Live well CAPTURING THE COMPLEXITIES OF CANCER - SMARTER HEALTHCARE FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA - UCI Health
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RECOGNIZING A STROKE FINDING A FIX FOR
AND ACTING FAST AGE-RELATED FRAILTY
WINTER 2019
live well
SMARTER HEALTHCARE FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
CAPTURING THE
COMPLEXITIES
OF CANCER
N OTES D IS COVE RIE S
A HIGHER LEVEL OF CARE CURBING FRAILTY IN THE ELDERLY
FOR ORANGE COUNTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Richard J. Gannotta, DHA, FACHE
Study tests whether stem-cell infusions can help the body repair itself.
WRITTEN BY NANCY BRANDS WARD
J
ust as Orange County and the ASSISTANT MARKETING DIRECTOR
surrounding region has grown Susan Mancia Boyles
A
and changed dramatically in
the past 50 years, so too has
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
slow and shuffling gait, hunched
shoulders and the frustrating
A ROLE FOR STEM CELLS
John Murray Patients receive an infusion of stem cells
UC Irvine Medical Center. Now inability to open jars of food
that migrate to the sites of injury in the
known as UCI Health — a system MANAGING EDITOR are just a few of the outward
body that produce frailty. The cells may
that encompasses our medical Kristina Lindgren signs of frailty — a condition that too
reduce inflammation and repair tissue or
center in Orange and all of our often characterizes daily life for people
organs to help restore function.
many institutes and outpatient who live into their 80s and beyond.
offices across the region — we have DESIGN, EDITORIAL & CONTRIBUTORS As frailty develops, so does the risk of
undergone a radical transformation. Moon Tide Media hospitalization, dependency, disability YOUNG, HEALTHY INFUSE INTO
We are big, bold and have become and death. ADULT BONE ELDERLY
PHOTO DIRECTOR MARROW DONORS RECIPIENT
a critical healthcare resource in Currently there are no approved
Michelle Villas
Southern California. treatments for this condition, which can
Nowhere is our rise to ART DIRECTOR lead to devastating declines in health. But
prominence better illustrated than Ajay Peckham UCI Health is recruiting participants for a ISOLATE STEM CULTURE
with the cancer research programs underway at the UC Irvine Chao Family tantalizing new clinical trial to investigate CELLS FROM MORE CELLS
Comprehensive Cancer Center in Orange and on our UCI campus in Irvine. In EDITOR whether stem cell infusions can slow or BONE MARROW
this issue of Live Well, I invite you to read about the surge in studies, programs Shari Roan reverse the descent into frailty.
and clinical trials that are transforming how we think about and treat cancer Dr. Lisa M. Gibbs, director of the UCI
COPY EDITOR
(page 6). UCI Health scientists are leading a major new international trial Health SeniorHealth Center, is principal
Laura Watts
of a treatment for a deadly type of brain cancer. We also are working to investigator for the UCI arm of a national
develop immunotherapy drugs that are effective not only for small numbers BRAND PUBLISHER Phase 2b clinical trial taking place at
of patients but for most patients. And our longstanding systems biology Hannah Lee a dozen universities and healthcare
program on the UCI campus is so far ahead of its time that the National organizations across the country. Stem makes it harder to recover from stress, The functional status and medical condition
Cancer Institute recently named us as one of just 13 research institutions cells play a central role in aging, she says. may involve impaired cognition and often of all participants will be evaluated at
nationwide that are charged with delving into the most complicated If you have comments or questions, please contact: “As we age, our bodies produce fewer leads to needing help with daily activities. intervals from one month to a year.
UCI Health Marketing & Communications
mysteries of the disease. endogenous stem cells, which are cells that Frail people are at higher risk for falls, About one-quarter to one-third of
333 City Blvd. West, Suite 1250, Orange, CA 92868
All Southern Californians benefit from these efforts. We offer state- can develop into different types of cells and which is a leading cause of death among Americans over age 80 meet the frailty
714-456-5496
of-the-art care as well as numerous cancer clinical trials that are testing repair and regenerate tissue or organs,” the elderly. criteria, but potential subjects with an
promising new treatments. Clinical trials offer cancer patients with the most The information contained in this magazine is says Gibbs, professor and chief of geriatric The study — run by the life sciences uncontrolled medical condition such as
challenging types of disease a chance to try emerging therapies long before not meant to replace the advice of your physician. medicine in the UCI School of Medicine’s company Longeveron, which is developing heart disease, hypertension and diabetes,
they are available elsewhere. Such trials are typically offered only at top Department of Family Medicine. biological solutions for aging and aging- dementia or a recent history of cancer
national cancer centers. It is this biological slowdown that triggers associated diseases — aims to enroll 120 would be excluded.
