Past News

Faculty Promotions and Tenure
We are pleased to announce that J. Randall Jordan, M.D., has been promoted to Professor and William D. Mustain, Ph.D., and Hong Zhu, M.D., Ph.D., have been promoted to Associate Professor, and that Dr. Zhu, Dr. Karen T. Pitman, Dr. Thomas J. Payne, and Dr. John M. Schweinfurth were granted Tenure, effective July 1, 2008.
   
Dr. Jordan joined the department in June, 2002. He serves as Vice Chairman and Medical Director of the departmental clinics. He is very involved in resident teaching and has been named Faculty Teacher of the Year several years by residents. Dr. Jordan's practice focuses on facial cosmetic and reconstructive surgery as well as cutaneous oncology of the head and neck.
   
Dr. Mustain has been on faculty in our department since 1985 serving as Chief of the Division of Communicative Sciences and Director of the Vestibular Laboratory. He has created and instituted a hands-on training for our residents in audiology and speech language pathology. Dr. Mustain's areas of interest are newborn hearing and vestibular disorders.

   
Dr. Zhu has been a member our department since March of 2002. She has served as a mentor for multiple students and residents and has helped us develop a nationally recognized Resident Research Program. Dr. Zhu serves as a grant reviewer for several national funding agenicies. She conducts vestibular and pharmacology research
   
Dr. Payne, Professor, is Director of Clinical Research and serves as associate director of the ACT Center for Tobacco Treatment, Education and Research, nationally recognized for its clinical and educational activities. He is on the editorial board of directors for the Association for the Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence, and provides scholarly reviews for many journals. Dr. Payne enhances our research education program by providing critical information regarding study design and grant writing.
   
Dr. Pitman, Professor, joined the department in September, 2002. She specializes in head and neck oncologic and endocrine surgery and is part of the multidisciplinary head and neck cancer and thyroid teams. Dr. Pitman is regarded highly as a teacher in the operating room and clinics by students and residents. She was recently named chair of the General Otolaryngology Education Committee for the American Academy of Otolaryngology.
   
Dr. Schweinfurth, Professor, has been with the department since January, 2003. His specialties include laryngology, voice and airway disorders. Dr. Schweinfurth was recently awarded an NIH R0-1 grant. He is an outstanding educator and serves on the Curriculum Committee and the Residency Review Committee, working to improve educational methodology and evaluation.
   
Congratulations to these faculty for their well-deserved recognition.

Graduation 2008

The Seventh Annual Lectureship and Resident Graduation in Otolaryngology and Communicative Sciences was held Friday, June 13, 2008, with lectures beginning at 8:00 a.m. A dinner and awards ceremony followed that evening, and a golf tournament and barbecue concluded the activities on Saturday.

We were honored to have Michael G. Stewart, MD, MPH, FACS, an outstanding leader in the field of otolaryngology, as our Visiting Professor for this year's lectureship. He is currently the Professor and Chairman of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Weill Medical College of Cornell University and Otorhinolaryngologist-in-Chief at New York Presbyterian Hospital - Weill Cornell Medical Center. He is serving as the President of the Society of University Otolaryngologists-Head and Neck Surgeons. His lectures were "Outcomes Research and Evidence-Based Medicine" and "Tonsillectomy Outcomes in Recurrent Tonsillitis". Research presentations were made by graduating residents, Corbin Mullis, MD, and Pearson Windham, MD and by senior residents, Jason Guillot, MD, and Andrea Lewis, MD. Dr. Stewart then also conducted a case studies conference with the residents.

The dinner and awards ceremony, honoring our graduates Drs. Mullis and WIndham, took place that evening at the Country Club of Jackson. Dr. Mullis will be moving back home to Georgia where he will be joining Dublin ENT Associates, in Dublin. Dr. Windham will be joining the practice of ENT Consultants of North Mississippi in Oxford.

 
Corbin and his wife, Misty   Pearson and his wife, Ashley

Award winners for 2008 include:

Faculty Teacher of the Year - Thomas Eby, MD (voted on by residents)
Resident Teacher of the Year - Jason Guillot, MD, PGY-4 (voted on by residents and students)
Overall Resident Academic Award - Andrea Lewis, MD, PGY-4 (highest overall Otolaryngology Training Exam score)
Senior Resident Academic Award - Jason Guillot, MD, PGY-4 (highest Otolaryngology Training Exam score among PGY-4 and PGY-5 residents)
Junior Resident Academic Award - Michael Goodier, MD, PGY-2 (highest Otolaryngology Training Exam score among PGY-2 and PGY-3 residents
Resident Research Award - Jason Guillot, MD, PGY-4 (chosen by visiting professor at lectureship)
Mary B. Manasco Spirit Award - Andrea Lewis, MD, PGY-4 (award created in honor of education administrator; voted on by faculty for resident with outstanding attitude, collegiality, work ethic, cooperativeness, selflessness, competence and leadership)
Consultant of the Year Award - Three way tie - H. Chris Kinard, MD (Anesthesiology, UMC); Christian Koch, MD, PhD (Endocrinology, UMC); Stanley Musick (Anesthesiology, UMC)
Alumnus of the Year - Christine B. Franzese, MD (Residency Program Director and Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology and Communicative Sciences and Residency, UMC)

 
Dr. Christine Franzese. Program Director, presenting Dr. Tom Eby with Teacher of the Year Award   Dr. Franzese presenting Dr. Andrea Lewis with the Resident Overall Academic Award and the Mary B. Manasco Spirit Award
   
 
Dr. Franzese presenting Dr. Jason Guillot with the Resident Teacher of the Year Award, the Resident Research Award and the Senior Resident Academic Award   Dr. Franzese presenting Dr. Michael Goodier with the Junior Resident Academic Award
   
 
Dr. Chris Kinard, Anesthesiology, receives a Consultant of the Year Award from Chairman, Dr. Scott Stringer   Dr. Stringer presenting Dr. Stan Musick, Anesthesiology, a Consultant of the Year Award
   

Another Outstanding Performance by Residents on Annual Otolaryngology Examination

Once again our residents achieved outstanding success on the 2008 Annual Otolaryngology Examination scoring at the 85th percentile of all program taking the examination. Seven of our residents scored at or above the 80 th percentile within their resident group. Also, three of them also scored in the top 10 percentile of all residents taking the examination.


Ear Reconstruction Surgery

Thanks to Dr. Jeff Carron and his team, two young girls, ages 8 and 9, not only have been given a chance to hear more normally, but to also have a more normal appearance.

Both girls were born without an ear on one side and now have prosthetic ears as replacements for the missing ears. The surgical procedure involved placing metal posts into the skull to anchor a prosthetic ear. The ear, made with the assistance of Dr. Harold Kolodney, oral and maxillofacial prosthetics, was designed from a template of the opposite ear. The girls also had bone-anchored hearing aids implanted at the same time to restore hearing benefits of the missing ear. The girls can now wear the prosthetics without the social embarrassment of missing an ear; they enjoy more normal hearing; they can wear eyeglasses and, of course, earrings! Below are before and after pictures of one of the girls, Corlee Gentry. Her mother, Dawn, indicates that she is very pleased with her new ear.

 

 


University HealthSystem Consortium Rating

The Department of Otolaryngology and Communicative Sciences was among the best performing institutions for observed to expected inpatient mortality ratio in comparison to 91 academic medical centers that participate in the University HealthSystem Consortium's (UHC) Clinical Data Base (CDB). This finding is from UHCs Clinical Outcomes Report, which covers patient discharges for calendar year 2007; the Otolaryngology product line had no observed deaths during this period. UHC is an alliance of 101 academic medical centers and 170 of their affiliated hospitals representing approximately 90% of the nation's non-profit large academic medical centers.


Orthopedics and Otolaryngology Golf Match

The first annual Orthopedics versus Otolaryngology golf match set the precedent for future matches. In a close and fiercely competitive contest held at Annandale Golf Course on May 17, Team ENT defeated Team Ortho 2-1. Orthopedics had made it clear that it believed Team ENT's amazing two year run as national otolaryngology golf champions was meaningless because ENT was "minor league" compared to Orthopedics. Team ENT, led by Drs. Scott Stringer, Randy Jordan, Jamie Sisk, Ben Jeffcoat, Pearson Windham, and Mark Reed, let its clubs do the talking and convinced Orthopedics that they were wrong. Dr. Jeffcoat, team captain, came up with a masterful strategy for pairings that shocked Orthopedics. In the final and deciding match, Team ENT made the turn up three holes. Team Ortho's Drs. Kerk Mehrle and Allan Smith stormed back with a 70-plus foot birdie putt from off the green on 10, followed by a second consecutive birdie on #11 to close the gap. Arriving at #17, the match was tied. Dr. Jamie Sisk, resident alumnus who practices in Laurel, hit a career flop shot from behind #17's green to within 3 feet to secure Team ENT's par. The team was one hole up with one to play when Team Ortho missed their par putt. At #18, Team ENT secured the match with another birdie. The low round of the day went to Drs. Windham and Reed who shot a 66, handily knocking out their opponents 5 and 7. Team Ortho is anxious for redemption and is requesting another match as early as the fall. Team ENT will be ready.

Team ENT (left to right): Drs. Scott Stringer, Randy Jordan,
Jamie Sisk, Ben Jeffcoat, Pearson Windham, and Mark Reed.

Dr. Eby Visits Japan - Dr. Sakagami Visits Mississippi

Dr. Thomas Eby was a guest speaker at the Barany Society meeting in Kyoto, Japan, April 1-4, 2008, invited by Masafumi Sakagami, MD, PhD, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology at the Hyogo College of Medicine. Dr. Eby presented a paper and poster about recent vestibular research within the department, and monitored a session at the meeting. Dr. Eby was also asked to speak to two otolaryngology societies in Osaka. Later that month, we were honored to have Professor Sakagami come to Jackson as a visiting professor. He gave an update on otologic surgery techniques in Japan at resident conference. Dr. Sakagami and his wife, Michiko, indicated that they thoroughly enjoyed their visit including the southern atmosphere, hospitality, and foods.

 
Dr. Sakagami with Dr. Eby in Japan   Dinner with the Sakagami's in Mississippi: (left to right) Dr. and Mrs. Sakagami, Dr. Eby, Dr. and Mrs. Randy Jordan, Dr. and Mrs. Scott Stringer

New Residents 2008 - The Match

On March 20, the National Resident Matching Program notified our department that we had matched three outstanding students, Neal Burkhalter, Jonathan Hayes, and Tara Rosenberg. Neal Wilson Burkhalter was born and raised in Griffin, Georgia. He graduated cum laude from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science degree in cellular biology. He then obtained a Masters degree also from the University of Georgia. Neal attends Mercer University School where he was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha National Medical Honor Society. He has had numerous research projects while in medical school which resulted in a publication and a presentation. Neal served on the Search Committee for Assistant Dean of Admissions/Student Affairs and was an Admissions Committee member. He has been involved in numerous outreach programs in Mexico and Honduras as well as in the community.
 
