The Sequester Blues

ACMImimi Fellow (and coincidentally head of the NIH) Dr. Francis Collins provides his musical message on the impact of sequestration on NIH-funded research and innovation.  Dr. Collins is quickly on his way to earning a "Distinguished Fellow" designation!

ACMImimi Inducts Seven New Fellows

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, DC
30 May 2013

The ACMImimi Admissions Committee announced today the names of eight new inductees as Fellows of The College.  Their names and areas of eminence are presented herein.  In addition, The College recognizes two new Members -- Gowri Shetty and J. Shore -- and wishes them well on their quest to find their own Medical Informatimusicological eminence through hyper-specialization in and contributions to the art and science of the field.


Martha B. Adams, MD, MA, FACP, FACMImimi (May 30th, 2013)

• Our first informatimusicologist who hyper-specializes in the hammered dulcimer, playing a custom-built ConcertMaster, 4-octave plus, by Jerry Read Smith from Black Mountain, NC, finished in 2008
• Co-hosts with her husband an annual mountain weekend retreat for fellow performers and dulcimer enthusiasts, which will surely feature informatimusicology in future retreats

Sharon Wentz, RN, FACMImimi (May 30th, 2013)

• Promoted the use of Direct messaging for health information exchange with a "60 Beats per Minute" video, which included a smokin' cool soundtrack

Gia Sison, MD, FACMImimi (May 30th, 2013)

• Frequent blogger and Twitter maven on all things medical and musical
• Chair of the ACMImimi Admissions Committee (on temporary sabbatical as she undergoes chemotherapy for breast cancer)
• President and Founder of the first international chapter of ACMImimi in The Philippines

PF Anderson, FACMImimi (May 30th, 2013)

• Curates an amazing playlist of healthcare musical humor
• Medical librarian who was a music composition major
• Has one musical work in public view: A Christmas Carol

Diana Driscoll, OD, LEEP AP, FACMImimi (May 30th, 2013)

• Incorporates music and humor when delivering info and research on numerous "invisible illnesses" to patients via videos on www.Prettyill.com
• Shares her music in nursing homes -- bringing the music from the 40's that they love
• Gets energized to do her late-night videos on her Prettyill website in musical ways (you know you do this too)
• Created the definitive ACMImimi theme song application video (which drove us to revise our instructions for singing the theme song)

Tim Senior, BA (Hons), BM, BCh, MRCGP, FRACGP, DTM&H, DCH, FACMImimi (May 30th, 2013)

• Wrote for the British Journal of General Practice on "Can Music be used in Medical Education" (November 2012) 
• Ran a workshop at the GPET Convention in 2009 on the theme "Can Music be Used in Medical Education"
• Wrote an article in the BJGP called "The influence of the Tricorder," which has nothing to do with medical informatimusicology, but balances out the fact that he is a viola player

Parvez Dara, MD, FACP, FACMImimi (May 30th, 2013)

• Writes about the Arts, Sciences and Medicine on his JediMedicine blog, in particular, this 2012 post on Harmonics and this 2009 post on the perfect note

Reflection - A New ACMImimi Video Project

Note on this post: The American College of Medical Informatimusicology frequently uses satire and irony in its posts. This post by Dr. Ross D. Martin, our President and Founder, is an exception as we are embarking on the creation of a new video to honor the special relationship between people experiencing serious health issues and their caregivers. The usual shtick will return in future posts. Thank you for understanding.

I have been somewhat distracted from Informatimusicology as personal circumstances have taken priority. Specifically, the love of my life, my wife Kym, was diagnosed with her third cancer in 30 years -- this time breast cancer. I have taken to blogging about our shared experience on my personal blog.

I've also been writing music in response to this experience and now am making an appeal to all of you for your help in creating a special video. I've written a new song, "Reflection," that speaks about the cancer journey as seen through the eyes of a caregiver and lover of one experiencing cancer. You can listen to an acoustic demo of the song at ReverbNation or through the widget below. The lyrics are at the end of this post.

