A Word from the Dean

Welcome to this special "Awards" edition of the GSM Scope Newsletter. This issue is published to recognize the tremendous faculty, residents and staff of the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine.

The first annual GSM staff "Excellence Awards" proved very successful. The individuals selected have confirmed that dedication, leadership, courtesy, and community service are an important component of UTGSM. The fourth annual GSM "Faculty Awards" were also presented. The recipients are a deserving and exceptional group of faculty. This year's honorees join a list of others who have graciously given their time and talents to the betterment of medical education.

Congratulations to all of the 2007 GSM graduating class of residents and fellows. As you move into your career, I know you will be excellent representatives of the UT Graduate School of Medicine. I wish you continued success.

The award winners and all of those recognized in this issue have shown through their efforts a wish to uphold the four-fold mission of education, research, service and patient care. Once again congratulations to all of you!

Sincerely,
James J. Neutens, PhD
Dean, UT Graduate School of Medicine

2007 GSM Faculty Awards

The fourth annual "GSM Faculty Awards" were presented at the Resident Reception held June 27, 2007, at the University Club/Visitors Center. Winners were nominated by their colleagues and include:

GSM Spirit Award
John C. Neff, MD
Professor and Director of the Pathology Residency Program

The GSM Spirit Award recognizes faculty members who exemplify the spirit of UTGSM by upholding and promoting the UTGSM mission to colleagues, residents, students, staff, and the community. Dr. Neff was nominated by Dr. James Neutens, Dean, UTGSM, who said, "Dr. Neff is respected throughout the UT Health Science Center as well as within the walls of the Graduate School of Medicine, and he is recognized as a leader in Pathology at the national level."

Excellence and Leadership in Basic Science Research
Brian O'Nuallain, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Human Immunology and Cancer Program

This award is offered to recognize, reward, and reinforce outstanding investigators and to promote excellence in basic science research at UTGSM. The primary criteria are excellence and leadership in research over an extended portion of an investigative career at UTGSM. In nominating Dr. O'Nuallain, Dean Neutens described his work as "some of the best research of any young investigator in the United States."

Excellence and Leadership in Clinical Research
Nikki B. Zite, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor and Associate Director, Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program

This award is offered to recognize, reward, and reinforce outstanding investigators and to promote excellence in clinical research at UTGSM. "Dr. Zite has expanded the educational experience for our residents immensely by virtue of her clinical expertise, teaching techniques and interest in clinical research," said Dr. Robert Elder in his nomination of Dr. Zite. "Through her guidance, a number of research projects have been accepted for presentation at a national level, several of them garnering recognition and awards."

Excellence in Teaching Award
Henry S. Nelson, MD
Professor and Vice Chairman, Department of Surgery

This award is offered to faculty who exhibit a strong commitment to teaching while serving as a role model to residents, students, and colleagues. In nominating Dr. Nelson, Dr. Mitchell Goldman said, "Dr. Nelson has the appreciation of the residents for his ability to find the delicate balance between autonomy and guidance and convey both his personal qualities as well as his command of the surgical literature and technique to create the all around surgeon."

Excellence in Teaching Award (Volunteer Faculty)
Robert D. Thomas, MD
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology

Recipients of this award volunteer time and effort to further the mission of UTGSM without compensation. This award is offered to volunteer faculty who exhibit a strong commitment to teaching while serving as a role model to residents, students, and colleagues. In nominating Dr. Thomas, Dr. Kent Hutson said, "Dr. Thomas spends three to four hours a day for several weeks to present radiology cases. Of particular importance, he covers the areas of pediatric radiology and congenital heart disease that are not covered by our core curriculum. Dr. Thomas is in a full-time private practice in Greeneville, TN, yet he drives 1.5 hours each way to present these lecture and case reviews. The residents are very appreciative of Dr. Thomas and his educational efforts."

Employees Go Beyond the Scope: Excellence Awards Presented

The first annual GSM "Excellence Awards" were presented on June 15, 2007 to four deserving UTGSM staff. The GSM "Excellence Awards" are given to staff members who go beyond the scope of their jobs by providing outstanding job performance, courtesy, and customer service. A luncheon was held and each recipient received a certificate to frame, a $50 gift certificate to Copper Cellar Restaurant, a notebook and an "Excellence" lapel pen.

2007 Excellence in Job Performance
Patricia Obenour
Department of Medicine

Patti Obenour has served as coordinator for the UTGSM Department of Medicine's Pulmonology and Cardiology Fellowship Programs for the past two years. “It is truly an honor to be nominated for this award by supervisors for whom I have tremendous respect, and it is equally special to me to be recognized by colleagues whom I think the world of,” said Patti.

