Message from the Chair, Ben Clyburn, M.D.

Dr. Ben Clyburn

August 1, 2022

Dear Colleagues,

As we begin the new academic year, I would like to take this opportunity to recap the State of Department address I presented last week by highlighting some our FY22 accomplishments as well as opportunities for growth and our goals for FY23.

I would personally like to recognize and thank everyone for your outstanding contributions to the department and congratulate you all on your excellence across our core tripartite mission areas. I am incredibly proud of all the work we have accomplished on our team this year, including many noteworthy achievements toward our mission of advancing research, education and patient care.

FY22 RESEARCH ACHIEVEMENTS:

New Awards: 85
Research Awards: $41,883,603

FY22 Research Awards

I would also like to highlight all the Current Active Federal Awards:

 

Active Federal Awards FY22

FY23 RESEARCH GOALS:

  • Enhance collaboration
  • Maintain our excellence in current foci of basic and clinical research
  • Revitalize the Research Advisory Group to help explore future directions, provide guidance, and refine vision
  • Enhance enrollment in clinical trials (emphasis in HemOnc)
  • Explore health disparities and study interventions to eliminate them
  • Increase NIDDK submissions to support the DDRCC

FY22 CLINICAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

New Patients: 40,166
wRVU Generation: 1,078,145
Outpatient Encounters: 333,211

FY22 wRVU trend

FY22 New Clinical Initiatives:

  • Continued expansion of telehealth
  • MUSC Health Lancaster Medical Center's Transplant Program, led by Prince Anand, M.D., FACP, began in the fall 2021
  • Regional project led by Nichole Tanner, M.D., and John Wrangle, M.D., aims to expand lung cancer screening and treatment access among veterans
  • MUSC's National Telehealth Center of Excellence (COE), led by Program Director Dee Ford, M.D., and Associate Program Director Katie King, M.D., award renewed by the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA)
  • Rena N. Grant Sickle Cell Center opens at MUSC
  • MUSC and Helix launch In Our DNA SC, first-of-its-kind population genomics program, led by Daniel Judge, M.D., to drive preventative, precision health care for South Carolinians

FY23 Clinical Goals:

  • Explore additional outreach opportunities and our role in the growing regional health network
  • Critical care expansion (ongoing)
  • Expand Sickle Cell care locally and statewide
  • Leverage our expertise in telehealth to enhance our care model and expand access to care
  • Increase new patient visits
  • Expand faculty in a strategic manner

FY22 EDUCATION ACHIEVEMENTS:

Trainees:

  • 107 residents
  • 103 Fellows
  • 19 Post Docs and Trainees

Undergraduate Medical Education Wins:

  • 18% of MUSC Graduating Medical Students chose Internal Medicine, Med-Peds, or Med-Psych Specialties
  • The residency match for students entering internal medicine was incredibly successful with several students matching into top programs nationally
  • Point-of-care-ultrasound curriculum, under the leadership of Maggie Thomas M.D, MPH, was expanded within the IM Clerkship with high student praise
  • Racism in Medicine curriculum, under the leadership of Natalie Freidin, M.D., was expanded and highlighted as the gold standard within College of Medicine curriculum

Graduate Medical Education Wins:

  • Appointed new associate program director Aundrea Loftley, M.D. Dr. Loftley was instrumental in MUSC's residency recruitment during the 2021 interview season. Her efforts improved underrepresented minority (URM) faculty participation and placed increased emphasis on GME diversity recruitment sessions.
  • Chief residents re-instituted ACP High Value Care lectures into academic half day to improve education on cost conscious care.
  • Chief residents developed more specific education on health care disparities and an antiracism curriculum which were incorporated into academic half day.
  • Formation of a resident-led wellness committee which coordinates social events, activities, and gathers resources for increased resident support.

FY22 DIVERSITY & INCLUSION ACHIEVEMENTS:

FY22 Goals and Progress:

  • Develop strategies and define how to measure success – in progress
  • Identify ‘Diversity Champions’ and form a Diversity Council - completed
  • Develop strategies and define how to measure success – in progress

Additional Accomplishments:

DIVERSITY: Recruitment

  • Vice Chair for D&I working with divisions who are recruiting faculty. Increased emphasis on the recruitment of women and URM faculty and staff.
  • Virtual coffee talks for Student National Medical Association (SNMA) students from other institutions interested in training at MUSC (Internal Medicine)

EQUITY:

  • Gender Equity Salary Analysis under the leadership of Dr. Clyburn and Georgia Brogdon

INCLUSION: Engagement

  • Faculty and staff spotlights highlighting those engaged in institutional and community D&I efforts. Increased opportunities for collaboration.
  • Focus groups for faculty and staff
  • Recognition of affinity groups during month of celebration

FY23 DOM INITIATIVES:

  • Ongoing focus on career development for our people
  • Continued emphasis on Diversity and Inclusion
  • Ongoing focus on systems issues with patients in the ambulatory environment
  • Increased clinical trial enrollment and grant submissions

In Summary, we are successful across our three mission areas because of the outstanding people in our department. I want to extend my sincere thanks to the many faculty members, trainees, and staff who have contributed to our department. I salute you with the greatest appreciation and I look forward to a promising FY23.