Free EPK from ReverbNation.com

The Reflection Video Project 

I'm now working with some musician friends -- Bill "Bumblebee" Davis and Travis Erwin -- to create a more polished version of the song, which will be soundtrack for a new video featuring, well, I hope, you. If you have a loved one -- be they a spouse, uncle, mother, friend -- whose chronic illness, cancer journey or other healthcare challenge you'd like to celebrate, please send an email to Reflection@ACMImimi.org:

• Attach a picture (higher resolution is better - JPEG preferred) 
• Include a brief quote, message of hope or just an "atta-boy" note that's about twitter length (140-ish characters) and suitable for sharing 
• Let us know the names of the folks in the picture (first names only if you want) and where you are from (state/country is sufficient if that's all you want to share). 
• Tell us your story too if you're willing to share it. 

You can also post your picture/message/story as a comment on this blog post. By sending the picture, names and message, you are giving me permission to use them in the video montage, post them here on ACMImimi.org, and otherwise use them to promote the song and video.

Contributors to the video will, of course, automatically be eligible to become Fellows of The College (but you still have to fill out an application form). Please know that we at The College are grateful for all that you do for making healthcare work better and loving people with medical needs. We hope this project will inspire us all to be better caregivers and to see the beauty in our loved ones even as they face difficult health challenges. Thank you.

Reflection 

Autumn rustles out my window
Winter's time is near
Shorter days cast longer shadows
On the path we walk from here
It's a detour undesired
Still it's ours to share
With a passion so inspired
I'll go with you anywhere

Just let me be your mirror
So you can see
Even as you're changing
You are beautiful to me
Let me be your mirror
Let me be the one
Let my eyes reflect your beauty
As the moon reflects the sun

It's easy to be frightened
When the weather rolls in
The senses are heightened
And faith wears thin
All the slings and arrows
Start to take their toll
If we focus on the narrow
We miss out on the whole

So let me be your mirror
So you can see
Even as you're changing
You are beautiful to me
Let me be your mirror
Let me be the one
Let my eyes reflect your beauty
As the moon reflects the sun

I can't promise you a miracle
Still I'll pray one comes our way
I'll be right here through it all
And I'll love you every day
In every way
So hear me say

Please let me be your mirror
So you can see
Even as you're changing
You are beautiful to me
Let me be your mirror
Let me be the one
Let my eyes reflect your beauty
As the moon reflects the sun

(c)2013 Ross D. Martin

Using Medical Music

Although not directly related to Health Information Music, I hope this will inspire physicians to think about how they can use music to share information.

One of the first things fetuses pay attention to in the outside world is music; studies have shown children who study a musical instrument do better at math. Public places use music to create safe zones, buying frenzies and cultural appeals for specific clientele. Yet our western culture tends to think listening to music as an adult is frivolous. In this article, I’m going to look at how medicine can use and is using music.

Training Doctors 

Medical trainees have vast amounts of anatomy, physiology and pharmacology to memorize. Some of those students would benefit from using music in that process. Some examples are Songs of Anatomy and Physiology, and Medical Terminology Concerto.

Illustrating procedures can be made more memorable by using videos such as Colon is a Mighty Big River and da Vinci Robotic Hysterectomy.

There are also great videos to kick start a lecture such as Breathe, Bad Project, Diagnosis Wenckebach, Children's Bill of Rights and Responsibilities and Eternal Clerking.

Teaching students to be medical advocates can be aided by great examples like Unbreakable and Don't Smoke Ya Life Away.

To help them relieve stress, try Med Life Stress, lose yourself and Waiting for the Beep.

Finally creating music can take learning to a deeper level, relieve stress and/or add to the resources available to others. Why not start something musical at your school.
  

 

Practising Medicine 

Imagine having a screen or iPad available in the waiting room where patients could watch videos like Immunize: The Vaccine Anthem!, The Ulcer Rap or the more risky Manhood in the Mirror.

For more ideas, see my website or follow my new Scoop.it.
Deirdre Bonnycastle
Fellow
The American College of Medical Informatimusicology

The Smokey Gray Carcinogen Blues

From the ACMImimi Archives...

This rare footage of "The Smokey Gray Carcinogen Blues" was discovered by ACMImimi archivists.  The song was written and performed by ACMImimi's President and Founder, Ross D. Martin, MD, MHA, FACMImimi back in December 1998 in his hometown of Fairborn, Ohio at the Fairborn Actor's Theatre as part of a double billed event including a concert by Dr. Martin and a performance of his 1996 original musical, A Carol's Christmas.

