Faculty achievements
Elliott named interim head of gastroenterology-hepatology
Dr. David Elliott assumed duties as interim director of the UI Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, effect Aug. 1. The appointment comes after the resignation of Dr. Bruce Luxon, who is leaving to become head of internal medicine at Georgetown University.
Elliott’s research focuses on the mechanisms that control inflammatory reactions. His studies include the liver granulomas that develop in murine schistosomiasis; the role of the neuropeptide somatostatin in the regulation of the granulomatous response; and soluble mediators released by granuloma cells that affect inflammatory responses.
Hayreh awarded honorary fellowship
Dr. S.S. Hayreh, emeritus professor of ophthalmology and director of the Ocular Vascular Clinic, was awarded the Honorary Fellowship by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists in Britain in June. The honorary fellowship is given to a person “who made notable contributions to ophthalmology.” Hayreh also is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Scotland.
UI Children’s Hospital faculty and staff help Jamaican children
A team of health professionals from UI Children’s Hospital will join others from Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines to provide a series of free medical clinics Sept. 14-19 for underprivileged children in the Ocho Rios area of Jamaica.
The team of medical volunteers includes pediatricians, surgeons, biomedical engineers, lab technicians, pharmacists, a dietitian-nutritionist, a pediatric nephrologist, a pediatric hematologist/oncologist, nurse practitioners and pediatric nurses. The group will also provide a series of educational conferences, lectures and hands-on training for local pediatric health care providers. The trip is organized through the Issa Trust Foundation, which is dedicated to “making Jamaica a healthy place to live.”
Christopher M. Adams receives Doris Duke award
Dr. Christopher M. Adams, assistant professor of endocrinology, was one of 14 physician-scientists selected to receive a 2009 Clinical Scientist Development Award from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. The award is $135,000 per year for three years.
Adams was selected from a pool of 153 applicants for his project titled “Molecular Biology of Skeletal Muscular Atrophy.”