News

UAMS Co-hosts Prosper Ménière Society Symposium in Austria

The 18th International Symposium and Workshops on Inner Ear Medicine and Surgery – hosted by the Prosper Ménière Society, along with the UAMS Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery – attracted 60 attendees, including 28 speakers and representation from 18 countries.

The March 17-24 event was one of the most-well-attended in the symposium’s history.

“Over a year of planning for this event certainly paid off, as it was one of our best meetings to date,” said symposium organizer John Dornhoffer, M.D., chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery in the UAMS College of Medicine and executive director of the Prosper Ménière Society. “Our esteemed colleagues presented on a broad spectrum of topics, from cochlear implantation to innovative surgical techniques and cutting-edge therapies. There was a lot of enthusiasm at the conference, which is an indication of the current climate of exciting advances in the field.”

Group posing with award — Michael Teixido, M.D., Wilmington, Delaware; Chunfu Dai, M.D., Ph.D., Shanghai, China; Joel Goebel, M.D., St. Louis, Missouri (2018 Gold Medal Award recipient); and John Dornhoffer, M.D., Little Rock, Arkansas

The symposium was held at the Hotel Theresa in Zell am Ziller, Austria, which provided a charming backdrop, giving participants the choice of winter sports or relaxation between sessions. Presentations highlighted the latest in the medical and surgical treatment of inner ear disorders, including the diagnosis and treatment of tinnitus and vertigo, as well as cochlear implantation.

Joel Goebel, M.D., from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, was presented with the Gold Medal Award. Goebel is professor and vice chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and director of the Dizziness and Balance Center at Washington University School of Medicine. Goebel’s keynote address was “Ménière’s Disease, Vestibular Migraine and PPPD: What is the Connection?”

The Gold Medal Award is given annually to an individual who has furthered the goals of the Prosper Ménière Society through research excellence, scientific innovation, and far-reaching contributions to the investigation of inner ear disorders.

Goebel is the author of more than 130 peer-reviewed and invited publications and abstracts and the editor of the text “Practical Management of the Dizzy Patient,” second edition. His research interests include clinical studies to refine the Gaze Stabilization and the Video Head Impulse tests, development of a screening history tool for triage of dizzy patients, and the BalCap vibrotactile device for rehabilitation of chronic imbalance.

Group posing for photo — Seated: Jan Helms, M.D., Ph.D., 2001 Gold Medal Award recipient; and Paul Van de Heyning, M.D., Ph.D., 2014 Gold Medal Award recipient. Standing: Joel Goebel, M.D., 2018 Gold Medal Award recipient; John Dornhoffer, M.D., Prosper Ménière Society Executive Director; Chris Raine, M.D., Bingley, United Kingdom; and Ludwig Moser, Schattwald, Austria

“It was our honor to recognize Dr. Goebel at this year’s meeting,” Dornhoffer said. “His extensive research and contributions to the treatment of inner ear disorders speaks volumes about his dedication to the field. He is well-regarded among his peers, and it was only fitting that we recognize him in this way.”

Goebel is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the American Otological Society, the American Neurotology Society (President 2006-2007), the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS), the Triological Society, the Barany Society, the Prosper Ménière Society, and the Association for Research in Otolaryngology. He is currently the chairman of the AAO-HNS Equilibrium Committee and was inducted into the Royal College of Surgeons in 2010.

The next symposium has been scheduled for March 20-28, 2020, and information about abstract submission and meeting registration will be provided on the society website (www.ProsperMeniere.com).

“We certainly hope to build on the momentum of this year’s event while planning the next,” Dornhoffer said. “Hope to see you in 2020.”

The Prosper Ménière Society was founded in 1981 by the International

Meniere’s Disease Research Institute of the Colorado Otologic Research Center. Its primary goal is to promote the academic dissemination and discussion of clinical research data on Ménière’s disease and all aspects of inner ear dysfunction, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment.

By Amy Widner | April 26th, 2018 |

Patients, Caregivers, Doctors Unite at Parkinson’s Forum

Nearly 200 people came together at UAMS for the fourth annual Parkinson’s Forum to give the disease a one-two punch.

One: Arm yourself with the latest information about the treatment of Parkinson’s.

Two: Surround yourself with a community of fellow patients, caregivers and supporters.

