Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary

“The infirmary's bylaws state the following: there shall be an executive committee consisting of those individuals who are serving as members of the executive committee of the member. The executive committee shall have the power to transact all emergency business of the corporation during the period between the meetings of the board of directors. The executive committee shall also transact such business, perform such duties, and exercise such powers as may be directed or delegated by the board of directors from time to time. The executive committee shall keep a record of its proceedings. All actions of the executive committee shall be reported to the board of directors at its next regular meeting. Form 990, part vi, line 7a: the governor of the commonwealth has the authority to appoint two directors. The bylaws of the infirmary state that the remaining directors are those individuals serving as directors of its sole member, the foundation of the massachusetts eye and ear infirmary, inc. ("the foundation").”

“The foundation is the sole member of the infirmary and retains the authority to make decisions regarding the infirmary.”

“The infirmary's form 990 is prepared by pricewaterhousecoopers, llp using information prepared by management. After the form 990 is completed, it is reviewed by the director of finance operations. The form 990 is then presented to the finance committee for review and approval as authorized by the board of directors. The board of directors are also given the form 990 for review with time to submit comments and questions before final filing.”

“Members of the staff are required to disclose conflicts of interest to their chief of service or department and director of laboratory/unit. Members of the board of directors are required to disclose annuallly, in writing, any interests that could give rise to conflicts. The office of the internal legal counsel obtains and reviews the annual conflicts of interest statements submitted by members of the board of directors, and reports on the same to the audit and compliance committee of the board. With respect to interests disclosed by board members that could give rise to conflicts of interest, the internal legal counsel reviews all transactions between such interests and affiliates of the infirmary, to determine whether these transactions were conducted at arm's length.”

“The chairman of the compensation committee of the board of the infirmary presents a recommendation to the compensation committee who have final approval of the ceo's base salary and bonus amount. The ceo recommends executive salaries to the compensation committee of the board who has final authorization to approve it. Total compensation for the ceo, chiefs and vice presidents, including bonus payments, including comparability data, is analyzed by independent compensation consultants and is determined to be reasonable.”

“Summarized financial statements are available on the infirmary's website: www.masseyeandear.org. Audited financial statements are available upon request. The infirmary's governing documents and form 990 are available upon request. The conflict of interest policy is also available upon request. Form 990, part xi, line 9: periodic pension plan cost $(7,956,773)”

“The massachusetts eye and ear infirmary ("the infirmary") is a not-for-profit teaching hospital conducting patient care and research. The infirmary is a teaching hospital of harvard medical school and an international center for research. It has the most competitive program in the country for eye, ear, nose, and throat residency training and the world's largest ophthalmic fellowship program. It is part of a system of related entities that provide specialized medical care collectively known as "massachusetts eye and ear infirmary" ("meei").”

“RESEARCH Ophthalmology: - ORMI Researchers First to Regrow Human Corneal Tissue Bruce Ksander, PhD and postdoctoral fellow Evi Kolovou, MD, as well as other ORMI members -James Zieske, PhD and Meredith Gregory-Ksander, PhD- have identified a way to enhance regrowth of human corneal tissue and restore vision, using a molecule known as ABCB5 that acts as a marker for rare limbal stem cells. Drs. Ksander and Kolovou were able to use antibodies detecting ABCB5 to zero in on the stem cells in tissue from deceased human donors, and use them to regrow anatomically correct, fully functional human corneas in mice. The ability to prospectively identify and isolate limbal stem cells will greatly enhance the success of corneal regeneration in patients with a limbal stem cell deficiency. -Researchers demonstrate drug-eluting lens can deliver sustained glaucoma medication for one month Joseph Ciolino (Cornea Center of Excellence) has worked closely with collaborators at Boston Children's Hospital and MIT to develop a drug-eluting contact lens that can deliver various pharmaceutical agents at a therapeutic rate every day for a full month. Recently, he and colleagues demonstrated for the first time the ability of the lens to deliver lantanopost, a common glaucoma medication. This is exciting news with potentially many therapeutic applications that could benefit a broad and diverse patient population.”

