Urology Division in Top 50 - Surgery - University of Cincinnati

The Division of Urology
was recently listed among
the top 50 urology departments
in the nation by US
News & World Report. It
was the only local urology
program recognized and
had the lowest mortality
rate, especially impressive
in a Level I Trauma Center.
The Division offers a full
range of surgical treatment
options with strong emphasis
on laparoscopic and
robotic-assisted procedures
that promote early recovery
and decreased pain following
radical nephrectomy,
partial nephrectomy and
retroperitoneal lymph node
dissection. The daVinci
robot also facilitates urologic
procedures such as
radical prostatectomy and
pyeloplasty.
The Division also specializes
in urological oncology
and trauma, urological
infections, incontinence,
urodynamics, and all forms
of minimally invasive
endoscopic surgery. The
Division of Urology treats
a wide variety of elective
and emergent problems.
September-October, 2004
Urology Division in Top 50
Offers State-of-the-Art Treatment and Education
James F. Donovan, Jr.,
M.D., Chief of the Division
of Urology, is joined by
Thomas Bell, M.D., who
directs the very successful
urology residency program
and advances minimally
invasive urological techniques;
R. Bruce Bracken,
M.D., a world-renowned
specialist in urological
oncology (see story inside);
and Safwat Zaki, M.D.,
who offers expertise in
laparoscopic and roboticassisted
urologic surgery,
as does Dr. Donovan.
The Division is hosting a
symposium on “Minimally
Invasive Therapies in
Urology” on September 24.
See inside for details.
Dr. Safwat Zaki (top photo) and Dr. James Donovan (bottom photo)
perform a robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy.

Urologist Leads Vaccine Study for
Treatment of Prostate Cancer
September is National Prostate
Cancer Awareness Month
The Division of Urology is advancing its therapy for prostate
cancer. A new study being conducted at the UC Medical Center
could bring hope to men who don't respond well to hormone
therapy for prostate cancer. More than 1 million Americans have
prostate cancer, the leading non-skin cancer in men in the United
States. Last year alone some 220,000 new prostate cancer cases
were reported, and 28,900 men died of it.
The UC study, headed by R. Bruce Bracken, M.D., Professor of
Surgery in the Division of Urology, is testing the effectiveness of
a new, experimental vaccine called Provenge, designed to trigger
a patient's own immune system to seek out and destroy cancer
cells. The year-long trial will determine whether the vaccine
slows the progression of prostate cancer and the development of
disease-related pain.
L-R: Dr. R. Bruce Bracken, seen here with pediatric urologist Dr.
Jeffrey Wacksman and community urologist Dr. Inayat Malik.
Study participants have an advanced condition known as “androgen-independent”
prostate cancer, meaning their male hormone
(androgen) levels have been depressed by earlier, but unsuccessful
hormone therapy. Depending on the seriousness of the condition,
standard treatments for prostate cancer include surgery,
radiation, and hormone and chemotherapy. A relatively new
approach, vaccines are used when localized treatment, such as
radiation seeding, fails. The results of the UC study could help
determine whether Provenge receives approval.
To participate in the study, men must have prostate cancer that
has spread during hormone therapy. They must also have a
Gleason score, the standard measure of the seriousness of
prostate cancer, of seven or lower and have no current cancerrelated
pain. The safety and effectiveness of Provenge, Dr.
Bracken points out, are not yet fully established. It might not
benefit the patient and could also cause severe or even life-threatening
side effects. For infomation, call (513) 584-0436.
Urology News
CSI and Division of Urology
Offer Symposium on Minimally
Invasive Urologic Surgery
The UC Center for Surgical Innovation (CSI) is working in
concert with the Division of Urology to conduct a symposium
on “Minimally Invasive Therapies in Urology” on
Friday, September 24, 2004. The course will be held at the
Marriott Kingsgate Conference Center on the UC medical
campus. UC will provide 8 hours of Category 1 CME credit.
