December 12, 2007 Examining Ethnicity and the Quality of Health Care: UTGSM Professor Studies Influence of Ethnicity on Medical Care Does race and ethnicity play a role in the quality of healthcare someone receives in the U.S.? According to research led by a University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine professor, they can.
Lorraine S. Wallace, Ph.D., Department of Family Medicine, UT Graduate School of Medicine, led a team of researchers who conducted a study using nationally representative data of more than 19,000 U.S. adults from the 2002 Medical Expenditures Panel Survey to understand how Hispanics and non-Hispanics reported interactions with healthcare providers and how demographic and socioeconomic characteristics impact interactions between Hispanics and their medical providers.
“Because recent studies have reported that Hispanics have lower quality patient-physician interactions and poorer self-reported health as compared with non-Hispanics,” said Wallace, “we sought to investigate these differences.Links between health-related outcomes and quality-of-care indicators have been explored, but little is known regarding these issues within the Hispanic population exclusively.”
Their findings were surprising. The study showed that Hispanics who had visited a healthcare provider in the previous 12 months reported more positively about the aspects of general communication with healthcare providers than non-Hispanics.When compared to the non-Hispanic reference group, Hispanics were more likely to report that their healthcare provider always listened to them carefully, explained information so they understood, showed respect for what they had to say and spent enough time with them. Among Hispanic respondents exclusively, the youngest age groups (18-24 and 25-44 years) and those without health insurance reported poorer interactions with healthcare providers as compared to older and publicly insured respondents.
Alternatively, Hispanics were less likely to report that their healthcare provider always gave them control over treatment options, as compared to non-Hispanics.
“Our findings are contrary to our expectations and somewhat inconsistent with previous research,” Wallace said. Why did Hispanics in this study report better communication dynamics with healthcare providers but less decision-making autonomy?According to Wallace, the answer may be related to healthcare provider characteristics and the patient’s ethnicity.
For example, the inconsistent findings could be caused by rudimentary Spanish skills among non-Hispanic healthcare providers that may provide an initial feeling of being treated well and listened to, but providers’ language skills may not be advanced enough to adequately negotiate treatment options with a Hispanic, Spanish-speaking patient.Also, lower levels of health literacy skills among Hispanic patients may influence communication dynamics within the medical encounter itself.According to the report, two-thirds of Hispanic American adults have limited health literacy skills, which are defined as the ability to read, understand and act upon health information.
Findings also suggest that healthcare providers might be more paternalistic with Hispanic patients with decision making, perhaps related to language barriers.
“Understanding influences on healthcare communication and decision-making autonomy is crucial to achieving equal healthcare treatment for all Americans.Clearly, these results tell us that further research is needed,” Wallace concluded.
Funding for the research was provided by the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine.
Contributing researchers include Jennifer E. DeVoe, M.D., D.Phil, Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR; Edwin S. Rogers, Ph.D., Department of Family Medicine, University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine; Maricarmen Malagon-Rogers, M.D., Department of Family Medicine, University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine; and George E. Fryer, Jr., Ph.D., NYU Center for Child Health Research, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY.
December 12, 2007
Erwin to discuss UT Center for Public Health The next UTGSM Research Seminar will be held on Tuesday, December 18, 2007, at Noon in the Morrison's Conference Room at UT Medical Center. Paul C. Erwin, MD, MPH, Professor and Director of the UT Center for Public Health, will be the speaker. His lecture is entitled, "The University of Tennessee Center for Public Health: One Building Bock Towards a Stronger Public Health Presence." Everyone is invited to attend. Light refreshments will be served.
November 26, 2007
Frontiers Magazine Looks at the Stories Within The fourth quarter 2007 edition of Frontiers magazine, a quarterly publication for alumni and friends, produced by UT Medical Center and UT Graduate School of Medicine, is on newsstands at UT Medical Center and UT Graduate School of Medicine and online. This edition gives readers a glimpse of a few of the many fascinating stories that make our physicians, residents and staff unique in this academic medical center. In particular, Graduate School of Medicine physicians are featured for their extraordinary—sometimes heroic—efforts to help others. David Cassada, MD, Associate Professor and vascular surgeon, is featured for his cutting-edge work in thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, and J.B. Bains, MD, Internal Medicine resident, who happened onto a medical emergency and put his education and experience to work, shares his story. For more information or to request a copy, contact UT Graduate School of Medicine at 305-9190.
