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FEBRUARY 10, 2025
What you will learn in this month's
Faculty Development edition of the Bulletin:
- Register for 2025 FEED
- RSVP for Coffee with Carlos now!
- Preparing for the 2025 CCPR
- New Mentoring Moment video
- Faculty Resources
- Mental Health and Well-Being Resources at Emory
- Emory Center for Health in Aging 2024 Pilot Awardees
- Call for Abstracts & Award Nominations: Health Equity Day
- Division of Hospital Medicine Awards
- Celebrating Heart Month
Scroll down to read more!
Over this past weekend, these two important emails from Dean Sandra Wong, MD, MS, and from Ravi Thadhani, MD, MPH, Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, and Lanny Liebeskind, PhD, Interim Provost & Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, were sent and we are resharing them here for our DOM audiences.
February 9, 2025
Dear School of Medicine faculty and staff:
I know you are aware of the quickly changing landscape for medical schools and academic health systems. I hope you have found the recent messages and guidance from our university leaders helpful (including the Feb. 8 message below from Ravi Thadhani and Lanny Liebeskind); the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research (SVPR) website remains a source of up-to-date information.
We understand this is a challenging and anxious time given the uncertainty of how recent Executive Orders and federal directives impact what we do every day, including our pursuit of inclusive excellence. Please take care of yourselves and support one other. If you need additional help, I encourage you to access the comprehensive support resources at Emory.
Please know that since the most recent notice about caps on Facilities and Administration (F&A) costs for all new and existing NIH grants at 15% beginning on Monday, February 10, 2025, I have been working closely with School of Medicine and Emory University leaders to understand the impact on the SOM, knowing there will be immediate and long-term implications for our biomedical research enterprise and beyond. Research is absolutely fundamental to our mission—shaping the future of medicine, advancing human health, and supporting the communities we serve.
Some investigators have received direct communications from the Office of the SVPR about current and pending awards. If you have questions or receive notifications from federal funding agencies, contact Lisa Carlson in the SOM dean's office (lisa.carlson@emory.edu) and/or Holly Sommers in the Office of Sponsored Programs (osp@emory.edu). For those of you in the midst of submitting proposals in February, please proceed as planned.
Our commitment to our faculty, staff, and learners is unwavering. Your work is important and improves the lives of people around the world. We will provide updates about actions we need to take as a community as we continue to learn more. I am grateful for all you do.
My best,
Sandra
Sandra L. Wong, MD, MS
Dean, Emory School of Medicine
Chief Academic Officer, Emory Healthcare
February 8, 2025
Faculty and Staff,
Over the past several weeks, teams from across the Emory enterprise have been working to monitor and respond to new federal directives and policy changes that affect some areas of our work. We have communicated with our research community about these impacts amid the uncertainty of a continually shifting landscape.
Today, we are sharing an update that has serious implications for Emory. Yesterday evening, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) released new policy guidance capping Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs for all new and existing grants at 15% beginning on Monday, February 10th. For Emory, this cap represents a roughly $140 million decrease in NIH F&A funding annually. F&A funding is essential to our research enterprise. Every life-changing breakthrough we pursue – from cures for diseases to the discovery of new medicines – is made possible by the laboratory infrastructure, research security, information technology, and state-of-the-art
equipment this F&A funding provides.
To put it simply, this development could affect nearly every academic unit at Emory, with both immediate and long-term consequences for our scientific research, clinical trials, patient care, and other academic pursuits. When combined with other recent guidance and other potential federal policy changes that may be focused on higher education, the risks to Emory – and indeed to all leading research universities – are compounded.
Emory moved swiftly last night to respond to this emerging guidance, including convening conversations with our peer institutions and national university associations. This work will continue throughout the weekend and into the coming days as we learn more. While we intend to advocate strongly for this essential funding, we want to underline that these impacts are serious and may result in changes to many facets of work across Emory. We anticipate having additional guidance to share next week.
We will continue to provide updates to you as they emerge. In the meantime, please take care of yourselves, and know that we are firm in our belief that the work you do changes lives for the better.
Best,
Ravi Thadhani
Executive Vice President for Health Affairs
Lanny Liebeskind
Interim Provost & Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
For the most up-to-date source of information, visit Emory's Office of the Senior Vice President for Research (SVPR) website.
