writing samples 2017

GRETCHENWALSH – WRITING SAMPLES 1
WRITING SAMPLES
THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY– SEAT BELT CRASH TESTS
Client –The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Topic – Seat Belt CrashTests
Concept – Producedmultimedia elements for embargoed OSUcrash test research. Elements included
web synopsis,social posts,press release andTV reporter script
Date Story Aired/Printed–Embargo lifted November 28,2016
Coverage:
 CBSNews - http://cbsn.ws/2gau63N
 FoxNews -http://fxn.ws/2jsZcFY
 Reuters - http://reut.rs/2i8NeiU
Web Synopsis:
STUDY: SHOULD NEWER CARS BE MODIFIED TO PROTECT OLDER DRIVERS?
Boom inolderdrivershasexpertsrethinkingone-size-fits-all seatbelts,airbags
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Since they were first required by law nearly 40 years ago, seat belts have undoubtedly
helped save countless lives. But today, with more than 36 million American drivers on the road over the age of
65, researchers are revisiting seat belt designs in an effort to better protect older drivers.
“When seat belts were first designed, they used safety dummies that represented the ‘average’ driver, which
back then was a normal sized 40-year-old man,” said John Bolte, PhD, associate professor of health and
rehabilitation sciences at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. “The size and demographics of
American drivers has certainly changed, but the basic seat belt designs haven’t, and we need to address that.”
Bolte and industry partners are teaming up to help develop the next generation of seat belts, primarily because
the very systems that are supposed to protect drivers are actually contributing to their injuries. Even in minor
accidents, ill-fitting belts can cause everything from fractured ribs to a flailed chest to a broken pelvis.
“For a younger driver, these types of injuries are rarely life-threatening,” said Bolte, “But for someone who’s
older, a couple of fractured ribs or flailed chest can lead to problems with breathing and even the chance for
pneumonia. It can very quickly cause some serious issues.”
In fact, studies show in serious crashes drivers over the age of 65 wear seat belts more than any other age
group. However, because they are more fragile, their chances of survival are lower.
To address those issues, newly-designed crash tests are being conducted using smaller crash test dummies that
resemble more fragile occupants. “Once we understand the position of the driver or passenger in the crash, we
will be able to better understand where injuries are most likely to occur,” said Bolte. “That information can be
used to improve seat belts, airbags, even the entire safety system, especially for older, more vulnerable
drivers.”
SocialPosts:
Share it! Suggested tweet:

 Researchers at @OSUWexMed are helping design new seat belts to better protect older drivers.
bit.ly/2fWcRkb
Share it! Suggested FB post:
 When seat belts were first designed, they were made to protect the “average” driver, which at the
time was a 40-year-old man. Times have changed but seat belts haven’t. Check out how Ohio State
researchers and automakers are teaming up to come up with a new seat belt design - bit.ly/2fWcRkb
PressRelease:
OHIO STATE RESEARCHERS SEEK TO IMPROVE SAFETY, REDUCE INJURY IN
ELDERLY DRIVERS
COLUMBUS, Ohio – As baby boomers age, their risk of life-threatening injuries from car crashes also increases.
Although car seat belts are safe and save the lives of many drivers of different shapes and sizes, they don’t always
provide optimal safety for everyone.
In an effort to improve safety and reduce injury in drivers over 65, researchers from The Ohio State University
Wexner Medical Center and industry partners are measuring impact and injuries sustained from side car crashes
involving elderly drivers who wear seat belts.
John Bolte, associate professor of health and rehabilitation sciences at The Ohio State University College of
Medicine and director of Ohio State’s Injury Biomechanics Research Center, is analyzing differences in injuries
sustained from side impact car crashes to help improve safety system designs for the 36 million elderly drivers on
America’s roads today.
“When seat belts were first designed about four decades ago, safety dummies tested in car crash simulations
resembled the average-size male driver of 40 years old and weighing approximately 170 lbs.,” said Bolte, also
principal investigator of the study.
Now, thanks to advanced technology, instrumentation and imaging, we know a lot more about the human body
and its bones and how they respond to crashes than we did 20 years ago, yet researchers say the biggest obstacle
that remains is human variation.
“Age isn’t the best predictor of how someone responds to injury. We need to move the field away from age and
into something more scientifically based, such as looking at properties of the thorax or upper body to better
predict how much impact is associated with certain injuries,” Bolte said.
