Sept. 30, 2022
The latest news and updates from Dean Amy P. Murtha, MD!
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Dr. Ramachandran Receives Special Achievement Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics |
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Usha Ramachandran, MD, associate professor of pediatrics, received the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Special Achievement Award for her work in promoting early childhood development in New Jersey. The award recognizes outstanding contributions of individuals who make a difference in the lives of infants, children and adolescents.
"I am excited to work on bringing a focus on partnering with families and promoting early relational health and early childhood development within pediatric primary care in N.J.," says Dr. Ramachandran.
Congratulations, Dr. Ramachandran, on receiving both of these achievements!
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Medical School Study Is the "Editor's Pick" in the Journal of Biological Chemistry
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Mei-Ling Li, PhD, assistant professor and first author; Guy Werlen, PhD, associate professor; Gary Brewer, PhD, professor; and Estela Jacinto, PhD, professor, were all authors on the study.
The "Editor's Pick" notation appears on the online and print version of the article and receives additional coverage in the journal and/or in outgoing communications to JBC's readership.
Congratulations to all who collaborated and contributed to the success of this study!
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Department of Medicine Hosts an Evening Dedicated to Women in Medicine |
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The Department of Medicine, led by Chair Fredric E. Wondisford, MD, MBA, MS, and with support from the Sodhani Foundation, held a Women in Medicine (WiM) symposium in the Clinical Academic Building earlier this month. The event, planned by Ranita Sharma, MD, MACP, associate professor of medicine, featured a mixer, awards ceremony and guest speakers Dean Amy P. Murtha, MD, and Octavia Pickett-Blakely, MD, MHS, associate professor of clinical medicine at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine, who shared inspirational stories from their personal journeys and offered invaluable career advice.
More than 50 female faculty, residents and fellows from the department were in attendance as Elizabeth Blackwell WiM awards were presented to Sabiha Hussain, MD, MPH, associate professor of medicine and fellowship director of pulmonary and critical care medicine; Emily Hiltner, MD, cardiology fellow; and Roohi Patel, MD, medicine chief resident.
The evening demonstrated the department's commitment to reflect the medical school's WiM mission, which in part includes advocating for the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women in the medical profession and increasing professional development of all women through support, mentorship, sponsorship and networking.
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Respiratory Virus Possible Precursor to a Rare Polio-Like Illness |
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a health advisory about an increase in children being hospitalized with severe respiratory illness who also tested positive for the rhinovirus or enterovirus EV-D68. That particular enterovirus has been associated with acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) – a rare polio-like illness that affects the nerve cells in the gray matter of the spinal cord and could lead to permanent paralysis.
Simon Li, MD, associate professor of pediatrics, says both viruses circulate year-round in the United States, with typical peaks in the spring and fall. EV-D68 is thought to peak in late summer and early fall. Hospitalized children will have a cough, shortness of breath and wheezing and about half will have a fever.
"Since we don’t know what triggers AFM, there is no specific action to take to prevent it. However, you can take steps to prevent you and your child from getting sick from a virus: Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds; avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth; avoid close contact with people who are sick; cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or upper shirt sleeve, not with hands; clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces; stay home if sick; and consider wearing a mask around other people if you have respiratory symptoms," Dr. Li told Rutgers Today.
Parents should contact a health care provider immediately if they or their child has trouble breathing or has a sudden onset of limb weakness.
Read more in Rutgers Today.
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National Board of Medical Examiners Makes Donation in Honor of Dr. Tallia |
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The National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) is making a contribution in recognition of Alfred F. Tallia, MD, MPH, chair of the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health and current chair of NBME, for his dedicated service in 2022.
The $40,000 donation will be distributed to the Martha A. Lansing Lectureship.
Martha A. Lansing, MD, served as associate professor and vice chair of the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health prior to Dr. Tallia. The inaugural lecture of the series takes place next month.
Congratulations, Dr. Tallia!
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In Memoriam: Avedis K. Khachadurian, MD |
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Avedis K. Khachadurian, MD, professor and founding director of the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, passed away on September 22 in Plainsboro, N.J. at the age of 96.
Dr. Khachadurian, a pioneer in cholesterol research, studied at the American University of Beirut and became Professor of Biochemistry. In 1973, Rutgers
Medical School was transitioning from a two to a three-year medical school when Dr. Khachadurian became one of the first members of the Department of Medicine. He continued his National Institutes of Health supported research and lecturing students about cholesterol as he expanded faculty in endocrinology. His colleagues recognized him as the sharpest mind in the room. He mentored many students and trained more than 30 endocrinologists.