You can take great pride in this progress. Patients who enter clinical trials declines in physiologic health and functional total subjects, 10 at UCI. Recruitment The research is a natural outgrowth
push the pace of innovation. The thousands of people who have participated ability. The study will test whether specially is underway at various U.S. study sites of the SeniorHealth Center’s mission to
in or supported our annual Anti-Cancer Challenge to ride, run or walk also
YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE prepared stem cells harvested from adult for people ages 70 to 85 with mild to provide the region’s best care for aging
bring their enthusiasm and generosity to the fight against cancer. donors will migrate to injured areas, reduce moderate frailty who are able to walk adults with its team of experts and
Few things in life matter more than your health. If
Far from being followers of medical progress, we are leading the way. inflammation and begin repairs in patients 200 to 400 meters in six minutes. comprehensive, patient-centered approach,
you or someone close to you has experienced UCI
We’re doing it for the health and well-being of the people in our region, Health’s personalized, research-driven care, then exhibiting signs of frailty. Participants are randomly assigned to Gibbs says. The center’s experts are
as well as for cancer patients everywhere. n you know how Orange County’s only academic “If we can recognize frailty early, we four groups of 30 participants each. Three dedicated to developing new models of care
medical system is improving the lives of people in can potentially slow the progression to groups will receive an intravenous infusion and investigating how to help people live
Kind regards, our community and beyond. disability and dependence,” Gibbs says. of varying amounts of stem cells, and high-quality lives as they age.
Frailty is characterized by unintentional the fourth group will receive an infusion “Early studies of stem cell safety showed
We couldn’t do it without you. Your philanthropic
weight loss, exhaustion, weakness, of a placebo. It’s a blind trial, so neither promise in being able to improve frailty,”
support drives clinical innovations like the ones you’ll
read about in the following pages. slow walking and low physical activity. participants nor researchers will know who she says. “Our goal is to keep people
It interferes with independent living, receives which treatments. independent as long as possible.” n
Richard J. Gannotta, DHA, FACHE If you would like to make a gift to thank a
Chief Executive Officer, UCI Health System provider, honor the memory of a loved one or
To learn more about the SeniorHealth
establish a lasting legacy, call 714-456-7350 or visit
ucihealth.org/giving Center, visit ucihealth.org/seniors
2 LIVE WELL UCIHEALTH.ORG 3
H E ALT H F I LE S HE ALT H F IL E S
UI HEALTH NURSES ACHIEVE MAGNET DESIGNATION
UC Irvine Medical Center has been since the program began in 1993.
honored for nursing excellence with To receive the designation, the ANCC
its fourth designation as a Magnet®- conducts a comprehensive review of
recognized hospital. The designation patient outcomes and satisfaction linked
is issued by the American Nurses to nursing practices. It also examines public judges healthcare organizations.
Credentialing Center (ANCC). Magnet the medical center’s environment and “This recognition reflects our nursing
recipients must maintain rigorous its ability to recruit and retain top talent. team’s commitment to sustaining a culture
standards as part of the four-year Magnet designation has become the gold of excellence that drives better outcomes
designation. The medical center is one of standard for assessing nursing excellence for our patients,” UCI Health Chief Nursing
the first to receive a fourth recognition and is taken into consideration when the Officer Pat Patton, RN, MSN, said.
HEARTY BEEF &
BLACK BEAN CHILI
Soup or chili is a perfect winter dish — tasty, hot and filling. DIRECTIONS
Our hearty beef and black bean chili is healthy, too, with an 1. Heat a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add 1 teaspoon
abundance of legumes and vegetables. The black beans provide of olive oil and beef. Cook, breaking it up with a wooden
a feeling of fullness without being high in fat or calories. spoon, until browned, about 3 to 5 minutes. Drain any fat
They’re also great for bone health, thanks to the calcium, and set beef aside.
phosphorous, magnesium, iron and zinc content. This recipe calls
2. Add remaining olive oil, onions, celery, carrot, bell pepper,
for yellow onions, which are high in fiber to help decrease the
mushrooms and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until
risk of diabetes, high cholesterol and colorectal cancer. Yellow
vegetables soften (about 8 minutes).
onions have more antioxidants than any other type of onion.
Photographed by Rob Rosenfeld
3. Add beef back to pot, plus the tomatoes, beans, broth,
INGREDIENTS (Serves 4) tomato paste and spices. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and
• 2 teaspoons olive oil, separated simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the chili is
• ½ pound lean ground beef (10 percent or less fat) thickened (about 45 minutes).
• 2 yellow onions, chopped Optional: Add toppings of your choice, such as scallions,
• 2 celery stalks, chopped reduced-fat cream cheese, reduced-fat shredded cheese or
• 1 carrot, chopped baked tortilla chips.