Researchers are conducting newly designed simulations using smaller crash test dummies that are a better
representation of the fragile baby boomer population. While measuring impact, they’ll also document position
and properties of the upper body to better predict appropriate protection for elderly drivers.
Industry experts say that improperly fitted seat belts save lives, but also can cause injury. To a young driver, some
injuries sustained during car crashes won’t always be critical. However, for an elderly driver, fractured ribs or a
broken pelvis can quickly become life threatening.
“We’re hopeful our data will assist with safety design modifications to better protect the older, more vulnerable
drivers,” Bolte said.

Researchers say, one day, individuals will have a personalized car key fob that activates a customized safety
system within their vehicles and adjusts the seat belt based on their individual physiology.
Video and photos are available for download at http://bit.ly/2fWcRkb
TV Script:
STUDY: SHOULD NEWER CARS BE MODIFIED TO PROTECT OLDER DRIVERS
Boom in older drivers has experts rethinking one-size-fits-all seat belts, airbags
NEWS PACKAGE SUGGESTEDTEASE:
Still to come, new crash tests designed for older drivers.
Why experts are rethinking safety standards and how that might affect cars of the future.
ANCHORLEAD:
When seat belts were first required by law nearly 40 years ago, they were designed to protect the
“average” driver – a 40-year-old man.
That’s certainly not the case today. In fact, right now there are more than 36 million drivers over the age
of 65, and because of outdated designs, many are at a higher risk of being injured by seat belts.
But that may soon be changing.
NEWS PACKAGE:
(Nats - Car Starting) :02
EVEN WELL INTO HER 70s HELEN KESSLER SAYS SHE STILL FEELS CONFIDENT ON THE ROAD.
BUT, BECAUSE OF HER HEIGHT AND THE WAY HER SEAT BELT IS POSITIONED, SHE’S NOT ALWAYS
COMFORTABLE BEHIND THE WHEEL.
(Soundbite - Helen Kessler/Older Driver)
“I just put it across me and it usually goes across here, but by the time I get done driving, it's up closer here and I just
pull it down each time.”
THAT’S NOT UNCOMMON. SEAT BELT DESIGNS WERE BASED ONDUMMIES RESEMBLING
AVERAGED SIZED, 40-YEAR-OLD MEN DECADES AGO. NOW, DRIVERS ARE MORE DIVERSE AND THAT
MEANS SEAT BELTS CAN BE LESS EFFECTIVE.
(Soundbite - John Bolte, PhD/Ohio State College of Medicine)
“It's not enough to keep someone my size, maybe, back in my seat and it's probably too much force to keep an elderly
occupant in their seat, which could cause thoracic injuries.”
(NATS - crash tests)
SO, TO BETTER PROTECT A WIDER RANGE OF DRIVERS, RESEARCHERS AT THE OHIO STATE
UNIVERSITY WEXNER MEDICAL CENTER ARE WORKING WITH AUTOMAKERS TO RETHINK SAFETY
SYSTEMS.
STARTING WITH SMALLER MODELS THAT MORE CLOSELY REPRESENT MOREFRAGILE, OLDER
DRIVERS.
“We're doing some studies to look at how strong are their ribs, how do they interact with the seatbelt, potentially with
airbags, in a side impact scenario.”

BOLTE SAYS EVEN MINOR ACCIDENTS OFTEN CAUSE INJURIES ALONG THE SEATBELT LINE - IN
THE COLLAR BONE, RIBS AND PELVIS - AND IN YOUNGER DRIVERS, THAT’S RARELY SERIOUS.
“But someone that's older, a couple rib fractures, flail chest, problems breathing, pneumonia - it can really build up
and cause a lot more issues.”
STUDIES SHOW OLDER DRIVERS INVOLVED IN SERIOUS ACCIDENTS WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS
MORE THAN ANY OTHER AGE GROUP, BUT BECAUSE THEY’RE MORE FRAGILE, THEY’RE LESS LIKELY TO
SURVIVE.
WHICH IS WHY EXPERTS HERE ARE WORKING TO IMPROVE THE VERY SYSTEMS DESIGNED TO
PROTECT THEM.
(Soundbite - Helen Kessler/Older Driver)
“I like to run my errands and visit my grandchildren so it’s important for me to feel safe when I’m driving because I am
on the road a lot.”
