Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1043624
BY ROBIN OVERBAY TE ACHING HOSPITAlS HAVE A lOT TO OFFER — FROM CUT TING EDGE TECHNOlOGICAl ADVANCEMENTS AND RESE ARCH TO THE RE WARDING E XPERIENCE OF EDUCATING FUTURE ClINICIANS — All OF WHICH UlTIMATElY TR ANSl ATES TO AN OPTIMAl ENVIRONMENT FOR PATIENT CARE. says Robert Corona, DO, MBA, the iCEO of Upstate University Hospital and Chair of Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at Upstate Medical University. "Medical stu- dents ask inquisitive questions about the fundamentals of medicine; and in order to answer them we must have a comprehen- sive understanding of disease states, as well as diagnosis and treatments." This modern knowledge of changes in protocols and understanding of diseases ultimately means that the medical pro- vider can then deliver the most up-to-date patient care. "We know from many studies that with new and important findings it can take 10 to 20 years before they are fully adopted," says Robert Fechtner, MD, Professor and Chair of the Department of Ophtha lmolog y at Upstate. " W hen new, important information comes out at a teaching hospital, we are aware and communicate the information so we are ready to advance." Dr. Corona says the hospita l looks closely at the complicated cases that are seen at its clinical sites. " We use data analytics to show us the patients who were admitted to our hospital, and who should have statistically shown poor outcomes, who ended up living. We call it our 'victory map.' It is amazing the amount of people who come into our teaching hospital, who statistically should not have survived, but do so because of the advanced approaches we have at our institution." Additionally, the research and leading facilities at teaching hospitals provide the graduates of medical school, residency and fellowship programs an education that prepares them for contemporary medicine. "At Upstate, we have a world-class library, engaging colleagues and a rich environment that fosters lifetime learn- ing," says Claudine Ward, MD, Assistant Professor of Physica l Medicine a nd Rehabilitation and Medica l Director of the Concussion Program. "For me, perhaps the most rewarding aspect of working at a teaching hospita l is my direct involvement in educating the next generation — our future colleagues — at the College of Medicine." OPHTHALMOLOGY AND EYE RESEARCH "Our ophtha lmolog y department has the three legs of academic medicine: teaching, research and patient care," Dr. Fechtner says. "One of the reasons I came to Syracuse is because the science here is so strong and the community of ophthalmology at the academic center and in private practice was very collegial and aligned." This research endeavor at Upstate is one of the top 35 in the nation, as measured by funding from the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Fetchner says. " No w t h a t w e a r e b e g i n n i n g t o understa nd the genetic a nd molecula r basis of disease, we a re sta r ting to see experimenta l treatments based off the resea rch f indings," Dr. Fechtner says. "Some of our resea rch is ta rgeted at understa nding the development of the eye, including what goes w rong, a nd identif ying genes in basic a nd a nima l models. This sets t he foundation for Robert Corona, DO, MBA, the iCEO of Upstate University Hospital and Chair of Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at Upstate Medical University, has led Upstate University Hospital since April 2018. UPSTATE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL: The Value of a Teaching Hospital THE ART OF academic medicine is ever evolving, with research f indings and technological advancements leading to new ways of understanding, diagnosing a nd treating disease. Working in the stimulating environment of a teaching hospital keeps faculty current with the lat- est medical advancements. Clinicians at Upstate University Hospital, which is part of the region's only medical university, understand the need to be lifelong learners and to impart that knowledge to medical students, residents and fellows. STAYING CURRENT "The educational mission of a teaching hospital inspires those responsible for patient care to be at the top of their game," 0 6 0 6❱❱❱❱❱ C O V E R F E A T U R E