Heart Matters – February 2024

Sintek Gives Heart Health Tips on KMOV’s Great Day St. Louis

Associate Professor of Medicine Dr. Marc Sintek appeared on KMOV morning news program Great Day St Louis for their Heart Month coverage. He discussed the importance of heart healthy lifestyle choices such as avoiding tobacco products, increasing physical activity, and healthy diet.

Dr. Sintek also spoke about measures individuals with family history of heart disease can take to understand their risk, such as speaking to their doctors about screening tests, and knowing their cholesterol levels.

Watch the whole interview here.

Liu Receives NIH Grant For Imaging Projects

Director of the Echocardiography section, Dr. Kan Liu, has received funding for the grant “Implications of Spatiotemporal Deep Learning Neural Networks in Echocardiographic Diagnosis and Prognostication of Takotsubo Syndrome”.

Projects funded by this grant will help integrate new imaging processing techniques and models to facilitate ongoing echo imaging automation process, with the potentials to increase lab workflow efficiency and quality control, and generate new imaging research opportunities for clinicians and researchers.

Dr. Kan Liu has worked on patient care, teaching and research in cardiovascular medicine for more than 15 years. His clinical activities include outpatient and inpatient cardiology, echocardiographic and cardiovascular imaging services. His research focuses on using deep convolutional neural networks to automate imaging data analysis, and establishing novel echocardiography processing models to support imaging diagnostic networks and enhance rural health engagement. He is particularly interested in data visualization on spatiotemporal imaging features to optimize disease phenomapping and classification, investigate pathophysiology and develop personalized treatment in ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathies.

Lavine Among Awardees for Needleman Program for Innovation and Commercialization 

DeSelm, DiPersio, Lavine receive support to advance promising therapeutics in cancer, heart disease

Three Washington University researchers developing promising therapeutics for cancer and heart disease have been named the inaugural awardees of an innovative, new program that provides critical funding to help move research toward early-stage clinical trials and commercialization. The awardees — Carl DeSelm, MD, PhD, John F. DiPersio, MD, PhD, and Kory Lavine, MD, PhD — will receive financial support from the university’s recently established Needleman Program for Innovation and Commercialization (NPIC).

The program is supported by a $15 million commitment from Philip and Sima Needleman, longtime university benefactors. Philip Needleman, PhD, is an emeritus trustee of Washington University and a former head of what was then the Department of Pharmacology at the School of Medicine from 1976-89. He also had a long and successful career in the pharmaceutical industry, where he developed new drugs including the blockbuster Celebrex, which has been widely prescribed to treat osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and similar inflammatory conditions.

“NPIC is a key part of a universitywide campaign to boost drug development and move promising therapeutics generated by WashU investigators into early-stage clinical trials,” said David H. Perlmutter, MD, executive vice chancellor for medical affairs, the George and Carol Bauer Dean, and the Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Distinguished Professor. “It is exciting to see the program issue this first round of awards to such promising innovations. We look forward to seeing these projects make their way down the drug development pathways necessary to achieve investigational new drug status.”

The inaugural awardees and their projects are:

• Carl DeSelm, MD, PhD, an assistant professor of radiation oncology, is developing new cell-based immunotherapies to be effective against solid tumors such as breast cancer and lung cancer. Current cell-based therapies, while highly effective against certain leukemias and lymphomas, don’t work in patients with solid cancers in part because of their 3D complexity. DeSelm’s goal is to create therapeutic cells — called chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) antigen presenting cells — that would give the immune system numerous target options specific to each patient’s tumor. Going after multiple patient-specific targets simultaneously could improve the response and the ability to cure a wide range of cancers, including solid tumors that don’t respond to conventional or other immune therapies.
• John F. DiPersio, MD, PhD, the Virginia E. & Sam J. Golman Professor of Medicine, is developing improved methods to collect sufficient numbers of stem cells from donors. Those stem cells are then given to patients as treatments for blood cancers. Stem cells also are needed for stem-cell based gene therapies for inherited genetic disorders, such as sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia. But in some cases, sufficient stem cells can’t be collected from donors, which reduces the success of stem cell transplants. DiPersio’s group has developed novel small molecules that induce more robust and rapid mobilization of stem cells.
• Kory Lavine, MD, PhD, a professor of medicine and the Alan A. and Edith L. Wolff Professor of Cardiology, is developing new immune-based treatments for inflammatory heart disease, especially heart failure. Many forms of inflammatory heart disease worsen over time and have no cure. Lavine’s work has revealed that certain immune cells, called CCR2+ macrophages, drive inflammation in the heart after heart attacks or due to genetic forms of heart disease. His group has developed an inhibitor that can block the activation of these inflammatory immune cells and possibly serve as a treatment for heart disease.