ANCHORTAG:
Experts say this research could – one day - lead to key fobs that know a driver’s age, height and weight,
and can adjust a car’s seat belts accordingly, the moment they get into the car.
That’s still a few years away, but working on it now is important because by 2030, there will be more than
60 million licensed drivers over the age of 65.
UCLA HEALTH – MEDICAL MARIJUANA EDITORIAL
Client –UCLA Health
Topic – Medical Marijuana
Concept – Editorial ghostwriter forDr. Thomas Strouse, MD,medical director ofthe Stewart and
LyndaResnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital at UCLA
Date Story Aired/Printed-December 12,2016
Coverage Received:
 Foxnews.com-http://fxn.ws/2i7S7sM
 Stat News - http://bit.ly/2gHu0Ag
Editorial Copy:
As the smoke cleared after Election Day 2016, we found ourselves at the dawn of a new era for cannabis in the
United States.
As early as this week in Massachusetts, and over the course of the next few weeks and months elsewhere, new
marijuana laws will go into effect. On Election Day, four states, including California (the most populous state in
the union), voted to legalize recreational marijuana, bringing the national total to eight states plus the District of
Columbia. Four other states voted to allow the use of cannabis in a medical capacity, which means that medical
marijuana is now legal in more than half of all states.
To put the election results into perspective, the percentage of Americans now living in an area where recreational
marijuana is legal, or will soon be, rose from 5 percent to 20 percent.

Given the accelerated acceptance for the use of cannabis, it’sworth considering the consequences of these new
laws. There has been plenty of hand-wringing about how these new laws might harm society, but I believe they
have the potential to help in a range of societal issues.
Prominent among them is the opioid crisis facing our nation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, in 2012 health care providers wrote 259 million prescriptions for opioid pain medications. That’s
enough for every adult in the United States to have his or her own bottle of pills.
That proliferation is taking a staggering toll. The CDC estimates that nearly half a million Americans are rushed to
emergency departments for the misuse or abuse of these drugs each year. More than 33,000 Americans died in
2015 by an overdose of opioids in the form of prescription pain medicines or heroin.
But in states where medical marijuana has been legalized, the numbers are actually going down. In the years
following implementation of marijuana laws, some states have seen a drop in opioid-related deaths by as much as
25 percent.
If the primary objective of opioids is pain control, nearly two decades of research have shown that these drugs
don’t work that well when used chronically for non-cancer pain, offering relief for only about 30 percent of people.
Marijuana can be an effective alternative or add-on, particularly for people with nerve pain of the kind that often
accompanies diabetes or chemotherapy.
As a palliative care physician at the University of California, Los Angeles, I’ve seen patients who use marijuana to
help control pain in conditions like cancer and multiple sclerosis. Many of them simply didn’t get adequate pain
control from first- and second-line drugs or with interventional treatments like nerve blocks. For some, marijuana
improved symptom control, often resulting in the need for less opioids or other prescription pain medications.
Beyond marijuana’s ability to relieve symptoms, there is also the potential for considerable cost savings with
it. One recent study showed that when cannabis was a legally available alternative to traditional pain, sleep, and
anti-anxiety medications, prescription drug costs among Medicare Part D recipients plunged significantly. In fact,
prescribing marijuana instead of pharmaceutical medications saved an estimated $165.2 million in 2013 alone.
It seems possible, perhaps even likely, that broader national access to legalized marijuana will continue to drive
down those costs even further. In addition to helping patients control pain, marijuana has also been reported to
offer relief for other conditions, like spasticity in multiple sclerosis. Less well-supported by science are a host of
other possible uses, including reducing seizures in certain kinds of epilepsy, easing the symptoms of lupus, and
helping control inflammatory bowel disease. To date, there is a lack of scientific evidence supporting those other
uses, but the potential cost savings for treating a wide range of conditions is compelling.
There are legitimate concerns, of course, that the more marijuana use becomes accepted among adults, the more
likely it is to be misused by adults or to fall into the hands of minors.
The human brain is still developing well into the third decade of life. Heavy recreational use of marijuana can
harm that development and alter certain brain functions. High doses of THC, one of the most widely studied
molecules in marijuana, can hasten the onset of psychotic illnesses, cause low motivation and diminish activity,
and eventually increases the risk of respiratory illnesses like bronchitis and periodontal diseases.
