AUGUST 24 • 2012 The

theweekly.usc.edu WeeklyPUBLISHED FOR THE USC HEALTH SCIENCES CAMPUS COMMUNITY VOLUME 18 • NUMBER 23 Keck School of Medicine of USC welcomes new class

By Hope Hamashige They come from 69 different universities and 24 ‘You are about different states. Thirty-two of them have been to graduate to embark on school before and two of them are already dentists. an unparalleled And at the Keck School of Medicine of USC’s Class of and exhilarating 2016 White Coat ceremony last week, the faculty emphasized journey. Support that wherever they came from, they are all part of the same one another along team now. This class is the largest and this journey. In the most diverse group in USC history and have, at 34.11, on end, the only thing average the highest MCAT Lisa Brook scores of any new crop of Keck Keck School Dean Carmen A. Puliafi to (second from left) and Henri Ford (far right), vice dean for medical education, cloak Michael that will matter School students. Dacey (far left) and Betsi Crow, both fi rst-year students at the Keck School, in their white coats at last Friday’s white coat ceremony. Vice Dean for Medical is how you ran Education Henri Ford said the students into the profession of 186 new students they were Banerjee. “Having the faculty success of this group would medicine. The coat, Ford told chosen because they possess read the Hippocratic oath felt the race.” depend on hard work but, students, is a symbol of author- qualities that make them like this is really starting now.” above all, teamwork. ity and a beacon of hope to the “people into whose hands I Connor Corcoran admitted “Teamwork is one of people they will serve. can deliver my most precious he had not read the words the underpinnings of our Another of the cornerstones commodities: my patients.” before and found them inspira- —Henri Ford, vice curriculum,” said Ford. He of the experience at the Keck After Ford and Dean Car- tional. “It made me excited to added that there would be School, said keynote speaker men A. Puliafi to cloaked the get started.” dean for medical endless hurdles throughout Raquel Arias, associate dean of new medical students in their Several members of the this journey and that working educational affairs, is learn- white coats, students and faculty also received teaching education of the together is what would get ing to honor the relationship faculty read together the Hip- awards at the Aug. 17 event. them through. between patients and their pocratic oath. Several students For a complete list please visit Keck School of The white coat ceremony doctors. said that part of evening was http://tinyurl.com/9hnjohs. is a tradition by which the Arias, the 2012 recipient of both celebratory and poignant. Please see page 2 for a compre- Medicine of USC faculty of the medical school the Humanism in Medicine “Everything feels a lot hensive list of upcoming white coat welcomes the fi rst-year Award, told the group of more real now,” said Abhik ceremonies.

Good Neighbors campaign funds HSC projects aimed at promoting health in the community Keck Medical Center

