News Makers 2013

- archived News Makers -

• 01-31-13

  Changing history

  Chancellor Michael F. Collins, Governor Deval L. Patrick, Lt. Governor Timothy P. Murray, Nobel Laureate Craig Mello, PhD, U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, Senate President Therese Murray, House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo, University of Massachusetts President Robert L. Caret, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center President & CEO Susan Windham-Bannister, PhD, Worcester City Manager Michael O’Brien and former Vice Chancellor of University Relations Albert “Albie” Sherman open the Albert Sherman Center with a formal ribbon cutting ceremony in front of local dignitaries, friends and family.
  Worcester Telegram and Gazette
  SLIDE SHOW: Worcester Telegram and Gazette
  Worcester News Tonight
  Worcester Business Journal
  VIDEO: Worcester Business Journal
  GoLocalWorcester
  UMassMedNow

• 01-30-13

  UMass research center opening at 3

  UMass Medical School will unveil the $400 million Sherman Center with a formal ribbon cutting ceremony.
  Worcester Telegram and Gazette
  Worcester Business Journal

• 01-30-13

  Science spotlight

  An editorial in today’s Worcester Telegram and Gazette calls the opening of the Albert Sherman Center a triumph for UMass Medical School and supports Chancellor Michael F. Collins' optimism for the ground breaking discoveries and collaboration that will take place inside its walls.
  Worcester Telegram and Gazette

• 01-30-13

  UMass Medical School Sherman Center Video Tour

  Shawn Mcguinness, senior architectural project manager, tours the newly opened Sherman Center with the Worcester Business Journal.
  Worcester Business Journal

• 01-30-13

  Could an earlier lunchtime help you lose weight?

  Yunsheng Ma, PhD, MD, MPH, associate professor of medicine, is quoted in an article about a study evaluating whether dieters who ate early lunches tended to lose more weight than those who had their midday meal later.
  Chicago Tribune
  GMA News
  Examiner.com
  All Africa
  Yahoo News

• 01-29-13

  New UMass Medical research center recognized for green design

  The $400 million Albert Sherman Center, a 512,000-square-foot facility for biomedical research, has achieved LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
  Worcester Telegram and Gazette
  GoLocalWorcester

• 01-29-13

  Mass. becomes 7th state to pass surgical safety law

  Demetrius Litwin, MD, chairman and professor of surgery, is quoted in a story about a new law in Massachusetts which requires surgical technologists be certified.
  NECN

• 01-29-13

  UMass Medical School Celebrates Service

  A video which was played at yesterday’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration included interviews with Denise Daily, of the New England Newborn Screening Program; Thomas Pomfret, clinical pharmacy services at Commonwealth Medicine; Alison Little, SOM class of 2014; and Charlene Baron, digital imaging specialist in cell & developmental biology, who shared their personal volunteer stories. Also included in the video are Chancellor Michael F. Collins and James Leary, vice chancellor of community and government relations.
  World Medical School
  IPS Cell Therapy

• 01-28-13

  Program brings dental care to children without dentists

  An article about a Commonwealth Medicine public health program which brings dental care to nearly 7,000 children. The program began with a $10,000 investment through an innovative UMMS/Commonwealth Medicine program and the state’s MassHealth agency.
  Boston Globe
  Herald News

• 01-27-13

  Medical malpractice: Why is it so hard for doctors to apologize?

  In an essay for Globe Magazine, Darshak M. Sanghavi, MD, associate professor of pediatrics and chief of pediatric cardiology, describes how the increased specialization of medicine has revolutionized care but created a depersonalized system that often results in needless medical malpractice cases.
  Boston Globe

• 01-27-13

  DC Dialogue: Budget sequestering

  University of Massachusetts Medical School Chancellor Michael F. Collins spoke to New England Cable News about the effect that potential federal spending cuts would have on medical research and the economy. In the interview, Dr. Collins also talks about the opening of the Albert Sherman Center and the impact the ASC will have on life sciences research and development.
  NECN

• 01-27-13

  T&G Santa is grateful for everyone’s generosity

  The Telegram & Gazette Santa Fund thanks donors who helped raise $151,275.39 in contributions this past year. The donors included caregivers at UMass Memorial Medical Center.
  Worcester Telegram and Gazette

