Dear Colleagues,
I was fortunate enough to begin this week by welcoming attendees to the 59th Annual Internal Medicine Program sponsored by the Division of General Internal Medicine in Estes Park, CO. It was wonderful to welcome attendees (some of whom have been coming to the conference 30+ years), meet colleagues from across the country, and enjoy the cooler mountain air.
Today is a big day in the Department of Medicine in that we are hosting our first in-person and revamped New Faculty Orientation since 2021. Faculty hired from Jan. 1, 2022 to present are encouraged to attend; but even if you are not new faculty or came in a few years ago, feel free to join us from 4–6 p.m. today in the Donald M. Elliman Conference Center in the Anschutz Health Sciences Building. We look forward to welcoming new members of the DOM with presentations from Vice Chairs and other department leaders.
Bring your smile on Friday, July 28! The department is providing complimentary headshots for new faculty who need a photo for their Faculty Profile from 12–4 p.m. in the 7th floor atrium of Academic Office Building 1. You are welcome to drop in anytime in that window, but are encouraged to sign up for a 5-minute slot.
While you are updating your calendars, here are several events and deadlines that you may want to note:
- Early career faculty members are encouraged to apply for the Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute K12 Program, which provides up to three years of funding for clinical translational research and career development. The goal of the program is to help awardees obtain an individual career development or independent investigator award. Awardees are expected to participate in mentoring and career-development activities. The deadline for application submissions is Wednesday, July 26.
- The Department of Medicine Town Hall: Campus Research Funds Flow on Monday, July 31 at 1 p.m. in Research 1 North, Hensel Phelps Auditorium aims to provide transparency into how research funds in the DOM function and flow. I encourage you to attend this incredibly informational session.
- Our Medicine Grand Rounds for the 2023–24 academic year kicks off on Wednesday, August 2 at 12 p.m. in Research 2, Krugman Conference Hall with “Random Acts of Medicine,” presented by Anupam B. Jena, MD, PhD, from Harvard Medical School. An economist and physician, Dr. Jena is famous for his “Freakonomics, M.D.” podcast and his new book, “Random Acts of Medicine” has been gaining critical praise. Please join us in person for lunch or via Zoom. See this year’s Grand Rounds lineup for more of the dynamic speakers and topics we have this year.
- Join the Department of Medicine at Ace Eat Serve on Thursday, August 17, from 6–9 p.m. for the first annual End of Summer Celebration. Please register by August 9 if you plan to attend. Families are welcome! We cannot wait to honor you all with this fun event.
- The Department of Medicine has just launched a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice Pilot Grant Program that will fund up to $5,000 for programs, research or events that address bias or disparities at CU, our academic affiliate sites, or in our community. Proposals are due September 15. View evaluation criteria, eligibility, submission requirements and how to apply.
Finally, there is never a shortage of stories worthy of praise in the DOM, so let me highlight but a few today:
- Kudos to David Schwartz, MD, who was featured on the July 8 podcast of "Behind the Microscope" sharing his vision for the future of physician scientist training.
- Admiral Rachel L. Levine, MD, assistant secretary for health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, recently visited our campus to hear from our patients, researchers and providers about our efforts to address long COVID. Many thanks to Kristine Erlandson, MD, and Sarah Jolley, MD, who assembled an impressive lineup of more than 20 panelists, including DOM faculty Jane Reusch, MD, Edward Gardner, MD, and Brent Palmer, PhD. In a recent episode of CU Anschutz 360 co-hosted by Thomas Flaig, MD, vice chancellor for research, Kristine reveals how researchers and doctors are exploring new avenues in how to identify and treat long COVID.
- Congratulations to Matthew Wynia, MD, MPH, director, Center for Bioethics and Humanities, who won the AMA Foundation Award for Leadership in Medical Ethics and Professionalism – one of 11 physicians honored this year with Excellence in Medicine Awards. Dr. Wynia is also the recipient of the 16th annual Faculty Professionalism Award, which recognizes Matt for his scholarship, mentoring, local and national leadership, clinical care and community involvement. The award will be presented at the Matriculation Ceremony on Friday, July 28.
As July melts into August, I hope you can find some time to relax and spend time with those you love. Stay cool out there.
Onwards,
Vineet