JANUARY 2024

The Fall 2023 issue of the College of Medicine Magazine was recently published and pays tribute to the women of the UT Health Science Center’s College of Medicine by sharing how their achievements, leadership, and dedication have helped shape the future of medicine. The magazine also highlights the accomplishments of the students and faculty of the College of Medicine throughout 2023.

January 11, 2024 —The Class of 2027 held a moving Donor Memorial Ceremony to honor those who selflessly donated their bodies for medical education. Through performances and speeches, the students expressed their gratitude and highlighted the profound impact of these donations on their learning. The ceremony served as a poignant reminder of the human connection in medicine and the importance of honoring those who shape the future of healthcare. Austin Dalgo, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics and the director of the Center for Bioethics and Health Equity at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, shared remarks.

January 8-9, 2024 —The 2024 Clinical Science Subcommittee (CSS) Retreat, hosted by the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine (UTGSM) in Knoxville, TN brought together more than 70 attendees from the UT Health Science Center across the state, marking the first time the retreat was held outside of Memphis. As an important part of the Undergraduate Medical Education Committee, the CSS focused on shaping policies, refining clinical curriculum, and ensuring campus comparability for third and fourth year medical students. 

“Our campus was absolutely thrilled to host the CSS retreat this year, which reinforced the broad commitment to the statewide presence of the College of Medicine. We look forward to more opportunities to increase collaboration across the entire UTHSC system.”

Robert M. Craft, MD, Dean, UTGSM

Dan Wells, MD, Pediatrics Residency Program Director

Congratulations to the following two recipients of the annual GME recognition awards for excellence in program leadership:

Dan Wells, MD
Pediatrics Residency Program Director
Program Director of the Year

Brenda Coleman
Cardiology Program Manager
Program Manager of the Year

Adam S. Arthur, MD, MPH, Professor and Chair, Department of Neurosurgery

The Semmes-Murphey Clinic/ Department of Neurosurgery was joined by several new faculty in 2023.

Sonia Eden, MD from Wayne State University, where she was the Interim Chair of Neurosurgery. She is leading the development of services in Oxford, Mississippi.

Jason Gerrard MD, PhD from Yale University, where he was the chief of functional neurosurgery. Dr. Gerrard will be developing and leading functional and epilepsy neurosurgery for adults.

Paul Park, MD from the University of Michigan where he was the chief of spine surgery and is a major innovator and leader in spinal surgery.

Nir Shimony, MD joined as a pediatric neurosurgeon from Geisinger Health, and is leading the development of several programs including pediatric epilepsy surgery.

 PA Class of 2023 pictured with PJ Koltnow, PA-C; Leigh Anne Pickup, PA-C; Kristopher Maday, PA-C;Dr. Evan Ward, DHSc, PA-C; Mallory Tatum, PA-C; Joseph Willmitch, PA-C

The Physician Assistant Department hosted their Inaugural Graduate Recognition Ceremony for the Class of 2023 PA Winter Graduates on December 10, 2023. This event honored all each PA graduate for their tremendous effort in successfully completing our 24-month Physician Assistant Program at UTHSC. Each student from the cohort was honored with a long white coat as they transition from student training into their chosen profession.

The PA Program Matriculated 30 students in January 2024
Average Age - 25
21 Female and 9 Male
40% diverse based on race
70% are in-state applicants

 

Rajashekhar Gangaraju, PhD, associate professor in the departments of Ophthalmology, and Anatomy & Neurobiology, was named to the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc. (ARVO) Silver Fellows 2024 Class for his exemplary contributions and dedication to ARVO. ARVO, founded in 1928 in Washington, DC, by a group of 73 ophthalmologists, is the world's largest and most respected eye and vision research organization. ARVO advances research worldwide into understanding the visual system and preventing, treating, and curing its disorders. Currently, ARVO members include nearly 10,000 researchers from over 75 countries. 

Congratulations to Swati Chokshi, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics, on her recent appointment to the distinguished Memphis Child Advocacy Center Board of Directors. This appointment is a testament to Dr. Chokshi's exceptional commitment to advocating for the welfare and well-being of children within the Memphis community. As a dedicated pediatrician, she has consistently demonstrated her unwavering dedication to delivering exemplary care to her patients at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital. Through her board membership, Dr. Chokshi will have an enhanced platform to further advance the protection and promotion of children's rights. 
 

 

Keep up-to-date with events happening soon on the UTHSC campus.

Support the UTHSC College of Medicine by making a gift today!

Brief copy goes here. Keep same color, font, and font size. Save the majority of the copy for where the link goes – Daily Digest, Events Calendar, specific page on the uthsc.edu website, etc.