Knockout!

Audience members shadow boxing — The audience practices their boxing skills.

This year, the punching was more than just a metaphor. Danny Dring, owner of and master instructor at Living Defense Martial Arts in Sherwood, demonstrated Rock Steady Boxing, a boxing program specifically designed to increase coordination, speed and confidence for Parkinson’s patients.

Following Dring’s instructions, the crowd held their arms overhead and circled their wrists and they popped up and down out of their chairs to warm up, and then they used their fists to fight the phantom foes in the air before them.

Event organizer Erika Petersen, M.D., a neurosurgeon and associate professor in the UAMS College of Medicine’s Department of Neurosurgery, said they try to include an exercise demonstration like Dring’s at each event. Previously they’ve had Thai Chi, and future programs might include chair yoga or salsa dancing.

Erika Petersen, M.D., speaks at a podium — Erika Petersen, M.D., associate professor of neurosurgery and director of the Section of Functional and Restorative Neurosurgery, organizes the annual forum.

Exercise is part of the well-rounded, multidisciplinary approach to treating Parkinson’s at the Movement Disorders Clinic at UAMS.

“We launched the Parkinson’s Forum a few years after forming the multidisciplinary movement disorders program, which is unique in the state. We have a comprehensive program where everything is under one roof – neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists, physical therapists, researchers, speech-language pathologists and other specialists,” Petersen said. “We wanted to provide patients with a way to learn about everything we are working on and what’s new with Parkinson’s research and treatment, while building community at the same time.”

Forty people attended the first Parkinson’s Forum, which has grown steadily from there.

This year’s event was held April 15 at the UAMS Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute. It featured experts in the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s, information on research and clinical trials and discussions for patients and caregivers about living with the disease. For the first time this year, doctors, nurses and pharmacists could apply for continuing medical education for attending the forum.

Topics included:

Clinical trials basics for Parkinson’s disease
Cognition in Parkinson’s disease
Panels on multidisciplinary approaches to mild as well as moderate and advanced Parkinson’s disease
Deep brain stimulation: what’s new?

Panel of experts on stage — Rachel Beckham; from left, Mary Latham; Tuhin Virmani, M.D./Ph.D.; and Shannon Doerhoff participate in a panel conversation.

Movement disorders include essential tremor, Huntington’s disease, ataxia, Tourette’s syndrome and other conditions that cause tremors, involuntary movements and difficulty walking.

Petersen is director of the Section of Functional and Restorative Neurosurgery at UAMS. A fellowship-trained neurosurgeon, Petersen can perform a number of specialized surgeries, including deep brain stimulation, which acts similar to a pacemaker for the brain and blocks some of the signals that cause the increasingly debilitating symptoms of Parkinson’s, dystonia and essential tremor that can make daily life difficult.

For more information or to join a list to receive updates about future Parkinson’s events, call 501-686-5270.

By Amy Widner | April 24th, 2018 |

KidneyCon 2018 Spotlights Advances, Careers in Nephrology

‘Learn one, do one and teach one’ has been a longstanding idea in medical education, and attendees at the third annual UAMS KidneyCon held April 6-8 each got chances at one or more of those experiences.

About 100 nephrologists, nephrology fellows and internal medicine residents from 26 states attended the conference sponsored by the UAMS College of Medicine’s Division of Nephrology. The event held sessions at the Clinton Presidential Center, the Marriott Hotel in downtown Little Rock, and the UAMS Education II building.

The conference provided updates on the latest advances in kidney care in a hands-on collaborative format and helped build enthusiasm for the field of nephrology among residents and fellows. KidneyCon had an active social media impact with 1,770 tweets and 4.2 million impressions during the week of the conference.

Workshops with standardized patients were used to simulate realistic practice conditions. Attendees used simulation technology and cadavers to practice renal biopsies and perform ultrasounds.

John Arthur, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Division of Nephrology in the College of Medicine’s Department of Internal Medicine, led an informal panel discussion for several beginning residents and fellows titled, “House Staff to Physician: How Do I Get There from Here?”

“This is my philosophy about how to tie grants into your career,” Arthur said. “It’s not easy to do research as a resident, but it’s important. If you can show you were able to do that, they will be impressed. Identify a mentor, work with that mentor and then think about how things fit together. People who want that role as mentor want to be sure their knowledge is passed on.”

