September 2023

Rehabilitation Medicine Clinic

Erin McGonigle, MD. Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehab

The outpatient clinic has continued to adapt to the ongoing growth and changes in the PM&R department. We are excited that Dr. Charlotte Ball will be taking a more active role in revitalizing the Spinal Cord Injury program and will have more time dedicated to caring for these patients. We have been pleased to welcome two new nurses, Elizabeth Murray who come to us with many years of Rehabilitation experience, and Jennifer Burgos who will be helping with the interdisciplinary TBI program and is returning to Froedtert with experience in Neurology. The addition of additional staff has allowed us to re-form a care team model, which will allow physicians and staff to work together more efficiently. We are also very pleased that nurse Linda Yoon has agreed to stay on part time to help train the new RNs. We are continuing our ongoing efforts to maximize use of our clinic space and encourage staff to train and work to the top of their license.

Milwaukee Eagles Wheelchair Lacrosse team Win the National Championship

Dr. Kenneth Lee shares his experience at the Wheelchair Lacrosse National Championship which was held in Buffalo, NY this year from August 25th-27th.

"This weekend the Milwaukee Eagles took home the gold and the trophy yesterday at the National Championship in Buffalo NY. 10 teams from all over the country competed. We went all the way with a 6-0 record. Incredibly close final game to beat the defending last year’s champion Colorado Rolling Mammoth. Drs Beth Weinman, Lauren Shuda, and Michiko Paschall with Dr Muqeet’s daughter (Suha) we’re there covering medical fir the team. Three MU Men’s Lacrosse members were leading the team as our coach and did a fantastic job!!!! Tentatively we have Oct 1st as a banquet date. Hopefully somewhere in MU area."
Dr. Kenneth Lee

Dr. Matthew Durand Awarded a 5-year NIH R01 Award

Dr. Matt Durand was awarded a 5-year, $3.2M NIH R01 award entitled “Blood Flow Regulation and Neuromuscular Function Post-Stroke”. Dr. Durand will co-direct the project with Dr. Allison Hyngstrom, Professor and Chair, from the Department of Physical Therapy at Marquette University. Their project will broadly examine the role that impaired peripheral blood flow regulation plays in causing increased neuromuscular fatigability in the paretic leg muscles of stroke survivors. Specifically, their teams will examine if functional sympatholysis – a fundamental physiological process that allows blood vessels in an active muscle bed to remain vasodilated during exercise – is impaired post-stroke. They will also examine if a non-invasive, cost-effective, simple intervention called ischemic conditioning can improve functional sympatholysis, increase blood flow to the exercising paretic muscle, and reduce neuromuscular fatigability in stroke survivors.

Save the Date - Spine Day 2023 - Friday, 9/22/2023

Please plan to join the Department of Neurosurgery for Spine Day 2023 taking place on Friday, September 22^nd, 2023. The theme for the conference will be “Caring for the Female Spine Patient”. Additional information on registration, additional speakers and their topics, and CME credits will be coming out on InfoScope soon!

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!

PM&R August Photos

Wisconsin State Fair

A group of our very own PM&R staff went to the Wisconsin State Fair this month to see the exhibits and try the tasty food! These photos submitted by our department's Administrative Associate Monika Szczerba include a tasty treat on a stick, man on stilts riding a bicycle, baby chicks, a cow made out of plants, and the famous State Fair Ferris Wheel.

Buckley, the Pediatrics Therapy Dog

This is a picture of Kristin Vaccaro (PGY2), Isabel Reedy (3rd year medical student) and Dr. Kim Zvara with the adorable and cuddly therapy dog Buckley. The patients, families and staff all love him!

PM&R Summer Picnic

Photos from the department PM&R picnic that was held on August 19th to welcome our new residents. The picnic was held at Village Park in Elm Grove on a beautiful day and a lot of attendees brought their families. Dr. Thomas Kotsonis was nominated the official grill master for his amazing outdoor grilling skills.

PM&R Administrative Associate Monika Szczerba's Trip to San Francisco

Department Administrative Associate Monika Szczerba recently took a trip to San Francisco this past August. Below are photos from her trip in front of some neat and exciting places.

The orginal Ghirardelli shop, established in 1852

The Japanese Tea Garden, San Francisco

Vineyard in Napa Valley

Department Mascot's Outfit for the Month of September

For the month of September department mascot 'Randy the Rhino' shares a photo of his latest visit to a local farmers market.

The answer to the riddle below will be provided in next month's newsletter. This riddle is courtesy of Alan Young, Clinical Research Coordinator:

"With pointed fangs, I sit and wait; with piercing force, I spear through straight; grabbing victims, proclaiming might; I join together with a single bite. What am I?"

Answer to last month's riddle: "your eyeball"

Monthly Wellness Feature: Flu Season is Approaching

The Medical College of Wisconsin, in partnership with Froedtert Health, Children’s Wisconsin, the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center and the Medical College of Wisconsin Allied Hospitals (MCWAH), will facilitate a mandatory influenza (flu) vaccination program for the 2023-2024 influenza season. Flu vaccination is important for the safety of our patients, colleagues, learners and community. Details on obtaining a flu vaccine at Internal Occupational Health (IOH) Flu Clinics will be provided late in August. If vaccinated anywhere other than an IOH Flu Clinic, employees must send documentation to IOHflu@Froedtert.com.

*All MCW faculty, staff, students, postdoctoral fellows, volunteers, MCWAH residents and fellows are required to either receive the flu vaccine or apply for and be granted an exemption. MCW Clinic Dates and Locations to be announced soon! Search “Flu” on InfoScope.

Important Dates Regarding the Flu Vaccine

• Aug 8–Sept 15 | Individuals submit medical and religious exemption requests

• Sept 15 | Deadline for exemption requests

• Sept 18–Nov 10 | Free MCW vaccination clinics

• Nov 10 | Compliance Deadline for employees

• Late Nov | Noncompliance reporting distributed to Department Leaders

• Dec 4 | Employment actions effective for noncompliant individuals

September is Suicide Prevention Month

The prevalence of suicide deaths in the U.S. is alarming, but together we can create positive change. September is National Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month — help us spread the facts about suicide and educate others on how we can help those who may be struggling. You can print, distribute or share via social media the materials in this toolkit during September and all year long. You just might save a life. Find more information here.

Other September Celebrations:

September 4 - Labor Day
September 5 - International Day of Charity
September 11 – Patriot Day (U.S.A.)
September 15 – International Day of Democracy
September 15 – Rosh Hashanah begins (Jewish)
September 16 – Mexican Independence Day
September 21 – International Day of Peace
September 21 – World Gratitude Day
September 22 – National Native American Day
September 24 – Yom Kippur (Jewish)
September 29 – Sukkot (Jewish)
September 30 – National Day for Truth & Reconciliation (Canada)

COVID-19 Updates

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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