Plans are underway for an evening of dining and dancing to support local HIV and AIDS patients.

“Re-tie the Red Ribbon” is presented by The University of Toledo Medical Center’s Ryan White Program. The event will be held Saturday, Oct. 1 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Hensville in downtown Toledo.

“We are excited for the opportunity to host the event in this great new venue,” said Richard Meeker, manager of fundraising and special projects. “There will be a variety of food stations from fajitas to pasta and a cash bar. Live entertainment will be provided by Fu5ion. It’s going to be a lot of fun for a good cause.”

Funds raised at the event will support the Ann Wayson Locher Memorial Fund for HIV Care, which supports HIV care for adults and children in the Toledo area.

Ann Wayson Locher opened the first grant-funded free and anonymous HIV testing site in northwest Ohio in 1985 and was one of the key organizers for The University of Toledo’s Ryan White Program. The memorial fund was developed in her honor upon her death in 2010.

“The memorial fund provides services for HIV and AIDS patients who have needs that cannot be covered by other agencies or programs in our community,” Meeker said. “Many individuals are living on a fixed income and need a little help when emergencies arise. That’s where we come in.”

Meeker said the organization has seen an increase in the number of clients seeking assistance.

“We are grateful for the committed support of Ann’s friends and family and others who regularly donate to the memorial fund,” he said. “Unfortunately, our community’s need has outpaced what we are able to provide at this time, particularly in the area of housing, and we need to work harder to assist those who need our help the most.”

Tickets for the “Re-tie the Red Ribbon” fundraiser are $50 each. The Ryan White Program also is seeking sponsors with opportunities that range from $500 to $5,000 and include VIP tickets and recognition at the event.

For more information, call 419.383.4072 or email Richard.Meeker@utoledo.edu.

Cancer treatment can have a dramatic effect on a woman’s well-being, but it doesn’t have to rob her of the joys of an intimate relationship.

A special seminar aimed at improving the sex life of women undergoing cancer treatment will be held 6 p.m. Thursday, August 18 at UT Health’s Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m.

Cancer treatment can cause menopause-like symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness and low sex drive in some women. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, coupled with the emotional stress of battling cancer can also affect desire and sexual function, but there is help available.

“We see these difficulties particularly among breast cancer patients. Unfortunately, a lot of women just put up with it or give up,” said Dr. Terry Gibbs, OB/GYN and director of the UT Health Menopause Clinic. “Women should know there is help available, and it’s important to include sexual health as a part of their survivorship care plan.”

Hormonal and non-hormonal therapies, prescription drugs, herbal therapies and keeping communication at the forefront of the relationship can prove to be effective in improving sexual health.

“Cancer Treatment and Female Sexuality: Love in the New Normal” is presented as a part of the Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center’s Wellness Information Series. Dr. Gibbs is certified through the North American Menopausal Society and is a regional leader in the treatment of menopause and menopausal symptoms.

Space is limited and reservations are required. Email EleanorNDanaCancer@utoledo.edu or call 419.383.5243.

It’s a night when UT Health physicians trade their white coats for aprons and their stethoscopes for sombreros. And instead of giving advice, they take orders from their patients.

The 6^th annual “From the Heart” Celebrity Wait Night and fundraiser dinner will be 5:30-9 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15 at Loma Linda Restaurant, 10400 Airport Hwy. in Swanton.

Dr. Thomas Schwann, UTMC chief of staff and professor and interim chair of surgery, has participated in the event from the start and is known for his creative costuming.

“The food and drinks are great, the people are great and the costumes are great,” he said. “They are a

UT Health cardiologists Dr. Mark Burket, Dr. George Moukarbel, Dr. Thomas Schwann and Dr. Samer Khouri

fun way to make the night memorable as we celebrate and raise money for a great cause.”

Al Mundt, whose family owns Loma Linda, initiated the event as a way to give back to the hospital he credits with saving his life. Mundt had a heart transplant in 1998 at the former Medical College of Ohio Hospital.

“Al has been a strong supporter of UT Heart and Vascular Center ever since,” said Dr. Samer Khouri, associate chief of cardiology. “He and his family are very grateful for the care he received and have been very generous in helping to promote cardiac health in our community.”

