No images? Click here
APRIL 28, 2025
What you will learn in this month's
RYSE edition of the Bulletin:
- Save your spot for Health Equity Day 2025
- RYSE LGBTQ+ Affinity Group summer event
- Together We Thrive Week
- Spotlight on AAWC and EMPACT
- New options for headshots!
- Recap: HIV Biomedical Conference
- DOM faculty kudos
- Register today for ESCAPE 2025
- Staff Spotlight: A’Kristionna King, MPH, CDFT
Scroll down to read more!
RYSE UPDATES
Health Equity Day is less than one month away! DOM's RYSE Council, in partnership with the Office of Health Equity at Grady, looks forward to hosting the 5th annual Health Equity Day focused on the theme: Community Partnerships and Health Equity.
SPEAKERS:
Keynote Address:
Yolanda Wimberly, MD, MSc,
Senior Vice President and Chief Health Equity Officer at Grady Health System
Special Guest Speaker:
Jada Bussey-Jones, MD, MACP,
Associate Dean, Professional Development, Emory at Grady, Chief of Grady General Internal Medicine, and former Vice Chair of RYSE
LOCATION:
Health Equity Day will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Trauma Auditorium at Grady Memorial Hospital. Can’t make it in person? That’s fine! This is a hybrid event, and will be streamed via Zoom with a virtual poster presentation session.
RYSE LGBTQ+ Affinity Group
Earlier this month, the RYSE LGBTQ+ Affinity group hosted its annual social event at Truva Turkish Kitchen. It was a wonderful evening full of community, fellowship, and great people!
Interested in joining the LGBTQ+ Affinity Group? Contact Jason Cobb, MD, or Sonya Haw, MD. All Department of Medicine members are welcome to join!
Save the date! The RYSE LGBTQ+ Affinity group will be hosting another gathering this summer, on June 5, with DOM speaker, Dr. Carlos Saldana. More details to come!
Together We Thrive Week: May 19–22
The School of Medicine invites you to register for Together We Thrive Week. This year’s theme, Our Shared Humanity: Building Trust and Belonging, centers on fostering trust and advancing insights from several SOM-wide surveys and data sources.
Expect thought-provoking lectures, cultural activities, an inspiring art gallery, and a community gathering—all designed to bring us together and strengthen our shared sense of humanity. Registration closes May 16.
As a reminder, Health Equity Day takes place during this week, on Tuesday, May 20.
Together We Thrive Week Art Gallery
The SOM also asks you to submit art of any medium for display during Together We Thrive Week. Visual, cultural, written, and spoken art will be displayed in the James B. Williams Medical Education Building lobby. Artists will have the opportunity to talk about their work as part of the community gathering event on Thursday, May 22. Deadline to submit is Wednesday, April 30.
Advancing health equity: AAWC earns grant and shares insights on national stage
Congratulations to the School of Medicine's African American Women Collaborative (AAWC) Faculty Affinity Group on receiving a grant from the Black Emory Impact Circle to support their RIGHT Path Program!
The RIGHT Path Program fosters transformational leadership, innovation, and excellence in health equity outcomes through mentorship, instruction, and research. This grant will allow them to expand their efforts in creating inclusive spaces for interdisciplinary collaboration, driving meaningful change in the communities they serve.
The AAWC had the opportunity to share their expertise and insights at the Association of American Medical Colleges' Group on Diversity and Inclusion (GDI) Conference. They presented a session titled "From Safe Space to Wellness and Career Advancement for African American Women Faculty," which highlighted the essential role of supportive environments in promoting wellness and career growth for African American women in medicine.
Interested in joining the AAWC? This group is open to all African American Women faculty and their allies in the School of Medicine. Learn more below.
Sheetal Kandiah, MD, and Zanthia Wiley, MD, receive the Fellowship in AFMR (FAFMR) distinction, two of only twelve American Federation for Medical Research (AFMR) members selected for this new honor!
Two Associate Professors in the Emory Division of Infectious Diseases, Sheetal Kandiah, MD, and Zanthia Wiley, MD are two of only twelve American Federation for Medical Research (AFMR) members selected in the inaugural cycle to receive the Fellowship in AFMR (FAFMR) distinction. This prestigious recognition is the highest honor that the AFMR can bestow upon its members, acknowledging significant contributions in research, leadership, volunteer activities and service within the AFMR and is reserved for physicians, medical scientists and researchers who excel in these fields, align with the organization’s interests, and whose accomplishments support the objectives of the AFMR. Since 1940, AFMR has committed to its mission to “develop and mentor tomorrow’s leaders in medical research.” Dr. Kandiah serves on the AFMR National Council and is the Southeastern Region Chair. Dr. Wiley is the current 2024-2025 President of AFMR.
