Front L to R: Ashley Vorenkamp, Lauren Pacheco, and Stacey Watkins. Back L to R: Eduardo Mulanovich and Jeremey Walker (CMR). Not pictured: Madeline Eckenrode.The Learning Communities Program honored Internal Medicine residents Madeline Eckenrode, MD, Eduardo Mulanovich, MD, Lauren Pacheco, MD, Ashley Vorenkamp, MD, Jeremey Walker, MD (CMR), and Stacey Watkins, MD, who served as housestaff mentors in the Program over the past year. The Learning Communities Program is a four-year course with a focus on professionalism, wellness, and ethics. It was one of several efforts that resulted in an improvement in the percentage of students who were satisfied with the overall quality of their medical education last year!
More Good News for July 25, 2018
Michael Saag, MD (Professor and Director, UAB Center for AIDS Research) was lead author on an article in JAMA updating recommendations for the treatment and prevention of HIV infection in adults. Findings indicate that continued advances in the development of antiretroviral drugs for HIV prevention and treatment are contributing to improved clinical management and outcomes for individuals at-risk for or living with HIV. Michael Magavero, MD,MHSc (Professor, Infectious Diseases) also contributed to the article.
The Left Ventricular Assist Device Team led by Salpy Pamboukian, MD (Professor, Cardiovascular Disease) received kudos from a recent LVAD recipient. The grateful patient shared a letter of thanks for the team whose “caring compassion” and “gold standard for medical care” made his experience such a positive one.
Jessy Deshane, PhD (Associate Professor, Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care) has published two studies on chronic airway inflammation. “Exosomal transfer of mitochondria from airway myeloid-derived regulatory cells to T cells” was published in Redox Biology, and “Unique Lipid Signatures of Extracellular Vesicles from the Airways of Asthmatics” was published in Scientific Reports. Great job, Dr. Deshane!
Stefan Kertesz, MD (Associate Professor, Preventive Medicine) has been invited to present at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Roundtable. “Pain and Symptom Management for People with Serious Illness in the Context of the Opioid Epidemic“ will be the topic of discussion.
Congratulations to our July Employee of the Month, Sherron Thornton (Administrative Associate, Hematology and Oncology). Sherron has been with the Division for many years and is a valued member of the team. Sherron has it all—the smile, hard work, patience and the willingness to help coworkers, faculty, staff and patients alike. Sherron makes the working environment better by being a key part of it!
Amitkumar N. Mehta, MD (Assistant Professor) and Luciano J. Costa, MD (Associate Professor) in Hematology and Oncology led a panel discussion of the risks and benefits of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. This type of adoptive cell transfer appears to be closest to producing an FDA-approved cancer treatment.
Announcements:
- CCTS Open House is scheduled for August 1, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., in PCAMS. Come for hors d'oeuvres and an outstanding opportunity to have fun while learning about our many initiatives in support of clinical and translational science.
- 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.
- RIME Call for Abstracts: The 8th Annual Research and Innovations in Medical Education (RIME) Week celebrating excellence in medical education will be held September 12-13, 2018. An Abstract Poster Presentation for fellows and faculty will enhance your teaching effectiveness. Call for Abstracts submission deadline is Friday August 7, 2018.
- 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.
- Register now for the Update in Infectious Diseases, set for Friday, August 24, at The Florentine Building in Downtown Birmingham.
- 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).