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
• 10 ounces white mushrooms, quartered
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
MORE THAN 145 DOCTORS NAMED PHYSICIANS OF EXCELLENCE • 2 (14.5-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
• 325 calories
• 14.7 g fiber
The Orange County Medical Association (OCMA) has released its To be eligible for recognition, physicians are required to be • 1 (15.5-ounce) can low-sodium black beans, drained and rinsed
• 8 g fat
annual “Physicians of Excellence” list, recognizing 148 UCI Health certified by one of several medical boards, be in good standing, • 3 cups low-sodium, fat-free vegetable broth
• 26.3 g protein
doctors — more than any other Orange County hospital. maintain a practice in Orange County for at least five years and have • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 40 g carbohydrates
OCMA is a voluntary physician organization dedicated to been in practice within his or her specialty for the last five years. • 1½ tablespoons chili powder
protecting public health, promoting improvement of the medical OCMA also requires physicians to make significant • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
profession and furthering the art and science of medicine. The achievements in physician leadership, teaching and mentoring, • 1 teaspoon dried oregano The UCI Health Live Well blog has a library
2019 Physicians of Excellence roster, which appeared in the medical or scientific advances or humanitarian service. • ½ teaspoon salt of recipes, many with videos, to help you
January 2019 edition of Orange Coast magazine, includes about • ½ teaspoon pepper eat healthier. Visit ucihealth.org/eatwell
475 physicians representing 65 specialties. View the list of physicians at ucihealth.org/excellence
4 LIVE WELL UCIHEALTH.ORG 5
REDEFINING M
ore than a decade ago, UCI biology professor Arthur
Lander, PhD, broadened the focus of his research.
Instead of studying a particular biological molecule
or specific cell type, he reasoned that biomedical
THE WORLD
researchers would learn more, at a faster pace, if they explored
biological systems — how networks of molecules, cells, tissues,
organs and environments work in concert.
Today that novel idea has helped launch UCI Health into the
upper echelons of cancer research in the United States. Lander, the
OF CANCER
Donald Bren Professor of Developmental & Cell Biology, is part of a
group of UCI scientists who have been awarded a $10-million, five-
year grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for several
groundbreaking cancer research projects centered on the field of
systems biology.
“Arthur was very forward-thinking about this, years ago, in
New grants and studies are giving recognizing that systems biology would grow into a discipline that
would catch the attention of the NIH,” says Marian L. Waterman, PhD,
UCI researchers the chance to make professor of microbiology and molecular genetics, director of the UCI
Cancer Research Institute and a leader of the systems biology team.
a profound difference. “It was Arthur who brought us all together. Earning this grant has
been a team goal for about three years. ”
WRITTEN BY SHARI ROAN The leadership team also includes John Lowengrub, PhD, the
ILLUSTRATED BY CHRISTINE GEORGIADES Chancellor’s Professor of Mathematics. These collegial researchers
from vastly different fields — math, biology and genetics — are
dedicated to pooling their training, resources and experience to solve
some of the most complex mysteries of cancer.
“We worked so hard to get this grant,” Waterman says, noting
that the trio labored over the application for months, often pulling
all-nighters. “It’s the product of our high-quality cancer research
and the very strong program in systems biology that we’ve had for
years at UC Irvine. The NIH recognized that and rewarded it.”
That’s not the only national validation of UCI’s program in cancer
research in the past year. Several other researchers have garnered
prestigious grants or funding to launch innovative studies that
promise to reveal some of the complexities of cancer and unleash
new strategies for prevention and treatment.
Research is at the core of the UC Irvine Chao Family
Comprehensive Cancer Center and its designation by the National
Cancer Institute (NCI) as a comprehensive cancer center, says
Dr. Richard A. Van Etten, the center’s director and a professor of
hematology/oncology at the UCI School of Medicine. The NCI
With several large designation means the cancer center must conduct research across
grants, UCI researchers
are exploring promising the spectrum, from basic and translational studies to clinical trials,
theories on how cancers as well as meet the highest standards for patient care and educate
develop and how to the next generation of cancer health professionals.
best treat them.
The cancer center has the added benefit of partnering with
colleagues on the UCI campus to bring every weapon to bear in the
fight against cancer. With this award, UCI joins 12 other U.S. research
institutions that are part of the NCI’s prestigious Cancer Systems
6 LIVE WELL UCIHEALTH.ORG 7
Biology Consortium. Gleevec, which Van Etten helped to develop from the 2017 Anti-Cancer Challenge. “It’s
“UCI Health is positioned to do all early in his medical research career. a new approach to immunotherapy that
of this novel research because we are has come entirely out of UC Irvine.” A TUMOR AND
TAKING A LONG SHOT
ITS SURROUNDINGS
embedded within a great research Immunotherapies harness the body’s
university,” Van Etten says. “Other Under Van Etten’s leadership, the cancer immune system to fight cancer, but they
hospitals that lack a university can do center has also launched a yearly event haven’t been effective on all types of
In cancer, systems biology research
research. But we have the complete to fund novel cancer research projects cancers. Demetriou and his post-doctoral
looks not just at cancer cells but
infrastructure to do this type of systems that might otherwise go unnoticed. fellow, Raymond Zhou, PhD, are working
also at their entire environment.
biology work.” Orange County residents and those from on a new type of immunotherapy that may
surrounding regions have been enlisted in have broad success against many different
A CAMPUS UNITED this cause by participating in and raising cancers. They created a technology called Cancer cells
AGAINST CANCER funds for the Anti-Cancer Challenge — an Glycan dependent T cell Recruiter (GlyTR –
Systems biology is the study of complex annual run, walk and cycling event. The pronounced ‘glitter’). The therapy is based
biological environments. In cancer, that 2018 event raised over $400,000 to fund on the fact that almost all proteins on Immune system cells
means looking beyond cancer cells and 13 pilot projects. The 2019 Anti-Cancer the surface of cancer cells carry complex (macrophages, natural
exploring the environment they live in and Challenge will be held on June 8, 2019 sugars called glycans, which are not found killer cells and T cells)
the forces that shape them. By studying at Aldrich Park on the UCI campus. in normal cells.
the big picture, scientists hope to better “These are high-risk, high-payoff In the past, researchers have had trouble Dendritic cells
understand cancer. Systems biology studies that come out of our making use of cancer-specific glycans to (cells that boost
calls upon the diverse skills of many: immune function)
mathematicians, computer scientists,
engineers, chemists, geneticists and others.
