In this issue:

  HMI, Wockhardt recognize achievements of leaders in Indian medical community

  Practi-Med Chennai focuses on enhancing primary care in India

  Harvard professors and Hygeia Hospital discuss latest in radiotherapy

  Agreement will explore research and education opportunities at HMS for Italian scientists

  Nanotechnology is focus of upcoming HMI symposium hosted by Asan Medical Center

  HMI to deliver medical education program on cardiology for Swiss and German physicians

  HMI and Beijing explore hospital design project, possible partnership

From left to right: Dr. Mitchell Spellman (HMI), Dr. Noshire H. Wadia, Dr. Piroja Wadia, Dr. Sivaramakrishna Padmavati, Dr. Prafulla B. Desai, Dr. Robert K. Crone (HMI), and Dr. Mehul Mehta (HMI).

HMI, Wockhardt recognize achievements of leaders in Indian medical community
In 2003, Harvard Medical International and its partner Wockhardt, Ltd. awarded the first annual Wockhardt Lifetime Achievement Awards to five medical professionals whose leadership has left a lasting imprint on health care in India. The awardees were chosen for their achievements in the areas of patient care, teaching, institution-building, organizational activity, and research.

Three of the awardees were able to visit Boston in March. In addition to touring several Harvard-affiliated institutions, they were involved in a course taught by HMI senior consultant and HMS professor Dr. Miles Shore, entitled “Skills for the New World of Health Care,” and gave presentations on their work to audiences within the Harvard medical community.

The five awardees are:

Dr. Prafulla B. Desai is India’s preeminent authority in the surgical treatment of cancer. Under his direction, the Tate Memorial Hospital and Cancer Research Institute has developed into India’s most advanced oncology-related institution. In addition, he was a founding member of the Indian Society for Oncology, and has conceived and implemented several nation-wide cancer-focused initiatives. While in Boston, Dr. Desai spoke to an audience at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute about the challenge of developing Tate Memorial.

Dr. Nagarur Gopinath is widely known in the Indian health care community as the father of heart surgery in the country. In 1962, he became the first surgeon to perform a successful open heart surgery with a heart-lung machine, and was also at the forefront of using the pacemaker and heart valves to treat rheumatic heart disease.

Dr. Sam G.P. Moses had a long career as a physician-educator at the prestigious Madras Medical College, and many of the world’s leading physicians count him among their mentors. After recognizing the tremendous potential for diabetes to become a major health problem in India, Dr. Moses established the nation’s first full-fledged department of diabetology. Today he continues to work towards better understanding, preventing, and treating diabetes.

Dr. Sivaramakrishna Padmavati is a pioneer in cardiology in India. Over the past five decades, she has contributed greatly to advances in preventing and treating cardiovascular disease in India. In 1954, she established the country’s first cardiac clinic and cardiac catherization lab in North India. After retirement from government service, Dr. Padmavati took up her current position as director of the National Heart Institute at Delhi, a recognized center of excellence for cardiology and cardiac surgery. During her visit to Boston, Dr. Padmavati delivered an address at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital on the history of cardiology in India and the current burden of cardiovascular disease in the country.

Dr. Noshire H. Wadia is India’s most distinguished neurologist. His contributions to the field include the establishment of many national and international research initiatives in his field. He holds the position of Neurologist for Life with the JJ Group of Hospitals and Grant Medical College, with which he has been affiliated for nearly half a century. While in Boston, Dr. Wadia spoke at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center on rarely encountered neurological disorders.

Practi-Med Chennai focuses on enhancing primary care in India
More than 450 health care professionals from Chennai and the surrounding region gathered at Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute (SRMC-RI) in March to hear about advances in primary care practice. A distinguished faculty of practicing physicians and educators affiliated with Harvard Medical School (HMS) joined local leaders in academic medicine to present the latest knowledge on a range of health care challenges.

In addition to lectures and case discussions, Practi-Med Chennai offered a unique opportunity for attendees to meet the program faculty in interactive, small-group environments and discuss how to address issues such as cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, dyslipidemias, and depression in the primary care setting. Each day began with an hour-long “Breakfast with the Professor” session, which allowed the participants to speak informally with the faculty about the concerns facing them in their daily practice.

Dr. Krishna G. Sedarshi, associate professor at SRMC-RI and long-time HMI collaborator, said, “Many of the participants felt that the strong evidence base, the lack of commercial bias, the high quality of presentations, and the strength of the overseas faculty provided them with an enriching experience that will have a significant impact on their clinical practice.”

“With each Practi-Med program, we attempt to present a number of different learning opportunities,” said Dr. Harvey Makadon, HMI vice president of health systems and the architect of the Practi-Med concept. “The lectures and case discussions present an overview of updated knowledge, but the small-group opportunities are valuable for both the local and visiting physicians. The attendees have the chance to ask more specific questions that can help them in their daily practice, and the Practi-Med faculty gain a better understanding of the health care issues as they relate to this region.”

