Residents and Fellows Awarded for Research
The UT Graduate School of Medicine and Academy of Scholars Committee held Resident and Fellow Research Day on Wednesday, May 27, where selected resident and fellow physicians presented their original research or case study in five-minute oral presentations. A total of 40 abstracts were originally submitted for consideration and a group of reviewers selected 21 abstracts for presentation. Reviewers included Valerie Berthelier, PhD, Michael Karlstad, PhD, Ronald Lands, MD, Dustin Osborne, PhD, Teresa Stephens, PhD, and Wesley White, MD. A panel of judges evaluated the presentations on research ideas, methods, results, potential contribution to medicine and presentation skills. The 2015 judges panel included Inga Himelright, MD, Leonard Hines, MD, Paul Huffstutter, MD, Stephen Kennel, PhD, and Jonathan Wall, PhD. The following physicians were awarded for their research at an awards luncheon June 5. See more photos from Research Day and the Awards ceremony on Flickr.
Original Research
First Place:
Ryan Buckley, MD
Vascular Surgery
"A Poly-Herbal Dietary Supplement, Zyflamend, Inhibits Matrix Metalloproteinase Expression and Attenuates Intimal Hyperplasia in a Rodent Model of Vascular Disease"
Second Place:
Austin Bourgeois, MD
Radiology
"Improved Tumor Targeting in Liver-Directed Therapy with a Novel Antireflux Catheter"
Third Place (Tie):
Kyle Basham, MD
Urology
"Does Intravenous Acetaminophen Improve Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Outcomes?"
Kipp Slocum, DDS
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
"Odontogenic Ameloblast-Associated Protein Expression in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Tongue"
Case Report
First Place:
Chad Hruska, MD
Radiology
"GIST Masquerading as a Solid Pseudopapillary Tumor of the Pancreas: Implications of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (TKI) Therapy in Child-Bearing Women"
AOS Awards Outstanding Resident Achievement
David Jeffcoach, MD, Surgery Resident, was recognized as Outstanding Resident Scholar by the Academy of Scholars at the New Resident and Fellow Welcome Reception and GSM Awards Ceremony. During his first four years of residency in a five-year program, Dr. Jeffcoach has exemplified the UT Graduate School of Medicine's mission for excellence in education, healing and discovery. Dr. Jeffcoach has authored guidelines for Trauma Service and served as an instructor for Advanced Trauma Life Support. He has been actively involved in both clinical and basic science research. He has been published in the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, a highly-regarded journal, for his research on the impact of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory fractures in trauma, and his paper is often cited and used as a teaching tool for other learners including emergency medicine physicians. Currently, his research focuses on massive transfusion in the elderly, a currently controversial topic, and his manuscript is under review with Journal of Surgical Research. He is also involved in research in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense that has received grants from Physicians Medical Education and Research Foundation and from the Trauma Education Fund totaling $17,500. He has been awarded within his department and is active on committees within the institution as well as in the Tennessee Chapter of American College of Surgeons. In nominating him, Brian Daley, MD, General Surgery Program Director, said, "He is recognized by the medical students as a teacher, he is recognized by his own peers in his residency as a teacher, and we rely on him as a resident educator."
The Outstanding Resident Scholar Award was first presented in 2014. To determine awardees, AOS board members, chaired by James Lewis, MD, created a point system used to score research efforts including grants, publications, presentations, and IRB-approved ongoing projects; teaching achievements including teaching awards, presentations at educational conferences, invited lectures and teaching or administrative chief residents; patient care feedback including annual resident exams and The University of Tennessee Medical Center Guardian Angel program; and service through professionalism, service to charities and appointments on committees.
UTGSM Graduates Advance Our Mission
The UT Graduate School of Medicine graduated 73 residents and fellows from 22 programs this year, including several new fellowship programs. Several graduates have chosen to advance their skills in a GSM residency or fellowship program. Others will commence their medical careers in private and public sectors, impacting our community through healing as well as education and discovery.
See which communities these physicians will practice in.
