By Playing a Role, Standardized Patients Help Future Doctors Improve Their Skills
Individuals who train to act as patients are crucial for medical students to learn to communicate, give physical exams, and more.
Faculty & Staff News
Jumbo Wins
Erika Werner, Louis E. Phaneuf Research and Teaching Professor of Gynecology and Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology, has been appointed Interim President of the Tufts Medical Center Physicians Organization. As Interim President for the Tufts MC PO, she will work closely with Tufts MC Chairs and many executives, clinical and administrative leaders across the system.
Kari Roberts has been appointed the inaugural TUSM Academic Dean for Tufts Medicine. Roberts is the associate chief medical officer for graduate medical education at Tufts Medical Center and assumed the role of Tufts Medicine’s first vice president of education in 2021. She has worked closely with leaders across the system to create new and expanded clinical education opportunities for residents, fellows, and TUSM medical students. These include clinical experiences, simulation, quality academies, group learning, technology training, and faculty education.
Pilar Alcaide, Kenneth and JoAnn G Wellner Professor of Immunology, received the Mid-Career Investigator Excellence in Science Award from the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. The award recognizes Alcaide’s stellar track record as an eminent scientist who focuses on cardiovascular research and immunology. Her research has not only continued to have a major impact on the study of inflammation and heart disease but has been paradigm-shifting. Read more.
Perrie O’Tierney-Ginn, research associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology and interim executive director of the Mother Infant Research Institute, was selected as this year’s guest speaker for the annual “Leaders in Bioenergetics and Exercise Science” seminar at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC.
Elizabeth Yen, associate professor of pediatrics, received the New England Perinatal Society Mentor Award from the New England Perinatal Society meeting. Yen was also appointed Associate Director of the Mother Infant Research Institute.
Brooke Krbec, assistant professor of pediatrics, received the Tufts CTSI Small Grants to Advance Translational Science (S-GATS). This award is given to investigators whose innovative and collaborative proposals advance the science of translation.
Greg Schumaker, assistant professor of medicine, has been named the new Division Chief for Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at Tufts Medical Center. Schumaker has been a member of the Division and Department since 2005. He has directed the Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep program at Lowell Hospital since the inception of our collaboration, which predates Wellforce or Tufts Medicine.
Mary Y. Lee, professor of medicine, has been awarded the Elizabeth and Emily Blackwell Award for Outstanding Contributions to Advancing the Careers of Women in Medicine by the American College of Physicians! This award is bestowed upon an ACP member for distinguished contributions to advancing the careers of women in medicine. Lee received the award at the ACP’s annual Convocation ceremony on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.
Maurice Joyce, assistant professor of anesthesiology and perioperative medicine, was selected as the Association of University Anesthesiologists 2024 Rising Star – Associate Member of the Year Award winner. This award was established to identify the next generation of leadership in academic Anesthesiology. It is designed to recognize associate members of the Association of University Anesthesiologists who have already made an impact on the profession and have demonstrated the ability to lead the next generation of academic Anesthesiologists.
Monique Marin-Santoni, assistant professor of anesthesiology and perioperative medicine, has been appointed the Associate Program Director of the Residency Program focusing on CA1-3 years at Tufts Medical Center.
Research News
Serious Flu Damage Prevented by Compound that Blocks Unnecessary Cell Death
As lung cells are killed by the influenza virus, they burst open, releasing molecular signals that trigger the immune cells that can combat the infection. This strategy can be an important red flag that something is wrong; however, if one cell death response, called necroptosis, continues unchecked, it can cause life-threatening injury to lung tissue. In a study published April 10 in the journal Nature, Tufts School of Medicine scientists and collaborators present a newly developed compound capable of reversing the course of infection in mice by blocking necroptosis. Read more.
Teen Behavior, Explained by a Neuroscientist
Ayesha Sengupta, a research assistant professor of neuroscience, delves into the intricate processes shaping the adolescent brain. She elucidates how the dynamic interplay of structural development, neurotransmitter chemistry, and synaptic connections during adolescence uniquely shapes cognitive processes and behavior, setting teens apart from adults in their thought patterns and actions. Read more.