By Hope Hamashige of USC opens high-tech The staff at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles endoscopy suite (CHLA) knows fi rst-hand that the auto-choked streets By Hope Hamashige Eye, which improves the of Los Angeles pose hazards It took two years to plan and detection rate of precancerous for youngsters that routinely several months to build, and polyps during colonoscopy. land them in emergency the result is that Keck Medical There is now a holmium laser rooms. So, while not a tradi- Center of USC can now lay to fragment large gallstones tional role for the acclaimed claim to having an endoscopy to facilitate their endoscopic children’s hospital, CHLA suite that is among the most removal. launched a program to help advanced in the state. The new and far roomier kids avoid accidents while “It is fair to say this is the space gave them the crossing streets, riding bikes most advanced endoscopic opportunity to provide and playing near busy roads facility in Southern anesthesia services. The because it fi ts with its mis- California,” said Jacques Van whole place is wired for sion of keeping kids healthy. Dam, professor of medicine images and sound so the Courtesy of USC Civic Engagement of USC Courtesy The Safe Streets-CHLA and director of clinical team can broadcast into Injury Prevention Program A USC student leads participants in a race, one of a variety of physical activities gastroenterology at the Keck classrooms at the Keck was recently awarded a that is part of the Fit Families program. Fit Families is run by the Division of Physical Medical Center of USC. School of Medicine of USC, $45,000 grant from USC’s Therapy and was again awarded funding by the Good Neighbors Campaign. Van Dam said creating a to doctors in the community Neighborhood Outreach state-of-the-art facility, which or to continuing education program to continue this in Los Angeles around the including health and well- is housed in the USC Norris classes anywhere. Providing a work. In all, a dozen health university’s campuses that being, education, economic Cancer Hospital, helps to space from which training, and care-related programs encourage young people to development, and commu- achieve several goals. It sets also research, could be done received nearly $300,000 pursue their education and nity building, according to a new standard for patient was another one of the goals through donations from USC to help local families live Carolina Castillo, executive care by providing a broad that was in mind while in the faculty and staff to the USC healthier and more produc- director of development for range of advanced endoscopic planning phase. Neighborhood Outreach tive lives. USC Civic Engagement. procedures and allows those “We now have the ability to program. Each year, the awards That said, each year procedures to be performed do both research and training The mission of the Neigh- are given on the basis there are programs whose with more speed and accuracy. in a way that is going to make borhood Outreach program of community impact in outcomes are recognized Among the anticipated this the envy of other top is to reward organizations the priority funding areas See NEIGHBORS, page 3 additions to the facility is a hospitals in the area,” said Van new device, called The Third Dam. AUGUST 24 • 2012 Keck Medical Center of USC doctors offering surgery in San Gabriel Valley By Leslie Ridgeway advanced minimally invasive The USC division of Keck Medical Center of colorectal surgery, as well as colorectal surgery physicians USC faculty physicians have new procedures for pelvic floor are internationally recognized partnered with a local health and anorectal surgery.” for their expertise in managing system to offer specialized CVHP serves nearly one colon cancer, colorectal colorectal surgery options to million residents of the disease, inflammatory bowel patients in the San Gabriel San Gabriel Valley through disease and benign disorders Valley. four locations: Citrus Valley of the colon, rectum and anus. Anthony Senagore, professor Medical Center–Inter- The team offers compre- and chief of colorectal surgery, Community Campus in hensive multidisciplinary and Kyle Cologne, assistant Covina, Citrus Valley Medical care of a variety of colorectal professor of colorectal surgery, Center–Queen of the Valley conditions, as well as ad- are now seeing patients and Campus in West Covina, vanced diagnostic studies performing minimally invasive Foothill Presbyterian Hospital including MRI, CT scans and surgery two days a week at in Glendora and Citrus Valley ultrasound. The team has Citrus Valley Medical Center Hospice in West Covina. one of the most experienced in Covina, Calif. The medical “CVHP is honored to have minimally invasive surgical center is part of Citrus Valley the expertise of Dr. Senagore teams in the United States Health Partners (CVHP), a and Dr. Cologne,” said Robert and specializes in all forms of nonprofit, comprehensive H. Curry, President/CEO laparoscopic and robotic colon health system in the San of CVHP. “This important and rectal surgery. Gabriel Valley. partnership with USC’s CVHP is known regionally “Dr. Cologne and I look distinguished faculty is part for its Citrus Valley Heart forward to working more of our commitment to expand Center, oncology services, closely with many of our our specialty services to our robotic surgery program, referring physicians to provide community. It is vital that accredited diabetes treatment expanded services at the our patients have access to and education program, Citrus Valley Health Partners high-quality care in their maternal and child health hospitals,” said Senagore. neighborhood. We look services, and Citrus Valley Sturza Laura “With CVHP’s support, we forward to a long, successful Hospice hospital and Home FRESH AND EASY FIELD TRIP—Regulatory Science students from the School of will increase local access to collaboration.” Health program. Pharmacy donned gear designed to ensure quality control on a recent field trip to the Fresh and Easy Manufacturing Campus in Riverside, CA. Professor Roger Clemens’ class, Regulation of Foods and Dietary Supplements, gives students access to the SAVE THE DATE best practices of quality assurance. Globalization of the food supply creates the demand for regulation, ensuring that what goes into a consumer’s body is safe. The Keck School of Medicine was the first of several white coat ceremonies taking place on the Health Students in Clemens’ class examine the challenging nature of cooperative interna- Sciences and University Park campuses in the last several days and continuing through the end of August. tional regulations of foods and supplements. Clemens considers Fresh and Easy one of the top facilities in the country for food safety and quality standards. Pharm.D./ The USC School of Pharmacy also held its white coat ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 23, in the Harry Regulatory Science student Derek Kuwahara said the visit showed them an “example and Celesta Pappas Quad. Below is a list of the remaining white coat ceremonies: of a really well run production line.” Above, from left, regulatory science student Kuwahara, Fresh and Easy Senior Team Leader Ashley Collins and regulatory science • Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC. Monday, Aug. 27, from 5 to 7p.m. in Bovard Auditorium on the Uni- student Mugdha Dongre. versity Park campus. There will be a reception for attendees before the ceremony, at 4 p.m. in Founders Park.

• Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy at the School of Dentistry of USC. Thursday, Aug. 30, at Three scientists share 6 p.m. The ceremony will be preceded by a reception on the lawn behind the Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research on the Health Sciences Campus. 2012 Massry Prize

• Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at the School of Dentistry of USC. Friday, By Hope Hamashige per locus encodes, isolate Aug. 31, at 5 p.m. on the lawn behind the Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Scientists and philosophers those and other associated Stem Cell Research on the Health Sciences Campus. have long debated whether molecules involved in the behavior is a product of nature mechanism that regulates or nurture and just how big a the sleep-wake cycle, role free will plays. and demonstrate how the The winners of this year’s periodic production of these Meira and Shaul G. Massry proteins is regulated and—in Prize are a trio of scientists— turn—regulates the circadian The Michael Rosbash and Jeffrey rhythms of the fly. Weekly Next Issue: Aug. 31 C. Hall of Brandeis Univer- These genes and the sity and Michael W. Young of proteins they encode are Rockefeller University—who not confined to flies but are The Weekly is published for the faculty, staff, students, volunteers and visitors in the University have pioneered research largely conserved in vertebrate of Southern California’s Health Sciences campus community. It is written and produced by the proving that at least some species, including humans. Health Sciences Public Relations and Marketing staff. Comments, suggestions and story ideas are behavior is in fact embedded Since their groundbreaking welcome. Permission to reprint articles with attribution is freely given. in the genes. research, a number of human The awardees were able to sleep disorders have been Interim Assistant Vice President, Health Sciences Public Relations isolate in fruit flies the specific identified as stemming from and Marketing: Geoffrey Baum DNA segments that carried a mutations in the equivalent of Executive Director of Communications: Ina Fried periodic gene, dubbed a “per” the per locus in humans. Assistant Director of Publications: Sara Reeve gene, that regulates circadian All three winners will spend Editor: Jon Nalick rhythms and sleep patterns. Monday, Oct. 29, at USC They found that transferring and will speak at the Mayer Contributors: Ryan Ball, Eva Blaauw, Tania Chatila, Imelda Valenzuela Fowler, Amy E. Hamaker, Hope Hamashige, Carol Matthieu, Carole Omoumi, those DNA segments from Auditorium from 2 - 3:30 p.m. Leslie Ridgeway, Laura Sturza, Leslie Tarlow, and Alison Trinidad normal flies into per mutant Lunch will be provided before flies resulted in a conversion their lectures beginning at 1 Senior Vice President, University Relations: Tom Sayles of their behavior—and that p.m. Vice President, Public Relations and Marketing: Brenda Maceo of their offspring—to normal For further information rhythms. about their schedule while at Phone: (323) 442-2830 Fax: (323) 442-2832 They went on to identify USC, contact Gigi Petrovich Email: [email protected] Web: theweekly.usc.edu RSS: http://www.usc.edu/hscw the molecules that the at (323) 442-2605. NEIGHBORS: Campaign funds health- related programs in Los Angeles Stroke center kicks off lecture series on stroke prevention and education Continued from page 1 avoid the dangers of poisons repeatedly. and household chemicals and By Leslie Tarlow Repeat grantees with trying to get area families Bruce Ovbiagele, professor health-related programs enthusiastic about good of neuroscience at the included the USC nutrition and regular exercise. University of California, San Neighborhood Mobile In addition to CHLA’s Safe Diego, recently visited the Dental Clinic ($28,000), Streets program, first-time Health Sciences Campus the Engineering for Health award recipients included the to give a lecture on the Academy ($25,277), the HIV Youth Mentorship Pro- relationship between kidney FUENTE program ($7,725), gram called LEAF ($30,000) disease and the risk of stroke. Science for Life ($11,814), and a program to create an Ovbiagele’s lecture was HSC Health and Science audionovela on the subject of the first in a series called Expo ($16,295), USC Physical obesity ($38,150). the Roxanna Todd Hodges Therapy Fit Families Program USC’s Good Neighbors Visiting Lectureship in Stroke ($28,231), the annual women’s Campaign was started in 1994. Prevention and Education. health conference called USC employees are given A neurologist with a special Proyecto Pastoral ($12,000), the option of contributing a focus on stroke prevention, the USC Med-COR program portion of their paycheck to Ovbiagele focuses on stroke ($32,700), and the HSC support programs that help epidemiology and bedside- Community Health and the communities surrounding to-community research Wellness Fair ($17,245). the university’s two campuses translation in his research. These initiatives benefit near downtown Los Angeles. Patients who have chronic USC’s neighbors in many The unique approach to kidney disease face a higher ways including health raising money for the commu- risk of stroke and heart screenings, providing science nity has collected more than disease, but using kidney

