Dean creates search committees for internal medicine, integrative biology, PHARMACOLOGY

Interim Dean Jerry Wolinsky has convened two search committees to fill two important department chair positions – the Department of Internal Medicine and the Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology.

The search committee for the internal medicine position is headed up by Dr. Giuseppe Colasurdo, chair of the Department of Pediatrics. Members of the group include Dr. Monju Monga, obstetrics and gynecology; Dr. James Grotta, chair of the Department of Neurology; Dr. James McCarthy, emergency medicine; Dr. David Mercer, surgery; Dr. Lenard Lichtenberger, integrative biology and pharmacology; Dr. Tom Caskey, executive vice president for molecular medicine and genetics and COO of the Institute of Molecular Medicine; Juanita Romans, CEO of Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center; and Dr. James Willerson, president of the health science center, as an ad hoc member.

Wolinsky has charged the committee with finding an accomplished chair to provide leadership to the Department of Internal Medicine following the departure of Dr. Bruce Kone, who left last month to become dean of the University of Florida College of Medicine.

“I ask that the committee identify an academic internist who has the leadership and administrative skills to manage one of the largest departments of the Medical School and to guide the planning for its future growth and development,” Wolinsky said. “It is critically important to find an individual who can lead in an uncertain and changing health care delivery environment and who can work with the faculty to ensure that our responses to these changes will support our mission.”

Wolinsky has requested three names for the internal medicine chair search by Aug. 1.

The search committee for the integrative biology and pharmacology position is a reinvigorated effort after a year’s worth of searching did not result in a new chair.

Dr. John Byrne, chair of the Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, has agreed to chair the new search, and members of the committee include Dr. Michael Blackburn, biochemistry and molecular biology; Dr. William Dowhan, biochemistry and molecular biology; Dr. Theresa Koehler, microbiology and molecular genetics; Dr. Dianna Milewicz, internal medicine; and Dr. John Spudich, biochemistry and molecular biology.

Wolinsky told this committee that he would like to have three qualified candidates for the integrative biology and pharmacology chair as soon as they can be identified.

“These two chairs are integral to the leadership of the Medical School, and I look forward to seeing the final candidates these search committees bring forward,” Wolinsky said.

-D. Brown

For more Headlines, see Page 2 Stories

218 graduate at commencement 2007

Two hundred and eighteen medical students took the final steps across the stage at the George R. Brown Convention Center and walked into their chosen profession as physician May 29.

Commencement speaker Dr. Wiley “Chip” Souba Jr., the 2007 Distinguished Alumnus, welcomed them into this next phase of their life's journey, as did interim Dean Jerry Wolinsky and UT Health Science Center President James Willerson. Dr. Michael Kelly, president of the Harris County Medical Society, and Dr. Ladon Homer, immediate past president of the Texas Medical Association, also spoke to the graduates.

The student awards were presented to Matthew Ulrickson, who received the Walter G. Sterling Award for Excellence and the Truman G. Blocker Jr. M.D. Gold-Headed Cane Award. Paul Pierce received the Hitoshi Nikaidoh, M.D. Award for Humanism in Medicine.

The faculty teaching awards also were recognized: The John Freeman Faculty Teaching Award, Dr. Elizabeth Hartwell; the John P. McGovern Award, Dr. Alberto Puig; the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award presented by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, Dr. Judianne Kellaway; the Herbert L. and Margaret W. DuPont Master Clinical Teaching Award, Dr. Eugene Toy; and The Alpha Omega Alpha Volunteer Clinical Faculty Award, Dr. G.S. Ramesh.

The ceremony concluded with Willerson leading “The Eyes of Texas.”

-D. Brown

For more Headlines, see Page 2 Stories

Immunology, Organ Transplantation celebrates 30 years

The Division of Immunology and Organ Transplantation celebrated 30 years of transplant success and innovation last month with a two-day clinical seminar and a patient symposium.

The fifth floor art gallery was full of memories May 18 and 19 as former transplant and immunology fellows returned from four continents to present lectures on transplantation, immunosuppression, and organ donation. The fellows spoke fondly of their days in the division and their past and current collaborations with Dr. Barry Kahan, professor and division director, and the other physicians and health care professionals with whom they worked while at UT-Houston. Aptly titled “Horizons in Transplantation,” the seminar turned out to be a great venue for learning and networking.

Additionally, many visiting faculty stayed until Sunday to celebrate the patients of the last three decades at a patient symposium held at Regal Ranch in Stafford May 20.

Dozens of transplant recipients, donors, and their families gathered with faculty and staff to usher in the division’s fourth decade, Texas-style. The educational presentations focused on patient compliance, and the day gave attendees the opportunity to swap stories and hear lectures on one of the most important aspects of being a transplant survivor – taking care of oneself in the hopes of enabling a healthier future.

Five transplant recipients inspired everyone present with accounts of how they have been able to keep their grafts. Each emphasized that taking responsibility for his or her own health and taking their medications regularly had made all the difference. They encouraged the other patients to partner with their doctors to maintain a healthy lifestyle, take their prescribed medicines, and keep their appointments.

Never one to rest on his laurels, Kahan noted, “We are proud of our successes, but we hope to see even greater things in the future.”

No doubt reflecting on the division’s role in helping pioneer immunosuppressive lifesavers like cyclosporine (1983), basiliximab (1996), and sirolimus (1999), Kahan is eager to look to the future.

“The division symbol, the Phoenix, represents rebirth,” he said. “Just as our patients frequently experience new life through transplant, we are always looking to breathe new life into the science of organ transplant through discoveries and innovations.”

-M. Veech

For more Headlines, see Page 2 Stories