American College of Physicians: Leadership Day On Capital Hill 2008

On May 13-14th, 2008 500 physician members of the American College of Physicians representing 50 different states met in Washington, D.C. to meet with their congressional members to discuss health care policies as they relate to internal medicine. Dr. Mark Levine, the Vermont Governor of the ACP, as well as Drs. Chris Holmes, Nathaniel Price and Lynda Tilluckdharry (all internists working at the University of Vermont / Fletcher Allen Health Care) convened to press for several reforms that support primary care medicine policies.

The group had the pleasure, and the honor, of walking the Halls of the Library of Congress as well as the tunnels that run underground between the offices of the Senate and the House of Representatives that are as old as the capital itself! Finally, and most importantly, we met with the Staff of Senator Patrick Leahy, as well as Representative Peter Welch and with Senator Bernie Sanders themselves who were deeply engaged with the top priorities of the American College of Physicians.

It was an illuminating moment to observe some of the most influential political figures of our State, and try and make a change for the better in what is perhaps one of the most important political issues of our time.

Nathaniel Price

Vermont City Marathon

      The Vermont City Marathon was last Sunday.  Jen, Mia, and Mia's fiance Adam all ran the half marathon (Mia and Adam are pictured above).

     50 UVM medical students ran the marathon in support of The Penelope and Sam Fund for Neuroblastoma Research at the Vermont Cancer Center. Orgain (who ran as part of a relay team) was heard just before the start of the race saying "they're running for cancer and I'm running for beer."

      Many in our "medicine community" take part in the marathon in some way shape or form Here is a short and incomplete list. Former resident, current attending, Chris Hebert ran the entire marathon (3:28). Rufa (former chief, current hospitalist) ran the half. Grant (hospitalist) and Ganguly (GI) ran the relay. I cheered.

Eating Out

A handful of residents and their significant others went out Monday night to celebrate the end of the year. Talissa set up the night out at Trattoria Delia for people who are not going to be able to attend the formal end of the year banquet on June 14th. Fine dining was followed by general debauchery.

Resident Research Day

The annual research day, May 23rd, presented by the graduating class was a great success. The residents used the opportunity to strut their stuff in front of the faculty. All the presenters did a fantastic job. Projects ranged from bench research on platelet mediated angiogenesis to public health work implicating internet chat rooms in an ongoing syphilis epidemic. Below is the complete program listing.

Oral Presentations

Nadia Bambace MD
The Impact of P2Y-Mediated Activation on Release of Angiogenic Proteins by Platelets from Healthy Individuals

Jenny Martino MD
Community-acquired Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Pneumonia
Published: Respir Med. 2008 Jun;102(6):932-4. Epub 2008 Apr 18.

Paul Crainich MD
Examination of Current Colorectal Cancer Screening Practices: Are We Adherent to National Guidelines?
Abstract accepted to DDW (Digestive Disease Week)

David Gruenberg MD
Obesity is Associated with an Increased Prevalence of Asthma in Patients Presenting to a Primary Care Clinic

Poster Presentations

Jaina Clough MD
An Outbreak of Syphilis in Vermont: How the Internet Facilitates Disease Transmission and Intervention

Marinshine Gentler MD
Variation in Intrathoracic Large Airway Size in Obese and Non-Obese Women

Maruf Haider MD
Retrospective Analysis of Transthoracic Impedance Data in Heart Failure Patients

Nathaniel Madsen MD
Influence of Preparative Procedures on Assay of Platelet Function and Apparent Effects of Antiplatelet Agents
Published: Am J Cardiol 2007; 100: 722–727

Suzanne Schermerhorn MD
Implementation of an Insulin Infusion for CABG Patients: A Quality Assurance Project

Pierre Znojkiewicz MD
Complex Fractionated Atrial Electrogram (CFAE) Stability Over Time and Space in the Human Left Atrium.

Residents Present at National ACP Meeting

Nathaniel and Lynda, pictured above with Drs Levine and Hood, both presented posters at the national ACP meeting. The meeting was held May 15-17 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC.. Congratulations! Poster titles and credits below.

INDUCED HYPOTHERMIA AFTER CARDIAC ARREST: A CASE STUDY
Nathaniel Price, M.D. and Stephen Surgenor, M.D

MEDULLARY THYROID CARCINOMA PRESENTING AS AN INTRACRANIAL MASS

Lynda Tilluckdharry, M.D. and Rose Christian, MD

Training For Shasta

Kelley and Kuhn are hiking Mt Shasta as part of a Wilderness Medicine Conference in June. Last weekend they hiked Mt Marshall in the Adirondacks as part of their "rigorous" training program.

Congratulations!

Chad and Emily welcomed Zachary Mitchell into their lives on May 13th, 2008. He weighed in at 6 lbs 14 oz. Congratulations.