November 13, 2007
Research Seminar Scheduled Jung Han Kim, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Nutrition, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, will present a seminar entitled: "TALLYHO, A Novel Polygenic Mouse Model of Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes." The seminar will be held on Tuesday, November 213, 2007 in the Morrison's Conference Room at Noon. Light refreshments will be provided. Everyone is invited to attend.
November 6, 2007
UT Science Forum, Friday, November 16th The University of Tennessee Science Forum would like to invite all interested GSM faculty, staff, and residents to attend a special program on “Tracking the Movements of Ancient Humans by DNA”. The program will be presented by Dr. Graciela Cabana, Assistant Professor of Anthropology. It will be held on Friday, November 16th, 2007 from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. The Forum is free and is located in the Thompson-Boling Arena in dining room C-D. Bring your lunch or purchase it at the Arena. For more information please contact Mark Littmann at 974-8156.
November 6, 2007|
Surgery Grand Rounds-"Evaluating Students and Residents" The Department of Surgery at the UT Graduate School of Medicine will host Surgery Grand Rounds on Thursday, November 8, 2007, at 7:00 am. The speaker will be Rebecca S. Evangelista, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, Georgetown University Hospital. Dr. Evangelista's lecture is entitled, "Evaluating Students and Residents: How do you measure up?" The meeting will be held in the Morrison's Conference Room at the UT Medical Center. Everyone is invited to attend.
November 6, 2007
Matteson to Lead Research Seminar
Karla J. Matteson, PhD, FACMG, Professor of Medical Genetics at the UTGSM, will present a seminar entitled: "Genetics of Coumadin Efficacy." The seminar will be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2007 at noon in the Morrison's Conference Room of UT Medical Center. Everyone is invited and light refreshments will be served.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
UT Science Forum Extends Invitation for Friday, November 2, 2007
The University of Tennessee Science Forum would like to invite all interested GSM faculty, staff, and residents to attend a special program on “Private Rooms – A New Concept in Neonatal Intensive Care.” The program will be presented by Kim Massey, RN, Nurse Manager, from the UT Medical Center, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The forum will be held on Friday, November 2, 2007 from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. The forum is free and is located in the Thompson-Boling Arena in dining room C-D. Bring your lunch or purchase it at the Arena. For more information contact Mark Littmann at 974-8156.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Research Seminar Notice - Dr. Stephen Kennel The UTGSM research seminar will be held on Tuesday, October 23, 2007, at noon in the Morrison's Conference Room at UT Medical Center. Dr. Stephen J. Kennel, PhD, Associate Professor, Departments of Medicine and Radiology, will present the lecture entitled, "What are Nanoparticles? How can they be used?" Everyone is invited to attend. Light refreshments will be served.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Gaines to speak at UT Science Forum on October 19 The UT Science Forum presents Thomas E. Gaines, MD, Associate Professor, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, UTGSM Department of Surgery as the next speaker in the UT Science Forum. Dr. Gaines will speak on "A New Approach to Curing Atrial Fibrillation" on Friday, October 19, 2007, from noon to 1 pm. The UT Science Forum is free and open to the public. The seminar will be held in Thompson-Boling Arena Dining Room C-D. Please bring your own lunch or purchase it from the Arena. Contact Mark Littmann at 974-8156 for more information.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Research Seminar Notice for Tuesday, October 9 Robert N. Moore, PhD, Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies, UT College of Veterinary Medicine, will present a seminar entitled, "Update on Comparative and Experimental Medicine Graduate Program." The seminar will be held Tuesday, October 9, 2007 at Noon, in the Morrison's Conference Room of UT Medical Center. This seminar is required for GSM faculty who teach, have taught, or have a current Comparative and Experimental Medicine graduate student. Light refreshments will be served.
September 25, 2007
Surgery Grand Rounds The Department of Surgery will hold Grand Rounds on Thursday, September 27, 2007 at 7:00 am in the Morrison's Conference Room of UT Medical Center. Edward A. Levine, MD, Professor of Surgery and Chief of the Surgical Oncology Service at Wake Forest University will speak. The topic of his lecture will be, "Surgical Therapy for Disseminated Peritoneal Surface Disease." Everyone is invited to attend.
