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Dean's Weekly Message
May 12, 2026
As a few of you may already know, last week was a rough week for me. Pain in my groin suggested that I might have a recurrent kidney stone. Instead, they found a mass on my kidney.
Fortunately, by all reports, this is a low-grade lesion, and there is no evidence of spread at all. I am told by many (who actually know) that it will be completely cured by surgery, which miraculously can be done through a couple of holes using a robot. Despite being a surgeon myself, I've never seen a robot operate. They don't seem to be much use in neurosurgery, but I understand they're pretty amazing in other contexts. I sure hope so...
I actually feel lucky that this will be easy compared to some of the life-threatening physical and non-physical illnesses that many of our patients experience.
Life brings many experiences. Sometimes good ones and sometimes bad ones and sometimes unexpected ones. This experience will give me a chance to experience a part of life that I otherwise wouldn't have and yet to do so with very little risk. That's a blessing.
While I am gone, Vineet and Shanta, my extraordinary Executive Vice Deans, will have the full authority of the deanship. I think it'll be a good experience for both of them and will certainly help us work better together upon my return. And I will return!
I've always tried to have an irrepressible spirit. So, I will spend this time conjuring up new ideas to make the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine even better!
I am going to be just fine.
Hooding and Oath Ceremony is Next Monday
Our students in the Class of 2026 graduate next Monday, and you’re invited to celebrate at the CU Anschutz Hooding and Oath Ceremony.
Join us at Boettcher Commons on Monday, May 18, at 10:15 a.m. as we honor this exciting milestone. There will be a livestream for those who can’t make it in person, so check out our Hooding and Oath Ceremony 2026 webpage.
We are extremely proud of this year’s graduates and excited to watch them flourish in their careers. At Match Day in March, we had 180 students match to residency programs in 34 states. Of the 59 students who will stay in Colorado, 39 will join CU Anschutz School of Medicine programs.
The Class of 2026 is the second class to have been trained under our school’s outstanding Trek Curriculum, focusing on the values of leadership, curiosity, and commitment while integrating basic science learning to coincide with clinical training cycles.
Priorities Outlined from Leadership Retreat
As I mentioned in last week’s message, our School of Medicine clinical chairs and executive leaders joined with the UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital leaders on April 29 in a daylong retreat. The team reviewed our market position, our competitive advantages, and the challenges posed by state and federal policies. We must improve our operating and financial performance if we are to be the best. To achieve this goal, we have to become more aligned and focus on key priorities.
To this end and after each presentation, our leaders discussed how to address issues of access, quality care, recruitment, and market growth. We then polled the groups for their direction. We achieved remarkable consensus on what we must do to achieve Top 10 in 10. The group identified the following priorities:
- Align CU and UCHealth so that we act more as a unified system
- Shared incentives, governance, and joint accountability
- Build shared data and clinical intelligence infrastructure
- Integrate data platforms across clinical, research, and operations to guide performance and strategy
- Concentrate and focus resources — choose and commit to 3–5 priority areas
- Prioritize investments into selected programs where we can lead nationally
- Invest in talent, development, and retention
- Recruit national leaders and develop successors
- Coordinate recruitment and program development efforts
- Accelerate clinical trials infrastructure and activation speed
- Build system that makes trial activation fast and frictionless across all departments
Expand NIH, DoD, and industry capacity in parallel.
Strengthening Collaborations in Pancreatic Cancer Care
I had the privilege of welcoming attendees from around the globe at the Second Annual International Rocky Mountain Pancreatic Cancer Symposium on April 30.
This event gathered an impressive and distinguished group of surgeons from around the world for a day of presentations about translational research, diagnostic approaches, and other emerging topics in the multimodal treatment of pancreatic cancer.
We are especially fortunate to have one of the world’s leading pancreatic surgeons, Marco Del Chiaro, MD, PhD, Professor of Surgery and Division Chief of Surgical Oncology, here at CU Anschutz to draw colleagues from Japan, Korea, Germany, and Sweden to our campus.
Many thanks to UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital, CU Anschutz Cancer Center, and the Wings of Hope for Pancreatic Cancer Research Foundation for supporting the symposium.
Ophthalmology Kicks Off National Convention with Reception
Our Department of Ophthalmology was the center of attention on Sunday, May 3, when it hosted a reception on campus for the beginning of the ARVO 2026 Annual Meeting.
