Calcium citrate adds no extra risk for forming kidney stones
H
R
I
E
N
D
S
O
WOMEN WHO TAKE
CALCIUM CITRATE ARE
NOT AT AN INCREASED RISK FOR
DEVELOPING KIDNEY STONES,
N
according to a study by UT South-
E
W
Dr. Khashayar Sakhaee, chief of
S
Center commemorates Paks for philanthropy, research, dedication
Citracal
mineral metabolism, said taking
Urocit-K
potassium citrate supplements as
I
well adds to the protection against
the formation of calcium oxalate
stones and averts uric acid stones.
N RECOGNITION OF THE
GENEROUS DONATIONS
MADE BY DR. CHARLES
PAK AND HIS WIFE, JANE,
menopausal women, examined
benefits of combined treatment
AS WELL AS FOR DR. PAK’S
given, it increased urinary citrate
the effects of two drugs that were
with two drugs we developed at
MEDICAL AND RESEARCH
that overcame the stone-promoting
developed at UT Southwestern and
UT Southwestern,” said Dr. Pak,
CONTRIBUTIONS TO UT SOUTH-
effect of calcium. The rise in this
are now used worldwide: Citracal,
who holds the Alfred L. and Muriel
WESTERN, THE CENTER FOR
inhibitor was even more pronounced
a calcium citrate designed to help
B. Rabiner Distinguished Academic
MINERAL METABOLISM AND
with potassium citrate, further
prevent osteoporosis, and Urocit-K,
Chair for Mineral Metabolism
CLINICAL RESEARCH HAS BEEN
protecting against calcium oxalate
a potassium citrate used to inhibit
Biotechnology Research. “Without
NAMED AFTER THEM.
the formation of kidney stones.
the skills of Dr. Sakhaee and the
urine more alkaline, averting uric
Dr. Charles Y.C. Pak, co-author
resources of the General Clinical
Dr. Pak has created a renowned
acid stones, said Dr. Sakhaee, senior
of the study, professor of internal
Research Center, for which he is
program, the greatest of its kind,”
medicine and former head of the
program director, this extremely
said Dr. Kern Wildenthal, president
mineral metabolism group, was
complicated and detailed metabolic
of UT Southwestern. “In doing so,
instrumental in developing the
study would not have been
he has built a dedicated team of
possible.”
people who are committed to
the BeautiControl Cosmetics Inc.
Professorship in Mineral Metabolism
and Osteoporosis.
The study, which took more
drugs.
“During the past three decades,
making the center the best it can
“This study has a personal
be. His research findings have
meaning, since it evaluates the
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than two years and included 18 post-
VOL. 13, NO. 1, WINTER 2004
metabolic study
The Journal of Urology.
author of the study and holder of
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS
SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER
AT DALLAS
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western researchers published in
stone formation. Moreover, it made
F
MINERAL METABOLISM
EALTHY POSTMENOPAUSAL
When calcium citrate alone was
F
contributed directly to better
patient care for his own patients
and for patients around the world.
– Dr. Charles Pak and his wife, Jane, and two of their three children, Laura
and Gregory.
The Friends of Mineral Metabolism
News is a publication of the
Charles and Jane Pak Center for
Mineral Metabolism and Clinical
Research of The University of
Texas Southwestern Medical Center
at Dallas.
Director . . . . . . . . Dr. Orson Moe
Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ruth Eyre
Writers . . . . . . . . Donna Hansard,
Scott Maier,
Katherine Morales
Designer . . . . . . Yolanda Fuentes
Photographer......David Gresham
UT Southwestern is an equal
opportunity institution.
The Charles and Jane Pak
Center for Mineral Metabolism
and Clinical Research
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Continued on page 6
Nonprofit Org.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Dallas, Texas
Permit No. 2650
Dr. Pak wins international award for lifetime of research
5323 Harry Hines Blvd.
Dallas, Texas 75390-8885
D
Address service requested
R. CHARLES Y.C. PAK
WAS RECOGNIZED BY
as chosen by his or her peers.
Dr. Pak, who came to UT South-
kidney disease,” said Dr. Martin
Resnick, chairman of urology at
WHAT’S INSIDE
western in 1972, has been at the
Case Western Reserve University
OUT THE WORLD in May when
forefront of research and develop-
School of Medicine, editor of the
NIH grants renewed . . . . . . . . . . 2
he received the International
ment of treatment methodologies
Journal of Urology and past president
Professorships . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 11
Urolithiasis Society’s Lifetime
for both kidney stones and
of the American Urological
Profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 , 9
Contributions in Stone Disease
osteoporosis.
Association.