Like many other countries that are experiencing trends in technological progress and urbanization, as well as a population that is aging due to better overall health care, India is also facing an increase in suffering from chronic disease. Part of Practi-Med Chennai, therefore, focused on making prevention an integral part of clinical practice, with lectures on cancer, cardiovascular risk reduction, and prevention of diabetes.

In addition to Makadon, who led a symposium on the evolving global scenario of HIV/AIDS care, the Practi-Med Chennai faculty included Dr. Lowell E. Schnipper, HMS professor of medicine and chief of the hematology/oncology division of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Dr. Jeffrey Drazen, HMS professor of medicine and editor-in-chief of the New England Journal of Medicine; and Dr. Richard Pasternak, associate professor of medicine at HMS and Massachusetts General Hospital.

“For the faculty from Boston, the program was far more than a simple continuing medical education program,” said Makadon. “It represented an opportunity to interact with students, faculty, and practicing physicians from the region in ways that can foster ongoing collaborations in education and research activities. We certainly look forward to returning to Chennai next year for Practi-Med.”

A collaboration of Harvard Medical International (HMI), SRMC-RI, and the New England Journal of Medicine, Practi-Med Chennai was sponsored by the Medical Council of India. For more information, visit the program website at www.practi-med.com/chennai.

Harvard professors and Hygeia Hospital discuss latest in radiotherapy
A three-day seminar hosted by Hygeia Hospital brought together health care professionals from Athens and the surrounding area for a series of discussions focused on the latest advances in radiotherapy. Among the leading authorities were two professors from Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals, who served as visiting professors under the auspices of Harvard Medical International. The program, which took place April 26-28, comes at a time when Hygeia is enhancing its regional leadership in radiotherapy by implementing the use of gamma knife technology.

A full day of the program was dedicated to introducing the gamma knife equipment and its applications to the neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists, and other physicians in attendance. Dr. Jay Loeffler, head of the radiation oncology department at Massachusetts General Hospital, joined radiology experts from Hygeia in demonstrating how this technology is used to perform radiosurgery, a procedure used to treat certain brain abnormalities, like tumors. Gamma knife technology, which was first developed 30 years ago, has evolved far beyond what researchers and doctors initially envisioned. The technology enables doctors to measure and deliver precise amounts of radiation directly to brain abnormalities without surgery. The non-invasive procedure prevents normal brain tissue surrounding the abnormality from being affected. There are only 120 gamma knife centers in the world.

“The installation of the gamma knife unit has allowed the Hygeia Hospital to provide state-of-the-art, non-invasive therapy for a wide variety of vascular lesions, and benign and malignant brain tumors,” said Loeffler. “We are looking forward to close collaborations with the Hygeia physicians in the future.”

The rest of the seminar covered a wide range of advances in radiotherapy, from innovative approaches to treatment to the ongoing development of new machines. Dr. Roy Tishler, a radiologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, participated in these discussions. Attendees were exposed to knowledge about combining radiotherapy with chemotherapy, new understandings of head and neck cancer, and brachytherapy, a form of radiotherapy that involves placing the source of irradiation close to the surface of the body or within a body cavity.

Agreement will explore research and education opportunities at HMS for Italian scientists

Letizia Moratti and Dr. Joseph B. Martin after signing the agreement (Photo by Liza Green, Copyright 2004, President and Fellows of Harvard College on behalf of HMS Media Services.)

HMI, Harvard Medical School (HMS), and the Giovanni Armenise-Harvard Foundation have agreed with the Italian Ministry of Research and Education to pursue opportunities in research and medical education for Italian scientists. The partners will explore a range of collaborative possibilities, including postdoctoral fellowships that would bring Italian scientists to Harvard laboratories, grant programs to support visiting professorships, and the establishment of a vehicle for driving additional training and development programs for Italian scientists who come to HMS.

The agreement, which was signed in April by Dr. Joseph B. Martin, dean of HMS, and Letizia Moratti, minister of Italian research and education, builds on a tradition of collaboration between HMS and Italian science supported by the Armenise-Harvard Foundation. Since 1996, the Armenise-Harvard Foundation has supported research at HMS in diverse areas, including cancer biology, structural biology, neuroscience, genomics, and microbial pathogenesis. The leadership of the Italian Ministry hope to further this tradition by creating more opportunities for scientists, Italian centers of research excellence, and universities to benefit from HMS’s robust research environment.

In addition to her discussions with Dr. Martin, Dr. Moratti met with Count Auletta Armenise, the founder of the Giovanni Armenise-Harvard Foundation, and Dr. Daniel Tosteson, the president and CEO of the Foundation.