At the reception, visitors from across the country helped us celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Institute building, home of the Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center. We also commemorated a quarter century of innovation and advancement.
Among the accomplishments highlighted:
- A historic $40 million gift to advance research on macular degeneration, glaucoma, and other blinding diseases;
- 60 patents and 13 technologies licensed since 2020;
- growth of our CellSight stem cell program and our age-related macular degeneration registry; and
- the expansion of our Division of Artificial Medical Intelligence in Ophthalmology.
Naresh Mandava, MD, Chair of Ophthalmology and Senior Associate Dean for Strategic Advancement, spoke on the groundbreaking work of our faculty, staff, leadership, and trainees, as well as hopes and goals for the next 25 years of the Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center. I see a bright future!
Consulting Agreements Update Shows Great Progress
CU Anschutz Innovations delivered good news last week about the transition of faculty consulting agreements from CU Medicine to CU Anschutz Innovations. At the weekly meeting of clinical chairs, Jordan Ross, Senior Assistant Counsel, presented an outstanding report on the improved processes for our faculty in executing consulting agreements.
Through automation, we are experiencing a sharp boost in performance by the team. Response turnaround time is completed on average in one day, and consulting agreements are executed on average within three weeks.
Consulting agreements are a valuable and important way that we build the brand of CU Anschutz. These agreements cover faculty members when giving intellectual advice at conferences, serving as advisory board members, and consulting on product development.
Many thanks to Kimberly Muller, Executive Director of CU Anschutz Innovations and Vice Chancellor for Innovation and Biotechnology, for assembling the top-notch team that is helping faculty deliver on our strategic goal of expanding business development opportunities.
The transition of these consulting agreements is an ongoing process. CU Anschutz Innovations took on all new agreements in January. Existing agreements will continue to bill through CU Medicine until the end of December, when the transition process will be completed.
Featured News
CU Anschutz Leaders Combine Primary Care and Behavioral Health Services
Samatha Farro, PhD, assistant professor of geriatric medicine, directs the integrated behavioral health program at the UCHealth Seniors Clinic. With the growing number of adults over the age of 75, it’s becoming increasingly important to tailor health care to treat common geriatric challenges ranging from chronic disease to loneliness.“We can see patients without delay, helping address issues more upstream before clinical symptoms evolve into something more severe,” Farro says of her “small but mighty” team.
Learn more about the program, which works in tandem with primary care providers to empower patients and improve their lives, in this news story in the Department of Medicine newsroom.
Learn More About the Integrated Behavioral Health Program
Faculty Updates
Matthew DeCamp, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine and Elected Core Faculty at the Center for Bioethics and Humanities, has been awarded the Excellence in Medical Ethics Award by the Society of General Internal Medicine.
Featured Events
Dean's Distinguished Seminar Series: Mitchell A. Lazar, MD, PhD
Tuesday, May 12, 3 p.m.
Hensel Phelps West Auditorium, Research 1 North
The School of Medicine proudly presents our next speaker in the Dean's Distinguished Seminar Series, Mitchell A. Lazar, MD, PhD, Willard and Rhoda Ware Professor in Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. Lazar will present “Nuclear Receptors, Enhancers, and the Individual Predisposition to Metabolic Diseases.”
Wednesday, May 13
Anschutz Health Sciences Building
Thursday, May 14
Virtual Day
Learn and connect at the annual Education and Innovation Symposium, where presentations, panels, and hands-on workshops showcase the latest innovations and scholarly work in medical education. This year, we are excited to partner with the Graduate Medical Education Office for programming throughout the day and to showcase the innovative work happening across the continuum of medical education. Visit the symposium website for schedule and to register for the symposium now.
School of Medicine Hooding and Oath Ceremony
Monday, May 18, 10:15 a.m.
Boettcher Commons
The University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine Hooding & Oath Ceremony for the graduating MD class of 2026 will take place after the campus graduation ceremony.
Tattered Cover Talk
Wednesday, May 27, 6 p.m.
Tattered Cover Book Store, 2526 E. Colfax Ave.
Suzanna Kafer, PhD candidate, and Kristen Boyle, PhD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, will present “The Persistence of PFAS: How 'forever chemicals' slip into our lives, and into our cells.” The talk is free and open to the public and is part of an ongoing series offered by the Office of Research Education.
