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Welcome to the inaugural issue! This monthly newsletter will bring you all the latest happenings from around the Division of Biology and Medicine.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
Black Men in White Coats Youth Summit
Over 200 people attended the Black Men in White Coats youth summit on Oct. 29, an event organized and hosted by The Warren Alpert Medical School and the School of Public Health. The free public event included a full day of events, workshops, and presentations intended to introduce kids and families to careers in health and medicine and offer opportunities for mentorship and networking.
More than 75 Brown community members, like Sabina Holland, MD, volunteered at the event.
Brown University Labor and Delivery Center
A $5 million gift from Brown will support plans by Care New England to build a new labor and delivery center at Women & Infants Hospital. In recognition of the gift, CNE will name its state-of-the-art facility the Brown University Labor and Delivery Center, which will be
designed to meet the specific needs of birthing families from the region and their medical providers.
RESEARCH
Patients with Rare Disorders Convene at Brown
A unique gathering connects patients and family members contending with an autism-like condition called Christianson syndrome with brain scientists in the Center for Translational Neuroscience who are working to develop therapies and solutions.
Peyton, an 11-year-old with Christianson syndrome, attended the conference with his family.
Architect Selected for ILSB
Architects from Deborah Berke Partners and Ballinger will work together with Brown leaders and key stakeholders to design a new research building in Providence’s Jewelry District.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
SMART Plus Clinic Opens
Leaders from The Warren Alpert Foundation, The Warren Alpert Medical School, and the Ginn Collaborative toured the SMART Plus Health and Wellness Clinic at Calcutt Middle School in Central Falls, RI. The school-based clinic provides primary and behavioral health care, as well as mentoring and career exploration programs provided by Brown medical students and faculty.
EDUCATION
Sarita Warrier, MD, FACP
Associate Dean Named
After a competitive national search, Sarita Warrier, MD, FACP, began her appointment as associate dean for medical education on October 4. Dean Warrier oversees the four-year medical curriculum, the Doctoring program, service learning, patient advocacy programs, and the MD/ScM program in Primary Care-Population Medicine. Through curricular design and reform, Dean Warrier is responsible for strengthening student wellness and a culture of inclusion and commitment to diversity and health equity, specifically addressing racism in medicine.
PLME Review
The Program in Liberal Medical Education, one of Brown’s signature academic programs, was established to allow students interested in a career in medicine access to the full opportunities presented by the Open Curriculum. The PLME recently underwent internal and external reviews that reinforced the importance and distinct impact of the program and made suggestions as to how to strengthen it even further.
The Division of Biology and Medicine has outlined some initial actions to address these recommendations.
CLINICAL CARE
New Hope for Headaches
The Department of Neurology has launched a Division of Headache Disorders.
Roderick C. Spears, MD, FAHS, FAAN, is the division's inaugural chief.
Gary D. Johnson, MD, a graduate of the fellowship in electromyography/ neuromuscular medicine at Rhode Island Hospital, returns as faculty in the division.
These appointments and the creation of this division will advance research and clinical care for headache disorders and further collaborations with the Association of Migraine Disorders.
WELLNESS
Medical faculty, students, and staff participated in the Out of the Darkness Walk on National Physician Suicide Awareness Day, Sept. 17. A memorial event at the Medical School followed the walk. Kelly Holder, PhD, chief wellness officer for the Division of Biology and Medicine, organized the event as part of her work to improve well-being in our community. To learn more about the programming and support she offers, check out the ever-growing Wellness Program website.
HONORS AND GRANTS
Faculty and student awards and grants can now be found online. Use this form to submit news for the next issue.
Upcoming Event
Color of Care Screening and Panel Discussion
Tuesday, Nov. 15, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
The Warren Alpert Medical School