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Eric Hegedus, professor and chair of rehabilitation sciences, contributed to a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine that examines the potential harms of the COVID-19 vaccines, and for nine potential shoulder injuries from intramuscular administration of vaccines more broadly. Learn more here.
Rachana Singh, professor of pediatrics, published two papers.
- Short-term outcomes of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome: a comparison of two approaches. J Perinatol 2024, April 2. Visit the link here.
- Social determinants of health rather than race impact health-related quality of life in 10-year-old children born extremely preterm. Front Pediatr 2024;12:1359270. Read the paper here.
Elizabeth Yen, associate professor of pediatrics, published the following papers:
- Segmenting hypothalamic subunits in human newborn magnetic resonance imaging data. Hum Brain Mapp 2024;45:e26582. Here is the link.
- Sex differences in neonatal outcomes following prenatal opioid exposure. Front Pediatr 2024;12:1357970. Visit the website here.
Wurcel AG, London K, Crable EL, Cocchi N, Koutoujian PJ, Winkelman T. Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy and Infectious Diseases Care for Justice-Involved Populations. Emerg Infect Dis. 2024;30(13):94-99. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid3013.230742
Wurcel AG, Suzuki J, Schranz AJ, Eaton EF, Cortes-Penfield N, Baddour LM. Strategies to Improve Patient-Centered Care for Drug Use-Associated Infective Endocarditis. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2024 Apr, 83 (14) 1338-1347. https://www.jacc.org/doi/abs/10.1016/j.jacc.2024.01.034
Haber LA, Wurcel AG, Berk J. Measles in jails and prisons. Lancet Public Health. 2024 Apr 10:S2468-2667(24)00074-4. doi: 10.1016/S2468-2667(24)00074-4. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38614107. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(24)00074-4/fulltext
Lo GH, Richard MJ, Kriska AM, McAlindon TE, Harkey M, Rockette-Wagner B, Eaton CB, Hochberg MC, Kwoh CK, Nevitt MC, Bhakta PB, McLaughlin CP, Driban JB. Bicycling over a Lifetime Is Associated with Less Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis: Data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2024 Apr 11. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003449. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38600648.
John KJ, Belani DJ, Kapur NK, Lussier L, Chweich H. Comparison of Mixed Venous Oxygen Saturation and Premembranous Venous Oxygen Saturation in Patients on Peripheral Venous-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation. ASAIO J. 2024 Mar 22. doi: 10.1097/MAT.0000000000002196. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38513112.
Leo Knudsen Westgard, Taisuke Sato, William S Bradford, Ellen F Eaton, Finlay Pilcher, Andrew J Hale, Devika Singh, Marlene Martin, Ayesha A Appa, Jaimie P Meyer, Melissa B Weimer, Lydia A Barakat, Uriel R Felsen, Matthew J Akiyama, Jessica P Ridgway, Emily D Grussing, Kinna Thakarar, Amy White, John Mutelayi, Martin Krsak, Brian T Montague, Ank Nijhawan, Harini Balakrishnan, Laura R Marks, Alysse G Wurcel, National HIV and HCV Screening Rates for Hospitalized People Who Use Drugs Are Suboptimal and Heterogeneous across 11 U.S. Hospitals, Open Forum Infectious Diseases, 2024;, ofae204, https://doi.org/10.1093/ofid/ofae204
Costa E Silva VT, Adingwupu OM, Inker LA. Difference Between Estimated GFR Based on Cystatin C Versus Creatinine and Incident Atrial Fibrillation: A New Instrument on the Horizon to Improve Risk Assessment in This High-Risk Population? Am J Kidney Dis. 2024 Apr 15:S0272-6386(24)00686-3. doi: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2024.03.009. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38625075.
