January 2024

Research

Matt Durand, Ph.D, Research Director, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 

As we mark the end of the year 2023 and look forward to 2024, the Research Team would like to wish all members of the PM&R family a Happy New Year.  The year 2023 was our second straight year with tremendous growth to the Research Program.  We would therefore like to take this opportunity to once again welcome the four new members of our research team, showcase our research capacity, and highlight some of the research accomplishments of our faculty and trainees over the last year.

In January of 2023 we welcomed Kelly Clohesey as a new clinical research coordinator when she joined the laboratory of Dr. Whitney Morelli.  In March, Simon Orozco, Ph.D. joined the research team as a clinical research coordinator to focus on industry sponsored clinical trials.  We next welcomed Alicen Whitaker-Hilbig, PT, DPT, Ph.D. as a postdoctoral fellow when she joined the laboratory of Dr. Matt Durand.  Finally, we welcomed Gabe Merkow to our team in November as a new clinical research coordinator who also joined Dr. Durand’s laboratory.  Our PM&R Research Team has now grown to ten people, all of whom are fully supported by extramural research funding.

PM&R faculty currently hold 55 active IRB protocols, and 19 new protocols were approved in the year 2023, a 50% increase in protocols over 2022.  Collectively, members of our Department were involved in eight extramural funding applications for research as Co-Investigators in the year 2023, and 15 grant applications were submitted with PM&R faculty as Principal Investigators, an almost 20% increase over 2022. Industry-sponsored clinical trials also experienced rapid growth, enrolling 37 participants in four industry-sponsored clinical trials, a greater than 130% increase in accruals compared to 2022. These trials are separately led by Drs. Nick Ketchum, John McGuire, and Merle Orr.  Currently there are three more industry-sponsored clinical trials in negotiation. These studies will add Drs. Karin Goodfriend and Stacy Stibb to the PM&R industry trial program. In total, funding for active research projects led by PM&R’s faculty totaled more than $1.9 M in direct revenue in 2023. 

A few accomplishments and individuals we would like to highlight specifically are:

Dr. Matt Durand was awarded a $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.

Dr. Karin Goodfriend and Dr. Sam Nemanich (Marquette University) received an American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine Research Grant, funded by the NIH through the National Pediatric Rehabilitation Resource Center. Their project, “Corticospinal Organization and Bimanual Coordination in Children with Hemiparesis,” seeks to determine whether atypical cortical organization contributes to impaired bimanual coordination in children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy. They will use a pedaling paradigm to measure and manipulate upper limb movement, while examining cortical activity.

Dr. Nick Ketchum was selected by AbbVie to be a sentinel site for their newest interventional industry trial “Study to Evaluate Safety, Efficacy and Tolerability of ABBV-950 for the Treatment of Upper Limb Spasticity in Adult Post-Stroke Patients”. Only sentinel sites will be allowed to enroll in the first cohort of this trial.

Dr. Stacy Stibb received notification from Spio Inc that they will be funding her investigator-initiated clinical trial “Assessing functional improvements with use of Spio X compression vest”. This study will begin enrolling in January 2024 and will examine whether the Spio X compression vest improves trunk control and functional stability in children with disabilities.

Dr. Hans Anderson’s poster entitled “Using Machine Learning to Predict Discharge Destination from Inpatient Rehabilitation” won an award for the Best Student/Resident/Fellow Poster in Health Services Research at the American College of Rehabilitation Medicine Annual Conference.

Congratulations to Monika Szczerba on her Promotion!

Congratulations to Monika Szczerba for being promoted to Administrative Supervisor as of January 1st! Monika joined MCW and PM&R as an Administrative Associate in May 2022 and provided support to the Chair, Department Administrator, and PM&R providers. In her new role, Monika will continue to support the Chair, Department Administrator, and providers, but will also supervise PM&R staff regarding daily operations, monitor workflow, prioritize and delegate work to ensure efficient operations. Monika is very excited to start her new role. Please be sure to congratulate Monika on this well-deserved promotion!

