April 2nd is KICK BUTTS DAY

It's a day for youth to stand out, speak up, and seize control in the fight against tobacco. How? By raising awareness about tobacco - how it harms our health and how Big Tobacco targets kids - and supporting strong tobacco control policies. Want to learn more? Go to www.kickbuttsday.org.

Statement by Robert Janssen, M.D. -- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(BUSINESS WIRE)--In response to statements today by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, CDC provides the following important clarification and corrections regarding CDC’s 2006 HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report, published on March 26, 2008.

(http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/resources/reports/ 2006report/pdf/2006SurveillanceReport.pdf). (Due to its length, this URL may need to be copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove the extra space if one exists.)

Every year, CDC issues an HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report that includes new data on HIV diagnoses and AIDS cases. These data do not include new HIV infections (incidence). The HIV diagnosis data included in the report only indicate when people were diagnosed, not when they were originally infected.

The “Commentary” section on page 6 of the 2006 report clearly explains and interprets these findings. In summary, the data show that from 2003 to 2006, the estimated number of HIV/AIDS cases in the 33 states and 5 areas with long-standing confidential name-based HIV reporting remained stable (in 2003 36,102 HIV diagnoses; in 2006, 36,817 diagnoses). This is clearly shown on Table 1 of the report.

The 2006 surveillance report does not show an increase in HIV/AIDS diagnoses. The higher number of reported HIV diagnoses in 2006 in Table 16 (52,878, compared to 35,537 in 2005 from Table 16 of the 2005 Surveillance Report) is due to the fact that this table includes data from states that have newly implemented confidential name-based HIV reporting as of 2006, including highly populous states like California, Illinois and Washington. HIV cases from these states have not been included in CDC surveillance reports in the past. The number of areas increased from 38 states and 5 dependent areas in 2005 to 45 states and 5 dependent areas in 2006.

High Court Okays Federal Rule on Cutting Health Benefits

(CNSNews.com) - The Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal of a federal policy that allows employers to reduce their health insurance expenses for retired workers once they turn 65 and qualify for Medicare. The court turned down an appeal from the AARP, which wanted to reverse a rule allowing employers to reduce medical benefits for retirees depending on their age. On July 14, 2003, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) proposed to exempt "the practice of altering, reducing or eliminating employer-sponsored retiree health benefits when retirees become eligible for Medicare or a State-sponsored retiree health benefits program" from the Age Discrimination in Employment Act...
http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewNation.asp?Page=/Nation/archive/200803/NAT20080326a.html
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CALLING ALL EXPECTANT MOMS: WOMEN'S CENTER AT PIEDMONT MOUNTAINSIDE HOSPITAL OFFERS PREPARED CHILDBIRTH CLASSES

Piedmont Mountainside Hospital Women’s Center wants to help all expectant moms get ready for the arrival of their new bundles of joy. Pam Hayes and Rose Marie Nelson, registered nurses at the Women's Center and certified childbirth educators, are offering prepared childbirth classes in the education room on March 22, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. They will hold additional classes on May 12, July 12, September 6 and November 1 at the same time and location.

The class, which is recommended to be taken by week 34 of pregnancy, is designed to educate new and "refresher course" moms on a variety of childbirth topics. Topics include: Labor and delivery, epidurals, circumcision, proper car seat safety, and options for cord blood donation. Expectant moms and loved ones also will get the chance to tour the Women's Center facility and ask the staff questions.

The cost of the class is $87.00. Medicaid and most insurance companies will cover the cost of the class. For more information about the prepared childbirth classes or the Women's Center, please contact 706-301-5246.
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Childhood Abuse and Variation in Stress Gene Increases Risk of Severe PTSD Symptoms

Researchers have found extraordinarily high rates of trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in adults living in low income, urban environments, and increased risk for PTSD as an adult associated with a history of childhood abuse.

The researchers, reporting in the March 19, 2008 Journal of the American Medical Association, also found variation in a gene associated with biological responses to stress (FKBP5) predicts risk for PTSD among survivors of child physical and sexual abuse.

"Posttraumatic stress disorder is a chronic, often debilitating stress-related health problem that can become worse over time without treatment," says Rebekah Bradley, PhD, co- author of the study and assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Emory University School of Medicine.

One of the most important questions about PTSD is why, given the same level of adult trauma, some people develop severe PTSD symptoms, while others appear to be more resilient and recover.

"Individuals with PTSD are at least 7 percent to 8 percent of the U.S. population, but we see strikingly higher rates in some groups," says Dr. Bradley. "The data from this study suggest that adults living in high violence areas show PTSD rates that are at least as high as those found among recently returned combat veterans."

In a study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), researchers compared the level of PTSD in adults who were abused as children to adults who were exposed to trauma without child abuse. They also looked at the genetic variations in the gene FKBP5, which is related to the stress response system.

From 2005 to 2007, screeners approached patients in the waiting room of primary care or obstetrical-gynecological clinics of Grady Memorial Hospital, a large urban hospital in Atlanta. The patients were asked to complete a battery of self-report measures including a traumatic events inventory and a childhood events questionnaire. They were also asked to provide a saliva sample for DNA. There were 900 patients who participated in the study.

"The study data confirms that childhood sexual and physical abuse occurs at disturbingly high rates, and is a major public health issue resulting in increased risk for PTSD in a significantly large population," explains Dr. Bradley, who is also the director of the PTSD program at the Atlanta Veteran's Affairs Medical Center and co-director of the Grady Trauma Project.

"Additionally, the data from the DNA samples implies that heritable factors in combination of exposure to childhood abuse are associated with changes in developmental, biological processes involved in how individuals may respond to traumatic events," she says.

Researchers hope that the important pieces of information resulting from this study and future studies will eventually translate into prevention of this growing mental health epidemic.

Co-author of the study is Elisabeth B. Binder, MD, PhD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Department of Genetics at Emory University, and Institute of Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute, Germany. Corresponding author is Kerry J. Ressler, MD, PhD, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, assistant professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine and researcher, Yerkes National Primate Center.
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Study Alerts Eye Doctors of Racial Differences in Treating Vision Disorders

Blacks are more likely to lose vision due to increased pressure in the brain than other races, reports an Emory Eye Center researcher in the March 11, 2008 issue of Neurology, the journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

The pressure, called idiopathic intracranial hypertension, was identified as causing the disorder, says Beau Bruce, MD, a neuro-ophthalmology fellow at the Emory University School of Medicine and lead researcher for the study.

"The racial factor is purely just that," says Dr. Bruce. "Other factors such as differences in diagnosis, treatment or care don't seem to matter. We found that intracranial hypertension clearly affects black people more aggressively. This would tell us that ophthalmologists and others treating blacks need to monitor their vision very closely."

Timothy W. Olsen, MD, director of Emory Eye Center, says, "Dr. Bruce and colleagues have discovered an interesting association that warrants further investigation. Identification of the key risk factors certainly help clinicians in patient management."

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension has no known cause. Those affected may experience headache, ringing in the ears and vision problems. Blurriness and double vision are typical. This disease is most common in young, obese black women.

Seventeen years of records at Emory Eye Center were reviewed for the study.
All patients in the study had intracranial hypertension. Of the 450 patients, 197 were black, 246 were white, five were Hispanic and two were Asian. The black patients were 3.5 times more likely to end of up severe vision loss in at least one eye. Further, they were five times more likely to become legally blind than the non-black patients.

Dr. Bruce notes that the black patients in his study did have other risk factors including weight (higher body mass index), higher frequency of
low blood iron and higher pressures around the brain than other study participants. Vision loss in blacks could be explained somewhat by those factors, he says.

Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc. and the National Institutes of Health helped fund the study.
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CVS CAREMARK CORP. TO PAY $36.7 MILLION TO U.S., 23 STATES, & D.C.TO SETTLE MEDICAID PRESCRIPTION DRUG FRAUD ALLEGATIONS

CVS Caremark Corp. has agreed to pay $36.7 million to settle claims that the company from 2000 to 2006 improperly switched patients from the tablet version of the prescription drug Ranitidine (generic Zantac) to a more expensive capsule version in order to increase Medicaid reimbursement, the Justice Department announced today. CVS Caremark, based in Woonsocket, R.I., operates more than 6,000 retail pharmacies nationwide.

By dispensing the capsule version of Ranitidine rather than tablets, CVS Caremark was able to substantially increase its reimbursement from Medicaid while providing no additional medical benefit to beneficiaries. For example, during the period Dec. 15, 2000, through April 1, 2001, Caremark charged Illinois Medicaid $79.80 for 60 Ranitidine capsules instead of $17.10 for the tablets, leading to a price difference of $62.70 on a single prescription.

"This settlement represents our continuing commitment to vigorously prosecute fraud in government health care programs," said Jeffrey S. Bucholtz, the Acting Assisting Attorney General for the Civil Division. "The United States will not tolerate pharmacies or any other health care providers that attempt to manipulate the Medicaid program to fill their coffers at the taxpayers' expense."