“-The OGI Genomics Core provides state-of-the-art genomics services to members of the Department of Ophthalmology at Mass. Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School. Services are also available to external academic investigators and commercial entities. In the past year, the Genomics core has performed genomic analyses of over 800 samples and sequencing of over 35,000 samples in support of research of many department members. The Genomics Core recently initiated whole genome sequencing using a non-amplified sample preparation method. Investigators who have utilized genomics core services are also working with the Mass. Eye and Ear Bioinformatics Center to analyze these data. -Genetic diagnostic testing: Through a CLIA-certified service, the OGI offers comprehensive genetic diagnostic testing for inherited eye diseases, including inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs), optic atrophy and glaucoma via the Genetic Eye Disease (GEDi) test. In the past year, over 250 samples submitted by investigators at MEEI and from outside institutions, have been analyzed using this test. A manuscript describing the performance of the GEDi test, which is highly accurate and reproducible, has been accepted for publication in the Nature journal Genetics in Medicine. -The Mass. Eye and Ear Bioinformatics Center, led by Dr. Xiaowu Gai, is supporting multiple investigators in the Department of Ophthalmology by providing broadly enabling bioinformatics expertise, infrastructure and shared resources. In addition, Dr. Gai co-leads an international consortium named Mitochondrial Disease Sequence Data Resource (MSeqDR) Consortium. This is a grass-root efforts involving over 100 international mitochondrial disease experts aiming to develop a centralized genomic resource for mitochondrial disease research, which has been designed, developed, and implemented by the MEEI Bioinformatics Center and is currently available online at https://mseqdr.org/. A review paper on MSeqDR was recently accepted by the journal Molecular Genetics and Metabolism. The United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation has also committed to continuous support for the project. -Gene Therapy Center, encompassing the research laboratory of Dr. Luk Vandenberghe and the Gene Transfer Vector Core, under the wider OGI umbrella. The Gene Transfer Vector Core (GTVC), which is directed by Drs. Vandenberghe and Ru Xiao is actively providing research-grade gene therapy vectors to Department and community investigators. Consultation regarding the design and execution phase of gene transfer experiments is also available. To date, the GTVC has generated over 400 adeno-associated virus preparations for about 24 research groups at MEEI, SERI, and outside research organizations. -Disease gene discovery: investigators in the OGI, led by Dr. Kinga Bujakowska in the Pierce lab, identified mutations in the IFT172 gene as a cause of inherited retinal degeneration. The studies reported in the journal Human Molecular Genetics showed that mutations in IFT172 can cause retinal degeneration alone, or in association with syndromic disease (published online August 2014). -Disease gene discovery: In a study published in JAMA Ophthalmology, the Engle Lab and members of OGI reported that mutations in the ryanodine receptor 1 (RYR1) cause of ophthalmoplegia, facial weakness, and malignant hyperthermia. This is important because total ophthalmoplegia can result from RYR1 mutations without overt skeletal myopathy. Patients carrying RYR1 mutations are at high risk of developing malignant hyperthermia. Ophthalmologists should be familiar with these important clinical associations. Date of publication: December 2013 (volume 131). -Phenotyping for future gene discovery: Moebius syndrome is a heterogeneous, rare congenital disorder defined by limited horizontal eye movement and facial weakness. To improve diagnostic assessment in Moebius syndrome, the Engle lab and members of the Department of Ophthalmology at CBH created more selectiv”

