SPECIAL TWO-PAGE INSERT: COMMENCEMENT 2017
MAY 5 • 2017 PUBLISHED FOR THE USC HEALTH SCIENCES CAMPUS COMMUNITY VOLUME 4 • NUMBER 9 Doctors pioneer robotic surgery for tumor removal
By Mary Dacuma likely die instantly. Even in surgical team at Keck successful surgeries, patients Medicine of USC pushed require several quarts of blood Athe boundaries of clinical care transfusion and have a 1 in 20 by performing the first-ever chance of dying during the robotic, minimally invasive procedure. surgical removal of a stage IV The use of robotic surgery tumor thrombus — a kidney techniques significantly cancer tumor that extends into reduced trauma to the patient the heart. and minimized blood loss by The nearly 10-hour more than five-fold. Because Steve Cohn Steve the surgery incisions were Rick Caruso, left, receives the Asa V. Call Award from USC President C. L. Max Nikias. procedure, which required painstaking precision from small, the patient’s hospital stay three renowned surgeons, a was just six days, as opposed to critical care anesthesiologist the typical two to three weeks Rick Caruso receives most and a radiologist, reduced the after open surgery. Overall patient’s risk of sudden death recovery time also was reduced from the tumor breaking off significantly. distinguished alumni honor into the heart and lungs. Such multidisciplinary Typically, this kind of collaboration lays the By USC News staff Otolaryngology, the USC Caruso Catholic surgery is both traumatic and groundwork for using advanced SC honored Trustee Rick J. Caruso, ’80, Center and Our Savior Parish church. With risky, requiring the patient’s technology to build higher with its most distinguished alumni honor, inspired generosity, Rick and his wife, Tina, chest and abdomen to be standards of patient care, even Uthe Asa V. Call Award, at its 83rd annual are putting into practice their philanthropic opened completely while the in the most complex cases. Alumni Awards on April 22. vision, which will benefit Trojans for many anesthesiologist monitors the “This exciting feat promises The Asa V. Call Award is given to alumni generations to come.” patient and the thrombus. to redefine the boundaries who have shown exceptional commitment “I am so honored to receive this award from If the tumor or thrombus of what is surgically possible to the university and the community by USC,” the honoree said. “My years at USC break from the inferior vena through skill, collaboration cava and the heart during generously giving their time, energy and fundamentally changed my perspective on See SURGERY, page 2 leadership. what it means to be part of a community, and surgery, the patient will “Rick Caruso’s immense pride for USC what my responsibilities are as a member of is unsurpassed, and his love of the school is that community. There isn’t a better university visible across our campuses,” USC President that changes the lives of young people so C. L. Max Nikias, PhD, said. “That includes significantly, and they have won my respect, the Tina and Rick Caruso Department of commitment, devotion and gratitude.” The Carusos have donated more than $50 “ Rick Caruso’s immense pride million to USC, most recently $25 million to endow the USC Tina and Rick Caruso for USC is unsurpassed, and Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, one of the nation’s largest and his love of the school is visible highest-ranked facilities for research and treatment of diseases of the ear, nose and across our campuses.” throat. He is the CEO and founder of Caruso, one of the largest, privately held real estate — USC President development companies in the U.S., which has C. L. Max Nikias, PhD See CARUSO, page 5 Ricardo Carrasco III Carrasco Ricardo A team of physicians from Keck Medicine of USC are seen, from left: Namir Katkhouda, Vinay Duddalwar, Duraiyah Thangathurai, Mark USC-VHH promotes patient safety Cunningham and Inderbir Gill. with new robot named ‘Luna’ By Mary Dacuma Keck Medicine partners with n eighth-grade student from a local middle Amgen Tour of California Aschool has made her mark at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, eck Medicine of USC is the official after her entry was chosen hospital of the Amgen Tour of as the winner in a naming California,K America’s largest and most contest for a new disinfection prestigious professional cycling event. robot at the hospital. The cycling course will cover more Chloe A. of Rosemont than 575 miles of iconic highways and Middle School entered coastlines through 12 host cities from a recent contest among May 11 to May 20. Spectators can
students in the community Weirick Deborah Courtesy watch the race along the course, at the to name the hospital’s Xenex Mary Virgallito, director of patient safety at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, finish line or live on the Tour Tracker, at robot, winning a $100 gift teaches a class of Rosemont Middle School students about antibiotic amgentourofcalifornia.com/watch-live/ card for her submission of resistance superbugs during a recent visit. tourtracker. “Luna.” Keck Medicine will host a booth at several finish lines during The Xenex robot is a been cleaned by traditional first hospital in the Glendale the Lifestyle Festival, including in Santa Clarita, Mt. Baldy, no-touch disinfection device methods. This added layer of area to use the Xenex robot. Big Bear Lake and Pasadena. Volunteers are needed for the that uses UV radiation protection lowers the risk of Chloe was among the finish lines. Contact [email protected] for details. to zap superbugs after a infection by more