News Archive: 2024

New geriatrics faculty member selected for National Institute on Aging scholars program
August 27, 2024

With just a few weeks under her belt as a faculty member, Dr. April Ehrlich, in the Division of General Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, was off to NIA headquarters for a weeklong summer aging research symposium named for the institute’s first two directors.


Dr. Bijin Thajudeen: What it takes to be a DEI champion
August 23, 2024

The Division of Nephrology professor was one of two original diversity, equity and inclusion champions for the Department of Medicine in 2018 and shares what that experience has been like and the rewards in showcasing inclusive excellence as a participatory process that lifts all boats.


Rheumatology, Arthritis Center add ‘Joint Space’ podcast to community outreach
August 20, 2024

Dr. Kent Kwoh, division chief and center director, kicks off the podcast – offered on multiple platforms – on topic of “Joint Pain Explained.” Also in this news item are Living Healthy With Arthritis fall calendar, including lectures by Drs. Julie Jernberg and Joshua Farr, and the Bear Down Celebration.


U of A study seeks to understand factors that allow HIV to persist during antiretroviral therapy
August 19, 2024

Infectious Diseases division chief Dr. Liz Connick received $703,000 in NIH/NIAID bridge funding for a study to identify factors in secondary lymphoid tissues that lead to continuous low-level expression of HIV in people living with HIV and receiving antiretroviral therapy, or ART.


Circadian rhythm disruption linked to lung inflammation
August 15, 2024

Researchers at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center for Sleep, Circadian and Neuroscience Research, led by Dr. Sairam Parthasarathy, are studying the effects of circadian rhythm disruption on the lungs.


U of A infectious diseases faculty headline federal workshop on human vaccine for Valley fever
August 14, 2024

Shortly after award of $33M in National Institutes of Health contracts to develop human vaccine, Valley Fever Center team – including Drs. John Galgiani and Fariba Donovan – presents on prospects at workshop near Washington, DC. 


Fifteen new faculty to join Department of Medicine in August
August 6, 2024

Fifteen new faculty will join the DOM this month, including three pulmonologists, two hospitalists, two infectious diseases specialists, a cardiologist, dermatologist, endocrinologist, geriatrician, oncologist, and palliative medicine specialist – and two researchers, one studying GI cancers and the other the role of cellular aging (senescence) in age-related bone loss. Read all about them.


Pursuit of a Valley fever vaccine passes significant milestone
August 6, 2024

A human Valley fever vaccine candidate will proceed toward Phase 1 clinical trials thanks to a major investment from the National Institutes of Health, with a portion of the $33 million going to the University of Arizona through the Valley Fever Center for Excellence, led by Dr. John Galgiani.


Anivive lands $33M NIAID contract to advance human Valley fever vaccine
August 5, 2024

The pet pharmaceutical firm, which licensed research on a vaccine for dogs developed by the University of Arizona Valley Fever Center for Excellence in 2017 and has worked closely with the center, has enlisted partners to move forward on a human vaccine for the respiratory illness caused by fungal spores endemic to soils of the U.S. Southwest.


New oncology teen room opens at Diamond Children's
August 2, 2024

Respite space for teen cancer patients is dedicated to the memory of 18-year-old former cancer patient Kelsey Luria, whose parents founded Bald Beauties Project.


New study highlights scale and impact of long COVID
August 2, 2024

A new review published in The Lancet, with U of A Center on Aging co-director Dr. Janko Nikolich as co-author, highlights the global scale and impact of long COVID, explains biological mechanisms behind the condition and suggests priority areas for future research.


Workforce development offers new beginnings at Banner Health
August 1, 2024

Banner Health helps current employees and youth grow in their health care careers.


Program launches to engage faculty leaders, increase impact from innovative research
July 29, 2024

Faculty Innovation Ambassadors, a new program of University of Arizona commercialization arm, Tech Launch Arizona, creates envoys to serve as mentors and information resources for colleagues across the U of A campus. Pulmonary division’s Dr. Julie Ledford is in inaugural cohort and headlines a luncheon Sept. 30 in COM-T Social Hall.


Call issued for nominations for WIMS 2024-25 Torchbearer Awards
July 29, 2024

The Women in Medicine & Science diversity group at the College of Medicine – Tucson issued a request for Torchbearer Award nominations for the second annual cohort of inspiring women to be celebrated during Women in Medicine Month in September. Submissions due by Aug. 19. 


‘The power behind women leaders’: Inaugural SSWIMS fellows celebrate success
July 26, 2024

A College of Medicine – Tucson fellowship for women in medicine and science supported projects that improve education, research and patient care — and prepare participants for leadership. The DOM’s Drs. Olivia Hung and Salma Patel were among the inaugural fellows, and four more DOM faculty joined for the second.


$5M HRSA grant supports diverse and skilled geriatric care workforce in Arizona
July 25, 2024

The funds awarded to the Center on Aging’s Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program couldn’t come at a better time. That’s due to a growing older U.S. population that’s more racially and ethnically diverse than ever. Meanwhile, Arizona has projected 38.5% more residents over the age of 60 by 2040. 


COM-T advances in US News Best Medical Schools rankings
July 24, 2024

The college was recognized for its strength in diversity and its graduates, who are filling a national need for physicians in rural and health professional shortage areas.


Asthma study tracks Tucsonans from birth into adulthood
July 19, 2024

A decades-long study at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center that has included multiple Department of Medicine faculty, including Drs. Stefano Guerra and Tara Carr, is improving lung health through research.


Banner – UMC Tucson best hospital in Tucson, SE Arizona and No. 3 in the state again
July 18, 2024

U.S. News & World Report ranked Tucson’s only level one trauma center once more as the No. 1 hospital in Tucson, No. 1 hospital in Southeastern Arizona and No. 3 in Arizona, with additional credit as high performing in five adult specialties and nine procedures and conditions for 2024-25.


Five DOM faculty in first class of COM-T, Eller Advanced Healthcare Leadership Academy
July 17, 2024

Drs. Tara Carr, Janet Funk, Elizabeth Juneman, Serena Scott and Tejo Vemulapalli are among 13 in the inaugural cohort for the re-envisioned and expanded Learning to Lead program designed to enhance the college’s leadership culture and build a better community of colleagues with shared goals.


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