Obesity and kidney stones . . . . . 5
RESEARCHERS THROUGH-
Award at its symposium in Hong
Kong.
The prestigious award, bestowed
“I’ve known and worked with
“Translational research is a
Dr. Pak for more than 25 years in
term used today to describe
numerous roles and continue to
medical breakthroughs that come
every four years by the society,
follow his recommendations and
out of a lab and are transferred
honors the top international
principles, based on his research
to the bedside. Dr. Pak’s research
researcher in kidney-stone disease,
and management techniques for
Continued on page 7
Dr. Moe’s Perspective . . . . . . . . 10
NIH renews country’s longest running federally funded grant
Doctors hold professorships endowed by Pak Foundation
T
FIVE-YEAR GRANT TO UT SOUTH-
T
HE NATIONAL INSTITUTES
Named first holder of the Jacob
Hospital, served as chief of
nephrology at UT Southwestern
Dr. Chou-Long Huang, associate
from 1966 until 1973. At that time,
PROFESSORSHIPS to support mineral
professor of internal medicine. His
he moved to UCSF as chairman of
WESTERN to support the longest-
metabolism research at UT South-
studies focus on cellular-molecular
nephrology and later served as
running, federally funded research
western.
regulation of calcium transport,
chairman of medicine until his
including calcium excretion from
retirement in 1995.
PROJECTED $8.725 MILLION,
FOUNDATION HAS ESTAB-
LISHED TWO ENDOWED
program on kidney stones in the
The Floyd C. Rector Jr., M.D.,
country.
Professorship in Acid-Base Regulation
the kidneys, as it is affected by high
“Dr. Rector was one of the people
and the Jacob Lemann, M.D., Pro-
dietary protein intake, an area of
responsible for recruiting me to
awarded for projects that have a
fessorship in Calcium Transport honor
research similar to that pursued by
UT Southwestern,” Dr. Pak said.
well-defined central research focus
friends and colleagues of Dr. Pak.
Dr. Lemann.
“He is an encyclopedia of knowledge
NIH program project grants are
“Dr. Lemann is a world leader in
and was the one I often went to for
or theme. UT Southwestern’s first
“In building the mineral
kidney-stone grant was awarded
metabolism group at UT South-
kidney stone disease and is a great
in 1972.
western, I have been blessed with
nephrologist, who any young
nephrology at Medical College of
information or to bounce off ideas.”
Dr. Lemann was chief of
having as my colleagues and
nephrologist would aspire to be like,”
searchers in the Charles and Jane Pak
collaborators a group of talented
said Dr. Huang. “It is a great honor
Wisconsin in Milwaukee from 1970
Center for Mineral Metabolism and
individuals of outstanding character
to hold the professorship named after
to 1994, when he retired. Prior to
Clinical Research to focus on five areas:
willing to work together to achieve
him.”
that, he served as chief of the renal
The new grant will allow re-
• The gene found by UT South-
– Dr. Charles Y.C. Pak (left) and Dr. Orson Moe
western researchers to be responsible
for absorptive hyper-calciuria (too
in-depth evaluation of patients,” said
seeking to extend the UT South-
much calcium in urine caused by
Dr. Charles Y. C. Pak. “Now, we want
western research and is now the
increased intestinal absorption);
to make sure the proposed metabolic
principal investigator on the overall
common goals,” Dr. Pak said. “One
Dr. Huang earned a medical
section at Boston University School
way of recognizing the critical
degree from Taipei Medical College in
of Medicine. He currently is a clinical
contribution of key members has
Taiwan and a doctorate in physiology
professor of medicine at Tulane
been for me to establish endowed
at UCSF. He served as clinical instruc-
University School of Medicine.
professorships in their honor,
tor of internal medicine at UCSF from
acid-base regulation as it affects
“Dr. Lemann is the master in
studies are closely linked with com-
grant and on one of the five study
thanking them for their past and
1993 to 1996 and joined UT South-
stone formation and insulin
plementary cellular-molecular studies.
areas.
future efforts.”
western as an assistant professor of
calcium metabolism and kidney
resistance;
We also want to know why intestinal
internal medicine in 1996.
stone formation,” Dr. Pak said. “He
• The relationship of uric acid
• The effect of ingested animal
proteins in promoting kidney stones
calcium absorption is increased in
absorptive hypercalciuria and why
Other principal investigators on
individual projects are Dr. Khashayar
Sakhaee, chief of mineral metabolism;
by creating a citrate deficiency in
urine is unusually acidic in gouty
Dr. Joseph Zerwekh, professor of
urine;
diathesis (uric acid stone formation
internal medicine; Dr. Patricia Preisig,
from abnormally acidic urine).”
professor of internal medicine;
• The role of estrogen in calcium
handling by the kidney and kidneystone formation; and
• The importance of calcium and
oxalate in stone formation.
