Department of Medicine at the
University of
Colorado Denver
Third Quarter 2006 News
Recruitment of New Division Heads for Cardiology and Medical Oncology
Peter Buttrick, MD - Peter is the S. Gilbert Blount Endowed Chair and Head, Division of Cardiology. Peter is a nationally known, distinguished cardiologist who maintains a very active general cardiology clinical practice. Peter has been a tenured Professor, Head of the Division of Cardiology and Co-Director of the Center for Cardiovascular Research at the University of Illinois in Chicago for eight years. Peter formerly headed the Cardiology Training Program at Einstein/Montefiore in New York. Peter has an outstanding peer-reviewed publication record with more than 100 papers in outstanding journals, is on several editorial boards (American Journal of Physiology, Heart and Circulatory Physiology; Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology; Heart Disease), has two R01 grants and is a participant in two program project grants. Peter has been a regular member of NIH Study Sections and is currently a member of the NIH Study Section that reviews GCRCs. Peter has held leadership positions in national organizations and is an elected member of the Association of Professors of Cardiology and of University Cardiologists. Peter and his wife Anne will be joining us effective 15 September 2006.
Gail Eckhardt, MD - Gail Eckhardt, MD is the Stapp-Harlow Endowed Professor and Head, Division of Medical Oncology in the Department of Medicine as of 1 October 2006. Gail was on the faculty at the University of Texas San Antonio from 1992-1999, Associate Director of Research and Director of the Fellowship Program at the Institute for Drug Development in San Antonio. Dr. Eckhardt has directed the Division of Medical Oncology’s Phase I GI Malignancies Programs and the Developmental Therapeutics Fellowship Program for several years. Gail has served in many national roles including the NIH/NCI Developmental Therapeutics Study Section (2006-2009), the FDA Oncology Drug Advisory Committee (2005-2009), the Board of Directors of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (2004-2007), the NCI Investigational Drug Steering Committee (2005 to present) and as Associate Editor of the Journal of Clinical Oncology (2002-2005). Dr. Eckhardt has published more than 65 original articles, is the PI of about 50 Phase I trials and several active NIH/NCI research grants.
Housestaff Program Update
This is always a special time of the year as we extend our sincere welcome to new members of our housestaff! Some exciting personnel developments that will enhance our housestaff educational programs during the upcoming year include:
Brian Dwinnell, MD, will be the new Internal Medicine Site Director at Presbyterian/St. Lukes/HealthOne . Brian is an outstanding educator and has received several formal excellence in teaching awards. Brian’s directorship at PSL will ensure his continued, significant involvement and leadership in our student and houseofficer educational programs.
We now have five outstanding, committed Associate Program Directors joining our Program Director Suzanne Brandenburg in managing our Program. These individuals, along with their areas of special emphasis, include: Karen Chacko, MD (Primary Care), Jeff Glasheen, MD (Hospitalist Program), Virginia Borges, MD (Housestaff Research Program, Subspecialty Programs), Bill Kaehny, MD (Clinical Vignettes, ACP abstracts, recruitment), and Mel Anderson, MD (Journal Clubs, Lifelong Learning, Evidence-Based Medicine).
Eva Aagaard, MD, an outstanding educational scholar and clinician, joined us in mid-August 2006 from the University of California San Francisco. Eva is the Associate Vice Chair of the Department for Education. Eva will be involved in several aspects of our housestaff program including recruitment, mentoring and advising (including confidential advising), and implementation and evaluation of core competencies.
Effective 1 July 2006, Jeff Glasheen, MD, is the Director of Internal Medicine Clinical Services at University Hospital. In this role, Jeff will be working with our Chief Medical Resident in overseeing the day-to-day operation of UH clinical services, in orienting housestaff and attendings and in managing the transition of UH from 9th and Colorado Boulevard to Fitzsimons which will occur on 15-17 June 2007. Jeff will be keeping our housestaff and faculty posted as to the status and plans for Fitzsimons throughout the year.
US NEWS AND WORLD REPORT 2006 RESULTS
The following five Divisions within the Department of Medicine deserve special kudos for recognition of national listings for excellence in the July 17, 2006 edition of US News and World Report: Pulmonary/Critical care-6th; Kidney Diseases and Hypertension-11th; Endocrinology, Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolism-15th; Gastroenterology and Hepatology-31st,: Medical Oncology-32nd.
FEATURED PROGRAM-UCHSC ADULT CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE PROGRAM
The Department of Medicine’s Division of Cardiology has a unique program that cares for adults with congenital cardiac disorders. The incidence of congenital cardiac defects is approximately 1 in every 120 live births. The survival rate in reaching adulthood in the current era is approximately 90-95%. Currently, it is estimated that there are more adults with moderate and severely complex congenital heart than children. Many primary care givers and patients are not aware of the benefits of life long follow up with a cardiologist trained in congenital heart disease for individuals with congenital heart diseases. The University of Colorado’s Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) Program was established in to provide multi-disciplinary care for this growing population and is the only program of its kind within the Rocky Mountain region. Since its creation, the program has more than doubled the number of ACHD patients that it serves. The program is now led by Dr. Joseph Kay, who is board certified in internal medicine and pediatrics as well as in adult and pediatric cardiology. Dr. Kay holds appointments at both The Children’s Hospital and University Hospital. Dr. Kay is trained in trans-catheter interventions for children and adults with congenital heart disease, providing some new non-surgical treatment options for many patients in which surgery was previously the only option. In the context of an excellent team consisting of cardiac surgeons, electrophysiologists, and individuals with expertise in cardiac CT and MRI, the program is able to deliver the most comprehensive and up-to-date medical and surgical care for adults with congenital heart disease in the region. This program is involved in a new multi-center research network for advancement of research and care in patients with ACHD. If you have questions, contact Dr. Kay at 303-266-6274. Appointments for referrals can be made by calling 303-372-0629.