“In the past when we’ve tried out Stromal cells
different drugs or different ideas, we
tended to have a simplified idea of the
“UCI Health is positioned (connective tissue)
cancer cells. And then, during clinical
trials, the idea fails,” Waterman says.
to do all of this novel Blood vessels
“The reason it fails is that the tumor and
the environment surrounding it is much
research because we are Lymph vessels
more dynamic and complex than our
models of cancer cells growing in a dish.
embedded within a great
What we study (in systems biology) is
more accurate.”
research university.”
The UCI team even includes an ecologist
whose expertise is tide pools because
he brings unique skills in the study of
complex environments that contain laboratories,” Van Etten says. “These target and destroy tumors because it’s
a diversity of organisms. UCI is well Anti-Cancer Challenge seed grants are difficult to attach antibodies — substances
known for its collaborative environment, designed to help an investigator provide that recognize the cancer cell — to glycans.
Waterman notes. “There is a culture here critical preliminary data that will allow But Demetriou and Zhou have developed
to be interdisciplinary.” them to compete for extramural grants a clever way around that problem by
The NIH grant funds three projects. from the NIH and other foundations.” engineering an artificial protein, called a as quickly as possible is also the goal of took place in her lab. Her early research elevating cancer research at UCI Health.
One, headed by Waterman, studies how One seed grant recipient is already bispecific protein. The protein is “antibody Dr. Daniela Bota, a UCI Health neuro- showed the compound could not only “Patients cannot be guaranteed
colon cancer cells cooperate to survive attracting notice. Last year Dr. Michael independent,” and because it recognizes oncologist and internationally recognized cross the blood-brain barrier, but also is benefit in clinical trials,” Van Etten says.
all the stresses in the tumor micro- Demetriou, a professor of neurology, a common cancer glycan, it can work on expert on brain cancer. Bota was recently not toxic to patients. “However, very frequently we already
environment and communicate with microbiology and molecular genetics, was different types of cancers. named chief U.S. investigator on an “Celgene, the company that has know that a new treatment is beneficial
each other. A second project focuses on awarded a $3.4-million NCI grant as part of “I think immunotherapy is the wave international clinical trial testing a new ownership of this drug, is sponsoring versus the standard treatment. We
melanoma — a type of skin cancer — and the Beau Biden Cancer Moonshot initiative. of the future for cancer treatment,” drug, a proteasome inhibitor called the Phase 3 clinical trial, and UCI will be wouldn’t offer it otherwise.
what happens when moles remain benign The grant will fund studies on a new class Demetriou says. “The impact of this grant marizomib, for glioblastoma — the most the main U.S. center,” Bota says. “The “But patients understand that when they
or turn cancerous. The third project, of cancer-killing immunotherapy drugs is enormous. We’ve been working on this deadly type of brain cancer. reason we do this work here is we want participate in a trial, it’s for the greater
headed by Van Etten, is exploring chronic with the potential to revolutionize cancer since 2015, but on a shoestring. This grant The test will combine marizomib with our patients to have access to treatment good — to help move the field forward.
myeloid leukemia (CML) based on a new treatment by creating one approach that takes it to a whole different level.” the standard treatment for glioblastoma, that is only available at academic cancer That’s what we’re all trying to do.” n
mathematical model of normal and can work on many types of cancers. temozolomide chemotherapy and centers like ours.”
malignant blood cell formation. It could “We saw his data and said, ‘Wow, this FROM THE LAB TO THE BEDSIDE radiation therapy. Bota was among UCI cancer researchers universally praise
lead to new treatment approaches for is something we want to support,’” Van Demetriou hopes to see their research the first in the world to begin studying Southern California residents who have Learn more about cancer
CML patients who fail to achieve optimal Etten says of the Demetriou project, move into clinical trials in a few years. marizomib, and much of the initial work participated in the Anti-Cancer Challenge treatment and research at
responses to the standard medication, which initially was funded by proceeds Impacting the lives of cancer patients clarifying its potential for glioblastoma or who enroll in clinical trials as partners in ucihealth.org/cancertreatment
8 LIVE WELL UCIHEALTH.ORG 9
Q & A Q & A
psychosocial skills-based training and coaching on how
to care for and be safe around a dog. Their parents also
received behavioral training. But only half the children Nine-year-old
actually worked with the dogs. Bristol was trained
as a puppy to work
with ADHD children
How did the children interact with the dogs? in clinical trials.
