Carilion Clinic Report - Fall 2010

Roanoke Valley Edition | Fall 2010 | www.CarilionClinic.org

Special Issue

NewMedical School Opens

Resources to Keep You HealthyNurse LineCarilion Clinic’s physician referral and health information service is here to help. Call us at 540-266-6000 or 800-422-8482, or e-mail us at [email protected].

“Well Said” Speaker’s BureauIf you’d like a speaker on a health topic for your community group, call 540-224-4961. For a speaker at your workplace, call 540-224-4967. Or visit www.CarilionClinic.org/speakers.

Community Health ScreeningsHealth screenings throughout the community are available at little or no cost. Call 540-266-6000 or 800-422-8482, or e-mail us at [email protected].

New, Improved WebsiteCheck out these features at www.CarilionClinic.org: • An easy-to-use physician database with multiple search criteria• Interactive maps to help patients find their way to our locations• Multimedia health and wellness content, including an A-Z library• A community health education and events calendar

News BlogKeep up with the latest news, photos, videos and more at Carilion Clinic’s news blog. Visit newsblog.CarilionClinic.org.

Social MediaStay connected with us through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn:www.facebook.com/carilionclinicwww.twitter.com/carilionclinicwww.youtube.com/carilionclinicwww.linkedin.com/companies/carilion-clinic

PublicationsPick up a copy of verve, Carilion Clinic’s health and lifestyle magazine, at a magazinerack or grocery store near you. Or read past issues of verve and the Carilion ClinicReport at www.CarilionClinic.org/publications. For health tips and news abouthealth events, check out our e-newsletter, Carilion Clinic Living, atwww.CarilionClinic.org/living.

Support Groups Support groups are available for a wide range of health and emotional needs, including gynecologic cancer, breast cancer and perinatal loss. Learn more at www.CarilionClinic.org/support.

Health Information CentersComputer stations with health information are available at Carilion Clinic’s 3Riverside building at the corner of South Jefferson Street and Reserve Avenue inRoanoke. Check out the audio library, video library, clinical wizards, health newsand interactive tools.

Fall 2010 | www.CarilionClinic.org

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Carilion Clinic is a health care organization with morethan 600 physicians in a multi-specialty group

practice and eight not-for-profit hospitals.

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All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication is strictly prohibited by law.

Printed on recycled paper.

Thoughts on Leadership ......................... 3New Medical School Opens .................... 4The Charter Class ...................................... 6The 42 Students ....................................... 8The Medical School Administration ... 10Quality Improvements .......................... 12Targeting a Tumor .................................. 13Around Our Community.........................14New Physicians.........................................16Putting Patients First ............................. 18

On our cover (L to R): VTC School of Medicine students Donald Vile, Rebecca Kirschner, Raeva Malik, Christopher Vieau and Alice Chen.

Carilion Clinic Report | Fall 2010 3

T H O U G H T S O N L E A D E R S H I P

Developing Physicians—and Leaders in Medicine

Five years ago, Carilion Clinicbegan planning a new medicalschool in Roanoke in partnershipwith Virginia Tech. Now our jointvision for the school has been realized.

In August, the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine openedits doors to its first class of 42 stu-dents. It is the first new medicalschool awarding an M.D. degree toopen in the state since 1973 and isexpected to help alleviate a nation-wide shortage of doctors.

Above all, the VTC School ofMedicine is an innovative schoolwith a leadership focus—one designed to develop physicianswho will expand the frontiers ofmedicine. It will produce physicianleaders who will pursue much-needed, national health care solutions.

Beginning on page 4, we discussthe hallmarks of the school and introduce the faculty of the Dean’sOffice and our first class of

students. Our faculty members,who excel in their respective specialties, hail from all over thecountry, as do the students.

Academically, our students areamong the best in the nation, withan average Medical College Admis-sion Test score of 33. The nationalaverage score, in contrast, is 30.

Our students are also accom-plished in scientific research.Eighty-seven percent have con-ducted research, and 17 percenthave done original research or havebeen published in their field. Thirtypercent have graduate degrees.

In addition to their traditionalmedical education, all the studentswill have ongoing opportunities topursue research in such disciplinesas neuroscience, cardiology, physi-ology, infectious disease, appliedmolecular genetics and informatics.

Naturally, we hope that many ofour graduating physicians will remain in the region to serve ourcommunity. This will continue a

long-standing tradition of physi-cians who received their residencytraining at Carilion. But whereverthey go to practice, we know theywill apply their cutting-edge med-ical expertise coupled with a phi-losophy of patient-centered care.

In the meantime, we are readyingthe Virginia Tech Carilion ResearchInstitute, which will open this fall.This institute, housed within themedical school building, will com-plement the work of the school—and its research focus.

Significantly, as we move for-ward, we are strengthening thethree pillars of Carilion Clinic’sfoundation: clinical excellence,medical education and scientific research. �

To your health,

President and CEO,Carilion Clinic

By Ed Murphy, M.D.President and CEO, Carilion Clinic

4 Carilion Clinic Report | Fall 2010

New Medical School OpensThe Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, a

world-class medical education center, has opened inRoanoke.

An innovative school with a leadership focus, it isthe first new medical school in Virginia awarding anM.D. degree since 1973. It is also the fifth medicalschool in the state.

