Resource for animal research issues

Glancing through the program from the recent AAMC/GIA awards ceremony, I noticed that the Momentum magazine [Winter 2002] story on animal research won the Fenley Writing Award. I just wanted to let you know that when I got my copy of that issue of the magazine, I read and then immediately copied the cover and the story pages and use it as a resource for animal rights issues. The story and its photography is truly deserving of this - and many other - awards. Congratulations to you and to author Lillian Kim on what is truly one of the best articles on the topic I've ever seen.

Joanna Downer
Assistant director, science communication
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Public Affairs

Editor's note: Lillian Kim, former director of public affairs for the Yerkes National Primate Research Center, is now a first-year medical student at Emory, She won one of the nation's top writing prizes at the 2003 Circle of Excellence competition sponsored by the Association of American Medical Colleges/Group on Institutional Advancement.

Congratulations and correction

I am writing this letter both to offer kudos as well as a correction to your Summer 2003 issue of Momentum. First, my congratulations on a wonderful article and tribute to John Henry, a fellow health care administrator...

In the same issue, I would like to correct one statement concerning Emory's new neurointensive care unit, which you said was the only one of its type in Georgia. As the major regional referral medical center for much of central and south Georgia, the Medical Center of Central Georgia has had a neurological intensive care unit for over 30 years. It was a four-bed unit in the early 1970s when I first came to the medical center and is now 12 beds. As you state, it provides a specialized and much needed level of care to patients with major neurological issues. We wish Emory much success with their unit.

Donald Faulk, Jr.
President/CEO, Central Georgia Health System

Editor's note: We apologize for the error. The article should have stated that Emory has the only neurocritical care service with full-time, fellowship-trained neurointensivists. These specialists are not only board-certified neurologists with subspecialty training in strokes and hemorrhages but also are fully trained medical intensivists. "It's the marriage of these two disciplines that ultimately leads to improved patient care and clinical outcomes," says Owen Samuels, director of neurocritical care at Emory University Hospital. Traditionally, neurocritical care units in Georgia are staffed by a primary neurologist or neurosurgeon who consults a critical care specialist when needed.