VUMC Seeks Overweight Middle Tennesseans With Type 2 Diabetes For National Clinical Trial
Vanderbilt Medical Center is seeking local residents with type 2 diabetes who are overweight to participate in a national clinical study evaluating an investigational device, the TANTALUS System –– an implantable device that delivers electrical pulses to the stomach when a person eats.
The primary objective of the randomized, double-blind controlled study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the TANTALUS System in treating patients who have type 2 diabetes and are overweight. Impact on weight loss, blood pressure and other clinical and metabolic parameters will also be studied.
To be considered for the trial, patients must meet certain inclusion criteria, including a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes (treated with oral medications only), a body mass index between 28 and 45, and be between the ages of 18 and 70. For more information on the trial, contact Joan Kaiser at 343-5821.
Emdeon Business Services Announces Acquisition of IXT Solutions
Emdeon Business Services announced recently that it has acquired IXT Solutions, an innovator of consumer (patient) billing and payment solutions. This acquisition adds the industry’s leading online patient billing, eCashiering, return mail management and lockbox services to Emdeon’s existing suite of patient billing and payment solutions. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“The addition of IXT demonstrates Emdeon’s commitment to delivering industry leading revenue cycle management solutions for our provider customers. Providers are facing significant challenges today as consumerism continues to increase and more of their receivables are due from the patient”, said George Lazenby, CEO of Emdeon Business Services.
“The combination of our two companies will create a powerful suite of services to address the challenges in patient collections”, said Lyle Beasley, Chairman and CEO of IXT Solutions.
Emdeon’s extensive health information network processes nearly four billion transactions annually on behalf of its payer, provider and vendor customers.
SCRI Takes Part REVLIMID® Study: Oral Drug Sets A New Survival Standard For Bone Marrow Cancer
Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI) has announced findings from two large, international clinical trials showing “unprecedented” survival for patients with multiple myeloma, a blood cancer that occurs in the blood-making cells of bone marrow. The findings demonstrate that with REVLIMID®, an oral cancer drug, all measures of myeloma showed significant improvement in patients where previous treatments had failed. This includes a median survival of nearly three years (35 months) with REVLIMID, the longest median survival in this difficult-to-treat patient group. Dr. Howard A. Burris III, chief medical officer of SCRI, took part in the U.S. study, which was published on November 21, 2007 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
REVLIMID (lenalidomide) from Celgene is the newest of the novel therapies that have changed the outlook for myeloma patients. It is an oral drug that can be taken at home, and because it targets the cancer cells directly along with factors that support their growth, it does not have the difficult side effects associated with most chemotherapy.
Seven-year Contract Ensures the Future of Vaccine Research at Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt University Medical Center will receive nearly $24 million from the federal government over the next seven years to continue evaluating innovative vaccines for malaria, pandemic flu and other infectious diseases. The renewal of the contract between Vanderbilt’s Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Unit (VTEU) and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, comes at a key time for vaccine research, said the unit’s principal investigator, Kathryn Edwards, MD.
Two Vice Presidents Named at Passport Health
Charlie Penrose and Jason Wallis have been promoted to vice president-level positions at Passport Health Communications, Inc., a Franklin-based healthcare IT provider.
Penrose is regional vice president of sales for the western United States. He will remain based in southern California and will manage the company’s sales executives in the expanded delivery of Passport’s products and services in 17 western states. Penrose was previously regional director of sales for Passport’s medical necessity compliance product, a position he held since 2002.
Jason Wallis has been promoted to vice president of systems development. He is responsible for the Passport OneSource® Web browser interface, medical necessity programming support and internal administrative system support. Wallis has been with Passport six of its 11 years and has extensive experience in managing development and programming resources.
“Charlie and Jason have both excelled in their respective areas and have contributed significantly to the growth and success of the company,” said Passport President Keith Ely. “These promotions are intended to recognize their contributions and also set expectations for their potential to bring even greater value to Passport and our clients. We are fortunate to have them on our team.”
