The 7T ClinScan MRI was installed March 31 in the Elliman Clinical Research Building on the School of Medicine campus. Bruce Berkowitz, Ph.D., professor and director of the Small Animal MRI Facility, estimated it would be about three months before research can be conducted on the new machine regularly.

The $2 million scanner will be one of the first of its kind with the new Siemens interface, said Mark Haacke, Ph.D., director of the MR Research Facility and a professor of Radiology. Both Dr. Haacke and Dr. Berkowitz are responsible for the successful shared instrumentation grant that brought this piece of equipment to Wayne State University.

“There are only four or five machines in the world like this. This machine comes with Siemens software and interface,” said Dr. Haacke. “Wayne State University has collaborated with Siemens for a long time, and we have a long history and excellent reputation for development of new technology and new uses in this field.”

The new 7T, Dr. Haacke said, should have researchers across the Wayne State University campus champing at the bit to schedule time at the MR Research Facility.

“This gives us much more capability and flexibility,” he said. “We have a lot of people using the 4.7T now, and we can switch some of them over to the 7T for higher resolution and better sequencing.”

The 7T MRI, according to Siemens, was developed in collaboration with Bruker Biospin MRI Inc. The imager and software provide the potential for “microscopic spatial resolution visualizing anatomy previously unseen.” The company said the device allows observation and analysis of tissue metabolism and function.

While the 7T is for animals only, it offers myriad opportunities for translational research that will benefit humans. “This will speed up research, allow for more in-depth research, and translate beautifully” into work that develops into bedside treatment, Dr. Haacke said.

“With the higher field strength you get better signal-to-noise, which can be translated into higher resolution imaging, and the results come faster,” he added. “We can cut the scanning time and get higher productivity. We want to get researchers campus-wide using the 7T and 4.7T as much as possible. We are looking forward to helping researchers. We really want to support their work.”

The 7T is much stronger than typical MRI scanners used to help diagnose human patients. Most patients are examined with a 1.5T or 3T system. The strength of the 7T imager allows researchers to peer even further into the expanding microscopic universes that will one day unlock significant findings used to treat neurological diseases and a host of other conditions.

Dr. Berkowitz, who is also a member of the Departments of Anatomy and Cell Biology, and Ophthalmology, said the new imager facilitates translating research projects between it and the existing Siemens machines in the MR Research Facility. Adding a second animal MRI system will “substantially improve access and options” for researchers and the 7T allows further exploration of research previously conducted using the 4.7T imager.

Dr. Berkowitz said researchers who will be the first to utilize the new technology are those working on neuroscience projects that have pressing imaging needs that exceed those of the current 4.7T imager.

Some departments currently using the center’s existing 4.7T system include Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ophthalmology, Cancer, Radiology and Biomedical Engineering. Current demand has time on the 4.7T “tightly booked,” Dr. Berkowitz said, and having another animal system will allow more access to each machine.  “The 7T has significant improvement in electronics and software, and will greatly improve existing image quality,” said Dr. Berkowitz. “Thus, new applications, such as mouse cardiac studies, are possible on the 7T.”

Some of the studies under way involving animal models include the study of traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity, cancer and brain function itself. The ability to measure tissue structure and function at the level of microns, and assess metabolites in the body is the cornerstone of improving understanding and treatment efficacy for disease.

Dr. Humes will receive the association’s Seymour Gordon Award of Lifetime Achievement during the annual Heart Ball in April.

“I am honored to receive this prestigious award from the American Heart Association,” Dr. Humes said. “The AHA emphasizes research and advocacy in the larger areas of heart attack, stroke and hypertension -- diseases which affect a large proportion of our population. The area which I serve within the cardiology community represents a small but important niche of patients -- children. Children are generally not affected by these same disease processes, but more frequently are seen with congenital heart defects. I have spent the majority of my working career in the management of this group of patients. I have also been very active in the education of both the medical community as well as the lay population on the problems associated with this subset of problems.”

The association’s 2009 Medical Committee, made up of leading cardiologists from all health systems in southeast Michigan, selected Dr. Humes for the honor.

