May 2023

Spasticity 

John McGuire, MD, Professor

The comprehensive spasticity management program celebrates another productive year. We continue to treat problematic spasticity in both the outpatient and inpatient settings and maintain our consult service even as inpatient rehab has moved off site.

As one of only two spasticity fellowships in the country, we will graduate our 15^th fellow, Dr. Sarah Wineman, this June. Dr. Wineman has accepted a position in Minnesota, working at the Hennepin County Medical Center. Dr. Wineman has been a tremendous asset to the team this year and we look forward to see her excel as a leader in the field.

Research is flourishing, and our research team has never been busier. We currently have four active clinical trials, five grant funded studies, five minimal risk enrolling studies, and one chart review study, totaling at 15 different studies in our spasticity group. Most recently, Dr. McGonigle’s: "Botulinum Toxin A for the Treatment of Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy" study finished data collection and study unblinding and data analysis will be starting in the coming weeks. I will be completing a Phase II study sponsored by Saol Therapeutics in collaboration with TIRR on using a novel phenol product for the treatment of spasticity.

Dr. Mary Elizabeth Nelson, through her global health initiatives, was appointed to a new workgroup through the World Health Organization, called the World Rehabilitation Alliance. Additionally, she was appointed to an organization promoting rehabilitation research in Cameroon as a scientific advisory board member appointed to the Management Committee: The Center for Promotion of Rehabilitation Medicine and Disability Research (CEPREMDIR). Dr. Ketchum was chosen as the inaugural Vice President of the newly formed national interdisciplinary STARS (spasticity teaching, advocacy, and research society) group. Additionally, Dr. Ketchum is co-editor to: A Handbook for Spasticity/ A Practical Approach to Management. Within this book, I was able to provide a chapter reviewing combination treatments in spasticity management.

As medicine advances, so do our treatment options. Recently, Dr. McGuire traveled to Victoria, British Columbia to train with Dr. Paul Winston on cryoneurolysis. This technique uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the targeted nerve to the spastic muscle. This is a new use for an established technique which has been used widely for pain management. Cryoneurolysis can be used in conjunction with botulinum neurotoxins, intrathecal baclofen pumps and phenol. This is an exciting potential breakthrough treatment as this is the first new spasticity treatment in 30 years. Preliminary studies using this have shown potential benefits lasting up to a year. We will be one the first programs in the region to use this treatment. Dr. Ketchum in collaboration with neurosurgery and neurology, will be initiating a vagal nerve stimulator program to promote neurorecovery in chronic stroke patients. This is an FDA approved therapy and could be a future option for chronic stroke patients to improve function.

A Farewell to our Department Administrator Rachel Stauffer

Rachel partnered with Dr. Diane Braza during a very tumultuous time in healthcare with the Covid-19 pandemic and during an immense time of transition for the department while leading the opening of Froedtert Bluemound Rehabilitation Hospital. She has guided our administrative reorganization and our research team growth. Our department has grown and accomplished so much during her time with us. We are all very appreciative of her many contributions and leadership to PM&R, FBRH and MCW. Good luck on your next endeavor Rachel, we know you will do great!

Welcome Angela DeMent as Interim Department Administrator

Angela DeMent will be joining us as Interim Department Administrator effective May 1st, 2023. Angela is currently the Associate Department Administrator for Operations in the Department of Medicine. She has been with MCW for 20 years, has actively been engaged in all academic missions, is very well versed in MCW, FH, and VA relationships, faculty & staff development, and operations. Please be sure to reach out and give a warm welcome!

Faculty Council Committee 2023 Election Results

Congratulations to our very own Dr. Lynn Vidakovic for being elected to the Faculty Clinical Committee! Newly-elected members' term will begin on July 1, 2023. This was based on 500-plus faculty who had voted in the Faculty Committee elections during the two-week election period in March. Provost and Dean Appointee positions will be announced by May 15th on Infoscope! If you see Dr. Vidakovic be sure to congratulate her on this achievement! 

PM&R Philanthropy Case

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

To support Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation click on the link below!