Also on the panel was Matthew Sparks, M.D., assistant professor of medicine in the Department of Nephrology at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, and Brent Wagner, M.D., Kidney Institute of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

In his presentation, Arthur explained the differences between National Institutes of Health training grant and research grant programs. Panelists and attendees discussed mentoring, how to use social media, academic advancement and choosing the right research project.

Other sessions covered topics such as dialysis, communication skills, vascular ultrasound, kidney pathology, interventional nephrology, nephrology education, acute kidney injury and liver disease, and kidney and calcium stones and urological interventions.

“KidneyCon was a fantastic opportunity for residents and fellows to engage in current topics in nephrology and seek out mentors,” said Nhi Tan, M.D., chief medical resident at Kaiser Oakland Medical Center in Oakland, California. “The conference ran smoothly, and the workshops were dynamic. I am only sorry that I could only attend two workshops.”

“I think to gain interest in nephrology you need conferences such as KidneyCon,” said Kenar Jhaveri, M.D., assistant professor of medicine at Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. “They really make this a unique, small group experience where you can interact with faculty one on one, which can really spark interest in the field. When you have small group experiences, it means trainees get a chance to meet the top notch nephrology educators face to face.”

By Ben Boulden | April 23rd, 2018 |

UAMS Fights Opioid Epidemic on All Fronts

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) is attacking the nationwide opioid epidemic on multiple fronts that have produced new research and treatment options for patients and health care providers across Arkansas and beyond.

“As the state’s only health sciences university, UAMS is uniquely positioned to address this issue head on for the betterment of all Arkansans,” said Interim Chancellor Stephanie Gardner, Pharm.D., Ed.D. “Our researchers are grounded in a scientific approach, our faculty are committed to both education and clinical care, and our influence in health care reaches throughout the state. We are summoning these resources in an effort to turn the tide on this deadly epidemic.”

There were 116 deaths per day from opioid-related drug overdoses in the United States in 2016, according to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services. Arkansas ranks second in the nation for its opioid prescribing rate with an average of 114.6 prescriptions per 100 people, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data from 2014-2016.

Research to improve understanding of opioid addiction and its treatment is ongoing in departments across campus, and some of it is having national impact.

For example, the Centers for Disease Control Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report published a study in 2017 led by UAMS pharmacy professor Bradley Martin, Pharm.D., Ph.D., that showed that by prescribing patients opioid supplies of three days or less, providers can reduce the likelihood of the patient using opioids chronically one to three years later.

The UAMS Psychiatric Research Institute’s Division of Health Services Research, directed by Teresa Hudson, Pharm.D., Ph.D., is conducting a variety of studies related to opioid addiction, including opioid addiction among people with mental health diagnoses and among veterans.

One study found that people with mental health and substance abuse diagnoses receiving therapy and regular doctor checkups were less likely to die, but only if they were not prescribed opioids or benzodiazepines. Another study showed that veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan were prescribed opioids at rates similar to the rest of the U.S. population, indicating that overprescribing is a nationwide issue not specific to veterans. Three related studies are looking at methods to decrease opioid use and improve pain management among veterans with chronic pain.

Peter Crooks, Ph.D., is working to develop safer opioid molecules that work better for pain than existing drugs, with fewer side effects and less potential for addiction. Within the Women’s Mental Health Program, Jessica L. Coker, M.D., is studying opioid addiction in pregnant women. Lisa Brents, Ph.D., is developing new therapies for opioid addiction during pregnancy that reduce fetal exposure to opioids. William Fantegrossi, Ph.D., is studying new types of opioids and whether they are more addictive than older types or require more aggressive treatments for dependence and overdose. Benjamin Teeter, Ph.D., is studying ways to more effectively distribute naloxone, which is used to treat opioid overdoses in emergency situations, in the community. Bradley Martin is also about to initiate a study to see if physical therapy can interrupt long-term opioid use among patients with low back pain.

The Psychiatric Research Institute’s Center for Addiction Research has many ongoing studies related to improving opioid detoxification treatments by testing different methods and drugs or combinations of the two.

In addition to performing the kind of research that could change physician behavior nationwide, UAMS clinicians are turning a critical eye to their own behavior in the name of improvement.

