11/10/23
Letter From the Chair
 
Ruth O'Regan

As we gather around our tables filled with warmth and gratitude this Thanksgiving, I find myself reflecting on this incredible year. Leading this outstanding group is an honor and a privilege beyond measure. I am constantly reminded of the deep and wide array of experiences you all bring to the team, your dedication, your resilience, your collaboration. Thank you.

On a personal note, I am thankful for the people I have met since moving here, and all the friends I've made in Rochester. On Thanksgiving Day, I'll be cozy and comfy at home, watching football with Ray and Klinger the Kat.

I am eternally grateful for the privilege of working alongside the best department team imaginable. I wish you all a safe, joy-filled Thanksgiving filled with the warmth of family and friends. I hope that each of you find moments to reflect on gratitude, knowing that you in turn are a beacon of hope in the lives of those we serve.

Be well,
Ruth O'Regan, MD

*The Levy Letter is taking a Thanksgiving break and will return on December 1.

 
 
 
    Top Stories  
 
 
Gastroenterology Receives Donation from Pancreatic Cancer Association
of Western NY
 

Vivek Kaul, MD, has a long history of collaboration with the association, spurring efforts in clinical care and patient education/awareness. This generous donation will go to the pancreatic program at URMC led by Kaul. (Pictured L to R: Mary Ellen Smith, director of PACWNY, Mark Levstik, MD, division chief, Kaul, Mary Pettinaro, of both PACWNY and an admin at Wilmot, and Lynn Platt, of PACWNY.)

 
 
 
Infectious Diseases Dominates the Stage at ID Week in Boston
 

The annual conference draws experts from around the globe. URMC had a strong representation through moderating sessions and presenting many original posters. Presenters included several ID faculty, as well as Internal Medicine residents. (Pictured: Critical Care Fellow, Rodolfo Alpizar-Rivas, MD, earning an "award" at the ID Bug Bowl.)

 
 
 
Rapid Pace of Heart Transplants Helps Program Reach 350-Milestone
 

A stunning streak of 10 transplants in 20 days has our hearts racing. Leway Chen, MD, MPH, program director of Advanced Heart Failure, is optimistic that they will surpass 40 transplants in one year by the end of December. Pictured (from L to R) are Transplant Cardiologists Sabu Thomas, MD, Chen, and Jeffrey Alexis, MD. The team also includes Kushani Gajjar, MBBS, Anuradha Godishala, MD, Aditya Joshi, MD, Amanda Lloji, MD, and Mark Tallman, MD, all who played a part in these rapid-fire transplants.

 
 
 
    Special Announcements  
 
 

Grants: Allen Anandarajah, MBBS, from Allergy, Immunology & Rheumatology, received continued funding for the TIMELY Project: Training to Increase Minority Enrollment in Lupus Clinical Trials with Community Engagement. Read the American College of Rheumatology press release to learn more.

Honors: Jing (Jason) Wu, PhD, from Nephrology, co-chaired the Organizing Committee for the ASN Kidney Week Pre-Meeting: Basic Research Forum for Emerging Kidney Scientists.

Awards: Anitha Shrikhande, MD, MPH, from Allergy, Immunology & Rheumatology, received the John J. Condemi Award from Allergy Advocates New York for improving the life, health, and hope for individuals and families with life-threatening allergies through clinical treatment and new research.

Awards: Amit Dhamoon, MD, PhD, from Hospital Medicine, received the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation.

Publication: Sarah Howd, MD, from Geriatrics & Aging, is the author of "As Assisted Living Evolves, Medical Directors Can Have a Positive Impact," published in Caring
for the Ages.

Publication: Jenifer Pascoe, MD, Valerie Lang, MD, MHPE, and Amy Blatt, MD, all from Hospital Medicine, are co-authors of "Bias Reporting in the Clinical Learning Environment: A National Survey of Internal Medicine Clerkship Directors," published in Academic Medicine.

Publication: Ruth O’Regan, MD, is co-author of "Creating the High School Pipeline for Future Deaf Scientists in Academic Medicine," published in Academic Medicine.

 
 
 
    Discover DEI  
 
 
Get to know the DOM's Diversity, Inclusion, Culture & Equity (DICE) Board!

DEI Champion: Steven Scofield, MD

Division: General Medicine/Complex Care

Spotlight: When a specific disease is associated with stigma or stereotypes, health care providers have an opportunity to provide more than just medical care. Learn how Steven and GM are addressing these issues.

 
 
 
    Research Roundup  
 
 

Infectious Diseases Faculty Pilot Award Program

The Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Unit seeks submissions for a one-year Pilot Award. Up to two awards will be granted with a maximum of $50,000 per award. Proposed projects should focus on infectious diseases, such as respiratory or enteric pathogens, COVID, sexually transmitted diseases, or emerging infections. Initial abstracts of proposals are due Thursday, November 30.

 

UR Aging Institute Pilot Award Program

The UR Aging Institute is accepting applications for a Pilot Award in Aging Research. Proposed projects should focus on basic or clinical aging research topics. Up to two awards will be funded, for up to $50,000 each, for a one-year project. Collaborative projects are encouraged. Initial abstracts of proposals are due Monday, December 18.

 
 
 
    Department Bulletin Board  
 
 

Join the CTSI for the Final Equity-Focused Seminar

The final installment of this year's Equity-Focused Dissemination and Implementation Series is "Implementation Science Models, Methods, and Strategies for Meaningful Community Engagement in Co-Creation of Culturally Responsive Public Health Solutions." This virtual event is on Tuesday, November 14, from 4 to 5 p.m.
Add to Outlook

 
 
 
    Off the Clock  
 
 
Victoria Howard, PA, from Gastroenterology & Hepatology, takes big trips with a big family! In July, she visited Italy with her husband and four children, her parents, and her brother and his wife. (Vicki is on the right with two of her kids.) They spent two weeks there, traveling between Venice, Bologna, Florence, and Rome. One highlight of the trip was meeting her father's cousins who live in Italy. They got to know each other through FaceTime during the pandemic, and were delighted to finally meet in person. (Click the image to see it full-size.)
 
 
 
    Featured Tweet  
 
 
 
 
URMC Department of Medicine
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