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Welcome to Mercy News, your online source for information about programs, events, research, new medical technologies, and more, at Mercy Medical Center. Mercy News is updated frequently, so bookmark this page for current news. Be sure to visit our extensive archives for previous stories arranged by month.

Mercy Medical Center's Internist Dr. David Scharff Participant In 11th Annual "BikeJam 2009"
Bike Jam 2009, a full day of high caliber pro-am cycling, will be held Sunday, May 17th, in Patterson Park. Featuring The Kelly Cup Pro Race, Bike Jam 2009 features games, bike safety, live music, and other family summer fun. This event is free and open to the public and runs all day, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Baltimore Bike Jam 2009” is the mid-Atlantic’s largest cycling festival now in its 11th year at historic Patterson Park near Baltimore’s famed Inner Harbor. The event includes Maryland’s only pro race on the National Race Calendar, and Baltimore’s largest pro-am cycling race, The Kelly Cup. These races are sanctioned by the U.S. Cycling Federation (USCF), thus attracting professional and amateur racers from the mid-Atlantic and throughout North America. Past BikeJam races have included former Olympic and Tour D’France participants. More than 8,000 spectators and 1,200 participants are expected.

Bike Jam promoter and participant Dr. David Scharff, Mercy Medical Center internist, has served as president of Lateral Stress Velo, a bicycle club and racing team from Baltimore. LSV includes mountain bikers and road bikers and are a member of both National Off Road Biking Association (NORBA) and the United States Cycling Federation (USCF).

“Baltimore BikeJam 2009” is held at Patterson Park which always provides a challenging course. Enjoy great views, on-going races and free events, all day long. Highlights include:

• Pro Road Racing
• Recreational Bike Ride (12 and 31 mile rides)
• Cycling Stunt show
• Interactive Village
• Bike & Health Expo
• Food & Live Music
• Kids Activity Pavilion
• Kids Bike & Safety Rodeo (12-1:45 p.m.)
• Live Music Stage (bands play from 12:30 p.m. until 5p.m.)
• Assorted cycling vendors
• Kid’s Helmet Give-Away (CareFirst / BlueCross has donated and will distribute 250 kids’ cycling helmets)

The event is free and open to the public and is handicapped accessible. For information regarding entry fees for BikeJam cycling races, visit www.bikejam.org. For more information on Mercy, visit www.mdmercy.com.

Marc W. Hungerford, M.D., Joins Mercy Medical Center As Hospital’s New Medical Director Of Joint Replacement And Reconstruction
(Baltimore, MD, February 2009) – Noted orthopedic surgeon Marc W. Hungerford, M.D., has joined Mercy Medical Center as the 135-year-old downtown hospital’s Medical Director of Joint Replacement and Reconstruction, Dr. Thomas Whitten, Chief of Orthopedics at Mercy, has announced.

Dr. Hungerford joins Mercy after serving as Chair of the Johns Hopkins Division of Orthopedic Surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital.

One of the few surgeons in the Maryland specially trained to perform the latest minimally invasive single as well as double hip replacement procedures, Dr. Hungerford earned his medical degree at the Vanderbilt School of Medicine. He completed his 4-year orthopedic residence at Johns Hopkins University.

“I am very pleased to join Mercy Medical Center’s stellar team of orthopedic surgeons, many of whom national and even international reputations for their work. I look forward to seeing patients at Mercy, providing a comprehensive range of specialty procedures,” Dr. Hungerford said.

Dr. Hungerford’s specializes in:

• Hip, knee, & shoulder arthroscopy
• Pelvic osteotomy
• Joint replacement
• Minimally invasive joint replacement
• Joint replacement revision
• Treatment of avascular necrosis

He is a member of many medical professional societies including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, the National Osteonecrosis Foundation, the Maryland Orthopedic Association and the Southern Orthopedic Association.

Dr. Hungerford has numerous clinical lectures, book chapters and presentations to his credit.

Mercy Medical Center Welcomes Three New OBGYNs, Drs. Carmen L. Farrior, Angela M. Hopkins-Luna And Jennifer Preston Taylor
(Baltimore, MD, February 2009) – Mercy Medical Center has announced the arrival of three new OB/GYNS, Carmen L Farrior, M.D., M.B.A., F.A.C.O.G; Angela M. Hopkins-Luna, M.D., and Jennifer Preston Taylor, M.D.

Dr. Farrior, a board certified OB/GYN focusing on women’s health and disease prevention, earned her medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School in 1996. She completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Albert Einstein Medical Center in 2000.

