Making Great Ideas Reality: Medical Innovation Center Fosters Creative Solutions for Better Health

University of Michigan Department of surgery

U-M Department of Surgery 2110 Taubman Center and 1500 E. Medical Center Dr., SPC 5346 Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5346 800.588.5844 http://surgery.med.umich.edu Notes News issue 4 summer 2009

Making Great Ideas Reality: Medical Innovation Center fosters creative solutions for better health

As a pediatric surgeon, Dr. James Geiger, U-M Associate The Lab recently obtained advanced rapid prototyping Professor of Surgery, often found that standard surgical equipment made possible by a grant from the Michigan instruments made with adult bodies in mind did not meet Institute for Clinical & Health Research. To train the next his needs. His team would regularly have to modify their generation of innovators, the Center offers an intensive surgical procedures, or the instruments, or both. Ironically, multidisciplinary one-year Innovation Fellowship this is exactly the type of problem that the new Medical Program. Innovation Center (MIC) he now directs has been created For 2008-09, the MIC awarded five to address. fellowships to form the core Just finishing its first official year, the MIC’s mission is to team that works with Dr. foster innovation and enable new medical technologies by Geiger. The first cohort bringing clinicians, scientists, dentists, engineers, and includes an MBA, two business professionals together through education and engineers, a surgery resi- research to, ultimately, improve health on a global scale. dent, and a PhD in Neuro- science. The fellows have “The MIC was created to accelerate the transformation of attended and viewed hours promising medical technologies into commercially viable of surgeries, visited all areas products that’ll benefit people throughout Michigan and of the hospital and talked with the world,” explains Dr. Geiger. “U-M has amazing doctors and staff about how resources and we can serve as the hub that brings them all procedures and equipment together. There is a tremendous amount of discovery could be improved. already taking place at our top-ranked medical, dentistry, With their diverse engineering, business and art schools and the MIC can help interests and back- leverage that,” he explains. grounds, they The Center recently moved into a dynamic new environment were able to at Domino’s Farms where people from various disciplines continued on can intersect. A curriculum and mentoring system has been page 3 developed to educate leaders in cross-disciplinary research. They also have their own Prototype Lab (in N. Ingalls) to create prototypes of some of the most promising devices.

James Geiger, MD Associate Professor, U-M Department of Surgery Inside this issue… Executive Director, Medical Innovation Center

Letter from the Chair ...... page 2 Recently Published...... page 4 U-M Leads Medical Training In Ghana ...... page 2 Faculty Kudos...... page 5 New Faculty...... page 4 In Memoriam...... page 6 News and Notes | issue 4 | summer 2009

It’s an exciting time for the U-M Department of Surgery. U-M Leads Medical Training We have a number of new In Ghana clinical programs, expanding research, and innovative educational programs. We are prosperous and energized.

Our research has grown impressively, particularly in the areas of cancer stem cell biology, the inflammatory basis for vascular disease, and immunology. We are now ranked 2nd nationally in NIH funding. We are especially excited that the newly announced clinical Destination Programs will provide opportunities to expand the clinical application of our laboratory discoveries. Dr. Arnie Advincula demonstrates a surgical technique on the box trainer. Last year, we sponsored a new 4th-year medical student elective designed to prepare students for their first year of surgical training. In July 2008, a group of physicians led by Jonathan Finks, MD, and This successful program included technical training, mock patient Arnie Advincula, MD, from the U-M Departments of Surgery and care pages, anatomic dissections, and lots of hands-on faculty Gynecology traveled to Accra, Ghana in West Africa to teach basic attention. I am particularly grateful to Drs. Paul Gauger and laparoscopic surgical skills to Ghanaian gynecologists, urologists, and Melissa Brunsvold for the leadership of this effort. surgeons. During a week-long course, they gave talks on the basic principles and physiology of laparoscopic surgery. They also taught This year, Dr. Steve Buchman was recognized as a U-M Outstanding basic skills using simulators and proctored laparoscopic procedures in Clinician of the Year. Dr. Kevin Chung received the Clinical and the operating room. Health Services Research Award. Dr. Vincent Cimmino won the 2008 Kaiser Permanente Teaching Award. In 2008, Paul Gauger Dr. Finks was accompanied by two laparoscopic surgeons, Dr. Ashley was recognized as the nation’s Outstanding Surgical Teacher by Vernon, MD, from Harvard Medical School and Dr. Allan Okrainec, the Association for Surgical Education, and in 2009, Dr. Rebecca MD, from the University of Toronto. Dr. Advincula was accompanied Minter received the same award. I am proud to announce that Dr. by his fellows in minimally-invasive gynecologic surgery, Drs. Jin-Hee Robert Merion serves as the President of the American Society of Kim and Kristin Patzkowsky. Transplant Surgeons and that Dr. Diane Simeone is currently the This course is part of an ongoing post-graduate training program in President of the Society of University Surgeons. Ghana that was started in 1986 by Dr. Timothy Johnson, Professor This newsletter highlights the Medical Innovation Center and Chair of the U-M Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Drs. headed by James Geiger, MD. The MIC hopes to accelerate the Finks and Advincula are working closely with physicians in Ghana transformation of promising medical technologies to products to help develop a minimally-invasive surgery training program at the which benefit people throughout Michigan and the world. In this main teaching hospital in Accra, Ghana. issue, you will also meet the MIC’s first five graduating fellows and Drs. Finks and Advincula also participate in the Michigan Collaborative learn about their prototype laboratory. for Simulation and Distance Learning. This multidisciplinary These are wonderful times in the Department of Surgery. I hope consortium of physicians, nurses, and educators focuses on using that you will share our excitement. telecommunication technology to further international educational exchange. Collaborative projects with the University of Ghana are

