84899 Frontcover 8/23/06 10:35 AM Page 1 DISCONTINUED DISCONTINUED DISCONTINUED DISCONTINUED Summer 2006 MayoMayo AlumniAlumni Standing room only in classroom of the future 84899 Page 1 TOC 8/23/06 10:36 AM Page 1 Mayo Alumni Summer 2006 Volume 42 Number 3 Features 2 Standing room only Can a classroom without desks affect childhood obesity? That is what two Mayo Clinic researchers wanted to find out. With the cooperation of the Rochester, Minn. school district, the researchers created a class room to study their theory. 6 When opportunity knocks, be sure to open the door Robert Nesse, M.D. discovered early on that stepping in when something interesting came along could lead to a satisfying and multifaceted career. 12 Training in real-life situations A new simulation center in Rochester provides training opportunities for physicians, allied health staff and students in a setting where everything is real except the patients. 16 Honoring excellence in patient care, research and education The Mayo Clinic Distinguished Alumni Award was established in 1981 by the Mayo Foundation Board of Trustees to recognize and show appreciation for the exceptional contributions of Mayo alumni to the field of medicine, including medical practice, research, education and administration. This year’s honorees, Hubert Frohmüller, M.D., Robert Hyatt, M.D. and Phillip Low, M.D., are profiled. Mayo Update Mayo Clinic 22 News briefs 24 Professional meetings Distinguished 24 Postgraduate meetings Alumni 26 Alumni news Awards 27 Staff news 28 Fellow, resident and student news 28 Obituaries 32 Mayo Clinic Resource Central 84899 Page 1 TOC 8/23/06 10:36 AM Page 2 Letter from the President n the face of busy schedules, staying in touch these days with old friends is sometimes a challenge. Our alumni magazine serves as one way to provide a link between you and Mayo I Clinic and former classmates and colleagues. Our new and enhanced Mayo Clinic Alumni Association web page (you will be hearing more about it this fall) will be another link to keep you connected to alumni friends and colleagues, as well as Mayo Clinic. Alumni stay connected to Mayo and support our Mayo Clinic Alumni Association programs in many ways. The “Life After Fellowship or Residency program,” that helps our young Mayo trained physicians transition from their training programs to the real world and the business of medicine, is actively supported by Summer 2006 Mayo Alumni many of you. Without the dedication and expertise of our external alumni, this program could not happen. The following physicians have been instrumental in making this program a success, and we are grateful for their continued and enthusiastic participation: Roberta Adams, M.D. Allison Mc Larty, M.D. Macaran Baird, M.D. M. Mark Melin, M.D. Edward Creagan, M.D. Melissa Merideth, M.D. Joseph Drazkowski, M.D. Bruce Morgenstern, M.D. Michael Ebersold, M.D. Roger Nelson, M.D. Standing room only in classroom of the future Thomas Habermann, M.D. Ruel Scott, M.D. David Herman, M.D. Elizabeth Shuster, M.D. Cover Carol Juergens, M.D. Carl Soderstrom, M.D. Students test a theory: will Kyle Kircher, M.D. David Teegarden, M.D. standing during school S. Mark Laney, M.D. Thomas Viggiano, M.D. decrease childhood obesity? The “Heritage Program” is another excellent example of how the Mayo Clinic Alumni Association programs create a connection with new medical staff members joining Mayo Clinic Rochester, Jacksonville, and Arizona. This program occurs in Rochester three times each year at new staff orientation and brings our emeritus alumni and our new Mayo Correction: On page 26 of the Spring 2006 issue, Clinic Staff together. At a Foundation House luncheon, emeritus alumni share stories of we used the wrong staff their days at Mayo and officially congratulate our new staff, passing on the responsibility photo. The correct photo of for the continued excellence created by those who have gone before them. We are especially Michael Ackerman, M.D, grateful for their willingness to keep us connected to our history even as we look ahead Ph.D. is shown here. We with new staff. regret our error. An important connection is our annual Alumni Association meeting. The next one, our 65th meeting, is in Rochester October 18-22, 2007, and I hope you will join us then to keep connections strong. I also hope you will continue to offer suggestions for ways in which we can continue to provide you a strong link to Mayo Clinic. Best regards, Scott Litin, M.D. President Mayo Clinic Alumni Association 84899 Pages 2-5 8/23/06 10:40 AM Page 1 A classroom with no desks and lots of computers? NEAT! 84899 Pages 2-5 8/23/06 10:40 AM Page 2 STANDING ROOM ONLY in classroom of the future ook around a typical class- Dr. Levine and Dr. Lanningham- A collaborative effort room today, and you’ll Foster study obesity and the