Diego Adrianzen Herrera, M.D., and colleagues’ new study published in Blood Advances investigated the impact of preexisting autoimmune diseases on the outcomes of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), a group of blood disorders. These diseases are present in 10–30 percent of individuals with MDS, and previous studies have produced conflicting results about how they affect MDS patients.

Read more about this important study

Current approaches for diagnosing cognitive dysfunction/impairment in Parkinson’s disease (PD) utilize a limited way of classifying the patients into categories of mild cognitive impairment (abbreviated as PD-MCI) or dementia (abbreviated as PD-D). In sharp contrast, cognitive impairment in PD can vary for different patients in terms of severity on a continuous scale. Furthermore, cognitive impairment in PD is heterogenous in nature, given that there is selective impairment of specific cognitive functions and only a subset of patients develop it early in the disease. In addition, PD-MCI and PD-D approaches of classifying cognitive dysfunction make a rather superficial use of neuropsychological/cognitive testing data for diagnostic conclusions, and thus fail to capture the richness of these data. The categorical PD-MCI and PD-D classifications also have limited ability to accurately reflect progression, as patients can remain labeled only in one of these two categories for several years despite progressive worsening of their cognitive function. Thus, several key aspects of cognitive dysfunction in PD are not fully addressed by the currently available classification schemes.

The PD-CFI project, funded by a $1.2 million Investigator Initiated Research Award from the Department of Defense over three years from September 2023 to August 2026, aims to address the above issues by developing and testing a new approach to study cognitive dysfunction in PD. This collaborative and interdisciplinary project is being led by Principal Investigator Deepak K. Gupta, M.D., M.S., assistant professor of neurological sciences at the University of Vermont’s Larner College of Medicine, in collaboration with co-investigators Satya S. Sahoo, Ph.D., at Case Western Reserve University, and Amie Hiller, M.D., M.C.R., at the Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Oregon Health & Sciences University. Other project personnel include two neuropsychologists, Brenna Cholerton, Ph.D., at Stanford University, and Abigail Ryan, Ph.D., at the University of Vermont Medical Center; a biostatistician researcher, Curtis Tatsuoka, Ph.D., at the University of Pittsburgh; a scientific advisor, Cyrus Zabetian, M.D., at the University of Washington; and a patient advisor, Rebecca Miller, Ph.D., at Yale University. The project team will apply a novel statistical modeling technique, called partial ordered set (POSET), for developing the PD-CFI classification scheme using the Pacific Udall Center data, and then validate the PD-CFI classification scheme using an artificial intelligence methodology in a multicenter clinical research study.

The Office of Medical Education (OME) is proud to announce the expansion of its team with the addition of seven highly esteemed and accomplished professionals to its roster of course directors. This exciting development marks a significant stride in further enhancing the excellence and quality of medical education at the Larner College of Medicine.

OME is delighted to welcome these distinguished physicians, scientists, and educators to our community. Each of these individuals brings a wealth of expertise and a proven track record of excellence in their respective fields. Their diverse backgrounds and experiences will undoubtedly enrich the educational landscape, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to the college’s programs. 

Jessica Crothers, M.D.’12, assistant professor of pathology and laboratory medicine, has been appointed Attacks and Defenses course director at the Larner College of Medicine. Dr. Crothers, a 2012 graduate of the Larner College of Medicine, completed her residency in anatomic and clinical pathology at the University of Vermont Medical Center in 2016 and a clinical fellowship in medical microbiology at Brigham and Woman’s Hospital in 2019. Her new role will involve overseeing the Foundations-level Attacks and Defenses course, which integrates studies in hematology, immunology, microbiology, toxicology, pathology, pharmacology, and neoplasia. Students in this course are introduced to advanced history-taking skills, clinical problem-solving skills, and the application of evidenced-based medicine.

Sakshi Jasra, M.D., assistant professor of medicine in the Hematology and Oncology Division, has been appointed Professionalism, Communication, and Reflection (PCR) course director at the Larner College of Medicine. Dr. Jasra is a graduate of St. George’s School of Medicine. She completed residency in internal medicine at the University at Buffalo in 2016 and a fellowship in hematology/oncology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She has a particular interest in narrative medicine and curriculum development. In her new role as PCR course director, Jasra will manage the Foundations-level Professionalism, Communication, and Reflection course, which focuses on fostering self-awareness, emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and the capacity to care for self and colleagues among students via discussion groups with a faculty preceptor. Meetings with Careers in Medicine advisors and aspects of the Careers in Medicine curriculum are also incorporated into this course.

Tracy Hagerty, M.D., assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, has been appointed assistant course director of the Professionalism, Communication, and Reflection (PCR) course at the Larner College of Medicine. Dr. Hagerty is a graduate of St. Louis University School of Medicine and completed residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. She also completed two fellowships at Barnes Jewish Hospital, in cardiovascular disease and clinical cardiac electrophysiology. Her new role will involve assisting the course director in managing the Foundations-level Professionalism, Communication, and Reflection course.

Abigail Hielscher, Ph.D., assistant professor of neurological sciences, has been appointed assistant course director of the Foundations of Clinical Science course at the Larner College of Medicine. Dr. Hielscher earned a Ph.D. in cell biology/anatomy from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Her new role will involve assisting the Foundations of Clinical Science course director in managing this Foundations-level course. In Foundations of Clinical Science, students learn fundamental concepts of anatomy, biochemistry, cellular metabolism, and molecular genetics to understand cell biology, pharmacology, embryology, and human physiology. Students learn to apply basic scientific principles and develop frameworks for clinical decision making and the practice of evidence-based medicine during course activities that include team-based learning, small- and large-group discussions, interactive modules, lectures, and clinical skills practice with standardized patients.

Kelley Collier, M.D.’18, assistant professor of family medicine, has been appointed Family Medicine Clerkship director. Dr. Collier, a 2018 graduate of the Larner College of Medicine, completed an internship in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Colorado in 2019 and a residency in Family Medicine at the University of Colorado in 2021. In her new role, she will manage and support students as they go through the Family Medicine Clerkship program. This clerkship involves students examining the role of the family physician, both in leading the patient-centered medical home and within the complex health care system as a whole. The program begins with small-group, hands-on instruction utilizing the Simulation Center and Standardized Patients and other diverse teaching tools to learn skills and procedures for the office setting. Students then spend five weeks in a continuity clinical practice site, mostly based in rural New England.

Nina Gluchowski, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics, has been appointed Pediatrics Clerkship associate director at the Larner College of Medicine. Dr. Gluchowski received her medical degree from Boston University. She completed a residency in pediatrics and served as chief resident in pediatrics at Massachusetts General Hospital. She also completed a fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition at Boston Children’s Hospital in 2017. Her new role will involve assisting in the management of the Pediatrics Clerkship, where students work with primary care physicians, hospitalists, sub-specialists, and allied health professionals to get broad exposure to the field of pediatrics, the role of the pediatrician in caring for patients, and the influence of family, community, and society on the health of children of all ages.

Merima Ruhotina, M.D.’12, assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences, has been appointed associate director for the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clerkship. Dr. Ruhotina is a 2012 graduate of the Larner College of Medicine. She completed residency at Brown University/Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, followed by a fellowship in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery at Yale New Haven Health/Bridgeport Hospital. Her new role will involve assisting in the management of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clerkship. In this program, students experience and explore the unique field of obstetrics and gynecology, from primary care to a surgical subspecialty. They learn in three settings—the clinic, the operating room, and labor and delivery—and participate in longitudinal relationships with patients across their lifespan.