March 2024
February 28, 2024
Dean’s Message March 2024
March is one of the most exciting months at VTCSOM. Of course we love to see where students will continue their training (Match Day is March 15th), but there’s a second event in March that highlights a defining feature of VTCSOM…the Class of 2024 Medical Student Research Symposium! VTCSOM’s rigorous research curriculum asks students to dive into a research study early and pursue a research question until graduation. One of the core elements of a VTCSOM graduate’s identity is that of the scientist physician, who integrates clinical medicine and scientific inquiry to answer questions that improve patient outcomes and health care delivery. Immersion in this process longitudinally allows our graduates to differentiate themselves by developing the habits and skills that will serve them throughout their career as an inquiry-driven scholar and patient-centered physician.
The research symposium (March 22) showcases the remarkable discoveries our students have made while at VTCSOM. Students from the Class of 2024 have been working in an incredibly diverse array of areas, ranging from the molecular basis of cancer to device development to next-generation neuroimaging and more. Every member of the class will present a poster describing their work, and students who were selected by faculty for special recognition will give oral presentations throughout the afternoon.
Our students’ research success relies on a cadré of dedicated and skilled research mentors and research teams that help our students navigate the inevitable hurdles that arise during the discovery process. VTCSOM is fortunate to have close to 100 faculty mentors at any given time working with our students, along with many others (faculty, trainees, and staff) who play the role of co-mentors. Research takes a team, and our medical education team is so grateful for the way our academic community contributes to our students’ growth in this area. We are excited to recognize and hear from our Mentor of the Year, Dr. Pete Apel from the Department of Orthopaedics, at this year’s Research Symposium.
We hope you will join us on March 22nd from noon to 5pm to view some posters, hear some exciting talks, and share food and discussion with our Class of 2024 students as they close out their research endeavors at VTCSOM!
Leslie LaConte, Ph.D.
Associate Dean, Research
News Around Campus
- Virginia Tech women’s advocacy group expands to Roanoke campus
- New art show brings Appalachia to the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
- Medical school honors Henrietta Lacks’ legacy through diversity scholarship
Social Media
- Giving Day Thank You!
- VTCSOM renamed its VTC Dean's Council Diversity Excellence in Medicine Endowed Scholarship to the Henrietta Lacks Excellence in Medicine Scholarship.
- VTCSOM WELLFEST!
Events
- Feb. 22-May 10 – Spring Art Show “From These Hills”
- March 5 and 6 – Education Grand Rounds
- March 8 – International Women’s Day. Wear purple!
- March 14, 7 p.m. - Ramadan dinner hosted by Carilion Clinic. RSVP by March 7.
- March 15, Noon – Match Day
- March 20, 1-2 p.m.– “Balancing Parenthood and Career Challenges for Women in STEM and Higher Education: A Presentation on Dissertation Research,” by Alexandria Pilot Chambers. VTCSOM M106.
- March 22 – Student Research Symposium
- March 27, 11 a.m. Room M203 - Neurodiversity Panel
- April 24, 5:30 p.m. – Global Health Forum
- April 25 – Dean's Diversity Champions Banquet & Aequitas Induction Ceremony
- May 4, 9a.m. – Graduation
- June 11, 5:30 p.m. – Next art show opens
Humanism Notes
Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) seems to have gotten really good at a number of tasks such as writing news copy, solving complex problems, and even composing music. While A.I. may have increased productivity and reduced human error, people have also gotten really good at recognizing non-human communications. In this short video, Neal Foard takes a delightful, witty, and thought-provoking look at “What will you miss after A.I. eats the world?”
Recognitions
Congratulations to Stephen Dvorak and Celine Marlin Andrews, both members of the Class of 2024, who were selected to attend a national medicine and science leadership development seminar hosted by AAMC in Washington D.C. next month.
Our VTCSOM communications team was recognized with a Gold Summit Award for writing by PRSA Blue Ridge for the story Speaking the language of hope (Catherine Doss, writer; Ryan Anderson, photographer).
Members of the Mentorship Matters 2023 cohort were recognized recently. Pictured left to right (both mentors and mentees): Jane Nwaonu, Julia D’Amora, Charles Schleupner, Daniel Pauly, Devasmita Dev, Rebecca Pauly, Sheri Whicker, Sarah Harendt, Paul Dallas, Lisa Hawks, and Mariana Gomez.
Publishing
Michelle Rockwell, VTCSOM assistant professor of family and community medicine and director of research for family and community medicine for Carilion Clinic, authored “Mapping AHRQ's 30-year investment in primary care research (1990-2020)” that was published by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Mariah Rudd, Shari Whicker, Brock Mutcheson, and David Musick, with VTCSOM, and Alisa Nagler with the American College of Surgeons, published “Exploring quality and requirements in faculty development related to teaching” in the Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions.