Grewal EP, Russo AR, Roth MT, Rogaishio EL, Turbett SE, Rosenberg ES, Branda JA, Nussbaum EZ. Severe antigen excess confounding the detection of Plasmodium falciparum via rapid antigen assay. J Clin Pathol. 2024 Mar 27:jcp-2024-209438. doi: 10.1136/jcp-2024-209438. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38538074
Poonawala H, Zhang Y, Kuchibhotla S, Green AG, Cirillo DM, Di Marco F, Spitlaeri A, Miotto P, Farhat MR. Transcriptomic responses to antibiotic exposure in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2024 Apr 8:e0118523. doi: 10.1128/aac.01185-23. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38587412. https://www.globalcause.co.uk/infectious-diseases/hiv-drug-resistance-to-dolutegravir-on-the-rise-in-low-and-middle-income-countries/?utm_source=WHO&utm_medium=assoc
Lo GH, Richard MJ, Kriska AM, McAlindon TE, Harkey M, Rockette-Wagner B, Eaton CB, Hochberg MC, Kwoh CK, Nevitt MC, Bhakta PB, McLaughlin CP, Driban JB. Bicycling over a Lifetime Is Associated with Less Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis: Data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2024 Apr 11. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003449. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38600648.
Maron MS, Mahmod M, Abd Samat AH, Choudhury L, Massera D, Phelan DMJ, Cresci S, Martinez MW, Masri A, Abraham TP, Adler E, Wever-Pinzon O, Nagueh SF, Lewis GD, Chamberlin P, Patel J, Yavari A, Dehbi HM, Sarwar R, Raman B, Valkovič L, Neubauer S, Udelson JE, Watkins H. Safety and Efficacy of Metabolic Modulation With Ninerafaxstat in Patients With Nonobstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2024 Apr 1:S0735-1097(24)06684-1. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2024.03.387. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38599256.
Hsu CM, Varma M, Weiner DE. Intra-Abdominal Adhesions and Peritoneal Dialysis: A Challenge, Not a Contraindication. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2024 Apr 1;19(4):412-414. doi: 10.2215/CJN.0000000000000447. PMID: 38598195.
Honda T, Downey B, Kerkhof D, Le HM, McNaughton M, Corrado G. Considering the Impact of Preparticipation Screening Guidelines on Health Equity for Collegiate Athletes. Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2024 Apr 9:zwae135. doi: 10.1093/eurjpc/zwae135. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38593197.
Moore ME, Talat F, Talanian M, Allison H. Transverse Myelitis as a Presenting Symptom of Celiac Disease. ACG Case Rep J. 2024 Apr 6;11(4):e01329. doi: 10.14309/crj.0000000000001329. PMID: 38590733; PMCID: PMC11000768.
Poonawala H, Zhang Y, Kuchibhotla S, Green AG, Cirillo DM, Di Marco F, Spitlaeri A, Miotto P, Farhat MR. Transcriptomic responses to antibiotic exposure in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2024 Apr 8:e0118523. doi: 10.1128/aac.01185-23. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38587412.
Wurcel AG, Suzuki J, Schranz AJ, Eaton EF, Cortes-Penfield N, Baddour LM. Strategies to Improve Patient-Centered Care for Drug Use-Associated Infective Endocarditis: JACC Focus Seminar 2/4. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2024 Apr 9;83(14):1338-1347. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2024.01.034. PMID: 38569764.
Levin A, Ahmed SB, Carrero JJ, Foster B, Francis A, Hall RK, Herrington WG, Hill G, Inker LA, Kazancıoğlu R, Lamb E, Lin P, Madero M, McIntyre N, Morrow K, Roberts G, Sabanayagam D, Schaeffner E, Shlipak M, Shroff R, Tangri N, Thanachayanont T, Ulasi I, Wong G, Yang CW, Zhang L, Robinson KA, Wilson L, Wilson RF, Kasiske BL, Cheung M, Earley A, Stevens PE. Executive summary of the KDIGO 2024 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease: known knowns and known unknowns. Kidney Int. 2024 Apr;105(4):684-701. doi: 10.1016/j.kint.2023.10.016. PMID: 38519239.
