IlluminationsSpring/Summer 2007

The Magazine for the University of Utah School of Medicine Alumni and FriendsVolume 3 Number 1

Connecting With

1957 19621967 197219771982

1987199219972002

University of Utah School of Medicine2007 Medical Alumni Weekend

September 13 - 15

Alum

ni Weeke

nd

Members - Class of 1957

Members - Class of 2007

Message from the Dean

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, this year more than 24,500 residency posi-tions were available in the U.S. On Match Day, more than 93 percent of the 15,206 U.S. medical seniors were matched with a first-year residency program, about the same percentage as in 2006. At the U, all 83 seniors who applied successfully matched to resi-dency programs, with most matching to their top choice. For the record, 28 students will be staying at the University of Utah to complete residency and the other 55 will complete residency programs around the country. This year internal medicine residencies drew the most matches with 18 students, 10 students matched in emergency medicine, 10 in pediatrics, nine in anesthesiology, seven in family medicine and the list goes on, (for complete listing see pages 10-11). As July 1 approaches and the Class of 2007 prepares to enter the next phase of their training, I encour-age you to reflect back on your first day of residency. The anxiety of the moment and the feeling of uncertainty about the future are defining moments in a physician’s career. Illuminations would love to hear stories about your first few months of residency. Send stories of the good, bad, and ugly to kristin.gorang@hsc.utah.edu and we’ll include some in a future issue of Illuminations.

In This Issue of IlluminationsThe Alumni Reunion Weekend is set for September, and the Illuminations cover story connects with the week-end’s Continuing Medical Education conference topic, Genetic Research. Joyce Mitchell, PhD., chair of the Biomedical Informatics department, updates us on the quickly evolving field of Personalized Medicine and what it means for practicing clinicians today, and into the future. The challenge of collecting genotype-phenotype data and setting-up a reliable exchange system between genetics, patients and health conditions is one of the modern challenges of biomedical informat-ics. The University of Utah has been a leader in the field of genetics, discover-ing more single disease genes than any other university in the world, and the Biomedical Informatics Department is integral to determining how to integrate scientifically meaningful biomarker discoveries into a productive medical system. In his piece Understanding the Loss of Understanding, Mark Johnston, M.D., ’90 explores current research studies showing promising results for stopping or significantly slow-ing Alzheimer’s Dementia. School of Medicine faculty member Richard Ingebretsen, M.D., Ph.D. ’93 shares his career and passion, discussing the practice of Wilderness Medicine, and its genesis at the University of Utah.

In the Alumni News section we are pleased and grateful to recognize Dr. Robert H. Ballard, Class of 1944. In three extremely generous moves Dr. Ballard gifted $217,000 toward the School of Medicine Scholarship pro-gram, designated four million dollars in his will to endow two full-tuition scholarships to be offered through the School of Medicine, and committed another $200,000 a year to guarantee the scholarships yearly until the endow-ment goes into effect. These are the first full-tuition scholarships for medical school offered at the University of Utah. This is a transformative gift for the medical school, and will help us com-pete for the best and brightest students. I wish all of you a wonderful sum-mer and look forward to seeing and talking with many of you at Alumni Reunion Weekend in September. Sincerely,

David J. Bjorkman, M.D., M.S.P.HDean, School of Medicine

EditorKristin Wann Gorang

PhotographyUniversity Medical Graphics

Illuminationsis published by theUniversity of Utah School of MedicineAlumni Relations Office

For editorial information or corrections, call (801) 585-3818

Send address changes to:IlluminationsOffice of Alumni Relations540 South Arapeen Drive, Suite 125Salt Lake City, Utah 84108-1298kristin.gorang@hsc.utah.edu

What’s Inside

1 Message from the Dean

2 Alumni President’s Message

3 Personalized Medicine

5 Understanding the Loss of Understanding

6 The Genesis of Wilder-ness Medicine at the U

7 A Decade of Eye Care Missions in Africa

8 Alumni Weekend 2007

10 Match Day

12 News Notebook

14 Alumni Notebook: • Highlights • News

17 In Memoriam 17 We Want to

Hear from You

Most physicians recall the day they learned

where they would do their specialty training. For most of us

it was on “Match Day” in the spring of our senior year. We

all had sweaty palms, jittery nerves and extreme anxiety.

The symptoms for this year’s fourth-year class were the

same as they hoped to match to a top residency program.

1

IlluminationsThe Magazine for the University of Utah School of Medicine Alumni and Friends

University of Utah School of Medicine Alumni Association Board of Directors

Ex-Officio:Stephen Warner, Associate VP of Health Sciences for Development and Alumni RelationsDavid Bjorkman, Dean, M.D., M.S.P.H., 1980Mary Jo Harrell, DirectorKristin Wann Gorang, Associate Director

Fred F. Langeland, M.D., 1976, PresidentThomas H. Caine, M.D., 1963, Past PresidentRichard E. Black, M.D., 1974, Vice PresidentSwen R. Swensen, M.D., House Staff, 1974, SecretaryDominic Aldo, Jr., M.D., House Staff, 1968Catherine J. Wheeler, M.D., House Staff 1991Lewis J. Barton, M.D., 1964Richard S. Boyer, M.D., 1973Randall Walter Burt, M.D., 1974C. Hilmon Castle, M.D., House Staff, 1957Beth C. Hanlon, M.D., House Staff, 1991Janet K. Harnsberger, M.D., House Staff, 1981Robert O. Hoffman, M.D., 1981Mark A. Johnston, M.D., 1990August “Larry” Jung, M.D., 1961Ronald M. Larkin, M.D., 1975Kirk M. Neuberger, M.D., 1963W. Curtis Peterson M.D., 1960Richard R. Price, M.D., 1960Ronald J. Ruff, M.D., 1981Kent M. Samuelson, M.D., 1971Hugh D. Voorhees, M.D., 1972Homer R. Warner, M.D., Ph.D. 1949

Dean

David

Bjork

man, M

.D.,

M.S

.P.H

., 19

80

www.utahmedalumni.orgOpt-Out of Illuminations Mailing: Please e-mail Kristin Wann Gorang, Editor, at kristin.gorang@hsc.utah.edu if you wish to discontinue receiving Illuminations magazine.

Alumni President’s Message

Along with our annual Medical Alumni Awards Banquet and 50-year class celebration on Thursday, September 13, and our class reunions on Friday, September 14, we are excited to begin a new tradition on Friday morning by inviting back alumni house officers to their respective departments. Six depart-ments are hosting programs highlighting some new progress in their fields as well as updates on what the department is doing. It will be a great time for former medical students and residents to get together with other specialists in their specialty, renew old friendships, and reconnect with their mentors. Friday afternoon will once again find us duffers out on the links, this year with a scramble start at Stonebridge Golf Course. Friday evening, along with this year’s reunion classes, the new Half Century Club will be inaugurated, bringing together all graduates from the class of 1957 and earlier. The Department of Family and Preventive Medicine is hosting a reunion for graduates from all of their

programs, and Biomedical Informatics is celebrating their 35-year anniversary of being part of the University of Utah’s School of Medicine. Saturday morning, September 15, our CME conference, Unraveling the Message Within: The Physicians’ Guide to Genetics in the 21st Century will feature five preeminent experts in the field of genetics. As many of you know, Utah is a world leader in genetic research. If you are like me, you are aware of some of the advancements in genetics, but don’t know many of the details and how this technology may impact us in the future. Saturday afternoon we will have a tailgating party at the Alumni House on lower campus prior to the Running Utes and UCLA football game. A block of tickets has been reserved for those who are interested. It should be a very exciting game. As always, all the classes involved in the reunion will be contacted by a class representative, as well as our alumni office for reservations. Detailed information is also on our Web site, www.utahmedalumni.org.

Finally, feedback from our last issue of Illuminations was very positive, and we are listening closely to your com-ments and suggestions. The magazine is a work in progress and we hope to address the concerns, accomplishments, and activities of all of the University of Utah School of Medicine Alumni. Please feel free to call or email and let me know what you think.

