Dr. Gassan Kassim joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology as an Assistant Professor in July of 2025. He graduated from medical school as valedictorian at the University of Debrecen in Hungary. He completed his internal medicine residency at Mount Sinai in New York City. He completed his gastroenterology and hepatology fellowship training […]
Dr. Megan White joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology as an Assistant Professor in July of 2025. She completed her medical education at Saint Louis University and further honed her expertise through residency and fellowship (both in gastroenterology and transplant hepatology) training at Washington University in St. Louis as well as an […]
Dr. Quazim Alayo joins the Department of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology as an instructor in July 2025. He earned his medical degree from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, followed by advanced training in global health science at the University of Oxford and immunology at Harvard Medical School. Under the mentorship of Dr. Dan Barouch, […]
Dr. Sambhawana Bhandari joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Rheumatology as an Assistant Professor in July 2025. She provides comprehensive care to patients with autoimmune diseases, participating in general rheumatology, Rheumatology-Oncology, myositis, and CTD-ILD clinics. Dr. Bhandari’s research focuses on clinical outcomes in patients with rheumatic diseases, including database studies on ICI-induced […]
Dr. Wei Zou joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Bone and Mineral Diseases as an Associate Professor in July 2025. He has more than two decades of extensive research experience on bone biology. His research was initially focused on understanding the mechanisms by which inflammatory factors such as LPS and TNF-α regulate osteoclast differentiation. […]
Max Petersen, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research at WashU Medicine, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Career Development Award from the American Heart Association (AHA).
The first sickle cell disease patient in the St. Louis region has been successfully treated by WashU Medicine physicians at St. Louis Children’s Hospital with a gene therapy newly approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
The Spark Change Award honors leaders who catalyze transformation—not only through bold ideas, but also through the daily, persistent work of creating more inclusive, just communities. Julia was nominated by colleagues and selected by the Spark Change Award Selection Committee to be one of two inaugural recipients of this award.
Yili Fang, MD, PhD, a Postdoctoral Research Scholar in the Ying Maggie Chen laboratory, has been awarded a prestigious 2025 American Heart Association (AHA) Postdoctoral Fellowship for his project “Develop a Biotherapeutic Protein to Treat Uromodulin-Associated Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).”
A new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis identifies a possible way to slow or block progression of age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in people over age 50. The WashU Medicine researchers and their international collaborators implicated problems with cholesterol metabolism in this type of vision loss, perhaps […]
Dr. Shannon Coombs joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine as an Instructor in June 2025. She grew up in Elmsford, New York before attending Howard University in Washington, DC where she graduated summa cum laude with honors distinction with a Bachelor of Arts in History as well as being inducted into […]
Dr. David Zhang joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine as an Instructor in June 2025. He was raised in San Antonio, Texas. He attended Washington University in St. Louis, where he studied physics and graduated with college honors. During his time in college, was inducted into the physics honor society, […]
The Department of Medicine’s annual Intern Welcome Party, was graciously hosted this year at the home of Dr. Victoria Fraser, the esteemed Adolphus Busch Professor of Medicine and department chair. On Saturday, June 14, 2025, more than 50 incoming interns, representing institutions from across the country, gathered for an evening of informal introductions and camaraderie. […]
The LIGHT Creativity in Public Health Summer Camp at WashU encourages students to tap into their imaginations and lived experiences to create artwork, poetry and stories that communicate the importance of health and science.
Kai Jones, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine in WashU Medicine’s Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Lipid Research, has been additionally appointed Associate Program Director for the Department of Medicine’s Internal Medicine Residency Program, effective May 15, 2025.
Carlos Bernal-Mizrachi, MD, Chief of Medicine/ ACOS Medical Service at St. Louis VA Medical System, Philip E. and Carolyn E. Cryer Professor in Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, was recently presented a VA Challenge Coin by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs at the VA health system. A challenge coin is a small, […]
Philip Payne, PhD, director of I2DB and inaugural Chief Health AI Officer for WashU Medicine and BJC Health System, has long advocated for an “AI Code of Conduct” that pertains to the responsible, effective, equitable, and human-centered use of AI in medicine.
Implementation of clinical genetic testing into the routine diagnostic workup of patients with kidney disorders can improve care when employed with proper patient selection. Due to advances in technology, testing with curated gene panels associated with kidney diseases are commercially available, are relatively inexpensive, and have quick turnaround time.
