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The footprint of kidney disease research at UAB just expanded through two awards from the NIH

written by Andy Currie, Maria White, and Carolyn Walsh

Pictured above, L to R: Drs. Anupam Agarwal, Orlando Gutierrez, and Amanda Hyer AndersonThe UAB-UCSD O'Brien Center for Acute Kidney Injury Research has joined the newly formed O’Brien Kidney Consortium as one of its seven National Resource Centers. The $4.4 million U54 grant recognizes the Center’s 15-year legacy of exceptional research in acute kidney injury, or AKI, a health issue that affects more than 13 million people in the U.S.

Erin Snyder, M.D., will serve as Interim Division Director for General Internal Medicine effective October 1, 2023. A graduate of our School of Medicine and UAB’s Tinsley Harrison Residency Program, Dr. Snyder has played key roles as a physician, teacher, and leader in the Division and Department. She is Professor of Medicine and Physician Director for Ambulatory Care in the Department of Medicine. She also serves as Medical Director for the Internal Medicine IV Clinic and Assistant Program Director in the Tinsley Harrison Internal Medicine Residency Program. 

Health behaviors and social factors dramatically influence how we develop and manage chronic health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and obesity. First-line treatments for these diseases often include recommendations for behavior change and lifestyle modification, so the entire health care team must understand the social context and unique behavioral patterns of individual patients to provide appropriate and effective care.  

Last week, the Department of Medicine welcomed the new class of PGY1's to the Tinsley Harrison Internal Medical Residency Program. Embarking on a  journey of this magnitude can be exciting and overwhelming. Faculty and current chief medical residents offered words of wisdom to help the incoming interns transition to their new phase of medicine.  

Last month, co-directors of the UAB Lifespan Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center Julie Kanter, M.D., (Associate Professor, Hematology and Oncology) and Jeffrey Lebensburger, D.O., (Professor, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology) celebrated the opening of the new Adult Comprehensive Sickle Cell Clinic. The new beautifully designed clinic, located in UAB's Russell Clinic, is a spacious multi-professional facility that has more exam rooms, updated infusion spaces, and an increased ability to serve patients with sickle cell disease. Kanter and Lebensburger are excited about what these improvements mean for their lifelong patients.

The Division of Nephrology’s 2023 Kidney Summer Retreat teaches undergraduate trainees in the UAB Kidney Undergraduate Research Experience (UAB KURE) effective communication skills and provides career development. This year’s retreat focused on communication, service, and community: elements that are essential in a strong, kidney-focused career.

Program founder and director Jennifer Pollock, Ph.D., welcomed the trainees and the retreat continued with programs focused on essential elements of a successful kidney-focused career. Workshops covered topics such as effective communication, team building, scientific publications, outreach, and addressing misconceptions, providing the KURE trainees with valuable networking opportunities and mentorship for their career development.

In observance of National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month, the Department of Medicine sat down with Ken Saag, M.D., MSc, Professor in the Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, and Amy Warriner, M.D., Professor in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, to learn more about osteoporosis prevention, risk, and treatment.  

Internal Medicine Resident Andrew Girard, M.D. (PGY-2) One of the many challenges in providing health care is to be mindful of how a patient’s physical health is deeply connected to their mental outlook. And when a patient reveals an intent to take their own life, it can be an alarming experience for the entire health care team.  

by Sarah L. Minor, MS

The DOM Research Development Group (RDG) has undergone a transformation to become the DOM Research Excellence Advancement and Mentoring Council.

However, the DREAM Council's mission remains the same—to recognize and reward research excellence in the Department of Medicine, to foster mentorship, and to facilitate the career development of junior research faculty. This re-branding effort was undertaken to increase the recognition of the Council's work, highlight award opportunities, and increase opportunities to reward investigators at all stages across the Department of Medicine.

L to R: Christina Florkiewicz, Anitra Baylor, Sheikilya Thomas, Ph.D., MPH, Amy DobelsteinThe Department of Medicine is delighted to celebrate Sheikilya Thomas, Ph.D., MPH, Program Director II in the Division of Preventive Medicine, as the Spring 2023 quarterly winner of the DOM STAR Award for Staff Excellence. 

Peggy Blood, MSN, RN

A new book promises to be a comprehensive guide for care teams who manage patients receiving mechanical circulatory support (MCS). A Guide to Mechanical Circulatory Support: A Primer for Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Clinicians (2022, Springer) is co-edited by Peggy Blood, MSN, RN, who works in the Department of Mechanical Support for the UAB Cardiovascular Institute.

James M. Shikany, DrPH, (Oberman Endowed Professor, Preventive Medicine) has received a 10-year renewal as the Coordinating Center for the CARDIA study — Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults. This renewal will provide total funding up to $29 million to the Coordinating Center to facilitate and oversee study activities for the next 10 years.

The Department of Medicine is thrilled to celebrate Sharon Harris, Patient Services Coordinator II, as the distinguished recipient of the DOM STAR Award for Staff Excellence in the Summer 2023 quarter. Sharon's exceptional dedication and outstanding contributions to her team have earned her this well-deserved recognition. Her colleagues have gone above and beyond to express their admiration for her remarkable abilities and compassionate nature. 

