The Staging Transition for Every Patient (STEP) Program begins next week as a collaboration between Children’s of Alabama and UAB. The program will help adolescent patients with chronic and complex childhood medical conditions transition to adult health care. Medical Director Carlie Stein, MD (Assistant Professor, General Internal Medicine) explains that many conditions that were previously associated with shortened lifespans now have increased life expectancy due to treatment advances. The program will help these patients foster independence as they take over responsibility for health-related concerns from a parent or caregiver.
More Good News for August 26, 2020
Kelly Hyndman, PhD (Assistant Professor, Nephrology) and colleagues have confirmed that histone deacetylase enzymes are critical for promoting salt reabsorption and water excretion. Their findings, published in JCI Insight, have important implications for cancer treatments that inhibit HDAC activity.
Ravi Jariwala, MD (PGY-3) has received the prestigious AASLD Emerging Liver Scholars Award in recognition of his outstanding work in Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia (GAVE) projects at UAB. The award is given to promote the study of hepatology among residents who may choose the specialty as their career focus. Kudos, Dr. Jariwala!
Grant Williams, MD, (Assistant Professor, Hematology/Oncology) and colleagues note that while current oncology guidelines recommend a geriatric assessment when older patients begin chemotherapy, only a third of community cancer practices have access to a geriatrician, suggesting that new models of care are needed for this vulnerable population.
Ken Saag, MD, MSc (Professor and Director, Clinical Immunology & Rheumatology) and colleagues have published findings on the feasibility of using tracking devices to measure changes in physical activity patterns, which could, in turn, indicate the occurrence and duration of gout flares.
Win Williams, MD (Assistant Professor, General Internal Medicine) recently co-authored a report in the Journal of Academic Medicine. The analysis reveals clinical reasoning, knowledge application, record keeping, and presentation skills are the best predictors of receiving a recommendation for clinical honors.
In case you missed the 67-foot high digital ‘thank you’ images that were projected onto the exterior of the Quarterback Tower, you can check out theses images, courtesy of Joe Songer/AL.com. We loved all the messages in support of our medical professionals who are still going above and beyond in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lou Bridges, MD, PhD (Professor and Former Director, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology) reflects on lessons he's learned over his 32 years of training and service at UAB. Along the way, he's been shaped by the advice of friends and colleagues who have inspired and supported his well-being in a fruitful and rewarding career.