September 24, 2007
Research Seminar Notice Roger C. Carroll, PhD, Professor and Director of the Anesthesiology Research Program, UT Graduate School of Medicine, will present the seminar entitled, "Clinical Consequences of Aspirin Resistance." The seminar will be held Tuesday, September 25, 2007, at noon in the Morrison's Conference Room at UT Medical Center. Everyone is invited to attend.
September 19, 2007
Whittington Lecture to Investigate Prostate Cancer: November 1-2 All men are at risk for developing prostate cancer. In fact, about one man in six will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. Investigate the latest issues in management and treatment of prostate cancer at the 2007 John W. Whittington, M.D., Endowed Lecture, November 1, Morrison’s Conference Center at UT Medical Center and November 2, classrooms at Parkwest Hospital. Lecture participants will learn what outcomes can be expected from a nerve-sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy, and how sexual rehabilitation is managed with post-radical prostatectomy. Also presented will be current guidelines for the use of PSA in prostate cancer management; prostate cancer updates from the American Urological Association and American Society of Clinical Oncology; and case presentations. Guest lecturers are Thomas Keane, M.D., Professor and Chair, Dept. of Urology, Medical University of South Carolina, and Herbert Lepor, M.D., Professor and Chair, Dept. of Urology, New York University School of Medicine. This CME lecture will interest physicians specializing in medical oncology, radiation oncology, urology and other medical specialties. It is certified for CME and CEU credits by AMA, AAPA and UT. For more information and registration, visit www.tennessee.edu/cme/Whittington2007.
September 18, 2007
UT Science Forum, Friday, September 28
UT Science Forum Extends Invitation for Friday, September 28th The University of Tennessee Science Forum would like to invite all interested GSM faculty, staff, and residents to attend a special program on “How Your Internal Clock Affects Your Daily Life” The program will be presented by Dr. Rebecca A. Prosser, Associate Professor of Biochemistry & Cellular & Molecular Biology. It will be held on Friday, September 28th, 2007 from 12:00 pm. – 1:00 pm. The Forum is free and is located in the Thompson-Boling Arena in dining room C-D. Bring your lunch or purchase it at the Arena. For more information please contact Mark Littmann at 974-8156.
September 11, 2007
Surgery Grand Rounds, Thursday, September 13, 2007 Ronald M. Ferguson, MD, Professor of Surgery at Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus, OH, will present Surgery Grand Rounds on Thursday, September 13, 2007. The topic of Dr. Ferguson's lecture is "Maintaining Optimal MPA Dosing Following Kidney Transplantation." The conference will begin at 7:00 am in the Morrison's Conference Room at UT Medical Center. Everyone is invited to attend
September 11, 2007
UT Science Forum on Global Warming set for Friday, September 21, 2007 The University of Tennessee Science Forum would like to invite all interested GSM faculty, staff, and residents to attend a special program on “Global Warming: Consequences, Solutions” The program will be presented by Dr. Rick Weinstein, Lecturer, Division of Biology. It will be held on Friday, September 21st, 2007 from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. The Forum is free and is located in the Thompson-Boling Arena in dining room C-D. Bring your lunch or purchase it at the Arena. For more information contact Mark Littmann at 974-8156.
August 28, 2007
Solomon NIH Grant Renewed for 42nd Year University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine researcher, Alan Solomon, MD, Professor of Medicine and Director of the Human Immunology and Cancer/Alzheimer's Disease and Amyloid Related Disorders Research Program, was recently awarded a five year renewal on a grant from the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) National Cancer Institute that now is on the of the longest active NIH grants in NIH history and is the longest running NIH grant in UT History.
The grant, originally awarded to Dr. Solomon in 1965, has been renewed continually for the past 42 years and has provided more than $12 million to fund Dr. Solomon’s work at UT.
Dr. Solomon has devoted these 42 years to the study, diagnosis and treatment of cancer and for the past 10 years on amyloidosis, a protein-folding disorder associated with rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, adult-onset (type-2) diabetes and an illness related to multiple myeloma called primary or AL amyloidosis.“The length of the NIH grant and the total amount of money associated with it reflect strong support of the preeminent research program at the UT Graduate School of Medicine, an undertaking that has gained national and international attention,” said James J. Neutens, PhD, Dean, UT Graduate School of Medicine.
