The Scope E-Newsletter July 2009 Awards Issue

It is indeed a delight to read this issue of The Scope honoring several of our best faculty, staff and residents. Those receiving awards at the departmental level and, of course, at the Graduate School of Medicine level are to be congratulated for their superb efforts. These recipients have been chosen by their peers for their excellent work. The selection committees informed me that several people were nominated and that choices were difficult to make – that speaks well for all of the employees in the GSM and bodes well for our future. On behalf of the Dean's Office, congratulations to our honorees and thanks to all of our employees who make the GSM what it is today.

James J. Neutens, PhD, FASHA
Dean

The sixth annual Graduate School of Medicine Faculty and Research Awards were presented by James J. Neutens, PhD, Dean, Graduate School of Medicine, to the following recipients during the Residents' and Fellows' Welcome and Faculty Awards Reception July 1 at UT Conference Center.

Spirit of the Graduate School of Medicine Award
Henry S. Nelson, Jr., MD
Professor, General Surgery

Dr. Nelson has significantly impacted patient care and education in Surgery during his 32-year tenure with the Graduate School of Medicine. He led the development of minimally invasive surgery at the medical center. Dr. Nelson also has been instrumental in spearheading teaching efforts in the Graduate School of Medicine Simulation Center. He consistently receives superior feedback from residents and medical students for his teaching efforts, with comments including, "When it comes to being an attending at a teaching institution, it doesn't get any better than Dr. Nelson."

Mitchell Goldman, MD, Professor and Chair, Surgery, said, "Dr. Nelson is part of the backbone of the Department of Surgery's education program."

Excellence and Leadership in Basic Science Research Award
Valerie Berthelier, PhD
Assistant Professor, Medicine
Director, Conformational Diseases and Therapeutics Research Laboratory

Dr. Berthelier recently received a patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for medical research that will improve the study of and search for a cure for Huntington's and other neurological disorders. Her research will also improve methods for using radioisotopes in nuclear medicine. Dr. Berthelier currently has a grant with the National Institutes of Health for $318,000 and a contract with UT Battelle/Oak Ridge National Laboratory for $103,000. Dr. Berthelier and her staff are currently focused on two amyloid-like diseases: Huntington's and Occulopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy.

Dean Neutens, said, "Dr. Berthelier has been aggressive in her efforts to support therapeutics research, creating partnerships and searching for answers that could have a profound effect on quality of life for people throughout the world. She has demonstrated tremendous leadership at the Graduate School of Medicine."

Excellence and Leadership in Clinical Research Award
David Cassada, MD
Associate Professor, Surgery Division of Vascular/Transplant Surgery

Dr. Cassada specializes in the field of thoracic outlet syndrome and vascular diseases of the shoulder area. As a result of his superior clinical work and outcomes, the University of Tennessee Medical Center was chose as one of five centers in the U.S. to be sponsored by the National Institutes of Health to determine the causes, diagnosis and therapeutic interventions of thoracic outlet syndrome. Dr. Cassada currently has a patent pending for a pain relieving device.

Mitchell Goldman, MD, Professor and Chair, Surgery, said, "Dr. Cassada is the consummate clinical scientist, taking a clinical disease and studying it intensively, being involved in translational research and carrying his research endeavors to the clinical arena, both locally and nationally."

Excellence in Teaching Award
Anton Allen, MD
Associate Professor and Assistant Program Director, Radiology

Dr. Allen has demonstrated excellence in teaching not only to Radiology residents, but also to Internal Medicine and Family Medicine residents, providing lectures for radiology. Dr. Allen also coordinates the education of medical students. He is noted for providing one-on-one teaching sessions with residents at the imaging workstation and designing a program that incorporates the American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria for ordering imaging exams that he has used to educate physicians to improve utilization of imaging.

J. Mark McKinney, Chair and Associate Professor, Radiology, said, "Dr. Allen is the complete package for an excellent educator."

