Doula Training Program Demonstrates the ‘Power of Support’
Though they do not give medical advice, doulas can help pregnant clients navigate the childbirth journey.
Faculty & Staff News
People News
New Chair of Public Health & Community Medicine
TUSM has appointed Professor Margie Skeer, ScD, MPH, MSW, as the permanent chair of the Department of Public Health and Community Medicine. A dedicated leader and educator, Dr. Skeer has strengthened the MPH program and led impactful initiatives like the Adolescent Substance Use Prevention Symposium, marking a promising new chapter for the department.
Jane F. Desforges, M.D., Chair in Hematology and Oncology
Professor Don S. Dizon, MD, has been appointed the Jane F. Desforges, MD, Chair in Hematology and Oncology at TUSM. He brings an extraordinary record of clinical excellence, groundbreaking research in breast, gynecologic, and soft tissue cancers, and a passionate commitment to patient advocacy and education. His appointment honors and continues the legacy of pioneering physician Dr. Jane F. Desforges.
New Chair of Neuroscience
Professor Chris Dulla, PhD, has been named permanent Chair of the Department of Neuroscience at TUSM. A leading researcher in brain function and neurological disorders, Dr. Dulla is also a nationally recognized mentor and educator. His collaborative leadership and innovative vision will continue to advance the department’s research, education, and clinical partnerships.
New Director Appointed for DPT-Atlanta Program
Professor Alexis Wright, PhD, DPT, current director of the DPT-Boston program, will become founding director of Tufts’ new DPT-Atlanta program. A national leader in physical therapy education, she will lead its development and accreditation. Recruitment for DPT-Atlanta is expected to begin in 2027, with the first cohort enrolling in fall 2028.
New Chair Named for Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Malak S. AlThgafi, MD, MBS, will join Tufts Medical Center as Chair of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine in September 2025 and is proposed as Chair and Professor at TUSM. A global expert in neuropathology and tumor genomics, she brings extensive leadership, research, and clinical experience, with a focus on innovation, precision diagnostics, and academic excellence.
Research News
Smart Microbes, Targeted Therapies
Associate Professor Cammie Lesser, MD, PhD, recently joined TUSM through a microbiome-focused cluster hire initiative. Her work harnesses bacterial secretion systems to engineer “smart microbes” capable of delivering targeted therapeutics directly to disease sites. From treating IBD to preventing C. difficile, Dr. Lesser’s research exemplifies the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and translational science at Tufts.
Examining Gender Diversity in PA Admissions
A study co-authored by Associate Professor Rayne Loder, MHS, PA-C, published in The Journal of Physician Assistant Education, explores gender minority representation in 2020–2021 PA program admissions. It reveals underrepresentation and suggests possible barriers to self-identification or systemic recruitment issues.
New Tool Predicts Hodgkin Lymphoma Outcomes
Associate Professor Angie Mae Rodday, PhD, and Professor Susan Parsons, MD, MRP, along with colleagues at RWJBarnabas Health, Rutgers Cancer Institute, and the University of Manchester, have developed a model to predict two-year progression-free survival in early-stage classic Hodgkin lymphoma. The tool, E-HIPI, was validated using data from over 5,300 patients and published June 19 in NEJM Evidence.
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Sellers EM, Greenblatt DJ. The Persistent Ambiguity of Adverse Drug Reactions. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2025 Jun;117(6):1533-1545. doi: 10.1002/cpt.3665. PMID: 40388061.
van der Graaf PH, Gerding AB. Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: 125th Anniversary of the American Society for Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2025 Jun;117(6):1481-1484. doi: 10.1002/cpt.3666. PMID: 40388001.
Rodday AM, Evens AM, Maurer MJ, Upshaw JN, Counsell N, Rossetti S, Chang C, Cui Z, Xiang Q, Mwangi R, Advani R, Andre M, Gallamini A, Hay AE, Hodgson DC, Hoppe RT, Hutchings M, Johnson P, Mou E, Opat S, Raemaekers J, Savage KJ, Parsons SK, Radford J. An Individualized Prediction Model for Early-Stage Classic Hodgkin's Lymphoma. NEJM Evid. 2025 Jun 19:EVIDoa2500115. doi: 10.1056/EVIDoa2500115. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40536772.