“I am very appreciative and grateful for the initial and the continuing NIH grant, which will make it possible for us to achieve our ultimate goal, to improve the outcome of patients with these medically devastating amyloid-associated diseases,” said Dr. Solomon.“I am thankful to receive this award particularly because so few NIH research grants are being funded at this time due to imposed limitations in governmental support for medical research.”
August 24, 2007
Men's Health Focus of Frontiers Magazine Preview the latest edition of the Frontiers Magazine.
The third quarter 2007 edition of Frontiers magazine, a quarterly publication for alumni and friends, produced by UT Medical Center and UT Graduate School of Medicine, is now available. This edition examines men's health issues, including screenings for men, injuries of "weekend warriors," prostate cancer and other conditions and features the Graduate School of Medicine's support of young men at summer Boy Scouts camp and its Molecular Imaging and Translational Research Program.
Visit this convenient link to subscribe to the Frontiers Magazine.
August 24, 2007
Zemel Presents at Medicine Grand Rounds
The Graduate School of Medicine Department of Medicine Grand Rounds offers the following program: “The Metabolic Shift: Calcium Modulation of Obesity and Metabolic Disease.” The grand rounds seminar will be presented by Dr. Michael B. Zemel, Professor of Nutrition & Medicine, and Director of the University of Tennessee Nutrition Institute. The lecture will be held Tuesday, September 11, 2007, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. in Morrison’s Conference Room. This program is certified for CME Credit. No registration is required.
August 20, 2007
Paganelli Named University of Tennessee Assistant Dean
The University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, Office of the Dean, announces that Amy S. Paganelli, CPA, MBA, CGFM, has been named Assistant Dean for Finance and Administration.
In this role, Paganelli is responsible for all financial and budgeting aspects of the Graduate School of Medicine as well as administrative operations. She joined the graduate school in 1999 and most recently served as Director of the UT Graduate School of Medicine's Office of Business Administration .
Paganelli earned the Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) designation in 1995 and the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation in 1989. She serves on the Board of Directors of the local chapter of the Association of Government Accountants.
August 16, 2007
Metheny Named New Assistant Dean for Graduate Medical and Dental Education Dr. James J. Neutens, Dean, UT Graduate School of Medicine, is delighted to announce that William P. Metheny, PhD, has accepted the position of Assistant Dean for Graduate Medical & Dental Education. The search committee is to be commended for their efforts.
Dr. Metheny brings a tremendous amount of experience to the UTGSM and will work hand-in-hand with Dr. Eddie Moore, Designated Institutional Official (DIO) and Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education, to achieve our educational goals. Dr. Metheny has worked extensively with residents and medical students at Brown University Medical School. He is well published in the field of medical education and is nationally recognized for his efforts including contributions to professional organizations. In keeping with his appointment at Brown University, Dr. Metheny’s faculty appointment will be in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. His start date with the Graduate School of Medicine will be November 1, 2007.
August 14, 2007
Hudson Named Interim Chairman of Radiology Kathleen B. Hudson, MD, has been appointed Interim Chairman of the Department of Radiology. Dr. Hudson acquired a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision in 1981 from McNeese State University of Louisiana. She successfully obtained her medical degree in 1989 from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center , School of Medicine in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Dr. Hudson began her career here at the Graduate School of Medicine as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Radiology in August of 1994. She was promoted to Associate Professor July 1, 1999. She also currently serves as the Program Director for the Residency Program of Department of Radiology.
Thanks to Dr. R. Kent Hutson for serving as interim chairman following Dr. Kenneth A. Rule, who stepped down after serving many years as Chairman last year. Dr. Hutson is leaving the Graduate School of Medicine in August 2007 to practice at Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga.
August 9, 2007
Medicine Department Grand Round Series Everyone is invited to attend the Department of Medicine Grand Round Series entitled "Healthcare Communication: Connection and Commitment." The program will be held August 14, 2007, from 8:00 am to 9:00 a.m. in the Morrison's Conference Room at UT Medical Center. Richard Gibson, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, will speak. The objective of this session is to improve patient as well as physician satisfaction, decrease malpractice risk and improving communication with patients.
CME/CEU credits will be offered. No registration is required.