“The selection process is taken very seriously, with an initial nominations session commenced by the committee, a narrowing down of top candidates, and then a final session for a vote on the winning candidate,” said Kathy Kauffmann, vice president of Development for the American Heart Association.

Kauffman said Dr. Humes is the first pediatric cardiologist to win the award.

“Dr. Humes has been at the forefront of pediatric cardiology for the Detroit Medical Center,” she added. “He is recognized as the expert in his field and continues to lead the way for all pediatric cardiologists in Michigan and throughout the nation. We are humbled and honored to have his acceptance of this prestigious award.”

Dr. Humes has agreed to become the first pediatric cardiologist on the Southeast Michigan Board of the American Heart Association, Kauffman said. He is a Fellow of the national American heart Association and has served on the national affiliate as a member of the executive board of the Council on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young as well as a member of the Congenital Cardiac Defects Committee.

The ABMS, said President and CEO Kevin B. Weiss, M.D., is the medical organization overseeing physician certification in the United States. It assists member boards in developing and implementing educational and professional standards for the evaluation and certification of physician specialists. The organization is recognized by health care credentialing agencies as a primary source of board certification information.

“This is an exciting time for ABMS as we advance several new initiatives designed to improve the quality of U.S. healthcare,” Dr. Weiss said. “We are pleased to have Dr. Parisi in a leadership position to help guide ABMS and its member boards to address the public’s need for a more effective healthcare system.”

In addition, participants are encouraged to bring the aluminum pull tops from beverage cans to assist in raising funds for the Detroit Ronald McDonald House, which provides a place to stay for families of children receiving treatment at Children’s Hospital of Michigan.

Admission to the symposium is limited to the first 400 registered participants. Registration forms must be completed by April 10. Online registration, which is preferred, can be completed at www.med.wayne.edu/admissions.

For more information and to obtain a registration form, call the Admissions Office at (313) 577-1466.

As associate dean, Dr. Pauley will develop, implement and administer educational policies of the university and the School of Medicine Graduate Programs Office, with special emphasis on graduate students. He will be deeply involved in recruitment and retention, advising and mentoring.

He takes over the position left open in January when Kenneth Palmer, Ph.D., was appointed vice dean for Faculty Affairs, Human Resources and Professional Development.

“Dr. Pauley’s experience and success in our other graduate programs make him the ideal leader to continue building this vital effort,” said Robert M. Mentzer Jr., M.D., dean of the School of Medicine and senior advisor to the president for medical affairs. “I know that with his dedication Graduate Programs will continue to flourish.”

Dr. Pauley has served as founding director of the Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences and the director of the Basic Medical Sciences Masters program.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to inform undergraduates of the outstanding education and research training opportunities provided by our School of Medicine faculty, and to encourage our present graduate students as they pursue their future careers in biomedical sciences,” Dr. Pauley said. “Graduate Programs coordinates efforts in graduate student education and training, as well as recruitment, throughout the School of Medicine. This involves considerable efforts by our outstanding faculty from multiple departments, centers, institutes and programs. The collective success of our faculty in obtaining competitive national funding generates outstanding research training opportunities through which graduate students advance their own careers.”

Dr. Pauley said a major focus of his new position will be to disseminate information on the career progress of alumni, the accomplishments of students and the opportunities for potential students.

“As director of both the IBS curriculum and the Basic Medical Sciences Masters program, Bob has intimate knowledge of and long-standing experience with these large and vital educational initiatives,” Dr. Palmer said. “Bob also has been fully immersed in the daily operations of the Graduate Programs Office for over 10 years, and his advice and counsel have been invaluable to advancing the biomedical educational and training programs in the School of Medicine. Dr. Pauley has articulated a new vision for Graduate Programs, and I believe he possesses the personal drive and enthusiasm, as well as the support of the administration, to succeed in that vision."

After completing his undergraduate work in biology at Marquette University, Dr. Pauley obtained his doctorate degree in Microbial Genetics from the same university. He served as associate professor and adjunct associate professor in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at the University of Miami School of Medicine.

