New prostate screening guidelines

The University of Iowa played a major role in new statewide guidelines designed to promote more uniform screening of older men for prostate cancer. The guidelines were developed by the UI Department of Urology, the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at UI, the Iowa Consortium for Comprehensive Cancer Control, and the Iowa Department of Public Health under the leadership of Badrinath Konety, MD, adjunct associate professor of urology at UI. Iowa health care providers who have not received the guidelines or have questions may contact Beth Allen at 319-384-6041 or beth-allen@uiowa.edu.

'Best Hospital' rankings

For the 17th year in a row, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics ranks overall as one of "America's Best Hospitals" with six specialties listed in an annual survey published by U.S.News & World Report magazine.

Three of those specialties—Otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat), Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (eyes), and Orthopaedic Surgery (bones and joints)—rank among the nation's top 10. The complete list includes:

• Otolaryngology (2)
• Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (6)
• Orthopaedic Surgery (7)
• Urology (17)
• Gynecology (30)
• Kidney Disease (41)

Armstrong touts cancer research

Seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong found Iowa to be a dynamic platform for his quest to improve federal funding of cancer research.

After pedaling parts of two days on a cross-state bicycle ride called RAGBRAI®, Armstrong stopped at The University of Iowa for a U.S. Senate field hearing titled "Winning the Race Against Cancer." Armstrong testified as a survivor of testicular cancer.

Led by Sen. Tom Harkin, who himself has lost six siblings to cancer, the hearing included testimony from cancer survivor U.S. Sen. John Kerry, and George Weiner, MD, director of the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at UI. The testimony focused on stronger support for cancer research.

"It's a good fight, and I'm committed," Armstrong said. "I truly believe that we can make a difference."

Suitcase surprise: 1926 hospital gown

In 1926, the Henke family of Keokuk, Iowa, was so strapped for money they could not afford to join their infant son, Kenneth Henke Jr., on a trip to Iowa City for corrective leg surgery.

A University Hospital car provided the transportation both ways. Because his legs were in casts, the only clothing Henke could wear afterwards was a tiny hospital-made gown, stamped "Children’s Hosp."

Recently, that same gown was found in old suitcase by Henke’s younger sister, Roberta Lampkin. The discovery brought back a flood of memories for Lampkin, who donated the gown to the Medical Museum.

"What a history he has had!" she says, recalling how the surgery—performed by the renowned orthopaedic specialist, Arthur Steindler, MD—enabled Henke to become a high school pole vaulter, a Navy war veteran, and a two-term mayor of Keokuk.

WORTH NOTING

Francois Abboud, MD, associate vice president for research and director of the University of Iowa Cardiovascular Research Center, received the UI Carver College of Medicine's annual Award for Distinguished Mentoring.

Nancy Andreasen, MD, PhD, received the first Vanderbilt Prize in Biomedical Science from the Vanderbilt School of Medicine.

The Burn Treatment Center at UI Hospitals and Clinics received re-verification from the American Burn Association and the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma.

Janet Fairley, MD, a professor of dermatology and director of the dermatology residency program at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, was named head of the UI Department of Dermatology, effective Jan. 1, 2007. Fairley will replace interim head Craig Syrop, MD.

Pedro Gonzalez-Alegre, MD, assistant professor of neurology, received a $200,000 research grant from the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation.

Robert Kelch, MD, former dean of the UI Carver College of Medicine, was honored as namesake for Robert P. Kelch Conference Room in the new Carver Biomedical Research Building.

Michael Kienzle, MD, special assistant to the dean of the UI Carver College of Medicine, was awarded a patent for a system to provide continuing medical education credit at the point of patient care.

Andrew Lightfoot, James Martin, PhD, and Ned Amendola, MD, received the 2006 American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Caboud Memorial Award.