On nominating Patti for this award, Dr. Calvin Bard said, "Patti has demonstrated an amazing degree of initiative and professionalism and has been absolutely instrumental in the successful application to the ACGME for the new cardiology fellowship program." "Patti has brought tremendous energy and organizational skills to her job as fellowship coordinator for two new fellowships in Pulmonary Disease and Cardiology," said Dr. Tina Dudney.

2007 Excellence in Courtesy and Customer Service
Carol Houser
Office of Faculty and Staff Affairs, UTGSM Dean's Office

Carol Houser joined UTGSM in 2001 and has served in her current position as Coordinator of Faculty and Student Affairs for two years. "I consider myself a team member of the Graduate School, treating people as I would want to be treated and I am honored to be recognized as a recipient of the excellence award," said Carol.

Dr. George Kabalka said of Carol, "In more than one instance, Carol has offered guidance and assistance in our efforts to traverse the maze of regulations related to personnel appointments." Dr. Kimberly Morris said, "Carol always appears happy to address my question and provides accurate answers."

"No matter what the question is, Carol has an answer. She has an outstanding knowledge base," said Jennifer Wolfenbarger.

2007 Excellence in Community Service
Melinda Klar, RN
Department of Surgery

In 1988, Melinda Klar joined UT Medical Center, and for the past five years she has served as the clerkship education coordinator and clinical trials coordinator for the Department of Surgery. “Aside from the surprise and honor of receiving this award, it has been especially reassuring and satisfying to know that my employer supports my work in the community,” said Melinda.

"With respect to her community service, Melinda has been on the Board of Directors of the SafeKids Greater Knoxville since 2002 and the Leadership Committee since 1999. She is nationally certified as Child Passenger Safety Technician. Finally she is a member of the Bariatric Surgery Subcommittee of the American Pediatric Surgical Nurses Association and of the Nursing in Surgical Education Subcommittee of the Association of Surgical Education," said Dr. Mitchell Goldman.

2007 Excellence in Leadership
Mary Ann Murphy
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Mary Ann Murphy began with the Ob/Gyn Department in 1999 as the Residency Program Coordinator and in 2001 the additional role of Director of Education was added. She began working at UTGSM in the Department of Medicine. “I very much appreciate the recognition and support from the Graduate School of Medicine and am thankful to work in such an encouraging environment,” said Mary Ann Murphy. Before moving to Knoxville, Mary Ann was employed at the UCLA Medical Center for 12 years, five of which were in the Department of Ob/Gyn.

Nominating Mary Ann for her leadership role, Dr. Robert Elder said, "Mary Ann is among the first group of Ob/Gyn coordinators to be certified in Training Administrators of Graduate Medical Education (TAGME) and serves as a mentor for new coordinators across the region and country. Mary Ann developed the Residency Portfolio Assessment and Evaluation Form, which has been adopted by other academic institutions across the US."

Dean James Neutens said of the winners and all who were nominated, "They represent outstanding commitment and dedication to the Graduate School of Medicine. Congratulations to those who were nominated and to the winners."

The GSM "Excellence Awards" are given yearly in June. A complete list of guidelines as well as the nomination form can be found on the GSM Pulse Intranet site.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology said goodbye to its program's three exiting chief residents at a banquet held on Sunday, June 15, 2007, at Club LeConte. Robert F. Elder, MD, Chairman and Residency Program Director, hosted the event. Dr. Elder said of the group, "This group of residents has distinguished themselves in area of leadership, clinical skills and research.  They have received awards for excellent yearly exam scores, performed well in clinical situations and have received awards at the national level for their research efforts. They will all make us proud to say that they trained with us."

The exiting chief residents included:

Jessica H. Lemmons, MD. Jessica was born in Hayti, MO. She attended the University of Missouri, Kansas City, School of Medicine where she received her bachelor's and medical degree. She began her internship at UTGSM in 2003. She is married to Logan Lemmons, and they are expecting their first child soon. Jessica and her family will be moving to Cape Girardeau, MO, and she will begin a private practice there.

Tempitope K. Olubuyide, MD. Tope was born in Ibadan, Nigeria. Her family moved to the United States in 1989, and she and her twin sister subsequently joined them the next year. Tope received her BS at Roanoke College in Salem, VA, and her Master's in Biochemistry at the Georgia Institute of Technology. She graduated from the Medical College of Georgia in 2003, and began her internship at UTGSM the same year. She is going to begin private practice in Stockbridge, GA.