The 15th Annual Gateway Hospital Medicine Conference took place from May 1, 2025, to May 3, 2025, at the Eric P. Newman Education Center (EPNEC). The Gateway Conference planning committee, composed of adult and pediatric physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and pharmacists, put extensive effort into designing, planning, and implementing the agenda for the conference.
Dr. Soophia Naydenov joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine as a Professor in January 2025. She is dedicated to excelling in clinical care, educational initiatives, and administrative leadership. Her mission is to enhance PE patient care across all treatment stages, from acute care to long-term follow-up, through innovative and […]
Dr. Ugonna Nwankwo joined the Department of Medicine in the Cardiovascular Division as an Associate Professor in June 2025. He was previously Director of adult congenital heart disease at Saint Louis University and SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s hospital. He earned his medical degree at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and completed a combined residency […]
The effects of a prospective sink environmental hygiene intervention on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia burden in hospital sinks Jennie Kwon, DO, MSCI, Associate Professor of Medicine at WashU Medicine’s Division of Infectious Diseases, co-published research in eBioMedicine about the burden of hygiene in hospital sinks. Co-principal investigators are; Gautam Dantas, PhD, Conan Professor of Laboratory and Genomic Medicine, and […]
Study Finds That Testosterone Gel Use in Women Recovering from Hip Fracture Does Not Improve Outcomes Compared to Supervised Exercise Alone Results from a recent multi-center, randomized, controlled trial demonstrate that testosterone gel does not improve physical function compared to exercise alone in older women recovering from a hip fracture. The STEP-HI study was published […]
A new type of immunotherapy that targets aggressive blood cancers shows promising results alongside manageable side effects, according to the results of an international phase 1/2 clinical trial led by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
WashU Medicine physicians Jiayi Huang, MD, (left) and Milan Chheda, MD, named associate directors of The Brain Tumor Center. The Brain Tumor Center at Siteman Cancer Center, a multidisciplinary practice of physicians and scientists, has named two board-certified WashU Medicine faculty members as associate directors. They are:
Housed within the Siteman Cancer Center, the Biologic Therapy Core Facility (BTCF) partners with physicians and scientists to manufacture, characterize, and release complex, clinical-grade cell and gene therapy products, imaging agents, and other biologics to support early-phase clinical trials.
Congratulations to the 20 Department of Medicine (DOM) Accolade Recipients Sadhu, Justin Cardiology Cardiology – mod 3 Faculty O’Brien, Rachel Infectious Diseases Infectious Diseases Clinic (TABEX) NP Shawa, Harrison Dermatology Dermatology Resident Resident/Clinical Fellow Anderson, Scott Internal Medicine Medicine Firm Resident/Clinical Fellow Araujo de Oliveira Santana, Marcela Internal Medicine Residency Program Internal Medicine/Infectious Diseases Resident/Clinical […]
Lynn Cornelius, MD, the Winfred and Emma Showman Professor of Dermatology and chief of the Division of Dermatology at WashU Medicine, has been honored with the 2025 Research Achievement Award in Public Policy and Education from the American Skin Association. The award, given May 9 at the Society of Investigative D
David H. Perlmutter, MD, executive vice chancellor for medical affairs and the George and Carol Bauer Dean of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, will conclude his deanship on June 30, 2026, according to Chancellor Andrew D. Martin.
As proponents of community-centered initiatives, the Department of Medicine would like to highlight several efforts being carried out by grassroots groups and organizers. DOM encourage you to share these resources within your networks and, if possible, consider supporting them through donations. Resource Support Provided Areas Served Find More Information People’s Response Hub Mobilizing volunteers, coordinating […]
In March, Janet B. McGill, MD, MA, FACE, FACP; Julie M. Silverstein, MD; and Sina Jasim, MD, MPH, of WashU Medicine’s Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Lipid Research, published the fifth edition of The Washington Manual Endocrinology Subspecialty Consult.
‘Don’t Fry Day’ is designated by the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention (NCSCP) and is held on the Friday before Memorial Day each year. Friday morning, Siteman Cancer Center and American Cancer Society stopped by the Show Me Studios to raise awareness about sun safety and skin cancer prevention. They explain that the goal […]
Research grants and awards from Conquer Cancer accelerate the progress of oncology professionals Emily Podany, MD, Hematology-Oncology Fellowship Program, Fellow Wellness Leader, WashU Medicine Division of Oncology, received the 2025 Conquer Cancer – Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine Endowed Young Investigator Award in Diversity, Inclusion and Health Equity. The Young Investigator Award (YIA) provides research […]
Mark Thoelke, MD, has had an incredible impact on hospital medicine, both within Barnes-Jewish Hospital and beyond. After completing his internal medicine residency and serving as Chief Resident at Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Dr. Thoelke became Director of the Gold Service in 1995, one of the earliest hospitalist programs in the nation.
