MSA Program Newsletter, Dec 2011.pub - Case Western Reserve ...

THE
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
December 2011, Issue 18
Alumni Survey.....…………………1
Office News.…………………….2-4
Cascorbi Scholarship Fund……...4
Dates for Your Calendar………..4
Student News…………………..5-6
Alumni News……….…………..7-8
Feature Article: Burke and
Hare ..............................................8
Heath and Wellness……………..9
Ads for Grads...……………....9-10
11100 Euclid Avenue, Lakeside 2533
Cleveland, Ohio 44106-5007
www.anesthesiaprogram.com
216.844.8077
Joseph Rifici
Executive Editor
Jennifer Puin
Senior Editor
Katherine Flach
Graphics Editor
Contributers:
William Bell
Laura Bishop
David Denyer
Matthew Duer
Gail Hughley
Allison Morgan
Vivek Nair
Kayla Norcia
Joyce Puin
NESTHESIOLOGIST ASSISTANT
Case Western Reserve University
Master of Science in Anesthesia (MSA) Program
ALUMNI SURVEY COMPLETE!
December 2011
Last year at this time, the MSA Program sent out a survey to
our alumni whose e-mail and mailing addresses were known.
Our goal was to find out what our alumni look like as a
whole—where they live and work, how many received
further education after graduating, how long they have
practiced as an AA, what difference the Case Western
Reserve AA program made in inspiring them to a lifelong
commitment to leadership and learning. The complete results
of the Alumni Demographic Survey accompany this issue of
our newsletter.
You, our alumni, are vitally important to our continued success, and your
demonstration of leadership is one of our program’s strengths. We extend our
warmest wishes to you and your family for a healthy and joyous New Year.
"We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that
no one can take for us or spare us." - Marcel Proust
North Pole Punch
1 12 oz. can frozen orange juice
1 6 oz. can frozen lemonade 3 c. cold water
1 tray of ice cubes 2 pints of orange or pineapple
1 6 oz. can frozen grapefruit juice sherbet
Mix all the juice concentrates with cold water.
Add the sherbet, stir slightly. Makes approx. 1 gallon.
Fireside Spiced Tea
Tea of your choice
Lemon ring slices
Whole cloves
Cinnamon stick
Sugar (as desired to taste)
Brandy Slush
2 c. sugar
4 tea bags (Red Rose would
be good!)
1 12 oz. or 16 oz. can frozen lemonade
1 12 oz. can frozen orange juice
2 c. brandy
7-Up or ginger ale
Holiday Recipes
Prepare your favorite brand of tea either in a teapot or individual cup.
To each cup of tea, add a circular cut of lemon (not a lemon wedge)
studded with 4-6 whole cloves. Poke a hole in the center of the lemon
round and stuff with a cinnamon stick. Let the flavors mingle; add sugar
to taste. Good for a winter frosty day or when someone is ill.
Boil 7 c. water with the sugar until dissolved; let cool.
Boil another 2 c. water and add the tea bags; let cool.
Mix the lemonade and orange juice in a large container.
Add all other ingredients (except the 7-Up) and freeze
for 24 hours. To serve: Spoon into glasses; top off with
7-Up or ginger ale. Note: Bourbon or blended whiskey
can be used in place of brandy.

OFFICE NEWS
We’ve Got Mail
Laura Bishop
Farewell to Darlene Shuler
Special Delivery!
Katherine Flach, Graphics
Editor, and her niece
Caitlin Gramling who was
born on
October 15, 2011.
From late September through November the MSA
office has responded to more than 254 calls and
e-mails requesting information about the Case
Western Reserve University anesthesiologist
assistant program. We also provided 27 prospective
students with shadowing experiences. Thanks to all
who host shadowers! You are actively helping the
profession to grow.
Is someone you know re-thinking medical school?
Tell them about the Case Western Reserve
University MSA Program in Cleveland and Houston,
as well as our program that is planned for
Washington, D.C. Share our phone number
(Cleveland and D.C. 216.844.8077, Houston
713.574.9499) and web address
(www.anesthesiaprogram.com), and suggest that
they contact us for more information. We’ll
schedule them for a shadowing experience at
University Hospitals Case Medical Center in
Cleveland or connect them to resources in Texas so
they can learn firsthand what it takes to be an
anesthesiologist assistant.
MSA Out-N-About
September
Pre-Medical Society Presentation
Baldwin-Wallace College
MSA was invited by the Vice President of the
Pre-Medical Society, Alexandria Bojanski, to speak at
the group’s monthly meeting.
www.bw.edu
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Darlene Shuler, MEd, MA, Education Manager for MSA Houston, has decided to change the
direction of her career. Her last day with the program was December 9, 2011. We thank
Darlene for her energy, humor, and many contributions to the program. We wish her all
the best in the next stage of her career.
October
Exhibitor
ASA Annual Meeting
The MSA Program was an exhibitor at the 2011 American
Society of Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting, held in
Chicago on October 15-17.
November
Health Careers Seminar Presentation
University of Dayton
MSA was invited by Kathleen Scheltens, PhD, Assistant
Director of Premedical Programs, to speak to students
enrolled in the university’s Health Careers Seminar.
www.udayton.edu