Nanotechnology is focus of upcoming HMI symposium hosted by Asan Medical Center
Much of scientific advancement, particularly in the field of medicine, depends on big ideas about small things: the atom, the cell, a single strand of DNA. In medical research we often attempt to understand with the mind what we cannot see with the naked eye, or measure by touch with the most sensitive hands. Nanoscience—and its practical application in nanotechnology—falls readily into this category. Formally defined as the study and manipulation of objects approximately 100 millimeters or smaller in size, nanoscience holds promise for biomedical researchers seeking to advance health care delivery and cure disease.

Together with HMI, Asan Medical Center (AMC) will host a symposium entitled “Nanotechnology in Biology and Medicine,” in Seoul, Korea June 15-16. The fourth international symposium hosted by the partners, this year’s meeting will present the flourishing applications of nanoscience in the fields of biology and research, and assess the potential for using nanotechnology to produce substantive innovations in medicine. To date, nanotechnology has influenced drug discovery and delivery, tissue engineering, and increased the capacity to perform stem cell research, among a host of other applications. Experts in the field will gather in Seoul to explore this emerging discipline and its present and future impact on health care and research.

An affiliate of Ulsan College of Medicine, AMC is arguably the largest hospital in Korea, and one of HMI's first partners to become an HMI Associated Institution. For more information about the symposium, please contact Annie Seo at annie_sao@amc.seoul.kr.

HMI to deliver medical education program on cardiology for Swiss and German physicians
The technological progress of the last century now weighs heavily on our hearts—quite literally. Workers are increasingly tethered to computers, the leisure time of many revolves around sedentary pursuits, and the lure of the fast and convenient has influenced the dinner table. The World Health Organization predicts that by 2020, heart disease will be the leading cause of death and disability in the world. Add to this the continued rise of related conditions like obesity and hypertension, and the challenge facing cardiologists seeking to stem the tide of coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure is daunting, to say the least.

Novartis Pharma Schweiz, a leading pharmaceutical and consumer health company based in Switzerland, asked HMI to develop a continuing medical education program on advances in cardiology for physicians in practice in Switzerland and Germany. The two-day program, which will take place in Switzerland June 25-26, will feature lectures and interactive case discussions on a range of topics related to cardiology. A distinguished faculty from Harvard Medical School; University Hospital, Zurich; and Universitatsspital Bern will address lipid management, advances in treating hypertension, and the management of coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure. A series of case discussions moderated by Dr. Tom Aretz, HMI vice president for medical education, will allow the program’s participants to apply the knowledge presented to the specific issues facing cardiology patients in Switzerland and Germany.

Dr. Gerald Smetana, a general internist and associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, designed the program. One of his major objectives when putting the program together was to not only present the latest knowledge, but to also make it relevant to the Swiss health care community. “Hypertension, for instance, is of great concern to primary care physicians in Switzerland,” said Smetana. “Switzerland, like many other countries in Europe, has an aging population that is increasingly at risk for chronic disease. While much of the program will focus on treatment, we will also emphasize the prevention of conditions like hypertension which are closely linked to the onset of cardiovascular disease.”

This continuing medical education program is the first in a series of lifelong learning programs that will be presented by HMI with support from Novartis. Plans are underway for further courses later in 2004, including courses that will address a broader range of issues in clinical practice, from heart disease and breast cancer to dermatology and gastrointestinal disorders. Each of the programs will feature leading medical experts from Harvard Medical School, as well as local experts.

“Advances in Cardiology: Prevention, Diagnosis & Treatment” will be held at the Montreux Palace Hotel in Montreux, Switzerland. HMI and Novartis have applied for continuing medical education accreditation from the Swiss Society for General Practitioners, the Swiss Society for Internal Medicine, and the Swiss Society for Cardiology. Program participants will also receive a Harvard Medical International Certificate of Attendance. For more information or questions related to this program, please contact Timothy Stiefel at timothy.stiefel@pharma.novartis.com.

HMI and Beijing explore hospital design project, possible partnership
Harvard Medical International and the Health Bureau of the Beijing Municipal Government are considering a collaboration that would focus on the development of the Beijing China-U.S. International Medical Center (BIMC). The health care leadership of Beijing are seeking to create a center of excellence for medical services, education, and research in anticipation of the 29th Olympiad, which Beijing will host in 2008. The envisioned facility would include a general hospital with up to 1,000 beds, as well as a center to support postgraduate education and cutting-edge research in the life sciences. The Health Bureau is also eager to create a charitable fund that would make high-quality health care at the BIMC accessible to all people, regardless of financial means.

In March, a delegation from Beijing led by Professor Jin Da Peng, director of the Beijing Municipal Health Bureau, visited HMI and signed a letter of intent to explore the feasibility of a partnership. The next step will be for a team from HMI, which will include experts in health care facilities design and development, to visit Beijing to investigate the planning for the BIMC. They will assess the infrastructure, resources, and personnel available, with the ultimate goal of developing a work plan to assist with BIMC ’s development.

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