Wurcel AG, London K, Crable EL, Cocchi N, Koutoujian PJ, Winkelman T. Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy and Infectious Diseases Care for Justice-Involved Populations. Emerg Infect Dis. 2024;30(13):94-99. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid3013.230742
Wurcel AG, Suzuki J, Schranz AJ, Eaton EF, Cortes-Penfield N, Baddour LM. Strategies to Improve Patient-Centered Care for Drug Use-Associated Infective Endocarditis: JACC Focus Seminar 2/4. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2024 Apr, 83 (14) 1338-1347. https://www.jacc.org/doi/abs/10.1016/j.jacc.2024.01.034
Lo GH, Patarini JC, Richard MJ, McAlindon TE, Kriska AM, Rockette-Wagner B, Eaton CB, Hochberg MC, Kwoh CK, Nevitt MC, Driban JB. Gardening/yardwork in people with knee osteoarthritis is not associated with symptom or structural progression over 48 months: data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative. Clin Rheumatol. 2024 Apr 1. doi: 10.1007/s10067-024-06912-9. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38561590.
Levin A, Ahmed SB, Carrero JJ, Foster B, Francis A, Hall RK, Herrington WG, Hill G, Inker LA, Kazancıoğlu R, Lamb E, Lin P, Madero M, McIntyre N, Morrow K, Roberts G, Sabanayagam D, Schaeffner E, Shlipak M, Shroff R, Tangri N, Thanachayanont T, Ulasi I, Wong G, Yang CW, Zhang L, Robinson KA, Wilson L, Wilson RF, Kasiske BL, Cheung M, Earley A, Stevens PE. Executive summary of the KDIGO 2024 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease: known knowns and known unknowns. Kidney Int. 2024 Apr;105(4):684-701. doi: 10.1016/j.kint.2023.10.016. PMID: 38519239.
Avery Caz Glover, Zhimeng Jia, Kathleen Waybill, Tamara Vesel :“Life-Sustaining Treatment and Advance Care Documentation among Chinese American ICU Decedents” JPSM April 02, 2024DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2024.03.025
Levin A, Ahmed SB, Carrero JJ, Foster B, Francis A, Hall RK, Herrington WG, Hill G, Inker LA, Kazancıoğlu R, Lamb E, Lin P, Madero M, McIntyre N, Morrow K, Roberts G, Sabanayagam D, Schaeffner E, Shlipak M, Shroff R, Tangri N, Thanachayanont T, Ulasi I, Wong G, Yang CW, Zhang L, Robinson KA, Wilson L, Wilson RF, Kasiske BL, Cheung M, Earley A, Stevens PE. Executive summary of the KDIGO 2024 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease: known knowns and known unknowns. Kidney Int. 2024 Apr;105(4):684-701. doi: 10.1016/j.kint.2023.10.016. PMID: 38519239.
Olchanski N, Zhu Y, Liang L, Cohen JT, Faul JD, Fillit HM, Freund KM, Lin PJ. Racial and ethnic differences in disease course Medicare expenditures for beneficiaries with dementia. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2024 Mar 20. doi: 10.1111/jgs.18822. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38504583.
Penumatsa KC, Sharma Y, Warburton RR, Singhal A, Toksoz D, Bhedi CD, Qi G, Preston IR, Anderlind C, Hill NS, Fanburg BL. Lung-specific interleukin 6 mediated transglutaminase 2 activation and cardiopulmonary fibrogenesis. Front Immunol. 2024 Apr 8;15:1371706. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1371706. PMID: 38650935; PMCID: PMC11033445.
White M, Israilevich R, Lam S, McCarthy M, Mico V, Chipkin B, Abrams E, Moore K, Kastenberg D. Timely Completion of Direct Access Colonoscopy Is Noninferior to Office Scheduled for Screening and Surveillance. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2024 Apr 18. doi: 10.1097/MCG.0000000000002000. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38630852.