To be fair, however, marijuana does not appear to pose the same long-term medical risks associated with the use
of tobacco, like an increased risk of cancer, obesity, stroke, or heart disease.
Just because marijuana may be more readily available doesn’t necessarily mean younger people are more likely to
use it. The 2015 Healthy Kids Survey by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment showed that
4 out of 5 Colorado high school students abstained from using marijuana in the last year. And since the use of

recreational marijuana was legalized there in 2009,overall use among high schoolers has actually dropped. Other
national studies show a nationwide decline in rates of marijuana use or abuse among children and adolescents of
almost 25 percent between 2002 and 2013.
With new marijuana use laws set to take effect across the country, we need to work diligently to make sure
marijuana is used safely and kept out of the hands of children and teenagers. But as thishistoric shift in public
opinion continues to unfold, we need to appreciate the circumstances before us and maximize the medical
opportunities the use of cannabis may offer. This must, of course, include much more clinical and basic science
and thoughtful, scientifically informed public policy.
Thomas Strouse, MD, is a palliative care physician and medical director of the Stewart and Lynda Resnick
Neuropsychiatric Hospital at UCLA.
AMERICAN DAIRY ASSOCIATION – RISE IN SCHOOL BREAKFAST NUMBERS
Client –The American Dairy AssociationMideast
Topic – Schoolbreakfast numbers climbing
Concept – Producedmultimedia elements for embargoed ADA Mideast schoolbreakfast study.
Elements includedweb synopsis,social posts,press release and TV reporter script
Date Aired/Printed–Embargo lifted December 5, 2016
Coverage:
 Regional coverage aired in every Ohioand West Virginia newsmarket
Web Synopsis:
MORE STUDENTS NATIONWIDE EATING BREAKFAST AT SCHOOL
New statistics also show surge in school yogurt and milk consumption
(PLAIN CITY, Ohio) - New statistics just released by the American Dairy Association Mideast show that more
children are choosing to eat breakfast at school. Nationally, about 28 percent of children are lining up for
breakfast at school. But thanks to dairy farmer-funding, breakfast numbers have climbed to more than 43
percent for Ohio and West Virginia schools receiving a Fuel Up to Play 60 grant. The grants are part of a national
program, co-created with the NFL, in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture, and
funded by dairy farmers in each community to implement healthy changes, like improving school breakfast.
“We're trying to offer different things that will entice students who maybe don't have time to eat breakfast in
the morning because they are rushing out the door, said Tonya Grove, Food Service Director for Jonathan Alder
Local Schools in Plain City, Ohio. That includes fresh yogurt-based smoothies blended by smoothie machines
that the school district purchased using dairy farmer-funding. “Smoothies have been a big win for us. Students
love the different tastes and flavors so it’ssomething new and exciting for them to try that they may not have
the opportunity to consume outside of school.”
The expanded options are also leading to other healthy choices in the cafeteria line. American Dairy Association
Mideast statistics show 88 percent of kids are drinking more milk and 77 percent are eating more yogurt at
schools receiving grant money in Ohio and West Virginia. Nationally, kids are also eating more yogurt and
drinking more milk at school with 78 percent drinking more milk and 81 percent eating more yogurt.
School nutrition directors like Tonya Grove say the menu changes are helping to keep kids fueled up, focused
and ready to work in the classroom. “If we can offer something healthy like a smoothie that contains a lot of

protein, we know the kids will have more energy that they can channel into their school work instead of hitting
a wall before lunch.”
SocialPosts:
o New statistics from @ADAMideast show more kids are eating breakfast at school in Ohio and
WV - bit.ly/2gGAuh6
o New statistics just released by the American Dairy Association Mideast show more kids are
making healthier choices in the cafeteria line. Check out what students are buying and the new
reason why - bit.ly/2gGAuh6
PressRelease:
MORE STUDENTS ARE CHOOSING TO EAT BREAKFAST AT SCHOOL AS MENU
OPTIONS IMPROVE
New statistics show students are making healthier choices in school cafeterias
(COLUMBUS,Ohio) -It’s been 50 years since schools first started a pilot program that would allow students to
eat breakfast at school. Since that program launched, the number of students eating school breakfast continues
to increase, better preparing students for success in the classroom.