Excellence in Teaching Award
O. Lee Wilson, DMD
Associate Professor and Program Director, General Dentistry

Dr. Wilson began his career with the UT Graduate School of Medicine as a resident and has been a faculty member since graduating the program. He is credited for bringing innovative teaching techniques to his residents, such as coordinating the Forensic Dentistry curriculum in conjunction with Murray Marks, PhD, Associate Professor. During a Commission on Dental Accreditation site visit, the team chief commented on the uniqueness of the model Dr. Wilson has created and expressed interest in incorporating this model into his own program.

In nominating Dr. Wilson, Joe Rainey, DDS, Instructor of Dentistry and Board of Visitors member, said, "His ability to create an environment for learning encourages self-development and analytical thinking. He is always accessible to residents, staff and faculty. I cannot express enough admiration for his intelligence, compassion and skill as an educator."

Excellence in Teaching for Volunteer Faculty Award
David J. Harris, MD
Clinical Associate Professor, Surgery Division of Ophthalmology

As a volunteer faculty physician, Dr. Harris is the Surgical Specialties Clerkship Coordinator for fourth-year medical students. He leads the Ophthalmology Surgical rotations, which is considered one of the most outstanding rotations at the Graduate School of Medicine. Dr. Harris's students continually provide positive feedback, including, "Dr. Harris was one of the best attendings I have had in medical school," and, "Dr. Harris really took the time to teach."

Mitchell Goldman, MD, Professor and Chair, Surgery, said, "Dr. Harris receives continuous positive feedback in his teaching. He is a great asset to the Graduate School of Medicine in his teaching of the fourth-year medical students, and I believe he is an excellent candidate for the Excellence in Teaching Award for Volunteer Faculty."

The Graduate School of Medicine recently honored employees with the third annual Employee Excellence Awards program. Excellence Awards are given to staff members who go beyond the scope of their jobs by providing outstanding job performance, courtesy and customer service, community service and leadership.

Excellence in Community Service
Rose Marie Spangler-Mitchell
Senior Lab Technologist, Family Medicine

Spangler-Mitchell was chosen for her life-long commitment to community service. She began as a candy striper in Bristol at 14 years old and since then has volunteered with the Red Cross, Mission of Hope, Junior Olympics, Knoxville Marathon and Gatlinburg 4th of July Midnight Parade. She has also served internationally through mission trips to Nigeria, Ghana, Haiti and Peru.

In nominating Spangler-Mitchell, Kelly McDaniel, MPH, Administrative Director and Instructor, said, "Rose-Marie is a VOLunteer. She gives back to the hospital, Graduate School of Medicine, the department, our community and other countries. She also encourages others to join her."

Excellence in Courtesy and Customer Service
Rebecca Higdon
Administrative Coordinator, Family Medicine

Higdon spearheaded Electronic Medical Records (EMR) efforts for Family Medicine. She trains staff, residents and faculty on EMR and is a point of contact for the patients for medical records. She is currently working with other departments to setup and implement EMR.

Kelly McDaniel, MPH, Administrative Director and Instructor, said, "Rebecca is a hard worker who is well liked and respected by her coworkers, the residents and faculty. She is committed to her customer base and ensures their needs are met."

Excellence in Job Performance
Laura Wolfe
Library Associate, Preston Medical Library

Wolfe, using her expertise in interlibrary loans, changed the borrowing process to reflect libraries Preston has a reciprocal relationship with, providing a significant cost savings to Preston library. She has used her skills to implement cataloging records and perform other technical duties typically handled by a librarian, impacting future policies and procedures.

In nominating Wolfe, Sandy Oelschlegel, MLIS, Director, said, "Laura's practicality and ability to multi-task, combined with her common sense and technical skills, make her a perfect fit for the job."

Excellence in Leadership
Stacy Kirkpatrick
Research Supervisor, Surgery Vascular Research Laboratory

Through the guidance of Kirkpatrick, more than 90 percent of students in the Vascular Research Laboratory have been accepted to medical school. Two students have received doctorates of philosophy in biomedical research. Many fellows and residents have obtained academic positions. The lab has produced a large volume of publications, received significant extramural funding and has become an avatar of what an academic research laboratory should be.