Saint Thomas Research Institute Adds Clinical, Administrative Staff
The following professionals have joined Saint Thomas Research Institute:
Rachel Donegan has joined as a clinical research coordinator. Previously, Rachel was with Retina-Vitreous Associates in Nashville, which she joined as a certified ophthalmic assistant in 2004 before becoming a research coordinator.
Cindy Beesley also has joined as a clinical research coordinator. She brings a wide range of project management, client service and sales skills. Most recently, Cindy was a pediatric neurology clinical trials associate at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Rachel Mallard has rejoined the Saint Thomas family as the Research Institute’s administrative assistant. Rachel was an education assistant at Saint Thomas Hospital from 2001 to 2004. Since then, the Trevecca Nazarene University graduate worked at Essent Healthcare, Easter Seals of Tennessee and Mesa Airlines.
TNA Inducts Laura Beth Brown as President
The Tennessee Nurses Association inducted Laura Beth Brown, MSN, RN, as president during the 2007 TNA Annual Convention held in Knoxville. Brown will serve a two-year term as president of the organization. As president, Brown will serve as the official representative of the TNA and the nursing profession throughout the state and on a national level.
Brown is president of Vanderbilt Home Care Services, Inc. She holds a BS in nursing from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 1989; and a master’s in health systems management from Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, 2004.
New General/Vascular/Thoracic Surgeon Joins Southern Hills
Thomas C. Krueger, M.D., FACS, MTS, has joined the medical staff at Southern Hills Medical Center and partnered with Dr. James Ettien to develop Southern Hills Surgical Consultants.
Krueger has over 20 years of experience in general, vascular, and thoracic surgery.
Krueger received his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and completed his residency and surgical research fellowship at Vanderbilt University, where he also attended divinity school and received a master’s degree in theological studies. He is certified by the American Board of Surgeons and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, as well as being trained in tropical medicine and surgery.
MTMC Names Dr. Sally Bullock as Hospitalist Program Medical Director
Middle Tennessee Medical Center has appointed Sally Hill Bullock, MD, as the medical director of the Hospitalist Program. In her new role, she will specialize in caring for patients during their stay at the medical center.
Gordon B. Ferguson, CEO and president of MTMC, said, “Dr. Bullock is a talented and well respected physician in our community. Her expertise and experience as a physician will further enhance the quality patient care of our hospitalist program.”
Prior to her recent appointment, Bullock served as medical director of the Boulevard Terrace Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Murfreesboro and NHC Healthcare in Franklin. She has been a member of the MTMC medical staff since 1984.
Dr. Bullock earned her BS in Chemistry at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. She received her Doctor of Medicine at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock. Bullock completed her internship and residency in Internal Medicine at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis and is board certified.
Middle Tennessee Medical Centers Going Tobacco Free
A growing number of healthcare providers in Middle Tennessee are instituting campus-wide bans on tobacco. Beginning this month, the hospitals of Saint Thomas Health Services (including Saint Thomas Hospital, Baptist Hospital, Middle Tennessee Medical Center and Hickman County Hospital), will prohibit the use of tobacco products anywhere on the medical center property, including outdoor areas.
Other area hospitals have also announced similar bans in the coming months. The 12 area TriStar hospitals in Tennessee and Bowling Green, Kentucky (including Centennial, Skyline, Southern Hills, Summit and the Sarah Cannon Cancer Center in Nashville) plus HCA corporate offices will all ban tobacco use anywhere on their properties by June 1, 2008. NorthCrest Medical Center in Spring Hill is on that same timetable, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center plans to be tobacco free by early fall.
Citing evidence-based statistics linking tobacco to increased incidence of disease and death, the hospitals will no longer have designated smoking areas anywhere on the campus in order to better protect the health of patients, visitors and employees.
Insight Genetics Establishes Operations At Cet Life Sciences Center
Cumberland Emerging Technologies, Inc. (CET) announced in December that Insight Genetics, Inc. has secured lab and office space at the CET Life Sciences Center in downtown Nashville.
