7/26/24
Letter From the Chair
 
Ruth O'Regan

The new academic year is well underway, and I would like to extend a warm welcome to all new residents and fellows. Our 48 interns (which includes Internal Medicine, Prelim IM, Neuro IM, and Medicine/Pediatrics) graduated from 30 medical schools in two countries, 15 states, and one US territory. Additionally, we are excited to have 41 new fellows across 13 specialties join us. I am delighted to have you all on our team, and am eager to see how we all progress together.

Another welcome to our newest faculty members! We've had 26 new additions from January to July, and expect another 30 to join by December.

I know everyone brings distinct experiences and insights to the table, which enhances our department as we grow with one another. Moving to a new academic medical center can be exciting and daunting. As you settle in, your DOM colleagues are ready to help you, just reach out!

Be well,
Ruth O'Regan, MD

 
 
 
    Top Stories  
 
 
Gracey to Lead DOM Education Efforts
 

Catherine Gracey, MD, from General Medicine, was named vice chair for Education. She is taking on the role previously held by Brett Robbins, MD, whom she thanks for leaving such a wonderful legacy. Looking forward to building community, she said "All people, especially learners, should feel accepted and celebrated.”

 
 
 
Celebrate Our Rising Faculty!
 

From January to June, 15 of our colleagues earned promotions. View the full list and join us in congratulating them on this significant milestone. Their achievements are a testament to their dedication to our Meliora values.

 
 
 
Home Exercise is Safe After
Pulmonary Embolism
 

Daniel Lachant, DO, from Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, led a preliminary clinical trial that shows early, at-home rehabilitation exercise programs are safe for patients recovering from pulmonary embolism. He hopes that these findings will make rehab more accessible and support health equity.

 
 
 
Best Hospital Rankings:
DOM Divisions Stand Out
 

US News & World Report released the results, with Strong Memorial Hospital maintains securing the #1 spot in Rochester and the entire state outside of New York City. Endocrinology ranked #42 nationally, and Gastroenterology and Pulmonary were rated "high performing." Ruth O'Regan, MD, said "We're proud to provide the highest quality care for our community and region. Our unwavering commitment to advancement supported the improvement in our performance."

 
 
 
    Special Announcements  
 
 

Honors: David Nagel, MD, PhD, from Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, was named a fellow of the American Thoracic Society, for significant contributions in the field.

Podcast: Mary Anne Morgan, MD, from Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, and fellow Shiv Patel, MD, are featured guests on PulmPEEPs medical education podcast: Fellows' Case Files.

Publication: Edward Walsh, MD, and Christopher Anderson, PhD, from Infectious Diseases, are co-authors of "Association of disease severity and genetic variation during primary Respiratory Syncytial Virus infections," published in BMC Medical Genomics.

Publication: Clare Park, DO, from Hospital Medicine, is co-author of "Hydralazine-Induced Visual and Auditory Hallucinations in a Kidney Transplant Patient: Case Report," published in the Journal of the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry. This is only the second published case of hallucinations due to hydralazine.

Publication: Paul Levy, MD, Mark Utell, MD, Daniel Croft, MD, MPH, from Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, and Sonal Munsiff, MD, from Infectious Diseases, are co-authors of "Tuberculosis screening for patients on biologic Medications: A Single-Center experience and Society guideline Review, Monroe County, New York, 2018–2021," published in the Journal of Clinical Tuberculosis and Other Mycobacterial Diseases.

Publication: Deepak Sahasrabudhe, MD, and Jane Liesveld, MD, from Hematology/Oncology, are co-authors of "In silico predicted compound targeting the IQGAP1-GRD domain selectively inhibits growth of human acute myeloid leukemia," published in Scientific Reports.

 
 
 
    Discover DEI  
 
 
The Pathways Subcommittee of the DOM DEI Council had a fantastic first year, hosting two successful events for learners from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine. Faculty and trainees hosted Mini Med School: All About Cancer for 5th and 6th graders in the Rochester Young Scientists Club. A Lunch & Learn session introduced UR Minority Association of Premedical Students (MAPS) to ultrasound fundamentals. To learn more or get involved, email Clare Park, DO, and Janice Cheong, MD. (Click the image for a slideshow of the events!)
 
 
 
    Research Roundup  
 
 

Internal Funding Opportunity: Early-Stage Clinical Investigator Program

Wilmot is hosting a new program for faculty members interested in building a career in therapeutic clinical trials in cancer. Participants are supported for one year at 20 percent effort under the mentorship of experienced researchers. This is open to assistant professor or senior instructor faculty members. Learn more here and apply by August 28.

 
 
 
    Featured Tweet  
 
 
 
 
URMC Department of Medicine
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