Funds raised by the celebrity waiter event support the Mundt Cardiology Endowment Fund at the UT College of Medicine and Life Sciences. Established in 2008, the endowment supports new and innovative programs to support advanced cardiac care at UTMC.

Dr. Khouri was the 2015 recipient of the Adela and Alfred Mundt Endowed Professorship in Transplantation Cardiology. His expertise is the diagnosis of diastolic heart failure and pulmonary hypertension and the interaction between the kidney and the heart.

“Receiving the endowment from the Mundt family and the University is a great honor,” Khouri said. “It is important to the work we are doing to provide quality medical care to cardiac patients.”

Khouri said he feels every major metro area should have a medical facility that can provide specialized cardiovascular care such as left ventricular assist devices (LVADs).

“Every year a half a million people are diagnosed with heart failure and only 3,000 transplants are performed,” he said. “The LVAD can save lives, serve as a bridge to transplant until a donor is found and improve the quality of life for heart failure patients.”

Joining Drs. Schwann and Khouri as celebrity servers will be UTMC Interim Chief Executive Officer Dan Barbee, Dean of the UT College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Dr. Christopher Cooper, Dr. Laura Murphy, professor of medicine, cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Mark Bonnell and cardiologist Dr. Mark Burket. UT Women’s and Men’s Basketball coaches, Tricia Cullop and Tod Kowalczyk, and Michael O’Brien, vice president and director of athletics, also serve patrons that evening.

“We will have a raffle with prizes ranging from suite seats at a UT Rocket football game up to $5,000 cash,” Schwann said. “With only 2,500 tickets available, the odds of winning a prize are really very good.”

Tickets are $10 each and will be available for purchase leading up to and during the event. Prize winners need not be present to win.

“Celebrity Wait Night is something that we really look forward to ever year,” Khouri said. “It’s a fun event with a lot of laughs and the patients enjoy giving their doctors orders for an evening.”

For more information about the event and to purchase raffle tickets, contact Jennifer Schaefer, major gifts officer at 419.383.5071or Jeanie Kunzer, manager of Loma Linda Restaurant at 419.865.5455.

Media Coverage
WTOL 11 (August 16, 2016)

The Ryan White Program at The University of Toledo Medical Center is encouraging families to openly discuss HIV/AIDS prevention and care.

The program’s support group, Young, Gay and Empowered is sponsoring a speaker and forum entitled “A Mother’s Story” at 6 p.m. Monday, July 25 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1201 Madison Ave. The event is free and open to the public.

According to the Lucas County Health Department the number of HIV/AIDS infections among young people ages 15-24 has significantly and consistently increased during the last eight years. This age group accounted for 42 percent of the HIV/AIDS cases in 2014.

“The largest growing demographic for new HIV infections is young African-American men and men of all races and ethnicities who have sex with other men,” said Richard Meeker, manager of fundraising and special projects. “We need to encourage these young men to talk to their families and seek the care they need to live healthier lives.”

Kennyetta White, minority outreach coordinator, agreed saying many young people face social stigmas that keep them from seeking help.

“It is our goal to reach beyond these stigmas to encourage young men to get tested and if they are diagnosed with HIV, link them to support and health services and retain them in the support program long term,” she said.

Toledoan Toni Epperson will serve as keynote speaker. She will share the story of her son, David, who kept his HIV diagnosis a secret until it was too late.

“We had a close relationship and I thought he would tell me anything,” she said. “What I later learned was he was too afraid to come forward. He thought he would be shamed for his diagnosis and wanted to protect me from that. My son’s secret killed him.”

Epperson said she wants to tell young men that their lives matter and they don’t need to die needlessly.

“There is help out there,” she said. “I want them to know they are not alone and that they do not have to go through what David went through. I want them to know I care.”

Media Coverage
The Blade (July 26, 2016)

Starting this week, University of Toledo undergraduate and graduate student volunteers joined physicians, nurses and other health professionals as a part of a patient’s care team at The University of Toledo Medical Center.

Students pursuing a health-related career such as nursing, pre-med, pharmacy, social work or health care administration began rounds as patient advocate assistants (PAA) to provide a unique service to patients during their stay at UTMC.