Anesthesiology Residency |
| Ashley Baracz, MD, fellowship, Pediatric Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt |
| Tommy Christianson, MD, private practice, University Anesthesiologists, Knoxville |
| Nick Cutchens, MD, private practice, American Anesthesiology of Tennessee, Chattanooga |
| Ryan Gordon, MD, private practice, American Anesthesiology of Tennessee, Kingsport |
| Tiffany Lance, MD, private practice, American Anesthesiology of Tennessee, Chattanooga |
| Adam Roth, MD, fellowship, Regional Anesthesia, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill |
| Arion Smalley, MD, fellowship, Pain Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Ohio |
Family Medicine Residency |
| Emily Greer, DO, private practice, Clinica Family Health Services, Boulder, Colorado |
| Katherine Hall, MD, private practice, Athens Family Practice, Tennessee |
| Kabir Harricharan Singh, MD, private practice, Newport Family Practice, Tennessee |
| John Pitt, MD, fellowship, Emergency Medicine, University of Tennessee, Jackson |
| Rick Rabon, MD, private practice, Rio Grande Hospital, Del Norte, Colorado |
| Lori Staudenmaier, DO, private practice, University Health System Inc, Lafollette |
Emergency Medicine Fellowship |
| Andrew Herda, MD, private practice, Methodist Medical Center, Oak Ridge |
| Benjamin Roe, DO, private practice, Blount Memorial Hospital, Maryville |
Sports Medicine Fellowship |
| James Crownover, MD, private practice, Atlanta, Georgia |
General Dentistry Residency |
|
| Chelsea Balderson, DDS, private practice, Richmond, Virginia | |
| Gina Hanafi, DMD, private practice, Kingston Dental Practice, Tennessee | |
| Deidra Harrison-McClain, DDS, private practice, Premier Dental, Nashville | |
| Laura Hofto, DMD, private practice, Kingston Dental Practice, Tennessee | |
| Kimberly Smith, DMD, private practice, Ortho Designs, Knoxville | Dental Operating Room Fellowship |
| John Coulter, DDS, private practice, Coulter Family Dentistry, Knoxville | Forensic Dentistry Fellowship |
| Paige Smalley, DMD, plans pending | |
Internal Medicine Residency |
| Andrew Christie, DO, hospitalist, Alabama |
| Christen Fleming, MD, private practice, UT Internists, University of Tennessee Medical Center |
| Laura Green, MD, fellowship, Allergy, Medical College of Georgia |
| Sarah Latif, MD, private practice, Anniston, Alabama |
| Kayleigh Litton, DO, fellowship, Cardiovascular Diseases, UT Graduate School of Medicine |
| Mehul Patel, MD, hospitalist, Erlanger, Chattanooga |
| Asha Pathak, MD, fellowship, Endocrinology, University of Washington, Seattle |
| Harsha Ranganath, MD, chief resident, Scripps Mercy Hospital, San Diego, California |
| Molly Van Petten, MD, hospitalist, Atchison, Kansas |
Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship |
| Harry South, MD, private practice, Hamilton Cardiology Associates, Hamilton, New Jersey |
| Umang Shah, MD, fellowship, Interventional Cardiology, Hackensack University Medical Center/Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey |
Pulmonary Disease Fellowship |
| Farhan Khan, MD, fellowship, Critical Care, Orlando Health, Florida |
| Dipaben Modi, MD, faculty, Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas |
Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency |
|
| Suzanne Bryant, MD, private practice, Kentucky | |
| R. Shae Connor, MD, fellowship, Gynecologic Oncology, Cleveland Clinic, Ohio | |
| Megan Rooney Thompson, MD, private practice, Tulsa, Oklahoma | |
| Hayley Trimble, MD, private practice, Pikeville, Kentucky | |
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency |
| Michael Foster, DMD, private practice, Bowling Green, Kentucky |
| Nathaniel Wells, DMD, private practice, Tri-Cities, Tennessee |
Cleft and Craniofacial Fellowship |
| Brian Richman, DDS, private practice, Rapid City, South Dakota |
Oral/Head and Neck Surgery Fellowship |
| Jonathan Williams, DMD, MD, faculty, Vanderbilt University |
Pathology Residency |
| Sarah Carroll, MD, fellowship, Cytopathology, University of Wisconsin, Madison |
| Karyn Prenshaw, MD, fellowship, Dermatopathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville |
| Marcus Winkler, DO, fellowship, Hematopathology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond |
Radiology Residency |
| Joanna Blankner, MD, private practice, Sweetwater Hospital Association |
| Austin Bourgeois, MD, fellowship, Interventional Radiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston |
| Scott Embry, MD, private practice, Upstate Carolina Radiology, Greenville, South Carolina |
| Katherine Frederick-Dyer, MD, fellowship, Abdominal Imaging Fellowship, Vanderbilt University, Nashville |
| Melissa Neveu, MD, fellowship, Pediatric Radiology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, Chicago, Illinois |
Surgery Residency |
| Jonathan Angelle, MD, residency, Urology, UT Graduate School of Medicine |
| Michael Bramati, MD, residency, Family Medicine, UT Graduate School of Medicine |
| Danielle Geisler, MD, fellowship, Colon and Rectal Fellowship, Texas Health and Presbyterian Hospital, Dallas, Texas |
| Hillary Haley, MD, plans pending |
| Kathleen Hamrick, MD, residency, Radiology, UT Graduate School of Medicine |
| James Haynes, MD, fellowship, Surgical Critical Care, UT Graduate School of Medicine |
| Michael Jennings, MD, residency, Urology, UT Graduate School of Medicine |