Jonathan Paul Hayes is a native of Columbia, Missouri.
He got his Bachelor of Science in Economics from Baylor University. Then Jonathan attended graduate school at the University of Memphis. He currently is a senior at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine in Memphis. He has been inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha National Medical Honor Society. Jonathan applied for and received an NIH research grant while in medical school. His research projects have resulted in several poster presentations. While at the University of Tennessee he served on the College of Medicine Honor Council. He has volunteered to mentor first year medical students interested in otolaryngology and has tutored high school students.
 
Tara Lynn Rosenberg was born in Jackson, Mississippi and grew up in Yazoo City, Mississippi. She graduated summa cum laude from Mississippi College with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. Tara currently is a senior student at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine. Tara is the president of Alpha Omega Alpha National Medical Honor Society and was named to the Gold Humanism in Medicine Honor Society; she has received numerous other awards while in medical school. Tara's research in otolaryngology has been recognized with two oral presentations at COSM in May. She has been a volunteer with projects such as Jackson Free Clinic and Hurricane Katrina relief efforts and is active in student government.
 
The Department of Otolaryngology and Communicative Sciences is very excited to have these three outstanding candidates join us, and we are looking forward to working with them!

UHHS Named a Top Hospital Nationally

The University Hospitals and Health System, the hospitals of the University of Mississippi Medical Center, has been named one of the top 100 hospitals in the country of any type by Thomson Corporation. The 15th annual 100 Top Hospitals: National Benchmark for Success award is given purely on the basis of objective benchmark criteria. Very few major teaching hospitals, fifteen in all, made the list. Top performing hospitals are identified using measurements in th e areas of clinical excellence, operating efficiency and financial health, and responsiveness to the community, based on two most recent years of data. This award is an outstanding achievement for the hospitals and reflects the high level of commitment, professionalism, and performance of all its staff. For more about the award, visit http://www.100tophospitals.com or read the UMMC press release at http://info.umc.edu/news/?n=thisweek&id=18071 . To hear a radio promotion by Dr. Dan Jones, Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs, click here.


Alexander Graham Bell Cochlear Implant Fellowship Award

Our cochlear implant center, directed by Dr. Jeffrey Carron, has been selected to receive a 2008 AG Bell Cochlear Implant Fellowship Award in the amount of $15,000. Each year, cochlear implant centers vie for consideration of this award. Twelve centers from across the country were selected this year to receive the award to train professionals in the field of cochlear implants and auditory rehabilitation. The fellowships fund mentoring and educational development for professionals in clinical and research audiology, speech-language pathology, auditory rehabilitation, and the education of individuals who are deaf or heard of hearing. This is quite an honor for the Cochlear Implant Center and is indicative of the dedication and efforts of the Center's staff.


Resident Wives Participate in Annual Taste of UMC

The wives of our residents enjoyed participating in the 2008 Taste of UMC, held Saturday, February 16, at the Jackson Medical Mall. The Taste of UMC is the major fund-raiser for the UMC Alliance in support of worthwhile projects including patient needs, the chapel fund, and art acquisitions. "Happy New Year" was the theme of their display, complete with confetti, champagne glasses, noisemakers, party hats and sunshades. Their menu featured "new year's caviar," a black-eyed pea and artichoke dip.


Pictured from left to right are Aimee Goodier, Betty Guillot, Lisa Jeffcoat, Amy Norris (front), Misty Mullis, Mandy Barber, and Megan Byrne.


Excellence in Research Award

Dr. John Schweinfurth, Professor, has been named a gold level member in the Excellence in Research Program at UMMC. The Gold Award is earned by investigators who have received over $1,000,000 in extramural research funding. Dr. Schweinfurth is one of a very select few receiving this honor in 2008 in recognition of his grant funding success. He joins Dr. Wu Zhou, Professor in our Research Division, as a gold level member and outstanding contributor to research. Dr. Schweinfurth was honored for his achievement at a banquet held at the Fairview Inn in Jackson on February 18th.

Dr. Schweinfurth pictured holding award, with Dr. John Hall, Associate Vice Chancellor for Research (to Dr. Schweinfurth's right), Dr. Dan Jones, Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs (back row left), and other inductees.


Repeat Golf Champs!

Dr. Randy Jordan, Dr. Ben Jeffocoat (PGY-3), Dr. Pearson Windham (PGY-5), Dr. Mark Reed

Naples, FL. January 11, 2008 ...

Dynasty. This is the word that is being used to describe the UMMC Department of Otolaryngology and Communicative Sciences golf team after their stunning repeat as champions of the Southern Section of the Triological golf tournament in Naples, Florida today. After the loss of key team member, Jamie Sisk, many did not think they could repeat. It was known that several other prominent teams, stung by last year's defeat by team UMMC, would be gunning to bring UMMC down this year. Ignoring this threat and rebuilding from last year, team UMMC methodically took care of business today beating the odds against a repeat. Drs. Reed, Jeffcoat, Windham and newcomer "Dr. Short Game" Jordan combined for a 13 under par round leaving the next closest team a distant five shots back. Department GM, Scott Stringer, pointed out that he was not surprised at the team's success given the record of the department succeeding at being among the best in the country in everything they do. Team captain, Mark Reed, says he is not ready to accept the dynasty label, hoping to keep his team focused and humble as they prepare for next year without departing senior, Pearson Windham. However, after two years of trying to chase down team Oto, the rest of the country knows that Team Oto-CS is going to be the team to beat for years to come. Sounds like a dynasty to this writer. Congratulations to them!

- Scott Stringer, MD, Chairman


Mississippi Blues Marathon Participants

Congratulations to our own Dr. Jason Guillot (PGY-4) for completing the inaugural Mississippi Blues Marathon held Saturday, January 5, 2008. Dr. Guillot was one of over 400 participants who ran the 26.2 mile course - deemed to be quite challenging with its rolling hills - throughout some of Jackson's most beautiful and historic areas. Marla Moore, PA, finished the half marathon along with close to 700 runners. Also participating was Lisa Carron (wife of Dr. Jeffrey Carron) who ran most of the marathon as part of training for the upcoming Mardi Gras marathon in New Orleans. The Mississippi Blues Marathon, sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi, was a first year success, with participants from 41 states and 3 countries.

For more information about the marathon, visit www.msbluesmarathon.com.


Residents Receive Travel Grants to Southern Section Meeting

Two residents have received travel awards of $500 to help offset travel expenses to attend the Southern Section Meeting of the Triological Society in Naples, Florida, January 10-12, 2008. The awards were based on abstracts and manuscripts that were chosen for presentation at the meeting. The residents receiving these grants are Dr. Pearson Windham, PGY-5, for his poster Endoscopic Management of a Massive Nasal Osteoma Presenting as an Orbital Abscess, and Dr. Michael Goodier, PGY-2, for his poster A Unique Method of Airway Management in a Patient with Type IV Laryngotracheal Cleft: Case Report and Review of the Literature.


Dr. Kristen Otto Joins Department

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Kristen Otto has joined our department. Dr. Otto will be specializing in head and neck/microvascular surgery. Prior to actively starting her practice with us, she is obtaining additional specialized training in head and neck/microvascular surgery at the University of Toronto. She is also obtaining additional expertise in tracheal reconstructive surgery. She will complete this training and join us full time in July 2009. In the interim, Dr. Otto will be joining us as possible to participate in departmental educational forums. Dr. Otto received her M.D. from the University of South Florida College of Medicine in 2002. She completed her residency at Emory University where she served as Administrative Chief Resident from 2006-2007. Dr. Otto has received many academic honors including the Dean's List of Scholars at the University of South Florida, membership in the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, the Honors Surgery Program, and the Most Outstanding Student in Molecular Biology and Medical Genetics at the University of South Florida College of Medicine. Dr. Otto's unique training combined with her wonderful energy and enthusiasm make her an outstanding addition to our department.


Pfizer Medical Education Grant

The ACT Center for Tobacco Treatment, Education & Research was recently awarded a $264,000 IIR grant for the period 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008. This grant funds the establishment of integrated tobacco treatment services within four hospital-based healthcare systems, and will include a research component. The program focuses on three core areas:

  • Training key clinics and inpatient units in the use of the NCI 5A brief intervention approach, including coordination of specialized services (i.e. quitlines and internet services).
  • Training a team of Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialists (CTTS) to deliver an intensive level of care.
  • Consulting with administrative staff and key stakeholders to facilitate program acceptance, participation, monitoring, and completion of requirements.

Program results will be monitored to evaluate clinical impact of services; acceptability and sustainability of these services; and to examine predictors of provider cessation behaviors in delivering interventions.

Dr. Thomas Payne is the Principal Investigator, and Professor of Otolaryngology & Communicative Sciences. Co-Investigators include Drs. Karen Crews, Professor of Pediatric and Public Health Dentistry, Natalie Gaughf, Assistant Professor of Pediatric and Public Health Dentistry, and Patrick Smith, Professor of Family Medicine.


2008 Southern Section Meeting of The Triological Society

The Triological Society will hold its Southern Section Meeting in Naples, Florida, January 10-12, 2008. Once again, our department will be well represented on the program. Abstracts by five of our residents have been selected for poster presentations. The posters are Endoscopic Management of a Massive Nasal Osteoma Presenting as an Orbital Abscess, Dr. Pearson Windham, PGY-5; Extraocular Myogenic Potentials (OVEMP) Evoked by Acoustic Tone Pips with Different Frequencies, Dr. Andrea Lewis, PGY-4; Large Retropharyngeal Mass in a Pediatric Patient with Neurofibromatosis Type I, Dr. Kim Donnellan, PGY-3; Unusual Delayed Presentation of Extensive Facial and Cervical Subcutaneous Emphysema Resulting from Iatrogenic Nasopharyngeal Perforation, Dr. Ben Jeffcoat, PGY-3; and A Unique Method of Airway Management in a Patient with Type IV Laryngotracheal Cleft: Case Report and Review of the Literature, Michael Goodier, PGY-2.


