Celebrating the UVM Larner College of Medicine Community

On July 1, Judy Schaechter, M.D., M.B.A., began her tenure as chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the Larner College of Medicine and chief of pediatrics at Golisano Children’s Hospital at UVM Health. She succeeds Lewis First, M.D., M.S. During her first few weeks in Vermont, Dr. Schaechter connected with people and partners across the region. She looks forward to building upon the department’s longstanding culture of collaboration and advocacy on behalf of children.

Osama Harraz, Ph.D., Bloomfield Professor in Cardiovascular Research and assistant professor of pharmacology at the Larner College of Medicine, has been selected by the Pew Charitable Trusts as a 2026 Pew Scholar in the Biomedical Sciences. Joining a cohort of 21 early-career scientists nationwide, Dr. Harraz is only the third researcher in UVM history to receive this honor.

Read more about Dr. Harraz’s award

Dozens of biomedical scientists gathered at UVM for a two-day research symposium in June celebrating renewal of a $12 million, five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health to support work by the Vermont Center for Cardiovascular and Brain Health (VCCBH). The VCCBH investigates prevention and treatments for cardiovascular disease, dementia, pregnancy risks, migraine, traumatic brain injury, and more.

Read more about the VCCBH symposium

Larner Associate Dean for Curriculum Toshi Uchida, M.D., and the Competency Review Working Group are soliciting input from members of the Larner community on their proposed revisions to the Larner Competencies and Medical Education Program Objectives—statements of the knowledge, skills, behaviors, and attitudes that medical students are expected to exhibit as evidence of their achievement by graduation. Please view the proposed Competency revisions and check your email from June 24 for instructions and a personalized link to complete the survey. 

ACCOLADES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Christopher Berger, Ph.D., professor of molecular physiology and biophysics, has been appointed dean of the Graduate College and Postdoctoral Studies, effective July 1. A highly collaborative leader with extensive experience in graduate education administration, Dr. Berger previously served as associate dean for academic affairs and innovation in the Graduate College.

Amila Šemić, a Ph.D. student in the Larner College of Medicine Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, was recently awarded a National Institute of Health Predoctoral Fellowship. Additionally, she received the inaugural Cancer Center Trainee Engagement Award, recognizing her for going above and beyond to support Cancer Center events, programming, and volunteer efforts.

Neuroscience graduate student Laura Grasso was recently awarded a NASA Vermont Space Grant Consortium Fellowship for the 2026–27 academic year. This fellowship will assist her in researching “The Molecular Mechanisms of Peroxisome Motility and Response to Reactive Oxygen Species.” Her findings are impactful for NASA as they learn more about how long-term zero gravity affects human cellular functions

Emily Bruce, Ph.D., assistant professor of microbiology and molecular genetics, received a competitive award from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund to investigate how influenza viruses of animal origin are transported in animals and how the animals serve as mixing vessels for human strains. This knowledge will improve the ability to prepare for and defend against future pandemics.

On June 26, the fourth annual Larner College of Medicine blood drive drew in donations from 42 registrants throughout the day. As many in the community are aware, this cause is important to Larner Dean Richard L. Page, M.D., whose personal experience through his granddaughter’s story inspired him to personally donate and to advocate for others to give blood if they are able. 

‘Across the Fence’ Celebrates Dr. First

For many years Dr. First could be seen walking the halls of the Larner College of Medicine and Golisano Children’s Hospital at UVM Health as he served as chair and division chief of pediatrics for more than three decades. Watch the June 30, 2026, episode of Across the Fence, a daily UVM Extension–WCAX-TV community television program, to celebrate Dr. First as he enters retirement, and to learn more about the impact of his tenure at the University of Vermont.

To view recent publications by members of the Larner College of Medicine community, visit the
National Institutes of Health PubMed website.

Published by the Office of Medical Communications © 2026