Archived News and Events - 2011

OB/GYN Residents Broaden Skills While Serving Guatemalan Women in Need

Dr. Elder in Guatemala Robert Elder, MD, Associate Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and his surgical team recently spent five days completing 26 major gynecologic surgeries at Clinica Ezell in Guatemala, where he has led a mission trip to serve women with serious medical needs for the past six years. Dr. Elder serves on the board of directors of Health Talents International, which built Clinica Ezell, a modern surgical building and dormitory, in 2001.

An OB/GYN resident often accompanies Dr. Elder on the trip. Residents say this elective gives them increased surgical experience not often gained in the U.S. and instills in them a sense of volunteerism and service. This year, third-year resident Kristen Sorenson, MD, joined Dr. Elder's mission team.

Dr. Sorenson in Guatemala One case that had a great impact on Dr. Sorensen involved a woman suffering from prolapse, a condition that involves weakening in the muscles and ligaments that support the pelvic organs, often causing considerable discomfort. A recent accident left the woman's husband a quadriplegic. Constant lifting of her husband likely contributed to the woman's condition, which made it more difficult for her to take care of the couple's six children. Surgery by Dr. Sorensen and her team corrected the prolapse.

Lisa Buckingham, MD, Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident Alumnus, joined the mission team for her second time this year. As a chief resident last year, Dr. Buckingham participated in the international elective and then completed a study based on her experience, "Crossing Borders to Improve OB/GYN Resident Surgical Education."

For her study, Dr. Buckingham compared the number of surgical procedures performed in a week by her and the four previous residents who had participated in the international elective in Guatemala to an average week of gynecologic services performed at their home institution. Dr. Buckingham found that on average, residents were exposed to 12 hysterectomies during a week in Guatemala compared to only one per week at home. Dr. Buckingham said the discrepancy is due to healthcare reform, work hour restrictions and advancing technologies and by participating in the international elective, residents were able to broaden their skill sets while being exposed to global health issues.

Dr. Buckinghgam continues to find her mission work beneficial to her career in private practice. She said, "I think the most important thing about my experience in Guatemala is that it takes me back to why I became a physician in the first place, to help people. When all of the problems with politics and insurance and money are taken out of the mix, you are left with a group of people who truly need our help and are exceedingly grateful for any help we can give them. It is such an uplifting experience and can help reinvigorate you for your work at home. "

April 28, 2011

UTGSM Remembers Dr. George F. Schuchmann

George F. Schuchmann, MD, who recently passed away, was honored with a "Celebration of Life" for being a devoted physician, faculty member and administrator.

Dr. Schuchmann served the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine and the UT Medical Center community for more than 23 years as a cardiothoracic surgeon and most recently as Medical Director of the Heart Lung Vascular Institute. His leadership and dedication inspired the establishment of the Schuchmann Heart Lung Vascular Gift Fund to support the furtherance of excellence in patient care, education and research.

Dr. Schuchmann came to Knoxville in 1983 when he opened a private practice at UT Medical Center. He served as Chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, and Clinical Professor of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, beginning in 1985. One of the many highlights of his career at UTMC includes the first heart transplant surgery performed in East Tennessee in 1986. He was named Medical Director/Advisor to the Heart Lung Vascular Institute at UTMC after his retirement from private practice in 1998.

Dr. Schuchmann's medical career began after graduating Cum Laude from Creighton University in 1963. He joined the U.S. Army that same year and was assigned to Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington, to begin his internship. In 1964, he served as Brigade Surgeon to the 3rd Armor Division in Friedberg, Germany. He returned to Tacoma in 1966 to complete his internship in General Surgery, followed by two more years of residency in Cardiothoracic Surgery at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado. Dr. Schuchmann held several positions with the U.S. Army including: Commander, 11th Evacuation Hospital, Pusan, Korea; Chief, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas;and Associate Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Uniformed Services of Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland. He retired from the U.S. Army in 1983 with the rank of Colonel Medical Corps.

Dr. Schuchmann gave this advice for everyone to live by in the article "Rumination & Recollections of an Old Surgeon" from 2006 edition of the Frontiers Magazine: "My advice: Walk, go fishing, get some fresh air, plant a garden, and eat those vegetables. See your physician for 'oil changes and 30,000-mile checkups.' Take charge of your opportunity to live a long and healthy life."