| Oladapo Oshikoya, MD, plans pending |
| Stephen Pacifico, MD, private practice, Blount Memorial Hospital, Maryville |
| Stephen Parker, MD, residency, Preliminary Surgery PGY2, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York |
Bariatrics and Robotics Fellowship |
| Hien Le, MD, private practice, Colleyville, Texas |
Surgical Critical Care Fellowship |
| Frank Roberts, MD, faculty, Department of Surgery Division of Trauma, UT Graduate School of Medicine |
Urology Residency |
| James Bienvenu, MD, fellowship, Urologic Oncology and Robotics, Hartford Hospital, Connecticut |
| Jared Moss, MD, fellowship, Male Infertility, Northwestern Memorial Hospital |
Vascular Surgery Fellowship |
| Lindsay Bools, MD, private practice, North Carolina |
Transitional Year Residency |
| Peter Coulson, MD, residency, Radiology, UT Graduate School of Medicine |
| Tamer Hadi, MD, PhD, residency, Ophthalmology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio |
| Jeffrey Mahony, MD, residency, Radiology, UT Graduate School of Medicine |
| Brady Seaton, MD, residency, Radiology, UT Graduate School of Medicine |
| Barrett Thomas, DO, residency, Radiology, Hahnemann University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Xi Zhang, MD, residency, Radiology, UT Graduate School of Medicine |
GSM Welcomes New Residents and Fellows
New resident and fellow physicians and dentists began training in their UT Graduate School of Medicine programs July 1. During the last week of June, many of them were on campus for orientation activities. On June 29, Dean James Neutens hosted a New Resident and Fellow Reception and GSM Awards Ceremony to introduce new physicians and dentists and officially welcome them. See photos from the event on Flickr.
New to UT Graduate School of Medicine residency and fellowship programs are
Anesthesiology Residency |
| Hannah Byland, MD, University of South Alabama College of Medicine |
| Travis Davis, MD, University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine |
| Meagan Dodd, MD, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston School of Medicine |
| Corey Lake, MD, Wayne State University School of Medicine |
| Allison Magnuson, MD, Tulane University School of Medicine |
| Keith Porter, MD, University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine |
| Andrew Walker, MD, University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine |
| Madelyn Weil, MD, Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans |
Family Medicine Residency |
| Michael Bramati, MD, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, UTGSM Surgery Preliminary Year |
| Sylvia Clarkson, MD, Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine |
| James Hart, DO, Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine |
| Sandy Henin, MD, University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine |
| Sean Jenkins, DO, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Virginia Campus |
| Lauren Thoma, MD, Louisiana State University School of Medicine in Shreveport |
| Spenser Wolken, MD, University of Arkansas College of Medicine |
| Christina Yang, DO, Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine |
Emergency Medicine Fellowship |
| Mohini Bedi, MD, St. George's University School of Medicine |
| Burton Brooks, MD, University of Sint Eustatius School of Medicine |
Sports Medicine Fellowship |
| R. Kendra Kemmet, MD, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine |
General Dentistry Residency |
|
| Erin Hurley, DDS, State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine | |
| Brian Maynor, DDS, Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry | |
| Jonathan Weisner, DMD, East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine | |
| Nickita Zaveri, DMD, University of Louisville School of Dentistry | |
Internal Medicine Residency |
| Jonathan Angotti, MD, University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine |
| Matthew Boulos, DO, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Virginia Campus |
| Avi Das, MD, St. George's University School of Medicine |
| Jonathan Dewald, MD, Ross University School of Medicine |
| Azaria Ehlers, MD, St. George's University School of Medicine |
| Lesley Jackson, MD, Indiana University School of Medicine |
| Vamsee Lakkakula, MD, St. George's University School of Medicine |
| Dennis Lester, MD, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University |
| Vimal Patel, DO, Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine |
| Adam Price, MD, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University |
| Spencer Pugh, MD, University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine |
| Amber Sholl, DO, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Virginia Campus |
Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship |
| Bryon Cook, MD, St. George's University School of Medicine |
| Kayleigh Litton, DO, Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, UTGSM Internal Medicine Residency |
Pulmonary Disease Fellowship |
| Rishi Sehgal, MD, St. George's University School of Medicine |
| Anil Singh, MBBS, Dow Medical College |
Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency |
|
| Emily Gregory, MD, University of Louisville School of Medicine |
|
| Marcia Mains, MD, University of Missouri School of Medicine |
|