GIVE NOW

MCW Cardiovascular Center Appoints Dr. Alicen Whitaker-Hilbig to T32 Training Program

Our department is pleased to welcome Alicen Whitaker-Hilbig, DPT, PhD. as a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Matt Durand’s research laboratory. The Medical College of Wisconsin’s (MCW) Cardiovascular Center has appointed Alicen Whitaker-Hilbig, DPT, PhD, as a postdoctoral trainee to the Cardiovascular Center’s National Institutes of Health T32 postdoctoral training program.

 Dr. Whitaker-Hilbig is also supported by the Cardiovascular Center’s T32 Training Grant on Cardiovascular Sciences. Her overall research goal is to contribute knowledge about the physiologic role and clinical contributions of the vascular system in stroke rehabilitation and recovery. Dr. Whitaker-Hilbig and her husband join us from Kansas City where they enjoyed attending Sporting KC Soccer games, trying new barbeque, and spending time outdoors.

following a stroke, which affects nearly 1 million Americans each year. Building on excellence in cardiovascular research, the Cardiovascular Center’s T32 postdoctoral training program, “Training in Signature Transdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences,” is funded by a $2.7 million grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute that provides support for six postdoctoral training slots each year. The grant provides up to three years of training for appointed postdoctoral fellows in the Cardiovascular Center with an MD, PhD, PharmD, or DO degree. Complementary support for trainees is provided by a donation given to the Cardiovascular Center by the A. O. Smith Foundation for the A.O. Smith Fellowship Scholars Program, a program designed to support talented cardiovascular researchers and physicians to overcome the barriers that exist in launching and sustaining a successful research career.

The ultimate goal of this training program is to train the next generation of cardiovascular scientists and physicians, including underrepresented minorities, by incorporating broad-based, personalized, supportive, and rigorous training opportunities.

This impressive new appointee joins five other A.O. Smith Scholars in the Cardiovascular Center’s T32 postdoctoral training program, Amirala Bakhshian Nik, PhD, MS, Stephen Hammond, PhD, MS, Daniel Sprague, MD, PhD, Michelle Roberts, PhD, MS, and Tyler Buddell, PhD. Since its inception in 2017, alumni of this training program have been highly successful in publishing in high-impact journals, obtaining K and F awards, and securing faculty positions, building towards independence as cardiovascular investigators.

Ivor Benjamin, MD, professor of medicine and director of the Cardiovascular Center at MCW and Mary Sorci-Thomas, PhD, professor of medicine and associate director of the Cardiovascular Center at MCW, are co-directors. 

Medical Student Research

Tarini Mitra (M3 Student) presenting at the 2023 MCW Research Week. Tarini is mentored by PM&R Assistant Professor Whitney Morelli, PhD. Her poster was titled, “iWear: the future of monitoring older patients’ health outside the clinic to prevent functional decline.”

Dr. Diane Braza co-authored a manuscript published in the American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation March 24th, 2023 publication titled "Burnout and Wellness Strategies Utilized by Academic Physiatry Programs: An Analysis and Perspective from the AAP Chairs Council". 

April Photos

Rachel's Farewell Celebration 

Department Mascot's Outfit for the Month of May

In honor of Star Wars Day on May 4th ( "May the force be with you") our department mascot Randy the Rhino is carrying an injured storm trooper on his back until his broken femur is fully healed.

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

Here is a trivia question: 'Before People discovered Mount Everest in 1852, what was the tallest mountain in the world?'

Answer to last month's riddle:  "darkness"

Monthly Wellness Feature: How to Improve Your Posture at Work

If you spend most of your work days mainly seated at a desk for long periods of time you may be at risk for chronic pain and musculoskeletal disorders, both of which can have a negative impact on your long term health. “Sitting disease”, a recently coined term, is what new research has described as sitting for long periods of time without adequate movement and spine alignment. Research has also found that regardless of how much a person exercises they can come across these issues if they spend most of their work day seated. Main reasons this can be detrimental to your health are due to the following:

• Slouching occurs the longer you stay seated, keeping your spine misaligned
• Poor workstation set-up causes neck straining if computer monitors aren’t at eye level
• Bad habits like crossing your ankles and legs cause hip misalignment
• Lack of movement restricts blood and nutrient flow to spinal discs
• Continuous sitting increases wear and tear on your spinal discs