Dr. Carley Sauter Shares her Experience from this Year's Annual AAMC Meeting

  "I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the AAMC in Seattle this November.  A theme that arose in many sessions that I attended was the importance of language in our interactions with learners and ultimately patients.  In PM&R we often discuss person-first language, the general premise being that we should make a conscious effort to ensure a person’s disability is not the focus of their identity as we think about patients, discuss clinical scenarios with colleagues, and converse with patients themselves.  An example of person-first language would be using the phrase “a child who has a brain injury” rather than “a brain-injured child”.  We have moved over time more towards a focus on person-centered language, rather than person-first language, in which we ensure that a patient’s voice is heard before choosing how to refer to them.  For some patients, their disability is an important part of their identity and they prefer to have their disability highlighted.  The lesson ultimately being that what is most important is learning the preference of the patient rather than making assumptions as to how they want to be identified and referred to in discussion and documentation. 

   During the meeting, I was struck by how this concept applies not only to disability, but to other personal identifiers throughout medicine and education.  Specifically, I attended sessions in which education was provided as to when and how to utilize identifiers of gender and sex, and how these characteristics may not apply in some clinical and educational scenarios.  Further, I learned that the principles of person-centered language also apply to gender and sex.  I have often assumed that asking what pronouns a person uses is a respectful and inclusive approach and indeed it was reinforced that for many people this is the right approach; however, I have also learned that for some people this can create additional trauma.  To apply person-centered language and seek out a patient or learner’s preferences regarding sex and gender identifiers when applicable is to demonstrate respect and openness and ensure that a learner or patient’s perspectives and wishes are being heard to create an inclusive and caring environment.  I’ve been pleased to see the application of tools to help physicians with this embedded in Epic.  Hearing a variety of perspectives at AAMC on this topic was very helpful for me as I consider my interactions with learners and patients and the importance of person-centered language applied across settings."

-Dr. Carley Sauter
 

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!

Global Health trip at Esperanza Viva Rescue Orphanage

Dr. Kenneth Lee took a Global Health trip to the Esperanza Viva Rescue Orphanage in Puebla Mexico. Dr. Sang Hong from Department of Ophthalmology and Dr. Mike Gitter from the Department of Cardiology also attended this trip. They provided medical care to 116 kids and the 80 staff that take care of them. 

Making PM&R Bright: Holiday Office Decorating Contest 

Thank you to all of those who submitted photos for the 'Making PM&R Bright: Holiday Office Decorating Contest', and all of those who voted for your favorite photo! Huge thank you to Sarah Golus for organizing this contest! Here are the results:

Phyiscal Medicine and Rehabiliation Department Holiday Photos

Clinical Research Coordinator II Sarah Golus shares adoarble photos of her two kids Lena and Anders with Santa!

Global Health Week Recognition - Dr. Mary Elizabeth Nelson-Biersach

"Some of the study team was able to catch Mary Elizabeth in action, as she lectured to medical students today as part of Global Health Week. The seminar was: Global Health Pathway Core Session: Global Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. She did an awesome job explaining what PM&R is and how it can translate to Global Health.

Although we couldn’t stay for the entire lecture and breakout session, we wanted to say: Kudos to you, Mary Elizabeth, and the amazing work you are doing! Excited to see the future of your projects and organizations you are connected with. You’re making an incredible impact in the PM&R field globally. Thank you Dr. Mary Elizabeth Nelson-Biersach!"

-PM&R Research Team

Department Mascot's Outfit for the Month of January

For the month of January our department mascot 'Randy the Rhino' shares a photo from a recent New Year's Eve party that he attended to ring in 2024! 

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

"I am an odd number. Take away a letter and I become even. What number am I?

Answer to last month's riddle:  The letter 'n'.  (Taking the letter 'n' out of 'window' changes the word to 'widow'. Adding the letter 'n' to the word 'door' changes the word to 'donor'.)

