Exploring the connection between Alzheimer’s disease and stroke

By Shelby Roberts

Alzheimer’s disease is the No. 6 cause of death in the United States, and stroke is the No. 4 cause.

Helena Chui, MD, chair, Department of Neurology, Raymond and Betty McCarron Chair in Neurology, and professor of neurology and gerontology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, recently gave a presentation on Alzheimer’s disease and its relation to stroke on Nov. 6 as the sixth lecture in an ongoing Stroke Seminar Series at the Rio Hando Community Center in Downey, Calif. The event was hosted by the Roxanna Todd Hodges Stroke Foundation. Read More »

December 24th, 2013|Announcements|

BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS, DOCTORS RECOGNIZED

In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, six Keck Medicine of USC breast cancer health-care professionals and six breast cancer survivors made an on-field appearance during halftime at the Oct. 26 USC Trojan football game vs. Utah State. Read More »

December 23rd, 2013|Announcements|

Everything’s coming up roses at HSC

ROYAL VISIT  For the 18th year, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade Royal Court visited the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center on Dec. 5 to spread holiday cheer among day-hospital patients and meet with faculty <span style=Read More »

December 13th, 2013|Announcements|

Everything’s coming up roses at HSC

DONATE LIFE  Scott Evans, PharmD, MHA, CEO of Keck Hospital of USC and USC Norris Cancer Hospital, presents a rose on behalf of the hospitals’ organ transplant team to Alan Cochran, vice president of quality <span style=Read More »

December 13th, 2013|Announcements|

Keck Medicine and Operation Walk offered free joint replacements

By Amy E. Hamaker

Patricia Domay is a busy woman. At 72 years old, she caters for commercial video shoots, work she’s done for nearly 30 years. She grows her own organic vegetables, bakes an amazing coffee cake and charms those around her with her sunny personality.

In fact, the only thing that slows her down is her hip: The cartilage in Domay’s left hip joint has been worn away completely for nearly eight months, and the pain has taken its toll “My work is really strenuous,” she said. “Events are 10- to 12-hour days, plus an additional two days of prep work — all on my feet. I’ve always been very athletic — I’ve raced motorcycles, competed in tournament racquetball and hiked. It’s all hard on your body, but you don’t think about it when you’re young.” Read More »

December 13th, 2013|Announcements|

Mark Humayun named inaugural director of the USC Eye Institute

By Leslie Ridgeway

Mark Humayun with the Argus II artificial retina implant. (Photo/Jon Nalick) Mark Humayun with the Argus II artificial retina implant.
(Photo/Jon Nalick)

Mark Humayun, MD, PhD, internationally known for his work on the Argus II artificial retina implant intended to restore sight to the blind, has been named the inaugural director of the USC Eye Institute and interim chair of the USC Department of Ophthalmology.

In his new role, Humayun will take the reins in overseeing advanced surgical techniques and comprehensive care for patients. He will also continue to lead and guide cutting edge transformative research. Read More »

November 22nd, 2013|Announcements|

Halloween on the Health Sciences Campus!

Halloween celebrations for kids of all ages took place on the Health Sciences Campus last week, both for spooky fun and to raise awareness for health research initiatives.

Read More »

November 11th, 2013|Announcements|

Keck Hospital Guild celebrates at fall benefit

The Sports Museum of Los Angeles was the setting for the Keck Hospital of USC Guild’s Oct. 13 fall benefit, “Celebrate an Afternoon Among the Superstars.” Thanks to the generosity of the private museum’s owner and collector Gary Cypress, guests toured more than 30 galleries devoted to sports memorabilia spanning the late 19th century to the present. Read More »

November 11th, 2013|Announcements|

Open enrollment an opportunity to choose Keck Medicine physicians

Open enrollment for benefits-eligible faculty and staff of the University has begun, and personnel are encouraged to choose Keck Medicine of USC providers by signing up for the USC Network Medical Plan.  Read More »

November 8th, 2013|Announcements|

Being a good neighbor can help HEAL a local community

By Sara Reeve

HEAL program youth members Heriberto Alfaro and Eddie Mendoza chop produce grown in the Proyecto Jardin community garden in Boyle Heights. The program teaches participants how to grow and prepare healthy food in several stages: planting, harvesting and cooking. (Photo/Courtesy Proyecto Jardin) HEAL program youth members Heriberto Alfaro and Eddie Mendoza chop produce grown in the Proyecto Jardin community garden in Boyle Heights. The program teaches participants how to grow and prepare healthy food in several stages: planting, harvesting and cooking.
(Photo/Courtesy Proyecto Jardin)

Q: Can USC staff and faculty help to transform the food environment of East Los Angeles?