CVS Caremark will pay $36.7 million to resolve a whistleblower lawsuit filed in 2003 by Bernard Listiza, a licensed pharmacist. The federal share of the settlement is approximately $21.1 million. Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia will share $15.6 million pursuant to separate settlement agreements. Mr. Lisitza will receive $4,309,330.74 as his share of the federal and state settlements.

"Switching medication from tablets to capsules might seem harmless, but when that is done solely to increase profit and in violation of federal and state regulations that are designed to protect patients, pharmacies must know that they are subjecting themselves to the possibility of triple damages, civil penalties and attorney fees," U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said. "These penalties, coupled with the willingness of insiders to report fraud, should deter such misconduct, but when it doesn't, the result in this case and others serves notice that we will aggressively pursue all available legal remedies."

CVS Caremark has also entered into a compliance agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to ensure that CVS Caremark does not improperly switch drugs in the future. The compliance agreement will be in effect for five years.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Chicago supervised the joint federal and state health care fraud investigation with assistance from the Justice Department's Civil Division; the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units; the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
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Clayton State Senior Raises Awareness for Ovarian Cancer

Clayton State University Integrative Studies major Julia Jones (Forest Park) is earning more than class credit in her senior internship. Jones is raising funds to support earlier detection of ovarian cancer through Ovarian Cycle, Inc.

Jones, who lost her mother to ovarian cancer, is merging her passion for the cause with her educational goal of work in the public relations sector. Now in her second internship with Ovarian Cycle, Inc., Jones is taking what she’s learned in the Clayton State classroom and making a difference by promoting Ovarian Cycle’s 2008 Ride to Change the Future scheduled for Apr. 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Atlanta’s Midtown Athletic Club.

“Supporting the efforts of Ovarian Cycle not only brings awareness to this silent killer, but also brings people to fitness,” Jones explains of the annual event. Health clubs across the nation participate in Ride to Change the Future, a stationary bike ride created by fitness expert Bethany Diamond in memory of her friend Debbie Flamm who lost her battle with the disease. Participants form teams and ride 100 virtual miles on indoor bikes to raise money for ovarian cancer research.

Jones plans to pursue a career in public relations in the non-profit sector after she graduates from Clayton State in spring 2009. “My plans are to work for a non-profit organization not necessarily for the salary, but more for the cause,” she says, and cites Clayton State Assistant Professor of Journalism Dr. Randy Clark as her inspiration for pursing public relations.

Jones invites the community to join in the cause saying, “If you have a mother, daughter, sister or aunt, you have a reason to support earlier detection….We have the power and the responsibility to make a difference.”

For more information on Ovarian Cycle’s Apr. 26 Ride to Change the Future, visit www.ovariancycle.org. To learn more about Clayton State University’s Integrative Studies program contact the College of Arts & Sciences at (678) 466-4735.

A unit of the University System of Georgia, Clayton State University is an outstanding, comprehensive metropolitan university located 15 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta.

Unique Forum for People with Ulcerative Colitis Coming to Atlanta

“On the Road Again” is coming to Atlanta! The unique free forum for people with ulcerative colitis (UC) designed to help them better manage the many challenges of UC – an inflammatory bowel disease that affects nearly 700,000 Americans and often strikes between the ages of 15 and 30 – is coming to Atlanta. The event will take place at Fernbank Museum of Natural History on Monday, April 7 at 6:30 p.m.

More information:

Shire Launches Patient Education Forums on Better Managing the Challenges of Ulcerative Colitis

Shire Pharmaceuticals recently launched "On the Road Again", an informative patient education program for people with ulcerative colitis (UC), a disease that affects nearly 700,000 individuals in the United States. The interactive events will feature four expert presenters and will provide an opportunity for people with UC to ask questions and network with others who have UC.

Experts at each event will include a dietitian, a leading gastroenterologist, a social worker or health psychologist, and an online health information professional. Topics will include the role of diet in UC, treatment options for UC, lessening the emotional burden of UC, researching UC on the Internet, and building an online UC community.

Shire developed the program, scheduled to travel to 10 major cities across the country, in response to the results of a series of Shire-sponsored surveys completed in 2007 titled "UC: NORMAL (New Observations on Remission Management and Lifestyle)." The objectives of the surveys were to understand how UC affects patients' lives as well as the differences in physicians’ and patients’ perceptions of UC. Results revealed a number of challenges, including communication gaps between patients and physicians, compliance challenges with medications, and a high level of life disruption on the lives of people with UC. Additional details and results of the survey can be found at http://www.ucnormal.com.

"Nearly two-thirds of those surveyed reported that having UC makes it difficult to lead a normal life and many have simply accepted the daily disruptions caused by their disease,” said Mike Yasick, senior vice president and gastrointestinal global business unit leader, Shire Pharmaceuticals. "The 'On the Road Again' program is intended to empower people with UC across the country and provide them with the knowledge and tools necessary to better manage their disease and regain control of their lives."

People living with UC, as well as those who know someone living with UC, are invited to attend the free events which include a healthy meal. The 10 cities to be visited include Miami, Houston, Atlanta, Chicago, New York City, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles and Long Island.

"For people with UC, education is very important because this is a disease that can be significantly impacted by actions a person does or doesn’t take," said Ian McGowan, MD PhD, professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. “This program is also exciting because it will address the psychological and emotional challenges faced by those who suffer from UC and give people a chance to connect with others with UC.”

For more information on UC and on the “On the Road Again” program, including the city schedule, speaker bios, and registration information, please visit www.RoadtoUCLearning.com.

Shire Pharmaceuticals is a specialty biopharmaceutical company that markets once-daily LIALDA™ and PENTASA™ (mesalamines) for UC. Please see Important Safety Information included below.

About UC
UC is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that produces chronic inflammation and sores or ulcers along the inside of the large intestine. Symptoms may include severe abdominal pain and cramping, frequent and sometimes uncontrollable bloody diarrhea, fatigue, and weight loss. This chronic autoimmune disease is typically first diagnosed in people between the ages of 15 to 30 and is estimated to affect nearly 700,000 Americans. According to the National Institutes of Health, about five percent of people with UC will develop colon cancer.

About LIALDA
LIALDA is part of a drug class called aminosalicylates, which contain 5-aminosalicyclic acid (5-ASA). 5-ASA is a well-established drug of choice and often a first-line treatment for UC. LIALDA is indicated for the induction of remission in patients with active, mild to moderate UC. The safety and efficacy of LIALDA have been established for up to eight weeks. LIALDA is the first new formulation in this class to be approved since 2000. LIALDA is the only ulcerative colitis treatment that utilizes MMX Technology. LIALDA with MMX Technology combines a pH dependent gastro-resistant coating, which delays the release of the medication to the colon (the site of the inflammation in ulcerative colitis), with a tablet core containing mesalamine with hydrophilic and lipophilic excipients.

Shire has licensed from Giuliani SpA the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize LIALDA in the US, Canada, and Europe – known as MEZAVANT™ – (excluding Italy) and the Pacific Rim. Giuliani SpA retains the development and commercialization rights in Italy. Cosmo Pharmaceuticals SpA, Milan, developed the MMX technology.

Important Safety Information for LIALDA
LIALDA tablets are indicated for the induction of remission in patients with active, mild to moderate ulcerative colitis. Safety and effectiveness of LIALDA beyond 8 weeks have not been established.
LIALDA is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to salicylates (including mesalamine) or to any of the components of LIALDA. Caution should be exercised when treating patients with pyloric stenosis or those allergic to sulfasalazine. Mesalamine has been associated with an acute intolerance syndrome (3 percent of patients in clinical trials with mesalamine or sulfasalazine) that may be difficult to distinguish from a flare of inflammatory bowel disease. If acute intolerance syndrome is suspected, prompt withdrawal is required. Mesalamine-induced cardiac hypersensitivity reactions (myocarditis and pericarditis) have been reported. Reports of renal impairment have been associated with mesalamine medications. In patients with renal impairment, caution should be exercised, and LIALDA should be used only if the benefits outweigh the risks. No information is available for patients with hepatic impairment.
LIALDA is generally well tolerated. The majority of adverse events in the double-blind, placebo-controlled trials were mild or moderate in severity. In clinical trials (n=535), the most common treatment-related adverse events with LIALDA 2.4g/day, 4.8g/day and placebo were headache (5.6 percent, 3.4 percent and 0.6 percent, respectively) and flatulence (4 percent, 2.8 percent and 2.8 percent, respectively). Pancreatitis occurred in less than 1 percent of patients during clinical trials and resulted in discontinuation of therapy with LIALDA.

Important Safety Information for PENTASA
PENTASA is indicated for the induction of remission and for the treatment of patients with mildly to moderately active ulcerative colitis.

PENTASA is generally well tolerated. In worldwide clinical trials (n>2100), the most common adverse events were diarrhea (3.4 percent), headache (2.0 percent), nausea (1.8 percent), abdominal pain (1.7 percent), dyspepsia (1.6 percent), vomiting (1.5 percent), and rash (1.0 percent). As with other mesalamine products, serious adverse events may occur. PENTASA is contraindicated in patients with a hypersensitivity to salicylates. Caution should be used in patients with impaired hepatic or renal function. Patients with pre-existing renal disease, increased BUN or serum creatinine, or proteinuria should be monitored during PENTASA therapy.

