Jim Johnson, MD, is able to listen to patients remotely via high-performance electronic stethoscope.Thanks to the new Tele-ICU initiative led by Steve Stigler, MD (Assistant Professor) and Jim Johnson, MD (Professor) in Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care, patients in the Intensive Care Unit at Vaughan Regional Medical Center in Selma can be remotely monitored and treated by UAB physicians. Using a secure internet connection and digital diagnostic tools such as the electronic stethoscope, UAB pulmonologists will operate the Tele-ICU service 24/7. They will also train Vaughan’s family medicine residents in critical care medicine. The telemedicine approach is an exciting new means of patient care that is advantageous both for patients and health care providers.
More Good News for July 11, 2018
Anath Shalev, MD (Professor of Medicine and Director, Comprehensive Diabetes Center) and team led a clinical trial that found the blood pressure drug verapamil enables patients to produce higher levels of their own insulin, limiting their need for insulin injections to manage their blood sugar levels. The study published in Nature Medicine demonstrates this cutting-edge therapy improves individuals’ blood sugar control and overall quality of life. Congrats to Dr. Shalev and her team!
The Geriatrics Clinic at Highlands successfully implemented a Patient Experience charter project that dramatically improved their CGCAHPS scores. Working in partnership with the UAB Office of Patient Experience, the clinic team focused on two specific areas: medication education and physician communication. This team approach has not only improved patient satisfaction, but has also boosted morale across the clinic. Hats off to this terrific health care team!
We are proud to announce that Cynthia Brown, MD, MSPH (Professor and Director, Gerontology, Geriatrics and Palliative Care) has been elected to Fellowship in the American College of Physicians, reflecting Dr. Brown’s commitment and accomplishments within the internal medicine community. Congratulations, Dr. Brown!
Kenneth G. Saag, MD, MSc (Professor, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology) has been awarded an NIAMS R21 for his grant entitled “ReduCing Immunogenicity to PegloticasE (RECIPE).” RECIPE will investigate ways to prevent immunogenicity in patients using pegloticase to treat gout.
Jianming “James” Tang, PhD (Professor, Infectious Diseases) has received an NIH/NIA R21 Grant entitled “Immunologic Health in Aging Persons Living with HIV.” This new research will focus on the disparity between biological age and chronological age in persons living with HIV and on the dynamics of immune protection against recurrent herpes zoster.
Announcements:
- Register now for the Update in Infectious Diseases, set for Friday, August 24, at The Florentine Building in Downtown Birmingham.
- The Women in Medicine Lecture will be held on August 2 at 4:00 p.m. in BDB 334. Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, MPH (Professor and Director) and Jodie Dionne-Odom, MD (Assistant Professor) in Infectious Diseases will share perspectives and insights that will make for a great discussion.
- Register now for the 2018 Update in Gastroenterology and Hepatology. This year’s conference will take place Friday and Saturday, September 7 and 8, at the Hyatt Regency Birmingham (The Wynfrey Hotel).
- Are you a junior faculty member with an interest in research related to aging? If so, you should take part in a one-hour Workshop on Hospital-Related Disability on Wednesday, July 25, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. in the West Pavilion Conference Center Room D. For more information, contact Dr. Christy Carter.
- Sign up for the 5th Annual Heart+Sole 5K and Fun Run benefitting the Equal Access Birmingham (EAB) Clinic and sponsored by the Department of Medicine, will take place on August 18, 2018. EAB is a free clinic run by medical students which provides health care and education to Birmingham’s homeless and uninsured population.