Mitchell Goldman, MD, Professor and Chair, said, "For the past 10 years Stacy has been the backbone of the teaching and research efforts of the Vascular Research Laboratory. Her management has continually led to outstanding research opportunities for faculty, residents, medical students, pre-med students and post-doctoral candidates."

Honorable Mentions
This year, in addition to the overall winners, the following employees have been recognized as outstanding nominees in the Employee Excellence Awards program. Congratulations to the following:

Performance:
Tammy Devine, Business Manager, Business Office
Conchita Bowling, LPN II, Internal Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology
Debbie Lichlyter, Medical Administrative Coordinator, Radiology
Debra Blaylock, Administrative Services Assistant, Radiology

Leadership:
Paige Rinehart, Medical Administrative Coordinator, Anesthesiology

The Employee Excellence Awards are given annually in June. A complete list of guidelines as well as the nomination form can be found on the GSM Pulse Intranet site.

Dean James J. Neutens, PhD, presented awards to residents who participated in the Graduate School of Medicine and Academy of Scholars Committee Resident Research Day. Residents were judged on their poster, research and a three-minute presentation. Resident Research Day is coordinated by William Metheny, PhD, Assistant Dean, Graduate Medical and Dental Education.

First place: Joe Mobley, III, MD
Urology

"Complications Following the Use of the Dornier Compact Delta Electromagnetic Lithotriptor: Clavien Classifications"

Contributors: Adam Stewart, MD; Frederick Klein, MD; Wesley White, MD

Second place: Jujhar Bains, MD
Internal Medicine

"Investigation of Time to Reperfusion in Rural Patients with ST Elevation MI Treated By PCI: The Impact of Transfer Strategy"

Contributors: Dale Wortham, MD; Sue Toberman, RN; Chris Brooks, MD; Eric Heidel, MS; Stuart Bresee, MD

Third place: John Basile, DMD
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

"The Role of Surgical Resection in the Management of Bisphosphonate-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaws"

Mentor: Eric Carlson, DMD, MD

Special Recognition Award for Research:
Alexander Tummers, MD
Surgery

"Blunt Aortic Injury—An Ex Vivo Model"

Contributors: Daniel Alterman, MD; Brian Daley, MD, FACS

"Serum Levels of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 as a Marker of Intimal Hyperplasia"

Contributors: Deidra Mountain, PhD; Stacy Kirkpatrick; David Cassada, MD; Scott Stevens, MD; Michael Freeman, MD; Mitchell Goldman, MD; Oscar Grandas, MD

Best Case Presentation
Nora Azzazy, MD
Transitional Year

"Therapeutic Hypothermia after Brain Injury and Cardiac Arrest: A Case Study"

Contributor: Daphne Norwood, MD, MPH

The UT Graduate School of Medicine graduated 62 residents and fellows from 15 programs. Many graduates will continue with the Graduate School of Medicine in a new resident or fellowship program; some will join our faculty to carry on our mission of excellence in education. Others will commence their medical careers in private and public sectors.

See how the Graduate School of Medicine will impact your community:

Kevin A. Ache, DO, Family Medicine, Palliative Care Fellowship, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla.

Sonia Ali, DDS, General Dentistry, private practice, Maryville, Tenn.

Jose Amortegui, MD, General Surgery, Cardiothoracic Fellowship, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Md.

Nora Azzazy, MD, Transitional Year, Anesthesiology Residency, University of Virginia Commonwealth, Richmond, Va.

John Basile, DMD, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, private practice, Erie, Pa.

Thomas Bender, MD, Internal Medicine, research, Center for Disease Control, Richmond, Va.

Natalie Blache, MD, Obstetrics and Gynecology, private practice, Women's Specialty Care, Knoxville, Tenn.

