HJNO Sep/Oct 2020

32 SEP / OCT 2020  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS   Healthcare Briefs was still spreading a small number of cancer cells to other parts of the body. However, when the TRAF3IP2 gene was turned off, they found no spread (known as “metastasis” or “micrometas- tasis”) of the original tumor cells for a full year following the treatment. Even more beneficial, inhibiting the TRAF3IP2 gene not only stopped future tumor growth but caused existing tumors to shrink to undetectable levels. “Our findings show that both genes play a role in breast cancer growth and metastasis,” says Iza- dpanah. “While targeting Rab27a delays progres- sion of tumor growth, it fails to affect the spread of tiny amounts of cancer cells, or micrometas- tasis. On the contrary, targeting TRAF3IP2 sup- presses tumor growth and spread, and interfer- ing with it both shrinks pre-formed tumors and prevents additional spread. This exciting discov- ery has revealed that TRAF3IP2 can play a role as a novel therapeutic target in breast cancer treatment.” “It is important to note that this discovery is the result of a truly collaborative effort between basic science researchers and clinicians.” Izadpa- nah continued. Members of the team included Eckhard Alt, David Jansen, Abigail Chaffin, Ste- phen Braun, Aaron Dumont, Ricardo Mostany and Matthew Burow of Tulane University. Dr. Bysani Chandrasekar of the University of Missouri has joined in the Tulane research efforts and found that targeting TRAF3IP2 can stop the spread of glioblastoma, a deadly brain cancer with limited treatment options. The team is now working on getting FDA approval and hopes to begin clini- cal trials soon. Cardiovascular Institute of the SouthMakes ‘Best Places toWork’ List Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS) has been selected by Modern Healthcare as one of the 2020 Best Places to Work in Healthcare. The complete list of this year’s winners, in alphabeti- cal order, is available at ModernHealthcare.com/ bestplaceslist. “It has been an especially trying year for the world, and healthcare in particular as COVID-19 ravages our communities and your workplaces,” said Aurora Aguilar, Modern Healthcare’s editor. “But the organizations recognized on this year’s list rose to the top and continued to be a source of strength for their teammates. They have seen their colleagues fall ill to the virus and struggled with the economic impact of the pandemic. The loyalty and trust between employers and their workers is being put to the test now more than ever. We congratulate the Best Places to Work in Healthcare for continuing to serve their work- force and communities during such an unprece- dented time.” “Our physician-led, employee-driven culture has always been the key ingredient in our suc- cess at CIS,” said CIS CEO David Konur, FACHE. “Now more than ever, our team has shown amaz- ing perseverance through these difficult times, and their commitment to our patients has been nothing short of exceptional.” This award program identifies and recognizes outstanding employers in the healthcare indus- try nationwide. Modern Healthcare partners with the Best Companies Group on the assessment process, which includes an extensive employee survey. Cardiovascular Institute of the South will be recognized at the 2020 Best Places to Work in Healthcare awards gala taking place virtually on Oct. 8 in conjunction with the Workplace of the Future Conference. Information on the award cel- ebration and conference is available at Modern- Healthcare.com/WOTF. Tulane University Receives $12.5 Million for Military Veteran Care Tulane University, nationally renowned for the care it provides to retired professional ath- letes through partnerships with the NFL Player Care Foundation and The Trust (Powered by the NFLPA), has received a $12.5 million gift from The Avalon Fund for the creation of the Tulane Univer- sity Center for Brain Health. The center will spe- cialize in the treatment of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in U.S. military veterans, beginning in the fall of 2020. The Center for Brain Health, which will fall under the Tulane Center for Sport programs and work in conjunction with Tulane University’s School of Medicine, will diagnose and treat traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and associated conditions in discharged military service members and their spouses, regardless of discharge status. Since 2001, more than 900,000 deployed mili- tary personnel have suffered from both TBI and PTSD. The gift will support, expand, and help equip Tulane’s capabilities to diagnose and treat TBI, PTSD, and the associated neurological and psychological conditions associated with these conditions in veterans. There will be an interdis- ciplinary diagnostic evaluation, an intensive out- patient program, discharge planning, and patient follow-up for at least one year. “Tulane is consistently ranked as one of the nation’s top universities for veterans due to our welcoming environment, strong ROTC programs and the educational benefits and financial aid options we offer to veterans and active military personnel,” said Tulane President Michael Fitts. “This gift from the Avalon Fund will allow us to serve our veterans in another capacity, helping them heal from the wounds of war.” Dr. Greg Stewart, the W. Kennon McWilliams Professor in Sports Medicine and co-founder and co-director for the Tulane Center for Sport, will oversee the new clinic. Stewart is also the director of Tulane’s Profes- sional Athlete Care Team (PACT), which has cared for retired professional athletes through partner- ships with the NFL Player Care Foundation and The Trust (Powered by the NFLPA) since 2011. “I fully expect that Dr. Stewart and his team will make unique contributions to the care of veter- ans in the New Orleans area and well beyond,” said Dr. James Kelly, executive director for the Marcus Institute for Brain Health, on behalf of the Avalon Fund. The Avalon Fund also partners with the Mar- cus Institute for Brain Health at the University of Reza Izadpanah, MD