The Face and Skin Center

For some time now, The Face Center, a division of our services, has been helping customers look their very best by offering the most scientifically advanced facial skin rejuvenation technology, skincare products, and surgical procedures available. Recently, these services have been expanded to include total skin care with the addition of a board-certified dermatologist to our staff. Now known as The Face and Skin Center of University Physicians, the center offers complete skin care, dermatology services, and facial plastic surgery. The goal of the staff at The Face and Skin Center is to exceed the expectations of customers with their expertise, personalized service, and exceptional value. This expert team includes Randy Jordan, MD, Nancye McCowan, MD, and Christy Childress, RN. To better serve our customers, The Face and Skin Center has opened a new office at The Township at Colony Park, 201 North Lake Avenue in Ridgeland. This 5,000-plus square-foot facility is state-of-the-art in every respect while affording a comfortable and relaxing environment for customers. Check our website frequently for updates or visit www.thefaceandskincenter.com.


Scott Stringer Appointment

Dr. Dan Jones, Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs and Dean of the School of Medicine, recently announced the appointment of Scott Stringer, MD, MS, to the position of Associate Vice Chancellor for Clinical Affairs. This role is in addition to his current responsibilities as Professor, Department Chairman, and President of University Physicians. The appointment was part of a realignment of positions to better reflect the organizational structure of the Medical Center. Dr. James Keeton who formerly held the position has been appointed to the Vice Chancellor's Chief of Staff. Congratulations to Dr. Stringer on his expanded role in the Medical Center's administration.


New Faculty Member

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Nancye K. McCowan, MS, MD as associate professor and director of the Division of Dermatology, effective September, 2007. Dr. McCowan received her MD at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences where she also completed her residency training. Her diverse background includes military, academic medical center, and private practice experience. She began her career in the U.S. Air Force as chief of dermatology at the Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, where she was selected as the Air Combat Command Surgeon General for Dermatology. After serving with the Air Force for several years, she practiced in the private sector in Omaha for four years. She most recently served as assistant professor in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Dr. McCowan is an outstanding clinician and educator and will be of great benefit to the Medical Center in both roles.


Otolaryngology Honor Award

Tara Lynn Rosenberg was recognized recently at The School of Medicine Honors Day as the recipient of the 2008 Department of Otolaryngology and Communicative Sciences Award. The book award and certificate are awarded annually to a senior medical student for excellence in the field of otolaryngology. Tara also was selected by the graduating medical students as Medical Student of the Year and was the recipient of several other prestigious scholarships and awards. We are delighted that Tara will join our residency program in July as she pursues a career in otolaryngology.


2008 Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings (COSM) Presentations

Once again, the department will be well represented by our residents, students, and faculty at various meetings of the 111th annual COSM to be held in Orlando during May. Several abstracts were selected for poster or oral presentation. An abstract submitted by Dr. Corbin Mullis, "Tracheal Rupture in a Child Caused by Vomiting", sponsored by Dr. Jeff Carron, was selected for poster presentation at the Triological Society meeting. Dr. Jason Guillot's abstract "Cigarette Smoking and Regulatory T Cell Subpopulations in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients" submitted in conjunction with Dr. Karen Pitman, Dr. Gailen Marshall, and Dr. Jadrien Young from Vanderbilt University, was also selected as a poster presentation at the Triological Society meeting. The American Broncho-Esophagological Association (ABEA) chose two papers submitted by Tara Rosenberg, M-4, and Dr. John Schweinfurth "Brown Fat Content of the Neonatal Larynx and Neck" and "Cell Density of Lamina Propria of Neonatal Vocal Folds" for oral presentation at their meeting. The ABEA also accepted an abstract by Matthew Sitton, M-4, in conjunction with Dr. Schweinfurth, entitled "Cervical Spine Problems Causing Dysphagia" as a poster presentation. Congratulations to all of these for their continued outstanding research efforts.


Resident Wives Participate in Annual Taste of UMC

The wives of our residents enjoyed participating in the 2008 Taste of UMC, held Saturday, February 16, at the Jackson Medical Mall. The Taste of UMC is the major fund-raiser for the UMC Alliance in support of worthwhile projects including patient needs, the chapel fund, and art acquisitions. "Happy New Year" was the theme of their display, complete with confetti, champagne glasses, noisemakers, party hats and sunshades. Their menu featured "new year's caviar," a black-eyed pea and artichoke dip.

Pictured from left to right are Aimee Goodier, Betty Guillot, Lisa Jeffcoat, Amy Norris (front), Misty Mullis, Mandy Barber, and Megan Byrne.


 


 


Best Doctors Designations

Once again, several faculty members were selected for inclusion in the "Best Doctors in America" database, an elite database containing names and profiles of the top 5% of physicians in the United States. Scott P. Stringer, MD, MS, professor and chair, Karen T. Pitman, MD, professor, and James R. House, III, clinical assistant professor, are included in the 2007-08 national database. Also included is R. Darryl Hamilton, MD, adjunct faculty member and assistant professor of medicine (oncology). "Best Doctors" is an acclaimed resource for matching patients around the world with the best medical care available. For more about the program, visit their website at www.bestdoctors.com.

Dr. Stringer Dr. Pitman Dr. House Dr. Hamilton

American Geriatrics Society Grant Awarded

Dr. John Schweinfurth was recently awarded a Geriatrics-for-Specialists Initiative grant from the American Geriatrics Society (AGS), through a program funded by The John A. Hartford Foundation. This program provides initiatives for training centers to develop, initiate and evaluate programs and curricula to increase education for residents in the geriatrics aspect of otolaryngology. The Geriatrics for Specialty Residents (GSR) program provides support to bring this expertise into residency programs. Dr. Schweinfurth will work in collaboration with the geriatrics program at UMC to address the urgent need to create a structure for developing future geriatric leaders in academic otolaryngology, thereby enhancing knowledge and skills in teaching these principles to specialist residents.


 

2007 Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C.

The Department and UMMC were well-represented at several otolaryngology meetings held in Washington, D.C. during September, including the annual American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Foundation meeting.

Faculty and residents participated in various meeting sessions with several presentations. Dr. Andrea Lewis, PGY-4, gave an oral presentation of her work "Comparison of the Cost-Effectiveness of Diagnostic Testing for Inhalant Allergies" at the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy meeting at the Omni Shoreham hotel on September 16. This project was completed in conjunction with Dr. Christine Franzese and Dr. Scott Stringer. Dr. Corbin Mullis, PGY-5, presented a poster entitled "Advances in Minimal Access Cochlear Implantation" at the AAO-HNSF meeting held at the Washington Metro Convention Center. Dr. Jeffrey Carron, faculty sponsor of this project, was also in attendance. Dr. Scott Stringer made a presentation entitled "Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak in the Setting of Sinus Balloon Catheterization" to the American Rhinologic Society on September 15. Dr. Randy Jordan gave a presentation "Extracorporeal Septoplasty - Correcting the Difficult Septal Deformity" at the AAO-HNSF meeting on September 16. Dr. Jordan was also a guest panelist for a session concerning functional rhinoplasty.

Other faculty members attending meetings were Dr. Thomas Eby and Dr. Karen Pitman. Additional resident representatives were Dr. Pearson Windham, PGY-5, Dr. Kim Donnellan, PGY-3, and Dr. Ben Jeffcoat, PGY-3. Physician extenders Tristen Harris, PA-C and Holly Armstrong, NP, along with clinical nurse coordinators Heidi Jackson and Cindy Rogers, attended various events. Department and clinic management staff Marilyn Roberts, Mary Guest, and Sabrina Reilly participated in administrative sessions.

The Department hosted an alumni dinner on Sunday, September 17th, at the 701 Pennsylvania Avenue Restaurant Bar and Grill. NeuroMaxx Surgical and Stryker were our corporate partners for this event.


Graduation 2007

The Sixth Annual Lectureship and Resident Graduation in Otolaryngology and Communicative Sciences was held Friday, June 22, 2007, with lectures beginning at 8:00 a.m. A dinner and awards ceremony followed that evening, and a golf tournament concluded the activities on Saturday.

We were honored to have Richard T. Miyamoto, MD, FACS, FAAP, an outstanding leader in the field of otolaryngology, as our Visiting Professor for this year's lectureship. He is currently the Arilla Spence DeVault Professor and Chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the Indiana University School of Medicine and is serving as the President of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. His lecture topics were "Pediatric Cochlear Implantation" and "Otosclerosis". Research presentations were made by graduating residents, Justin Garner, MD, and Jamie Sisk, MD and by senior residents, Corbin Mullis, MD, and Pearson Windham, MD. Dr. Miyamoto also conducted a case studies conference with the residents.

The dinner and awards ceremony, honoring our graduates Drs. Garner and Sisk, took place that evening at the Country Club of Jackson. We are pleased that both will be staying in Mississippi to practice. Dr. Garner will be joining Dr. Walter Cosby and Dr. Joseph Boggess of Otolaryngology Associates in Columbus. Dr. Sisk will be going into practice with Dr. Carl W. "Rusty" Stevens of Ear, Nose and Throat Surgical Clinic of South Central Mississippi in Laurel. (Pictured are Dr. Sisk and Dr. Garner)

Award winners for 2007 included:

Faculty Teacher of the Year - Karen Pitman, MD (voted on by residents)
Resident Teacher of the Year - Kim Donnellan, MD, PGY-2 (voted on by residents and students)
Resident Academic Award - Jason Guillot, MD, PGY-3 (highest Otolaryngology Training Exam score)
Resident Research Award - Corbin Mullis, MD, PGY-4 (chosen by visiting professor at lectureship)
Mary B. Manasco Spirit Award - Kim Donnellan, MD, PGY-2 (award created in honor of education administrator; voted on by faculty for resident with outstanding attitude, collegiality, work ethic, cooperativeness, selflessness, competence and leadership)
Consultant of the Year Award - Fadel Ruiz, MD (Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, UMC)
Alumnus of the Year - James L. Connolly, MD (in private practice, Destin, Florida)

 

Dept. Chairman Dr. Scott Stringer, Dr. Miyamoto, Dr. Sisk, and Dr. Garner

  Dr. Ron Cannon, immediate past president of AAO-HNS, and Dr. Miyamoto, current president
     
 
Faculty members Dr. Roark, Dr. Eby & Dr. Bishop   Dr. Stringer presenting Mary Manasco, Education Administrator, with appreciation gift
     
 
Dr. Franzese, Associate Residency Program Director, presenting Dr. Mullis with Resident Research Award   Dr. Franzese presenting Dr. Donnellan with Resident Teacher of the Year Award
     
 
Dr. Franzese presenting Dr. Guillot with Resident Academic Award   Incoming residents Dr. Byron Norris (left) and Dr. Alan Grimm (right) with Dr. Jeffrey Carron, Associate Professor


Another RO1 Grant for Department

The department has received another NIH research grant award, the second substantial grant received within a six month period. Dr. Wu Zhou, Professor in our Research Division, was awarded an R01, five year grant from the National Institutes of Health in the total amount of $1,410,000. The project title is Multiplicative computation in the vestibulo-ocular reflect (VOR). This is the third R-01 grant for the department. Dr. Zhou and the members of our research team are committed to the success of our program. This grant award is the direct result of their hard work and dedication.