“-Working collaboratively with members of the Cornea Center of Excellence, members of the Glaucoma Center of Excellence described: -The functioning of a prosthesis embedded in an intraocular lens implant that wirelessly transmits information on the level of intraocular pressure. -The clinical course of keratoprosthesis glaucoma, recommending that glaucoma surgery be completed before, or combined with keratoprosthesis implantation. -Working with collaborators at the University of Illinois, Dr. Pasquale described a heighted risk of open angle glaucoma among women with early oophorectomy. -Working with collaborators from University of Michigan, Dr. Pasquale reported on an association between postmenopausal estrogen used and reduced risk of open-angle glaucoma using a healthcare relational database. -Dr. Janey Wiggs led an effort to describe the features of the LOXL1 knockout mouse, a murine model that shares some features with human exfoliation syndrome. This work was conducted in collaboration with members of the Retina Center of Excellence. -Drs. Pasquale and Wiggs working collaboratively with members of the Channing Division of Network Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital, described several modifiable risk factors for exfoliation glaucoma including time spent outdoors, lower dietary folate intake and high coffee consumption, using data from the Nurses Health Study and Health Professionals' Follow-up Study. With respect to time spent outdoors, Dr. Pasquale, along with several members of the Glaucoma Center of Excellence and faculty from the Comprehensive Eye Service, confirmed that time spent outdoors was associated with increased risk of exfoliation syndrome using a case control group from Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary combined with a case control group from Israel. -Dr. Pasquale, along with Dr. Robert Ritch, published the proceedings of The Glaucoma Foundation Think Tank 2013 Meeting on Exfoliation Syndrome, entitled "Exfoliation Syndrome: What we know and where we need to go". -On behalf of the GLAUGEN (Glaucoma Genes and Environment) study and the NEIGHBOR (National Eye Institute Glaucoma Human Genetics Collaboration) consortium, Glaucoma Center of Excellence investigators described several genetic loci for intraocular pressure. -Under the direction of Dr. Wiggs, the GLAUGEN (Glaucoma Genes and Environment) study and the NEIGHBOR (National Eye Institute Glaucoma Human Genetics Collaboration) consortium, was successfully converted to the NEIGHBORHOOD - NEIGHBOR Heritable Overall Operational Database, the largest case control dataset for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) with genotype calls for >5 million loci. This powerful dataset has been used to achieve several important milestones: -The NEIGHBORHOOD highlighted several genetic biomarkers in the vascular tone pathway associated with POAG. -The NEIGHBORHOOD database was used to describe several biochemical pathways that are operative in POAG including the GABA metabolism pathway. -In a series of 3 publications in Nature Genetics, the NEIGHBORHOOD dataset contributed data to an international effort that led to the discovery and validation for new genetic loci related to intraocular pressure, cup disc ratio and POAG. -The NEIGHBORHOOD dataset contributed to an understanding of the functional significance of the SIX1/SIX6 genomic region in relation to POAG. -The NEIGHBORHOOD dataset was used to demonstrate the CAV1/CAV2 genomic region is associated with paracentral visual loss in POAG. -Various member of the Glaucoma Center of Excellence along with members from the Comprehensive Eye Service, contributed to a survey of pre-operative blood tests in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients versus cataract surgery patients. The work suggests that POAG patients have higher IgG levels, pointing to a humoral immune deviation in POAG. -Dr. Teresa Chen published 2 papers regarding computer-based imaging of the nerve fiber layer in glaucoma patients. -Dr. Angela Turalba published w”