OFFICE NEWS CONTINUED
MSA Out-N-About Continued
November
Career Pathways in Biology Presentation - Kent State University
MSA was invited by Yijing Chen, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biological
Sciences, to speak to her Career Pathways in Biology class.
www.kent.edu
December
Pre-Health Professions Club Presentation - University of Mount Union
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MSA was invited by Jessica Laurenzi, President of the Pre-Health Professions
Club, to speak at the group’s monthly meeting.
www.mountunion.edu
Pictured at left: MSA Recruiters
Dave Zagorski, AA-C, and Laura Bishop
Wednesday Case Presentation
Gail Hughley
Wednesday Case Presentation (WCP) is held every Wednesday afternoon
from 4:00–5:30 pm in the Biomedical Research Building, Room 105, at Case
Western Reserve University. This conference is also presented by way of a
live stream for our students who are on out-of-town clinical rotations
(http://tv.case.edu/caselive3).
All of our second-year MSA students have completed their presentations for the Fall semester. Next semester, starting
in January, the students will present actual patient-care cases, but for now the students are looking forward to the
upcoming holiday break. Enjoy!
The first-year MSA students will have their initial opportunity to present to the student body, instructors, faculty, and
physician mentors. I would like to thank all the mentors for their continued guidance and support of our students, and
to especially thank and point out:
The firm reminder to the students by the executive program director, Joseph Rifici,
to remember to always cite the references
The stability that the clinical coordinator, Pete Kaluszyk, always brings
The pearls of wisdom imparted by mentor, Dr. Goldfinger, to the students
The careful correction that mentor, Dr. Ro, will offer
The calm presence of instructor George Yung
The humor of instructor Shawn Duvall cannot compare to the serious
key points he provides during the presentation
The critical thinking that instructor Kim Vuong will challenge every student to demonstrate
All of these pieces and parts help to formulate a well-rounded certified anesthesiologist assistant of the highest caliber.
Thank you!
CME Corner
The Continuing Medical Education office would like to extend an invitation to anyone interested in a grant opportunity
on “Patient Non-Adherence: Barriers & Best Practice” by OHIOPACE through Pfizer. Grants of up to $50,000 will be
awarded; the deadline for this grant is February 15, 2012. For more information you may contact me at the number
listed on the next page.

OFFICE NEWS CONTINUED
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CME Corner Continued
Remember that physicians and AAs who attend WCP are eligible for Category I CME credit. Participants may obtain
their credits online through the CWRU School of Medicine website: http://casemed.case.edu/cme/. Click on Credit
Transcripts on the left-hand side of the page and follow the instructions. This service is complimentary.
Please join us on Wednesdays to support our students in their professional development. We look forward to your
presence and welcome your input. If you have any questions about Wednesday Case Presentation or CME credits,
contact Gail Hughley at 216.844.8077 or gail.hughley@uhhospitals.org.
Cascorbi Scholarship Fund: Honor Roll of Donors
To everyone who has made a donation to the Helmut Cascorbi, MD, PhD, Scholarship Fund, we sincerely thank you
for your generosity. Every gift is needed and appreciated. Your gifts provide scholarship support to our students and
help us honor Dr. Cascorbi’s many contributions to the AA profession. We invite you to continue to invest in the
MSA Program’s students by making a gift in the new year.
The following donations have been made during
the 2011 calendar year
(May 1, 2011 to December 1, 2011):
$5,000 and higher
Drs. Margaret M. Sedensky & Philip G. Morgan
$1,000-$4,999
Patricia A. Redford
$500-$999
Dr. Matthew P. Norcia
Joseph M. Rifici ’82
Dates for
Your
Calendar
$100-$499
Shane Angus ’99
Dr. John A. Bastulli ’76
Kevin W. Busdiecker ’80
Claire Chandler ’04 & Dr. Joel B. Zivot
Michael S. Nichols ’00
Michael R. Patrick ’05
The Puin Family
David J. Zagorski ’00
Under $100
Laura Bishop
MSA Class of 2011
December 19 – January 2, 2012
Winter Break for First-Year Students
December 24 – January 2, 2012
Winter Break for Second-Year Students
December 23, 2011
Final Grades Due to Registrar
(11:00 am)
January 21, 2012
NCCAA Certifying Examination
February 3, 2012
Deadline to Submit Application for May
2012 Graduation
April 6, 2012
Deadline to Submit All Materials for May
2012 Graduation