UAMS is the state’s largest public employer, with a hospital, five colleges, seven institutes, a Northwest Arkansas campus, a network of regional centers statewide and physician placement partnerships with Arkansas Children’s Hospital, the VA Medical Center and Baptist Health.

With such a wide reach, changes to the institution’s internal processes can have a huge impact.

For example, colorectal surgeons in the UAMS College of Medicine Department of Surgery set out to change the way its physicians helped their patients manage pain, limiting opioid use as part of a comprehensive Enhanced Recovery Protocol. The process began with a year of internal education about the new approach and the evidence to back it up, followed by an official kickoff in 2015.

The latest data show that over a two-year period, narcotic use decreased 40 percent. Patients who are not prescribed narcotics are well enough for discharge an average of 1.5 days sooner. Complications resulting in readmission are also down among those patients.

“When we looked at the data, we saved about $2 million over two years just in length of stay alone, and if we accounted for other factors, like the reduction in complications and readmissions, we’re probably saving more,” said Jonathan A. Laryea, M.D., colorectal surgeon and associate professor of surgery. “More importantly, what’s behind those numbers is that our patients are doing better and getting better sooner. We’ve known for some time in the literature that narcotics impede recovery and increase complications, but now we have our own institutional data to show that’s true.”

Meanwhile, the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery conducted a similar internal review and developed its own opioid prescription guidelines. Simon Mears, M.D., orthopaedic surgeon and professor of orthopaedic surgery, helped lead that effort. In a little more than a year, their narcotic prescriptions have decreased by a third.

Both Laryea and Mears said it’s common for patients to come to them for surgery already on high doses of opioids prescribed to them by other doctors.

“So we are working on it from both ends,” Mears said. “In orthopaedics, it’s been incredibly common in the past for people to be prescribed narcotics for things like osteoarthritis, when in fact they don’t help. There has also been evidence to show that if people are on narcotics before surgery, they actually do worse with something like a knee replacement. So communicating with patients about that has become a big part of our effort.”

With that issue in mind, the orthopaedics team enlisted the help of UAMS’ Center for Health Literacy, which produced clear and easy-to-read materials about opioids to help with doctor-patient discussions about pain management and expectations before and after surgery.

There has been interest from outside groups to adopt the protocols developed by the Orthopaedics Department and the accompanying patient information materials.

The Emergency Department, with the help of the Pharmacy & Therapeutics Service Line, conducted a similar review of the amount of opioids being prescribed to patients when they are discharged from the Emergency Department. It found the averages were within an appropriate range, but recommended improvements in the electronic prescribing process and better written guidelines for opioid prescribing.

They revised prescribing protocols and updated the automatic defaults of opioid orders within the electronic health record. In addition, they are seeking ways to make it easier for prescribers to see potential alternatives to opioids — such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, acetaminophen, hot/cold treatments and physical therapy.

Moving beyond the walls of UAMS, education and outreach are elements of achieving the institution’s mission of improving the health of all Arkansans. Professionals from across the state will have access to the latest information at the Arkansas Pain Management Symposium at UAMS on April 28.

Educating the next generation of caregivers is critical. UAMS has 2,834 students, 822 medical residents and six dental residents.

In the College of Pharmacy, faculty are bringing their direct clinical experience with the crisis to bear as they educate future pharmacists. Victoria Seaton, Pharm.D., works in veteran mental health at an inpatient psychiatric unit in Fayetteville, where she also brings students for firsthand experience. The most common diagnosis is addiction combined with chronic pain.

In the classroom, the College of Pharmacy’s curriculum has included a section on chemical addiction for more than 30 years.

“This is not a typical course required by other colleges, but our leadership recognized the importance of educating future pharmacists on the problems arising from addictive diseases, including alcohol and drug abuse,” Seaton said.

This year, they dedicated extra hours on discussing the opioid crisis, educating on pharmacists’ role with administering naloxone and emphasizing non-opioid pain management.

In the College of Medicine, James Graham, M.D., associate dean for undergraduate medical education, tracks the overall curriculum to ensure that medical students learn about all of the necessary topics, including opioids. In response to the crisis, the college’s leaders have made changes to how the information about opioids is presented to emphasize the dangers of its abuse and potential for overdose.