Sincerely,

Ben Clyburn, M.D.
Chair, Department of Medicine

Dear Colleagues,

As we approach the end of another tough year, I want to thank you for the remarkable work you’ve done during this challenging time. Despite the pandemic and its effect on all aspects of life, we had a successful year full of innovation and adaptability across our core mission areas of research, education, and patient care. I am extremely honored and proud to work with such resilient, compassionate, and dedicated professionals, and thank you for all you do for the Department of Medicine. I wish everyone a safe, joyous, and healthy New Year!

Leadership Transition in the Department of Medicine

I am writing to let you know about an important leadership transition taking place within the Department of Medicine and specifically, the Division of General Internal Medicine.

Dr. Bill Moran has decided to step down from his position as Director of the Division of General Internal Medicine after 16 years of exceptional service in this crucial role, effective January 1, 2022. Dr. Moran will retain his faculty appointment in the department and continue in his personal clinic and resident precepting role, while also pursuing a deeper focus on research and faculty development within the Division of General Internal Medicine.

Since his arrival in 2005, Dr. Moran’s leadership has been critical to the success of the division and the department. Each of the following program areas has flourished under his superb direction: the division established the University Internal Medicine combined faculty and resident practice, and the sickle cell medical home; the establishment and growth of Palliative Care and Geriatrics sections with the development of both fellowship programs; exponential growth of the Hospitalist section now a new division; and the development of the section on Health Systems Research and Policy, which also supports the academic generalist fellowship. Dr. Moran also serves as Co-Director of the Academic Generalist Fellowship Program, and in 2008, he was named the William McKnight Endowed Chair on Aging. He has received numerous awards including the 2019 SC ACP Laureate Award. Dr. Moran served as the president of the Society of General Internal Medicine in 2014-15. Most recently, in 2021, he was appointed to his current position of Distinguished University Professor, the highest honorary academic rank in the College of Medicine, requiring both international prominence and sustained, meritorious service to MUSC.

I am delighted to announce that Dr. Kimberly Davis, Professor and Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs in the Department of Medicine, has agreed to take on the role of Interim Director for the division, and look forward to working with her to ensure a smooth transition and ongoing development of General Internal Medicine.

An MUSC faculty member since 1997, Dr. Davis is an outstanding clinician educator and physician leader with expertise in ambulatory care services, inpatient medical management, clinical operations quality improvement, and electronic medical records. Dr. Davis’ clinical work has earned her recognition as one of the Best Doctors in America since 2003 and her clinical interests include hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and health promotion/preventative care medicine. She also has served in several leadership roles across the health system and university, including Interim Director of the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolic Diseases (Jan. 2020 – Nov. 2021) and Clinical Director of the University Internal Medicine clinic, a position she has held since 1999.

Dr. Davis is currently the Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs for the Department of Medicine and involved in many committees at MUSC in her role. She has also been heavily involved in the dissemination of an integrated ambulatory care electronic health record for the university and chairs the steering group for the patient portal, MUSC Health MyChart. She has served on the executive council of the South Carolina chapter of the American College of Physicians since 2000, presently chairing its Scientific Meeting Committee.

I would like to take a moment to thank Dr. Moran for his leadership, mentorship and service to the division and the Department of Medicine over the past 16 years. The division has had many remarkable achievements during his tenure and is now positioned for great success in the future.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Davis to her new role as Interim Division Director for General Internal Medicine.

Sincerely,

Ben Clyburn, M.D.
Professor and Chair, Department of Medicine

July 28, 2021

Dear Colleagues,

As we begin the new academic year, I would like to take this opportunity to recap the State of Department address I presented earlier this month by highlighting some our FY21 accomplishments as well as opportunities for growth and our goals for FY22.

Over the past year, Covid-19 has had a profound impact on all aspects of our personal and professional lives, and yet we have rallied to overcome this tremendous difficulty as we now begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Throughout the course, the vision we have for the Department has not changed, nor has the commitment to our patients, trainees and members.