This conference provides an in-depth review of current minimally
invasive treatment options to practicing urologists and
urologists in-training. The faculty is composed of internationally
recognized experts in the development and refinement
of minimally invasive therapies in urology. Minimally
invasive therapies to be reviewed include:
• Laparoscopy in the treatment of adrenal, kidney, ureter,
bladder and prostate disease
• Variations in urologic laparoscopy, including hand-assisted
and robot-assisted
• Transperitoneal and retroperitoneal approaches to
laparoscopy
• Thermal therapy modalities such as radio frequency ablation,
interstitial laser, cryotherapy and microwave therapy in
the treatment of renal tumor, prostate cancer, and BPH
• Percutaneous access in the treatment of nephro-lithiasis
(percutaneous nephrostolithotomy)
Register by Phone: (513) 558-6148
Register by Fax: (513) 558-3788
Register by e-mail: charles.doarn@uc.edu
Mail:
Center for Surgical Innovation
University of Cincinnati
231 Albert Sabin Way, Suite 1466
Cincinnati, OH 45267-0558
UC Surgeons to Participate
in Mini Medical College
UC Surgeons will participate in the Mini Medical College, a
Communiversity course open to all and held at the UC
College of Medicine from October 5-26, 2004. Dr. Jeffrey
B. Matthews (Chairman, Department of Surgery) and Dr.
William S. Ball, Jr. (Head of Biomedical Engineering and
Engineering Mechanics) will present “Beyond the Scalpel:
Tools of Surgical Innovation” on October 5. Dr. Keith
Gersin (UC Surgical Weight Loss Center) will present
“Laparoscopic Weight Loss Surgery” on October 19. Visit
http://www.uc.edu/ace/minimed/ for information.

Open House at University
Pointe Saturday, October 2
UC Physicians 3rd Annual Open House and Health Fair
will be held Saturday, October 2, from 10:00 am-2:00 pm
at University Pointe in West Chester.
Please join us for health screenings, refreshments and door
prizes. For information, go to www.ucphysicians.com or
call 513-475-7211.
UC Heart & Vascular Center
Showcases New Vascular Lab
The UC Heart & Vascular Center held an open house on
Sept. 7 to show off its new vascular lab expansion at
University Pointe. The new facility enables UC Heart &
Vascular Center to bring its nationally renowned cardiologists,
cardiothoracic surgeons and vascular surgeons
together at one centralized location to treat, diagnose and
co-manage patients. Along with a new state-of-the-art vascular
lab, the expansion also includes a procedure room
and five new patient exam rooms.
UC Surgeons Expands Thoracic
Service to University Pointe
UC Surgeons has recently expanded their Thoracic
Service to University Pointe. John Howington, M.D.,
Chief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery, and Michael
Reed, M.D., will see patients at University Pointe’s
Medical Office Building and will perform surgery at the
recently completed University Pointe Surgical Hospital
(UPSH). Drs. Howington and Reed specialize in lung
and esophageal surgery as well as minimally invasive
approaches for thoracic surgical procedures.
John Howington, M.D. Michael Reed, M.D.
University Pointe Surgical Hospital
Construction is Completed
UC Physicians has announced that construction of the
University Pointe Surgical Hospital (UPSH) is complete.
Medical Director Lesley Gilbertson, MD, Executive
Director Karen Adams, and Clinical Director Lynn
Filiatrualt, RN, are busy overseeing the installation of the
latest in surgical equipment, the recruitment and orientation
of staff, and the preparation for inspection by the
Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare
Organizations (JCAHO). Once accredited, this will be a
hospital with the ability to admit patients for stays of one
night or more, but a significant portion of the surgical
services will not require an overnight stay. The UPSH
will bring together the sophistication of a hospital with the
convenience of a community-based facility.
University Pointe Surgical Hospital (UPSH) in West Chester, Ohio.
Connected to the UC Physicians’ Medical Office Building,
the 28,600 square foot hospital features four operating
rooms, diagnostic cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology,
two procedure rooms and eight overnight inpatient
rooms. The hospital is a joint venture between the UC
Physicians practices and the Health Alliance.
Those interested in more information regarding privileges
or scheduling cases can contact Karen Adams, Executive
Director of the University Pointe Surgical Hospital, at
513-475-7211.
Visit www.ucphysicians.com for more information and
updates on the new hospital.

Wolf MiniMaze Procedure
To Be Broadcast on Internet
A taped broadcast of the Wolf MiniMaze procedure for atrial
fibrillation will be available on the Internet in the coming weeks
at www.or-live.com/healthalliance/. The broadcast, which
lasts approximately one hour, is free for all viewers around the
world with Internet access.
Drs. Bill Schneeberger (foreground) and Randall Wolf prepare
Internet broadcast concerning the MiniMaze Procedure
More CSI in the News
Mr. Charles Doarn, Executive Director of the CSI, participated
as a member of NASA’s Space Station Utilization Advisory
Subcommittee during a recent meeting at the NASA Johnson
Space Center. This meeting focused primarily on resumption of
the Space Shuttle flights and the science plans for use of the
International Space Station (ISS) over the next decade. Mr.