STUDENT NEWS
Message from the Houston Student Chiefs
William Bell and Vivek Nair
The inaugural class of the Houston MSA Program blasted off in
June 2010 and has reached unprecedented heights in the state of
Texas. Our second-year students are well into their specialty
rotations as we complete the fall semester. They have made
monumental progress for the program and profession by proving
they can thrive in the largest medical center in the world, the
Texas Medical Center. TMC is recognized by the U.S. News &
World Report Annual Survey of “America’s Best Hospitals” in all
19 categories of adult care and all 10 pediatric care specialties.
Working in such a prestigious environment, our students gain
invaluable experience while practicing side by side with
healthcare professionals who are at the top of their field.
We would like to thank the class of 2012 for their tireless efforts in laying a solid foundation for our program.
Congratulations on your success this far. Your next step is the certification exam. Good luck!
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Our first-year students have done a great job continuing what the second years have pioneered. They have a great
attitude and their eagerness to learn is paramount to strengthening the Houston program. Spring semester holds
significant challenges as they continue to build their confidence, skill, and autonomy in the clinical setting. We know that
they too will succeed as they mature as students of anesthesia. Keep up the good work.
Interviews for the Class of 2014 are set to start in January. We look forward to meeting the next generation of AAs
and seeing what is to come for the Houston MSA Program. If you are interested in becoming a part of future MSA classes
in Texas, do not hesitate to contact the Houston office with questions or for information.
Finally, we would like to say a fond farewell to our education manager, Darlene Shuler, as she leaves our program and
ventures back to Ohio this winter. She has been a key factor in our individual triumphs and program growth. On behalf
of the student body, we would like to thank Darlene for everything she has done for us. You always managed to bring a
smile to our face with a story or two, and we’re going to miss you.
Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season!
ASA Annual Meeting 2011
David Denyer, Cleveland AAAA Student Representative
Lauren Barone and I had the honor of representing the AA profession this year
at the ASA annual meeting in Chicago. We embarked on a five-day journey of
learning and camaraderie as AAAA student reps this October. My only other
experience of Chicago was a three-hour wait to buy something for my sister’s
American Girl doll collection, so I expected it to be a more exciting experience than the first. However, it wasn’t the
shopping, nightlife, or scenery that made the trip better. It was the excitement of the anesthesiologists I spoke with that
energized me about our profession and what the future holds for those of us about to enter the world of anesthesia
that made the trip so worthwhile.
So often we hear about opposition to AA practice, but this conference helped me see the enthusiasm that exists toward
our profession among anesthesiologists. I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of interest about opening programs,
some in states that have yet to pass legislation for AA practice. This shows there is the necessary support, which
promises continued expansion. Spreading the word about our profession and representing it in a positive and
enthusiastic way was the reason I had hoped to be an AAAA representative. The conference gave me an entire week of
that while getting to know those involved in our profession on a national level. After such a positive experience, I plan
to attend this conference as an AA-C in coming years and to continue to help our profession grow and flourish!

STUDENT NEWS CONTINUED
ASA Photos
Justin Sona with Gary Jones,
AA-C, by UTHealth poster
A team at The University of Texas
Health Science Center at Houston
presented a case study at the ASA
annual meeting; Justin Sona, a
second-year Houston student and one
of the team members, was available
during the poster session to answer
any questions.
Poster title: Medically Challenging Case –
Urgent Thoracic Surgery for Ruptured
Diaphragmatic in a
24 wk Parturient
Authors:
Richard E. Juarez, MD
Justin Sona, MSAS II
Michelle C. Shen, MD
Tondra Newman, MD
Evan G. Pivalizza, MD
Eliza Benson with
new iPad:
Eliza won her iPad
at the ASA annual
meeting through a
contest held by
Oridion. The
exhibiting company
put a capnography sensor to the contestants’
mouth and nose, and the person who went the
longest without making a waveform on the
capnography monitor won the contest.
Eliza won her iPad by not breathing out for
3 minutes and 48 seconds.
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Below: Kim Vuong, AA-C ’10, second from left,
with Houston students [left to right]: Eliza Benson &
Justin Sona, AAAA student reps; Nate Flath, alternate
AAAA student rep and AAAA student educational
committee chair
Left: Pete Kaluszyk, AA-C, MEd
’75, second from left, with
Cleveland students [left to right]:
Abby Rhoades, student chief;
Lauren Barone & David Denyer,
AAAA student reps

