The Division of Nephrology was delighted to celebrate the appointment of two new endowed positions in transplant nephrology last week. Vineeta Kumar, MD, was named the inaugural holder of the Robert C. and Cutessa D. Bourge Endowed Professorship in Transplant Nephrology. Roslyn Mannon, MD, was appointed the second holder of the Robert G. Luke, MD, Endowed Chair in Transplant Nephrology. We are proud to recognize both extraordinary physicians and grateful for the generous philanthropy that made these endowments possible!
Pictured L to R: Drs. Carlton Young, Vineeta Kumar, Roslyn Mannon, and Devin Eckhoff
More Good News for April 17, 2019
One of the most watched competitions at the annual ACP Conference last week was the medical “Jeopardy” competition. This year’s IM Residency team made it all the way to the semi-finals. Congrats to third-year residents Page Axley, Brent Bermingham, and Zachary Doegg for their outstanding performance!
Immunotherapies, like CAR T-cell therapy, are becoming the essential pillar of cancer care, joining the ranks of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and other targeted treatments. At UAB, Hematology and Oncology faculty members Amitkumar Mehta, MD (Assistant Professor) and Luciano Costa, MD, PhD (Associate Professor) are working to establish a CAR T-Cell therapy program by participating in clinical trials and pursuing commercial certification. Read more about the patients who have experienced success with this new line of treatment.
Pulmonary faculty members Surya Bhatt, MD (Associate Professor) and Mark Dransfield, MD (Professor) have published a report in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. In it they demonstrate that video telehealth pulmonary rehabilitation administered early after hospitalization for an acute exacerbation of COPD is feasible and safe, and it is associated with significantly lower 30-day all-cause readmission rates. Congrats, Drs. Bhatt, Dransfield and colleagues!
The Department of Medicine is delighted to welcome four new faculty members to UAB who joined our Structural Heart and Valve Program this week. Drs. Mustafa Ahmed and Gregory von Mering join our Division of Cardiovascular Disease and Drs. Clifton Lewis and Kyle Eudaily join the Department of Surgery’s Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery. These physicians have a proven track record of outstanding outcomes in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), MitrClip® repair, and surgical interventions. We look forward to their contributions, which will help UAB expand access across Alabama and continue growing our program into a national leader in cardiovascular care.
The rain didn’t dampen Team UAB’s enthusiasm at this weekend’s Birmingham Corporate Challenge field day. Dr. Well-Be came in first in the 5K in the “Running with a Cape” division. Hats off to UAB Employee Wellness for organizing all the participants and reminding us all how outdoor fun with friends can boost our well-being.
Coming next week to Medical Grand Rounds. Thomas Howell, Jr., MD, Medical Director for Patient Experience at the Mayo Clinic Health System will present “Elevating the Human Experience” at noon on Wednesday, April 24, in Margaret Cameron Spain Auditorium.
Patricia Flatley Brennan, PhD, director of the National Library of Medicine (NLM), will be giving a special presentation from 10 to 11 a.m. on Monday, May 6, in the Cudworth Auditorium. Her presentation is titled, "From Precision Medicine to Precision Health: NLM Partnerships."
The 30th Annual Vascular Biology & Hypertension Symposium, with a Pre-Symposium Workshop on Hypertension will be held May 2-4, 2019 here at UAB. Plan now to come hear experts in the field present the latest updates on basic science, novel diagnostic procedures, and clinical trials. Participate in the poster session and refresh your hypertension skills at the pre-symposium workshop. Online registration is available via the web sites. For more information, contact Faith Lang by email or by phone at (205) 934-2580.