This year, the Department of Internal Medicine celebrates more promotions to professor (11) and associate professor (18) in one year than in any other in recent memory. Christie Thomas, MBBS, Vice Chair for Faculty Development, said that there were many different factors why there were such an unusually high number of promotions, but that each represented a significant investment. These investments came from the promoted faculty members themselves, from their division leadership and senior faculty serving as mentors, and from the promotions review committees both within the department and the college. Each, Thomas made clear, deserves recognition and celebration.

That recognition and celebration came in two separate events in September. First, colleagues, friends, and family came to the Prem Sahai Auditorium to watch the formal announcement of all the newly promoted professors in the Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine.

UI Vice President for Medical Affairs and Tyrone D. Artz Dean of the Carver College of Medicine Brooks Jackson, MD, MBA and Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs Peter Snyder, MD, each made brief remarks congratulating them all. Then Snyder introduced each of them with a brief statement about their areas of interest and significant accomplishments. He also read quotes selected by the faculty members, which were printed on framed pieces of art. Some quotes were specific to the pursuit of medicine while others were more generally inspirational or a statement of purpose with respect to values held by the recipient.

Congratulations to the new Professors of Internal Medicine!

Taher Abu Hejleh, MBBS – Hematology, Oncology and Blood & Marrow Transplantation
Mahi Ashwath, MD – Cardiovascular Medicine
Kevin Glenn, MD – General Internal Medicine
Nabeel Hamzeh, MD – Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Occupational Medicine
Yumi Imai, MD – Endocrinology and Metabolism
Sarat Kuppachi, MBBS – Nephrology
Jeffery Meier, MD – Infectious Diseases
Hilary Mosher, MD – General Internal Medicine
Paul Nassar, MD – Pulmonary, Critical are and Occupational Medicine
Michael Ohl, MD – Infectious Diseases
Heather Reisinger, PhD – General Internal Medicine

A similar format was followed a couple weeks later an event honoring the faculty members in the college who achieved the rank of associate professor. Although many were unable to attend, those that did received public recognition and a chance to pose with Thomas and Executive Dean Pat Winokur, MD. Each faculty member also received a personalized, engraved glass piece commemorating their achievement.

Congratulations to the new Associate Professors of Internal Medicine!

Benjamin Appenheimer, MD – Infectious Disease
Kimberly Baker-El Abiad, MD – Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Occupational Medicine
Chandrikha Chandrasekharan, MBBS – Hematology, Oncology, and Blood & Marrow Transplantation
Josalyn Cho, MD – Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Occupational Medicine
Claudia Corwin, MD, MPH – Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Occupational Medicine
Rohan Garje, MBBS – Hematology, Oncology, and Blood & Marrow Transplantation
Michihiko Goto, MD – Infectious Diseases
Prajwal Gurung, PhD – Infectious Diseases
Yuya Hagiwara, MD – General Internal Medicine
Duane Hall, PhD – Cardiovascular Medicine
Daniel Livorsi, MD – Infectious Diseases
Mohamad Mokadem, MD – Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Sidikpal Panaich, MBBS – Cardiovascular Medicine
Sneha Phadke, DO – Hematology, Oncology, and Blood & Marrow Transplantation
Poorani Sekar, MD – Infectious Diseases
Samantha Solimeo, PhD, MPH – General Internal Medicine
Praveen Vikas, MBBS – Hematology, Oncology, and Blood & Marrow Transplantation
Shunguang Wei, PhD – Cardiovascular Medicine