“-Scientists Restore Hearing in Noise-Deafened Mice A team including M. Charles Liberman, Ph.D., have restored the hearing of mice partly deafened by noise, using advanced tools to boost the production of a key protein in their ears. By demonstrating the importance of the protein, called NT3, in maintaining communication between the ears and brain, these new findings pave the way for research in humans that could improve treatment of hearing loss caused by noise exposure and normal aging. Wan G, Gmez-Casati ME, Gigliello AR, Liberman C, Corfas G. Neurotrophin-3 regulates ribbon synapse density in the cochlea and induces synapse regeneration after acoustic trauma. Elife. 2014 Oct 20;3. -Audio games may improve hearing in noisy environments Daniel B. Polley, Ph.D., and colleagues have programmed a new type of game that has trained both mice and humans to enhance their ability to discriminate soft sounds in noisy backgrounds. Their findings were published in PNAS Online Early Edition the week of June 9-13, 2014. In the experiment, adult humans and mice with normal hearing were trained on a rudimentary 'audiogame' inspired by sensory foraging behavior that required them to discriminate changes in the loudness of a tone presented in a moderate level of background noise. Their findings suggest new therapeutic options for clinical populations that receive little benefit from conventional sensory rehabilitation strategies. Whitton JP, Hancock KE, Polley DB. Immersive audiomotor game play enhances neural and perceptual salience of weak signals in noise. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2014 Jun 24;111(25):E2606-15. -FGF23 hormone deficiency may lead to hearing loss and malformation Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a circulating hormone important in mineral homeostasis. Abnormal serum levels of FGF23 result in systemic pathologies in humans and mice, including rickets and calcinosis. Konstantina Stankovic, M.D., Ph.D., and colleagues sought to uncover the role FGF23 plays in the auditory system due to similarities between ear and kidney development. They found that FGF23 is expressed throughout the cochlea in mice and demonstrated that complete loss of FGF23 causes profound deafness, while partial loss results in moderate hearing loss at high frequencies. These observations are consistent with mixed conductive and sensorineural pathology of both middle and inner ear origin. Loss of the hormone causes dramatic bone abnormalities. Given the extensive middle ear malformations and the overlap of FGF23 activity and Eustachian tube development, this work suggests a possible role for FGF23 in otitis media. Lysaght A, Yuan Q, Fan Y, Kalwani N, Caruso P, Cunnane M, Lanske B, Stankovic KM. FGF23 deficiency leads to mixed hearing loss and middle ear malformation in mice. Plos One 2014; 2014 Sep 22;9(9):e107681. -Decoding Sounds' Source Mitchell Day, Ph.D., and Bertrand Delgutte, Ph.D., gained new insight into how localized hearing works in the brain. In the experiment, they recorded the electrical activity of individual neurons in an essential lower-level auditory brain area called the inferior colliculus (IC), while an animal listened to sounds coming from different directions. They found that the location of a sound source could be accurately predicted from the pattern of activation across a population of less than 100 IC neurons - i.e., a particular pattern of IC activation indicated a particular location in space. Researchers further found that the pattern of IC activation could correctly distinguish whether there was a single sound source present or two sources coming from different directions. Day ML, Delgutte B. Decoding sound source location and separation using neural population activity patterns. J Neurosci. 2013 Oct 2;33(40):15837-47. -Researchers Show that Efferent Feedback Slows Cochlear Aging Stphane Maison, Ph.D., M. Charles Liberman, Ph.D., and colleagues have shown that the Olivocochlear (OC) efferent reflex dramatically slows age-rel”