SHIRE PLC
Shire’s strategic goal is to become the leading specialty biopharmaceutical company that focuses on meeting the needs of the specialist physician. Shire focuses its business on attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), human genetic therapies (HGT), gastrointestinal (GI) and renal diseases. The structure is sufficiently flexible to allow Shire to target new therapeutic areas to the extent opportunities arise through acquisitions. Shire believes that a carefully selected portfolio of products with a strategically aligned and relatively small-scale sales force will deliver strong results.

Shire’s focused strategy is to develop and market products for specialty physicians. Shire’s in-licensing, merger, and acquisition efforts are focused on products in niche markets with strong intellectual property protection either in the US or Europe.

For further information on Shire, please visit the Company’s Web site: www.shire.com.

NIH Grant to Emory and Pediatric Partners Aims to Improve Kidney Transplants for Children

Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta are teaming up with two university hospitals in California to find new ways to make kidney transplants more tolerable for children.

Emory and Children's will partner with UCLA's Mattel Childrenʼs Hospital in Los Angeles and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford in Palo Alto for a study of kidney transplants in children.

The National Institutes of Health has awarded the partner institutions a five-year grant totaling approximately $6 million for Clinical Trials in Organ Transplantation in Children (CTOT-C).

In the last decade, doctors have been able to refine the regimens of drugs given to transplant patients. Successful transplantation depends on immunosuppressant drugs to prevent tissue rejection, but the drugs bring multiple side effects such as kidney disease and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

"Most anti-rejection drugs were developed in adults and are adapted for children by simply adjusting for weight," says Allan Kirk, MD, PhD, scientific director of the Emory Transplant Center and the study's leader. "But the immune system doesnʼt grow in parallel with a child's weight. The result is that children are often over-immunosuppressed."

Coordinating work among the three university hospitals will allow the study to encompass a group of patients that spans various demographic groups and national origins, says Dr. Kirk, who is a professor of surgery and pediatrics at Emory School of Medicine, a Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar, and an attending surgeon at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

As children mature and are gradually exposed to various environmental stresses, such as viral infections, the set of T cells (white blood cells) they have in their bodies that are able to respond to infections or other outside agents changes.

Part of the CTOT-C program will catalog and define how pediatric kidney transplant patients' T cell repertoires evolve as they get older.

The team plans to develop ways to "fingerprint" the pediatric patients' immune systems with information on which genes are turned on and off in their white blood cells. With that information as a diagnostic tool, therapy could be tailored to an individual child at a given point in time, Dr. Kirk says.

"The good news is that outcomes in kidney transplantation have become much more successful in the last couple of decades," says Barry Warshaw, MD, chief of pediatric nephrology at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and associate professor of pediatrics at Emory. "The bad news is that kidney transplants still donʼt last a lifetime."

Dr. Warshaw says one of the key aims of the clinical studies will be to develop a simple blood or urine test to inform doctors whether kidney rejection is "revving up," possibly avoiding painful biopsies.

"We're very excited about this grant and expect that it will one day be seen as a landmark in pediatric renal transplantation," he says.

Before coming to Emory in 2007, Dr. Kirk served as chief of the Transplantation Branch at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) of the National Institutes of Health.

His research seeks to achieve immune tolerance of organ and tissue transplants without the use of toxic immunosuppressant drugs. While at the NIH, he served as principal investigator on ten clinical trials leading to advances, including the first trial to investigate a co-stimulation inhibitor in human transplantation and the first trial to investigate the drug alemtuzumab in transplantation in North America.

The Emory Transplant Center and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta perform between 35 and 40 pediatric kidney transplants per year, one of the largest volumes in the United States.

For more information about the Emory Transplant Center, visit http://www.transplant.emory.edu

For more information about Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, visit
http://www.choa.org
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Piedmont Fayette Hospital Celebrates American Diabetes Alert March 25th

What disease, known as the “silent killer,” is responsible for killing more than 1,700 Georgians each year? Answer: Diabetes. March 25 marks the 20th anniversary of the American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes Alert Day, a one-day, “wake-up” call to inform Americans about the seriousness of diabetes. Piedmont Fayette Hospital wants to alert the local community about the importance of being tested for diabetes.

Piedmont Fayette Hospital’s Diabetes Care program, certified by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), provides education and training to individuals diagnosed with Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes. Certified diabetes educators offer a comprehensive approach that includes nutrition and meal planning counseling, blood-glucose monitoring, medication and insulin delivery options and more. Participants in the program receive personal counseling and can attend diabetes care classes at the hospital, which focus on healthy meal planning, exercise and weight management and medication management in a group setting.

“The main thing we try to stress to the patients we counsel is that diabetes management is a balancing act,” said Denise Bennett, diabetes education coordinator with Piedmont Fayette Hospital. “There are wonderful medications to help, but I always tell my patients, ‘you can overeat or under-exercise every medication out there.’”

The 20th annual American Diabetes Alert Day is an opportunity to educate the American public about the seriousness of diabetes. The ADA estimates that more than six million children and adults in the U.S. do not know they have diabetes and one in five Americans is at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. They encourage all Americans to talk to their doctors about the risks of diabetes to find out if they are at risk for developing diabetes.

It is estimated that 5-10 percent of Americans diagnosed with diabetes have Type 1. The majority has Type 2, typically caused by poor eating habits and lack of exercise. Gestational diabetes affects about four percent of all pregnant women in the U.S. each year. Pre-diabetes, a condition where a person’s blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of Type 2, affects four million Americans.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use sugar. Sugar, or glucose, is the basic fuel for the cells in the body, and insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can cause serious health problems.

However, Bennett finds that too many people focus on sugar from food and not the physiology of the body. People receive sugar from foods, but the liver also produces glucose, so not eating enough can actually raise the blood sugar and cause the liver to work overtime to produce enough glucose. She recommends involving the entire family in diabetes management, because they can help in making healthy food choices, developing a plan for regular exercise, and properly monitoring diabetes medications.

“It is important to recognize how many Georgians are at risk for diabetes and encourage people to get tested so they can catch it and get treated early,” said Darrell Cutts, president and chief executive officer of Piedmont Fayette Hospital. “Our Diabetes Care program educates individuals with diabetes about the resources they need to help manage their diabetes successfully.”

Physician referral is required for the Diabetes Care program. For more information about PFH's diabetes education services, call 770-719-7007. To learn more about Piedmont Fayette Hospital, visit www.fayettehospital.org. For more information about Diabetes Alert Day, visit www.diabetes.org.
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EAT HEALTHY MEALS WITH THE FAMILY, EXERCISE TO AVOID DIABETES

Piedmont Mountainside nutritionist emphasizes portion control, 30 minutes of daily exercise

March 25 marks the 20th anniversary of the American Diabetes Association's Diabetes Alert Day, a one-day, "wake-up" call to inform Americans about the seriousness of diabetes. Nearly 21 million children and adults in the U.S. have diabetes. One in five Americans are at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. More than six million Americans don't know they have the disease, also known as the "silent killer."

While these statistics are alarming, residents in Pickens County and the surrounding communities have a year-round warrior to help them identify their risk of getting diabetes. Louise Brown, MPH, RD, LD, CDE, is the nutrition services manager at Piedmont Mountainside Hospital. She is responsible for making sure all patients, visitors and employees have healthy food options available. She also talks to area organizations about the importance of eating a well-balanced diet and maintaining a healthy weight.

"Watching portion sizes and exercising are the best steps people can take to prevent diabetes or manage their diabetes," said Ms. Brown. "Eating smaller meals no more than four hours apart and exercising just 30 minutes a day can help lower blood glucose levels and help with weight loss."

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use sugar. Sugar, or glucose, is the basic fuel for the cells in the body, and insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can cause serious health problems.

However, Ms. Brown states that too many people focus on their sugar intake and not their diet as a whole. She says it's important to evaluate the amount of carbohydrates eaten at any given meal and focus on eating a high-fiber, low-fat diet. She recommends limiting carbohydrate intake to 45 grams per meal and consuming 25-30 grams of fiber daily.

It is estimated that 5-10 percent of Americans diagnosed with diabetes have Type 1. The majority has Type 2, typically caused by poor eating habits and lack of exercise. Gestational diabetes affects about four percent of all pregnant women in the U.S. each year. Pre-diabetes, a condition where a person's blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of Type 2, affects four million Americans.

Ms. Brown also stresses the importance of healthy habits for the whole family. Type 2 diabetes specifically can be passed down to generations so don't allow your child or grandchild to eat cake and cookies all day, she says. During her talks with patients or community presentations, Ms. Brown advises them to think of the plate as divided into three parts: 1/2 filled with non-starchy vegetables such as broccoli or carrots, 1/4 with a carbohydrate like whole-grain pasta or bread and 1/4 with protein such as lean meat or fish.