“These three projects epitomize what we are looking for in terms of their potential to produce novel drug candidates,” said Shripad Bhagwat, PhD, senior director of the Needleman Program for Innovation and Commercialization and a research professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics. “Each has a unique approach and is focused on therapeutic areas with unmet needs for new and better treatment strategies. We look forward to working with these investigators as they take their innovations to the next level. I am hopeful that these projects will lead to groundbreaking new drugs for the treatment of diseases.”

Funding through NPIC is not a traditional grant. The program was established to provide Washington University innovators with funding — normally not available from traditional sources such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) — and expert development advice and guidance to expeditiously advance important fundamental discoveries toward clinical testing.

The critical experiments that will be conducted over the next eight to 12 months for the three selected proposals are estimated to cost over $1 million. The results of these studies will help decide the next steps and additional funding support.

The first request for proposals attracted 16 submissions, which were evaluated by an expert review panel for their scientific merits and deficiencies. In addition, feedback for all of the submitted proposals was provided suggesting critical experiments and data to facilitate future efforts.

“The goal of NPIC is to provide a new center of excellence at WashU focused on guiding wonderful discoveries along a true clinical path,” Needleman said. “These projects have the potential to produce breakthrough medications, and I am optimistic about the promise of identifying more of these innovations from WashU investigators in the future.”

Jain Announced as Medical Director of South County MMC/Infusion Center 

From the Department of Medicine:

It is our pleasure to announce Medical Directors who will serve our 4 outpatient Medical Multispecialty Centers with associated Infusion Centers. They will work within the framework of the Ambulatory Operations Executive Council (A-OEC) of the Department of Medicine (DOM) to serve as a physician liaison for the clinical operations at the MMCs. Alongside the Clinic Administrators, they will support quality and safety initiatives. Their scope will encompass patient care being delivered by the various DOM divisions in their clinics at these sites, as well as at the Infusion Centers.

Dr. Jain received his medical degree, completed a surgery residency and a diploma in anesthesiology from Maulana Azad Medical College in Delhi, India. He then did a residency in internal medicine at the University of Kentucky Medical Center and St. Luke’s Hospital in St. Louis and completed his cardiology fellowship at WUSM. He also received an MBA from Olin School of Business at Wash U. His clinical interest is in preventive cardiology and cardio-oncology.

Maddox and Joynt Maddox Present at Olin Healthcare Symposium

Drs. Thomas Maddox and Karen Joynt Maddox were among the speakers at the Washington University Olin Business School’s 5th Annual Healthcare Symposium. The theme of the symposium was AI in healthcare. Both members of the cardiovascular faculty, Maddox and Joynt Maddox participated in a panel that focused on use cases.

Dr. Maddox, who is Vice President of Digital Products and Innovation for BJC HealthCare and heads up their Innovation Lab, spoke about viability of using AI in health care settings, given challenges such as privacy, variability in cases, and the fact that stakes are very high for accuracy. He presented some projects that are being worked on now, such as automation for note taking which could help alleviate some of the load on physicians. He also detailed the testing measures that will be implemented to measure the accuracy and effectiveness of the tool.

Dr. Joynt Maddox, who acts as Co-Director, Center for Advancing Health Services, Policy & Economics Research at the Institute for Public Health, presented several ways in which AI can be used to improve public health. From tracking outbreaks of disease, such as in the COVID19 pandemic, to using AI to target public health communication to specific audiences, she showed ways that we can change our strategies to be more responsive and optimize our use of resources by harnessing AI in these areas and more.

