The CDC awarded a $6 million grant to two VCU researchers who will co-lead a project to identify strategies that prevent and decrease rates of youth violence: Terri Sullivan, Ph.D., professor in the Dept. of Psychology, and Nicholas Thomson, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Dept. of Surgery and director of research at VCU Health's Injury and Violence Prevention Program. The grant is one of only five awarded nationally and designates VCU as one of the CDC's Youth Violence Prevention Centers. As part of the Grant, VCU will work in partnership with Richmond Public Schools, the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority, and the mayor's office. Read more about the grant here.

Congratulations to all involved on this incredible achievement!

Congratulations to the Hume-Lee Transplant Center for receiving a grant from the Richard S. Reynolds Foundation! The $350k grant supports three research projects, seed funding, and creates the Gupta-Levy Transplant Research Initiative, named for transplant physicians Gaurav Gupta, MD and Marlon Levy, MD.

Check out the Hume-Lee Transplant Center's new video where they ask and answer questions about their Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis Program, as well as the compassion, science and team behind it.

Congratuations to Devon Freudenberger, MD and Vignesh Vudatha, MD for being selected to receive an AACR Student and Early Career Investigator Scholarship (SECIS) for the 14th AACR Conference on The Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved, that was held from October 6-8, 2021!

Congratulations to Daniel Luppens, MD and Beth McGuire, Clinical Coordinator with the Division of Plastic Surgery for their STAR Service Award! They went above and beyond to help a patient who was having car trouble following her appointment to ensure she made it home safely.

For Ryan Fairley, DO, becoming a specialist in weight-loss surgery was the path he chose to see truly visible, life-changing improvements in his patients. “VCU Health struck my interest to be a part of a larger institute with the resources to make a significant impact in the local community and the state,” says Dr. Fairley, who hails from western Nebraska and takes pride in bringing to Virginia his small town Midwestern values and hard work ethic. “The reputation of the health system speaks for itself. I am excited to help people with obesity achieve their goals, improve their overall health, and prolong their life.” Learn more about Dr. Fairley below!

View Dr. Chong's CBS 6 segment on breast reconstruction, which aired on October 21.

The American Urological Association is assembling a Practice Administrators Workgroup and has invited Tiny Cary, Associate Administrator for Urology to join. The goals of the group include advising the AUA on the evolving needs of practice professionals and identifying resources and education needed to optimize business operations.

Thank you for helping the AUA better understand and serve the needs of urology practices, Tina!

October's guest speaker featured Dr. Victoria Kuester, assistant professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Beverly B Clary Chair of Pediatric Orthopaedics.

Register now for the Richmond Heart Walk, taking place on Saturday, October 23rd! You are invited to join the event in-person or walk anywhere you feel inspired. Read more about the event and register here. Happy walking!