April 2024 Kudos and Awards

Kudos and Awards graphic

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 2024 Inpatient Intern of the MonthDr. Kyle Liu […]

ZeNan Li Chang – 2024 AGA Research Foundation awardee

Zenan Chang, MD, PhD

ZeNan Li Chang, MD, PhD, Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, received the 2024 American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Fellowship-to-Faculty Transition Award. The AGA program serves as a catalyst for discovery and career growth among the most promising researchers in gastroenterology and hepatology. “This year’s awardees are an exceptional group of […]

Dr. Jeffrey Miner’s Research Group Lands KI Journal Cover (Links to an external site)

Jeffrey H. Miner, PhD, FASN

Congratulations to the research group headed by Jeffrey Miner, PhD, on their recent publication that landed the cover of Kidney International.  The colorful cover photograph, illustrating paraffin immunofluorescence of different collagen IV chains, is a figure from their article “Quantitative assessment of glomerular basement membrane (GBM) collagen IV α chains in paraffin sections from patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis […]

Diamond, Queller elected to National Academy of Sciences (Links to an external site)

Michael Diamond, MD, PhD

Two scientists at Washington University in St. Louis are among the 120 members and 24 international members recently elected to the National Academy of Sciences in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Election to the academy is considered one of the highest honors accorded a U.S. scientist or engineer.

High-Dimensional Analyses Reveal IL-15 Enhances Prostate Cancer Immunotherapy

Russell Pachynski, MD

Prostate cancer cellular immunotherapy Russell Pachynski, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Oncology, Director of Genitourinary (GU) Oncology Research, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, published a paper in Cancer Immunology Research (“High dimensional analyses reveal activation of lymphocyte subsets and reversal of immunoresistance by cytokine-enhanced cellular vaccine therapy in prostate cancer”) […]

HIV Clinicians Represent Critical Point of Access for Treatment of Substance Use

Aditi Ramakrishnan, MD

Aditi Ramakrishnan, MD MSc, Assistant Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Department of Medicine at the Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, had a first-author publication in Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (JAIDS), a premier infectious diseases journal, describing the substance use treatment engagement among women with HIV in the […]

2023 DOM Faculty Recognition Reception

2023 Faculty Recognition Reception

Celebrating outstanding faculty contributions fostering excellence in medical education, clinical care and research at WashU School of Medicine Gallery Awardees

Diwan named inaugural Shaeffer professor (Links to an external site)

Abhinav Diwan, MD (center), of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has been named the inaugural Charlie W. Shaeffer, MD, Professor of Cardiology. He is shown at his installation ceremony with David H. Perlmutter, MD (left), executive vice chancellor for medical affairs, the George and Carol Bauer Dean of the School of Medicine, and the Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Distinguished Professor; and Victoria J. Fraser, MD, the Adolphus Busch Professor and head of the Department of Medicine. (Photo: Dan Donovan/Washington University)

Abhinav Diwan, MD, a highly regarded cardiologist with expertise in the molecular underpinnings of cardiovascular disease, has been named the inaugural Charlie W. Shaeffer, MD, Professor of Cardiology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

ICTS-funded investigator conducts crucial research to better understand, diagnose, and treat rare genetic disease (Links to an external site)

Fumihiko Urano, MD

Rare diseases are just what their name implies – each one affects a limited number of people. But with this rarity comes unique challenges, and among the biggest challenges faced by these patients are the roadblocks they encounter with gathering information about their conditions, being properly diagnosed, and finding the best resources and treatment options […]

Pachnyski receives 2024 Harrington Scholar-Innovator Award

Russell Pachynski, MD

Russell Pachynski, MD, Associate Professor, WashU Division of Oncology, received the 2024 Harrington Scholar-Innovator Award for research work on – Tumor-Targeted Therapeutic that Recruits Immune Cells. Harrington Discovery Institute was established in 2012 to accelerate the development of new treatments to address major unmet needs in medicine and society. Since its founding, Harrington has supported […]

Ian Ross to Receive Sydney S. Pearl ’32 Clinical Teacher of the Year Award

Ian Ross

Ian Ross, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, WashU Division of General Medicine and Geriatrics, is to receive the Sydney S. Pearl ’32 Clinical Teacher of the Year Award at the 2024 WashU Commencement Ceremony. The Sydney S. Pearl, fund was established in 1978 with a gift of $10,000 to endow the “Sydney S. Pearl MD […]

