Current News and Events

Fairview and University of Minnesota Physicians announce system-wide Critical Care Services
In October 2011, the Pulmonary and Surgical Critical Care Services began providing 24/7 in-hospital care for critical care patients at the University of Minnesota Medical Center-Fairview. These providers also provide around-the-clock electronic ICU (eICU) monitoring and consultation services for critically ill patients at Fairview Ridges, Fairview Southdale, Fairview Lakes and Fairview Wyoming locations. These innovations are the first of their kind in Minnesota and will help us provide the best and most up to date critical service possible at UMMC and across the Metro area. The photo shows Robin Bushinski, nurse manager, and Craig Weinert, MD, medical director, officially opening the Tele-ICU hub.

Center supports Global Lung Science and Health (GLSH) Scholars
The GLSH Scholars initiative is funded jointly by the CLSH and the School of Public Health Division of Environmental Health Sciences, and allows health sciences students to work with faculty members to investigate and solve problems that threaten the respiratory health of humans worldwide. Our first GLSH Scholars are: Ms. Lan Luu, a University of Minnesota medical student who has previously earned a Masters of Public Health (MPH) degree from the University of Minnesota; and Ms. Emily Olson, who is pursuing a combined MD/MPH degree. In Fall 2011 Lan and Emily traveled to Mumbai, India, to study the negative health impact of asbestos exposure among construction laborers. You can read about their journey.

New lung cancer and lung nodule diagnostic clinic at University of Minnesota Medical Center opens January 2012
The Pulmonary Nodule Clinic is jointly staffed by Pulmonary Medicine and Thoracic Surgery physicians; allowing for a systematic approach to lung cancer screening and diagnosis. This clinic will streamline patient access to diagnostic procedures and use evidence-based approaches to ensure that pulmonary nodules undergo appropriate surveillance. In addition, it will facilitate the expansion of our interventional lung care services and compose the foundation for future research studies looking to improve lung cancer screening. Appointments can be made at 612-624-LUNG (5864).

Dr. Maneesh Bhargava receives two awards to study severe acute lung injury
Dr. Maneesh Bhargava received two awards to study protein expression patterns in severe acute lung injury (also known as ARDS), a deadly disease for which there is no drug treatment. The focus of his University of Minnesota CTSI KL2 Scholars program grant is to identify the differences in the protein expression in patients who survive from those who die due to acute lung injury. The ultimate goal is to identify a panel of proteins that could be used clinically to stratify patients with poor outcomes. These patients can then be enrolled in clinical studies testing novel therapies in acute lung injury. Dr Bhargava is also a recipient of American Heart Association Scientist Development Grant to characterize the changes in protein expression of lung cells during injury and repair. It specifically tests the role of two molecules in repair of an injured lung.