Even though desk work is strongly linked to chronic back and neck pain, there are ways to avoid long-term damage and disease by utilizing the following posture habits:

1. PRACTICE NEUTRAL POSTURE

One key element for good posture is the neutral posture concept. Neutral posture is the spine’s natural alignment position—a posture that’s completely straight from head to toe. When the spine’s natural alignment is compromised such as from slouching, hunching or injury, it can cause spinal compression, nerve pinching and muscle tension. Neutral posture can be achieved even if you sit at a desk by keeping your computer monitor at eye level so your head doesn’t tilt, pulling your shoulders back and keep your back flat against the chair, rest your feet flat on the ground without crossing your legs or ankles and using lumbar support tool to keep your upper back straight which will prevent slouching.

2. KEEP NOTE OF BACK AND NECK PAIN

It is vital to monitor possible ongoing symptoms such as stiffness, soreness and aching in your back, shoulders and neck. Making daily notes as these symptoms arise can help to determine daily bad habits that may be contributing to your pain. After a while of taking daily notes on pain you are experiencing, the information you gather can act as a guide to adjust your posture at work to consciously prevent back pain.

3. GIVE YOURSELF MOVEMENT BREAKS

Limiting ourselves to the amount of movement required for better health is one of the biggest reasons why desk work is attributed to chronic back pain and disease. Research studies have found that taking regular movement breaks every 30 minutes will significantly reduce the health risks. Stretching overhead and opening up your chest and back can counteract slouching. A brisk walk around the room can help boost circulation and energy.

4. USE ERGONOMIC SUPPORTS

Maintaining a neutral posture while sitting at a desk can be challenging. Years of bad posture habits make it hard to train yourself to remain in perfect alignment at all times. Thankfully, there are excellent support products available that encourage great back posture. These items include the right adjustable chair with lumbar support, a desk that will let you adjust to stand, and and adjustable back brace that help you retain the correct posture. 

5. CREATE AN ERGONOMIC WORKSTATION

 Using the above good posture tips and support products, you can make sure you have an adjustable workstation that’s designed to fit you without straining your back. Make sure you are in a position that allows you to be in a full range of motion, place most used items without arms reach, allow adequate leg room and foot placement, make sure your computer and your chair height are in a position that avoids you from being in a hunched position. 

By following these easy tips you will be doing yourself, your long-term health, and your spine a big favor by avoiding future chronic pain and musculoskeletal issues down the road. It is never too early to start! 

May is Jewish American Heritage Month! 

In May 2006, President George W. Bush announced the first Jewish American Heritage Month. The Jewish religion was practiced in North America as early as the 1650's and continues to influence American culture today. Prominent Jewish contributors to American society include Albert Einstein, Gloria Steinem, Irving Berlin, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. 

To learn more, consider exploring one of the following websites:

https://www.jewishheritagemonth.gov/about/

https://nationaldaycalendar.com/jewish-american-heritage-month-may/

Other May Celebrations:

• Mental Health Awareness Month
• National Asian American and South Pacific Islander Heritage Month
• South Asian American Heritage Month
• May 5 – Cinco De Mayo 
• May 17 – International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
• May 29 – Memorial Day
• A full list of May Celebrations can be found here. 

COVID-19 Updates

The Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin health network will no longer require masking except in hospital patient rooms and care spaces and in emergency department patient rooms and care spaces. Masks will be optional everywhere else for staff, physicians, clinicians, students, patients, volunteers, visitors and vendors, including ambulatory settings. The 24 Hour Cancer Clinic will follow inpatient policy. The Clinical Cancer Day Hospital will follow ambulatory policy. 

This change will allow us to continue to protect our most vulnerable patients, while joining other area hospitals and health systems in loosening masking policies.

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

Medical College of Wisconsin |  8701 Watertown Plank Road  |  Milwaukee, WI 53226
You are receiving this email because you are subscribed to PM&R emails.
 © 2022 Medical College of Wisconsin. All rights reserved.

MCW.EDU     |     INFOSCOPE     |     CONTACT US

Connect to MCW on Social