The VTC School of Medicine, which welcomed itsinaugural class in August, will help alleviate a shortageof physicians nationwide. The United States is ex-pected to face a shortfall of at least 125,000 doctors by2025, according to the Association of American Med-ical Colleges.

A unique public/private partnership between Carilion Clinic and Virginia Tech, the school is located

at Carilion Clinic’s Riverside Center, near CarilionRoanoke Memorial Hospital. It shares the Riversidecampus with two Carilion Clinic outpatient facilities,with over 10 physician specialties represented.

The proximity of the school to these physicians is bydesign: medical students will work in small groups tolearn from patient cases. Classes will also be small,with only 42 students.

When the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Instituteopens this fall, physicians and researchers will take theprocess one step further by working together to poten-

The new medical school is located at Riverside Center in downtown Roanoke. (This special section is set against a background of Hokie Stone.)

The school is designed to develop physicians who will expand the frontiers of medicine.


Building on StrengthsThe new medical school builds on the existing strengths of CarilionClinic and Virginia Tech. Carilion Clinic, with its medical residency andfellowship programs, has been in the field of medical education forover 60 years. It has a 35-year association with the University ofVirginia and now provides primary clinical training for 25 percent of itsthird-year medical students.

Virginia Tech, the state’s largest university, is known for its extensiveoffering of science courses and world-class research programs in thebiosciences, including bioengineering and bioinformatics.

tially develop better care. In doing so, they will bridgea traditional divide between their two fields—and ex-pand the frontiers of medical education and research.

In addition, VTC will train its medical students inresearch methods, and they will conduct their ownoriginal research. Only two other schools in the nationoperate on this model: Harvard Medical School andthe Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner College of Medicine.

The VTC School of Medicine will accordingly makean important contribution to the limited pool of doc-tors who do active medical research—less than 2 per-cent. More importantly, its graduates will be adept atusing research in their daily practice of medicine,thereby improving the quality of care for their patients.

“Our students will be inspired by collaboration anddiscovery, and patients will reap the benefits,” saysVTC School of Medicine President and Founding DeanCynda Ann Johnson, M.D., M.B.A.

The combined economic impact of the school andresearch institute is forecast to be $40 million annually.Every dollar spent by a medical school or teachinghospital creates an additional $1.30 in economic activ-ity, according to the Association of American MedicalColleges. �

For more information, go to www.vtc.vt.edu/ andwww.me2md.vtc.vt.edu/.

Clockwise from top: Shervin Mirshahi (second from left) and his fellow students on their first day of medical school. VTCSchool of Medicine President and Founding Dean Dr. Cynda Ann Johnson addresses the students.


Forty-two students from 13 states comprise thefirst class of the new Virginia Tech Carilion School ofMedicine.

About one-third are from Virginia; another third arefrom the mid-Atlantic region, including Washington,D.C., Maryland, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Theremaining third are from around the country.

Many of the students graduated from Virginia colleges, including the University of Virginia, VirginiaTech, the College of William & Mary and Washingtonand Lee University. More of these students went to theUniversity of Virginia than any other school.

Others have degrees from colleges such as HarvardUniversity, Johns Hopkins University, Georgetown University, Northwestern University, Cornell Univer-sity, the University of Michigan and the University ofNorth Carolina at Chapel Hill. (See pages 8 and 9 forthe hometowns and undergraduate institutions of the students.)

The class ranges in age from 22 to 32, while 70 percent are between the ages of 22 to 25. Twelve arewomen.

Academically, members of the class are among thenation’s brightest medical students. The average Med-ical College Admission Test score for the class is 33—above the national average score of 30. The range ofscores for the class was 30 to 42.

“The caliber of students is exceptional,” says medicalschool President and Founding Dean Cynda Ann Johnson, M.D., M.B.A. “We have assembled an amaz-ing class of students with the intelligence and personalcharacteristics to truly become our nation’s physicianthought leaders,” she says.

Students were selected based on their high academiccredentials and personal and professional experiences.

Eighty-seven percent have also conducted research,and 17 percent report exceptional research experience(they have done original research or have been pub-lished). Thirty percent have graduate degrees.

More than 1,650 aspiring medical students applied

The Charter Class

Student Profile: Ashley Wohler, 23 Hometown: PhiladelphiaAs soon as she heard about the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, AshleyWohler knew she had to apply.Both of her parents are Virginia Tech alumni, and after graduating from Washingtonand Lee University in 2009, Wohler was eager to stay in southwest Virginia.Wohler, who has a B.S. in chemistry, spent the past year as a research assistant at theUniversity of Pennsylvania Medical School in the Department of Pharmacology.“I was very attracted to the research opportunities at VTC,” she says. “I did research in

college, and while I knew I did not want to pursue grad school and research full-time, I liked that Iwould have the opportunity to do research while also studying medicine.” Wohler, who turned down another medical school to come to the VTC School of Medicine, is alsolooking forward to gaining exposure to patients right away and to taking small classes. “Having goneto a small college, I like the learning opportunities small classes afford,” she says.“I am very excited to be a part of the first class,” Wohler says.

The average Medical College Admission Test score forthe class is 33—above the national average score of 30.