FACULTY DEVELOPMENT EVENTS
All DOM faculty are invited to attend the Faculty Education, Enrichment, and Development (FEED) Conference virtually on March 28. After last year's success, this year's theme will again focus on the exciting topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI)!
Why should you attend?
- Cutting-Edge Insights: Learn about the latest updates in AI at Emory, including its impact on education, clinical practice, and research.
- Hands-on Learning Opportunities: Choose from multiple breakout sessions tailored to different interests, such as transforming clinical care, leveraging digital tools, and exploring the pearls and pitfalls of AI's role in research.
- Expert Discussions: Engage with thought leaders on the integrity of scientific publications in the age of generative AI.
- Practical Applications: Learn about AI applications that can enhance productivity and support work-life integration
- Networking: Connect with peers and experts in the field, fostering opportunities for collaboration and further engagement in faculty development initiatives.
Join Dr. del Rio for coffee with the Chair!
The first "Coffee with Carlos" on Friday, February 7, was a success. Dr. del Rio sat down with the 2024 DOM Division Gem winners, including Gabriela Cohen, MD, (Geriatrics and Gerontology), Alejandra Valdivia Cortes, PhD, (Cardiology), Britt Marshall, MD, (General Internal Medicine), Francisco Pasquel, MD, MPH, (Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipids), and Jessica Nave, MD, (Hospital Medicine) all pictured right.
They had an excellent conversation with Dr. del Rio about their work, aspirations, and challenges. Dr. del Rio looks forward to meeting more of our faculty to have an open dialogue, ask questions, and provide feedback on various aspects of our department.
Please note the specific group and location listed below for each date. Please register accordingly based on your rank and your primary location. Each date has a very limited number of spots available so we can maintain an intimate group setting. This is a first-come registration, so sign up today!
Coffee with Carlos Details: Coffee and a light breakfast will be provided.
Time: 7:30–8:45 a.m.
- February 27, 2025: Assistant Professors @ EUH Midtown
- March 18, 2025: Associate Professors and Professors @ EUH Midtown
- March 27, 2025: Assistant Professors @ Grady
- April 1, 2025: Associate Professors and Professors @ Grady
- April 24, 2025: Assistant Professors @ the VA
- May 7, 2025: Associate Professors and Professors @ the VA
Additional dates and locations will be scheduled later. Please contact Dorothy Kitchens with any questions.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT CORNER
2025 Career Conference and Performance Review (CCPR)
As we enter the annual faculty performance review period for 2025, it’s vital for faculty to begin preparations early to ensure a smooth and productive evaluation. The steps outlined below can help you with highlighting your achievements and outlining your future goals in preparation for your CCPR meeting.
Update your CV: You will need to upload an updated version of your CV in CCPR Part 1 (Faculty Information section). It's best to update it to the latest template, to ensure that all aspects can be reviewed effectively during your meeting. Find the updated CV template here.
Reflect on your awards, notable achievements, prior year’s goals, and goals for the upcoming year: Reflect on your self-assessment by highlighting any awards and notable achievements and evaluate your progress towards the goals set in last year’s CCPR. Additionally, consider your goals and objectives for the upcoming year. Think about what resources you might need to achieve your goals for next year, i.e. further mentorship, assistance with professional development skills, networking, etc. When ready, document your goals for the coming year in CCPR Part 1.
- Need help determining your next steps? The Department of Medicine Professional Advancement Tracks for Health Sciences (PATHS) assists faculty in navigating a successful career trajectory. Each pathway (Clinician Educator and Service, Research Scientist and Clinical Investigator) is divided by career year(s) into best practices and academic mission areas.
- Thinking of going up for promotion? Review the Promotion Roadmap, a promotion resource developed specifically from the faculty member's point of view, so they may determine what steps they need to take in this process.
MENTORING
In Case You Missed It: DOM's New Mentoring Moment Video
We are thrilled to share our latest Mentoring Moment video, showcasing the insights and experiences of our distinguished faculty members! In this special edition, Pamela Vohra-Khullar, MD, FACP (General Internal Medicine), engages in a heartfelt conversation with the recipients of the 2024 Sitaraman Silver Pear Mentoring Award for Research and the mentees who nominated them.