Lin PJ, Riley AG, Synnott PG, Frangiosa TL, Roniger A, Neumann PJ, Cohen JT. Health utilities in Alzheimer's disease: A survey of patients and caregivers in the United States. J Alzheimers Dis. 2025 Jun 19:13872877251350381. doi: 10.1177/13872877251350381. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40534407.
Jordan E, Ni H, Parker P, Kinnamon DD, Owens A, Lowes B, Shenoy C, Martin CM, Judge DP, Fishbein DP, Stoller D, Minami E, Kransdorf EP, Smart F, Haas GJ, Huggins GS, Ewald GA, Diamond J, Wilcox JE, Jimenez J, Wang J, Tallaj J, Drazner MH, Hofmeyer M, Wheeler MT, Wever Pinzon O, Shah P, Gottlieb SS, Katz S, Shore S, Tang WHW, Hershberger RE; DCM Consortium. Implementing Precision Medicine for Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Insights From the DCM Consortium. Circ Genom Precis Med. 2025 Jun 18:e005078. doi: 10.1161/CIRCGEN.125.005078. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40528765.
Ward HD. Cryptosporidium MVP1, modulates intestinal microvilli by interacting with host EBP50 and CDC42. Trends Parasitol. 2025 Jun 16:S1471-4922(25)00156-4. doi: 10.1016/j.pt.2025.06.002. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40527704.
Zheng DJ, Murphy-Banks R, Rodday AM, Xiang Q, Linendoll N, Beauchemin M, Ohlsen TJD, Fleisher E, Miller KA, Freyer DR, Crosswell HE, Chan RY, Roth ME, Parsons SK. "Nothing Is as Great a Learning Experience as Getting a $15,000 Bill": A Mixed-Methods Study of Young Adult Cancer Survivors' Experience With Insurance Coverage. JCO Oncol Pract. 2025 Jun 16:OP2401075. doi: 10.1200/OP-24-01075. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40523211.
Laytner LA, Chen P, Trautner BW, Nash S, Collazo A, Faustinella F, Olmeda K, Mancera A, Zoorob R, Paasche-Orlow MK, Grigoryan L. 'Antibiotics are like gold': a qualitative study of patient perspectives on the use of antibiotics without a prescription. BMJ Public Health. 2025 Jun 3;3(1):e002421. doi: 10.1136/bmjph-2024-002421. PMID: 40521333; PMCID: PMC12164297.
Russel WA, Fu EL, Bosi A, Caldinelli A, Inker LA, Chang AR, Levey AS, Carrero JJ. Obesity, Underweight, and Accuracy of eGFR Using Cystatin C and Creatinine in a Northern European Population. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2025 Jun 13. doi: 10.1681/ASN.0000000760. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40512561.
Miki A, Tandon M, Murad D, Loughman J, Gilman J, Jangi S. Increasing Prevalence of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome in Young Adults and Minority Populations. Am J Gastroenterol. 2025 Jun 13. doi: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000003591. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40511929.
Gort-Freitas NA, Moscvin M, Da Viá MC, Lazzaroni F, Nevone A, Sadigh S, Boullt S, Evans B, Chen T, Karagiannis TT, Tai A, Rowell S, Raghav S, Chen AF, Laubach JP, Edwards C, Aster JC, Sheng Z, Paulo JA, Chan CN, Nuvolone M, Bolli N, Comenzo RL, Klein A, Bianchi G. Single-cell and clonal analysis of AL amyloidosis plasma cells and their bone marrow microenvironment. Blood. 2025 Jun 10:blood.2024024719. doi: 10.1182/blood.2024024719. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40493887.