“Our group has long been
Dr. Orson Moe, now director of
Dr. Margaret Pearle, associate pro-
the Charles and Jane Pak Center for
fessor of urology; and Dr. Chou-Long
Mineral Metabolism and Clinical
Huang, associate professor of internal
Research, has been responsible for
medicine.
integrating metabolic-clinical studies
T
The GCRC, which provides an
infrastructure to facilitate patientoriented research, is now in its
29th year of funding.
“This renewal of the GCRC grant
is particularly noteworthy for
young clinical investigators,” said
Dr. Charles Y.C. Pak, assistant dean
for clinical investigation and director
of the Center for Training in Clinical
Investigation. “With GCRC resources,
C. Rector Jr., M.D., Professorship is
Dr. Patricia A. Preisig, professor of
internal medicine. Dr. Preisig trained
with Dr. Rector at the University of
California, San Francisco, where she
received her Master of Science in
The careers of both Drs. Rector
is widely known for elucidating
and Lemann overlapped often with
how the kidney handles calcium,
his own, said Dr. Pak. Dr. Rector, who
especially during dietary acid load.
graduated from Southwestern Medical
Dr. Huang is extending the work
School and did his internship and
Jacob has done to the next stage.”
residency at Parkland Memorial
nephrology and critical-care nursing
and doctorate in physiology.
“It’s an honor to be acknowlprofessorship, as well as to hold the
GCRC receives $22 million to continue patient research
HE GENERAL CLINICAL
RESEARCH CENTER (GCRC)
has received its sixth National
Institutes of Health grant renewal – a
projected $22 million over the next
five years.
Named first holder of the Floyd
edged by Dr. Pak as recipient of this
and cellular-molecular efforts in
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recognized for metabolic studies and
2
HE CHARLES Y.C. PAK
Lemann, M.D., Professorship is
OF HEALTH HAS RENEWED A
they can conduct meaningful research
with limited funds while gaining
valuable training.”
Dr. Pak was recruited to UT Southwestern to establish the GCRC and
served as its first program director
for nearly two decades, and, since
1989, as its principal investigator.
It is one of 78 such centers in the
United States.
professorship in Floyd’s name,”
Dr. Preisig said. “He was a great
mentor with very high standards.”
Dr. Preisig will continue her
research on the regulation of citrate
transport and metabolism in the
kidneys and the effect of these
processes on citrate excretion.
Dr. Preisig joined UT Southwestern
as an assistant professor of internal
medicine in 1987. Prior to that, she
was assistant professor of nursing and
– Dr. Chou-Long Huang and Dr. Patricia A. Preisig
director of the renal clinical specialist
program at UCSF.
3
For 31 years at medical center, Faye Britton has kept her patients
world’s top kidney-
get a grant the first time around – he
stone research awards –
always looks for the silver lining and
a once-in-a-lifetime
keeps everybody upbeat.”
experience.
For Ms. Britton,
UT SOUTHWESTERN IN
1973, she didn’t realize she’d fall
in love with both the job and her
patients – and still feel that way
31 years later.
Granted, there were times when
she first started as a research nurse
4
part of our therapy. That connection
person is the more at risk he or she is
had not been made in the past.”
A second study published by
UT Southwestern researchers in
variety of respon-
mold the center to what it is today,”
International, for the first time directly
Kidney International concluded that
sibilities that have kept
said Dr. Pak. “Faye has been
links excess body weight with uric
uric acid stones also are associated
her position interesting
particularly indispensable. Her keen
acid kidney stones, found in about 5
with insulin resistance and type 2
and challenging. And,
intelligence, common sense and
percent of kidney-stone patients and
diabetes. Heavier people tend to have
of course, there’s
maturity have made her an ideal
in about 30 percent of diabetics with
more insulin resistance, too, said Dr.
Dr. Charles Y.C. Pak,
person with whom I could confide
kidney stones.
Orson Moe, a co-author of the earlier
who recruited her from
and bounce off ideas. Our entire group
Presbyterian Hospital
benefits from her vast experience.”
Working alongside Dr. Pak with
“This is yet another price to pay
report. According to Dr. Charles Y.C.
for being overweight or obese,” said
Pak, senior author of the latest study,
Dr. Khashayar Sakhaee, program
the discovery of a link between body
the staff for his new
patients is one of Ms. Britton’s favorite
director of the General Clinic
weight and uric acid kidney stone
General Clinical
responsibilities.
