2020: The Year in Review
In a year dominated by COVID-19, it is easy to overlook the fact that there were other noteworthy events and people to talk about in 2020. Many of them graced these pages throughout the year and we are delighted to bring you this opportunity to revisit their stories (or, perhaps, see them for the first time) in this year's Year in Review.
Recognizing COVID Heroes
As the COVID-19 pandemic began to impact our region, everyone in healthcare had to adapt quickly and decisively. We invited organizations across the area to share some of the many 'COVID Heroes' who stepped up to do what was needed.
Stem Cells 101
Sanford Research scientists recently published a review article in an issue of Stem Cells Translational Medicine focused on the study of and utility of adult-derived stem cells.
First Fellow Chosen for Interventional Cardiology Fellowship in Sioux Falls
Shenjing Li, MD, PhD, a third year Cardiovascular Disease Program Fellow at Sanford is set to be the first person to enter Sanford Heart Hospital and the USD Sanford School of Medicine’s new interventional Cardiology fellowship program. The program, which will begin in July, has been approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and will train one new interventional cardiologist a year.
Clinical Spotlight: New Trial to Test Stem Cells for Rotator Cuff Repair
Last month, Sanford opened a first-of-its kind FDA-approved clinical trial to treat rotator cuff tears with a patient’s own adipose-derived stem cells. The goal is to determine whether an injection of these cells can safely repair small and partial thickness tears by activating the body’s natural healing process.
Local Doctor’s Invention Gives Rise to Sanford Vascular Innovations
In 2011, Patrick Kelly, MD, was just another vascular surgeon with a problem - how to repair a thoracoabdominal aneurysm and reduce the 25% mortality risk associated with the open procedure. Because of the marked differences in patient anatomy, there was no one-size-fits-all stent graft available for this kind of repair.
Study Finds Genetic Profiling Increases Cancer Treatment Options
Genetic profiling of cancer tumors provides new avenues for treatment of the disease, according to a study conducted by Sanford Health and recognized by the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Local Researchers Present at Vatican Cell Conference
Sanford Health’s work in cellular therapy and regenerative medicine earned a team of its top researchers and administrators a trip to the Vatican in April as part of an international conference.
Petrasko Performs 100th Robotic Angioplasty
Falls, recently performed his 100th robotic-assisted angioplasty. Sanford Health has one of the country’s leading interventional robotics programs.
New Studies Focus on Head and Neck Cancers
Two new clinical trials at Sanford are focused on patients with head and neck cancers.
Researchers Develop Model for Neurodegenerative Disease
Sanford Research scientists have developed a pig model for a neurodegenerative disease that could help better treat the disorder and other physiological conditions. The findings of the project are published in Human Molecular Genetics.
Imagining the Future of Medicine: Sanford Imagentics
Even before biochemists Frederick Sanger and Walter Gilbert shared the 1980 Nobel Prize in chemistry for their separate work in DNA sequencing, medical scientists understood that the ability to create and analyze chromosomal representations would revolutionize the way medicine was practiced. After all, as the National Human Genome Research Institute states, “Virtually every human ailment, except perhaps trauma, has some basis in our genes.”