Dear colleague: 

Daniel Bessesen, MD, professor of medicine in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, has been named interim director of the Anschutz Health and Wellness Center. Dan, who has been based at Denver Health since 1991, has already been a valuable contributor at the Anschutz Health and Wellness Center. His research focuses on the role of fat metabolism and nutrient sensing in the development and maintenance of obesity. He also conducts clinical trials in the management of obesity in primary care settings. We appreciate Dan’s agreement to serve as interim director while the search for a permanent director proceeds. 

Robert Eckel, MD, professor of medicine, has been named a member of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition’s Science Board, with a three-year term that begins Jan. 1, 2017. Established in 2003, the Science Board’s purpose is to assist the Council in developing scientifically sound programs and materials by providing scientific guidance and advice regarding Council initiatives.  The Science Board’s primary function is to provide draft recommendations and advice to the Council for the Council’s deliberation.  All recommendations of the Science Board must be presented to the Council for deliberation and approval by the Council. Board activities include selecting topics, authors, and editors for future Elevate Health issues or other publications. Bob, who is a past president of the American Heart Association, will be one of 16 people selected for their expertise to serve on the board. 

The fall issue of CU Medicine Today magazine has been published. This issue features profiles of three recipients of research support made possible by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation: Melanie Cree Green, MD, PhD, Kristin Jensen, MD, MSc, and Lilia Cervantes, MD. The foundation’s Fund to Retain Clinical Scientists is an important effort to retain research clinicians. Also featured in this issue is pediatrician Frank Accurso, MD, whose career was dedicated to improving the lives of people with cystic fibrosis and whose care inspired one of his young patients to become a physician himself. Bill Krissoff, MD ’72, shared his story of enlisting in the U.S. Marines at age 61 as a tribute to his son, a Marine who was killed by a roadside bomb in December 2006. 

The School of Medicine’s Maintenance of Certification (MOC) office is seeking faculty input on your knowledge and use of this program to fulfill your MOC Part IV requirements for board recertification. Your feedback is important as the office strives to meet the needs of physicians who are MOC credit-seeking. This week, you will receive a brief survey from the Office of Faculty Affairs regarding MOC utilization. It should take less than five minutes to complete. Please complete the survey so that the MOC office has the best possible information it can have to serve you. 

Since 1988, the Colorado Combined Campaign has supported programs and services throughout Colorado. The campaign is the primary charitable program for state and University employees. Last year, more than 3,000 employees contributed. Our colleagues at the University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical campus have been generous contributors in the past, providing almost 10 percent of the nearly $1 million raised through the campaign. The campaign has posted a list of nonprofits that can be designated for a contribution. If you have any questions regarding the campaign, contact MaryAnn.Hill@ucdenver.edu or call 303-315-2717. 

Have a good week, 

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