than 50 dozens of local students For more race information, visit amgentourofcalifornia.com. patient room has already percent. USC-VHH is the See ROBOT, page 5 MAY 5 • 2017 2 Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Reception at Keck shares story of success at lecture Hospital celebrates By Amanda Busick n extensive collection of donated artwork noteworthy photos from By Douglas Morino Medicine of USC, hospital Arecent history were the cen- reception held at leaders and staff. terpiece of a lecture by David Keck Hospital The iPhone Photo Project, Hume Kennerly, renowned Aof USC in early April which hangs in the Cardinal photojournalist, at the Seventh celebrated donated art from lobby of Keck Hospital, Annual Vladimir Zelman, photographer Katherine is intended to show the PhD, MD Distinguished and Keck. versatility of the smartphone Endowed Lectureship, held The images, taken in Los camera, Keck said, and in Aresty Auditorium on the Angeles, San Francisco and its ability to capture clear, Health Sciences Campus. other cities across the globe detailed images. Kennerly won the Pulitzer by Keck on her iPhone, Keck said she hopes the Prize for Feature Photography adorn the walls of the images in her new exhibit in 1972 for his portfolio of sub- hospital’s Cardinal Lobby. capture the attention, if only jects that included the Vietnam Ricardo Carrasco III Carrasco Ricardo Keck shares close ties with for a brief moment, of those War, East Pakistani refugees From left, Vladimir Zelman, David Hume Kennerly and Holly Muir are seen Keck Medicine of USC. Her who walk past. near Kolkata and the famous after the Seventh Annual Vladimir Zelman, PhD, MD Distinguished and son, Stephen M. Keck, is “I am hopeful that patients “Fight of the Century” boxing Endowed Lectureship. on the Board of Overseers and staff members can look match between Muhammad of the Keck School of at the photographs on the Ali and Joe Frazier. He was with your camera as kind of a important events around the Medicine of USC. wall and will have some 25 at the time he received the passport, to see things that you world from the Jonestown Her two other sons, respite,” Keck said. “These award, and two years later was wouldn’t normally get to see. massacre to the 2016 presi- William and Ted, are photos can broaden their appointed photographer to the I’ve always wondered what was dential campaign and received members of the W. M. Keck perspective and take their president for Gerald Ford. happening right around the many of the top honors Foundation. minds off pressing problems Kennerly said that his career corner. And I still do.” awarded to photographers. He Keck was joined at the and give them a sense of success stems in part from Throughout his career, has also written six books and reception by friends of Keck relief.” inquisitiveness about the world Kennerly has photographed produced several films. around us. “I’ve been extremely every U.S. president since The Guilford and Diane lucky. And it’s all about curios- Richard Nixon, been at the Glazer Foundation sponsored ity and the idea of being able, forefront of documenting the April 19 event.
SURGERY: Team hopes to set new standard of care Continued from page 1 cancer had spread. Then Mark Cunningham, and technology,” said Inderbir S. Gill, MD, MD, associate professor of clinical surgery, put Distinguished Professor and chair of urology, the patient on a heart-lung bypass machine and associate dean for clinical innovation at to create a bloodless environment and opened the Keck School of Medicine of USC, who led the patient’s heart using a minimally invasive the multidisciplinary team that performed the incision through the rib cage. surgery. “Our hope is that we can now propel Cunningham and Gill worked quickly and Cohn Steve by Photos the field at large to turn such futuristic robotic simultaneously from the chest and abdomen Katherine Keck discusses a photo with Rod Hanners, above, and as surgery into our present standard of care.” to remove the tumor thrombus from the part of a lecture, below, during a reception for her artwork held April 6. Before the surgery, Vinay Duddalwar, heart and inferior vena cava, respectively, with MD, associate professor of clinical radiology, Cunningham working from the chest downward created three-dimensional animated maps of and Gill working from the abdomen upward. the patient’s chest and abdomen that allowed All the while, Duraiyah Thangathurai, MD, surgeons to pre-plan their entire surgical professor of clinical anesthesiology and chief of strategy with millimeter precision. Namir critical care medicine, monitored the patient’s Katkhouda, MD, PhD, professor of surgery, organ function and heart using an esophageal began by performing a surgical maneuver to echo probe. control blood flow to the patient’s liver. Next, “We are proud of our ability to coordinate Gill used the latest-generation Xi da Vinci such complex efforts between the cardiac and surgical robot to completely dissect the tumor- urologic surgical teams with skill and dexterity,” bearing kidney through small keyhole incisions Cunningham said. “This was the driver of our in the patient’s abdomen, through which he was success and exactly the standard we strive for able to access the inferior vena cava where the across the institution.” Calendar of Events