Student Profile: Sean Fletcher, 22 Hometown: Blacksburg“I was really intrigued by the prospect of attending a new school and being part of agroundbreaking class,” says Sean Fletcher of his decision to attend the Virginia TechCarilion School of Medicine.“I withdrew my applications from other schools once I was accepted to VTC,” he says.“I knew after my interview that it was my top choice.”He was particularly attracted by the school’s philosophy. “The focus on research andbecoming a physician scientist was very much in line with my hope to use innovative

medicine as a doctor,” he says.Fletcher already has research experience involving genetic engineering in animals, including workingwith genetically modified hogs used to produce Human Factor IX in an effort to create treatments forhemophilia B.After graduating from Virginia Tech this year with a B.S. in biological sciences, Fletcher is attending theVTC School of Medicine under an Army scholarship. He would eventually like to spend part of hiscareer in combat zones overseas.In the meantime, he welcomes the chance to attend medical school near his hometown of Blacksburg.“The opportunity to remain in the region I’ve grown so fond of was a big factor,” he says.

to the school, and 220 were chosen to be interviewed.They were interviewed last fall and early spring byschool officials and Roanoke community leaders in acollaborative effort to select those students best suited

to the school and the region.The 42 students accepted to the charter class had

orientation and began classes during the first week inAugust. �

Greg Davis (right) looks back at fellow student Robert Brown.


Manek AulakhFairfax Station, VAJohns Hopkins University

Sara BahrainiFalls Church, VAAmerican University

Robert BrownChapel Hill, NCUniversity of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Alice ChenIrvine, CAUniversity of California,San Diego

Benjamin CragunGranite Bay, CABrigham Young University

Greg DavisPinehurst, NCRice University

Katherine DedererMars, PABucknell University

Yi DengNew York, NYNew York University

Joshua EikenbergUpper Falls, MDUrsinus College

Andrew FeczkoMurrysville, PACase Western Reserve University

Sean FletcherBlacksburg, VAVirginia Tech

Jonathon FreezerBloomsburg, PAPennsylvania State University

Timothy GallNorth Wildwood, NJStevens Institute ofTechnology

Elizabeth GlazierFrederick, MDUniversity of Georgia

Thomas HawkenGreat Falls, VACollege of William & Mary

Jeffrey HeimillerRichmond, VAVirginia CommonwealthUniversity

Jarred HicksCharlotte, NCLee University

James JoynerSummerfield, NCNorth Carolina State University

Oliver JosephDover, MABoston University

Matthew JoyLos Altos, CAUniversity of SouthernCalifornia

Yisrael KatzWayne, PAWashington University inSt. Louis

The 42 Students of the Charter Class


Samuel Ryan KeyTroutville, VACollege of William & Mary

Rebecca KirschnerWinter Park, FLUniversity of Florida

Matthew KonaWilliamsburg, VAVirginia CommonwealthUniversity

Matthew LevineEvanston, ILNorthwestern University

James LightActon, MABowdoin College

Mina LotfiGrand Blanc, MIUniversity of Michigan

Lindsay MakaraAshburn, VAUniversity of Virginia

Raeva MalikPotomac, MDGeorgetown University

Annabelle ManganCharlottesville, VAUniversity of Virginia

Shervin MirshahiRichmond, VAVirginia CommonwealthUniversity

Andrew MooreGig Harbor, WAUniversity of Washington

Joshua NicholsAnnapolis, MDPennsylvania State University

Nathan OgdenWest Palm Beach, FLUniversity of Florida

Caroline OsborneLovettsville, VAVirginia Tech

Brian PittsDenver, COUniversity of Kansas

Bradley SipeLakeland, FLCollege of William & Mary

Travis ThompsonCharlotte, NCUniversity of NorthCarolina, Chapel Hill

Donald VilePhiladelphia, PAHarvard University

Oleg UryasevGainesville, FLUniversity of Florida

Christopher VieauSyracuse, NYManhattan College

Ashley WohlerPhiladelphia, PAWashington and Lee University


The Medical School AdministrationCynda Ann Johnson, M.D.,M.B.A.President and Founding DeanDr. Johnson has had a distin-guished career as a physicianleader, medical educator and national leader in health care. Shewas named president and founding

dean of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicinein January 2008.From 2003 to 2006, Dr. Johnson served as dean ofthe Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina Uni-versity. While there she was also a professor of familymedicine and senior associate vice chancellor forclinical and translational research. In addition, sheled the development of the East Carolina UniversityCenter for Health Disparities Research. Earlier, Dr. Johnson served as residency director atthe University of Kansas Medical Center and as interim chair of the Department of Family Medicineat the University of Kansas. At the University of Iowa,she was a professor and head of the Department ofFamily Medicine in the College of Medicine; profes-sor in the Department of Community and BehavioralMedicine in the College of Public Health; and direc-tor of the Family Care Center.Dr. Johnson was also a busy clinician for over 30years, focusing on maternal and child health. Academically, she has a special interest in chronickidney disease, international medicine and womenin medicine.She is past president of the American Board of Fam-ily Practice (now Family Medicine) and the AmericanBoard of Medical Specialties. Dr. Johnson received a B.A. from Stanford University(with honors) and an M.D. from the University of California at Los Angeles School of Medicine. Shecompleted her residency in family medicine at theUniversity of Kansas Medical Center and a faculty development fellowship at the University of NorthCarolina School of Medicine. She earned an M.B.A. at the University of Missouri at Kansas City. While atStanford, she was elected to the honorary society Phi Beta Kappa.

