SUMMER 2021

A Publication of the Henry Ford Medical Group Alumni Association

HENRY FORD HEALTH SYSTEM WAS

IN THIS ISSUE Made 1 | FROM THE PRESIDENT 2 | FEATURE: DATA DRIVEN CARE 6 | ALL OF US RESEARCH PROGRAM 8 | FEATURE: HFHS MADE FOR THIS for 14 | DR. O'NEILL HONORS LATE WIFE 15 | DR. EZHUTHACHAN'S TINY PATIENTS 16 | BEHIND THE WHITE COAT 18 | THE HENRY FORD STARS PAGE 8 20 | HFHS OBITS this 21 | THINGS OF NOTE HENRY FORD MEDICAL GROUP ALUMNI ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FROM THE William Hakeos, M.D., President PRESIDENT Lisa MacLean, M.D., Vice President Jan Rival, M.D., Secretary Kim Baker-Genaw, M.D., Treasurer Anne Chen, M.D., Member at Large or the second time during this they can help as well. We’re excited to share pandemic year, I write to you in how our physicians and community are PUBLICATION STAFF the hope that you, your families partnering with philanthropists to fuel our Fand your colleagues are safe. I hope that mission, including a story about the rapid you also continue to be proud of the progress we’re making in the area of heroic work you’ve done to navigate the precision medicine, thanks in part to a $25 pandemic and keep the communities you million gift from Chris and Lisa Jeffries. serve safe too. And, on the subject of precision At the time of this letter, we are seeing medicine, Christine Cole Johnson, Ph.D., hopeful signs that the worse days of the has an update on Henry Ford’s role in the MANAGING EDITOR pandemic are behind us, with cases swiftly National Institutes of Health All of Us AMANDA BENNETT William Hakeos, M.D. Lisa MacLean, M.D. Jan Rival, M.D. declining in the United States and research program—a ten-year study President Vice President Secretary Manager, Physician and Alumni Relations restrictions easing for vaccinated members involving a community of one million [email protected] of our communities. In the meantime, we participants. This ambitious program is (313) 876-9871 continue to treat patients with COVID-19 supplying unique health data to inform HENRYFORD.COM/ALUMNI and maintain our steadfast efforts to more individualized approaches in all areas ART DIRECTOR educate our community and vaccinate as of healthcare and catalyze innovative new JENNIFER WEAVER William Hakeos, M.D. many people as we can, as quickly as we treatments. Henry Ford Medical Group Alumni Association WEAVER DESIGN AGENCY can. As always, you’ll find plenty of other In this issue, we’re putting a spotlight on familiar names and faces throughout the CONTRIBUTING WRITERS this vaccination effort and all of the work issue in our Behind the White Coat feature DEVON BARRETT that our medical teams and leaders have and Henry Ford Star Award listings. RACHEL REED done to ensure the safety and efficacy of the Until next time, colleagues, keep your DAN TRUDEAU vaccines and make them accessible to all. heads up and keep your eyes on the Kim Baker-Genaw, M.D. Anne Chen, M.D. The pandemic also hasn’t stopped us horizon. We’re not quite there yet, but better Treasurer Member at Large from thinking about how we can continue days are in sight. to provide the best treatment for our patients—and it hasn’t stopped our caring, visionary donors from thinking about how Stay connected, join our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/HFMGAlumni/

FROM THE PRESIDENT | 1 FEATURE

Data driven care HOW THE LISA & CHRISTOPHER JEFFRIES CENTER FOR PRECISION MEDICINE IS FUELING DISCOVERY AND IMPROVING PATIENT CARE.

by Dan Trudeau

SUMMER 2021 | 2 FEATURE STORY | 3 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