| Callie Reeder, MD, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University |
|
| Elizabeth Richardson, MD, University of Nevada School of Medicine | |
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency |
| Seth Brooks, DDS, University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry |
| Austin Daly, MD, DDS, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University |
| Michael Winstead, DMD, Georgia Regents University College of Dental Medicine |
Oral/Head and Neck Surgery Fellowship |
| Thomas Schlieve, MD, DDS, Marquette University School of Dentistry |
Pathology Residency |
| Parthavkumar Patel, MBBS, B.J. Medical College, Ahmedabad |
| Vijay Patel, MD, University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine |
| William Robinson, DO, Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine |
Radiology Residency |
| Peter Coulson, MD, University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine, UTGSM Transitional Year Residency |
| Robert Eberly, MD, University of South Alabama College of Medicine |
| Kathleen Hamrick, MD, University of Alabama School of Medicine, UTGSM Surgery Preliminary Year Residency |
| Jeffrey Mahony, MD, University of Mississippi School of Medicine, UTGSM Transitional Year Residency |
| Cole Seaton, MD, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, UTGSM Transitional Year Residency |
| Xi Zhang, MD, Medical College of Georgia School of Medicine, UTGSM Transitional Year Residency |
Surgery Residency |
| Cain Green, MD, University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine |
| Lynellen Gregory, MD, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine |
| Lauren Grimsley, MD, Medical University of South Carolina |
| Patrick Jennings, MD, University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine |
| Megan Johnson, MD, University of Kentucky College of Medicine |
| Trenton Kinnear, MD, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine |
| Bryan Lamb, MD, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science |
| Miles Landry, MD, University of Queensland, UTGSM Surgery Preliminary Year Residency |
| Sung Lee, MD, Medical College of Georgia |
| Tipton Sholes, MD, Mercer University School of Medicine |
| Matthew Sorensen, MD, University of Florida College of Medicine |
| Eric Whittington, MD, Texas A&M University System Health Science Center College of Medicine |
| Bradley Woodman, MD, University of Maryland School of Medicine |
Bariatrics and Robotics Fellowship |
| D. Corey Campbell, MD, University of Alabama School of Medicine |
Surgical Critical Care Fellowship |
| James Haynes, MD, Medical College of Georgia, UTGSM Surgery Residency |
Urology Residency |
| Jonathan Angelle, MD, Louisiana State University School of Medicine in Shreveport, UTGSM Surgery Preliminary Year Residency |
| Michael Jennings, MD, University of Mississippi School of Medicine, UTGSM Surgery Preliminary Year Residency |
Vascular Surgery Fellowship |
| Katherine Warner, DO, Kansas City University of Medicine & Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine |
Transitional Year Residency |
| C.J. Gaston, MD, University of South Alabama College of Medicine |
| Laura Pruitt, MD, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University |
| Trevor Rosenlof, MD, Tulane University School of Medicine |
| Nathaniel Slater, MD, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, School of Medicine |
| Nicholas Sutton, MD, Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health |
| Jarred Tanksley, MD, PhD, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine |
Our three part mission includes:
Regional and National News:
"UT starts 1st forensic odontology graduate program in U.S."
Knoxville News Sentinel
Featuring: Murray Marks, PhD; Mike Tabor, DDS; Richard Weems, DMD
"UT offering country’s first graduate program in forensic odontology and human ID"
Knoxville Daily Sun
Featuring: Murray Marks, PhD; Mike Tabor, DDS; Richard Weems, DMD
"The UT Medical Center offering support for families facing Frontotemporal Dementia"
WVLT
Featuring: Monica Crane, MD
"New drug offers hope for those with cystic fibrosis"
WBIR
Featuring: John Callison, MD
"What they don't teach in medical school: The interesting story behind UTMC's leadership academy"
Becker's Hospital Review
Featuring: Keith Gray, MD
Upcoming CME Courses
Dr. O. Lee Wilson Receives Fellowship Award
O. Lee Wilson, DMD, Chair and Program Director of the Department of General Dentistry, received the prestigious Tennessee Dental Association (TDA) Fellowship Award during the recent Music City Dental Conference held in Nashville, the 148th annual meeting of the TDA. The Fellowship Award is presented to no more than 12 deserving Tennessee dentists each year who make noteworthy contributions of their time and talent toward professional progress and the public they serve. It is the TDA's highest award presented annually. At the The University of Tennessee Medical Center, Dr. Wilson has been instrumental in advocating for patients with special needs. He has been working with special needs children for more than 27 years, and he has found that the best method to treat overly sensitive patients is to take them into the operating room so that they can be put to sleep under anesthesia. Through his efforts, a Dental Operating Room Fellowship was initiated in 2014 to train dentists to work with specialized patients.