During two weekly sessions, kids had semi-structured time
to bond with the dogs. They rotated among separate activity
stations, throwing a ball or Frisbee, grooming the dogs,
working with them on agility or other activities. Children
then participated in didactic lessons to build social skills.
Whenever the kids contributed to the sessions, they were
rewarded by being able to sit or lie down next to the dog.
They also wrote letters and stories to the dogs, and on
Saturdays they practiced dog-training techniques.
Didn’t the dogs distract the children?
On the contrary, it takes a lot to engage kids who are
hyperactive when doing activities they don’t necessarily
prefer. Working with the dogs seems to motivate children
to participate in tasks they would otherwise avoid.
How long did the study last?
Each cohort was studied for 12 weeks of treatment, then
UCI Health child development expert
Sabrina Schuck, PhD, uses therapy dogs again six weeks later. For the first nine weeks, the groups
Bristol, a golden retriever, and Kiwi, a with therapy dogs learned how to train the animals. In the
Maltese-poodle mix, to work with kids last three weeks, the kids created their own lesson plans to
who have ADHD.
teach basics like sit, stay and come. Then they tried to train
puppies, a task that requires considerable patience
and self-control.
DOGGED DETERMINATION What did your study find?
Children who interacted with the dogs experienced a
reduction in inattention and improvements in social skills
A novel UCI study shows therapy dogs can benefit children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. and self-esteem when compared to the groups without
dogs. There was no effect, however, on hyperactivity
WRITTEN BY NANCY BRANDS WARD | PHOTOGRAPHED BY SHANE O’DONNELL and impulsivity. We saw the same results in a follow-up
measurement six weeks after the interaction with the dogs
ended. These findings are important because hyperactivity
C
and impulsivity tend to decline with age, while problems
oncerned that at least 5 percent of U.S. children are What made you think therapy dogs could help children with attention tend to persist through life and are the most
diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder with ADHD? challenging to treat.
(ADHD), UCI child development specialist Sabrina E.B. There is a lot of anecdotal evidence about the effectiveness of
Schuck decided to seek therapies besides medications to therapy dogs. Our founding school program director brought Can this intervention take the place of medication? therapies we know work. Our main goal is to see how we can
calm children and help them focus. In a first-of-its-kind randomized a therapy dog, Teddy, to school every day. Others have studied I would never say that kids always need medicine or don’t safely and effectively implement this program to help motivate
trial, Schuck and her colleagues found therapy dogs to be effective child development and the human-animal bond, but until need it. Medications are very effective at reducing symptoms children to learn and participate in school.
in reducing some of the symptoms of ADHD in children. recently, there were no large or randomized and controlled trials. for many children with ADHD. But we also need to learn
Schuck, who holds a doctorate in education and a master’s Adapting those studies to ADHD work done here at UCI over the who benefits from animal-assisted interventions and how What surprised you about this study?
degree in clinical psychology, is an assistant professor of past two decades, we proposed a complex clinical trial to see if we can measure its effectiveness with or without medicine. This project was so much fun. I loved seeing kids lined up at the
pediatrics and executive director of the UCI Health Child animals like Teddy make a difference for these children. school gate right on time because they couldn’t wait to get in to
Development Center. Beyond ADHD, her research interests What’s next? start therapy. The children in the dog groups were always on time. n
include the human-animal bond and school-based interventions. Whom did you study and how did the study work? We want to understand who benefits from these strategies
Live Well asked about her team’s research that was recently Over five years, we looked at seven cohorts of 12 children — a most and why. We also want to examine how to feasibly
published in the American Psychological Association’s Society total of 88, ages 7 to 9 — who’d been diagnosed with ADHD. implement animal-assisted interventions, particularly in Learn more about the UCI Health Child Development
of Counseling Psychology’s Human-Animal Interaction Bulletin. None had started medication. All received “dog-themed” schools, to complement or provide alternatives to other School at ucihealth.org/childdevelopment
10 LIVE WELL UCIHEALTH.ORG 11
Timely A
s an annual passholder to The amount of brain damage a
UCI Health’s rapid-
Disneyland, Edgar Ceniceros person suffers from a stroke depends
response team saves loves making regular trips to the largely on how fast they get treatment.
a young father’s life. Anaheim theme park with his Every second counts. That’s why
Treatment
wife, Brittani, and their two children. But comprehensive stroke centers have rapid
WRITTEN BY one day in January 2017 as they walked response procedures in place to quickly
TRAVIS MARSHALL into the park, the young father began evaluate patients, provide them with
PHOTOGRAPHED BY experiencing a painful headache that clot-busting medication and any other
SHANE O’DONNELL soon left him on the brink of a coma. appropriate treatments within minutes.