"There's no need to make separate meals for you and your family," stated Ms. Brown. "Everyone can eat the same nourishing, portion-appropriate meals, even the occasional sweets like a 1/4 cup of pudding or a one-inch square of cake with frosting."

Piedmont Mountainside Hospital provides diabetes education, testing and nutrition counseling for all patients. For more information about these services, visit www.piedmontmountainsidehospital.org. For more information about Diabetes Alert Day, visit www.diabetes.org.
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Celebrate DVT Awareness Month at Piedmont Hospital

Piedmont Hospital invites the community to its Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) Awareness Month event on Tuesday, March 18 from 6-7 p.m. at the Richard H. Auditorium, 77 Building, Piedmont Hospital, 1968 Peachtree Road, N.W., Atlanta, 30309. The event will include a discussion about the development, dangers, risk factors, and prevention of DVTs. Matthew Schreiber, M.D., chief hospitalist on medical staff at Piedmont Hospital, will explain what DVT is, what the symptoms are and what happens if it is not treated. William Jonas, M.D., hematologist and oncologist also on medical staff at Piedmont, will discuss how DVT is diagnosed and available treatment options.
Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) is the formation of a blood clot in a deep vein. According to the Vascular Disease Foundation approximately one-half of those with a DVT never have recognized symptoms. A majority of DVTs are not life threatening with prompt diagnosis and treatment.
The event is free and open to the general public. For more information, please call 1-866-900-4321 or visit www.piedmonthospital.org.
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Study Increases Understanding of the Benefits of a Mediterranean Diet

People who consume a diet similar to a Mediterranean diet tend to have lower levels of oxidative stress, according to researchers at Emory University.

The study findings were presented March 14 at the American Heart Association's Conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention.

Oxidative stress is an imbalance of antioxidants and prooxidants in the cells of the body. It is linked to greater production of reactive oxygen species, harmful oxygen-containing molecules that contribute to the thickening of blood vessels and the formation of lesions leading to heart attack and stroke.

"We've known about the protective effect of the Mediterranean diet, but this begins to show how antioxidants in the diet may be bringing about that effect," says study leader Viola Vaccarino, MD, PhD, professor of medicine (cardiology) at Emory University School of Medicine and professor of epidemiology at Emory's Rollins School of Public Health.

Dr. Vaccarino and her team studied the association between diet and oxidative stress in 297 middle-aged men from the Vietnam Era Twin Registry maintained by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Studying twins allowed the scientists to separate out the influence of genetic factors and familial elements such as mother's pregnant age, socioeconomic status of parents and family culture on oxidative stress.

Jun Dai MD, a researcher in Emory University's cardiovascular epidemiology group explains, "Our work shows that the effects of diet are independent from genetics and familial factors.

"It means everybody can benefit from a healthy diet, whether you have genetic risk factors for cardiovascular disease or not," adds Dr. Dai, who presented the findings at the conference.

People who consume a Mediterranean diet eat large amounts of fruit, vegetables, whole grain breads, fish and poultry. Olive oil is their main source of fat. They eat low or moderate amounts of dairy products such as cheese and yogurt and low amounts of red meat.

Dr. Dai points out that the Emory study did not gauge the effects of participants' consumption of specific antioxidant-containing fruits or vegetables. The idea that antioxidants are responsible for the Mediterranean diet's protective effects needs to be tested further, she says.

Researchers measured oxidative stress by determining the levels of two forms of glutathione, a natural antioxidant the body uses to soak up reactive oxygen species, in the blood. As the body uses up the reduced form of glutathione to fight oxidative stress, the pool of oxidized glutathione increases.

A study participant's Mediterranean diet "score" can range from zero to nine, with a higher score meaning a greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet.

A one-point difference in diet score between twins was associated with a 10 percent higher ratio between reduced and oxidized glutathione, or 10 percent lower oxidative stress.

Researchers calculated a participant's score by giving one point each in seven categories for an above-average intake of something desirable: grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, fish, monounsaturated fats and moderate wine consumption, and one point each for a below-average intake of meat and dairy products.

Dr. Vaccarino's team also has shown an association between following a Mediterranean diet and lower levels of IL-6 in the blood, a marker for inflammation. The results were published online in the journal Circulation in December 2007.
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PIEDMONT PHYSICIANS GROUP RECOGNIZED AS NATIONAL ‘BETTER PERFORMING PRACTICE’ FOR SIXTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR
For the sixth consecutive year, Piedmont Physicians Group has been named as a national top performing physician practice by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA).

Domino's Pizza Delivers... Fire Safety!
3/14/08 (11:53 a.m.) On March 5, 2008, Domino’s Pizza and the Fayette County Department of Fire & Emergency Services joined forces to promote fire prevention. Customers who ordered Domino’s pizza... More

Bert's Big Adventure
There are so many people with HUGE hearts! Keeping up with this column humbles me as I post articles and news from the many helping hands here in Georgia.There is nothing tougher in this world than watching as your child suffers through any kind of illness. Unless you've experienced it yourself, it's impossible to imagine the how heart rending it is to be the parent, sibling or grandparent of a little one suffering from a chronic or terminal illness.

Study Increases Understanding of the Benefits of a Mediterranean Diet
People who consume a diet similar to a Mediterranean diet tend to have lower levels of oxidative stress, according to researchers at Emory University. The study findings were presented March 14 at the American Heart Association's Conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention.

Operation Bootcamp Debuts in Peachtree City
3/14/08 (1:50 p.m.) Operation Bootcamp announced the grand opening of Operation Bootcamp of Peachtree City last week. Operation Bootcamp is a unique program that improves people's lives by increasing their fitness, building their confidence and fostering healthy eating habits. Operation Bootcamp of Peachtree City will begin April 7th at Drake... More

Annual Plant Fair and Sale at Callaway Gardens
3/14/08 (2:10 p.m.) Head to Callaway Gardens® with a plant list and a vehicle with enough room to take home all of the great finds at the Callaway Gardens® Plant Fair and Sale, March 27-30... More

Annual Easter Events Planned at Callaway Gardens®
3/14/08 (2:01 p.m.) Easter traditions will continue at Callaway Gardens this year during the weekend of March 22 and 23. All ages are invited to participate in the Easter Eggstravaganza Egg Hunt on Sat., March 22 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m... More

VERANDA MAGAZINE’S SENIOR EDITOR, TOM WOODHAM, TO SPEAK AT CALLAWAY PLANT FAIR KICKOFF LUNCHEON
Add a little Veranda magazine style to your entertaining with tips and secrets from one of media’s leading authorities at a special luncheon March 27, 2008, benefiting the not-for-profit Ida Cason Callaway Foundation™.

Senate Approves Chambliss Legislation to Restore Critical Law Enforcement Funding
3/14/08 (6:41 p.m.) The Senate on Thursday approved by unanimous consent an amendment offered by U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., to the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Resolution that would provide $906 million in federal funding... More

PIEDMONT PHYSICIANS GROUP RECOGNIZED AS NATIONAL ‘BETTER PERFORMING PRACTICE’ FOR SIXTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR

For the sixth consecutive year, Piedmont Physicians Group has been named as a national top performing physician practice by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA).

The Association's (MGMA) Performance and Practices of Successful Medical Groups: 2007 Report Based on 2006 Data identified Piedmont Physicians Group (PPG) as a “better performer.” Piedmont Physicians Group, a more than 80-member primary care physician group with 25 convenient locations throughout metro Atlanta, received the “best practices” honor due to its superior services, functions and processes compared to other medical group practices nationwide.

The MGMA report provides benchmarking data on better-performing medical groups and identifies the business practices and behaviors these groups employ to achieve success. PPG is among the top medical group practices in the U.S. in the area of accounts receivable and collections. PPG’s accounts receivable were less than the average 120 days of all the physician practices, and they excelled in charging competitive fees for services compared to the rest of the physician practices.

“We are pleased to be recognized as a better performing practice for the sixth year in a row,” said Berney Crane, CEO of Piedmont Medical Care Corporation, the administrative parent corporation of the Piedmont Physicians Group. “I commend all our physicians and staff for their exceptional work in achieving this honor, and I know we will continue to provide excellent care and service every day in all of our practices throughout metro Atlanta.”

The MGMA report, a benchmarking standard among medical groups for nearly a decade, was produced using data from respondents to the report as well as data from a questionnaire that assessed management behaviors, practices and procedures of better performers. The MGMA report profiles medical practices that have demonstrated success in one or more areas: profitability and cost management; productivity, capacity and staffing; accounts receivable and collections; patient satisfaction; and managed care operations.

MGMA surveys depend on voluntary participation and may not be representative of the industry. Readers are urged to review the entire survey report when making conclusions regarding trends or other observations.
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With Planning, Diabetics Can Enjoy Easter Goodies

By Stephanie Schupska
University of Georgia

Jelly beans, marshmallow peeps, Cadbury eggs and chocolate bunnies. The signs that Easter is on its way are all around. Just because the holiday has sweet treats doesn’t mean it spells disaster for people with diabetes.