A part of the Service Excellence Department, the patient advocate assistant serves as a patient resource, answering questions, facilitating communication between patients and hospital staff, troubleshooting when challenges arise and ensuring patients are comfortable while they are recovering in the hospital.

“Communication issues are the main criticism patients have with hospitals nationwide,” said Debra O’Connell, UTMC patient advocate. “This program will help improve two-way communication with our patients and their family members while providing a unique learning opportunity for UT students enrolled in various health-related careers.”

The field of health care is complex and patients and their family members can find a hospital stay overwhelming.

Allison Gerren and Mahbod Pourriahi, UT patient advocate assistants talk with UTMC patient, Louis Turley during his recent hospital stay.

“It’s not always easy for a patient to ask their physicians questions about their care, or they may think of something after the doctor has finished rounds,” said UT student Mahbod Pourriahi, a patient advocate assistant studying bioengineering. “That’s where we come in. We spend time visiting with the patient, understanding their concerns and gathering any questions they may have for their health care team.”

Patient advocate assistants also ensure patients are resting comfortably during their stay.

“We visit patients on their second day in the hospital,” said future UT medical student Allison Gerren, a patient advocate assistant. “I was expecting to meet patients who were sad or in a lot of pain, but instead I found patients smiling and laughing and happy to talk with me. It brightens my day and I look forward to doing rounds.”

Ten students have completed the training program and 15 additional students are entering phase two of training. The students will begin regular rounds within UTMC’s cardiovascular unit and medical/surgical step-down and neurology units. There are plans to expand the program to other areas of the hospital as more students enter the program.

“The program is another way UTMC strives to provide excellent patient care while training future doctors, nurses, pharmacists and hospital administrators,” said Dustin Ballinger, UTMC Cardiovascular Unit nursing director. “This program provides another avenue for checking in on our patients and receiving their feedback.”

Students also benefit from the opportunity to build relationships with medical professionals, get real-world experience interacting with patients and practice communication and customer service skills.

“We want each and every patient to know that they are our priority,” said O’Connell. “Patients and their families should feel comfortable with all decisions and plans that are made during their stay. We encourage patients to be more active during consultations with physicians. The goal of this program is to provide the best care possible for the patient.”

The students in the program said they have learned valuable skills from the training experience and are ready to begin visiting their own patient caseload.

“The training has really helped me to become more comfortable approaching and talking to people in need of care,” Pourriahi said. “I think working with patients now will make me a better and more receptive doctor in the future.”

Media Coverage
WTOL 11 (June 3, 2016)

The University of Toledo Health’s Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center and University of Toledo Physicians were selected to participate in a Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) pilot program designed to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of oncology specialty care.

UT Health will participate in the five-year program along with 195 other physician groups as a part of Vice President Joe Biden’s Cancer Moonshot plan to accelerate cancer research. The Oncology Care Model pilot began July 1 and ends June 20, 2021.

The goal of the Oncology Care Model is to enhance the care delivery process through nationally-recognized clinical guidelines for beneficiaries undergoing chemotherapy. These enhanced services could include:

• Coordination of appointments with providers within and outside the oncology practice to ensure timely delivery of diagnostic and treatment services;

• 24/7 access to care when needed;
• Arrangement of diagnostic scans and follow up with other members of the medical team such as surgeons, radiation oncologists and other specialists that support the beneficiary through cancer treatment;
• Ensuring data from scans, blood work and other tests are received in advance of patient appointments; and
• Access to additional patient resources, such as support groups, pain management services and clinical trials.

“The Dana Cancer Center’s treatment plans and programs are designed to provide our patients with this sort of comprehensive
care and support,” said Chris Kosinski, clinic manager at the Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center. “We are proud to be a part of this national best practice model. We continually seek to improve patient care and the Oncology Care Model will provide oversight and guidance as we work to facilitate advanced treatment and recovery from one of the most aggressive and invasive diseases we fight today.”

The Oncology Care Model represents a shift of basing provider payments on the quality of care delivered rather than quantity. Practices are encouraged to improve care and lower costs through episode- and performance-based payments that reward high-quality patient care. The model is one of the first CMS physician-led specialty care models and builds on key points from other innovative programs and private-sector models.