“We were interacting with the turtle Lin says learning how to recognize
from Finding Nemo when I started stroke symptoms early and knowing
getting dizzy — everything went where the nearest comprehensive stroke
fuzzy,” says Ceniceros, a 34-year-old center is located are the best ways to
La Habra resident who works as a prevent disability and death.
service manager for a Mercedes Benz “There’s still a huge lack of public
dealership. “I tried to brush it off, but awareness and public education, so the
then I started limping, feeling numbness more we can educate the public and first
and having trouble moving on my right responders the better,” she explains.
side. That’s when I started to realize When Ceniceros arrived, the care
something was wrong.” team found that he had an arterial
What happened next is a blur. dissection — a tear in an artery at the
Ceniceros and his family soon made their back of his neck that can lead to a
way out of the park, and his wife pointed stroke-causing clot. Though strokes are
their car toward a local emergency room. unusual in younger patients, arterial
“All I can remember is that I wasn’t dissection is one of the most common
making sense,” he says. “Thankfully my reasons when they do happen.
wife stopped the car and called 911.” Lin moved quickly to start an
He was unconscious by the time the interventional endovascular treatment
TIME IS OF ambulance arrived minutes later. called an embolectomy, which uses a
THE ESSENCE Fortunately the first responders catheter-deployed stent to remove clots
recognized he was having a stroke, from blood vessels in the brain.
TO PREVENT BRAIN and instead of taking him to a local ER “It took several attempts to
DAMAGE WHEN they brought him directly to UC Irvine completely remove the clot and make
Medical Center, Orange County’s only sure it didn’t come back — ultimately
TREATING A STROKE. Level I trauma center and home to he was discharged with minimal deficits
The sudden onset of any of these the UCI Health Comprehensive Stroke and had an amazing outcome,” she says.
symptoms could indicate a stroke: & Cerebrovascular Center, which is “It’s a team approach, from the ER to the
• Numbness or weakness of the recognized by The Joint Commission neurointerventional team. And the after-
face, arm or leg, especially on and the American Heart Association/ care in our ICU unit for neurological
one side of the body American Stroke Association for its patients is equally important.”
• Confusion, trouble speaking expert stroke care. After waking up in the hospital,
or understanding Ceniceros was immediately treated Ceniceros had some trouble moving
• Trouble seeing in one or both eyes by neurosurgeon Dr. Li-Mei Lin, who on the right side of his body. But
specializes in endovascular and neuro- rehabilitation helped him regain full
• Difficulty walking, dizziness, loss
of balance or coordination interventional surgery. function within six weeks. Two years
“Most people wouldn’t expect a later — aside from taking an aspirin
• Sudden, severe headache with
no known cause person this young to have a stroke,” daily to help prevent future clots — he’s
says Lin, an assistant professor of back to normal and roughhousing with
Call 9-1-1 immediately if you or neurological surgery at the UCI School Giuliana, 8, and Madden, 6.
someone you know experiences of Medicine. “This type of situation “I felt impaired for about a month,
these stroke warning signs. highlights how important it is for but I slowly started to regain feeling and
first responders to bring potential movement,” he says. “I was able to go
To learn more about stroke stroke patients to a Joint Commission- back to work a month and a half later. I
treatment and care, visit designated comprehensive stroke don’t even want to think about where I’d
ucihealth.org/stroketreatment center that has the tools and expertise be now if I hadn’t gotten to UCI’s stroke
to respond quickly.” center so quickly.” n
UCIHEALTH.ORG 13
HEALT H H A PPE NI NG S H E A LT H H A PPE N I N G S
2018 HOPE & UCI HEALTH DIABETES FRIENDS OF THE
HELP GALA CENTER RECEPTION 20/20 SOCIETY
Friends of The UC Irvine The UCI Health Center for Diabetes Treatment CELEBRATION
Center for Autism and Research hosted its 12th annual “Celebrate
Friends of the 20/20 Society
& Neurodevelopmental the Center” reception, paying tribute to the Chao
celebrated their shared
Disorders attended family for their longtime support of high-quality
commitment to transform vision
the 2018 Hope & Help diabetes care and research to improve treatment.
care and eradicate preventable
Gala, “Growing Strong Pictured (from top left): Lee-Hwa Chao, Phylis and
eye diseases at the UCI Health
Together.” The event raised David Hsia, (from bottom left): Christopher Smith,
Gavin Herbert Eye Institute.
more than $340,000 for Fred and Diana Kong.
Event speakers reflected on all
innovative clinical care,
that has been achieved since the
education, training and
institute’s campus opened in 2013.
research to help those
The 20/20 Society’s
whose lives are affected
contributions are enabling
by autism spectrum
groundbreaking research that
disorder, ADHD and other
leads to sight-saving advances in
neurodevelopmental
vision treatment.
disorders.
David and Molly Pyott and featured speaker Tom Sullivan.
Steve and Danielle Reindl
DONATE LIFE BRAIN AND SPINE
QUEEN OF Queen of Hearts Foundation board members Caren Walley Edler, Cristen Walley Lebsack, Lori Hunter (co-founder),
ovarian cancer specialist Dr. Leslie Randall, Queen of Hearts Foundation manager Sandi Hanscom and gynecologist
The UCI Health Pancreas and Kidney Transplant Services team turned out in TUMOR PROGRAM
HEARTS Dr. Michael Krychman.
force for the 16th annual Donate Life Run/Walk held at Cal State Fullerton.
Members of UCI Health’s Comprehensive Brain and
FOUNDATION The team had more participants and raised more money for organ donations
than in previous years.