Faculty Promotions

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Karen Pitman and Dr. John Schweinfurth have been promoted to Professor effective July 1, 2007.

Dr. Pitman joined the department in September, 2002. She specializes in head and neck oncologic and endocrine surgery and is the coordinator of the multidisciplinary head and neck cancer team. These physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals provide comprehensive care to patients with head and neck cancer and endocrine tumors, and continue to expand the complexity of care offered to these patients throughout the State of Mississippi.

Dr. Schweinfurth has been with the department since January, 2003. His specialties include laryngology, voice and airway disorders. Dr. Schweinfurth has been a vital part of our research program's success and was recently awarded a substantial NIH R0-1 grant. He is devoted to his practice and to making a significant contribution to advances in health care through research and education.

 

Congratulations to both of these for this well-deserved recognition.


Another Outstanding Performance by Residents on Annual Otolaryngology Examination

Once again our residents achieved outstanding success on the Annual Otolaryngology Examination achieving in 2007 a program scaled score surpassed by only 7 of 125 programs participating as illustrated below. For the third year in a row six of our residents scored at or above the 80 th percentile within their resident group. Also, three of them also scored in the top 10 percentile of all residents taking the examination.


Otolaryngology Honor Award

Ryan Corey Case was presented the Department of Otolaryngology and Communicative Sciences Award at Honors Day on May 3. This book award and certificate are awarded annually to a senior medical student for excellence in the field of otolaryngology. Ryan plans a career in otolaryngology and we are delighted he will join our residency program in July.


Mindy Ware Obtains Au.D.

Audiologist Mindy Ware was awarded her Doctor of Audiology degree on April 27, 2007, from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, School of Audiology, in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. Mindy's completion of this degree is indicative of her commitment to her profession and to providing her patients with the best audiology care possible. Congratulations to Mindy on this outstanding achievement.

 


Resident All Star Award

Kim Donnellan, MD, PGY2, was presented with one of three Resident All Star Awards at the recent Carl G. Evers, M.D. Society annual banquet. The Society is a student-run honorary and service organization established in the memory of Dr. Evers, professor of pathology and associate dean for academic affairs at the time of his death in 1992. Kim was chosen for her outstanding medical knowledge, her dedicated work ethic, her positive attitude, and her willingness to help others. Congratulations to Kim on this well-deserved recognition!

 


New Residents 2007

The Match

On March 17, the National Resident Matching Program notified our department that we had matched three outstanding students, Ryan Case, Byron Norris and Alan Grimm.

Ryan Corey Case was born in McComb and grew up in Long Beach, Mississippi. He graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science degree in molecular biology.Currently Ryan is a senior student at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine. Ryan has been inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha National Medical Honor Society and the Gold Humanism in Medicine Honor Society. He has participated in the Surgical Scholars Program in which he completed a research project in Pediatric Surgery. This work was presented at a national Pediatric Surgeons Conference and led to the AOA Student Research Award. Ryan's research in Otolaryngology will be presented at COSM in April. He is an active member of a variety of philanthropic and humanitarian groups and is active in student government.

Alan Richard Grimm, was born in Biloxi, Mississippi but only lived here a short time. He received an undergraduate degree in history from Ohio State University. Alan attends Ohio State University College of Medicine where he was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha National Medical Honor Society. He has been very involved in research projects relating to the temporal bone procedures using a virtual temporal bone simulator at Ohio State and studied reduced oxygen breathing devices for naval aviation candidates at the Naval Aerospace Medical Research Lab in Pensacola, FL. Alan served as a Navy Reserve officer for four years. Through Goodwill he has participated in outreach programs helping the disabled in Columbus.

Byron Kit Norris is a native of Atlanta, GA. He got his undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering at Mercer University. Byron is now a senior student at Mercer University School of Medicine. He has been inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha National Medical Honor Society and serves as Mercers primary representative for the AAMC Organization of Student Representatives. He also is a member of the Student Council. He has done varied research in psychiatry and with neurosurgeons and health needs and assessments in rural Georgia. Byron volunteers at a student run clinic as well as at a Children;s Home and the Childrens Hospital. He is involved with the Macon Historic Preservation Society and Neighborhood revitalization.

PGY-2

William Henry Barber V, MD, was born in Birmingham, Alabama but moved to the Jackson area as a boy. He graduated from Mississippi State University with a B.S. degree in microbiology. He received his M.D. from the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He has been in student government and has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity for several years. He also has tutored underprivileged children. Henry has been involved in several different research projects in plastic surgery which have resulted in publications and presentations. He was selected by the Department of Surgery as a medical student to attend the American College of Surgeons Annual Clinical Congress. Currently, Henry is a general surgery resident at Wake Forest University.

The Department of Otolaryngology and Communicative Sciences is very excited to have these four outstanding candidates join us, and we are looking forward to working with them!


Cochlear Implant Center Award

Our Cochlear Implant Center was selected to receive a $15,000 fellowship award by the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The University of Mississippi Medical Center was one of 13 institutions chosen from around the country to receive this award. The fellowship will fund training for professionals in the field of cochlear implants and auditory rehabilitation. It will provide professionals up to 12 months of mentored work experience with a cochlear implant specialist to include candidate evaluation, device-fitting, rehabilitation, counseling and research.

Congratulations to the following team members:

Jeff Carron, MD
Tom Eby, MD
Charles Bishop, AuD
Kathy Irving, AuD
Lara Monico, MCD
Suzanne Roark, AuD
Mindy Ware, MS

This is an exceptional honor for our team and quite a testament to their success and professionalism!

For more information about the award and the Association, visit their website at http://www.agbell.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?p=Fellowship_Release_2007.


The Triological Society 2007 Combined Sections Meeting

The American Laryngological, Rhinological, and Otological Society, Inc., or The Triological Society, held its first combined sections meeting (Western, Eastern, Southern, and Middle) on Marco Island, Florida, February 14-18, 2007. The Triological Society offers otolaryngologists-head and neck surgeons throughout the country opportunities to update their knowledge and skills through educational meetings and scientific sessions offered each year.

The department was well-represented by both faculty and residents. Faculty members attending were Dr. Tom Eby, Dr. Christine Franzese, Dr. Mark Reed, Dr. John Schweinfurth, and Dr. Scott Stringer. Residents attending included PGY5's Dr. Justin Garner and Dr. Jamie Sisk; PGY4's Dr. Corbin Mullis and Dr. Pearson Windham; PGY3's Dr. Jason Guillot and Dr. Andrea Lewis; and PGY2's Dr. Kim Donnellan and Dr. Ben Jeffcoat.

An exceptional number of abstracts by our residents, the most of any single institution in the nation, were selected for both poster and oral presentation at the meeting. A total of 10 submissions by our residents were accepted and presented. Drs. Donnellan and Windham each submitted two and both were accepted. Dr. Mullis and co-author Dr. Franzese won third place in the Resident Research Competition for the Southern Section. They received the James Harrill Resident Research Award for their work entitled Cost Effective Analysis of 18-FDG Positron Emission Tomography in the Detection of Recurrent Laryngeal Carcinoma.

Not only did the department deliver exceptional performance in the educational and research arena, but also did quite well in the recreational arenas. Despite the cold and 20 mph winds, our team won first place in the Southern Section scramble golf tournament held Friday afternoon at the Rookery Golf Club. Drs. Reed, Jeffcoat, Sisk, and Windham brought home the championship trophy with a score of 8 under par (64), well ahead of the second place winners with 3 under. Dr. Sisk (a former caddy at the home of the Masters - the Augusta National Golf Club) won the closest to the hole competition. A second team comprised of Drs. Stringer, Schweinfurth, Franzese, and Garner also participated in the golf tournament. Dr. Eby represented the department in the tennis competition and received top honors. He was one of nine players in a round-robin doubles tournament.

Congratulations to our presenters and winners for their outstanding achievements during this event!

 
Drs. Reed, Windham, Jeffcoat & Sisk with trophy   Dr. Eby

NIH Grant Award

Dr. John Schweinfurth was recently awarded an R01, five year research grant from the National Institutes of Health, in the total amount of $1,335,201. The project is entitled Characterization of Hearing Status in the Jackson Heart Study Cohort. Considering that grant awards by the NIH are very limited and carefully screened, this is quite an accomplishment. Not only is Dr. Schweinfurth a dedicated practicing physician, he is devoted to being a very active and successful member of our research team.


Club Excellence Inductee

Crystal Henderson, Patient Services Coordinator in Suite K, was recognized as one of the very best in customer service at the University Hospitals Clinics. Crystal received 10 outstanding compliments from customers during 2006 which earned her the prestigious honor of being a Club Excellence member. Crystal and all of our customer-oriented staff set the standard for service throughout the institution.


VA Medical Center Ranking

In this year's annual evaluation of VA hospitals across the country, the G. V. Sonny Montgomery VA Medical Center in Jackson ranked tenth overall when considering a variety of performance measures. The Center ranked fourth nationally in quality of clinical care. We are very fortunate to have such a high quality VA partner in our program. Obviously, Dr. Christine Franzese, Chief of the Division of Otolaryngology at the VA, and our residents have been strong contributors to this success.


Residency Program Accreditation

Our residency program has received a full five year accreditation from the Residency Review Committee for Otolaryngology, a division of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, effective 2/2/2007. Five years is the maximum period granted and is reserved only for the strongest programs. This accomplishment is indicative of the excellent quality of our residency program, our outstanding staff, and of course, the dedication of our program coordinators Education Administrator Mary Manasco and Associate Program Director Dr. Christine Franzese who were responsible for representing our program to the RRC.


Wear Red Day

Department employees participated in the National Wear Red Day Friday, February 2, as part of the Go Red for Women campaign sponsored by national and local groups, including the American Heart Association. The Wear Red Day is a movement that began in 2002 to promote awareness of women's heart disease. Here are some of our red-clad employees showing their support for women's heart health:

 


Dr. Christine Franzese Presents at the 2007 ACGME Educational Conference

Dr. Christine Franzese, Residency Associate Program Director, was selected to deliver an oral presentation of her poster abstract When to Cut? Using an Objective Structured Clinical Examination to Evaluate Surgical Decision-Making during the 2007 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Educational Conference, March 1-4, in Kissimmee, Florida. Dr. Franzese has done extensive work in developing the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) program for residents. Her abstract was one of only nine selected by a ten member panel for the 2007 Marvin R. Dunn Poster Session from 144 submitted. This is a very prestigious honor for Dr. Franzese, the department, and for UMC, and is another way that we are establishing ourselves as a national leader in educational innovation. Congratulations to Dr. Franzese for this outstanding achievement and well-deserved recognition.