Doarn also wrote several commendations for both astronauts
on the current increment mission as well as ground-based
researchers involved in the ISS program.
The CSI has received approval of its unique identifying elements.
These elements appear on both a cloth patch and the CSI
brochure. Copies of this brochure will be available in the coming
weeks. The CSI web site (http://surgery.uc.edu/csi.html)
will also be updated to reflect the use of these elements.
CSI was well represented at the recent Telemedicine and
Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC) Integrated
Research Team “Surgical Robotics – the Next Step” in Marina
Del Ray, CA, on September 9-10, 2004. Dr. Timothy
Broderick, who serves TATRC through an Intergovernmental
Personnel Agreement (IPA), was joined by Mr. Doarn, Mr.
Brett Harnett, and Biomedical Engineering’s Ms. Mary Beth
Privitera. Ms. Privitera presented a poster entitled “Robotic
Surgery: Results from Ethnographic and Design Research
Project.” In addition, they each participated in separate breakout
groups with a focus on key issues of the future of robotics
in surgery. The result of this workshop will lead to a research
agenda and roadmap of how TATRC and the US Army move
forward in research endeavors in robotic surgery.
UC Surgeons Celebrate First
Anniversary of Wolf MiniMaze
Procedure for Atrial Fibrillation
UC Surgeons working in the Center for Surgical Innovation
(CSI) recently observed the one-year anniversary of the world
debut of the Wolf MiniMaze procedure for atrial fibrillation.
This highly successful minimally invasive treatment for the
cure of atrial fibrillation was developed by Randall K. Wolf,
M.D., Professor of Surgery in the Division of Cardiac
Surgery and Director of the CSI, in conjunction with
AtriCure® (a local medical device company) to treat atrial
fibrillation without a sternal (breastbone) incision or use of
the heart-lung machine.
Dr. Wolf and two other faculty in the Division of Cardiac
Surgery and the UC Heart & Vascular Center, John Flege,
Jr., M.D., and Bill Schneeberger, M.D., have completed
over 60 procedures. The average age of patients undergoing
the procedure is 59 years old, with the youngest being 23 and
the oldest 83. Many of the patients suffer from atrial fibrillation
for more than 10 years. More than six months after the
new procedure, 14 of 15 patients have been re-evaluated. All
have a regular heart rhythm, have had no further episodes of
atrial fibrillation, and many discontinued their medications.
Drs. Randall Wolf and John Flege (far right) perform the
MiniMaze procedure for atrial fibrillation
With this technique, the work is performed on the beating
heart without standard heart surgery incisions. The hospital
stay is 2-3 days, and Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers
cover the procedure. In addition to relieving atrial fibrillation,
the procedure includes removing a small appendage of the
heart where blood clots can form. Removing this appendage
decreases the risk of stroke by more than 90%. Many patients
can also stop taking a blood thinner that has associated side
effects and risks.
For more information, call the CSI at 513.558.MAZE (6213)
or log onto www.wolfminimaze.com. Emails should be
directed to minimaze@uc.edu.

UC Surgeons Researcher is
Searle Scholars Nominee
Mirjam Zegers, PhD
Mirjam Zegers, Ph.D., Assistant
Professor of Surgery in the Epithelial
Pathobiology Research Group, was
one of three College of Medicine faculty
selected to represent UC in the
Searle Scholars Program competition
for 2005. Dr. Zegers also was recently
selected as UC’s Basic Scientist
nominee for the 2004 Damon Runyon
Scholar Award.
Department of Surgery
Researchers Win NIH Grant
Susan E. Waltz, Ph.D., and Shirelyn Beauman, Ph.D., of the
Trauma, Sepsis and Inflammation Research Group, received a
National Institutes of Health (NIH)-sponsored supplemental
grant for 3 years in the amount of $234,183. Dr. Waltz is an
Associate Professor of Surgery, while Dr. Beauman is a
Postgraduate Research Fellow.
The grant is a Mentored Career Development Award to promote
development of under-represented minority scientists in
biomedical research and health-related sciences. The award
will provide Dr. Beauman with support to analyze the functional
significance of the Ron receptor tyrosine kinase in breast
tumor development.
Dr. Waltz previously received a 5-year grant award from the
NIH/National Cancer Institute for her project “The Ron
Receptor in Mammary Gland Biology” (award of $1,416,040).
