Dean's Weekly Message

Jan. 28, 2019

Dear colleague: 

The University of Colorado announced on Wednesday, January 16, that it has launched a $4 billion fundraising campaign for all CU campuses to support education, research, faculty recruitment and retention, and health care initiatives. So far, CU has raised $2 billion in the quiet phase of the campaign, which began in late 2013. “Our donors are our partners in advancing CU and Colorado and their contributions add significant value toward our efforts as one of the top universities in the world,” said CU President Bruce D. Benson. “Their investment in the university has a substantial return for our state and society in terms of more opportunities for students, leading-edge medical and scientific breakthroughs, economic impact and improved quality of life.” Details about the Essential CU campaign are posted online. 

Physician surveys for the U.S. News & World Report hospital rankings are now open to those who have registered with Doximity, a social network for health care professionals. The magazine’s best hospitals specialty rankings assess hospital performance in multiple specialties, ranging from cancer to urology. Faculty members who were registered with Doximity last fall are eligible to participate in the survey. 

Voting is now open for 5280 magazine’s Top Doctors ballot. The ballot is available online at vote5280.com from January 25 through March 15. Every eligible physician living/practicing in the metro area (Adams, Denver, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Boulder, Jefferson, and Douglas counties) can log in to vote with his or her full first name, last name, physician license number, and a valid email address. The results of the voting will be published in the magazine’s August 2019 issue. Each year, about half of the list features School of Medicine faculty. I encourage you to take a few moments to participate. 

Kathryn Wells, MD, associate professor of pediatrics, has been named the next Executive Director of the Kempe Center and head of the Department of Pediatrics Section of Child Abuse and Neglect. Kathi begins February 1. She succeeds Desmond Runyan, MD, DrPH, professor emeritus of pediatrics. Kathi joins us on the Anschutz Medical Campus from Denver Health where she has been the medical director and team lead for the Denver Health Clinic at the Family Crisis Center since 2003. 

Frederick L. Grover, MD, professor emeritus of surgery, has received the 2019 John P. McGovern Complete Physician Award from the Houston Academy of Medicine and Harris County Medical Society. The award was established in 1993 to recognize a physician whose career has been founded on the ideals of medical excellence, humane and ethical care, commitment to medical humanities and writing, research, and harmony between the academician and medical practitioner. In his 50 years of practice, Fred has been an exemplary leader, heading the School’s Department of Surgery, serving as chief of the surgical service at the Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and performing the first lung transplant at the University of Colorado Hospital. 

Eduardo da Cruz, MD, professor of pediatrics, has been selected to receive the 2019 Distinguished Service Award by the American College of Cardiology in recognition of his contributions to the group. He has been invited to accept the award at the college’s convocation in New Orleans in March. 

Ronald Gill, PhD, professor of surgery and scientific director for the Colorado Center for Transplantation Care, Research and Education, has been selected to receive a 2019 Medal of Excellence Award from the American Association of Kidney Patients. The award recognizes professionals who are committed to improving and extending the lives of all kidney patients through advocacy, research, technology, and quality-driven treatments that protect patient dignity and fully align with patient aspirations. The award will be presented at the American Transplant Congress – American Society of Transplantation Town Hall in June. 

Katherine J. Klingenberg, PA-C, senior instructor of surgery, received the 2019 Advanced Transplant Provider Award from the American Society of Transplant Surgeons at its conference earlier this month. Katherine joined CU after working at the Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Transplant Center. In 2017, she was awarded the department’s Transplant Shining Star Award for her work to change culture and her dedication to the transplant program. Through the Institute for Healthcare Quality, Safety, and Efficiency, Katherine is leading an initiative to decrease utilization of the intensive care unit following liver transplant. 

Erin Lennon, PA, instructor of surgery, has been named the 2019 Colorado Academy of PAs Physician Assistant of the Year in recognition of her work in natural disaster relief. Erin has made significant contributions in this work. In 2017, she joined teams of medical relief workers who provided aid to people in St. Thomas and Puerto Rico. The award will be presented at the CAPA 2019 Winter CME Conference in Copper Mountain in early February. 

Stephanie Gold, MD, assistant professor of family medicine, and Larry Green, MD, professor of family medicine, are the editors of a recently published how-to handbook, Integrated Behavioral Health in Primary Care: Your Patients Are Waiting. The text offers research data, best practices, and personal and professional experiences by authors including faculty from the Department of Family Medicine and the Eugene S. Farley Health Policy Center. 

Condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Steven Perry, MD, assistant clinical professor of pediatrics, who died January 14. Steve served as a volunteer faculty member since 1995 and was an outstanding teacher and mentor to many future physicians during his more than 20 years of service. He was an owner and physician for 24 years at Cherry Creek Pediatrics. He served as a preceptor for students in the Foundations of Doctoring course, the pediatric residency program, and the Infant, Child and Adolescent Care Clerkship. Steve also served on the Medical Staff Board of Children’s Hospital Colorado and recently concluded his presidency of the Colorado Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Memorial services were held Saturday, January 26. 

A service to celebrate the life of Maureen Garrity, PhD, will be held Wednesday, February 20, at 4 p.m. in the Krugman Conference Hall. Maureen joined the CU School of Medicine faculty in 1983 and served in many leadership roles including as associate dean for admissions, associate dean for student affairs and associate dean for student life.

If you would like to receive these emails directly, please contact Cheryl.Welch@ucdenver.edu.  
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