Spine Tumor Program supported their patients and
families at the annual Orange County Brain Tumor
The Queen of Hearts Walk, held at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. The
Foundation has donated event raised more than $230,000 to fund programs
$435,000 to expand the that help improve the lives of people affected by
services of UCI Health Ann’s brain tumors.
Clinic to south Orange
County and to fund promising
ovarian cancer treatment
studies. Ann’s Clinic, which
screens and cares for women
at high risk for developing
ovarian cancer and other
gynecologic malignancies, is
a collaboration between the
foundation and UCI Health.
14 LIVE WELL UCIHEALTH.ORG 15
EDUC ATI O N CO NNE C T IO N E DU C AT I O N CO N N E C T I O N
HEALTH CLASSES PREPARED CHILDBIRTH (five classes) EVENTS
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Feb. 13, 20, 27, March 6, 13
UCI Health is proud to sponsor community events that support a variety of health
Learn how to improve your health or April 10, 17, 24, May 1, 8
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prevent disease by taking our classes. May 22, 29, June 5, 12, 19
Most are free, but some do have fees. Thursdays | 7–9:30 p.m. NEWPORT BEACH LIBRARY LECTURE GAVIN HERBERT EYE INSTITUTE UCI ANTI-CANCER CHALLENGE
All classes are held at UC Irvine Medical Feb. 14, 21, 28, March 7, 14 MEDICINE IN OUR BACKYARD SERIES COMMUNITY LECTURE SERIES June 8 | 6:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
Center, located at 101 The City Drive April 11, 18, 25, May 2, 9 Learn about your health from these Learn the causes, symptoms and Join the UCI Anti-Cancer Challenge at
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Building 56, Room 113 When you participate, we are one step
Please note: There is a small fee to Feb. 25 | Chronic Heartburn? Painful Feb. 25 | 7–8 p.m. Myopia Progression closer to finding cancer cures. Learn more
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which is part of UCI Health. MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT and Dr. Brian Smith
Feb. 4, March 4, April 8, May 6, June 3 March 25 | 7–8 p.m. Eye and Brain SUE & BILL GROSS STEM CELL CENTER
Registration is required. Noon–1:30 p.m. March 25 | Bioidentical Hormonal Interaction – Dr. Chantal Boisvert COMMUNITY LECTURE SERIES
All classes are one session UC Irvine Douglas Hospital Restoration – Dr. Marcela Dominguez
unless otherwise noted. Building 1, 3rd floor, Room 3005 April 8 | 7–8 p.m. Annual Eye Exams: Feb. 26 | 7 p.m. The Brainstorm Stem Cell
April 22 | Update on Breast Cancer New Lens Technologies – Patricia Elbeck, Trial to Treat ALS – Dr. Tahseen Mozaffar
For more information, Screening and Treatment – Dr. Freddie RDO, and Marcial Torrez-Jimenez, ABOC and Dr. Namita Goyal
visit ucihealth.org/events Combs and Dr. Erin Lin
or call 657-282-6357. May 13 | 7–8 p.m. Cataracts – Dr. Marjan March 26 | 7 p.m. Stem Cell Therapies
May 20 | New in Newport Beach: Farid and Dr. Sameh Mosaed for Stroke – Lisa Flanagan, PhD, and
ADVANCE DIRECTIVE Men’s Health – Dr. Faysal Yafi Dr. Leonid Groysman
Feb. 14, May 9 | 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. MEDITATION FOR HEALTH SERIES June 10 | 7–8 p.m. Actor and
Building 22A, Room 2105-06 (four classes) Lectures begin at 7 p.m. at the inspirational speaker Tom Sullivan April 30 | 7 p.m. Aging, Alzheimer’s &
Notary available from noon to March 4, 11, 18, 25 | 6:30–7:30 p.m. Newport Beach Central Library, on the emotions of losing vision Frailty – Mathew Blurton-Jones, PhD,
12:30 p.m. at no charge June 3, 10, 17, 24 | 6:30–7:30 p.m. 1000 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach. and Dr. Lisa Gibbs
UC Irvine Douglas Hospital Seating is limited. Doors open at Lectures are held at the institute,
BREASTFEEDING Building 1, 3rd floor, Room 3005 6:30 p.m. Audience members have 850 Health Sciences Road, Irvine. All lectures are held in the 4th floor
Feb. 7, March 7, April 4, May 2, the opportunity to speak with the To RSVP, contact ghei@health.uci.edu conference room at Sue & Bill Gross Hall,
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UC Irvine Douglas Hospital
HEART FAILURE Building 1, 3rd floor, Room 3005
Feb. 4, May 6 | 2–3:30 p.m.