By Carolyn Walsh, MA

 R to L: Drs. Orlando Gutierrez, Seth Landefeld, Ed Rutsky, Anupum Agarwal

When Edwin “Ed” Rutsky, M.D., graduated from Case Western Reserve University Medical School in 1965, he wasn’t planning on becoming a career nephrologist. In fact, it would be seven more years before the American Board of Internal Medicine even offered certification in nephrology as a subspecialty of internal medicine.

By Kiara Harris

 Internal Medicine Resident, Malcolm Chapman, M.D., MBA (PGY-1)

In Black communities, a lack of health literacy — an individual’s ability to obtain, process, and understand basic health information to make appropriate and timely health decisions — can play a critical role in health disparities. The journal Health Literacy Research and Practice reports that physicians overestimate the health literacy scores of 54% of African American patients, compared with 11% of non-Hispanic White and 36% of patients of another race or ethnicity.

by Sarah L. Minor, MS

L to R: Cynthia Joiner, PhD, Jennifer Wilson, and Nisha Patel, MSHA, MBA

An innovative new program aims to create a pipeline of future administrative leaders across UAB and UAB Medicine. The Developing Emerging Administrative Leaders (DEAL) program offers a custom-designed training experience to equip internal talent for management and leadership roles through an interactive 10-month exploration of finance, human resources, research, education, and clinical operations at UAB.

by Sarah L. Minor, MS

Surya Bhatt, MD, MSPH, an associate professor in the UAB Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, has been elected as a member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI). The nonprofit medical honor society comprises over 3,000 physician-scientists from all medical specialties, with a mission to promote the advancement of research that enhances the understanding of diseases and improves their treatment.

Andrea Cherrington, M.D., MPH, Professor of Medicine in the UAB Division of Preventive Medicine

Andrea Cherrington, M.D., MPH, will serve as the Interim Director of the Division of Preventive Medicine (DOPM), effective February 1, 2023. Dr. Cherrington is Professor of Medicine, Associate Professor of Public Health, and the Triton Endowed Professor in Health Equity Research.

By Kiara Harris

 The Heudebert family pose in front of a painting of Tavo located in BDB Conference Room 334. L to R: Alonso, Tavo, and JP Heudebert

When the elevator doors opened to the residency hall on the third floor of the Boshell Diabetes Building, a wave of laughter filled the previously quiet hallway. Gustavo “Tavo” Heudebert entered the conference room with a cheerful smile. Following behind were Alonso Heudebert with a Christmas sweater in hand, and JP Heudebert, bashfully amused by the pictures that decorated the walls. One by one, the Heudeberts claimed their seats around the large wooden table. Each sat with their hands resting comfortably on their stomachs and leaned ever so slightly to the left.

The Department of Medicine is thrilled to celebrate its Fall 2023 DOM STAR Award recipients. We received impressive nomination submissions this quarter. The Award Committee recognized two deserving staff members for their outstanding contributions and exemplary display of UAB Shared Values.

Please join us in congratulating Research Manager in the Division of Infectious Diseases, Tim Fram and Research V in the UAB Comprehensive Diabetes Center, Truman Grayson for being the DOM STAR Awardees for Staff Excellence.

The Department of Medicine is thrilled to celebrate its Fall 2022 DOM STAR Award recipients. We received an impressive 68 nomination submissions this quarter. Due to the overwhelming response, the Award Committee recognized three deserving staff members for their outstanding contributions and exemplary display of UAB Shared Values.

Please join us in congratulating Administrative Office Specialist IV in the Division of Nephrology Corene Knight, Program Director II for the UAB Center for AIDS Research in the Division of Infectious Diseases, Mary Thielen, and Program Director II of Global Infectious Diseases in the Division of Infectious Diseases, Jamie White for being the DOM STAR Awardees for Staff Excellence.

By Kiara Harris

 Primary Care Scholars Drs. Natasha Mehra, David Heaner, and Bria Carrithers

Tinsley Harrison Internal Medicine resident and Primary Care Scholar, Dr. David Heaner, had just begun training at a new primary care clinic when a patient with multiple chronic conditions walked into the office.

The patient had seen several physicians at different institutions, but it was Dr. Heaner who changed her perspective. 

 Cardiology Professor Dr. John Holt

The Department is deeply saddened by the death of beloved cardiology professor John H. Holt, Jr., M.D. Dr. Holt served the Division of Cardiovascular Disease for nearly 60 years. He came to UAB as an NIH Cardiovascular Research fellow under the guidance of the legendary Tinsley R. Harrison, M.D. He joined the faculty in 1963.

Nicole L. Lohr, M.D., Ph.D., FACC

We are delighted that Nicole L. Lohr, M.D., Ph.D., FACC, will be the next Director of the Division of Cardiovascular Disease and Co-Director of the UAB Medicine Cardiovascular Institute (CVI), effective November 15, 2022.

Kenneth (Ken) Boockvar, M.D., M.S.

Kenneth (Ken) Boockvar, M.D., M.S., will serve as our next Director of the Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics and Palliative Care and Director, Integrative Center for Aging Research, effective December 1, 2022, pending Provost approval. Dr. Boockvar will also serve the Birmingham/Atlanta Geriatrics Research, Education, and Clinical Center as Core Investigator and leadership team member.