University of Cincinnati Department of Psychiatry to compete for depressive disorders research support — MedCity Evening Read, Nov. 23, 2009

News and notes from the day in MedCity, Ohio.

The University of Cincinnati Department of Psychiatry is a charter member of the National Network of Depression Centers and hopes to compete for federal support made available by legislation proposed by U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, a Michigan Democrat, and co-sponsored by Sen. George Voinovich, a Republican, and Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, both from Ohio. The “centers of excellence” supported through the ENHANCED Act (Senate Bill 1857) would create a national network to improve research, diagnosis, treatment and care for those suffering from depressive disorders.

Sherrod Brown announced that President Obama has appointed Cristal Thomas to serve as regional director for Region V of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Earlier this year, Brown recommended Thomas, who has been executive director of the Ohio Executive Medicaid Management Administration for almost two years, for the federal position that directs the region of Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Akron Children’s Hospital Medical Center earned its third consecutive gold award for “Best Web 2.0” for its focus on video, podcasts, special interactive applications and social networking such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Children’s also earned silver awards for “Best Health/Healthcare Content” and “Best Overall Internet Site.”

A global electronic bulletin board called ImproveCareNow dramatically improved the health of children with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, according to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, which participated in a study of the low-cost system of sharing information online. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center also participated in the study.