Program for Neuroethics & Clinical Consciousness

The John J. Lynch, MD Center for Ethics

The John J. Lynch, MD Center for Ethics at MedStar Washington Hospital Center introduces a research program devoted to the intersections of philosophy, neuroscience, empirical psychology, and clinical neurology. The Program for Neuroethics and Clinical Consciousness (PNCC) serves as a special research unit of the Lynch Center, contributing to relevant policy and practice, such as institutional criteria for brain death, improved evaluations of decision-making capacity in disorders of consciousness, and specialized analyses of clinical cases involving neurointensive care. In addition, the PNCC invites scholars of relevant disciplinary backgrounds and at various degrees of study, to collaborate in investigating the ontological and normative clinical implications of ongoing advances within these fields. Papers resulting from this work will be fast-tracked for publication in a special PNCC section of the Journal of Hospital Ethics. 

Fall 2019 PNCC Visiting Scholars

Alexander Villafranca, BESS., MSc, PhD(c) 
Research Associate 
Department of Anesthesiology 
Perioperative and Pain Medicine 
Max Rady School of Medicine 
University of Manitoba 

Benjamin Ross, PhD 
Department of Philosophy & Religion 
University of North Texas

To apply* for a position as Visiting Scholar, please provide the following documents and submit directly to:

Christian Carrozzo, Program for Neuroethics and Clinical Consciousness
[email protected]

• Name and Institutional Affiliation
• Letter of Research Intent (500 words or less, describing your thesis, area of intended scholarship focus, and the time frame for which you are applying)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Letter of Recommendation (Optional)

*Visiting Scholar applicants are expected to hold a midlevel post-graduate degree, e.g. MA, MS, MPH, or be enrolled in a terminal degree graduate program, e.g. advanced PhD or medical student. Applicants will be considered regardless of institutional affiliation or geographic location. Copyright 2019 PNCC Program for Neuroethics & Clinical Consciousness. The John J. Lynch, MD Center for Ethics, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, D.C.  All Rights Reserved. Photo credit @iStock/iLexx 

Clinical Internships

The John J. Lynch, MD Center for Ethics at MedStar Washington Hospital Center invites applications for our undergraduate and graduate internships. MedStar Washington Hospital Center (MWHC), is a 900+ bed, Level I trauma center that provides a rich clinical ethics experience for interns at every level of training. Because the Center provides a 24/7, 365 day a year clinical ethics consultation service, running approximately 400 consultations yearly, interns are assured a deep clinical ethics experience.

Interns join the Center staff on clinical rounds in MWHC’s nine intensive care units, attend meetings of the hospital’s ethics committee, including subcommittees of education, consultation, policy, and organizational ethics, and observe clinical ethics consultations. In addition, our interns join staff on regularly scheduled interdisciplinary meetings and internal education activities, such as noon conferences for medical residents and moral distress programming for clinicians.

Interns will be required to give an independent presentation to the hospital’s ethics committee and collaborate on ongoing projects with Center staff, possibly including the development of a paper project with the aim of publication. Internships are 6-8 weeks in the summer (beginning in June) and winter months (beginning in January). Interns are expected to commit to a minimum of 15 hours a week.

Applicants are expected to have previously engaged in coursework related to, or experience in, bioethics, and hold a particular interest in clinical ethics. Applicants must submit:

• Letter of intent, outlining his/her interest in the field of clinical bioethics
• Letter of recommendation from a former professor/mentor
• Academic transcript

Completed applications and further inquiries should be sent to: Christian Carrozzo at [email protected]. 

More than 50 million people suffer from allergies in the United States each year. An allergy is an abnormal immune response to certain things in the environment, which are generally harmless to most people. These things are called allergens. Allergens are defined as any substance that triggers an allergic response. When allergies affect the ears, nose, and throat, the symptoms are referred to as otolaryngic allergies.

Symptoms

Allergy symptoms include a wide range of physiological responses. Symptoms may present themselves either suddenly or gradually, and the presence and severity of each symptom may vary from person to person. Symptoms related to ear, nose and throat allergens include:

• Runny nose
• Nasal congestion
• Constant sneezing
• Itching sensation in the eyes, nose and throat
• Reduced ability to smell or taste
• Frequent ear infections and sinus infections
• Frequent, unexplained nosebleeds
• Experiencing cold-like symptoms for more than 10 days
• Constantly feeling fatigued
• Symptoms that recur at the same time every year

If left untreated, allergies may cause complications such as chronic cough, head congestion, recurring infection in the ears and sinus, hearing loss, and may even lead to asthma.

Diagnosis

Healthcare providers who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of ear, nose, and throat conditions are called Otolaryngologists, and ENT allergies are among the most common problems which they diagnose and treat. Diagnosing an allergy is typically performed by first analyzing your medical history and performing a physical examination. Your doctor will want to track any symptoms you’ve had in the past that could be related to the allergy as well as the timing of the symptoms. For example, you will be asked if you experience symptoms seasonally or year-round or if symptoms occur occasionally, perhaps as a result of exposure to irritants such as mold, animals or dust mites.

Your doctor will also want to perform a physical examination that evaluates the head and neck for signs of allergies. He/she will also be looking for alternative explanations for your symptoms in addition to conditions that may interfere with treatment, such as a deviated septum.

The only way to firmly diagnose an allergy is to perform an allergy test. The most common allergy testing method is a skin test, because it is quick and reliable. During a skin test, your doctor will expose your skin to possible allergens and track how your body responds. There are three types of skin tests: skin prick test, intradermal test, and patch test. In some cases, a blood test may be preferable to confirm an allergy diagnosis. Talk to your doctor regarding specific instructions before conducting allergy testing.