According to Connie Crawley, a University of Georgia Cooperative Extension nutrition and health specialist, an Easter basket doesn’t have to be filled with sweets to be a treat.

“There are really quite a few things they can do,” Crawley said. “In an Easter basket, you don’t have to put candy.” Or, parents can “focus on the one or two sweets that your child really enjoys. Don’t just give him a bunch of junk.”

Children with diabetes often regulate their blood sugar by counting carbohydrates and following them with the correct amount of insulin. This is called an insulin-to-carb ratio.

If the child has a favorite candy, the amount of insulin needed can easily be calculated in advance. Problems arise when too many sweets are thrown into the mix.

Over indulging can create a situation where diabetic children or adults can “out eat” their medications ability to compensate. “You want to eat sweets in moderation whether you have diabetes or not,” Crawley said.

She suggests children eat candy and sweets after a meal. Treating sweets as a dessert lessens the chance of overeating.

Another way to teach children moderation, she said, is to allow the child to select candy from the basket, but not allow them to have access to the whole basket.

“If you cover with insulin and don’t over eat, (eating Easter candy) should not a big deal,” Crawley said.
As an only child, Crawley knows from experience that each child only needs one basket of candy. “When I was a kid, I got five baskets,” she said. “It was decorative stuff, and it didn’t taste very good.”

An alternative to the traditional sweets-filled Easter basket would be to include more non-food items. This applies to all children, not just those with diabetes, Crawley said.

First, consider the child’s age. Then, buy age-appropriate items that he or she would enjoy. Crawley suggests gift cards, athletic equipment like goggles or jump ropes, movie passes, stuffed animals and small toys.

“You just have to think creatively,” she said. “If a child has a hobby, you can easily give something to support their hobby. Also, support them to be more physically active.”

When it comes to the Easter meal, the traditional ham entree shouldn’t cause health concerns as long as the adults or children present don’t have hypertension, Crawley said. Side items are limitless, but Crawley recommends choosing lower-fat, lower-sugar recipes.

The American Diabetes Association publishes diabetic cookbooks and provides recipes online at www.diabetes.org, Crawley said.

Knowing the blood glucose values for food items and what a food does to blood sugar levels will also diabetics plan their holiday menus. “Know how particular foods affect you and how to adjust your diabetes treatment accordingly,” she said.

To combat the calories, and the carbohydrate overload, plan to be active after the holiday meal if possible. “Take a walk, play outside with the kids, ride a bike,” she said. “Do anything after the meal that will at least burn off extra calories.”

(Stephanie Schupska is a news editor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.)
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Mayo Clinic Proceedings Contributors Highlight Research Findings About Cardiovascular Benefits Associated With Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Thousands of research studies have documented how the oils known as omega-3 fatty acids can benefit the cardiovascular system, particularly among people diagnosed with coronary artery disease. The incredible volume of research on this topic creates difficulty for many physicians and patients to stay current with findings and recommendations related to these oils.

In the March issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, contributors briefly summarize current scientific data on omega-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular health, focusing on who benefits most from their protective effects, recommended guidelines for administration and dosing, and possible adverse effects associated with their use.

Two omega-3 fatty acids that have been associated with cardiovascular benefit, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), are found in fish oils. The best source for DHA and EPA are fatty coldwater fish such as herring, mackerel, salmon and tuna. Fish oil supplements or algae supplements also can provide omega-3 fatty acids.

Author James O'Keefe, M.D., a cardiologist from the Mid America Heart Institute in
Kansas City, Mo., cites the results of several large trials that demonstrated the positive benefits associated with omega-3 fatty acids, either from oily fish or fish oil capsules.

"The most compelling evidence for the cardiovascular benefit provided by omega-3 fatty acids comes from three large controlled trials of 32,000 participants randomized to receive omega-3 fatty acid supplements containing DHA and EPA or to act as controls," explains Dr. O'Keefe.

"These trials showed reductions in cardiovascular events of 19 percent to 45 percent. Overall, these findings suggest that intake of omega-3 fatty acids, whether from dietary sources or fish oil supplements, should be increased, especially in those with or at risk for coronary artery disease."

How much fish oil should people attempt to incorporate into their diets? According to Dr. O'Keefe, people with known coronary artery disease should consume about 1 gram per day, while people without disease should consume at least 500 milligrams (mg) per day.

"Patients with high triglyceride levels can benefit from treatment with 3 to 4 grams daily of DHA and EPA," says Dr. O'Keefe. "Research shows that this dosage lowers triglyceride levels by 20 to 50 percent."

About two meals of oily fish can provide 400 to 500 mg of DHA and EPA, so patients who need to consume higher levels of these fatty-acids may choose to use fish oil supplements to reach these targets.

Dr. O'Keefe also notes that research supports the effectiveness of combining the consumption of fish oil with the use of cholesterol-lowering medications called statins. Combination therapy with omega-3 fatty acids and a statin is a safe and effective way to improve lipid levels and cardiovascular health beyond the benefits provided by statin therapy alone. Blood DHA and EPA levels could one day be used to identify patients with deficient levels and to individualize therapeutic recommendations.

Dr. O'Keefe found little evidence of serious adverse effects associated with fish oil consumption. "In prospective placebo-controlled trials, no adverse effects were observed to occur at a frequency of more than 5 percent, and no difference in frequency was noted between the placebo and omega-3 fatty acid groups," he says.

The most commonly observed side effects include nausea, upset stomach and a "fishy burp." Taking the supplement at bedtime or with meals, keeping fish oil capsules in the freezer or using enteric-coated supplements may help reduce burping and upset stomach symptoms.

A peer-review journal, Mayo Clinic Proceedings publishes original articles, reviews and editorials dealing with clinical and laboratory medicine, clinical research, basic science research and clinical epidemiology. Mayo Clinic Proceedings is published monthly by Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research as part of its commitment to the medical education of physicians. The journal has been published for more than 80 years and has a circulation of 130,000 nationally and internationally. Articles are available online at Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
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Actions Taken by the Georgia Board of Examiners of Licensed Practical Nurses at its March 5-6 Meeting

The Georgia Board of Examiners of Licensed Practical Nurses held its bi-monthly meeting March 5-6, 2008.

The Board voted to suspend the following license for non-payment of child support:

Felton Jackson, Camilla

The Board voted to place three of the Board’s recognized, approved practical nursing education programs on “Conditional Approval” status for 2008. These programs failed to meet the required passing rate for students taking the NCLEX-PN for the first time:

Atlanta Technical College, Atlanta
Augusta Technical College, Waynesboro
Coastal Georgia Community College, Brunswick

Eighty percent of students taking the NCLEX-PN for the first time from an approved school must pass the exam in order for the school to maintain approved status. Programs with a passing rate of less than 80 percent are given the next calendar year to bring the passing rate to above 80 percent or face the possibility that the Board will withdraw its approval of the program.

The Board reviewed and approved the issuance of 35 individuals for licensure as practical nurses in Georgia.

The Georgia Board of Examiners of Licensed Practical Nurses will hold its next meeting Wednesday, May 7, 2008 and Thursday, May 8, 2008. In addition, the annual public meeting is scheduled for Friday, May 9, 2008 beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the Professional Licensing Boards Division in Macon, Georgia.

PIEDMONT MOUNTAINSIDE HOSPITAL PARTNERS WITH SLEEP SERVICES OF JASPER TO OFFER RESIDENTS MORE ZZZZs

In an effort to help local residents get better sleep, Piedmont Mountainside Hospital is pleased to announce its collaboration with the Sleep Services of Jasper, LLC. The 4-bed, nationally-accredited Sleep Services facility will now operate under its new name, Piedmont Mountainside Hospital Sleep Disorders Center. David R. Lesch, M.D., will continue to serve as medical director and see patients on Thursday mornings.

"Being a part of Piedmont means we're able to obtain resources unavailable to us in the past so we can continue to offer patients and families the best in all types of sleep treatment and therapy," said Julie Yaeger, former owner of Sleep Services of Jasper and now sleep therapy coordinator for the new Center. "This is the best thing for our patients, our employees and the communities we serve."

Located on the Piedmont Mountainside campus at 620 J.L. White Drive, Suite 130, the Center opened its doors in January 2004. It has since seen nearly 800 patients from all over north Georgia including residents in Pickens, Fannin, Cherokee, Forsyth, and Gilmer counties. In 2006, the Center received accreditation by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, demonstrating its commitment to adhere to industry standards and provide highly-trained staff for patients.

"We share the same values and beliefs as the Sleep Services staff - providing patients with world-class care while practicing the highest clinical standards," said Ed Lovern, president and chief executive officer for Piedmont Mountainside Hospital. "Our community continues to grow, and we felt it was the right time to invite Julie and her staff to become a member of the Piedmont family."

More than 70 million people in the U.S. have a sleep disorder. It can affect a child, teen, parent, or grandparent. There are more than 80 different forms of sleep disorders. Symptoms can include daytime fatigue, inability to sleep for a long stretch of time and breathing difficulties during sleep. Anyone with these symptoms should speak to their doctor about available treatments.

