Dean's Weekly Message

December 12, 2022

Dear colleague:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus announced on Tuesday, December 6, the Katy O. and Paul M. Rady Esophageal and Gastric Center of Excellence, made possible by a $20 million contribution from Katy O. and Paul M. Rady. The center will support research, clinical trials, screening, surveillance, and treatments for esophageal and gastric cancer. After Katy Rady’s brother died in 2015 due to esophageal cancer, the Radys honored his memory by establishing the Paul R. O’Hara II Endowed Chair in Esophageal Cancer. With the creation of the new center, the Radys are making another exceptional commitment to our CU Cancer Center. Sachin Wani, MD, professor of medicine, has been named the new center’s inaugural director. We are grateful for the Rady family’s generous support. 

The campus hosted a reception on Monday, December 5, to recognize the Patten-Davis Foundation for its many contributions to our campus. The foundation has endowed seven chairs and provided funding to support research and faculty recruitment. On Monday, we gathered with representatives of the foundation to recognize the endowed chairholders: Eduardo Davila, PhD, James DeGregori, PhD, Alexis Leal, MD, Karl Lewis, MD, Sophie Liao, MD, John Mitchell, MD, and Marian Rewers, MD, PhD. We are grateful to the Patten-Davis Foundation for its extraordinary support. 

Emmy Betz, MD, MPH, professor of emergency medicine, and Jamie Feinstein, MD, MPH, associate professor of pediatrics, delivered the inaugural Fortitude Lectureships last Tuesday to the current cohort of junior faculty members in the Clinical Faculty Scholars Program. Emmy and Jamie are graduates of the program and their talks highlighted strategies for overcoming challenges in research careers. The Clinical Faculty Scholars Program is designed to help emerging investigators with guided project development, educational seminars, grant writing classes, and mentorship participants. Recruitment for the next cohort is open until March 17, 2023. 

Lisa Liu, MD, resident in interventional radiology, has received the Michael Patrick Chapman, MD Endowed Award, established to honor the former radiology resident who was known for his humor, kindness, and willingness to work hard. Mike died in October 2021, two years after a leukemia diagnosis. The award, established by Mike’s father, recognizes radiology and surgery residents who carry on in the spirit Mike brought to the profession, with curiosity, a dedication to overcoming adversity, and a devotion to learning many disciplines. 

Beginning next month, all funding applications to the National Institutes of Health for projects that generate scientific data must include a data management and sharing plan. A town hall is scheduled for 11 a.m. December 13 to provide an overview of these new requirements and to answer your questions. Register here. 

Condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Michael S. Kappy, MD, PhD, professor of pediatrics and former head of the pediatric section of endocrinology, who died on December 3. Mike was a committed teacher and passionate advocate for children and their families. Mike earned his MD from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and completed his residency in pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He then served as an instructor in pediatrics and associate director of the residency program, before starting a primary care pediatric practice for low-income families in Commerce City.  He completed a fellowship at Johns Hopkins University and his academic career then took him to Florida and Arizona before returning to Colorado in 1991, beginning his 20 years as section head of pediatric endocrinology. A funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Sunday, December 18, at Feldman’s Mortuary, 1673 York St., Denver. Notes to his wife, Peggy, can be sent to Peggykappy1006@msn.com. 

Have a good week,

John J. Reilly, Jr., MD
Richard D. Krugman Endowed Chair
Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs and
Dean, School of Medicine