September 2021
Progress Notes
September 7, 2021
Progress Notes | September 2021
Although the summer temperatures are still with us here in Roanoke, there are certainly signs of fall around the VTCSOM campus, as we have a full house once again.
Before we get too far into this busy time of year, I’d like to reflect on some notable student research accomplishments over the summer.
In collaboration with Virginia Tech’s Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health (TBMH) program, Oscar Alcoreza became our first M.D./Ph.D. student to be awarded his Ph.D. in May. Oscar is now enjoying clinical rotations as a third-year student and is on track to graduate with the Class of 2023.
The second of our medical students to follow this path, Kenneth Young, officially entered the TBMH program and expects to earn his Ph.D. in 2023 before returning to medical school. We are grateful to the TBMH faculty for their mentorship and sponsorship of our students during their Ph.D. studies.
Alex Miner, a third-year student, has spent the summer working under a prestigious Gold Foundation Student Summer Fellowship to follow her passions at the intersection of neuroscience and international health. Her research examined specific variables contributing to mental health inequities to develop interventions for patients with limited-English proficiency at the Bradley Free Clinic.
In addition, we celebrated the awarding of our first research grants under an endowment set up by Dr. Charles Schleupner. The five second-year student awardees were: Devra Asah, Kasen Hutchings, Caroline Kim, Katelynn Stebbins, and Benjamin Tintera.
Look for more expanded stories about all of these in the near future, and please join me in congratulating these students on their commitment to research excellence!
Lee A. Learman
Dean
Recognitions
- Special thanks to M2 Rockers Patrick Beck, Kacie Hoyt, MJ Milam, Kasen Hutchings, Kelly Ingram, and Megan Harrigan who presented an excellent "Rockstar" panel for the M1 students.
- Carilion Clinic president and CEO Nancy Howell Agee was listed as one of the top 25 women leaders in healthcare by Modern Healthcare Magazine.
- NL Bishop and Dave Trinkle were featured as guest speakers at Brain Injury Services of SWVA's Brain Injury Awareness and Veteran Appreciation Night.
- Ashley DeWyer, class of 2023 is featured in this video about Rheumatic Heart Disease, part of a microdocumentary series produced by the Children's National Hospital.
- Isaiah Johnson will serve as interim Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology for Carilion Clinic and the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine.
- Dean Learman was a guest speaker at the second annual Black Fathers Festival.
- Congratulations to Paul Skolnik for appearing in a New York Times article about summer colds.
- We say goodbye to Patrick Smith, systems support technician.
- Richard Vari received an Excellence in Teaching Award from the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning at Virginia Tech.
- Kudos to the advancement team for receiving national recognition at AAMC's GIA Awards for Excellence for their work on the Virtual Graduation Celebration for the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine's Class of 2020, which won a Bronze Award for Excellence.
- In addition, a number of Carilion Clinic physicians and VTCSOM faculty were recognized in Carilion’s Cheers for Peers newsletter.
Publishing
- Andrew Binks and Renée LeClair received a Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Grant award, titled "The impact of changing Medical Board Exam scores to Pass-Fail on student anxiety, curiosity and learning processes," from the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.
- Andrew Binks and Jennifer Cleveland have received an Instructional Innovation Grant award titled: "Escaping boredom and finding engagement – escape rooms in medical education," from the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.
- Alyssa DeWyer, class of 2023, had “Establishment of a cardiac telehealth program to support cardiovascular diagnosis and care in a remote, resource-poor setting in Uganda” published in PLOS ONE.
- Miranda Gerrard, class of 2021, along with colleagues from Carilion Clinic and other institutions, published “Assessing presenting symptoms, co-morbidities, and risk factors for mortality in underserved patients with non-hereditary early-onset colorectal cancer” in Cureus.
- Lee Learman and 16 other scholars recently had this report published in Phlebology: “The symptoms-varices-pathophysiology classification of pelvic venous disorders: A report of the American Vein & Lymphatic Society international working group on pelvic venous disorders.”
- Chris McLaughlin, class of 2017, was the first of several authors on “Established primary care provider improves odds of survival to discharge for injured patients” in the Journal of Surgical Research.
- Robin Queen published “Sex-specific difference in dynamic balance following total hip replacement” in Innovation in Aging.
- Robin Queen and T.K. Miller, along with colleagues from Virginia Tech Biomechanics published “The impact of standardized footwear on load and load symmetry” in Clinical Biomechanics.
Welcome to New Staff
Welcome to Adam Bailey, senior assistant director of scholarships and financial aid, who joined us in August.