Dr. Rajiv Dhand Elected as President-Elect to International Society for Aerosols in Medicine
At the recent 20th Congress of the International Society of Aerosols in Medicine (ISAM), Rajiv Dhand, MD, Chair of Medicine and Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, was elected to a two-year term as president from 2017-2019. Dr. Dhand currently serves as a board member to ISAM, and he will continue in that role until he takes over his new responsibilities in 2017. Dr. Dhand joined ISAM in 1995 and has been a board member for the past four years. The organization, founded in 1970 to further research in medicine including health effects of inhaled aerosols and pulmonary drug delivery, has over 300 members from countries all over the world, including North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
During the congress, Dr. Dhand also released the ISAM Textbook of Aerosol Medicine. Dr. Dhand is the editor-in-chief of the multi-author electronic textbook, which is a comprehensive resource for all aspects of aerosol therapy.
Dr. Dhand has special expertise in aerosolized therapies. Among many research achievements, he led the team of researchers who established the scientific basis for the use of metered-dose inhalers in mechanically-ventilated patients. He has served as principal investigator on numerous clinical trials over the past 20 years. He served as an invited member of the European Respiratory Society/International Society for Aerosols in Medicine Joint Task Force on New Inhalation Therapies. The report of this task force was published in the European Respiratory Journal. Dr. Dhand was the international physician Investigator coordinator for a multicenter, multinational asthma study conducted by AstraZeneca, Inc. He has published 11 book chapters and 60 articles in peer-reviewed journals. He has published 88 abstracts and over 50 reviews. He is on the editorial board of several journals, including the Journal of Aerosol Medicine and Pulmonary Drug Delivery, Respiratory Care, and International Journal of COPD. He has given over 100 national and international lectures and visiting professorships.
Family Medicine Residents Simulate Taking Call
Rising second-year Family Medicine residents participated in a simulated training known as "Night of the Living Call" to help prepare them for taking "call." The training exercises were initiated in 2014 by resident John Pitt, MD, so residents could practice for difficult situations.
Dr. Pitt said, "If we look at other professions such as aviation, the military and law enforcement, we see that they practice emergency scenarios before the actual event occurs, enabling much quicker response times, fluidity and real-time problem solving."
For Family Medicine residents, "call" includes admitting any direct or Emergency Department admissions, stabilizing those patients, and seeing that their immediate medical needs are addressed; examining OB patients who arrive in triage and deciding whether or not they are in labor or in danger of pre-term labor or miscarriage; caring for any issue that arises among patients already admitted to a Family Medicine in-service team; fielding questions, prescription issues, and acute illnesses from University Family Physicians clinic, which has more than 30 providers and patients ranging newborns to elderly. Residents also handle any respiratory distress or code scenarios and follow up on diagnostic tests for the in-service teams at night.
Dr. Pitt said taking call is an incredible time to learn, but it can also be intimidating. "Residents learn quickly how to triage in order of importance the calls that come in to the pager. Speaking from personal experience, within 30 minutes you could get a call for chest pain admission from the ED, have a laboring patient in Labor and Delivery, receive a call from a clinic patient's mother who is concerned about fevers in her child, and receive a rapid response for a severe COPD or congestive heart failure exacerbation patient."
To better prepare residents for what they will encounter on call, Dr. Pitt has worked with a team of residents, including Katherine Hall, MD, Kabir Harricharan Singh, MD, Rick Rabon, MD, and Emily Greer, MD, and Emergency Medicine Fellow Andy Herda, MD, under the guidance of Family Medicine faculty Julie Jeter, MD, and Leonard Lamsen, MD. The simulation training includes four scenarios — two cardiac emergencies and two respiratory emergencies.
"Residents were given a patient list, as we would have in our daily check out, and then called to the patient's bedside," Dr. Pitt said. "Residents were expected to evaluate the patient including vital signs and EKG, and treat within an allotted amount of time. If they did not do these things or missed important steps, the patient was simulated into an unstable scenario. If they did make the appropriate choices, the patient stabilized.
"The other two scenarios were respiratory scenarios having to do with acute CHF exacerbation and pulmonary embolism. We also had a mini quiz on how to triage the calls coming through the pager, and a station on hand-offs from day shift to call."
Based on feedback from the first class of residents to participate in the training after six months of taking call, residents agreed the training was valuable.
UT Launches First Forensic Odontology Master's Program
University of Tennessee Comparative and Experimental Medicine (CEM), a joint program between the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Graduate School of Medicine, are launching the first master's degree program in forensic odontology in the United States. The master’s program addresses the need for dentists and medicolegal professionals, including crime scene investigators, anthropologists, and detectives, trained to investigate crime scenes, provide positive identifications, and to process dental remains as evidence. This need is currently unmet in the forensic community.
Forensic odontology is the method of identifying victims through the unique characteristics of their dental and craniofacial anatomy. Dental identification is particularly valuable since teeth, unlike DNA evidence, are virtually indestructible. These methods aid in solving criminal cases involving bite marks, as well as mass disaster identifications such as those after Hurricane Katrina and the World Trade Center attack.
