Uzma Siddiqui,MD- Named Director, Center for Endoscopic Research & Therapeutics

Uzma Siddiqui,MD , Professor of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, has been named as the Director of the Center for Endoscopic Research and Therapeutics (CERT). Dr. Siddiqui received her MD at the University of Miami, followed by internal medicine residency training at George Washington University and gastroenterology fellowship training at NYU. She then completed a one-year advanced endoscopy fellowship in the Section of Digestive Diseases at Yale University and stayed on faculty for almost 7 years until 2011 with multiple leadership roles including Associate Program Director for the GI fellowship and Director of the endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) program. … Read More

BSD Announces 2021 Distinguished Award Recipients

Dean Kenneth Polonsky recently announced the Biological Sciences Division 2021 Distinguished Faculty Awards.  The winners were carefully selected by the Faculty Advisory Committee, the Medical and Biological Sciences Alumni Association, and the Professional Environment Steering Committee, from a pool of exceptional nominees submitted by colleagues and trainees. Awardees from the Department of Medicine are: Distinguished Clinician: Junior Lauren Gleason, MD, MPH-Assistant Professor, Medicine, Section of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine Senior Carol Semrad, MD-Professor, Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition  Distinguished Community Service and Advocacy Junior Elizabeth Tung, MD, MS-Assistant Professor, Medicine, Section of General Internal Medicine Senior Katherine Thompson, … Read More

Roberto Lang, MD named as the A.J. Carlson Professor

President Robert Zimmer has named Roberto M. Lang, MD as the A.J. Carlson Professor effective July 1, 2021. Dr. Lang currently serves as Professor of Medicine (Cardiology) and Radiology and Director of the Noninvasive Cardiac Imaging Laboratories and the Cardiac Imaging Center for the University of Chicago Medicine.   He is internationally known for his seminal work in the development of three dimensional transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, a non-invasive technique that is currently used world-wide to diagnose heart disease and guide structural heart disease in the catheterization lab. Dr. Lang’s contributions have had an enormous impact on the Department of Medicine’s … Read More

Yoav Gilad, PhD Appointed Dean for Biomedical and Health Informatics

Yoav Gilad, PhD, Professor of Medicine, Vice Chair for Research and Chief of the Section of Genetic Medicine, has been appointed as Dean for Biomedical and Health Informatics in the Biological Science Division effective July 1, 2021.  The creation of this new position by Dean Kenneth Polonsky recognizes the essential contributions that data, information, and computer sciences make in the  understanding of biology, medicine and the enhanced delivery of health care services. The Dean for Biomedical and Health Informatics (BHI) will report to the Dean of the Biological Sciences Division and will focus primarily on the following three mission-critical areas: … Read More

New Department of Medicine Executive Committee Appointments

Dr. Everett Vokes , Chair of the Department of Medicine, recently announced two new appointments to the Department’s Executive Committee effective July 1, 2021: Raghu Mirmira, MD, PhD has been appointed as Vice Chair for Research and Jing Chen, PhD has been appointed as Associate Vice Chair for Translational Research. They will be joining Drs. Yoav Gilad and Bana Jabri as part of the Executive Committee’s research team, working together to advance the Department’s scientific mission. Dr. Mirmira, Professor of Medicine (Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism) and director of the Department ‘s Translational Research Center, has been serving as Associate … Read More

Women’s Committee Fall/Winter 2021 Newsletter

The latest issue of the Department of Medicine Women’s Committee newsletter may be found at the link below. The newsletter highlights the remarkable achievements of the women faculty and trainees in the Department of Medicine over the past 6 months and is also a testament to the positive evolution of the working environment for women here at the University of Chicago. Enjoy this issue of Women at the Forefront. UC_DOMW_News_FallWinter_2021_FINAL

Restoring gut microbes missing in early life dysbiosis can reduce the risk of colitis in genetically prone mice

A new study at the University of Chicago has determined that restoring a single microbial species — Bacteroides sp. CL1-UC (Bc) — to the gut microbiome at a key developmental timepoint can prevent antibiotic-induced colitis in a mouse model of the condition. The results, published on June 7 in Gastroenterology, have major implications for humans dealing with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and underscore the impact of early childhood exposures on health throughout the lifetime. Prior studies in human patients have found that early life exposure to antibiotics can skew the gut microbiome, causing dysbiosis, or an imbalance of the microbial populations in the … Read More

David T. Rubin,MD to lead the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation National Scientific Advisory Committee

David T. Rubin,MD , The Joseph B. Kirsner Professor of Medicine and Chief, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, has been named as chair of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation (the Foundation) National Scientific Advisory Committee (NSAC) from 2021-2024. Dr. Rubin has served in a variety of roles as a member of the Foundation’s NSAC for nearly 20 years, including as chair of its Professional Education and Government & Industry Affairs subcommittees. In his  new role, Dr. Rubin will help advise the Foundation’s research, education, support, and advocacy initiatives as well as help advance the Foundation’s work to address diversity … Read More

Sonali Smith,MD- Recipient of ASCO’s 2021 Excellence in Teaching Award

Sonali M. Smith, MD, the Elwood V. Jensen Professor of Medicine & Chief of the  Section of Hematology/Oncology, Co-Leader of the Cancer Service Line, and Director of the Lymphoma Program  has been selected as the 2021 recipient of ASCO’s Excellence in Teaching Award. This award is intended to recognize individuals with demonstrable impact on trainees and who have inspired and shaped the trainee’s practice of cancer medicine.  The award underscores ASCO’s belief that teaching is as important to the future of cancer medicine as are research, care delivery, and clinical work. Dr. Smith  is a  renowned clinical investigator in lymphoma … Read More

Helen Te,MD Receives AST Physician of Distinction Award

Helen Te,MD, Professor of Medicine (Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition) has been chosen as the inaugural recipient of  American Society of Transplantation’s (AST) Physician of Distinction Award. This award is designed to recognize outstanding transplant physicians whose careers are focused on clinical care and also have a reputation as an outstanding clinician and innovator. Dr. Te is a recognized leader in the field of liver transplantation, a tremendous patient advocate, and an admired and respected role model. S Dr. Te’s name is synonymous with the University of Chicago Medicine’s Liver Transplant program, which she has led as the Medical Director of … Read More