ongoing and the group is working to form alliances with academic Sincerely, centers in other countries as well.

Michael W. Mulholland, MD, PhD Frederick A. Coller Distinguished Professor Chair, Department of Surgery

2 News and Notes | issue 4 | summer 2009

Making Great Ideas Reality continued identify numerous inefficiencies in the way things are currently done. From there, they brainstormed potential solutions, drew sketches, built models, and used the MIC prototype lab to create a prototype.

Through this exploration, the fellows have narrowed their focus to the development of a better technique for IV catheter securement. “This inaugural group has surpassed our expectations,” explains Dr. Geiger. They started their own company around their new device, were awarded a $5,000 Business Accelerator Award from Ann Arbor SPARK, and were selected by Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone P.L.C. for their Venture and Technology Start Up Initiative.

In addition to training fellows, the MIC also hopes to help faculty, students, and staff who have new ideas about how things could be The first group of Innovation Fellows: Steve White, MSE; Merrell Sami, done differently but lack the expertise to advance them. Dr. Geiger MD; Elyse Kemmerer, PhD; Alex Kim, MBA; and Adrienne Harris, MSE. explains that the MIC can provide support that allows clinicians to move ideas forward to completion. “One way to attain this is to have different eyes examining the potential solution,” he says. “With a “With a multidisciplinary per- multidisciplinary spective, we can facilitate the transformation of an idea into a perspective, we clinical reality.” can facilitate the The MIC was started with seed transformation funding from the U-M Depart- of an idea into ment of Surgery, Schools of Medicine, Business, Dentistry, a clinical reality.” the College of Engineering, the Office of the Vice President for Research, and the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research. Dr. Geiger is building university The Fellows at work in MIC’s Prototype Lab. support for the program. Ultimately, he thinks it could be funded through an endowment, and hopes that funding will continue based on the enthusiasm the center has generated. The MIC Team Dr. Geiger, himself, is also very enthusiastic about the future of the James Geiger, MD, Executive Director center and has already started a list of future goals. He would like: 1) to eventually have two groups of fellows on alternating yearly Albert Shih, PhD, Associate Director (U-M Professor schedules so there can be more continuity in the program; and 2) to of Mechanical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering) expand the MIC’s global reach by using technology to link with Jeff Myers, MD, Associate Director (A. James French similar programs in other countries. Professor of Diagnostic Pathology and Director of the Division of Anatomic Pathology at the University of “I would also like to reach out to Department of Surgery alumni—as Michigan Medical School) surgeons in the field, what types of devices or processes could be Brenda Jones, MBA, Managing Director improved to make their work easier/safer? They have a unique perspective and we’d definitely like to hear from them.” Jennifer Stovall, Assistant Director, Education Toby Donajkowski, Prototype Specialist For more information about the Medical Innovation Center, visit their website at: www.med.umich.edu/ummic/index.shtml or e-mail Susan Kaiser, Administrative Assistant [email protected]. Saagar Patel, Biomedical Engineering Technician

3 New Faculty Recently Published Jeffrey Platt, MD

Dr. Jeffrey Platt, a physician and scientist of international renown, was recently recruited to the U-M Department of Surgery as a Professor of Surgery and Microbiology and Immunology. He will be launching a new research program called Transplantation Biology aimed at making important discoveries for surgery and biomedical science and training a new generation of surgeon-scientists.

