutdown, contact Bob Wheeler, ext. 7900 or e-mail <bwheeler>, or Merrill Whitelaw, ext. 7900 or e-mail <mwhitela>, as soon as possible.

CenterNet broadcast examines imaging sciences
    "What's New in the Imaging Sciences?" is the topic of a round table presentation to be broadcast Friday, Jan. 15, by CenterNet. The round table from the Warren Grant Magnuson Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, will be shown 11 a.m. to noon in 1023 Orr-Major. The program will include information on imaging acute stroke, cardiac imaging, RF ablation of liver tumors and virtual imaging. CME credit is available. For information, contact Debra Brogden, ext. 1440.


Kirmayer Center kicks off January programs
    The Kirmayer Fitness Center Zest For Life program begins Jan. 7. The weekly program is available to the entire KUMC community. Zest For Life kicks off with Weight Watchers At Work, which will be offered at a nominal fee.
    The center is also offering two specials through January. The first includes a free golf shirt with the Kirmayer Fitness Center logo for anyone renewing an existing membership or any new member who joins on the payroll deduction plan. The second includes an additional one month free membership for anyone who pays for a 12-month annual membership in full.
For more information, visit the center or contact Lynette Henkel at ext. 7706, or e-mail <lhenkel>.

Lakota Medicine Man speaks at Jan. 6 Interfaith meeting
    The sacred traditions of Native American healers will be the focus of a Jan. 6 KUMC Interfaith meeting in Clendening Auditorium. The presentation, from noon to 1 p.m., will feature Peter Catches (Zintkala Oyate), a Lakota (Sioux) Medicine Man.
    Catches descended from 38 generations of medicine men. He is keeper of the Spotted Eagle medicine, its sacred rites and experiential teachings. He also is keeper of oratorical history for the Spotted Way, one of the spiritual clans of the Lakota culture. Catches has conducted 22 consecutive years of the Spotted Eagle Sundance which federal law had outlawed until 17 years ago.
    He and his father co-wrote the book Oceti Wakan (Sacred Fireplace), which shares the spiritual teachings given to the Lakota people. The brown-bag meeting is open to the public.

November through March
Pediatric ICU staff gear up for 'RSV season'

Adam Schwarz, MD, director of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Photo by Leslie Champlin.

    While much of the city prepared for the holidays, the staff of KU Medical Center Pediatric Intensive Care Unit were gearing up for a different kind of season. They call it "RSV Season"-the weeks between December and March when children are at greatest risk for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
    "Every year at this time we begin anticipating an influx of patients," said Adam Schwarz, MD, director of the PediatricICU. "Last year, February was our busiest month, but the incidence of RSV peaks anytime between now and March."
    RSV is an extremely common virus which causes inflammation, swelling and increased mucous and secretions within the lower respiratory system. It infects half of all infants by age 1, and everyone by age 3. All children and adults can contract it repeatedly.
    For most people, RSV is no more severe than a runny nose, increased secretions, a dry cough often accompanied by wheezing, and other cold-like symptoms. However, infants born prematurely or those with a chronic lung disease such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) or heart disease are at special risk, said Dr. Schwarz. For these children, even a moderate amount of "extra" mucous causes significant
obstruction.
RSV is not transmitted through air, but is highly contagious through direct contact with the secretions of an infected person. In addition, the virus can live on clothing for more than 30 minutes, and on crib railings and hard surfaces for up to six hours. The best prevention: hand washing.

