Dubuque, Iowa (June 23, 2011) - Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa, awarded degrees and honors at its 168th Commencement Ceremony on May 14, 2011.
The following area students were honored at the ceremony:
<FULL NAME> of <HOMETOWN, STATE>: <HONORS 1> with a <DEGREE> degree in <MAJOR 1> and <MAJOR 2 OR SECONDARY EDUCATION IF APPLICABLE>; <HONORS PROGRAM OR VALEDICTORIAN IF APPLICABLE>.
Clarke University is a Catholic, liberal arts and sciences university dedicated to preparing students to make an impact. Known for superb teaching and academics, Clarke offers more than 40 undergraduate liberal arts and pre-professional programs and five graduate degree programs. Founded in 1843 by the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Clarke is located near the Mississippi River in Dubuque, Iowa. Clarke's 55-acre campus is a blend of historic buildings and new, state-of-the-art facilities.

Bettendorf, IA
Andrea Sherrick,  , Master of Science in Nursing, Nursing,  ,  ; Sarah M. Woodham,  , Doctor of Physical Therapy, Physical Therapy,  ,  ;

Davenport, IA
Julie A. Pluemer,  , Master of Science in Nursing, Nursing,  ,  ;

Moline, IL
Kaitlyn L. Tipsword, Magna Cum Laude, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Nursing,  ,  ;

Dubuque, Iowa (June 23, 2011) - The following area students were named to the Dean's List at Clarke University for the spring 2011 semester. The list recognizes full-time Clarke students who have earned a 3.65 grade point average or above, on a 4.0 scale, with a minimum of 12 graded hours.
<FULL NAME>, of <HOMETOWN, STATE>
Clarke University is a Catholic, liberal arts and sciences university dedicated to preparing students to make an impact. Known for superb teaching and academics, Clarke offers more than 40 undergraduate liberal arts and pre-professional programs and five graduate degree programs. Founded in 1843 by the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Clarke is located near the Mississippi River in Dubuque, Iowa. Clarke's 55-acre campus is a blend of historic buildings and new, state-of-the-art facilities.

HOMETOWN, STATE; NAME;

Davenport, IA
Megan M. Chitty; Kristina M. McKenna; Katelyn M. Shima;

Moline, IL
Kaitlyn L. Tipsword;

Finance Leaders Begin Investigation Into Medtronic Infuse Trials 

Washington, DC - Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and senior Committee member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) asked medical device manufacturer Medtronic on Tuesday to produce documents related to its controversial bone growth product Infuse.  In a letter sent to Medtronic, the Committee raised concerns over recent media reports that indicate medical researchers in charge of Infuse clinical trials may have been aware of and failed to report evidence that the product may cause sterility in men and potentially-harmful bone growth.  The letter also notes many of these investigators had substantial financial ties to the device manufacturer.

"These reports that doctors conducting medical trials while on Medtronic's payroll may have hidden serious side effects for patients are deeply troubling," said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Baucus.  "Information is one of the most important tools patients and doctors have when making medical decisions.  Patients have a right to know the risks associated with their treatments, and medical device companies have a duty to disclose this information.  We need to do everything we can to ensure companies aren't concealing serious medical complications from patients just to increase profits."

"A patient having surgery has to rely on his doctor's knowing the risks and benefits of a medical device.  The doctor in turn has to rely on the medical literature.  If the medical literature has been written by those with financial ties to the device maker, the doctor and his patient should know that.  A lack of transparency leaves doctors and patients in the dark on something any of us would want to know before surgery.  It's alarming to learn after the fact that articles draw conflicting conclusions about a device's safety and complications.  The lack of disclosure of payments raises questions about the integrity of the conclusions reached, whether integrity was compromised or not," said senior committee member Grassley.

The full text of Baucus's and Grassley's letter to Medtronic appears below:

June 21, 2011

Via Electronic Transmission

Omar Ishrak, Ph.D.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Medtronic, Inc.