He was named associate professor of the WSU School of Medicine’s Graduate Program in Cancer Biology in 1992, the same year he became director of Cell Resources Core of the Comprehensive Cancer Center, a role he held through 2005.

In addition, Dr. Pauley has served as associate professor in the Department of Internal Medicine Division of Hematology-Oncology, associate professor of the Breast Cancer Program for the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and director and Chair of the Executive Committee of Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences.

Getting your finger set in a plaster cast: Cool.

Holding a cow eye and helping dissect it: Even cooler.

Undergoing an ultrasound of your heart and getting a take-home picture of it: The coolest.

From the latest in medical robots to listening to the fetal heart tones of a pregnant mother, nearly 400 children delved into the world of medical science March 21 during Wayne State University School of Medicine’s annual Future Docs. The event, sponsored by the School of Medicine’s Alumni Affairs, is designed to hook children with an interest in science that will one day mature into careers in medical fields.

“I think that it opens up the kids’ eyes to the possibilities of science and medical school,” said Executive Vice Dean Robert Frank, M.D., who welcomed the children and their parents, grandparents and other relatives to Scott Hall for the day’s events. “They get to talk to doctors and medical students, get some hands-on activities, and hopefully that sparks some interest down the line. We really never know what the catalyst will be. It could be a special teacher or an event such as this that could lead to someone becoming a physician.”

Gloria Kang, 9, of Troy, thought holding a cow eye in the Ophthalmology room staffed by Kresge Eye Institute members was “pretty cool and a little scary – and kind of smelly.” Any queasiness was quickly calmed by petting a training dog from Leader Dogs for the Blind.

Thomas Cairgle, 10, of Franklin, loves science and said he might become a physician.

“I liked getting my heart (ultrasound),” he said. “It’s pretty cool to see your heart beating like that.”

Nicole Denha, 11, of Beverly Hills, attended Future Docs as a guest of her aunt, Anita Bodiya, M.D., Class of 1995, a family physician in Novi. She liked the event, but seemed a bit reticent to handle a human brain. “I’ve held brains before,” she said, to laughs from family members.

Natalie Aulicino, 8, isn’t sure yet that she wants to become a doctor, like her father, Michael Aulicino, M.D., of Northville. While having her finger set in a cast was “cool,” Natalie is not yet sold on a career in medicine. And that’s just fine, because there’s plenty of time for the children who attended Future Docs to make up their minds, said Dr. Aulicino, an assistant professor in the Pathology Department.

“This is a great opportunity for kids to get some exposure to the sciences and realize whether or not they may want to get into medicine,” he said.

Children could explore 13 stations in all, each touching on a different specialty. They could also climb into the back of a Detroit Emergency Medical Services ambulance for an inside tour of the rig.

Lunch and entertainment by clowns were included, and each child received a Future Docs T-shirt and a gift bag.

While the day’s events hopefully prove memorable for the children, sponsors hope that they have planted another seed: that when some of the visitors decide upon a medical career, they choose Wayne State University for their training – and then one day they will bring their children to Future Docs.

The cafeteria in Scott Hall was packed with the students, their family members, faculty and administrators March 19 for the ceremony. Camera flashes winked and celebratory flutes of sparkling wine were raised in a toast before the revelation of residencies.

“Match Day is really what it’s all about,” Robert M. Mentzer Jr., M.D., dean and senior advisor to the president, told the assembly. “You will be taking the Wayne State University School of Medicine reputation to the more than 65 institutions you’ll be training at. Your training here will allow you to go wherever you want to go in the United States.”

“Now the real fun begins,” said Robert R. Frank, M.D., executive vice dean. “You’ll find that caring for people can be scary, frustrating, burdensome and scary. Then it becomes challenging, awe-inspiring and rewarding – and then you’re a doctor.”

The Class of 2009 chalked up an 88 percent match rate, meaning 88 percent of the 253 students received residencies at one of their chosen facilities across the country.

Sixty-two percent of placements matched facilities in Michigan, important for a number of reasons, said Kertia Black, M.D., assistant dean of Student Affairs, who served as mistress of ceremonies for Match Day 2009. Those who practice residencies in Michigan often remain in Michigan to practice medicine, a definite boon to a state facing a projected physician shortage. And, those who remain in Michigan, in many cases, also stay close to family.

