Happy New Year to all! As we dive into 2024, I am pleased to announce a significant milestone for our department: the introduction of the multi-year Strategic Plan is near completion. This carefully crafted document is the culmination of the collective efforts of your leaders and colleagues. The plan will serve as a roadmap to chart the course for our journey ahead.

Mark your calendars for February 12 and March 11 for two vital Town Hall meetings to learn about the Strategic Plan. We will explore our mission and vision and do a deep dive into the five Strategic Pillars, or priority areas. Each pillar has its own set of strategic priorities, developed to address our evolving needs and guide growth and innovation.

I encourage each of you to attend these Town Halls. Not only will they be informative of what the plan contains, it is your opportunity to actively engage with us and participate in shaping our future. I am personally invested in not only the success of our department, but the well-being of every single member of the DOM.

See you at the Town Halls!

Be well,
Ruth O'Regan, MD

Appointment: Vivek Kaul, MD, from Gastroenterology & Hepatology, was elected as secretary general of the World Gastroenterology Organization. Read the news here.

Publication: Jennifer Readlynn, MD, and Jennifer Zagursky, MD, both from Hospital Medicine, are co-authors of "Gridlock in Hospital Medicine," published in the Journal of Hospital Medicine.

Publication: Theresa Bingemann, MD, from Allergy, Immunology & Rheumatology, is co-author of "Allergist-Reported Diagnosis and Management of Adult Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome," published in Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

Publication: Gahyun Gim, MD, a fellow, and Nabeel Badri, MBChB, both from Hematology/Oncology, are authors of "Challenges and opportunities for treating intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: targeted therapy," published in Hepatoma Research.

In the News: Annie Medina-Walpole, MD, chief of Geriatrics & Aging, is an expert guest on "Check Your Health Podcast with University of Rochester," in an episode discussing geriatric expertise and clinical care to older adults in the Rochester area.

In the News: Daniel Croft, MD, MPH, from Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, is highlighted in the NY Quitline Success Stories for helping Mary go smoke-free.

Give DOM A Boost Before US News/Doximity Voting Opens

Most DOM clinical faculty are already registered on Doximity, the only place where physicians can vote in the annual US News & World Report Best Hospitals survey. As we head into voting season (typically February through March), adding colleagues to your network can help boost URMC's reputation. When you update your profile, or are mentioned in a publication, everyone in your network will receive an update. The more connections you have, the more people will see URMC/Strong Memorial Hospital and think of us come voting time. All faculty are encouraged to connect with former classmates, physicians you've trained with, and other colleagues: it could help your division improve its reputation score in the annual rankings!

Learn about Doximity, how to set up your profile, and how to grow your network.

The categories that US News ranks that are DOM related: Cancer, Heart & Heart Surgery, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Geriatric Care, Nephrology, and Pulmonary.

Deadline Approaching: 2024 University Research Awards

Applications are still open to receive funding that will support the development of new, innovative research projects starting this summer. Projects may cover any areas represented within the University. Review the proposal and application process here. The submission deadline is Wednesday, January 31.

Funds up to $50,000 are available to investigate how environmental factors influence health. Research that addresses climate change and health, environmental justice, how environmental factors influence health and disease over the lifespan, and factors in food, water, and air that modulate health are of interest. Co-sponsored by the NIEHS Environmental Health Sciences Center and UR Institute of Human Health and the Environment, preliminary proposals are due on Tuesday, February 13 and full proposals are due on Wednesday, March 27. See the detailed application for more information.