Singh Receives Drum Major Award

Professor of Medicine Dr. Jasvinder Sing was among the recipients of this year’s Drum Major Awards from the Washington University Medical School office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Inspired by a 1968 sermon by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Drum Major Awards aim to honor those in the medical school who “speak up or act in support of an individual or cause, particularly someone who intervenes on behalf of a person being bullied or attacked. Upstanders are people who speak and act against injustices, and represent the best of humanity today across the School of Medicine. They harness their character strengths to meet their moment and pursue justice, both great and small, inspiring others to do the same.”

The Drum Major Awardees were recognized during the 2024 Martin Luther King Day campus program.

Husaini Piece Featured as ACC Editor’s Pick

A piece co-written by Assistant Professor of Medicine and Director of the Washington University Sports Cardiology program, Dr. Mustafa Husaini, was highlighted on the front page of the American Academy of Cardiology website as an Editor’s Pick.

The piece, “To Swim or Not to Swim (During the Diagnostic Evaluation): Advising a Competitive Swimmer with Exertional Chest Pain” includes a summary of a case, and a quiz on how best to treat the patient.

View the piece here.

Kates and Sweitzer present at Medicine CPC

Drs. Kates and Sweitzer both presented at the Department of Medicine CPC in January.

January 12th, Dr. Kates presented “31 y/o male with no significant PMH presents with shortness of breath”.January 29th, Dr. Sweitzer presented “29 y/o male with PMH of substance use disorder and recent diagnosis of CHF presents with cardiogenic shock”.

Thank you for your support of your colleagues in the division by attending these presentations!

Way to Shine!

“Dr. Verma’s nurses (Holley Crabtree and Morgan Porter) are very good at getting back to me within hours. They are the best!”

Other Way to Shine’s for this month were Angie Smith, Shannon McCarthy, Kinsey Walker, Ann Mahoney, Donna Fuehne, Dana Gima, Barb Stehman, Cheryl Marshall, Lisa Murphy, Sharon Sauer, Tori Menning, Katherine Ramsay, Megan Hangyal, Deana Wilmesher, Anne Yoggerst, Lauren LaRose, Gina Bliss-Braymer, Ryan Gilliam, Karen Moore, Nikki Depew, and Dr. Singh and the cardiac cath team.

If you catch someone in the act of shining, contact or send an email to bolhafner@wustl.edu.

Clinical Spotlight: South County
Multi-Specialty Center

Each month, Heart Matters will highlight a research lab or clinical program. We want everyone in the division to be proud of the work we do across all of our locations and disciplines.

At the Center for Advanced Medicine in South County, Dr. Sudhir Jain leads a dedicated team that provides a great experience for their patients. The South County cardiology practice started in 2005 at Lindbergh and 55.  The operation moved to its current location when the new CAM-South County building opened in 2016. The cardiology practice housed inside the South County Multi-Disciplinary Center has experienced a lot of growth in the past year, and seems poised to continue this trend.

The South County Practice offers full-service diagnostic testing, including stress and non-stress echocardiograms, nuclear medicine stress testing, radionuclide ventriculography, 24-hour and 30-day Holter, event and loop monitors, vascular studies and pacemaker monitoring. Physicians see patients for full spectrum of heart problems and cardiac diseases, including second opinion consultations, routine chemistry lab, pre-operative consultations, lipid and cholesterol consultations.

This location is located right off of Highway 55. It is a warm and inviting facility that feels modern but comfortable. For patients that live in rural areas south of the St. Louis area, it is much more convenient to visit this smaller location and navigate parking and transportation than in the large BJH medical campus.  

Another convenience for these patients is visiting the multi-specialty center, where they can be seen for multiple appointments by different specialists in the same day. Sonographer Ryan Gillam describes the location as a “one-stop-shop” where patients can be seen by physicians, get their testing and results done at one go. Nurse Coordinator Katie Fenwick adds that because the support staff of the different specialties work side-by-side, they “are familiar with the workflow of other parts of the center”, which benefits patients and helps streamline their experience.

In the past year, the office has been busier than ever, adding a nurse practitioner, nurse coordinator, a vascular technician, and a sonographer to their ranks. In the most recent news, Dr. Jain has been named the Director of the South County Multi-Specialty Center.