Research Center.
formation is significant.
“I still love putting my nursing
part of the Charles and
cap on and seeing patients,” she said.
Jane Pak Center for
“I saw my first patient here on Nov. 1,
Mineral Metabolism
1973, and she is still coming here, and
and Clinical Research,
comes by and visits with me all the
in the early ‘70s.
time. There are many other patients
Today administrative
manager of the center and
whom I’ve also followed for many
years, and I’ve become very attached
the mineral metabolism division of
to those people. That aspect of my job
internal medicine, Ms. Britton has
is one of the most special parts – the
worn many hats during the past 30-
nurse/patient relationship that is
plus years – serving as a nurse, an
formed. We become friends.”
accountant, a human relations
When she’s not on the job,
specialist, a grant writer, a manuscript
Ms. Britton spends time caring for
proofer, an auditor, a compliance
her parents and focusing on her two
officer and more.
children: Michael, 23, in his second
grown significantly during the time
specimen refrigerators from building
University in San Antonio, and
I’ve been here, I’ve always enjoyed
Allison, 19, a sophomore at Texas
to building. And the time when she
it,” Ms. Britton said. “I pretty
A&M University.
and a patient were frightened half
much do whatever needs doing.
out of their wits seeing a jail inmate
It’s a challenge and a stimulus and
being treated at Parkland Memorial
continues to offer something
Hospital try to escape.
different almost every day.”
But there are also the memories of
FOUND that the more overweight a
Their study, published in Kidney
year of law school at St. Mary’s
long, drawn-out games of charades
time, we are advising weight loss as
for forming uric acid kidney stones.
“While my job has changed and
that she groaned about having to roll
SOUTHWESTERN HAVE
Much of that job satisfaction
Ms. Britton credits to Dr. Pak.
As for any serious thoughts of
retirement?
“People have been asking when I
might retire,” she said. “The thought
has crossed my mind, but I don’t
handle change very well. Maybe next
with patients while on night duty on
“I’ve been here 31 years and
the ward. Reminiscing with patients –
worked with Dr. Pak the entire time,”
some of whom she’s helped treat for
she said. “He inspires a sense of
why would I leave it for good? I’m
more than three decades – over past
loyalty. He is incredibly forward
absolutely positive that when I do
experiences and catching up on the
thinking and always on the cutting
retire, I will continue to come back
latest family news. And then, of
edge and a step ahead of everybody
and work a couple of days a week. I’m
course, visiting Hong Kong last May
else. When things don’t go exactly
not willing to give up my patients.”
to see her boss accept one of the
as we want – for instance if we don’t
An estimated 10 percent of people
TO PAY FOR BEING OVERWEIGHT OR OBESE.”
– DR. KHASHAYAR SAKHAEE
“In 1986 we coined the term
in the United States will have a
‘gouty diathesis’ to describe uric
kidney stone some time in their lives.
acid stones forming in the absence
of any discernible cause,” said
The latest study, which included
researchers at the University of
Dr. Pak. “We now know that one
Chicago, tracked nearly 5,000 kidney-
of the causes is obesity that leads to
stone patients in Dallas and Chicago.
insulin resistance and diabetes. The
Results did not vary between men
challenge for our research team is to
and women, nor for patients who
determine whether weight loss and/or
restricted the types of foods eaten.
sensitization to insulin would bring
“Larger people have very acidic
“THIS (KIDNEY STONES) IS YET ANOTHER PRICE
about a relief of stone formation.”
urine even when they control their
diets,” said Dr. Sakhaee. “Other
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W
support this concept. For the first
people and the constant
Research Center, now
BEGAN WORKING AT
studies we have done in the GCRC
RESEARCHERS AT UT
“Faye is one of several ‘old-timers’
when he was assembling
HEN FAYE BRITTON
M
INERAL METABOLISM
whose loyalty and dedication helped
it’s the memories, the
– Faye Britton
Dr. Pak has similar accolades for
Ms. Britton.
Excessive weight increases risk of developing kidney stones
FRIENDS
OF
MINERAL METABOLISM
I am interested in joining the Friends of Mineral Metabolism
Alone
Others (please indicate)
_____________________________________________________________
Enclosed is a check for _____ membership(s). Please make check payable to
Friends of Mineral Metabolism (membership options on next page).