April 20, 2011

Research Seminar Addresses New Probe for Imaging Amyloid and Tumors

The University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine Research Seminar will continue Tuesday, April 19, with a presentation on, "A New Probe for the Molecular Imaging of Amyloid and Tumors," by Jonathan Wall, PhD, Professor and Director of the Preclinical and Diagnostic Molecular Imaging Laboratory. The seminar will be held at noon in Morrison's Conference Center and light refreshments will be served.

April 18, 2011

Dr. Steve Rider Addresses 'Current Events in Neurology'

Steve Rider, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, will present, "Current Events in Neurology," Monday, April 18, at 7 a.m. in Morrison's Conference Center. The presentation is approved for 0.1 CEUs and is offered at no cost through the Brain and Spine Institute.

April 14, 2010

Faculty and Staff Honored for Long-Term Service

University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine employees were honored recently for years of service to the University of Tennessee Medical Center. Faculty and staff with 10 or more years of service were honored in five year increments, along with retirees.

45 Years:
Carmen Lozzio, MD, Medical Genetics

40 Years:
Darlene Kilgore, Obstetrics and Gynecology

35 Years:
Lucille Simpson, Medical Genetics

30 Years:
Christine Delores Brown, Surgery
Tammy Devine, GSM Business Office
Sissy Ensor, Medicine
David Gerard, PhD, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Vichien Lorch, MD, Obstetrics and Gynecology

25 Years:
Lisa Davis, General Dentistry
Bertha Jarnigan, Radiology
J. Michael McCoy, DDS, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Charles Murphy, Human Immunology and Cancer Program
Richard Obenour, MD, Medicine
Don Pearson, Jr., MD, Anesthesiology
Paige Rinehart, Anesthesiology
Kenneth Rule, MD, Radiology
James Taylor, MD, Surgery

20 Years:
Tara Burnette, MD, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Daniel Bustamante, MD, Anesthesiology
Lolita Davis, Human Immunology and Cancer Program
Jeffrey Keenan, MD, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Rose LaSorsa, General Dentistry
Maricarmen Malagon-Rogers, MD, Family Medicine
Carolyn Snider, Anesthesiology
Tina Tindell, Obstetrics and Gynecology
O. Lee Wilson, DMD, General Dentistry

15 Years:
Gregory Blake, MD, Family Medicine
George Chacko, MD, Radiology
Robert Elder, MD, Obstetrics and Gynecology
William Law Jr., MD, Medicine
Laura Maples, Communications and Outreach
Edward Mobley, MD, Anesthesiology
Julio Solla, MD, Surgery
Jonathan Wall, PhD, Medicine
Camilla Williams, Pediatric Consultants Inc.
Hope Wright, Surgery

10 Years:
Jack Chavez, MD, Anesthesiology
Rick Green, Health Information and Management Systems
Alan Grindstaff, MD, Pathology
Amy Keenum, DO, Family Medicine
Jane Obenour, Medicine
Cynthia Pearman, MD, Family Medicine
Shuching Wang, Human Immunology and Cancer Program

Retirees:
Antonin Bukovsky, MD, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Patty Huff, Graduate Medical and Dental Education
Mary Kendall, Human Immunology and Cancer Program
Jo Kendrick, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Debra Moore, Family Medicine
John Neff, MD, Pathology
Sherry Potter, Family Medicine
David Townsend, PhD, Medicine
Norman Walton, MD, Medicine
Jane White, PhD, RD, Family Medicine
Melinda Willocks, Dentistry
Kelly Wright, MD, Obstetrics and Gynecology

April 11, 2010

Dr. Goldman to Discuss Research at UTGSM at Science Forum April 15

Mitchell Goldman, MD, Assistant Dean for Research and Professor and Chair of Surgery, will present, "Research at the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine," at the next UT Science Forum to be held from noon to 1 p.m., April 15, in the Thompson-Boling Arena in dining room C-D on the UT Knoxville campus. The presentation is open to the public and lunch is welcome. For more information, contact Mark Littmann at 865-974-8156.