NIH Clinical Center News: September 2017

NIH Clinical Center News: September 2017

September 2017 Read the complete edition online View past issues IN THIS ISSUE: Staff Influenza Vaccine Clinic begins in October CC staff recognized at 2017 NIH Director's awards Mindfulness program reminds staff to care for themselves as well as patients Patient with rare spinal cord cancer bounces back The force was strong during Star Wars visit to pediatric patients Hands-on opportunities to learn about healthcare provided to siblings of CC patients Healthy volunteers needed for clinical trials From patient to performer, Kevin Milner brings music in the atrium CC CEO holds Town Hall, honors 41 staff who have served 25 years or more in the federal service CC bids farewell to long-time employees this fall Summer training sessions emphasize impact, importance of science and clinical trials ABOUT CC NEWS: Published monthly by the Office of Communications and Media Relations. News, article ideas, calendar events and photos are welcome. Submissions may be edited. Clinical Center News National Institutes of Health Clinical Center Building 10, Room 6-2551  Bethesda, MD 20892 Tel: 301-594-5789 Fax: 301-402-0244

Hospital honored for emotional support to patients

The National Research Corporation Health selected the NIH Clinical Center as a recipient of its 2017 Excellence Award. The Clinical Center earned the highest ratings in overall satisfaction by patients and their families in the category of Emotional Support, among 426 eligible facilities.

Robotic exoskeleton offers potential new approach to alleviating crouch gait in children with cerebral palsy

With a motor, sensors and electronic-technology-powered brace wrapped around their legs, several pediatric patients participating in a Rehabilitation Medicine clinical trial looked like characters from the movies Iron Man or Transformers – and more importantly, they felt like the superheroes they resembled. The patients, all of whom have cerebral palsy, walked with crouch gait, or excessive bending of the knees. In order to improve their walking, researchers led by staff scientist Dr. Thomas Bulea, created the first robotic exoskeleton specifically designed to treat crouch gait in children with cerebral palsy by providing powered knee extension assistance at key points during the walking cycle.

Healthy volunteers endure mosquito bites to advance research

Mosquitoes beware! Researchers within the Clinical Center began a Phase 1 clinical trial this year to protect humans against mosquito-transmitted diseases.