News

UA/Banner Walkers Place 2nd at Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes, But Looking for More

More than two dozen strong, the UA/Banner team took second place in fundraising at the 2016 Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes at Rillito Park Race Track on Sunday, Oct. 30. You can still donate to help them reach their $1,000 goal…
UA Researchers Closer Than Ever to Valley Fever Vaccine

Although rarely fatal, the fungal disease—which affects largely the lungs—can prove debilitating to people and their pets. Now, a breakthrough—published in August by the journal Infection & Immunity—by a UA multidisciplinary team in development of a vaccine, highlights the work being done that has drawn in UA specialists in infectious diseases, pulmonary medicine, agriculture and plant sciences to find a vaccine… 
UA Findings Spread across Globe on How AIDS Spread Across North America

A new technique that allowed researchers from the University of Arizona and Cambridge University to analyze genetic material from serum samples of HIV patients taken before AIDS was known provides a glimpse into the beginnings of the epidemic. Surprise—it began way before “Patient Zero”…
‘Back in Control – A Spine Surgeon’s Inside Look at Healing Back Pain’ Subject of UA Arthritis Center Lecture, Nov. 2 Free and open to the public, the lecture by Kenneth A. Hood, DO, will discuss the latest approaches to surgical and non-surgical options for common and complex types of back issues, in addition to sharing the latest research into novel treatments and procedures for back pain and injury.

UA Cancer Center Scientist Recognized for ‘Bold Approach to Major Challenges in Biomedical Research’ through NIH Transformative Research Award Keith Maggert, PhD, with the University of Arizona Cancer Center and associate professor of cellular and molecular medicine, has been awarded a $1.7 million NIH grant and has been recognized for his high-risk/high-reward research that has the potential to change the way we think about epigenetics in disease.

Lung Cancer Awareness, Treatment Subject of UA Cancer Center Open House, Nov. 15

 With new CMS certification for the reactivated lung transplant program creating more patient choices, Drs. Afshin Sam, Charles Hsu and Samuel Kim will talk about lung cancer treatment options at the Nov. 15 UA Cancer Center Open House. November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month…
Free Diabetes Awareness Bracelets to Those Attending November DPEC Workshops

In honor of November being American Diabetes Awareness Month, the Diabetes Prevention and Education Center is offering free rubber wristbands to folks who attend its workshops during this time. Those who go to six or more by the end of the year can win a $100 gift card, too. DPEC is affiliated with the UA Division of Endocrinology and Banner – University Medical Group diabetes clinic at the Abrams Public Health Center adjacent to Banner – University Medical Center South…
UA Endocrinology Lecture to Put Spotlight on Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior and the Evolution of Human Health, Nov. 8

University of Arizona anthropologist Dr. David Raichlen will provide a free public lecture on how medical history and time spent sitting versus being physically active affects your health. He will share details of his research during the Endocrinology Grand Rounds at the UA College of Medicine – Tucson on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 3-4 p.m.
Sudden Cardiac Death Topic for First Lecture from BUMCT, Andra Heart Foundation, Nov. 3

Banner – University Medical Center Tucson and the Andra Heart Foundation will host Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes Foundation president and Mayo heart specialist Dr. Michael Ackerman for a free, public talk about sudden cardiac death in the young at Tucson’s Fox Theater on Thursday evening, Nov. 3. He’ll also provide a Cardiology Grand Rounds address at the UA Sarver Heart Center…
Renowned Oncology Surgeon and Physician-Scientist Dr. William Cance Joins UA Cancer Center as Deputy Director to Lead Phoenix Efforts

William Cance, MD, will lead the UACC efforts in Phoenix at the University of Arizona Cancer Center at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center. He will play a critical role in the integration of the Tucson and Phoenix campuses and developing one Cancer Center in two sites.
Skin Cancer Institute at UA Cancer Center Presents 7th Annual Melanoma Walk, Nov. 5 Proceeds support melanoma research, community outreach, education and patient care in Arizona

Physician to Thai Royal Princess Completes Visiting Scholar Tour at UA Nephrology

Dr. Sukit “Kob” Rukasuk, a visiting scholar to the UA Division of Nephrology from Thailand, takes home happy and sad memories. He’s learned a lot about advanced kidney care, vascular access and research methodologies—traveled from the Grand Canyon to Colorado ski slopes to Times Square and Harvard Yard—but the king of Thailand’s Oct. 13 death makes going home bittersweet… 
ANews Health Topics in Past Month Range from Kissing Bugs to Cognition in Older Adults

A flurry of UANews Health articles in the past month have covered everything from Alzheimer’s in women to training health workers in Liberia and ovarian cancer screening devices to a new student-run medical journal and kissing bugs to how gender influences strokes. Take a look see to what you may have missed… 
A Pulmonary Docs Thrilled with CMS Certification for Lung Transplant Program

