Washington University School of Medicine chapter of Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society announces class of 2023

The Alpha Omega Alpha Executive and Selection committees announce the new faculty, alumni and house officers to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society Class of 2023. AΩA is the honor medical society recognizing, advocating for, and inspiring physicians in the care of patients and promotion of health. Members may be elected throughout their career […]

Emphasizing the Importance of Women in Medicine

When I enrolled in the six-year medical degree program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1973, UMKC was considered a pioneer because they admitted roughly an equal number of men and women to their medical school. Historically, that has not been the case at other medical schools across the country, though over the decades, […]

Pride Month (Links to an external site)

Pride Month is a time for LGBTQ+ people to uplift and celebrate their freedom to live authentically. The LGBTQ+ community deserves affirmed, safe, supported, joyful, and mentally healthy lives.

Care at the Highest Caliber: Transplant Team Celebrates 2000th Lung Transplant (Links to an external site)

In 1988, a team of leading innovative surgeons established the Lung Transplant Program at Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Since its inception, the program has made massive strides in the advancement of transplant care and research and has continued to shatter national and international records while maintaining a quality level of care for each […]

Kidney donor updates for those with HCV and COVID-19

The association of donor hepatitis C virus infection with 3-year kidney transplant outcomes in the era of direct-acting antiviral medications Tarek Alhamad, MD, MS, MBA, Associate Professor of Medicine, Medical Director of Transplant Nephrology, Division of Nephrology, recently had two manuscripts published in JAMA Open and the American Journal of Transplantation regarding new findings of […]

Fogarty Fellowship proves pivotal for Dr. Agarwal’s career

Anubha Agarwal, MD, MSc, at the 20th Anniversary of Global Health Fellow and Scholars.

Anubha Agarwal, MD, MSc, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division, has much to be thankful for, including the recent addition of her son born on January 1st of this year. She attributes much of her current success to her time as an NIH Fogarty fellow from 2017-2018 while based in India. The Fogarty Global Health Training […]

Center co-Director collaborates with university & Nigerian partners to curb hypertension (Links to an external site)

One of the largest health burdens in Nigeria is hypertension. According to the Global Burden of Disease, hypertension combined with other cardiovascular disease, affects more than 70 million people in Nigeria. Co-Director of the Global Health Center, Mark Huffman, MD, MPH, and a research team at Washington University in St. Louis, are collaborating with University of […]

Scanning electron microscopy of human islet cilia (Links to an external site)

Primary cilia are vital cell-surface sensory organelles, but their physical dimensions have eluded characterization due to difficulty in isolating and studying these enigmatic structures, especially in human tissues. In the present study, we use a multi-scale surface scanning approach to enable a 3D architectural study of human primary cilia, the first in pancreatic islets and […]

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is meant as a day of observance for us to honor those who lost their lives while serving our country in the U.S. military. Originally it was known as Decoration Day, and began in the years following the Civil War and was officially designated a federal holiday in 1971. Many observe Memorial Day […]

Innovative Research Opens the Door to ACS Grant for Dr. Russell Pachynski

Russell Pachynski, MD

The American Cancer Society recently awarded 90 new Research and Cancer Development Grants funding researchers at 67 institutions nationwide. These grantees are leading innovative discoveries that advance the ACS mission to end cancer for everyone. Dr. Pachynski’s work concentrates on developing new approaches to fighting prostate cancer by modulating the immune response. This four-year grant […]

April 2023 Kudos and Awards

Thank you, residents and interns, for all you do for one another and for your patients. Though often under-appreciated, your work does not go unnoticed.  Help us highlight the kindness, clinical judgement, resourcefulness, and work ethic.​​​​​​​Nominate a resident/intern for Housestaff of the month or just share something good.  April 2023 Inpatient Resident of the MonthAaron Pruitt “Aaron […]

Nephrologist Steven Cheng is the New Program Director for Internal Medicine’s Residency Program (Links to an external site)

Steven Cheng

WashU Nephrology congratulates Steven Cheng, MD, who has accepted the position of Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Washington University School of Medicine/Barnes-Jewish Hospital. After receiving his medical degree and completing an internal medicine residency at Northwestern University in Chicago, Dr. Cheng entered the Nephrology Fellowship at WashU, and upon graduation in 2006 joined our […]

WashU Celebration of Inventors 2023 (Links to an external site)

Sixth Annual Celebration of Inventors.