F. Terri Workman, J.D., M.BA.Vice DeanTerri Workman was previously associate vice

chancellor for health sciences at East Carolina Uni-versity, where she identified system and processimprovements to enhance the education missionof the school. She also served as the associate deanfor finance and operations at the School of Den-tistry and as director of the Office of SponsoredPrograms. She has a J.D. from George Mason Uni-versity School of Law and an M.B.A. from TheFuqua School of Business at Duke University.

Mark M. Greenawald, M.D.Chair, Department of Family Medicine and InterimAssociate Dean of Student Affairs

Dr. Greenawald is the former education directorfor the Carilion Clinic Family Medicine Residencyand former medical director for the Carilion ClinicOffice of Professional Development, where hehelped create the Carilion Physician LeadershipAcademy and Carilion Faculty Development Fel-lowship. He is on the board of directors for theVirginia Academy of Family Physicians. Nationally,he is on the faculty for the American Academy ofFamily Physicians Chief Resident Leadership Development Program and is the author of twomonthly leadership e-newsletters. Dr. Greenawaldreceived his M.D. from the University of VirginiaSchool of Medicine and completed his residency atthe University of Virginia.

Daniel P. Harrington, M.D.Senior Associate Dean

Dr. Harrington, Carilion Clinic’s vice presidentfor academic affairs, led the early development ofthe medical school. As its senior associate dean, heis instrumental in implementing the academicstrategy for the school, including admissions. Healso oversees the clinical sciences and skills cur-riculum. He received a B.S. in pharmacy and anM.D. from West Virginia University and com-pleted a diversified medicine internship and acombined internal medicine and psychiatry resi-dency at the University of Virginia.


Bruce E. Johnson, M.D.Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs

Dr. Johnson has been involved for many years infaculty and curriculum development. Prior to comingto the medical school, he was chief of the Division ofGeneral Medicine and vice chair for education in theDepartment of Medicine at East Carolina University.He is currently the vice chair for education in the Department of Medicine at Carilion Clinic. Dr. John-son received a B.A. from Stanford University and anM.D. from the University of California at Los Angeles.He completed an internship in internal medicine at theVeterans Affairs Hospital, West Los Angeles. He thendid a year of training in obstetrics and gynecology followed by completion of an internal medicine resi-dency and a general medicine fellowship, all at theUniversity of Kansas Medical Center.

Timothy A. Johnson, Ph.D.Chair of Basic Science and Associate Dean for Research

Dr. Johnson is in charge of developing the innova-tive research curriculum for the medical school and fordeveloping a new collaborative research model forbasic, clinical and translational research projects between Carilion Clinic and Virginia Tech. He had pre-viously been on the faculty at the University of NorthCarolina and East Carolina University. Dr. Johnsonearned his Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from theUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

David B. Trinkle, M.D.Associate Dean for Community and Culture

Dr. Trinkle oversees the service learning, communityoutreach and interprofessional components of the

medical school’s curriculum. He is also an associateclinical professor of psychiatric medicine and programdirector of the Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship Programof the Carilion Center for Healthy Aging at CarilionRoanoke Memorial Hospital. Dr. Trinkle earned a B.A.and an M.D. from the University of Virginia and com-pleted his residency at the Medical College of Virginiaand geriatric fellowship at Northwestern University.

Richard C. Vari, Ph.D.Associate Dean for Medical Education

Dr. Vari is an expert in medical school curriculuminnovation and is well-known for his contributions toresearch, teaching, faculty development and commu-nity service. At the medical school, he is integratingand implementing a unique medical education pro-gram of basic sciences, clinical sciences and skills, re-search, and interprofessionalism. Dr. Vari received aB.S. in biology and an M.S. and Ph.D. in physiologyfrom the University of Kentucky.

Stephen M. Workman, Ph.D.Director of Admissions and Chief Enrollment Manage-ment Officer

Dr. Workman, who was instrumental in developingthe admissions process for the school, has over 20years of experience in planning and implementing pro-grams with the U.S. Navy. He has also worked in organization management and corporate governmentalaffairs. He has a B.S. from Minnesota State University–Mankato, an M.A. from Georgetown University, and anM.A. and Ph.D. from East Carolina University. �

Director of the Research Institute Michael J. Friedlander, Ph.D., an internationally recognized neuroscientist, is the foundingexecutive director of the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute.He currently holds research grants from the National Institutes of Health and the Departmentof Defense on learning in the brain during health, during development and after traumaticbrain injury.Dr. Friedlander joined the research institute in June, following five years as the WilhelminaRobertson Professor of Neuroscience; chair of the Department of Neuroscience; and directorof neuroscience initiatives at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

Prior to that, he served for 25 years at the University of Alabama at Birmingham as professor and founding chairof the Department of Neurobiology; founding director of the Neurobiology Research Center; director of theMental Retardation Research Center; director of the Civitan International Research Center for intellectualdisabilities; and the first Evelyn McKnight Professor of Learning and Memory in Aging. Dr. Friedlander received his B.S. from Florida State University and his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. Hecompleted his postdoctoral training at the University of Virginia and SUNY Stony Brook, NY.

F E A T U R EQ U A L I T Y I M P R O V E M E N T S


Carilion Clinic has added a newrobotic da Vinci Surgical Systemto its surgical options.

The state-of-the-art technologyis the third robotic da Vinci systemto be acquired by Carilion, whichhas been performing robotic sur-gery for many years. Carilion wasone of the first health care systemsin the country to perform da Vincisurgery—on a cardiac patient in2001.

