February 2024

VA Spinal Cord Injury 

Christopher L. White, MD. Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

As we welcome 2024, we at the Zablocki Spinal Cord Injury/Disorders center have several reasons to celebrate. We successfully recruited our new SCI Rehab Engineer, Kali Dancisak, to work with our present Assistive Technology group in helping our veterans reach even higher potential. She has started and is orienting presently but we look forward to the upcoming growth in this area of our practice and the improvements it will make for many of our patients. 

We have also been fortunate to hire several new nurses allowing us to better care for our veterans in our inpatient unit. This has also allowed us to continue gradually increasing our census more towards “pre COVID” normal levels. In 2023 our CARF review went well, and we were awarded full accreditation. We continue to work on process improvement initiatives outlined in our survey. 

The outpatient practice continues to grow, particularly with the hiring of our replacement nurse practitioners who are now fully up and running. Our nurse practitioners, Sarah Gray and Jason Gehring, take the lead on our delivery of primary care for our veterans. They are each gaining new knowledge and providing exceptional care beyond primary care as well, including mental health, wound care, etc. Our CWON, Christina Wu-Zimmer, helped lead efforts at the VA to allow wound nurses the ability to place certain orders, which has helped streamline care delivery for our veterans. 

A large undertaking is also underway as it pertains to the delivery of our rehab services. Historically, our center has provided acute inpatient rehabilitation, but we have never formally offered subacute rehabilitation. Our Rehab Process Improvement Committee has been working on updating policies, procedures, and documentation to implement a formal subacute rehabilitation option for our veterans. This should be fully implemented within the next 30-60 days and will provide a great option for our veterans who find themselves below their baseline but not requiring or able to fully participate in an acute level of rehab. During this process, we have also revamped the way we hold team conferences, provide feedback to our veterans and their families, and set goals/discharges. 

We have been busy but look forward to 2024 and all the new challenges ahead!

Updates in Research

First Prize for Dr. Whitaker-Hilbig

Dr. Whitaker-Hilbig presented her poster “Ischemic Conditioning Improves the Microvascular Hyperemic Response to Passive Limb Movement in Young Adults” at the annual Cardiovascular Center’s Research Retreat. Dr. Whitaker-Hilbig was awarded first prize for best poster by a postdoctoral fellow. Congratulations Alicen!  

Durand Manuscript Accepted for Publication

Dr. Durand’s manuscript with Dr. Allie Hyngstrom (Marquette University) entitled “Reduced oxygen desaturation in the vastus lateralis of chronic stroke survivors during graded muscle contractions” was accepted for publication in Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation. Congratulations Matt and Allie!

PM&R Research Growth

The PM&R research team is pleased to share that enrollment started in the department’s first SCI industry trial, and first peds device trial.

Dr. Orr’s industry trial “A prospective multicenter, longitudinal, observational cohort study to assess the measurement properties of clinical outcomes assessments in patients with traumatic low cervical spinal cord injury” started recruitment at FBRH in January. This is the first industry trial to take place at FBRH. Congratulations to Dr. Orr for ushering the department into two new areas of research!

Dr. Stibb’s trial “Assessing functional improvements with use of the SPIO® Core-MAX® Expedition TLSO” also started recruitment in January. This is the department’s first peds device trial, and the first trial in the US to explore efficacy of this device in children for head control. Congratulations to Dr. Stibb for bringing this important study to MCW and Children’s.

National Society Meeting Attendance

January 18^th Drs. Ketchum, McGonigle-Ketchum and Nelson-Biersach attended the annual Spasticity Treatment Advocacy Research Society (STARS) meeting held during NANS in Las Vegas. Drs. Ketchum (Board of Directors member), McGonigle-Ketchum, Nelson-Biersach and McGuire are founding members of this new society which is becoming the “home” society for Spasticity nationally. Current society SIG projects focus on the general field of Spasticity Management including the use of Botulinum toxin and Intrathecal Baclofen. Society discussions and projects revolve around the principles, practice, education, and research related to spasticity management. Working together as leaders in the field of spasticity management, society members are working to grow membership to the society as well as it’s visibility in the coming months.