Philip M Kretschmer, Ethan M Balk, Anastassios G Pittas, Effect of Vitamin D on Regression to Normal Glucose Regulation in Adults With Prediabetes, Journal of the Endocrine Society, Volume 9, Issue 5, May 2025, bvaf042, https://doi.org/10.1210/jendso/bvaf042
Simon DA, Paasche-Orlow MK, Noorchashm H. Establishing Medical Device Transparency at the FDA-A Public Database for Device Labels. JAMA. 2025 Jun 2. doi: 10.1001/jama.2025.7407. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40455429.
Hungerford SL, Everett K, Lau E, Burkhoff D, Kapur NK. Pulmonary Circulation in Advanced Heart Failure and Cardiogenic Shock: State-of-the-Art Review. Circ Heart Fail. 2025 Jun 2:e012611. doi: 10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.124.012611. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40452595.
Covaleski A, Richardson MM, Ernst E, Linshaw C, Kirby P, Vesel T. A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of an Innovative Workshop to Teach Primary Palliative Care Communication Skills to Fourth-Year Medical Students. Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2025 Jun 3:10499091251346479. doi: 10.1177/10499091251346479. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40459857.
Turner CG, DuPont JJ. The effect of transient sex hormone fluctuations on endothelial function. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2025 Jun 3. doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00174.2025. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40459955.
Biegus J, Mebazaa A, Metra M, Pagnesi M, Chioncel O, Davison B, Edwards C, Takagi K, Filippatos G, Tycińska A, Novosadova M, Gulati G, Barros M, Diaz ML, Guardia C, Zymliński R, Gajewski P, Ponikowski P, Simmons P, Simonson S, Cotter G. Safety and Efficacy Intravenous Istaroxime up to 60 hours for Patients with Pre-Cardiogenic Shock. J Heart Lung Transplant. 2025 May 30:S1053-2498(25)01977-1. doi: 10.1016/j.healun.2025.05.013. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40451596.
Tuttle M, Banlengchit R, Tighiouart H, Testani JM, Moises AI, Oka T, Ferguson K, Sarnak H, Harding C, Kiernan MS, Sarnak MJ, McCallum W. Novel Hemodynamic Markers and Kidney Function in Patients with Acute Decompensated Heart Failure. Kidney360. 2025 May 1;6(5):728-738. doi: 10.34067/KID.0000000703. Epub 2025 Jan 17. PMID: 40440457.
Xu Y, Carrero JJ, Chang AR, Inker LA, Zhang D, Mukhopadhyay A, Blecker SB, Horwitz LI, Grams ME, Shin JI. Titration and discontinuation of semaglutide for weight management in commercially insured US adults. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2025 Jun 4. doi: 10.1002/oby.24315. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40464214.
Covaleski A, Richardson MM, Ernst E, Linshaw C, Kirby P, Vesel T. A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of an Innovative Workshop to Teach Primary Palliative Care Communication Skills to Fourth-Year Medical Students. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®. 2025;0(0). doi:10.1177/10499091251346479
Reddy YNV, Frantz RP, Hassoun PM, Hemnes A, Horn E, Leopold JA, Rischard F, Rosenzweig EB, Hill NS, Erzurum SC, Beck GJ, Finet JE, Jellis CL, Mathai SC, Mehra R, Tang WHW, Borlaug BA; PVDOMICS Study Group. Left Heart Abnormalities in Patients With Lung Disease, OSA, and Chronic Thromboemboli at Risk for or With Known Pulmonary Hypertension. Circ Heart Fail. 2025 May 29:e012912. doi: 10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.125.012912. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40438933.
Satpathy R, Rodés-Cabau J, Thaler DE, Kent DM, Turner S, Potluri S, Kolli KK, Borgstrom NP, Prillinger JB, Saver JL. PFO Device Closure in Patients >60 Years of Age With Ischemic Stroke: Results From U.S. Medicare Beneficiaries. JACC Cardiovasc Interv. 2025 May 26;18(10):1303-1314. doi: 10.1016/j.jcin.2025.03.034. PMID: 40436496.