Friday, May 5 Info: Dolores Mendoza, (323) 442-1283, Quintilia Avila, (323) 442-2638, [email protected], Valencia Town Center, Santa Clarita. Info: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute [email protected] http://integrativehealth.usc.edu amgentourofcalifornia.com 4 p.m. Symposium. “Fourth Annual Zilkha Symposium Friday, May 5-Saturday, May 6 Friday, May 12-Saturday, May 13 Division of Rheumatology Lecture. on Alzheimer’s Disease & Related Disorders. “David A. Horwitz Inaugural Lecture in 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. All day. From Investigation to Integration: New USC Caruso Department USC Commencement. Info: Translational Medicine: When Nanotechnology Basic, Translational and Clinical Efforts in of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery http://commencement.usc.edu Meets Immunity,” Tarek M. Fahmy, PhD, Yale Continuing Medical Education. “International University. Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders,” Monday, May 15 Berislav Zlokovic, MD, PhD, and Paul Aisen, Surgical Sleep Society Scientific Meeting.” Auditorium. Info: Gabby Gutierrez, Noon. MD; Christer Betsholtz, MD, PhD, Uppsala Trojan Grand Ballroom, USC University Park Southern California Clinical and (323) 442-1946, [email protected] Campus. Info: Chelsea Michel, University; Kaj Blennow, MD, PhD, University Translational Science Institute. “Research Thursday, May 18 of Gothenburg; Karen Duff, PhD, Columbia (323) 442-2555, [email protected], Ethics Forum — How is Potential Scientific Noon-4:30 p.m. University; David M. Holtzman, MD, https://cmetracker.net/KECKUSC/Catalog Misconduct Handled,” Jonathan Samet, MD, Amgen Tour of California Washington University School of Medicine in St. Sunday, May 7 MS; and Alexander Capron, LLB. Norman and Keck Medicine of USC. “Stage 5 Finish Louis; Costantino Iadecola, MD, Weill Cornell Topping Tower (NTT) 4444. Info and RSVP: Line Lifestyle Festival.” Mount Baldy Road, 8 a.m. Cardiovascular Medicine. Medical College; Virginia Lee, PhD, and John Karen Kim, (323) 442-8281, [email protected], Mt. Baldy. Info: amgentourofcalifornia.com “Greater Los Angeles Congenital Heart Trojanowski, MD, PhD, Perelman School of http://bit.ly/2p7UKij Walk.” Griffith Park Crystal Springs Picnic Medicine; Ronald C. Petersen, MD, PhD, Mayo Friday, May 19 Area. Info: Tiffany Andalon, (323) 442-8054, Clinic College of Medicine; Len Petrucelli, PhD, Wednesday, May 17 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Amgen Tour of California [email protected]. Mayo Clinic Florida; and Rudolph Tanzi, PhD, Noon. The Saban Research Institute Seminar. and Keck Medicine of USC. “Stage 6 Finish RSVP: Ashley Valentino, Harvard University. Herklotz Seminar Room, “Suppression of IgE-mediated Allergy by Oral Line Lifestyle Festival.” Big Bear Boulevard, [email protected], ZNI 112. Info: Emily Chu, (323) 442-3219, Immunotherapy,” Wayne G. Shreffler, MD, Big Bear Lake. Info: amgentourofcalifornia.com http://congenitalheartwalk.org [email protected] PhD, Massachusetts General Hospital. Saban Noon. Research Center for Liver Diseases Thursday, May 11 Research Institute Auditorium, 4661 Sunset Saturday, May 20 Seminar. “Molecular Targets of Bariatric Surgery 7:30 a.m. Blvd. Info: Sandy Wang, (323) 361-7489 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Amgen Tour of California USC Institute for Integrative Health Noon-4:30 p.m. to Treat Obesity and Fatty Liver,” Wendong Seminar. “Clinical Practice: Pain Psychology,” Amgen Tour of California and Keck Medicine of USC. “Stage 7 Finish Huang, PhD, Beckman Research Institute Susan Axtell, PsyD, and Faye Weinstein, PhD. and Keck Medicine of USC. “Stage 4 Line Lifestyle Festival.” Pasadena Convention of City of Hope. Hastings Auditorium. Harkness Auditorium. Info and RSVP: Finish Line Lifestyle Festival.” Westfield Center. Info: amgentourofcalifornia.com
Notice: Calendar items are due at least 10 days before publication date. Timely submission does not guarantee publication in print. See more calendar entries at hscnews.usc.edu/calendar-of-events. Submit items at tinyurl.com/calendar-hsc. Include day, date, time, title of talk, first and last name of speaker, affiliation of speaker, location and a phone number/email address. 3 Stars, smiles expected at 2017 commencement
pproximately 15,000 degrees will be Board of Supervisors. Ferrell is also this conferred as part of the University year’s commencement speaker. ofA Southern California’s 134th The main ceremony will be held at commencement ceremony, to be held on Alumni Park, with more than 60,000 the University Park Campus on May 12. people expected to attend this year’s Six people will be awarded honorary event. degrees in recognition of their The annual Baccalaureate ceremony contributions to the community as civic, will be held at 5 p.m. May 11 at Bovard academic, scientific and arts leaders: Auditorium, and will feature speaker social work leader Suzanne Dworak- Deepak Chopra, MD, renowned Peck, MSW; comedy star Will Ferrell; integrative medicine and personal David D. Ho, MD, founding director transformation pioneer. The one-hour and CEO of the Aaron Diamond AIDS ceremony includes the participation Research Center; biomedical pioneer of university dignitaries and campus Gary Michelson, MD; Academy religious leaders from a wide range Award-winning actress Helen Mirren; of religious traditions, and concludes and Mark Ridley-Thomas, PhD, with a benediction over the graduating chairman of the Los Angeles County students. Commencement 2017: Health Sciences ceremony information The 134th Commencement at the University of Southern California begins at 8:30 a.m. May 12 at Alumni Memorial Park. Individual school ceremonies follow the main ceremony. Here is a list of times, locations and speakers for the school commencement ceremonies and receptions on May 12 and 13.