710 Medtronic Parkway

Minneapolis, MN 55432

Dear Dr. Ishrak:

The United States Senate Committee on Finance (Committee) has jurisdiction over the Medicare and Medicaid programs.  As Chairman and a senior member of the Committee, we have a special responsibility to the more than 100 million Americans who receive health care under those programs to ensure that beneficiaries receive treatments that are safe and effective.

We are extremely troubled by press reports suggesting that doctors conducting clinical trials examining the safety and effectiveness of Infuse on behalf of Medtronic were aware that Infuse, a treatment commonly used in spinal surgery, may cause medical complications, but failed to report this in the medical literature.  This issue is compounded by the fact that some clinical investigators have substantial financial ties to Medtronic. 

• Last year, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that a Medtronic-funded study published in 2004 found that 75% of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) patients experienced ectopic bone growth, where potentially harmful bone growth occurs outside of the fusion area.  The authors, who had financial ties to Medtronic, "concluded that 'although not desirable,'" the ectopic bone growth "did not appear to have an ill effect on the patients." However, in a separate 2008 study conducted by physicians without financial ties to Medtronic, "neurological impairment occurred" in five patients who had the same ectopic bone formation.[1]

• According to the New York Times, a recent study "found that men treated with Infuse developed a condition that causes temporary or permanent sterility at a far higher rate than men who received a bone graft."  This link to sterility was not reported in the original Medtronic-funded study.[2] In addition, the Milwaukee Sentinel Journal reports that one author of the original study, Thomas A. Zdeblick, an orthopedic surgeon at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, received "more than $23 million in various royalty payments from Medtronic since 2002."  In addition, "Zdeblick also is the editor of the journal where two of the Infuse papers that failed to mention the link [to sterility] were published."[3

We are also concerned that other severe side-effects of Infuse and similar bone-growth products developed by Medtronic may have been unreported or under-reported in clinical literature.  Reports have linked Infuse to potentially fatal swelling in the neck and throat, and radiating leg pain.  Concerns have also been expressed about a potential link to cancer.[4

Given these concerns, please provide the Committee with the following documents:

1.       All documents and communications pertaining to adverse postoperative events and/or medical complications relating to the use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2) treatments, including but not limited to:

a.       All communications with and regarding medical journals or their representatives pertaining to adverse postoperative events and/or medical complications relating to the use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2) treatments.

b.      All communications with and regarding clinical investigators who participated in Medtronic sponsored clinical trials pertaining to adverse postoperative events and/or medical complications relating to the use of rhBMP-2 treatments.

c.       All communications with and regarding the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) pertaining to adverse postoperative events and/or medical complications relating to the use of rhBMP-2 treatments. 

d.      All communications and records between and among Medtronic and members of FDA Advisory Boards pertaining to adverse postoperative events and/or medical complications relating to the use of rhBMP-2 treatments. 

e.      All communications and records between and among Medtronic and physician consultants pertaining to adverse postoperative events and/or medical complications relating to the use of rhBMP-2 treatments. 

2.      A detailed account of payments that Medtronic made to all Infuse clinical investigators.  Please include payments to corporate entities in which Medtronic-sponsored Infuse clinical investigators are principals. 

3.       For each individual and organization identified in question number 2 above, please provide the following information for each payment in table format:  

a. Date of payment

b. Payment description (CME, royalty, honorarium, research support, etc.)

c. Amount of payment

d. Year end or year-to-date payment total

In cooperating with the Committee's review, no documents, records, data, or other information related to these matters, either directly or indirectly, shall be destroyed, modified, removed, or otherwise made inaccessible to the Committee.

We look forward to hearing from you by no later than July 11, 2011. All documents responsive to this request should be sent electronically, on a disc, in searchable PDF format to [staff] and [staff].

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact [staff] with Senator Baucus at (202) 224-4515 or [staff] with Senator Grassley at (202) 224-6522.

