Dean's Weekly Message
June 15, 2026
I’ve cried a lot lately. Last week was one of the best though.
My surgery was June 5 and by all accounts went well. That was a big step. Even though I know the odds, I created these crazy scenarios of rare disastrous outcomes. This experience has been characterized by a rollercoaster of events and outcomes.
Last week, when my pathology report came back, it was a big event. When I got the MyChart notification I was paralyzed. (I’ve now moved MyChart to my phone home screen and allow it to notify me at will - giving it an unearned power.) Although I had waited for days for this report, I couldn’t even read it. My heart raced. My breathing stopped. Paralyzed. This was the big moment. I knew that a few of the tumors like mine could be completely cured surgically. On the other hand, most of them would hang around like a cloud over you and be an ever-present threat.
The news was good! I should be cured! It took a while to set in. Then I broke down with tears of joy.
The only other crying episode that perhaps vies for the top position is when I first looked at my completely shaved, old man’s, pale white, flabby muffin top for the first time after the surgery. That required a healthy sense of humor.
As I’ve said before, through this diagnosis I was graciously given an expanded range of emotions and a set of mystifying and cherished experiences that I now share with others who have been diagnosed with cancer. But I want to recognize that not all are as fortunate as I have been. In light of that, I am proud to lead a group of people who come to work each day on behalf of patients with cancer and numerous other physical and mental illnesses and that we touch their lives and the lives of those around them in profound ways.
We are at the mercy of our health. The privilege we all have to care for those in times of greatest need should be respected and cherished. We all serve under a remarkable calling.
Partners in Health
A new, collaborative branding initiative will highlight the unique partnership between CU Anschutz and UCHealth bringing world-class research and advanced treatments to our multi-state region, leading to excellent outcomes for our patients.
The concept is simple yet impactful: Partners in Health.
In areas that are explicitly tied to academic medicine and that are unique to CU Anschutz and UCHealth, including transplant, advanced cancer treatments, personalized medicine, and ophthalmology services, UCHealth and CU Anschutz will jointly produce advertising and other marketing programs with the goal of communicating the benefits our partnership is delivering.
At the heart of this initiative is our academic-clinical partnership — what sets us apart. Together, CU Anschutz and UCHealth bring the full strength of academic medicine to our communities, advancing scientific breakthroughs, training the next generation of health professionals, and providing exceptional care. Grounded in the latest research and clinical trials, we drive better outcomes for those we serve while setting the standard of care. Through this effort, we will tell that story.
Leaders will share more with you over the coming months as we develop the co-branded initiative and build a landing page where our patients and the public can learn more about the benefits UCHealth and CU Anschutz — and our important partnership — bring to this region.
Faculty Connection, Leadership Development, and Coaching
The School of Medicine is currently recruiting faculty for two innovative research studies through CU Thrive: Center for Workplace Well-Being Research. Faculty can participate in either ThriveCircles, a peer-led program focused on connection, belonging, and professional well-being, or Thrive Leadership Circles, a leadership development program designed to strengthen supportive leadership practices and improve team well-being. Both studies include facilitated discussions, shared meals, and compensation for participation.
In addition, School of Medicine faculty have access to our CU Thrive: Office for Well-being Faculty Coaching Program, which provides confidential coaching to help faculty reconnect with purpose, navigate challenges, enhance professional fulfillment, and support overall well-being.
Learn more and enroll:
- Research studies: CU Thrive Research Studies
- Faculty coaching: SOM Faculty Coaching
Featured News
CU Anschutz Biobank Partners with Tech Company to Advance Gut Research and Patient Care
A new partnership between the CU Anschutz IBD Biobank and health care technology company Network.Bio promises to expand the scope of research aimed at uncovering better treatments for the millions of patients across the globe dealing with gut-related conditions.The biobank, which began nearly two decades ago in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, stores limited patient tissue samples that researchers can use to study inflammatory bowel disease and other gastrointestinal issues.
