February 12, 2024

What you will learn in this week's Faculty Development edition of the Bulletin: 

Scroll down to read more!

CASE OF THE MONTH

Monthly Case from the Department of Medicine 
Fever in a returning traveler: A case for cautious hydration 

STORY AND CASE:
A 29-year-old man presented to the emergency department from Hartsfield Jackson International Airport with 9 days of generalized malaise, fevers, and severe diffuse myalgias and arthralgias that started after he spent a month in Guyana. He had no significant past medical, surgical, or family history. He spent his childhood in Guyana and migrated to Atlanta in his late teens and did not recall having any significant febrile illnesses during his childhood or during prior trips to Guyana. On his recent trip to Guyana, he spent his time in a house near the ocean, denied swimming in fresh or seawater, and had no significant animal or food exposures. He was up to date with all routine immunizations, had been vaccinated against yellow fever in his childhood, and did not take malaria prophylaxis during his travel. On presentation, he was afebrile, and his physical exam was unremarkable, including a negative tourniquet test. Labs were notable for a creatinine level of 1.2 mg/dL, white blood cells 8,300/mm3 with 61% lymphocytes, platelet count of 45,000/mm3, hematocrit of 52%, AST level of 135 IU/L, ALT level of 161 IU/L with normal alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin levels. Initial BinaxNOW™ Malaria test (Abbott, Chicago, IL) and blood smear were negative for malaria. Nasopharyngeal influenza A/B, SARS-CoV-2, and respiratory syncytial virus nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) were negative. Chest x-ray was normal. 

Two additional blood smears obtained 12 hours apart were negative for malaria. He remained afebrile; he was managed with oral hydration and close monitoring of hematocrit, platelet counts, and fluid balance. 48 hours after admission, his AST and ALT downtrended to 73 IU/L and 92 IU/L, respectively. Platelets improved to 80,000/mm3 and hematocrit normalized, and blood cultures remained negative. Given clinical improvement and ruling out of malaria, he was discharged with close outpatient follow up. 

Interested in submitting a case of the month? Click the button to learn more, read previous cases, and submit.

FACULTY DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

News from the Office of Faculty Development!

The components of faculty development include our academic missions (clinical, education, research, and scholarship), and other facets that promote these missions (recognizing faculty for their accomplishments, building leadership skills, mentorship, and faculty promotions). Watch this space for more information, as we work together to enhance and improve how we connect and engage! 

Reminder: Sign up for a DOM Peer Mentoring Group

Would you like to increase your career satisfaction, productivity, and growth through collaboration with peers who share similar interests and goals? If so, the DOM Office of Faculty Development is pleased to invite you to join a Peer Mentoring Group!  Join one of these groups at the following locations: 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Today is the last day to register! Save your spot now.

DOM faculty members are invited to register for the virtual CV Review Session on February 28 from 8–10 a.m. This session provides participating faculty with individualized advice on their progress toward promotion from a member of the department's Faculty Development Promotion and Tenure Committee. This committee is responsible for reviewing all senior-level promotion packets within the department and offers valuable advice to faculty members about their path to promotion to associate professor or professor.

Who should attend? Assistant and associate professors who are thinking of going up for promotion within the next two to three years; however, the session is open to all DOM faculty. This session is for you if you want to know if you are on track for promotion. The CV Review Session will provide individualized advice on your progress towards promotion. Register today!

When do I need to register by? Monday, February 12.

The Department of Medicine (DOM) and Department of Pediatrics (DOP) Offices of Faculty Development are pleased to present the 15th annual Faculty Education, Enrichment, and Development (FEED) Conference, taking place virtually on April 12. This year's theme will focus on the exciting topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI)!  

As one of the signature events offered by the DOM's Office of Faculty Development, this half-day CME-accredited program provides learning opportunities for faculty of all levels. Register today to save your spot!

When? April 12, 2024, via Zoom. 8 a.m.–noon 

Who should attend? All faculty in DOM and DOP are invited to attend. 