Sincerely,

 

Charles E. Grassley                       Max Baucus

Senator                                                Chairman

¹ "Complications rise along with off-label use of BMP-2," Journal Sentinel, August 28, 2010.

2 "New Study Links Spine Product From Medtronic to Risk of Sterility in Men," New York Times, May 25, 2011. 

3 "Researchers get royalties, papers omit sterility link," Journal Sentinel, May 25, 2011.

4 "Complications rise along with off-label use of BMP-2," supra note 1.

   

###

John Brady and Michael Rosenthal.

Music on the guitar and on the harmonica from the "Beatle Bible"

by

John Brady, Artist.

 

Discussion of  the '60s and the expansion of  Consciousness.  Special connections with our current explorations of  the 2012 evolution to  Higher Consciousness will be lead by

Michael Rosenthal, Independent Scholar.

 

Please bring your '60s memorabilia and, if you wish, come dress  '60s

 

Presenter John Brady is an Art Therapist. He works with people with health care field of  Art, Music and Wholistic healing. He is a Home Care giver working with the Henry County health department.  John grew up in the '60s, always loved the Beatles and folk music and artwork. He learnt his music from Mark Smith, Musican, and he is a professional artist.

Presenter Michael Rosenthal has completed extensive graduate work in  
theology,philosophy and psychology at the St. Paul Seminary and the University  of Iowa.

He studied for the Diocese of Davenport in his youth.

on

June 23^rd. 2011

7.00 p.m.

second floor of

The Moline Club

1530 Fifth Ave. Moline.

309-762-8547 for the Moline Club

309-762-9202 for The Institute.

light refreshments, wine and beverages are served.

The event is free and open to the public.

doors open at 6.30

Independent Scholars' Evenings are sponsored by

The Institute for Cultural and Healing Traditions, Ltd. a 501(c)3 at state and federal level since 1996.

Amana - The Old Creamery Theatre is pleased to announce that on Father' s Day, Sunday June 19, veterans of all branches of the military will be given free admission to the current production of G. I. Jukebox. Current military personnel will also be admitted free of charge on Father' s Day.

G. I. Jukebox, is a musical tribute to our troops, past and present. The show opened on the Main Stage June 2 and will run through July 3. The free admission is a great way to honor fathers who are veterans but The Old Creamery is extending the offer to any women veterans or military personnel.

Written and arranged by Rick Lewis, G. I. Jukebox is directed by Tom Milligan of East Amana and features Sean McCall of Marengo, T.J. Besler of Manchester, Deborah Kennedy of East Amana and Kamille Zbanek of Ely. The show is done delightfully in WW II USO tour style with songs from the 1940s like " Moonlight Serenade," " In The Mood," " I' ll Be Seeing You," and of course " God Bless America."

G. I. Jukebox is rated Theatre G. Tickets are $27 for adults and $17.50 for students. Call the box office at 800-35-AMANA or visit the website at www.oldcreamery.com for more information or to purchase tickets. Veterans will need to tell the box office what branch of the military they were with and what years they served in order to receive the discount. Current military personnel should bring their military I.D. when picking up their tickets. Advance reservations are required as seating is limited.

In conjunction with the show, a letter writing station is set up in the lobby of the theatre. Everything needed for patrons to write a note expressing appreciation to our troops is available. The letter writing station is also open to the general public during our regular business hours. Letters and cards collected will be sent to members of the Iowa National Guard 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry " Red Bull" Division, serving since August of 2010 in Afghanistan. They are part of the largest deployment of Iowa National Guard since World War II and are scheduled to return home in late summer.

The Old Creamery Theatre Company is a not-for-profit professional theatre founded in 1971 in Garrison, Iowa. The company is celebrating 40 years of bringing live professional theatre to the people of Iowa and the Midwest. We thank KGAN and Fox 28, our 2011 season media sponsor.