In this inspiring discussion, mentees share how their mentors have profoundly influenced their careers, while the award winners reflect on the rewards and fulfillment that come from being a mentor. We hope you enjoy this insightful and uplifting video!
Featured faculty in this video include:
- Nominator: Jinhee Jeong, PhD, (Renal Medicine) and Winner: Jeanie Park, MD, MS (Renal Medicine)
- Nominator: Amalia Aldredge, MD, MSc, (Infectious Diseases) and Winner: Anandi Sheth, MD, MSc (Infectious Diseases)
FACULTY RESOURCES
National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity
Did you know that Emory faculty have access to the online career development and mentoring resources of the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD)? The NCFDD offers online resources focused on strategic planning, writing productivity, and career transitions, designed for faculty success.
Access is available to all Emory faculty, postdocs, and graduate students. Upcoming events include:
- 14-Day Writing Challenge | Monday, February 24–Sunday, March 9, 2025
- Academic Leadership: When, Why, and How to Step Up | Thursday, February 20 | 2–3 p.m. | Zoom
How to Develop a Daily Writing Practice | Thursday, March 13 | 2–3 p.m. | Zoom
To activate your membership, all you need is your Emory email address.
Know Your Mental Health and Well-Being Resources at Emory
Woodruff Health Sciences Center The Office of Well-Being has compiled resources and programs available to support individual employees, managers, and teams throughout the Emory community. We encourage you to invest in your mental health and well-being by exploring these programs, such as the Faculty Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) or EmBRACE Peer Support Program.
DOM ANNOUNCEMENTS
Emory Center for Health in Aging 2024 Pilot Awardees
The Emory Center for Health in Aging has announced three innovative pilot projects selected to receive up to $25,000 each for one year of study. The projects, designed to spark new collaborations and harness the creative potential of the Emory community, are a key tenant of the center’s mission to promote well-being among older adults.
(Pictured in alphabetical order left to right)
The selected projects represent multiple domains of innovation in aging across Emory. The 2024 pilot projects are:
- “Patient- and Family-Reported Outcomes Post-Critical Illness among Older Adults Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit: A Pilot Study,” awarded to Rachel A. Hadler, MD (Department of Anesthesiology)
- “A novel chemical strategy to restore mitochondrial quality in senescent muscle cells,” awarded to Anupam Patgiri, PhD (Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology)
- “Reversing Immune Dysfunction Through Mindfulness - The Effects of Cognitively Based Compassion Training on Gene Expression in People with HIV,” awarded to Boghuma Titanji, MD, PhD (Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases)
RYSE Health Equity Day
Tuesday, May 20 | Hybrid: Grady Hospital Trauma Auditorium and Zoom
The theme of this year's Health Equity Day is Community Partnerships and Health Equity. This conference aims to raise awareness and encourage action around the systemic health disparities that exist across racial, ethnic, cultural, and social groups while also recognizing interventions and research centered on health equity and historically underrepresented groups in medicine.
We're excited to announce that the 2025 Keynote speaker will be our very own Jada Bussey-Jones, MD, the inaugural Vice Chair of RYSE!
Call for Abstracts:
Submit an abstract by Friday, March 14, at 11:59 p.m. Poster presentation categories include:
- Research
- Clinical Quality
- Professional Development
- Education
- Community Advocacy and Policy
Presenters will be notified of their presentation (virtual or in-person) session ahead of time.
Outstanding Scientific Citation RYSE Award:
Nominations are now requested for the Outstanding Scientific Citation RYSE Award. This award will support and recognize rising URiM researchers producing outstanding research publications in all research areas, including basic, clinical, public health, health services, and health equity.
The deadline to submit award nominations is Wednesday, March 15, by 11:59 p.m.
Recap: Emory Division of Hospital Medicine Awards
Written by: Mary Ann Kirkconnell Hall, MPH, Senior Medical Writer, Division of Hospital Medicine
On Thursday, January 24, members of the Emory Division of Hospital Medicine —faculty and staff, physicians, and Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) — braved the melting snow to gather to celebrate the Division’s achievements over the past year and to recognize a tragic loss to the Division.