“EDUCATION ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: OTOLARYNGOLOGY: - 18 RESIDENTS - 11 CLINICAL FELLOWS - 55 RESEARCH FELLOWS - 2 RESEARCH RESIDENTS OPHTHALMOLOGY: - 24 RESIDENTS - 24 CLINICAL FELLOWS - 117 RESEARCH FELLOWS Ophthalmology: Educational Highlights: - The ACGME conducted a site visit of the Ophthalmology Residency Training Program in October 2013, and in May 2014 the Residency Review Committee reviewed the findings and awarded the program an excellent four-year re-accreditation with a self-study scheduled for July 2018. - Several new clinical fellowships have been initiated: Medical Retina (Director: Deeba Husain), Inherited Retinal Degenerations (Director: Eric Pierce), Inherited Retinal Degenerations and Pediatric Medical Retina (Co-directors: Eric Pierce and Anne Fulton, Children's Hospital), and Vision Rehabilitation (Director: Mary Lou Jackson)”

“-Inaugural ORMI symposium: Ophthalmology represents a valuable arena for advancing regenerative medicine due the anatomical isolation, physical accessibility and immune privilege of the eye. To synthesize the latest developments in this field, the HMS Department of Ophthalmology presented the first Symposium on Ocular Regeneration: Cell Therapy and Regeneration in the Retina. The symposium was held on October 23, 2014 and co-chaired by Michael Young, PhD and Demetrios Vavvas, MD, PhD who also co-direct the Ocular Regenerative Medicine Institute. Experts from around the world delivered thought-provoking presentations and engaged participants in insightful, open-ended panel discussions at the end of each moderated session. The wide array of topics ranged from refining surgical techniques in preclinical models to optimizing strategies for isolating, culturing, and preserving stem cells for cellular therapies. Speakers explored the fundamental mechanisms of neuronal death in a variety of eye diseases, including age-related macular generation (AMD), glaucoma, and retinitis pigmentosa. Although the meeting focused primarily on regeneration of the retina, investigations from other parts of the eye (including the cornea) yielded insight into regenerative and cell-based therapeutic strategies overall. Basic stem cell biology was also discussed, down to the genetics and epigenetic mechanisms of cellular reprogramming and homeostasis. Attendees described the symposium as "great" and "excellent" overall and "...a great opportunity to communicate with other scientist on a high level and to learn from them." -3rd International Biennial Symposium on AMD: On October 24-25, 2014, the HMS Department of Ophthalmology hosted the 3rd International Biennial Symposium on AMD, co-chaired by Joan Miller, MD, FARVO and AMD Center of Excellence co-directors Patricia D'Amore, PhD, MBA, FARVO and Ivana Kim, MD. Presentations focused on the pathogenesis of early AMD. The complement system, a component of innate immunity, featured prominently throughout the symposium. Additional immune-related topics discussed during the event included inflammasome activation and cellular immune modulators such as macrophages, microglial cells and mast cells. Other emerging topics that were covered included oxidative stress and micro RNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in AMD. Researchers are also aggressively pursuing potential therapies for the atrophic or "dry" form of AMD. Areas of interest highlighted at the meeting included mechanisms of photoreceptor death and early-phase clinical investigation of stem cell therapy. The symposium drew nearly 250 participants. -Neuro-ophthalmology Fall Festival: This unique workshop provided a comprehensive overview on the diagnosis and management of common or important neuro-ophthalmic disorders, including optic neuritis, ischemic optic neuropathy, vertical diplopia, giant cell arteritis, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, neuro-ophthalmology of multiple sclerosis, and a variety of eye movement disorders. The course included case presentations and lectures by the faculty. -Annual Meeting and Alumni Reunion: More than 300 HMS Department of Ophthalmology faculty, alumni, and trainees gathered for a three-day festival of events that included the Annual Meeting and Alumni Reunion, tours of Mass. Eye and Ear and Schepens, a celebratory dinner, and visits to Fenway Park and the Museum of Fine Arts from June 20 to 22, 2014. On Friday, scientific lectures were given by 12 HMS faculty showcasing their current investigations in eye research. Topics spanned telemedicine for diabetic retinopathy, genetics of retinitis pigmentosa, advances in retinal imaging, resident education, and management of acute Steven's Johnson Syndrome in children. On Saturday, the Alumni Reunion included Dr. Joan Miller's update on the state of the department, alumni presentations, and the Distinguished Research and Clinical Achievement Award presentations. Ne”

“CLINICAL CARE Ophthalmology: -Mass. Eye and Ear acquired two private ophthalmology practices. To the west, the cornea and refractive surgery practice of Jonathan Talamo, MD, Kathryn Masselam Hatch, MD and Karen Zar, OD (now Mass. Eye and Ear, Waltham) offers a full range of specialty eye care, including cataract surgery, on-site laser vision correction, corneal crosslinking and optometric services. Extending to the south, Mass. Eye and Ear purchased Southern New England Retina Associates located in Providence, Rhode Island (now Mass. Eye and Ear, Providence) and Plainville, Mass. (now Mass. Eye and Ear, Plainville). Magdalena Krzystolik and Paul Greenberg specialize in the treatment of retinal diseases, including AMD, diabetic retinopathy and retinal detachment. -Mass. Eye and Ear faculty Roberto Pineda II, Ula Jurkunas, Kathryn Hatch and Peter Veldman, are among a handful of corneal surgeons on the East Coast with advanced training in Descemets Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK). Developed in the Netherlands six years ago, DMEK is the thinnest and most advanced form of corneal transplantation to date. In contrast to other partial thickness corneal transplant procedures, DMEK replaces only the diseased tissue without need for additional or redundant tissue, which allows for a more precise and anatomically correct approach. As a result, DMEK has demonstrated lower risk of rejection, faster recovery, and better vision (a higher percentage of patients achieve 20/20 vision) than prior forms of corneal transplant. Dr. Veldman, a cornea and refractive surgeon, recently returned from a year-long fellowship at a high volume DMEK center in Portland, Oregon. He plans to host visiting surgeons for observation of live DMEK surgery at Longwood, as well as simulated surgeries with whole eyes and transplant tissue in a lab setting. NEW EQUIPMENT & TECHNOLOGY: -Aura Laser - Morse Laser Center -Hopkins Telescope - Longwood -Fundus Lens - Retina Consultants -Microscope - Eye Plastics, Eye Pathology -Keeler Laser Indirect Ophthalmoscope- Morse Laser Center -Spectralis Optical Coherence Tomography - DeGunzberg Imaging Center -Fundus camera, triple port adapter, Sonomed Escalon - Retina Consultants -Computer Upgrades (#82) - Ophthalmology clinical support and administrative personnel -Camera - Resident use in Emergency Department -OPD Scan III & Software - Cornea Service -Visante Optical Coherence Tomography and Corneal Topography Sys - Longwood -Equipment Upgrades - new Waltham, Providence, Plainville offices -Beamsplitter/video system/monitor -Longwood”