ALUMNI NEWS: CONGRATULATIONS
Marina Sincerney ’10
married Douglas
Halpin on 11-11-11
at the Rio Hotel and
Casino in Las Vegas,
NV.
Kim Vuong ’10
recently became
engaged to David
Messerschmitt, and
the wedding is
planned for July 28,
2012 in Cincinnati,
Ohio. David
proposed to Kim in
May while they were
on vacation in San
Diego.
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Left: Alyson Finamore ’06 and Kyle Chepla got engaged October 5, 2011 in Hilton Head, SC. The wedding is
planned for September 8, 2012 at St. Stephens Church. Kyle is a fifth-year resident in Plastic Surgery at Case Western
Reserve.
Right: Stephanie Polutnik ’02 became engaged on October 2, 2011. Her fiancé, Ben Geletka, received his doctorate
in physical therapy from Ohio University in 2005. Their wedding is planned for May 5, 2012 in Cleveland.

ALUMNI NEWS CONTINUED
Here are some of our alumni who will be celebrating an anniversary year in 2012:
5 th Anniversary, Class of 2007 10 th Anniversary, Class of 2002
Lance Carter Brad Falls David Biel Heather Machcinski Hill
Maggie Green Sabena Kachwalla Heather Sims Jochum Scott McAndrew
Anthony Koury Jared Kutzer Stephanie Polutnik Chaity Roy
Jack Lund Maria Minadeo Barbara Rusk Sarah Orr Russell
Jill Remaly Robert Shonk Benjamin Yoder Dejan “Dex” Zivkovic
Aaron Sikowitz
FEATURE ARTICLE: BURKE AND HARE ANATOMY MURDERS
‘Round the town with Burke and Hare
Through the close and down the stair
Burke’s the butcher, Hare’s the thief,
And Knox is the boy that buys the beef.’
In the early 1800s in England, the study of anatomy
was severely hampered by the lack of suitable cadavers.
The specimens were usually executed criminals, who
were sentenced to be hanged and then dissected, as a
sort of insult after injury. However, the number of
hanging offenses had been greatly reduced as a result of
penal reforms at the turn of the century. When there is
a demand and a greatly restricted legal supply,
extra-legal methods are employed to fill that demand.
Resurrectionists, also known as body snatchers, would dig up recently buried cadavers and sell them to medical
schools.
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In the early 1800s, Edinburgh, Scotland was a boomtown. People were flooding into the area to work in industry and
all sorts of public works projects that had been created to support that industry. One of those projects was the
Union Canal, which connected Edinburgh and Glasgow by water, and moved coal and other raw materials between
those industrial cities. The canal was built between 1818 and 1822. William Hare and William Burke emigrated from
Ireland to work on the canal and stayed in Edinburgh while there. Hare soon married a widow who kept a
boardinghouse. When one of their lodgers died without paying his rent, Hare sold the body to Dr. Robert Knox, a
private anatomy lecturer whose students were drawn from Edinburgh Medical College.
Burke and Hare realized that this work was profitable and enabled them to avoid all that hard work of messing
around in graveyards with shovels. However, not enough lodgers died of natural causes, so the pair began getting
them drunk and suffocating them. Hare would hold a pillow over their faces, and Burke would sit on their chests,
killing and leaving very few marks on the body. Burke and Hare killed seventeen victims between 1827 and 1828,
taking them from the poor and indigent who lived in and near Hare’s boarding house. Unfortunately, two of the
victims were known to the students when they appeared on the dissecting table, and they were known to be in good
health.
The authorities were notified, Hare turned King’s evidence and Burke was hanged on 26 January 1829. He was
dissected by the medical students at Edinburgh University, and his death mask and skeleton can still be seen in the
museum of the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh. The popular outrage and need for anatomy education that
the Burke and Hare case spotlighted led to the passage of the Anatomy Act of 1832, and greatly increased the supply
of cadavers for medical education purposes. Hare was released from prison in February 1829; Dr Knox eventually
moved to London, where he still taught anatomy. The house where Knox lived is now part of Edinburgh University
Medical School.
William The Coroner 2011, ‘Burke and Hare’, blog post, 28 April, viewed 9 November 2011,
http://williamthecoroner.wordpress.com/2011/04/