Friday, May 12 Physician Assistant Program Dentistry Health Promotion and Global Health Programs 10:45 a.m. at Allan Hancock Foundation Building, 1 p.m. at McAlister Field, University Park Campus. 11 a.m. at Town and Gown, University Park Campus. southwest lawn, University Park Campus. A reception Tickets not required. A reception will occur Reception is at 10:30 a.m. following the USC main will follow at the same location. Info: (626) 457-4240. beginning at 11 a.m. at the same location. Info: ceremony. Tickets are required, four tickets allotted Speakers: Ruth Ballweg, MPA, PA-C Emeritus; [email protected]. per graduate. Info: (213) 821-1601. Sae Byul Ma, PharmD, assistant professor of clinical Speaker: Varun Soni, PhD, JD, dean, USC Office Speaker: Peter V. Long, PhD, president and CEO, family medicine of Religious Life Blue Shield of California Foundation
Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy Pharmacy 11 a.m. at Leavey Library West, University Park 11:30 a.m. at Bovard Auditorium, University Park 3 p.m. at Harry and Celesta Pappas Quad, Health Campus. Tickets not required. A reception will follow Campus. Tickets not required. Info: Sciences Campus. A reception will follow at the same in the courtyard patio at the USC Glorya Kaufman [email protected]. location. Tickets are required. Info: (323) 442-1369. School of Dance. Info: (323) 442-2811. Speaker: Mike Nyeholt, co-founder, Swim with Mike Speaker: Jessica Núñez de Ybarra, MD, MPH, Speaker: Amy Lamb, OTD, OTR/L, president, California Department of Public Health medical officer American Occupational Therapy Association Saturday, May 13 PhD, MPH, MS — Medicine MD/PhD, MD — Medicine 9 a.m. at Galen Center, University Park Campus. Tickets not required. A 3 p.m. at Galen Center, University Park Campus. Doors open at 2 p.m., tickets not reception will follow at 11 a.m. at McCarthy Quad, University Park Campus. required. A reception will follow at 5 p.m. at McCarthy Quad, University Park Campus. Info: (323) 442-1607. Info: (323) 442-2420. Speaker: Anne Schuchat, MD, acting director, Centers for Disease Control Speaker: Leonard Schaeffer, founding chairman and CEO of WellPoint; Judge Robert and Prevention; acting administrator, Agency for Toxic Substances and Maclay Widney Chair and Professor; and senior adviser to TPG Capital Disease Registry; and assistant surgeon general, U.S. Public Health Service
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT Read more spotlights online... Thomas Buchanan, MD On May 12 and 13, thousands of hard-working students will celebrate Thomas A. Buchanan, MD, is professor of medicine, their moment in the spotlight as USC holds commencement ceremonies obstetrics and gynecology, and physiology and bio- on the University Park and Health Sciences campuses. physics; vice dean for research; chief of the division To read more stories behind the cap and gown, or to learn about faculty of endocrinology and diabetes in the Department of Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine at USC. He members or various programs offered by the Keck School of Medicine also is the founding director of the Southern California of USC, USC School of Pharmacy, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry Clinical and Translational Science Institute. of USC, USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, and USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, go to On April 17, Buchanan was presented with the hscnews.usc.edu/commencement. Associates Awards for Creativity in Research at the university’s 2017 Academic Honors Convocation. He recently sat down with HSC News to discuss his work. Here are some of the graduates you • N icole Koutsodendris, Keck School can learn more about on our website: Q: You’re being awarded for the creativity that you bring to your research. Can • S hannon Meggs, USC Division you talk a little about that? What does it mean to be creative in a scientific field? • Alicia Mendoza, USC Chan of Biokinesiology and Physical Why is this important? Division Therapy A: Creativity may be different things to different people. To me, it involves • Delcie Strahan, Keck School • Wendy Hsiao, Keck School the ability to think beyond conventional wisdom, imagine new explanations for research observations, and design and conduct studies that take a field in • Dixin Shen, Keck School You can also learn about: a new direction. Creativity is important because human biology and health • Er ica Lynn Harris, USC Division • Student wellness at the Keck School are incredibly complex; today’s knowledge is often only partially correct and of Biokinesiology and Physical sometimes actually wrong. Only through creativity can we get to new and better Therapy • N ew minor at the USC School of understandings that let us improve health care and health. Pharmacy • Hug o Partida, Ostrow School Q: Do you get to exercise your creativity in other areas of your life? • Jo nathan LoPresti’s work at Los A: I suppose the best example outside of science is photography, especially • Jeffr ey Ryan Hill, Keck School Angeles County + USC Medical underwater photography where the creativity involves composition, lighting — • Jo nathan Nguyen, Ostrow School Center and a lot of patience. I have a small gallery of my favorite pictures in my office. • Josep h Ungco, USC Chan Division • Travel opportunities in the Global It reminds me that there is more than work in this world — even though I do Medicine program love my work. • L auren Mills, Keck School hscnews.usc.edu/commencement … and more! For the full interview, go to . • N elson Poliran Jr., Keck School MAY 5 • 2017 4 CONGRATULATIONS The class of 2017 is made up of a stellar group of health care providers from a variety of backgrounds and with a range of interests. Read some of their stories here and find more on Class of 2017! our website, hscnews.usc.edu/commencement.