Dr. Platt received his medical training at the University of Southern California and at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles and fellowship training at the University of Minnesota. He has held professorships at the Mayo Clinic and at Duke University and has published more than 500 papers and Gilbert Upchurch, MD five books. He has received many coveted honors, including the Clinician Scientist and Established Investigator awards from the American Heart Association, a MERIT award from the National Institutes of Health and election to the Association of American Physicians and Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences.

He is best known for investigating new ways to replace failing organs. Twenty years ago, he first proposed that animals could be genetically engineered so their organs would Enrique Criado, MD be more useful for transplantation into people, also known as xenotransplantation. Drs. Gilbert R. Upchurch, Jr., Associate He also proposed that human stem cells Professor of Vascular Surgery, Leland and might be used to generate biocompatible Ira Doan Research Professor of Vascular human tissues and organs in animals for eventual transplantation back into people. These “reverse Surgery; and Enrique Criado, Professor xenotransplants” might solve a number of difficult problems besides organ failure. He recently of Vascular Surgery, recently published reported that human immune cells generated in animals can be immunized to attack a virus and a new book titled Aortic Aneurysms: might be used to attack a cancer when returned to the person who provided the stem cells. Pathogenesis and Treatment as part of Dr. Platt’s research into transplant rejection has yielded unanticipated insights into the problems of the Contemporary Cardiology series. sepsis and the systemic inflammatory response syndrome that cause more admissions to intensive The purpose of this volume is to provide care units and death than any problems other than coronary heart disease yet they have defied every a concise and authorative view of the new therapy. He discovered that substances released from damaged tissues stimulate inflammatory current state of the management of cells through the receptor system known to trigger the vexing conditions. This insight led to new aortic aneurysm patients. It focuses on therapeutic avenues for interrupting systemic inflammation and shock. It also provided molecular aneurysms of the descending thoracic clues to explain how inflammation connects with diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity, and other chronic and abdominal aorta and peripheral conditions. artery aneurysms. While the initial Another new line of Dr Platt’s research concerns rebuilding the immune system by focusing on the chapters cover such topics as genetics, challenge posed by immunodeficiency as it occurs in aging, cancer, AIDS, or in patients who are inflammation, and the management of treated with drugs to prevent rejection or control cancer. Recently, Dr. Platt’s research revealed what small aortic aneurysms, the bulk of the may be “super receptors” that can provide a potent defense against infections. Although still at the book is meant to serve as a primer on experimental stage, knowledge about these “super receptors” might one day be used to change the clinical care, specifically on surgery for face of oncologic and transplantation surgery, clinical immunology, and the medicine of aging. aortic aneurysms.

4 Faculty Kudos

ACS Sheen Award Hartwell Foundation

The American College of Surgeons Award presented John D. Birkmeyer, Daniel H. Teitelbaum, MD, MD, the George D. Zuidema Professor of Surgery, received Professor of Surgery and Chair of the 2007 Hartwell Foundation Surgical Research, with the 2008 Individual Biomedical Research Sheen Award during the annual Award to explore the potential ACS convention. This award of an implantable device that honors physicians who have made can be inserted into the abdom- outstanding contributions to inal cavity of infants and children mankind through the fields of medicine and medical research. with short bowel syndrome.

2008 Outstanding Gates Foundation Grant Clinician of the Year Marilia Cascalho, MD, Associate Stephen R. Buchman, MD, Professor Professor of Surgery and of Plastic Surgery and Neurosurgery, Microbiology and Immunology, Director of Craniofacial Anomalies received a “Grand Challenges Program and Chief of Pediatric Explorations” Grant from the Gates Plastic Surgery was named as a 2008 Foundation to create new ways to Outstanding Clinician of the Year by prevent or cure HIV infection. She the U-M Medical School. is currently testing a “mutable” DNA vaccine against HIV.

Assistant Dean 2009 Outstanding Appointment Teacher Award

Kevin Chung, MD, MS, Professor Rebecca Minter, MD, Assistant of Plastic Surgery, has recently Professor of Surgery, received the been appointed to Assistant Dean 2009 Outstanding Teacher Award for Instructional Faculty. He also from the Association for Surgical received the National Institute’s of Education. This award is made Health Mid-Career Investigator annually to three individuals con- Award in Patient-Oriented Research sidered by their chair, peers, or and the U-M Medical School’s trainees to be outstanding teachers. Clinical and Health Services Research Award. ACS Surgical President, American Volunteerism Award Society of Transplant Awori Hayanga, MD, MPH, Surgeons Administrative Chief Resident in Robert Merion, MD, Professor the Department of General Surgery, of Surgery in the Division of has been awarded the American Transplantation, has been voted College of Surgeons/Pfizer, Inc. President of the American Society Surgical Volunteerism Award. This of Transplant Surgeons. award is given to surgeons who have made significant contributions to surgical care through volunteer activities. He will be honored during the 2009 ACS Clinical Congress in Chicago.