Monthly Wellness Feature: Healthy for the Holidays

The holiday season is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year; however, it is notorious for being the most hectic, stressful, and tiring time of the year. While the end of the year is a time for reflection and celebration, the busy schedules and demands to create holiday magic can take a toll on our physical and mental health. That’s why it’s important to prioritize self-care in all aspects of our lives.

When it comes to prioritizing our physical health, the winter months are an important time to prevent getting sick. There’s nothing quite as miserable as adding sickness on top of the busy holiday season. One of the most common illnesses during this time of the year is Influenza, the well-known, contagious respiratory sickness.

Getting a flu vaccine can help protect you and those around you from getting sick. In addition to getting a flu vaccine, it’s important to practice good hand hygiene. Wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, especially after coming in contact with people who may be sick, before eating or drinking, and after touching surfaces in a public space.

Not only is our physical health important during the holiday season, but so is our mental, emotional, and spiritual health. This season of the year can be particularly stressful due to the demands and feelings of
obligation. Some great ways to stay grounded and centered during the holidays are to:

» Set boundaries and avoid overcommitment. You simply cannot do it all. Choose to say “yes” to only the activities or obligations that best align with your values. Whether it be family time, travel, or rest, your
values should guide your “yesses”, not your feelings of FOMO or guilt.

» Set aside time for rest and relaxation. Even a few minutes each day can be kept sacred for you to take a deep breath, step outside for fresh air, or close your eyes in meditation or prayer. If you catch yourself in a constant state of motion, take a minute to slow down and rest. If you’re hosting a holiday gathering, consider enforcing “quiet time” or an end time to your parties to avoid feeling overstretched.

» Prioritize moments for self-care. Take time to do the activities that bring you back to your “center” and add a feeling of balance to your life. Some examples might be exercising, spending time in nature, soaking in a bath, working on a hands-on project, reading a book, or playing music. Whatever activities bring you into a state of flow or balance can be self-caring.

» Stay resilient. Let go of the things that you can’t control and choose to be present for each moment. Life goes on without the perfectly decorated home, gourmet dinner spread, or ideal gift. Stay true to your values and be present for memory-making moments.

Don’t get carried away in the hustle and bustle of the busy end of year season. Take care to prevent illness, practice good hand hygiene, prioritize your values, and to slow down and reflect on the year behind you.

For more information and resources click here.

Healthy Recipie of the Month - Sheet Pan Seasame Chicken

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 lb boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces
• 1 large crown of broccoli, chopped (about 2 cups)
• 2 medium red bell peppers, cut into chunks
• 1 cup snap peas
• salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional toppings: sesame seeds and green onions

INGREDIENTS FOR THE SAUCE:

• 1/4 cup lower-sodium soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp sweet chili sauce
• 2 Tbsp honey
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tsp. fresh ginger

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. To make the sauce: In a small saucepan, heat soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, honey, garlic and ginger on medium heat and bring to a boil. Turn down heat and allow sauce to simmer, whisking occasionally, until sauce is thick and bubbly. Remove from heat.
3. Spread chicken and chopped veggies on a baking sheet sprayed with PAM cooking spray and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle half the sauce over the chicken and veggies (reserving the other half for later) and toss to combine. Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes, tossing halfway through, and continue cooking until veggies are tender and chicken is cooked through.
4. Drizzle remaining sauce over top and sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve over brown rice or quinoa and enjoy!

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

January is National Blood Donor Month 

The month of January is designated as National Blood Donor Month in the United States. Due to holiday celebrations, inclement weather, and cold and flu season, the winter months are often a time of reduced donations and an increased risk for blood shortages. National Blood Donor Month celebrates blood donors during this critical time and reminds people of the importance of donating blood.

Other January Celebrations:

• January 1 – New Year’s Day
• January 4 – World Braille Day
• January 7 – Coptic Orthodox Christmas
• January 25 – Mahayana New Year (Buddhist)
• January 13 – Maghi (Sikh)
• January 21 – World Religion Day
• January 15 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• January 24 – International Day of Education
• January 26 – International Customs Day
• January 27 – International Holocaust Remembrance Day

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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