"We are fortunate to have two of the nation’s most credentialed specialists in forensic dental identification as faculty," said Dr. Murray Marks, CEM faculty member and program director. "Drs. Mike Tabor and Richard Weems helped identify North and South Tower victims at Ground Zero from the 9-11 attack, and having these experts on board as university faculty is a natural fit for this mission.
"These faculty bring an expertise and hands-on experience of unmatched value to the master’s student, and, until now, an academic-based program like this one being offered by UT has not been available in the United States."
Training for this intense, three-semester, 33 credit-hour master of science degree involves scene search, recovery, identification, and processing of fresh, mutilated, and decomposed remains exposed to many post mortem environments, from surface scattered bones and clandestine burials to aquatic and thermal contexts.
Courses are offered fall 2015. To learn more about this graduate program and admission requirements, visit: http://tiny.utk.edu/forensicOdontology, email cem@utk.edu, or call 865-974-0227.
Other partners in the concentration include the Knox County Regional Forensic Center, The University of Tennessee Medical Center and Department of General Dentistry and the Law Enforcement Innovation Center in Oak Ridge.
Anesthesiology Awards Teaching Excellence
Anesthesiology graduated seven residents and presented awards for Excellence in Teaching to two faculty physicians at a ceremony in June. Teaching award recipients were selected by residents. The 2015 Excellence in Teaching Awards were presented to Jason Buehler, MD, Assistant Professor, and Ashley Hambright, MD, Instructor.
Dentistry Celebrates Graduates
Dentistry held a banquet for faculty, residents and fellows in June honoring its graduates including two-year residency program graduate Chelsea Balderson, DDS; one-year residency program graduates Gina Hanafi, DMD, Laura Hofto DMD, Deidra Harrison-McClain, DDS, and Kimberly Smith, DMD; Dental Operating Room fellow John Coulter, DDS; and Forensic Dentistry fellow Paige Smalley, DMD. Resident Kyle Williams, DDS, is continuing in the two-year residency program.
Family Medicine Honors Residents, Faculty and Staff
Family Medicine held a graduation ceremony, presenting awards to residents, faculty and staff.
Resident Awards
Joseph B. Moon Award
Emily Greer, DO, and Lori Staudenmaier, DO
The Joseph B. Moon Award is given to an outstanding senior resident each year.
(Pictured from left: Dr. Gregory Blake, Dr. Lori Staudenmaier, Dr. Emily Greer, Dr. Joseph Moon)
Jane V. White Research Award
Rick Rabon, MD
This award recognizes creativity and perseverance in the pursuit of excellence in research in family medicine. It was created in honor of Jane White, PhD, RD, for her service of more than 30 years to the Department of Family Medicine and her research efforts in nutrition.
(Pictured: Dr. Rick Rabon, left, with Dr. Michael Mihelic)
Society of Teachers of Family Medicine
Kabir Harricharan Singh, MD
This award recognizes outstanding family medicine/primary care research performed by a medical resident and is awarded through the North American Primary Care Research Group.
(Pictured: Dr. Kabir Harricharan Singh, left, with Dr. Anthony Wilson)
Faculty Awards
UFP Faculty Award
Gregory H. Blake, MD, MPH, Chair
(Pictured from left: Dr. Emily Greer, Dr. Gregory Blake, Dr. Kabir Harricharan Singh)
Resident Teaching Award
Gary Lethco, MD, Instructor
(Pictured from left: Dr. Kabir Harricharan Singh, Dr. Gary Lethco, Dr. Emily Greer)
Volunteer Faculty Award
Rebecca Morgan, MD
(Pictured from left: Dr. Emily Greer, Dr. Rebecca Morgan, Dr. Kabir Harricharan Singh)
Staff Awards
Harold B. Blake Service Award
Lisa Stephens, RN-BSN, Staff Nurse
Clinical Staff Award (selected by residents)
Lisa Stephens, RN-BSN, Staff Nurse
(Pictured: Lisa Stephens, left, with Kelly McDaniel)
Administrative Staff Award (selected by residents)
Khristy Harris, Medical Administrative Coordinator
(Pictured from left: Dr. Kabir Harricharan Singh, Khristy Harris, Dr. Emily Greer)
Medicine Residents Earn Awards
Medicine held awards and graduation receptions to honor residents and fellows in the Internal Medicine Residency, Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship and Pulmonary Disease Fellowship programs, and present the Freeman Rawson Award and Clinical Star Award.
Freeman Rawson Award
Kayleigh Litton, DO, and Asha Pathak, MD
The Freeman Rawson award is given in memory of long-time faculty member Freeman Rawson, MD. This award is presented 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.
Clinical Star Award
Kristen Fleming, MD
The Clinical Star Award is selected by faculty, peers and staff to a third-year resident who best exhibits the criteria of excellence in patient care, medical knowledge, interpersonal and communication skills, as well as professionalism.