• 01-27-13

  'State getting 'F' from the CDC'

  The Centers for Disease Control has given Massachusetts a failing grade when it comes to tobacco control and prevention. The article references the Central Massachusetts Tobacco-Free Community Partnership, a program of the Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School and UMass Memorial Health Care, which serves 69 communities.
  Worcester Telegram and Gazette

• 01-27-13

  Needham Health Department: Integrate physical activity into your daily life

  An article about the Needham Health Department and its concerns about the dangers of sedentary lifestyles includes quotes from Sherry Pagoto, PhD, associate professor of medicine and a licensed clinical psychologist.
  Wicked Local Needham

• 01-26-13

  John Monfredo: Worcester Students Remember Dr. King in Their Work

  James Leary, UMMS vice chancellor of community and government relations, was the master of ceremonies at the 28^th annual Worcester County community Martin Luther King Day breakfast.
  GoLocalWorcester

• 01-25-13

  Health Watch Winter Safety

  Michael Hunter, UMass Memorial Deputy Chief of EMS, discusses winter safety.
  Charter TV3

• 01-25-13

  Mass. Life Science report

  The opening of the Albert Sherman Center is highlighted on NECN.
  NECN

• 01-25-13

  NEW: Patrick to Unveil $400 Million Biomed Facility at UMass Med School

  The opening event for the Albert Sherman Center will include Governor Deval Patrick, as well as UMass Medical School Chancellor Michael F. Collins and President Robert Caret, along with Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray, Congressman James McGovern, Senate President Therese Murray and Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo.
  GoLocalWorcester

• 01-24-13

  Hepatitis C linked to ink

  An article about a recent study on the link between body art and Hepatitis C, the leading cause of liver cancer, contains quotes from John M. Levey, MD, clinical associate professor of medicine.
  Reuters
  GMA News
  Dawn.com
  Fox News
  Chicago Tribune
  

• 01-24-13

  Got flu? Get paid to help research new drug

  Robert W. Finberg, MD, the Richard M. Haidack Professor of Medicine, chair and professor of medicine and professor of microbiology & physiological systems, is quoted in an article about flu-related clinical trials.
  The Dayton Beach News-Journal

• 01-23-13

  HHS Awards $1.5 Billion in New Grants, Relaunches Website With Eye on Enrollment

  An article about insurance exchanges created under the Affordable Care Act that will soon start enrollment references the Early Innovator Grant, awarded to a consortium which includes UMass Medical School.
  Bloomberg BNA

• 01-23-13

  UMass Medical chancellor hopes to change history with new research center

  University of Massachusetts Medical School Chancellor Michael Collins spoke to the Boston Business Journal about the opening of the Albert Sherman Center. An interdisciplinary, state-of-the-art research and education facility designed to maximize interaction and collaboration among researchers, educators and learners to encourage innovation and learning across disciplines, the Sherman Center will officially open its doors at the end of this month.
  Boston Business Journal

• 01-23-13

  Retrovirus in the human genome is active in pluripotent stem cells

  Jeremy Luban, MD, the David L. Freelander Memorial Professor in HIV/AIDS Research and professor of molecular medicine, was the lead author of a study published in the journal Retrovirology about a retrovirus called HERV-H, which inserted itself into the human genome millions of years ago and may play an important role in pluripotent stem cells.
  EurekAlert
  Medical Xpress

• 01-23-13

  25 Leadership Award Nominees to Know

  John O'Brien, president and CEO of UMass Memorial Health Care, has been nominated for Becker’s Hospital Reviews 2013 Leadership Award.
  Becker's Hospital Review

• 01-22-13

  Binge Drinking Can Dramatically Amplify Damage to the Liver

  Gyongyi Szabo, MD, PhD, professor of medicine, is co-author of a study addressing the effects of binge drinking on the liver.
  Science Daily

• 01-22-13

  Local scientists searching for flu fighters

  An internationally recognized expert in viruses, Robert W. Finberg, MD, the Richard M. Haidack Professor of Medicine and chair and professor of medicine, spoke to the Boston Globe about his work to develop new ways of predicting how the influenza virus changes and evolves in response to anti-viral drugs and the human immune system. Dr. Finberg is also testing a new antiviral treatment called Favipiravir in a trial that will soon open to the public.
  Boston Globe