I want to extend my sincere thanks to the many faculty members, trainees, and staff who have worked incredibly hard over the past year and endured circumstances unlike any that we have experienced in the past. You have approached challenges with grace, a “can-do” attitude, and a focus on ensuring that our patients come first.

Despite the pandemic, we had a successful year full of innovation and adaptability across our core mission areas of research, education and patient care. I am extremely proud of the work we have accomplished this year in the clinical, research, and education arenas, with several notable achievements:

FY21 CLINICAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

  • New Patients: 32,197
  • wRVU Generation: 933,059
  • Outpatient Encounters: 367,776

wRVU graph FY21

FY21 New Clinical Initiatives:

  • Continued expansion of telehealth
  • MUSC Health Nexton Medical Park opened in September 2020
  • MUSC Health Beaufort Memorial Okatie Medical Pavilion opened in November 2020
  • MUSC Health Lancaster Medical Center, TX Nephrology to start in the Fall 2021

FY22 Clinical Goals:

  • Explore additional outreach opportunities (ongoing)
  • Critical care expansion (ongoing)
  • Leverage our expertise in telehealth to enhance our care model and expand access to care
  • Increase new patient visits
  • Expand faculty in a strategic manner

FY21 RESEARCH ACHIEVEMENTS

  • New Awards: 106
  • Research Awards: $78,762,477* (*this includes the award total for all COVID clinical trials)

Research Awards FY21

I would also like to highlight all the Current Active Federal Awards:

Federal Awards FY21

FY22 Research Goals:

  • Enhance collaboration
  • Maintain our excellence in current foci of basic and clinical research
  • Work with a Research Advisory Group to help explore future directions, provide guidance, and refine vision
  • Work with University to streamline procurement process communications and workflows
  • Explore health disparities and study interventions to eliminate them

FY21 EDUCATION ACHIEVEMENTS:

Trainees:

  • 106 residents
  • 103 Fellows
  • 15 Post Docs and Trainees

Undergraduate Medical Education Wins:

  • Initiation of Racism in Medicine Curriculum
  • Initiation of Point-of-care Ultrasound training
  • Completion of LCME site visit
  • An increasing number of students entering internal medicine
  • Successful match results

IM Residency Changes on the Horizon:

  • Continued virtual interviews for all programs
  • Increased role of telemedicine and point of care ultrasound
  • Increased use of simulation to support education and patient safety
  • Intern clinical experience in geriatrics and palliative care
  • 6 months of individualized experience related to future plans
  • Increase number of students entering IM
  • Expanding career advisors within Department of Medicine
  • Expanding Racism in Medicine Curriculum
  • Expanding POCUS embedded within IM Clerkship

FY22 INITIATIVES:

Increased emphasis on Diversity and Inclusion:

  • Aundrea Loftley, M.D., assistant professor, Division of Endocrinology, has assumed the new role of Vice Chair for Diversity and Inclusion. She will provide vision and leadership in promoting a departmental culture that values and honors diversity, equity and inclusion.

Faculty Development:

  • Gerard Silvestri, M.D., MS, professor, Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy & Sleep Medicine, is our new Senior Vice Chair for Faculty Development, a role he previously served from 2012 to 2018. In this role, Dr. Silvestri will be mentoring faculty members at all levels – instructor through professor – and in all tracks – clinician, research and investigator. He will meet with candidates for promotion and review their individual development plans.

In summary, the past year’s extraordinary difficulty has not defeated us. In contrast, we have transformed the challenge into opportunities to develop innovative approaches to expand and enhance patient care, research and education programs. While much remains uncertain, we are dedicated to restoring our clinical, research, and teaching engines while being mindful of the financial pressures created by COVID as well as our imperative to eradicate systemic racism and health disparities.

I would personally like to recognize and thank everyone for your outstanding contributions during these trying times and I look forward to a promising FY22.


Sincerely,

Ben Clyburn, M.D.
Professor and Chair
Department of Medicine

July 31, 2020

Dear Colleagues,

As we begin the new academic year, many things seem familiar, including the arrival of our outstanding group of new interns. However, at the same time, many things are different as we evolve as a department from the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has required our full-time focus over the past four months, and we face a number of critical challenges as we go forward during these uncertain times. Importantly, we are adjusting our clinical care patterns to grow our ambulatory volume in all divisions. This is to ensure that all patients can return for the care that they need or want in a structured, safe, and welcoming environment. In addition, our team has done an outstanding job of ramping up tele-health/virtual visits over the past several months, with our providers now seeing over 750 patients a day via virtual visits (compared to almost no virtual visits pre-COVID-19). Using this and all of our newly learned capabilities, I expect that we will become more efficient as a department and be able to provide care to more patients than we saw prior to the pandemic.