2007 Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings (COSM) Presentations

An abstract submitted to the American Broncho-Esophagological Association (ABEA) by Dr. Kim Donnellan, PGY2, has been selected for poster presentation at the 2007 Annual Scientific Meeting to be held during COSM in San Diego, April 25-27, 2007. Her poster Outcomes Following Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Therapy will be presented during the combined poster session. Also, fourth year medical student Ryan Case has been selected to orally present his work entitled Efficacy of Weight Loss in the Long-Term Management of Chronic Upper Airway Obstruction during the ABEA meeting. Congratulations to both of these for their outstanding research efforts.


New Technology Available for Treatment of Salivary Gland Disorders

For patients suffering from chronic salivary gland infections or salivary duct stones, there may be some help in sight. With the use of tiny fiberoptic telescopes, it is now possible to diagnose and treat many of these cases without major surgery. Previously, excision of the gland was the only available therapy for many patients. The new telescopes make it possible to use very small instruments to remove stones or strictures and can also be used with the holmium:yag laser to perform laser lithotripsy of larger stones. J. Randall Jordan, MD, FACS is introducing the new technology to UMC. Dr Jordan says that the ideal patient is one with a known stone in the mid to posterior portion of the submandibular duct that has not been able to be removed readily through the usual approaches. The ideal type of stone is less than 1 cm. Dr Jordan states that the long-term published success rates for cure are in excess of 90%. This technique has been popular in Europe for several years and is just now being introduced into the US. Previous studies revealed that in many cases of submandibular gland stones, the gland itself was normal on removal, and might have been functional if the stone could have been removed. Until recently, the fiberoptic telescope technology was not at the point where adequate images could be obtained with the small fibers necessary for endoscopy of the salivary gland ducts. Current technology allows very good image quality and enough room for an instrument channel as well. The technique is usually carried out under anesthesia in an operating room as an outpatient.


Chicago Marathon

Charles Bishop, AuD, Marla Moore, PA-C, and Andrea Lewis, MD, were among the 33,000 runners from all over the world who participated in the 29th annual Chicago Marathon on October 22, 2006. The trio successfully completed the 26.2 mile course through downtown Chicago. Weather conditions of 41 degrees and 20 mile per hour winds made the course even more challenging. Despite the weather, over 1,000,000 people lined the streets to cheer on the runners. Charles, Andrea, and Marla had been training since February for the marathon, working with a local group called Lifechange Marathon Makeover. Each of them was running 20-22 miles prior to the race. Congratulations to these three for attaining such a personal momentous achievement. It took a tremendous amount of dedication, determination, and perseverance to train for and finish such an event. The personal characteristics these three of our colleagues display typify the reason we have such a great department.

Dr. Bishop, Ms. Moore, and Dr. Lewis


Mississippi's 2007 "Top 40 Under 40"

Christine Franzese, MD, Assistant Professor, has been selected as one of Mississippi's elite "Top 40 Under 40" for 2007, sponsored by the Mississippi Business Journal. In its 14th year, this program recognizes young leaders for achievement in the business world and in their communities. Nominees are selected by an independent panel consisting of three judges. The "Top 40" will be honored at a luncheon January 17, 2007, at the Mississippi Trademart in Jackson, and will also be profiled in a special "Top 40" edition of the Mississippi Business Journal in February. Last year, more than 500 people attended the luncheon held in conjunction with the Mississippi Business & Technology Expo. Congratulations to Dr. Franzese on this very special honor!


Increase in Resident Complement Granted

We are pleased to announce that our residency program has just received approval from the ACGME for an increase in resident complement from 2 per year to 3 per year for every year increasing our total resident number from 10 to 15. We will be taking three PGY-1 residents in the 2007 NRMP match and trying to find a suitable person to start as a PGY-2 in July 2007. The other positions will be filled via future matches. This is an incredible compliment to each and every member of this department and their desire to teach.


Stringer Receives AAO-HNS Presidential Citation Award

Dr. Scott Stringer recently received the 2006 Presidential Citation Award from the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation for "his work in training residents and his dedication to teaching, which is truly an extraordinary gift." Dr. C. Ron Cannon, Academy/Foundation President, presented the award to Dr. Stringer during the opening ceremony of the foundation's annual meeting and exposition in Toronto on September 17, 2006. Citation Award recipients are personally selected by the president for their outstanding contributions and dedication to the Academy and Foundation. Typically, three to five recipients are recognized at the annual meeting each year. The AAO-HNS Foundation is the world's largest organization representing specialists who treat the ear, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck with more than 10,000 members. Pictured is Dr. Stringer (right) receiving award from President C. Ron Cannon, M.D.


UMC Well-Represented at Academy Events in Toronto

Dr. Randy Jordan attended the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery September 14-17 in Toronto. He remained in Toronto to attend the Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Foundation annual meeting. Additional otolaryngology faculty attending the Academy meeting September 17-20 were Dr. Scott Stringer, Dr. Tom Eby, Dr. Jeff Carron, and Dr. Christine Franzese.

Dr. Michael Goodier (PGY-1) gave an oral presentation on Monday, September 18 on "Utility of Panendoscopy for Unknown Primary and Negative PET" detailing his research done in medical school at LSU, Shreveport. Dr. Andrea Lewis (PGY-3) presented a poster, entitled "Use of the Double-Skin Paddle Fibular Flap for Oral Defects with Continuous Chin Involvement" which she worked on with Dr. Richard Wein, former UMC faculty who is currently at Tufts-New England Medical Center. Other resident representatives were Dr. Justin Garner PGY-5, Dr. Jamie Sisk PGY-5, Dr. Corbin Mullis PGY-4, and Dr. Jason Guillot PGY-3.

Physician extenders Tristen Harris PA-C, Marla Moore PA-C, Holly Armstrong NP, clinical nurse coordinators Heidi Jackson, Cindy Rogers, and Christy Tucker, and administrators Marilyn Roberts, Mary Guest and Sabrina Reilly also attended sessions at the meeting.

The Department hosted an alumni dinner in conjunction with the Academy on Tuesday, September 19th at Harbour Street Steakhouse. Brad Odom and Patrick Harmon with NeuroMaxx Surgical were corporate partners for this event.


Health Fair

Dr. Randy Jordan and Christy Waggoner, RN, of The Face Center recently participated in a health fair held at The Hilton Hotel in Jackson. Sponsored by the Mississippi Nurses Foundation, the annual event attracts many presenters, including most local hospitals. The Center of Excellence in Women's Health at UMC is a major sponsor each year, providing various screening services and speakers for the event. The Face Center offered complimentary facial skin cancer screenings and digital imaging consultations to visitors. For more information about our facial plastic surgery and cosmetic skin care services, visit our website at www.thefaceandskincenter.com.


Scott Stringer Selected as University Physicians President

Dr. Scott Stringer was recently elected president of University Physicians, the consolidated clinical practice plan of the University of Mississippi Medical Center. The plan includes 350 physicians in 35 divisions and specialty practices. University Physicians will work closely with the hospital and the school of medicine to develop new programs and enhance current ones. As University Physicians president, Dr. Stringer will focus on completing the practice reorganization, improving ambulatory patient access and satisfaction, enhancing the revenue cycle, and implementing an electronic health record system. Dr. Stringer holds a master's degree in Administrative Medicine from the University of Wisconsin - Madison.


Jackson VA Medical Center Receives Outstanding Quality Ranking

Among 137 hospitals nationally, the G. V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center in Jackson ranked 12th overall for the year 2005 and tied for third in quality. This ranking was determined using key indicators including access, quality, and patient satisfaction. We are very fortunate to have such an outstanding partner in support of our educational and clinical programs.


Kathy Irving and Suzanne Roark earn AuD Degrees

Audiologists Kathy Irving and Suzanne Roark have completed all requirements for their Doctor of Audiology degrees, with official conferment August 5, 2006. They received the AuD from the Arizona School of Health Sciences in Mesa, Arizona, a program which offers a full spectrum curriculum of basic and clinical science education in the field of audiology. As doctors of audiology, Kathy and Suzanne will specialize in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of hearing and balance disorders. Completion of this advanced degree is indicative of the dedication Kathy and Suzanne have for their professional growth, for their patients, and for the department. They are looking forward to incorporating this knowledge into their practice, ultimately providing a better quality of life for their patients. Congratulations to Drs. Irving and Roark on this outstanding accomplishment!


Graduation 2006

The Fifth Annual Lectureship and Resident Graduation in Otolaryngology and Communicative Sciences was held Friday, June 23, 2006, beginning at 8:00 a.m. A dinner and awards ceremony followed that evening.

We were honored to have Donald A. Leopold, MD, as our visiting professor. He is professor and chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Nebraska. Dr. Leopold made presentations on "Perceived Nasal Airflow is the Key to Nasal Therapy," "Who Gets Rhinosinusitis and How Can We Tell When They Have It?," and "Approaches to Olfactory Disorders." He also conducted a case conference with the residents. Residents Kimberly Elliott, MD, Melanie Petro, MD, Justin Garner, MD, and Jamie Sisk, MD made outstanding research presentations as well.

A celebration and awards dinner took place that evening at the Country Club of Jackson in honor of our two graduates, Dr. Kimberly Elliott and Dr. Melanie Petro. Dr. Elliott will be entering private practice with Premier Medical Group in Mobile, Alabama, and Dr. Petro will be entering a cosmetic surgery fellowship with Dr. Stephen Metzinger at McCollough Clinic, Gulf Shores, Alabama.

 
Kimberly A. Elliott, MD   Melanie L. Petro, MD

Award winners from this year included:

Resident Academic Award - Jason Guillot, MD, PGY-2 (highest Otolaryngology Training Exam score)
Resident Teacher of the Year - Melanie Petro, MD, PGY-5 and Jason Guillot, MD, PGY-2 (voted on by students and residents - tied for the award)
Faculty Teacher of the Year - J. Randall Jordan, MD (voted on by residents)
Resident Research Award - Jamie Sisk, MD, PGY-4 (chosen by visiting professor at lectureship)
Mary Manasco Spirit Award - Jason Guillot, MD, PGY-2(award created in honor of residency program coordinator; voted on by faculty for resident with outstanding attitude, collegiality, work ethic, cooperativeness, selflessness, competence and leadership)
Consultant of the Year Award - Darryl Hamilton, MD
Alumnus of the Year Award - Ron Cannon, MD

The residents also received individual gift certificates in recognition of their hard work and outstanding performance on the annual otolaryngology training examination.