Alison Cogan Brandon Ortega PhD, Occupational Science Doctor of Medicine Alison Cogan, MA, may be a civilian but she deeply appreciates the Growing up in the suburbs of Phoenix, Brandon Ortega would spend social and family life of military servicemembers. each summer at his grandfather’s ranch in Chihuahua, Mexico, the Not only is her brother an active duty Marine, Cogan’s dissertation same way his father did. These annual visits, encouraged by his for the occupational science PhD degree she will receive May 12 parents, taught him the value of hard work and to appreciate the many during the 75th annual commencement ceremony of the USC Chan opportunities he had in the U.S. Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy focused The first in his family to attend college, Ortega graduated from on ways to optimize participation of servicemembers after mild Occidental College, playing football all four years. He took a year off traumatic brain injury. before attending medical school to help with the family business, “I’ve seen how families are affected by the deployment cycle, and the reintegration and driving a semi-truck for more than a year to pay down student loans. readjustment process that follows,” said Cogan, who hails from Philadelphia. These issues, of While at the Keck School, Ortega participated in the Dean’s Research Scholars Program, taking course, become more complex with brain and bodily injuries. a full year to pursue research under Jay Lieberman, MD, chair and professor of orthopaedic Cogan will soon begin a two-year Veterans Affairs Advanced Fellowship in Polytrauma/Traumatic surgery, which included exploring gene therapy to heal bone defects. Brain Injury at the Washington DC VA Medical Center. There, she will hone her skills using Ortega matched into his first choice — orthopaedic surgery at Los Angeles County + USC large research databases, building toward her goal of becoming a funded, independent career Medical Center — and is eager to provide service to a community facing many socioeconomic researcher. Thanks to USC Chan, she’s well on her way. and health disparities.
Chukuemeka Ogudu Danielle Cortez Master of Science, Stem Cell Biology Doctor of Pharmacy and Regenerative Medicine When Danielle Cortez accepts her doctorate of pharmacy at the 134th How far would you go to provide a better life for your family or your Commencement on May 12, her cheering section will include three country? of her biggest motivations for pursuing pharmacy school: Her three Chukuemeka Ogudu moved to America to become a doctor. He young children. pursued his master’s degree in stem cell biology and regenerative Throughout four years of pharmacy school, Cortez juggled family and medicine at USC with the goals of financially providing for his family academic responsibilities, worked at Kaiser Permanente 20+ hours/ and of improving health care in his hometown in Nigeria. week and served as president of the USC School of Pharmacy’s Skull Ogudu was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria. Looking for better and Mortar Honorary Service Fraternity. opportunities for Ogudu and his three brothers, his parents moved the family to London, then Allison Frierson Bryant, USC School of Pharmacy’s Associate Director for Student Affairs and eventually to Montreal. Financial Aid, noted Cortez’s leadership and remarkable time-management skills have made her Ogudu attended Texas Tech University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in biology and a role model to other students. shadowed doctors. Now, Ogudu plans to pursue a medical degree and complete his residency After commencement, Cortez will remain at USC for one more year, completing the Ambulatory before moving back to Nigeria. Care Residency Program. “I miss my aunts and uncles back in Nigeria,” he said. “The one thing that keeps me going is “I want everyone to know that it is possible to achieve your goals,” Cortez said. “Nothing is knowing that I have the opportunity to provide a better life for them and to provide better health impossible. As long as you stick to what makes you happy and dream high, you can reach the stars.” care for the people of Nigeria when I become a doctor.”