According to new statistics released by the American Dairy Association Mideast, about 28 percent of children
nationally are lining up for breakfast at school. But thanks to dairy farmer funding, that number is even higher for
Ohio and West Virginia schools receiving a Fuel Up to Play 60 grant. Breakfast numbers at those schools have
climbed to more than 43 percent.
“It is a program that was designed by dairy farmers and the National Football League working together with the
United States Department of Agriculture to help improve the lives of children by offering healthier options and
encouraging 60 minutes of physical activity a day,” said Scott Higgins, CEO for the American Dairy Association
Mideast, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. “Across the country, dairy farmers have invested more than a quarter
billion dollars in schools since 2009 to help improve access to nutrient-rich foods and get kids up and moving.”
One of the main ingredients leading to larger school breakfast crowds is expanded menu options. For example,
Jonathan Alder Local Schools in Plain City, Ohio recently used grant money provided by dairy farmers to purchase
smoothie machines for every school in the district. “Smoothies have been a big win for us,” said Tonya Grove,
Jonathan Alder Local Schools’ Food Service Director. “Students love the different tastes and flavors so it’s
something new and exciting for them to try that they may not have the opportunity to consume outside of
school.”
It’s a concept that kids are embracing in the cafeteria line. New American Dairy Association Mideast statistics
show 88 percent of students are drinking more milk at school and 77 percent are eating more yogurt at school in
Ohio and West Virginia. Nationally, yogurt and milk consumption are also climbing with 78 percent of students
drinking more milk at school and 81 percent eating more yogurt at school. That’s something Grove credits with
the revamping of school breakfast programs including additional healthy options like smoothies. “We feel we've
got a very nutritious product that can get the kids going and it also provides a broad base of nutrients so that
they're ready to go. You must have dairy products at breakfast, especially when you are fueling young minds.”

For more on the American Dairy Association Mideast and Fuel Up to Play 60 program, go to www.drink-milk.com.
MULTIMEDIA AVAILABLE: For broadcast quality b-roll and sound bites and high resolution stills, you can access
the American Dairy Association Mideast’s multimedia newsroom here: bit.ly/1QekGi6
All elements are for free/unrestricted use.
Courtesy: American Dairy Association Mideast
TV Script:
MORE STUDENTS NATIONWIDE EATING BREAKFAST AT SCHOOL
New statistics also show surge in school yogurt and milk consumption
New statistics show more students are choosing to eat breakfast at school.
Coming up - the reason kids are making healthier choices in the cafeteria line.
ANCHORLEAD:
Breakfast is often called the most important meal of the day. And new national statistics, just released by
the American Dairy Association, show more kids are taking time to eat breakfast at school.
That’s not only having an impact in the cafeteria, it’s making a difference in the classroom as well.
NEWS PACKAGE:
(Nats - Smoothie Blender)
MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT ASHTON OILER STARTS HIS DAY WITH A ROUTINE THAT HELPS HIM
GET READY TO LEARN, EVEN IF HE IS RUNNING A LITTLE BEHIND.
(Soundbite – Ashton Oiler/Sixth Grade Student)
“Well, I like get to school late, so I go get my breakfast and go to class.”
NEW NATIONAL STATISTICS FROM THE AMERICAN DAIRY ASSOCIATION MIDEAST SHOW JUST ONE
IN FOUR CHILDREN ARE EATING BREAKFAST AT SCHOOL.
BUT THANKS TO LOCAL DAIRY FARMERS, MOREKIDS AT ASHTON’S SCHOOL ARE EATING
BREAKFAST AND THE MENU IS GROWING.
“There's either cereal or the main breakfast. And I sometimes pick cereal and sometimes it's a smoothie.”
NEARLY HALF OF ALL STUDENTS IN OHIO AND WEST VIRGINIA SCHOOLSRECEIVING A FUEL UP TO
PLAY 60 GRANT EAT BREAKFAST AT SCHOOL.
THE GRANTS ARE PART OF A NATIONAL PROGRAM CO-CREATED WITH THE N-F-L AND FUNDED BY
DAIRY FARMERS IN EACH COMMUNITY.
(Soundbite – Scott Higgens/American Dairy Association Mideast)
“They love being involved in their communities. They have children. Theyhave grandchildren. They have families. And
many of them serve on school boards and serve as coaches and are community leaders.”
