Gifts totaling $6.2 million to create genetic testing lab

The University of Iowa's Center for Macular Degeneration, a world leader in the discovery of the genetic basis of blinding eye disease, will be able to significantly advance its mission with the creation of a large-scale nonprofit genetic testing laboratory, made possible by two gifts totaling $6.2 million. The lab will be named the John and Marcia Carver Nonprofit Genetic Testing Laboratory in recognition of a $5 million gift from John Carver's mother, Lucille A. Carver of Muscatine, Iowa. The Foundation Fighting Blindness, a longtime major supporter of eye research at the UI, pledged an additional $1.2 million to support the work of the new laboratory, which will help patients, physicians, and researchers nationally and internationally.

Record organ donation benefits 2 Iowans

Transplant surgeons at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics played an important role in an Iowa medical “first.” A surgical team led by Ty Dunn, M.D., successfully transplanted kidneys into Terence Claypool, 41, of Vinton, Iowa, and Jeffery Johnson, 38, of Chelsea, Iowa. Both had been experiencing end-stage renal failure and required frequent dialysis treatments to remove toxins from the blood. The two kidneys were among eight organs successfully donated from a single donor by a Nebraska transplant team. The remaining organs, including the heart, lungs, liver, pancreas, and small bowel, benefited three other patients across the United States.

Iowa baby youngest robotic surgery patient

Surgeons from University of Iowa Children's Hospital at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics continue to set records using the minimally invasive da Vinci® robotic surgical system. On Oct. 14, 2005, a pediatric surgery team led by John Meehan, M.D., repaired a serious duodenal atresia birth defect in a one-day old Iowa girl, making her the first patient to have this type of defect corrected with a robotic surgical system as a neonate, and the youngest person to ever receive robotic surgery of any kind. In addition to being the world’s youngest robotic surgery patient, Amber Brisby of Montrose, Iowa, was the second smallest at 5.3 pounds (the smallest patient, a 5.06-pound girl, was also treated at University of Iowa Children's Hospital).

New geriatric outreach clinic

University of Iowa geriatricians led by Gerald Jogerst, M.D., are now staffing a geriatric assessment outreach clinic at the Highland Ridge Senior Living Community in Williamsburg, Iowa.

Lab project wins award

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics received a national award for helping clinicians assure that appropriate laboratory testing occurs. “Hold That Needle! Reducing Lab Tests” won a performance improvement award at the National Eclipsys User Network Conference.

UI Heart and Vascular Center name change

UI Heart and Vascular Center has changed it name to UI Heart and Vascular Center to better reflect the collaboration among specialists in cardiovascular disease, vascular surgery, and cardiothoracic surgery.

Blood center accredited

The American Association of Blood Banks has re-accredited the DeGowin Blood Center at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for two years.