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April 2005
This edition:
Letter from the Chair
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L. Lyndon Key, MD
Professor and Chairman
Department of Pediatrics |
Upon my arrival at MUSC Children's Hospital in 1991, I was consulted by Dr. Biemann Othersen who was interested
in my opinion on how to get his long-term patient with a T-E fistula to gain weight and
grow. Immediately, I noticed the close relationship that existed at the Children's Hospital between
pediatricians and pediatric surgeons. As I learned more about Dr. Othersen through the years, I was continually
amazed by his caring nature, knowledge, and administrative skills.
Dr. Othersen genuinely cared for and loved his patients. He worked
tirelessly and was always pushing for new techniques to treat burn victims. His dedication was an inspiration
to all and you could always count on Dr. Othersen for a kind smile, a joke and a hearty laugh to brighten the
day. Another thing that made Dr. Othersen stand out was his attire. Unlike his colleagues, he did not wear the
traditional white coat that most doctors wear. He explained to me some years later that he had once had a
patient at the Children's Hospital in Boston who was afraid of white coats so he decided to try something
new and fun. He found that wearing colorful coats (plaid, pink, paisley, etc.) was accepted and enjoyed
by all. So from that time on, Dr. Othersen had his coats specially tailored in the wildest and most comforting
colors and patterns he could find. This simple gesture is indicative of his understated and remarkably
original approach to medicine and patient care.
As one of the founders of the Children's Hospital, Dr. Othersen worked hard to ensure that
children had the best care that could be found anywhere. He has been an inspiring teacher, a
demanding mentor, a loving husband and father, and a remarkable scholar and humorist. Without Dr. Othersen's
vision, determination and work, the MUSC Children's Hospital would not be what it is today.
Dr. Othersen stands out as a physician of a different color, not because of the color of his coats, but
because of the fabric of his heart and mind. He is a giant in the development of pediatric surgery
at MUSC. We will recognize his contributions by creating a lectureship bearing his name. I ask each of
you to consider donating to this fund in honor of our wonderful friend, colleague, and leader.
Sincerely,
L. Lyndon Key, MD
Chair, Department of Pediatrics
Feature Story: "Thinking Small" Makes All the Difference for Retiring Pediatric Surgeon
By: Christy Farrell, Trio Solutions Inc.
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| Dr. H. Biemann Othersen, Jr. |
Dr. H. Biemann Othersen, Jr., will soon retire from his practice and his teaching at the Medical University, the place where he began his medical education more than 50 years ago.
A pediatric surgeon specializing in the treatment of the esophagus and trachea, he is still treating four patients he has had for years. "I want to take care of them and make sure they're okay before I let them go," he explains.
When Dr. Othersen joined the faculty at MUSC in 1965, he was the state's first pediatric surgeon and one of the first in the Southeast.
Dr. Othersen remembers when there was no Children's Hospital, and he says opening it in 1989 made a remarkable difference. "Having everyone in the hospital focusing on children certainly improved patient care," he says. "You have to be thinking "small" when you're treating children."
An example of this is his story of a little girl who came to the hospital for treatment and screamed, not letting nurses or doctors come near her. No one could get through to her, but finally a volunteer candy striper in her red and white uniform was able to sit down and talk to the little girl. As it turned out, the little girl had a friend who had died at a hospital, and she assumed that she would die too. Once she was reassured that was not the case, she relaxed and did well. Since then, Dr. Othersen has always worn a blue striped coat, instead of a white one, reminding him of that experience and hopefully, putting more children at ease under his care in the hospital.
According to Dr. Othersen, one of the benefits of having a Children's Hospital is the ability to offer many highly specialized pediatric services. "The MUSC Children's Hospital is essential to the healthcare of our state," he says. "There will be even more growth and improvement for the hospital in the coming years."
The Navy veteran says he wants to feel like he has touched lives and made a difference for his patients and their families, but that they're actually the ones who've taught him about inspiration, positive thinking, and standing up in the face of adversity.
Dr. Othersen credits his wife Janelle, a nurse, for taking care of their children while he took care of patients. "I don't know how I could have done it without her!" he says. With three daughters - two are pediatric nurses and one writes about women's health - and a son who is also a physician, it's clear that healthcare runs in the family.
As he leaves the Medical University, his plans are to spend more time with his family, including his six grandchildren. He is also learning to use the kayak they recently gave him.
Dr. Othersen reflects on the fact that healthcare is a team effort, explaining that doctors couldn't take care of patients without nurses, anesthesiologists and other support staff. "I'm honored to have worked with so many dedicated professionals at MUSC who have made my job easier."
In honor of Dr. Othersen's many years of service, the Medical University is commissioning a portrait of him and establishing a new lectureship, the H. Biemann Othersen Jr. Endowed Visiting Professorship.
Through private fund raising, the professorship will allow the university to host pediatric surgeons who are renowned authorities in their respective fields. These annual and semi-annual visits will provide MUSC students and faculty with a valuable resource and enhance their medical education.
The MUSC Children's Hospital congratulates Dr. H. Biemann Othersen, Jr. on his retirement after 40 years of service. His presence will be missed and his contributions will never be forgotten.