Division members from each of the eight clinical sites came together at the Miller Ward Alumni house on the Emory campus for food and beverages; to support each others’ accomplishments; and to remember Ronan Cajimat (pictured left), a beloved Nurse Practitioner from Emory University Hospital Midtown who passed away in January. The Division’s highest award for APPs was renamed in his honor as the Ronan Cajimat Memorial Clinical Excellence Award and was awarded to Claudia Griffin, PA, and Fabiola Cadet, RN.
The Site Directors from each of the Division’s clinical sites selected and recognized a team member for outstanding performance over the past year, and the Division as a whole recognized our fantastic group of mentors. In addition, a number of other division-wide honors were awarded to faculty and staff by division leaders.
Reem Ahmed, MD, takes her advocacy to the BIG Partnership
Written by: Mary Ann Kirkconnell Hall, MPH, Senior Medical Writer, Division of Hospital Medicine
On Friday, January 24, Reem Ahmed, MD, (Hospital Medicine) served as a panelist for the BIG (Business & Immigration in Georgia) Partnership discussion on barriers and facilitators immigrants face when pursuing professional accreditation in the United States.
(Photo courtesy of New American Pathways)
Along with three other panelists, Dr. Ahmed shared her story of challenges, perseverance, and resilience to an audience of more than 70 including representatives from the offices of U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock and U.S. Representative Hank Johnson, as well as many state and local immigrant- and refugee-serving businesses and organizations. The BIG Partnership is a statewide partnership of Georgia business and civic leaders committed to strengthening Georgia’s economy by tapping the potential of the state’s New Americans.
Dr. Ahmed is a consistent advocate for courtesy and professionalism in the workplace and for communities suffering the impacts of conflict, including her country of origin, Sudan. She serves as a global subject matter expert for Project ECHO, where Sudanese American physicians co-manage cases, and offer peer-to-peer learning and collaborative problem-solving with colleagues in Sudan through guided telemonitoring practice.
Celebrating Heart Month: 10,000 Women Program
New Year, New Heart: Life-Saving CPR & Wellness Day
Saturday, February 15 | 11 a.m.–2 p.m. | IBEW Local 613
On behalf of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter (NCBW-MAC), the Division of Cardiology invites you to attend the NCBW-MAC New Year, New Heart: Life-Saving CPR & Wellness Day. This event is hosted in partnership with the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, American Cancer Society, and Morehouse School of Medicine. This Wellness Day includes CPR training, health screenings, and educational sessions on heart health and wellness.
The 10,000 Women Program, is an initiative of the Emory Women’s Heart Center to provide free cardiovascular risk screenings throughout the community at local churches, community centers, and special events.
The Family Heart Foundation names Larry Sperling, MD, as Chief Medical Officer
The Family Heart Foundation recently announced the appointment of Laurence S. Sperling, M.D., FACC, FAHA, FACP, MASPC, as its new Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Larry Sperling, a renowned leader in preventive cardiology, brings decades of expertise and an extensive history of leadership, research, and public service in heart disease prevention and management. In this role, he will advance the Family Heart Foundation’s innovative research, direct-to-public support, and national advocacy efforts to address the root causes of early atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) across generations.
Dr. Sperling is the Founder and former Director of The Heart Disease Prevention Center at Emory University and currently serves as the Katz Professor in Preventive Cardiology at Emory University School of Medicine and Professor of Global Health at the Rollins School of Public Health.
DOM Celebrates Wear Red Day
On Friday, February 7, our colleagues across the DOM wore red to bring awareness to cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in women. We appreciate all of those who celebrated, and we thank our Division of Cardiology members for their work in advancing heart health.
Learn more about the ways you can continue to spread awareness and support Go Red for Women's cause here.
RESEARCH CORNER
February K-Club: Team Science
K-Club: Team Science, Early Career Researchers Navigating Collaborations and Developing an Independent Trajectory
Monday, February 17 | noon–1 p.m | HSRB II (N100) & Zoom
Join speaker Lou Ann Brown, PhD, (Department of Pediatrics) for an engaging presentation on the topic of team science as an early researcher. Register by Friday, February 14 to attend in person and receive lunch.
MEDICINE GRAND ROUNDS
Tomorrow's Medicine Grand Rounds
#MedicineGrandRound
Tuesday, February 11 | noon–1 p.m. | Zoom
Zoom Link Meeting ID: 940 3699 7411
Passcode: MGR
Topic: What's new in C diff Management?