Hospital announces new employee classifications, benefit plans

As part of the transition to the KU Hospital Authority, the Hospital Human Resources Department has announced some changes to the classification and benefit plans of KU Hospital employees. The new classifications, exempt and non-exempt, replace the former classifications used under the State of Kansas system. The new benefit plans for these classifications are designed to provide hospital employees with a level of benefits equitable to what they enjoyed as State of Kansas employees.
In effect, the hospital still maintains two benefit packages for employees in non-temporary positions at half-time or more status. One package, Executive Level Benefits, is comparable to the former "Regent's Unclassified" benefits package. Employees accrue eight hours vacation per pay period up to a maximum of 22 days per year, and are eligible to participate in the Defined Contribution Plan. Executive Level Benefits are available only to specially designated positions, such as senior executives and directors.
Employees who were previously "Regent's Unclassified" and transferred to the Hospital Authority on Oct. 1, 1998 are considered to be "grandfathered," or automatically eligible based on previous employment, for Executive Level Benefits. This "grandfathered" status will be forfeited, however, if the employee terminates employment and is rehired to a position eligible for KPERS, or if the employee drops to less than half-time status and then increases to half-time or more in a position currently eligible for KPERS.
The other benefits package, Staff Level Benefits, is comparable to the former "Classified" and "Unclassified Health Care Worker" benefits. Employees accrue vacation based on years of service and are eligible to participate in KPERS. Most employees are eligible for these benefits, except for former "Regent's Unclassified" employees who transferred to the hospital on Oct. 1, 1998.
KPERS participants may still choose to continue with KPERS, even if they change positions and become eligible for the Defined Contribution Plan. Employees whose change in status no longer makes them eligible for the Defined Contribution Plan will cease participation in the plan and become participants in KPERS.
Employees who terminate employment with KU Hospital after Oct. 1, 1998 and are rehired within one year of their termination date will have previous service credited toward waiting periods for benefit plans. Employees of KU Medical Center who accept positions with KU Hospital and begin work after Oct. 1, 1998 will be considered "new hires" by the hospital, as the medical center and the hospital are now legally two separate employers. KU Medical Center will administer any pay out of benefits to employees who terminate employment, in accordance with existing policies. Employees' benefit eligibility at the hospital will be based on the position for which they are hired.
Employee eligibility for the State of Kansas health care plan, dental plan, life insurance, optional group life insurance and long term disability are based on current plan provisions. Participation and reinstatement in the KPERS plan are based on KPERS plan provisions.
If you have questions, contact Human Resources, ext. 4500.

February discounted bus passes go on sale week of Jan. 25

Discounted Metro Monthly Bus Passes for February will be available to KU Hospital employees the week of Jan. 25. Tickets will be sold in both Human Resources locations, 5021 Delp Pavilion and G415 by the Main Lobby.
Monthly passes for KU Hospital employees are available at an $8 discount. Reduced Fare Passes for senior citizen and persons with disabilities are also available at a $4 discount.
The hospital's Employee Bus Pass Program includes a free ride home for employees who must leave work in an emergency when bus service is not available. The program allows employees to make one stop on the way home.
Monthly passes will be sold during the last full week of the month before the passes will be used. Passes must be purchased through payroll deduction, and may be deducted on a pre-tax basis. If you have any questions, contact Human Resources, ext. 4500.

Payroll deduction needed to pay parking costs with pre-tax dollars

As a benefit to KU Hospital employees, parking costs may now be deducted from paychecks on a pre-tax basis. To qualify, employees must pay parking costs by payroll deduction. Employees who wish to participate in this new benefit but are now paying parking expenses by check or cash should stop by Parking Services at the Support Services Facility between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to arrange payroll deduction.
The parking costs payroll deduction will automatically become pre-tax on the first check received in January. Employees who do not wish to take advantage of this pre-tax savings should stop by Hospital Human Resources, 5021 Delp Pavilion, to sign an authorization for parking deductions to be taken on a post-tax basis.
Employees may begin, change or end participation in payroll deduction for parking costs at any time. If you have any questions, contact Human Resources, ext. 4500.

Classifieds

For Sale

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., $400 negotiable. Call Chris, 831-9960.

Diamond Viper 330 PCI video board with great 3D/2D performance using the 128-bit NVIDIA RIVA chip, new, $75. Call Mary, 342-0938 after 6 p.m. or leave message.

Golf clubs/bag, cheap. Large microwave, works, free. Call 362-2492.

Automotive

1988 Ford Ranger XLT truck, longbed, automatic, A/C, AM/FM cassette, very nice condition. Call 241-2328 after 5 p.m.

1987 Honda Accord, 2 door hatchback, runs good, looks good, asking $1,200. Call 913-281-5802 anytime.

1994 Grand Prix GTP, loaded, 53K miles, excellent condition, $11,500. Call 768-7102.

1987 Cadillac Sedan DeVille, pearl blue w/carriage top, light blue interior, good condition, $3,000 negotiable. Call 831-4944 after
5:30 p.m.

Housing

For rent: 2BR townhouse, within one mile of KUMC, new carpets, $575/mo. Call 989-7876.

For Rent: 1BR duplex, close to KUMC, water paid, off-street parking, $265/mo. Call
722-0505.

Moving Sales

Moving sale, Jan. 8 & 9, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 3700 Madison, KC, Mo. (1 block west of SW Trafficway and 1 block south of Valentine Road), piano, art deco bedroom furniture, collectibles, books, great merchandise.

Study Subjects

Adults for Bronchitis Study
Adults aged 18 and older with a history of chronic bronchitis who are having worsening of their symptoms and require antibiotics are sought to participate in an antibiotic study. Free physician visits, free antibiotic and $25 per visit for four visits if you can participate. Call Marilyn, ext. 4022.

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.

Prepared by Printing Service Imaging