Honors & Appointments
Judith A. Paice, RN, PhD, research professor of medicine in the hematology/oncology division is president of the American Pain Society. She is the second nurse and third woman to hold this position.
The American Society for Investigative Pathology has announced that the 2008 award for research excellence in experimental pathology will be awarded to David M. Engman, MD, PhD, GME ’95, associate professor of pathology and of microbiology—immunology. The award recognizes Dr. Engman’s research on the cell biology of trypanosomes, single-celled parasites that cause African sleeping sickness and Chagas disease, with an emphasis on infectious and autoimmune heart disease mechanisms.
Carla M. Pugh, MD, PhD, assistant professor of surgery and associate director of the Center for Advanced Surgical Education, is among those featured in the exhibit Opening Doors: Contemporary African American Academic Surgeons, which runs through May at the National Library of Medicine. Dr. Pugh holds a patent for performance technology that is built into pelvic, prostate, and breast exam simulator models.
The Association of Specialty Professors (ASP) has chosen Walter G. Barr, MD, professor of medicine in the Division of Rheumatology, as president elect. An organization of internal medicine divisions at medical schools and community teaching hospitals in the United States and Canada, the ASP’s goals include providing training for internal medicine division chiefs and fellowship directors.
Kevin T. McVary, MD ’83, GME’ 89, professor of urology, is chair of the American Urological Association’s BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) Guideline Update Panel.
The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation recognized Henry B. Betts, MD, professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation, with the 2006 Frank H. Krusen Award. In November 2006, Dr. Betts also received Equip for Equality’s leadership award.
Cynthia A. Wong, MD, associate professor of anesthesiology, is section editor for obstetric anesthesiology for the journal Anesthesia & Analgesia. In carrying out her duties, she has the opportunity “to profoundly influence the direction of obstetric anesthesia internationally,” says the journal’s editor.
At the American College of Emergency Physicians’ annual meeting in New Orleans, James G. Adams, MD, chair and professor of emergency medicine, presented the James D. Mills Memorial Lecture—the keynote address—entitled, “Every Physician is a Teacher: Bedside Teaching in the Emergency Department.”
David J. Palmer, MD, assistant professor of clinical ophthalmology, was appointed chair of the EyeCare America-Seniors EyeCare Program Committee of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. EyeCare America’s mission is to reduce blindness and visual impairment by raising awareness about eye disease and care, providing free educational materials, and helping individuals obtain eye care. The Seniors EyeCare Program helps ensure access to eye care for seniors. Aas chair, Dr. Palmer oversees the efforts of committee members and volunteers and coordinates activities with partner organization Knights Templar Eye Foundation.
The Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID) has chosen Amy S. Paller, MD, GME ’83, Walter J. Hamlin Professor and chair of dermatology, as its new president. Dr. Paller begins her term in May. She also will serve as president for the 2008 Tri-Societies meeting of the SID, Japanese SID, and European Society for Dermatological Research in Japan. In January Dr. Paller became a director of the American Board of Dermatology, and in 2006 she was recognized as Mentor of the Year by the Women’s Dermatologic Society.
Teresa K. Woodruff, PhD, professor of obstetrics and gynecology, is chief of the department’s new Division of Fertility Preservation. Dr. Woodruff also leads the medical school’s recently launched Institute for Women’s Health Research.
In February the American College of Psychiatrists presented its Distinguished Psychiatrist Service Award to Stephen C. Scheiber, MD, adjunct professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, who last year completed more than 20 years as chief executive officer of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. The American Board of Medical Specialties, which oversees the work of the 24 medical specialty boards, recognized his contributions in March when he was honored with group’s Distinguished Service Award. In May he will receive the American Psychiatric Association/National Institute of Mental Health’s Verstermark Award for his dedication to psychiatric education during his 36-year career.
Among the four honorees at the Fifth International Conference on Frontotemporal Dementia in 2006 was M.-Marsel Mesulam, MD, Ruth and Evelyn Dunbar Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Dr. Mesulam, director of Northwestern’s Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease Center, was recognized for his “pioneering contributions to the field of frontotemporal dementia.”
G. William Cotts, MD ’52, assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Cardiology, has been appointed to the Thoracic Organ Transplant Committee of the United Network for Organ Sharing. The national organ procurement and transplantation network works to increase organ and tissue donation.