Speaker: Nirja Mehta, MD
Assistant Professor
Division of Infectious Diseases
Emory School of Medicine
For more information about Medicine Grand Rounds, visit bitly.com/grandround.
STAFF NEWS
Last Day for Nominations: 2025 Award of Distinction
Do you know an exceptional staff member? The 2025 Award of Distinction applications close today! The Award of Distinction program is the highest award for university staff annually recognizing 10 to 15 employees who have made outstanding contributions to the Emory community.
2025 Staff Fest Survey: Closes Today
The Emory Staff Council is beginning to plan for Staff Fest 2025, and they would like you to help pick a theme! Please take a few minutes to fill out the short survey and share your feedback by today Monday, February 10.
Want to get involved with Staff Fest? Please reach out to Melissa Morgan Ragan. Volunteers will need to attend periodic meetings and serve as a sounding board as it relates to employees' interests during planning.
We're hiring: DOM Staff Openings
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.
IN THE NEWS
Recent Department of Medicine News
Atlanta Magazine | 2025 Atlanta 500: Education & Healthcare (Carlos del Rio cited)
Bloomberg | US health expert flying ‘absolutely blind’ as federal health data vanishes (Colleen Kelley quoted) | Medical Xpress
Georgia Trend | The state of cardiac care (Angel Leon quoted)
HealthDay | Maladaptive cardiovascular reactivity to mental stress linked to adverse outcomes (Emory research featured, Kasra Moazzami cited)
Scientific American | Polio vaccines saved America from the disease. What happens if we lose them? (Walter Orenstein quoted)
NPR | Senator calls RFK Jr.'s position on race and vaccines dangerous (Carlos del Rio quoted)
WAGA-TV | FDA approves new non-opioid pain reliever (Neil Winawer interviewed)
EVENTS
Introducing Insight: Revolutionizing Research Administration at Emory
Wednesday, February 12 | noon–1:30 p.m. | Zoom
New Year, New Heart: Life-Saving CPR & Wellness Day *New*
Saturday, February 15 | 11 a.m.–2 p.m. | IBEW Local 613
Soul Food Gospel Fest 2025 *New*
Sunday, February 16 | 3–5 p.m | Emory Student Center Multipurpose Rooms
K-Club: Team Science, Early Career Researchers Navigating Collaborations and Developing an Independent Trajectory *New*
Monday, February 17 | noon–1 p.m | HSRB II (N100) & Zoom
Emory Univerisity's Race and Difference Colloquium Series: How to Kill a (Black) City: Urbicide and Power Geometries of Place in Oakland, CA *New*
Monday, February 17 | noon–1:30 p.m. | Robert W. Woodruff Library (Jones Room)
21st Annual Hamilton E Holmes Memorial Lecture: AI For Equity
Wednesday, February 19 | 5–6:30 p.m. | Zoom
Emory Univerisity's Race and Difference Colloquium Series: Grandmothering While Black: A Twenty-First-Century Story of Love, Coercion, and Survival *New*
Monday, February 24 | noon–1:30 p.m. | Robert W. Woodruff Library (Jones Room)
SCDP Echo Session: H5N1: How much time do we have? *New*
Tuesday, February 25 | 11 a.m. | Zoom
DOM CV Review Session (Registration is closed)
Wednesday, February 26 | 8–10 a.m. | Zoom
Ease of Research Town Hall with Todd Sherer
Friday, March 7 | noon | Hybrid
Faculty Education, Enrichment, and Development Conference (FEED)
Friday, March 28 | 8 a.m.–noon | Zoom
2025 Emory Physician-Scientist Symposium
Friday, April 4 | HSRB I and II
11th Annual Health Services Research Day
Tuesday, May 6 | 8 a.m.–3 p.m. | Claudia Nance Rollings (CNR) Building (Rollins Auditorium)
RYSE Health Equity Day
Tuesday, May 20 | Hybrid: Grady Hospital Trauma Auditorium and Zoom
GIVE TO US
The Department of Medicine includes more than 800 faculty members across our ten divisions. Your support for our work can make a difference to health care locally and globally. Click the button below to learn more about making an impact through your support for the DOM. For general department giving inquiries, please contact Ashley Michaud, Executive Director of Development, at 404-778-1250.
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.