Andrea Barbieri, 25 of Troy, burst into tears of joy when she tore open her envelope to discover that she is headed for her first pick, Yale-New Haven Hospitals, for a residency in pathology. “I knew it was the perfect fit when I visited there,” she said, grinning through the tears.

Itishree Trivedi, 25, of Livonia, and her family celebrated her first pick, a residency at University of Michigan Ann Arbor. “It’s close to home so I can remain near family,” she explained with a broad smile.

“I’m excited because they (her residency facility) have a great program, but Match Day is bittersweet for many of us because we have to leave family,” said Katherine Gurchak. The 31-year-old Northville resident, originally from Minnesota, secured her first pick of an obstetric/gynecology residency at the Medical College of South Carolina.

Class President Ryan Kelly toasted the class. “We’ve gone from a bunch of kids thrown together to a group that has grown together.”

During the Match Day celebration, departmental awards were announced. The awards and winners include:

Senior Award in Dermatology: Laurel Leithauser

Society for Academic Emergency Medicine 2009 Excellence in Emergency Medicine Award: Sarah Albers

American College of Emergency Physicians Medical Student Professionalism and Service Award: Clark Greger

Excellence in Family Medicine Award: Vanessa Sauerberg

Department of Family Medicine Research Award: Michael Kopec

North American Primary Care Research Group Student Research Award: Ashleigh Sartor

Gordon B. Myers Memorial Award: Patricia Myers-Gurevitch and Mary Tanski

Dr. A. Ashley Rousuck Award in Internal Medicine: Itishtree Trivedi and Danielle Djoumbi

Emanual Graff Endowed Memorial Award: Amy Zhou and Crystal Ritsena

Olivery J. Marcotte, M.D., Endowed Humanitarian Award: Stephanie Judd, Ardaman Sherill and Michael Townsend

Internal Medicine/Pediatrics Student Scholar of the Year Award: Ryan Kelly

American Academy of Neurology Medical Prize for Excellence in Neurology: Lisa Awan

David S. Diamond Memorial Award: Katherine McCracken

Dong H. Shin Outstanding Ophthalmology Research Award: Michael Siegel, Maheen Haque and Clint Simpson

Robert Rutzky Award: Zachariah Hicks

Saul Brown Award: John Schwartz

Ann Rutzky Memorial Award: Jennifer King

Jeffrey Farkas, M.D., Memorial Award: Kathleen Delaney

Cheryl Hack, M.D., Pediatric Award: Ryan Kelly

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Student Achievement Award: Shane Dangerfield

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences Achievement Award: Faye Zuhairy

Junior Scholarship Award in Surgery: Patricia Myers-Gurevich

Charles L. Huang, M.D. Award: Adrian Gasperut

Medical Alumni Senior Scholarship Award: Angela Liang

Class of 2009 Academic Achievement Award: Jason Domina, freshman year; Zachariah Hicks, sophomore year; Angela Liang and Mary Tanski, junior year; Victor Mangona, senior year

Elvis Smith Alford, M.D., and Nellie Corbin Alford Memorial Award: Jason Domina

Janet M. Glasgow Memorial Achievement Citation: Andrea Barbieri, Johanna Coughlin, Adrian Gasperut, Bianca Gruber, Anna Hehl, Rachel Laarman, Angela Liang, Patricia Myers-Gurevitch, Meredit Praice, Crystal Ritsema, Nicole Seleno, Kelly Smith, Mary Tanski and Itishree Trivedi

Distinction in Biomedical Research: Raymond Esper, Foaz Kayall, Victor Magona, Mausumi Sayamal.

Three members of the Wayne State University School of Medicine’s Department of Ophthalmology who also serve at the Kresge Eye Institute have been recognized by the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.

Robert N. Frank, M.D., Ph.D., was named a Gold Fellow, and Bret A. Hughes, M.D., and Mark L. McDermott, M.D., were named Silver Fellows.

The prestigious awards are presented by the world’s largest vision research organization to colleagues who have contributed high-impact research in the field of vision science and eye care.