Fred Langeland, M.D., ‘76President, Alumni Boardreislang@xmission.com(801) 408-5155

With the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003, the world’s attention has

focused on converting this vast store-house of information into innovative health care solutions. The ultimate promise, assuming we know everyone’s genotype, is to ensure that every person has optimum health throughout his/her life. This promise has many parts, including optimum nutrition, clean air and water supplies, up-to-date immu-nizations and regular health screenings. The part of the promise to be fulfilled by knowledge and information stem-ming from genomics, proteomics and other “omics” is yet unfolding, but the first cautious steps are being taken and are called “Personalized Medicine”. Personalized Medicine implies that op-timum health goes beyond the basics of clean air and water and takes advantage of the “omics” knowledge to allow the person and his/her clinicians to make therapeutic and lifestyle choices which take the “omics” into account. Personalized Medicine does not have a crisp definition, but rather re-flects a broad coalition of ideas brought to bear on the age-old notion of per-sonalized care. The proud tradition of health care is to focus on every patient and to provide care that is cognizant of the person’s individual situation and values, but the situation rarely includes specific genetic/genomic information. The Personalized Medicine move-ment incorporates the use of molecular

analyses and methods evolving from knowledge of genomics to better man-age a patient’s disease or predisposition toward a disease. In the Genomics and Personalized Medicine Act of 2006 1, personalized medicine is defined as “... the application of genomic and molecu-lar data to better target the delivery of health care, facilitate the discovery and clinical testing of new products, and help determine a patient’s predisposition to a particular disease or condition”. The belief of the scientific and health-care community is that knowledge of ge-nomics will contribute to better health outcomes. The specific approaches are not yet fully developed but will include genetic/genomic screening programs, genetic/genomic risk analyses, and the use of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities that are still evolving but will certainly involve micro-arrays and other high-throughput analyses in addition to standard genetic tests. While Personalized Medicine ultimately aims to adapt therapies to in-dividual patients, the initial solution will divide patients into groups by genetic and other markers that predict disease progression and treatment outcomes. In this scenario, pharmacogenetics is at the center of the research and prac-tice. Pharmacogenetics gives a partial explanation to the different responses of individuals to the same drugs. For example, the genetic variants for two genes (CYP2C9 and VKORC1) along with other patient data can explain a substantial portion of the variability

seen in a person’s response to Warfarin, a powerful and frequently prescribed anticoagulant2. The hope in the case of Warfarin is that the adverse drug reac-tions of excessive bleeding or clotting can be minimized by genetic testing to help predict in advance what is the optimal dose for a specific patient. Genomic, proteomic or functional genomic biomarkers (features that are associated with the course of a disease) can help to define subtypes of diseases such as cancers that have previously been treated as single entities. This reclassifica-tion leads to new diagnostic and therapeu-tic procedures that hopefully can be shown to be cost effective and efficacious. One success story is the targeted use of genetic testing for mutations in the EGFR gene to determine which group of patients will be responsive to gefitinib as a treatment for non-small cell lung cancer3. Obviously this trend in health care has the potential to shift costs because of the increased use of expensive tests, but also has the potential to significantly improve outcomes and to avoid expensive treatment for those individuals who can be shown to have a non-responsive genotype. Every component of the scientific community will play a part in making the promise of Personalized Medicine a reality, but the field of Biomedical Informatics is especially critical to making the vision come alive. The enormous quantity of complex data poses a daunting challenge to the use of this data in our traditional healthcare system. Biomedical Informatics is a field that

Personalized MedicineJoyce A. Mitchell, PhD

Professor and Chair,

Department of Biomedical Informatics

School of Medicine, University of Utah

2 3

Greetings medical alumni and friends! Greetings medical alumni and friends! Summer has found the Office of Alumni Relations and the School of Medicine’s Alumni Association Board in full swing preparing for Alumni Weekend, scheduled for September 13-15. (See pages 8-9 for details). The weekend is being called “Connecting with U”, and includes not just former students, but also former house officers, and past and present faculty. We moved the date to the fall so we can include a U of U football game as part of the activities.

Fred F

. Lang

eland, M

.D.,

1976

specializes in analyses of such data and the development of techniques to bring focused information out of the data sets. Almost 1000 public biological databases are available to researchers and health professionals with data on genomes, proteomes, metabolomes, etc, and can be used for basic data and as reference sets. Almost 1400 genetic tests associated with diseases [http://www.genetests.org] can be ordered by any healthcare practitio-ner (some tests can even be ordered by individuals over the internet without going through their physicians); there are over 20,000 genes and so the number of new genetic tests will continue to grow. This enormous quantity of information could be brought into play for a single individual if the cost of a full genome se-quence were affordable and the scientific and healthcare community understood the implications of the results of such a large battery of genetic tests. But we are a long way from this. The cost for a full genome analysis is prohibitive at this time and will be for the next decade or so, although the NIH is giving grants to individuals who can work toward a full-genome sequence test for $1000. It will take quite some time to create a synthesis of all of the genes and proteins and regulatory elements for any specific human, and it will take a very long time to make this synthe-sis understandable to all concerned. It is likely that the result will be a set of probabilities and risks for specific healthcare problems, a set of lifestyle recommendations (for example, avoid smoking if you have the Z allele of the SERPINA1 gene), and an expanding list of diagnostic tests and therapies. The recommendations will almost certainly include a set of medications that the person should avoid and another set of medications that would be more appro-priate for his/her use; all of this would be based on both personal genomics and family history as well as the data from other tests and healthcare experiences, likely pulled from an analysis of data in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR). The brave new world of Personalized Medicine is slowly emerg-ing, but the complexities of the situation mean that the full blossoming will take years to arrive. To use this data effectively, the worldwide community must define semantic and logical standards that rep-

resent genotype-phenotype data so they can exchange information reliably about genetics, patients and health conditions. The understanding of the implications of specific tests is moving so rapidly that there needs to be a set of guidelines that are updated regularly and are readily avail-able from a trusted source. Health care providers cannot be expected to memorize recommendations for the permutations of this large data set, and so it makes sense that computer systems will be called into play. Ultimately the genomic (and other omics) information on a patient would be linked to or stored as a component of the Electronic Medical Record. Decision support systems acting upon standard de-fined data items and guideline or protocol

algorithms would process the data and dy-namically send alerts or recommendations to the health care providers. The patients would have access to their lifetime medi-cal data and the same recommendations and reminders via a Personalized Health Record. The public would have access to systems on the Internet to explain the implications of various diseases, risks and tests in a language that was understand-able. The Genetics Home Reference [http://www.ghr.nlm.nih.gov] was created by the National Library of Medicine specifically to help consumers navigate through the complex issues of genetic disorders from patient questions to the specifics of research data4. The University of Utah has exper-tise and resources that promise many contributions for the journey towards Personalized Medicine. There are many sources of data that will assist in defin-ing genes associated with specific health

problems. In fact, more single disease genes have already been discovered at the University of Utah than at any other university in the world, based, in part, on the use of its rich databases like the Utah Population Data Base (UPDB) to assist in finding gene-disease associa-tions. There is a long and rich history of working with EMR’s in the Department of Biomedical Informatics. There is a great potential for new pharmaceuti-cals and therapies based on the specific knowledge and definitions of biomark-ers being developed. Most importantly, the scientists and healthcare professionals have a spirit of collaboration and find joy in working in multidisciplinary teams, an essential component for climbing this new scientific mountain. The knowledge of genetics, genomics, proteomics, and other “omics” alone cannot transform healthcare. Research on biomarkers has signaled molecular profiling as promis-ing, but biomarkers with adequate specificity and sensitivity are still scarce for most diseases. To achieve the dream of Personalized Medicine, heterogeneous clinical and genomic data sources must be integrated into a scientifically mean-ingful and productive system. The results must be focused specifically on individu-als throughout their lives, in sickness and in health. Then the vision of Personalized Medicine will become a reality.

Acknowledgement: This article was adapted from a chapter in a book that is in press. My co-authors on the book chapter are Lewis J. Frey, PhD of the Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Utah, and Victor Maojo, PhD of the Biomedical Informatics Group at the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Spain. The full reference is as follows: Frey LJ, Maojo V, Mitchell JA. “Genome sequenc-ing: a complex path to personalized medicine.” In Advances in Genome Sequencing Technology and Algorithms, ed. Mardis ER, Kim S, Tang H Artech House Publishers, Inc. 2007, in pressReferences: [1] S. 3822[109th]: Genomics and Personalized Medicine Act of 2006. http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=s109-3822 [2] Sconce E, Kamali F. Appraisal of current vitamin K dosing algorithms for the reversal of over-anticoagulation with warfarin: the need for a more tailored dosing regimen. European J of Haematology. 2006 Dec;77(6):457-62. [3] Mukohara T, Engelman JA, Hanna NH et al. Differential effects of gefitinib and cetuximab on non-small-cell lung cancers bearing epidermal growth factor receptor mutations. J of the NCI. 2005 97(16):1185-1194. [4] Mitchell JA, Fun J, McCray AT. Design of Genetics Home Reference: a new NLM consumer health resource. J Am Med Inform Assoc 2004 Nov-Dec;11(6):439-47.

