Nick's Blog

Memorial Day Update

NOW FOR THE GOOD NEWS. In spite of many recent challenges, we have emerged from the swamp and are about to move into the new international headquarters of the Windber Research Institute.

We are a mere $2.5M away from having the same complete array of molecular imaging equipment that exists at Stanford University, one of the world's foremost molecular imaging centers.

We are one of very few sites with the complex 3T MRI, 16 Slice PET/CT, 4D Ultra Sound, partnerships with the Air and Space Missile Defense Command, General Electric Healthcare, iCAD, Precision Therapeutics, UPMC, Georgetown, UCSF, the University of Maryland and a dozen others.

Our little hospital has one of the most comprehensive Integrative Health Centers in the U.S., has a new Industrial Evaluation Center for 30,000 UMW workers, a wonderful workout facility with nearly 1400 members, and a world class breast center.

So, during my darkest hours, I just peer out my front window and look at the lights glowing on the hill called Windber . . . No matter if I make it to the end of this race or not, Windber Hospital will be starting its next hundred years in a little over six months, and every bit of our success has come from one simple thing, the wonderful people who work here.

So, if someone tries to put a price or a value on what we have, it's not unlike our 14,000 donated breast tissue samples, there is no amount of money anywhere that could ever quantify your value. Thanks, again from the bottom of my "stented heart."

Rumor

Dear Fellow Employees:

It has come to my attention that there is a rumor of a layoff circulating in the Hospital. Please rest assured that there is no truth to this statement and that it is just that...a rumor. There are no plans for or discussions of a layoff. In fact we are going to add approximately 40 employees when the new WRI building is complete. If you have any questions or ongoing concerns, please feel free to talk to me or any member of the Senior Leadership Team at any time. Thanks, Nick

Health

Dear Fellow Employees:

Last week I consented to be part of the control group for the PET/CT cardiac testing that we and only three other hospitals in the country are studying.  The result of the test was  that I had the heart of a 40 year old, the strength of the Incredible HULK, and the IQ of Einstein.

Then they adjusted the settings, and found a problem with one of the stents that I had placed in January 1997.  So, I went into the cath lab on Friday, came out 20 minutes later with medically coated stents and a chance to keep causing trouble here for a while. It was preventative treatment and not the result of any symptoms.

I did have a complication with a hematoma that has resulted in a rather embarrassing situation that may keep me from tap dancing for a few more days.

Anyway, for those of you who like me, everything is okay, and the treatment at Conemaugh was first class. For those of you who don't, I had so much pain on Friday night from the hematoma that I wanted someone to put me out of my misery.

So, thanks for your support, concern and prayers, and I'll see you soon.

Nick

Welcome & Introduction

Welcome to the new weblog of Windber Research Institute and Windber Medical Center President & CEO, Nick Jacobs. We're excited to be working with Nick and the Windber team on this unique blog in support of visionary healthcare and translational medicine that shatters the traditional barriers between biomedical researchers and clinicians. It's an amazing journey that's just beginning. Come share it with us.  We'd be delighted to show you how to turn cutting-edge web-based tools like this blog into effective yet easy-to-use problem-solving, door-opening solutions that will get your message out, while delivering rapid ROI to your organization. Contact us to learn more.

Mike Russell
Consulting Principal
The Russell Organization
www.PlanetRussell.net