A: Yes, if they contribute to the USC Good Neighbors Campaign.

The Community Youth Health Education and Action Leaders (HEAL) program teaches youth in the Boyle Heights area about urban agriculture and healthy food choices.  A partnership between the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Patient Education and Community Outreach Center and Proyecto Jardin Community Garden, HEAL received a new grant of $45,000 in June 2013 from USC Neighborhood Outreach (UNO), funded by the Good Neighbors Campaign. Read More »

October 25th, 2013|Announcements|

Keck Medicine of USC opens diagnostic and treatment center for children with hearing loss

By Alison Trinidad

Hearing loss among children is a major challenge for pediatricians and parents. According to the National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities, children who are hard of hearing often find it much more difficult to learn vocabulary, grammar and word order.

No single treatment is the answer, however. To offer patients and their families comprehensive clinical care backed by innovative research, Keck Medicine of USC recently opened the USC Center for Childhood Communication on the campus of John Tracy Clinic, 806 W. Adams Blvd., in Los Angeles. Pediatric audiology and speech pathology specialists began seeing patients on Oct. 1.

The new center provides audiology and speech language pathology services to children with hearing loss from birth to adulthood, including access to national clinical trials and state-of-the-art rehabilitative care. The center builds on the world-renowned clinical and scientific expertise of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at Keck Medicine of USC. Read More »

October 11th, 2013|Announcements|

Keck Hospital receives Blue Distinction Centers for Cardiac Care designation

By Amy E. Hamaker

Keck Hospital of USC was recently awarded the Blue Distinction Centers for Cardiac Care program designation by insurers Blue Shield and Blue Cross for the quality of its cardiac care program.

The Blue Distinction Center designation was designed to provide transparent data on the quality of medical providers to patients whose employers are national and who are insured by Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. Read More »

October 2nd, 2013|Announcements|

Ajay Vyas promoted to deputy health-care compliance officer

By Tania Chatila

Ajay Vyas, JD, has been promoted to deputy health-care compliance officer, effective Sept. 3. In his new role, Vyas is responsible for the day-to-day management and oversight of the compliance programs for Keck Hospital of USC, USC Norris Cancer Hospital, USC Verdugo Hills Hospital and the Keck Medical Center of USC.

He is also the compliance plan provider for USC Care Medical Group, the Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, USC Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy and the USC School of Pharmacy.  Read More »

October 2nd, 2013|Announcements|

Stephanie Hall appointed CMO of Keck Hospital of USC and USC Norris Cancer Hospital

By Tania Chatila

The two hospitals of Keck Medicine of USC will welcome its new chief medical officer on Oct. 1, with the appointment of veteran physician leader Stephanie Hall. Hall currently serves as chief medical officer of LAC+USC Medical Center, a position she has held since 2006.

As CMO for Keck Hospital and USC Norris Cancer Hospital, Hall will report to hospitals’ CEO Scott Evans. She will provide critical oversight of clinical initiatives, and will play an active role in ensuring the delivery of safe, quality, efficient care to patients, while also representing the interests of faculty physicians. 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|

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|

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|

Debbie Walsh, Don Larsen appointed CEO, CMO of USC Verdugo Hills Hospital

Two new leaders will take on the management of USC Verdugo Hills Hospital. Debbie Walsh, RN, MSN, has been appointed the new CEO of USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, succeeding former CEO Len LaBella who is retiring after 12 years at Verdugo Hills Hospital.

In addition, Donald Larsen, MD, MBA, has been appointed chief medical officer for USC Verdugo. The announcements come on the heels of a hospital-wide celebration event and the transformation of Verdugo Hills Hospital as a part of Keck Medicine of USC. Read More »

August 22nd, 2013|Announcements|

New director of electrophysiology brings love of tech to the Keck Medical Center

By Josh Grossberg
Pacemakers and defibrillators are fairly common life-saving devices these days, but when Rahul N. Doshi, MD, was getting his start in the medical profession, they both relied on fairly rudimentary technology. A self-described tech geek, Doshi knew the field of electrophysiology was on the cusp of great change, and he wanted to be part of it.

As the new director of electrophysiology at the Keck Medical Center of USC, Doshi will help guide the future of this exciting field that is advancing in ways he couldn’t have imagined.

“It’s a relatively new and fast-growing sub-subspecialty of cardiovascular medicine,” he said. “It’s very different from what the interventional cardiologists do. They look at arteries and pipes; I look at the heart’s internal wiring.” Read More »

August 21st, 2013|Announcements|