The research of Dr. Frank, the Robert S. Jampel Professor of Ophthalmology and professor of Anatomy and Cell Biology, includes animal models of retinal and choroidal vessel disease, retinal and choroidal new blood vessel formation, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. The Yale University School of Medicine graduate specializes in diseases of the retina.

Dr. Frank served as editor-in-chief of the journal Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science.

Dr. Hughes, an associate professor of Ophthalmology, specializes in glaucoma and cataracts. His research areas include risk factors for failure in glaucoma filtration surgery and new surgical devices that enhance filtration surgery.

A winner of the Kresge Eye Institute’s Distinguished Teaching Award, Dr. Hughes is chief of Ophthalmology at the John D. Dingell Veterans Administration Medical Center and co-director of Kresge’s Glaucoma Service.

Dr. McDermott, a professor of Ophthalmology, researches antimicrobial toxicity and epithelial wound healing. His clinical specialties include complex cataract extraction and corneal transplants.

He has received the American Academy of Ophthalmology Honor Award and was named a Best Doctor in America several times since 2004.

“These honors recognize the significant contributions to research involving eye health to which these three doctors have dedicated themselves,” said Robert M. Mentzer Jr., M.D., dean of the School of Medicine and senior advisor to the president for medical affairs. “Their dedication exemplifies the important role that research conducted at the school plays in the lives of thousands of patients.”

A pair of Wayne State University School of Medicine researchers will use a National Institutes of Health grant to devise methods to decrease the frequency and severity of asthma attacks in minority children living in the Detroit area.

Sylvie Naar-King, Ph.D., and Deborah Ellis, Ph.D., both associate professors in the Department of Pediatrics and the Pediatric Prevention Research Center, secured a $3,669,059 grant for their “Multisystemic Therapy to Reduce Health Disparities in African-American Adolescents with Asthma” study. Dr. Naar-King will serve as principal investigator for the study and Dr. Ellis will serve as co-investigator.

Asthma, Dr. Naar-King said, is the most common cause of hospitalization for children after infections. Minority children living in urban areas, especially adolescents, appear at risk for higher rates of frequency of the condition and higher rates of death from asthma.

“Poor illness management is thought to be a primary driver of asthma morbidity and mortality,” Dr. Naar-King said. “Yet, there are few randomized controlled trials with inner-city adolescents with asthma.”

The complexity of asthma management, she explained, requires intensive, “multi-component” interventions to improve the lives of the children at highest risk.

Study investigators will use Multisystem Therapy to improve asthma management, and reduce emergency department visits and hospitalizations due to asthma attacks among high-risk African-American children ages 12 to 16 who have moderate to severe asthma. Children who have been hospitalized at least once in the past year meet the high-risk qualification.

Multisystem Therapy consists of counselors going into the homes of asthmatic children to advise families on how best to change their environment and develop systems to ensure children adhere to schedules for medicine so that an attack does not spiral into a trip to the emergency room. The counselors also help families locate experts who can help adapt the home environment to make it more hospitable to asthmatics and make certain the teens have a primary care physician they see.

The study calls for a randomized controlled trial with 170 adolescents. Eighty-five will receive standard multidisciplinary specialty care and serve as a control group. The other 85 will receive standard care and MST. Families enrolled in the study will complete an initial data collection session, a seven-month post-test designed to coincide with treatment completion and a post-test at 12 months.

“If successful, this intervention will provide immediate assistance to a vulnerable population disproportionately affected by asthma and may reduce costs of care for this high risk population,” Dr. Naar-King said.

Enrollment in the study, which began in January, continues. Families interested in taking part in the study can call Karen Kolmodin at (313) 966-2366.

The Wayne State University School of Medicine hosted a public hearing of the Community Health subcommittee of the state House Appropriations Committee. The March 13 hearing was intended to gather public comment relative to the funding of community health issues in light of the state’s potential budget reductions for long-term home and protective care.

Chairman Gary McDowell said the subcommittee was looking for public perspective around the state in terms of what the state’s priorities ought to be. The subcommittee went to Traverse City and Grand Rapids prior to coming to Detroit. Said McDowell, “While areas of our state seem diverse, we have more in common than people think.”