“One of the issues that led to the opioid crisis was a lack of education among doctors about the dangers of opioids and the nature of addiction in general,” Graham said. “We’re making sure that the next generation of doctors doesn’t have those same gaps in their knowledge.”

Direct clinical care related to opioid abuse is another vital part of the effort. The Emergency Department and UAMS Medical Center treat opioid overdose patients. The Psychiatric Research Institute’s Center for Addiction Services and Treatment treats opioid addiction through medication and group therapy. It has one program specifically for female patients. The institute’s Women’s Mental Health Program treats opioid addiction in pregnant and postpartum women.

Finally, UAMS physicians are dedicated to the approach of not prescribing opioids for conditions where there is no scientific evidence that they help and plenty of evidence that they are actually a hindrance to treatment or recovery. This deceptively simple tactic has been complicated in the past by a lack of awareness about the issue among health care providers and patients themselves.

“When they heard ‘no’ from us, they would just go somewhere else,” said Dale M. Carter, M.D., a neurologist specializing in headaches. “Narcotics, it’s been proven, don’t work with headaches. Opioids are one of the worst things you can prescribe for someone with chronic migraines – they may see temporary benefit, but soon require escalating doses to recapture pain relief. Along with dose increases, there is central nervous system depression, cognitive issues, constipation and other side effects. Finding an effective treatment is a multifaceted approach. It takes patience and a lot of trial and error. Often, people would just opt for what seemed like the easier answer, the opioid. So I am excited about there being greater awareness among doctors and the public now. If patients hear ‘no’ everywhere, that’s a big part of what is going to turn this crisis around – solidarity.”

UAMS is the state’s only health sciences university, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; hospital; northwest Arkansas regional campus; statewide network of regional centers; and seven institutes: the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, Myeloma Institute, Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, Psychiatric Research Institute, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging and Translational Research Institute. It is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state. UAMS has 2,834 students, 822 medical residents and six dental residents. It is the state’s largest public employer with more than 10,000 employees, including 1,200 physicians who provide care to patients at UAMS, its regional campuses throughout the state, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, the VA Medical Center and Baptist Health. Visit www.uams.edu or www.uamshealth.com. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram.

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Baileys Give $150,000 to Create Distinguished Otology Lectureship

Sharon and H.A. Ted Bailey, M.D., members of the Society of the Double Helix, have been steadfast supporters of UAMS for decades, particularly when it comes to education. So it’s only fitting that the Baileys chose to continue that tradition by establishing a distinguished otology lectureship with a gift of $150,000.

The Sharon and Dr. Ted Bailey Distinguished Lectureship in Otology will support lectures, seminars and other education forums that will allow UAMS to invite and host renowned physicians and researchers as guest speakers to share their knowledge and advances in the field. Otology is the study of the anatomy and diseases of the ear.

“Sharon and I are pleased to continue our support of UAMS by bringing renowned otologic physicians and researchers to share the latest developments in this field,” said Ted Bailey. “Our goal for this distinguished lectureship series is to keep UAMS at the forefront of otologic care and thereby benefit the many thousands of Arkansans who suffer from hearing loss and other ear problems.”

Ted Bailey, a 1947 College of Medicine graduate, taught UAMS medical students and residents for many years, including a young James Suen, M.D. Suen, a distinguished professor in the College of Medicine, served as chair of the Department of Otolaryngology for 43 years.

“Dr. Bailey gave lectures to me when I was a student,” said Suen. “When I was a resident in training, I spent time in his office and he spent a lot of time teaching me. We became good friends after I became chairman of the department, and that relationship has grown over the years. I am thankful that this lectureship will honor Dr. Bailey indefinitely and greatly enhance the education of our residents and faculty. Dr. Bailey was one of the premier otologic surgeons in the U.S. He has restored hearing in thousands of patients.”

The lectureship will benefit the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery in the College of Medicine, which Ted Bailey oversaw for several years when it was still a division.

“Dr. Ted Bailey is an icon for ear surgery in Arkansas,” said John Dornhoffer, M.D., chair of the Department of Otolaryngology. “This generous gift will allow us to bring national and international experts in hearing and balance disorders as invited lecturers to continue this tradition of excellence in otology.”

