Putting the Patch on Pain

Eugene R. Viscusi, M.D., has recently published research in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) about a new patient-regulated, credit-card-sized, transdermal pain relief patch. A press release on the same subject was included in the 2003 Annual Meeting Media Kit and prompted media interest from wire services, magazines and television programs. After the research was published in JAMA, subsequent media coverage has come from the Associated Press, HealthDay.com and other news sources across the country.

Top Docs

In an April issue of Richmond magazine, Stephen P. Long, M.D., was featured as the top pain medicine specialist in Richmond, Virginia. He was nominated by medical doctors and osteopaths from the Richmond region.

Robert E. Johnstone, M.D., was named one of the 100 Most Influential West Virginians in an April issue of the Morgantown daily newspaper the Dominion Post. Dr. Johnstone also has had newspaper articles published on Doctors Day in the Dominion Post for several years; this year, he authored an editorial on the meaning and historic origin of Doctors Day.

Dr. Conroy Becomes CMO

Joanne M. Conroy, M.D., Morristown Memorial Hospital, Morristown, New Jersey, was featured in the April 2004 issue of Modern Physician. The article explored her role as a chief medical officer (CMO), the relatively new position created for the most senior physician in a health care organization.

Ambulatory Anesthesia Moving Ahead

The April 2004 issue of Today’s Surgicenter magazine featured anesthesiology history from 1275-1905 and a number of anesthesiologists involved in ambulatory anesthesiology.

Frances Chung, M.D., and Kathryn E. McGoldrick M.D., SAMBA’s president and president-elect, respectively, were featured on the cover of the magazine. In the article, they discussed research, education, globalization and patient-related issues.

In a related article, Tong J. Gan, M.D., and Thomas W. Cutter, M.D., discussed SAMBA’s Outcomes Research Award and recent innovations and advancements in ambulatory surgery.

Good News for Opiate-Tolerant Patients

Jeffrey D. Swenson, M.D., University of Utah Health Sciences Center, was featured in an April 29 Associated Press story about his research team’s new methods for treating opiate-tolerant patients, which include chemically testing a person’s tolerance and tailoring prescriptions specifically to individuals. Dr. Swenson’s research won the top award at the International Anesthesia Research Society 78th Clinical and Scientific Congress in Florida in March 2004. John M. Dombrowski, M.D., Washington, D.C., also was quoted in the article.

Be Wary of Awareness

In a May 9 Associated Press story about patient awareness, Dr. Litwiller addressed anesthesiology’s patient safety record and urged patients and medical professionals to keep the issue of awareness in perspective.

Cosmetic Surgery Dangers Addressed

A letter by Dr. Litwiller pointing out the risks of cosmetic surgery performed in settings that are not well regulated appeared in the “Commentary” section of the May 15, 2004, Chicago Tribune.

In a May 14, 2004, Bloomberg News article about anesthesia and cosmetic surgery, Immediate Past President James E. Cottrell, M.D., was quoted regarding new developments in the investigation of high-profile deaths at the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital last January and February.

Dr. Litwiller and Hector Vila, Jr., M.D., Tampa, Florida, were quoted in the May 31, 2004, issue of U.S. News and World Report. The article focused on the prevalence of and risks associated with cosmetic surgery.

The ASA Communications Department is interested in hearing from members who have been quoted in the media. To let us know that you have been interviewed, or for assistance with media relations, contact Roseanne Durril in the ASA Communications Department at (847) 825-5586 or e-mail <r.durril@ASAhq.org>.