“These samples allow us to ask questions without putting any patients at risk,” says Calen Steiner, MD, the biobank’s associate director and an assistant professor of gastroenterology and hepatology. “It’s a massive bridge between discovering something and putting it safely into a human.”
The new partnership with venture-backed Network.Bio will allow more sample collection, access new data analysis about those samples, and conduct pivotal studies that aim to advance patient care.
Read More About the Pivotal Partnership
Faculty Updates
Ann D. Thor, MD, Chair of Pathology, has been named a recipient of the AAPath Distinguished Service Award at this year’s Annual Meeting of the Association for Academic Pathology, which will be held in Boston in July. The award recognizes lifetime achievement in the field of academic pathology, encompassing the full spectrum of contributions at the local and national levels in undergraduate and graduate medical education, research, and clinical service.
Tamara K. Oser, MD, Professor of Family Medicine, is the Principal Investigator for a landmark research trial, “CGM for Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Not on Insulin: The CONNECT Randomized Controlled Trial.” Results were presented on June 6 at the 2026 Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association in New Orleans.
2026 Translational Research Scholars
The School of Medicine Program to Advance Physician Scientists & Translational Research announced this year’s Translational Research Scholars. The program fosters translational research among early career faculty who are within the first four years of their assistant professor appointment. Each scholar receives up to $300,000 over four years to support their research. This year’s scholars are listed below. You can learn more about their projects on the 2026 Translational Research Scholars webpage.
- Julia L. M. Dunn, PhD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
- Stephanie Gilley, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
- John Janetzko, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Benjamin Kopecky, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine
- Mike Oliphant, PhD, Assistant Professor of Pharmacology
- Elle Roberson, PhD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
- Alfredo Ornelas Sanchez, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine
- Kentaro Yomogida, MD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Featured Events
6/17
CU Anschutz Federal Research Update Town Hall
Wednesday, June 17, 7:30–8 a.m.Zoom
On May 29, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to revise many of the regulations that govern federal financial assistance awards and sponsored research programs, including those for all federal research grants. OMB has proposed significant changes to the regulations (referred to as Uniform Guidance) that would impact many federal agencies.
Campus leadership is working with the CU Office of Federal Relations to provide a single campus response. We ask that our research community not submit individual comments.
Please register for the virtual CU Anschutz Federal Research Update Town Hall. You are welcome to submit questions in advance.
6/18
Bite by Byte: AI and Educators Roundtable
Thursday, June 18, 11 a.m.–noonZoom
Matt Zuckerman, MD, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, will host the first session in the new series, Bite by Byte: AI and Educators Roundtable. Explore the current landscape of AI in medical education across campus and how faculty and learners are using these tools in real teaching and learning settings. Learn more about Bite by Byte and join the session.
6/23
Faculty Advancement Working Group
Tuesday, June 23, noon–1 p.m.Zoom
The Faculty Advancement Working Group will hold monthly office hours to provide a forum for faculty and their supervisors to ask questions about promotions among the ranks of Instructor, Senior Instructor, and Assistant Professor. These office hours are virtual only, on the 4th Tuesday of every month from noon–1 p.m. Access the office hours through the Faculty Advancement Working Group zoom link
7/9
Postdoc Research Day (PDRD)
Thursday, July 9
Donald Elliman Conference Center, Anschutz Health Sciences BuildingPDRD is an annual event that brings together members of our university community to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of postdocs at CU Anschutz, CU Denver, and affiliated hospitals. This year’s theme is “The Postdoc Collective,” focusing on cross-disciplinary thinking, collaboration, and innovation in research. This event is not just for postdocs! Graduate students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to attend. Whether you are here to support colleagues, learn something new, or network with emerging scientists, your presence makes a difference.
PDRD Registration & Abstract Submission
Lightning talk abstract deadline May 15 | Poster abstract deadline June 24
PDRD Questions?
