June is a month for many opportunities to celebrate and reflect.

Pride Month is a time for the LGBTQ+ communities and their allies to celebrate the freedom to be themselves. During this time, we honor their voices and recognize their contributions. There have been many medical history makers who identify as LGBTQ+, and you can learn about them at URMC Celebrates. Everyone has the right to be their unique self, and we can all practice respecting one another and continuing to make UR Medicine a safe space for all.

This year marks the first time that Juneteenth is recognized as a University holiday after being recognized as a federal Holiday just last year. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when the last group of people who were enslaved in Texas were finally freed. The day has been celebrated by the Black community since then, but has only recently become recognized by dominant culture, as we strive for opportunity and equity for all.

What both of these celebrations have in common is progress. As President Barack Obama once said, "despite the most painful parts of our history, change is possible—and there is still so much work to do." While our society has come a long way, we continue to move the needle in the right direction through our advocacy and openness. When we can all embrace each other as fellow members of the human race, the world will be better for it.

Be well,
Ruth O'Regan, M.D.

Awards: Anita Ray, M.D., M.P.H., from Primary Care, has been honored with an SMD 2022 Mentoring Award. (Note: article in on the intranet, connection to VPN required.) She was recognized with the Trainee Academic Mentoring Award in Clinical Programs for her work with Med-Peds residents and direct programmatic health equity efforts.

Awards: Kaval Chhabra, M.Pharm., Ph.D., from the division of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, and Peng Yao, Ph.D., from the Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, have each earned a University Research Award. Chhabra for his project "Discovery of a glucoreceptor that is essential for glucose and energy homeostasis: novel target for treatment of diabetes and obesity," and Yao for his project "Development of Novel RNA-based Therapeutics for Heart Disease."

Editorial: Suzanne Gillespie, M.D., from the division of Geriatrics & Aging, was interviewed for the article "National Academies: US Nursing Home System Needs Fundamental Overhaul" published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Research: Jenny Shen, M.D., from the division of Hospital Medicine, Erika Ramsdale, M.D., from Hematology/Oncology, and Thomas Caprio, M.D., from Geriatrics & Aging, are authors of the article "Medications Associated With Geriatric Syndromes (MAGS) and Hospitalization Risk in Home Health Care Patients" published in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association.

Hospital Medicine APPs and Division Chief Win Board Excellence Awards

Justin Hopkin, M.D., division chief of Hospital Medicine, and the Hospital Medicine APPs, have earned Board Excellence awards! (Note: article is on the intranet, connection to VPN required.)

Hopkin earned an individual award thanks to his leadership style that gives everyone a voice. He has increased research projects, grant projects, and awards within the division. He is always an example of our ICARE values.

The Hospital Medicine APPs, a group of more than 50 nurse practitioners and physician assistants, earned a team awards thanks to their steadfast work on the front lines during the pandemic. They spearheaded several projects, such as matching visiting FEMA physicians with an experienced APP and optimizing patient flow.

Wilmot Cancer Institute Seminar Series – Today, June 10 at 12 pm

Join visiting scholar Michael R. DeBaun, M.D., M.P.H., professor of Pediatrics & Medicine from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine for his lecture "When Students and Adults with Sickle Cell Disease Stop Learning in School and the Workplace." Attend via zoom here.