Dear Colleague: 

The flurry of executive orders and other federal activity continued last week. It can feel like the trail markers on your hike keep getting changed, and new paths appear at every turn. It’s disorienting and stressful, trying to discern what has changed and whether any new paths can get you where you want to go. This is true no matter what type of hiker you are and what your destination may be. We recognize the very real impact this uncertainty has on all of us in our campus community.

One of the latest changes involves new guidance from the National Institutes of Health on facilities and administrative (F&A) cost rates, which was released late Friday afternoon. While this has raised concerns, it's important to recognize strong legal protections are in place and the quick action being taken by our campus leadership and national partners, as explained by the University System office in this update on Friday and another on Sunday.

A legal challenge to this drastic change has already been filed. The Colorado Attorney General, with support from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus leadership, has joined in a lawsuit filed in federal court this morning by the Massachusetts Attorney General that seeks to block this change. So far, 22 states have joined.

We understand how unsettling these sudden changes feel. When we feel lost, we look to our colleagues for help. We rely on our experience and teamwork to navigate these unexpected challenges.  We are working closely with campus leaders, the university federal relations team, legal teams, and national partners to address these evolving issues. Legal challenges are expected, and national leaders have voiced opposition to many changes.

I flew to Washington, D.C., this week, and tomorrow I will be discussing this matter with congressional staff and members of our delegation, including U.S. Rep. Jason Crow, who represents the district that includes our campus, U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette and Gabe Evans, and U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper. 

Please know we are mindful of the challenges these shifts may pose to projects, departments, and individuals on our campus. For the latest updates, FAQs, and guidance on federal actions affecting our operations, visit the CU Anschutz Federal Transition Update web page. Stay informed, stay connected, and trust that together, we’ll continue advancing our academic, research, clinical, and public service missions.

Where Dreams Live
A new ad campaign for the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus hit the airwaves during the Super Bowl this past weekend and will run throughout the spring on streaming and broadcast television. 

Where Dreams Live showcases our campus and our people in an unexpected and imaginative way ‒ one that is bound to capture attention and further elevate our story as a campus.

Hundreds of faculty members, students, and staff gathered last Tuesday in the Anschutz Health Sciences Building for a special sneak peek on the big screen in the Benson Atrium. Bravo to Vice Chancellor for Marketing and Communications Kathy Green and her team, who are making our dreams come true with this fantastic ad!

“This campaign tells our story in a truly imaginative way,” she explains. “Our previous marketing campaigns expanded awareness and further elevated the reputation of our campus. Where Dreams Live captures what brings our people and our patients together every day: the dream of a brighter, healthier tomorrow. Telling this ambitious story is only possible due to the incredible cross-campus collaboration that is a hallmark of CU Anschutz.”

We are thrilled to share this campaign with you. You can watch the ad and read all about this bold new chapter in our story, which builds on our momentum, in this article in the campus newsroom.

Faculty Updates
Catherine Musselman, PhD, Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, and Kristi Kuhn, MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine and Head of the Division of Rheumatology, were awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, according to an announcement that was posted by the White House on January 14. The award is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists and engineers early in their careers.

Leslie J. Berg, PhD, Chair of Immunology and Microbiology, has been named recipient of the American Association of Immunologists (AAI) Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be presented at the annual meeting in May. The award recognizes Dr. Berg for scientific achievement and contributions to AAI and the field of immunology. Jenna Guthmiller, PhD, Assistant Professor of Immunology and Microbiology, has been named recipient of the AAI Aspire Award for early career research accomplishments and professional promise.

Recent Publications
Joshua L. Gowin, PhD, Assistant Professor of Radiology, is corresponding author of an original investigation, “Brain Function Outcomes of Recent and Lifetime Cannabis Use,” published January 28 by JAMA Network Open. Three co-authors are from our campus.

Leslie M. Barnard, DrPH, MPH, Research Assistant Professor in the Colorado School of Public Health and affiliate of the Firearm Injury Prevention Initiative, is corresponding author of a research letter, “Firearm Type and Number of People Killed in Publicly Targeted Fatal Mass Shooting Events,” published February 5 by JAMA Network Open. Three co-authors are from our campus.

Rocky Lee Baker, PharmD, Associate Professor of Immunology and Microbiology, is the corresponding author of an article, “Novel T Cell reactivities to Hybrid Insulin Peptides in Islet Autoantibody-Positive At-Risk Subjects,” published January 16 in Diabetes. In this publication, Dr. Baker’s group demonstrates broad and robust T cell reactivity to hybrid insulin peptides in patients progressing to a higher stage of type 1 diabetes. Thirteen colleagues from our campus are co-authors.

Chelsea M. Magin, PhD, Associate Professor of Bioengineering at University of Colorado Denver and Medicine at the School of Medicine, is corresponding author of a short report, “Engineered hydrogel biomaterials facilitate lung progenitor cell differentiation from induced pluripotent stem cells,” published January 30 by the American Journal of Physiology-Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology. Three co-authors are colleagues from CU.

Nicolle F. Dyess, MD, MEd, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, is corresponding author of a brief communication, “The neonatology job search: the fellow’s perspective,” published February 5 by the Journal of Perinatology.

Dean's Distinguished Speaker
Arturo Casadevall, MD, PhD, Bloomberg Distinguished Professor and Chair of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health will deliver the Dean’s Distinguished Seminar lecture, “Thoughts on the Origins of Virulence,” at 3 p.m. Tuesday, February 11, in Hensel Phelps West Auditorium. A reception in the first-floor atrium will occur after the lecture. The Dean’s Distinguished Seminar Series brings notable scholars to campus to discuss their work. All are invited. You can find more information about this and other events on the campus events calendar, where you can also sign up for event notifications.

Call for Faculty Judges
The School of Medicine is seeking faculty judges for the Mentored Scholarly Activity capstone presentations by Class of 2025 medical students. Judges are needed to score the quality of posters and student presentations on Monday, April 7, at the Strauss Health Sciences Library. There are three one-hour sessions beginning at 1 p.m. Please sign up through this link to judge one, two, or all sessions. To learn more about the MSA program, visit the website. Email questions to som.msa@cuanschutz.edu.

Call for Nominations and Applications
The Offices for Faculty Experience has issued calls for nominations and applications for the following programs:

• Annual Distinguished Clinician Awards and Annual Distinguished Faculty Professionalism Awards 
  • Nominations are due March 31.
  • The 2nd Annual Distinguished Clinician Awards recognize exceptional clinicians who promote a patient-centered culture
  • The 18th Annual Distinguished Faculty Professionalism Awards honor faculty members who embody professionalism and readily contribute to academic and institutional citizenship.
• Academy of Medical Educators Education Awards
  • Nominations are due February 28.
  • Five new awards celebrate excellence in medical education. Award recipients receive a $1,000 monetary prize, thanks to the Jones Family Endowment.
• AAMC Early Career Women Faculty Leadership Development Opportunity
  • Nominations are due no later than 5 p.m. February 17.
  • The seminar is designed for women physicians and scientists with at least two years of experience, but generally not more than 8 years, at the Instructor or Assistant Professor level. To apply, submit CV, a letter of support from a supervisor, and essay responses. 
• Teaching Scholars Program
  • Applications are due March 7.
  • Deepen your expertise in medical education through this 18-month program.

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 School of Medicine