Recent Publications
Hirsh Elhence, MD, resident in Medicine, is first author of a letter, “National Prevalence of Clinical Obesity by BMI Class: A National Cross-Sectional Study,” published June 2 by Annals of Internal Medicine. Stephen Fuest, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, is a co-author.
Avram Walts, MS, Senior Professional Research Assistant at National Jewish Health; Ivana V. Yang, PhD, Professor of Biomedical Informatics; and David A. Schwartz, MD, Distinguished Professor of Medicine, are co-authors of a research article, “Toll-like receptor 5 protects against murine lung fibrosis through reduced dysbiosis, and TLR5 deficiency is associated with human IPF,” published June 3 by Science Translational Medicine.
Ronald J. Vagnozzi, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, is a co-author of an article, “Selective expansion of cardiac macrophage subtypes distinguishes their functional roles in disease and homeostasis,” published June 9 by The Journal of Clinical Investigation.
Christine C. Welles, MD, MAS, Associate Professor of Medicine, is corresponding author of an original investigation, “Enrollment Assister Perspectives of a Private Health Insurance Program for Undocumented Immigrants,” published June 5 by JAMA Health Forum. Five co-authors, including Lilia Cervantes, MD, MSCS, Professor of Medicine, are from our campus.
Sarah E. Clark, PhD, Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, is corresponding author of an article, “Type I interferon signaling in hematopoietic cells impairs neutrophil antibacterial function in the middle ear during viral co-infection,” published June 3, by Cell Reports Medicine. Nine colleagues from our campus are co-authors.
Amy G. Feldman, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, is corresponding author of a brief communication, “Living Donor Liver Transplant Is Associated with Lower Hospitalization Costs than Deceased Donor Liver Transplant: A Multicenter Cohort Study of Young Children Transplanted for Biliary Atresia,” published May 27 by the American Journal of Transplantation. Seven co-authors are from our campus. Of note, the Children’s Hospital Colorado/University of Colorado collaborative program performs the highest volume of pediatric living donor liver transplants (LDLT) across the country. In 2026, we have already performed 11 life-saving pediatric LDLTs.
James DeGregori, PhD, Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics and interim Director of the CU Anschutz Cancer Center, is a co-author of a Perspective article, “When effective anticancer therapies are, in fact, destabilizing the tumor’s Group Phenotypic Composition,” published June 3 by npj Precision Oncology.
Sean T. O’Leary, MD, MPH, Professor of Pediatrics, is corresponding author of a commentary, “Rotavirus Vaccines Are Safe and Effective: So Why Aren’t All Children Protected?” published June 8 by Pediatrics. Jessica R. Cataldi, MD, MSCS, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, is co-author.
Alex J. Barker, PhD, Professor of Radiology, is a corresponding author of an article, “Comparison of compressed sensing and conventional 4D flow MRI for turbulent kinetic energy assessment in healthy participants and patients with aortic stenosis,” published June 10 by Scientific Reports.
Kristin E. N. Watt, PhD, Assistant Professor of Craniofacial, Oral and Materials Sciences in the School of Dental Medicine, is corresponding author of a research article, “RNA Polymerase III subunit Polr3a is required for craniofacial cartilage and bone development in zebrafish,” published June 8 by PLOS Genetics. Co-authors include Jessica Nelson, PhD, Assistant Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology; Kade Fink, Professional Research Assistant in the Nelson Lab; and five members of the Department of Craniofacial, Oral and Materials Sciences.
Avram Walts, MS, Senior Professional Research Assistant at National Jewish Health; Ivana V. Yang, PhD, Professor of Biomedical Informatics; and David A. Schwartz, MD, Distinguished Professor of Medicine, are co-authors of a research article, “Toll-like receptor 5 protects against murine lung fibrosis through reduced dysbiosis, and TLR5 deficiency is associated with human IPF,” published June 3 by Science Translational Medicine.
Ronald J. Vagnozzi, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, is a co-author of an article, “Selective expansion of cardiac macrophage subtypes distinguishes their functional roles in disease and homeostasis,” published June 9 by The Journal of Clinical Investigation.
