The Department of Medicine is pleased to announce the appointment of Sonali Smith, MD as Chief of the Section of Hematology/Oncology effective November 1, 2020.  Dr. Smith, the Elwood V. Jensen Professor, has been serving in an interim capacity since April 2019 where she has demonstrated exceptional leadership, thoughtful academic vision and insight for the Section. Dr. Smith is an internationally recognized expert in lymphoma therapeutics who has made outstanding contributions to the field through her clinical care, significant scholarship and educational roles, and clinical research. She arrived in the Department of Medicine as a hematology/oncology fellow in 1998 and … Read More

John McConville, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine (Pulmonary/Critical Care), Vice Chair for Education and Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program has been named as a recipient of the ACGME’s 2021 Parker J. Palmer Courage to Teach Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the educational and training programs in the Department of Medicine. Dr. McConville earned his MD from Penn State University in 1994 and completed his internal medicine residency, including one year as chief resident, and pulmonary/critical care fellowship training at the University of Chicago.  In 2001 he was appointed to the faculty where he currently serves … Read More

David T. Rubin, MD,  the Joseph B. Kirsner Professor of Medicine, Chief, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, and  Co-Director, Digestive Diseases Center has been awarded the 2020 Sherman Prize in recognition of his unique and meaningful contributions in the fight to overcome IBD. Dr. Rubin earned a medical degree with honors at The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and completed his residency in internal medicine and fellowships in gastroenterology and clinical medical ethics at the University of Chicago, where he served as Chief Resident and Chief Fellow. Prior to his current appointments, Dr. Rubin served for 11 … Read More

Researchers at the University of Chicago Medicine are launching a four-year research trial to test the effects of two evidenced-based interventions for personalized diabetes care for older adults, thanks to a new $5 million grant provided by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health. The “My Diabetes, My Community” research trial incorporates two existing strategies designed to personalize sugar control goals, engage patients and enhance self-care. This trial is particularly novel in that its target patient population is adults over age 65. “Many clinical interventions are determined by research … Read More

Milda Saunders, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Section of General Internal Medicine, has been appointed as the inaugural Assistant Dean for Multicultural Affairs, working closely with Dr. Monica Vela, Associate Dean for Multicultural Affairs, in providing key support to the students of the Pritzker School of Medicine.. Dr. Saunders received her medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and her Master’s in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University, before completing her residency in internal medicine and pediatrics at the University of Chicago. Dr. Saunders spent two years as a Hospitalist Scholar and a Fellow in … Read More

Christine Babcock, MD MSc, associate professor of medicine, has been named as the interim chief of the Section of Emergency Medicine effective October 15, 2020.  Dr. Babcock received her MD from the University of Wisconsin Medical School and completed her Emergency Medicine training at the University of Chicago in 2007.  Upon completion, she joined the faculty in the Section of Emergency Medicine where she currently serves as associate professor and director of the Emergency Medicine Residency Program, a position that she has held since 2011.  Dr. Babcock also holds a Master of Science in Threat and Response Management from the … Read More

Dr. Everett Vokes, Chair of the Department of Medicine , has announced the appointment of Raghu Mirmira, MD, PhD, as Associate Vice Chair for Translational Research. Dr. Mirmira, Professor of Medicine in the Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism and Director of the Department‘s Translational Research Center joined the faculty last November. Since that time his leadership, dedication and success as a translational investigator have been remarkable. His commitment to the development of trainees at all levels, and his prior experience as Director of the Medical Scientist Training Program at Indiana University School of Medicine, as well as his service … Read More

Anindita “Oni” Basu, PhD, assistant professor of  medicine in the Section of Genetic Medicine  has received the prestigious National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director’s New Innovator Award. These awards, part of the NIH’s High-Risk, High-Reward Research Program, are given to exceptionally creative scientists proposing high-risk, high-impact research at all career stages. The New Innovator Award, funded through the NIH Common Fund, is focused on supporting early career researchers, supporting unusually innovative research from early career investigators who are within 10 years of completing their final degree. This year, 53 researchers were recognized with the award. “The breadth of innovative science … Read More