Susan E. Waltz, PhD (left) and Shirelyn Beauman, PhD
Dr. Elizabeth Shaughnessy Wins
Cancer Center Pilot Grant
Dr. Elizabeth Shaughnessy
Elizabeth Shaughnessy, M.D.,
Ph.D., Assistant Professor of
Surgery in the Division of
Surgical Oncology, and Director
of the High Risk Breast Clinic at
the University Hospital’s Barrett
Cancer Center, was a winner in
the most recent round of Cancer
Center Pilot Grants.
Funds for breast cancer-related projects came from the 2003
Think Pink event; the remaining came from the Barrett
Cancer Center. The winners make up eight individual and
team projects.
Congressman Portman Visits CSI
Congressman Rob Portman paid a visit to UC Center for
Surgical Innovation (CSI) on August 27. Jane E. Henney,
M.D., Senior Vice President and Provost for Health Affairs,
University of Cincinnati Medical Center, accompanied
Congressman Portman for a demonstration and “driver’s ed”
on the daVinci robot.
(L-R): Dr. Jane Henney, Congressman Rob Portman, Wym
Portman, Dr. Jeffrey Matthews, Dr. Randall Wolf, Charles Doarn
Jeffrey B. Matthews, M.D., Chairman of the Department of
Surgery, served as host for the visit. Demonstration of the
robot was led by Dr. Randall Wolf, Director of the CSI; Dr.
Timothy Broderick, Medical Director of the CSI; and Mr.
Charles Doarn, Executive Director of the CSI.

Dr. Buell in “40 Under 40” List
Joseph F. Buell, M.D., Division of Transplant Surgery, was
named to the Cincinnati Business Courier’s “40 Under 40,”
the annual list of movers and shakers in the Greater
Cincinnati area who are under the age of 40. Dr. Buell was
chosen from more than 220 nominees. A 13-member panel
consisting mostly of “40 Under 40” alumni made the selections.
An awards banquet will be held on September 23, 2004,
at the NKU/METS Center in Erlanger, Kentucky. See
www.libertastechnologies.com/ for more information.
Joseph F. Buell, M.D.
Dr. Buell, who specializes in
liver, kidney and pancreas transplantation
as well as hepatobiliary
and minimally invasive
(laparoscopic) surgery, is the
second member of the
Department to be named to this
list. John Howington, M.D.,
Chief of the Division of Thoracic
Surgery, made the “40 Under 40”
list in 2002.
UC Surgeons Win Patents
Ambikaipakan Balasubramaniam, Ph.D., and William
Chance, Ph.D., were issued US Patent Number 6,737,408
titled “Compounds for Control of Appetite, Blood Pressure,
Cardiovascular Response, Libido, and Circadian Rhythm.”
This patent joins a family of other issued patents related to
NPY receptor technology. UC's Intellectual Property Office is
in active license negotiations with a few companies concerning
aspects of this invention. David Melvin, M.D., Ph.D.,
was issued US Patent 6,733,510 titled “Article and Method
for Coupling Muscle to a Prosthetic Device.” This patent
relates to a medical device for treating congestive heart failure
and is the latest in a series of patents to be licensed to Dr.
Melvin's start-up company, CardioEnergetics.
A. Balasubramaniam, PhD William Chance, PhD David Melvin, MD, PhD
UC’s “Space Surgeon” is Keynote
Speaker at Cincinnati Observatory
On Saturday, September 25, the Cincinnati Observatory
Center hosts ScopeOut 2004: Astronomy Fair, an opportunity
for people of all ages to look at the latest and greatest astronomical
equipment offered by local and national vendors.
Timothy Broderick, M.D.
Dr. Timothy Broderick, Medical
Director of UC's Center for
Surgical Innovation, will speak
on “Space Surgery: From Video
Games to Robots.” Dr. Broderick
is developing new technologies
and techniques for surgery which
have applications for NASA's
human spaceflight program
including the use of robots to perform
surgery.
The Cincinnati Observatory is located on Mt. Lookout. For
more information, visit www.cincinnatiobservatory.org,
email observatory@fuse.net or call 513-321-5186.
Department of Surgery Hosts
Minority Visiting Student
The UC Department of Surgery’s “Minority Visiting Student”
program hosted a 4th-year medical student who spent a
month rotating in the SICU with faculty from the Division of
Trauma and Critical Care.
Brian Brewer, a 4th year medical student from Meharry
Medical College, visited the Department of Surgery for the
month of August. One student per year is accepted to the program
and is reimbursed for his/her travel, food, lodging, and
other expenses for the month spent here.
