|
DOM CONNECT:
Your Department, Your Colleagues, Your Stories
| |
|
In this month’s Chair’s Spotlight, we highlight Abbas Rupawala, MD, director of the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Center and assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology. In February, we spoke with Dr. Rupawala to gain insights into what inspires him, and learn about his work, as well as ongoing studies for patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
"Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are debilitating illnesses, but if we can treat them in time and lead our patients’ care appropriately, we can impact their quality of life, so working with these patients is very gratifying.”
| |
|
In this month’s Fellow Spotlight, we highlight Fizzah Iqbal, MBBS, an Endocrinology fellow. Here, Dr. Iqbal describes her clinical and research interests, why she chose UMass Chan for her fellowship, and her favorite place to travel.
"I have been fortunate to work with a diverse and experienced team that emphasizes independent thinking and encourages constant learning."
| |
|
In this month’s Resident Spotlight, we highlight Jeremy Soonhyouk Kwon, MD, a third-year Internal Medicine resident. Here, Dr. Kwon describes his clinical interests, what makes UMass Chan a great place for residency, and his favorite thing to do in the Worcester area.
"Dr. Kopec and my co-residents make what should be a tough job into a fun job!"
| |
Excellence in Clinical Care | |
|
New Hospital at Home and Critical Care Partnership Aims to Help Ease Capacity Burden
Like many hospitals, UMass Memorial Medical Center is in the midst of an ongoing capacity crisis which has been particularly burdensome in the intensive care unit (ICU). While the UMass Memorial Health (UMMH) Hospital at Home (HAH) Program, started in August 2021, has periodically cared for patients coming from the ICU, their teams see the potential for greater collaboration.
HAH and Critical Care launched a closer partnership in January which is already showing strong outcomes. “It is still early but we'll continue to work together to build this relationship,” said Taki Michaelidis, MD, MBA, MS, medical director for the UMMH HAH Program.
| |
|
Medical Education a Profoundly Rewarding Career Path for Mary Callery O’Brien
Physician-educator, Mary Callery O’Brien, MD, is passionate about medical education. Since she completed her chief residency at UMass Chan Medical School in the mid-1990s, Dr. O’Brien has developed and led innovative curricula for medical students in the T.H. Chan School of Medicine.
Dr. O’Brien finds the work that she does in the medical school profoundly rewarding and encourages her physician colleagues to consider teaching. “Education in the Department of Medicine and at UMass Chan has always been considered important and that's why I have stayed because there are a lot of opportunities, even for community practitioners,” she said.
| |
|
Nancy Skehan Leads New Vista Curriculum Initiative
Nancy Skehan, MD, associate professor of medicine in the Division of General Internal Medicine, and Clerkship Director for Internal Medicine, has been hard at work in collaboration with UMass Chan faculty members in developing a new medical student curriculum for the Vista program. The new curriculum goes beyond the biomedical and pathophysiological components of patient care and focuses on understanding patient environments and exploring socioeconomic pressures to keep patients healthy following their time in the hospital.
“A lot of the training that we provide in medical education is inpatient-based and allows us to consolidate a lot of experience in a short period of time,” said Dr. Skehan. “The reality of the care that’s actually delivered to our patients is vastly in the outpatient setting."
| |
Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | |
|
Black History Month Inspires an Ongoing Call to Action
April lecture to feature the transformational work of Dr. Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha in Black maternal health.
Black History Month, celebrated in February each year, is a time when we celebrate Black Americans, their achievements, and their pivotal role in our nation’s history. While this formal month of recognition is indeed important, it is essential to embrace this spirit and continue to honor, celebrate, and extend gratitude throughout every month of the year. But, perhaps one of the best ways to honor the prominence of Black Americans and their achievements is through action.
