National Doctor’s Day Is Thursday, March 30

National Doctor’s Day Is Thursday, March 30

by | Mar 29, 2017 | General News

We celebrate our wonderful and caring physicians in honor of National Doctor’s Day and every day. Below are a few facts about our incredible team:

Did You Know?

  • We have 20 orthopedic surgeons and 45 total full-time staff physicians,
  • All physicians hold faculty appointments at UT Southwestern Medical Center and are renowned for outstanding research and teaching of medical students, residents, and fellows,
  • Our physicians treat thousands of patients with a wide range of orthopedic conditions each year. Our surgeons focus on the treatment and management of children in these six Centers for Excellence:
  • More than 269,000 patients have been treated since the hospital’s inception,
  • 2,610 surgeries were performed in fiscal year 2016,
  • Scottish Rite Hospital’s Fellowship in Pediatric Orthopedics is a full clinical fellowship with more than 175 graduating Fellows now practicing across the U.S. and spanning six continents.
  • Our physicians wrote the book on the treatment of orthopedic conditions affecting children. Now in its fifth edition, Tachdjian’s Pediatric Orthopaedics, edited by the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, is the standard reference guide for orthopedic surgeons around the world.
  • Sarah M. and Charles E. Seay Center for Musculoskeletal Research consists of the six Centers for Excellence supported by research divisions and core facilities. At the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, researchers and physicians have generated more than 25 patents and discovered genes associated with orthopedic conditions.
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children: Patient Care, Education & Research

Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children: Patient Care, Education & Research

by | Aug 5, 2016 | General News, Research & Innovation

Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children opened its doors in 1921 and over the last 95 years it has become one of the top pediatric orthopedic hospitals in the country. At the core of our mission are three main pillars: patient care, research and education. The outstanding patient care provided at the hospital is shown each and every day through the interactions our medical staff has with all of our patients and families. The research conducted is designed to treat the entire child and his/her specific needs. The hospital is the training ground for the next generation of world-class pediatric orthopedic physicians through the fellowship program. It is the superior patient care, the groundbreaking research and education of physicians that makes Scottish Rite Hospital such a special place.

Scottish Rite Hospital is a unique institution because of its many resources when it comes to innovation and research. The success of the hospital and its top-of-the-line patient care is closely tied to the collaborative relationship with UT Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW). All of our medical staff hold faculty appointments in various departments at UTSW, including Orthopedic Surgery and Pediatrics. It is a strong, working relationship in which Scottish Rite Hospital has become one of the top research institutions in pediatric orthopedics. The research at Scottish Rite Hospital is regulated by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at UTSW, which serves as the governing body for over 100 of our clinical research studies. Additionally, Scottish Rite Hospital welcomes several UTSW orthopedic residents to complete pediatric rotations throughout the year. These residents work closely with our medical staff and research department to gain experience both hands-on in clinic and surgery, as well as with various research studies.

Scottish Rite Hospital is internationally known as a premier research and teaching hospital. Since research is at the forefront of providing the best patient care, it is necessary to have an environment where learning is ongoing and teaching is an everyday practice. The hospital provides several areas for medical staff, fellows, residents and all other staff to continue their education through weekly/monthly conferences, symposiums, visiting professorships and much more. An extraordinary aspect of Scottish Rite Hospital is the Dorothy and Bryant Edwards Fellowship in Pediatric Orthopedics and Scoliosis.

This program provides the fellows an opportunity to work with some of the most experienced pediatric orthopedic staff in the country. The yearlong fellowship includes becoming a member of the patient care team, high-level surgical experience and the opportunity to work closely with the research team on a topic of their choice. Even through the fellowship, research is at the core of the curriculum. The fellows are required to complete at least one scientific manuscript at Scottish Rite Hospital and will have the opportunity to present their work at the annual Brandon Carrell Visiting Professorship. This conference, hosted by the hospital, is an annual course designed for pediatric orthopedic surgeons and others with an interest in pediatric orthopedic practices to keep up to date on the latest in groundbreaking research. The hospital welcomes a visiting professor each year, along with other medical professionals, who will present on their current research projects. It is another opportunity for our medical staff to discuss and debate various techniques, which facilitates ongoing education for all.

