What's Up in DOM Faculty Development? 
Wednesday, September 7, 2022

And the award goes to . . .

Department of Medicine faculty and staff achievements recognized at the 2022 DOM Honors and Awards Celebration

There is much to celebrate in the Department of Medicine! On August 30, the annual Department of Medicine Honors and Awards Celebration was held to recognize the outstanding contributions of the department’s faculty and staff in their divisions, the department, the School of Medicine, and Emory University. Over 120 of our colleagues joined virtually for an evening of celebrating the department-wide accomplishments that took place over the last year. Throughout the event, attendees cheered on the award recipients as their names were called, and they wore “fun and festive hats” to keep the night light-hearted.

Dr. David Stephens recognized the faculty development contributions and impact of Kathy K. Griendling, vice chair for research and faculty development in the Emory University Department of Medicine. With her upcoming departure from her vice chair role, the awards have been named in her honor and are now called the "Kathy Griendling Awards Program." Thank you again, Kathy, for your service and dedication to the department!

Read More | Meet the Winners

Case of the Month

Monthly Case from the Division of Rheumatology 
"The Case of the Great Imitator"

STORY AND CASE:

A 24-year-old woman was admitted for evaluation of progressive diffuse joint pain for five days. Two weeks preceding the joint pain, she developed three days of diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Following resolution of her initial symptoms, she continued to have progressive malaise, decreased appetite, generalized weakness, diffuse joint pain and redness with inability to ambulate. On examination, she had icterus with erythema on her face. She had polyarticular inflammation with synovitis bilaterally at her shoulders, elbows, metacarpophalangeal, proximal interphalangeal, knees, ankles, midfoot and Achilles tendon area. Pertinent negatives included the absence of fever, lymphadenopathy, and hepatosplenomegaly. Initial labs showed acute kidney injury (AKI), elevated liver enzymes, electrolyte imbalances, leukocytosis, and elevated inflammatory markers (see table below).

She did not have any pertinent past medical history and denied any active alcohol or substance abuse. She was not aware of any family history of autoimmune diseases.

Her presentation was concerning for systemic inflammation with multiorgan failure. It was thought that a decrease in oral intake and dehydration contributed to the AKI, but her liver enzymes elevation, leukocytosis and polyarthritis were suggesting an infectious or an autoimmune process. We recommended to start her on IV methylprednisolone 20 mg every 12 hours while the workup was done.

LABORATORY STUDIES:

Autoimmune serologies:

• ANA (antinuclear antibody) by Immunofluorescence, ANA screen with reflux, double stranded DNA (dsDNA), Rheumatoid factor (RF), cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP), Myositis panel, Lupus anticoagulant panel, Antiphospholipid antibody panel: negative
• HLAB27: negative
• Complement 3: 69 mg/dL (Normal 81-157); Complement 4: 1 mg/dL (Normal 13-39)

Ultrasound Abdomen:
Gall bladder sludge without cholecystitis

Hospital Course:
Her arthritis improved within a day of IV steroids with gradual improvement in her AKI, liver enzymes and leukocytosis. She was discharged on oral prednisone which was tapered over a month and on follow up her arthritis had completely resolved. Her ESR and CRP also normalized. 

Have an interesting case that you want to share with the DOM faculty?
Contact Lenore Meeks for template, sample cases, and how to submit. 

A Post Mid Career Workshop Moment

New Faculty Orientation

The Department of Medicine Office of Faculty Development is offering an orientation to new faculty on September 15, 2022, via Zoom. Please join us for this instructive session. We will kick things off with an informal meet and greet session with your Division Director and Division Administrator, as well as other new faculty in your division. We will then move into the rest of the program, which consists of interactive sessions presented by DOM leaders on specific resources, programs and initiatives, and how to get involved. Register by Tuesday, September 13, 2022 to receive a $5 Starbucks gift card.
This program is for new DOM faculty only; please see the Quick Notes section for information regarding the School of Medicine's New Faculty Orientation.