Obstetrics and Gynecology Distinguishes Teaching and Research
On June 13, faculty, residents and staff attended an awards banquet to honor graduating residents and excellence in teaching.
Resident Awards
Obstetrics and Gynecology Excellence in Teaching - Resident
Suzanne Bryant, MD
Residents are responsible for teaching medical students, family medicine and transitional residents, as well as Obstetrics and Gynecology residents junior to themselves.
Obstetrics and Gynecology Outstanding Case Report
Hayley Trimble, MD
This award is given annually for the best oral presentation of the research manuscript.
A. W. Diddle, M.D. Research
Laura Jane Evors, MD
This award is given for an outstanding resident research manuscript.
Advancing Minimally Invasive Gynecology Worldwide from American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopist
R. Shae Connor, MD
American Urogynecologic Society Award for Excellence in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery
Angie Yates, MD
Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine Award
Megan Rooney Thompson, MD
Outstanding Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology Exam Performance
R. Shae Connor, MD, Stacy Lenger, MD, Megan Rooney Thompson, MD, Kelly Schwirian, MD, John Trussell, MD
Chairman's Award
R. Shae Connor, MD
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Congratulates Residents and Fellows
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery held a graduation reception to recognize its graduating residents Michael Foster, DMD, and Nathaniel Wells, DMD; Cleft and Craniofacial fellow Brian Richman, DDS; and Oral/Head and Neck Surgery fellow Jonathan Williams, DMD, MD. Guest speakers at the event were Ralph and Karen Weekly, co-head coaches for the University of Tennessee softball team.
Pathology Awards Research and Teaching
Pathology held a graduation ceremony and presented awards for web case presentations, teaching and research.
Frances K. Patterson Award
Matthew Curzon, MD
This award is presented to a resident in Pathology who has fostered excellence in education, research, practice or community service. The Francis K. Patterson Award is given in memory of long-time Pathology faculty member and devoted teacher Frances K. Patterson, MD. Dr. Patterson, who was with the University for more than 30 years, served as an associate professor in Pathology and director of the residency program for more than 10 years.
Faculty Award
D. Douglas Wilson, MD
Pathology residents awarded long-time Pathology physician and resident educator in recognition of his many years of service and commitment to the department, residents, and residency program.
Radiology Recognizes Faculty and Residents
The Radiology Residency Program held its Twenty-third Annual Graduation & Awards Banquet on June 19 to honor graduating seniors and recognize residents and faculty.
Resident Awards:
Professionalism Award
Darrell Benton, MD, and Rupert Stanborough, MD
This award is in recognition of excellence in demonstrating a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities and an adherence to ethical principles.
(Pictured: Dr. Rupert Stanborough, left, and Dr. Darrell Benton)
Academic Excellence Award
Scott McElroy, MD, Jonathan Suther, MD, Austin Bourgeois, MD, Kate Frederick-Dyer, MD
This award is given in recognition of outstanding academic performance in radiology.
(Pictured: Dr. Jonathan Suther, left, with Dr. Kathleen Hudson)
Resident Teaching Award
Austin Bourgeois, MD, Matt Buzzeo, MD, Andrew Vincent, MD
This award is given in recognition of outstanding commitment to resident teaching.
(Pictured: Dr. Andrew Vincent, left, with Dr. Kathleen Hudson)
Gould Award
Austin Bourgeois, MD
This award recognizes the upper year resident that best demonstrated dedication to the ideals of clinical radiology as exemplified by Howard R. Gould, MD.
(Pictured: Dr. Austin Bourgeois, left, with Dr. Kathleen Hudson)
RSNA Research Award
Kate Frederick-Dyer, MD
This award recognizes residents who have played an active role in radiology research in the past year.
(Pictured: Dr. Kate Frederick-Dyer, left, with Dr. Kathleen Hudson)
Faculty Awards
Faculty Teaching Award
Jim Boyd, MD
(Pictured: Dr. Jim Boyd, third from left, with graduating Radiology residents.)
Faculty Service Award
Kathleen Hudson, MD
(Pictured: Dr. Kathleen Hudson, center, with graduating Radiology residents.)
Retirement Plaque
Will Pflanze, MD, for 24 years of service and teaching.
Surgery Honors Residents and Faculty
The Department of Surgery honored the accomplishments and graduation of three chief residents on June 21 at the Chief Residents’ Dinner. Research winners and faculty were also recognized.
Kimball I. Maull Clinical Science Awards
Kimball I. Maull, MD, is former Chair of Surgery and a founding member of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST.) EAST is dedicated to the study of the practice of surgery of trauma patients by establishing lectureships, scholarships, and the foundations to promote, reward, and recognize individuals working in the field of injury and injury control.