Please charge:
MasterCard
VISA
American Express
Discover
Credit Card Number: _________________________________________ Exp. Date:_______________
Authorized Amount: $____________________
Signature: _____________________________________________________________________________
I am unable to join the Friends of Mineral Metabolism at this time. Please accept
my gift for $___________in support of the Center for Mineral Metabolism and Clinical Research.
spring, I’ll consider it. But, I’ve loved
all the time I’ve worked here, so
Name _________________________________________ Telephone (
) ______________________
Address _______________________________________________________________________________
For more information, contact Carol Hall
at UT Southwestern Medical Center,
214-648-2344.
Mail to: Mineral Metabolism
UT Southwestern Medical Center
P.O. Box 910888
Dallas, Texas 75391-0888
Please send membership information to:
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
Please call me. I am interested in a
naming opportunity.
5
CENTER
Continued from page 1
“In addition, Charlie and Jane set
up a foundation that has donated a
research team have developed several
widely used drugs, including Citracal
defined new therapies.
“We are glad that Charlie will
PAK AWARD
Mineral Metabolism and Clinical
“HE (DR. PAK) HAS
Continued from page 1
and Urocik-K for the control of
most appropriate that this center
epitomizes this term,” Dr. Resnick
IDENTIFIED KEY PROBLEMS
and devote his attention to several
kidney stones.
should be named for him and Jane.”
said. “He has identified key problems
RELATED TO KIDNEY-STONE
research projects he hopes to com“It is a great honor to receive
this award, particularly because it is
The naming of the center is a high
mineral metabolism research,” said
point in Dr. Pak’s career. “I have been
developed treatment programs and
DISEASE AND DEVELOPED
grateful for their generous financial
Dr. Moe, who holds the Donald W.
very fortunate to have a group of
patient evaluation methodologies
TREATMENT PROGRAMS
contributions and for their personal
Seldin Professorship in Clinical
extremely talented individuals who
that are used on a day-to-day basis
leadership.”
Investigation. “His work in kidney
are willing to work together for
worldwide.”
stones and osteoporosis has far-
common goals,” he said, “and I have
director of the center, will continue
reaching consequences. He has
been blessed with having an
UT Southwestern, praised Dr. Pak’s
to run the center’s biotechnology
repeatedly uncovered underlying
environment where I could do
selection. “During the past three
program. Dr. Orson Moe has replaced
pathophysiology of a number of
meaningful work with wonderful
decades, Dr. Pak has created an
Dr. Pak as director of what will now
conditions causing kidney stones and
colleagues.”
outstanding program at UT South-
be named the Charles and Jane Pak
always followed with studies that
UT Southwestern. We are extremely
Dr. Pak, who recently resigned as
his wife’s honor – to work part time
remain active with our group. It is
“Dr. Pak is the premier leader in
substantial amount of funding to
Research – named last year in his and
for the prevention of osteoporosis
related to kidney-stone disease and
AND PATIENT EVALUATION
Dr. Kern Wildenthal, president of
METHODOLOGIES
THAT ARE USED ON A DAYTO-DAY BASIS WORLDWIDE.”
– DR. MARTIN RESNICK
western, producing numerous
plete in the next several years.
international in character and is from
my contemporaries in the field,” said
Dr. Pak, who traveled to Hong Kong
to accept it. “It also helps to bring
closure to my career in a very nice
way.”
Dr. Pak said he is most proud that
his accomplishments have positively
Center for Mineral Metabolism and
advances in patient care,” he said.
Clinical Research. He also has
“He also has built a dedicated team
become holder of the Charles Pak
of researchers and clinicians who will
and Muriel B. Rabiner Distinguish-
have played a part in formulating
Distinguished Chair in Mineral
carry on his work for years to come.
ed Academic Chair for Mineral
ideas, conducting research and then
Metabolism.
We are proud of Dr. Pak and his
Metabolism Biotechnology Research,
obtaining results that had direct
A graduate of the University of
important contributions to the
recently stepped down as director of
impact on improving management
Toronto Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Moe
science of mineral metabolism.”
the Charles and Jane Pak Center for
of patients.”
affected patients’ medical outcomes.
Dr. Pak, who holds the Alfred L.
“I am pleased to be able to say that I
trained in internal medicine and
nephrology there before joining
UT Southwestern as a research fellow
in renal physiology in 1987. He
became a member of the faculty in
1990 and has been an associate
professor since 1999.
Although Dr. Pak, who holds the
Alfred L. and Muriel B. Rabiner
Distinguished Academic Chair for
Mineral Metabolism Biotechnology
Research, is now working part time,
– Dr. Pak and Muriel Rabiner
he is not ready to call it quits. In fact,
he has at least three biotechnology
ventures he hopes to complete within
the next several years. He also will
continue as assistant dean for clinical
investigation.