Other representatives on the subcommittee are Vice Chairwoman Shanelle Jackson, Hugh Crawford, Vincent Gregory and Fred Miller.

Jaffar Auditorium in Scott Hall was filled to overflowing with concerned people, many of whom were afflicted with long-term disease or injury that make them dependent on others for care and support.

Former representative Morris Hood III attended and made comments as a concerned resident regarding the ongoing work of his father’s namesake, the Wayne State University Morris J. Hood Jr. Comprehensive Diabetes Center.

James Gutai, M.D., a School of Medicine professor of pediatric endocrinology, knows the issues of diabetes in children better than most. Since 1989, he has been at the helm of a community-based program that brings teams comprised of a physician, dietitian, diabetes educator and social worker to Detroit-area communities and distant areas of the state to educate children about diabetes and help them control the disease. He was at the hearing, he said, because “Someone needs to speak for the children. They have no voice of their own."

Also commenting from the SOM were Herbert Smitherman, M.D., assistant dean of Community and Urban Health; Manuel Tancer, M.D., chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences; and Jason Younga, a second-year medical student.

The meeting is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. March 12 in room 2268 of Scott Hall.

The discussion, moderated by Joseph Dunbar, Ph.D., associate vice president for Research, and Daniel Walz, Ph.D., associate dean for Research, will center on the federal stimulus plan and its implication for medical research, the types of grant applications that may be applicable, information gathered from meetings with federal officials and how the Office of the Vice President of Research can assist faculty with providing economic stimulus outcomes information. The session will conclude with a question-and-answer session.

The OVPR has established a university-wide Web site – http://www.research.wayne.edu/arra/ -- to address related issues.

“Bioinformatics for Systems Biology” was edited by Stephen A. Krawetz, Ph.D., the Charlotte B. Failing Professor of Fetal Therapy and Diagnosis, and director of Translational Reproductive Systems in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He is also a member of the school’s Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, and the Institute for Scientific Computing.

“This is a first for Wayne State University, providing a wonderful course book and resource for students, as well as a very practical resource addition to any laboratory entering the field,” Dr. Krawetz said.

Published by Humana Press, the 740-page book was written for physical, computer and life scientists, computational biologists and mathematicians.

Chapter authors from the School of Medicine include Dr. Krawetz; Daniel Rappolee, Ph.D., associate professor of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; D. Randall Armant, Ph.D.,  professor of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology; Jeffrey Loeb, M.D., Ph.D., associate director of the Wayne State University School of Medicine’s Center for Molecular Medicine & Genetics and associate professor of the Department of Neurology; Michael Kruger, statistical analyst in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; and Thomas Beaumont, Ph.D., of the Center for Molecular Medicine & Genetics.

“The biological sciences are now in the midst of a true life sciences revolution akin to what physics experienced just after the turn of the last century,” Dr. Krawetz said. “We are now in a phase of unparalleled growth that is reflected by the amount of data generated from each experiment. … This fundamental shift has provided unprecedented opportunities that for the first time afford us the ability – the means, breadth and depth of data -- to truly address human biology at the systems level. This wealth of information from seemingly disparate datasets and its integration is being realized through bioinformatics. It is with this philosophy that ‘Bioinformatics for Systems Biology’ was born. This revolution has spawned true personalized medicine that encompasses diagnostics and treatment through to cure.

Dr. Krawetz said that for the physical and computer scientist, the book provides an introduction to basic biological principles governing a cell. While providing a rudimentary and necessary overview for the life scientist, the physical and computer scientist will learn of “nuances within the field reflecting the reality of wet-bench science.”

The majority of the text, he explained, is devoted to the “common ground” that these groups share.

“The goal is to provide a representation most comfortable to the user to enable the user to thoroughly explore the data,” Dr. Krawetz said. “The text bridges and unifies many disciplines. It presents the life scientist, computational biologist and mathematician with a common framework. Only by linking the groups together may the true life sciences revolution move forward in the mostly uncharted and emerging field of Systems Biology.”

