The Department of Medicine has awarded four faculty members the Walter B. Frommeyer, Jr., Fellowship in Investigative Medicine: Pankaj Arora, MD (Cardiovascular Disease), Latesha Elopre, MD (Infectious Diseases) Nathan Erdmann, MD, PhD (Infectious Diseases), and Sunad Rangarajan, MD (Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care). The award will support a two-year intensive, mentored research experience designed to foster the development of independent physician-scientists.

The Tinsley Harrison Internal Medicine Residency Program recently hosted its annual Legacy Dinner for rising third year residents. The traditional gathering celebrates the achievements of their first two years in the program and honors the memory of the legendary teacher of medicine, Tinsley R. Harrison, MD, for whom the program is named.

2014-2015 Teaching Excellence Awards have been given to 25 DOM faculty members with the highest overall teaching effectiveness scores from residents and students. Five of these outstanding clinician-educators are Stuart Frank, MD (Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism) Ashita Tolwani, MD (Nephrology) Nick Van Wagoner, MD (Infectious Diseases) Mike Wells, MD (Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care) Gaurav Jain, MD (Nephrology). We will share five more names next week.

Massoud Leesar, MD (Cardiovascular Disease) implanted a patient with the a dissolving heart stent for the first time in Alabama. The bioresorbable stent is a major advance in the treatment of coronary heart disease, allowing the artery to pulse and flex naturally, potentially reducing the risk of future blockages that occur with metal stents.

Ganash Halade, PhD (Cardiovascular Disease) has received an RO-1 grant from the NHLBI. “Resolution of Inflammation in Heart Failure Post-Myocardial Infarction” will investigate whether a new specialized bioactive molecule that clears overactive immune cell populations after heart attack can resolve inflammation and reduce heart damage.

Julie Locher, PhD (Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care) has received the M. Powell Lawton Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to applied gerontological research benefitting older people and their care. The award will be presented at the Gerontological Society of America Annual Scientific Meeting in September.

Suzanne Oparil, MD, FACC, FAHA, FASH, FAPS (Cardiovascular Disease) has been inducted into the Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame Class of 2016 in recognition of her contributions to healthcare throughout the state.

Jim Raper, DNS (Infectious Diseases) served as a panelist on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services update of Antiretroviral Guidelines for HIV-1-Infected Adults and Adolescents.

Medical Grand Rounds is on summer hiatus until September 7.