PM&R Philanthropy Case 

Please contact Meg Bilicki, Senior Director of Development  mbilicki@mcw.edu or Dr. Braza dbraza@mcw.edu for more information.

To support Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation click on this link!

Winner of the Valentine's Candy Count Contest - Meghann Sytsma!

The PM&R Department had a contest to guess how many mini Hershey Valentine candys were in the jar pictured below. A penny was used for a size reference as the photo was sent via email to everyone in the department. The winner was determined by who guessed the correct or closet to amount and by who guessed it first! The first place winner received the candy jar; and 2nd and 3rd place winners won candy bar of their choice. Here are the results! :

• In first place was Meaghann Sytsma with the correct guess of 32!! 
• In 2nd place was Monika Szczerba with the correct guess of 32!!
• In 3rd place was Sue Abrahms with the correct guess of 32!! 

PM&R Holiday Party

This year's PM&R holiday party was held at Dave & Buster's in Wauwatosa on Saturday, January 6th. The attendees enjoyed amazing food, fun games, and great company! The department is already looking forward to next year's holiday party. A special thanks to Administrative Supervisor Monika Szczerba for coordinating the event! Below are some photos from the holiday party. Thank you to all who attended!

(pictured from left to right) Jaimy Pettit, Jennifer Nguyen, Monika Szczerba, Alan Young, Ryan Mockus and Kaitlin Mockus.

Drs. Ketchum and Ketchum's Baby Shower 

Congratulations to Drs. Erin McGonigle-Ketchum and Nicholas Ketchum on your soon-to-be arrival of baby boy Ketchum! Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to giving the Ketchum’s a shower to celebrate the next exciting chapter in their life! 

Department Mascot's Outfit for the Month of February

For the month of February our department mascot 'Randy the Rhino' shares a photo from Valentines day 2023 of a surprise picnic he planned for his girlfriend Ronnette while they were on vacation in Florida. 

The answer to the riddle below will be provided in next month's newsletter. See if you can solve this following riddle:

"If I am holding a bee, what do I have in my eye?"

Answer to last month's riddle: The number Seven. It's an odd number but when you take away a letter "S" it becomes "even".

Monthly Wellness Feature: Kindness Health Facts

DID YOU KNOW?

• KINDNESS IS TEACHABLE - “It’s kind of like weight training, we found that people can build up their compassion ‘muscle’ and respond to others’ suffering with care and a desire to help.” - Dr. Ritchie Davidson, University of Wisconsin.                                                                                             
• KINDNESS IS CONTAGIOUS - The positive effects of kindness are experienced in the brain of everyone who witnessed the act, improving their mood and making them significantly more likely to “pay it forward.” This means one good deed in a crowded area can create a domino effect and improve the day of dozens of people!

KINDNESS INCREASES:

• THE LOVE HORMONE - Witnessing acts of kindness produces oxytocin, occasionally referred to as the ‘love hormone’ which aids in lowering blood pressure and improving our overall heart-health. Oxytocin also increases our self-esteem and optimism, which is extra helpful when we are anxious or shy in a social situation.                                                                                                                  
• ENERGY - “About half of participants in one study reported that they feel stronger and more energetic after helping others; many also reported feeling calmer and less depressed, with increased feelings of self-worth” - Christine Carter, UC Berkeley, Greater Good Science Center      
• HAPPINESS - A 2010 Harvard Business School survey of happiness in 136 countries found that people who are altruistic—in this case, people who were generous financially, such as with charitable donations—were happiest overall.                                                                                         
• LIFESPAN - “People who volunteer tend to experience fewer aches and pains. Giving help to others protects overall health twice as much as aspirin protects against heart disease. People 55 and older who volunteer for two or more organizations have an impressive 44% lower likelihood of dying early, and that’s after sifting out every other contributing factor, including physical health, exercise, gender, habits like smoking, marital status and many more. This is a stronger effect than exercising four times a week or going to church.” Christine Carter, Author, “Raising Happiness; In Pursuit of Joyful Kids and Happier Parents.”                                                            
• PLEASURE - According to research from Emory University, when you are kind to another person, your brain’s pleasure and reward centers light up, as if you were the recipient of the good deed—not the giver. This phenomenon is called the “helper’s high.”                                                 
• SEROTONIN - Like most medical antidepressants, kindness stimulates the production of serotonin. This feel-good chemical heals your wounds, calms you down, and makes you happy.