Jonathan Bradshaw, DDS, General Dentistry, faculty, UT Graduate School of Medicine

M. Eric Brewer, MD, Urology, private practice, Birmingham, Ala.

Ted Chang, MD, Transitional Year, Radiology Residency, UT Graduate School of Medicine

Brett Christian, MD, Radiology, Musculoskeletal Radiology Fellowship, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Ariz.

Colin Clanton, MD, Anesthesiology, private practice, Foothills Anesthesia Consultants, Spartanburg, S.C.

Elizabeth Crandall, MD, Transitional Year, Ophthalmology Residency, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Va.

Edgar Diaz, MD, Internal Medicine, hospitalist, Methodist Medical Center, Oak Ridge, Tenn.

Brian Dupree, MD, Transitional Year, Radiology Residency, UT Graduate School of Medicine

F. Daniel Dunnavant, MD, Transitional Year, Radiology Residency, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Ala.

Ben Egner, MD, Radiology, Musculoskeletal Radiology Fellowship, University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz.

Benjamin D. England, MD, Family Medicine, Family Medicine Sports Medicine Fellowship, UT Graduate School of Medicine

Lorien Forrest, MD, Cytopathology, private practice, Carrollton, Ga.

Andres Guerra, DMD, Oral/Head and Neck Surgery, faculty, University of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Meredith D. Hale, MD, Family Medicine, Family Medicine Emergency Medicine Fellowship, UT Graduate School of Medicine

Jennifer Headrick, MD, Internal Medicine, private practice, Knoxville, Tenn.

David Hegerich, MD, Internal Medicine, plans pending

Matthew K. Holmes, MD, Family Medicine, Family Medicine Emergency Medicine Fellowship, UT Graduate School of Medicine

Matthew Johnson, DMD, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, private practice, Montgomery, Ala.

Anna Lisa Jones, MD, Obstetrics and Gynecology, private practice, Women's Care Group, Knoxville, Tenn.

Dan Kirzeder, MD, Radiology, Body Imaging Fellowship, Baylor University, Houston, Texas

Zachary Lazarus, MD, Transitional Year, Anesthesiology Residency, UT Graduate School of Medicine

Lally Lehmann, MD, Transitional Year, Anesthesiology Residency, UT Graduate School of Medicine

Anna Le, MD, Anesthesiology, private practice, Kentucky

Kelli Luttrell, DO, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Eastern Shore Obstetrics, Salisbury, Md.

Patrick McConville, MD, Anesthesiology, Obstetrical Anesthesia Fellowship, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, N.C.

Billy Mix, MD, Vascular Surgery, private practice, Macon, Ga.

Allen Mock, MD, Pathology, Forensic Pathology Fellowship, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, N.M.

M. Todd Montgomery, DO, Family Medicine, emergency medicine, St. Mary's North, Knoxville, Tenn.

Vijay Nagarajan, MD, Internal Medicine, private practice, Wisconsin

Christopher Parrish, DO, Internal Medicine, private practice, West Virginia

Amber Patton, DO, Pathology, Cytopathology Fellowship, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio

Derek Pereira, MD, Internal Medicine, private practice, Toronto, Canada

Tanika Pinn, MD, Sports Medicine, sports medicine, primary care groups, Knoxville, Tenn.

Laurence Pittman, MD, Transitional Year, Anesthesiology Residency, UT Graduate School of Medicine

Samuel Porter, MD, Transitional Year, Radiology Residency, UT Graduate School of Medicine

Obaidur Rahman, MD, Internal Medicine, hospitalist, Methodist Medical Center, Oak Ridge, Tenn.

Luke Rawlings, MD, Emergency Medicine, emergency medicine, Mercy Redding Medical Center, Redding, Calif.

Cody Rowan, MD, Transitional Year, Anesthesiology Residency, UT Graduate School of Medicine

Debbie Schady, MD, Pathology, Pediatric Pathology Fellowship, UT Health Science Center, Memphis, Tenn.

Dustin Smith, MD, General Surgery, private practice, Franklin, Tenn.

Mark Smith, MD, Internal Medicine, hospitalist, Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Trent Stansbury, DDS, General Dentistry, private practice, Knoxville, Tenn.

