WVU Cancer Institute’s Angelica Oberholtzer Jacques
The Cancer Institute has a healthcare superhero whose secret identity is about to be exposed. Anni Jacques, is the woman behind the mask – or, rather masks, as she has made around 1,750 coverings for providers and patients at the Cancer Institute and J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jacques is supposed to be on leave. She is a technician for Christopher Cifarelli, MD, PhD, a neurosurgeon whose cancer research has been put on hold while the hospital focuses its services exclusively on patient care. “I couldn’t do my job as a technician and was stuck at home going crazy,” she said. “But then I remembered, I can sew. I have a sewing machine. I can do something useful.”
Jacques has been toiling alone in a conference room at the Cancer Institute since April 4, producing about 60 masks a day. She has been using cotton and cotton/linen blends from fabric that comes mostly from her mother in Texas. A friend is adding to the effort by making ear savers. “The stores in Texas have been open while ours have not,” she said. “I’m getting fabric, ribbons and thread from out of state.”
The masks designs are random, based on whatever fabric Jacques has on hand. She has made some with a cow pattern, Paw Patrol characters and NFL team logos. Around a third of the masks are for pediatric patients. Jacques places the masks in a laundry bin in an office on the main floor of the Cancer Institute. Some are delivered to the Department of Pediatrics, some are delivered to incident command at the hospital and the rest are available to anyone who needs one. “I’m going to make them until they tell me to stop,” Jacques said. “Or if we don’t need them, we can store the unused ones in case something like this happens again.”
WVU School of Medicine named one of the most competitive nationally by U.S. News
In a recent U.S. News report, the West Virginia University School of Medicine has been recognized for its competitive nature and standards, being named to the top 10 lowest acceptance rates in the country for the M.D. program.
Seven Faculty named to Faculty Fellows Program to develop new Honors courses
Dr. Steven Frisch, Biochemistry, School of Medicine
“The Biology of Aging” will be a multidisciplinary examination of biologic aging and the factors that affect and can extend longevity. Students will learn about the exciting study of “cell senescence,” or the irreversible cessation of cell division. Students will explore work that shows cell senescence as the major factor underlying human aging and learn about new interventions that prevent cell senescence in model organisms, extending their longevity. What could this mean for humans and aging in the future?
From Practice To Theory: A Graduate’s Journey To Becoming An Epidemiologist
As an AmeriCorps Vista, Tressler was given the opportunity to work with the Berkeley and Jefferson County Health Departments. This led to opportunities assisting Marion County and Kanawha-Charleston Health Departments with threat preparedness planning. When Tressler was later offered a position with Bonnie’s Bus, the WVU Cancer Institute’s mobile mammography program, she accepted.
“I enjoyed my work with Bonnie’s Bus, but always had epidemiology in the back of my mind and that it was something I would like to pursue further,” Tressler said.
Arif Sarwari, MD, Chair of Medicine, and Chris Goode, MD, Chair of Emergency Medicine, co-authored an article entitled “I thought I could wait this out”: fearing coronavirus, patients are delaying hospital visits, putting health and lives at risk.
We recommend this very thoughtful piece, as it illustrates the current challenge we have as we reopen our clinics and hospitals – ensuring people understand that they should not delay critical care due to their concerns about coming to one of our hospitals or clinics. Our hospitals and clinics are safe, and we can protect our patients, especially since we’ve not experienced the same surge that places such as New York City or Los Angeles have. Here is one of the most sobering facts that they share: “The ultimate cost for delaying treatment can be loss of life. Data from the CDC shows the U.S. had 66,000 more deaths than expected from January through the end of April, with only about half of those linked to COVID-19.” Please help us deliver this message through your network of family, friends, and acquaintances.
Virtual Mindfulness Sampler Workshop Series Starting May 18
Work with three incredibly knowledgeable and experienced instructors in developing a mindfulness practice that supports your work-life balance and overall well-being. Participants can expect to be engaged in a variety of mindful exercises purposefully designed to provide personal and professional value, including:
- The science of mindfulness and its positive effects on the brain
- Guided meditation for mental clarity and focus
- Energizing yoga poses capable of being done at home or in the office with limited space or props
- Mindful compassion, communication, and eating exercises
This weekly workshop series will cover techniques to effectively change your response to stress, the result of which is a calmer, more focused and resilient mind. The virtual series will take place every Monday at noon from May 18 to June 22 and is free for all WVU Medicine employees and WVU students, faculty, and staff.
For additional information or to register contact wellness specialist Anthony.Danko@hsc.wvu.edu.
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