The staff believes that Dr. Jain’s leadership appointment will only further improve the patient experience throughout the center. “He’s a very good patient and employee advocate”, says Patient and Billing Services Rep Tori.

“Dr. Jain has learned how to help us cater to the population we serve here, and they are very happy with our responsiveness”, says Katie. The staff obviously work well together, and enjoy their jobs, which translates to the patient experience. This teamwork is perhaps best summed up in this recent patient satisfaction survey comment:

“Every person that communicated with me after I was called in was compassionate and very easy to talk with. I am so blessed to have found people like that.”

Meet Your Colleague

Anne Yoggerst

Nuclear Med Tech, South County Practice

How long have you worked in the division? I have worked at this job for 15 months!

What is the best thing about your job? I like talking with my patients the best!  I really like meeting new people!

What do you like to do outside of work? Outside of work I like to try new restaurants and see live music.

What is your favorite food?  My favorite food is pasta.

Fun fact about you: I’m trying to teach my dog how to walk on the treadmill!  It’s a work in progress!

Division Staffing Updates

Positions open for hiring:

JR77972 Clinical Research Study Assistant II – Clinical Trials

JR77820 Clinical Specialist PT/OT (PRN) – Clinical Trials

JR77584 Registered Medical Assistant III (South County) – South County practice

JR72592 Research Cardiac Sonographer (PRN) – CORE Lab

JR74188 Research Opportunities – Dr. Prabhu’s Lab

JR73579 Research Specialist – MOUSE CORE

JR75743 Research Technician II – Dr. Javaheri’s Lab

JR79610 Clinical Nurse Coordinator – EP team

JR79614 Research Administrator – Global Health

JR79912 Research Cardiac Sonographer part-time – CORE LAB

JR79636 Senior Department Accounting Assistant – Purchasing Team

JR79613 Medical Assistant III – West County practice

JR78663 Research Opportunities – Dr. Rentschler Lab

Welcome to the Cardiovascular Division:

Etienne Cartier – Senior Scientist – Stitziel Lab – 1/22/24

Celandria Dowles – Medical Assistant II – West County practice – 1/18/24

Jenelle Larson – Administrative Coordinator II – 1/8/24

Hamid Hajirezaei – Visiting Researcher- Javaheri Lab – 1/8/24

Aida Loera – Medical Secretary – Cath Lab Administration – 1/8/24

Xiaoping Jiang – Research Lab Manager – Prabhu Lab – 1/2/24

Ravi Sonkar – Senior Scientist – Prabhu Lab – 1/2/24

Congratulations On Your Promotion!:

Angie Smith – Nurse Manager – 1/15/24

Farewell:

Farewell to these Cardiovascular Division employees. Thank you for your service, you will be missed!

Shreya Rajasekar – 12/15/23

Tabitha Miller – 1/5/24

Caroline Kempter – 1/12/24

Lina Ma – 1/22/24

Joseph Gavin – 1/25/24

Tanya Maden – 2/1/24

Breakfast With the Chief

The first Breakfast With the Chief events at Northwest Tower and West County were a great success! Many staff members were able to attend for a delicious meal and great conversation with Dr. Prabhu. Thanks to everyone for attending!

Introducing VeritaScience Event at EPNEC February 13th

Global Health Seminar February 12th

Award Nomination Call for Advancing Women in Academic Medicine Leaders in Empowerment and Development Award

The AWAM LEAD Awards are open to all DOM faculty and will be granted based on faculty level: one for Instructor/Assistant Professors and one for Associate Professors/Professors. 

Eligible nominees should be DOM faculty members who have significantly contributed to the career advancement of women as sponsors, mentors, collaborators, or motivators. We welcome nominees from all tracks and ranks.

The nomination requires at least one letter for faculty at the Instructor/Assistant level and at least two letters for faculty at the Associate level and above. Letters can be authored by an individual or a group of individuals who have been impacted by the nominee.  

Nominating letters should include specific details of how the nominee aided in the career development and advancement of women. Please review the matrix for examples within each of the domains of sponsorship, mentorship, collaborations, and inspiration. Nominations may come from DOM faculty, trainees, or staff members. Self-nominations are not eligible. 