Dr. Franzese presents Drs. Elliott and Petro with their residency completion certificates.
Dr. Stringer congratulates graduating residents on completion of their programs.
Dr. Franzese presents Dr. Sisk with Resident Research Award.
Dr. Jordan receives Faculty Teacher of the Year Award.
Faculty, families, and friends visit during pre-dinner social.

Dr. Tom Eby Joins Department

We are very pleased to announce that Thomas Lee Eby, MD, FACS, has joined us as professor in the Department of Otolaryngology and Communicative Sciences effective August 14, 2006. With his extensive experience in the field of neurotology and his outstanding international reputation, Dr. Eby completes the foundation of our department in a crowning fashion. We now have a department that provides complete otolaryngologic care that is competitive in scope and quality on a national and international scale.

Dr. Eby has been at the University of Alabama at Birmingham for almost 20 years where he most recently served as George W. Barber, Jr. Foundation Professor. Dr. Eby earned his bachelor's degree at Stanford University and obtained his MD from the University of Wisconsin. He completed two years of residency in general surgery at the University of Minnesota Hospitals, and a residency in otolaryngology at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. Dr. Eby completed fellowships in otopathology at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and neurotology at University Hospital in Zurich, Switzerland under Dr. Fisch.

He is a member of numerous professional societies including the International Otopathology Society, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (Fellow), American College of Surgeons (Fellow), the Triologic Society (Active Fellow), the American Otological Society, and the American Neurotology Society (Active Fellow). He is certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology and the American Board of Otolaryngology, Subspecialty of Neurotology. Dr. Eby has served as an editorial reviewer for various professional publications including The Laryngoscope and Otology& Neurotology. As a testament to his outstanding teaching skills and dedication to education, he was selected as Faculty Member of the Year in the Division of Otolaryngology at the University of Alabama Birmingham.

Dr. Eby is married and has three children, Margaret, Brendan, and Conor. His spouse, Mary, is a physician as well and is actively involved in a variety of public health initiatives. His daughter is a rising junior at Barnard College where she serves as music reporter for her student newspaper and also is a disc jockey for the school radio station. Brendan will be starting college at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa where he will be enrolled in the prestigious Blount Honors Program. Conor will be starting the eighth grade this fall and is a rising soccer star.


Dr. Franzese Second Runner-Up in State Pageant

Our own Dr. Christine Franzese, Assistant Professor, participated in the Mrs. Mississippi America pageant held in Madison, Saturday, June 10th. A New York native, Dr. Franzese completed her residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and chose to remain in Mississippi to begin her career. Over the past few years, she has become an unofficial ambassador for the state.

Dr. Franzese is not new to pageant participation, and is a former Miss New York National Pre-Teen and also a former Miss Empire State. Although she's not been in a pageant for quite some time, she did extremely well. Of 14 contestants from across the state, Dr. Franzese was in the top five, and ultimately, was selected as second runner-up. Her platform was women's health issues, particularly preventive care, for those individuals who typically are the caregiver and tend to neglect their own healthcare needs. She endorsed the Center of Excellence in Women's Health at UMC and its contribution to improving the health and lives of women in Mississippi. Without a doubt, of all the candidates, she gave the most impressive and thoughtful answer to her interview question "what would you tell the world about how Mississippi responded in the aftermath of Katrina?" She described the people of Mississippi as resilient, strong, courageous, and simply "outstanding".

Not only is Dr. Franzese a highly skilled medical professional and a dedicated wife and mother, she exemplifies beauty, poise, and a community-minded spirit. As second runner-up, she received a trophy, roses, jewelry, and a tremendous amount of respect from the judges, contestants, and audience.


New Clinical Nurse Coordinator

Heidi Jackson, RN, has joined the department as a rhinology clinical nurse coordinator in Suite K at the Pavilion. Heidi has many years of nursing experience, including several years as an ear, nose and throat surgical nurse. Most recently, she worked as an operating room nurse at a local outpatient surgical clinic. Heidi earned her nursing degree from Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

 


COSM

Three residents in this program participated in the Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings, May 19-22, in Chicago. Attending were PGY-4 Dr. Jamie Sisk and PGY-2's Dr. Jason Guillot and Dr. Andrea Lewis. Dr. Sisk's abstract entitled "Endoscopic Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in a Porcine Model" was selected as a poster presentation.

Faculty members Dr. Scott Stringer, Dr. Jeff Carron, Dr. Christine Franzese, and Dr. Mark Reed also participated in the meetings.


Residents Produce Another Outstanding Performance on Annual Otolaryngology Examination

Our residents achieved outstanding success on the Annual Otolaryngology Examination achieving in 2006 a program scaled score surpassed by only 7 of 122 programs participating as illustrated below. For the second year in a row five of our residents scored above the 80 th percentile within their resident group. Also, five of them scored above the 80 th percentile of all residents taking the examination.


Charles Bishop, Audiologist, Earns AuD Degree

Charles Bishop has completed all requirements for his Doctor of Audiology degree awarded by the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, School of Audiology, and will be receiving the degree in May. For Charles, this accomplishment is the culmination of many years of coursework, research, and clinical experience. It is indicative of his commitment to personal educational achievement, to the department, and to providing the highest level of care for his patients. Our congratulations to Dr. Bishop on this success!

 


Mississippi's First Ever Bilateral Cochlear Implantation

On April 14, 2006, the Cochlear Implant Team marked another first by performing the first ever bilateral cochlear implantation at UMC on a 12 month-old boy with profound deafness. We are pleased to be offering cutting edge implantable hearing technology to the residents of Mississippi. When compared to unilateral implantation, bilateral implantation has shown superior performance in selected patient groups, such as children with congenital, profound deafness and patients deafened by meningitis. As his parents summed it up, "it was truly a Good Friday."


Otolaryngology Honors Award

Jess Clifton Roberts was presented the Department of Otolaryngology and Communicative Sciences Award at Honors Day on May 5. This book award and certificated are awarded to a senior medical student for excellence in the field of otolaryngology. Jess plans a career in otolaryngology; he will begin his residency at Baylor Medical College in July.


MSO Annual Meeting

The Mississippi Society of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery held its Annual Spring Meeting and Scientific Assembly March 31 - April 2 at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee. Two residents gave presentations. Dr. Justin Garner, PGY-4, was the recipient of the Resident Paper Award, for his paper Adult Outpatient Tracheostomy Care: Practices and Perspectives. Dr. Jamie Sisk, also a PGY-4, presented Presence of HPV in Tonsillectomy Specimens.

Several faculty members also gave presentations. In addition to giving the welcome and introductions, Dr. J. Randall Jordan presented Current Technology for Skin Rejuvenation. A talk entitled Antimicrobial Washes and Chronic Rhinosinusitis was given by Dr. Scott P. Stringer. Dr. Christine Franzese presented No Time for Journals? Evidence Based Medicine for Otolaryngologists and Dr. Karen Pitman gave a talk on Parathyroid Surgery Update 2006.


AOA Faculty of the Year Award

Dr. Scott Stringer, Professor and Chairman, was presented the Alpha Omega Alpha Faculty of the Year Award by the UMC chapter during an initiation banquet held Monday, March 6, in the Norman C. Nelson Student Union. Alpha Omega Alpha is the only national honor medical society in the world, established to recognize and perpetuate excellence in the medical profession. Society members are the top academically in their respective classes and include sixteen in the UMC School of Medicine, Class of 2006, and six in the Class of 2007. Members of the society nominate and select gifted teachers who demonstrate a commitment to excellence in medical education. Shown presenting the award to Dr. Stringer is Jess Roberts, Chapter Treasurer.


Research Grant Awarded as Result of Multi-Discipline Effort

Dr John Schweinfurth, Associate Professor of Otolaryngology, Angie Brunson, Instructor, Speech-Language Pathology, and Kathy Wentland, Supervisor, Speech-Language Pathology have been awarded a two year $150,000 research grant from the Dennis W. Jahnigen Career Development Scholars Awards. Dr. Schweinfurth, Ms. Brunson, Ms. Wentland and consultant Dr. Tom Mosley, department of geriatrics, are part of a multi-disciplinary team assembled to study the effectiveness of new techniques to treat swallowing disorders in elderly victims of stroke. The study will begin July 1, 2006.

The award is sponsored by the American Geriatrics Society and is a tribute to the late Dr. Dennis Jahnigen, a leading educator, geriatrician, and director of the Center on Aging at the University of Colorado Health Center at the time of his death in 1998. The award was created to improve the knowledge base and increase understanding of geriatric facets of medical specialties, while encouraging physicians and surgeons to become interested in the geriatric aspects of their careers.

As the only laryngologist in the state, Dr. Schweinfurth is responsible for treating a large number of patients with complicated swallowing disorders, many of whom are elderly patients devastated by the effects of stroke. Mississippi has the highest incidence of cardiovascular disease and stroke in the United States and dysphagia is a common long-term result. Many dysphagic patients do not respond to traditional rehabilitation and must rely on tube feeding for sustenance. They also suffer from pneumonia due to aspiration. The study will consist of two parts: 1) to evaluate the efficacy of a new swallowing therapy (electrical stimulation of neuromuscular structures of the tongue, neck, and larynx) and 2) to establish an interprofessional training program in the area of geriatric swallowing disorders. Angie Brunson and Kathy Wentland have undergone formal training and are highly proficient in providing electrical stimulation therapy. The team will monitor the effectiveness of this treatment in dysphagic patients, and will evaluate the results at the end of the two year trial period. Brunson working with dysphagic patient.


Pediatric Ear, Nose & Throat Services

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Mark Reed and Dr. Jeffrey Carron are merging their skills to form a children's services team, dedicated to the special care and needs of pediatric patients. In addition to having extensive and specialized training, both Dr. Reed and Dr. Carron have many years' experience providing otolaryngologic care to pediatric patients.

Dr. Reed recently joined the department as an associate professor and chief of the Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology. Dr. Reed is the first pediatric otolaryngologist in Mississippi and has an outstanding reputation in the community where he has practiced for over 10 years. He enjoys helping all children with problems in the head and neck area, particularly those with airway problems, sinus disease, head and neck masses, speech disorders, and routine pediatric ear, nose, and throat disorders such as tonsils, adenoids, and otitis media.

Dr. Carron originally joined the Medical Center in July, 2002, and was with the department until August, 2005, when he accepted a faculty position at Washington University in St. Louis. He is now returning to Jackson and the department as an associate professor. Dr. Carron was instrumental in establishing the first cochlear implant program at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and has successfully implanted over 50 of these devices. In addition to routine ear, nose, and throat disorders, Dr. Carron has special interests in the areas of hearing loss, speech disorders, cleft palate, head and neck masses.