and the system is working intentionally FEATURE to expand it to other areas of practice. As just one example, in 2020 the Jeffries Center began a partnership with David Lanfear, M.D., in Henry Ford’s Edith & Benson Ford Heart & Vascular Institute and Department of Pharmacy to create the system’s first pharmacogenomic testing workflow for patients who have Data driven care suffered a heart attack. Genetic variations influence the enzymes a patient’s body produces, and n an ideal world, Tom Mikkelsen, patient data, organizing it, and certain enzymes are critical for M.D. says, all medicine would be empowering providers to put it into metabolizing specific drugs that are “Precision” medicine. action: these steps are key to the future of prescribed after a heart attack. IInformation from genomic testing, medicine and are at the heart of Henry Tom Mikkelsen, M.D. is Medical Director of Henry Ford's Lisa and Christopher Jeffries Center for Prescribing the ideal medication based Precision Medicine and Clinical Trials Office, and an internationally recognized leader in patient-reported outcomes, scans and lab Ford’s Precision Medicine program. on a patient’s specific metabolism leads neuro-oncology and brain cancer research. results, physician notes, environmental Louisa Laidlaw, MHSA, is the to improved outcomes and a reduction in tried and what may have been successful factors, family health histories and more Administrative Director for the Jeffries adverse events, such as another heart Mikkelsen said. “And so, support from for patients like me, no matter where they would always be marshalled to help Center. Together with Dr. Mikkelsen and attack, stroke or internal bleeding. people like the Jeffries family can be l i v e .” “If we can optimize patients maintain their health and treat partners in Henry Ford’s IT leadership, By incorporating genomic testing for really important in allowing you to do This promising work has been fueled, the data, we can diseases as they emerge. she is working to create a new, state-of- these patients, this workflow has the things that you otherwise couldn’t.” in part, by Henry Ford’s philanthropic As medical director of Henry Ford the-art data infrastructure that can store potential to help this group of patients By embracing and prioritizing look at the patient’s supporters. In 2019 Henry Ford received Health System’s Lisa and Christopher and analyze massive quantities of patient live longer, healthier lives. Precision Medicine, Mikkelsen notes a major investment from real estate experience over time, Jeffries Center for Precision Medicine information to support Precision Moreover, the benefits of Precision that Henry Ford is at the leading edge of developer and philanthropist Chris make the best decision and the Clinical Trials Office, Mikkelsen Medicine approaches. Medicine extend far beyond the a new era of medicine. The system has Jeffries and his wife Lisa, who gave $25 is overseeing a far-reaching effort to “It comes down to collecting data individual patient. Pooling volumes of the resources and scale to pull off this about therapies, million to create the Jeffries Center. personalize patient care in areas across across the board, storing it in the same data from a large and diverse population evolution, while being small enough to This incredible contribution was stratify risks and even the health system, using robust streams way and in the same place according to also supports research and equips stay nimble. made in tribute to the comprehensive, use predictive analytics of data to produce the best possible international standards to enable providers around the globe with Further, Henry Ford serves an thoughtful care that Chris’s father results for each individual person. interoperability,” Laidlaw said. “The accessible information. extremely diverse patient population and to determine where received at Henry Ford from Dr. “Henry Ford maintains long-term interoperability between data allows us Henry Ford is a founding member of can foster trust and work in partnership Mikkelsen and other members of our they might face issues relationships with our patients, to access rich data at the appropriate time a data sharing network through a with communities that have traditionally team, which helped extend his life for five sometimes since birth, resulting in a in care to ensure we’re providing patients partnership with the medical IT firm, been left out of genomic studies. Forging in the future. It’s years after being diagnosed with an wealth of information that we can use the right care at the right time.” Syapse. By sharing its own de-identified ahead on this path can lead to a health looking at medicine aggressive brain tumor and told he had to provide the best possible care,” Precision Medicine is most closely data with other health systems through care system that is more adaptive and nine months to live. as a data-driven Dr. Mikkelsen said. associated with cancer care because of this secure network, Henry Ford is equitable, as well as more effective. The gift was the largest single gift “If we can optimize the data, we can the genetic factors that influence cancer enabling clinicians in other locations to “Health care should be a continuous enterprise to create from an individual in the health system’s look at the patient’s experience over time, and its treatment. Not surprisingly, our learn from our patient engagements, process of improvement using real data 105-year history, and its impact will be real, positive results make the best decision about therapies, program emerged as an initiative of the while likewise benefiting from this from real people,” Mikkelsen said. “That felt for years to come. for people.” stratify risks and even use predictive Henry Ford Cancer Institute and is partner data. principle is embedded in everything we “Philanthropy is like venture capital. analytics to determine where they might leading several major projects to align “Once you get down to the gene level, do at Henry Ford, and it’s what we’re It allows you to prove your concept and TOM MIKKELSEN, M.D., MEDICAL face issues in the future. It’s looking at genomic testing with tailored strategies the patient who is most similar to me setting up the infrastructure to do: Take expand your results. For example, if you DIRECTOR OF HENRY FORD'S LISA AND medicine as a data-driven enterprise to to treat many different types of cancers. might not be in my backyard, they might an innovation, deploy it and measure in can take information to an insurance CHRISTOPHER JEFFRIES CENTER FOR create real, positive results for people.” As Henry Ford leaders are quick to be in another state,” Laidlaw said. the real population, so we can do better company showing what you’re learning, n PRECISION MEDICINE AND THE CLINICAL But to run a data-driven enterprise, note, limiting Precision Medicine to “Having that expanded network gives next year than we did last year.” they might agree to fund a service like TRIALS OFFICE you need to have good data. Collecting cancer would be a missed opportunity, physicians the ability to see what’s been genomic testing for their patients,” Dr.

