» 2012 News Makers - 02 February
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News Makers 2012

- archived News Makers -

  • 02-29-12
    iPhone App To Help Treat Drug Abuse

    Edward Boyer, MD, PhD, professor of emergency medicine, and Richard Fletcher, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry, visit Fox 25’s morning show to demonstrate the smartphone application called iHeal, which is designed to help detect developing drug cravings and intervene prior to drug use.
    Fox 25

  • 02-29-12
    WPI, UMMS to study health care delivery to elders

    UMass Medical School will work with WPI to find ways to deliver high-quality health care to a growing elderly population.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette
    Worcester Business Journal
    Boston Business Journal

  • 02-29-12
    Melrose-Wakefield Hospital pioneers electronic ICU program

    UMass Memorial Health Care partners with Melrose-Wakefield Hospital to provide an electronic ICU system that connects to the command center at Hahnemann Campus.
    Melrose Free Press

  • 02-29-12
    Lipitor And The Like Blamed For Memory Loss & Diabetes

    An article about the health risks associated with cholesterol lowering drugs cites a study by Yunsheng Ma, PhD, MD, MPH, associate professor of medicine, and Annie L. Culver, pharmacy consultant, showing postmenopausal women using cholesterol-lowering statins are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
    Daily Gossip

  • 02-29-12
    Scientists learn how insects ‘remodel’ their bodies between life stages

    Eric Baehrecke, PhD, professor of cancer biology, is collaborating with Washington University to understand the metamorphosis of the fruit fly.
    Washington University Newsroom
    Psysorg.com

  • 02-29-12
    Sleeping Pills Risks: Study Finds Increased Death Risk From Taking Hypnotics

    Gregg D. Jacobs, PhD, an insomnia specialist at UMass Memorial Medical Center, is quoted in story about the health risks associated with hypnotic sleeping pills.
    The Huffington Post

  • 02-29-12
    T&G Visions award winners lauded by grateful community

    Chancellor Michael F. Collins was the keynote speaker at last night’s 2011 Visions community awards program at Mechanics Hall. During the event, Arthur M. Pappas, MD, professor of orthopedics & physical rehabilitation and pediatrics, and his wife Martha, received the evening’s highest honor, the Isaiah Thomas Award.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 02-28-12
    Smartphone tech battles drug abuse and depression

    A smartphone application called iHeal, designed by Edward Boyer, MD, PhD, professor of emergency medicine, is intended to help detect developing drug cravings as a way to intervene prior to drug use.
    The Express Tribune

  • 02-28-12
    Allscripts And MyCareTeam Launch Integrated Diabetes Management Solution

    UMass Memorial Medical Center is using an integrated diabetes management system from Allscripts and My Care Team to help improve patient care. David M. Harlan, MD, the William and Doris Krupp Professor in Medicine and professor of medicine, is quoted in the story.
    Healthcare Technology Online
    Healthcare IT News

  • 02-27-12
    Medical sensors could phone for help

    A pilot program by Edward Boyer, MD, PhD, professor of emergency medicine, UMMS colleagues, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology explores using an innovative constellation of technologies to prevent and treat drug abuse. Richard Fletcher, assistant professor of psychiatry, is quoted in the story.
    The Boston Globe
    The Daily Free Press
    Smart Planet

  • 02-26-12
    Visions winners

    Arthur M. Pappas, MD, professor of orthopedics & physical rehabilitation and pediatrics, and his wife Martha, will be honored at the 2011 Visions community awards program at Mechanics Hall on Feb. 28 with the Isaiah Thomas Award. Chancellor Michael F. Collins is the scheduled keynote speaker.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 02-26-12
    Unknowns prevail as defense cuts loom

    A story about potential federal defense budget cuts references a DARPA contract awarded to UMass Medical School to develop a tool for studying genomic changes in influenza.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 02-26-12
    Doctors relearn value of listening

    Thomas Houston II, MD, MPH, professor of quantitative health sciences and medicine, comments in an article about using storytelling to change unhealthy behaviors in patients.
    The Columbus Dispatch

  • 02-25-12
    Local mother discusses undergoing chemotherapy while pregnant

    Robert M. Quinlan, MD, professor of surgery and director of the Comprehensive Breast Center at UMass Memorial Medical Center, talks about treating breast cancer in pregnant women.
    Fox 25

  • 02-25-12
    Prescribing pain meds the right way

    An article about the lack of monitoring of prescribed pain medication in patients living with chronic pain cites a report on the subject by Linda G. Clark, MD, assistant professor of family medicine & community health and Carole C. Upshur, EdD, professor of family medicine & community health.
    Clinical Advisor

  • 02-25-12
    Stress Reduction Program helps residents ‘be present’