Infectious Complications of Substance Abuse Madeline McCrary, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, WashU Medicine Division of Infectious Diseases, was invited to participate in the 2025 National Academy of Medicine (NAM) Emerging Leader Forum (the Forum) that was held in Washington DC, April 8-9, 2025 at the National Academy of Sciences Building. The exclusive, invitation only […]
The inaugural cohort at WashU Medicine – Department of Medicine has completed the Pivotal Leaders Program for Division Chiefs and Section Heads, which concluded on May 8, 2025. This nine-month program supports division chiefs and section heads in strengthening the medical school’s culture, advancing faculty success, enhancing learner experience, and improving departmental operational effectiveness. “I […]
With the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR) and transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (T-TEER) procedures for tricuspid regurgitation treatment, heart specialists at the Washington University and Barnes-Jewish Heart & Vascular Center in St. Louis, Mo., are pioneering advances that enhance the quality of life for patients who have historically suffered debilitating […]
When it comes to questions about fungal infections, Andrej Spec, MD, has become the go-to expert for doctors around the world. Each week, he takes 10 to 15 calls from physicians struggling with complex fungal diagnosis or treatment questions. He has fielded queries from all across the U.S. and as far away as China, Thailand, Japan, […]
The Washington University Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences (ICTS) hosted its 7th Annual Symposium on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
When a young patient under the care of WashU Medicine physicians Amit Pawale, MD, and Joel Schilling, MD, PhD, was admitted to the intensive care unit at Barnes-Jewish Hospital with heart failure, time was of the essence.
Justin Vader, MD, a WashU Medicine cardiologist and heart failure specialist at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, often sees patients with heart failure who are so sick by the time they enter care at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, that they require extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Fortunately, the heart failure team is often able to stabilize such patients and transition them to a platform […]
The Big Ideas Program invites innovative proposals that use data, advanced analytics (including artificial intelligence or AI), and workflow re-design to address critical clinical and operational needs that impact the quality, safety, outcomes, and value of healthcare delivery.
On April 24, 2025, the Office of Technology Management hosted the eighth annual Celebration of Inventors, an event to honor and recognize Washington University inventors, researchers and faculty entrepreneurs.
It is my distinct pleasure to announce that Margaret L. (Molly) McNairy, MD, MSC will be the Chief of the Divisions of General Medicine, Geriatrics, and Hospital Medicine in the Department of Medicine and Professor of Medicine at WashU Medicine effective October 1, 2025. Dr. McNairy is currently Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division […]
Community engagement is woven into the fabric of WashU Medicine. Guided by a deep commitment to helping others, many faculty have built lasting community partnerships that drive innovative care, education and community-engaged research.
In a clinical trial, researchers find moxidectin, a new medicine for river blindness, also works for lymphatic filariasis
In this Issue: Message from the Chair, Grants, High Impact Research Publications, Spotlight, Clinical Programs, Awards/Fellowships/Honors/Accolades, Leadership/Appointments, Office of Faculty Development (OFD), IDEAS at DOM, Vice Chair for Career Advancement, Vice Chair of Education, Vice Chairs of Safety, Quality, and Operations, Faculty Presentations, Welcome to WashU, Events and New Websites
The Briefcase Coach, a boutique executive career PR firm, recently published a list of “50 Women Shaping the Future of St. Louis” through visionary leadership, bold innovation, and deep commitment to service. These women excel across many fields and are driving meaningful change to their communities.
In January, Marina Litvin, MD, an Associate Professor of Medicine at WashU Medicine’s Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, published an editorial titled “Metabolic Syndrome in the Post-ETI Era” in the Journal of Cystic Fibrosis.
On April 15, 2025, the annual Distinguished Service Teaching Awards ceremony was held honoring WashU Medicine educators who have made the most significant contributions to the training of future physicians. In recognition of outstanding service to medical student education, Washington University medical students present Distinguished Service Teaching Awards (DSTAs) to faculty and house staff each […]