A beloved husband and father, Dr. Khachadurian is survived by his wife Laura, who was an enormous asset to his career and achievements, and by his daughters Cynthia of Princeton, and Linda of Boston. A memorial service is planned in the spring.
Read more, submitted by Louis F. Amorosa, MD, professor of endocrinology.
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The Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Office of Faculty and Staff Affairs has been awarded a grant to create a multicultural event series, "Expressions of Me,” to highlight and celebrate different groups and cultures represented in the faculty and staff at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS). The goal of this program is to increase the sense of community at the medical school and RBHS through cultural fairs filled with varying artwork that represents the region, culture or personality; spoken word; food tastings of regional cuisine; question-and-answer sessions; and discussions with a focus on enhancing and understanding diverse groups.
“Expressions of Me” will feature six sessions held on the New Brunswick campus. Each session will focus on one region of the world and allow the different groups represented to share aspects and experiences of their culture. Here is the schedule of events:
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Latin/South America: Dec. 7, 2022
South Asia: Dec. 13, 2022
Far East Asia: Jan. 10, 2023
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Europe: Feb. 21, 2023
Africa: April 25, 2023
North America: June 6, 2023
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The Office of Faculty and Staff Affairs is requesting volunteers to help plan and implement these events. If you are interested in joining the group, please complete this short survey.
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Reminder: Latino Heritage Month Celebration Is Next Week |
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Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital S.A.L.U.D. Business Resource Group is hosting a Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month celebration on Oct. 5, which will include speakers, cultural presentations, food and awards.
Congratulations to Sonia C. Garcia Laumbach, MD, assistant dean for student affairs and associate professor of family medicine and community health, has been selected to receive an award during the event for her dedication to patients, students and the community.
Download the event flier for more details. |
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Smile! Faculty and Staff Photo Sessions Are Coming Up |
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We are offering two free professional head-shot sessions in October! Please make every effort to attend on one of these dates. Complimentary photos will not be offered again until Spring 2023.
Masks are mandatory but may be removed for photos.
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Piscataway Campus
Thursday, Oct. 6
8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
The Great Hall
675 Hoes Lane West
Piscataway, NJ
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New Brunswick Campus
Tuesday, Oct. 11
8 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Medical Education Building (MEB) Lobby
One Robert Wood Johnson Place
New Brunswick, NJ
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Sign Up Today! Flu Immunizations Available by Appointment |
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The flu vaccine is available in person at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School by appointment.
If you are obtaining a flu shot in person, you MUST:
• Download the consent form, complete your portion and bring it with you to your appointment. Forms will be completed and retained by the technician.
Flu vaccines are available during the following dates and times, by appointment.
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Tuesday,
Oct. 11, 2022
8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
CAB 1302
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Wednesday,
Oct. 19, 2022
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
CAB 1302
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Visit the flu website for additional information and to download forms.
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For next week, I highlight the following Grand Rounds:
The Department of Pediatrics is hosting its Systems Grand Rounds on Wednesday, Oct. 5 from 8 - 9 a.m., with Isabel Roberti, MD, PhD, director of Barnabas Health Children's Kidney Center and associate clinical professor, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, who will be speaking on "Pediatric Kidney Transplantation: A Review and Latest Updates." For virtual connection details, please contact Ashley Henriquez.
Looking ahead:
The Department of Emergency Medicine's Grand Rounds on "What Works, What Doesn't, and at What Cost? A Review of 100 Intervention Studies on Physician Well-Being" will be presented by Gregory Guldner, MD, MS, vice president of academic affairs, HCA Healthcare Graduate Medical Education, on Wednesday, Oct. 12 from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. in the Child Health Institute of New Jersey, conference room 3101, and concurrently via Zoom. For connection details, please contact Nirali Kelly.
Please save the date for the Inaugural Lectureship & Grand Rounds event to honor the late Martha A. Lansing, MD, former vice chair of the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. This first lecture will be delivered by Peter Katsufrakis, MD, MBA, president and CEO of the National Board of Medical Examiners, on “Assessing the Future.” It is scheduled in hybrid format for Wednesday, Oct. 19 from 9 - 10am, in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health (303 George Street, Sixth Floor, New Brunswick). For virtual access details, please contact Jennifer Hemler.
Please again note for your convenience and flexibility the increasing number of hybrid and in person options for Grand Rounds in this academic year to complement virtual platforms.
Feel free also to send me programs that you would like featured with as much notice as possible.
Best wishes,
Paul F. Weber, MD, RPh, MBA, associate dean, Continuing Medical Education
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Social Media Post of the Week |
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Dept. of Communications and Public Affairs | Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
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