September 30, 2009 – Study shows complication rates not best predictor of hospital quality

About 1 in 6 patients has a serious complication, but complication rates are not best marker of hospital quality

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – A compelling University of Michigan Health System study debunks assumptions about the role of complications in distinguishing good and bad hospitals.

The report in Thursday’s New England Journal of Medicine confirms that serious complications are common after major surgery – about 1 in 6 patients – but the study shows what drives hospital mortality is failure to rescue.

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September 24, 2009 – The Dick Sarns Innovation Fund

The University of Michigan is pleased to announce the Dick Sarns Innovation Fund at our new Medical Innovation Center. A pioneer in biomedical engineering, Dick Sarns’ groundbreaking technologies have improved surgical outcomes for countless patients.

In collaboration with leading cardiac surgeons at the University of Michigan, Sarns developed the heart/lung machine for use during open-heart surgery, which has become the most noted and widely used product of its kind.

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September 21, 2009 – FDA Awards Dr. James Geiger $2 Million Grant to Develop Pediatric Medical Devices

The UM-Medical Innovation Center (MIC) won a $2 million award from the FDA to launch a Pediatric Device Consortium to support the development of medical devices for pediatric patients.

Of the 16 applicants, this consortium was one of only three funded across the United States, receiving the largest funding amount. This is a tremendous honor for the University and brings significant credibility to the MIC in just its second year of operation. This award will enable the consortium to impact pediatric health for years to come.

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September 8, 2009 – 8-Year-Old Just Wants to be a Kid After Heart Transplant

Most Michigan kids will head back to school today amid a certain amount of grousing about the end of summer freedom.

Eight-year-old Tommy Schomaker is simply thankful to be back in school.

September 2, 2009 – Healthy Lifestyle Beats Cancer

“The evidence is very strong, if not overwhelming, that lifestyle changes such as maintaining healthy body weight and exercise can not only help prevent cancer, it can have a greater impact on breast cancer outcomes than chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery,” says Dr. Michael Sabel, a surgical oncologist and associate professor of surgery at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

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September 2, 2009 – Raising Money and Hope for Esophageal Cancer Research

Jamie Osher passed away September 3, 2008 from esophageal cancer. To honor her husband, Paula Wiggins has established The Jamie Osher Memorial Fund in Esophageal Cancer to support critical and groundbreaking research at the University of Michigan.

“Jamie was only 55 when he died,” adds Paula. “Raising money in Jamie’s name to find a cure gives me hope that some good can come out of something so terrible. We hope Dr. Orringer and his team find a cure soon.”

Jamie’s brother John, a successful entrepreneur, and his wife Bonnie (1979 BS Education from UM) will embark on a “Cruise for a Cure” just after Labor Day to honor his brother and raise money for The Jamie Osher Memorial Fund. The couple’s voyage will cover 2500 nautical miles from Bay Harbor, MI, to Jupiter, FL. “We want to raise awareness about esophageal cancer, raise money for research, and honor Jamie’s life,” says John. John and Bonnie are themselves pledging $4.00 for each mile of their trip. Interested supporters can pledge a donation per mile or make a lump sum contribution – all money raised will support esophageal cancer research at the University of Michigan.

Paula Wiggins and eight other nationally renowned Cincinnati artists (Kay Hurley, Terri Kern, Cindy Olmes, Carol MacConnell, Diane Seeman, Chris Seeman, Donna Talerico, and Nancy Willman) will sell selected work in early September at an event to honor Jamie and raise money for the Jamie Osher Memorial Fund in Esophageal Research. Jamie, himself, was an accomplished photographer and was actively involved in supporting the local art community in Cincinnati.

To find out how you can support the Jamie Osher Memorial Fund in Esophageal Cancer, please contact Ann Boyd-Stewart.

September 1, 2009 – The Jamie Osher Memorial Fund for Research in Esophageal Cancer

Jamie Osher – who passed away September 3, 2008 from esophageal cancer – was, by all accounts, an extraordinary man. But the battle he faced with esophageal cancer is becoming increasingly common. In fact, the incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma has increased by an alarming 350 percent over the last few decades. Experts don’t yet know why this particular type of cancer is on the rise, and the rapid spread of the disease makes it difficult to treat unless it’s caught early. To honor her husband, Paula Wiggins has established The Jamie Osher Memorial Fund in Esophageal Cancer to support critical and groundbreaking research at the University of Michigan.

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