Grand Rounds September


Samarion CEO Mark Rodgers Named CAST Commissioner


WASHINGTON, DC — Samarion CEO Mark Rodgers was recently named commissioner to the Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST) to help lead the charge to expedite emerging technologies that are transforming the aging experience.
CAST, an international coalition ensuring that technology solutions attain their fullest potential to meet the needs of our aging senior population, is comprised of nearly 500 technology companies, aging-services organizations, businesses, research universities and government representatives working together under the auspices of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.

As a CAST commissioner, Rodgers will focus on driving a global vision of how technologies can improve the quality of life for seniors while reducing healthcare costs, accelerating technology research and development through pilot projects with seniors, advocating to remove barriers to the rapid commercialization of proven solutions, and promoting dialogue about standards to ensure interoperability and widespread access to aging-services technologies.

Local Healthcare Professional Honored as Lactation Consultant Hall of Excellence Inductee


Madison, MS resident, Rebecca Saenz, has been selected as one of three inductees to the 2007 Lactation Consultant Hall of Excellence. The program, now in its second year, recognizes U.S.-based lactation consultants who exemplify best practices, hard work and outstanding dedication to their profession. Kimberly Barbas, Kingston, MA, and Dawn Frank, Long Island, NY, were also named 2007 inductees.

Inductee Rebecca Saenz, MD, IBCLC, FABM, LLL, founded the UMC Breastfeeding Consult Service in 1997, which served as a statewide referral center for mothers experiencing problems with breastfeeding. She also opened the Mississippi Breastfeeding Medicine Clinic in 2003 and has published countless academic works on breastmilk and infant health. In addition to being an ILCA member, Saenz is an active member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, the Mississippi Breastfeeding Coalition and La Leche League Medical Associates.

The Lactation Consultant Hall of Excellence inductees will each receive a $5,000 grant to fund research, continue education or donate to the charity of their choice. The inductees will be featured on the Medela web site, www.medela.com.

Dr. Oden Named Medical Director of Central Mississippi Medical Center


Central Mississippi Medical Center is pleased to announce that Greg Oden, M.D., Adult Hospitalist, has been named the Medical Director of CMMC. Dr. Oden joined the medical staff of CMMC in 2000. For the past eight years, Dr. Oden has served as the medical director of the Hospitalist Program – a program composed of physicians who provide specialized care to adults exclusively within the hospital environment. They have no office and do not replace the patient's primary physician.

Dr. Oden obtained a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson, MS. He completed a residency in Internal Medicine at Methodist Central Hospital in Memphis, TN.

As Medical Director, Dr. Oden will serve as a liaison between physicians and the hospital's Administration.

Joe Pinion, Chief Executive Officer, Central Mississippi Medical Center, believes that Dr. Oden will be a very effective leader in the role of Medical Director. "Dr. Oden has earned the respect of his peers. This respect, along with his dedication to patients and the organization, make him the perfect candidate for the job."

Dr. Oden is replacing Dr. Jo Deal who recently resigned her position to devote more time to her Infectious Disease practice.

Hattiesburg Clinic Welcomes New Providers


Dr. David John Yeh, neurosurgeon, to the department of neurological surgery. Prior to joining Hattiesburg Clinic, Dr. Yeh was on staff at Johnson City Medical Center in Johnson City, TN, and an assistant professor of surgery at East Tennessee State University School of Medicine. Dr. Yeh is board certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery.

Craig A. Thieling, M.D., to the Department of Cardiology. He is a member of the American College of Cardiology and is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Cardiology. He joins Hattiesburg cardiologists at Southern Heart Center and the Heart Care Center in Laurel. He will also see patients at Wiggins Clinic, Southern Heart Center Picayune, Covington County Hospital and the Family Clinic of Seminary.

Michael B. Mitchell, M.D., to the Department of Neurology. Dr. Mitchell received his medical degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham, Ala., where he also completed his internship in internal medicine and residency in neurology. A native of Picayune where he graduated as valedictorian, he is a member of the American Academy of Neurology and will be located at Hattiesburg Clinic – Picayune.

Imad Bitar, M.D., to the Department of Rheumatology. Dr. Bitar received his medical degree from the Damascus University School of Medicine in Damascus, Syria. He completed an internship and residency in internal medicine and a rheumatology fellowship at Boston University / Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence, R.I He is a member of the American College of Rheumatology, the American College of Physicians.

Dr. Bitar will be located at The Arthritis Center – West, in Hattiesburg.

Jennifer Bailey, M.D., to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Bailey received her medical degree from Texas A&M Health Science Center - College of Medicine in Temple, Texas. She completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Temple, Texas. She is a member of the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists.

Duckworth promoted to executive director of Wesley Physician Services


HATTIESBURG — Wesley Medical Center announced recently the promotion of Mechelle Duckworth as executive director of Wesley Physician Services.

Duckworth, a native of Collins, has been elevated to the position after serving previously as assistant controller at the hospital and then as chief financial officer of Wesley Physician Services.

Wesley Physician Services operates under the corporate umbrella of Wesley Medical Center. WPS is responsible for contract management, clinical billing and practice operations of the hospital's employed physician groups.

Duckworth received her bachelor's degree in business administration from William Carey University and brings with her 20 years of experience in accounting and business operations.

Duckworth and her husband, Joel, reside in Sumrall; they attend Trinity Heights Church of God in Hattiesburg. They have three children, one son-in-law and are expecting their first grandchild. Duckworth is the daughter of Glynn and Patsy Daniel of Collins.