Congratulations to Department of Medicine’s Rita Brookheart; Lynn Cornelius; Philip Cuculich; Brian Finck; Jeffrey P. Henderson; Michael Holtzman; Keely McDonald; Rodney Newberry; Christine Pham; Arthur Romero; Fumihiko Urano; Kangyun Wu and Huimin Yan

Seasonal Allergies Overflow Your Bucket

Allergy Graphic

Spring brings flowers and warmer temps but it can be a difficult time if you are an allergy sufferer. Seasonal allergies flare up when there’s a lot of pollen in the air causing allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever.  Allergy season or pollen season as many refer to … applies to many different plants that […]

Sina Jasim, MD awarded AACE Rising Star in Endocrinology (Links to an external site)

On May 5, during the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology’s (AACE) 32nd Annual Meeting in Seattle, Washington, Sina Jasim, MD received the AACE Rising Star in Endocrinology Award.  The prestigious award nationally recognizes member individuals who are within ten years of completing their endocrine fellowship and have demonstrated actionable outcomes in outstanding leadership, teamwork or innovation, […]

Expanding Veteran Care: Expanding Kidney Transplant Services at St. Louis VA

Each year, 450 Veterans undergo kidney transplantation, and VA’s National Transplant Program is dedicated to providing Veterans with expanded access to kidney transplant care and support. VA most recently added a ninth national kidney transplant center, but Dr. Anuja Java, Director of the Kidney Transplant Clinic at the John J. Cochran VA Hospital in St. […]

Learn Ways to Help Prevent a Stroke for National Stroke Month

Prevention is the best strategy to help avoid having one. When it comes to dealing with strokes, every second truly does matter. Nearly 2 million brain cells die each minute a stroke remains untreated. And every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a stroke. 795,000 strokes happen each year and chances are if you […]

Dr. Fumihiko Urano featured in PBS Wolfram syndrome documentary  (Links to an external site)

Dr. Fumihiko Urano

In April, Fumihiko Urano, MD, PhD was featured in the documentary “Colorado Voices: Ellie White,” to raise awareness of the rare genetic disorder, Wolfram syndrome. The short documentary was published by Rocky Mountain PBS and tells the story of Colorado college student Ellie White, who lives with the disorder. Although the disorder is very rare […]

2nd Annual DOM Women in Medicine & Science Seminar

The 2nd Annual Department of Medicine Women in Medicine and Science Seminar hosted by Advancing Women in Academic Medicine (AWAM) and the Forum for Women in Medicine (FWIM) was held last Friday, April 28th via Zoom. The virtual seminar, “Leadership and Promotion – the chicken or the egg?”, offered a foundation to learn the critical skills, strategies and resources […]

March 2023 Kudos and Awards

Thank you, residents and interns, for all you do for one another and for your patients. Though often under-appreciated, your work does not go unnoticed.  Help us highlight the kindness, clinical judgement, resourcefulness, and work ethic.​​​​​​​Nominate a resident/intern for Housestaff of the month or just share something good.  March 2023 Inpatient Resident of the MonthCosette Champion “In […]

Celebrating Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month (Links to an external site)

May marks the annual celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the United States. In 1978 Congress proclaimed the first week of May as “Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week.” Future Presidents continued this annual proclamation until 1992 when Congress and President George H.W. Bush signed a law designating the month of May to celebrate […]

Obituary: Richard D. Brasington Jr., MD, Professor Emeritus of Medicine, 71

Richard D. Brasington Jr., MD

Dear colleagues, It is with great sadness that I inform you that Richard D. Brasington Jr., MD, a highly regarded professor emeritus of medicine and former director of the rheumatology fellowship training program at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, drowned April 30, 2023, while fishing in the North Fork River in Ozark, […]

Paint, Paper and Watercolors with Dr. Raya Saba

When she’s not busy pursuing her third year of fellowship in the WashU Oncology division, Dr. Raya Saba finds time to get creative with paints and other mediums. Growing up in Damascus, Syria, Raya’s parents were followers of art, literature, and music, and her Mom enjoyed painting with oils. This introduction from her family began […]

Red flags indicate risk for early-onset colorectal cancer (Links to an external site)

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified four important signs and symptoms that signal an elevated risk of early-onset colorectal cancer. These red flags may be key to earlier detection and diagnosis of early-onset colorectal cancer among younger adults. The number of young adults with colorectal cancer has nearly doubled […]

Dr. Zainab Mahmoud Receives Eisenberg Scholar Award (Links to an external site)

The Paul and Patti Eisenberg Scholar Award is presented annually by the Washington University School of Medicine Cardiovascular Division to fund junior faculty research that broadly focuses on cardiovascular disease. Funds should be used to generate key preliminary data and/or to develop new areas of research. Dr. Zainab Mahmoud is this year’s recipient of the […]

Leadership Announcement – Vice Chair of Ambulatory Clinical Operations, Safety and Quality

Maya R. Jerath, MD, PhD

I am pleased to announce that Maya R. Jerath, MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine, Division of Allergy & Immunology at Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) has been appointed as Vice Chair of Ambulatory Clinical Operations, Safety and Quality for the Department of Medicine. Dr. Jerath received her PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University […]

Kulkarni Lab investigates modulating host immune response in the lungs in severe pneumonia

Hrishikesh Kulkarni MD, MSCI, from the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine recently had two manuscripts published in Science Immunology and a Phase 3 clinical Trial on complement inhibition in COVID-19 in the Lancet Respiratory Medicine. Lung epithelial cell–derived C3 protects against pneumonia-induced lung injury The complement cascade is made up of innate immune defense proteins that protect […]