Robotic surgeries are now per-formed to correct many common conditions and treatdiseases. With the da Vinci system, for instance, sur-geons can treat conditions such as gynecologic cancers,prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, and urogynecologyand urology disorders.

The da Vinci system is a mini-mally invasive alternative to bothopen surgery and laparoscopy andhas been used successfully in tensof thousands of procedures. Itmakes possible major surgery withthe smallest of incisions, thus reducing pain and hospital stays.

By controlling the robot’s tiny,precise hands, surgeons can exe-cute movements about five timessmaller than they can with theirown hands—allowing them to

perform difficult surgeries with increased accuracy.Carilion Clinic is the only health care system in

the region with such state-of-the-art equipment andexpertise. �

The Stroke Program of Carilion Roanoke MemorialHospital has received the Gold Seal

of Approval from the Joint Commission as a Primary StrokeCenter.

This certification recognizesstroke centers that make excep-tional efforts to foster better out-

comes for stroke care. It alsosignifies that Roanoke Memorial is in

compliance with the highest standards for treatingstrokes, and that it has the critical elements to achieve

long-term success in improving outcomes.To become a Primary Stroke Center, a hospital must

meet stringent response criteria. “Studies have consis-tently shown that stroke victims treated at PrimaryStroke Center hospitals have shorter hospital stays andbetter outcomes from their strokes,” says Sidney Mallenbaum, M.D., medical director of CarilionClinic’s Stroke Unit.

This Gold Seal of Approval is the second awarded toCarilion Clinic. The Joint Commission earlier grantedthe Inpatient Orthopaedic Unit at Roanoke Memorial aGold Seal for total hip and knee replacement. �

Carilion Clinic Expands RoboticSurgery Capability

Stroke Program Awarded National Certification

Dr. Dennis Scribner, a Carilion Clinic surgeon and oncologist, operates the robotic da Vinci Surgical System.


P A T I E N T T E S T I M O N I A L

Targeting a TumorCarilion introduces Smart Arc—cutting-edge radiation therapy

When Ron Ernest was diagnosed with a cancerousmass the size of a golf ball in his neck, he knew hewas in for the fight of his life.

That’s when radiation oncologist David A. Buck,M.D. recommended chemotherapy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) as the best alter-native to fight his particular cancer. Because of its location, beams of targeted radiation could be shot intothe mass with the goal of destroying the tumors.

“I was amazed when Dr. Buck told me he could goin and shoot targeted beams of radiation,” says Ernest.“He said he was a ‘good aim,’ and he was.” WhenErnest had his last scans in January, they came backclear.

IMRT is an advanced type of radiation. Its three-dimensional rays conform to the contours of a tumorand bend around healthy tissues to avoid them. Treat-ments involve hundreds of tiny rays of varying intensi-ties controlled to precisely target a tumor. Typically, aseries of treatments is given over a period of weeks de-pending on a tumor’s location, size and other factors.

“With IMRT, we can treat large areas of the bodywith lower doses of radiation,” says Dr. Buck. “Ratherthan obliterating the area, IMRT can safely remove microscopic cancer cells without destroying tissue.” Asa result, side effects are also lessened.

“Another huge benefit to the patient is that radiationcan be distributed without pain or discomfort,” saysDr. Buck.

Ernest’s treatments last year took a typical 20 to 30minutes, but Carilion Clinic has also begun to offernew IMRT technology that radiates tumors in a mere90 seconds per session. Its beams are delivered via anew, $2 million state-of-the-art linear accelerator withtechnology called Smart Arc. Instead of emitting many

small beams, it delivers a single arched beam of radia-tion to the tumor.

With either type of IMRT treatment, doctors findIMRT to be especially effective in treating prostate cancer and certain other cancers or benign tumors.These include tumors of the head and neck and of organs near the spinal cord, brain, optic nerves, sali-vary glands, bladder, rectum, small bowel, kidneys,liver and lungs.

“I jokingly told Dr. Buck that I liked my mustacheand would like to keep it,” says Ernest. “And after sixrounds of chemo and 39 rounds of IMRT, I didn’t losea hair!”

“Seriously though, my health care team was reallyawesome even in extreme circumstances,” he says. “Ireally think of them as my friends. I felt like their onlypatient.” �

Ron Ernest(right); theSmart Arc

linearaccelerator.

C O M M U N I T Y


Around Our CommunityCarilion Clinic Supports Race for the CureThe Inaugural Greater Roanoke Valley Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure attracted 2,078runners and raised $283,000 in the fight against breast cancer. Carilion Clinic, a premiumsponsor, contributed $20,000 toward the race. Carilion Clinic also provided emergencymedical technicians, and hundreds of Clinic employees walked to raise money for the cureand worked as volunteers on the day of the race. A Carilion Clinic nurse, Catherine C.Hagan, R.N., M.S.N. (right), was also honored. Hagan, who was instrumental in foundingthe Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Affiliate in southwest Virginia, was awarded the firstPink Star Award by its board of directors. Hagan, a clinical nurse specialist with the CarilionClinic Breast Care Center, was called a key force in improving breast care in our region. “There are women alivetoday because of her vision, enthusiasm and untiring efforts,” the board said. �

Mutt Strut Raises Funds for HospiceThe Carilion Clinic Hospice Mutt Strut—a fun day in the park with pet contests and parades—raised over $8,000 this year for the hospice. Dogs such as Chiquis (pictured)owned by Bryant Winters of Roanoke, competed in such categories as Costume, Agility,and Owner Look Alike, and attendees had the chance to meet pet therapy dogs. The annual event raises funds for Carilion Clinic Hospice, which provides symptom manage-ment, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support for terminally ill patientsof all ages. The Mutt Strut was held in Wasena Park in Roanoke. �

Get Fit with Your DoctorThe doctors of Carilion Clinic are putting on their walking shoes and hittingthe Roanoke Valley Greenway in a new program called Physicians on Foot.Because the health of Valley residents is so important, the doctors are invitingothers in the community to join them. Walks begin at 8:30 a.m. every Satur-day at the corner of Hamilton Terrace and Belleview Avenue (in front of Car-ilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital). For more information, call 800-422-8482or visit www.CarilionClinic.org/walking. �

Carilion Clinic Sponsors Back to School Drives Carilion Clinic employees donated over 145 boxes of school supplies this year inCarilion-sponsored back to school drives. Over 95 boxes of supplies were collectedfor the Back 2 School Blast, organized by the Rescue Mission of Roanoke and co-sponsored by Carilion Clinic. The additional supplies collected by employees wentdirectly to Greenvale School Child Care, the Northwest Child Development Center,the Child Health Investment Partnership of the Roanoke Valley and the YMCA to

help children they serve. As a result of these donations and others, Carilion Clinic employees were able to provide 1,300 children with school supplies. �


F E A T U R EC O M M U N I T Y

Carilion Clinic Ranks as a National Leader in Electronic Medical Records Systems With the conversion of Bedford Memorial Hospital to the Epic electronicmedical records (EMR) system, Carilion Clinic continues to rank as a nationalleader in implementing EMR systems. Carilion Clinic is now the only multi-hospital health system in Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia, Marylandand the District of Columbia to have all of its hospitals live on a single inte-grated EMR system for clinical care, orders and finances. Over 100 physicianpractices are live as well, with about 30 more practices to be added. ThreeCarilion Clinic hospitals have also been ranked in the top 2.5 percent of all

U.S. hospitals for their use of EMR systems: Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Carilion New River ValleyMedical Center, and Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital. These three hospitals are certified at Stage 6 by theHealthcare Information and Management Systems Society, which grades hospitals on the scope of their adoptionof EMR systems on a scale of Stage 1 to Stage 7. All seven Carilion Clinic hospitals are expected to achieve Stage6 proficiency in the near future. �

Carilion Clinic Residents Earn International RecognitionCarilion Clinic residents were asked to present five researchand clinical posters at Internal Medicine 2010, the annualmeeting of the American College of Physicians, in Toronto,Canada. The residents were (L to R): Zenon Belak, M.D., Kiranpreet Khosa, M.D., Sanjiva Lutchmedial, M.D., andSalman Gohar, M.D. “Out of 200 posters from 385 residencyprograms across the nation, we had five and one was chosenas a winner,” says Jon Sweet, M.D., F.A.C.P., program directorof Carilion Clinic’s internal medicine residency program. “Weare very proud of our residents and their mentors.” �

Patient Transportation Services Win ReaccreditationCarilion Clinic Patient Transportation (CCPT) has been reaccredited bythe Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems. CCPTprovides basic and advanced life support ambulance service, 911 response, ground critical care and air medical service throughout Virginiaand into portions of West Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee. Thereaccreditation, based on an extensive site survey, is valid for three yearsand represents the highest levels of quality, medical treatment, safety, lead-ership and education standards in the medical transport industry. Nation-wide, only 20 percent of patient transportation services are accredited,and CCPT, accredited since 2004, is the only such service to be accreditedlocally. �

N E W P H Y S I C I A N S


New Physicians

Timothy C. Ball, M.D., Ph.D.CardiologyEducation: Medical University of South CarolinaResidency: Wake Forest University Baptist Medical CenterFellowships: Critical Care Medicine, Wake Forest UniversityBaptist Medical CenterCardiology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical CenterInterventional Cardiology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center 127 McClanahan St., Roanoke, VA 24014540-982-8204

Joann G. Journigan, M.D.CardiologyEducation: Vanderbilt University School of MedicineResidency: Vanderbilt UniversityFellowship: Cardiology, Emory University 127 McClanahan St., Roanoke, VA 24014540-982-8204

M. Ayoub Mirza, M.D.CardiologyEducation: Kashmir UniversityResidency: Geisinger Medical CenterFellowships: Cardiology, University of VirginiaInterventional Cardiology, University of Virginia 127 McClanahan St., Roanoke, VA 24014540-982-8204

Carl W. Musser, Jr., M.D.CardiologyEducation: Wake Forest University Baptist Medical CenterResidency: Mayo Clinic College of MedicineFellowships: Cardiology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center Cardiac Electrophysiology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center 127 McClanahan St., Roanoke, VA 24014540-982-8204

Department of Medicine

Two nationally prominent physicians, surgeonChristopher Baker, M.D. and emergency physicianJohn H. Burton, M.D., have joined Carilion Clinic.Each will play a pivotal role in improving patientcare at the physician-led Clinic.