Treatments

Your Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Allergist may recommend the following treatments depending on your specific diagnosis. When reasonable, your doctor will recommend that you avoid or remove the identified allergen from your environment. Additionally, allergy medication has proved to be very effective for patients diagnosed with allergies. Some examples of allergy medications include:

• Nasal sprays, including steroid or antihistamine sprays
• Oral antihistamines
• Decongestants
• Leukotriene inhibitors

Immunotherapy

If avoidance of the allergen or allergy medications do not ease symptoms, your Otolaryngic Allergist may recommend a treatment option called immunotherapy. The practice of immunotherapy to treat allergies attempts to alter the body’s response to an identified allergen through small, regular doses of the allergen. Doses are given either through injection or, in some cases, by placing the allergen under the tongue. Over time, the body may change the way it responds to these allergens, alleviating symptoms and reducing the need for medication. Immunotherapy is the only method of treatment which has potential to alter the underlying disease- all other methods seek to reduce or eliminate symptoms.

Resources

Learn about the cause, diagnosis and treatment of allergies from The American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy (AAOA).
Recommended therapies and practices for modern clinical care from The American Academy of Otolarngic Allergy (AAOA).
Guidelines on when a patient should seek a specialist from The American Academy of Otolarngic Allergy (AAOA).
Leukotrine inhibitors as an allergy treatment option from Healthline Media.
For general information about allergies provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Using leukotrine modifiers to treat asthma and potential side effects from WebMD.

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Blue Light Cystoscopy with Cysview®

MedStar Washington Hospital Center offers a unique method of detecting bladder cancer called Blue Light Cystoscopy with Cysview®. Blue Light Cystoscopy with Cysview is an FDA-approved method for enhancing the detection of bladder tumors.

Cysview is an imaging agent that is delivered into the bladder and selectively absorbed by cancerous tissue, causing it to appear fluorescent when exposed to “blue light”. Through the use of a special camera and lens, physicians are able to detect the cancerous tissue in the urinary bladder that has absorbed the fluorescent agent as well as view detailed images of the tumors.

Improved Detection, Improved Outcomes

Until recently, cystoscopies have traditionally been performed using a white light source to illuminate the urinary bladder. However, solely using this method leaves up to 30 percent of bladder tumors overlooked or not visible. Used in conjunction with traditional white light cystoscopy detection methods, Blue Light with Cysview significantly improves the ability of urologists to detect bladder cancer, allowing for better treatment and management of each patient. Once a tumor is visually identified, our urologists can then perform a minimally invasive, endoscopic procedure called transurethral resection for bladder tumor (TURBT) to remove the cancerous tissue.

Our goal is to detect all tumors in the bladder. By removing and treating tumors properly, we aim to reduce the risk of recurrence and improve outcomes for our patients

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Lambros Stamatakis, MD

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Read More in Our Blog

Blue Light Cystoscopy: A Better Way to Detect Bladder Cancer

Endocrine hypertension is a type of high blood pressure caused by a hormone imbalance. Most often these disorders originate in the pituitary or adrenal gland and can be caused when the glands produce too much or not enough of the hormones they normally secrete.

There are several types of endocrine hypertension, including:

Primary hyperaldosteronism: a hormonal disorder that leads to high blood pressure when the adrenal glands produce too much aldosterone hormone, which raises sodium levels in the blood.

Pheochromocytoma: a rare endocrine tumor originating in the medulla, the inner part of the adrenal gland; causes the release of excessive amounts of hormones that control responses to stress, heart rate and blood pressure.

Paraganglioma: a tumor that originates from the cortex, the outside of the adrenal glands; most often these are located in the head and neck region, heart, bladder, spine, chest, abdomen, or pelvis and produce excessive amounts of the catecholamine hormone, which can lead to high blood pressure.

Most often, treatment for these types of hypertension focuses on the cause of the high blood pressure. Sometimes, additional blood pressure medication may be prescribed.

Genetic tests may be appropriate in selected patients with a neuroendocrine tumor or pheochromocytoma.

Make an Appointment

To schedule an appointment at our Ambulatory Care Center, call:
202-877-0333

To schedule an appointment with a specialist in the POB 3800 location, call:
202-877-2300

Book an Appointment

Endocrine hypertension is a type of high blood pressure caused by a hormone imbalance. Most often these disorders originate in the pituitary or adrenal gland and can be caused when the glands produce too much or not enough of the hormones they normally secrete.

There are several types of endocrine hypertension, including:

Primary hyperaldosteronism: a hormonal disorder that leads to high blood pressure when the adrenal glands produce too much aldosterone hormone, which raises sodium levels in the blood.

Pheochromocytoma: a rare endocrine tumor originating in the medulla, the inner part of the adrenal gland; causes the release of excessive amounts of hormones that control responses to stress, heart rate and blood pressure.

Paraganglioma: a tumor that originates from the cortex, the outside of the adrenal glands; most often these are located in the head and neck region, heart, bladder, spine, chest, abdomen, or pelvis and produce excessive amounts of the catecholamine hormone, which can lead to high blood pressure.

Most often, treatment for endocrine hypertension focuses on the cause of the high blood pressure. Sometimes, additional blood pressure medication may be prescribed.

Genetic tests may be appropriate in selected patients with a neuroendocrine tumor or pheochromocytoma.

To schedule an appointment at our Ambulatory Care Center, call 

202-877-0333. 

To schedule an appointment with a specialist in the POB 3800 location, call 

202-877-2300. 

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