4 5

Among the most important chal-lenges of medical research in the coming decade is the develop-

ment of an effective, “disease modifying” treatment for Alzheimer’s Dementia. Alzheimer’s Dementia affects between 4.5 and 5 million Americans and exacts a tremendous human and economic toll. By conservative estimates, the number of individuals affected in this country alone could reach 10 million over the next 25 to 30 years. Despite these sobering statistics, it appears that advancements in our understanding of the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s Dementia may yield prac-tical treatments for the condition within the next several years. The characteriza-tion of the Alzheimer’s disease process as a disorder of progressive amyloid beta (AB) protein deposition in the brain has clarified the etiology of the dementia and provided targets for possible inter-vention. Promising research therapies include agents that enhance AB removal and those that reduce the creation of amyloid protein or its aggregation. Two major ongoing studies represent these new therapeutic approaches. The first study involves the creation of a vaccine that produces antibodies against AB. Immune agents have been considered a possible way of clearing up existing protein plaques, or reducing plaque formation by decreasing the amy-loid peptide burden. Animal studies of a vaccine against amyloid protein conduct-ed in the late 1990’s were very promising. However, the vaccine produced brain in-flammation in 15 of 360 human subjects and death in several individuals.

A new approach to using a vaccine is again creating interest and hope. A vaccine using a segment of DNA cod-ing for the AB protein rather than the protein itself has been developed. The hope is that the DNA vaccine will create less prominent immune response avoid-ing the inflammation and brain swelling seen in some individuals treated with the protein vaccination. To test this vac-cine, researchers used mice that develop Alzheimer-like amyloid deposition and accompanying cognitive impairment. Mice treated preventatively developed fewer AB peptides vs. untreated mice suggesting a protective effect. When this DNA vaccine was administered as a treatment in mice already producing AB peptides, the peptide burden was reduced by approximately 50%. A second major study, already well into human phase 3 testing, is evaluating a medication that appears to decrease AB by changing the enzy-matic cleaving of the amyloid precursor protein. Amyloid Beta 42 (AB-42) is the 42 amino acid length peptide considered the most likely to aggre-gate and cause neuronal damage. The non-steroidal medication r-flurbiprofen binds to the enzyme responsible for cleaving the precursor protein and alters the cleaving location. Shorter peptides, which are non-damaging, become more likely products of this cleaving step. R-flurbiprofen may therefore be a selective amyloid B-42 lowering agent. Not all non-steroidal anti-inflam-matory drugs have this enzyme modify-ing effect and r-flurbiprofen itself must be given at doses substantially above the

traditional anti-inflammatory doses. The use of the R enantimer may make the risk of bleeding and ulcer less likely than racemic flurbiprofen at equivalent dosages. Interestingly, it now appears that the possible benefit of some anti-inflammatory agents for Alzheimer’s Dementia may be primarily related to their influence on protein cleaving rather than by altering inflammation. In transgenic “Alzheimer’s” mice, flurbiprofen appeared to protect learn-ing and memory function. Subsequent evaluations of brain histology showed marked reductions in amyloid deposits. In phase 2 human testing of flurbipro-fen, individuals with mild dementia appeared to show decreased rates of cognitive loss vs. placebo. Some indi-viduals showed relative stabilization or mild improvement in cognitive testing. Individuals with the highest plasma drug levels also seemed to have the best response. The true efficacy and safety of this medication must await the con-clusion of the Phase 3 testing and FDA review which is expected to occur in about a year. These two studies as well as others currently in progress provide hope that we may soon have treatments that will slow or stop Alzheimer’s Dementia. Although currently available medications such as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and memantine may provide some mild transitory benefit, they do not affect the underlying disease process or stop the ongoing damage to the brain. If progres-sive amyloid deposition can be altered, we may also see the application of these new agents for prevention of the disease.

Understanding the Loss of Understanding

Mark A. Johnston, M.D. ’90

Adjunct Associate Professor, University

of Utah School of Medicine

The University of Utah

has expertise and

resources that promise

many contributions for

the journey towards

Personalized Medicine.

the preeminent medical school in the country for wilderness medicine. The program received a boost five years ago when the US Army decided to require all emergency medicine residents certify with the AWLS certificate. The army remains actively involved with the School of Medicine in developing the program further. Then, two years ago, the “father” of wilderness medicine, Paul Auerbach from Stanford University, joined the ALWS team of doctors. Each year over one thousand medical profes-sionals certify with the AWLS program. Offshoots of the program include an active Wilderness Medicine Interest Group (WMIG) that teaches and certifies all back country guides in the state of Utah. Money they make teaching these courses gives them a salary and helps sup-port research and educational opportunities

in wilderness medicine. Another program, Basic Wilderness Life Support (BWLS- www.bwls.org), trains non-medi-cal professionals in wilderness first aid. So now anyone interest-ed can receive training, be tested, and obtain certification. This program has made a difference to the general public, with scouting programs, as well as with other back country adventurers in pre-venting trauma, treating injured people and helping people be safe in the back country. For those interested in learning more about wilder-ness medicine programs at the University of Utah School of Medicine please visit www.awlsmedstudents.org

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For the past ten years, ophthalmolo-gists from the University of Utah Department of Ophthalmology

and Visual Sciences have been traveling to Ghana, West Africa to provide life-chang-ing and often life-saving eye surgery. Their journeys take them to a country that has less than 50 ophthalmologists and a popu-lation of 22 million people. Drs. Alan Crandall ‘73, Robert Hoffman, ’80, Geoff Tabin, and mission team members began their latest trip on March 29th. They spent their days in eye clinic from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. followed by nonstop surgeries that continued until midnight. Over the years they have helped more than 2,000 people improve or regain their sight. “Most people in the United States who develop cataracts have them quickly removed and replaced with new lenses,” says Dr. Crandall. “In Ghana 750,000 people are waiting for cataract surgery and the majority of them are blind. It’s an honor to have helped so many people in West Africa, yet we can only put a small dent in this problem. We believe the future of eye care services in developing countries lies in training ophthalmologists and other health care workers within the local community.”

Dr. Tabin explains the need for establishing a sustainable eye care infra-structure in countries where medical care is scarce: “Individuals in Ghana develop blinding cataracts as a result of exposure to constant ultra violet light, toxins, and more–often at a young age. Without sur-gery, many lose their sight. It is common for the blind to be shunned as non-pro-ductive members of society. Left to fend for themselves, they commonly die an early and tragic death as a result of starva-tion, disease and accidents. To people in this region, the miracle of modern cata-ract surgery means not only a restoration of sight, but also the gift of life.” Dr. Hoffman describes the situation: “My role is teaching the local ophthalmologists and residents what they need to know to evalu-ate children’s eyes and to treat common disorders that affect children’s eyes such as strabismus, amblyopia, significant refractive error, and retinoblastoma. We also deal with issues perti-

nent to their local area such as parasitic and infectious diseases. Another area of focus is on neonatal eye disease. We plan to bring one of their ophthalmologists here for a visiting international fellowship as one more step in bringing quality eye care to the children of Ghana.” Team members of the Ghana mis-sion donate their time and pay for their own travel and expenses. Donations of equipment and supplies are provided by the Moran Eye Center, The Eye Institute of Utah, Alcon, Allergan, AMO, Bausch & Lomb, the Himalayan Cataract Project and Becton-Dickinson.