“Dr. Schwartz is an excellent choice to lead us during this period of transition,” said Alan S. Schwartz, chairman of the Karmanos Cancer Institute Board of Directors. “As interim president and chief executive officer, Ann will focus on leading the institute’s scientific direction, while continuing our outstanding world-class research in basic, clinical and population sciences.”

Having rejoined the Karmanos faculty 10 years ago, Dr. Schwartz, who is unrelated to Alan Schwartz, has extensive experience and knowledge of the institute.

Previous to this appointment, Dr. Schwartz served as the associate center director for Population Sciences at Karmanos since 2002.  Her research focuses on the genetics underlying lung cancer risk. She has a master’s degree in biology from Wayne State University, a master’s in Public Health in Environmental Health from the University of Michigan and a doctorate degree in epidemiology from the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

Dr. Schwartz’ first faculty appointment was with the Michigan Cancer Foundation in 1986. She spent 1991 to 1999 at the University of Pittsburgh and the MCP-Hahnemann School of Medicine. She returned to Karmanos in 1999. Dr. Schwartz has been the recipient of continuous grant support from the National Institutes of Health for more than 20 years.

As interim chief operating officer, Broughton’s main responsibilities include the smooth and efficient operation of the Karmanos Cancer Center to ensure the delivery of high quality care at the hospital and all of the Karmanos clinical operations while continuing their profitability.

Broughton served on both Karmanos boards through December 2007 and was a member of the institute’s Finance and Compensation committees. Prior to his retirement, he was president and chief executive officer of Harper Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Michigan.

He is also a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives and a Fellow in the Hospital Financial Management Association.

“Ann will work directly with Paul Broughton, our interim chief operating officer, to continue our excellence in clinical care for our patients. Both Ann and Paul have extensive knowledge and understanding of our commitment to patient care and cancer research,” said Alan Schwartz.

“I am delighted that Ann Schwartz was named interim chief executive officer of the Karmanos Cancer Institute,” said Wayne State University President Jay Noren. “As an experienced researcher and administrator, Dr. Schwartz will be a significant asset for the institute as it continues to fulfill and expand its role as one of the nation’s preeminent cancer research and treatment centers.”

“The faculty and staff of the Wayne State University School of Medicine are looking forward to working closely with Dr. Schwartz as she assumes leadership of the Karmanos Cancer Institute,” said Robert Mentzer, M.D., dean of the Wayne State University School of Medicine and senior advisor to the president for medical affairs. “The medical school and the institute have a tradition of cooperation in medical research, patient care and teaching that has become a model for medical institutions across the country.”

“I have worked with Ann for more than six years. She is an exemplary researcher who is dedicated to finding a cure for this insidious disease. She is a strong leader and will serve the institute well during this transition,” said John C. Ruckdeschel, M.D., the outgoing president and CEO of the institute.

Kilimanjaro, located in the east African country of Tanzania, is the highest peak on the African continent. At more than 19,000 feet above sea level, it is higher than any peak in the United States.

Dr. Crissman, 69 at the time of the trek, prepared for the challenge for months, improving his cardiovascular endurance and lowering his body fat to around 17 percent. He said that it was important to get in shape because of low oxygen levels associated with the extreme height and because no supplemental oxygen was available.

Dr. Crissman took seven days to ascend the mountain and two days to descend using the Shira western route.

When asked how he felt about his accomplishment, he said, “To those who thought climbing Kilimanjaro was insane, you were correct.”

Dr. Crissman declined to comment when asked what was next on his “bucket list.”

Jessica Slim, 25, is from Detroit, so she knows the city’s population needs assistance. She has been awarded a $500 grant from the Association of American Medical Colleges Organization of Student Representatives. The grant will be used to purchase food for a dinner at a homeless shelter to draw attention to a soon-to-open student-run health clinic set to be established in the city.

“The event will help people in the community who need it most and hopefully bring to their attention a new free clinic in their vicinity,” the second-year medical student said.

During the dinner, students will introduce the new clinic and its services.