Award announcements will be made in March 2024. 

Nomination packets should include:

• Nominee CV
• Nomination Letter(s) – one letter for Instructor/Assistant Professor – two letters for Associate Professor and above
• File names should include the nominee’s name

Award announcements will be made in March 2024.

Click here to view the Matrix for the Lead Award and to submit a nomination.

Please contact Jennifer Mosher at mosherj@wustl.edu with any questions or for more information. 

Health and Wellness

How to Increase Energy Levels with the Food You Eat

Justin Revelo, Dietetic Intern
Emma Greenhill, MS, RD, LDN

In the fast-paced and ever demanding world of health care, feelings of fatigue are all too common. Which is why coffee is always readily available. But there is a better way to mitigate and even prevent these energy slumps. Before you reach for the coffee pot, think about this: While coffee is fantastic and delicious, it only offers a quick and temporary fix. Diet plays a huge role in maintaining and optimizing energy levels. You can reap these rewards with just a few subtle adjustments to your eating habits!

The power of a balanced breakfast. We’ve all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. There is an ever-increasing amount of research which supports this statement. Studies suggest that breakfasts high in protein, whole grains, and low in foods high in added sugar and refined grains (sugary cereals, donuts, white bread, etc.) can help prevent energy dips during the day.

Balance your plate. Build your plate so that it contains a combination of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, along with essential vitamins and minerals for sustained energy and overall health. Do this by filling half your plate with colorful fruits and vegetables, a quarter with lean protein (grilled chicken salmon, tofu, etc.), and the other quarter with complex carbohydrates (sweet potatoes, brown rice, quinoa, etc.).

The importance of hydration. There are several factors that determine individual fluid needs, such as age, sex, activity, environment, and overall health. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, total daily fluid recommendations for generally, healthy people are 15.5 cups for men and 11.5 cups for women. Roughly 20% of this comes from foods you eat. Taking this into account, men need roughly 13 cups of fluid per day and women need around 9 cups per day. These needs can be met by any fluid, not just water. Good fluid choices include low- or no- calorie beverages (plain coffee or teas, sparkling water, seltzers, or flavored waters) or drinks with calories and important nutrients (low-fat or fat-free milk; unsweetened, fortified milk alternatives, or 100% fruit or vegetable juice). When your fluid levels are low, your body can feel fatigued and weaker than usual. Consuming enough fluids to support your body will help replenish fluid and energy levels.

Recognize your hunger and fullness cues. Eating just enough but not too much is critical in maintaining energy levels throughout the day. A good way to do this is to practice mindful eating. Mindful eating involves giving full attention to your eating, being in the moment, and paying attention to your hunger and fullness cues. Practice mindful eating by sitting at a table, putting your phone or other distractions away, chewing slowly and thoroughly, and enjoying the moment. A good rule of thumb is to stop eating once you are comfortably full.

Caffeine: When used thoughtfully, caffeine can be a beneficial energy booster. The FDA recommends no more than 400mg of caffeine daily, which is about four 8-ounce cups of coffee. Caffeine’s stimulation can enhance cognitive and physical performance. Strategic use of caffeine can be a valuable tool sustaining energy levels and boosting productivity. Caffeine should be used responsibly, as these stimulatory effects can have a negative impact on sleep. Even if you can fall asleep after consuming caffeine, the quality of your sleep could be impacted. Caffeine can affect different stages of sleep, including reducing the amount of time spent in deep sleep. It is generally recommended to stop drinking caffeine 6 hours before bedtime. This allows enough time for most caffeine to be metabolized and reduces the risk of sleep impairments. However, everyone is different, and some people may require more than 6 hours to metabolize caffeine. Experiment with caffeine timing and monitor how it affects your sleep to find the best cut off time for you.

Pita Breakfast Sandwich

Serves: 2 • Prep Time: 10 mins • Cook Time: 15 mins • Total Time: 25 mins    

Ingredients

• 2 whole eggs or 4 large egg whites
• 1 cup bell peppers, chopped
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 cup raw baby spinach
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 2 standard, whole-wheat pitas

Directions

1. Heat a medium-sized frying pan over medium heat.
2. Add olive oil.
3. Sauté peppers until tender.
4. Add eggs, onion powder, and garlic powder and scramble everything together.
5. Divide filling equally and stuff into pitas.

