Department of Medicine

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Community Service Faculty in the Media Presentations & Publications

woman smiling in a research lab

Anne Dixon, M.A., B.M., B.Ch.
Interim Chair, Department of Medicine
Professor of Medicine

Message from the Chair

Dear Colleagues,

Welcome to the Department of Medicine Summer 2023 edition of The Chart.

It is a busy and challenging time in health care. Despite these challenging times, members of our department have key roles in educating our students, providing outstanding health care, spearheading cutting-edge research, and at the same time giving back to our community.

An amazing highlight, one which recognizes us all, was being named Clinical Department of the Year by the graduating medical school class, and many of our faculty were recognized by individual awards. These teaching awards reflect well not just on individuals, but the entire department. So congratulations everyone!

We have launched some major new clinical programs (including the CAR T program) and are working to integrate care across our network. I particularly want to thank all those individuals who travel to different sites to deliver outstanding care to patients around our region. Another big thank you to all those who have helped cover when needs arise, wherever it may be. With the reorganization of the medical group many people volunteered and put themselves forward to serve on committees to ensure that our department voice is heard and make sure we deliver outstanding care the entire network.

This time of year is always a little sad as we say goodbye to our outstanding chief residents; Dr Jamie Rowell went to pulmonary critical care fellowship at Northwestern University, but we were so fortunate to welcome Dr. David Steinmetz to our faculty in primary care internal medicine, and Dr. Aurasch Moaven as a GI fellow; thank you to our Chiefs for all you did for our medical students, residents and faculty in the last 12 months.

It is also a time to welcome our new chief residents, residents and fellows. Many new faculty are also joining, and we are so excited to have you as part of our team. Please reach out and welcome them to our community.

In the photos and articles below, you can learn about a few of the things that have happened over the last six months, and about some of your new colleagues. I hope, like me, it will make you proud and excited to be part of the Department of Medicine and to move forward to even greater things.

Department of Medicine: Clinical Department of the Year

The Film House at Burlington’s Main Street Landing was the setting for the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine Class of 2023 Honors Night on May 15. Among the honors presented at the event, the Department of Medicine Division of General Internal Medicine received the Clinical Department of the Year Award. Jennifer Gilwee, M.D., assistant professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine, accepted the award on behalf of the department.

Pictured: Dr. Gilwee accepted the Department of the Year award from Kyle Kellett, student council president for the Class of 2023.

Cushman Ranked Top Female Scientist

A new online ranking of the top female scientists in the United States conducted by Research.com included three members of the University of Vermont faculty. Mary Cushman, M.D., M.Sc., professor in the Division of Hematology and Oncology, was ranked 124th nationally and 193rd in the world. Cushman serves as the Department of Medicine’s vice chair for emerging scientists and is a University Scholar at UVM.

Pictured: Dr. Cushman

Cancer Center Offers Innovative New Cancer Treatment

In February, the University of Vermont Cancer Center began offering a novel, highly effective form of cancer treatment called CAR T-cell therapy. The Cancer Center is the only health care institution in Vermont and northern New York to provide the treatment.

Pictured: James Gerson, M.D., assistant professor in the Division of Hematology and Oncology, sits in an exam room at the UVM Medical Center with a blurred CAR T-cell image displayed on a monitor in the background.

Hearts and Minds: Symposium Spotlights Cardiovascular-Brain Research

In a state-of-the-art biomedical research center at the University of Vermont, a cadre of early career scientists is investigating the mysteries of the heart-brain connection. The researchers shared their findings at the Vermont Center for Cardiovascular and Brain Health (VCCBH) symposium held June 15–16 at UVM’s Davis Center.

Pictured: Vermont Center for Cardiovascular and Brain Health project directors presented their research at the symposium on June 15.