About Ochsner

Stolier Appointed Director of Ochsner Breast Center

Dr. Alan Stolier, surgeon and breast disease specialist, has joined Ochsner as Director of the Ochsner Breast Center, one of the most comprehensive, multi-disciplinary breast care programs in the Gulf South. He will be working alongside a team of dedicated nurse specialists, radiologists, oncologists, and surgeons to provide breast screening programs, medical oncology, surgery, and supportive services. Stolier and breast surgeons Dr. George Fuhrman and Dr. John Bolton also continue to improve breast care and surgery programs through new and innovative techniques such as sentinel node mapping, investigative treatments, and clinical trials.

“Dr. Stolier's experience and commitment will be vital in coordinating our clinical, educational, and research programs in breast diseases,” said Dr. Fuhrman, Staff Surgeon and Director of the Ochsner Surgical Residency Program.

Recruiting Dr. Stolier to lead the program solidifies the Ochsner commitment to provide state-of-the-art, compassionate, and personalized breast care treatment and services for women and families in the New Orleans community and the Gulf South region.

Dr. Stolier received his medical degree from LSU and completed fellowships at M.D. Anderson Cancer Institute in Houston and Hammersmith Hospital in London. He has also worked with the LSU Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center and the Breast Center at Memorial Medical Center. Dr. Stolier began seeing patients in March.

Merrill O. Hines, MD: A Remarkable Legacy

Dr. Merrill “Mo” Hines, a legend within the Ochsner organization who served in the institutions for nearly half a century, passed away December 16, 1999 at the age of 90.

Dr. Hines served as Medical Director of the Ochsner Clinic from 1959–1975, as President of Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation from 1968–1974, and as Chairman of the Foundation Board from 1974–1980. He guided the development of Ochsner Clinic in its formative years and coordinated the construction of the clinic building, as well as the consolidation of all the facilities on the Jefferson Highway campus.

Before joining the Ochsner Clinic, Dr. Hines served as a battalion surgeon in North Africa and Sicily during World War I and in General Patton's Third Army in World War II.

Dr. Hines is survived by his wife Margaret Davis Hines; two children, Merrill, Jr. and Margaret Ann Godfrey; and five grandchildren.

Ochsner Pet Therapy Wins National Award

Ochsner's snow–white Arctic Samoyed and pet therapist, Snuggles, won the national 1999 Beyond Limits^™ Special Service Award from the Delta Society recognizing Service and Therapy Animals of the Year. The Delta Society (www.deltasociety.org) promotes the use of animals to help people improve their health, independence, and quality of life. The awards, sponsored by Ralson Purina^®, recognize companion animals that are specially trained to help people overcome physical disabilities and achieve greater independence.

Snuggles has been working with patients at Ochsner since 1997 as a part of the Pet Therapy Program of the Rehab Services Department. He is licensed by the Delta Society and the LASPCA. Bonny Barry-Pullen, Physician Liaison and Pet Therapy Coordinator, has seen Snuggles bring smiles and inspiration to many Ochsner patients, employees, and visitors.

One patient, 4-year-old Mathew Surgenor, suffers from two disorders that affect his muscle tone and deplete his energy level. With these disorders, speech is a struggle and even walking can be difficult. Mathew began pet therapy 2 years ago when he could take only a dozen steps at a time. According to Mathew's mother, Bobbie Harrigan, the progress that took place when the two met was miraculous. “Thanks to Snuggles, Mathew has made strides that no other child with his challenges would ever have accomplished.”

Mathew comes to Ochsner to work with the speech therapists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists, and of course, Snuggles and Pet Therapy. Throughout the past 2 years, Mathew has been able to take great strides in walking, talking, and even riding a tricycle with the help of Snuggles and Ochsner's Pet Therapy Program. Harrigan says that Mathew's love for Snuggles has helped him to work through some of his disabilities and motivates him to try things, pushing his endurance level to accomplish more difficult activities such as ride a tricycle. He is doing things to strengthen his muscles much sooner than expected with his disorder.

Ochsner is one of the only facilities in the New Orleans area to provide pet therapy for patients and offers three therapy programs:

• Animal Assisted Therapy

• Animal Assisted Activities

• Personal Pet Program

For more information contact Bonnie Barry-Pullen, Ochsner Guest Services 504 842–3370.

Ochsner Fellow Publishers IMG Guide

In March, Ochsner cardiology fellow Dr. Keshav Chander's book “The IMG's Guide to Mastering the USMLE & Residency” was published by McGraw-Hill. The book is a guide for international medical graduate (IMG) physicians in different stages of training or in search of a fellowship in the United States. Dr. Chander's book also provides a resource for healthcare professionals and educators interested in learning more about residency training in the US from an IMG's perspective.

The book is available on Amazon.com and at other retail outlets in the US and around the world. For more information, Dr. Keshav Chander can be contacted at chander@img2img.com.