SUMMER 2021 | 4 FEATURE STORY | 5 platform that will be used for decades by care. Henry Ford, we are just delighted to be a scientists all over the country. Once we “Diversity is so crucial to this work. part of this. I think it’s really going to have this in place, it’s going to support That includes race and ethnicity, but also benefit everybody.” discoveries to help make Precision socioeconomic status. It’s age, religion Medicine possible in so many areas of and everything else. For example, we For more information on the medical practice.” have a large Arab American population program, visit henryford.com/ Participants in the study are presented here, and there are variations in diet, visitors/henry-ford-all-of-us. To with their full genomic profile, genetics, even occupational exposures enroll, visit joinallofus.org. n information that will provide lifelong that can have a major influence on benefits to those patients and their health,” Dr. Johnson said. physicians, who can use it to identify risk “You want that variation to study how factors, develop treatment strategies, your genetics and environment and inform pharmacology decisions and behaviors are all setting you up to either more. stay healthy or go down the line toward On a broader level, scientists will be various diseases.” able to comb the data to identify patterns This resource is already driving related to specific genes and their important research. For example, interactions with other factors, which scientists studying COVID-19 in may impact the expression of diseases. were able to use the database to Christine Cole Johnson, Ph.D., M.P.H. “There’s more to it than “There’s more to it than genetics search blood sample results in search of alone. Genetic variants can make you COVID-19 antibodies. They discovered, genetics alone. Genetic All of Us susceptible to a disease, but this is more among other things, that COVID-19 was variants can make you HENRY FORD HELPING TO SHAPE THE FUTURE OF HEALTH CARE nuanced. Medicine has been like a blunt present in the state in January 2020 — THROUGH AMBITIOUS NIH PROGRAM. hammer, but it’s going to be more weeks earlier than was previously known. susceptible to a disease, specifically tailored to the person,” Dr. Dr. Johnson predicts All of Us will but this is more nuanced. by Dan Trudeau Johnson said. “Being able to figure out continue to grow in its utility when it Medicine has been like a those puzzles will help us know how to comes to looking at longer-term s part of its commitment to this data provides scientists with a trove better treat the patient who is walking questions related to COVID-19, along blunt hammer, but it’s Precision Medicine, Henry Ford of information that can be used in a wide through the door.” with a host of other diseases and going to be more Since launching in 2017, Henry Ford conditions. Through its leadership in the Health System is a leader in a range of research studies, while also specifically tailored to Amajor, collaborative research initiative identifying a self-selected pool of has led a network of partner health program, Henry Ford is working to known as All of Us, funded by the candidates to participate in additional systems in seven states that is responsible influence the scientific priorities at the the person. Being able to for enrolling nearly 25,000 people to date, NIH level, while engaging with world- National Institutes of Health (NIH). research activity. figure out those puzzles All of Us aims to enroll 1 million “The majority of the resources in any with aims to reach 100,000 sign-ups by class institutions like Harvard, Columbia, people from communities across the clinical research project is devoted to 2027. Northwestern and many more. will help us know how to Collecting samples United States with a goal to collect a recruiting participants and following In addition to being equipped to Going forward, Dr. Johnson is better treat the patient inside our mobile All recruit a large number of participants, focused on continuing to recruit of Us research van. broad array of individualized health them through the study,” said Christine information—securely and confidentially Cole Johnson, Ph.D., M.P.H., Chair of Henry Ford also serves an extremely additional participants, and she also aims who is walking through held—from a population that is Henry Ford’s Department of Public diverse patient population, which brings to provide opportunities for physicians the door.” representative of the entire country. Health Sciences and one of the Co- tremendous value to the All of Us and scientists to learn more about how endeavor. they can make use of this resource. Participants undergo a full genomic Principal Investigators for the health CHRISTINE COLE By engaging communities that have “Some of our goals for this year profile, while providing detailed system’s All of Us project, a role she shares JOHNSON, PH.D., M.P.H. not been adequately represented in include teaching our doctors at Henry information about their clinical histories, with Brian Ahmedani, Ph.D., Director, CHAIR, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC genetic and biomedical research, we aim Ford how to use the database. I think environmental exposures, demographics, Center for Health Policy & Health HEALTH SCIENCES beliefs about medical care and more. Services Research and Director of to increase the collective knowledge things are really going to start opening Once de-identified and organized in a Research, Behavioral Health Services. about their needs and risks, ultimately up in terms of getting more research database housed at Vanderbilt University, “Our goal is to set up a research leading to more responsive and equitable results out,” Dr. Johnson said. “And for

SUMMER 2021 | 6 ALL OF US | 7 FEATURE

or those of us in Michigan, in March 2020, while the general public was trying to navigate Governor Gretchen Whitmer’ s stay-at-home order and Fsocial distancing measures a WAS , COVID-19 vaccine felt ages away. And yet, even then, the foundations for successful vaccines were already in place.

At the start of 2020 few knew SARS- CoV-2 existed, but the science behind all the current leading vaccines is anything but novel. The same science brought the world inoculations against Made Hepatitis A and B, Zika and Ebola to name a few.

Even so, bringing COVID-19 vaccines to the public was going to take time and the full force of the medical and scientific communities, unlike anything for in our history.

There were clinical trials to conduct. Public education campaigns to create. Community trust to be built. Logistics— this so many logistics—to sort out. And Henry Ford Health System has by Devon Barrett been there. Every step of the way.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

SUMMER 2021 | 8 FEATURE STORY | 9 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