“The feedback we receive from the data collected during this initiative will serve to strengthen and optimize our nationally-accredited oncology program,” said Allen Seifert, director of the Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center. “We are proud to be a part of a group of providers dedicated to putting the patients’ needs first.”

In 2015 the cancer program at UT Health was one of only 47 cancer providers to earn the Outstanding Achievement Award from the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer. The award recognizes cancer programs that achieve excellence in providing quality patient care. Additionally, the center was named one of “100 hospitals and health systems with great oncology programs” by Becker’s Hospital Review.

Media Coverage
13 ABC (June 7, 2016)

Erectile Dysfunction is a problem more common than men are willing to admit. Although it can be an uncomfortable topic, men shouldn’t shy away from discussing sexual health concerns with their physician.

Men’s health issues such as erectile dysfunction, low testosterone or incontinence are not only a quality of life concern, but also can be linked to potentially serious health risks including heart disease, hypertension and diabetes.

June is Men’s Health Month and UT physicians say it is an excellent time for men to take inventory of how they are feeling and to take action if they are experiencing sexual health symptoms. It is important for a man to schedule an appointment with a urologist if he experiences any the following:

• Erectile dysfunction with or without a decrease in sexual desire
• Urinary incontinence or difficulty urinating
• A lump or mass in the testicles
• An elevated PSA level or abnormal prostate exam
• Infertility
• Andropause (male menopause)
• Peyronie’s Disease (penile curvature)

Dr. Ajay Singla

“Oftentimes we initially see a patient because he is having difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection,” said Dr. Ajay Singla, UT Health’s vice chair of urology and director of the UT Men’s Health Clinic. “We may then find the patient has underlying medical condition such as diabetes, vascular disease or obesity causing his symptoms.”

The diagnosis and management of these conditions can be challenging and in some instances could require a more collaborative approach to treatment.

The UT Men’s Health Clinic opened in 2015 to provide the only comprehensive, multidisciplinary clinic of its kind in the region. Since that time, the clinic has grown from three specialists to a team of seven health care providers in urology, cardiology, endocrinology, physical therapy, family medicine and nutrition.

“This collaboration allows us to treat the patient as a whole and address all of his health issues during one appointment,” Singla said. “We are finding our patients appreciate the convenience of seeing multiple specialists at one time and are pleased with the customized medical plans we provide.”

To better consolidate services, the UT Men’s Health Clinic is moving June 28 to the Regency Medical Campus located at 1000 Regency Court. The clinic sees patients on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

The medical team’s emphasis is on common conditions affecting the urological, sexual and reproductive health of men. Services offered include surgical and non-surgical therapies for benign enlargement of the prostate, andropause, infertility, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, permanent sterilization, varicocele, sexual dysfunction, Peyronie’s disease and incontinence.

To make an appointment for the clinic, call 419.383.4360.

Advances in technology now available at UT Health allow physicians to reduce the risk of unnecessary prostate biopsies, more accurately diagnose cancer and provide a clearer picture of treatment options available.

Each year in the United States, more than one million men undergo a prostate biopsy because of an elevated prostate-specific antigen known as PSA or abnormal rectal examination. Unfortunately, up to 800,000 of them will have undergone the invasive and risky biopsy for no reason, as their biopsies are likely to be negative or show non-deadly, non-aggressive disease.

Dr. Samay Jain

“For years, the traditional pathway for prostate cancer detection has been to perform a biopsy if a man had an abnormal PSA or rectal exam” said Dr. Samay Jain, vice chief of staff and division chief of urologic oncology at UT Health. “However, prostate biopsies have come under considerable fire as of late because of the significant risks of severe infection and death in certain cases.”

Fortunately, there is a better way, and it is available right here in northwest Ohio.

Advances in magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI technology, enable UT physicians to see inside the prostate in a safe and noninvasive manner to identify men who truly need biopsies.

“Prostate MRI allows us to see the prostate in a way that was never available before,” Jain said. “In the right hands, this information can be crucial in determining whether a man needs a risky biopsy or not.”

“Not only does MRI help in deciding who needs a biopsy, but for those diagnosed with prostate cancer, the imaging we have aids in tailoring individual treatments for each individual patient.”

