It is my pleasure to announce that Carlos Bernal-Mizrachi, MD, has been named the new Chief of Medicine at the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care System, effective April 12, 2021. Dr. Bernal-Mizrachi is the Philip E. and Carolyn E. Cryer Professor of Medicine in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research in the Department of Medicine, and Professor of Cell Biology and Physiology at Washington University School of Medicine.
Dr. Bernal-Mizrachi is a long-standing and valued member of the Washington University community. He completed his fellowship in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism here at WUSM, joined the faculty in 2003, and became Professor of Medicine in 2019. He currently serves as Director of the Diabetes Research Center Enrichment Program and Internal Advisory Board, and Co-Director of the Diabetes Research Center and Head of Pilot and Feasibility Grants at Washington University. Dr. Bernal-Mizrachi most recently served as Chief of Endocrinology at the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care System and currently is the Co-Director of the VA St. Louis Health Care System Diabetes Center and Interim Director of the VA St. Louis Health Care System Endocrinology Fellowship program.
Dr. Bernal-Mizrachi’s area of expertise specifically focuses on the mechanisms by which hyperglycemia and vitamin D deficiency modulate immune cell function to promote the development of insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease. He has led a well-funded basic, clinical and translational research program for well over a decade.
Dr. Bernal-Mizrachi was recognized by his home country with the Colombian Outstanding Medical Scientist Award. In 2007, he was named the Paula and David Kipnis Scholar for Research Achievements by the School of Medicine. He was elected to the American Society for Clinical Investigation in recognition of his distinguished contributions as a physician-scientist and to Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, for demonstrated excellence in scholarship, professionalism, leadership, and gifted teaching.
We thank Daniel Goodenberger, MD, for his service as the Chief of Medicine at the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care System since 2013. Under his leadership, the VA St. Louis significantly increased research funding. Dr. Goodenberger recruited a large number of faculty in multiple divisions and improved the clinical operations in the Department of Medicine at the VA St. Louis. He helped improved the rankings and function of our VA and we are grateful for his many contributions.
Dr. Bernal-Mizrachi is exceptionally qualified to take on this new role. Please join me in congratulating Dr. Bernal-Mizrachi on his new position as the Chief of Medicine at the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care System.