VCU news

By Carissa Etters

It’s no coincidence the number of preventable accidents increases during summer months. Experts from Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center are available to speak with media about a variety of topics related to various summer safety issues and preventive measures so everyone has a safe and healthy summer.

Michel Aboutanos, M.D., is the chair of acute care surgical services and the chair of the trauma program at VCU Medical Center. Aboutanos is also professor of surgery in the VCU School of Medicine. He can speak about all trauma-related injuries that increase during summer months, as well as prevention tips.

Robin Foster, M.D., is an associate professor of emergency medicine and the chair of pediatric emergency medicine at VCU Medical Center. She can speak about the common summer pediatric cases that are seen in the children’s emergency department.

Jennifer Neal, Pharm.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science in the School of Pharmacy who specializes in skin conditions. She can speak on the subject of sun-sensitizing medications, including those for cholesterol and high blood pressure, as well as antidepressants and anti-inflammatories. These medications can cause side effects such as patchy rashes when people taking them are exposed to the sun. Sun-sensitizing medication can also aggravate existing skin conditions, including eczema, and may inflame scar tissue.

Krista Larson Donohoe, Pharm.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science in the VCU School of Pharmacy who specializes in ambulatory care. She can speak about increased food poisoning risks from leaving food out in warm temperatures as well as home treatments for food poisoning and ways to minimize foodborne illnesses.

J. Tyler Stevens, Pharm.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science in the VCU School of Pharmacy who specializes in community pharmacy practice. He can speak about proper care for insect stings and bites, including at-home remedies and over-the-counter products.

Ayn Welleford, Ph.D., is associate professor and chair of the Department of Gerontology in the School of Allied Health Professions. She can speak on the subject of protecting seniors from dangerous summer heat. Obesity, heart disease, dementia, diabetes and other chronic medical conditions compound the risk of overheating for older people, who often do not sweat as effectively as younger people and have poorer circulation. Certain medications such as diuretics or those prescribed for hypertension and Parkinson’s disease can also increase risk.

D.S. Blaise Williams III, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Physical Therapy in the School of Allied Health Professions and the director of the VCU RUN LAB. He can speak on the topic of staying safe during hot-weather exercise.

Corrie Miller-Hobbs is the program coordinator for Safe Kids Virginia, a VCU Medical Center-led organization focused on keeping kids safe in Virginia. Based on the needs of the community, the coalition implements evidence-based programs, such as car-seat checkups, safety workshops and sports clinics, which help parents and caregivers prevent childhood injuries. Hobbs can also provide information about the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU’s annual summer safety fair, which will be held on June 24 at Chimborazo Park.

S. Rutherfoord Rose, Pharm.D., is chair of the Division of Toxicology and professor of emergency medicine at the Department of Emergency Medicine, VCU School of Medicine, and the director of the Virginia Poison Center. Rose can speak on a variety of poison-related topics, such as snake and spider bite prevention and care; bee, wasp and caterpillar stings; pesticide, sunscreen and swimming pool chemical safety; ingestion of plants and mushrooms; and caring for poison ivy, oak and sumac.

As a major academic research institution and leading medical center, VCU also can provide interviews with many other experts, including other health care professionals, on topics related to summer safety.