(L-R): Kenneth Davis, Jr., M.D., Division of Trauma and
Critical Care; Brian Brewer; Grace Mak, M.D., general
surgery resident; Sean Josephs, M.D., anesthesia resident

Plastic Surgery Division
Welcomes New Cosmetic Surgeon
Anureet K. Bajaj, M.D.
Anureet K. Bajaj, M.D., has
joined the Division of Plastic,
Reconstructive and Hand
Surgery in the Department of
Surgery at the University of
Cincinnati as Assistant
Professor of Surgery. Dr. Bajaj
specializes in microvascular,
reconstructive and cosmetic
surgery.
Dr. Bajaj received her undergraduate degree from Rice
University in Houston, Texas, and her M.D. degree from the
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. She served her
plastic surgery residency at Loma Linda University Medical
Center in Loma Linda, California, and completed a
Fellowship in Microvascular and Reconstructive Surgery/
Clinical Specialist in Plastic Surgery at MD Anderson
Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Bajaj won the Ross H. Musgrave Plastic Surgery Award
while in medical school at the University of Pittsburgh
School of Medicine, where she spent two years performing
research on facial nerve function. She has published articles
in peer-reviewed journals and made numerous presentations
at national meetings related to plastic surgery.
Dr. Bajaj will see patients at the Medical Arts Building and
at The University Pointe (after October 15).
Division of Trauma and Critical Care faculty (L-R): Jay
Johannigman, M.D., Chief of the Division; Betty Tsuei, M.D.;
James M. Hurst, M.D.; and Kenneth Davis, Jr., M.D.
NEW FACULTY
Trauma/Critical Care Division
Welcomes Two New Faculty
The Division of Trauma and Critical Care in the
Department of Surgery at the University of Cincinnati have
announced the addition of two faculty members. Both are
graduates of the Department’s residency training program
in general surgery.
Timothy Pritts, M.D., Ph.D.
Timothy Pritts, M.D., Ph.D.,
joined the Division on August
1, 2004, as Assistant Professor
of Surgery. Dr. Pritts recently
completed a Fellowship in
Trauma and Critical Care in
the Department, and will
divide his time 60% research
and 40% clinical upon the
arrival of Dr. Betty Tseui on
October 1, 2004.
Dr. Pritts received his M.D. degree from Northwestern
University. During his general surgery residency at UC, he
spent three years as a research fellow to pursue and obtain
his Ph.D. at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Pritts won the
Arnold P. Gold Foundation Award for Humanism and
Excellence in Teaching and The Max Zinninger Award. He
has published widely in peer-reviewed journals and made
numerous presentations at national meetings.
Betty Tsuei, M.D. (see photo below at left), will join the
Division of Trauma and Critical Care on October 1, 2004.
Dr. Tsuei received her M.D. degree from the University of
Cincinnati College of Medicine and completed her residency
in general surgery in the UC Department of Surgery,
where she also completed a Fellowship in Critical Care and
Trauma. She is presently an Assistant Professor in the
Department of Surgery at the University of Kentucky
Medical Center in Lexington, where she also serves as
Education Director in the Section of Trauma and Critical
Care as well as Associate Program Director of the Critical
Care Fellowship.
Dr. Tsuei won several teaching and research awards while
at the University of Cincinnati and won the Ward O. Griffen
Surgery Teaching Award at the University of Kentucky. She
has received extensive funding for her research efforts.

Surgical Grand Rounds Schedule
Surgical Grand Rounds Schedule
September 22, 2004 Guest Lecturer (Pediatric Surgery), George K. Gittes, M.D., Chair for Pediatric
Surgical Research, Associate Professor of Surgery, University of Missouri at Kansas
City: “Pancreatic Organogenesis and Lineage Selection”
September 29, 2004 Brett Harnett (Manager, Experimental Information Technology): “Medical Informatics:
A Binary Evolution”
October 6, 2004 McDonough Visiting Professor (Hosted by Division of Surgical Oncology), Merrick
Ross, M.D., Professor of Surgical Oncology; Associate Medical Director, Melanoma
and Skin Center; Chief, Melanoma and Sarcoma Service, University of Texas M.D.
Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
October 13, 2004 No Grand Rounds -- American College of Surgeons Meeting
October 20, 2004 Robert D. Marciani, D.M.D. (Director, Division of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery): “TMJ
Disorders – Diagnosis and Treatment”
October 27, 2004 Robert Cavagnol, M.D. (Chief Resident): “Multimodality Approach to Rectal Cancer”
November 3, 2004 Calvin Selwyn, M.D. (General Surgery)
September-October, 2004