Radiology diagnoses lead to faster, better treatment options

KU Wichita, Winter 2009

Charles McGuire, MD

Pictures can capture a moment or tell a story. But to the highly trained eye of a physician, a picture, or in this case, a medical image, can save a life. The Department of Radiology at Wesley Regional Medical Center uses medical images of the human body to diagnose and treat diseases and disorders, according to Charles McGuire, MD, Radiology chair and professor.

“We’re a little bit like detectives as we try to fi nd and diagnose diseases to help clinicians find the appropriate treatment,” explained Dr. McGuire. “We use MRIs, CAT Scans (CT Scans), Ultrasounds, Mammograms, and X-rays to find answers to medical problems.”

Compared to several years ago, he said, CT Scans have increased at a rate of 15% to 20% annually.

“We get so much more information from CT Scans,” he explained. “The resolution and imaging time has decreased because technology has greatly advanced our ability to diagnose an illness faster and more accurately.”

Emerging technology, according to Dr. McGuire, has had a significant impact on the education of residents.

“In terms of interventional procedures, we use far more CT Scans and Ultrasounds than when I was a resident. The level of invasiveness in finding treatment options has become much lower, which is much easier on the patient,” he said. “With only a small needle, we can biopsy a variety of tumors for a person coming in for treatment, and within a couple of hours, they’re ready to go home. Years ago, a person had to have open surgery, and that required a hospital stay.”

Technology has allowed residents to become more efficient and accurate in making a diagnosis than in the past. “For the patient, it means faster treatment options that are less painful.”

Dr. May keeps promise to give back to Wichita

KU Wichita, Spring 2009

Lisa May, MD

As a student at the KU School of Medicine-Wichita, Lisa May, MD, Radiology clinical assistant professor, made a promise to remember the medical school that did so much to help fulfi ll her dream of becoming a doctor. From a medical student to establishing a practice, her journey has gone full circle as she donates her time and expertise to Wichita’s school of
medicine.

“I’m a donor and volunteer physician because I wanted to give back to the Wichita campus since it gave so much to me,” Dr. May said. “I want to do my part to keep this wonderful campus flourishing and continuing to give opportunities to incoming students and residents.”

It was a love of science, especially biology in high school, that sparked her interest in medicine. However, her road to college was challenging.

“I wasn’t able to attend college because my brother was in a serious car accident and money was an issue. As an alternative, I attended a hospital-based radiology technology school, which just amplified my desire to become a physician.”

During an assistantship in Family and Community Medicine, Dr. May was sold on returning to the Wichita campus to complete her medical education.

“I believe the education I received was excellent. The campus feels more like a community rather than an institution. I believe I had more individual attention as our groups were small, which allowed for more hands-on experience.”

Our medical students and residents, she stated, have the best of all worlds because of the volunteer physicians.

“They not only love their jobs, but are willing to share their knowledge and experience with others because they want to and not because they have to. They serve as private practice role models and educators.”

When it comes to giving back, Dr. May recommends that her colleagues become members of the Deans Club and seriously consider becoming donors to further enrich the education of medical students.