(Nats - smoothie machine)

IMPROVING SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAMS WITH SMOOTHIES IS JUST ONE OF THE MENU
CHANGES DAIRY FARMERS HELP MAKE POSSIBLE. AND IT’S LEADING MORE KIDS TO CAFETERIA LINES.
NATIONALLY, 80 PERCENT OF KIDS ARE DRINKING MORE MILK AND EATING MOREYOGURT AT
SCHOOLS RECEIVING DAIRY-FARMER FUNDING. SOMETHING NUTRITION DIRECTORS SAY IS MAKING A
DIFFERENCE IN THE CLASSROOM.
(Soundbite – Tonya Groves/Jonathan Alder School Nutrition Direction)
“If we can get them something like a smoothie where there's a lot of protein in it that will kind of give them some
energy throughout the day instead of just them hitting a wall.”
EASY OPTIONS THAT ARE HELPING ASHTON AND HIS FRIENDS GET THEIR SCHOOL DAY STARTED
ON A HEALTHY NOTE.
“I feel like energized.”
ANCHORTAG:
Since 2009 Ohio and West Virginia dairy farmers have invested $1.6 million dollars in more than 550
schools to implement healthy changes. To find out how to get your school district involved in the program - go to
fuel up to play 60 dot com.
UCLA HEALTH – SPINAL STIMULATION ADVANCEMENTS
Client –UCLA Health
Topic – Spinal stimulation advancements
Concept – Producedmultimedia elements for embargoed UCLA spinal stimulation breakthrough
treatment. Elements includedweb synopsis,social posts, pressrelease andTV reporter script
Date Aired/Printed–Embargo lifted December 13,2016
Coverage:
 Daily Mail - http://dailym.ai/2ihkmlw
 Healthline - http://bit.ly/2ihgTDH
 Life Science Daily - http://bit.ly/2ihgzEE
 Multiple CBS& ABCAffiliates
o http://cbsloc.al/2ikSMHu
o http://6abc.cm/2jkjfDi
Web Synopsis:
STIMULATOR BYPASSES SPINE INJURY, HELPS PATIENTS MOVE HANDS
Experimental treatment improves grip, finger motion up to 300 percent in quadriplegics
(LOS ANGELES, California) - An experimental procedure involving an implanted spinal stimulator is showing
early promise in helping paralyzed patients regain strength and partial use of their hands. “There currently is no
effective treatment for spinal cord injury, and for those who lose function of their hands, any meaningful
improvement a year after injury is extremely rare,” said Daniel Lu, MD, Ph.D., a neurosurgeon at Ronald
Reagan UCLA Medical Center. “With this approach, however, we’ve seen encouraging signs even five years
after injury.”

Dr. Lu became the first surgeon in the world to implant a 32-electrode stimulator near the top of a patient’s
spine. The device bypasses the injury site and finds new, alternate pathways to deliver brain signals to a
patient’s hands. “There have been other devices shown to help animals and help paralyzed humans move
robotic limbs,” said Lu, “but this approach is unique. This device is implanted in the spine, not the brain, and is
designed to help patients move their own hands.”
Patients also participate in ongoing therapy so scientists can fine-tune signals from the stimulator and
strengthen newly formed pathways along the spinal cord. So far, initial tests in paralyzed patients have shown
an increase in grip strength and finger motion by as much as 300 percent.
“We don’t expect them to recover fully,” said Lu, “but we are hopeful that we can help restore enough function
to their hands that everyday chores - like brushing their teeth, tying their shoes or using utensils to eat - will
become routine once again. If we can do that, it would help restore a sense of normality to these patients and
make an immeasurable difference in their quality of life.”
SocialPosts:
o Experimental surgery @UCLAHealth shows early promise in restoring hand control to
quadriplegics. http://bit.ly/2gwkOvi
o In an experimental procedure at UCLA Health, doctors are implanting stimulators in the spines
of quadriplegic patients to restore movement in their hands. Meet one of the first persons to get
this implant and see the difference it’s making five years after an accident broke his neck -
http://bit.ly/2gwkOvi
PressRelease:
EXPERIMENTAL IMPLANT SHOWS EARLY PROMISE BY ENABLING QUADRIPLEGICS
TO REGAIN HAND STRENGTH, VOLUNTARY MOVEMENT
Electrical stimulation bypasses spinal-cord injury to boost finger control, grip strength up to 300 percent
Los Angeles, CA. - Doctors at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center have implanted a spinal stimulator that is
showing early promise in returning hand strength and movement to a California man who broke his neck in a dirt -
biking accident five years ago.