education and hands-on $14 million for the more than disease as a screening tool Cen Steven experience for young people, 500 programs that partner with can be problematic, as teaching children how to USC. kidney disease often goes Bruce Ovbiagele (left), professor of neuroscience at the University of California, San undiagnosed due to a lack of Diego, and Nerses Sanossian, director of the Roxanna Todd Hodges Comprehensive obvious symptoms. Ovbiagele Stroke Clinic and Transient Ischemic Attack Program, holds a plaque naming the T-shirts now on sale to fund looked at whether kidney lecture series’ annual speakers. disease can be considered a prostate cancer research factor in the risk of stroke, or a of Stroke: An Epiphenomenon while the TIA program secondary event. or a Real Culprit?” was pre- focuses on the development As part of the Keck Medical researchers from the USC “We are honored to have sented as part of the Neurol- of enhanced diagnostic and Center of USC’s prostate Institute of Urology. such a distinguished lec- ogy Grand Rounds. treatment modalities for cancer awareness campaign, The booth will be located turer be the first to receive It was made possible preventing stroke. an exclusive “For a Prostate outside the Coliseum, near this award that supports by a $6 million gift from Among the attendees were Cancer Cure. Fight On.” the Olympic torch. the mission of the Roxanna the Roxanna Todd Hodges Helena Chui, chair of the T-shirt is now on sale at Staff and physicians can Todd Hodges Foundation, to Foundation to establish Department of Neurology; USC Bookstores, gift shops still register for the 3rd reduce the burden of stroke in the Roxanna Todd Hodges Sanossian; Deborah Massaglia, and online at uscbookstore. annual LA Prostate Cancer 5k Southern California through Comprehensive Stroke president of the Roxanna com/prostate-cancer. T-shirt being held Sept. 16 at USC prevention and education,” Clinic and the Roxanna Todd Todd Hodges Foundation; sales will support prostate University Park campus. The said Nerses Sanossian, director Hodges Transient Ischemic faculty from neurology, cancer research and patient event is hosted by the USC of the Roxanna Todd Hodges Attack (TIA) Program. neurosurgery, neuroradiology, education at Keck Medical Institute of Urology and USC Comprehensive Stroke Clinic The stroke clinic provides a cardiology, internal medicine, Center. Norris Cancer Hospital. All and Transient Ischemic Attack multidisciplinary approach to and biokinesiology and physi- Also part of the campaign, proceeds will support prostate Program, during his introduc- the diagnosis, treatment and cal medicine; and fellows, the first Trojan football game cancer research and education tion of Ovbiagele. care of patients experiencing residents, students, nurses and of the season, on Sept. 1,will at USC. The 5k is open to all The lecture, titled “Chronic stroke or acute neurological visiting health professionals feature a Keck Medical levels of runners, joggers and Kidney Disease and the Risk events and related conditions, from outside medical centers. Center of USC booth with walkers. The race starts at educational materials about 8:30 a.m. prostate cancer research and For more information and Wasserman Foundation gift supports the lifesaving treatments to register, visit uscurology. performed by physicians and com/prostate-5k. research on chronic sinusitis at USC