KINDNESS Decreases:

• PAIN - Engaging in acts of kindness produces endorphins, the brain’s natural painkiller!                 
• STRESS - Perpetually kind people have 23% less cortisol (the stress hormone) and age slower than the average population!                                                                                                                      
• ANXIETY - A group of highly anxious individuals performed at least six acts of kindness a week. After one month, there was a significant increase in positive moods, relationship satisfaction and a decrease in social avoidance in socially anxious individuals. University of British Columbia Study                                                                                                                                              
• DEPRESSION - Stephen Post of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine found that when we give of ourselves, everything from life satisfaction to self-realization and physical health is significantly improved. Mortality is delayed, depression is reduced, and well-being and good fortune are increased.                                                                                                                
• BLOOD PRESSURE - Committing acts of kindness lowers blood pressure. According to Dr. David R. Hamilton, acts of kindness create emotional warmth, which releases a hormone known as oxytocin. Oxytocin causes the release of a chemical called nitric oxide, which dilates the blood vessels. This reduces blood pressure and, therefore, oxytocin is known as a “cardioprotective” hormone. It protects the heart by lowering blood pressure.

For more information and resources click here.

Healthy Recipie of the Month - Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 Tbsp sesame oil
• 1/4 cup diced yellow or white onion
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 Tbsp fresh minced ginger or ginger paste
• 10 oz ground chicken or firm tofu
• 1/4 cup Tamari (low sodium) or soy sauce, coconut aminos
• juice of 1 lime
• 2 Tbsp's Thai sweet red chili sauce
• 1/3 cup cashews chopped - raw or roasted/salted
• 1/4 cup scallions chopped
• 1/4 cup cilantro fresh, chopped
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup shredded carrots
• sesame seeds for topping
• 1 head butter lettuce- leaves removed rinsed and dried

DIRECTIONS:

• Make the garlic and ginger pan sauce. Heat up a pan to medium high heat and add the oil. Once the oil is hot, add in the onions. Toss and let cook for 2-3 minutes until the onions start to brown and turn translucent. Then add in the garlic and ginger. Toss that all together and let it cook for 2 minutes.

• Cook the chicken. Add the ground chicken to the pan, tossing it in the pan sauce while breaking it up with a wooden spoon or spatula. Season the chicken with a little salt and pepper and let it cook until it starts to turn golden brown and there is no more pink, about 3-4 minutes. (If you replace it with tofu, cut tofu into 1x1 inch cubes and cook until golden brown on the outside).

• Make the Thai chili sauce. Meanwhile, add the soy sauce, chili sauce, lime juice, and honey to a small bowl and mix to combine.

• Add the sauce to the chicken. Sprinkle the chopped cashews over the chicken in the pan and pour in the sauce. Toss that all together, reduce the heat to low and let that all cook for 2 more minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes, then stir in the carrots, chopped scallions and cilantro. 

• Assemble the lettuce wraps. To assemble the lettuce wraps, open one of the lettuce leaves and add a large spoonful of the chicken mixture into the wrap and top it with some of the pan sauce and sesame seeds. Continue until you have made all the lettuce wraps.

