USC teams with CIRM to celebrate Stem Cell Awareness Day

By Cristy Lytal

For the millions of people around the world who suffer from incurable diseases and injuries, Stem Cell Awareness Day is a time for hope.

In honor of the occasion, USC Stem Cell is joining institutions and educators from around the world in hosting a series of public events to raise awareness and celebrate this promising field of medicine in partnership with the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). … Read More »

September 27th, 2013|Announcements|

Willliam Gorenstein appointed new chief financial officer of Keck Medicine of USC

By Tania Chatila

William Gorenstein William Gorenstein

William M. Gorenstein, CPA, has been appointed chief financial officer for Keck Medicine of USC, leading financial operations for the entire medical enterprise, and playing a key role in managing the system’s financial accountabilities, sustainability and long-term fiscal goals.

“This is a new role for our Keck Medicine senior team and one that is crucial to our journey forward, especially as we expand our system’s reach through ongoing investments and strategic partnerships,” said Tom Jackiewicz, MPH, senior vice president and CEO for USC Health, to whom Gorenstein reports. … Read More »

September 27th, 2013|Announcements|

USC researchers to study national tobacco product regulations

By Leslie Ridgeway

Despite decades of efforts to control its use, tobacco continues to be the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States. USC is one of 14 academic institutions designated to receive significant funding to contribute to a new, first-of-its-kind regulatory science tobacco program intended to support tobacco product regulations.

The Keck School of Medicine of USC Department of Preventive Medicine will receive $20 million over five years, establishing one of 14 Tobacco Centers of Regulatory Science (TCORS) in Los Angeles. … Read More »

September 27th, 2013|Announcements|

NBA center Jason Collins gets candid at the Keck School

By Sara Reeve

When NBA center Jason Collins came out as a gay man on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine, he became a cultural icon — the first openly gay athlete playing a major American team sport.

During the first of the Dean’s Distinguished Lecture series, Keck School of Medicine Dean Carmen A. Puliafito, MD, MBA, interviews NBA player Jason Collins on his coming out as an openly gay athlete. (Photo/Steve Cohn) During the first of the Dean’s Distinguished Lecture series, Keck School of Medicine Dean Carmen A. Puliafito, MD, MBA, interviews NBA player Jason Collins on his coming out as an openly gay athlete.
(Photo/Steve Cohn)

“I am definitely not alone,” said Collins. “Statistically speaking, there are [gay athletes] in all sports.”

In a wide-ranging discussion with Keck School of Medicine of USC Dean Carmen A. Puliafito, MD, MBA. Collins discussed his coming out process, a phone call with President Barack Obama, on being a role model and his future in the NBA. … Read More »

September 27th, 2013|Announcements|

Board of Overseers member lends support to USC Norris 40th anniversary celebration

By Leslie Ridgeway

Keck School Board of Overseers member Deborah Lanni is a presenting sponsor at the 40th year celebration gala for the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. Keck School Board of Overseers member Deborah Lanni is a presenting sponsor at the 40th year celebration gala for the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Philanthropist and Pasadena resident Deborah Lanni has pledged $250,000 as a presenting sponsor to support the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, which is celebrating its 40th year with a gala celebration this fall.

The event, titled “40 Years of Progress — Discovering New Cures” will take place Friday, Oct. 11, from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the Westin Bonaventure hotel. Award-winning comedian and actor Martin Short will emcee, and there will be special musical entertainment.

The goal of the event is to raise more than $1 million for cancer research at USC Norris while looking back on breakthroughs and successes and looking forward to the future of cancer research. … Read More »

September 23rd, 2013|Announcements|

Young adults make a difference in research, patient care

Young adults are the future of health care, and nowhere is that more evident than on USC’s Health Sciences Campus. … Read More »

September 18th, 2013|Announcements|

Genomic Cancer Medicine seminar coming to Health Sciences Campus

As part of its 40th anniversary celebration, the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center is presenting an all-day seminar on genomic medicine:

Genomic Cancer Medicine: The Power and the Promise
Oct. 18, 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Aresty Auditorium … Read More »

September 18th, 2013|Announcements|

Three scientists to share 2013 Massry Prize

By Jon Nalick

As any courier knows, delivering a package on time is just part of the equation. But it also has to be delivered to the right place.

The same is even more true inside a human cell, where timely, accurate deliveries of chemical messages, proteins and fuel mean the difference between life and death for the cell—and between health and disease for the body as a whole. … Read More »

September 18th, 2013|Announcements|

Changes at “The Weekly”: Less is More

19.25_TWIn the previous edition of The Weekly, we announced that we would be publishing biweekly starting with this issue. Many of you who pick up The Weekly at campus newsstands or receive it in the mail will continue to see us in print every two weeks.

If you want more of The Weekly, you can find us at www.theweekly.usc.edu. It’s another way for you to catch up on the latest news from the Health Sciences Campus and other Keck Medicine of USC locations. … Read More »

September 18th, 2013|Announcements|

Expert surgeon to co-direct USC comprehensive spine center

By Alison Trinidad

USC has recruited renowned spine surgeon Jeffrey C. Wang, MD, to join its faculty as co-director of the USC Spine Center, a multidisciplinary program offering comprehensive services for spinal disorders.

An international leader in spine care with expertise in the surgical treatment of all neck and back disorders, Wang joined Keck Medicine of USC on Sept. 1 as chief of orthopaedic spine surgery at the Keck Medical Center and professor of orthopaedic surgery and neurosurgery at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. … Read More »

September 18th, 2013|Announcements|

Four new specialists bolster ear, throat patient services at Keck Medicine of USC

By Alison Trinidad

USC has recruited four physicians specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders that affect hearing, balance, speech, swallowing, sleep and facial function to join its faculty physician practice. … Read More »

September 18th, 2013|Announcements|

Bicyclist rides 10,500 miles to raise funds, awareness for cochlear implants

By Amy E. Hamaker

Early childhood is a time for discovery, playing with friends and learning more about the world. But for Jacob Landis, it was also a time for that world to go silent.