By Amy E. Hamaker of recognizing when biofilm is present,” said Thanks to a recent $250,000 gift from the Rice, who also holds the Leon J. Tiber and Wasserman Foundation, the Keck School David S. Alpert Chair in Medicine. “In addition, of Medicine of USC’s Department of we’re starting a new study to find a way to more Otolaryngology has new resources for research effectively attack biofilm than the methods that into chronic sinusitis. are currently available. Most of the expense of The gift will help support the research of Dale this study involves equipment needed in the lab Rice, professor and chair of the Department of to process the tissue and technicians to do the Otolaryngology at the Keck School, as he and his work. This gift will be a much-needed boon for team try to discover the role that biofilm plays in this research.” chronic sinusitis. Rica Orszag, executive director of the There are more than 29.8 million adults in the Wasserman Foundation, said: “Part of the United States who have been diagnosed with Wasserman Foundation’s mission is to partner chronic sinusitis, a condition where the sinuses with organizations that provide high-quality become inflamed for more than 12 weeks, health care. Dr. Rice’s research at USC has the according to the Centers for Disease Control and potential to greatly help those who suffer from Prevention (CDC). chronic rhinosinusitis, and we are happy to Biofilm is a collection of microbes that form support him in his work.” a distinct pattern, with towers of microbial cells The Wasserman Foundation was created by that are fed by fluid-filled channels. As a result, Lew and Edie Wasserman in 1952 as a vehicle biofilm is strong—bacteria in biofilm can be up for their intense dedication to charitable giving. to 1,000 times more resistant to antibiotics than Although widely recognized for their prominence bacteria outside of a biofilm structure. The CDC in Hollywood, the couple quietly became estimates that more than 65 percent of infections community leaders through their awareness and in hospitals are caused by biofilm. generosity to countless cultural, health and social “Our team is focusing on finding better ways issues and organizations across the country. AUGUST 24 • 2012

Left to right: Fred R. Sattler, professor of medicine, and Jeff Chukwuneke, discuss Chukwun- Calendar of Events eke’s research on the use of tes- tosterone supplements to treat This Calendar of Events is also online at obesity in older men. The junior www.usc.edu/hsccalendar for the Health from Rutgers University was one Sciences campus community of several undergraduates from around the country who spent Tuesday, Aug. 28 the summer at the Keck School of Medicine of USC as part of Noon. Cancer Center Grand Rounds. “The Challenge of the Bridging the Gaps Summer Individualizing Treatments for Patients with Breast Cancer,” Research Program. Students Steven Katz, University of Michigan. NRT Aresty Auditorium. Info: (323) 865-0801 presented posters detailing the results of their research to Keck School faculty on Aug. 3 Monday, Aug. 27 after eight weeks working with a faculty mentor.

1 – 3 p.m. USC Global Health Film Screening. “My Husband’s Hope Hamashige Denial,” Alvim Cossa, filmmaker and activist. SSB 115/116. Info: (323) 865-0419 Donation helps fund testicular cancer research at Norris Wednesday, Aug. 29 By Amy E. Hamaker the two to better understand cancer, including fertility and 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. USC Global Health Theater Workshop. When John Willis discov- outcomes. hormonal factors. “My Husband’s Denial,” Alvim Cossa, filmmaker and activist. ered that his 25-year-old “We work collaboratively “We have a team dedicated SSB Courtyard. Info: (323) 865-0419 son Johnny had testicular with departments of radiology, to testis cancer research, and cancer, he was understandably pathology, molecular epidemi- at any one time we have at Friday, Aug. 31 devastated. “When something ology and medical oncology,” least half a dozen ongoing like this happens, it’s enor- explained Daneshmand. projects, and funding from ex- 11 a.m. Hematology Grand Rounds. “Proposal of a Phase II Pilot Study of WNT Inhibitor in Combination Chemotherapy in mous, and it’s difficult to try to “This helps us better under- tramural sources is extremely Relapsed/Refractory ALL,” Ibrahim Aldoss, USC. IPT C2J103. process it all,” he said. stand modes of presentation, limited,” he continued. “Phi- Info: (323) 865-3950 Johnny knew he had a prob- optimal treatment and follow- lanthropy like the Willis/In- lem, but at first a local doctor up regimens, and delineate terloc donation helps us fund Noon. Norris Medical Library Technology Lunch Series. “Work and urologist did not recognize specific issues related to long research fellows whose help is with PDFs: Annotate, Extract, Edit!” Amy Chatfield and Emily Brennan, USC. NML West Conference Room. Info: (323) 442- the condition. It was Johnny’s term survivors of testicular invaluable in our mission.” 1483 determination that led the Willises to Sia Daneshmand, Monday, Sept. 10 associate professor of urology (clinical scholar) at the Keck Noon. KSOM Research Seminar. “Specificity of Natural Killer T School of Medicine of USC. Cells: Innate Lymphocytes Reactive with Microbial as well as “As we went through this Self Antigens,” Mitchell Kronenberg, La Jolla Institute for Allergy process, it quickly became & Immunology. NRT Aresty Auditorium. Info: (323) 442-7732 very apparent that Dr. Daneshmand is dedicated to Tuesday, Sept. 11 what he does,” said Willis. 2 – 3 p.m. “Navigating a New Diagnosis of Breast Cancer: What “He’s so passionate and caring Does Personalized Medicine Mean?” Debu Tripathy, USC. NRT and really helped Johnny Ground Floor Jennifer Diamond Library. Info: (323) 865-3520 believe he would get through this. We thought, ‘What can Wednesday, Sept. 12 we do to help in return?’”

