2/3/23
Letter From the Chair
 
Ruth O'Regan

We have much to celebrate and reflect
on this February.

The University invites you to embrace and participate in Black History Month as we honor the Black community's history and contributions. The Office of Equity and Inclusion has a new program, #LivetheSix, which was inspired by the Buffalo Bills "Choose Love" fundraising campaign. You can also sign up for the
21-Day Racial Equity Challenge, which begins on February 10.

Speaking of the Bills, I know many of us are deeply saddened that they aren't playing in the Super Bowl. At least we have the commercials to look forward to, including one focused on the many ways URMC advances care, research and education. Watch closely, because there are familiar faces in there.

We know the DOM is a large department and it can be difficult to truly get to know each other. I mentioned in our recent town hall meeting that we'll be organizing small group lunches for our faculty and leadership in the coming months. As we make those plans, your division chief will keep you posted on how to participate.

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

 
 
 
    Top Stories  
 
 
Valerie Lang Takes on New Medical Education Leadership Role
 

Valerie Lang, MD, MHPE, from Hospital Medicine, has been named associate chair for Medical Education Research & Scholarship. Her new role will support our faculty and APPs conducting research and other scholarly work. Lang is a highly regarded mentor and will work in this position to coordinate efforts at study design, grantsmanship, outcomes measurement, and dissemination for DOM scholars.

 
 
 
    Special Announcements  
 
 

Publication: Carlos Diaz-Balzac, MD, PhD, David Pillinger, MD, and Steven Wittlin, MD, all from Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, are co-authors of "Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusions: Closing the Loop," published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

Publication: Abigail Schubach, MD, MS, an Internal Medicine resident, Shivangi Kothari, MD, and Truptesh Kothari, MD, MS, both from Gastroenterology & Hepatology, are co-authors of "Pancreatic Cystic Neoplasms: Diagnosis and Management," published in Diagnostics.

Publication: Nicholas Love, MD, an Internal Medicine resident, Margaret Connolly, MD, Patrick Donohue, MD, both Pulmonary fellows, Sandy Khurana, MD, and Steve Georas, MD, both from Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, are authors of "The effects of a deep breathing maneuver on standard airwave oscillometry measurements," published in Respiratory Medicine and Research.

In the News: Allen Anandarajah, MBBS, from Allergy, Immunology & Rheumatology, authored the feature article "Educating the Clinician: Importance of Black Participation in Lupus Clinical Trials," published in Rheumatology Advisor.

In the News: Ajay Dhakal, MBBS, from Hematology / Oncology, is featured in the episode "Dr. Dhakal on the Evolution of Pertuzumab Regimens in HER2+ Breast Cancer," on OncLive TV.

 
 
 
    Department News  
 
 

UR Aging Institute (URAI) Offers Two Great Funding Opportunities

The URAI, division of Geriatrics & Aging, and the Finger Lakes Geriatric Education Center host the Geriatric Faculty Scholars Program. This grant is open to junior and mid-career SMD and SON faculty who wish to spearhead program development through geriatric education. Selected scholars will be awarded a $10,000 stipend. Applications are due March 6.

The URAI is also calling for proposals for pilot studies in aging. Any type of aging-related research is eligible for support: Wilmot Cancer Institute will co-sponsor one grant focused on cancer and aging, while URAI will sponsor two grants focused on other basic, translational, or clinical research topics. Details available in this flyer. Letters of intent are due March 13.
 

Submit an Abstract for the Finger Lakes Microbiome Symposium

This inaugural, student-led conference brings together the microbiome research communities of the Finger Lakes Region and surrounding areas, including academic institutions, medical centers, and industry. The symposium date is April 21, and will include keynote talks, career panels, oral/poster presentations, and networking sessions. Everyone is welcome to submit an abstract. The symposium is sponsored in part by the division of Allergy, Immunology & Rheumatology, who will be hosting one of the keynote speakers, Dr. Jose Scher from NYU, whose research focuses on microbiome in autoimmune disease and arthritis.

Abstract deadline: February 21
Registration deadline: March 21

 

Feasibility Assessment Can Tell You What It Will Take to Run Your Clinical Trial

The Office of Clinical Research has rolled out a new, free feasibility assessment for University scientists to evaluate what it will take to run a proposed clinical trial. The three-step process can help investigators and departments make informed decisions about which clinical trials to invest time and effort.

 
 
 
    Off the Clock  
 
 
Dylan Ruebeck, MD, from Highland Hospital, is an Ironman triathlete! He loves the challenge of triathlons, and for this race in Geneva, NY he swam 1.2 miles in beautiful Seneca Lake, biked for 56 miles, and ran 13.1 miles for a grand total of 70.3 miles. Dylan credits his colleagues Dan Persaud, MD and Kathleen McCullough, NP with convincing him to sign up for this particular race and giving him helpful advice during his training. Dylan is signed up for the next Ironman and we know he's going to rock it!
 
 
 
    Featured Tweet  
 
 
 
 
URMC Department of Medicine
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