In 1993, as a new medical school graduate, Richard Ingebretsen, MD, PhD, had two experiences

that changed his future and eventually the future of many other physicians in the intermountain area. While hiking in the mountains near Salt Lake City he witnessed a serious mountain bicycle accident. The young rider hit his head on the ground and was knocked uncon-scious. Then, a week later, while rafting with Boy Scouts on the Colorado River, one of the participants lacerated his leg. Dr. Ingebretsen realized that both times he felt unsure of himself, and of how he could help someone injured in the back country, away from modern medical equipment. He knew that wilderness medicine instruction was not offered in most medical schools and the majority of physicians did not receive this type of training. As a doctor, and an active hiker, biker, and river runner, he knew that people would turn to him for guid-ance if they were injured in a remote area and felt he needed to be prepared. He contacted the Wilderness Medical Society (WMS) to see what he would need to do to be trained in wilderness medical care. This Society was formed in 1983 by three California phy-sicians, Paul Auerbach, Ed Geehr, and Ken Kizer, to institute sound principles of medical practice in wilderness settings. Through association with the WMS he began to study wilderness medicine while in residency. In 1998 as a faculty member of the University of Utah’s medical school, he approached the curriculum committee about teaching a course to Utah medical students. As the program developed Dr. Ingebretson worked on setting up a testing process where students could learn standards

and protocols and achieve what became known as Advanced Wilderness Life Support (AWLS) certification. Today AWLS has achieved national certifica-tion status for medical professionals studying wilderness medicine. Fortunately, for Dr. Ingebretson, the University of Utah already had sev-eral exceptional physicians on its faculty who had done extensive work in wilder-ness medicine. Colin Grissom, Mark Elsted and Scott McIntosh were knowl-edgeable in avalanche dangers, and high altitude diseases and medicine. DeVon Hale was an expert on travel medicine in third-world countries. Bill Mackie was knowledgeable about treating chest pain in the back country. Jane Bowman had designed treatment protocols for women-specific issues in the back country, Wayne Askew had developed the science of wilderness nutrition, and Paul Schmutz, DDS, had done ground-breaking work in back country dentistry. Along with these faculty members there were numerous medical students with broad knowledge of rescue and evacua-tion guidelines. Working as a team they formulated backcountry medical proto-cols and wrote the AWLS textbook. One of the earliest discoveries in designing the wilderness medicine course was that there were a lot of mis-conceptions among the general public and medical professionals as to how back country injuries should be treated. For example, many people thought that making an incision in a snake bite with a knife and trying to extract the venom from the wound was standard protocol. Actually, there are no effective methods for treating snake bites in the wilderness and it is crucial to evacuate the patient to a hospital as soon a possible.

Appropriate evacuation was another issue. Evacuation is often dangerous, costly and difficult, and if someone does not need to be taken for definitive care, then it should not be risked. There were no guide-lines to follow. So in 2001 several enter-prising medical students began a literature search, spoke with numerous specialists and developed the first guidelines to help back country medical providers decide if a patient needed to be evacuated. Another early concern was what to include in a first aid kit. Medical student, now radiologist, Matthew Thomson took on this challenge. He developed an algorithm to help people determine what first aid kits would be best depending upon the number of people, the length of the trip, as well as the location of the adventure. It is now the industry standard. The course quickly became the most popular medical school elective among AAMC medical schools. Currently 80 University of Utah medical students and 50 students from other medical schools attend the U’s wilderness medicine course yearly. Utah’s School of Medicine is now

The Genesis of Wilderness Medicine at the U

Richard Ingebretsen ’93, M.D, Ph.D.,

Associate Professor Wilderness Medicine

University of Utah, School of Medicine

A Decade of Eye Care Missions in AfricaUtah Ophthalmologists Continue Tradition of Journeys to Ghana

• Snake bites should not be treated in the field at all. Quick evacuation is the key.

• You can treat insect bites and scorpion bites with ice effectively, but treating a snake bite with ice would make it worse.

• All spider bites are poisonous but only three spiders really affect humans, the black widow, the hobo and the brown recluse.

• The brown recluse spider is not found in Utah and rarely bites humans.

• Most trauma that occurs in the wilderness is a result of high velocity sports like skiing and biking.

• Sunscreen prevents sun burns but does not prevent skin cancer. The only effective method to prevent skin cancer is to cover up.

Did you know these wilderness medicine facts?

Saturday

Friday

Thursday

8 9

University of Utah School of Medicine

Unraveling the Message Within: The Physicians Guide to Genetics in the 21st Century

The mission and objective of the School of Medicine Alumni Conference is to help the health care professional understand the science and application of human genetics in 2007. Attend this prestigious gathering of the best of University of Utah researchers, professors and investigators in the field of Human Genetics and receive 4 CME credit hours AMA Category 1.

Raymond F. Gesteland, Ph.D., The DNA Revolution Distinguished Professor and Vice President for Research. In addition to his important administrative contributions to the University of Utah, he studies “recoding”, which is an essential

mechanism in controlling gene expression.

Mario R. Capecchi, Ph.D., Genetics and Medicine in the 21st CenturyDistinguished Professor and Co-chairman. Developed key animal models for the study of genetic’s role in many important diseases including cystic fibrosis, atherosclerosis, hypertension and cancer.

L. Charles Murtaugh, Ph.D., The Who, What, When, Where and How of Stem CellsAssistant Professor. Studies the genetics and biology of pancreatic secretory functions as they relate to diabetes, digestion and cancer.

Erik Jorgenson, Ph.D., What is the Molecular Nature of Memory?Professor. Investigates the genetics and cellular mechanisms of neurotransmission to better understand memory and the diseases related to memory.

Lynn B. Jorde, Ph.D., DNA and Crime: Forensic Applications of GeneticsProfessor. Examines the genetics of limb malformation syndromes and also investi-gates genetic variation to shed light on the genetic diseases in populations as

well as the origin of our species.

FOOtball! FOOtball! FOOtball!Tailgating Party - Alumni House 1:00 p.m.Make your plans now for an afternoon of food, fun and football! Join us for our pre-game festivities at the Alumni House where parking is free and the BBQ is hot! Then take the short walk over to the Rice Eccles Stadium where your west side seat (with a back) is waiting. Time, cost and everything else you need to know will be in your registration packet or go to our Web site.

University of Utah vs. UClaRice Eccles Stadium 3:00 p.m.This is the premier game of the 2007 season and you will want to be part of the hullabaloo and rumpus! The SOM Alumni Association has a block of seats reserved but we have to order the number of seats we want by August 1. to help us estimate the number of tickets needed we are asking everyone who plans to attend to send an e-mail to maryjo.harrell@hsc.utah.edu to get your name on the ticket list as soon as possible.

Your registration packet will be mailed to you in July. A registration form is also available on-line at: www.utahmedalumni.org where locations, fees and more details are available. Questions? (801) 581-8591

WEEkEnd SpOnSOrS:

Megadyne

Myriad Genetics, Inc.

The Customer link

Accreditation: The University of Utah School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.Designation: The University of Utah School of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 4.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.ADA: The University of Utah complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act by providing qualified individuals with disabilities access to the University programs, services and activities. A request for accommodation can be made by calling (801) 581-8591. Reasonable prior notice is required.

presentation of distinguished awards

Elizabeth Hammond, M.D., Distinguished Alumni Award

Professor of Pathology and Adjunct Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Utah School of Medicine, past chairman of the Department of Pathology at LDS Hospital, and current

member of Intermountain Healthcare Board of Trustees.

Jay Jacobson,M.D. Distinguished Service Award

Professor of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases and Chief of the Division of Medical Ethics and Humanities at LDS Hospital and the University of Utah School of Medicine.

Friday Morning, September 14 School of Medicine Department Events7:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. We welcome current or former faculty, house staff, and reunion class members to attend one of these departments for a morning of information, instructional lectures and gathering of colleagues. Following the department events, gather together in Alumni Hall for a chat with the Dean. Site and speakers are detailed in your registration packet coming in July.Participating Departments:Department of Biomedical Informatics Department of Internal Medicine Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Department of Pathology Department of Surgery Department of Orthopaedics

dean david J. bjorkman, M.d. - Medical School Update 11:00 a.m.

Friday AfternoonAlumni Open - Stonebridge Golf Course 12:30 p.m. lunch, 1:30 p.m. shotgun startConnect with your classmates and colleagues with an afternoon of golf. Join them at the Johnny Miller designed Stonebridge Golf Course for lunch and 18 holes.

Reunion EveningLittle America Hotel, downtown Salt Lake CityGeneral reception first, then individual classes and groups will dine together in private rooms.

MD Classes of: 1962, 1967, 1972, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997MD Class of 1977: Private home MD Class of 2002: Family picnic

Half Century Club: MD graduates, emeritus faculty and former house staff associated with the medical school between 1926 and 1957 will have a wonderful evening of reminiscing and reconnecting.

Family and preventive Medicine programs: This multidisci-plinary department is gathering for an evening of friendship and connection. Come join your current or former colleagues for a grand meal and lively conversation.

biomedical Informatics: Celebration Time! We are celebrat-ing 35 years as a department. Along with an evening of toasting our achievements - we will enjoy the knowledge of our guest speaker Don Detmer, President and CEO of the America Medical Informatics Association.

SEptEMbEr 15 Continuing Medical Education - 7:30 a.m. - noon

SEptEMbEr 13Evening Medical Alumni Awards Banquet at the Little America Hotel

Celebration of 50 Years! Presentation of Medallions to the Class of 1957

SEptEMbEr 14

2007Alumni WeekendConnecting With U - September 13-15, 2007Our weekend celebration promises to be a great gathering of the U of U SOM friends, colleagues, and classmates. Registration material mailed in July or go online at wwwutahmedalumni.org.