That question led Willis, Strom Tonya 3 p.m. The Delphine & James Fahringer MMI Seminar. “The co-founder of tech company (From left) Hamed Ahmadi, a postdoctoral research fellow; Sia Danesh- P13P Producing Enzyme and Effector Control Autophagosome mand, director of urologic oncology, USC Institute of Urology; John Willis, Biogenesis and Maturation,” Qing Zhong, UC Berkeley. NRT LG Interloc Solutions with Mike 503/504. Info: (323) 442-1713 Watson, to make a generous owner of Interloc Solutions; and Johnny Willis celebrate the donation by donation to help Daneshmand John Willis and his company to testicular cancer research at USC Norris Sunday, Sept. 16 and his team at USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. Comprehensive Cancer Cen- 6:30 a.m. – 8 a.m. Registration. 3rd Annual LA Prostate Cancer ter fully develop a compre- USC Health Sciences Public Relations and Marketing Non-Profit Organization 5K. USC University Park Campus. All proceeds and donations hensive database of clinical 1975 Zonal Ave. KAM 400 U.S. POSTAGE PAID from the event will be dedicated to prostate cancer research and Los Angeles, CA 90033 University of Southern California and tissue sample data from education at USC. The 5K is open to all levels of runners, joggers and walkers. The race starts at 8:30 a.m. Info: (323) 865-3731 testicular cancer patients. Daneshmand, who is also Tuesday, Sept. 18 director of urologic oncology at USC Institute of Urology, Noon. Psychiatry Grand Rounds. “Accelerating New CNS Drug and a renowned testis cancer Development: Translational and Biomarker Driven Approaches expert, along with his team for Alzheimer’s, Depression, and Schizophrenia,” Larry have developed a compre- Ereshefsky, Parexel International. ZNI 112. Info: (323) 442-4065 hensive institutional review board-approved database Thursday, Sept. 27 that captures clinical data for analysis. USC also houses one USC Physical Sciences in Oncology Center 2nd 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. of the largest tissue banks for Annual Symposium. Various speakers. Registration deadline: Sept. 13. UPC: Davidson Conference Center. Info: (323) 442- testis tumors led by previ- 3849 ous efforts from Sue Martin, director of the Translational Saturday, Sept. 29 Pathology Core Facility of the USC Norris Comprehensive 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Women’s Cancer Program Annual Awareness Cancer Center. The tissue Event. “The Latest for Tailoring Care in Women’s Cancers,” bank was funded by the various speakers. KAM Mayer Auditorium. Info: (323) 865-3520 Lance Armstrong Foundation. The challenge is to merge Notice: Deadline for calendar submission is 4 p.m. Monday to be considered for that week’s issue—although three weeks’ advance notice of events is recommended. Please note that timely submission does not guarantee an item In case of an emergency... will be printed. Send calendar items to The Weekly, KAM 400 or fax to (323) 442-2832, or email to eblaauw@usc. Call the Emergency Information Phone: (213) 740-9233 The emergency telephone system can handle edu. Entries must include day, date, time, title of talk, first 1,400 simultaneous calls. It also has a backup system on the East Coast. and last name of speaker, affiliation of speaker, location and a phone number for information. Visit the USC Web: http://emergency.usc.edu This page will be activated in case of an emergency. Backup Web servers on the East Coast will function if the USC servers are incapacitated.