Physicians Join Medical Staffs


The Board of Trustees of Singing River Hospital System has announced the addition of two new physicians to the Medical Staffs of Singing River Hospital and Ocean Springs Hospital.

Dr. David M. Jenkins, general surgeon, received his medical degree from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson, MS. He completed a residency at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi.

Dr. Jenkins is board certified in general surgery and will be practicing at South Mississippi Surgeons.

Dr. Richard W. Awtrey, gastroenterologist, received his medical degree from Louisiana State University Health Science Center in New Orleans, where he also completed a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in
gastroenterology.

Dr. Awtrey is board certified in internal medicine and board eligible in gastroenterology. He will be practicing at Regional Digestive Specialists.

Dr. Olutade Named Physician of the Quarter at Central Mississippi Medical Center


JACKSON — Tunde Olutade, M.D., a urologist at Central Mississippi Medical Center in practice with Jackson Nephrology Associates, received the hospital's Physician of the Quarter award. The award was established by the Physician Relations Committee at CMMC to recognize the outstanding performance of physicians who contribute to the care and well being of CMMC's patients. The criteria for the award are based on dedication, compassion, professional competence, attitude and ability to work well with staff members at CMMC.

Dr. Olutade received several nominations for the award. Comments about his professionalism, politeness and kindness to patients were echoed in each nomination.

Dr. Olutade is a US Citizen, born in Lagos, Nigeria. He received a Doctor of Medicine degree from the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, where he completed an internship and residency training. In 1988, he became a Fellow in the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension in the Department of Medicine at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA. He completed a residency in Internal Medicine at Emory affiliated hospitals in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Olutade was a Fellow at Emory University School of Medicine in 1990-1991 and again in 1995-1996.

U.S. News Recognizes UMHC for Heart Care


One of the nation's premier weekly news magazines has listed University of Mississippi Health Care (UMHC) among the country's finest health care institutions in treating coronary artery disease (CAD).

In its July 21 issue, U.S. News & World Report ranks the top health care providers who take part in Get with the Guidelines, an award-winning quality improvement program by the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association.

UMHC is listed as a recipient of the Silver Performance Achievement Award for maintaining 12 consecutive months of 85-percent-or-higher adherence to all performance measures for CAD.

CAD is a condition caused by the thickening of the walls of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle, sometimes resulting in heart attack. By promoting the latest evidence-based treatment for patients with CAD, heart failure and stroke, Get with the Guidelines improves health and saves lives.

For more information about Get with the Guidelines, visit the Web site (americanheart.org/quality).

Sitzman invited to China for lecture


Todd Sitzman, M.D. of Hattiesburg has been invited to lecture at an international pain conference in China. Sitzman, director of Advanced Pain Therapy in Hattiesburg, will speak on "Update on Interventional Therapies for Chronic Pain" at the sixth annual East-West International Pain Conference to be held in Shenzhen, China Nov. 1-3.

Sitzman recently presented "Managing Pain as a Chronic Disease: The Role of the Pain Medicine Specialist in the 21st Century" at the International Spine Intervention Society Annual Meeting in Las Vegas. He is also scheduled to present "Essentials of Interventional Pain Therapies" at the Southern Pain Society Annual Meeting in New Orleans in September and "Spinal Injections for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Pain" at the American Society of Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fla. In October.

Sitzman received his medical and master of public health degrees from Tulane University. Sitzman received his bachelor's degree from the University of New Orleans; medical and master's of public health degrees from Tulane University. Following an internship in internal medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, he completed anesthesiology and pain management training at the University of Virginia Health Sciences Center. Sitzman is board certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology and the American Board of Pain Medicine.

Sitzman is a member of numerous national and international pain societies and is past-president of the American Academy of Pain Medicine. He serves on the board of directors of the American Academy of Pain Medicine, North American Neuromodulation Society, Southern Pain Society and Mississippi Pain Society. He has authored more than 60 scientific manuscripts, book chapters and abstracts, and serves on the editorial board of the journal Pain Medicine.

Help the American Cancer Society in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer


Join the fight against breast cancer by participating in the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer® 5K walk on Saturday, October 18, 2008 at the Mississippi Agricultural & Forestry Museum in Jackson starting at 9:00AM. This inspiring event unites the entire community to honor and celebrate breast cancer survivors, educates women about the importance of reducing their cancer risk, and raises money to fund lifesaving research and support programs to further our progress against this disease. To register or for more information, visit http://makingstrides.acsevents.org/jackson,
or call 601-321-5500. Hope starts with you.

Hattiesburg Clinic Physician Elected Governor of Mississippi Chapter of American College of Physicians


Robert Brahan, M.D., FACP, an Internist with Hattiesburg Clinic, was recently elected to serve as Governor-Elect for the Mississippi Chapter of the American College of Physicians (ACP). The ACP is a national organization of Internists — physicians who specialize in the prevention, detection and treatment of illnesses in adults. ACP is the largest medical-specialty organization and second-largest physician group in the United States. Its membership of 125,000 includes Internists, Internal Medicine subspecialists, medical students, residents, and fellows. Dr. Brahan will become Governor of the Mississippi Chapter in April 2009.

The ACP provides continuing medical education through national and local scientific meetings, postgraduate courses, and on-line information. The college provides Internists with practice management information and tools to help practices suceed in the complex medical environment of today. The ACP operates an office in Washington, D.C. in order to monitor and respond to political, economic, legislative, and policy issues that affect the practice of medicine.