UCONN HEALTH
THE PULSE
Issue 220 | July 23, 2020
Hours in Outpatient Replaces Days in the Hospital
Therapeutic plasma exchange, a therapy in which harmful components are flushed out of a patient's plasma and replaced, is something we've been doing for years. But we're now one of the locations in the state that can offer TPE on an outpatient basis, as opposed to what historically would require a prolonged hospital stay. Learn more about our new outpatient TPE clinic and who stands to benefit from this new approach.
POSSIBLE IS OUR PEOPLE.
Angelman Researchers Working Toward Genetic Therapy
The Angelman syndrome research of Stormy Chamberlain and Noelle Germain has the attention of a biopharmaceutical company. They've formed a licensing agreement and research collaboration with Ovid Therapeutics Inc., with the goal of developing a genetic therapy, and ultimately expanding the research pipeline for additional potential therapies.
In the Journal: Tip of the Iceberg
The correlation between oral health and overall health is at the center of the interprofessional care we deliver and teach. As described in the latest UConn Health Journal, we continue to be leaders in the area of interdisciplinary collaboration that leads to a well-rounded medical home for our patients, as well as future generations of providers prepared to take that collaborative approach when it's their turn.
DEAR DR. ANDY
We have heard over the last couple of weeks what a financial strain COVID has placed on hospitals. May I respectfully ask, what’s the rationale behind for power washing all three garages, and at what cost?
 
Thank you for your question. I shared it with our parking and facilities maintenance leaders, and they note that the annual power washing of the parking garages is part of the overall maintenance program for the garages as recommended by the parking garage design and maintenance best practices. The maintenance program includes regular wash-downs with water, and as they point out, this is especially important to remove dust, debris, and especially road salt, which contains harmful chlorides. 
 
Note, we don’t use road salt in the garages (we use calcium magnesium acetate, or CMA, which has no adverse effect on concrete and steel), however the vehicles do track salt from the roads into the garages and it is important to wash the garages down annually to remove any remaining salts. 
 
Two more things that are important to understand are (1) this annual maintenance is included in our contract with our parking vendor, LAZ, so it’s not an additional line item in our budget, and (2) potential repairs to the garage due to corrosion would be much more costly. 
 
I appreciate your commitment to cost savings during this challenging time. It’s a good question and worthy of explanation.
Have a question for Dr. Andy? Just find his smiling face on  UConn Health Express  and click “Ask Dr. Andy a Question.”
UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS
New Leadership Roles for Dr. Lynn Kosowicz
Dr. Lynn Kosowicz has been named interim chair of the Department of Medicine and interim chief of medical services. Currently the director of the Clinical Skills Assessment Program, Dr. Kosowicz joined the faculty in 1991, and her time with us goes back to her days as a trainee in our medical school and internal medicine residency program. Please see the full announcement from Dr. Andy and Dean Liang, and join us in wishing her the best in her new roles!
Future Docs and Dentists on Rounds Around New England
House to House for a Cause, this year's version of Coast to Coast for a Cause, is nearing the home stretch. After nearly two weeks of day trips in Connecticut, Medical students Sarah Gans and Mary Kate Kosciusko and dental students Kelly Jones and Talia Staiger have spent the last nearly three weeks pedaling throughout New England, visiting friends, family and faculty as they raise money for the Adaptive Sports Program at the Hospital for Special Care. They'll be returning to UConn Health soon, so be sure to see their blog to track their progress and support their cause!
Family Medicine Joins Podiatry in Willimantic
Did you know, we now have a family medicine practice in Willimantic ? Dr. Dominick Roto is seeing patients Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 162 Mansfield Ave., the same building where Drs. Karla Scanlon and Michael Scanlon have their podiatry practice. Dr. Roto also is doing telephone and video visits on Tuesdays. To book an appointment for either practice, call 860-456-4250.
PIC OF THE WEEK
A 7-Year-Old's Kindness
A blueberry, pineapple, dog and cat. Julie White, 7, of Avon, has creatively raised $200 for UConn Health's COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund by making spin-art pictures in her yard and selling them via her red wagon to proud neighbors like Patty Olsen of UConn Health's Office of Clinical and Translational Research. "This 7-year-old's act of kindness is inspiring," shared Olsen. "It was such a kind effort on her part to want to raise money to donate to UConn Health." Mom and Dad, Anne Marie and Alex, and big sister Lauren couldn't be prouder too.
Got a story idea for The Pulse? Email us at  thepulse@uchc.edu .
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