Piedmont Mountainside Hospital Sleep Disorders Center offers the most advanced treatments options available for patients suffering from a sleep disorder. An overnight sleep study usually begins around 8 p.m. and ends around 6 a.m. the following morning. Each sleep room is uniquely themed - Ritz, Lodge, Beach House, and Hacienda - to help patients feel as comfortable as possible during the treatment process. The Center offers the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Clinic, a free service provided to its patients who may have an initial difficulty with their CPAP mask or equipment once at home.

A physician referral is contingent upon health insurance requirements. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information or to schedule a tour of the facility prior to a study, please call 706-253-2378.
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Emory Leads National Study Comparing Two Drugs for Macular Degeneration

Emory Eye Center is the lead center among 47 other eye institutions across the country in a National Eye Institute/National Institutes of Health-funded study to compare two drugs, made by the same company, that treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Daniel F. Martin, MD, Thomas M. Aaberg Sr. Professor of Ophthalmology, and director, Emory Retina Service at Emory Eye Center, will chair the nationwide study.

The Comparison of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treatments Trials (CATT) began enrolling patients in February 2008. It takes place in 45 sites across the country.

AMD is the leading cause of vision loss in the U.S. for persons over age 60. AMD damages the macula. As the disease progresses, it blurs the patient's central vision. AMD can take two forms, wet and dry. Wet AMD is caused by the abnormal growth of blood vessels under the macula. This leads to rapid loss of central vision. Wet AMD is considered to be advanced AMD and is more severe than the dry form.

Dry AMD, the more common form, occurs when the light-sensitive cells in the macula slowly break down. Untreated dry AMD can progress into wet AMD.

The two drugs, made by Genentech, treat only the "wet" type. Although the FDA approved Lucentis (ranibizumab) in July 2006 for ophthalmic use, its lower-cost "cousin" Avastin (bevacizumab) was used off-label by a number of ophthalmologists before Lucentis was approved. Many physicians continued to use Avastin even after the Lucentis approval. Avastin was approved for colorectal cancer and also is used for lung cancer treatment.

Both Avastin and Lucentis share a similar method of action by inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is the stimulus for abnormal blood vessel growth in "wet" AMD.

Although the two are chemically similar, they are not identical. Additionally, Lucentis' cost is about $2,000 per dose whereas Avastin's cost is about $50 per dose.

The FDA approval of Lucentis was based on evidence from clinical trials showing that the drug slows the rate of progression of vision loss from advanced AMD. In addition to a low rate of developing vision loss, approximately one-third of patients treated in these trials had significantly improved vision at 12 months.

"We are excited to begin this study that will compare Lucentis and Avastin head-to-head for the treatment of "wet" AMD," says Dr. Martin. "While it is clear that Avastin is highly effective, we do not know how it compares to Lucentis. Since these are the two primary drugs for the treatment of this disease, it is important for the visual health of the public to understand if there is any difference between them.

"In addition, this study will help refine how these drugs can be used to achieve the best outcome," he says. "It may be that we can inject much less frequently and produce an excellent visual result."

Timothy W. Olsen, MD, director of Emory Eye Center and a retina specialist, says, "The entire community of retinal specialists is anxiously awaiting this important data. This study has huge socio-economic implications, not only for ophthalmic care, but healthcare in general. Newer, so called follow-on biologics may also be studied in a similar manner, and the CATT study will set the stage for future comparisons."

The study, which will enroll about 1,200 patients over a two-year timeframe, will randomly assign study participants with newly diagnosed wet AMD into four groups: Lucentis monthly; Avastin monthly; Lucentis followed by additional injections of Lucentis, as needed; and Avastin followed by additional injections of Avastin, as needed. The trial should conclude sometime in 2010.

At Emory, recruitment has just begun for those individuals with newly diagnosed "wet" type age-related macular degeneration in an eye that has not been treated. Please call 404-778-7777 for more information.
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CDC Study Estimates 7,000 Pediatric Emergency Departments Visits Linked

Unsupervised Ingestion Accounts for 66 Percent of Incidents

An estimated 7,000 children ages 11 and younger are treated in hospital emergency departments each year because of cough and cold medications, according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Approximately two-thirds of those incidents were due to unsupervised ingestion (i.e., children taking the medication without a parent's knowledge). The study was published today by the American Academy of Pediatrics journal, Pediatrics.

This study found that children ages 2 to 5 accounted for 64 percent of all adverse drug events from cough and cold medications, and nearly 80 percent of the events for this age group were from unsupervised ingestions. Among all age groups, 93 percent of the children did not require hospital admission, however, one-fourth needed additional treatment to eliminate the medicine from their bodies.

The CDC researchers reviewed 2004-2005 data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System - Cooperative Adverse Drug Event Surveillance (NEISS-CADES) project to describe emergency department visits due to cough and cold medications.

"Parents need to be vigilant about keeping these medicines out of their children's reach," said Dr. Denise Cardo, director of CDC's Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, "They should refrain from encouraging children to take medicine by telling the children that medication is candy."

Cardo also stated that adults should avoid taking adult medications in front of young children.

Recently, such products marketed to infants and toddlers less than 2 years old were voluntarily withdrawn from the market due to safety concerns. The safety of these products for children ages 2 to 11 is currently being reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Parents also should not use products intended for older children to treat young children, and, as stated in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's mandated label warning, parents should keep all cough and cold medications out of the reach of children. Parents and caregivers should throw away previously purchased products marketed to infants and toddlers age 2 and younger.

The over-the-counter cough and cold products examined in this study include these ingredients: decongestants (for unclogging a stuffy nose), expectorants (for loosening mucus so that it can be coughed up), and antitussives (for quieting coughs). The medications may also have included antihistamines (for sneezing and runny nose) in combination with the ingredients above. The terms on the label could include "nasalde congestants," "cough suppressants," "expectorants" and"antihistamines."

For more information on medication safety, visit the CDC's Injury Prevention Web site at www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/poisonprevention.htm. For more information on FDA recommendations on, visit the FDA's Web site at http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/coughcold011708.html/.
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FDA Warns Companies Importing and Marketing Drugs Over the Internet that Fraudulently Claim to Prevent and Treat STDs

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued Warning Letters to six U.S. companies and one foreign individual for marketing unapproved and misbranded drugs over the Internet to U.S. consumers for the prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Some of these products, directed at U.S. consumers, falsely claim to have "FDA Approval" and some claim to be "more effective" than conventional medicine. The products are sold as Tetrasil, Genisil, Aviralex, OXi-MED, Imulux, Beta-mannan, Micronutrient, Qina, and SlicPlus. Consumers who are currently using these products should stop their use immediately and consult their health care professional if they have experienced any adverse effects that they suspect are related to the use of any of these products.

"The products pose a serious health threat to unsuspecting consumers who don’t know that these products are not FDA approved and have not been proven safe or effective," said Janet Woodcock, M.D., deputy commissioner for scientific and medical programs, chief medical officer, and acting director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "STDs are very serious diseases and these products give consumers a false sense of security that they are protected from STDs."

The products claim to prevent or treat a variety of STDs, including Herpes, Chlamydia, Human Papilloma Virus, cervical dysplasia, and HIV/AIDS. The FDA considers these U.S. and imported products to be unapproved new drugs being marketed in violation of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. They are also misbranded under the law because they lack proper directions for use by consumers. In addition, some of the products are misbranded because they make false and misleading claims.

Examples of claims that these products make include "Treatment Kills all Herpes Viruses WITHOUT having to use conventional drugs or medications," "Greatest STD Protection Without Condoms," (SlicPlus) and "The active ingredient in our product is FDA certified to destroy 99.9992 percent of all pathogenic organisms [ie] Chlamydia" (OXi-MED).

The Warning Letters inform the companies that failure to properly resolve violations of the law may cause them to face further enforcement action that can include seizure of illegal products, injunction, and possible criminal prosecution. Issuing these Warning Letters is part of the FDA’s ongoing campaign against fraudulent products marketed on the Internet for serious and life-threatening diseases. The agency also works to educate consumers about the risks and dangers that exist from buying unsafe products.

Consumers and health care professionals should notify the FDA of any complaints or problems associated with these products. These reports may be made to MedWatch, the FDA’s voluntary reporting program, by calling 800-FDA-1088, or electronically at www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm.

To view the letters, http://www.fda.gov/foi/warning_letters/s6680c.htm - Aviralex Int.
http://www.fda.gov/foi/warning_letters/s6681c.htm - Aidance Skincare
http://www.fda.gov/foi/warning_letters/s6682c.htm - Health-science-report
http://www.fda.gov/foi/warning_letters/s6683c.htm - NeumaLife
http://www.fda.gov/foi/warning_letters/s6684c.htm - IMULUX, LLC
http://www.fda.gov/foi/warning_letters/s6685c.htm - Saferex Laboratories
http://www.fda.gov/foi/warning_letters/s6686c.htm - McKinnon, Blair
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New CDC study underscores impact of older adult falls

CDC releases new resources to help prevent falls

About five percent of all people over age 65 had to see a health care provider or restrict their activity due to a fall during a three-month period, according a study today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

An estimated 5.8 million adults over age 65 reported they fell at least once in the previous three months, and 1.8 million of them sought medical help or restricted their activity for at least a day, said the study in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

To estimate the frequency of a broad range of fall injuries, the researchers analyzed data from the CDC's 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. In an effort to improve recall accuracy, elders were asked if they had fallen and been injured within the previous three months. Researchers caution that this is a snapshot and should not be used to estimate the number of annual falls.