Aaron Stevenson, MD, Radiology, MRI Fellowship, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, Va.

Sonia Stripe, MD, Anesthesiology, private practice, Columbus, Ohio

Daniel Sutphin, MD, General Surgery, Plastics Fellowship, UT College of Medicine, Chattanooga, Tenn.

Cynthia Talley, MD, General Surgery, Surgical Critical Care Fellowship, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn.

John Termini, MD, Anesthesiology, Cardiothoracic Fellowship, Penn State, Hershey, Pa.

C. Ashley Trowell, MD, and S. Heath Trowell, MD, Family Medicine, private practice clinic, Ackworth, Ga.

Ryan Wassenaar, DO, Internal Medicine, hospitalist, Methodist Medical Center, Oak Ridge, Tenn.

Dalyn Webb, DDS, General Dentistry, practice dentistry in a clinic in an underserved area through the Health Professional Scholarship Program, Washington, N.C.

Joey Wollas, MD, Emergency Medicine, emergency room physician, Team Health, Maury Regional Emergency Department, Columbia, Tenn.

Matthew Wright, MD, Anesthesiology, private practice, Anesthesiology Consultants Exchange, Chattanooga, Tenn.

Demetria Yarbrough, MD, Internal Medicine, Medicine faculty and chief resident, UT Graduate School of Medicine

Kim Mason, PharmD, Director of Pharmacy at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, has been appointed to serve as the Graduate School of Medicine Institutional Review Board Chair for the 2009-2012 term. Dr. Mason began her career with UT as a pharmacy resident in 1996 and joined the pharmacy faculty in 1998. In demonstration of her commitment to the safety of patients involved in clinical trials, Dr. Mason has provided invaluable service to the IRB as a Board member for the past 10 years.

Dr. Mason succeeds Gary Smith, MD, who served as IRB chair from 2003-2009, and we thank him immensely for his service.

The UT Graduate School of Medicine promoted the following eight faculty in 2009.

Robert Craft, MD, Professor, Anesthesiology
Steven Spalding, MD, Associate Professor, Family Medicine
Jonathan Wall, PhD, Tenured Professor, Medicine
Wayne Friedman, MD, Assistant Professor, OB/GYN
Judson Gash, MD, Professor, Radiology
Oscar Grandas, MD, Associate Professor, Surgery
Alfred Kennedy, MD, Associate Professor, Surgery
Robert Page, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Pathology

Anesthesiology graduated six residents and presented awards for Excellence in Teaching to two faculty physicians. Award recipients were selected by residents.

The 2009 Excellence in Teaching awards were presented to

Daniel Bustamante, MD

Assistant Professor and Section Chief of Anesthesia Acute Pain Service

Associate Professor, Chair and Program Director

Family Medicine held a graduation ceremony June 30, presenting awards to residents, faculty and staff.

Joseph B. Moon Award
Benjamin England, MD
The Joseph B. Moon Award is given to an outstanding senior resident each year.

Jane V. White Research Award
Kevin Ache, DO
This inaugural award was developed by the Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors, the North American Primary Care Research Group, and the College of Family Physicians of Canada to recognize a resident in each of the family medicine residency programs in the U.S. and Canada who has excelled in the performance of scholarly activity. Dr. Ache has published five research projects during his residency.

Family Medicine Resident Teacher Award
R. Christopher Yonts, DO
This award is offered through the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine to a graduating resident who has contributed to teaching fellow residents, nurses and colleagues.

Obaydah AbdurRaqeeb, DO, was recognized for completion of an American Osteopathic Association-certified internship year at University Family Physicians. She will graduate the program in 2011 and become the first graduate of the new, three-year AOA accreditation.

Volunteer Faculty Teaching Award
Bobby Howard, MD, Associate Professor and Chair, Obstetrics and Gynecology

Harold D. Blake Service Award
Wendy Smith, Administrative Support Assistant II

The Freeman Rawson award, given in memory of long-time Medicine faculty member Freeman Rawson, MD, was presented on June 20 to Jennifer Headrick, MD, third-year resident, and to Laura Sullivan, MD, and Michael Carringer, MD, second-year residents. This award is given annually to upper-level residents who embody the spirit of teaching and possess excellent clinical skills.