and schools. The Henry Ford Global trust was built when imams led by Health Initiative (GHI) sent its mobile example and received their vaccines, FEATURE vaccine team into all of these places via a helping members of the Muslim fleet of vans equipped with everything community feel confident doing the they needed to deploy vaccines just same. The Islamic Center of America about anywhere. also was instrumental in developing One place where Henry Ford’s clear, thoughtful messaging that commitment to partnership had a addressed vaccine concerns that may chance to shine was Second Ebenezer have deterred members of the Muslim Made for this Baptist Church in . The church community from getting vaccinated Henry Ford teams delivered vaccines at the and the healthcare system have worked during Ramadan. Islamic Center of America in Dearborn. together for more than 20 years to To reassure the broader community, enry Ford Health System has a surgeon who volunteered for the it’s the way we are going to save lives.” promote wellness among parishioners. Henry Ford established a vaccine rich history as a research Moderna trial. In addition to proudly taking on the The GHI team set up shop in Second hesitancy and awareness team made up institution with strong Shortly after it was announced that responsibility of spreading the word and Ebenezer for eight “Senior Saturdays” of patient advisers and medical experts. Hcommunity roots, so it shouldn’t be a the Moderna vaccine was 94.5 percent leading by example, many of those first vaccination events in partnership with It has been their job to sit down with surprise that it has been a Phase 3 site for effective, Dr. McFarlin spoke to the media Henry Ford physicians and staff the Detroit Health Department. The goal people, get to the bottom of their four different vaccine trials: about why it was important to her to be members to receive the vaccine were was to vaccinate 2,000 senior citizens, concerns and help them make an • The two-shot Moderna mRNA part of the trial. emotional about what it symbolized to many of whom are African American, informed decision. vaccine’s COVE vaccine study, “I joined the trial for two main them: Safety. Renewed confidence. An and who may have otherwise which began giving shots and reasons. First, as a mom of twin girls, I end to constant fear. experienced vaccine hesitancy or GOING BIG placebos to volunteers in August wanted to do as much as I could to mistrust. 2020. protect my family. Secondly, for my VACCINES, MEET “This is a trusted place,” said Bishop As larger supplies of vaccine became • The single-dose Johnson & Johnson community” Dr. McFarlin said. THE COMMUNITY. Edgar Vann, senior pastor at Second accessible in the spring, the community began to grapple with the logistics of how vaccine’s ENSEMBLE trial, which “My hope is to demonstrate through COMMUNITY, MEET Ebenezer. “This is a place that has a began recruiting volunteers in my own experience the safety and efficacy reputation for taking care of the and where large numbers of newly eligible November 2020. of the vaccine for my colleagues and the THE VACCINES. community. This is a place where people people could receive their vaccines. One answer was Ford Field. A place • The Ensemble 2 trial for the new community that I live in and value By January 7, more than 18,000 want to come.” with plenty of parking, space where two-shot version of the Johnson & serving. I wanted my experience to Henry Ford team members had received Our GHI team also made an impact hundreds of people could safely wait in Johnson vaccine, which started empower others.” the vaccine or were scheduled to get it, at the Islamic Center of America in line, be vaccinated, and sit for the Henry Ford Health System enrolling in February 2021. Just a few weeks later, on December and the State of Michigan was ramping Dearborn, Michigan, where community CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE has delivered more than • The Moderna Covid-19 vaccine 17, 2020, each of Henry Ford’s five up plans to begin vaccinating members 310,000 COVID-19 study, KidCOVE, began enrolling hospitals received 975 doses of the vaccinations—and counting— of the general public, age 65 and older. children ages 6 months to 11 years vaccine to begin administering to since December, 2020. Starting with that smaller segment of VACCINES by the numbers Joneigh Khaldun, M.D., Chief in May 2021. frontline health workers. Chief Medical the population was a great test for how to Medical Executive for the The fact that Henry Ford is situated in Executive for the Michigan Department navigate the process of scheduling, Michigan Department of Detroit was an important factor in all of of Health and Human Services and 275,000+ 25,289 Health and Human Services documenting, and identifying the ADMINISTERED AT FORD ADMINISTERED VIA these trials. This ethnically and Henry Ford Emergency Medicine and Emergency Department challenges associated with making sure FIELD MASS VACCINATION MOBILE VACCINE physician at Henry Ford, was socioeconomically diverse city was hit physician Joneigh Khaldun, M.D., was everybody who was eligible to receive SITE one of the first healthcare hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and among those first healthcare workers to As of June 3, 2021, the mobile workers to receive the vaccine. the vaccine was aware and had the our position in the heart of the city was receive the vaccine. Her first vaccination vaccine team from GHI has given opportunity to do so. The lessons learned 25,289 doses at 156 events in 37 key to enrolling often underrepresented was delivered in front of cameras for a 310,000 distinct locations in 16 cities in 5 prepared us for when the state opened DOSES TOTAL ADMINISTERED participants. In fact, 30 percent of the livestream event to raise awareness. counties. Some of the school sites eligibility to everyone 16 and older in BY HENRY FORD HEALTH are in partnership with our School participants in the Moderna trial in “I understand that some people may April 2021. SYSTEM (AS OF 5/25) Based Health program—where Michigan were Black, Latinx, Asian and have questions about the vaccine, and The biggest takeaway? Leverage Henry Ford Pediatrics staff support of other minority populations. that’s OK,” she said at the time of her Does not include vaccines school clinics. partnerships to meet people where they delivered at Ford Field clinic. This included our own Kellie second vaccination. “But I want to say are: At community centers, nursing McFarlin, M.D., a Henry Ford general that this vaccine is safe, it’s effective, and homes, places of worship, workplaces SUMMER 21 | 10 FEATURE STORY | 11 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