10 11

Christopher Dandoy, ’07 was recognized at the Dean’s Reception, receiving a plaque and a $500 gift. The Alumni Association Award was established in 1990 by the Alumni Board of the School of Medicine. Each year the Board presents an award to one individual who has, in the opinion of their classmates, demonstrated academic achievement, leadership ability, and community concern representative of an exemplary physician. Nominators wrote about Chris’ out-going, positive attitude

and his expansive volunteer work. His freshman year he organized a chapter of the Hope Alliance, an organization which provides medical and economical assistance to impoverished people in the developing world. Later he coordinated a medical mission to Peru, and also worked though-out medical school with local youth organizations as a guidance counselor and mentor. Chris is pursu-ing a residency in Pediatrics at Miami Children’s Hospital.

Christopher Dandoy ’07 Receives Alumni Association Award

Alumni Board President Fred F. Langeland, M.D. ’75 presents Christopher Dandoy ’07 the Alumni Association Award

Degree of Doctor of Medicine 2007 - Match DayUniversity of Utah students matched in 86 programs in 26 states.

nEUrOlOGY

Juliann Wintch Allen University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals, Neurology Program, Utah

ObStEtrICS-GYnECOlOGY

Clark Olavi Andelin University Hospitals, Obstetrics-Gynecology Program, OhioErica Nancy Baiden University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals, Obstetrics-Gynecology Program, Utah

pEdIatrICS

Dustin Cade Anderson Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals, Pediatrics Program, WisconsinMarcus Kim Blackburn University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals, Pediatrics Program, UtahChristopher Eugene Dandoy Miami Children’s Hospital, Pediatrics Program, FloridaAlyson Elaine Edmunds Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, Pediatrics Program, VirginiaIrene Kocolas University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals, Pediatrics Program, UtahNicole Finlinson University of New Mexico, Pediatrics Program, New MexicoMelinda Sue Liddle University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals, Pediatrics Program, UtahJacob William Lonsdale Marshfield St. Joseph’s, Pediatrics Program, WisconsinKristina McKinley University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals, Pediatrics Program, UtahNicholas Jay Lewis University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals, Medicine-Pediatrics Program, UtahJohn Daniel Desrochers University of Southern Florida-Tampa, Medicine-Pediatrics Program, Florida

dErMatOlOGY

Brooks Albert Bahr University of Southern California, Dermatology Program, CaliforniaAdam Read Taintor Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals, Dermatology Program, Wisconsin

GEnEral SUrGErY

James Robert Ballard Oregon Health and Science University, General Surgery Program, OregonD. Anderson Millar University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals, General Surgery Program, UtahJosephat G. Ngatia University of Florida-Jacksonville, General Surgery Program, FloridaBrandon Birg Park University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals, General Surgery Preliminary Program, Utah

anEStHESIOlOGY

Brad Nelden Brian University of Florida Program-Shands Hospital, Anesthesiology Program, FloridaMegan Marie Freestone-Bernd Hershey Medical Center, Anesthesiology Program, PennsylvaniaJennifer Kiyoko Hansen Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Anesthesiology Program, OhioAmie Lee Hoefenbeck Strong Memorial, Anesthesiology Program, New YorkEverett Mark Peterson University of Florida Program-Shands Hospital, Anesthesiology Program, Florida

Cole Warren Robinson Strong Memorial, Anesthesiology Program, New YorkHeather Taylor Oregon Health and Science University, Anesthesiology Program, OregonErica Danelle Wittwer Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Anesthesiology Program, Minnesota

radIOlOGY-dIaGnOStIC

Devone Nelson Burton Integris Baptist Medical Center, Radiology-Diagnostic Program, OklahomaKathryn Louise Everton Duke University Medical Center, Radiology Diagnostic Program, North CarolinaLuke Luther Linscott Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Radiology-Diagnostic Program, MissouriNicholas John Satovick University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals, Radiology-Diagnostic Program, UtahPaul David Sonntag University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Radiology-Diagnostic Program, WisconsinNicole S. Winkler University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals, Radiology-Diagnostic Program, Utah

MEdICInE

Melissa Cheng Medicine Program CandidateLisa Toshiye Taniwa Ryujin Medicine Program CandidateChristopher John Dea University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals, Medicine-Preliminary Program, Utah

radIOlOGY OnCOlOGY

Larry Calvin Daugherty Drexel University, Radiation Oncology Program, PennsylvaniaThomas Burke Skidmore University Hospitals-Cincinnati, Radiation-Oncology Program, Ohio

OpHtHalMOlOGY

Don Kent Davis University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals, Ophthalmology Transitional Program, Utah

bIOEnGInEErInG

Tyler Scott Davis University of Utah, Ph.D., Bioengineering Program, Utah

pSYCHIatrY

Melanie Annette Fillmore University of Arizona Affiliated Hospitals, Psychiatry Program, ArizonaVicki Leigh Winkel University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals, Psychiatry Program, Utah

pHYSICal MEdICInE & rEHabIlItatIOn

Steven Parker Fowler Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Program, Minnesota

FaMIlY MEdICInE

Marie Susan Gessel Family Medicine Program CandidateKathryn Elizabeth Gibson University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals, Family Medicine Program, UtahBrad Melvin Goates Ball Memorial Hospital, Family Medicine Program, IndianaMindy Hopfenbeck St. Mark’s Hospital, Family Medicine Program, UtahTamara Lynn Pascoe Family Medicine Residency of Idaho, Family Medicine Program, IdahoMichael John Sanderson St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center, Family Medicine Program, IndianaMatthew Stephen Spencer McKay-Dee Hospital, Family Medicine Program, Utah

Erica Baiden

Nick Satovich Family

EMErGEnCY MEdICInE

Nathan Thomas Gilmore UPMC Medical Education Program, Emergency Medicine Program, PennsylvaniaTrevor Wahlquist Grubbs University of Louisville School of Medicine, Emergency Medicine Program, KentuckyCory Patrick Heidelberger Allegheny General Hospital, Emergency Medicine Program, PennsylvaniaJoeann K.R. Leong Maimonides Medical Center, Emergency Medicine Program, New YorkCherie Fawn McCabe New York Hospitals-Queens, Emergency Medicine Program, New YorkAdam L. Sharp Indiana University, Emergency Medicine Program, IndianaNatalie Anne Silverton University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals, Emergency Medicine Program, UtahLogan Cole Sondrup Ohio State University Medical Center, Emergency Medicine Program, OhioLindsay Grace Tanner Indiana University, Emergency Medicine Program, IndianaJoshua Maitreya Visitacion SUNY Upstate Medical University, Emergency Medicine Program, New York

IntErnal MEdICInE

David Clayton Smith University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals, Internal Medicine Preliminary Program, UtahClifton Samuel Hall University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals, Internal Medicine Preliminary Program, UtahJonathan David Jerman University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals, Internal Medicine Preliminary Program, UtahDavid Gordon Liddle University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals, Internal Medicine Program, UtahJohn William Linford University of Colorado-Denver, Internal Medicine Program, ColoradoElizabeth Anne Middleton University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals, Internal Medicine Program, UtahKimberly Morley University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals, Internal Medicine Program, Utah

Lincoln D. Nadauld University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals, Internal Medicine Program, UtahMatthew Jacob Oman University of Colorado-Denver, Internal Medicine Program, ColoradoEric Joseph Palfreyman Case Western University Hospitals, Internal Medicine Program, OhioDavid Yoshi Patten Tulane University, Internal Medicine Program, LouisianaAmy Plagge University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals, Internal Medicine Program, UtahChristina Louise Roalstad University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals, Internal Medicine Program, UtahMatthew Howe Steenblik University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals, Internal Medicine Program, UtahJames Muir Stewart UC San Diego Medical Center, Internal Medicine Program, CaliforniaAnna Vedina Virginia Commonwealth University Health Systems, Internal Medicine Program, VirginiaCrystal Brennen Wallentine University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals, Internal Medicine Program, UtahZachary Rand Williams University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals, Internal Medicine Program, Utah

OrtHOpEdIC SUrGErY

Wes Young Madsen Strong Memorial, Orthopedic Surgery Program, New York

plaStIC SUrGErY

Jaron Hudson McMullin University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals, Plastic Surgery Program, Utah

patHOlOGY

Jared Marv Orrock Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Pathology Program, Minnesota

nEUrOlOGICal SUrGErY

Christina Mieko Sayama University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals, Neurological Surgery Program, Utah

UrOlOGY

Jonathan Nicholas Warner Mayo Clinic-Scottsdale, Urology Program, ArizonaBryant Mark Whiting University of Florida, Urology Program, Florida

