Dr. Donald Nuss with Marilyn Gowen
Here are recaps of two recent May Rotary meetings:
May 8 Program:
Rotarian of Day Marilyn Gowen introduced Dr. Donald Nuss, Surgeon-in-Chief Emeritus, Children’s Hospital of the Kings Daughters. Dr. Nuss, a native of South Africa, where he received his medical training. He came to Norfolk in 1977 where he became only the second pediatric surgeon in Hampton Roads.
During his career at CHKD, Dr. Nuss developed a groundbreaking technique, now known as the Nuss Procedure, to correct pectus excavatum. He explained that in this condition, also known as funnel chest, the chest sinks in toward the spine, forming a depression. Patients often suffer heart and lung compression, difficulty exercising and poor body image. Prior to Dr. Nuss’ innovation many chose to live with the condition rather than undergo corrective surgery, which required a large incision as well as sternum and rib fractures.
He noted that in the minimally invasive Nuss Procedure, small incisions are used to introduce a curved metal bar, which is guided under the flexible sternum to press it outwards into normal shape. The bar remains in place one to three years until correction is permanent. Bar removal is a simple outpatient procedure.
At a recent meeting of Chest Wall International Group, a presentation was given on outcomes of Nuss and other CHKD surgeons treating more than 4,300 patients with various chest wall abnormalities over 30 years. The data showed excellent or good results in over 99% of primary repairs, with a low rate of postoperative complications.
In 2016 CHKD opened the Nuss Center for Chest Wall Reconstruction. Dr. Nuss pointed out that CHKD is the only freestanding children’s hospital in Virginia and considered one of best in U.S.
The May 15 Program
Rotarian of the Day Shep Miller (l) introduced our speaker, saying that Old Dominion University athletic director C. “Wood” Selig, his neighbor who grew up in our region “knows everything and everybody.” Selig’s career took him from Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Virginia and Western Kentucky before ODU. Shep said that Wood focuses on 1: the student-athlete; 2. athletics; and 3. fundraising. In Selig’s time at Western Kentucky, the school won 65 Sun Belt Conference athletic championships including 19 in a two-year period. He raised $100 million for construction and renovation.
At ODU, Selig has moved the football team to Conference USA. Twenty percent of the school’s athletes are on the dean’s list, and both the men’s basketball team and women’s lacrosse team are ranked in the top 10 percent nationally for academics in their sports. The men’s basketball team has been ranked in the top 25. Shep noted that one booster called him and said that ODU “could afford to lose [football coach] Bobby Wilder, but not Wood Selig”. Shep concluded that Selig “is not only smart, he has a hell of a heart.”
After that introduction, Selig said, “I guess now it’s Q&A,” before allowing, “I’m going to rant about college athletics.” That rant, he said, included “eight things I find to be extremely offensive.” They were:
1. The UNC academic scandal. “How does that happen?” Selig asked.
2. The Rice commission, which cited violations in basketball programs including Arizona and N.C. State with regard to Adidas.
3. Shrinking attendance, especially among students, who are the future donors and season ticket holders for college sports.
4. The sanctioning of betting on college sports. Selig envisioned a time when bets could be placed on every play, and talked about how West Virginia and Marshall Universities were looking into ways of capitalizing on this legislation.
5. Paying student athletes. “No, not with scholarships and benefits,” including a free education, Selig said. He noted that ODU student-athletes are paid $2,800 for cost of attendance and that students at Auburn and Alabama are paid $7,000.
6. Escalation of salaries. Wood said that among the 130 FBS programs, 200 coaches are paid $1 million or more and that more than 50 are paid $3 million. He stated that Alabama football coach Nick Saban was paid $11.1 million last year and said that seven coaches have $7 million salaries. He added that the average salary of football coaches in the Southeastern Conference is $4.3 million. “We have lost our minds,” Selig said. The median household income in America at $50,000 and said that University of Kentucky assistant basketball coaches make $562,000 and that some strength coaches make up to $500,000.
7. Congressional involvement. Selig talked about the Cox Bill in Virginia and student fees at state universities. In Selig’s time at ODU, student fees for athletics have dropped from 73 to 55 percent, while student fees at William & Mary and James Madison University have been in the range of 70-80 percent.
8. The Five Power Conferences [SEC, ACC, Big 10, Big 12, and PAC 12] could break away and form a league of their own. “It’s an unsustainable course,” Selig concluded.
Selig presented renovation plans for Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium, where ODU plays home football games. He said that $65 million had been raised for Phase I and said that seating would be increased to 22,000. The plans show how attention will be given to details and graphics, and Selig noted that ODU will play Virginia Tech in 13 out of 15 seasons, with UVA as an opponent in the other two years. He also talked about adding such programs as Wake Forest and ECU to the football schedule, and said that 700 new season tickets have been sold because of the series with Virginia Tech.
Other news from the meetings:
Visitation Report:
Teddy Baker is recuperating and hopes to be back at Rotary soon.
Recent Guests:
Jim Moore from Manhattan Rotary Club No. 3. Todd McLaughlin of Towne Bank Mortgage. John Baker of Cooper Hurley. Erica Venezuela, our social media intern. Chris Barco, Christian R. Smith. Former club member Joe Boone, Dr. Kathrine Hartman. Teal Raffele. Alyssa and Mike Beyrodt. David Powers.
Announcements:
- John Grandy, son of recently deceased member Walt Grandy, presented a $10,000 contribution to Norfolk Rotary Charities in his honor. Walt served the Club with dedication and distinction for many years and John pointed out how much the Club meant to his father.
- Bill Clendenin was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow Plus Three.
- Jay Kossman earned his Blue Badge.
- It is time to sign up for 2018-19 committees.
- Polio Plus baseball game was fun and raised money for Polio Plus. The Tides won in extra innings. If you have not yet paid for the tickets, see Bill McInnis.
- Dues and meals invoices have been emailed out. If you did not get an email or need a printed invoice, please sign the list at the check in table or contact Jane Dembert.
Happy Bucks
1. Edna Kolovani to retire soon. Picture and article in The Virginian-Pilot.
2. Lois Kercher said that her grandson had completed a 100K race;
3. Pam Tubbs gave in honor of her knee surgeries and her son’s earning his Master’s of Divinity degree from Regent University;
4. President Gary is celebrating his son’s graduation from UVA and that he has a job.
5. Gary Boswick was pictured in paper for his new position with Wells Fargo Group.
6. Jeff Wells just returned from an India mission trip.
7. Linwood Beckner and wife Francis celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.
8. Chick Robison and wife Kathy celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary.
9. Bernie Cohen is happy about his wife Lois' 75th birthday and the bar mitzvahs of two grandchildren.