A spin-off of Nashville-based Genetic Assays, Inc., Insight Genetics was formed in January 2007 to improve the quality, safety and efficiency of disease diagnosis and treatment and make a new level of targeted drug therapy possible. The company has created a patented, highly specific genetic screening technology – Template Exchange Extension Reaction (TEERTM) – that is expected be a powerful tool in the emerging personalized medicine market. Insight Genetics is exploring initial commercial applications for its TEER technology within cancer drug rescue, discovery and development, as well as early cancer detection and monitoring.
New Area Doctor Establishes ENT Specialty Center and The Voice Care Center of Nashville
Mark A. Williams, MD, PhD, board eligible otolaryngologist, has joined the medical staff at Southern Hills Medical Center and established Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists of Nashville and The Voice Care Center of Nashville.
Dr. Williams specializes in evaluating and treating pediatric and adult disorders of the head and neck, specifically the face, ear, nose, throat, sinuses, neck and skull base. The Voice Care Center is taking special interest in caring for performers and professional vocalists and educating the community on vocal care. Further, Dr. Williams extends outreach to the Christian music community and church.
Williams received his doctorate of medicine and PhD of Pharmacology and Cell Biophysics from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine where he also completed his residency. He is a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology, the American Rhinologic Society and the American Medical Association.
Dr. Nicole Lemoncelli Joins Ducklo EyeCare
Nicole Lemoncelli, O.D., has joined the staff of Ducklo EyeCare, P.C. announced Dr. Tommy Ducklo, optometrist and owner of the optometry practice. Lemoncelli was previously associated with the Smyrna Eye Group, P.C., in Smyrna, Georgia.
Dr. Lemoncelli has particular experience in providing optometric care to geriatric patients with ocular disease and post-operative care to cataract and LASIK patients. A native of Pennsylvania, she received a BS in Biology from the University of Scranton and graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Philadelphia, with a B.S. degree in Visual Science. After graduation with a Doctor of Optometry degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, she completed her residency at the Louis Stokes Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Lemoncelli received certification in the Therapeutic Management of Ocular Disease in 2003.
First Colony Healthcare Adds Physician Plaza to Bedford County Medical Center
First Colony Healthcare, LLC, has begun construction on a 30,000-square-foot medical office building, in Shelbyville, Tenn. This project is a significant part of the development of the replacement hospital for Bedford County Medical Center, also currently under construction, and will provide on-campus offices for physicians.
“This is an exciting development for First Colony as we grow our company by developing Class-A facilities to meet the demand of expanding communities,” said Dennis Norvet, president of First Colony Healthcare. “Bedford Physicians Plaza offers a strategic location for physicians to grow their medical practices.”
First Colony Healthcare is collaborating with Southland Constructors LLC, and Thomas, Miller & Partners, LLC – both of Franklin -- on this project. Expected to be completed in summer 2008, the facility will feature custom-designed medical practice suites.
BELLEVUE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
2007 CITIZENS OF THE YEAR
The Bellevue Chamber of Commerce honored Dr. Sheri Weiner and Don Johnson as the 2007 Citizens of the Year for their exceptional service and contributions to the Bellevue community.
Dr. Weiner demonstrates a generous community spirit and has proven her commitment as a community leader and promoter. She has served for four years as the Chair of the Bellevue Picnic & Music Festival, is a member, and the incoming President of the Bellevue Exchange Club, served on the Boards of the Gordon JCC and the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce, as well as, serving as representative to the Nashville Public Access Defibrilator program (PAD). The Bellevue Chamber considers her a role model in the community as she raises the standards of social responsibility.
Dr. Weiner is a Doctor of Audiology with 4 offices in the Nashville area.
Mr. Johnson has served on Bellevue Beautification committee and was instrumental in bringing the landscaping dream into reality for the Bellevue community. Winners and nominations in the past have come from fields as diverse as publishing, private business management, and government service.
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