by John I. Kennedy, Jr., MD, DOM Senior Advisor & Director for Wellness
We have a disease. It is highly contagious. Although it has afflicted millions of people, we still do not fully understand how it is spread. The severity of the illness is highly variable, as are the specific symptoms and duration of acute episodes. It can produce irreparable injury, and sometimes it leads to death. In its sinister nature, it has the capacity to mimic Salmonella typhi or Mycobacterium tuberculosis, hiding quietly in the primary host while leaping out to inhabit others, creating outbreaks and terror among the people. Read more here.
More Good News for June 3, 2020
Jessy Deshane, PhD (Associate Professor, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care) and fellow Kayla Goliwas, PhD, are studying the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on lung cells. Through engineered 3D human-tissue models, they hope to better understand the progression of the disease and evaluate potential therapies.
As leader of the Special Populations branch of the Jefferson County Department of Health, Ellen Eaton, MD (Assistant Professor, Infectious Diseases) is working to make sure that the unique needs of African Americans, the homeless, those with limited English, the disabled and the LGBTQ community are being met during the COVID-19 pandemic
MPH (Professor, Infectious Diseases) has received an RO1 to evaluate promising antigens that may advance chlamydia vaccine development. He hopes the study may lead to a Phase 1 trial, and ultimately to a vaccine that protects women from this infection and its adverse reproductive consequences.
Vera Bittner, MD, MPH (Professor, Cardiovascular Disease) has been named Editor-in-Chief for the American College of Cardiology. This is outstanding recognition of her work and national stature, and it shines a wonderful spotlight on our UAB Cardiovascular Disease Division! Congrats, Dr. Bittner!
It is with a grateful heart we say farewell to our amazing Internal Medicine Chief Residents. We are eager to see what the future holds for each of them as they depart to make a difference in many lives.