The Levy Letter

3/18/22

Women's History Month Spotlight: Valentina Kutyifa

Valentina Kutyifa, M.D., Ph.D., the DOM vice-chair for Clinical Research, is passionate about mentoring the next generation of physician-scientists. As an electrophysiologist, she is one of few women in her field, and has dedicated her career to mentoring women and men in this subspecialty.



		Top Stories

Thu Le Named Vice-Chair of AHA KCVD Council

The division chief of Nephrology has been named vice-chair of the American Heart Association's Council on the Kidney in Cardiovascular Disease. Le will assume the role in July 2022 and will promote research and advocacy efforts in the field.

"Immune Distraction" from Previous Colds Leads to Worse COVID Infections

Martin Zand, M.D., Ph.D., professor of Nephrology and co-director of the UR CTSI, led this research published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases. Watch this video on Twitter to hear Zand discuss what this means for vaccination efforts.



		Special Announcements

Research: Kristen O'Dwyer, M.D., from the division of Hematology/Oncology, is an author on this original report on a Phase II Trial of Blinatumomab in Older Patients with B-ALL in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. She also served as national co-PI of the trial.

Editorial: Chair of Medicine, Ruth O'Regan, M.D., co-authored an article on "Improving Outcomes for High-Risk Hormone Receptor–Positive Breast Cancer with CDK Inhibition" in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The article raises questions about how tumor biology can impact treatment options.

Research Letter: Alec O'Connor, M.D., M.P.H., from the division of Hospital Medicine, is an author of this letter, "Prevalence and Sources of Mistreatment Experienced by Internal Medicine Residents," in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Media: Louis Papa, M.D., a primary care physician, and Ted Louie, M.D., from the division of Infectious Diseases, appeared on a full episode of Second Opinion with Joan Lunden to discuss the dangers of antibiotic resistance. (Episode will not load while connected to VPN.)



		Department News

Our Calling: Arpan’s Story

What drives you? URMC asked people to share their stories of why they picked careers in health care and how they keep going when things get hard. Arpan Patel, M.D., from the division of Hematology/Oncology, says "The key to happiness is the human experience and the human connection." Listen to his story at Our Calling: Stories from Behind the Masks.

LAST CALL for UR CTSI Research Collaboration Survey

The deadline has been extended and today (March 18) is the last day to submit a response. This short survey 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. You can take the survey here.

Faculty Reminder: Doximity Voting Due March 25

Voting for U.S. News & World Report for Best Hospitals ranking is underway. Faculty with Doximity accounts should have received an email invitation to submit their nominations. If you have not received or misplaced that email, you can still visit Doximity and click on "U.S. News Best Hospital Nominations."



		Off the Clock

Mary Cantin, M.D., from the division of Hospital Medicine, is an accomplished Irish Dancer. She started at four years old, and has competed nationally and internationally. In 2007, she and her sister formed the Goodwin Academy of Irish Dance, named after their mother, who is from Galway, Ireland. Here she is pictured with some of her students. This April, Cantin will travel to Belfast in Ireland with five of her students, who are competing in the World Championships of Irish Dance!



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