Christine C. Welles, MD, MAS, Associate Professor of Medicine, is corresponding author of an original investigation, “Enrollment Assister Perspectives of a Private Health Insurance Program for Undocumented Immigrants,” published June 5 by JAMA Health Forum. Five co-authors, including Lilia Cervantes, MD, MSCS, Professor of Medicine, are from our campus.
Sarah E. Clark, PhD, Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, is corresponding author of an article, “Type I interferon signaling in hematopoietic cells impairs neutrophil antibacterial function in the middle ear during viral co-infection,” published June 3, by Cell Reports Medicine. Nine colleagues from our campus are co-authors.
Amy G. Feldman, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, is corresponding author of a brief communication, “Living Donor Liver Transplant Is Associated with Lower Hospitalization Costs than Deceased Donor Liver Transplant: A Multicenter Cohort Study of Young Children Transplanted for Biliary Atresia,” published May 27 by the American Journal of Transplantation. Seven co-authors are from our campus. Of note, the Children’s Hospital Colorado/University of Colorado collaborative program performs the highest volume of pediatric living donor liver transplants (LDLT) across the country. In 2026, we have already performed 11 life-saving pediatric LDLTs.
James DeGregori, PhD, Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics and interim Director of the CU Anschutz Cancer Center, is a co-author of a Perspective article, “When effective anticancer therapies are, in fact, destabilizing the tumor’s Group Phenotypic Composition,” published June 3 by npj Precision Oncology.
Sean T. O’Leary, MD, MPH, Professor of Pediatrics, is corresponding author of a commentary, “Rotavirus Vaccines Are Safe and Effective: So Why Aren’t All Children Protected?” published June 8 by Pediatrics. Jessica R. Cataldi, MD, MSCS, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, is co-author.
Alex J. Barker, PhD, Professor of Radiology, is a corresponding author of an article, “Comparison of compressed sensing and conventional 4D flow MRI for turbulent kinetic energy assessment in healthy participants and patients with aortic stenosis,” published June 10 by Scientific Reports.
Kristin E. N. Watt, PhD, Assistant Professor of Craniofacial, Oral and Materials Sciences in the School of Dental Medicine, is corresponding author of a research article, “RNA Polymerase III subunit Polr3a is required for craniofacial cartilage and bone development in zebrafish,” published June 8 by PLOS Genetics. Co-authors include Jessica Nelson, PhD, Assistant Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology; Kade Fink, Professional Research Assistant in the Nelson Lab; and five members of the Department of Craniofacial, Oral and Materials Sciences.
Social Spotlight
The Department of Pharmacology released a new video featuring department chair, Heide Ford, PhD, giving a broad overview of the department's work. Watch the full video to hear how the faculty and researchers are driving this foundational science.
Announcement
Now Hiring: Senior Associate Dean for AI and Health Data Science
The School of Medicine is recruiting a Senior Associate Dean for AI and Health Data Science to provide strategic leadership for artificial intelligence, data governance, and health data science. Reporting to the Dean, this role will lead development and execution of the school’s AI and data strategy; advance AI-enabled innovation across research, clinical care, education, and operations; and align institutional efforts with health system and university partners. The Senior Associate Dean will oversee a portfolio of data, informatics, and information units; build shared services and capabilities that support faculty, learners, and leaders; and promote the responsible, equitable, and effective use of AI. This role will shape how AI and health data science strengthen academic medicine, improve care and learning, and expand the school’s institutional impact. The job description includes details about the position and application instructions.
Have a good week,
John H. Sampson, MD, PhD, MBA
Richard D. Krugman Endowed Chair
Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs and
Dean, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine
The Dean’s weekly message is an email news bulletin from John H. Sampson, MD, PhD, MBA, Dean of the CU Anschutz School of Medicine, that is distributed to inform CU Anschutz School of Medicine faculty members, staff, students and others about issues pertaining to the school’s mission of education, research, clinical care and community service.
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