August 8, 2007
UTGSM Launches New Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship The University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine announces the launch of a new fellowship program focusing on cardiovascular disease. This program is one of only four in the state of Tennessee. During the three-year program, the UTGSM fellows will receive specialty training in invasive cardiac catheterization, echocardiography, electrophysiology, nuclear cardiology, computed tomographic cardiac imaging, electrocardiography, exercise stress testing and diagnostic cardiac catheterization. They will evaluate patients with cardiovascular disease both in private practice as well as in a clinic setting. Additionally, each fellow will work closely with a research mentor on a research project of the fellow’s choosing and will be provided six months of dedicated research time during the third year of the fellowship to complete the project. The fellowship program is managed by the UTGSM Department of Medicine.
“The UT fellowship program will improve cardiac care and access to quality cardiac care in East Tennessee, and as our fellows graduate from the program and begin their medical practices, cardiac care across the nation will be improved,” said UT Graduate School of Medicine Dale Wortham, MD, cardiologist and director of the fellowship program.Currently, the U.S. is experiencing a shortage of cardiologists, Dr. Wortham said, particularly as the Baby Boomers age.
Gayathri Baljepally, MD, and Rubinder Ruby, MD, are the first two fellows in the UT program.“The vast amount of experience and knowledge of our faculty coupled with the broad spectrum of clinical cardiac conditions we will evaluate will result in the best cardiologists any community could need,” said Dr. Ruby.
The program will accept two fellows a year for a total of six fellows in the program.Future applications will be accepted through the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS), and the program will participate in the Medical Specialties Matching Program through the National Resident Match Program.
The University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine
The 
The UTGSM research seminar will be held on Tuesday, October 23, 2007, at noon in the Morrison's Conference Room at UT Medical Center. Dr. Stephen J. Kennel, PhD, Associate Professor, Departments of Medicine and Radiology, will present the lecture entitled, "What are Nanoparticles? How can they be used?" Everyone is invited to attend. Light refreshments will be served. 
The UT Science Forum presents Thomas E. Gaines, MD, Associate Professor, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, UTGSM Department of Surgery as the next speaker in the UT Science Forum. Dr. Gaines will speak on "A New Approach to Curing Atrial Fibrillation" on Friday, October 19, 2007, from noon to 1 pm. The UT Science Forum is free and open to the public. The seminar will be held in Thompson-Boling Arena Dining Room C-D. Please bring your own lunch or purchase it from the Arena. Contact 
Robert N. Moore, PhD, Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies, 
The 
Roger C. Carroll, PhD, Professor and Director of the 
All men are at risk for developing prostate cancer. In fact, about one man in six will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. Investigate the latest issues in management and treatment of prostate cancer at the 2007 John W. Whittington, M.D., Endowed Lecture, November 1, Morrison’s Conference Center at UT Medical Center and November 2, classrooms at Parkwest Hospital. Lecture participants will learn what outcomes can be expected from a nerve-sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy, and how sexual rehabilitation is managed with post-radical prostatectomy. Also presented will be current guidelines for the use of PSA in prostate cancer management; prostate cancer updates from the American Urological Association and American Society of Clinical Oncology; and case presentations. Guest lecturers are Thomas Keane, M.D., Professor and Chair, Dept. of Urology, Medical University of South Carolina, and Herbert Lepor, M.D., Professor and Chair, Dept. of Urology, New York University School of Medicine. This CME lecture will interest physicians specializing in medical oncology, radiation oncology, urology and other medical specialties. It is certified for CME and CEU credits by AMA, AAPA and UT. For more information and registration, visit 
University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine researcher, Alan Solomon, MD, Professor of Medicine and Director of the Human Immunology and Cancer/Alzheimer's Disease and Amyloid Related Disorders Research Program, was recently awarded a five year renewal on a grant from the 
The University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, Office of the Dean, announces that Amy S. Paganelli, CPA, MBA, CGFM, has been named Assistant Dean for Finance and Administration. 
Dr. James J. Neutens, Dean, UT Graduate School of Medicine, is delighted to announce that William P. Metheny, PhD, has accepted the position of Assistant Dean for 
Kathleen B. Hudson, MD, has been appointed Interim Chairman of the 
Gayathri Baljepally, MD, and Rubinder Ruby, MD, are the first two fellows in the UT program.