Despite the challenges faced by COVID-19, FY20 was a successful year for the Department across our core mission areas of research, education and patient care. I am proud of the work we have accomplished this year in the clinical and research arenas, with several notable achievements:

Clinical:

See below our current Telehealth Visit and Clinic visit dashboard:

I would also like to recognize and congratulate our physicians and advanced practice providers who ranked above the 95th percentile in patient satisfaction on the CG-CAHPS survey for all four quarters of FY20 (highlighted below). Congratulations to all our providers for a job well done! Thank you for the extraordinary care and service that you provide to our patients and the vital role that you play in our community.

Research:

FY20 Grants Awarded: 190 grants totaling $43,419,534

FY20 Research Expenditures:


I would also like to highlight all the Current Active Federal Awards:

I would personally like to recognize and thank everyone for your outstanding contributions during these trying times and I look forward to a promising FY21.

Sincerely,

Ben Clyburn, M.D.
Professor and Interim Chair, Department of Medicine

April 29, 2020

Dear Colleagues,

I want to personally thank each and every one of you for the many ways you are rising to meet the COVID-19 crisis - both now and in the days to come. Facing enormous challenges, you are responding with courage, resolve and exemplary professionalism. We have spent the past three months discussing, planning, preparing, projecting and implementing our response as best we can.

Our team’s ingenuity, creativity and commitment to excellence in the face of this pandemic inspires me daily as we continue to find innovative solutions to care for our patients, educate our residents and conduct research during this crisis.

I know that you all have been anxious about the financial toll this pandemic is taking on our health system and university so I would like to focus on the steps we as a department are taking to address and mitigate these challenges.

As mentioned in Dean DuBois’s April 15 newsletter, COVID-19 has resulted in a drastic reduction in revenues coming into the College of Medicine and MUSC Health this quarter. The College of Medicine task force comprised of clinical chairs and department administrators has been charged to develop a plan to address these financial challenges until the pandemic is under control. This plan will be rolled out in three phases to develop plans to mitigate the impact.

Phase 1—Q4 FY20
Phase 2 – Q1 FY21
Phase 3 – beyond Q1 FY21

Fortunately, thanks to the hard work of our clinical faculty and other providers, the COM and practice plan were in great shape heading into these challenging times. As of February 2020, the Department of Medicine was at 106% of budget with respect to wRVU productivity. The surplus in productivity generated through the first eight months of the fiscal year has helped us to somewhat mitigate the downturn in productivity during this quarter.

Additionally, our team has done an outstanding job of ramping up tele-health/virtual visits over the past several weeks, with our providers now seeing over 500 patients a day via virtual visits (compared to almost no virtual visits pre-COVID-19). There has been some terrific work by a whole team of individuals, and this will recoup some clinical productivity to help mitigate the financial impact of COVID-19, and more importantly will help us to meet the needs of our patients during this challenging time. As a system, we need to continue to focus on this and keep up these virtual visits!

See below our current Telehealth Visit and Clinic visit dashboard:

Telemedicine trends

Telemedicine trends graph 

Recovery and the Path Forward:

As part of recovery efforts now underway, we are working on a gradual and staged plan for transitioning the university towards normal operations. This plan will include critical criteria that will help ensure the health and safety of our workforce and that will not mandate everyone return to the workplace at once. We intend to remain at our current state of modified operations until at least May 11 with a few exceptions:

  • With the gradual reopening of clinical operations, there will be a need to increase the number of university employees deemed essential who support clinical operations. You will be notified if this includes your team.
  • We intend to gradually increase active laboratory and clinical research under very specific safety guidelines. Specific dates and criteria for this process will be distributed next week.

As May 11 approaches, we will provide updates regarding our transition plans and how you and your team may be affected.

While the days and weeks ahead are full of uncertainty, I am confident that as a department, we will emerge in unison and stronger than ever. Our entire department is meeting this crisis with fortitude, fellowship and resiliency, and I’m grateful to each of you for your devotion to both the patients we care for and each other.

Please continue to pay close attention to all university and health system communications for information that will affect you and your area. Updated information and resources may be found on the Department of Medicine's website.

I will provide COVID-19 updates that are more targeted to the department's needs as we move to the next recovery phase of the pandemic. As always, please feel free to reach out to me directly with any concerns you have.

Please stay safe and well. We will get through this together.

Sincerely,

Ben Clyburn, M.D.
Professor and Interim Chair, Department of Medicine