The Department was thrilled to celebrate the next generation of innovative scientists at the 34th Annual Department of Medicine Trainee Research Symposium last week. 96 posters were entered in the abstract competition, and we extend our sincere thanks to everyone who mentors and supports the outstanding graduate students, post-doctoral scholars, residents, and fellows across our department. We also heartily congratulate our first-place finalists!
• Qing Zhao, PhD (Postdoctoral Scholar, Gastroenterology and Hepatology) “Metabolic inhibition of microbiota-reactive CD4 T cells for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases”
• Nirav Patel, MD (Fellow, Cardiovascular Disease) “Trends and Cost of Orthotopic Heart Transplantation and Left Ventricular Assist Devices: Impact of Medicare and Medicaid Cuts on End-Stage Heart Failure Landscape”
• Courtney Fernandez Petty (Graduate Student) “PAAG Improves Mucus Transport in CF Rats”
• James Hollier, MD (Resident) “Identifying predictors for colorectal cancer in patients with incomplete colonoscopy screening”
More Good News for March 14, 2018
One of the nurses in UAB's High Risk OB Clinic was referred to the Interventional Pulmonology & Pleural Disease Program after an annual physical revealed spots on both her lungs. In a single bronchoscopy procedure, UAB physicians were able to biopsy her lymph nodes as well as locate and biopsy both spots, determining they were two separate and curable stage-one cancers, and allowing for timely treatment. Program Director Hitesh Batra, MD (Assistant Professor) was highlighted in a video report which can be found on the UABmedicine.org site and YouTube.
Steve Rowe, MD, MSPH (Professor, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care) conducted landmark research that combination drugs (CFTR modulators) improve lung function for people with CF (as reported in The New England Journal of Medicine). This exciting breakthrough is celebrated in the first UAB SOM "Featured Discovery." Congratulations, Steve! Learn more about the SOM Featured Discovery initiative that celebrates the impressive science that takes place here every day, and nominate others for this honor.
Jennifer Pollock, PhD (Professor, Nephrology) has received an NIDDK award for a T-32 PRedoctoral Interdisciplinary Training in Renal Physiology and MEdicine (PRIME). The program will help graduate students develop the tools and skills necessary to advance kidney disease research and be life-long kidney researchers.
Michael Barnett, MD, MS (Assistant Professor, Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care) and Christian Smith, MPA (Director of Development, Department of Medicine) have developed and edited a tremendous new resource for cultivating philanthropy in palliative medicine which has been published on the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine web site.
The Department is deeply saddened by the loss of a wonderful physician and UAB colleague, Dr. Bill O’Byrne. The family has requested memorials be made to the 1917 Clinic. Read the beautiful tribute to his life and impact.
Coming next week to Medical Grand Rounds: Troyen Brennan, MD, MPH, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of CVS Health, will present, “What Do Long-Term Trends in U.S. Healthcare Financing Tell Us about Future Reforms?” at Medical Grand Rounds at noon on Wednesday, March 21, in the Margaret Cameron Spain Auditorium.
Announcements:
Trust and Trustworthiness in Genetic and Genomic Research: Barriers to Participation will take place Friday, March 16, in Medical Towers Room 634, from 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Come hear an outstanding panel of speakers, including Dr. Stephen Olufemi Sodeke, bioethics expert from Tuskegee University, as they discuss special challenges in population-based genetic and genomic research and the critical role trust plays in ensuring equitable and ethical inclusion of a broad community of participants
The Center for Palliative and Supportive Care invites innovative research proposals highlighting palliative and supportive care for the 2018 PREP Awards. The award(s) will support research in the area of nutrition as it relates to palliative, supportive, or survivorship care; or nutrition as it relates to cancer. Letters of interest are due no later than Friday, March 23.
The Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging invites you to its 2018 Healthy Aging Symposium. The event will be held from 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 26, at the UAB Hill Student Center. The symposium is open to all UAB and community participants interested in any aspect of aging research, from basic science, to clinical and community outreach initiatives. Abstract submission and registration details are online.
Save the Dates for RIME! This year’s Research and Innovations in Medical Education symposium will be September 12-13, 2018. Mark your calendars now for faculty and fellows workshops and an exciting keynote from General Charles Krulak, Past President of Birmingham Southern College.