OtOlarYnGOlOGY

Matthew Allen Wilson University of Utah Affiliated Hospitals, Otolaryngology Program, Utah

The Three Muskateers: Matt Oman, Wes Madsen, D. Millar

12 13

News Notebook News Notebook

SpotlightThe University of Utah, School of Medicine, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Public Health Program, and the Utah Hispanic Business Leadership Foundation (UHBLF), an-nounced a partnership to provide ongo-ing funding for the Senator Pete Suazo Memorial Endowed Hispanic Scholarship in Public Health. The UHBLF will con-tribute $5,000 per year for the next three

years to the endowment. The scholarship was originally launched in January 2002 with a five thousand dollar gift from the Hispanic Festival Committee, with matching funds provided by Dr. G. Marsden Blanch, President of Megadyne Medical Products, Inc., Dr. Carl Kjeldsberg, President and CEO of Associated Regional University of Pathology

(ARUP), Lucy Cardenas, owner, Red Iguana Restaurant, and Dr. & Mrs. Stephen D. Wood. Other donors include the Clark and Christine Ivory Foundation and Regence BlueCross Blue Shield of Utah. The Public Health Program hopes the endowment will eventually fund two full-ride scholar-ships for Hispanic graduate students in public health.

U of U Public Health Program & Hispanic Business Leadership Foundation Collaborate to Enhance Endowment for Hispanics

David J. Apple, M.D., Professor of Ophthalmology and Pathology and Director of the David J. Apple Center for

Ocular Biodevices at the John A. Moran Eye Center, has been chosen by his peers out of more than 30,000 oph-thalmologists in the U.S. and abroad to be inducted into the prestigious Ophthalmology Hall of Fame. Originally created by the American Society of Cataract and

Refractive Surgery, (ASCRS) in 1999 to honor pioneers with an ongoing cel-ebration of their distinguished careers and contributions in the subspecialties of cataract-IOL-refractive surgery, it has been expanded to include lumi-naries in all fields of ophthalmology and vision care. Dr. Apple, to date the youngest inductee to be so honored, is a world-renowned expert in the fields of clinical ophthalmology, ocular pathology, cataract surgery/intraocular lens (IOL) implantation and refractive surgery, including corneal and IOL types of refractive surgery, Excimer, PRK and LASIK research.

Dr. Apple’s career as an ophthal-mologist and researcher is uniquely distinguished by the fact that with this award he is now the only ophthalmologist to have received 1) the Binkhorst Lecture and Medal in 1988, 2) the Innovator’s (Kelman) Award, 2005 and 3) induction into the Ophthalmology Hall of Fame. He is also the only American to have ever been selected to give the European Guest lecture at the highly respected Oxford Ophthalmological Congress, Oxford, U.K., 1998. Dr. Apple was named one of the 50 most influential doctors in his field by a poll of his peers in the U.S. in 2005.

Moran Ophthalmologist, David J. Apple, M.D., Inducted Into Prestigious Ophthalmology Hall of Fame

In response to a generous gift of one million dollars from Charles Nugent, M.D., the Department of Internal Medicine formed the Society Supporting Leadership in Internal Medicine (SSLIM). The original gift honors Maxwell M. Wintrobe, M.D., Ph.D., the first chair-man of the Department of Internal Medicine, for his legacy of excellence in education, research, patient care, and mentor-ing of leaders. SSLIM’s mission of investing in tomorrow’s leaders today, provides an opportunity for those who have been inspired by previous leaders in Internal Medicine to insure that the University of Utah’s Department of Internal

Medicine continues to thrive. The money raised will support recruiting and training future leaders in Internal Medicine, will bridge the gap between funding cycles for teaching and research, and will provide scholarship support for outstanding students and trainees.

SSLIM’s Executive Committee, consisting of Drs. Hilmon Castle (chairman), Jack Athens, Hip Kuida, DuWayne Schmidt, Gerald Rothstein, and Basil Williams, plan to engage over 100 founding members and ad-ditional sustaining members of SSLIM

over the next two years. Founding Members’ names will be promi-nently displayed on a donor ‘Wall of Honor’ in the Department of Internal Medicine. Additionally, members will receive the benefits that accrue to members of the University of Utah Presidential Club. Annual meetings will be held at the time of medical alumni reunions.

George White, Jr., Director of the University of Utah’s Public Health Program was named “Best College/University Teacher at the 2007 Best of State Competition held on May 19. The Best of State Awards recognizes out-standing individuals, organizations and businesses in Utah. Dr. White received the award in recognition of his academic excellence, selfless community service, student advocacy, scholarly productivity, and classroom instruction. Dr. White has an extensive 29-year academic background, the past twenty at the University of Utah. Over the last eight years he has been instrumental in graduating over 350 Public Health students as well as helping them secure employment. He has established ten endowed student scholarships in Public

Health and seven research and ser-vice-learning endowments. Under his guidance the Public Health Program has reached national recognition as one of the top 10 Community-based Public Health Programs listed in the U.S. News and World Report, America’s Best Graduate Schools. Dr. White is a graduate of the prestigious National Public Health Leadership Institute and is the sec-ond holder of the T.F.H. Morton MD Endowed Chair in Family and Preventive Medicine. He has served for five years as the Chair of the Utah Health Advisory Council, advising the Director of the Utah Department of Health and the Governor regarding issues affecting the health and safety of Utah citizens.

George White, Jr. PhD, MSPH, PA-C Named “Best of State College/University Teacher”

The University of Utah is one of two na-tional sites awarded a $5.8 million five-year grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health to conduct a prospective, blinded, placebo con-trolled randomized trial to assess the ef-fect of low dose aspirin on reproduction. A unifying feature in some cases of in-fertility, implantation failure, miscarriage, fetal death and pregnancy complica-tions is a decrease in uterine, ovarian and placental blood flow. The study will help determine if low dose aspirin has

the potential to favorably impact several of these characteristics. Robert M. Silver, M.D., Division Chief in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is principal investigator. Co-investigators include Harry H. Hatasaka, M.D., Associate Clinical Professor, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Joseph B. Stanford, M.D., M.S.P.H., Associate Professor, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine.

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Awarded $5.8 million Grant to Study the Effects of Aspirin in Gestation and Reproduction (EAGeR)

Dr. George White and family.

Physician Assistant Program Ranked Fourth in NationFor the seventh year in a row the University of Utah’s Physician Assistant program ranked in the top five graduate programs in the nation in U.S. News & World Report’s rankings of Physician Assistant programs. This year the pro-gram, which was ranked fourth in the nation, will graduate 36 individuals with a Masters in Physician Assistant Studies.

Dinner Kicks-off Society to Support Leadership in Internal Medicine

Dr. Charlie and Peggy Nugent at SSLIM dinner with Loris Betz, M.D., Sr. Vice President for Health Sciences and John Hoidal, M.D., Chairman of the Department of Internal Medicine

1946Alma (Kelly) Kelsch Hanson, M.D.After completing his degree in March of 1946 Dr. Hansen interned at Wesley Memorial Hospital in Chicago and then was stationed at Hamilton Air Force Base from 1947-1949. He returned to Utah from 1949 to 1952, practicing general medicine in Lewiston until returning to complete an oph-thalmology residency at the University of Iowa. From 1956 until 1983 he practiced ophthalmology in Tucson, AZ. He is in good health and has two daughters living in Salt Lake City.

1958John E. Meyers, M.D.Retired Brigadier General John E. Meyers, M.D. retired for a second time, from NASA at the end of 2006. He is continuing working for the free medical clinic in San Mateo, CA. He commented that “Continuing to work is my retire-ment, and being a doctor is my vacation!”

1971Dennis L. Stevens, M.D.Dr. Stevens practices as an infectious disease specialist at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Boise, Idaho. He has received numerous awards in the area of infectious disease, including the

Infectious Disease Society of America’s Society Citation in 2001 and the Surgical Infections Society’s William Altemeir Award. He served as the president of the Anaerobe Society of the Americas in 2006.

1978Thomas L. Schwenk, M.D.Dr. Schwenk recently celebrated twenty years of service as Chair of the Department of Family Practice at the University of Michigan. In June of 2007 he will be installed as the first recipient of the George A. Dean, M.D. endowed Chair of Family Medicine. He was elected to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies in 2002.

1981Lowry H. Bushnell, M.D.Dr. Bushnell is the chair of the Utah State Drug Utilization Review Board and president of the profes-sional staff at the University of Utah Neuropsychiatric Institute. He has 5 daughters and 3 grandchildren. He reports that he has lived in Utah for 56 years and is still an unrepentant liberal.