prescribed 15-minute observation period Their work and attention to every Clinicians at the site administered without invading each other’s personal detail—from the moment people more than 275,000 doses, used up 99.9% space. The mass vaccination site began scheduled their appointments, to the of the site’s vaccine allotment (the Going the extra mile—for administering vaccines on March 24 with moment they walked out of Ford Field leftovers will be reallocated to another the capacity to administer 6,000 doses per with a band-aid on their arm—paid off. site in Michigan, so nothing goes to day for a period of eight weeks. One of the secrets to success? waste), and played an instrumental role individuals, for community The State of Michigan and the Federal Learning from one of the world’s most in bringing Michigan’s total to 4 million WE WOULDN’T BE LEADERS IF WE WEREN’T ABLE TO MULTITASK. HERE ARE A FEW OTHER Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) popular theme parks. shots in arms. WAYS WE’VE MADE A MONUMENTAL IMPACT DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: would manage the site, with support Debby Zierten, Vice President of As the last dose was given at the Ford coming from Wayne County, the City of Consumer Insights and Experience Field site, people began to wonder aloud Detroit, the Detroit Lions, Meijer and the leveraged her background in optimizing about what Detroit will look like as U.S. Air Force. the guest experience at Disney’s Parks people finally begin to take advantage of NEW BABY, NEW LUNGS, NEW LEASE ON LIFE And, once again, due to its previous and Resorts to deliver an ideal the protection offered by their vaccines. leadership, Henry Ford Health System was experience for every person throughout Maybe, one Detroit Lions executive new mother from Wyandotte, A transplant was the only option left, and AMichigan, is alive to raise her baby her team of doctors went for it. Jackie chosen to serve as medical director for the their Henry Ford Health System vaccine speculated, they’d be back in Ford Field girl, thanks to a team of tenacious received new lungs on January 16. One site, sharing its best practices to make the journey. This included accommodating in just a few short months to watch physicians at and a month post-transplant, she was deemed experience as safe and seamless as possible. people with special needs, football. n new pair of lungs. well enough to go home. This was a remarkable recovery. Henry Ford President and CEO communicating in over 24 languages and Thirty-one-years-old and thirty-five weeks Wright Lassiter III joined media for a providing on-site interpreter assistance. pregnant, Jackie Dennis didn’t know she “We have all marveled at just how amazing tour of the Ford Field site prior to its It also included acknowledging diverse had COVID-19 when she went to the and inspirational her progress has been,” opening in March. opinions exist toward vaccination as a hospital last November with symptoms of said Lisa Allenspach, M.D., Medical Director preeclampsia, but the nasal swab test of Henry Ford’s Lung Transplant Program. “When I see an effort like this, it solution and addressing the concerns came back positive, so she was admitted “Jackie’s positive attitude and will to BRINGING PROVEN reminds me of how amazing the team people had with receiving the vaccine. for treatment. survive, combined with the persistence THERAPIES TO members are at Henry Ford Health For all of those reasons, at the end of and skill of the surgeons and medical UNDERSERVED System, how folks lean in to provide the clinic’s eight-week run Ford Field was She gave birth to a healthy baby girl a teams—everyone working together—that’s week later, but her own health deteriorated what makes miracles happen.” COMMUNITIES significant support to make sure our named a top performer among the 32 due to COVID-19. She was transferred from communities are as healthy as possible,” federal vaccine sites, and has been used Henry Ford Wyandotte to Henry Ford This was the first known double-lung n April of 2021, Henry Ford announced it Lassiter said as a model for other cities looking to Hospital’s Level 1 Trauma Center, then to transplant to be done on a COVID-19 Iwould partner with the U.S. Department patient in the state of Michigan. And given replicate its success. the cardiovascular ICU, where she was of Health and Human Services (HHS) to placed on an ECMO machine—an Henry Ford’s leadership in the area of lung boost access to monoclonal antibody aggressive measure that ultimately kept transplants, Jackie couldn’t have been in therapy in . her alive when it became apparent that better, more skilled hands. The Henry Ford team hard her lungs could no longer function. When administered within 10 days of the onset of symptoms, the one-time therapy at work…at Ford Field? is effective in neutralizing the virus, preventing symptoms from worsening, and t’s been a full-circle experience for Dr. Mossallam, who MASKS: EFFECTIVE FROM THE VERY BEGINNING helping high-risk patients avoid a hospital Iaided in vaccine research during the trials and was visit. front-and-center, leading the effort to deliver shots to study by Henry Ford Health System was published in the Journal of Occupational The therapy is administered intravenously, thousands of Detroiters per day. A and Environmental Medicine about the effectiveness of Henry Ford’s early so access to clinics is critical to offer this implementation of its universal mask policy. The goal, from his perspective, is the same as it was during therapy to patients who need it across the the clinical trials: reassure the community that the vaccine is region. With the support of HHS, Henry The policy was issued on March 26, 2020, and after a year of continued observation, an Ford was able to open a new monoclonal safe and make it as easily accessible as possible to as many internal hospital quality database showed a strong correlation between the mask policy antibody infusion center at Community people as possible. and a significant drop in COVID-19 cases among Henry Ford healthcare workers. In fact, Health and Social Services in Southwest by the time the first peak in COVID-19 