On April 11, the UMass Chan community, including the Departments of Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, and Family Medicine, will welcome Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha, PhD, MPH, as the honored guest speaker for the inaugural Health Equity Distinguished Lecture Series of the Collaborative in Health Equity (CHE) at UMass Chan Medical School. Learn about this event and other ways our department is deepening our commitment to action through our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
|
|
|
Onward: Jim Fanale, former UMass physician-leader, writes book on his experiences as both geriatrician and cancer patient
Dr. James Fanale’s career has been devoted to healing and caring for patients. A former physician and chief of Geriatric Medicine at UMass Chan Medical School/UMass Memorial Health and later CEO of Care New England in Rhode Island, Dr. Fanale’s life took an unexpected turn when he was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer in March 2022 and abruptly thrust into the role of patient. Despite this diagnosis nearly two years ago, his call to care for others did not end. “Jim has been open about his diagnosis and journey, and what he has learned through his experience,” said Sarah McGee, MD, clinical chief and professor of medicine in the Division of Geriatric Medicine. His book, Onward: A Teaching, and a Love Story – for Physicians, and Everyone, and featured in a Special Article in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society, was published this past September and tells of his experience of being both a doctor and the patient.
With myriad professional accomplishments and accolades, Dr. Fanale has indeed made a lasting impact through his leadership roles at hospitals in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, as well as a past president of the American Geriatrics Society. He has also given generously to developing the next generation of geriatricians through his support of programs like the Geriatric Interprofessional Immersion Program for UMass Chan Medical School residents. “Jim pioneered the specialty of geriatric medicine in central Massachusetts,” said Jerry Gurwitz, MD, division chief and professor of medicine in the Division of Geriatric Medicine. “His leadership of the American Geriatrics Society, along with his philanthropic efforts have had an amazing impact on the field of geriatrics at UMass and nationally.” In January, Dr. Fanale was awarded the Stephen J. Hagerty Memorial Award at the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association’s Annual Meeting, and most recently, the reopening of the Acute Care for Elders (ACE) Unit at Kent Hospital in Rhode Island was dedicated in honor of his groundbreaking work developing ACE units which are now in hospitals all across the country.
Through his personal narrative in Onward, Dr. Fanale continues on his path of service by pulling back the curtain on his own experience as a patient, adding further depth to his many contributions and legacy.
Onward: A Teaching, and a Love Story – for Physicians, and Everyone is available for purchase on Amazon.
Read the feature in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
|
|
|
Safdar Medina Speaks with NPR about Adolescent Drug Overdose
In February, Safdar Medina, MD, assistant professor of medicine and director of Pediatrics at Tri-River Family Health Center, spoke with NPR about the ongoing challenges of drug addiction in the pediatric population and the use of medically assisted treatment to help these patients. Dr. Medina is one of the many pediatricians who works with the adolescent population in fighting addiction, and notes it is one of the most rewarding things he does. “If we can take care of it, we have produced an adult that will no longer have a lifetime of these challenges to worry about,” said Dr. Medina.
We also congratulate Dr. Medina for being nominated for the Massachusetts School Nurse Organization (MSNO) Friend of School Nursing Award. Dr. Medina serves as the school physician for the Northborough-Southborough school district and frequently gives his time talking to parents and students about substance abuse, mental health, and diversity. Additionally, he serves as the medical consultant for the School Health Unit at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The award will be presented at the MSNO spring conference in March.
| |
|
Savant Mehta Named Fellow of American Gastroenterological Association and American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Savant Mehta, MD, associate professor of medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology, has been named a fellow by both the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE). Both fellowships are awarded to members whose accomplishments and contributions have significantly advanced the field of endoscopy and gastroenterology.
We congratulate Dr. Mehta on these prestigious honors.
| |
|
Jeff Rade Receives Heart of Gold Award at Annual Heart and Stroke Ball
Jeffrey Rade, MD, medical director of the Heart and Vascular Interventional Laboratory and professor of medicine in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, was the recipient of the 2024 Heart of Gold Award - Heart & Vascular Professional at this year’s Central Massachusetts Heart and Stroke Ball.