Let's Talk Promotions

Dr. Merchant said, “I think the biggest piece of advice that I received, and that I would pass on to others, would be to keep [your] CV updated on a regular basis, rather than trying to update many years of information right before a promotion cycle.” Along the same lines, Dr. Williams said, "I attended as many of the faculty development talks and workshops about promotion as possible. That prepared me for all the paperwork requirements quite well."

Thank you for sharing your advice, Dr. Merchant and Dr. Williams, and congratulations on your promotion! Are you ready to start planning? Check out the Junior and Senior Promotions page for guidelines and information on upcoming non-tenure packet classes.

Research 

Registration is now open for the 2022 DOM Research Day
The program includes both oral and poster presentations, as well as a keynote address from E. Dale Abel, MD, PhD, Chair and Executive Medical Director, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA Health. Awards are given at the conclusion of the day to recognize the most outstanding presentations. The department is thrilled to have received 130 abstract submissions from each of our ten divisions and spanning the entire academic spectrum from undergraduates to full professors.

Agenda ǀ Questions ǀ Register

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Emory at Grady Health Equity and Advocacy Course
Twenty-five participants were selected to participate in the inaugural Emory at Grady Health Equity Advocacy Course. The Advocacy Course is a 5-month multi-pronged educational intervention that will bring faculty, learners, and community members from several institutions together to advocate around common health-related priorities. This innovative course will go well beyond didactic instruction and include experiential learning that will leverage collaboration and, importantly, have tangible outcomes as a result. Participants will learn while doing. Learn more about this impactful course here.

Quick Notes

• Please join the Department of Medicine in congratulating W. Robert Taylor MD, PhD, who was named interim chair of the Department of Medicine as of September 1, 2022. Read more.
• In addition to the DOM New Faculty Orientation, the School of Medicine will have their New Faculty Orientation on Friday September 23, 2022. Additional information and the link to registration can be found here.
• Update your Emory FIRST profile. If you have any questions, please contact Aneesh Mehta.
• Is your Zoom current? PC Version 5.11.9 : Mac IOS 5.11.10

Wellness 

Connect and Chat Sessions. Did you know the FSAP offers a weekly "Connect & Chat" session to help you process the emotional impact of ongoing societal stressors and traumatic events with others? These sessions will provide a safe space to unpack, share and discuss healthy strategies for coping while navigating life’s daily pressures. The sessions are offered on Tuesdays via Zoom.

Refresh and Mindfulness Meditation. Every first and third Wednesday from 4:30 - 4:45 p.m., you can join the FSAP group for a 15-minute virtual self-care experience to support your resilience. Visit the FSAP Events and Workshop page to register.

On the fourth Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m., you can join Mindfulness Meditation. Learn strategies for staying centered and reducing your stress level. Join at 1 p.m. to learn the basics of mindfulness, or join at 1:15 p.m. for a guided practice and opportunities for discussion. Register here.

Well-being Check-ins. The Faculty Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) is offering individual well-being check-ins for staff and faculty to gauge emotional health/coping and identify strategies for enhancing resilience, especially pertaining to transition. Call to schedule your check-in today: 404-727-WELL (9355).

Want more information about other services offered through the FSAP? View the website.

Work Life Integration

Your Work Life: Children and Family. Did you know Emory has a list of resources available for you, including emergency back-up care and events taking place around Atlanta for parents of infants to teenagers? Whether you're just starting a family or getting ready to send your child off to college, Emory has many resources to help you through every stage of parenting. Learn more here.

Emory Worklife Announces Upcoming Webinars on Healthy Boundaries and Work-Life Balance. These workshops are offered by the Benefits and Worklife Department and Vendor Partners. Register here, and links will be sent out prior to the webinar. If you have any questions about the webinars or family-centered benefits at Emory, please contact worklife@emory.edu.

Stay Connected  

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Looking for research specific information within the DOM? Be sure to subscribe to our sister publication, 'What's Up in DOM Research?' Email domresearch@emory.edu to be added to the monthly newsletter. To subscribe to 'What's Up in DOM Faculty Development?' email somfdev@emory.edu.