Prior to joining Mercy, Dr. Farrior was in private practice with New Horizon Women’s Care, LLC. Dr. Farrior is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and also holds an M.B.A. from Johns Hopkins University.

Dr. Hopkins-Luna received her medical degree in 1993 from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill, and completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Sinai Hospital in 1997.

Prior to joining Mercy, Dr. Hopkins-Luna was an attending physician with New Horizon Women’s Care, LLC. A Junior Fellow with the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Hopkins-Luna completed her Board Certification (oral) with the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in January 2001.

Dr. Taylor received her medical degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 2004 and completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Maryland Medical Systems in 2008. Currently board eligible, Dr. Taylor is a member of the American Medical Association and the Douglass Obstetric and Gynecologic Society, and a Junior Fellow with the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She has numerous honors, awards and medical presentations to her credit.

Mercy Ophthalmologic Surgeon Dr. Sheri Rowen Seeking Patients For Dry Eye Study
(Baltimore, MD) — Dr. Sheri Rowen, ophthalmologic surgeon and Director of the Eye and Cosmetic Surgery Center at Mercy Medical Center, is now recruiting patients through the month of October 2008 to participate in a study relative to treatment for dry eye. Benefits of participation include an improved understanding about your dry eye condition and how to better manage it; helping people by expanding medical knowledge.

If you qualify for participation in the dry eye study, you may receive financial compensation up to $450 for your time and effort; free study related eye exams and study medication.

For more information about the clinical study, contact Dr. Sheri Rowen in the Eye and Cosmetic Surgery Center at 301 St. Paul Place by calling 410-332-9500.

New State-Of-The-Art Institute For Digestive Health And Liver Disease Opens At Mercy Medical Center
Renowned Physicians Drs. Paul Thuluvath, Mary Harris and Sergey Kantsevoy to see patients on Mercy’s downtown campus—
Drs. Richard Desi and Laura Pichney to also join new Mercy Institute
(Baltimore, MD) – Mercy Medical Center has launched a new, multi-million dollar, one-of-a-kind treatment center for the diagnosis and treatment of digestive diseases. The Institute for Digestive Health and Liver Disease at Mercy now comprises the entire 7th floor of Mercy’s Professional Office Building.

The Institute will address inflammatory bowel disease, hepatology, gastroenterology, endoscopy, colon-rectal disorders, and provide Remicade infusion services, Thomas R. Mullen, President and CEO of Mercy Health Services, Mercy Medical Center, has announced.

Joining Mercy are renowned physicians Drs. Paul Thuluvath, Mary Harris, and Sergey Kantsevoy – all formerly of Johns Hopkins. They join the noted Mercy team of gastroenterologists, Drs. David Posner, Michael Cox, Scott Huber and Patrick Hyatt, and colon-rectal surgeon, Dr. Debra Vachon.

In addition, gastroenterologists Drs. Richard Desi and Laura Pichney will also be members of the new team, bringing expertise in community colorectal screening.

“By combining the medical expertise of these physicians with progressive technology — including state-of-the-art endoscopic equipment, as well as Mercy’s 134-tradition of providing compassionate and quality care — the new Institute for Digestive Health and Liver Disease at Mercy is positioned to be he leading center in the region for digestive health,” Mr. Mullen said.

According to Mercy Chief of Gastroenterology Dr. David Posner, Director of the new Institute, patients will have access to endoscopic procedures such as interventional endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound and capsule endoscopy for the diagnosis of “a number of digestive and related disorders. The Institute provides expert treatment for bilary tract disease including bile duct cancer; gallstone disease, inflammatory conditions of the colon, Crohn’s Disease, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel and irritable bowel disease, colorectal cancer, esophageal disorders, reflux, swallowing disorders, heartburn, liver disease including hepatitis, and as well as disorders of the pancreas, stomach and duodenum,” Dr. Posner said said.

The new Institute will also take part in clinical trials for Hepatitis B, C, and liver cancer, as well as genetic counseling and preventive medical services, in coordination with Mercy Prevention and Research center under nationally renowned cancer researcher and epidemiologist Dr. Kathy J. Helzlsouer.

Other features to the Institute will include a women’s center for diarrheal management, treating inflammatory bowel disease in pregnancy, minimally invasive endoscopic surgery, a comprehensive liver center, including liver transplantation services, and a Remicade infusion center. Remicade (Infliximba) is a drug used to treat autoimmune disorders and has been approved by the USFDA for the treatment of Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis. Remicade is delivered by intravenous infusion or IV, typically at 6-8 week intervals.

