School Notes: School of Public Health
September/October 2009

Agent used in spinal fusion surgery associated with complications

 genetically engineered biological agent used to promote bone formation is associated with a higher rate of complications in cervical spine (neck) fusions and greater hospital charges for all categories of spinal fusions, according to a study by researchers at the School of Public Health and Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Clinical use of bone-morphogenetic protein (BMP) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2002 to promote bone fusion in surgery of the anterior lumbar spine, and has gained popularity for use in fusions at other spinal locations. But the researchers found that BMP use in anterior cervical (neck) fusion procedures was associated with a higher rate of complications -- roughly 7 percent with BMP versus 4.5 percent without BMP. The greatest increases were in wound-related complications and in patients with difficulty in swallowing or hoarseness, said senior author Elizabeth B. Claus ’88PhD, ’94MD, a professor in the division of biostatistics at YSPH. BMP use was also associated with greater inpatient hospital charges across all categories of fusion, ranging from 11 percent to 41 percent in additional fees. The study appears in the June 30 Journal of the American Medical Association.

Professor selected to serve on CDC's ethics subcommittee

The U.S. federal agency charged with maintaining public health on a national level has invited a School of Public Health faculty member to serve on a subcommittee that provides counsel on public health ethics issues. Jennifer Prah Ruger, an associate professor in the division of health policy and administration, joined the ethics subcommittee of the advisory committee to the director at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), effective July 1.

During her four-year term, Ruger will help advise the CDC on a broad range of public health ethics questions and issues arising from programs, scientists, and practitioners. Ruger was selected because of her research into the ethics and economics of health disparities and her interest in equity of access to healthcare systems -- both important facets of public health ethics.

Faculty honored with teaching awards

The YSPH Class of 2009 chose Mayur Desai ’94MPH, ’97PhD, assistant professor in the division of chronic disease epidemiology and director of the Advanced Professional MPH Program, as Teacher of the Year. Desai received the award for his dedication and excellence in teaching the Principles of Epidemiology II and Data Management and Analysis courses. Desai's colleague Trace Kershaw, assistant professor in the division of chronic disease epidemiology, was selected to receive YSPH's inaugural 2009 Distinguished Student Mentor award, a new honor established to recognize excellence in student mentoring among faculty. He was nominated by graduating students and selected by a student/faculty committee. Both teachers were honored at the school's commencement ceremony last May.