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Spring 2000

Dr. John D. Crissman was appointed dean of the Wayne State University School of Medicine. His appointment was confirmed by the WSU Board of Governors at its March 9 meeting. 

Scribe Spring 2000

Wayne State University President Irvin Reid announced his recommended appointment of John Crissman, MD, as dean of the School of Medicine. The WSU Board of Governors confirmed the appointment at its March 9 meeting.

The WSU School of Medicine climbed to number 22 in the latest rankings released by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The rankings are based on total research expenditures and reflect an excess of $99 million in research funding to the School of Medicine faculty in 1998, the latest year reported.

Scott Hall was abuzz once again this spring as fourth-year students waited anxiously for possibly the most important information of their professional lives: where they would continue their respective medical educations in residency positions throughout the country.

4. Prototype testing of brain cancer vaccines

A chicken pox vaccine consists of a routine shot in the arm. Unfortunately, cancer vaccines are not so routine, but Wei-Zen Wei, PhD, associate professor of immunology/microbiology, has developed prototypes that show great promise in preventing cancer recurrence and progression.

5. Physician business owners launch digital animation company

Not since the days of Guttenberg has movable type made such advances. Two Wayne State University physicians are using technological innovations to transform text into movable pictures through their newly formed company, E-Chieve BioMedia.

6. Causes of stroke in young African Americans differ from White counterparts

High blood pressure may take a toll faster than once thought, according to a recent study involving young stroke patients in Detroit.

When a patient’s acute episode of cardiac arrest or stroke stops, brain injury continues in the reperfusion period. The primary cause of death following cardiac arrest is brain injury.

Researchers know that human cancer cells avoid the normal cell-death pathway, called apoptosis, and instead continue to thrive, often spreading to other sites in the body. They don’t know, however, how these cells circumvent apoptosis.

Scott Dresen has been appointed director of medical school information systems for the Wayne State University School of Medicine. He comes to WSU from the University of Michigan Health System where he served most recently as information technology manager for the departments of anesthesia, emergency medicine, OR, surgery, transplant and dentistry.

10. Future physicians learn about terminal illness

Lessons in terminal illness are quite powerful when given from one medical student to another. A recent ethics seminar for Wayne State University medical students focused on a book called "Hidden Lessons: Modern Medicine Seen Through the Eyes of a Young Medical Student Battling Cancer."

A WSU research assistant's essay was chosen from hundreds of entries to be published in Science. The essay appeared as part of a special series asking readers to imagine what life would be like in the year 2050.

Faculty members from the Wayne State University School of Medicine brought buckets of brains to junior high and high school classrooms all across metro Detroit, in celebration of Brain Awareness Week, March 13-19.

According to anecdotal evidence, most snoring complaints come from women about men. Scientific studies support that evidence, confirming that men are at least two times more likely than women to have sleep apnea, or cessation of breathing during sleep. M. Safwan Badr, MD, wants to know why.

Many therapy sessions are spent helping stroke patients regain their ability to speak. But not much time is spent helping previously literate patients learn to read. According to Margaret Greenwald, PhD, assistant professor of audiology and speech-language pathology, stroke patients are commonly diagnosed with acquired dyslexia as a result of brain injury, but they rarely receive treatment for their reading deficits.

Anthony Shields, MD, PhD, professor of the WSU internal medicine department, has developed a tumor-imaging technique that he believes will shave weeks off of the currently used method for determining the effectiveness of cancer treatments.

The impact of lung cancer on medical costs is astounding, said Wei Du, PhD, assistant professor of internal medicine. With a grant from the American Cancer Society, she is measuring the costs and treatment outcomes associated with smoking-related lung cancer in metro Detroit.

The School of Medicine donated 100 microscopes to Detroit Public Schools. Currently valued at approximately $350 each, these microscopes represent a $35,000 donation from WSU to Detroit Public Schools.

As part of Operation Stroke, a stroke-awareness initiative kicked off in Detroit by the American Heart Association, hospitals and EMS providers were surveyed in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Although protocols for handling stroke patients existed in 95 percent of the hospitals that responded, only 52 percent had stroke teams and 32 percent had stroke units.

Cynthia Shelby-Lane, MD, describes herself as “a perpetual wanna be.” This assistant professor of emergency medicine has done theater, stand-up comedy, video production and independent films. If she has anything to say about it, her next media market will be television.

Congratulations to the Class of 2000 who will pursue post-graduate medical training as follows. Transitional students will begin training at one institution and later transfer to another, as indicated by the number after their specialties. Refer to the end of this list for a numbered reference guide to institutions.

Alum Notes Spring 2000

A packed Blue Auditorium listened as Dr. Jordan Cohen, president and chief executive officer for the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), spoke of the special challenges facing academic medicine in the new century at this year’s Robert E. Mack Lecture.

Peter Traber, '81, heads medical school, health system at University of Pennsylvania

Peter G. Traber did not make much of a mark on the gridiron. But he has more than made up for that.

Supriya Ramanathan, MD, ’97, has worked with Boston area teens to develop a program called Promoting Empowerment of Adolescents in Creating Community Health Services (PEACCHS). The program targets the adolescents of Mattapan, a multi-ethnic inner-city Boston neighborhood.

A newly published book reflects on Wayne State University’s evolution from a municipal college to a state university. Reminiscences of Wayne shares the fond memories of faculty, administrators and staff to tell the story of Wayne State’s growth and progress through the 1990s.

On May 11, 2000, the Wayne State University School of Medicine hosted its inaugural Pathfinders in Medicine Awards at Comerica Park. Charles Whitten, MD, Marjorie Peebles-Meyers, MD, Charles Wright, MD, and Arthur Porter, MD, were honored for their contributions to equality and diversity in the medical community.

Dr. Aline Orten, longtime faculty member and volunteer, dies at 93

The WSU School of Medicine lost a great friend this past winter when longtime faculty member and supporter Aline Orten, PhD, passed away on February 16. She was 93.

Dwaihy presented with first Sokol Award

In addition to learning her residency training results this Match Day, fourth-year student Renee Dwaihy was also honored as the first recipient of the Robert J. Sokol, MD, Award.

Employee loyalty recognized

A number of employees were recognized this year for their many years of service to the Wayne State University School of Medicine.

Scribe
Alum Notes
Spring 2000

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