Why should I attend? AI is here. Learn about Emory’s commitment to this groundbreaking innovation and how we can all utilize it in a variety of settings.  We’re excited to offer AI-focused sessions ranging from an overview of AI and resources at Emory to applications for teaching and research. Also, learn about how AI can make you more efficient!

DOM ANNOUNCEMENTS

Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology receives awards from the National Endowment for the Arts 

Celebrating DOM's Black History

This year, to honor Black History Month we will be celebrating Black history here at Emory Department of Medicine. Follow along with RYSE as we honor and celebrate those who have contributed to Emory DOM and provide some snapshots of Black History here at the DOM. You can find weekly highlights and fun facts in the DOM newsletter as well as on our socials. 

This week's Black History Month spotlight is Keith Churchwell, MD, FAHA. Read more below!

A leader in cardiology and academia, Keith Churchwell, MD, FAHA, is the current president-elect of the American Heart Association (AHA). He receives this honor after years of involvement with the AHA on the National Board and as chair of the National Advocacy Committee. Dr. Churchwell completed both his residency and his cardiovascular training at Emory School of Medicine, adding to the list of impactful Black leaders that have come through Emory's doors. 

Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, faculty members named among ATS Fellows Class of 2023

We're thrilled to share that Bashar Staitieh, MD, ATSF, and Aaron Trammell, MD, MSc, ATSF (Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine) were recently named by the American Thoracic Society as 2023 ATS Fellows! These 67 ATS Members have earned the ATSF mark of distinction, which recognizes their accomplishments, dedication, and contributions to the Society, as well as to the fields of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine.

Division of Renal members receive Innovation
RFA 2023–24 award

Congratulations to our Division of Renal Medicine colleagues, Shawanna Jackson, Kevin Phipps, MBA, and Janice Lea, MD, MSc, FASN. They were selected as an awardee for the Innovation RFA 2023–24 for their project Utilizing Virtual Reality Simulations to Improve New Hemodialysis Patient Experience & Care Plan Adherence.

Stacy Higgins, MD, receives IPECP funding

The Emory Staff Council is seeking your feedback

The 2024 Staff Council Spring Leadership Social will be taking place in April 2024. The Staff Council is in the process of gathering questions from the Emory Community. These questions will be asked to President Fenves and the President’s Leadership Team during the event. Share your feedback below!

Volunteer opportunity with Emory Votes Initiative 

The Emory Votes Initiative is looking for Emory Community members to volunteer to support the DeKalb County Polling Site located on Emory’s Atlanta campus for the 2024 Presidential Preference Primary Elections. Early voting runs from February 19–March 8, 2024. Election Day is March 12, 2024.

NIH Salary Cap Update

The NIH has released a new salary cap of $221,900, effective January 1, 2024. To read the full NIH announcement, click HERE.

What does this mean for your salary cap applicable awards?
For any budget period that started prior to January 1, 2024, the previous salary cap of $212,100 will be utilized for the remainder of the budget period. The new salary cap will be utilized at the start of the next budget period. For any budget period starting January 1, 2024 or later, the new salary cap will be utilized.

REMINDER: Reduced FTEs are proportionally capped. For example, an individual with $150,000 Emory base salary at a 0.50 FTE would be $300,000 at a full FTE. Therefore, that individual would be over the salary cap. The salary cap must be reduced proportionally to the FTE. $221,900*0.50 FTE = $110,950 applicable salary cap.

Questions? Please contact Lindsay Grasser, MBA, CRA.

Emory Healthcare: Heart & Vascular Service Line Update

Sara May, MAOM, BSN, RN, has accepted the position of Senior Vice President of Clinical Operations for Heart & Vascular. In this role, Sara will provide leadership over clinical operations, performance improvement, capital management, and strategic planning across all service line locations within Emory Healthcare (EHC). Sara will work collaboratively with leaders across the system in all settings to facilitate the core clinical operations of the service line, fostering the integration of clinical expertise and business strategies. 