“Many of the physicians who comprise the staff of the new Institute have national and even international reputations for their work, such as in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, chronic liver disease, pancreatic cancer, and more. Mercy already has a reputation as one of the nation’s finest hospitals in terms of quality of care. This new Institute is further evidence of our dedication to providing patients with advanced therapies so that they may enjoy a better, healthier, quality of life,” Mr. Mullen said.

Below are brief biographies of the new Institute’s physician staff (in alphabetical order):

David B. Posner, M.D.
David B. Posner, M.D., Chief of Gastroenterology at Mercy, is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Dr. Posner is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine with a subspecialty in Gastroenterology. He is a fellow of the American College of Physicians, American Gastroenterological Society, and American College of Gastroenterology as well as American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, and Baltimore City Medical Society. Dr. Posner is past president of the Maryland Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

For the past 20 years, Dr. Posner has taught students and residents from the University of Maryland. As Attending Physician at Mercy Medical Center, Dr. Posner teaches residents in medicine and surgery and received the Outstanding Physician-Teacher Award in 1982. He has authored numerous abstracts and publications.

Paul J. Thuluvath, M.D.
Paul J. Thuluvath, M.D., received his medical degree from the University of Sheffield School of Medicine, England. He completed an internship and residency in Internal Medicine at St. Johns Medical College Hospital, India, as well as a residency in Internal Medicine at the Dunston Hill Hospital and Castle Hill Hospital, England. He completed his Gastroenterology and Hepatology fellowship at the University of Cambridge, England. Board Certified in Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine, Dr. Thuluvath specializes in liver disease, liver transplantation, ERCP, liver cancer, and primary sclerosing cholangitis. He extensive research experience, has authored numerous articles, book chapters, and editorials, and is an international speaker. A fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology and Royal College of Physicians of London, Dr. Thuluvath is a member of the American Association for Study of Liver Disease, American Gastrenterological Association, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, International Liver Transplant Society, The Transplantation Society, and European Association for Study of Liver Diseases.

Mary L. Harris, M.D.
Mary L. Harris, M.D., received her medical degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine, where she also completed her internship and residency in Internal Medicine. She completed her Gastroenterology fellowship at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Her interests include Crohn’s Disease, ulcerative colitis, pregnancy and IBD, general endoscopy, and diarrhea. Dr. Harris is a member of the American Gastroenterologist Association and American College of Physicians. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Maryland Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America Physician Advisory Committee. Dr. Harris has participated in many research programs and is the author of many manuscripts, book chapters, and abstracts.

Sergey Kantsevoy, M.D., Ph.D.
Sergey Kantsevoy, M.D., Ph.D., received his medical degree from Gorky Medical Institute, Gorky, Russia, where he also completed a residency in Surgery. His surgical internship was completed at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, Bronx, NY. He completed an Internal Medicine internship and residency at Washington Hospital Center, Washington, D.C. Dr. Kantsevoy completed his fellowship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Board Certified in Gastroenterology and Hepatology as well as Internal Medicine, Dr. Kantsevoy specializes in interventional endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasound. He is a member of the American Gastroenterological Association and American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Dr. Kantsevoy is an international lecturer and course director, author of various abstracts, book chapters, and articles, and has been issued various patents.

Michael E. Cox, M.D.
Michael E. Cox, M.D., Assistant Chief of Gastroenterology, is a graduate of the University of Maryland Medical School with certifications in both Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine. His research interests include endoscopic laser surgery and Hepatitis C. He has been a clinical assistant professor of medicine at the University of Maryland since 1981 and was the first medical director of the Maryland Endoscopy Center.

Dr. Cox is a member of the American Gastroenterology Association and American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, as well as Maryland Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, for which he served as president from 1997 through 1999. His fellowships include the American College of Gastroenterology (FACG) and American College of Physicians (FACP). He has authored numerous papers and publications.

Debra A. Vachon, M.D.
Debra A. Vachon, M.D., received her medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Board Certified in both general surgery and colon-rectal surgery, Dr. Vachon is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. She has made numerous presentations regarding the Delorme procedure for complete rectal prolapse in severely debilitated patients; management of inflammatory carcinoma of the breast; and surgical complications in children with HIV infections

Scott Huber, M.D.
Scott Huber, M.D., earned his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine through the University of Maryland Medical System and fellowship in Gastroenterology at Brown University and Rhode Island Hospital. Board Certified in Internal Medicine and specialist in Gastroenterology, Dr. Huber has conducted research in the gastroenterology field at Brown University and Johns Hopkins University.