First Place: Junior Univers, MD
Second Place: Brian Freeman, MD, Michael Bramati, MD, Jonathan Angelle, MD, and Matthew Abraham, MD
Scott B. Frame Trauma Award:
Sneha Bhat, MD
This award is voted on by the faculty of the Division of Trauma/Critical Care and the winner receives a trip to the annual Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma meeting. The Scott B. Frame Trauma Scholarship Award is named in memory of Scott B. Frame, MD, former Surgery faculty member.
Society of Laparascopic Surgeons Outstanding Laparascopic Resident Surgeon
Stephen Pacifico, MD
This award is voted on by attendings who perform laparoendoscopic surgery.
Hiram Crutchfield Resident Teaching Award
David Jeffcoach, MD
This award is voted on by residents to be given to the chief resident who takes the time and interest to teach fellow residents.
The Golden Apple Award
Stephen Tonks, MD
Faculty Teaching Award
Joshua Arnold, MD
Faculty Service Award
Lou Smith, MD
HLVI Conference Focuses on Tennessee Health Concerns
The annual Heart, Lung, Vascular Update for Primary Care Providers is scheduled for October 2-3 in Knoxville, Tennessee, and registation is open. As reported by the American Heart Association, someone dies of cardiovascular disease every 60 seconds in the United States. According to statistics from the Tennessee Department of Health, Tennessee's leading cause of death is from diseases of the heart. Coronary heart disease affects approximately 13 million Americans and Tennessee remains ranked 44th in cardiovascular deaths and 39th in overall health. In 2010, Tennessee ranked 14th highest state in smoking prevalence and 7th highest obesity prevalence, both of which are contributors to heart disease. Using case-based examples and panel discussion, the Heart, Lung, Vascular Update for Primary Care Providers will focus on these and other health-related issues and offer guidance to emergency medicine, internal medicine and primary care healthcare professionals on treatment outcomes for patients in the area of novel anticoagulant use, minimally invasive treatment of valvular heart disease and the recognition and management of pulmonary hypertension.
The HLV conference is offered by the UT Graduate School of Medicine and Department of Internal Medicine and is directed by Stuart Bresee, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Medicine, Chief, Cardiology Division. Registration and information are available at www.tennessee.edu/cme/HLV2015/. For more information, contact Continuing Education and Professional Development at 865-305-9190 or CME@utmck.edu.
Big 4 Cancer Conference Discusses Comprehensive Care
The Big 4 Cancer Conference - the "Next" 4 (Melanoma, Gastrointestinal, Gynecologic and Prostate Cancers) is set for October 9-10 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Appropriate for dermatology, family medicine, gastroenterology, general surgery, gynecology, internal medicine, oncology, pathology, pharmacy, radiology and urology, this conference will provide AMA and ACPE credits.
There is growing understanding nationwide of the need for a comprehensive approach to the treatment of cancer patients. Based on data from many scientific trials demonstrating the benefits of multimodal treatments for various cancers, the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CoC) is strongly encouraging member institutions to provide more emphasis on a cohesive, comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to each individual cancer patient. A greater commitment on clinical trial accrual is also encouraged, and this is best coordinated via comprehensive cancer tumor board conferences. The timing of this meeting in the fall allows for the latest findings in clinical cancer research from major oncology conferences to be presented and discussed. This educational activity also meets a unique need for East Tennessee to provide a group of networked and collaborating practitioners to discuss the most recent developments in oncology care in the context of local treatment approaches and patient populations.
The Big 4 Cancer conference is offered by The University of Tennessee Medical Center Cancer Institute and UT Graduate School of Medicine. Registration and information are available at www.tennessee.edu/cme/Big4Cancer. For more information, contact Continuing Education and Professional Development at 865-305-9190 or CME@utmck.edu.
Whittington Lecture Brings ACOS Past President Dr. Britt October 17
The John W. Whittington, M.D. Endowed Lecture is set for October 17 at Tennessee Terrace, Neyland Stadium, in Knoxville, Tennessee, to discuss "The 21st Century: The Renaissance Period for American Surgery," with featured speaker L.D. Britt, MD, MPH, former president of the American College of Surgeons and Brickhouse Professor and Chair of Surgery at Eastern Virginia Medical School. Dr. Britt has been at the forefront of surgical interaction with the changing healthcare environment and the institutions that have fomented that change. As one of the most articulate spokespersons in surgery, Dr. Britt will share his experience and help learners understand what to expect in the future through a lecture with a following discussion.
The CME-certified event does not have a registration fee, but registration is requested. The John W. Whittington, M.D. Endowed Lecture is offered by The University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine Department of Surgery. Registration and information are available at www.tennessee.edu/cme/Whittington2015. For more information, contact Continuing Education and Professional Development at 865-305-9190 or CME@utmck.edu.