UC Irvine Douglas Hospital MEDITATION: BODY SCAN RELAXATION
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Building 1, 3rd floor, Room 3005 To learn more about our support groups, call the
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Building 1, 3rd floor, Room 3005 Learn how to protect your health with our
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free, on-demand videos. Topics include:
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NEWBORN CARE • Cholesterol
11 a.m.–noon MACULAR DEGENERATION 714-456-7437 SUPPORT GROUP
Feb. 15, March 8, April 12, May 3 | 6–9 p.m. • Diabetes diet
UC Irvine Douglas Hospital 888-430-9898 800-452-2873, ext. 233
Building 56, Room 113 • Diabetes management*
Building 1, 3rd floor, Room 3001 HEART FAILURE SUPPORT GROUP
• Diabetes blood-sugar testing
ART FOR THE SOUL 714-456-7514 PANCREATIC CANCER
• High blood pressure
714-456-2846 SUPPORT GROUP
• Prevent stroke
INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE 714-456-7057
• Stop smoking
BARIATRIC SURGERY SUPPORT GROUP
* Also available in Spanish
SUPPORT GROUP 714-456-7057 SUPPORT FOR ORAL, HEAD
888-717-4463 AND NECK CANCERS
KOREAN WOMEN’S 714-456-2846
BRAIN TUMOR CANCER SUPPORT GROUP
For information on additional
EDUCATION/SUPPORT GROUP 714-456-5057 TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA
video topics and to request
714-456-5812 ASSOCIATION SUPPORT GROUP
an internet access code, please call
714-944-3044
UCI Health Patient Education at
714-456-8434.
16 LIVE WELL UCIHEALTH.ORG 17
ON MY M I ND
Smarter
Cathy Jensen copes with
healthcare
now closer to
Photographed by Shane O’Donnell
Parkinson’s disease by
supporting research and
home
traveling the world.
Introducing our new
s state-of-the-art medical
facility in Yorba Linda,
GET MOVING,
About three years ago when I was seeing my UCI endocrinologist
Dr. Andrew Reikes for diabetes, he said, ‘Cathy, you don’t seem
opening Feb. 4, 2019
LIVE LIFE
to be as bubbly and bright as usual.’ He was quite concerned and
referred me to movement disorders specialist Dr. Nicolas Phielipp.
C
When you’re first diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, I don’t think
athy Jensen had a thriving you realize the significance of what you’re hearing. Parkinson’s varies
Powered by breakthrough research and advanced Our Locations
career as a criminal and civil so much between individual patients; and even in the same patient,
rights litigator. The mother of the condition varies from day to day. treatments from the University of California, Irvine, UCI Health — Yorba Linda
two young children, she was I decided I had better get moving and live life to the fullest.
our team of compassionate, top-tier doctors and Multispecialty
diagnosed with diabetes while Dr. Reikes, who is one of my heroes, said, ‘Cathy, get as many stamps
in law school 40 years ago. Under the on your passport as you can while you can still travel.’ I’m about to health professionals offers you superior care in: (Opening February 2019)
care of UCI Health endocrinologists, leave on a 38-day cruise of the North Atlantic Ocean. Last year, I 18637 Yorba Linda Blvd.
she was able to get off an insulin pump went to Venice and invited all of my best friends to stay with me. It • Breast Health • Neurology
and controlled her diabetes with diet, was great. Italians have a wonderful saying: Il dolce far niente, which UCI Health — Yorba Linda
exercise and oral medication. After means ‘the sweetness of doing nothing.’ • Cardiology • Pain Management
Primary Care
a spinal cord injury 20 years ago, she But the fact is, people with Parkinson’s know they are always
closed her practice rather than work in losing ground. The ability to improve is something we almost take • Dermatology • Physical Medicine 19871 Yorba Linda Blvd.
a wheelchair. Three years ago she was for granted in society. I think it’s important to educate people to
• Imaging and Rehabilitation
diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, understand that. It’s such a privilege to have a condition or disease
an incurable neurodegenerative you can rehabilitate from and become better. The people who love • Integrative Health • Urology
condition that compromises balance me have to watch my deterioration. With this disease you disappear BASTANCHURY RD
and coordination while diminishing from the scene. It’s hard to get out in wheelchairs. It’s hard to use
mental function. During her treatment public transit. So we have to get the word out to help people with For unmatched expertise and innovation, look no BLUE AGAVE
YORBA LINDA BLVD
for Parkinson’s at UCI Health, Jensen Parkinson’s disease. further than UCI Health — Orange County’s only
has become a committed advocate — Eventually I think there will be treatments for Parkinson’s that 57
academic health system.
FA
IR
for research to prevent the disease and will be up there in importance with the invention of antibiotics. The
MO
90
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treatment to enhance the quality of
NT
quality of life for people with the disease will be so much better. But
EVIEW AV
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patients’ lives. today we’re the ones who are going to have to make a difference. We
VD
must go into our own checkbooks and write checks to fund research.
We have to teach the world about Parkinson’s disease. n To make an appointment, 91
E
To learn more about Parkinson’s disease, visit ucihealth.org/yorba-linda
— Cathy Jensen 55
visit ucihealth.org/parkinsonsdisease or call 714-790-8600
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VOLUNTEER. DONATE.
No matter how you get involved with the
UCI Anti-Cancer Challenge, your participation
advances lifesaving cancer research at the
UC Irvine Chao Family Comprehensive
Cancer Center.
Join us for the third annual UCI Anti-Cancer
Challenge on Saturday, June 8, 2019 at
Aldrich Park on the UCI campus. Invite your
friends, family and coworkers to join you
on a team.
Register today at www.anti-cancerchallenge.org
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