Among other findings:

* No difference existed in the percentage of men and women who reported falling in the previous three months, but about 36 percent of women reported injuries compared to about 25 percent of men.

* American Indian/Alaska Natives reported the highest percentage of falls (28 percent).

* About 30 percent of people who fell reported sustaining an injury that led them to visit a health care provider or restrict their activity for at least a day.

As the U.S. population ages, the problem of older adult falls is expected to increase.

"We want to help our elders and their children or caregivers to know that there are ways to ensure older adults can live better and longer," said Dr. Ileana Arias, director of CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. "It's important that people can live healthy and independent lives without fear of falling. To help, CDC has developed several new guides and resources that describe the best ways to reduce the risk of falls. We believe this will help older adults remain self-sufficient, longer."

For communities, CDC has three resources that can help them develop effective fall prevention programs for seniors.

* Preventing Falls: What Works. A Compendium of Effective Community-based Interventions from Around the World contains 14 community-based actions or activities that have proven effective in reducing falls among older adults. This resource gives public health practitioners and community organizations descriptions and relevant details about these interventions. www.cdc.gov/ncipc/preventingfalls

* Preventing Falls: How to Develop Community-based Fall Prevention Programs for Older Adults provides community-based organizations with a guide for developing fall prevention programs. This useful how-to describes the building blocks of effective fall prevention programs and gives examples, resources, and tips for creating, promoting, and evaluating a fall prevention program. www.cdc.gov/ncipc/preventingfalls

* "Help Seniors Live Better, Longer: Prevent Brain Injury" is an initiative developed in collaboration with 26 organizations to help children of older adults and other caregivers prevent, recognize, and respond to fall-related traumatic brain injury (TBI) among older adults. This initiative features easy-to-use English- and Spanish-language materials for caregivers and older adults, as well as event and media guides for organizations and public health professionals. www.cdc.gov/BrainInjuryinSeniors

CDC also has easy to read brochures in English, Spanish and Chinese to help seniors and their caregivers prevent falls. To learn more about CDC's work in preventing older adult falls, visit www.cdc.gov/injury.
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CDC's Advisory Committee Recommends Influenza Vaccination for Children 6

A panel of immunization experts advised the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) today to expand the recommended ages for annual
influenza vaccination of children to include all children from only 6
months to 59 months of age. The expanded recommendation is to take
effect as soon as feasible, but no later than the 2009 - 2010 influenza
season.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted on the new
recommendation during its February 27-28, 2008 meeting in Atlanta. The
new recommendation increases the number of children recommended for
vaccination by approximately 30 million.

Studies have shown that healthy children bear a significant burden from
influenza disease and are at increased risk of needing influenza-related
medical care. In addition, there is evidence showing that reducing
influenza transmission among children has the potential to reduce
influenza among their household contacts and within the community.

"This new recommendation should reduce the risk of influenza infections
among children of all ages, and their consequent need for medical visits
and missed time from school," said Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of CDC's
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.

Full implementation by Fall 2009 at the latest will allow time to plan
for the vaccination of this large group of children. However,
immunization providers should begin efforts to offer influenza
vaccination to all children aged 6 months through 18 years in the
2008-09 influenza season if feasible, consistent with the current
recommendation that all persons who want to reduce the risk of becoming
ill with influenza or of transmitting influenza to others should be
vaccinated.

"This new recommendation will help parents understand that all children
can benefit from vaccination and further encourages providers to start
vaccination of children through age 18 next year," said Dr. Schuchat.

Results from a vaccine efficacy study among children 6 months to 23
months of age were presented at the meeting. The study findings
indicated vaccine efficacy of about 75 percent in preventing influenza
hospitalizations among fully vaccinated children in this age group
during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons. In contrast, the study found
that children who received only one dose of vaccine did not receive
statistically significant protection. This study underscores the
importance of existing ACIP recommendation that children younger than
nine years of age who will be receiving the influenza vaccine for the
first time need two doses.

The 2008-09 influenza vaccine for the United States will include three
new strains: an A/Brisbane/10/2007 (H3N2)-like virus, a
B/Florida/4/2006-like virus and A/Brisbane/59/2007 (H1N1)-like virus
strain. The H3N2 and B virus vaccine components in the U.S. vaccine are
included in the 2008 vaccine for the Southern Hemisphere. Influenza
vaccine manufacturers produced as many as 130 million doses of influenza
vaccine for the 2007-08 influenza season and have discussed expanding
current production capacity in the coming years.

Recommendations of the ACIP become recommendations of CDC once they are
accepted by the director of CDC and the Secretary of Health and Human
Services and are published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

For more information, visit www.cdc.gov.

A broadcast quality podcast interview discussing the new recommendations
with Dr. Tony Fiore, CDC medical epidemiologist, is available at
http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/.

PIEDMONT HOSPITAL WELCOMES NEW SURGEON

There are approximately 2,200 Georgians on the transplant waiting list. For those waiting for a transplant, the newest member of the Piedmont Hospital Transplant Services, Miguel Tan, M.D., a specialist in pancreas transplant surgery with world-class experience, will help local and regional patients stay closer to home.

"Adding Dr. Tan to the team will help us grow our superior medical and surgical care of kidney, pancreas and liver recipients and donors," said John Whelchel, M.D., medical director for Piedmont's Transplant Services.

Pancreas transplantation can relieve symptoms of diabetes and help restore health in patients with end-stage renal failure. Research shows that diabetic patients with renal failure who receive both a pancreas and kidney transplant in a single surgical procedure are less likely to develop diabetic complications in the transplanted kidney. They also live longer than patients who receive only a kidney transplant.

"One of the reasons I came to Piedmont was because of the hospital's progressive transplant program," said Tan. "Pancreas transplantation is underserved in Georgia, and I see an opportunity to grow the program here at Piedmont."

Nearly 1,800 transplants have taken place at Piedmont. Piedmont is among the top 20 of all kidney transplant programs in the country based on total number of procedures. In 2007, Piedmont recorded 198 transplants, including 125 kidney transplants, eight kidney-pancreas transplants, and 65 liver transplants.

"Piedmont has such a dynamic group of surgeons, and I'm looking forward to helping grow the program and changing lives in Georgia," said Tan. "Transplantation is a satisfying profession. When people start living full lives again, you’ve really made a difference."

Prior to joining Piedmont Hospital Transplant Services, Dr. Tan, Royal College of Surgeons certified in general surgery, was an assistant professor of surgery in the division of transplant surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He is a member of the Association for Academic Surgery, American Society of Transplant Surgeons, Canadian Society of Transplantation and is a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada. He received the Young Investigator Award from the American Transplant Congress and the Outstanding Resident Teacher Award from the department of surgery at McGill University.

Dr. Tan earned his medical degree from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, where he also completed his residency. He finished his clinical fellowship in the division of transplant surgery at the University of Minnesota.

For more information about Piedmont's Transplant Services, visit www.piedmonthospital.org.
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Medic Prevails Under Fire

Photo: Army Staff Sgt. Joseph Peer, an 82nd Airborne Division Special Troops Battalion medic from Glendale, Ariz., deworms an Afghan child during a medical outreach event in a village near Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, July 14, 2007. Peer is credited with saving the lives of two Afghan soldiers who were wounded in Kapisa province in August. Photo by Senior Airman Delia DeGrego, USAF

Despite advances in body armor and medicine, many soldiers would hesitate to expose themselves to a hail of bullets and rocket-propelled grenades. And not every soldier would risk his life to help a soldier from a different army.

But throughout the history of war, men have risen to the occasion in the heat of battle to save the life of another. Army Staff Sgt. Joesph Peer, a combat medic attached to the 82nd Airborne Division's Long Range Surveillance Detachment, is one of those men.

On Aug. 21, 2007, Peer and paratroopers from the surveillance detachment, along with soldiers from the Afghan National Army's 2nd Kandak, 3rd Brigade, 201st Corps, were clearing the Askin Valley in Afghanistan's Kapisa province of Taliban fighters when they were attacked. During the ensuing battle, two Afghan soldiers were wounded about a quarter of a mile from the then-23-year-old medic.

"Word came over the radio that there were wounded personnel among the dismounted coalition forces," said Army Sgt. Trevor Oppenborn, an infantryman with the detachment. "Sergeant Peer immediately asked if they had a U.S. medic and did they need further assistance."

"The .50-cal gunner was returning fire when the call came over the net that we had casualties," Peer, a native of Glendale, Ariz., said. "I asked where and if a medic was on scene."