    Diana Kamila, BA, education specialist and senior teacher at the Stress Reduction Program, teaches Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) techniques to participants.
    Community Advocate

  • 02-24-12
    Community Health Connections turns 10

    A feature story about Community Health Connections in Fitchburg notes that the organization initially began when Robert A. Babineau Jr., MD, assistant professor of family medicine & community health, donated his practice to the University of Massachusetts Medical School in 1978. Beth K. Mazyck, clinical associate professor of family medicine & community health and residency director for the program, is quoted in the story.
    Sentinel and Enterprise

  • 02-23-12
    Screening children for high cholesterol levels

    Darshak M. Sanghavi, MD, associate professor of pediatrics, speaks to Minnesota Public Radio about new recommendations for screening children for high cholesterol levels.
    Minnesota Public Radio News

  • 02-23-12
    UMass Medical School uses smart phones to treat drug abuse

    A smartphone application called iHeal, designed by Edward Boyer, MD, PhD, professor of emergency medicine, is intended to help detect developing drug cravings as a way to intervene prior to drug use.
    Mass High Tech
    BostInno
    Product Design & Development
    TestCountry.com
    PsychCentral

  • 02-23-12
    Big Storm Causes Baby Boom At PMC

    An article about storm-related births in Idaho Falls references a 1995 study by UMass Medical School that concludes there is no clinically significant connection between labor and barometric pressure levels.
    KIFI-TV, Idaho Falls

  • 02-22-12
    Personalized Medicine Reaches Endocrinologists

    UMass Memorial Medical Center is using an integrated diabetes management system from Allscripts and My Care Team to help improve patient care.
    Information Week Healthcare

  • 02-21-12
    iHeal Project develops mobile platform for monitoring and treating drug abuse

    A smartphone application called iHeal, designed by Edward Boyer, MD, PhD, professor of emergency medicine, is intended to help detect developing drug cravings as a way to intervene prior to drug use.
    British Journal of Healthcare Computing
    TruthDive
    The Engineer

  • 02-21-12
    Area Hospital Execs Join Medical Wireless Coalition

    Richard Mohnk, associate chief information officer at UMass Memorial Medical Center, has joined the executive council of West Wireless Health Institute, an independent, nonprofit medical research organization.
    Worcester Business Journal
    Mobile Health News

  • 02-19-12
    Lifetime of making a difference

    Arthur M. Pappas, MD, professor of orthopedics & physical rehabilitation and pediatrics, and his wife Martha, will be honored at the 2011 Visions community awards program at Mechanics Hall on February 28 with the Isaiah Thomas Award. Chancellor Michael F. Collins is the scheduled keynote speaker.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 02-19-12
    Speakers at Clark forum discuss universal right to peace

    An article about a conference on world peace held at Clark University includes comments from attendee Heather-Lyn Haley, PhD, assistant professor of family medicine & community health and medicine.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 02-19-12
    Canton Schools Teamed Up with Mass Children Healthy Smiles to Bring Dental Care to Students

    MASS Children Healthy Smiles, LLC, which is funded in part from a grant provided to UMass Medical School, provides dental care to students in the Canton Public Schools as part of National Dental Health Month.
    Canton Patch

  • 02-17-12
    Take good care of your heart

    David H. Spodick, MD, professor of medicine, is quoted in an article about cardio vascular disease.
    Sun Star

  • 02-17-12
    Study reveals new guiding principles for cancer genomics

    Job Dekker, PhD, professor of biochemistry & molecular pharmacology and molecular medicine, talks about his new study which shows that spatial proximity plays in role in chromosome translocation.
    News Medical
    e! Science News
    Science Codex
    EurekaAlert

  • 02-17-12
    UNH, partners launch new tool for supporting students with genetic conditions

    The New England Genetics Collaborative (NEGC), which includes UMass Medical School, has developed a website for teachers and educators which provides useful tools for those who work with students with genetic conditions.
    Fosters Daily Democrat

  • 02-15-12
    Maria Stephanos sits down with Cellucci

    Former Gov. Paul Cellucci talks with Maria Stephanos about his campaign to raise money for the UMass/ALS Champion Fund, to support ALS research at UMass Medical School. Donations to the UMass/ALS Champion Fund can be made by visiting UMass/ALS Champion Fund.
    Fox 25

  • 02-14-12
    Screening Children for Cholesterol

    A story about new recommendations to screen children for high cholesterol levels includes comments from Darshak M. Sanghavi, MD, associate professor of pediatrics.
    The New York Times

  • 02-13-12
    Have you planked today?

