Pictured above: Dr. Dhaval Raval (Assistant Professor, Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care) reviews a patient's scans at TKC.
A new interdisciplinary program now offers specialized care for patients who experience long-lasting symptoms following COVID-19. Appointments will span multiple clinics across pulmonary, cardiology, rheumatology, neurology, psychiatry and other specialties. This will enable physicians to treat the broad range of issues that frequently follow COVID infection, from fatigue and shortness of breath to brain fog and PTSD. Turner Overton, MD (Professor, Infectious Diseases) is medical director for the Post COVID Treatment Program, which is now accepting patients via self-referral, physician referral, and UAB Outreach.
More Good News for November 18, 2020
A team of DOM infectious diseases experts led by MSTP student Jake Files was the first to demonstrate that the hyper-activated immune response of COVID is maintained well after patients appear to have recovered, even in those with mild symptoms. These findings reported in JCI Insight may help explain why some patients continue to have persistent COVID symptoms despite resolution of the infection.
The Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care has partnered with Hospital Administration to rapidly renovate the former BMT Unit in the Medical Education Building to serve as a Medical Critical Care Unit. The space expands capacity for critically ill patients with COVID-19. Six beds are now open, with 17 total beds expected by the end of the year.
Ashita Tolwani, MD (Professor, Nephrology) led the 15th annual Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Academy this year, with 110 virtual attendees from across the nation and around the globe. Co-directors for the two-day training event were Dr. Song Ong (Nephrology) and Dr. Andrew Barker (Anesthesiology).
Vibhu Parcha, MD (Fellow, Cardiovascular Disease) took a deep dive into trends and geographic variation in deaths due to acute respiratory failure and ARDS in the U.S. The study notes that deaths due to acute respiratory failure are increasing in the United States, disproportionately impacting the South and racial minorities.
Shawn Galin, PhD (Professor, Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care) has been elected president-elect of the Association of Standardized Patient Educators, the professional organization for leaders who design experiential learning environments using "standardized patients" to simulate medical practice. Congrats, Dr. Galin!
Tom Turkey wants to remind you that Medical Grand Rounds will take a break for the Thanksgiving Holiday next week. We will resume at noon on Wednesday, December 2, as Dr. Adam Edwards presents "Current Advances and Challenges in Colorectal Cancer Screening" on Wednesday, December 2, via Zoom. Stay safe, and enjoy the time away!
This time of year is normally filled with exciting travel plans, holiday-related activities, and time spent with loved ones. However, this holiday season will be different. While it can be tempting to fall into sadness, Dr. Well-Be reflects on the ten things he is thankful for, even amidst the pandemic.