cases occurred in the general population, cases Detroit and expand therapy services at “Ford Field is obviously a recognized site. Having a place among healthcare workers at Henry Ford were trending downward. STEVEN ROCKOFF, D.O., three other hospitals that care for patients Service Chief of Emergency Medicine, Henry like this that’s easily recognized, people know how to get Ford West Bloomfield Hospital, USAMAH SAM MOSSALLAM, M.D., in underserved communities: Henry Ford n “This research reinforces the fact that mask wearing is effective in reducing the risk of Vice President and Medical Director of HFHS International Initiatives, here,” Dr. Mossallam said. Hospital in Detroit, Henry Ford Macomb acquiring COVID-19, and validated our decision early on to implement the universal mask VALERIE GUNN, Director of Regional Ambulatory Operations, ROX Hospital in Clinton Township, and Henry policy, not only to protect our team members, but also to ensure they are able to care GATIA, Director of Pharmacy Services at Henry Ford Hospital. Ford Allegiance Health in Jackson. for members of the community who contracted COVID-19,” said Steven Kalkanis, M.D., CEO of Henry Ford Medical Group and Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Officer. SUMMER 2021 | 12 FEATURE STORY | 13 Dr. O’Neill galvanizes A big impact for cardiac research with tiny patients LONGTIME NICU LEADER’S ESTATE GIFT HONORS THE gift inhonor of late wife DEPARTMENT HE HELPED BUILD hroughout his more than 30-year programs, including a level-three NICU. career, Sudhakar Ezhuthachan, This critical effort was recognized by the arol O’Neill was cherished for a deadly side-effect of massive heart M.D., has made an impact on State Department under former President many reasons, including her attacks. Tthousands of infants and families through Bill Clinton as a successful example of the warmth and devotion to her “As a pioneer in the world of the care he has provided at the Carls hospital partnership program. Cfamily, in addition to her interventional cardiology and structural Foundation Neonatal Intensive Care Unit accomplishments as a nurse and cardiac heart disease, Dr. O’ Neill is an (NICU) at Henry Ford Hospital. researcher. After she passed away in internationally recognized leader, and his Dr. Ezhuthachan, who is the Division 2019, Carol’s husband, William O’Neill, dedication to helping others cannot be Head of Neonatology, has had many M.D., and their four children chose to overstated,” said Adnan Munkarah, M.D., notable achievements. Now, he has honor her with a fitting tribute to Carol’s Chief Clinical Officer of Henry Ford decided to give back to the department character and professional passions alike. Health System. he helped grow by making a gift in his In February, Dr. O’Neill, a world- “With this gift, he is expanding that will to the NICU, to show his gratitude renowned cardiologist and director of the impact even further. We are so deeply for the colleagues and patients he has had Center for Structural Heart Disease at appreciative of Dr. O’Neill’s many the joy of working with along the way. Henry Ford Health System, donated $1 contributions, not only as a prolific William O'Neill, M.D. “I hope that service is always at the million to establish the Carol S. O’Neill clinician and researcher, but now also as forefront of one’s mind when one is at Structural Heart Disease Research Fund. a philanthropist committed to advancing work here, ensuring that the care we give His gift will be invested into an a cause that is very near to his and our our patients is the very best at all times. I endowment, creating an important, hearts.” think if that principle is kept in place, sustained source of funding for structural Carol was a talented nurse who took a Dr. Ezhuthachan pictured here with children then we will always be proud of the care Later, as Henry Ford acquired Henry who started their lives in the NICU at our heart disease research at Henry Ford. hiatus from her career to raise children we provide,” he said. Ford Wyandotte Hospital and Henry annual NICU reunion. Images were shot prior “Carol was an amazing wife and Brian, Kate, Julie and Molly, returning to to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Ezhuthachan joined Henry Ford Ford Macomb Hospital, Dr. Ezhuthachan mother, but also an avid cardiac work as a cardiac research nurse at Henry Health System in 1983 and stepped into and his team’s responsibilities continued researcher, which many people don’t Ford after they were grown. the role of director after just one year. By to expand as they oversaw those Dr. Ezhuthachan to give back to the know about,” Dr. O’Neill said. “This fund “Carol contributed in countless ways, his fourth year, the NICU was expanding, operations. When the health system Henry Ford NICU through his estate gift. is an emblem of the selfless, loving large and small, to advance our research,” and so, too, was his team: he recruited decided to build Henry Ford West He hopes his generosity will continue the person that Carol was, and it will Dr. O’Neill said. “This fund will help two additional physicians who themselves Bloomfield Hospital, his team helped amazing work of Henry Ford’s ultimately help save lives.” continue a lot of the research that she went on to become world-class medical determine its NICU’s specifications and neonatologists—and make a difference Dr. O’Neill has been at the forefront started to find new cures for patients providers and leaders. served to manage that unit too. for Henry Ford’s youngest patients. n of many major interventional cardiology with structural heart disease.” n Another of Dr. Ezhuthachan’s most Today, across Henry Ford Health advancements, including pioneering the important projects began in 1994, when System, more than 7,000 babies are To learn more about how you can use of angioplasty for the treatment of To learn more about how you can Henry Ford Hospital partnered with a delivered each year, 600 of whom require make an impact on Henry Ford heart attacks, developing catheter-based make an impact on Henry Ford sister hospital in the former Soviet Union. tertiary care in the NICU to give them Health System’s