Cherabie named ‘Let’s Stop HIV Together’ ambassador (Links to an external site)

Joseph N. Cherabie, MD, MSc

Joseph Cherabie, MD, an assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has been named a clinical ambassador for the national Let’s Stop HIV Together campaign, which is led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

2023 COVID Pandemic Awards

The COVID pandemic created tremendous adversity for many individuals, communities, and healthcare systems. Many of our faculty, fellows, residents, and staff were instrumental in helping the Department thrive despite these challenges. The Department of Medicine (DOM) is seeking nominations to recognize outstanding individuals for our Department of Medicine COVID Pandemic Awards in three categories: See details […]

Dr. Jean S. Wang Received American College of Gastroenterology’s Community Service Award

Dr. Jean S. Wang

Jean S. Wang, MD, PhD, FACG, is a Professor of Medicine at WashU where she serves on the Community Outreach and Engagement Leadership Team and the Program for the Elimination of Cancer Disparities Leadership Team at the Alvin J. Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Wang was the recent recipient of the American College of Gastroenterology’s […]

In Memoriam: William A. Peck, MD (Links to an external site)

William “Bill” A. Peck, MD, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at his home in St. Louis, MO, USA (Fig. 1). He was 89 years old. Dr. Peck was a founder of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) and a pioneer in the bone and mineral field—making seminal contributions to bone biology […]

Earth Day 2023

Earth Day

Invest In Our Planet Earth Day is an annual event held on April 22 to honor the accomplishments of the environmental movement and raises awareness of the need to protect the Earths natural resources for future generations.  Earth Day was first held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally […]

Investigational drug may improve stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma patients (Links to an external site)

Shown are multiple myeloma cells from a patient. An international phase 3 clinical trial led by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has shown that the investigational drug motixafortide — when combined with the standard therapy for mobilizing stem cells — significantly increased the number of stem cells that can be harvested, compared with treatment with the standard agent alone. If approved, the combination with motixafortide potentially would improve stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma patients.

The standard treatment for patients with multiple myeloma often includes stem cell transplantation in which the patient’s own stem cells are harvested and stored while the patient receives intensive chemotherapy to kill the cancer. Then, the patient’s stem cells are returned to the patient to help with recovery. But for a significant proportion of patients, […]

Institute for Public Health center transforms by adding research arm, new mission and new name (Links to an external site)

Effective April 4, the Center for Health Economics and Policy at the Institute for Public Health is undergoing a transformation that will feature a broader mission and a new name: the Center for Advancing Health Services, Policy and Economics Research. The new center will retain what is valuable to students, faculty and the community and […]

Leadership Announcement – Division of Oncology

Amanda F. Cashen, MD

It is my great pleasure to announce that Dr. Amanda Cashen has agreed to serve as Associate Chief for Hematopoietic Malignancies, replacing Dr. Peter Westervelt who is stepping down late this summer after an exceptional term in this position. Amanda first joined the Washington University family over 25 years ago as a medical student. After a […]

Grant supports training physician-scientists in cancer research (Links to an external site)

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have received a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support training and mentorship for early-career physician-scientists. This relatively new funding opportunity — called Stimulating Access to Research During Residency (StARR) — will provide support for early-career physicians pursuing careers in cancer research.

Global Health Center – now co-funded by Department of Medicine

Global Health Center graphic.

The Global Health Center at Washington University is nowco-funded by the Institute for Public Health along with the Department of Medicine which can help support, sustain and complement one another. In today’s interconnected world, a disease threat anywhere is a disease threat everywhere. Through research, education and partnership, the center advances health equity in low-resource settings around […]

Easter Celebration

Graham Chapel

Easter is a religious Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus from the tomb on the third day after his crucifixion on Good Friday. Easter is the fulfilled foretelling of the one who would be persecuted, die for our sins, and rise on the third day. Remembering the resurrection of Jesus is a way […]

Dr. Sharon Cresci Co-Authors Statement From American Heart Association on Gene Testing Guidance

Dr. Sharon Cresci

The American Heart Association has released a new co-authored statement on Gene Testing and interpreting incidental identifications of genetic variants. Rapid advances in genetic technologies have led to expanding use of diagnostic, research, and direct-to-consumer exome and genome sequencing. Incidentally identified variants from this sequencing represent a significant and growing challenge to interpret and translate […]

Dr. Christine Yokoyama, received the Dermatology Foundation 2023 Dermatologist Investigator Research Fellowship Award

Christime Yokoyama, MD, PhD

Fellowship Award for Regulation of Epidermal Homeostasis by Centrosomal Proteins. Dr. Christine Yokoyama, Instructor in Medicine in the Division of Dermatology was announced as one the 2023 Dermatology Foundation Research Award Recipients. Dr. Yokoyama is Graduate of the Washington University Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) and currently a member of the Oliver Langenberg Physician Scientist Training […]