Brian Gomez, 28,became one of the world’s first patients to undergo surgery for the experimental device in June
2016.
UCLA scientists positioned the 32-electrode stimulator below the site of Gomez’s spinal-cord injury, near the C-5
vertebrae in the middle of his neck. That’s the area most commonly associated with quadriplegia, or loss of
function and feeling in all four limbs.
“The spinal cord contains alternate pathways that it can use to bypass the injury and get messages from the brain
to the limbs,” said Daniel Lu, M.D., Ph.D., an associate professor of neurosurgery and director of UCLA’s
neuroplasticity and repair laboratory and the neuromotor recovery and rehabilitation center. “Electrical
stimulation trains the spinal cord to find and use these pathways.”
While other devices have shown promise recently in treating paralysis, these approaches involved animals or
relied on robotic arms. This approach is unique because the device is implanted in the spine instead of the brain,
and is designed to boost patients’ abilities to move their own hands.

Lu likened the approach to a commute on a busy freeway. “If there is an accident on the freeway, traffic comes to
a standstill, but there are any number of side streets you can use to detour the accident and get where you are
going,” he said. “It’s the same with the spinal cord.”
In addition to the stimulator, doctors implant a small battery pack and processing unit under the skin of the
patient’s lower back. Small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, the implant is paired with a remote control that
patients and doctors use to regulate the frequency and intensity of the stimulation.
“We can dial up or dial down different parameters and program in the stimulator certain algorithms to activate
specific electrodes,” said Lu. “It is an ongoing process that retrains the spinal cord and, over time, allows patients
to strengthen their grip and regain mobility in their hands.”
The UCLA team performed the world’s first implant surgeries of thiskind on two cervical spinal-cord injury
patients prior to Gomez. Lu and his colleagues saw an increase in finger mobility and grip strength of up to 300
percent.
The current study is funded by the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, part of the
National Institutes of Health. Lu is working with UCLAneuroscientist Reggie Edgerton, Ph.D., to build upon the
success of their previous findings in patients with lumbar spinal-cord injuries.
“We’d used electrical stimulation to recover paraplegic patients’ abilities to stand and move their legs on their
own following injury to the lower spine,” said Edgerton, a distinguished professor of integrative
biology/physiology and neurosurgery at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine and College of Letters and
Science. “There was considerable skepticism in the field that we could use a similar approach to regain hand
function in quadriplegic patients with injury to the upper spine. Brian’s strong response to the implant has been
very exciting.”
“It’s making a huge difference for me,” said Gomez, who owns a coffee-roasting business in his hometown of San
Dimas, California. “I use an industrial roaster that heats up to 450 degrees and just a few months ago, I reached up
to pull a lever to empty a batch of beans after they’d finished roasting,” said Gomez. “But because I didn’t have
the arm or core strength, I burned myself,” he said pointing to a scar on his forearm. “That doesn’t happen
anymore because of the strength and dexterity I’ve developed.”
Gomez’s improvements are especially encouraging given the five years that passed between his injury and
surgery. People who suffer spinal-cord injuries usually have a window of only a few months to get the
rehabilitation they need in order to maintain at least partial use of their hands. Meaningful improvement is rare
more than a year after injury. “Even though he was injured in 2011,in many ways Brian is a perfect candidate for
this experimental treatment. He still has head-to-toe sensation, so he can give us feedback as we fine-tune the
stimulator. And he is such a positive and motivated young man,” said Lu.
Several times a week, Gomez returns to a laboratory at UCLA, where a team of scientists put him through
rehabilitation exercises and continue to fine-tune the stimulator. “It takes a lot of time and commitment to do
this, but I’m determined,” said Gomez. “Things are about to change for the better, so I’m excited about what’s to
come.”
The UCLA team’s goal is not to fully restore hand function, but to improve it enough to allow patients to perform
everyday tasks -- still a remarkable achievement considering the length of time since their injuries. As the
technology develops, patients might be able to expect further improvements.
Researchers evaluate hand strength by measuring a unit known as a newton of force.