Fellowship Programs:

  • Dorothy and Bryant Edwards Fellowship in Pediatric Orthopedics and Scoliosis
  • John and Ellen McStay International Fellowship
  • John S. Appleton Fellowship in Spine Research
  • Ray Lawson, M.D., International Pediatric Spine Research Fellowship
  • C. and Eleanor M. Garison Fellowship in Hand and Upper Limb Treatment

It is through our strong relationship with UT Southwestern Medical Center, accompanied by the continuous learning environment, which has established Scottish Rite Hospital as a leading research institution for pediatric orthopedics. Research continues to be the engine that drives important clinical decision-making to improve the care by finding new and better techniques to treat our patients.

Tips to Keep Safe on the Slopes

Tips to Keep Safe on the Slopes

by | Feb 17, 2016 | General News

When hitting the slopes, it’s important to have the right equipment. Staying safe while skiing is a top priority for the 35th Annual Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children Amputee Ski Trip. In honor of this special event, we’ve put together some important safety tips for fun in the snow.

  • Wear Sunscreen– Even if the day is overcast and freezing cold, you can still get sunburned on the slopes. The bright white snow reflects the sun’s rays and can cause major burns. To avoid getting sunburned, wear plenty of sunscreen and don’t forget to re-apply throughout the day.
  • Stay Hydrated– Drinking lots and lots of water is the best protection against altitude sickness. Altitude sickness is caused when the body struggles to adjust to higher altitudes with thinner oxygen. Our ski trip participants are equipped to stay hydrated this year with personalized water bottles from our friends at Saint Bernard. Having water on hand as you transition to a higher altitude is the best way to avoid getting sick.
  • Wear a Helmet– Wearing a helmet on the slopes is the best way to protect your head in the event of a fall. Helmets can help prevent concussions and other major head trauma. Thanks to our friends at Giro, the teens on this year’s trip will have helmets to protect them as they learn how to ski.
  • Stay Warm– It’s important to stay warm while you ski. Hypothermia happens when the body loses heat faster than it can produce heat. This results in low body temperature, which can cause organs to function improperly. The teens on the ski trip will stay warm and safe thanks to our friends at Obermeyer while they ski.
  • Warm Up and Cool Down– When participating in strenuous physical activity, especially when learning a new sport, it’s critical to stretch and cool down properly. Stretching before starting the day can help keep the body loose and flexible for exercise. Cooling down at the end of the day with more stretching or a soak in the hot tub can prevent fatigue for the day ahead.

We hope these tips help inspire safety on the mountain. We wish the teens on this year’s trip a fun time in Colorado.

Thanks again to our friends at Saint Bernard, Giro and Obermeyer for keeping our skiers safe and warm on the Annual Amputee Ski Trip.

The Gold Standard: Celebrating 50 Years of Pioneering Dyslexia Care

The Gold Standard: Celebrating 50 Years of Pioneering Dyslexia Care

by | Nov 6, 2015 | General News, Other Conditions

Fifty years ago, a man with an unwavering conviction to help children joined Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children’s staff. His name was Lucius “Luke” Waites, Jr., M.D., and his pioneering work changed the world of learning disorders forever.

In 1924, Lucius Waites, Jr. was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, during a formative time in the study of learning disorders, such as dyslexia. The condition is characterized by a difficulty connecting letter symbols to sounds. It makes reading challenging and affects roughly 10 percent of all public school children.

For a child with dyslexia, the world can be a daunting place. Feelings of failure or isolation can often accompany the condition. Little did anyone know that one day Waites would not only study dyslexia, but he would also help define it and ultimately change perceptions, treatment approaches, education, legislation and the lives of countless children in the process.

While playing football for Ole Miss, Waites gained a reputation for being a fierce competitor, playing in the era of no protective facemasks. That fearless spirit and drive to succeed would serve him well throughout his career. He graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in 1947 and began his work as a neurologist. He came to Dallas in 1961 to join the faculty at UT Southwestern Medical Center. From 1961-65, he also assisted the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children medical staff in the area of neurology.