Dr. Pak was recruited to UT Southwestern in 1972. Prior to that, he was
head of the National Heart and Lung
Institute’s mineral metabolism
section.
Dr. Pak opened the GCRC in
1974, and also developed a new
section in the Department of Internal
– Dr. Pak’s Dallas delegation pose with a dancing dragon in Hong Kong.
Medicine devoted to mineral metabolism, where he could focus on
research in kidney stones and
osteoporosis. Since then, he and his
6
– Adelyn Hoffman and Dr. Pak at a luncheon honoring the Paks.
7
After three decades, six know the meaning of working together
Her work – bone resorption diseases – absorbs Dr. Odvina’s time
W
HEN CAROL PARCEL
UT Southwestern career has been a
WAS INTERVIEWING
special experience because of his
for all those years, Ms. Brinkley said,
FOR A JOB AT UT SOUTH-
constant vision and achievement
“We’ve learned to rely on each
of challenging goals.”
other.” And Ms. Davis-Taylor added,
O
her native Philippines in 1983.
WESTERN and was asked if she could
After working with each other
NE COULD SAY DR. CLARITA
ODVINA HAS BEEN “BONING
UP” ON MEDICINE since she
Even though Mr. Stewart started
“We watch each others’ backs.”
responded, “I don’t know; that seems
more than 30 years ago, he said, “It
When asked how have they
like a long time.”
continues to be exciting on a daily
gotten along for that long, Ms.
clinic in the Charles and Jane Pak
basis to work around such highly
Britton laughed and said, “Each of us
Center for Mineral Metabolism and
Rue Davis-Taylor, who came to work
regarded medical scientists and have
has our day.” But they added they’ve
Clinical Research, began her career in
for Dr. Charles Y.C. Pak’s new
them know and recognize me on a
learned to not take it personally
mineral metabolism when she arrived
General Clinical Research Center on
first-name basis”.
when one of them has a bad day.
in this country 20 years ago. Today
commit to staying one year, she
This year she, Faye Britton and
the same day in 1973, plus two more
Mr. Peterson, who started a few
Linda Jean Brinkley, a registered
dietitian, began as administrative
osteoporosis and Paget’s disease make
Linda Jean Brinkley – celebrated their
30th year at UT Southwestern at last
trauma nurse in ICU before moving
dietitian at the GCRC and now holds
up the majority of her research efforts.
to the GCRC, said, “Over the years I
the title of research scientist. She
April’s Employee Recognition Lunch.
have worked with many people that
supervises the nutrition research core
Only one staff member has been
are now as close to being family as
of the National Institutes of Health-
my true family, and all share a
common goal to be the best at their
who came with Dr. Pak from the
given task.”
funded GCRC.
Faye Britton, a former research
nurse at the GCRC, now provides
“Since I was a child, I always knew
I was going to be a doctor,” she said.
“I never wanted to be anything else.”
Dr. Odvina, who has three
administrative oversight for the
Peterson spent in ICU, all six have
center and the mineral metabolism
to become a physician although later
“I like the new challenges and the
been with Dr. Pak in mineral
division of internal medicine as
the science bug also bit one of her
team atmosphere,” said Ms. Britton.
metabolism or the GCRC for their
administrative manager. Her job
sisters who became a dentist.
“Having worked for Dr. Pak my whole
entire UT Southwestern careers.
includes helping prepare grant
applications, editing and proofing
manuscripts and galleys as well as
medical school at the University of
overseeing human resources
the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial
responsibilities.
Medical Center.
“We had some lectures in
nurse’s aide when the GCRC began in
endocrinology, and to me it was
1973. Today she’s a senior registered
very fascinating,” Dr. Odvina said.
here was fresh fish,” she said. “Even
compassion for patients. She is very
nurse, serving as office nurse for the
“I thought that was one thing I
in California, it’s hard to find really
perceptive in recognizing new clinical
would consider as a subspecialty.”
fresh fish like I was used to at home.
findings and is relentless and tireless
It should still be wiggling.”
in pursuing them until their impor-
mineral metabolism clinic at the
James W. Aston Ambulatory Care
Center.
Ms. Parcel goes by two titles –
nurse administrator or GCRC
administrative director, her National
Institutes of Health title. She oversees
the nonmedical management of the
NIH-funded GCRC.
As a nurse administrator, Mr.
Peterson monitors and coordinates
clinical trials for mineral metabolism.
Mr. Stewart manages the GCRC
core lab that processes blood and
urine samples for the mineral
– Linda Brinkley, Rue Davis-Taylor, Roy Peterson, Carol Parcel and
Faye Britton (left to right).