The department plans to expand research in hearing loss and cochlear implantation in addition to its renowned research in head and neck cancers and vascular malformations, Dornhoffer said.

By Benjamin Waldrum | April 17th, 2018 |

Comprehensive Epilepsy Center Earns Highest Accreditation Level

The Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has been accredited with the highest designation available from the National Association of Epilepsy Centers.

The Level 4 accreditation means that UAMS is capable of performing the most complex surgeries for the treatment of epilepsy. The accreditation is valid through December 2019. The nearest adult Level 4 epilepsy programs are in Jackson, Mississippi, and Dallas.

UAMS has hired fellowship-trained neurosurgeon Viktoras Palys, M.D., who is capable of performing complex epilepsy surgeries including placing temporary recording electrodes on the surface of the brain or implanting them within the brain tissue. These procedures assist in planning the surgical approach for particular patients.

The center offers a broad range of surgical procedures for epilepsy. In addition to the spectrum of brain surgeries it offers MRI-guided laser ablation for the diseased brain tissue along with placement of responsive brain stimulation (RNS, Neuropace) and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) devices. For the minimally invasive diagnostic and/or treatment procedures, the robotic stereotactic assistance (ROSA) is available to supplement the traditional surgical navigation tools.

Palys joins epileptologists Bashir Sami Shihabuddin, M.D., and Ikram Khan, M.D., as well as a multidisciplinary team dedicated to the treatment of epilepsy, including neuroradiologists, neuropsychologists, pharmacists and social workers.

Shihabuddin, medical director of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center and a professor in the Department of Neurology in the UAMS College of Medicine, said in addition to highlighting programs with advanced surgical capabilities, the Level 4 designation signals a dedication to a team approach and comprehensive care.

“Many patients with epilepsy will not need these advanced surgeries, but they benefit from being treated at a comprehensive epilepsy center, where we can offer patients the whole scope of treatments available, backed up by the technology and expertise necessary,” Shihabuddin said.

Epilepsy can be difficult to diagnose and complex to manage. Shihabuddin said about 30 percent of patients referred to the center for treatment actually turn out to be non- epileptic. For many others, accurate diagnosis of a specific epilepsy syndrome might lead to changes to anti-seizure medications that can result in vast improvements.

The center can provide minimally invasive procedures for the treatment of epilepsy such as implanting stimulation devices such as responsive neurostimulators or vagus nerve stimulators. The center also offers Video-EEG monitoring technology, neuropsychological assessment, MRI scans, PET scans and Ictal SPECT scans that are tailored specifically for epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a common and serious neurological condition that is characterized by repeated unprovoked seizures. Seizures are caused by abnormal bursts of electrical activity in the brain. They cause spells of altered behavior, consciousness, emotions or sensations. They might be mild with brief experiences like changes in vision, unusual tastes or smells, tingling or a sense of déjà vu. They can also be severe, such as convulsive seizures with violent muscle stiffening and contractions.

There are several types of epileptic seizures and epilepsy disorders. Epilepsy can result from multiple causes such as head trauma, abnormalities in brain structure and genetic predisposition. But in many cases the cause of seizures remains unknown.

Early treatment is key. The National Association of Epilepsy Centers recommends that patients whose seizures are not under control after three months of treatment by a primary care physician should seek treatment from a neurologist. Patients who have been seeing a general neurologist and are still experiencing seizures after 12 months should request a referral to an epilepsy center with an epileptologist.

Palys received his medical degree from Kaunas Medical University in Lithuania, followed by general surgery residency training at Lithuanian University of Health Sciences in Kaunas. He completed his general surgery internship at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Metropolitan Group Hospitals, and neurosurgery residency training at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. He also obtained additional functional and stereotactic neurosurgery training at a Virginia Commonwealth University fellowship directed by Kathryn L. Holloway, M.D.

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By Amy Widner | April 16th, 2018|

Psychiatry Faculty Honored

Dr. Margaret Weiss Named to School Safety Panel

Margaret Weiss, M.D., Ph.D., Professor and Director of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry, has been appointed to the Arkansas School Safety Commission. The 18-member group, which met for the first time on March 13, has been commissioned by Gov. Asa Hutchinson to assess the security of Arkansas’ schools and make recommendations accordingly.