Dr. Baker, a trauma surgeon, will be the new chairof the Department of Surgery for Carilion Clinic and

the VTC School of Medicine. Mostrecently he has been the IsidoreCohn, Jr. Professor and chair of theLouisiana State UniversityDepartment of Surgery in NewOrleans. He received his M.D. fromHarvard Medical School andcompleted his surgical training at

the University of California at San Francisco, wherehe had a National Institutes of Health-funded

research fellowship. He has also taught at Yale University, the

University of North Carolina School of Medicineand Harvard Medical School. He will join the Clinicon November 1.

Dr. Burton is the new chair of the Department ofEmergency Medicine. He comes toCarilion Clinic from Albany MedicalCollege, Albany, New York, wherehe was interim chair of theDepartment of Emergency Medicineand vice chair for the medicalcollege’s academic affairs. Hereceived his M.D. from the

University of North Carolina School of Medicine-Chapel Hill and completed his residency at theUniversity of Pittsburgh.

Dr. BurtonDr. Baker

Nationally Praised Physicians Join Carilion Clinic


N E W P H Y S I C I A N S

Keel E. Coleman, D.O.Emergency MedicineEducation: University of New England College of OsteopathicMedicineResidency: Virginia Commonwealth University Health Systems 1906 Belleview Ave., Roanoke, VA 24014540-981-7000

Stepheny D. Berry, M.D.Trauma and Critical Care SurgeryEducation: University of Kansas School of MedicineResidency: Henry Ford Health SystemFellowship: Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, University ofTennessee at Memphis 3 Riverside Circle, Roanoke, VA 24016540-224-5170

Thomas H. Bishop, M.D.RadiologyEducation: University of North Carolina School of Medicine-Chapel HillResidency: University of North Carolina Hospitals Program Fellowship: Vascular/Interventional Radiology, University ofNorth Carolina 1906 Belleview Ave., Roanoke, VA 24014540-981-7083

Daniel R. Karolyi, M.D., Ph.D.RadiologyEducation: Medical College of GeorgiaResidency: Emory UniversityFellowship: Body MRI, Emory University 1906 Belleview Ave., Roanoke, VA 24014540-981-7122

Arlene S. McCain, M.D.Family MedicineEducation: Eastern Virginia Medical SchoolResidency: Eastern Virginia Medical School, Portsmouth FamilyResidency Program 200 High St., Bridgewater, VA 22812540-828-2634

John W. Steffe, Jr., M.D.RadiologyEducation: Medical College of VirginiaResidency: Medical College of Virginia Fellowship: Musculoskeletal Radiology, Medical College ofVirginia 1906 Belleview Ave., Roanoke, VA 24014540-981-7122

Department of Radiology

Department of Emergency Medicine

Department of Surgery

James T. Wilson, III M.D.Pediatric NeurologyEducation: Medical College of VirginiaResidency: Medical College of VirginiaFellowships: Child Neurology, University of MinnesotaElectroencephalography, Medical College of Virginia 102 Highland Ave., Suite 104, Roanoke, VA 24013540-985-8147

Jamie L. Jennell, M.D.Obstetrics and GynecologySpecialty: Obstetrics and Gynecology Education: Virginia Commonwealth UniversityResidency: Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center 1997 S. Main St., Suite 704, Blacksburg, VA 24060540-961-1058

Jo-Anne A. Llavore , M.D.Family MedicineEducation: University of Santo TomasResidency: Carilion Clinic Family Medicine Residency Program 3369 Colonial Ave., Roanoke, VA 24018540-772-0555

Department of Pediatrics

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Department of Primary Care and RegionalMedicine

W O R D S T O L I V E B Y


If you are trying to understandhealth care reform—what itmeans to us as health careproviders and patients—you arelikely somewhat confused by now.The debates in Washington anddiscussions on cable news talkshows have not really helped toexplain and simplify things.

While the political landscape ofreform will continue to be complex,as caregivers we have the ability tocut through much of the confusionif we will do one thing: put ourpatients first.

It sounds overly simplistic, andsome would call it a “no brainer,”but the patient’s best interest isoften at risk of being lost in thecomplexity of the health carediscussion or the endless series oftasks we face each day. Washing ourhands, listening and making surepatients know their instructions arekind of “no brainers,” but it can behard to pull up from our busy dayto listen to our instincts and bemindful of our patients’ needs.

Talking and listening to patients,and helping them manage chronicconditions like diabetes, heartdisease and high blood pressure,isn’t always flashy, but it can have atremendous impact on our patients’lives. Simply taking the time toconsider “What can I do to help mypatient feel better?” can lead us toexciting and rewarding places.

Gene Hobson, a patient atCarilion Clinic – Family Medicinein Vinton, says he feels better, forinstance. As it happens, the practicetreating him is one of our premier,patient-centered MedicalHomes. But he doesn’t feel betterbecause his doctor’s office has aspecial designation—he feels betterbecause his care coordinator,registered nurse Vianney Marengo,talks to him about managing hisdiabetes.

She plans ahead for his officevisits and may call him periodicallyto check on him. The goal is tohelp him manage his diabetes andavoid complications that couldsend him to the emergency room.

Keeping Mr. Hobson out of the

emergency room, and preventingcomplications that could lead toadditional treatment and surgery,doesn’t bring any financial benefitto Carilion Clinic—but it is theright thing to do. In the long-run, ifwe as caregivers can improve thehealth of thousands of patients likeMr. Hobson, we can cut the cost ofcare by millions of dollars and atthe same time improve the healthand quality of life of our friendsand neighbors.