Both Dr. Reed and Dr. Carron are committed to providing the highest quality care with the utmost degree of professionalism and compassion. The skills and expertise of these two physicians will allow the department to provide comprehensive ear, nose, and throat services for the children of Mississippi and surrounding states in state-of-the-art facilities at the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children.

Drs. Carron and Reed are both members of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery. For more information on the backgrounds and training of Dr. Reed and Dr. Carron, please refer to their bios under "Faculty/Staff".


Clinical Associate Professor Elected President of National AAO-HNS Foundation

Dr. Ron Cannon, Clinical Associate Professor, was elected to serve as president of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation for 2005-2006. Selected during the 2004 annual meeting in New York, Dr. Cannon has the task of representing the academy in political, economic, and research arenas in addition to presiding over the annual meeting to be held in Toronto, September, 2006. The academy membership consists of over 12,000 specialists who treat the ear, nose, and throat, and related structures of the head and neck. Its mission is to provide educational resources, services, and information to benefit otolaryngologists and their patients.

A University of Mississippi School of Medicine graduate, Dr. Cannon completed an internal medicine internship at the City of Memphis Hospital. He was a surgical and otolaryngology resident at the Medical Center and later transferred to the University of Virginia Medical Center where he was chief resident. Serving on various boards and committees, Dr. Cannon is not only extremely active in the medical community, but also active in many civic organizations. He has been the recipient of many professional awards throughout his career, including recognition by his peers as one of the "Best Doctors in America." He is also an avid supporter of education, publishing numerous peer-reviewed articles as well as conducting continuing education seminars. Dr. Cannon practices full-time in Jackson.


VNS Therapy

The department now offers VNS Therapy through referring physicians for treatment of patients with seizure disorders or chronic depression resistant to medical management.

VNS or Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy has been used for several years in treating seizure disorders, and has been proven an effective long-term strategy for the treatment of chronic, severe depression. Significant, sustained improvements have been indicated through clinical trials, with only mild side effects. VNS consists of an implanted pulse generator and electrode that delivers impulses to the patient's left vagus nerve. The vagus nerve moderates the release of serotonin and norephinephrine neurotransmitters thought to be critical in mood regulation.

Dr. Richard Wein recently performed the first VNS implant in the Jackson area for a patient with treatment-resistant depression, and several additional procedures are scheduled. Dr. Wein, Dr. Karen Pitman, and Dr. Christine Franzese have received extensive training in implanting these devices. Once the implant has been placed, the patient is monitored by the referring physician.

The department continues to be a leader in offering the most contemporary and innovative treatment options for ear, nose, and throat disorders.


Southern Section of the Triological Society Representation

The department was very well represented at the Southern Section meeting of the Triological Society January 12 -14th in Naples, Florida. Faculty members, Dr. John Schweinfurth and Dr. Christine Franzese, and residents Dr. Jason Guillot (PGY-2), Dr. Kim Donnellan (PGY-1), Dr. Justin Garner (PGY-4), and Dr. Jamie Sisk (PGY-4) combined for five poster presentations and one oral presentation making us one of the best represented departments in the Southern Section. Also, we made a very strong showing in the golf tournament , placing third.


"Best Doctors" Designations

Scott P. Stringer, M.D., M.S., Professor and Chair, Karen T. Pitman, M.D., Associate Professor, and James R. House, III, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, were recently selected for inclusion in the "Best Doctors in America 2005-2006" database, a highly acclaimed resource for matching patients around the world with the best medical care available. This elite database contains the names and professional profiles of the top 4% of physicians within the United States and has recently received national media attention. Selection as a "Best Doctor" is a particularly distinctive honor since it is peer-based, from nomination to the actual selection process. For more information about the "Best Doctors" program, visit their website at www.bestdoctors.com.

   
Dr. Scott P. Stringer   Dr. Karen T. Pitman   Dr. James R. House, III

Hearing aid sales/service

The Department of Otolaryngology and Communicative Sciences is pleased to announce the inception of hearing aid sales and service in Suite K of the Pavilion. A full range of audiological services, such as advanced hearing assessment, auditory electrophysiology, and in-depth hearing aid analysis, is now offered. The staff includes audiologist Charles Bishop, MA, CCC-A, ASHA certified, whose services are available to patients in Suite K. Charles has an extensive background, specializing in all aspects of audiology and the dispensation of hearing aids and other assistive listening devices.

At Suite K, otolaryngologists are always close at hand for any necessary consultations or medical clearance. Patients will appreciate the convenience of "one-stop shopping" in a courteous, customer-oriented environment. Appointments may be made by calling 601-984-5160 or via UMC GroupWise, "ENT - Appointment."


Congratulations

Tristen Harris, Physician Assistant, recently attained faculty status as Instructor. Tristen joined the otolaryngology staff in July 2003, and has made a valuable contribution to the success of the department and clinic services. She earned her bachelor's degree in biology from Florida International University and completed her master's of physician assistant studies from the University of Florida. Tristen is NCCPA certified and an active member of several professional organizations.

 


Marla Moore, PA-C, Joins Clinic Staff

Marla Moore, Physician Assistant, joined the department effective October 31, 2005. Marla obtained her bachelor's in physician assistant studies at the LSU Medical Center School of Allied Health Professions. She pursued her master's of physician assistant studies at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, specializing in otolaryngology, and was certified in 2000. She is also a doctor of pharmacy, and has been a registered pharmacist since 1995. Marla has several years of experience as a PA in otolaryngology in Louisiana and Mississippi. She is an active member of several professional organizations.


Intern Receives Travel Grant

Dr. Kimberly Donnellan recently received a travel grant to attend the 2005 Conference on Research Education in Training in Otolaryngology in Washington, DC November 2-4. She plans to extend her stay in Washington and attend part of the Society of University Otolaryngologists meeting held November 4-6.


Chairman Elected to National AAO-HNSF Auditing Committee

Dr. Stringer has recently been elected by his peers to serve as a member of the Auditing Committee for the Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Foundation. Official results will be announced at the annual meeting and OTO expo in Los Angeles September 25-28.


UMC Well-Represented in Los Angeles

Dr. Randy Jordan presented a poster at the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery September 22-24 in Los Angeles. The title of his presentation was "An Unusual Complication of Malar Augmentation." He remained in Los Angeles and attended the Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Foundation annual meeting.

Other otolaryngology faculty attending the Academy meeting September 25-28 in Los Angeles were Dr. Scott Stringer, Dr. Karen Pitman, and Dr. Richard Wein. Representing the residency program were Dr. Kimberly Elliott PGY-5, Dr. Justin Garner PGY-3, Dr. Corbin Mullis PGY-2 and Dr. Pearson Windham PGY-2. Tristen Harris PA-C, clinical nurse coordinators Cindy Rogers, Christy Tucker, and Christy Waggoner, and administrators Mary Guest and Sabrina Reilly also attended sessions at the meeting.

The Department hosted an alumni dinner in conjunction with the Academy meeting on Tuesday, September 27th at McCormick and Schmick's restaurant. Brad Odom and Patrick Harmon with NeuroMaxx Surgical were corporate partners for this event.


Lectureship and Graduation Day

The Fourth Annual Lectureship in Otolaryngology and Communicative Sciences and Graduation Day was held June 24, 2005. We were honored and privileged this year to have Dr. Randal S. Weber as our visiting professor. Dr. Weber is currently professor and chairman of the Department of Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. He lectured on Neck Dissection for Differentiated Thyroid Cancer and Clinical Care Pathways in Head and Neck Surgery. The senior residents also gave presentations showcasing some of their research. The residents and their talks were Cost Minimization Trial for Universal Newborn Hearing Screening by Jim Connolly, MD, The Effect of Topical Dexamethasone on the Rate of Early Post-Tympanostomy Tube Otorrhea in Patients with a Mucoid Middle Ear Effusion - Preliminary Results by Robert Moore, MD, Evidence Based Recommendations for Antimicrobial Nasal Washes in Chronic Rhinosinusitis by Kimberly Elliott, MD, and Monitoring the Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve in Thyroid Surgery by Melanie Petro, MD.

The Graduation Dinner and Awards Banquet was held that evening at the Capital Club. Jim Connolly, MD and Robert Moore, MD were the two graduating residents. Dr. Connolly's parents, Dr. Edward and Elise Connolly, and Dr. Moore's wife Ruby were there to join in the celebration. To the delight of all those in attendance, Dr. Connolly showed a video parody of the otolaryngology faculty as he best remembered them. Dr. Stringer presented awards to faculty and residents. Dr. Robert Moore once again was awarded the Resident Academic Award. The winner of the Resident Research Award went to Dr. Jim Connolly. Dr. Melanie Petro received the Resident Teacher of the Year award and Dr. Richard Wein received the Faculty Teacher of the Year. Dr. Stringer also introduced a new award: the Mary B. Manasco Spirit Award. It is to be given annually to a resident in recognition of outstanding attitude, collegiality, work ethic, cooperativeness, selflessness, competence and leadership. This year's recipient was Dr. Kimberly Elliott. The award is named for Mary Manasco, currently the otolaryngology residency coordinator. Mary is a long-term UMC employee who has worked in many capacities with residents and medical students through the years.


MSO

The Mississippi Society of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery held its Annual Spring Meeting and Scientific Assembly June 16-19th in Point Clear, Alabama. Several residents and faculty from our department gave presentations. PGY-3 Dr. Jamie Sisk was the Resident Paper Contest winner, for his paper Primary Brachytherapy for Squamous Cell Carcinomas of the Oral Cavity. Other residents and their papers were: Metastatic Insular Thyroid Carcinoma Mimicking Miliary Tuberculosis in a 4 yr old Female, Robert Moore MD, and Mucormycosis of the Temporal Bone in a Child, Jim Connolly MD. In addition to giving the welcome and introductions, Dr. Randy Jordan presented Minimally Invasive Rejuvenation of the Aging Brow. Health Economics and Their Effect on Your Practice and Economic Analysis of Treatment Guidelines in the Management of Peritonsillar Abscess talks were given by Dr. Scott P. Stringer. Dr. Richard Wein presented three talks on Options in Pharyngoesophageal Reconstruction, Historical Considerations in Oral Cavity Reconstruction, and Oncology Group Studies Available at UMC. Talks on Management of Advanced Cervical Metastases and Update on Sentinel Node Biopsy in Head and Neck Cancer were both presented by Dr.Karen Pitman.


COSM

Five residents in this program participated in the Combined Otolaryngological Spring Meetings, May 13-16, in Boca Raton, Florida. Abstracts by Dr. Andrea Furr and Dr. James Connolly were selected as poster presentations. The posters were titled The Utility of Routine Radiography in Postoperative Care Following Repair of Mandibular Fractures and Chronic Laryngitis Secondary to Inhaled Cocaine Use.

