UI dentists listed among ‘America’s best’ for 2004-05

Twenty-three dentists from the University of Iowa were selected for inclusion in the inaugural edition of "The Best Dentists in America," a listing of the best-trained and most skilled dentists in the U.S. By specialty they were:

Endodontics: William T. Johnson, D.D.S.

General dentistry: Stephen Bender, D.D.S.; Ronald Elvers, D.D.S.; Patricia Meredith, D.D.S.

Oral and Maxillofacial pathology: Michael Finkelstein, D.D.S.; Harold Hammond, D.D.S.; John W. Hellstein, D.D.S.; Cynthia Kleinegger, D.D.S.; Steven D. Vincent.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery: Kirk Fridrich, D.D.S.

Orthodontics: Samir Bishara, D.D.S.; John Casko, D.D.S., Ph.D.; Karin Southard, D.D.S.; Thomas Southard, D.D.S.; Robert Staley, D.D.S.; James Wheeler, D.D.S.

Pediatric dentistry: Michael Kanellis, D.D.S.; Kaaren Vargas, D.D.S., Ph.D. Prosthodontics: Steven Aquilino, D.D.S.; Ana Diaz-Arnold, D.D.S.; Robert Luebke, D.D.S.; Forrest Scandrett, D.D.S.; Clark Stanford, D.D.S., Ph.D.

Bar code technology expected to enhance medication safety

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics is among the first hospitals in the United States to acquire a technology that allows nurses to electronically scan bar codes on medications at the patient's bedside before administration. The new MedPoint system—which will be available on all inpatient units after appropriate testing early next year—is designed to help prevent medical errors. "We have used bar code checks in the dispensing of medication for several years,” said  Paul Abramowitz, Pharm.D., director of the Department of Pharmaceutical Care. “The use of bar codes at the point of medication administration will further minimize the potential of a medication error occurring at the bedside."

Nurse-midwives reach milestone and expand staff

After celebrating the arrival of its 1,000th baby since the program began in 1993, the Nurse-Midwifery Service at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics added a third nurse-midwife to its staff. Paula Eveleigh is now working with fellow certified nurse-midwives, Anne Peacock and Lynne Himmelreich, to care for healthy women during their childbearing years. Peacock is a graduate of the University of Mississippi Nurse-Midwifery Educational Program. For more information about the  Nurse-Midwifery Service, or to set up a free “get to know the midwife" consultation, call 319-356-7038, 319-356-7002 or 319-356-1936. For an appointment call 319-456-2294. 

New children’s soft play area at Coral Ridge Mall

Children and their parents can take a break from shopping at the Coral Ridge Mall by visiting a new children’s play area sponsored by University of Iowa Children's Hospital, located at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Using soft-coated foam, it features a healthy living theme with medical helicopter, ambulance, hospital structure with “talking tube”, fruit and vegetable climber, piano bridge, and book slide. Standing at the entrance are the famous Iowa Hawkeye mascot, Herky, and the lovable University of Iowa Children's Hospital mascot, Perky. Coral Ridge Mall is located along Interstate 80 in Coralville, Iowa.

The Helen K. Rossi Volunteer Guest House--which provides a home-away from home for patients and their families at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics--is doubling in size thanks to a $1 million grant from Wal-Mart and the Children’s Miracle Network. Sixteen new rooms specifically for use by patients and their families in the University of Iowa Children's Hospital Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Units will open by the end of 2004. The 14 current rooms are available to adult patients and their families at a rate of $30 per night, first come, first served. Vacancies are rare and-because of a long waiting list-the guest house works with local hotels to be as accommodating as possible regarding reduced rates. For more information call 319-384-9240.

• Michael Artman, M.D., formerly affiliated with the New York University Medical Center and NYU School of Medicine, has been named head of the Department of Pediatrics and physician-in-chief of University of Iowa Children's Hospital at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, effective Jan. 1, 2005.

• Neal Weintraub, M.D., interim director of the division of cardiovascular diseases since July 2003, has been named medical director of UI Heart and Vascular Center, effective July 1, 2004.