Here are this week’s Accolades, a roundup of some of the honors and accomplishments of College of Medicine and UAMS faculty, staff, residents, fellows and students I’ve heard about recently!
MS Care Recognition
I was delighted to hear that UAMS has been designated as a Center for Comprehensive MS Care by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Kudos to Assistant Professor Dr. Erika Santos Horta, who spearheaded the effort, Department of Neurology Chair Dr. Lee Archer and the entire team in the UAMS Neuro-immunology Clinic for their commitment to providing the very best care for MS patients from across Arkansas and earning this important distinction for UAMS.
Cardiotoxicity Study
Dr. Michael Bauer, Assistant Professor in Biomedical Informatics, and Dr. Valentina Todorova, Assistant Professor in Hematology/Oncology, are co-first authors on a paper published in Cancers. Along with UAMS and VA colleagues in Geriatrics, Hematology/Oncology, Nephrology, Pathology and the College of Public Health, they examined whether the DNA methylation state of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) could predict cardiotoxicity caused by doxorubicin (DOX)-based chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. The team found a significant difference in the pattern of DNA methylation of PBMCs associated with a risk of cardiotoxicity. The study shows the potential for further personalized medicine and tailored treatments.
Telehealth in Endocrinology
Dr. Spyridoula Maraka, Assistant Professor in the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism and Director of the Endocrinology Fellowship, has been appointed to a working group of the Endocrine Society that will develop a consensus statement on the appropriate use of telehealth in endocrinology. The Endocrine Society is the world’s largest and most respected scientific and professional organization in the field. Dr. Maraka, who is internationally recognized for her expertise, will be a strong asset for this initiative.
ACEP Honors Resident, Student
Congratulations to Emergency Medicine Chief Resident Dr. Michael Hobensack and fourth-year medical student Morgan Sweere-Treece on their recent honors from the Arkansas chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). Dr. Hobensack received the inaugural Resident of the Year Award for his clinical excellence and service in multiple leadership roles during residency, including as the Arkansas ACEP resident representative. Morgan received the inaugural Medical Student of the Year Award for her strong track record of involvement and leadership in the UAMS Emergency Medicine Interest Group (EMIG). Under her leadership, the chapter recently received an award from the national Emergency Medicine Residents’ Association.
Women in Neurosurgery
A shout-out to fourth-year Neurosurgery resident Dr. Natalie Guley, who did a great job presenting at the recent annual meeting of the Neurosurgical Society of India. In a forum focusing on issues relating to women in neurosurgery, Dr. Guley discussed her experiences as a female neurosurgery resident along with relevant issues in the United States. The organizing team praised Dr. Guley for her contributions to the forum.
Insights into Heart Disease
Dr. J.L. Mehta, Distinguished Professor of Internal Medicine, Physiology and Cell Biology, and Pharmacology and Toxicology, has authored a new book, “Heart Disease: It is All in Your Head.” The book shares Dr. Mehta’s insights into the causes of heart disease based on his personal life experiences, 45 years in clinical practice and academic medicine, and extensive research. Dr. Mehta, who holds the Stebbins Chair in Cardiology, also explores the impacts of the brain and the immune system in regulating cardiovascular function and disease. Congratulations, Dr. Mehta.