We should not get distracted bythe rhetoric and hyperbolesurrounding health care reform.Instead, let’s focus on what we trulyknow: what is best for our patients.Meeting that need is our calling. �

Putting Patients First By Mark Werner, M.D.President, Carilion Clinic Physicians

Patient Gene Hobson says he feels better as a result of the care he receives at Caril-ion Clinic – Family Medicine in Vinton, a premier, patient-centered Medical Home.


T H E R O A N O K E V A L L E Y

Overcoming High Risks in PregnanciesWhen mother and child need cutting-edge care

When Melissa Wright was nineweeks pregnant, she was told shehad a rare blood disorder thatcould kill her baby. Wright, 28, learned she was “Kell-

positive,” which meant she had amarker on her red blood cells thatcaused her to produce atypicalantibodies. “As my baby wasdeveloping her own red blood cells,mine were killing them,” she says.“The doctors told me, ‘You couldhave a dead baby before yourpregnancy reaches 20 weeks.’ ” Her goal became to keep the baby

alive until the 20-week mark, whendoctors might be able to do bloodtransfusions. (Babies younger thanthat can’t tolerate them.) Wrightsays she was “scared beyond belief.”Luckily she had access to the

maternal-fetal medicine specialistsat Carilion Clinic, who spelled outher risks—and the state-of-the-artresources they had to combat them. Wright made it to 20 weeks, and

began going in for weeklyultrasound monitoring to determineif the baby was anemic. If so, thedoctors were prepared to perform ablood transfusion in utero—possiblyevery two to three weeks until birth.Sure enough, she needed twotransfusions: one at 26 weeks andanother at 28 weeks. It was upon admission for the

third transfusion that her doctorsdecided to deliver—the baby wastoo anemic to undergo the

procedure—and Bailey Wright cameinto the world two monthspremature. She was rushed intoCarilion Clinic’s Neonatal IntensiveCare Unit, or NICU. Then Wright—who happens to be

a Roanoke Memorial labor anddelivery nurse—faced anotherordeal. Bailey, at 3 pounds and 14ounces, stayed in the NICU foralmost a month. She had two IVs inher at all times and received round-the-clock, highly specialized caredesigned to build her immunesystem so she could begin toproduce her own healthy bloodcells. Otherwise doctors would haveto drain all her blood and transfuseher.Thankfully, Bailey never needed

that final transfusion, and she isnow a thriving 7-month-old. “TheNICU and the doctors dideverything possible for her,” saysWright. “My husband and I toldthem: ‘You’re heroes. You saved herlife. Twenty years ago, she would

have died.’ ” Wright’s story is one of the many

successful outcomes at CarilionClinic’s NICU in association withthe Clinic’s maternal-fetal medicinepractice. And while many high-riskexpectant mothers in southwestVirginia used to be referred to theUniversity of Virginia Hospital inCharlottesville, they now haveaccess to the most advancedtechnology and medical care closeto home. The Carilion Clinic NICU, the

largest in the region, is locatedwithin Carilion Clinic Children’sHospital in Roanoke and cares forabout 600 babies each year. Infantsborn as early as 16 weeks prematureare cared for in this Level III facility(the highest designation given bythe Virginia Department of Health).Eighteen hospitals in southwest

Virginia send mothers withcomplicated pregnancies toRoanoke Memorial, the regionalperinatal referral center. They alsosend critically ill babies to the NICUfor life-saving technology. Oftenthey ask Carilion Clinic’s highlytrained neonatal transport team toperform the delicate transportprocess.As for Wright and her daughter

Bailey, both are doing well. SaysWright proudly: “My daughter is ashealthy as any other baby now.” �

For more information, talk to yourobstetrician or call 540-985-9985.

Melissa Wright and her daughter Bailey.

Hospitals and Emergency RoomsCarilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital540-981-7000

Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital540-985-8000

Urgent Care 540-985-8465(Monday – Sunday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)

Carilion Clinic Physician PracticesFamily Medicine3707 Brambleton Ave., S.W.540-725-7800

18080 Main St., Buchanan540-254-1239

3369 Colonial Ave.540-772-0555

46 Wesley Road, Daleville540-992-4100

6415 Peters Creek Road540-265-5500

37 Laymantown Road, Blue Ridge540-977-1436

415 S. Pollard St., Vinton540-983-6700

1314 Peters Creek Road540-562-5700

2102 W. Main St., Salem540-375-0600

2145 Mt. Pleasant Blvd.540-427-9200

150 Spartan Drive, Salem540-389-5093

Internal Medicine3 Riverside Circle540-224-5170

Obstetrics and Gynecology213 McClanahan St.540-343-1224

102 Highland Ave., S.E.540-985-9715

902 S. Jefferson St.540-985-9862

150 Spartan Drive, Salem540-389-5174

Pediatric Medicine4040 Postal Drive540-772-4453

89 Summers Way540-992-1251

1101 First St., S.W.540-342-7681

902 S. Jefferson St.540-985-8230(Addresses are Roanoke unless otherwise noted.)

Carilion Clinic also has more than 20specialty practices, including 13pediatric specialty practices. CarilionClinic’s specialty centers are: SleepCenter, Breast Care Center, WoundCare, Urgent Care and Center forHealthy Aging.

For emergencies, call 911 or go to thenearest emergency department.

For more information, call 800-422-8482 or 540-266-6000.

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Documents

Carilion Clinic Report - Fall 2010