Dear colleague:

The great conveyor belt of life never stops, but for some, the ride lasts longer and has an impact on countless lives. Our esteemed colleague, E. Stewart Taylor, MD, professor emeritus of obstetrics and gynecology, who died this past week at age 102, was one of those people. He was the last of the first full-time chairs of clinical departments at our School who were appointed in 1947 by Dean Ward Darley.  Stewart was 35 years old when he became chair, had an outstanding career and built a terrific department.  He continued in that position for 29 years before stepping down in 1976. A memorial service will be held this Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m. at the Plymouth Congregational Church, 3501 S. Colorado Blvd., Englewood, at the corner of Hampden Avenue and Colorado Boulevard.  

Larry Allen, MD, MHS, assistant professor of medicine, is the lead author of an article in the “Clinical Problem-Solving” series in the current issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. The article details a case where high levels of cobalt and chromium were discovered in a 59-year-old woman diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. She had previously had metal-on-metal hip implants and her symptoms support cobalt cardiomyopathy as the likely diagnosis. One of Larry’s conclusions is especially worth noting: Specialists and patients may benefit from “improved awareness and multidisciplinary communication” regarding the potential risks associated with these devices. Larry’s work was also discussed last week in The New York Times. 

Mona Abaza, MD, MS, associate professor of otolaryngology, has been elected to the administrative board of the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Council of Faculty and Academic Societies (CFAS). CFAS identifies critical issues facing faculty members at medical schools and provides a voice for them. Congratulations and thank you for contributing your voice to the cause of academic medicine. 

Jed Friedman, PhD, professor of pediatrics, biochemistry and molecular genetics, professor in reproductive sciences and director of the Colorado Program for Nutrition and Healthy Development, has been honored by the UC-Denver Postdoctoral Association with a new award for outstanding contributions in postdoctoral mentoring. Jed also recently received the highest award possible from the American Diabetes Association in Pregnancy and Reproductive Health by being asked to give the Norbert Freinkel Award lecture this June. Well done. 

Congratulations to members of our faculty in Physical Therapy who were honored at last week’s annual winter meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association. Paul Mintken, PT, DPT, associate professor of physical therapy, received the 2014 Journal of Physical Therapy Excellence in Research Award.  Mintken and Amy McDevitt, PT, DPT, clinical instructor, were honored for writing the best research article of 2013 on orthopedic physical therapy. Mary Jane Rapport, PT, DPT, PhD, professor, was recognized for her service to the group’s section on pediatrics. 

The Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CCTSI) last week announced the 22 awardees of the 2014 Colorado Pilot, CSU/CU Collaboration Pilot, Center for Neurosciences Pilot, Colorado State University Pilot and Child Maternal Health Pilot programs. These projects represent a wonderful scope and live up to the CCTSI’s mission of supporting innovative, interdisciplinary and collaborative research. 

The School of Medicine Clinical Effectiveness and Patient Safety Small Grants Program is now accepting applications for its 2014-2015 award cycle. This grant program provides funding for quality-improvement initiatives with goals of improving patient safety and/or enhancing the quality and cost-effectiveness of health care delivery.  Letters of Intent are due by April 4, 2014.  For more information, please contact Program Manager Heather Hallman. 

Have a good two weeks. Another Monday holiday next week (Presidents’ Day) will keep me off your email until Feb. 24. I still remember when we celebrated Lincoln’s birthday on Feb. 12, and Washington’s on Feb. 22… 

Have a good week,

Richard D. Krugman, MD
Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs and
Dean, School of Medicine

"What’s Going On Here" is an email news bulletin from Richard Krugman, MD, Dean of the CU School of Medicine, that is distributed to inform University of Colorado School of Medicine faculty members about issues pertaining to the School’s mission of education, research, clinical care and community service. See the UCH-Insider →

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