 


Triological Society

Resident Dr. Melanie Petro, with her faculty sponsor Dr. John Schweinfurth, won 1st Place in the poster presentation portion of the Southern Section of the Triological Society meeting held in January in Miami; the presentation was titled Trans-cricothyroid, Intra-operative Monitoring of the Vagus Nerve. This section is the most competitive representing 15 southern states from Texas to Maryland with extensive participation from outside the region due to its southern location in the winter. There were 58 posters in the competition representing approximately 35 residency programs, including several international entries.
Dr. Petro and Dr. Andrea Furr, another resident in our program, both received competitive travel grants based on the quality of the work they submitted. Since only ten travel grants were awarded, having two of the recipients from our program was quite impressive. Dr. Furr's presentation, also with faculty sponsor Dr. Schweinfurth, was titled Factors Associated with Long-term Complications following Repair of Mandibular Fractures. Residents Dr. Justin M. Garner and Dr. Jamie D. Sisk also had posters selected for presentation. Their presentations, respectively, were The Use of a Palatal Island Flap for Closure of an Oroantral Fistula and Presentation of an Aneurysmal Bone Cyst in the Mandible of a Patient with Neurofibromatosis Type I.


Residents Produce Outstanding Performance on Annual Otolaryngology Examination

Our residents achieved outstanding success on the 2004 Annual Otolaryngology Examination achieving a program scaled score surpassed by only 8 of 131 programs participating as illustrated below. Five of our residents scored above the 80 th percentile within their resident group. One of these residents scored in the top percentile of all residents taking the examination, and another scored in the top percentile for his resident group.


Matching Residents

On January 13, the Association of Academic Department of Otolaryngology Matching Program notified our department that we had matched two outstanding students, Kimberly Ann Donnellan and Benjamin Thomas Jeffcoat.

Kimberly Ann Donnellan is from Biloxi and attended the University of South Alabama where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences. She then got a Master of Communication Disorders at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. Kim currently attends medical school at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport. She has received numerous awards including the American Society of Hematology 2003 Medical Student Research Award and the American Federation of Medical Research/Southern Section 2004 Student Research Award.

Benjamin Thomas Jeffcoat is a native of Dallas, Texas but grew up in McComb, Mississippi. He graduated from Millsaps College cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. While at Millsaps he received All-SCAC Baseball honors three years. Ben became actively involved in otolaryngology research with our department while attending the University of Mississippi School of Medicine and has continued to pursue these research interests the past year. The Department of Otolaryngology and Communicative Sciences is very excited to have matched two outstanding candidates, and we are looking forward to working with them!

 

 


UMC Otolaryngology sponsor Head/Neck Cancer Screenings

On Friday, April 25th 2004, the Department of Otolaryngology and Communicative Sciences hosted a Head and Neck Cancer screening clinic in coordination with the Yul Brynner Head and Neck Cancer Foundation. Sixty-three patients were seen and appointments were arranged for another 80 individuals. Another screening clinic is currently being arranged at the UMMC Cancer Institute with the help of the American Cancer Society for June 29th, 2004.


NURSING / CRA Committee Awards Research Grant awarded

The ACOSOG Nursing / CRA Committee recently awarded a $2,500 research grant to Jesus Monico, MPH. Jesus is Instructor in Research in the Department of Otolaryngology, and is coordinator of research in the department. The grant award was announced in Florida earlier this year.

Monico's study proposal is a prospective study in the management of pain, and will be directed specifically to those patients undergoing head and neck surgical procedures for cancer treatment. He will be assessing pain intensity using visual analog scaling procedures and will compare the benefits for patients receiving various pain management delivery protocols using morphene sulphate. Other objectives are to assess the need for adjuvant analgesic medications and incidence of side effects.

Congratulations to Jesus Monico.


New Faculty Joins us in July

The Department of Otolaryngology and Communicative Sciences is pleased to announce the arrival of an outstanding new faculty member who will join us in July, 2004. With this recruitments, the department will have clinical expertise in all but one major subspecialty areas.

Christine Franzese, M.D. is a native of upstate New York and graduated from the SUNY Upstate School of Medicine. She will be completing her residency with us at the University of Mississippi in June. Dr. Franzese will be Chief of Otolaryngology at the Veteran's Affairs Medical Center. Her clinical and research focus will be in rhinology. Dr. Franzese brings a great deal of energy and enthusiasm to our department and will be instrumental in creating oustanding VA clinical and educational programs. Dr. Franzese is married to Michael Shoemaker-Moyle, M.D., an attending faculty member in the Department of Medicine at UMMC.

We all welcome Christine to our faculty and look forward to many years of association with her as our department continues its phenomenal growth.


New Addition to Otolaryngology Faculty

We are pleased to announce the arrival of Kong T. Chong ("KT") as a joint appointment to the departments of Otolaryngology and Microbiology. Dr. Chong was born in Malaysia. After earning his degree with joint honors in Microbiology and Biochemistry from London Polytechnic, Dr. Chong received his Ph.D. in 1980 from the Imperial College of Science and Technology in England. Upon completing his post-doctoral training at King's College of the University of London, Dr. Chong sailed West, working in the pharmaceutical industry, most recently at the Pharmacia Corporation (Pfizer Inc.) where he served as group leader and principal scientist. Dr. Chong has been awarded seven patents and has applied for six more. He has over 45 publications spanning the disciplines of microbiology, immunology, virology, oncology, and therapeutics. Dr. Chong brings extensive experience in drug discovery on chemotherapeutics, immunomodulatory agents and monoclonal antibodies to his role at the medical center where he will support the research efforts of faculty, residents, and graduate students as well as continuing his own endeavors.


Matching Residents

   
Andrea Furr   Jason Guillot

On January 16, the Association of Academic Department of Otolaryngology Matching Program notified our department that we had matched two outstanding students, Andrea Marie Furr and Jason Morgan Guillot.

Andrea Marie Furr is from Houstoi and attended The University of Mississippi where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Andrea presently attends the University of Mississippi School of Medicine where she was elected as a junior to Alpha Omega Alpha. She has received numerous awards, including the Bradley Baker Memorial Scholarship, Raymond Alford Memorial Award, Culley Memorial Scholarship, Lippincott Book Award in Neurobiology and Anatomy. Andrea's stellar performance has given her a very high rank in the class, which is well deserved as shown by her extremely high scores on the USMLE Steps 1 and 2.

Jason Morgan Guillot is a native of Louisiana coming from Baton Rouge to attend Belhaven College in Jackson, Mississippi on an academic and baseball scholarship, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Jason is an avid rugby player and plays for the Jackson Rugby Team. Jason has been actively involved in otolaryngology research with our department while attending the University of Mississippi School of Medicine. He was also elected as a junior to Alpha Omega Alpha. Jason's high rank in his medical school class and his outstanding scores on the USMLE Steps 1 and 2 reveal his dedication to great accomplishments in medicine.

The Department of Otolaryngology and Communicative Sciences is very excited to have matched two outstanding candidates, and we are looking forward to working with them!


Stringer makes top 500 "Best Doctors" list

November 19, 2003

Scott P. Stringer, M.D.
University of Mississippi Medical Center
Department of Otolaryngology and Communicative Sciences
2500 North State Street
Jackson, MS 39216-4505

Dear Dr. Stringer:

We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected by your peers to be included in Best Doctors in America 2003-2004.

The Best Doctors in America database contains the names and professional profiles of approximately 31,000 doctors in the United States, all chosen through an exhaustive peer-review survey in which thousands of doctors participated. Only those physicians who earn the concensus support of their peers are included. Listings cannot be bought. For this reason, inclusion in Best Doctors is considered a singular honor.

Since 1992, Best Doctors' listings have served as a vital resource to thousands of patients throughout the United States and across the world. The Best Doctors in America database represents the top 5% of doctors in over 400 subspecialties of medicine.

The Best Doctors in America database is the the preeminent listing of its kind. It has been featured on CBS "60 Minutes," NBC "The Today Show," and CNN "HEadline News," as well as in major print media including USA Today, The New york TImes, The Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, and in scores of major metropolitan magazines, as well as in major media outlets in Canada, Europe and Asia.

In an effort to help patients' make better use of our listings, Best Doctors, Inc. provides a variety of services to connect patients to the best medical care. These include referrals to doctors highly skilled in the patients' medical conditions, and the coordination of medical second opinions. Our Services touch the livels of thousands of patients each year.

In order for us to provide patients with better guidance, we ask prominent doctors such as yourselfg who have been included in the database for assistance in providing us with some additional information about themselves and their practices. Please complete the enclosed form and return it to our Polling and research Division at your earliest convenience.

Again, our congratulations.

Sincerely,
(Signed)
DickD. Briggs, Jr. M.D.
Chief Medical Officer

(Signed)
Kenneth Falchuk, M.D.
Board Member
Medical Consultant

(Signed)
Jose Halperin, M.D.
Board Member
Medical Consultant


JORDAN WINS CHILI CONTEST

Congratulations to Dr. Jordan who recently won 1st prize in the 2003 annual chili cookoff for the main OR at UMC.

According to Dr. Jordan, "you need to watch for flames when eating this dish...". Perhaps that is the reason why Dr. Jordan was photographed in proximity to the UMC-approved red fire extinguisher... to put out the flames of this epicurian delight.

 

 


Honor Award Presented to UMC physician

Karen Pittman, M.D. has been nomed a recipient of the prestigous Honor Award from the American Academy of Otolaryngology.

Dr. Pitman is a faculty member of the Department of Otolaryngology and Communicative Sciences at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. She graduated medical School from Uniformed Services, Completed a residency at Portsmouth Naval Hospital, and a fellowship in Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery at the University of Pittsburg School of Medicine.

 

 

 

 


FUNDING AWARD FOR VESTIBULAR RESEARCH

Wu Zhou, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

BIO: Graduate School: School of Medicine and Dentistry Research, University of Rochester (Neuroscience Program, 1996); Director Vestibular Research Laboratory; Faculty since 1999; Interests: vestibular physiology.

 

 

Hong Zhu, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

BIO: Beijung Union University - Traditional Medicine College, Beijing Peoples republic of China 1992. M.D.: UMC 1994- current; Ph.D. Pharmachology; Postdoctorate fellowship at UMC 2002; assistant Professor since March 2002.

 

 

 

Dr. Wu Zhou and Dr. Hong Zhu have been awarded NIH R-01 and R-03 grants respectively contributing substantially to our current departmental extramural research funding of approximately $2,000,000.