Introduction to Ochsner's Eleventh Annual Research Day

Sohail Rao

Included in the current issue of The Ochsner Journal are the abstracts presented at Ochsner's Eleventh Annual Research Day that was held May 20, 2014. As in the past, the many activities planned for Research Day served as a catalyst for the exchange of ideas that forged new collaborations and partnerships across disciplinary boundaries.

The theme of this year's Research Day was Neurosciences, a theme chosen to highlight one of the Centers of Excellence at Ochsner. Ann McKee, MD, professor of Neurology & Pathology and director, Neuropathology Core, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Boston University, delivered the keynote address: “Sports and Military Traumatic Brain Injury: Pathways to Neurodegeneration?” Her research on this highly controversial topic has received national and international recognition and generated informed discussion at the conclusion of her talk.

A total of 210 abstracts were submitted, of which 83 were selected for traditional poster presentation. Because of the record number of abstracts submitted—representing science of the highest quality—the judges selected 106 abstracts for virtual presentation via ePostersLive^TM, integrating yet another new concept to deliver valuable scientific knowledge to peers at Ochsner.

This daylong program of academic enrichment included podium presentations by medical students of The University of Queensland School of Medicine, Ochsner Clinical School; nursing staff; a pharmacist; residents and fellows; and physician-scientists. Presentations and posters were judged by a group of highly accomplished physicians and scientists that included Dr Mitchell Murray, director of The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research. We are pleased that he was able to attend this year's event and contribute to our ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of the presentations and the ensuing discussions. The names of the presenters and winners and the titles of their presentations are provided at the end of this introduction.

On behalf of the Research Day Scientific Committee, the Research Day Planning Committee, and The Ochsner Journal Editorial Board, I extend a note of gratitude to all who participated in making this Research Day a memorable event. It was indeed a day marked by the limitless pursuit of new knowledge, the establishment of new research partnerships, and the sharing of experience and expertise among peers. We look forward to your continued engagement in our collective efforts to enhance the quality and capacity of cutting-edge translational, clinical, and health services research at Ochsner. We do this to best serve our patients.

2014 Presenters

The University of Queensland-Ochsner Clinical School Medical Students' Research Oral Presentations

Matthew Clark, BS: Exclusion Criteria in Prehospital Stroke Screens Contribute to Their Insensitivity

Brian Reuter, BS: Combination Therapy for Colorectal Cancer Metastasis Using an Orthotopic Xenograft Model

Asia Downing, MBBS: Missed Opportunities for HIV Diagnosis in a New Orleans Area Health System

John Patrick Sisney, BS: Enhanced Nanoparticle Delivery to In Vivo Pig Skin

Pharmacy Research Oral Presentation

Ushma Patel, PharmD: Cytomegalovirus Infection in Liver Transplant Recipients after Protocol Change to Universal Prophylaxis

Nursing Research Oral Presentations

Anne Pirrone, BSN, RN, CCRN: An Evidence-Based Approach to Creating a Restraint-Free Environment in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Raymond Egger, BSN, RN, CNRN: Stroke Central: An Innovative Approach to Coordinated Comprehensive Stroke Care

Jean Shiber, MN, RN-BC, OCN: Reducing Central Line–Associated Bloodstream Infections Through the Addition of Disinfecting Port Protectors to the Central Line Bundle

Cynthia Boudreaux, MS, APRN, IBCLC: Early Skin-to-Skin Contact and Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates

Plenary Lecture Presenters

Saima Karim, DO: Correlation Between Positron Emission Tomography Stress Myocardial Blood Flow and Ventricular Tachyarrhythmia or Death in Patients with Cardiomyopathy

Tariq Javed, MD: Repair and Regeneration of the Diabetic Kidney

Kaustubh Shiralkar, MD: Improved Methodology for Calculating Hepatorenal Index

Hernan Bazan, MD: Increased Circular RNA-16 in Acutely Symptomatic Carotid Plaques: A Novel Mediator of Carotid Plaque Rupture

Keynote Address

Ann McKee, MD: Sports and Military Traumatic Brain Injury: Pathways to Neurodegeneration?

Professor of Neurology & Pathology and Director, Neuropathology Core, Alzheimer's Disease Center, Boston University

2014 Award Winners

Ochsner Alumni Association Resident Research Award

1^st Place: Saima Karim, DO – Correlation Between Positron Emission Tomography Stress Myocardial Blood Flow and Ventricular Tachyarrhythmia or Death in Patients with Cardiomyopathy

2^nd Place: Kaustubh Shiralkar, MD – Improved Methodology for Calculating Hepatorenal Index

3^rd Place: Tariq Javed, MD – Repair and Regeneration of the Diabetic Kidney

Nursing Research Award

Awarded by System Nursing Professional Development and Research

1^st Place: Anne Pirrone, BSN, RN, CCRN – An Evidence-Based Approach to Creating a Restraint-Free Environment in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

2^nd Place: Cynthia Boudreaux, MS, APRN, IBCLC – Early Skin-to-Skin Contact and Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates

3^rd Place: Jean Shiber, MN, RN-BC, OCN – Reducing Central Line–Associated Bloodstream Infections Through the Addition of Disinfecting Port Protectors to the Central Line Bundle

Honorable Mention: Raymond Egger, BSN, RN, CNRN – Stroke Central: An Innovative Approach to Coordinated Comprehensive Stroke Care