Peer said he was told over the radio they had someone treating the wounded soldiers, but he continued to ask if his help was needed. He received no response.

"I then asked to be allowed out of the truck and move to the casualties," Peer said.

"Approximately two minutes later, the call came over the radio for Doc and myself to dismount and aid the wounded soldiers," Oppenborn, a Houston native, said.

Peer, accompanied by then-Specialist Oppenborn, moved to the casualties.

"I looked at the vehicle .50-cal gunner (Army Sgt. Matthew C. Hinerman) and told him to keep me alive, since we were still under fire," Peer said.

"Needless to say, we immediately dismounted and took off up the high ground to aid the ANA on the other side," Oppenborn said. "About a minute and 400 meters later, we reached the wounded soldiers, both in bad shape, and only a (Navy) corpsman for the two of them."

Peer said he was running through his mind every possible scenario he could face when he arrived at the casualties. "I noticed a Navy corpsman was on scene, and he was treating one of the casualties. I immediately went for the other one," Peer said.

Both of the Afghan soldiers had gunshot wounds to their lower bodies, and their area was receiving indirect fire.

When Peer got to the scene and saw what he had, he said he was focused on treatment and getting the men to a higher echelon of care.

"Doc jumped to work on the worse of the two, pulling him behind a boulder and starting to patch him up," Oppenborn said. "I went to the aid of the corpsman; he looked like he needed it."

Peer said the Afghan soldier he treated had a gunshot wound to his left leg, and he used a pressure bandage on it. The men realized they needed to move the wounded men to a safer location for an aerial medical evacuation once the corpsman and Oppenborn finished treating the other wounded soldier.

But with the indirect fire, "there was no way a medevac was going to land there," Peer said.

Peer said he asked a lieutenant what vehicles he had to move the men. Shortly after, the wounded soldiers were loaded into two Afghan army trucks and driven to a helicopter landing zone, where Peer reevaluated their condition.

"When we got to the bottom of the hill, I unloaded my patient and set him to where I could perform a more extensive assessment," Peer said. "I noticed that Sergeant Oppenborn and the corpsman were no longer with their patient. Once the patient had been moved off the truck, I began to assess him to discover his (wound) was actually in his groin and was a little more serious then I had been originally told." Peer had been told earlier the second soldier was shot in the leg.

Peer continued to treat the wounded soldiers until the medevac helicopters arrived.

"When the birds arrived, I explained the patients and each injury," Peer said. "When they were loaded on the bird, I grabbed my gear and headed back to my truck three kilometers away at the top of the hill."

Peer said he would do it again if needed.

"Sergeant Peer's actions show a man who didn't care whether the soldiers were American or Afghan. ... (He is a) soldier who did what it took to save another human's life," Oppenborn said.

"His actions were in accordance with, at a minimum, three of the Army's core values: selfless service, duty and, above all, personal courage. The fact that he risked his life for soldiers that aren't a part of our military reinforces his commitment to his profession and to the war on terror," Hinerman, an infantryman with the Long Range Surveillance Detachment and the gunner on Peer's vehicle, said.

What the fate of the wounded men would have been if Peer didn't act is unknown. The troopers there with him that day believe it would not have been good.

"Where they were located on the battlefield, there would have been no way to retrieve them for several hours due to the volume of fire that the enemy was laying down," Hinerman, a native of Kansas City, Mo. said. "In my opinion, they would have bled out long before the firefight was over.

"Staff Sergeant Peer stepped up when he could and proved that he was willing to risk his life to save another person's life, regardless of nationality. I'm not sure anyone could feel anything but the utmost respect for him," he said.

Both of the wounded soldiers survived their injuries. Peer, Oppenborn and Hinerman have since remained in Kapisa province with the Long Range Surveillance Detachment. They will be home by the end of April.

Author Army Sgt. Jim Wilt serves in the Combined Joint Task Force 82 Public Affairs Office.

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Emory Announces New Hematology and Medical Oncology Department

Emory University School of Medicine has established the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology as its newest department and has named Fadlo R. Khuri, MD, as department chair. Dr. Khuri will also hold the Roberto C. Goizueta Chair for Cancer Research.

Brian Leyland-Jones, MD, PhD, director of Emory's Winship Cancer Institute, notes that this is a timely and important step for the Cancer Institute.

"The newly created Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology is vital to Emory Winship's development as a true comprehensive cancer center," says Dr. Leyland-Jones. "And Dr. Khuri is the natural choice to serve in this important position. Dr. Khuri is internationally recognized as a leader for his work in improving therapies for tobacco-related cancers. In addition, he has earned tremendous respect among faculty, staff and our patients for his leadership, his devotion to patient care and his incredible work ethic."

"Over the past several years, we have seen vital and dynamic growth within the Winship Cancer Institute at Emory," says Thomas Lawley, MD, dean of Emory University School of Medicine. "Now is the time for a new phase of strategic development for Emory Winship, a time to grow into an integrated and collaborative organization comprised of clinicians and scientists in Hematology and Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Cancer Control and Population Sciences, Pediatrics and Surgical Oncology."

Prior to its designation as a department, Hematology and Medical Oncology existed as a section within the Emory University School of Medicine. Dr. Lawley notes that Dr. Leyland-Jones, who joined Emory in January of 2007, saw the potential for Emory Winship as a true matrix cancer center if Hematology and Medical Oncology were designated as a formal department within the School of Medicine.

"There are tremendous opportunities for collaboration throughout the Woodruff Health Sciences Center," says Dr. Leyland-Jones. "Establishing this department essentially clears the way for faculty to maximize collaboration and build the vertical and horizontal strength required of a comprehensive cancer center. Emory Winship is an emerging national and international force in cancer research and treatment. We have the tools, personnel and support of Emory University and the Woodruff Health Sciences Center as well as the State of Georgia. Our goal is to eradicate the burden of cancer in Georgia and beyond, and we will remain focused on that target."

Comprised of physicians, scientific and clinical researchers, and nursing professionals, Hematology and Medical Oncology has seen a steady increase in patients and research funding since the opening of the 280,000-square-foot Emory Winship building in 2003. Dr. Leyland-Jones also notes the number of oncology patient visits continues to increase at Emory University Hospital, Emory Crawford Long Hospital, the Georgia Cancer Center of Excellence at Grady and the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center -- all served by faculty within Hematology and Medical Oncology.

In May 2008, Emory Winship will submit a grant application to the National Cancer Institute for Cancer Center designation, which will establish Emory Winship among the nation's elite cancer facilities in terms of research, treatment and outreach.

As chair of the new department, Dr. Khuri will oversee clinical and basic research as well as the delivery of oncology clinical services at each facility within Emory Healthcare. Prior to accepting the chairmanship of the newly created department, Dr. Khuri served as Emory Winship's deputy director of clinical and translational research and section head of hematology and oncology.

"We have been very successful in earning research grant funding from the NCI as well as from the National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense and numerous philanthropic foundations," says Dr. Khuri. "Emory's NCI funding base has increased three-fold over the last six years, a remarkable growth rate, and the majority of these new grants involve leadership from members of Hematology and Medical Oncology. I am fortunate to lead this department, which is staffed at all levels with dedicated and talented professionals."

Since joining Emory Winship in 2002, Dr. Khuri has led the expansion of the aerodigestive cancers section and has played an integral role in recruiting research and clinical faculty to Emory. In addition, Dr. Khuri has served as principal investigator or co-principal investigator on numerous important research grants, including a $7.9 million grant in lung cancer and a $12.5 million Specialized Project of Research Excellence (SPORE) grant in head and neck cancer, both from the NCI.

Dr. Khuri also notes the importance of the Roberto C. Goizueta Chair for Cancer Research, which was initiated as an endowed cancer research fund in 1997. "We will work to extend Mr. Goizueta's vision for creating sustainable change and long-term impact for our community and beyond. We are honored to be able to play a role in implementing that vision through high-impact research into lung and aerodigestive cancers."

Dr. Khuri, a Georgia Cancer Coalition Distinguished Scholar, joined Emory in 2002 from the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where he was associate professor of medicine. Dr. Khuri's clinical interests include thoracic and head and neck oncology. His research interests include development of molecular, prognostic, therapeutic and chemopreventive approaches to improve the standard of care for patients with tobacco-related cancers.

Dr. Khuri is the recipient of numerous awards, including being listed among America's Top Doctors and the Marquis Who's Who in the World, and he has been elected into the prestigious American Society for Clinical Investigation. Dr. Khuri serves on the editorial boards of seven journals, including the Journal of Clinical Oncology and Clinical Cancer Research and Cancer. He has published more than 150 peer-reviewed articles and editorials in elite journals including The New England Journal of Medicine, Nature Medicine, Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Cancer Research and the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Dr. Khuri earned his bachelor's degree from Yale University and his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He completed his residency in internal medicine at the Boston City Hospital, Boston University School of Medicine. He completed a fellowship in hematology and medical oncology at the New England Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine. He is board certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology and is an active member of the American Association for Cancer Research and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
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