Patrick Hyatt, M.D.
Patrick Hyatt, M.D., earned his medical degree at the Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine and his fellowship in Gastroenterology at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Dr. Hyatt is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and is Board-Eligible in Gastroenterology. He has numerous clinical presentations and medical publications to his credit, addressing disorders of the GI tract as well as treatments such as chemoprevention of colon cancer. Dr. Hyatt is a member of the American Gastroenterological Association, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and American College of Gastroenterology.

Lisa Pichney, M.D.
Lisa Pichney, M.D., received her medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. She completed her internship and residency in Internal Medicine and her fellowship in Gastroenterology at the University of Maryland Hospital/Baltimore V.A. Medical Center. Board Certified in Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine, Dr. Pichney serves on the Board of Governors of the Maryland Endoscopy Center, is President of the Maryland Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and is a Physician Member of Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America. She is a member of various medical associations, including Med-Chi of Maryland, Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, American Gastroenterological Association, American Society for Gastroenterological Endoscopy, American College of Physicians, and Baltimore County Medical Association. A fellow of the American College of Physicians/ASIM and American College of Gastroenterology, Dr. Pichney has been the recipient of numerous awards, is the author of various publications and abstracts, and has presented numerous lectures.

Richard A. Desi, M.D.
Richard A. Desi, M.D., received his medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and completed his residency at the University of Maryland Department of Internal Medicine. He completed his Gastroenterology fellowship at Georgetown University Hospital. Dr. Desi is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and is Board-Eligible in Gastroenterology. He is a member of the American Gastroenterological Association and American College of Gastroenterology.

The Institute for Digestive Health and Liver Disease at Mercy is located on the 7th floor of Mercy’s Professional Office Building at 301 St. Paul Street. Call 410-332-9829 or call 1-800-M.D.-Mercy for an appointment.

Mercy Medical Center Welcomes Drs. Timothy G. Doyle And Jason E. Goodman
Baltimore, MD – Mercy Medical Center, home of the nationally acclaimed Weinberg Center for Women’s Health and Medicine, has welcomed Timonthy G. Doyle, M.D., and Jason E. Goodman, M.D., to its clinical staff. Drs. Doyle and Goodman will see patients exclusively at Overlea Personal Physicians medical group at 7602 Belair Road in Overlea, MD.

Board certified in Internal Medicine, Dr. Doyle is an experienced physician who has managed a busy internal medicine practice located in Towson, MD, for the past 12 years. Dr. Doyle has also served as a Clinical Preceptor for Nurse Practitioner Students at The Johns Hopkins University Graduate School since 2004.

Dr. Doyle earned his medical degree in 1993 from the Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, PA in 1996. He is a member of the American College of Physicians.

Dr. Doyle is a resident of Phoenix, MD.

Dr. Goodman is board certified in Internal Medicine and has been in private practice in Silver Spring, MD, for the past eight years. He has also served as a Clinical Instructor at the University of Maryland Medical School (UMMS) since 2000.

A graduate of UMMS, Dr Goodman completed his residency in Internal Medicine at University. In 2005, Dr. Goodman was named among the “Top Doctors” in Internal Medicine by The Washingtonian Magazine for the Washington metropolitan area.

Dr. Goodman lives in Jessup, MD.

Overlea Personal Physicians is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. with select evening hours. For more information, call 410-663-8100 or go to www.overleadocs.com.

Women, Pregnancy & Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease is an important problem to manage because it can impact fertility and be painful and devastating to someone's lifestyle.

Inflammatory bowel disease includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Meredith Berlin, 34, is a busy mother of three who also has had to deal with IBD since she was 9 years old.

"I walk out of the house and I go about my day, but I think, 'Where is the restroom at the food store?'" Berlin said.

Dr. Mary Harris of Mercy Medical Center's Institute for Digestive Health and Liver Disease specializes in women who have IBD.

"When you think about patients most commonly diagnosed in their second and third decades, these are the childbearing years when you're establishing intimate relationships and starting a family. If the disease acts up, it can impair fertility and cause premature delivery," Dr. Harris said.

She said an IV infusion of the biologic therapy Remicade has helped many patients.

"It's absolutely rejuvenated and reinvigorated patients' lives," Dr. Harris added.

"When I was at an all-time low and thought surgery was my only option, I gave this a shot, and I'm so thankful I did. It has made my life normal," Berlin said.

Berlin said she currently feels great and has been in remission since the birth of her second child four and a half years ago.

It is important for IBD patients to stay on top of their disease and planning is key for women thinking about starting a family.

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