Ventres WB, Stone LA, Akhtar R, et alStorylines of family medicine IV: perspectives on practice—lenses of appreciationFamily Medicine and Community Health 2024;12:e002791. doi: 10.1136/fmch-2024-002791
Recent Events
Black Maternal Health Conference
The 7th annual Black Maternal Health Conference was held by the Tufts Center for Black Maternal health and Reproductive Justice on Friday, April 5. The conference is the nation’s largest convening focused on global Black maternal health outcomes, with more than 3200 attendees. The theme of this year’s conference centered on the role of technology in addressing Black maternal health disparities. Learn more.
Physical Therapy Inter-Professional Education
The Tufts Doctor of Physical Therapy Boston program and the Tufts Occupational Therapy program recently held an in-person inter-professional education event in Medford. Students from the two programs unite in a dynamic collaboration, diving into simulated acute-care scenarios. See photos here.
Psychiatry Research Day
The Department of Psychiatry, in collaboration with the Department of Neuroscience, held their inaugural Research Day on Wednesday, April 24. The themes of the event were neurobiology and clinical care of psychiatric disorders across the lifespan, and basic and clinical neuroscience of neurodegenerative disorders. Speakers included Chris Dulla, Jamie Maguire, Brent Forester, David Adler, and Nassir Ghaemi.
Upcoming Events
Tufts CTSI's 3rd Annual Dissemination of Research Results Open House
Tufts CTSI is pleased to invite you to attend their 3rd Annual Dissemination of Research Results Open House Zoom event on Tuesday, May 7, from 6:00-7:00pm. Gaurav Gulati, assistant professor of medicine, is scheduled to present the results of his study “Helping the Right Heart Pump Better in Shock: A New Tool.” Register Here.
Clinician Professional Development
In May and June, Tufts Medicine presents a range of micro-learning opportunities tailored for clinicians. These concise sessions focus on enhancing clinicians' self-development and awareness, bolstering their confidence and proficiency in interpersonal interactions and leadership. Learn more.
Dr. David Feingold 2nd Annual Lectureship
Join Tufts School of Medicine and Tufts Medical Center on May 8 from 5:30-8pm for the 2nd Annual Feingold Lectureship. Held at the DeBlois Auditorium in the Medical Education Building, this event promises an enlightening evening. Barbara A. Gilchrest, professor and chair of dermatology at BU School of Medicine, will deliver the keynote address.
Funding Opportunities
Blue Star Investigator Certificate Program
Tufts CTSI is pleased to announce that nominations are open for the Fall 2024 cohort of the Blue Star Investigator Certificate Program. Blue Star is a 10-week blended asynchronous online/in-person program designed to train new investigators in the hands-on skills for developing and running clinical trials. Research leaders from Tufts Medicine and Tufts University are invited to nominate qualified faculty by Friday, May 10, 2024. Learn more about the Blue Star program and download the nomination instructions.
Natalie V. Zucker Research Center for Women Scholars
The Natalie V. Zucker Research Center for Women Scholars is accepting applications for its twenty-fifth annual grant awards. The Center is devoted to furthering the research careers of female basic and clinical scientists at Tufts University or the major Tufts-affiliated hospitals. Candidates must be engaged in basic or clinical biomedical research related to human health at Tufts or the major Tufts-affiliated hospitals. Junior faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and residents are eligible. Click here for more information about this opportunity.
Measles Rates are Rising. How to Protect You and Your Child
As measles outbreaks pop up across the U.S. and abroad, Tufts School of Medicine experts explain the reason behind the rise.
Are Probiotics All They’re Cracked Up to Be?
They’re often represented as a remedy for many different ailments, but experts across Tufts say probiotics have a few important caveats consumers should know.
On Teens, Nutrition, and Exercise: How to Encourage Healthy Habits
Experts across Tufts outline the challenges for today’s teens when it comes to healthy eating and physical activity, and how parents and caregivers can help.