The Smokey Gray Carcinogen Blues 

I know you can't tell I'm a superhero just from the sound of my voice, but it's true — I'm Babyman — fighting for truth, justice, and the eradication of diaper rash from the planet! Of course, I haven't always been a superhero. Like most superheroes before me, my transformation involved a freak accident. I make my living as an obstetrician, and one day during a delivery, I was bitten by a radioactive baby. Over time, I became Babyman! And, like most superheroes, I have acquired amazing superpowers. I can projectile vomit thirty feet in any direction. When backed into a corner, I can emit an ear-piercing scream that not only deafens my would-be assailant, but also summons any mother within a three-mile radius to come running to my aid. But the most important superpower I possess is the ability to understand babytalk. You see, most people assume that babies cry when they're born because they're cold or hungry. Not true. They've been cooped up for nine months listening to everyone else talk without being able to get a word in edgewise and they are ticked! Most of them, of course, are upset about the fiscal cliff. And they were totally fed up with all the election ads, which sounded very scary in utero. deficit. But a while back, a baby came out and said, "Look, pal, could you do something about the cigarettes already? I was dying in there!" In consideration of his plea, I offer this song about smoking in pregnancy — from the baby's perspective...

Well, I started out life a' thinkin' I was cool
Just floatin' around in my private swimmin' pool
Not a care in the world, though sometimes I'd get bored
So I'd pass the time playing jump rope with my cord
Then one day I woke up with a ringing in my ears
My head was a' spinning — I cried amniotic tears
I couldn't throw up a window in my womb without a view
So I kicked my Ma to say I needed more O2.
I said, "Yo, Ma! What gives? How bad's it gonna get?"
That's when I knew she was puffin' on a stinkin' cigarette!
My Mama's smokin' cigarettes — oh, what can I do?
I've got the smoky gray carcinogen blues.

Now I start off each morning feelin' weak and turnin' green
'Cause my mom feeds me breakfast made with tar and nicotine
My body's always hungry, looking for some descent eats
I'm just wastin' away from my head down to my feets
I keep strugglin' along 'cause I got nowhere else to go
But I can tell by my size I'm gettin' insufficient flow
My Mama's hooked on cigarettes — oh, what can I do?
I've got the smoky gray carcinogen blues

Oh, Doctor, can't you help me? Aren't you an M.D.?
Living in this smoke-filled womb is not my cup of tea
But you keep leading Mom on, saying everything is fine
Hey, Doctor, can't you read the "No Smoking" sign?

My placenta's so old, it's gonna have a heart attack
So I'm checkin' out early from this dirty one-room shack
My Mama's smokin' cigarettes — oh, what can I do?
I've got the smoky gray carcinogen blues

I said, my Mom won't kick the habit — oh, what can I do?
I've got the dingy brown got-me-down...
Stinkin' black heart attack...
The grimy green nicotine blues.

(c)1995 Ross D. Martin, MD, MHA, FACMImimi
The American College of Medical Informatimusicology

ACMImimi Inducts Eight New Fellows

The American College of Medical Informatimusicology is pleased to announce the induction of eight new Fellows into The College, bringing to 58 the total number of Fellows:

• Brian Ralston, MD, FAAFP, FACMImimi
• David Day, FACMImimi
• Nikolai Kirienko
• Deirdre Bonnycastle, MEd, FACMImimi
• Jeffrey Brick, PMP, FACMImimi
• Jiea Rutland-Simpson, FACMImimi
• Eta S. Berner, Ed.D., FACMI, FHIMSS, FACMImimi
• Robert C. McClure, MD, FACMImimi

The College regrets the delay in inducting these Fellows as Ross D. Martin, MD, MHA, FACMImimi, our President and Founder, has been unavailable for Selection Committee meetings since his wife, Kymberly Martin, MBA, FACMImimi, was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Fortunately, Kym has a very good prognosis and is a long-term survivor of Hodgkin's Lymphoma and melanoma, so she is well equipped to take on a third cancer experience.  Dr. Martin is blogging about their cancer experience at http://rossmartinmd.blogspot.com. 