“A normal hand is able to impart about 100 to 200 newtons of force, but after an accident, that often drops to only
1 or 2 newtons of force,” said Lu. “Our goal is to get these patients back to the 20 to 30 range. That will allow them
to do everyday tasks and will make a huge difference in the quality of their lives.”
Tasks like tying their shoes and brushing their teeth. Or, in Brian Gomez’s case, holding and sipping a cup of
coffee that he roasted and brewed himself.
B-ROLL, SOUND BITES, WEB ELEMENTS & HI-RES STILL PHOTOS including HD video are available for free
and unrestricted use by the news media: http://bit.ly/2gwkOvi
Courtesy: Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
TV Script:
STIMULATOR BYPASSES SPINE INJURY, HELPS PATIENTS MOVE HANDS
Experimental treatment improves grip, finger motion up to 300 percent in quadriplegics
Still to come, an experimental procedure that is rewiring severed spinal cords. The difference it's making
in one of the world’s first patients – that’s next.
ANCHORLEAD:
Imagine not being able to grip a pencil, put on socks or hold a cup. It’s a frustrating reality for many
people suffering from spinal cord injuries.
But researchers at U-C-L-A are testing a new approach. They are using an implantable device to reroute
brain signals around damaged areas of the spine and improve hand function.
NEWS PACKAGE:
(Nats - Sound pouring coffee into roaster)
BRIAN GOMEZ IS BUILDING A COFFEEROASTING BUSINESS - AND HOPES ONE DAY SOON HE CAN
ACTUALLY HOLD AND DRINK A CUP OF HIS OWN COFFEE.
IN 2011, BRIAN SUFFERED A DIRT BIKE ACCIDENT THAT BROKE HIS NECK, LEAVING HIM IN A
WHEELCHAIR WITH LIMITED USE OF HIS HANDS.
(Soundbite – Brian Gomez/Spinal Stimulation Patient)
“The hardest things to learn, just putting on your socks, learning how to eat, the things that you wouldn’t think would
be hard at all.”
NORMALLY, REGAINING ANY HAND MOVEMENT THIS LONG AFTER AN ACCIDENT IS RARE.
BUT TODAY, THINGS ARE GETTING BETTER FOR BRIAN - THANKS TO AN INNOVATIVE SURGERY
AND A DOCTOR WHO SAW THE POTENTIAL FOR RECOVERY, EVEN FIVE YEARS AFTER HIS ACCIDENT.
(Soundbite – Daniel Lu, MD, PhD/Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center)
“The spinalcord is a very plastic and very smart organ that can be, that the circuitry can be rewired.”
WHICH IS WHAT DOCTOR DANIEL LU (pronounced: Loo) IS HOPING TO DO. THROUGH AN N-I-H-
FUNDED STUDY AT RONALD REAGAN U-C-L-A MEDICAL CENTER, HE PERFORMED THE FIRST SURGERY IN
THE WORLD THAT USES A 32-ELECTRODE STIMULATOR.
IT DETOURS SPINAL-CORD INJURIES - AND FINDS NEW PATHWAYS TO DELIVER BRAIN SIGNALS
DIRECTLY TO A PATIENT’S HANDS.

TWO MONTHS AFTER THE EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE, BRIAN WAS ONCE AGAIN ABLE TO USE
ALL 10 FINGERS.
(Nats - calibration session with Brian)
TODAY, HE CONTINUES TO UNDERGO RIGOROUS THERAPY WHERE RESEARCHERS FINE-TUNE THE
SIGNALS FROM THE STIMULATOR AND CHART BRIAN’S PROGRESS.
IN THE THREE PATIENTS WHO HAVE RECEIVED THE DEVICE AT UCLA, HAND FUNCTION HAS
INCREASED BY AS MUCH AS 300-PERCENT.
(Soundbite – Daniel Lu, MD, PhD/Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center)
“Meaning they can now use their handsfor dailytasks like typing on a computer, using a phone, you know, in Brian’s
case, grinding coffee beans.”
(Soundbite – Brian Gomez/Spinal Stimulation Patient)
“Things are about to change for the better, so you get more excited, at least I did, got more excited for what’s to
come.”
ANCHORTAG:
Other devices have been tested in animals - or have been shown to help patients move robotic limbs.
This is unique because it’s implanted in the spine instead of the brain, and is designed to help patients move their
own hands

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