Match Day Recap: EMPACT Mentees
Check out Tracey Henry, MD, MPH, MS, FACP, (General Internal Medicine) with a group of her EMPACT mentees who successfully matched this year. The EMPACT program provides students with experiences that foster timely and successful matriculation through medical school. Shout out to Dr. Henry and the rest of the EMPACT team for helping to develop the next generation of health leaders!
AFFINITY MONTHS
Arab American Heritage Month
April is Arab American Heritage Month. Since 2017, the month of April has been used to take time to acknowledge, honor, and celebrate the rich and diverse culture and contributions of Arab Americans in our communities, especially those within our Emory community.
Autism Awareness Month
April is Autism Awareness Month! This year, the Emory Autism Center hosted the 5th annual Autism Celebration Month, in recognition of Autism Awareness Month. This year’s theme for Autism Celebration Month is “Community and Compassion”, and it celebrates the interests, expertise, and meaningful journeys of our autistic community members. Interested in making an impact? Click below to learn ways to support Autism Celebration Month at Emory.
DOM UPDATES
Interested in a new headshot? Check out our virtual options.
We know many of you have been interested in new headshots. We have heard your feedback and are pleased to offer a virtual option that is free and takes only a few minutes of your time. See below for more information!
- Contact us: Please first contact DOM Communications to request a virtual headshot. A member from the team will respond with the next steps and timing.
- Device: If you have an iPhone, Android, or cell phone with a nice camera, we recommend using this for the photo. You can certainly use a camera on your computer or a physical camera. Since there are many options, please specify your preferred device when reaching out to us, and we will provide specific guidelines and parameters catered to your method.
- Position: Please ensure that you are in a well-lit room. If a natural light source is available, that is preferred. Position the camera so it will capture your face and body above your waist. It is recommended that you use your front-facing camera.
- Background: Please ensure that your background is a blank wall so we can easily edit and remove it if needed.
- Colors: Our stock headshot background is gray, as seen in the photos above. We recommend that you do not wear a shirt that is a similar color to the background.
- Options: Please take multiple photos that are both horizontal and vertical.
Once you have submitted your photo to us, we will work with you to edit the photo to your liking and ensure that it is displayed in our digital communications. Click the button below to contact us!
Recap: HIV Biomedical Conference
From Thursday, April 10, through Sunday, April 12, the 2025 Biomedical HIV Prevention Summit was held in Atlanta, Georgia. This event brought together leaders, researchers, community advocates, and public health professionals from across the country to explore cutting-edge strategies in HIV prevention and care.
The Department of Medicine was proudly represented by Carlos Saldana, MD (Infectious Diseases), who delivered the powerful closing plenary. In his remarks, Dr. Saldana emphasized the important role of sustained federal funding in HIV programs and how these investments have been translated into real-world impact for communities in Atlanta.
In addition to the plenary, Dr. Saldana led two dynamic workshops. The first addressed the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare, including practical considerations for mitigating bias and ensuring equity. The second spotlighted innovative PrEP modalities currently in the pipeline, inviting attendees to think creatively about expanding prevention options. His contributions helped bridge science, policy, and community voices, underscoring the importance of inclusive, data-informed solutions in the fight against HIV.
Serious Communicable Diseases Program ECHO Podcast
Emory SOM's SCDP Program hosts live, monthly ECHO sessions for medical and public health professionals responding to special pathogens and other infectious diseases. This forum allows attendees to learn from infectious disease experts, ask questions, and share evolving best practices around infectious disease management.
Check out the latest episode, "Measles: Updates and Challenges." In this episode, Gavin Harris, MD, (Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine) reviews the discusses the clinical presentation and management of Measles. Matt Linan, MD, (Pediatrics) presents a Measles case, and Vanessa Aden, MPH, MPA, CIC (Georgia Department of Public Health) discusses the public health perspective.
11th Annual Health Services Research Day on May 6th, 2025
Tuesday, May 6 | 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Claudia Nance Rollins (CNR) Building, Rollins Auditorium
The Georgia CTSA and Emory Health Services Research Center are pleased to present the 11th annual Health Services Research Day - a symposium and networking opportunity where researchers learn about ongoing quality, effectiveness, and value-based research activities across the state of Georgia.
The symposium will feature invited talks, selected oral abstracts, and a Career Development in Health Services Research panel. Don't miss the opportunity to connect, share ideas, and explore the latest in health services research. To learn more, visit http://georgiactsa.org/research/cmdts/hsr.html. To register, click HERE.