Tips

• Cut down on prep time by chopping peppers the night before.
• Add your favorite vegetables! Vegetables that would pair well with this recipe include onions, tomatoes, avocados, cucumbers, or shredded carrots.
• Salsa, hot sauce, pesto, or other fresh herbs such cilantro, dill, or basil pair well with this recipe.
• This recipe makes two servings, to make one serving; refrigerate the leftover filling, heat in the microwave when you’re ready to eat it, and stuff into a pita.

References

• Recipe Courtesy of: https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/clean-eating-breakfast-pita/
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Water and Healthier Drinks. U.S.   Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/water-and-healthier-drinks.html
• Eat Right. (2019). Eating to Boost Energy. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. https://www.eatright.org/health/wellness/healthful-habits/eating-to-boost-energy
• Eat Right. (2022). How Much Water Do You Need? Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.         https://www.eatright.org/health/essential-nutrients/water/how-much-water-do-you-need
• Harvard Health Publishing. (2013). Fight Fatigue with Fluids. https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/fight-fatigue-with-fluids
• Kamada, I., Truman, L., Bold, J., & Mortimore, D. (2011). The impact of breakfast in    metabolic and digestive health. Gastroenterology and hepatology from bed to bench, 4(2), 76–85.

Do you have BJC Cigna? Remember that you have annual coverage to meet with me, Emma Greenhill, a Heart Care Institute dietitian. Call 314-996-8165 for more insurance information or to schedule an appointment.

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Black History Month

During Black History month, we hope you have time to reflect on the many historical sacrifices and important contributions of Black Americans to our American way of life. We do this in the spirit of sharing:

• To build communities,
• To strengthen relationships,
• To critically look at and transform knowledge and its artifacts in how they are applied to Black Americans,
• To cultivate a culture of caring through deep listening to our patients and colleagues,
• To use history to imagine new ways of sharing in the opportunities and promises of discovery. 

Please see below for Black History Month events/activities being held at Washington University and in the St. Louis community. We also provide links for reading and viewing to guide your reflection beyond Black History Month.

Washington University – School of Medicine Campus

Tuesday, February 6th from 2:00-3:00pm on Zoom –
Black in Academia – Postdoctoral Series,

Hear from esteemed Black postdoctoral scientists as they talk about their unique experiences navigating academia.

Washington University – Danforth Campus

Thursday, February 8th at 7:00pm in Graham Chapel –
Isserman Lecture featuring Rev. Otis Moss III,

Religious, Spiritual & Ethical Life at WashU invites you to join us as we welcome The Rev. Otis Moss III, Senior Pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ.

Wednesday, February 21 from 12:00-6:00pm in Holmes Lounge –
Black History Month: Artifact Exhibit,

Join us on a remarkable journey through Black history and culture with the Homage Exhibit.

Friday, February 23 from 12:00-6:00pm in Umrath Lounge –
Black History Month: The Influence of the ‘Divine 9‘,

This exhibit focuses on members of the “Divine 9” who helped create a culture of change and resistance that impacted the Civil Rights Movement in America.

St. Louis & Missouri Community

February 23, 2024 at 7:30pm – Black History Month Concert

“Life Every Voice” presented by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra at the Stifel Theatre.

February 15, 2024 from 10:00-11:30am in the Harry S. Truman Building, Room 490/492 in Jefferson City – 2024 Statewide Black History Month Celebration

Fire Alarm Safety Tips

EMPLOYEE FIRE ALARM PROCEDURES

TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS EVERY TIME THE FIRE ALARM ACTIVATES:

• Evacuate the building immediately. Use the stairs only, NOT elevators.
• Close all doors on your way out.
• Help those in immediate danger. Assist those who cannot self-evacuate.
• Keep low to the ground, staying under any smoke.
• Congregate outside at the emergency assembly point (EAP). Check-in with your EPC or other authority figure. Account for all coworkers and friends.
• Call your emergency number to report anyone still inside. Relay any information you have
  to emergency responders.