After graduating from college
with top marks, Dr. Odvina entered
Rue Davis-Taylor started out as a
metabolism researchers.
Surgery was another field that
piqued her interest early on. However,
She began her career at Loma
tance is realized. I am delighted that
she nixed it from her list of possibili-
Linda University School of Medicine.
Dr. Odvina has agree to help me in
ties after deciding it would be too
tedious standing in an operating
room for eight to 10 hours a day. “I
couldn’t see myself doing that,” she
said.
“That was my first real exposure
to mineral metabolism.”
The research and work, she said,
were engaging.
Following her stint there, she
remaining biotechnology projects.”
Although Dr. Odvina enjoys
musicals and tending her garden,
work absorbs most of her time – a
fact, she said, that keeps her happy
moved halfway across the country
and busy. Her research, her career
she set her sights on studying in the
to Chicago, for an internship in
and her patients are very important
United States. She arrived alone and
endocrinology. Two years later, she
to her. The quiet, soft-spoken
settled in Loma Linda, Calif. But
accepted a position at UT South-
bone specialist said her greatest
Dr. Odvina said adjusting to life in
western in the mineral metabolism
professional pleasure is working
the United States wasn’t difficult
group then headed by Dr. Charles
with patients.
because she had several relatives
Y.C. Pak.
After earning her medical degree,
living in California and being near
them made her stay feel like home.
“The only thing I really missed
8
– DR. CLARITA ODVINA
Her interest in medicine, however,
They’ve all grown into a team.
Except for the few months Mr.
PEOPLE.”
began in the Philippines.
siblings, was the first in her family
National Institutes of Health.
INTERACTING WITH OTHER
metabolic bone diseases such as
months before the other four as a
Stewart, a senior research associate
LOVE GETTING TO KNOW
(PATIENTS) AND I LOVE
Dr. Odvina, director of the bone
of Dr. Pak’s hires – Roy Peterson and
there longer – 32-year veteran Alan
“I
moved to the United States from
Dr. Pak called her a “born clinical
“I love getting to know them, and
I love interacting with other people.”
researcher.”
“She is a superb physician and has
9
Dr. Moe’s Perspective
D
EAR
FRIENDS:
that ailments in mineral metabolism
Perspective letter, I will focus
is the staff at our center. There are
can be devastating and efforts are
my communication to three topics
certainly a lot of very talented and
needed to counter these diseases.
that I feel are critical for the success
capable individuals in the biomedical
These people are not necessarily our
of this center. These are leadership,
field. However, to see the same
patients, yet they hold the belief that
staff and our community supporters.
exemplary performers displaying this
we are doing good work and wish
How can you help?
Become a member of the Friends of Mineral Metabolism as a:
■
$5,000-$9,999
BRONZE MEMBER
$1,000-$4,999
MEMBER
$500-$999
degree of constancy and loyalty is
to help us. The Friends give us a warm
intimately connected.
truly exceptional. I was thoroughly
feeling of satisfaction, and their
■
delighted to see that five of our staff
support renders our work not only
members – Linda Brinkley, Faye
taneously immense honor and
Britton, Rue Davis-Taylor, Carol
formidable challenges. On one hand,
Parcel and Roy Peterson – were
acknowledging the honor in serv-
I derive distinct advantages from
honored with awards in recognition
ing as director of the Charles and
easier but more meaningful.
I will close this first letter by
$10,000 OR MORE
SILVER MEMBER
These are equally important and are
of Dr. Charles Pak carries simul-
GOLD MEMBER
■
■
D
R. ROBERT F.
REILLY JR.,
professor
of internal medicine, has been
named holder of
the Fredric L. Coe
Professorship in
Gold members are recognized on a permanent plaque in the main
Nephrolithiasis
conference room. Ask your friends to join. Membership is renewable
Research in Mineral
yearly, from Sept. 1 through Aug. 31. You may upgrade your
Metabolism.
membership at any time.
Dr. Reilly joined
inheriting an academic group of
for service of more than three
Jane Pak Center and my deepest
UT Southwestern last
premier status and great momentum
decades. In conjunction with Alan
appreciation for the leadership and
July and is a staff physician at the
that renders my duties much easier.
Stewart who received the same
mentorship of Dr. Charles Pak, the
On the other hand, the successor
award last year, we now have six staff
dedication and talent of our staff
is encumbered with the task of
members who have provided their
and, of course, the tremendous
sustaining this high level of
expert service and dedication for
support bestowed upon us by the
excellence and, furthermore, is
more than 30 years. It reflects the
Friends of Mineral Metabolism. I look
expected to elevate it to even higher
high quality, inspiring and rewarding
forward to meeting and working
grounds. This is undoubtedly the
work and work environment that
with the membership of the Friends
ENDOWMENT LEVEL
greatest challenge I have faced in
the center has created and nurtured.
in the years to come.