Should a patient need to undergo a biopsy, images from the MRI allow for more precise sampling from areas of concern and yield much higher cancer detection rates than performing prostate biopsies without the MRI technology.

June is Men’s Health Month and Dr. Jain reminds men the key to early detection is starting the conversation with their physicians.

“It can be an uncomfortable topic. Men don’t like to talk about prostate screenings for a variety of reasons,” he said. “But, it’s important to have the courage to broach the topic, even if their physicians don’t.

“Also, listen to your loved ones. I think there are many men who owe their lives to their wives and daughters for finally convincing them to schedule an appointment and get screened. By staying proactive, we are confident that we can decrease the number of men dying from prostate cancer in the near future.”

Current American Urological Association Guidelines recommend routine screening for healthy men between the ages of 55 and 69 and recommend a PSA and rectal exam every other year. Men outside of this age range should have a discussion with their doctor on whether prostate cancer screening is right for them.

Cancer patients are invited to take a break from the hard work of fighting cancer for an evening to relax, network with other cancer patients and celebrate life.

The Survivor Celebration will be 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday, June 9 at The University of Toledo Health Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center in recognition of National Cancer Survivor Month in June.

“Each year of survivorship is a reason for joy,” said Renee Schick, manager of Renee’s Survivor Shop in the Dana Cancer Center. “We want to recognize and honor our patients and their caregivers for their strength and courage through the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.”

Survivors and their guests will be treated to live music, games, refreshments and door prizes. They also will have the opportunity to participate in a collaborative mural painting with a local artist and others touched by cancer. Free skin cancer screenings will be offered and the Survivor Shop will be open for shopping.

Experts will be on hand to answer questions and provide advice for survivors in caring for themselves during and after cancer treatment. Patients will receive information about survivorship care, options for treating lymphedema, nutrition advice and health coaching.

“The cancer journey is so different for each patient,” said Michelle Giovanoli, UT Health radiation oncologist therapy manager and breast cancer survivor. “We want to be a resource for continuing support as our patients and their families celebrate life beyond a cancer diagnosis.”

Nearly 200 survivors and their loved ones, along with doctors, nurses and other care providers are expected to attend.

The event is free, but reservations are requested. Email EleanorNDanaCancerCenter@utoledo.edu or call 419.383.5243.

An investigational technology is being studied to determine if it can assist in early breast cancer detection. This investigational technology that is being studied at The University of Toledo Medical Center uses thermal imaging to see if it can identify tumors. The radiation free and painless test uses cool air and a camera to measure the temperature of the skin surface.

Throughout 2016 patients visiting the Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center for a mammogram will be offered the opportunity to participate in the First Sense Medical research study to evaluate the effectiveness of the investigational First Sense Breast Exam procedure. The goal is to enroll up to 2,000 women who are 18 years of age or older in order to compare the results of both tests to determine the potential for the thermal scan to be used as an additional breast cancer detection tool.

“The mammogram has long been used as the standard of care in screening for breast cancer and through this clinical trial we are evaluating the First Sense Breast Exam as an adjunctive screening device for the detection of breast cancer that is radiation free and pain free with no breast compression or any physical contact with the patient. In this study, the First Sense Breast Exam is performed immediately prior to the mammogram in the same clinic visit,” said Dr. Haitham Elsamaloty, a UT radiologist and professor of radiology who is the principal investigator for the study.

The First Sense Breast Exam procedure takes less than 10 minutes. The patient disrobes from the waist up and sits on a chair in front of the machine’s infrared and 3D cameras. Thermal images are then taken from the front and sides of the breasts both before and after cool air is blown on the patient.

The patient is exposed to a cool air to cause normal blood vessels to contract and reduce the temperature of normal tissue, but the blood vessels that feed the tumor do not contract so the temperature of the tumor does not change. The infrared thermal imaging camera measures the difference in skin surface temperature to identify abnormalities.

“The thermal imaging screening could be particularly helpful for younger patients and women with dense breast tissue for which it is more difficult to detect tumors using mammography,” Elsamaloty said.

Media Coverage
13 ABC (May 19, 2016)
NBC 24 (May 19, 2016)