Two-year-old Landis took his first hearing test when his mother felt that his speech development was slower than normal. Landis’ hearing was compromised, and over the next three years, his hearing continued to deteriorate — he was fitted with his first hearing aids in kindergarten. By fourth grade, Landis had lost his hearing entirely.

After more than 600 appointments with otolaryngology doctors, audiologists and other specialists, Landis was finally referred to John Niparko, MD. In June 1999, Niparko performed cochlear implant surgery on Landis, who was just 10 years old. … Read More »

September 6th, 2013|Announcements|

Mack named to board of directors of neurointerventional surgery society

William J. Mack, MD, was named to the board of directors of the Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery (SNIS) at the group’s Annual Meeting. In this position, Mack, an assistant professor in the Department of Neurological Surgery at the Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, will play a leading role with the society in continuing initiatives to resource, train and support veteran and new practitioners to bring advanced treatment approaches to neurovascular conditions. … Read More »

September 6th, 2013|Announcements|

Laurie Johnson tapped as new executive administrator of ambulatory services

By Tania Chatila

Laurie Johnson comes to the Keck Medical Center of USC with more than 30 years’ experience in L.A.-based health care. (Photo/Courtesy Keck Medical Center Human Resources) Laurie Johnson comes to the Keck Medical Center of USC with more than 30 years’ experience in L.A.-based health care.
(Photo/Courtesy Keck Medical Center Human Resources)

The Keck Medical Center of USC has welcomed the newest member of its leadership team — a longtime, Los Angeles-based health-care administrator who will oversee outpatient operations while also ensuring long-term growth of the medical center’s overall ambulatory business.

Laurie Johnson assumed the position of executive administrator of ambulatory
 services on Sept. 3. In this role, reporting to Scott Evans, PharmD, CEO of Keck Hospital of USC
 and USC Norris Cancer Hospital, Johnson will manage the administrative, fiscal and
operational activities of all of the Keck Medical Center’s hospital-based outpatient offices. She will be responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating delivery of care, service excellence, performance improvement and fiscal stewardship. … Read More »

September 6th, 2013|Announcements|

National Health Information Technology Week comes to campus

Keck Medicine Health Information Services is celebrating National Health Information Technology Week, Sept. 16-20, here on the Health Sciences Campus.

Information booths can be found daily during lunchtime at the Keck Hospital of USC cafeteria. Visitors can receive free gifts, snacks and a chance to win a free Microsoft Surface RT tablet device. … Read More »

September 6th, 2013|Announcements|

Noninvasive monitor gift will help physicians diagnose cardiac patients more effectively

By Amy E. Hamaker

Bernice Christenson has a long history with USC, beginning with her time studying for her master’s degree in education in 1955. She was a founding member of the Keck Hospital of USC Hospital Guild, and president in 1995; she received the Widney Alumni House Award in 1997 for outstanding leadership, volunteerism and loyalty to the university.

Keck Hospital of USC and USC Norris Cancer Hospital CEO, Scott Evans, PharmD, and Luanda Grazette (right), MD, MPH, associate professor of clinical medicine at the Keck School of USC, celebrate the gift of a Cheetah NICOM monitor from Bernice Christenson (left) at a special luncheon in Christenson’s honor. (Photo/Amy E. Hamaker) Keck Hospital of USC and USC Norris Cancer Hospital CEO, Scott Evans, PharmD, and Luanda Grazette (right), MD, MPH, associate professor of clinical medicine at the Keck School of USC, celebrate the gift of a Cheetah NICOM monitor from Bernice Christenson (left) at a special luncheon in Christenson’s honor.
(Photo/Amy E. Hamaker)

At 95 years old, Christenson continues her support of USC through the gift to Keck Hospital of USC of $15,000 for a noninvasive monitor that will help physicians to better evaluate cardiac conditions with less discomfort to patients.

… Read More »

September 6th, 2013|Announcements|

Pfizer lecturer to discuss careers in therapeutic development

The USC School of Pharmacy, the 
USC Center for Excellence in Research and the Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC have collaborated to present a Careers in Science lecture.

The lecture will be held on Friday, Sept. 13, from 3-6 p.m. in the conference room (BCC 101) at the Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research building at USC. … Read More »

September 6th, 2013|Announcements|

Changes Ahead for The Weekly

In the coming months, you’ll be seeing more — and less — of The Weekly.

Big plans are in the works. Soon we’ll be going digital and you’ll find us online! But, don’t worry — you’ll still find us in print. … Read More »

August 30th, 2013|Announcements|

USC researchers discover biomarkers to help prevent failure after tissue transplants

By Josh Grossberg

Researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of USC have found a way to identify patients who may be susceptible to certain complications while recovering from large wounds and complicated reconstructive surgeries. The team’s findings have been published in August in the Public Library of Science’s online publication PLOS ONE.

The team, led by Alex Wong, MD, assistant professor of clinical surgery at the Keck School, discovered five genetic biomarkers that can identify patients who could be susceptible to vein failure after receiving “flaps.” Flaps are tissues that are teeming with tiny blood vessels, which can be moved from one part of the body to another to help the healing process. … Read More »

August 30th, 2013|Announcements|

New and returning Keck School students make a splash at welcome receptions

It’s the start of the fall semester, and Keck School of Medicine of USC students are back on the Health Sciences Campus! … Read More »

August 30th, 2013|Announcements|