■
$50,000
academic medicine thus far. I had
Once again, I state my gratitude for
ENDOWMENT RESEARCH FUND
by a residency and chief residency
the pleasure of being present when
and my pride to be working with
■
PROFESSORSHIP
$100,000
there. Dr. Reilly joined Yale as a
Dr. Pak received the International
our staff here at the center.
■
DISTINGUISHED PROFESSORSHIP
$250,000
Urolithiasis Society’s Lifetime
10
community who share the view
accepted this position, a pivotal one
Assuming the role of a successor
DR. ORSON W. MOE
Of all the various reasons why I
As I write my first
Reilly appointed
as Coe Professor
While strong leadership and a
Consider an endowment-naming opportunity:
Dallas Veterans Affairs Medical
Center. Prior to that, he served as an
Please consider one of the following levels of named endowment to
associate professor in the nephrology
support the Charles and Jane Pak Center for Mineral Metabolism and
section at Yale University School
Clinical Research at UT Southwestern Medical Center. (Designation by
of Medicine.
name is contingent upon approval by the UT System Board of Regents.)
He received his medical degree
from Georgetown University in
Washington, D.C., in 1980, followed
ORSON W. MOE, M.D.
nephrology fellow in 1985 and was
named an assistant professor in 1991,
serving there until 1997. He was
Contributions in Stone Disease
capable, dedicated staff are clear
DIRECTOR OF THE CHARLES AND JANE PAK
■
CHAIR
$500,000
Award earlier this year. As detailed
requisites for our center, we will
CENTER FOR MINERAL METABOLISM AND
■
DISTINGUISHED CHAIR
$1,000,000
in the article in this newsletter, this
never survive without the outside
CLINICAL RESEARCH
highly prestigious award is bestowed
support such as that from the
■
SPECIAL RESEARCH AND TREATMENT CENTER
$2,000,000
only once every four years to a
membership of Friends of Mineral
recipient derived from an elite pool
Metabolism. As I peruse through the
consisting of the very top inter-
years of support in various forms
national researchers who performed
that our center has benefited from
sterling work in kidney stone research
the membership of Friends since its
Consider a space-naming opportunity:
Professorship, as it gives me the
in a sustained fashion over the
inception, I was impressed and
Please consider one of the following space-naming opportun-
investigator’s lifetime. During the
moved. As we strive to sustain,
group of physicians who are world-
ities in support of the Charles and Jane Pak Center for Mineral
ceremony, as I basked in the inspi-
expand and improve on our triple
recognized authorities in the kidney
Metabolism and Clinical Research at UT Southwestern Medical
ration of being Dr. Pak’s successor,
mission of patient care, teaching and
stone field – in both clinical and
Center. (Designation by name is contingent upon approval by
the cognizance of the difficulty of
research, we will need all the help
patient care, as well as research,”
the UT System Board of Regents.)
matching his performance provoked
that the community can offer. Grant
certain anxiety. Many challenges
funding, while critical, can never
loom ahead as we strive to propel
fully sustain our efforts, so that any
the center forward. Therefore, I do
alternative financial aid is instru-
not hesitate to admit the comfort
mental to our mission. However,
conferred by the continued presence
my gratitude towards the Friends
and availability of Dr. Pak. I am
goes far beyond the fiscal aspects.
delighted that the center now bears
Our efforts are spurred by knowing
his name and that of Mrs. Pak.
that there are individuals in the
For a particular type of disease, such as osteoporosis, stone disease
or bone disease.
an associate professor at the University of Colorado Health Science
Center from 1997 to 2000 before
returning to Yale.
“I am excited about being a part
of UT Southwestern, as well as
being named to the Fredric L. Coe
■
opportunity to interact with a
Dr. Reilly said. “To be able to work
with them directly is an honor.”
LABORATORY, CLINICAL EXAMINATION AND TREATMENT ROOM, OR
CONFERENCE ROOM
$100,000
■
SHARED-USE LABORATORY SUITE OR TREATMENT COMPLEX
$200,000
■
MAJOR SET OF LABORATORIES OR CLINIC AREA
$500,000
■
FLOOR OF A BUILDING
$1,000,000
■
For more information about naming opportunities, please call
The professorship was established in 2002 by the Charles Y.C. Pak
Foundation and was named for
Dr. Coe, professor of medicine at
the University of Chicago Pritzker
School of Medicine.
the Friends development office at: 214-648-2344.
11