role of notice a few things have NEAT (non-exercise activity thermo- Developing the classroom of the changed over the years: genesis) in regulating body weight. future was a team effort. With more Lcomputers have become common- They have found that increasing than 10 years of research into NEAT, place, DVD players have replaced NEAT activities — such as parking Dr. Levine and Dr. Lanningham- film projectors and a larger number your car a few extra blocks from work Foster provided credibility and a plan of students are, well … larger. More to squeeze in a short walk, climbing a of action. The Rochester Public than 15 percent of children in the flight of stairs rather than taking an Schools were enthusiastic partners, United States are now overweight, elevator, or doing dishes by hand willing to try creative approaches to and that number is on the rise. rather than loading them into a education. Apple Computers provided The problem isn’t simply one of dishwasher — has a greater impact students with iBook wireless note- aesthetics: obesity poses a serious on weight control than does formal book computers and iPods for the threat to children’s health. Children exercise. duration of the project. America on who are overweight are at higher “We began discussing the the Move, a nonprofit organization risk of developing type 2 diabetes, possibility of creating an alternative that advocates physical activity and metabolic syndrome, high blood school environment that would allow healthy eating habits, promoted the pressure, asthma and other respirato- children to be more active and concept. And the Rochester Athletic ry problems, sleep disorders, liver increase their NEAT levels,” says Club provided space for the project. disease, early puberty or menarche, Dr. Lanningham-Foster, whose “I was amazed by the over- eating disorders and skin infections. research focuses on NEAT in children. whelmingly positive response to this In addition to physical consequences, “We knew we’d have to do something project,” says Dr. Lanningham-Foster. overweight children are often teased radical to make a difference.” One of the most enthusiastic respons- or bullied and tend to have more That “something radical” became es came from Phil Rynearson, whose anxiety and poorer social skills than known as the classroom of the future. fourth and fifth grade classroom at their normal-weight peers. Its most striking feature: a lack of Elton Hills Elementary School was Finding a way to reverse the traditional desks and chairs. selected to test the classroom of the trend of childhood obesity has cap- “Lean people stand an average future. tured the attention of many parents, of 150 minutes more each day than “I didn’t hesitate for a minute teachers and school administrators. those who are obese,” says Dr. when my superintendent and princi- Earlier this year, it captured the Lanningham-Foster. “That alone pal asked me to be part of this study,” attention of two Mayo Clinic enables them to burn an additional says Rynearson. “I was excited about researchers as well: endocrinologists 350 calories a day. We wanted to find the chance to do something new and James Levine, M.D., Ph.D., and a way to get the students up on very different.” Lorraine Lanningham-Foster, Ph.D. their feet.” Summer 2006 Mayo Alumni 3 84899 Pages 2-5 8/23/06 10:40 AM Page 3 Rynearson’s students were enthused says Dr. Lanningham-Foster. “I inhibiting his ability to teach or his as well. drafted a protocol that was quickly students’ ability to learn. “They were excited to be doing approved by our Institutional Review Among the innovations designed something different from their peers,” Board, and the project began at the to get students moving in the class- he says. “They were especially inter- beginning of March.” room of the future were: ested in the technology piece of the project. In addition, Dr. Levine Creating an optimal learning ■ Podiums in place of desks stressed to the students that they environment ■ Video-streamed “pod-casting,” were going to be part of something which allowed students to watch that no other students had done The research team worked to create a lessons on iPods while walking before. He told them that the results learning environment that would be ■ Wireless technology of the study could have lasting innovative and engaging without ■ Vertical magnetic work spaces that effects on the future of education. being distracting. doubled as projection screens The students took that to heart, which “We knew we needed to find ■ Personalized white boards helped set the tone for the project.” ways for kids to incorporate more (instead of a single large black Support for the project was so movement into their daily routines, board for the room) great that it went from concept to but at the same time we couldn’t do reality in a month.