research, treatments for structural heart disease Health System’s research, For the next 12 years, Dr. Ezhuthachan, the best chance at a healthy, happy start education, patient care and more, and leading the National Cardiogenic education, patient care and more, his colleague Christine Newman, N.P., to life. visit henryford.com/development. Shock Initiative to organize new visit henryford.com/development. and others helped this new hospital in A mixture of pride and gratitude protocols for treating cardiogenic shock, Lviv, Ukraine build its patient care for his patients and career inspired SUMMER 2021 | 14 HENRY FORD HEALTH SYSTEM | 15 I’ve always been fascinated with science and biology, and as a young person, being a WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL BE One is that COVID has pushed questions about how we WHY DID YOU physician was the pinnacle in scientific pursuits. us to look at tele-medicine and design our facilities and how BECOME A THE MOST SIGNIFICANT LONG-TERM virtual care in a different way. much planning and attention During my training, one of the fields of medicine that most interested me was women’s Patients always prefer a is going to be focused on PHYSICIAN? health, which prompted me to become an OB-GYN. This allowed me to be there with patients IMPACTS OF COVID-19 ON OUR face-to-face discussion, but in-person care, versus virtual during happy times, when they’re going through a pregnancy, as well as to help treat disease. we’ve been pushed to offer care, for example. CLINICAL ENVIRONMENTS AT that virtually by the pandemic. I developed specific interests in cancer care, including ovarian cancer and cancers of the HENRY FORD? We have rapidly expanded our I think we also learned that genital tract. I’ve been a part of teams treating patients through their comprehensive surgical use of this technology and exchange of information and and medical care, helping cure patients, as well as preventing cancer. There are many begun to think critically about the ability to collaborate dimensions to this practice, and I have found each rewarding in its own way. its use in the future. across the nation and world will be extremely important. COVID will also affect our In the past, there was a level workflows. Our ability to do of competition. People realized things in a more streamlined that, in a crisis, sharing and effective fashion, that’s information is good for the IN YOUR ROLE AS CHIEF going to be a need for some community. I hope these DO YOU HAVE A PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY WHEN IT time, even after COVID is lessons with respect to CLINICAL OFFICER, HOW DO behind us. We’ll also be looking transparency and COMES TO MEDICINE? YOU SEE OUR NEW at our facilities completely collaboration will continue to differently. We’re now asking be accelerated going forward. I love to teach, and I share with many In medicine, a lot of times you are PARTNERSHIP WITH MICHIGAN of our trainees that the human working with people through their connection is what makes a difference journey. I usually tell the patient, “You STATE INFLUENCING PATIENT between a good doctor and a bad are in the driver’s seat, and I am here doctor. There is the science of with you with the map in my hand. CARE AT HENRY FORD HEALTH medicine, and there is human piece of We’ll find the path forward, together.” SYSTEM? medicine, and they are both very important. You need to understand the patient’s At Henry Ford education and research are a WHAT HAS BEEN THE PROUDEST MOMENT OF goals in life to provide the best care foundational element of everything we do, YOUR CAREER SO FAR? and achieve their desired outcome. and our partnership with MSU is going to Over the years, I’ve cherished the time enhance and accelerate that. This is I would start with the past 15 On a personal level, I feel spent working together with patients. important not just for educational months. We’ve been thrown into significant pride and joy when I purposes, but also because the learner the middle of a storm that we encounter individuals in the keeps us honest. The most insightful and never thought we’d have to community who approach me challenging questions always come from navigate. and say, “You took care of the youngest members of the team. “Why person X, and they are now are you doing that? What’s the reason And because of the amazing enjoying life and grateful for the for this?” frontline workers that we have, care you provided.” Henry Ford has been able to play Michigan State University has many great a heroic role through this crisis, There is no more gratifying resources and researchers with whom we not only in our region but moment in the treatment of will be able to partner. For example, MSU nationally. Our teams have been cancer than knowing you’ve has a strong data sciences department. absolutely fantastic in delivering made a difference for a patient, When you have a partner that is able to tap care on a day-to-day basis, while and for their family, after a ADNAN MUNKARAH, M.D., is the Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer for Henry into our data, analyze it and play with it, also being part of the discovery difficult journey. This is what Ford Health System. Dr. Munkarah is responsible for the complete spectrum of clinical activities this is also going to help accelerate our that has led to things like motivates me to get up and innovation, especially in precision health across the health system, ensuring comprehensive healthcare delivery, enhancing the quality of vaccines and new treatments to come to work every day— and medicine. Our collaboration is also care and patient safety, and exceeding patients’ expectations of the overall care experience. He combat the disease. contributing to making people’s focused on identifying research and has provided critical leadership in guiding Henry Ford through the unprecedented challenges of lives better. innovation opportunities in cancer, the COVID-19 pandemic, while heading efforts to formalize our landmark 30-year partnership providing equitable care and attacking with Michigan State University. health disparities. SUMMER 2021 | 16 BEHIND THE WHITE COAT | 17 1 2 3