Drs. Monica Kraft, department chair, and Ken Knox, pulmonary chief, congratulated the collaborative, multidisciplinary effort of physicians from Tucson, Phoenix required to achieve this milestone. Our sixteenth lung patient was recently transplanted with three more on the waiting list. One patient from Yuma (pictured here) who received a double lung transplant just moved to Tucson after being accepted at the University of Arizona... 
DOM Research Seminar to Spotlight Sleep Medicine, Novel Therapeutics for Fibrotic Diseases, Nov. 10

Sleep medicine and fibrotic diseases are topics for the next DOM Research Seminar lecture on Thu., Nov. 10., noon to 1 p.m., in Room 8403, Chase Bank Auditorium, Banner – University Medical Center Tucson. Come hear Dr. Sai Parthasarathy, director, Center for Sleep Disorders, and Dr. Louise Hecker, a translational research investigator who’ll discuss more than just pulmonary fibrosis… 
Neuro ICU Opens with Neurointensivist Recruit from UT Southwestern as Medical Director

The new Neuro ICU at Banner – UMC Tucson reopened in Unit 5W on Oct. 1 with Sankalp Gokhale, MD, recently recruited from UT Southwestern in Dallas, heading the unit as medical director. He completed his internal medicine residency at Brown, a neurology residency at Beth Israel Deaconness, and a neurocritical care fellowship at Duke. Please welcome him to our team…
South Campus Resident Dr. Jessica August Picked as ACP Resident/Fellow of the Year

Jessica August, MD, a third-year at the South Campus Internal Medicine Residency Program, was among two chosen for this year’s top Arizona resident award and will be recognized at Governor’s Dinner preceding the Arizona Chapter Scientific Meeting of the American College of Physicians, Nov. 4-6, hosted by Arizona State University. UA residents swept the competition at last year's meeting here in Tucson… 
Call for Abstracts for 3rd Annual UACC Spring Scientific Retreat

Dr. Dean W. Felsher, of Stanford Medicine, will be the University of Arizona Cancer Center’s keynote speaker at the Third Annual UACC Spring Scientific Retreat. Proposed abstracts are now being accepted for consideration for presentation at the retreat, which will be held April 21, 2017. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, Dec. 20...
UA Receives $10.3M to Help Unlock the Mystery of Alzheimer’s in Women Five-year National Institute on Aging program project grant led by Roberta Diaz Brinton, PhD, inaugural director of the Center for Innovation in Brain Science at the University of Arizona Health Sciences.

Banner – University Medicine, DOM physicians win accolades as ‘Health and Medical Leaders’

Drs. Karl Kern, Andrew Kraft and Peter Ott were recognized at a gala Sept. 28 at Casino del Sol honoring Southern Arizona Influential Health and Medical Leaders that also named Banner – University Medicine the Outstanding Large Healthcare Organization of the year. Honored too were Dermatology’s Gerald Goldberg and the Stephen M. Gootter Foundation…
Valley Fever Research, Vaccine Gain Congressional Attention in Phoenix

The House majority leader and a Phoenix U.S. representative convene a press conference at Banner – UMC Phoenix to spotlight the respiratory disease endemic to the U.S. Southwest. In other news: Valley Fever Center for Excellence gets a $300,000 grant, Dr. Galgiani to appear Oct. 27 on Animal Planet, Farness Lecture keynote speaker announced, and two published papers underscore UA research on vaccine, mortality studies…
Four from DOM Among New Banner Leadership Program Grads

UA Department of Medicine physician-faculty Drs. Emad Elquza, Pradeep Kadambi, Kwan Lee and Tejo Vemulapalli  were among 60 new graduates of Banner Health’s 2016 Advanced Leadership Program for Physicians. Two dozen providers from Banner – University Medical Group participated in effort to cultivate next generation of Banner leaders… 
[Joseph Boakai Sr. (sixth from left), vice president of Liberia, met on Monday with representatives of five colleges at the UA Health Sciences to establish a collaboration agreement.]
UA Positioned to Help Train Health Workers in Liberia

The west African nation is rebuilding after its health infrastructure was decimated by civil war and the Ebola virus.
UA’s Dr. Frank Porreca Honored by the International Association for the Study of Pain with the Ronald Melzack Lecture Award Known for his pioneering research on the molecular and circuit origins of chronic pain and discoveries that may lead to new treatments, Dr. Porreca received the award and delivered the Ronald Melzack Distinguished Lecture during the 16th World Congress on Pain®, attended by the world’s top pain researchers and clinicians.

UA Cancer Center Team Questions the Safety, Efficacy of Selenium to Combat, Reduce Colorectal Cancer Risk Selenium has been a popular nutritional supplement for decades, touted for its antioxidant properties and its role in stopping free radicals from damaging cells and DNA. Studies have shown a deficiency of this micronutrient to be associated with cancer risk. However, a UA-led study indicates selenium supplementation significantly increased the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Pages