You can learn more about the new Fellows as well as all Fellows of The College on the Members and Fellows page.

If these fine Fellows seem like your kind of people and you would like to join them, please complete an application.  

I Wanna Wash My Hands

Newly inducted Fellow of The College, Dr. Brian Ralston, wrote some new lyrics to classic tunes to promote handwashing and other safety measures.  They are published here with Dr. Ralston's permission (who wishes to apologize to BTO, John Lennon and Paul McCartney)...

Safety at MacNeal 

(to the tune of "Takin' Care of Business")

by Brian Ralston, MD, FACMImimi

They get up every morning from the alarm clock's warning
Take the train to the medical center
There's announcing up above and people wearing gown and glove
And the students who follow their mentor
And if your train’s on time you can get to work by nine
And do your early rounds and your 5 P’s
It’s the behavior we admire we use two identifiers
And do it with a thank you and please 

And that’s Safety at MacNeal everyday
Safety at MacNeal everyway
Safety at MacNeal check wristbands
Safety at MacNeal everybody wash your hands
Wash up

Learning lessons from flyin’ keeps our patients from dyin’
We use STAR to avoid a distraction
If you follow SBAR chances are you'll go far
And your patients will get satisfaction
People see you being merry, and oh so sanitary
Tell them that you like it this way
It’s the behavior we admire we use two identifiers
We love to work at safety all day

And that’s Safety at MacNeal everyday
Safety at MacNeal everyway
Safety at MacNeal check wristbands
Safety at MacNeal everybody wash your hands
Wash up

Good catch
Near miss
Time out
Like this

They get up every morning from the alarm clock's warning
Take the train to the medical center
There's announcing up above and people wearing gown and glove
And the students who follow their mentor
And if your train’s on time you can get to work by nine
And do your early rounds and your 5 P’s
It’s the behavior we admire we use two identifiers
And do it with a thank you and please 

And that’s Safety at MacNeal...

I’m Gonna Wash My Hands

(to the tune of "I Wanna Hold Your Hand")

Lyrics by Brian Ralston, MD, FACMImimi

Oh yeah, I'll tell you something
I think you'll understand
When I see a patient
I’m gonna wash my hands
I’m gonna wash my hands
I’m gonna wash my hands

Oh please, keep them clean
There is a simple plan
So please, say with me
I’m gonna wash my hands
I’m gonna wash my hands
I’m gonna wash my hands

For particulate matter use soap and water, and rinse well
Before and after each patient you must always
Use the gel, use the gel, use the gel!

Yeah, you, can fight infection
And make the MRSA scram
Just follow, this direction
You gotta wash your hands
You gotta wash your hands
You gotta wash your hands

For particulate matter use soap and water, and rinse well
Before and after each patient you must always
Use the gel, use the gel, use the gel!

Our example, it is so vital
We gotta take a stand,
Let’s all be, bactericidal!
We’re gonna wash our hands
We’re gonna wash our hands
We’re gonna wash our hands

We Want ObamaCare

The American College of Medical Informatimusicology is a nonpartisan institution, though we remain shameless promoters of music with a medical message. With this perspective in mind, we share this video presented by the "Southern Doctors for Affordable Medical Care."

We give these physicians an A for effort and for their willingness to put their views out in a creative way. The College also appreciates the positive message they have created in their approach to the topic.  We would, however, encourage a little more rehearsal and perhaps some better microphone placement.

In the interest of nonpartisan balance, if there are other medical professionals out there who have a pro-Romney medically related video to share, we would be happy to post this as well.  Note that we retain the right to reject submissions that are hostile, crude or otherwise in poor taste.

Gimme My DaM Data

This video can also be viewed on Vimeo.

The American College of Medical Informatimusicology (ACMImimi.org) is proud to present this collaboration with e-Patient Dave, aka Dave deBronkart, FACMImimi*. Written, performed, produced and edited by our esteemed President and Founder, Ross D. Martin, MD, MHA, FACMImimi, with contributions by the Sons of Artemis (Harry Greenspun, MD, FACMImimi, Ben Greenspun, FACMImimi and Chris Brancato, RRT, RCP, FACMImimi), Todd Park (US CTO), Jamie Heywood (PatientsLikeMe), Danny Sands, MD (Dave's doctor), Kym Martin, FACMImimi, RobotBoy2001, FACMImimi, and a cast of dozens.  Thanks to all who contributed!