Dr. Rade was honored for his vital role in running the STEMI PCI service at UMass Memorial Medical Center. This service provides support to over 250 patients every year presenting with acute heart attacks, with lifesaving procedures. His leadership of this critical service has been invaluable in improving outcomes for cardiovascular patients in Central Massachusetts and the surrounding areas.
Congratulations, Dr. Rade!
| |
|
Members of the Department of Medicine Volunteer at Worcester Elementary School
Over the February school vacation week, Melanie Trombly, PhD, assistant professor of medicine, and Maritza Vazquez-Byrnes, both of the Department of Medicine, volunteered along with other members of the UMass Chan community at City View Elementary School in Worcester.
As part of UMass Chan’s partnership with the Worcester Public Schools through its North Quadrant Support Initiative, volunteers helped clean out the library in preparation for the school’s new STEM lab, organized the food pantry, and helped sort various school materials.
We thank them for their service to our local community!
| |
It is with sadness that we share that Beth Dryden, the lead admin for Gastroenterology, passed away in February after courageously battling cancer. Beth was with GI for the past two years before retiring in August due to complications from her illness. She worked for UMass for 16 years. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Beth’s family, friends, and co-workers. | |
2024 IMP Retreat: Register and Save the Date | | |
|
The Immunology and Microbiology Program (IMP) is excited to announce that registration for the 2024 IMP Retreat is officially open – and you’re invited!
Join us on April 5, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Beechwood Hotel in Worcester, MA. Our 2024 program will include keynote speaker, Donna Farber PhD, as well as showcase the science of new faculty in the program and elevate the work of our trainees.
Please register for the event by Monday, March 4, 2024!
| |
|
Affirming Health Care for our Trans and Gender Diverse Community Summit: Program Registration and Call for Posters
When: May 3, 2024, 2 – 5:00 p.m.
Where: Faculty Conference Room, UMass Chan Medical School
About the summit:
Please mark your calendars and register for the upcoming Affirming Health Care for our Trans and Gender Diverse Community Summit. The summit will bring together caregivers, faculty, learners, and others who are interested in health care for trans and gender-diverse communities to celebrate the ongoing work in LGBTQIA+ care, to hear directly from local members of the trans and gender-diverse community about their healthcare needs and desires, and to connect with and learn from others to energize us for the work ahead. The event will feature keynote speaker, Dallas Ducar, MSN, APRN, CEO of Transhealth, as well as a patient and community voices panel facilitated by Dr. Kai da Costa, and a poster session for caregivers, students, and faculty. Please note that this event is not open to the general public and pre-registration is required for all attendees. For more information and to register, click on the button below.
Call for posters:
Research and program implementation poster proposals will be accepted through April 1, 2024. Faculty, fellows, residents, and students doing research in the LGBTQIA+ space are encouraged to submit proposals.
Click on the button below to learn more and submit your proposal.
| |
Annual Lupus Symposium: Register and Save the Date | |
|
We invite members of the UMass community to join us for the annual Lupus Medical and Educational Symposium, on Thursday, May 9, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., at the Beechwood Hotel in Worcester, MA.
View the event flyer and register by clicking the button below.
| |
2024 - 2025 Medical Grand Rounds | |
Pictured above: Dr. Katalin Susztak | |
|
The Department of Medicine Grand Rounds series continued in February with presentations from Drs. Nneka Ufere titled, "The Current State and Future Directions of Palliative Hepatology," Katalin Susztak titled, "Understanding Diabetic Kidney Disease," and Jeffrey Catalano, Esq, titled, "Medical Malpractice Issues Related to Transparency, Disclosure, and Compensation."
If you missed any of the presentations or would like to view them again, please click the button below.
| |
Visit our Website for the Latest News | |
|
Learn more about the latest news from the Department of Medicine by visiting our website at the button below!
To submit your ideas for a future DoM CONNECT story, please email us.
| | | | |