HEALTH AND WELLNESS: WEMBLEY STADIUM HOOLIGANS
Kayla Norcia, BS in Pre-Physical Therapy
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This summer, sounds of enthusiastic fans roaring and ecstatic athletes
celebrating will ring high from the stadiums of London, England.
Starting July 29, 2012, the 2012 Summer Olympics will commence in
London, England with Opening Ceremonies of the XXX Olympiad.
Athletes from all over the globe will come together to compete for
gold, silver, and bronze medals, and a chance to prove who is the
best.
Soccer, or football as it is known to many countries, is the leading sport of Europe and will be a major event of the
Summer Olympics. Soccer was first introduced to the Olympic Games in 1896 as a demonstrative sport; not until
1908 was it recognized as a full medal sport. Since its introduction in 1896, soccer has made an appearance in every
Olympic Tournament except the 1932 Los Angeles Games. The U.S. felt that soccer was unnecessary due to the lack
of interest in the United States. Another change came in 1996 when Women’s soccer was added to the Olympic
roster. Since then, the U.S. has brought back three gold medals, more than any other country.
2012 matches will begin on July 25 th and continue until the championship match held in mid-August. They will be held
at various locations including City of Coventry Stadium, Millennium Stadium, and Wembley Stadium, home of the final
match. Competition will start at the preliminary level followed by quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a championship
match.
Since the Fall of 2010, U.S. athletes have been competing in Olympic trials in hopes of making it to the 2012 Summer
Games. So far, both of the USA’s men’s and women’s soccer teams have made it past Olympic trials and anxiously
await competition in London. Such players include Landon Donavan, Freddy Adu, Abby Wombach, and Hope Solo,
who was a member of 2008 Women’s U.S. Olympics team that brought back the gold medal from Beijing. This
summer the U.S. looks to bring back two more gold medals along with bragging rights for the next four years.
Following the Olympics is a great family activity that can provide an opportunity for physical
activity as well. Make t-shirts or signs and cheer for your favorite teams together. After
watching an Olympics soccer match or swim meet, encourage friends and family to get
outside and go for a swim or kick a ball around. Show your children that hard work and
dedication to any sport could take them to the Olympics someday. The Olympics are
enjoyable for every age, so make sure to take advantage of this wonderful display of
international pride and sportsmanship this summer!
ADS FOR GRADS!
Add a personal message to the special graduation issue of our March 2012 newsletter! Each ad will be created by our
graphics editor to maintain consistency and professionalism. See the next page for ad mock-up examples.
Parents – We would like to offer you the opportunity to commemorate the achievements of your son or
daughter in this issue. Submit an ad for your graduate with family photos, special quotes, or best wishes.
Students – Here is your chance to add a personal touch before you graduate to the last issue of the MSA
newsletter. Send your congratulations to another classmate or a thank you to a favorite faculty member.
Faculty, Alumni, Friends – Wish a bright future to our graduates and welcome them into the profession, or send
any message you would like to a specific graduate, several graduates, or the class as a whole.
The deadline for submission of photos and text is March 1, 2012. Quarter page ads cost $50, half page ads
$100, and full page ads $200. All ad funds received will go towards student scholarships. Purchase a congratulatory ad
today! Feel free to email Jen at Jennifer.Puin@uhhospitals.org to ask questions and/or to submit your ad materials.

CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES!
Congratulations Nicole!
You are my sun, my moon, and my stars.
This is just the beginning of our new life
together. You've worked so hard to get your
degree and I am so, so proud of you!
The best is yet to come!
All of my love, Daniel
Way to go, Aren, Steph and Riley!
You made it! We're so excited for you.
You are such an inspiration to us — one
more year to go! Apartment 305 won't
be the same without you!
Congratulations Sunny
Chad & Murph
We are so proud of you and your many
achievements. Not only are you a great student,
but a beautiful person inside and out. Keep
following your dreams and shooting for the
stars. The world is yours!
We love you SO much! — From All of Us :)
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