Recipe submitted by department Administration Assistant Sr. Rhiannon Shewczyk 

*If you would like to share your own healthy recipe in next month's newsletter please email department Administrative Assistant Sr. Rhiannon Shewczyk at Rshewczyk@mcw.edu

February is Black History Month

Black History Month was created to focus attention on the contributions of African Americans to the United States. It honors all Black people from all periods of U.S. history, from the enslaved people first brought over from Africa in the early 17th century to African Americans living in the United States today.

Other February Observations:

• February 1 – National Freedom Day
• February 4 — Rosa Parks Day
• February 6 — Safer Internet Day
• February 10 — Chinese New Year (Year of the Dragon)
• February 11 – International Day of Women & Girls in Science
• February 12 – International Epilepsy Day
• February 13 – Mardi Gras
• February 14 – Ash Wednesday
• February 14 – Valentine’s Day
• February 15 – Nirvana Day (Buddhist)
• February 15 – International Childhood Cancer Day
• February 19 – Family Day (Canada)
• February 20 – World Day of Social Justice

Upcoming February Events in Honor of Women’s History Month

Join the Center for the Advancement of Women in Science and Medicine (AWSM) as we celebrate Women’s History Month with a variety of in-person and virtual events. Our Women’s History Month Planning Committee in conjunction with the Council for Women’s Advocacy has designed the following events:

Women's History Month Symposium: Celebrating Women in Research

When: Thursday, February 29, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Where: HUB A1015-1035 (In-person event only)

Women’s History Month Grand Round: Dr. Kelly Piacsek- Women in Research Administration

Monday, March 4, 2024 from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Where: Virtual Event – Zoom Meeting

Graduate Student Lunch and Learn

When: Thursday, March 7, 2024 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Where: HUB A5520-5628 (in-person only)

From Admin to Administrator and Everything in Between: A Panel of Women Leaders

When: Monday, March 11, 2024 from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Where: Virtual Event - Zoom Meeting

Council for Women's Advocacy (CWA) Lunch and Listen

When: Wednesday, March 13, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Where: HUB A5520-5628 (in-person only)

Council for Women’s Advocacy (CWA) and Center for the Advancement of Women in Science and Medicine (AWSM) Present: 2024 Kathy Sheehan Lecture featuring Dr. Mara Lord

When: Tuesday, March 19, 2024 from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m

Where: MCW Kerrigan Auditorium and Zoom

From Admin to Administrator and Everything in Between: A Panel of Women Leaders

When: Friday, March 22, 2024 from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Where: In-person: HUB A7520 or Zoom

Please see the attached flyers for registration information or visit our Infoscope page at https://infoscope.mcw.edu/AWSM-Intranet/Annual-Womens-History-Month-Symposium/events.htm

Also, if you are interested in joining the PM&R DEI Committee, please contact myself or Dr. Ball at chball@mcw.edu.

PM&R Book Club

If you have any questions please email Dr. Charlotte Ball at chball@mcw.edu. 

COVID-19 Guidelines 

Both Froedtert and MCW employees with an approved COVID-19 vaccination exemption are no longer required to wear masks at Froedtert & MCW facilities except when and where masks are required for all. To remain consistent within all adult clinical spaces, MCW clinics will follow this same guidance. Masks have not been required for unvaccinated individuals in MCW non-clinical spaces since October 2022.

The COVID-19 vaccine requirement was discontinued for employees effective on June 13, due to recent guidance from the CDC and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters will continue to be strongly recommended, but not required as a condition of employment with MCW.  Vaccination will continue to be required for students and learners who participate in clinical care due to many healthcare partners who have not yet lifted their COVID-19 vaccine requirement. This requirement is being actively re-evaluated as a high priority, and we will provide follow-up information as soon as feasible. Individuals who work in partner healthcare facilities that require vaccination must also continue to follow the guidance and requirements of those facilities. 

For additional information visit the COVID-19 page on infoscope. 

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