Welcome to New Faculty
Welcome to all the new faculty who joined us in August:
- Emergency Medicine: Alan Denekas
- Family and Community Medicine: Oluyemisi Solomon
- Internal Medicine: Gurlal Baidwan, Padma Chitnavis, Suhail Dar, Obafemi Ifelowo, Shyam Odeti, Gurleen Pahal, Elspeth Springsted, and Alfredo Vallesteros
- Surgery: Justin Hickman
In Memoriam
The Carilion and VTCSOM communities continue to grieve the passing of Dario Sorrentino, gastroenterologist and professor of medicine, who died last month from injuries he sustained in an accident while vacationing in his native Italy. Dr. Sorrentino was a widely respected and beloved colleague who was dedicated to research and mentoring those interested in research careers. He led several acclaimed research studies focusing on the treatment of Crohn’s disease.
Diversity and Inclusion Notes
- Did you know that you can find events related to diversity, equity, and inclusion at VTCSOM all in one place? Events are continuously being added to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion calendar, which can be found on our website.
- The 2021 VA Pride Scholarship is now accepting applications. Light up your future with this amazing opportunity. VTCSOM medical students are eligible to apply for this scholarship. Applications will be evaluated on how the applicant says they will apply their education to advancing LGBTQ equality. Deadline to apply is September 10, 2021.
- Virginia Tech hosts Inclusive VT Week Speaker Series:
- September 7: Dr. Lisa Nunn will present Fostering College Belonging: Practical strategies for fostering student success by strengthening students’ sense of belonging, with a focus on first-generation college students.
- September 9: Presentation by Dr. Fred Bonner II, author of Square Pegs and Round Holes: Alternative Approaches to Diverse College Student Development Theory.
- September 10: Dr. Margaret Price will present Creating an Inclusive and Accessible Campus.
- Holidays and celebrations in the month of September:
- Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15 to October 15
- 4-11: Paryushana Parva
- 6: Labor Day
- 6-8: (sundown to sundown): Rosh Hashanah
- 10: Ganesh Chaturthi
- 11: Ethiopian New Year
- 15-16: (sundown to sundown): Yom Kippur
- 18: International Equal Pay Day
- 20-27: Sukkot
- 22: Ostara Mabon
- 24: Native American Day
- 27: Elevation of the Life-Giving Cross (Holy Cross)
- 27: Meskel
- 27-29: (sundown to sundown): Shemini Atzeret
- 28-29: (sundown to sundown): Simchat Torah
- 29: Michaelmas
Spotlight on Giving
In 2019, then first-year student Amy Chen was a recipient of the James R. Smith Scholarship at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. “Receiving the scholarship has been freeing for me because it has allowed me to pursue activities that I otherwise might not have,” Chen said. Chen is now a fourth-year student, busy with rotations and electives.
Humanism Notes
Creating a deep well of humanism requires a full tank of self-awareness and wellness. The concept of “wellness” has been elaborated into eight distinct dimensions of holistic health: emotional, spiritual, intellectual, physical, environmental, financial, occupational, and social. Learn more about the eight dimensions (and watch the “Wheel of Life” video) to identify where you have untapped potential for increased wellness here.
All Virginia Tech employees are required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine unless they qualify for medical or religious excemption. Additionally, all employees, including full-time and part-time faculty, staff, and wage, are required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination once they are fully vaccinated in the COVID-19 Vaccination Status Self-Reporting form after receiving their final dose. Contact the HR Service Center at hrservicecenter@vt.edu for help.
Take Note
- Feel like you know your way around the school pretty well? Great! Help us show off our beautiful facility by signing up to be a tour guide. For more info, contact Catherine Doss.
- MedDOCs is a new student-run after school pipeline program for Roanoke area high school students from backgrounds under-represented in medicine with the goal of exciting them about pursuing education/careers in science and medicine. Interested in getting involved? Contact Alex Miner.
- Past issues of Progress Notes are available on the website.
Upcoming Events
- September 11 – VTCSOM Tailgate at Virginia Tech (before the VT vs. Middle Tennessee State game
- September 23 – Race, Health, and Future Humans: Lessons from the Legacy of Henrietta Lacks
- October 15 – White Coat Ceremony
The Last Note
The Refugee and Immigrant Medical Association, collected 17 bags of school supplies to help ease the burden for 20 refugee and asylum-seeking families here in Roanoke. Kudos to Atreyi Saha, Ilona Jileaeva, Vemmy Metsutnan, and Devra Asah (pictured above) for leading this effort.
Add Your Own Note
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