6/21/24
Letter From the Chair
 
Ruth O'Regan

June is a significant month as we commemorate Juneteenth and Pride. Even though Juneteenth just passed, its spirit and ideals—strength, resilience, and diversity—continue. These values are woven into the very being of our communities: the DOM, the medical center, our families, and the greater Rochester region.

Reflecting on Juneteenth reminds us of the historical struggles and achievements of the African American and Black communities. It's a powerful reminder of the ongoing journey toward equality and justice for all. As Coretta Scott King said: "Struggle is a never-ending process. Freedom is never really won. You earn it and win it in every generation."

We also honor and support our LGBTQ+ colleagues, friends, and family, celebrating the progress made and reaffirm our commitment to an inclusive and welcoming environment. We are all invited to march with the University of Rochester in the city's Pride Parade on Saturday, July 20, and join the lively festival. What a great opportunity to come together!

Thank you all for your ongoing dedication to these important causes.

Be well,
Ruth O'Regan, MD

*The Levy Letter will pause for the July 4 holiday and will return on July 12.

 
 
 
    Top Stories  
 
 
DOM Takes Center Stage at Endo 2024: Hammes Gives Presidential Address
 

Fellows, residents, and faculty from Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism presented their work at this international conference. Division chief Stephen Hammes, MD, PhD, has served as president of the Endo Society this past year. He said, "What a great year, capped by an awesome meeting that I got to share with our wonderful URMC colleagues
and friends."

 
 
 
Hospital Medicine Members Receive Board Team Excellence Award
 

Congratulations to Acute Med 7-3600 for their recognition! Members include Debra Ogie, MD, (unit medical director), Jimmy Mullally, MD, Laurie Patanella, MD, Sarmad Siddiqui, MBBS, Daniel Whitman, MD, Julia Trumbo, MD, Mary Alice Terboss, NP, James Dooher, NP, Whitney Kugler, NP, and Kathy Brennan, NP.

 
 
 
    Special Announcements  
 
 

Publication: Jodi Lipof, MD, and Brea Lipe, MD, from Hematology/Oncology, are co-authors of "Personalized Treatment of Multiple Myeloma in Frail Patients," published in Current Oncology Reports.

Publication: Valerie Lang, MD, MHPE, from Hospital Medicine, and Christopher Mooney, PhD, MPH, from General Medicine, are co-authors of "Applying a Competency-Based Medical Education Framework to Development of Residents' Feedback Skills," published in Academic Psychiatry.

Publication: Sindhu Kadambi, MD, MS, and Melissa Loh, BMedSci, MBBCh, from Hematology/Oncology, are co-authors of "Communication between Caregivers of Adults with Cancer and Healthcare Professionals: a Review of Communication Experiences, Associated Factors, Outcomes, and Interventions," published in
Current Oncology Reports.

In the News: Daniel Croft, MD, MPH, from Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, delivered the Clinical Year in Review talk about tobacco abstinence at the American Thoracic Society conference. Read up on what his studies have shown.

 
 
 
    Research Roundup  
 
 

Unlock Research Resources and Opportunities With Our New DOM Website

You can now easily access funding information, connect with our research team, and find valuable resources and tools to support your projects on one, centralized site. You'll also stay updated on our latest news and events, and find support for trainees in medicine and scientific research. This site is carefully curated by the Research Leadership Team: Laura Calvi, MD, Valentina Kutyifa, MD, and Stefanie Fingler, MBA. Visit Department of Medicine: Research now!

 

Kari Steinmetz Takes on New Role as Assistant Director of Clinical Trials

In addition to her role as Senior Clinical Research Manager for the Infectious Disease Research Clinic, she will now oversee clinical trials across all DOM divisions. She aims to strengthen infrastructure, improve compliance, increase accruals and diversity, and expand research across the lifespan. She will identify workflow improvements and provide leadership to managers, coordinators, and regulatory specialists. If you reach out, please be mindful that she will be balancing her responsibilities with dual roles.

 
 
 
    Off the Clock  
 
 
Neil Scheier, MD, a locum tenens Primary Care physician, recently traveled to Cucuta, Colombia, to deliver care to Venezuelan refugees in the Andean Mountains. He volunteers through MedGlobal. "We trekked by foot up these dusty, pitted roads – several of the communities we set up in have no electricity and no water – and met a grateful population who needed care," Scheier said. This was his "exam room," and they had a pharmacy of donated medications. Thanks to a fellow volunteer bringing their Butterfly POCUS device, they were able to tell a young woman she was pregnant with a girl!
 
 
 
    Featured Tweet  
 
 
 
 
URMC Department of Medicine
The Levy Letter is always looking to learn about good things happening here!
Email us with your ideas.