Stephen E. Lamb, M.D. Dr. Lamb prac-tices Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Millcreek

Women’s Center in Salt Lake City. He has been married to Margie for over thirty years and is a father to six children and a grandfather to one. He has authored a book titled Between Husband and Wife.

Richard H. Moore, M.D.Dr. Moore was hired by the Arizona Health Department as a physician trainer in the Bureau of Emergency Preparedness and Response in January 2006. Prior to this appointment, he was a public health emergency officer in Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He retired from the US Army in December 2005.

Lee W. Vance, M.D. F.C.C.P., F.A.C.P.Dr. Vance is the director of the pulmonary clinic

at the National Naval Medical Center

in Bethesda, MD. He was the assistant professor of medicine at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences. He is currently a fellow of the American College of Physicians. He joined the Navy in 2004 after 23 years in a civilian medical practice. He married his wife Brenda in 2002 and they have a blended family of 9 children and step-children.

Arden L. Weintraub, M.D.Dr. Weintraub is a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Valley Mental Health and Gateway Academy. In 2002, he re-ceived the outstanding teaching award for child psychiatry.

1983D. Bradley Welling, M.D., Ph.D.Dr. Welling lives in Columbus Ohio, and is the Chair of the Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at Ohio State University.

1985Jeffrey G. Wong, M.D.Dr. Wong has served as the Associate Dean for Medical Education at the Medical University of South Carolina since 2004. Prior to that, he served in leadership positions in primary care residency programs at Yale University, Washington University in St. Louis, and Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.

Alumni News

14 15

Alumni Notebook Alumni NotebookAlumni HighlightsThanks to our great volunteer physicians, 128 first and second year medical students were matched to physicians this year. During the year the students and physi-cians spend five to fifteen hours together, on the phone, during clinic or surgery visits, over meals, and during other medical related activities. The goal of the mentor program is for students to see the practice of medicine first hand, while learning more about a specific field of medicine from a practicing physician. The following testimonials from our students show the great success of this program: “My mentor was awesome. He is a great teacher, educator and mentor. I felt he added to my learning on how to interact with patients as well as eye health and disease.” Krista Kinard “I had a phenomenal mentor who was willing to answer any questions and allowed me to come to his clinics and surgery at any time. I really appreciate this program and

the work that goes into it.” Isaac Elam “My experience with the mentor program has provided me with more than I had ever expected. My mentor made a tremendous effort in assisting me with my future career decisions and helped me find a research mentor for the summer.” Rita Sharshiner “My first year of medical school I spent two weeks working with him in clinic and the OR while I was on break and stayed in contact with him during my second year. I have worked on two different research projects with him. I could not have chosen a better mentor for me.” Chad Turner “He is not only an excellent role model for my medical school education, but also one of my best friends! I can’t wait to work with him during my Family Medicine rotation this winter, I know there is much more I can learn from him about the practice of medicine.” Andrew Cole

Would you like to become a Mentor? If you are interested in finding out more about this program please phone 801-581-8591, or apply on our Web site, www.utahmedalumni.org/pages/volunteer.htm

Barry M. Stults, M.D., (House Staff, ’78) Receives 2007 Distinguished Teaching Award

Barry Stults, M.D. (H.S. ’78), Clinical Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine received the 2007 Distinguished Teaching Award at main campus graduation on May 12. The award honors faculty with eight or more years of service at the U for outstanding teaching, innovative pedagogy, concern for students, and exemplary contribu-tions to the educational process outside the classroom.

Connecting With U-The Mentor ProgramDoing the Right Thing The Robert H. Ballard and Dorothy Cannon Endowed Scholarship

Endowe

d Scho

larship

In his 40-year career as an orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Robert H. Ballard, Class of 1944 helped thousands of patients as a pioneer in joint replacement surgery in the Inland Empire region of Southern California. Even though he retired from active practice in 1992, Dr. Ballard has continued to give. This fall two exceptional University of Utah School of Medicine students will become recipi-ents of his generosity, becoming “Ballard Scholars.” These scholarships are the first four-year, full-ride medical school scholarships awarded by the school. “I have always had a commitment to medicine and education,” says Dr. Ballard. “I am grateful for the training I received at the University of Utah and feel extremely fortunate to have practiced Orthopaedic Medicine when I did. I want current students to have the same types of opportunities I had to start and grow a practice and excel in their field of choice.” In 2006 he established the Dr. Robert H. Ballard and Dorothy Cannon Ballard Endowed Scholarship with a gift of $20,000. This spring he made arrangements in his will for a four million dollar gift to permanently endow two full-ride scholarships. Knowing the need to attract top-notch scholars immediately, he gifted another $217,000 to finance this fall’s Ballard Scholars, plus commit-ted an additional $200,000 yearly until the will goes into effect to maintain the scholarships. “I hope my gifts will inspire other medical alumni to step-up and give to medical scholarships,” said Dr. Ballard. “The costs of college and medical school have far outpaced family income increases over the past thirty years. We alumni who have the financial ability need to help aspiring young people attend a quality medical school like the University of Utah’s and not be burdened with huge amounts of debt when they graduate.” Dr. Ballard is no stranger to medical philanthropy and activism in

the community. In 1983, the Robert H. Ballard Center for Rehabilitation at San Bernardino Community Hospital opened in appreciation of his “out-standing and dedicated service… and in recognition of his commitment to orthopaedic and restorative medicine and quality health care…” Shortly thereafter, he and his brother Ross Ballard M.D., Class of 1942, donated property to Saint

Bernadine’s Hospital in San Bernardino to open the Ballard Center Intensive Care Unit. He served as the California State Co-Chairman for the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation and in many state and national ortho-paedic specialty organizations in various capacities. He also enjoyed teaching as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Surgery at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and serving as the Medical Director of the Robert H. Ballard Center for Rehabilitation. He received numerous awards for his contributions including the San Bernardino County Medical Society’s Outstanding Contribution to Community Award in 1988 and the Outstanding Contribution to Medicine Award in 1991.

Born and raised in Utah, Dr. Ballard completed medical school at the University in 1944. After an internship at Waterbury Hospital in Connecticut, his specialty training was one year of surgery at Holy Cross Hospital in Salt Lake City followed by three more years as the second orthopaedic resident trained at the University of Utah. Five years of his training were in connection with military service. The first three with the Army Reserve while in school and then from 1945-1947 on active duty. “My contact with many excellent surgeons at Bushnell General Hospital in Brigham City and overseas in the orthopaedic section of the Station Hospital in Regensburg, Germany helped me decide to become an ortho-paedic surgeon, and I’ve never regretted it!” says Dr. Ballard. “I have been for-tunate my entire life, and now I want to give back to the School of Medicine for the training I received there which enabled me to pursue a career I loved.”

Paul Larsen ’78 Receives Outstanding Teaching and Instructional Creativity Award

Dr. Paul Larsen ’78, Professor of Pediatrics and Neurological Sciences, Division Chief of Pediatric Neurology in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine was recently honored with an Outstanding Teaching and Instructional Creativity Award from the school. He was honored for his work as an outstand-ing physician and neurologist, clinician, researcher, and an exceptional teacher. Along with inspiring and engaging stu-dents he lectures internationally and has produced a series of Pediatric Neurology video lectures. Recently he developed a world renowned Web site for neurology students and practicing physicians.

Dr. Robert H. and Dorothy Cannon Ballard, September 1942

16 17

In Memoriam

We Want to Hear from You

Please send us information about your honors received, appointments, career advancements, publications, volunteer work, and other activities of interest. Please include names, dates, and locations. Photographs are encouraged.

Name Year

Home Address

City

State Zip

E-mail Address

Medical Specialty

Recent Activities

Contact InformationThere is a number of ways to submit information:

• E-mail: kristin.gorang@hsc.utah.edu

• U.S. Mail: Send this completed form to University of Utah School of Medicine Alumni Relations, 540 S. Arapeen Drive, Suite 125, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108-1298

• Telephone: 801-585-3818

• Website: www.utahmedalumni.org

Joseph T. Edmunds, M.D. MD 1935 11 Aug 06

Garner B. Meads, M.D. MD 1936 5 Aug 06

Ray E. Spendlove, M.D. MD 1940 14 Nov 06

William A. McMain, M.D. MD 1941 25 Feb 06

Bryce Betteridge, M.D. MD 1946 10 Sept 06

Carlos N. Madsen, M.D. MD 1946 10 Jun 07

Robert S. Warner, M.D. MD 1949 13 Jan 07

Jack D. Boggess, M.D. MD 1949 31 Jan 07

Calvin R. Brown, M.D. MD 1951 23 Feb 07

Donald E. Julian, M.D. MD 1952 8 Feb 07

Lavere D. Poulsen, M.D. MD 1952 10 April 07

William C. Brown, M.D. MD 1954 4 Jan 07

Lamont Ericson, M.D. MD 1992 6 May 07

Alumni Notebook

1986

Michael D. Adams, M.D.Dr. Adams lives in Wyoming where he has a private practice

in Family Medicine. He has received several awards from the Boy Scouts of American and was the president of the Uintah County Medical Society. He has 2 sons and 2 grandchildren.