“We want to provide human contact, compassion and hope to a population severely lacking all these, in addition to lacking health insurance,” Slim said. “The clinic will allow our students the opportunity to better understand, relate to and serve this patient population.”

Compassion for others, and assisting those who need help most, seems to come naturally to Slim.

“I became interested in medicine in high school when I had the opportunity to travel to Mexico on a medical mission,” she said. “I traveled back to that region another two times, and have since traveled to Ecuador, Costa Rica and Tanzania on medical missions.”

This month, Slim will travel to Ethiopia for three weeks with members of the Neurosurgery Department at Detroit Receiving Hospital.

While she is unsure what field of medicine she will pursue, Slim said she is leaning toward emergency medicine or surgery. Whatever field she enters, she is certain that she will work in international medicine, either with Doctors Without Borders or the Red Cross/Red Crescent. She sees herself practicing medicine in the Middle East or Africa.

In addition to her position as an OSR representative for the Class of 2011, Slim also serves as a mentor in Vista Maria, a nonprofit residential and community-based treatment agency serving the disadvantaged. She also is a state representative for the American Medical Association.

A memorial service to honor John M. Malone Jr., M.D., will take place from 4 to 5 p.m. March 25, in the Kresge Auditorium at Hutzel Women's Hospital.

Dr. Malone graduated from the Wayne State University School of Medicine in 1977 and completed his residency with the Detroit Medical Center. He served as Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology from 2001 to 2007, and the Frank P. Iacobell Endowed Chair since 2001.

Conley, 27, will receive a travel stipend to attend the AAN annual meeting in Seattle, Wash., April 25 through May 2, paid registration for the meeting and will be able to register for educational programs at the junior member rate. She will receive a certificate of recognition and be acknowledged during the AAN and AANF awards luncheon.

“Attending the AAN meeting is an honor for me,” said Conley, of Detroit. “I am grateful that the sponsors have created an opportunity to increase diversity in the neurosciences, and I feel very privileged to have won this award.

“The theme of this year's AAN meeting is ‘Better practices, better outcomes,’ an important concept that I believe applies to physicians across all disciplines,” she added. “However, I am particularly excited to learn more about the research and clinical work that is being done to help improve prognosis and quality of life for patients suffering from neurological disease.”

William M. Coplin, M.D., F.C.C.M., associate professor of Neurology & Neurological Surgery for the School of Medicine, and chief of Neurology and medical director of Neurotrauma & Critical Care for Detroit ReceivingHospital, nominated Conley for the award.

“I have known Alex since she did her rotation through neurology and subsequent elective time in the neurocritical care unit,” Dr. Coplin said. “Alex successfully practiced at a very competent level during her time with us. She completed her other clinical rotations with remarkable evaluations, reflective of her growing clinical database and her ability to integrate this knowledge to improve the care of her patients. She demonstrated excellent camaraderie with her peers and supervising residents, and is clearly a team player, balancing very well her striking enthusiasm for medicine and her own advancement and training with the needs of others similar. ... Alex is a maturing individual who is bright, motivated and personable. She has demonstrated during her training that she is a committed professional willing to work hard to achieve her career goals.”

Conley worked with Dr. Coplin during her fourth-year neurocritical care/neuro-trauma elective.

While her interest in medicine dates to elementary school, Conley now focuses on the brain and central nervous system.

“It controls everything from how we grow and develop to how we function on a daily basis, both voluntarily and involuntarily,” she said. “I started putting up posters of the brain in my room and reading books about Dr. Alexa Canady and Dr. Ben Carson. Based on this I decided I wanted to pursue a career in neurosurgery. This was reaffirmed during medical school when I went through my clerkships, and found that the only rotation that truly satisfied all my interests was my elective in neurosurgery. Not only could I evaluate the patient in clinic and diagnose neurological pathology, but I could actively participate in the operating room as surgeons worked to potentially cure the patient. It is a very rewarding and exciting feeling.”

Conley serves as a class representative on the Student Senate, is a member of the Aesculapians service honor society, the Gold Humanism Honor Society and the Black Medical Association/Student National Medical Association. She also is a member of the American Medical Association, the American College of Physicians and the World Health Student Organization.