*Fellow of The American College of Medical Informatimusicology

Gimme My DaM Data (Data about Me)

Well it's one for the doctor
Two for the nurse
You say you're tryin' to treat me
So don't make me feel worse

Gimme my DaM data
(Data about Me!)
Gimme My DaM Data
(Data about Me!)
Gimme my DaM data
It's all about me so it's mine

You can cut out my heart
Take it to the dump
Feed it to the dogs
Replace it with a pump
You can make me pop pills
Just to keep me alive
But there's one more thing
I gotta have to survive

Gimme my DaM data
Gimme my DaM data
Gimme my DaM data
It's all about me so it's mine

You can knock me out
To treat my gloom
Lock me up
In a rubber room
You can tie me down
And shock my brain
But just one cure's
Gonna ease my pain

Gimme my DaM data
Gimme my DaM data
Gimme my DaM data
It's all about me so it's mine

You can send me your bill
Charge me anything
Drive a nice car
Live like a king
With all the dough
That I pay
Tell me why is it so hard
To get my data right away

Gimme my DaM data
Gimme my DaM data
Gimme my DaM data
It's all about me so it's mine

Gimme my DaM data
Gimme my DaM data
Gimme my DaM data
It's all about me so it's mine

Ross D. Martin, MD, MHA, FACMImimi
(c)2012 The American College of Medical Informatimusicology

Congrats and Controversy Surround the #HIT100

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

13 July 2012

The American College of Medical Informatimusicology

www.ACMImimi.org

For the last two years, Michael Planchart (@theEHRGuy on Twitter) has run a nomination process via Twitter for the top 100 Health IT Social Media-istas. For the second year in a row, Dr. Ross D. Martin, MD, MHA, FACMImimi, President and Founder of the American College of Medical Informatimusicology (@RossMartin), has been named to the list, moving from being tied for #63 in 2011 to #42 in 2012.  

Dr. Martin is very pleased with the results as it further locks in his prospects as remaining top dog in the #ACMImimi100, which recognizes the top 100 Medical Informatimusicologists (Tweet your nominations now: “I nominate @RossMartin for the #ACMImimi100 list”). 

ACMImimi is thrilled to note that The College was extremely well represented on the list, with a total of eight Fellows named, two of whom were in the top 10:

• #8 Regina Holliday (@ReginaHolliday)
• #10 Keith Boone (@motorcycle_guy)
• #23 Wen Dombrowski (@HealthcareWen)
• #42 Ross Martin (@Ross Martin)
• #46 Dave DeBronkart (@ePatientDave)
• #50 Mark Schrimshire (@ekivemark)
• #55 Matthew Browning (@Matthew Browning)
• #87 Kim Nolen (@kim_nolen)

Two individuals who are eligible for Fellowship, but who have not yet completed their applications are:

• #18 Gregg Masters (@2healthguru) -- Eligibility based on his work on "The Rainbow Button Initiative" 
• #28 Harry Greenspun (@harrygreenspun) -- Eligibility based on his work on "Gimme My DaM Data"

But all is not well in La-La Land. The ACMImimi Ethics in Elections Committee has opened an investigation into Dr. Greenspun's inexplicable meteoric rise from being tied for #76 in the 2011 list to #28. Rumors abound that Dr. Greenspun used staff members in Deloitte's Center for Health Solutions, where Dr. Greenspun serves as a Senior Advisor, to advance his campaign. Such misuse of official firm resources in elections may be in violation of campaign finance rules. Greenspun, who would only comment, "Ha!" for this press release, may have found a loophole in the rules by leveraging funding from the “I’m Just Wild about Harry” Super-PAC in financing the campaign.

While the investigation continues, if Dr. Greenspun does in fact apply to become a Fellow of The College and is successful in his application, all investigations will cease under the Executive Privilege clause that covers all Fellows in good standing.  

The complete list for the 2012 HIT100 can be found at Healthcare IT News.