Derek Dangerfield Kelsie Kaiser PhD, Health Behavior Research Doctor of Physical Therapy From Malaysia to Baltimore to Los Angeles, Derek Dangerfield has Kelsie Kaiser knew she wanted to be a physical therapist after conducted research around the world — and can now add a PhD in shadowing a USC physical therapist during high school. health behavior research to his list of accomplishments. “The experience opened my eyes to the impact that a physical It’s a long list. Hailing from a working-class, single parent home in therapist can have,” Kaiser said. “A physical therapist not only Baltimore, Dangerfield studied sociology at Georgetown University improves how someone moves but also improves the patient’s quality while assisting health research at Johns Hopkins University. After of life.” graduating, he received a Fulbright Scholarship that funded his The Michigan native began her studies in sunny Southern California in yearlong research of sexual risk behaviors among men who have sex 2014. While at USC, she earned an Academic Excellence Scholarship with men in Malaysia. and a Josette Antonelli Division Service Scholarship. She also served as her class’ president In 2013, he received a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, which and a San Gabriel Valley District Student Liaison for the California Physical Therapy Association. supported his doctoral studies at the Keck School’s Department of Preventive Medicine. She graduates with USC’s Order of Areté Award, given to outstanding graduate students whose With his PhD behind him, Dangerfield will continue post-doctoral training as a fellow at the Johns dedication to leadership and community service go beyond that of their peers. Hopkins University School of Nursing. Kaiser will next enter USC’s orthopedic residency program where she hopes to further refine her “I am excited to participate in the field and see the extent to which my passion for my work skills to become an orthopedic clinical specialist. impacts the field and the health of communities,” he said.
Mishaun Sahebi Sinthu Kumar Doctor of Dental Surgery Master of Public Health Mishaun Sahebi first knew he wanted to pursue dentistry while a junior Passionate about preventive medicine and quality health care, Sinthu in high school. Kumar knew what she wanted from her education: a 360-degree “I fell in love with the artistic intimacy and mutual trust that developed picture of public health. between the dentist and the patient,” said Sahebi, who served as class “I realized that all change begins on the policy level,” she said, president for the DDS Class of 2017 all four years of dental school. crediting professor of clinical preventive medicine, MPH Health Sahebi believes that his respect for the profession and doing what he Services and Policy Track Director Michael Cousineau, DPH, “who was passionate about helped guide him through his dental education. constantly challenges the way we think about health policy and motivates me to keep researching for areas of improvement.” During his dental school career, Sahebi was honored with the Dental Student Award from the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and the Student Her biggest accomplishment at USC was interning at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles My VOICE Leadership Award from Delta Dental. Adolescent Transition Program. As president of the MPH Student Association, Kumar also met peers and faculty who would become lifelong friends and mentors. After graduation, the Oregon-born Sahebi will leave the West Coast behind to embark on a six- year oral and maxillofacial surgery residency at Louisiana State University in New Orleans, where After graduation, Kumar plans to work as a health care consultant or program manager to he will also work toward his doctor of medicine degree. continue addressing quality in health care. “I hope that my classmates remember me as someone who aimed to put humility above all in my “I consider my two years in this program one of the most exciting times of my life,” she said. thoughts and actions toward peers, faculty, staff and patients.” 5
Urologic cancer foundation funds Student innovators sought for chair, endowments with closure annual showcase competition By Peijean Tsai By Hope Hamashige students in all disciplines to Around the SC students with compete in the 11th Annual he Butch Walts and Donald Skinner same time, Butch a startup idea or USC Stevens Student Urologic Cancer Research Foundation, Walts, a profes- inventionU are encouraged Innovator Showcase on Twhich has supported cutting-edge research sional tennis to enter the USC Stevens Oct. 13 at the University in the urologic cancer program of the player who Skin- Student Innovator Showcase Park Campus. Applications USC Institute of Urology and USC Norris ner cured of ad- business competition for the Showcase will be Comprehensive Cancer Center for more vanced testicular and win thousands of accepted online beginning than three decades, has been dissolved, with cancer, contacted dollars in funding. The April 26 at http://stevens. nearly $11 million in assets transferred to the the department USC Stevens Center for usc.edu/events/student- Catherine and Joseph Aresty Department of with an offer to Innovation currently is innovator-showcase. The Urology at the Keck School of Medicine of help raise funds. seeking applications from deadline to apply is Sept. 5. USC. He organized a undergraduate and graduate Of those funds, $5 million will establish the series of celebrity Shirley and Donald G. Skinner MD Endowed tennis tourna- Donald G. Skinner Chair of Urologic Cancer Surgery, $5.58 million ments to raise will establish the Butch Walts and Donald G. money for the foundation that drew the sport’s Skinner MD Cancer Research Endowment, biggest names including John McEnroe, Bjorn and $342,000 will complete the funding of the Borg, Jimmy Connors, Billy Jean King, Chris Gary Lieskovsky MD Endowed Fellowship in Evert and Martina Navratilova. Urologic Oncology. Since 1982, the foundation has contributed The foundation was the brain child of Donald nearly $9 million to support urologic cancer Skinner, MD, who served as Professor and research at USC Norris. The money typically Chair of the Catherine and Joseph Aresty was used to support established research and to Department of Urology from 1980 to 2009. provide critical seed money to start promising In 1981, Skinner began soliciting funds from research that led to millions more from the former patients to raise money to develop the National Institutes of Health and the National department and its research program. There Cancer Institute. was no mechanism within the university at the The foundation, Skinner said, provided great time that would allow donor money to accrue flexibility and was critically important to the interest until it was spent and so he decided development of the urology program at USC to start a foundation where those funds could into one of the top urology departments in the country. Cristy Lytal appreciate. Leonardo Morsut