Nick Rider with HSSIP, along with colleagues across the country, has had two publications accepted, which are currently in press/final revisions ahead of print:
- Kirk Roberts, Aaron Chin, Klaus Loewy, Lisa Pompeii, Harold Shin, Nick Rider; Natural language processing of clinical notes enables early inborn-error of immunity risk ascertainment; Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: Global.
- Nick Rider, Ahuva Truxton, Tracy Ohrt, Irene Margolin-Katz, Mary Horan, Harold Shin, Davila R, Vanessa Tenembaum, Jessica Quinn, Vicki Modell, Fred Modell, Jordan Orange, Almut Branner, Cynthia Senerchia, “Validating inborn error of immunity prevalence and risk with nationally-representative EHR data;” Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
Posters and Presentations
Mariah Rudd and Shari Whicker with TEACH, along with external collaborators Emily Green and Kathleen Cowling, presented their poster "From helpful resource to burdensome demand: email impact on faculty" at the 2024 Conference on Higher Education Pedagogy in Blacksburg.
Shari Whicker, Mariah Rudd, Sarah Harendt, and Jennifer Cleveland presented their poster "Peer Observation to Enhance Teaching" at the 2024 Conference on Higher Education Pedagogy in Blacksburg.
Spotlight On Giving
Alumni Update
Attention alumni! Check out our updated alumni web page. You’ll find lots of resources and ways to stay connected with VTCSOM. Also, we urge you to reach out to Brittany May, director of alumni affairs, at may@vt.edu or via our updates survey if you have any updates you would like to share.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Update
Below are March holidays and celebrations.
March is:
- Women’s History Month
- National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
- National Irish American Heritage Month
- 1-19 (sunset to sunset): Nineteen-Day Fast
- 8: International Women’s Day
- 8: Maha Shivaratri
- 10: The Sunday of the Last Judgment/Meatfare Sunday
- March 11-April 10: (sundown to sundown) Ramadan
- 14: Equal Pay Day
- 15: International Day to Combat Islamophobia
- 17: Forgiveness Sunday/Cheesefare Sunday
- 17: St. Patrick’s Day
- 18–24 Neurodiversity Celebration Week
- 18: Beginning of Great Lent/Clean Monday
- 19: St. Joseph’s Day
- 20: Ostara
- 20–21: Naw-Rúz, Bahá’í New Year
- 20–21: Nowruz/Norooz, Persian New Year
- 21: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
- 23-24 (sundown to sundown): Purim
- 24: Orthodox Sunday
- 24: Lord’s Evening Meal
- 24: Palm Sunday
- 25: Annunciation of the Virgin Mary
- 25 Hola Mohalla
- 25: International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
- 25: Holi
- 26: Khordad Sal (birth of prophet Zoroaster)
- 28: Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday)
- 29: Good Friday
- 31: Easter
- 31: International Transgender Day of Visibility
Community Corner
A big thank you to the volunteers who showed up for the re-scheduled Day of Service event. The group built a wheelchair ramp for an older adult with mobility issues.
Take Note
ARTiculation
Issue 4 of ARTiculation, VTC's creative journal, is now live! Since 2019, ARTiculation has highlighted the creative, self-reflective, and artistic endeavors of VTC's students, faculty, and staff. This year's issue contains a wide variety of genres, including microfiction, narrative nonfiction, essays, poetry, photography, visual art, and woodworking. Take some time to dive in and appreciate what these artisans and writers have created and shared.
Sensory Space
In addition to the Wellness Room in 2 Riverside, did you know there is also a Sensory Space in 4 Riverside room 1006 ? It’s a multipurpose room designed with the needs of our neurodivergent community members in mind. This versatile room serves as a dedicated space for sensory regulation and decompression, providing a calming environment for those who seek moments of tranquility and relief. To reserve the room, contact Sebastian Harlow or Trystin Davis.
Gift Shop
The VTCSOM Gift Shop has closed. Our merchandise may be purchased online through the Virginia Tech bookstore.
Yoga Sessions with Emily Holt Foerst
Do you feel like you need a take a mid-day break and stretch your arms and legs? This spring get some '”you time” and join our on-site yoga sessions. Groups will meet on select Wednesdays 12-12:45 p.m. in 2 Riverside Circle, M210. Check out the full schedule and signup to reserve your spot!
Child Care Partnership
Hokie Wellness has announced a new child care partnership in Roanoke that is providing enrollment opportunities to Virginia Tech faculty, staff, and students. The new childcare partner is Champion Early Learning Center. For questions contact Hokie Wellness by email at hokiewellness@vt.edu or phone at 540-231-8878.
The Last Note