Tracy PD, Bopp E, Milner E, Garrido-Castro AC, Giordano A, Mayer EL, Tolaney SM, Tarantino P, Schlam I. Management of Metastatic Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer Beyond CDK4/6 Inhibitors. Curr Oncol Rep. 2025 May 28. doi: 10.1007/s11912-025-01689-9. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40434676.
Steinberg MH, Kutlar A, Sebastiani P. Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Modulates HbF/F-Cell and Clinical Response to Gene Therapy and Hydroxyurea in Sickle Cell Disease. Am J Hematol. 2025 May 28. doi: 10.1002/ajh.27729. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40434205.
Gibson EB, Glasgow L, Nouvong M, McGladrey M, Freedman D, Chassler D, Vickers-Smith R, D'Onfro M, Goddard-Eckrich DA, Hunt T, Chatterjee A, Holloway J, Fain K, Cruz RS, Martinez LS. Implementing and documenting cultural adaption of evidence-based practice strategies to reduce opioid overdose deaths: examples and lessons from the HEALing communities study. Discov Public Health. 2025;22(1):296. doi: 10.1186/s12982-025-00696-2. Epub 2025 May 25. PMID: 40433450; PMCID: PMC12104109.
Nicholson WK, Davis EM, Wong JB. Screening for Osteoporosis to Prevent Fractures-Reply. JAMA. 2025 Jun 26. doi: 10.1001/jama.2025.5982. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40569631.
Neyra JA, Katz R, Kritchevsky S, Ix JH, Shlipak MG, Newman AB, Hoofnagle AN, Fried LF, Toto RD, Moe OW, Sarnak MJ, Gutiérrez OM, Drew DA. Relationship between magnesium intake and decline in kidney function, incident chronic kidney disease and incident cardiovascular disease. Clin Kidney J. 2025 May 13;18(6):sfaf144. doi: 10.1093/ckj/sfaf144. PMID: 40567497; PMCID: PMC12188191.
Dagher C, Akiki M, Swanson K, Carollo B, Farber HW, Parikh R. Efficacy and Safety of Selexipag Treatment in Connective Tissue Disease-Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension with Concomitant Interstitial Lung Disease. Life (Basel). 2025 Jun 18;15(6):974. doi: 10.3390/life15060974. PMID: 40566626.
Sahu P, Bestepe F, Vehbi S, Ghanem GF, Blanton RM, Icli B. Obesity and Heart Failure: Mechanistic Insights and the Regulatory Role of MicroRNAs. Genes (Basel). 2025 May 28;16(6):647. doi: 10.3390/genes16060647. PMID: 40565538.
Beauchemin MP, Murphy-Banks R, Rodday AM, Freyer DR, Miller KA, Fleisher E, Ohlsen TJD, Linendoll N, Chan RY, Crosswell HE, Roth ME, Parsons SK. Factors influencing engagement in survivorship care among young adult survivors of hematologic malignancies: a mixed methods report. Support Care Cancer. 2025 Jun 25;33(7):628. doi: 10.1007/s00520-025-09686-1. PMID: 40562962.
Vinter N, Johnsen SP, Lip GYH, Benjamin EJ, Frost L, Trinquart L. Comparison of excess mortality between atrial fibrillation, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and stroke: trends over 2000-2022. Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2025 Jun 25:zwaf371. doi: 10.1093/eurjpc/zwaf371. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40561136.
Turner CG, Good ME, DuPont JJ. New clues on sex-specific cerebrovascular aging. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2025 Jun 25. doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00421.2025. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40560822.
US Preventive Services Task Force; Silverstein M, Wong JB, Davis EM, Chelmow D, Coker TR, Fernandez A, Gibson E, Jaén CR, Krousel-Wood M, Lee S, Nicholson WK, Rao G, Ruiz JM, Stevermer J, Tsevat J, Underwood SM, Wiehe S. Screening for Intimate Partner Violence and Caregiver Abuse of Older or Vulnerable Adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. JAMA. 2025 Jun 24. doi: 10.1001/jama.2025.9009. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40553450.