Jennifer (Jen) DeVoe, MD, DPhil, (left) Chair, Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Director, OHSU Center for Primary Care Research and Innovation
Amaka Eneanya, MD, MPH, (middle) Chief Transformation Officer, Emory Healthcare Associate Professor of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine
Wilbur A. Lam, MD, PhD, (right) Professor and W. Paul Bowers Research Chair, Department of Pediatrics; Chief Innovation Officer, Pediatric Technology Center, Associate Dean of Innovation, Emory University School of Medicine
DOM KUDOS
Four DOM faculty honored at the Grady at Emory Awards
Congratulations to this year's Emory at Grady Awards honorees! Outstanding job to all those who we recognized, including this year's DOM honorees below.
The Emory at Grady Advocacy Award:
Maura George, MD (General Internal Medicine)
This award recognizes a faculty member’s significant contribution in the field of advocacy. Advocacy is defined as seeking structural and policy change on behalf of patients, learners, and communities in ways that promote health equity, advance medical education, and/ or improve patient care and outcomes.
Community Impact Award:
Sarah Koumtouzoua, MD (General Internal Medicine)
This award recognizes faculty whose work has elevated our community at the level of our school, hospital system, or the city and counties that we serve. The award may honor an individual or team for various forms of engagement that have made a significant impact on the community that Grady serves or the members of Grady Health Care.
Innovation Award:
Jenny Han, MD (Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine)
This award recognizes faculty whose innovation in research, education, service, quality, or leadership has made a major impact at Grady. This award identifies and recognizes faculty that have used creativity and innovation to improve patient care or trainee education by implementing new technology/ procedures, making significant scientific discoveries, creating new operational processes or pioneering new educational programs.
Excellence in Health Equity Research Award:
Tiffany Walker, MD (General Internal Medicine)
This award recognizes faculty who engage in innovative research that improves outcomes and equity for historically vulnerable populations.
Hospital Medicine shines at 2025 American College of Physicians Internal Medicine National Meeting
Written by: Mary Ann Kirkconnell Hall, MPH, Senior Medical Writer for the Division of Hospital Medicine
This year, the American College of Physicians (ACP) Internal Medicine National Meeting took place in New Orleans, LA on April 3–5, 2025, as thousands of internal medicine physicians gathered for an event that bills itself as the “annual marquee educational event for internal medicine physicians and subspecialists around the globe.” One of the most highly anticipated parts of the meeting are the abstract competitions; more than 1200 students and physicians presented posters at the meeting, including 76 early-career physicians.
On April 3, Emory Division of Hospital Medicine faculty members and Grady hospitalists Parul Dutta, MD, (pictured right) and Bhargav Marthambadi, MD (pictured left) competed in and won the national Early Career Physician Clinical Vignette Abstract Competition for their clinical vignette, “A Rare Case of Neisseria meningitidis with Purpura Fulminans,” in which they describe a case of an individual with severe complications of a bacterial infection who survived against steep odds.
In collaboration with the Division’s Research Core, Drs. Dutta and Marthambadi plan to expand the vignette into a case report for publication later this spring. We extend our hearty congratulations for the excellent patient care and scholarship demonstrated by Dr. Dutta and Dr. Marthambadi!
Arezou Khosroshahi, MD| Rheumatology
On Thursday, April 4, the FDA gave approval to Uplizna in IgG4-related disease, making it the first and only approved treatment for the rare and recently recognized autoimmune condition, according to the drug’s manufacturer. The approval follows the FDA bestowing Uplizna (inebilizumab-cdon, Amgen) its breakthrough therapy designation in August.
Arezou Khosroshahi, MD, has led the drug’s phase 3 trial and serves as the director of clinical trials in DOM's Division of Rheumatology.
Dr. Khosroshahi shares, "This is a tremendous milestone for our patients and for the field of IgG4-RD. A decade ago, when we were trying to bring recognition to this condition within the medical community, I could not have imagined reaching this point! I also want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to our incredible clinical trial team, especially John Varghese, whose dedication was instrumental in conducting the study at Emory that led to this FDA approval."
Share your kudos with the DOM!
Do you have a colleague who has recently been honored, recognized, or is celebrating a career milestone or anniversary? Please share that information with us to include in this new DOM Kudos section of the Bulletin. Email DOM Communications with any photos and details.
DOM EVENT SPOTLIGHT
Save the Date: ESCAPE 2025
Emory Symposium on Coronary Atherosclerosis Prevention & Education (ESCAPE)
Friday, June 27–Sunday, June 29
Omni Amelia Island Resort
Amelia Island, Florida
Save the date! You're invited to attend ESCAPE 2025. This event features nationally and internationally renowned speakers discussing ACC/AHA guidelines on hypertension, blood cholesterol, women's heart disease, electrophysiology, peripheral artery disease, interventional cardiology, and congestive heart failure.
Questions? Contact Shirley L. Miller.