    Sherry Lynn Pagoto, PhD, associate professor of medicine, explains how her #PlankADay tweets became a mini Twitter movement with 2,100 followers.
    Boston.com

  • 02-13-12
    University of Massachusetts President Worries About ‘Simplistic Answer’ To Rising Tuition

    University of Massachusetts President Robert L. Caret, PhD, spoke with WBUR about President Obama’s plan to reign in tuition costs at colleges and universities.
    WBUR

  • 02-13-12
    Future Apps Will Help Detect Mood And Prevent Depression

    A smartphone application called iHeal, designed by Edward Boyer, MD, PhD, professor of emergency medicine, is intended to help detect developing drug cravings as a way to intervene prior to drug use.
    Mobile Magazine

  • 02-13-12
    Dieting? There's an app for fat

    Sherry Lynn Pagoto, PhD, associate professor of medicine, is quoted in story about the growing trend of using mobile applications as tools to help with weight loss.
    The Boston Globe

  • 02-13-12
    The doctor is ‘in’ with digital data, details, diagnoses

    An article about physicians using e-mail to communicate with patients includes comments from Sarika Aggarwal, MD, assistant professor of medicine and medical director of the Office of Clinical Integration at UMass Memorial Health Care.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 02-13-12
    Push to rein in tuition rolling out

    University of Massachusetts President Robert L. Caret, PhD, is quoted in story about President Obama’s plan to reign in tuition costs at colleges and universities.
    The Boston Globe

  • 02-12-12
    Financial aid reaches record high

    University of Massachusetts President Robert L. Caret, PhD, talks about financial aid at UMass hitting record levels.
    The Massachusetts Daily Collegian

  • 02-12-12
    Business People

    Eric Dickson, MD, professor of emergency medicine, is named to the Clinton Hospital board of trustees.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 02-10-12
    MDs Go For MBAs To Learn Business Of Medicine

    Stanley Tam, MD, associate professor of surgery, is featured in a story about physicians earning MBAs in an effort to learn the business of health care.
    Investors’ Business Daily

  • 02-10-12
    Don't Squander Your EHR Investment

    George Brenckle, CIO and senior vice president at UMass Memorial Health Care Inc., talks about a blood glucose monitor that diabetic patients can use to send blood sugar readings to their electronic health records to be reviewed by their physicians. 
    Information Week

  • 02-10-12
    Smartphone tech battles drug abuse and depression

    A smartphone application called iHeal, designed by Edward Boyer, MD, PhD, professor of emergency medicine, is intended to help detect developing drug cravings as a way to intervene prior to drug use.
    Gizmag

  • 02-09-12
    Driven by loss, father inspires tireless pursuit of a cure

    Boston businessman and cystic fibrosis activist Joseph O’Donnell, who will be awarded an honorary degree at the June 3 UMass Worcester Commencement, was profiled in a column by the Boston Globe’s Brian McGrory today for his decades-long commitment to raise money for a cure. O’Donnell, who founded the Joey Fund after he and his wife Kathy lost their son Joey to cystic fibrosis, is being credited with raising hundreds of millions of research dollars that helped bring a promising new drug, Kalydeco, to market.
    The Boston Globe

  • 02-09-12
    New iHeal project aims to detect drug cravings and prevent medication use

    Article about smartphone application called the iHeal designed by Edward Boyer, MD, PhD, professor of emergency medicine, intended to help detect developing drug cravings as a way to treat drug use.
    News-Medical.net
    TruthDive
    Medicalxpress.com
    Extremetech.com
    Mobiledia
    MobiHealthNews
    Science Codex

  • 02-08-12
    The WooFood revolution

    Medical students Mitch Li, 2013, Matt DeWolf, 2014, and Adam Chin, 2014, talk about WooFood, a nutrition project they started with a Learn and Serve grant, aimed at encouraging healthful eating habits.
    Worcester Magazine

  • 02-08-12
    Phone Counseling Speeds Recovery After Knee Implant

    Patricia D. Franklin, MD, MBA, MPH, professor of orthopedics & physical rehabilitation and family medicine & community health, talks about results of trial showing some patients who received weekly phone calls after knee replacement gained rapid physical improvement.
    MedPage Today

  • 02-07-12
    Bee the brain

    Nivedha Ram, a junior at Acton-Boxboro High School, won the 6th annual Central Massachusetts Regional Brain Bee held on Feb. 4 at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester. Sheldon Benjamin, MD, professor of psychiatry and neurology was the moderator and Douglas M. Ziedonis, MD, MPH, chair and professor of psychiatry, presented the Andrew M. Sheridan Young Neuroscientist Award to the winner.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 02-07-12
    Alyssa Bustamante Case: Prosecutors Say Prozac No Defense For Mo. Teen Killer

    Anthony J. Rothschild, MD, the Irving S. and Betty Brudnick Chair in Psychiatry and professor of psychiatry, testified at the sentencing of Alyssa Bustamante about the lack of a link between Prozac and aggression.
    Huffington Post

  • 02-08-12
    Campus notebook: “Pink the Rink”

    Proceeds from the Assumption hockey game scheduled for February 15th will benefit the Cancer Center of Excellence and the UMass Memorial Foundation.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 02-07-12
    Two of a kind: Twins on rise in Mass.