• 01-21-13

  Hospitals Use Data To Boost Staff Vaccinations, Improve Care

  Robert A. Klugman, MD, chief quality officer and senior vice president at UMass Memorial Medical Center and associate professor of medicine, is quoted in an article about increased influenza vaccinations among health care workers.
  Worcester Business Journal

• 01-20-13

  Health Watch Shoveling Safety

  Ronald Gigliotti, UMass Memorial paramedic, demonstrates the proper way to shovel snow.
  Charter TV3

• 01-20-13

  What Lance Armstrong Needs to Learn From Other Sports Apologies

  An op-ed by Aaron Lazare, MD, chancellor and dean emeritus and professor of psychiatry, offers insights into Lance Armstrong's apology regarding improprieties made during his cycling career.
  Wall Street Journal
  

• 01-20-13

  Bomb squad removes materials from UMass Medical School

  State Police dispose of “outdated” hazardous materials found during a lab renovation at UMass Medical School.
  Worcester Telegram and Gazette

• 01-18-13

  National Academy of Inventors Elects John Ware a Charter Fellow

  John E. Ware, PhD, professor of quantitative health sciences, was elected a Charter Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors.
  TMCnet

• 01-15-13

  Join the Northborough Ex-Smokers Hall of Fame

  The UMass Medical School/UMass Memorial Health Care Ex-Smokers Hall of Fame travels to Northborough to try to encourage residents to quit smoking and share their stories.
  

• 01-14-13

  For dieters, many paths to weight loss

  Local author and nutritionist Linda Hilliard credits her successful weight loss to a program at UMass Memorial Medical Center.
  MetroWest Daily News

• 01-14-13

  7 Healthcast: Nicview Webcam System lets parents watch infants in NICU

  An article about the Nicview camera system, which allows parents to monitor and bond with babies admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, mentions that UMass Memorial Medical Center is one of 17 NICU units across the country currently piloting the technology.
  WHDH

• 01-14-13

  First person: Getting to the Mae Tao Clinic in Thailand

  Fourth year medical student Andrea Posa, SOM ’13, writes about her experience as an international exchange student at the Mae Tao Clinic Mae Tao Clinic in Burma, Thailand.
  Wicked Local Wayland

• 01-13-13

  UMass team puts spotlight on disorder

  An article about normal pressure hydrocephalus, or NPH, includes comments from John M. Solomonides, MD, clinical associate professor of medicine and pediatrics; Oguz I. Cataltepe, MD, professor of neurosurgery; and Banu Sundar, MD, clinical assistant professor of neurology.
  Worcester Telegram and Gazette
  

• 01-13-13

  Research takes center stage

  University of Massachusetts Medical School Chancellor Michael Collins spoke to the Worcester Telegram and Gazette about the soon-to-be open Albert Sherman Center. The featured story, with a photo of the completed building, graced the cover of the Jan. 13 Business Matters section of the Telegram. Guangping Gao, PhD, the Penelope Booth Rockwell Chair in Biomedical Research and professor of microbiology & physiological systems, was also quoted in the story.
  Worcester Telegram and Gazette

• 01-12-13

  Sudbury surgeon seeks sensible gun policy

  Michael P. Hirsh, MD, professor of pediatric surgery, chief of pediatric surgery & trauma and Worcester’s interim commissioner of public health, is scheduled to be part of a panel discussion designed to educate the public about the dangers of easily accessible fire arms. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, January 16^th at 7 p.m. at the Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School auditorium.
  Boston.com
  Grays Medicine
  Lexington Patch

• 01-11-13

  UMass Memorial Medical Center reducing surgeries to fix equipment

  Problems associated with instrument sterilizing equipment prompted the cancellation of some surgeries at the Memorial Campus of UMass Memorial Medical Center. Robert Brogna, media and public relations manager at UMass Memorial Health Care, is quoted in the article.
  WCVB
  Boston Globe
  Worcester Telegram and Gazette
  The-Dispatch.com
  Pressdemocrat.com

• 01-11-13

  Medical marijuana: More questions than answers

  James B. Broadhurst, MD, assistant professor of family medicine & community health, is quoted in an article about pending regulations for medical marijuana use by the Department of Public Health.
  Wicked Local Harvard
  Wicked Local Bedford