STAFF NEWS
DOM Staff Spotlight: A’Kristionna King, MPH, CDFT
Our next DOM Staff Spotlight is A’Kristionna King, MPH, CDFT, program coordinator for DEI/HR Initiatives within the Department of Medicine RYSE team.
Read an excerpt below and click the button to read her full spotlight!
What is your role at Emory? I am the program coordinator for DEI/HR initiatives for the DOM. I coordinate the different diversity, inclusion, and health equity initiatives we have within the RYSE team.
What are you currently working on? Any upcoming projects? Health Equity Day is RYSE’s annual Health Equity Conference, where researchers are invited to present their work highlighting best practices for promoting and advancing health equity and improving patient outcomes. We are excited to be hosting Health Equity Day as a hybrid event for the first time ever! This year, the in-person portion of Health Equity Day will take place on Tuesday, May 20, at Grady Memorial Hospital. You can register to attend here!
RESEARCH CORNER
SVPR Federal Updates: What Do We Do Now?
SVPR Federal Updates: What Do We Do Now?
Thursday, May 1 | noon | Zoom
Join this webinar with Dr. Deborah W. Bruner, Senior Vice President for Research. This meeting will provide updates on the following topics:
- F&A
- Grant Terminations, including:
- Appeals, closeouts
- HR Issues
- Compliance
- Emory Mitigation Strategies
You may submit questions in advance via Qualtrics. Advance question submissions will be collected until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30.
Atlanta Center for Microsystems Engineered Point-of-Care Technologies (ACME POCT): Call For Proposals
ACME POCT is excited to announce the call for the 202–2026 Microsystems Point-of-Care Technology Translation to Clinical Impact Awards.
The call for proposals is open now, and all proposals are due by June 6, 2025.
- Microsystems-based point-of-care technologies from any and all disease or condition focus areas are invited to apply.
- Meritorious projects selected will receive 12 months of in-kind support and expertise from ACME POCT, valued at between $50,000 and $250,000, and may be eligible for up to $50,000 of direct funding.
MEDICINE GRAND ROUNDS
Tomorrow's Medicine Grand Rounds:
#MedicineGrandRound
Tuesday, April 29 | noon–1 p.m. | Zoom
Zoom Link (Meeting ID: 938 5100 8416)
Passcode: MGR
Topic: Fertility Evaluation and Treatment Options
Speaker: Heather Hipp, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics
Emory University School of Medicine
For more information about Medicine Grand Rounds, visit bitly.com/grandround.
In Case You Missed It: April 22 Medicine Grand Rounds
Did you miss last Tuesday's Medicine Grand Rounds? You can see this recording and our entire archive on our Department of Medicine YouTube Channel!
This past Tuesday's MGR:
Topic: Scalable exposure assessment for micro- and nanoplastics: Optimizing detection methods for human biomonitoring
Speaker:
Doug Walker, PhD
Associate Professor, Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Emory University
IN THE NEWS
Recent Department of Medicine News
- STAT News | The ‘yes, and’ approach to dementia care (Ted Johnson interviewed)
- USA Today | She saw 26 doctors and had 37 procedures with no diagnosis in sight. Then, an answer (Arezou Khosroshahi quoted)
EVENTS
SVPR Federal Updates: What Do We Do Now? *New*
Thursday, May 1 | noon | Zoom
Ease of Research Town Hall Series *New*
Friday, May 2 | noon–1 p.m. | Zoom
11th Annual Health Services Research Day
Tuesday, May 6 | 8 a.m.–3 p.m. | Claudia Nance Rollings (CNR) Building (Rollins Auditorium)
5th Annual Kenneth V. Leeper Memorial Lecture
Thursday, May 8 | 5:30–7:30 p.m. | Winship 5th floor North and South Conference
Southeastern Critical Care Summit
Friday, May 9 | Emory Conference Center Hotel
Emory Staff Fest
Friday, May 16 | 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m | Emory Quadrangle
RYSE Health Equity Day
Tuesday, May 20 | Hybrid: Grady Hospital Trauma Auditorium and Zoom
Atlanta Network for Training in Kidney, Urology, and Hematology (KUH) Scientific Research (ATLANTIS) Symposium
Tuesday, May 20, and Wednesday, May 24 | Wisteria Lanes at Emory Conference Center and Hotel
SOM Mock FCAP Review Session
Wednesday, May 21 | 5:30 p.m. | Zoom
You're Promoted, Now What? Tips to Stay Engaged and Productive Throughout Your Career *New*
Friday, June 20 | noon–1 p.m. | Zoom
Emory Symposium on Coronary Atherosclerosis Prevention & Education *New*
Friday, June 27–Sunday, June 29 | Omni Amelia Island Resort (Amelia Island, Florida)
Department of Medicine David S. Stephens Research Day *New*
Thursday, October 30 | 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m | Location TBD
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.