Michael Marushack, M.D.Dr. Marushack is currently practicing orthopedic surgery and sports medicine at Orthopedic Specialists in Pennsylvania. He and wife Mary have 2 children.

Steven K. Miller, M.D.Dr. Miller is the director of the Ear Nose and Throat Surgery

Center in Salt Lake City and a delegate to the American Medical Association. He is the father of 4 children and enjoys swimming, traveling and skiing with his children.

1990John W. Robinson, M.D.Dr. Robinson founded the St. Mark’s Family Residency program in 1994, and served as the Program Director from 1994 to 2004. He was President of the Utah Healthcare Institute from 1999 to 2004.

1991Van G. Christiansen, M.D.Dr. Christiansen has a family practice at the Canyon View Ogden Clinic. He and his wife, Dawn, have 5 children.

Liz Jensen, M.D.Dr. Jensen is the chief of pathology at the Veterans Administration Medical Center. She lives in Salt Lake City with her husband and children.

Russell Meldrum, M.D.Dr. Meldrum has a practice at Indiana University. He was recently promoted to associate professor with tenure. Also, he recently received the Orthopedic and Education Foundation Career Development Award.

Buddy Ray Nielson, M.D.Dr. Nielson practices anesthesiology at the Citizens Medical Center in Texas and serves on the credentials committee at Deltar Health Care System. He and his wife, Parivesh, have 3 children.

Richard J. Olsen, M.D.Dr. Olsen is a pediatric ophthalmolo-gist at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

David L. Tanner, M.D.Dr. Tanner is a pediatric anesthesiologist at Primary Children’s Medical Center. He and his wife, Stephanie, were mar-ried in 2003 and have a daughter.

1992Kandice Knigge, M.D.Dr. Knigge currently lives in Portland, Oregon where she is the Gastroenterology Fellowship Director at the Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU). She is also the American College of Gastroenterology Governor for the Oregon Region, and the Assistant Medical Director, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinic at OHSU.

1996David Affleck, M.D.Dr. Affleck is a cardiothoracic surgeon at St. Mark’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is married and has 4 children.

Matthew Fronk Harris, M.D.Dr. Harris is board certified in Emergency Medicine and a member of the American College of Emergency Physicians. He is happily married with 6 children, 3 of whom are triplets.

Brett Heath, M.D.Dr. Heath practices family medicine in Hamilton, Montana. He has 4 children. He is an avid fly fisherman, hunter and skier.

Brian Jackson, M.D.Dr. Jackson is a clinical patholo-gist at ARUP Laboratories in

Salt Lake City, Utah.

Heather Major, M.D.Dr. Major is married to her medical school classmate, Scott Major, who practices otolaryngology in Ogden, Utah. Dr. Heather Major practices medicine at the Ogden Women’s Center, and just won the James Scott Award, for being the community’s outstanding OB/GYN. They have 3 children.

Holly Casey Wall, M.D.Dr. Wall practices plastic surgery for the Wall Center in Louisiana with

her husband and father-in-law. She and her husband have 2 children.

1998Jason Todd Ipson, M.D.Dr. Lamb lives in the Los Angeles area and recently put together 150 million dollars of funds to do a slate of films over the next three years. He also directed the feature film, “Unrest” at the Veteran’s Affairs Hospital in Salt Lake City.

2001Julia Castillo, M.D.Dr. Castillo practices pediatrics at Kaiser Permanente in Orange County, California. She lives in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.

Todd Daynes, M.D. Dr. Daynes practices ophthalmology in Utah.

Peter C. Fisher, M.D.Dr. Fisher has accepted a position at Western Urological Clinic in Salt Lake City, Utah. He and his wife Nicole have 4 children.

Marion Folkener, M.D.Dr. Folkener completed her residency at the University of

Washington and has spent 1.5 years working on the Navajo Reservation for Indian Health Services. She married Lester Keel in 2004.

Michael W. Foutz, M.D.Dr. Foutz is practicing family medicine in Kuna, Idaho. He and his wife Katy have 3 children.

Katy Gesteland, M.D.Dr. Gesteland practices maternal-fetal medicine at Oregon Health and Sciences University. She has settled in Oregon.

Jeffrey Hancock, M.D.Dr. Hancock will be starting a fellowship with the University of

Utah Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Department in 2007.

Marta Heilbrun, M.D.Dr. Heilbrum finished her residency at Wake Forest and returned to Salt Lake City in July 2006 to start an abdominal imaging fellowship at the University of Utah. She has 2 daughters.

John Hemmersmeier, M.D.Dr. Hemmersmeier is practicing family medicine in Ogden, Utah.

David Hughes, M.D.Dr. Hughes practices emergency medicine at Mercy Medical Center in Durango, Colorado. He received the Salt Lake County Service Award for avalanche victim rescue in 2003. He sits on the faculty for Advanced Wilderness Medicine for the Upper San Juan Health District Emergency Medical Service.

Margaret Hope Solomon, M.D.Dr. Solomon completed her internal medicine and pediatrics

residency at the Harvard University combined program in Boston. She is currently practicing at the University of Utah Redwood Health Center. She and her husband Chris are the proud parents of 1 daughter.

Mary D. Tipton, M.D.Dr. Tipton is practicing internal medicine and pediatrics

at Copperview Medical Center and Jordan Valley Hospital. She has 1 son, Joshua. She trained her dog to be a ser-vice and therapy animal while she was in a wheelchair with a broken leg.

Tim Tollestrup, M.D.Dr. Tollestrup completed a general surgery residency in 2006 at St. Louis University Hospital. He is currently working as a trauma/general surgeon at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis.

Please send updates of your activities to the Alumni Relations Web site, http://www.utahmedalumni.org, via the Alumni Network icon, or fill out and mail the form in the back of Illuminations to University of Utah, School of Medicine Alumni Relations, 540 S. Arapeen Drive, Suite 125, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108.

Dr. Homer Warner, medical class of 1949 graduate, founder of the University of Utah’s department of biomedical informatics, and board member of the School of Medicine Alumni Association was honored in April for his contributions to the medical field. The Pathfinder Award recognized Dr. Warner as an innova-tor for the field of biomedical infor-matics and one of the first to develop

computers and computer programs for medical use. Dr. Warner received the award during a luncheon at the Edison Showcase at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City. The Showcase gives inventors and researchers a chance to demonstrate products ranging from lightweight compos-ite materials to unmanned flying sensors. Throughout his professional life Dr. Warner has been engaged in research, including the development of a monitoring system for intensive care units. He believes there are many opportuni-ties in the biomedical technology field and encourages young researchers and inventors to look at medical technology.

Biomedical Pioneer Homer Warner Honored

540 South Arapeen Drive Suite 125Salt Lake City, Utah 84108-1298

Nonprofit OrganizationU.S. Postage Paid

Salt Lake City, UtahPermit No. 3280

Graduates and their father/grandfathers pose at May 19 graduation: from left: Jack D. Stringham, M.D. ’48, Anesthesiology; grandson Johathan Jerman, M.D. ’07, Anesthesiology; Thomas Skidmore M.D. ’07, Radiation Oncology; father, Thomas C. Skidmore, M.D. ’72 (deceased) Obstetrics/Gynecology; Gordon S. Park, M.D. ’75, Obstetrics/Gynecology; son Brandon Park, M.D. ’07, Radiology; Ace Madsen, M.D., ’81, Internal Medicine; Wes Madsen, M.D. ’07, Orthopaedics; D. Millar, M.D., ’07, General Surgery; Roger C. Millar, M.D., ’69 General and Cardiothoracic Surgery. Not pictured: Nicholas J. Satovich, M.D., ’07, Radiology; Robert M. Satovick, M.D., ’62, Internal Medicine; Paul Sonntag, M.D., 07, Radiology; Paul L. Sonntag, M.D. ’74, Radiology.

Please visit our updated Web site www.utahmedalumni.org

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