New Leader Orientation
Thursday, June 4
Anschutz Health Sciences Building
The Office for Faculty Development is hosting a full-day new leader orientation event designed for new Chairs, Vice Chairs, Division and Section Chiefs, Associate and Assistant Deans, and other newly appointed institutional leaders seeking to learn more about School of Medicine infrastructure and resources across the campus. Topics covered include research funding, relationships with outside practices, finance, faculty and staff support structures, appointments and promotions processes, philanthropy, and innovations. Register or nominate a new leader for the orientation. For questions, please contact [email protected].
Postdoc Research Day (PDRD)
Thursday, July 9Donald Elliman Conference Center, Anschutz Health Sciences Building
PDRD 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
Elizabeth J. McFarland, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, is corresponding author of a research article, “VRC01 with antiretroviral initiation in infants is well tolerated, and higher concentrations associate with greater HIV-1 DNA declines,” published May 6 by Science Translational Medicine.
Kartik Shankar, PhD, Professor of Pediatrics; Edwin Asturias, MD, Professor of Pediatrics; and Nancy Krebs, MD, MS, Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics, are co-authors of an original investigation, “Aspirin and Preterm Birth Among Pregnant People With Increased Heat Exposure: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial,” published May 6 by JAMA Network Open.
Ioannis A. Ziogas, MD, MPH, resident in Surgery, is a co-author of an article, “Clinical characterization of membrane oxygenator exhaust capnometry during venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation,” published May 7 by Scientific Reports.
Lawrence Haber, MD, Professor of Clinical Practice of Medicine, is a co-author of an article, “Capturing Incarceration in the Medical Record: We Cannot Manage What We Cannot Measure,” published April 29 by Health Affairs Scholar.
Steven H. Abman, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, is a co-author of a Perspective article, “Phenotyping persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn: recognition of its persistence across world symposium on pulmonary hypertension classifications,” published May 4 by Journal of Perinatology.
Theresa R. Grover, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, is a co-author of an article, “Neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation outcomes according to social determinants of health,” published April 29 by Journal of Perinatology.
Alizay Paracha, MD, Fellow in the Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine Fellowship, is corresponding author of an original article, “Improving Pancreatic Function With Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor,” published April 8 by Pediatric Pulmonology.
Kartik Shankar, PhD, Professor of Pediatrics; Edwin Asturias, MD, Professor of Pediatrics; and Nancy Krebs, MD, MS, Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics, are co-authors of an original investigation, “Aspirin and Preterm Birth Among Pregnant People With Increased Heat Exposure: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial,” published May 6 by JAMA Network Open.
Ioannis A. Ziogas, MD, MPH, resident in Surgery, is a co-author of an article, “Clinical characterization of membrane oxygenator exhaust capnometry during venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation,” published May 7 by Scientific Reports.
Lawrence Haber, MD, Professor of Clinical Practice of Medicine, is a co-author of an article, “Capturing Incarceration in the Medical Record: We Cannot Manage What We Cannot Measure,” published April 29 by Health Affairs Scholar.
Steven H. Abman, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, is a co-author of a Perspective article, “Phenotyping persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn: recognition of its persistence across world symposium on pulmonary hypertension classifications,” published May 4 by Journal of Perinatology.
Theresa R. Grover, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, is a co-author of an article, “Neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation outcomes according to social determinants of health,” published April 29 by Journal of Perinatology.
Alizay Paracha, MD, Fellow in the Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine Fellowship, is corresponding author of an original article, “Improving Pancreatic Function With Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor,” published April 8 by Pediatric Pulmonology.
Social Spotlight
Last week, Steven Lowenstein, MD, MPH, gave the final lecture to the Class of 2026. He received a standing ovation to help send him off to retirement. Congratulations to Dr. Lowenstein and the Class of 2026! See the Instagram post.
Announcement
Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine Opportunity
The Office for Faculty Development (OFD) is soliciting applications for our School of Medicine’s nominee for the 2027-2028 Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine Fellowship. Registration and travel will be funded by the OFD. This esteemed program, known as ELAM, is a year-long part-time fellowship for faculty dedicated to developing the professional and personal skills required to lead and manage in the academic medical center environment. Applicants must have held the rank of Associate Professor at CU for at least five years and have experience in personnel and budget management. The most competitive applicants are those who hold major leadership roles within the school and have engaged in prior leadership development programs locally or nationally. To apply, please submit a CV, letter of support from your Chair or Division Head, one published work, and essay responses by June 30, 2026, via the online application system. For questions, contact [email protected].
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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