2/18/22
 
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New Division Chief of Infectious Diseases
 
We are excited to announce the appointment of Paul Bohjanen, M.D., Ph.D., as division chief of Infectious Diseases. He will join us on May 1. Thank you to Michael Keefer, M.D., for serving so diligently as interim chief since 2018, and Ann Falsey, M.D., who served as interim chief from 2017-2018. (Note: article is on the URMC intranet, VPN connection required.)
 
 
 
    Top Stories  
 
 
New Bronchoscopy Robot Enhances Patient Care, Opens Doors for Collaborative Research
 
URMC has acquired new robotic technology from Ion that will make performing lung biopsies easier and more accurate. Michael Nead, M.D., Ph.D., and Aaron Lampkin, D.O., from the division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, are excited about the opportunities this new technology brings. (Note: article is on the URMC intranet, VPN connection required.)
 
 
 
Participate in the DOM Strategic Planning Survey
 
As part of the endeavor to create a multi-year strategic plan for the department, all DOM faculty, APPs, and staff are encouraged to voice their opinions and ideas in this initial survey. The deadline for submission is Friday, February 25. (Please note this survey is only for members of the department of Medicine.)
 
 
 
Call for Abstracts: Inaugural DEI & Healthcare Equity Symposium
 
The department of Medicine DEI group is hosting the symposium with guest speakers, plenary sessions, and a poster hall on May 24. They are currently accepting submissions for abstracts focused on the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment outcomes, or elimination of health disparities through community-based research. They plan to feature projects covering anti-racist clinical care, social determinants of health, LGBTQ+ care, and more. They are accepting completed work, work in progress, and concepts. Submissions are due by March 30.
 
 
 
    Special Announcements  
 
 

Achievements: Louis Papa, M.D., a primary care physician, is celebrating the start of his 18th season as cohost of Second Opinion with Joan Lunden. He is also celebrating his re-election to his 4th term as vice-chair of the New York State Board of Medicine, and his re-election as physician board member of Lifetime Healthcare Companies and chair of their health plan committee.

Perspective: William Novak, Jr., M.D., and Alec O’Connor, M.D., M.P.H., both from the division of Hospital Medicine, co-authored the article "Current Point of Care Ultrasound Use and Training Among Internal Medicine Residency Programs…" in the American Journal of Medicine.

Editorials: The February issue of the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association featured multiple articles co-authored by faculty from the division of Geriatrics & Aging.

Tim Holahan, D.O., contributed to "Building Trust in Post-Acute and Long-Term Care: Strategies for Sustainable Change."

Sarah Howd, M.D., contributed to "Reimagining Medical Care in Assisted Living."

Suzanne Gillespie, M.D., contributed to "Integrating Principles of Safety Culture and Just Culture into Nursing Homes: Lessons from the Pandemic."

Podcast: Kristen O’Dwyer, M.D., from the division of Hematology/Oncology, is a contributing editor for the American Society for Hematology and recently appeared on their podcast, "From Myth to Reality: Achieving a Second Remission in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia."

In the News: Recently retired primary care doctor Joel Shamaskin, M.D., offered words of wisdom on PBS NewsHour on living with an ALS diagnosis. Watch his interview, a "Brief but Spectacular Take on Living with ALS."

 
 
 
    Department News  
 
 

Help the UR CTSI Map Faculty Research Collaborations

UR CTSI Co-Directors Martin Zand, M.D., Ph.D., and Nancy Bennett, M.D., urge all faculty members to complete an online survey on research collaborations. The survey takes 10 minutes or less and will help us focus efforts to foster collaborative science and support emerging investigators and networks. Participants can request their results by contacting the Research Help Desk. Surveys need to be submitted by Tuesday, March 1, 2022.

 
 
 
    Off the Clock  
 
 
Look who I ran into! Both Ruth O'Regan, M.D., chair of Medicine, and Stephen Hammes, M.D., Ph.D., executive vice-chair of the department, frequent the Tennis Club of Rochester. Although they haven't actually played against each other, they see each other often. "TCR is my haven—a chance to forget about everything else in the world and just concentrate on hitting that little ball," said Hammes. "Steve and I frequently end up on courts beside each other and I can attest to the excellence of his tennis skills!" said O'Regan.
 
 
 
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