D epartment
of
M edicine
Con ne c ti ng T e c h n o lo g y , Ed uca t i o n a n d D i s cove ry w ith H um anis m in Me dicine
Vol. 10 Issue 1 Jan. 2021
New Year, Renewed Hope As we embark on a new year, we often reflect on the past and hope for the future. This past year brought about many uncertainties but also led to new research discoveries that will bring opportunities for the Graduate School of Medicine in 2021. Attralus (Biopharmaceutical Company founded by Dr. Emily Martin, Dr. Steve Kennel, Dr. Tina Richey, Dr. Alan Stuckey, and Dr. Jonathan Wall to develop amyloid imaging agents and therapeutics) recently secured $25 million to work on transformative medicines to improve the lives of patients with Amyloidosis. Dr. Emily Martin and Dr. Jonathan Wall are also currently working on a research project that will evaluate peptides that can inhibit the ApoE3 interaction with heparin in a dosedependent manner. This will open the door to a new method for delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s dementia in patients with a genetic predisposition. Dr. Rajiv Dhand, Dr. Paul Terry, and Jennifer Ferris are currently working on an investigator-initiated project to study the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of nebulized long-acting bronchodilators (Formoterol and Revefenacin) vs. short-acting bronchodilators (Albuterol and Ipratropium) in hospitalized patients with AECOPD. Dr. Jeffrey Bieber was recruited by Dr. Paul Blanc (Occupational and Environmental Health at the University of California) to work as a co-investigator on a research project that studies the effects of exposure from coal mining on the risk for and severity of rheumatoid arthritis. They are recruiting men with rheumatoid arthritis over the age of 50 and
physicians in coal mining regions of the country to assist with the study. Dr. Annette Mendola was recruited by Dr. Lisa Lindley (professor in the College of Nursing at UTK) to work as a co-investigator on a grant that studies the effectiveness of concurrent care on pediatric and family outcomes at end of life. The hypothesis is that children and adolescents with advanced illnesses will have unique life-prolonging care needs and that those care needs will vary by type of serious illness. Dr. Mendola was asked to join the team because of the bioethical dimensions of the issue, particularly in the realm of social justice. Dr. Paul Terry is working on a grant to study the Ovarian Cancer Survival in African- American woman. The goal is to look at the continued on page 2
Points of View
However, when a nation goes to war there emerge acts of heroism and incredible valor. That is true for the current pandemic as well. The response of frontline workers to this threat has been nothing short of magnificent. All over the world, health care professionals have sacrificed their lives and have shown the courage and determination of true warriors. The dedication of medical teams and their concern for the welfare of their patients is worthy of applause. On this note, I wish to recognize the heroic efforts of all team members at UT Medical Center, especially our residents and fellows, for their outstanding efforts in caring for patients with Covid-19. The scientific community quickly marshalled all their resources and focused their attention on controlling the spread of this hitherto unknown virus. In the short span of a few months, the virus had been identified, its modes of transmission elucidated, and determination of the genetic sequence laid the groundwork for development of highly sensitive diagnostic methods. In quick succession, the clinical
The world went to war with a virus in 2020! The novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that first emerged in Wuhan, China sometime in December 2019 rapidly circumnavigated the globe and was officially declared a pandemic by The World Health Organization on March 11th, 2020. The virus has caused an unprecedented upheaval in our daily lives, produced a staggering loss of life, untold Rajiv Dhand, MD, Chair misery and an enormous disease burden. By the first week of December, in less than a year since its recognition, the virus had infected over 66 million individuals worldwide and caused more than 1.5 million deaths with the US accounting for over 14 million cases and more than 280,000 casualties.
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