Dr. Rawson, who passed away in 2003, was a founding member of the Knoxville Cardiovascular Group and practiced medicine in Knoxville for 47 years. Dr. Rawson was known for his compassion and clinical skills.

Obstetrics and Gynecology faculty, residents and staff attended an awards banquet June 12 to honor graduating residents and excellence in teaching.

APGO Excellence in Teaching
Nirmala Upadhyaya, MD, Associate Professor
The Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO) provides this award to an outstanding physician-educator as voted upon by medical students and residents.

CREOG Excellence in Teaching
Bobby Howard, MD, Associate Professor and Chair
The Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology (CREOG) offers this award to the physician-educator voted "best teacher" by the residents.

Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Excellence in Teaching
Wayne Friedman, MD, Assistant Professor
Mark Hennessy, MD, Assistant Professor

Obstetrics and Gynecology Excellence in Teaching – Resident
L. David Moore, MD

Obstetrics and Gynecology held the 2009 Research Day on May 22 with guest speaker Haywood Brown, MD, Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, and graduate of the Graduate School of Medicine OB/GYN Residency Program, speaking on, "The Impact of Pregnancy on Long-Term Women's Health."

A.W. Diddle, M.D., Research Award
Natalie Blache, MD
"Consecutive Spontaneous Cervical Pregnancies"
This award is given for an outstanding resident research manuscript.

Obstetrics and Gynecology Research Award
Kelli Luttrell, DO
"Recombinant Factor VIIa Use for Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation Associated with Complete Placental Abruption"
This award is given for the best oral presentation of the research manuscript.

Pathology held the fifth annual Pathology Resident Research Day June 15. Awards given included

Frances K. Patterson Resident Award
Sarah Hamler, DO
This award is presented to a resident in the Pathology Residency Training Program who, by her actions, has fostered excellence in education, research, practice or community service.

The Radiology Residency Program held its annual awards banquet June 5 to honor graduating residents and present awards to residents and faculty. Radiology graduated four residents, all successfully passing the American Board of Radiology exam.

The Howard R. Gould Award
Dan Kirzeder, MD, and Aaron Stevenson, MD
This award recognizes the upper-year resident(s) who best demonstrated dedication to the ideals of clinical radiology as exemplified by former Graduate School of Medicine Radiology faculty member Howard R. Gould, MD.

Society of North America (RSNA) Research Award
Aaron Stevenson, MD
This award recognizes residents who have played an active role in radiology research during the past year.

Faculty Teaching Award
James Boyd, MD, Assistant Professor

Faculty Service Award
Peter Petruzzi, MD, Assistant Professor

Surgery held its 17th Annual Resident Research Day and presented awards that evening during the Annual Chief Residents' Dinner.

First Place: Christy Lawson, MD
"Missed Injuries in the Era of Trauma Scans: Have We Improved Outcomes?"

Second Place: Aaron Hurd, MD
"When to Call the Attending Surgeon"

Third Place: Daniel Aterman, MD
"Development and Evaluation of a Renal Transplant Simulation Model"

Urology: Joe Mobley, MD
"The Impact of an In Situ Uterus on Apical Outcomes Following Vaginal Prolapse Repair Employing Transvaginal Mesh Systems"

Scott B. Frame Trauma Scholarship Award
T. Matt Jones, MD

Hiram Crutchfield Resident Teaching Award
Cynthia Talley, MD

Faculty Teaching Award
Brian J. Daley, MD, Professor

Faculty Service Award
Judy Roark, CST, Coordinator and Skills Coach, Simulation Center

Resident Performance Award
First Place: Daniel Alterman, MD
Second Place: Daniel Sutphin, MD
Third Place: LaMar Mack, MD

Society of Laparoscopic Outstanding Laparoendoscopic Resident Surgeon
Jose Amortegui, MD