The commissioners will evaluate school designs, safety and security policies, emergency plans and policies, school counseling and mental health issues. They will also look at school-security data, including issues such as single-point entry, electronic access badges, and school resource officers. The commission’s initial report is due to Gov. Hutchinson on July 1.

Dr. Jeffrey Clothier Honored by APA

Jeffrey Clothier, M.D., Professor and Executive Vice-Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Medical Director of the Psychiatric Research Institute, has been named a Distinguished Life Fellow by the American Psychiatric Association (APA).

As the APA’s highest membership honor, the Distinguished Fellowship recognizes outstanding psychiatrists who have also made significant contributions to the psychiatric profession in multiple areas such as administration, teaching, scientific and scholarly publications, volunteering in mental health and medical activities of social significance and community involvement. Dr. Clothier will be honored at a May 7 ceremony at the APA’s annual meeting in New York City.

Public Invited to UAMS Parkinson’s Forum With Updates on Treatment, Research

The public is invited to the Parkinson’s Forum, which is presented by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and features experts in the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s, information on research and clinical trials and discussions for patients and caregivers about living with the disease.

The free event will be held from 1-5 p.m. April 15 on the 12th floor of the UAMS Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute. Parking will be available in parking deck number 3 on the east side of campus and connected by an indoor walking bridge to the event site.

The event is designed for those living with Parkinson’s disease, their family members, doctors, nurses, other health care professionals and those interested in knowing more about the disease. Doctors, nurses and pharmacists will be able to apply for continuing medical education for attending the forum.

The fourth annual event of its kind, the Parkinson’s Forum began as a way to build community among Parkinson’s patients, their doctors and caregivers. It serves as a vehicle for sharing the latest medical advances and building networks of support.

“We know that there’s more to living with Parkinson’s than we’re able to cover during visits to the doctor’s office, and we also know that patients and caregivers have a lot to teach us as physicians and researchers,” said event organizer Erika Petersen, M.D., a neurosurgeon and associate professor in the UAMS College of Medicine’s Department of Neurosurgery. “We hope this serves as forum for those important conversations.”

The schedule includes presentations, panels, a question-and-answer session and time for mingling with experts.

Each year, organizers try to include an example of a physical exercise for Parkinson’s. This year, Danny Dring, owner of and master instructor at Living Defense Martial Arts in Sherwood, will demonstrate Rock Steady Boxing, a boxing program specifically designed to increase coordination, speed and confidence for Parkinson’s patients.

The agenda includes:

Clinical trials basics for Parkinson’s disease
Cognition in Parkinson’s disease
Boxing for Parkinson’s disease
Panels on multidisciplinary approaches to mild as well as moderate and advanced Parkinson’s disease
Deep brain stimulation: what’s new?

Parkinson’s disease is treated as part of the Movement Disorders Clinic at UAMS. Movement disorders include essential tremor, Huntington’s disease, ataxia, Tourette’s syndrome and other conditions that cause tremors, involuntary movements and difficulty walking. The UAMS Movement Disorder team provides a well-coordinated, multidisciplinary approach, which includes neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists and other specialists offering comprehensive care using the latest technologies and treatments.

For more information or to join a list to receive updates about future Parkinson’s events, call 501-686-5270.

By Amy Widner | April 11th, 2018 |

Pennsylvania Woman Finds Better Life Through UAMS Pain Clinic

Carye Beavers is always in pain. The 45-year-old has a degenerative bone disease that was made worse by a car accident in 2011.

Before she discovered relief from the UAMS pain management clinic, Beavers says her days usually ended around noon because it hurt too much to function regularly beyond that.

“On a scale of 1 to 10, my day-to-day pain was at an 8,” Beavers said. “By the end of the day, I was in so much pain, I couldn’t function. I was literally in tears in bed without any hope it would get better.”

UAMS patient Carye Beavers says the UAMS Pain Clinic greatly improved her quality of life.

Beavers soon found a solution at the UAMS Pain Clinic with Johnathan Goree, M.D., an anesthesiologist who specializes in pain management.

Goree says there are several surgical and non-surgical options to treat pain without opioid medication. Beavers receives non-surgical steroid injections.