EMPLOYEES WITH DISABILITIES SAFETY

TO ASSIST THOSE WITH LIMITED MOBILITY:

• Assist the individual to an available area of refuge, such as enclosed stairwell, an adjoining building, a room with a closed door that is located a safe distance from the hazard.
• Always call your emergency number to report the individual’s name, location, and situation.
• Attempt a “rescue evacuation” only when someone is in immediate danger and cannot wait for professional assistance.

Save the date! Woman and Diverse Owned Business Marketplace

March 5 – 6, 2024

Experience Women’s History Month with a vibrant marketplace showcasing local diverse-owned St. Louis businesses. Brought to you by the Department of Supplier Diversity and the Office of Institutional Equity, participants can celebrate and support diversity while exploring unique offerings:

• Danforth Campus | March 5, 2024, at Risa Commons. View details and RSVP here. 
• School of Medicine Campus | March 6, 2024, at Eric P. Newman Education Center. View details and RSVP here. 

Annual Health Screenings

As part of our 8ight Ways to Wellness, we encourage employees to get an annual health screening, which will detect A1c level (blood test to measure diabetes risk), current blood pressure, cholesterol and other key indicators that are key in detecting disease early.

How to complete your Health Screening

1. Log into the Health Advocate Portal with your WUSTL key
2. Select “Schedule a Health Screening”
3. Choose one of the three options that is most convenient for you!
   • Attend an Onsite Health Screening Event: Choose this option to schedule an appointment to complete your health screening at one of our onsite events. All on-site screening events are non-fasting.
   • Download Physician Form: If you have an upcoming appointment with your physician, you can download this form and have your doctor complete the form then fax it back to the vendor. Please allow up to two weeks from the time your physician submits your form for your results to be posted on the Health Advocate portal. Your physician form must be submitted by December 31, 2024 to count towards this calendar year and to earn the 2024 incentive.
     • Please note: If you saw your physician in December 2023, but submit your form in 2024, your screening will count towards the 2023 calendar year incentive. You will be eligible to earn the incentive in 2024, but will be taxed for both incentives.
   • Find a LabCorp Location: Use this option to locate and schedule an appointment at a LabCorp location most convenient for you. LabCorp will complete your screening and send the results to Health Advocate.

Please note: All benefits eligible employees may complete a health screening and receive a $50 Visa gift card through one of the above options once per calendar year.

Learn more here!

IT Spotlight: Keep Your Information Secure This Tax Season

Tax season officially begins on January 29, and internet scammers will capitalize on the moment. The Internal Revenue Service initiates most contact through regular mail delivered by the United States Postal Service. Sometimes, they will call or visit, but other than that, “The IRS doesn’t initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages or social media channels to request personal or financial information.” For example, if you receive an email that claims to be from the IRS, then you should be suspicious. 

Collection Scams 

If you receive a call or letter asking for money, here are some tips from the IRS on how to recognize a collection scam. 

The IRS does not: 

• Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method, such as a prepaid debit card, gift card, or wire transfer. Generally, the IRS will first mail you a bill if you owe any taxes. 
• Threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.
  • Threats are common tactics in a scam. In fact, “The IRS also cannot revoke your driver’s license, business licenses, or immigration status.” 
• Demand that you pay taxes without the opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed. 
• Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone. 

Refund Scams 

Some tax scammers mislead victims into believing they are owed a refund. Instead of money, these scammers are after your personal or financial information. They might ask for Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, or anything else they need to steal your money or identity. Do not interact with these messages. Instead, check if you have a pending refund using the Where’s My Refund? tool on IRS.gov. 

As you prepare for the tax filing deadline, please remain vigilant against attackers who impersonate the IRS during tax season. If you believe you are the victim of a tax scam, the IRS has a reporting guide at  Tax Scams – How to Report Them. 

Keep up to date with IT news at the Office of Information Security blog

Follow the Cardiovascular Division on X!

Check out our division account, @WashUCardiology! We will be sharing division accomplishments, announcements, news, events, and more. If you have a story about the cardiovascular division that you think deserves a social media spotlight, email bolhafner@wustl.edu.

Photo Directories

Research NWT West County South County