    Ellen H. Delpapa, MD, clinical associate professor of obstetrics & gynecology, is quoted in a story about the increased rate of twin births.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 02-07-12
    Prosecutors say Prozac no defense for Missouri teenager convicted of killing neighbor

    Anthony J. Rothschild, MD, the Irving S. and Betty Brudnick Chair in Psychiatry and professor of psychiatry, testified at the sentencing of Alyssa Bustamante about the lack of a link between Prozac and aggression.
    Associated Press
    Jefferson City News Tribune
    LowerHudson.com
    Ozarksfirst.com

  • 02-06-12
    Racial disparities may exist in Hodgkin’s lymphoma incidence

    A study by Andrew Evens, DO, associate professor medicine, shows that Blacks and Hispanics have higher incidence rates of Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
    HemOnc Today

  • 02-06-12
    A little more conversation is prescribed

    Thomas Houston II, MD, MPH, professor of quantitative health sciences and medicine, comments in an article about using storytelling to change unhealthy behaviors in patients.
    The Tennessean

  • 02-06-12
    “Pink the Rink”

    The Holy Cross hockey team will donate proceeds from its February 17th game to the Cancer Center of Excellence and the UMass Memorial Foundation.
    Atlantic Hockey Scoreboard

  • 02-06-12
    UMass Memorial joins low-cost menu

    UMass Memorial Medical Center is one of nine hospitals included in a new tiered health plan provided by Fallon Community Health Plan.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 02-05-12
    Brainiacs display scientific acumen

    Nivedha Ram, a junior at Acton-Boxboro High School, won the 6th annual Central Massachusetts Regional Brain Bee held on Feb. 4 at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester. Sheldon Benjamin, MD, professor of psychiatry and neurology and moderator for the day’s events and Douglas M. Ziedonis, MD, MPH, chair and professor of psychiatry, are quoted in the article.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 02-05-12
    Letting patients talk gives doctors more critical info

    Thomas Houston II, MD, MPH, professor of quantitative health sciences and medicine, comments in an article about using storytelling to change unhealthy behaviors in patients.
    Aiken Standard

  • 02-04-12
    Health officials get peek into future

    Chancellor Michael F. Collins and Terence R. Flotte, MD, the Celia and Isaac Haidak Professor in Medicine, executive deputy chancellor, provost, dean of the School of Medicine and professor of pediatrics and microbiology & physiological systems, toured the future site of Community Health Connections on the Burbank Campus of HealthAlliance Hospital.
    Sentinel and Enterprise

  • 02-02-12
    Picoult's audience wraps heads around hers

    Best-selling author Jodi Picoult spoke at the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts on Feb. 2 as part of the UMass Medical School Distinguished Speaker Series.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 02-02-12
    CONSUMER HEALTH: The Doctor Can Listen To You Now

    Thomas Houston II, MD, MPH, professor of quantitative health sciences and medicine, comments in an article about using storytelling to change unhealthy behaviors in patients (subscription required).
    The Wall Street Journal

  • 02-02-12
    Is staph infection a ‘time capsule’ from 1934?

    Daniel Libraty, MD, associate professor of medicine, talks to the Boston Globe about his article in the New England Journal of Medicine describing a 78-year-old strain of staph bacteria found in the leg of a patient who was first treated for the infection in 1934.
    The Boston Globe
    Boston.com

  • 02-02-12
    Tight government funding squeezes regional efforts to reduce homelessness

    A story about the Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness references an $800,000 grant being administered by UMass Medical School to provide support services to 120 chronically homeless individuals with substance abuse and mental health problems.
    Daily Hampshire Gazette

  • 02-02-12
    The doctor can listen to you now

    Thomas Houston II, MD, MPH, professor of quantitative health sciences and medicine, comments in an article about using storytelling to change unhealthy behaviors in patients.
    MarketWatch

  • 02-01-12
    Lawmakers Face Tough Policy Decisions On Basic Health Plan

    Katharine London, MS, principal associate and Robert Seifert, MPS, principal associate at the Center for Health Law and Economics at UMass Medical School, are working with the state of Connecticut to find a suitable basic health care plan for low-income residents.
    CTNewsJunkie

  • 02-01-12
    Health reform choice: For those just above Medicaid limit, private insurance or a state-run plan?

    Katharine London, MS, principal associate and Robert Seifert, MPS, principal associate at the Center for Health Law and Economics at UMass Medical School, are working with the state of Connecticut to find a suitable basic health care plan for low-income residents.
    Connecticut News Project, Inc.