Latesha Elopre, MD, MSPH, and Greg Payne, MD, PhDLatesha Elopre, MD, MSPH (Assistant Professor, Infectious Diseases) and Gregory Payne, MD, PhD (Fellow, Cardiovascular Disease) have been named 2017 Harold Amos Scholars. The prestigious Harold Amos Medical Faculty Development Program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation offers four-year postdoctoral research awards to historically disadvantaged physicians who are committed to developing careers in academic medicine and to serving as role models for students and faculty of similar background. The two were selected as national semi-finalists for the program and presented their research to a panel of judges in Chicago in July. They are among 14 finalists selected for 2017. Dr. Payne’s AMFDP award is sponsored by the American Heart Association for his work with novel mechanisms of inflammation in cardiovascular disease and cardiac transplant rejection. Dr. Elopre’s project focuses on developing an intervention to increase HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis among Black women.
More Good News for August 2, 2017
Louis Bridges Jr., MD, PhD (Director, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology) served as a guest editor for the August 2017 issue of Rheumatic Disease Clinics entitled “Genomics in Rheumatic Diseases.” In addition to the preface, he also co-authored an article for the issue, “Integrative Approaches to Understanding the Pathogenic Role of Genetic Variation in Rheumatic Diseases.”
Charles O. Elson, MD (Professor, Gastroenterology and Hepatology) was recently published in the Journal of Immunology for his research on the role of Th17 cells in autoimmune disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease. Working with post-graduate researcher Dr. Qing Zhao, they conducted a series of experiments to demonstrate that Th17 cells in the normal intestine maintain intestinal homeostasis rather than inducing inflammation. The study brings new insights into the complex relationship between the intestinal microbiota and host immune system, a relationship that appears to be impaired in many human diseases.
Mark Sasse, MD (Associate Professor, Cardiovascular Disease) is now on the MD Learning Channel. His CME podcast explains aortic stenosis and the progress UAB has made in treating it since 2012 when the first TAVR procedure was performed.
Kondal Kyanam, MD (Assistant Professor, Gastroenterology and Hepatology) has been appointed the American College of Gastroenterology’s International Committee which is responsible for developing materials and program concepts to address the needs and interests of the ACG’s international membership and promoting the ACG in the international community.
RIME Call for Abstracts. Submit your medical education abstracts and clinical vignettes by Monday, August 7, for Research and Innovations in Medical Education (RIME) Week.
Next Week at MGR – No Lecture! Medical Grand Rounds is taking a summer break! See you on September 6!
The UAB Chapter of the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) advocates and provides support for women in medicine. Membership is free, and events are open to all! Please join us for “Career-Building as a Trainee” at noon on August 11 in West Pavilion D. Lunch is provided.01
There will be a free Post-ASCO Highlight Review on Saturday, August 26, at the Sheraton Hotel. CME credit is available. Contact Natalie Black at nfranklin@uabmc.edu to reserve your space at this year’s event.
Do you have Good News to Share? Contact Department of Medicine Communications Director, Carolyn Walsh.