Update from the Administrator
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John Sanders, MHA
Administrator
MUSC Children's Hospital |
Volunteers Provide Needed Services
Over the years we have been very fortunate to have a very talented pool of volunteers at the MUSC Children's Hospital. Currently more than 150 community volunteers provide their time to us and the numbers are growing. Under the direction of Christine Messick, the Children's Hospital volunteer program is growing. Volunteers can find opportunities in working with the children and their families directly or working in administrative roles supporting various units within the hospital. We believe that in the future we could utilize more than 300 talented people from our community who are excited about working with our organization.
Important roles that we are recruiting for now are volunteers who will man the front desk and greet families and visitors as they enter the Children's Hospital. These individuals will also provide a service to patients and their families as they are discharged to go home. How wonderful it will be to walk into the hospital and be greeted by our cheerful and caring volunteers.
Without our volunteers we could not provide the services that we have now in the MUSC Children's Hospital and I want to thank all those who dedicate their time and talents to make the stay of our families a little more pleasant during a difficult time.
Children's Research Institute News Brief
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Bernard L. Maria, MD, MBA
Executive Director
Children's Research Institute |
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Inderjit Singh, PhD
Scientific Director
Children's Research Institute |
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The Center for Developmental Neurological Disorders is housed on the 5th floor of the Charles P. Darby Children's Research Institute. Under the direction of Dr. Inderjit Singh, the investigators of the Center are studying neurological diseases to gain better insights into disease processes and to develop new therapies. The focus is on investigating the molecular events of normal brain development and those that characterize neurodegenerative disorders. Birth defects resulting from intrauterine hypoxia, infections, toxins, and perinatal insults are associated with significant disability in children. High rates of prematurity account for an increased prevalence of neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy and epilepsy because the preterm brain is highly vulnerable to injury.
Great progress has been made in recent years in understanding the function of specific brain cell types and their interactions with one another. Neurons, oligodendrocytes, astrocytes and microglia have different roles within the CNS and their dysfunction is associated with different neurological conditions, symptoms, and signs. For simplicity sake, the neuronal network of the brain can be thought of as the brain's 'hardware' whereas molecules secreted by oligodendrocytes, microglia and astrocytes can be considered as the brain's 'software' that drives neuronal function. Oligodendrocytes make white membrane sheets known as myelin that covers neuronal axons; myelin is also regulating communication between neurons and the target. Loss of formed myelin sheets or its breakdown leads to loss of neuronal impulses and function.
The Center has already contributed major advances in understanding the pathobiology and the development of therapeutics for these diseases. In white matter disease, noxious molecules secreted by microglia and astrocytes incapacitate neurons and oligodendrocytes. Prolonged exposure to these natural toxins causes death of neurons, oligodendrocytes and stem cells that could replenish damaged populations of cells. Studies are underway to inhibit the secretion of noxious compounds that destroy neurons, myelin sheaths, and oligodendrocytes. There is an ongoing experimental effort to protect stem cells that can reconstitute oligodendrocytes destined to produce new myelin. The novel therapeutic approach of guarding constitutive stem cells from injury may become a major approach to preventing and treating neurological disorders in the future. In addition, studies from the Center documenting the presence of stem cells in the mature nervous system provide hope that innovative therapies can assist children and adults.
Mental Health Resource News Brief
Helping Children Cope with Loss
There has been much recent press lately about death and dying. Many parents are wondering about the best ways to talk about this important subject with their own children and how to deal with loss as it directly affects their own lives.
In hopes of protecting their children, some parents try to shield the child from experiencing the loss, expressing sorrow, and sharing in the family's mourning upon the death of a loved one. If at all possible, your children should be allowed to stay in touch with a loved one who is ill and possibly dying. In fact, a dying parent, grandparents, or friend can provide a unique opportunity to prepare children for saying loving farewells. Preventing a child from visiting an ill or hospitalized person does not protect them; it can lead to feelings of abandonment. This can lead to the imagination thinking things that are more frightening than the reality. If medically safe, behaviors like sitting on the bed and hand holding and singing to the special person should be encouraged.
When breaking the sad news that someone has died tell your children that you are sad and upset, but you will be strong. Reassure them that you will keep taking care of them. Children as young as three seem able to mourn the loss of a loved one. Give age appropriate explanations. Typically, children don't show grief except in small doses. Older youth need help navigating the feelings. All children need for their pain to be acknowledged and for feelings to be accepted. Nonverbal outlets for feelings like puppets, drawings, and scrap books can be wonderful vehicles for "talking" about death and reminiscing about the person.
Suggested readings: How to Talk to Your Kids about Really Important Things, by Schaefer, and DiGEronimo, .1994
The Fall of Freddie the Leaf by Leo Buscaglia
When Dinosaurs Die - A Guide to Understanding Death by Brown and Brown
Gran-Gran's Best Trick A Story for Children Who Have Lost Someone They Love by Dwight Holden
A special thanks to the following individuals for their efforts in putting together Kids Connection each month.
Managing Editor: Bernard L. Maria, MD, MBA
Publisher: Jessica Munday (Trio Solutions Inc.)
Web design: Jennifer Cherock (Trio Solutions Inc.) and Brian Dadin (MUSC IT Lab)
Contributing Writers: Lyndon Key, MD; Bernard Maria, MD; John Sanders, Inderjit Singh, PhD, Eve Spratt, MD
and Christy Farrell
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