Sadhu Selected as DASP Faculty Honoree (Links to an external site)

Justin Sadhu, MD

Associate Professor of Medicine, Dr. Justin Sadhu, is a 2023-2024 faculty honoree of the Washington University Distinguished ALumni Scholarship Program. Created in 1989, the Distinguished Alumni Scholarship Program (DASP) grants four entering students per year a four-year, full-tuition scholarship, for a total of 16 DASP students at the school at one time. Institutional funds are […]

Huffman Named William Bowen Endowed Professor (Links to an external site)

Mark Huffman, MD

Mark D. Huffman, MD, MPH, tenured Professor of Medicine and Co-Director of the DOM Global Health Center, has been appointed as the inaugural William Bowen Endowed Professor. The appointment recognizes Dr. Huffman’s outstanding leadership in preventive cardiology and cardiovascular health research at an individual and population level, and at a global scale. His research program […]

New research shows urgency to act on Nigeria’s trans fat elimination policy

istock-image

Significantly reducing trans fat levels in the Nigerian food supply could prevent approximately 10,000 heart disease deaths and save 90 million USD (12 billion Naira, ₦) in healthcare costs over a decade. New findings by The George Institute for Global Health on the health and economic benefits of enacting the country’s trans fat elimination policy […]

Abby Spencer, MD, receives APDIM Dema C. Founders Award

Abby Spencer, MD

Abby Spencer, MD, MS, FACP, Professor and Vice Chair of Education in the Department of Medicine and Director of the Academy of Educators at Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, received the APDIM Dema C. Daley Founders Award that honors a member of the internal medicine community recognized nationally as an educator, innovator, […]

2023-2024 Department of Medicine faculty recognized at annual Distinguished Service Teaching Awards

Distinguished Service Teaching Awards

On April 16, 2024, the annual Distinguished Service and Teaching Awards ceremony was held honoring WashU Medicine educators who have made the most significant contributions to the training of future physicians. Initiated by students and implemented with support from the Office of Medical Student Education (OMSE), the DSTAs allow students to express their appreciation for […]

March 2024 Kudos and Awards

Kudos and Awards graphic

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 2024 Inpatient Intern of the MonthDr. Ann Ayzman […]

Thakker Coauthors Research Letter in JACC (Links to an external site)

Prashanth Thakker, MD

Dr. Prashanth Thakker, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Associate Director of Program Development in the Cardiovascular Fellowship program was coauthor of a research letter published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology titled “A Leadership Program to Support Career Development of Cardiovascular Chief Fellows”.

Four Students Accepted into O’Brien Center CKD Research Summer Internship (Links to an external site)

WashU Nephrology’s Summer Opportunities for Achievement in Research (SOAR) program has accepted four students for its inaugural internship starting in the summer of 2024.   SOAR is an immersive research program for undergraduate students interested in pursuing nephrology research.  The program is part of the recently established Washington University Kidney O’Brien Center for Chronic Kidney Disease Research and is […]

Accolade Recipients – SAFE (Supporting a Fair Environment)

Elissa Arnold, MD, John Beeler, MD, PhD, and David Lambert, MD

Congratulations to the three Department of Medicine (DOM) Accolade Recipients WashU School of Medicine strives to maintain an environment conducive to learning, research, and high-quality patient care We aspire to an environment that is inclusive and free from harassment or intimidation, with respect and collegiality for all. Professionalism consists of altruism, compassion, empathy, respect for […]

2024 LEAD Award Recipients

2024 LEAD Award Recipients -Drs. Marks and Barlett

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2024 AWAM Leaders in Empowerment and Development (LEAD) Award! The Department of Medicine created an award to honor exceptional faculty members who promote the career advancement of women in various ways, such as being a mentor, sponsors, advocate, or positive role model. This year, Nancy Bartlett, MD, Korman Professor of […]