The Henry Ford Star, given quarterly, honors up to four residents and/or fellows who have gone above and beyond in one of the following areas:

• Consistently spreads the joy of medicine • Provides/provided extraordinary patient care 4 5 6 “The Henry Ford Star • Outstanding humanitarian service • Above and beyond in the support of peers/colleagues Award celebrates people • Behind the scenes superstar who are recognized by their colleagues and

7 8 teaching faculty as truly special. Every winner contributes to our community in a variety of ways, and it’s important 9 10 11 to show appreciation for the clinical care that our residents and fellows provide each and every day.”

LISA MACLEAN, M.D., DIRECTOR OF PHYSICIAN WELLNESS 1. Dr. Jeff Budzyn Urology Provides extraordinary patient care 2. Dr. Mariam Jaziri Internal Medicine 6. Dr. Snigdha Parikh 9. Dr. Benjamin Arsic Behind the scenes superstar Anesthesiology Family Medicine Above and beyond in the support of peers/ Outstanding humanitarian service 3. Dr. Adam Kudirka Internal Medicine colleagues 10. Dr. Charles Fisher Provides extraordinary patient care 7. Dr. Sarah Russell General Surgery Gastroenterology Above and beyond in the support of peers/ 4. Dr. Lindsay Maier colleagues Orthopedic Surgery Above and beyond in the support of peers/ colleagues Provides extraordinary patient care 11. Dr. Zain Tariq 8. Dr. Najib Ussef Infectious Disease 5. Dr. Erin Murphy Orthopedic Surgery Provides extraordinary patient care Pulmonary Critical Care Consistently spreads the joy of medicine Above and beyond in the support of peers/ colleagues

SUMMER 2021 | 18 HENRY FORD STARS | 19 WE WILL MISS: Obituaries THINGS OF NOTE JOAQUIN G. ARCINIEGAS, M.D. JOSEPH C. CERNY, M.D. Joaquin G. Arciniegas, M.D., passed away Joseph C. Cerny, M.D., passed away on on April 7, 2021 at the age of 72. Dr. February 15, 2021 at the age of 90. Dr. Arciniegas was born in Ibagué, Colombia Cerny graduated from Yale Medical School and studied medicine at the Xaverian in 1956 and completed his residency in Pontifical University in Bogotá. He urology at the University of Michigan. In Henry Ford Hospital Achieves National relocated first to Detroit for 1971, Dr. Cerny joined Henry Ford Hospital Distinction for Surgical Quality Performance cardiovascular training at Henry Ford as Chair of the Department of Urology Henry Ford Hospital was recognized for clinical excellence and Hospital and later moved to Birmingham, and Director of the residency program. He innovation in cardiology and cardiovascular surgery, cancer, neurology Alabama to continue his medical career in developed an extensive practice in and neurosurgery, orthopedics and sports medicine, and organ private practice. urological oncology, general urology, transplantation. HFHS is the only hospital in Michigan to be nationally prostate disease, adrenal surgery and the recognized for surgical quality outcomes by the American College of urological aspects of renal Surgeons (ACS) and one of 89 U.S. hospitals to achieve “meritorious” ROUSHDY S. BOULOS, M.D. transplantation. In 1996, he became Chair quality performance for all surgical cases and high-risk surgical cases performed in 2019 in eight clinical areas. Roushdy S. Boulos, M.D., age 89, passed Emeritus of the Department before “This national recognition is reflective of the outstanding work of away on December 1, 2020. Dr. Boulos was retiring from Henry Ford in 1999. our inpatient and ambulatory surgery teams and the teams that born and raised in Souhag, Egypt and support surgical services,” says J.H. “Pat” Patton, M.D., medical director graduated from Cairo University School of of Surgical Services for Henry Ford Health System. Medicine in 1953. He immigrated to the BERNARD D. KORNELL, M.D. United States in 1967 and joined Henry Bernard D. Kornell, M.D., age 73, passed Ford Hospital in 1970 as the first full-time away on November 24, 2019. He studied neuroradiologist. He was a member of the dermatology at Henry Ford Hospital. Henry Ford Hospital Earns Re-Certification as senior staff for 25 years and led the Comprehensive Stroke Center by The Joint introduction of CT and MRI in Commission Neuroradiology for its use in Neurologic Henry Ford Hospital has been re-certified by The Joint Commission and Neurosurgical disorders. He served as as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, the highest distinction of its kind Chief of the Division of Neuroradiology for which recognizes hospitals that have the ability to receive and treat many years before retiring in 2005. the most complex stroke cases. “By utilizing the most advanced diagnostic tools available, we are able to diagnose a stroke within minutes and rapidly begin treatment,” said Alex Chebl, M.D., director of the Division of Vascular Neurology for Henry Ford Health System and director of Henry Ford Hospital's Comprehensive Stroke Center. “This commitment to excellent care has not only earned us re-certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center REFERRING by The Joint Commission, but also the Gold Plus and Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite designation from the American Heart Association. PHYSICIAN

Henry Ford Health System Goes High-Tech OFFICE with Telemedicine Virtual Exam Kit ALL FOR YOU The Tyto Care™ technology in the Henry Ford Virtual Exam Kit has a TO REFER A PATIENT TO built-in camera and three special adapters—an otoscope, a stethoscope ANY SPECIALTY OR TO and a tongue depressor—that enhances the capability and convenience CONNECT WITH A HENRY of a virtual visit. This hand-held device allows doctors to remotely look inside a patient’s throat and ears, listen to their heart and lungs, FORD PROVIDER, PLEASE examine skin conditions and more without the patient having to leave CALL: their home. Since March 2020, Henry Ford physicians have conducted more than 1-877-434-7470 300,000 telemedicine visits, up from only 17,000 in 2019. In March 2020 Fax: 313-916-5717 alone, Henry Ford averaged about 5,700 video visits a week. To HenryFord.com/rpo purchase a Tyto exam kit, please visit henryford.com/services/ virtual-care/tyto

SUMMER 2021 | 20 NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID DETROIT, MI PERMIT #6785

HENRY FORD MEDICAL GROUP ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 1 Ford Place, 5A Detroit, MI 48202

Address Service Requested

STAY CONNECTED with friends and colleagues, the latest Henry Ford news, and updates about alumni events and happenings by joining us on Facebook. www.facebook.com/groups/HFMGAlumni/

IN THIS ISSUE

OF LASTING INTEREST

OUR THERAPY DOGS WERE SPREADING THE LOVE TO OUR BUSY COLLEAGUES WHO CONTINUE TO WORK SO HARD TO KEEP US SAFE.