ROBOT CARUSO: Six other alumni Stem cell researcher Continued from page 1 recognized at annual gala to meet the robot as part of Continued from page 1 Leonardo Morsut is an educational tour during leading milk company in National Patient Safety Week created some of Southern the Philippines. at top of his game in March. A team of hospital California’s most Allyson Felix, ’08, nine- By Cristy Lytal experts took the hospital’s new extraordinary destinations, time Olympic medalist the laboratory of “synthetic germ-zapping Xenex robot including The Grove and and the most decorated or Leonardo Morsut, biology” pioneer Wendell to Rosemont Middle School The Americana at Brand. woman in American track PhD, the word “set” refers Lim, PhD, at the University in La Crescenta, La Canada The USC Alumni and field history, received toF a collection of scientific of California, San Francisco. High School and Fremont Association also the Young Alumni Merit data. “Set” is also the prelude “Synthetic biology is Elementary School in Glendale. recognized six notable Award. to spiking a volleyball over the pretty much trying to bring Students learned about the Trojans for their Dan Cassidy, ’59, a past net — something he used to the engineering approach of development of antibiotic- achievements and president and a current do for a living as a professional building things into biology,” resistant superbugs and contributions to the member of the Half athlete in Italy. Morsut explained. what hospitals nationwide university: Century Trojans board “Professional volleyball was He built a synthetic are doing to stop them. The Receiving Alumni of directors, and Vicki always a side project,” said cellular communication lesson included topics like the Merit Awards were McCluggage, ’76, a past Morsut, assistant professor system known as “synNotch,” structure of germs; how the Wanda M. Austin, president of the Trojan of stem cell biology and created by co-opting a germ membrane is broken by PhD, ’88, the former League of Los Angeles regenerative medicine at the natural communication hand-washing, antibacterial president and CEO of and longtime university Keck School of Medicine of system, called Notch, in gel and UV radiation; and The Aerospace Corp. and volunteer, received USC. “It was science that was which a cell uses a sensor on why superbugs are a growing a member of the USC Alumni Service Awards. the main thing.” its surface to recognize and problem. Board of Trustees since Every year since True to his word, Morsut trigger a particular response The classes were taught by 2010; Grant Gershon, 1932, the USC Alumni has always put research to a specific signal. In Mary Virgallito, RN, director ’85, the artistic director Association has paid first. Even while playing Morsut’s synthetic version, of patient safety at USC- of the Los Angeles tribute to distinguished professional volleyball, he he swapped in a new sensor VHH. Virgallito also is the Master Chorale and the members of the Trojan found the time to attend to control what the sensor acting president of the Greater resident conductor of Family. The annual the University of Padova, recognizes, as well as what Los Angeles chapter of the LA Opera; and Wilfred Alumni Awards gala is where Galileo once lectured. the cell does in response — a Association of Professionals in “Fred” Uytengsu, ’83, the the premier event hosted He earned bachelor’s and breakthrough that could have Infection Control. president and CEO of by the USC Alumni master’s degrees in medical many medical applications, Alaska Milk Corp., the Association. biotechnologies, before such as engineering cells to pursuing a second bachelor’s recognize and attack tumors. degree in mathematics. While this breakthrough At the peak of his athletic earned Morsut a position career, Morsut quit to at USC Stem Cell, his pursue a PhD, focusing on wife Sabina also accepted a mouse gastrulation — the postdoctoral fellowship in early embryonic phase art history at USC and the There are thousands during which a ball of cells couple, who originally met of great stories at organizes itself into distinct when they were 12 years old layers as a prelude to organ in Padova, will welcome their Keck Medicine of USC. formation. He then picked second child this June. up an unrelated side project: At USC, Morsut plans how stem cells behave to use synNotch to direct Tell us yours! differently depending upon the differentiation of stem whether they’re on a hard cells into blood vessels that or a soft surface. He and his can support engineered THE KECK EFFECT: Email us at colleagues’ research revealed organs, as well as develop [email protected] that when stem cells are on additional synthetic biology MORE INFORMATION a hard surface, they react by tools, and said he looks producing two signals — forward to collaborating called YAP and TAZ — that with researchers at the encourage them to become USC Viterbi School of bone cells. Morsut and his Engineering and the USC team published their discovery Michelson Center for in the journal Nature. Convergent Bioscience, Morsut then pursued a slated to open in fall 2017. postdoctoral fellowship in MAY 5 • 2017 6
HSC Newsmakers A roundup of news items related to Keck Medicine of USC, which may include philanthropic donations, research grants, publication in academic journals and mentions in the news media: Courtesy Joseph T. Rodgers Joseph T. Courtesy Newly regenerated muscle fibers