Ludmerer Elected Editorial Board Representative of Honor Society’s Journal

Kenneth Ludmerer, MD

Internal medicine specialist, medical historian is inaugural holder of the role Kenneth M. Ludmerer, MD, the Mabel Dorn Reeder Distinguished Professor in the History of Medicine and a professor of medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has been elected the inaugural editorial board representative of The Pharos, a journal of the […]

Patricia Litkowski, MD, and Yash Shah, MD, Present Abstract at the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) (Links to an external site)

The NCCN Annual Conference in 2024 took place from Friday, April 5 to Sunday, April 7. It was hosted both at the Orlando World Center Marriott and virtually. Esteemed experts from renowned cancer centers convened to address updates to NCCN Guidelines®, advancements in various cancer types, and emerging topics in oncology. The event featured a […]

Artificial Intelligence for Cardiovascular Care

Thomas M. Maddox, MD

Thomas M. Maddox, MD, MSc, Professor of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division at WashU Medicine, and colleagues recently published two articles outlining the current opportunities for AI to impact cardiovascular care. These articles highlight how AI is poised to affect almost every aspect of cardiovascular care. ” says Maddox. “Our group hopes that this work helps prepare […]

ACC Updates HFrEF Decision Pathway, Reinforcing the Four Pillars of Therapy

Thomas M. Maddox, MD

The document also strengthens advice regarding which medications should be started in all patients Thomas M. Maddox, MD, MSc, Professor of Medicine in the Cardiovascular Division at WashU Medicine, and colleagues recently published an Expert Consensus Decision Pathway (ECDP) for the many decisions required in the management and treatment of patients with heart failure with […]

McNerney and Jasim discuss the long-term endocrine effects of cancer treatment  (Links to an external site)

Kyle P. McNerney, MD of the Department of Pediatrics at Washington University School of Medicine and Sina Jasim, MD of the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research

On October 10, 2023, Kyle P. McNerney, MD of the Department of Pediatrics at Washington University School of Medicine and Sina Jasim, MD of the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, had their book chapter titled “Long-Term Effects of Cancer Treatment” published in Familial Endocrine Cancer Syndromes: Navigating the Transition of Care for Pediatric and Adolescent Patients.  

ICTS Announces 2024-2025 PDSS Awardees (Links to an external site)

Congratulations to Angela L. Brown, MD, Professor of Medicine who was one of the awardees. The Center for Community Health Partnership and Research is pleased to announce seven partnerships were selected to receiving funding through the 2024-2025 Partnership Development and Sustainability Support (PDSS) program. PDSS awards provide up to $10,000 in funding for investigators and their […]

Inaugural Physican Assistant Fellowship Program (Links to an external site)

Beginning on April 1, 2024, our Division of Hospital Medicine initiates a Physician Assistant (PA) Fellowship Program at BJH. The goal is to provide PAs with additional clinical training and a robust educational experience in Hospital Medicine and relevant subspecialties during the fellowship. This 12-month training program starting April 1, 2024, will be a foundation […]

Some sarcoma patients improve with T cell immunotherapy (Links to an external site)

According to a study led by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, a new T cell immunotherapy — in which the patients’ own T cells are genetically modified to attack and kill cancer cells — is effective in treating some patients with two types of sarcoma, rare cancers of the body’s soft tissues. Shown is a cross section of a synovial sarcoma tumor.

Strategy effective against some rare, aggressive sarcomas with no other treatment options A clinical trial led by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has shown that a T cell immunotherapy — in which the patients’ own T cells are genetically modified to attack and kill cancer cells — is effective in […]

Award of up to $31 million supports development of osteoarthritis treatment (Links to an external site)

Farshid Guilak, PhD, and Christine Pham, MD, collaborate on research together. They were photographed on March 13, 2024. MATT MILLER/WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

Researchers aim to create treatment that promotes tissue regeneration, restores joints Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease, limits the mobility of 32 million people nationwide, many to the point of significant disability. Affected individuals face limited options, as there are no drugs to cure or substantially lessen the disease, and invasive joint replacement is often the […]

Lasala Receives 2024 Miami Valves Lifetime Achievement Award (Links to an external site)

John Lasala, MD

Dr. John Lasala, Professor of Medicine and Director, Structural Heart Disease in the Cardiovascular Division, was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Miami Valves annual international structural cardiology conference hosted by the International Medicine Institute of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.