5 News and Notes | issue 4 | summer 2009

In Memoriam

Vikrom S. Sottiurai, MD, graduated from the Richard H. Hart, MD, completed a surgical California under renowned surgeon, John E. University of Michigan Medical School and residency at the University of Michigan Jones, MD. In 1962, Dr. Harberg completed a completed his residency in surgery in 1980. Medical Center in 1952. Dr. Hart started thoracic surgery residency at the University of Dr. Sottiurai then did a fellowship in vascular his general surgery practice in Akron, Ohio Michigan Medical School under Dr. Cameron surgery at the University of Chicago. He was in 1953, retiring after 35 years. He was a Haight, one of the founders of modern thoracic in practice at the Louisiana State University in member of the American College of Surgeons, surgery. He served as a surgeon in the 44th New Orleans for 25 years before moving to AMA, Ohio State and Summit County Medical MASH unit during the Korean conflict. He Lutheran General Hospital in Niles, Illinois to Societies and the Frederick A. Coller Surgical enjoyed a successful thoracic surgical practice become director of the Vein Health Center. Society. Dr. Hart was chief of staff at Akron for more than 40 years in Houston, Texas. City Hospital from 1974 to 1975, and was a Rolf G. Sommerhaug, MD, earned his medical Richard A. Sinnott, Jr., MD, graduated from pioneer in bariatric surgery. degree from the University of Wisconsin Yale University Medical School and then Medical School. He completed a general Frederick Schemer Gillett, MD, earned completed a general surgery residency at the surgery residency at Virginia Mason Hospital his medical degree from the University of University of Michigan Medical Center in in Seattle and a thoracic surgery residency at Michigan Medical School (as a transfer from 1959. Dr. Sinnott volunteered for the Navy the U-M in 1971. Born in Narvik, Norway, Calvin College) and, after a tour of duty and served on an aircraft carrier in World Dr. Sommerhaug learned to downhill ski and during World War II, returned to Ann Arbor to War II. He was a vascular surgeon at Eden remained an enthusiast for life. In Michigan, complete a general surgery residency in 1951. Hospital in Castro Valley and throughout the he was introduced to sailing on Lake Superior Dr. Gillett set up practice in Grand Rapids and Bay area and an associate professor at UCSF. and sailing on his beloved Swan became became chairman of the Surgery Department Dr. Sinnott was a member of the Frederick A. another life-long passion. at St. Mary’s Hospital. He was an active Coller Surgical Society. For 20 years, he sailed member and former president of the Frederick his boat the Systole on the San Francisco Bay. Paul John Ovando, MD, completed a thoracic A. Coller Surgical Society and a fellow in the surgery residency at the U-M in 1959. Dr. John R. “Jack” Pfeifer, MD, earned his medical American College of Surgeons. Ovando started his practice in Fullerton, degree from the University of Saskatchewan California in 1959 and began a long association John W. Berghuis, MD, graduated from the College of Medicine and performed his with St. Jude Medical Center and was its chief of University of Michigan Medical School and residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. staff for a time. Dr. Ovando received St. Jude’s stayed to complete a general surgery residency He was a pioneer in vascular surgery and first Distinguished Physician Award in 1995, in in 1956. Dr. Berghuis was a member of the founded the U-M Livonia Vein Center. Dr. part for his pioneering work with pacemakers. Frederick A. Coller Surgical Society. He Pfeifer retired from practice in October 2007, While serving on the Lung Association Board, practiced in the towns of Holland, Zeeland, yet played an active role as a mentor at the he created the Asthma Olympics in North and Adrian, Michigan. Vein Center. Internationally known for his expertise and passion for vascular surgery, he Orange County for children with bronchial Beryl L. Harberg, MD, graduated from the is remembered by the faculty and staff, too, problems and also trained firefighters to work University of Arkansas School of Medicine at the for his endearing personality. with these children through the association’s age of 21, and stayed on to complete a residency Open Airways Program. in general surgery. He completed a fellowship in general surgery at the University of Southern

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