During that period, Waites began to investigate the phenomenon of smart children who struggled to read. This condition was initially described as “word blindness” and “twisted symbols” (aka: Strephosymbolia). Research into this condition was considered fringe medicine at the time and often mocked as “quackery,” but the determined football player from Mississippi refused to give up. Then Scottish Rite Hospital Chief of Staff Brandon Carrell, M.D., observed the positive effect Waites’ methods were having on his patients and stood by his efforts. In 1965, Waites moved to Scottish Rite Hospital full time and the Luke Waites Center for Dyslexia & Learning Disorders was born. With the support of Scottish Rite Hospital and the Masonic community, Waites set out to build a program dedicated to diagnosing and treating children with the condition. Along with language therapist Aylett Royall Cox, Waites developed the hospital’s first dyslexia curriculum called Alphabetic Phonics. This new approach, with its dramatic and positive results, made waves in Dallas, across Texas and beyond.

“The support of the hospital, the administration and the board of trustees continues to be strong and crucial to our work,” says Gladys Kolenovsky, the center’s administrative director and a 39-year staff member. “From the beginning, they believed in what this center could do for children.”

In 1968, Waites organized a meeting of the World Federation of Neurology at the hospital, at which the medical term “developmental dyslexia” was defined. For the first time, dyslexia was recognized as a medical condition that called for an educational treatment.

But Waites did not stop there. In 1985, he enlisted the help of two equally tenacious colleagues — Kolenovsky and Geraldine “Tincy” Miller, a former staff member who has gone on to serve more than 26 years on the Texas State Board of Education. Together, they facilitated two major changes in Texas education laws — separating dyslexia from special education programs and requiring dyslexia screening and testing in all public schools. As a result of their efforts, Texas became a leader in public policy for learning disorders.

“Because of this incredible group of individuals who were willing to take a chance, so many people are able to stand on the shoulders of their legacy and their bravery,” says Karen Avrit, the center’s educational director, who recently helped pass House Bill 866. This bill ensures that all undergraduate education majors in Texas learn how to recognize, identify and make basic accommodations for children in their classrooms who may be dyslexic.

In 1990, Jeffrey Black, M.D., joined the Scottish Rite Hospital medical staff and the crusade, alongside Waites. Where Waites drew from clinical knowledge and child-focused intuition, Black revels in the scientific process. He set a high bar for data collection, results-driven experimentation and extensive research.

Black used precise, quantifiable measurements to prove that dyslexia could be remediated. From there, he proceeded to improve and adjust the existing curriculum based on his findings. It was through his unflinching dedication to data analysis that a new curriculum, Take Flight: A Comprehensive Intervention for Students with Dyslexia, was developed.

The curriculum allows children to learn the course material faster, with a higher retention rate. The first edition was printed in 2006. Today, Take Flight is used across America, in Canada and as far away as Dubai. The morning Avrit got a call from the Middle East inquiring about the program, she recalls saying, “Wow, we’ve gone international!”

The future of Take Flight looks bright, as Black and the team embark on the next journey in dyslexia education. Together with The University of Texas at Dallas, they are taking the curriculum into the digital arena. Through interactive technology, they will share the program with the next generation of children as well as increase its reach and scope for teachers.

Black is also pushing dyslexia research into the world of genetics. In collaboration with Jerry Ring, Ph.D., the center’s research scientist, and Scottish Rite Hospital’s remarkable genetics research team, work is being conducted to better understand dyslexia on a genetic level.

In 2013, the strong-willed Waites passed away at the age of 89, leaving behind a legacy that has changed the lives of individuals with dyslexia forever.

“It is wonderful to recognize Luke Waite’s legacy, while also paying tribute to the core values of the dyslexia department and the hospital,” Kolenovsky says. “The child comes first – always.”

**This article appeared on the cover of our Rite Up 2015: Issue 3 magazine. Read more from the magazine online.