Study: Enzyme can help speed Gus Ruelas STAYING HEALTHY: Boyle Heights residents descended on Hazard Park on April 8 for a free community health recovery from injuries fair and toddler run. The event, which included health screenings and giveaways, was sponsored by the HSC ccelerated healing isn t just for superheroes Community Partnerships, the USC Office of Civic Engagement, Keck Medical Center of USC, the American Heart A ’ . A Association and the Hazard Park Recreation Center. new study in Cell Reports suggests a way that mere mortals can potentially speed their recovery from a wide variety of injuries, according to lead author Joseph T. Rodgers, PhD, assistant professor of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. This Latest Visions and Voices event recent study builds upon Rodgers’ previous finding: when one part of the body suffers an injury, adult stem cells in uninjured areas throughout the body enter a primed or examines notion of a ‘good death’ “alert” state. Alert stem cells have an enhanced potential By Sara Reeve to repair tissue damage. In this new study, Rodgers and his t’s not every campus colleagues identified the critical signal in blood that alerted presentation that begins stem cells: an enzyme called Hepatocyte Growth Factor — Cristy Lytal Iwith the question, “How many Activator (HGFA). people here have seen a dead body in person?” But that is exactly how USC medical librarian Megan Rosenbloom opened a discussion titled, “Doctor’s Orders for a Good Death,” on April 6 in the Mayer Auditorium on the Health Sciences Campus. The presentation, part of Ricardo Carrasco III Carrasco Ricardo the USC Visions & Voices Caitlin Doughty, left, speaks while Megan Rosenbloom looks on during the arts and humanities initiative, Visions and Voices event, “Doctor’s Orders for a Good Death.” featured a panel discussion with Caitlin Doughty, a mortician something else there ... I think their priorities with their loved Steve Cohn Steve and spokesperson for death to kind of take that away from ones. “If you don’t lay that out, Students from the Keck School of Medicine of USC line up to acceptance, and Lindsey receive an In-N-Out lunch as part of the Keck School’s Student medical students would also none of it’s going to happen. Appreciation Luncheon, held March 29 on the Broad Lawn. Fitzharris, PhD, a medical make it more difficult for them You’re not going to stumble historian and creator of the to accept the realities of death into a good death. You’re not website, The Chirurgeon’s with patients.” going to stumble into a well- Students feel appreciation Apprentice. Doughty noted that a “good rehearsed, organized, painless at annual luncheon When Rosenbloom asked death” is really one in which death. It’s just not going to that provocative question, she a person has been clear about happen.” seemed surprised at the large tudents from the eck chool S K S of Medicine of USC number of hands raised in the enjoyed Southern California favorites during the Keck Marketing and Communications Non-Profit Organization affirmative. Keck Medicine of USC U.S. POSTAGE PAID School’s annual Student Appreciation Luncheon, held 2011 N Soto Street – SST-2830 Industry CA “Over the course of the Los Angeles, CA 90032 Permit 4029 March 29 on the Broad Lawn. Students could choose 20th century, Americans, in from an array of food choices, including tacos, In-N-Out particular, have become more burgers and Pinkberry. and more detached from death,” she said. “And they had fewer interactions with corpses in particular. And that lack of interaction — that sort of detachment — has led to some pretty big impacts on our culture.” Those impacts featured heavily in the program, which began with readings from upcoming books from both Doughty (From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World USC Spine Center USC HSC News From left, Raymond Hah, Frank Acosta and John Liu are seen to Find the Good Death) and HSC News is published for the faculty, staff, during the 2017 USC Spine Symposium, held April 8 at the Ritz Fitzharris (The Butchering Art – students, volunteers and visitors in the University Carlton in Marina del Rey. Joseph Lister’s Quest to Transform of Southern California’s Health Sciences Campus the Grisly World of Victorian community. It is produced by Keck Medicine Medicine) before transitioning Marketing and Communications staff. Permission to Physicians, patients learn into a panel discussion with reprint articles is available upon request. No artwork about the spine at symposium Rosenbloom. Topics ranged may be reproduced without the creator’s consent. from the birth of antisepsis and Editor: Melissa Masatani More than 170 physicians and patients attended the surgical hygiene, to cultural Director, Internal Communications: Virginia Baca practices surrounding death 2017 USC Spine Symposium recently, to learn about Director, Content Strategy and Management: Sara Reeve the management of spinal disorders. Coordinated by the around the world, to the USC Spine Center and the Keck School of Medicine of benefits of medical students Contributors: Meg Aldrich, Leigh Bailey, Amanda Busick, USC Continuing Medical Education Office, the course being taught with donated Ricardo Carrasco III, Nathan Cowen, Mary Dacuma, Hope Hamashige, cadavers. John Hobbs, Michele Keller, Cristy Lytal, Mike McNulty, was held April 8 at the Ritz Carlton in Marina del Rey Douglas Morino, Yasmine Pezeshkpour, Larissa Puro, Peijean Tsai, and was directed by Christopher Ornelas, MD, assistant “It’s the emotional experience Zen Vuong and L. Alexis Young professor of clinical orthopaedic surgery; Frank Acosta, of cutting into that cadaver that Phone: (323) 442-2830 MD, associate professor of clinical neurological surgery; is the thing that sticks with Fax: (323) 442-2832 Next Issue: and Raymond Hah, MD, assistant professor of clinical medical students, because it is a Email: [email protected] May 19 orthopaedic surgery. rite of passage,” Fitzharris said. Web: hscnews.usc.edu | kecknet.usc.edu “It’s much more than just the training of the doctor. There’s