William J. Rush, MD. Bill was born and raised in Cincinnati, OH. He attended the University of Dayton where he earned his BS degree in 1999. In 2003, Bill graduated from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and began his internship at UTGSM. Bill and his wife Carla have a daughter, Sophia. The family will be moving to Dayton, OH, where Bill will join a private practice there.

At the banquet other awards were presented to faculty and residents including:

Excellence in Teaching Faculty Awards

Robert F. Elder, MD
Chairman and Associate Professor
Mark D. Hennessy, MD
Assistant Professor

Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics & Gynecology (CREOG) National Faculty Award for Excellence in Resident Education

Kenneth F. Cofer, MD Assistant Professor

Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO) National Excellence in Teaching Award

Nimi Upadhyaya, MD, Associate Professor

Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident Awards for 2007 include:

Excellence in Teaching Resident Award
Molly V. Houser, MD

Bayer Health Care Best PGY-2 Resident Teaching Award
Anna Lisa Jones, MD

The Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons Resident Achievement Award
Jessica H. Lemmons, MD

American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists Excellence in Endoscopic Procedures
William J. Rush, MD

Ob/Gyn Resident Research Presentations
The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology held their annual Research Presentations Day on Friday, June 1, 2007, in the Morrison's Conference Room at UT Medical Center. The guest speaker was Joel Sorosky, MD. Dr. Sorosky is the Chief of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT.

Presentations and awards were as follows:

Research Award for Outstanding Resident Research Paper Presentation 2007
"Randomized Trial to Evaluate the Use of a Flexible Self-Retaining Retractor During Postpartum Tubal Sterilization: A Pilot Study"
by Yvonne P. Treece, MD

The Albert W. Diddle, MD, Award for Outstanding Resident Research Paper 2007
"Contraceptive Knowledge and Use Among Female Young Adults and Adolescents in a Resident Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic"
by William J. Rush, MD

Other research papers presented included:
"The Impact of Intrauterine Contraception on the Rate of Postpartum Sterilization"
by Jessica H. Lemmons, MD

"Accessibility of Plan B: A Comparison of Two Metropolitan Cities"
by Tope Olubuyide, MD

"Rupturing Uterus in a 15 Week Intrauterine Pregnancy after Endometrial Ablation"
by William J. Rush, MD

"Vagal Nerve Stimulator Use During Pregnancy"
by Molly Houser, MD

"Adrenal Hemorrhage in Pregnancy: A Conservative Approach"
by Jessica H. Lemmons, MD

"Case Report: 27 Year Old Primigravida with Ependymoma in area of Previous Brain Resection"
by Tope Olubuyide, MD

Department of Surgery

The UTGSM Department of Surgery presented resident and faculty awards at a banquet held Saturday, June 16, 2007, at Club LeConte. The faculty also saluted the exiting residents for their hard work and dedication to the surgery program.

Surgery Graduating Residents include:

Ali F. Mallat, MD. Ali has accepted a surgical Critical Care Fellowship at the University of Michigan, Ann Harbor, MI.

Scott A. Newbrough, MD. Scott will begin a Plastic Surgery Fellowship at the University of Texas, Houston, TX.

Michelle A. Pittman, MD. (Surgical Critical Care Fellow) Michelle will be going to Shreveport, LA, to join a private practice.

Trent L. Prault, MD. (Vascular Fellow) Trent will move to Rome, GA. to begin a private practice.

Awards presented at the banquet include:

Resident Teaching Award
Scott Newbrough, MD and Ali F. Mallat, MD

Faculty Teaching Award
Henry S. Nelson, MD

Faculty Service Awards
Presented to the UTMC Transplant Nursing Staff

Trauma Scholarship
John L. Milligan, MD

Resident Performance Award
Cynthia L. Talley, MD

Society of Laparoscopic Surgeons Outstanding Resident Award
Ali F. Mallat, MD

Surgery Residents Research Presentations
In association with the Surgery Resident Research Day held June 16, 2007 at UT Medical Center, the following residents were recognized for their research.

The Kimball I. Maull Clinical Science Awards



First Place:
"Ideal Systolic Blood Pressure for Clot Stability in Penetrating Trauma: An Animal Model"
by Brian K. Reed, MD

Second Place:
"Efficacy of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in the Pediatric Population"
by Sabina Siddiqui, MD

Third Place:
"Comparison of Transhiatal and Transthoracic Esophagectomy for Carcinomas of the Gastroesophageal Junction"
by Jose Amortegui, MD