UAB's Comprehensive Transplant Institute has assumed responsibility for clinical operations related to heart, kidney, liver, lung, and pancreas transplantation. Under the directorship of Robert S. Gaston, MD (Nephrology) and co-directorship of Devin E. Eckhoff, MD (Surgery) and Charles W. Hoopes, MD (Surgery), the CTI will integrate physician and administrative leadership in solid organ transplantation to achieve its goals of delivering outstanding care, promoting research in transplantation and immunology, and training the next generation of transplant leaders. Read the full story here.
In order to increase ICU patients’ early mobility, the UAB Care ICU Quality Team recommended that bed rest should be ordered more selectively and only used for patients with certain clinical indications. The new bed rest order was implemented mid-June. This measure is a result of focused attention on PAD (pain, agitation, and delirium) critical care guidelines championed by Steve Stigler, MD (Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine) and the ongoing research of the Geriatric Scholars in Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care.
In order to increase ICU patients’ early mobility, the UAB Care ICU Quality Team recommended that bed rest should be ordered more selectively and only used for patients with certain clinical indications. The new bed rest order was implemented mid-June. This measure is a result of focused attention on PAD (pain, agitation, and delirium) critical care guidelines championed by Steve Stigler, MD (Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine) and the ongoing research of the Geriatric Scholars in Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care.
UAB investigators (from Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine) Mark Dransfield, MD, and Surya Bhatt, MD, are taking part in a nationwide study, examining whether one-way endobronchial valves help improve lung function in patients with severe emphysema. Thus far, four patients have undergone the experimental procedure. Read the full story here.
In a recent paper published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, researchers from Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology provided insight into factors that inhibit apoptotic cell clearance and promote the development of lupus erythematosus. John Mountz, MD; Hui-Chen Hsu, PhD; and Hao Li, PhD, found that the location of immune system B cells is a key difference between healthy animals and those that develop autoimmune disease. The wrong location leads to macrophage cells that become too stiff to engulf and digest dead cells. Read the UAB article here. Read the paper here.
Chad Steele, Ph.D. (Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine) was recently appointed Assistant Dean of Research Administration in the School of Medicine where he will implement a new onboarding platform for new research-centric faculty. The new position will focus on creating a more seamless transition for new investigators, orienting them to training requirements and regulatory compliance, information on infrastructure, and aiding in grants, contracts and materials transfer. If you have ideas you’d like to contribute to this new effort, please email him with your input.
UAB Benevolent Fund is building its second house with Habitat for Humanity this fall. The School of Medicine is scheduled to volunteer on the first weekend of the build—Friday, September 18, and Saturday, September 19. Saturday morning is now filled, but you can still participate on Friday and Saturday afternoon. Shifts are four hours each. Space is limited, so be sure to register before Wednesday, August 12.
Coming Next Week: Eric Wallace, MD, Assistant Professor in the UAB Division of Nephrology will present Telemedicine in Alabama: Building the Network from Patient to Physician to Improve Access.
View this week's slides here.Do you have Good News to share? If so, please email the Department of Medicine's Director of Communications, Carolyn Walsh.