“The injections reduce inflammation in nerves and in the muscle,” Goree said. “We find the specific area that is inflamed, either joints or nerves, and target it with either x-ray or ultrasound guidance. Then we inject a local anesthetic mixed with a steroid to calm the inflamed area.”

Beavers receives a steroid injection about every six to eight months. A year ago, she moved from Little Rock to Lebanon, Pennsylvania. But she still makes the trip back to Arkansas for her treatment.

“There are no doctors I could find in my area that will do this type of pain management,” Beavers said. “They won’t even discuss it even with the success I’ve had for the past few years.”

Beavers’ latest injection was during Spring Break.

“With Dr. Goree and his team at this clinic, my pain is now at about a 5 or 6,” Beavers said. “For someone who has always been in constant pain, that’s a big deal. That’s a lot of relief.”

Other treatments, Goree says, are nerve ablations and spinal cord stimulation. In ablation, nerves delivering pain signals to the brain are destroyed with either heat, cold or chemicals. Because it’s been damaged, that nerve can no longer send pain signals to the brain.

For spinal cord stimulation, a physician places a device under the patient’s skin that sends electrical signals to the spinal cord. The patient doesn’t feel pain because the electrical pulses mask the pain signal.

For some patients, Goree says they use low-dose methadone because of its long-lasting effects and ability to work on more than one pain receptor.

“Most opioids only work on one receptor,” Goree said. “Eventually, that receptor gets used to the medication and it stops being as effective.”

Goree says low-dose methadone also prevents patients from experiencing peaks and troughs or highs and lows. Since it lasts longer than a drug that works for only a few hours at a time, it keeps the patient at a more steady state.

Methadone is often used to treat patients who have had a previous opioid addiction to prevent withdrawal. Goree emphasizes the medication should only be administered under the care of a trained physician.

Beavers says she appreciates the pain clinic for being open-minded about methods of pain management that fits each individual patient.

“Here, it’s not just a blanket, ‘this is what we do for everyone.’ They care about my life. I’m more than a folder they look at for five minutes before entering the room,” Beavers said. “I feel like they know me and they care. They’re treating me for my future and not just for today, giving me back hope for a quality of life that I had given up on.”

By Katrina Dupins | April 9th, 2018

New Faculty Members

The UAMS College of Medicine recently welcomed new faculty members:

Family Medicine

Geeta Sakariya, M.D., M.P.H., has joined the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Sakariya received her medical degree from Government Medical School in Surat, Gujarat, India, in 2008 and completed her residency in family medicine at the University of North Dakota in Bismarck. She also holds a Master of Public Health in Community Health Education from California State University Long Beach. Prior to coming to UAMS, Dr. Sakariya practiced at Essentia Health-Moorhead Clinic in Minnesota. She was also a Clinical Research Coordinator for the Veterans Affairs Long Beach Health Care System.

Geriatrics

Syed Danish Hasan, M.D., has joined the Department of Geriatrics as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Hasan received his medical degree and interned at Dow Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan. He completed a clinical rotation in the Hemophilia Center at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, a postdoctoral research fellowship at Washington University School of Medicine and an elective rotation in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at St. Louis University Hospital. Dr. Hasan completed his residency in internal medicine at St. Luke’s Hospital in St. Louis and a fellowship in geriatric medicine at St. Louis University Hospital. He sees patients in the Thomas and Lyon Longevity Clinic.

Priya Priyambada, M.D., has joined the Department of Geriatrics as an Assistant Professor. Dr. Priyambada received her medical degree from Kathmandu University School of Medicine in Nepal. She completed residency training in the UAMS Department of Family and Preventive Medicine (DFPM) in 2015, earning the Kenneth G. Goss Physician-Patient Relationship Award. She continued her training with a geriatrics fellowship at UAMS in 2016 and joined the DFPM faculty. She transferred to the Department of Geriatrics, where she sees patients in the Thomas and Lyon Longevity Clinic, this month.

Internal Medicine

Harriet Kose Kayanja, M.D, Ph.D., has joined the Department of Internal Medicine as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. Dr. Kayanja received her medical degree from Mbarara University of Science and Technology in Uganda. She completed her internal medicine residency and pulmonary and critical care fellowship at University Hospital Case Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Prior to joining UAMS, Dr. Kayanja practiced in Dayton, Ohio.