Joshi R, Zhou M, Lin JH, Song F, Fein D, Morrissey C, Hu K, Poltorak A, Mathew P. A novel bispecific integrin α5β1/αv antibody reprograms the Myc-regulated basal phenotype of prostate cancer with natural killer cell-mediated tumor elimination. Mol Cancer Res. 2025 Jun 23. doi: 10.1158/1541-7786.MCR-25-0104. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40548863.
Gulati N, Singh K, Morrissey E, Calvache P, Rose-Smith J, Gore-Massy M, Chiu F, Trinquart L, Navarro-Millan I, Folta S, Kasturi S. Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial to pilot Restore Energy, Activity Can Help (REACH): an mHealth-enabled peer coaching intervention for fatigue in systemic lupus erythematosus. Contemp Clin Trials Commun. 2025 Jun 7;46:101508. doi: 10.1016/j.conctc.2025.101508. PMID: 40548142; PMCID: PMC12178804.
Magnani JW, Lalama CM, Abebe KZ, Ma DF, Rollman BL, Lancet MQ, Kimani E, Ólafsson S, Bickmore T, Paasche-Orlow MK. A Mobile Relational Agent to Enhance Atrial Fibrillation Self-care: Primary and secondary outcomes of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Am Heart J. 2025 Jun 20:S0002-8703(25)00198-X. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2025.06.009. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40545207.
Babroudi S, Gomez-Johnson VH, Romero-González G, Neyra JA. Fluid resuscitation in acute kidney injury: too much of a good thing. Kidney Int. 2025 Jul;108(1):20-24. doi: 10.1016/j.kint.2024.05.034. PMID: 40543937.
Recent Events
Tufts University School of Medicine proudly celebrated the grand opening and ribbon cutting of its Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program in Seattle on Friday, June 20, 2025. This exciting event, attended by TUSM leadership, faculty, and community members, marked the official launch of the innovative DPT program in the Pacific Northwest. Designed as a hybrid and accelerated model, the program blends online coursework with immersive, in-person clinical skills labs. The expansion to Seattle reflects both the growing demand for physical therapists and the region’s specific healthcare needs. With this new chapter, Tufts is poised to make a lasting impact on the future of physical therapy in the region.
On June 4, TUSM held its first Women’s Health Summit, bringing together leading experts for a day of lightning talks and interactive breakout sessions focused on key issues in women’s health. The event featured keynote speaker Dr. Vivian Pinn, former associate dean of student affairs and associate professor at TUSM, highlighting her lasting impact on the field and the Tufts community.
Ghahreman Khodadad Professorship in Neuroscience Lecture
On June 10, TUSM hosted the inaugural Ghahreman Khodadad Professorship in Neuroscience Lecture, delivered by Associate Professor Emily Newman, PhD, the first to hold this prestigious title. The event also marked the launch of the Ghahreman Khodadad Center for the Study of Excessive Pathological Selfishness, an initiative made possible by the generosity of Dr. Ghahreman Khodadad.
Networking Through the Years
On Wednesday, June 18, students, alumni, faculty, and program directors gathered for Tufts Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences third annual networking event. The evening offered a valuable opportunity for professional connection and community building, reflecting the event’s continued growth and success over the past three years.
Healing in Harmony
Erica and Alexis Perry use music to bridge cultures, calm fears, and connect deeply with patients.
Helping Kids Feel Safe in Uncertain Times
Pediatricians at Tufts University School of Medicine offer advice for parents and caregivers on creating positive childhood experiences in an unpredictable world.
Challenging the Gold Standard: Tufts Professor Reframes Medical Evidence in New Book
In "Uncertainty and Explanation in Medicine and the Health Sciences," Tufts professor calls for a broader, more realistic approach to evaluating health interventions.