July Tipsheet From Cedars-Sinai

Newswise Following is a tipsheet of story ideas from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. To arrange interviews, please contact the individual listed.

Grant funds research into cardiac stem cells as treatment for heart disease related to Duchenne muscular dystrophy Newport Beach-based nonprofit Coalition Duchenne has awarded a $150,000 grant to a Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute team investigating whether an experimental cardiac stem cell treatment could be used to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients who have developed heart disease. CONTACT: Sally Stewart, 310-248-6566; Email: sally.stewart@cshs.org

Physician innovator of heart valve repair receives Cedars-Sinai Heart Institutes Corday Prize in Heart Research Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute is honoring the physician widely known as the leading pioneer in modern mitral heart valve repair, Alain Carpentier, MD, PhD, with the second annual Eliot Corday, MD, International Prize in Heart Research. CONTACT: Sally Stewart, 310-248-6566; Email: sally.stewart@cshs.org

Cedars-Sinai physician groups receive top scores from leading managed-care organization For the fourth year in a row, Cedars-Sinai Medical Group (CSMG) and Cedars-Sinai Health Associates (CSHA) have been awarded the highest possible designation for quality care recognized by the California Association of Physician Groups (CAPG). CONTACT: Duke Helfand, 310-248-6608; Email duke.helfand@cshs.org

Long-term study reports deep brain stimulation effective for most common hereditary dystonia In what is believed to be the largest follow-up record of patients with the most common form of hereditary dystonia, experts in deep brain stimulation report good success rates and lasting benefits. Findings are published the study in the July issue of the journal Neurosurgery. CONTACT: Sandy Van, 526-1708; Email: sandy@prpacific.com. Twitter: @CedarsSinaiSvan

Cedars-Sinai ranked as a top quality IT workplace for fifth year in a row For the fifth consecutive year, Cedars-Sinai has been named one of the best workplaces for information technology professionals by a leading national publication for the computer technology industry. It is ranked on the annual list of IDGs Computerworld Best Places to Work in Information Technology (IT). CONTACT: Sally Stewart, 310-248-6566; Email: sally.stewart@cshs.org

Surprisingly common Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease often eludes diagnosis, proper treatment Watching her older son play soccer and practice taekwondo around the time he reached puberty, Cindy Kerestes knew something wasn't right. His legs seemed weaker and he struggled in sports. Unbeknownst to her, Brendan had Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, the most common inherited neurological disorder, which damages nerves that control muscles, primarily affecting the legs and feet. CONTACT: Sandy Van, 526-1708; Email: sandy@prpacific.com. Twitter: @CedarsSinaiSvan

After brain cancer battle, Orange County resident picks up active life where she left off Betty Haydens active lifestyle came to a halt in June, 2012, with the sudden appearance of aggressive brain tumors. Hayden's daughter contacted brain cancer specialists at Cedars-Sinai, where she was hospitalized within days. Today, the cancer is in remission and shes back in action. CONTACT: Sandy Van, 526-1708; Email: sandy@prpacific.com. Twitter: @CedarsSinaiSvan

Grant initiates new stem cell research for patients suffering with corneal blindness Corneal blindness affects roughly 8 million people worldwide, and traditional treatments and surgical interventions have seen little long-term success. With a new vision for stem cell corneal transplantation, and a $1.25 million grant from the National Eye Institute, Cedars-Sinai co-investigators hope to treat previously untreatable patients. CONTACT: Cara Lasala, 310-423-7798; Email cara.lasala@cshs.org; Twitter @CedarsSinaiCara

Global expert in lung disease joins Cedars-Sinai to lead new stem cell research program Barry R. Stripp, PhD, a recognized expert in lung disease and stem cell research, has been named director of the new Lung Stem Cell Research Program that spans the Womens Guild Lung Institute and the Regenerative Medicine Institute at Cedars-Sinai. CONTACT: Cara Lasala, 310-423-7798; Email cara.lasala@cshs.org; Twitter @CedarsSinaiCara

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July Tipsheet From Cedars-Sinai