“LOCAL/REGIONAL -Louis Pasquale served as the Massachusetts spokesperson for World Glaucoma Awareness Week. Support Groups: -Mass. Eye and Ear Eye Plastics hosted a quarterly Thyroid Eye Disease support group, which is led by Suzanne Freitag, MD. This support group is run in collaboration with the Graves Disease and Thyroid Foundation along with MGH endocrinology and Dr. Greg Randolph of Mass. Eye and Ear ENT. -Mass. Eye and Ear Vision Rehabilitation Support Group runs weekly for 8 weeks in the Vision Rehabilitation Clinic, and is led by a Mass. Eye and Ear social worker and a social worker who has low vision. -Vision and Hearing Screenings for Children and Young Adults,Neighborhood House Charter School (Dorchester) Community Forums, Lectures and Special Events: -Members of the Department participated for the second year at Stoneham Town Day on September 13, 2014 on the Stoneham Town Common. Thousands in the Stoneham and surrounding communities came out to join in the festivities which included over 100 exhibitors with lots of food and games for children and information for adults. The volunteers spread the word about our full-service facility on Montvale Avenue and our Retina Consultants on Woodland Road. Screenings: -Members of the department provided comprehensive eye exams to children and leaders-in-training at Camp Harbor View. Of the 113 screened, 20 were advised to see their own providers to address refractive errors and 17 were advised to seek follow-up by a pediatric ophthalmologist-two of whom needed urgent follow up. Camp Harbor View is an initiative of the not-for-profit Camp Harbor View Foundation, Inc. in partnership with the City of Boston and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston. The camp offers close to 800 children-ages 11 to 14 and living in Boston's at-risk neighborhoods-the opportunity to participate in a four-week program offering traditional "summer camp" activities. -Year-Up Vision Clinic - Caregivers at Mass. Eye and Ear, Longwood, teamed up with the Vision Coalition, a local nonprofit that performs vision screenings, to provide complete eye exams and eyeglasses for two groups of students from Year-Up Boston, an organization that empowers low-income young adults to leap from poverty to professional careers in one year. Twenty-three patients were examined and all left with the knowledge that they would soon receive the eyeglasses they need to see clearly and to succeed in school and in internships.”

“-Mass. Eye and Ear recently opened a satellite office in Medford, Mass., with Mass. Eye and Ear general otolaryngologist H. Gregory Ota, M.D., serving as Medical Director of the practice. Dr. Ota has been on staff at Mass. Eye and Ear since 1986 and has served as Director of the Emergency Department's Otolaryngology Service since 2011. -We are also in the process of building an otolaryngology presence at Mass. Eye and Ear's Longwood office, with both ambulatory and operating room volume. Community Service Activities: -Faculty and staff in the Otolaryngology Department engage in a variety of community service activities throughout the year. From free, public cancer screenings for skin cancer and head and neck cancer to public seminars on hearing loss, sinus disease and thyroid cancer, our team is dedicated to promoting public health through prevention and raising awareness in the community. -Onsite Head and Neck Cancer Screening at main campus -Expanded Public Forums, including "Have You Heard" the "Sinusitis Seminar" and "Thyroid Conference" Anesthesiology: -Successful implementation of the Inpatient Hospitalist Service, a division of the Department of Anesthesia. Radiology: -New Equipment and Technology: -A trial of a 3D Accuitomo CT system was continued through FY14 and will continue for 1st quarter of FY15. The system will then be leased for next 3-years or until new technology on the cone beam becomes available. -Mass. Eye and Ear purchased and installed a brand-new CT-scan system - the GE Discovery CT 750 HD - in just one week. The new system offers fast, high resolution imaging and state-of-the-art dual energy allowing for improved quality and diagnostic capability. The new system also has allowed us to reduce the radiation dose on multiple exams, especially related to pediatrics. The new system went live on August 12th. -A new Philips EPIQ 5G Ultrasound System was also purchased and implemented. This system allows for unprecedented advances in premium ultrasound performance, exceptional image quality and intelligence that provides automated views and quantification. -The siting and evaluation process for a 2nd MRI system began in FY14 and further planning will continue in FY15.”