Additionally, Jon Crane, MA, is returning to EHC as the Senior Vice President of Business Operations for Heart & Vascular. In this role, Jon will provide leadership in aligning strategic initiatives and operational activities to ensure the service line operates consistently, efficiently, effectively, and sustainably across the system, as well as drive existing and new initiatives, programs, and services for growth in our market and across the region. 

MEDICINE GRAND ROUNDS

Join us tomorrow for DOM Medicine Grand Rounds

All upcoming sessions will be hosted on Zoom, and recordings will be available on the DOM YouTube channel for CME credits. 

DOM EVENTS

Emory Black History Month Events  
Thursday, February 1–Thursday, February 29 | In-person & Virtual

Webinar- Celebrating Black History Month: The Power of Their Story 
February 13 | noon–1 p.m. | Hybrid (location TBD) 

Road 2 NEXt sUcceSs (R2NEXUS) Workshop 2: Developing a strong research support network  
Thursday, February 15, 2024 | 8 a.m.–12:15 p.m. | Zoom 

SOM Professional Development Lecture Series: Benefits, Limits, and Risks of Chat GPT as an AI Chatbot for Medicine: Education, Research, Clinical Care, and Administrative Tasks  
Friday, February 16 | noon–1 p.m. | Virtual

20th Annual Hamilton E. Holmes Memorial Lecture 
Wednesday, February 21 | 5–6 p.m. | WMB Room 110 and Virtual

Emory SCORE Women's Health Research Lecture Series  
Wednesday, February 21 | noon–1 p.m. | Zoom

DOM CV Review Session  
Wednesday, February 28 | 8–10 a.m. | Zoom

ATLANTIS Symposium 
Thursday, March 14 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | HSRB I 

Paul W. Seavey Distinguished Lectureship in General Internal Medicine  
Tuesday, March 26 | 5–6:30 p.m. | Miller-Ward Alumni House, Alumni Hall 

2024 American College of Cardiology Meeting - Division of Cardiology Cocktail Reception  
Sunday, April 7 | 6–9 p.m. | Ventanas

DOM Faculty Enrichment, Education, and Development (FEED) Conference  
Friday, April 12 | 8 a.m.–noon | Virtual

Department of Medicine's 4th annual Health Equity Day
Tuesday, May 21 | 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

22nd Annual ESCAPE 2024: Emory Symposium on Coronary Atherosclerosis Prevention & Education  *New*
Wednesday, May 29–Sunday, June 2, 2024 | OMNI Amelia Island Resort

STAFF NEWS

Check out the latest list of open staff jobs within the DOM. See a job you are interested in or know someone who would be a good fit? Click the job title below to read the full description and apply. Be sure to follow the DOM LinkedIn page to stay up-to-date on the latest job openings!

• Assistant Academic Research Scientist - School of Medicine, Infectious Diseases 

• Clinical Research Coordinator III - School of Medicine, Infectious Diseases *New*

• Clinical Research Coordinator III, School of Medicine - Nephrology  

• Program Coordinator - School of Medicine, Education and Residency Programs  
• Project Coordinator - School of Medicine, Infectious Diseases  *New*

IN THE NEWS

Recent Department of Medicine News

• Atlanta Journal-Constitution: What makes heart doctors tick? Emory University’s candid new series (Emory’s ‘Heart to Heart’ video series featured) 

• KCPQ-TV: Heart disease misdiagnosis in women, self-advocacy (Puja Mehta interviewed)

• KPRC-TV: Kidney damage: Common habits that can cause it (Jeanie Park quoted)

GIVE TO US

STAY CONNECTED

Please send photos and news from your division to deptofmed@emory.edu and visit the Department of Medicine's blog, EmoryDailyPulse.com.

The Emory University Department of Medicine is a component of the Robert W. Woodruff Health Sciences Center of Emory University, which includes the Emory Schools of Medicine, Nursing, and Public Health; Yerkes National Primate Research Center; Winship Cancer Institute; and Emory Healthcare.