• 01-10-13

  UMass Medical School expert seeks better flu vaccines

  An internationally recognized expert in viruses, Robert W. Finberg, MD, the Richard M. Haidack Professor of Medicine and chair and professor of medicine, is lead investigator on a $12 million project to develop new ways of predicting how the influenza virus changes and evolves in response to anti-viral drugs and the human immune system.
  Bio-Medicine
  EurekAlert
  PhysOrg
  News Medical
  Worcester News Tonight

• 01-10-13

  Fund NIH, build on legacy

  An op-ed by Thoru Pederson, PhD, the Vitold Arnett Professor of Cell & developmental biology and professor of biochemistry & molecular pharmacology, calls for the continued support of the National Institutes of Health which funds 90 percent of biomedical research.
  Worcester Telegram and Gazette

• 01-10-13

  Mass. Residents Rush To Get Flu Shots As Sickness Spikes

  Robert A. Klugman, MD, chief quality officer and senior vice president at UMass Memorial Medical Center and associate professor of medicine, is interviewed about the recent flu outbreak and the importance of preventative hygiene.
  CBS Boston

• 01-10-13

  M2D2 plans medical-device competition

  The Massachusetts Medical Device Development Center, referred to as M2D2, is sponsoring a medical-device venture competition that aims to find the best new medical-device startups. The winner of the competition will receive $20,000 in product-development services. The center is a joint initiative between UMass Lowell and UMass Medical School in Worcester.
  Lowell Sun

• 01-10-13

  18 flu deaths reported in state; UMass Memorial advises against kids' visits

  Robert Brogna, media and public relations manager at UMass Memorial Health Care, explains UMass Memorial’s flu season visitation policy, recently activated because of the severity of this year’s flu.
  Worcester Telegram and Gazette
  GoLocalWocester
  United Press International

• 01-10-13

  Johnson & Johnson Issues Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research Call for Nominations

  Victor R. Ambros, PhD, the Silverman Chair in Natural Sciences and professor of molecular medicine, received the 2012 Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research at a ceremony in New York City.
  PR Newswire

• 01-09-13

  Does 'The Perfect Woman' exist?

  Sherry Pagoto, PhD, associate professor of medicine and a licensed clinical psychologist, discussed the changing view of the “perfect” sized woman on the New England Cable News Morning Show.
  NECN

• 01-09-13

  Venture-backed Epirus sees positive data of Remicade biosimilar

  Jonathan Kay, MD, professor of medicine, is quoted in an article about a new biosimilar being developed by Epirus Biopharmaceuticals Inc. to treat autoimmune diseases.
  Boston Business Journal

• 01-09-13

  Boston declares a flu emergency

  Robert A. Klugman, MD, chief quality officer and senior vice president at UMass Memorial Medical Center and associate professor of medicine, is quoted in an article about how local health care facilities are taking measures to protect patients against the flu.
  Boston Globe

• 01-07-13

  Cancer death rates continue to drop

  Anne Powell, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics, talked to NBC’s chief medical editor Nancy Snyderman about the increase in HPV-related cancers and the HPV vaccine.
  NBC Nightly News
  Charter TV3

• 01-07-13

  Top Scientists and Innovators honored by National Academy of Inventors

  Robert H. Brown Jr., DPhil, MD, Leo P. and Theresa M. LaChance Chair in Medical Research and chair and professor of neurology, Roger J. Davis, PhD, professor of molecular medicine, Craig C. Mello, PhD, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, Blais University Chair in Molecular Medicine and distinguished professor of molecular medicine and cell biology, and John E. Ware, PhD, professor quantitative health sciences, have been named 2012 Charter Fellows of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). NAI fellows are recognized for exceptional achievements "in creating or facilitating outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life, economic development, and the welfare of society."
  Yahoo News
  Examiner.com

• 01-07-13

  Health Watch Quitting Smoking

  Greg Seward, director of the Tobacco Free Initiative, offers advice on how to find the support you need, including free services, to stop smoking.
  Charter TV3
• 01-07-13

  First person: Miracles happening at Mae Tao Clinic in Burma

  Fourth year medical student Andrea Posa, SOM ’13, writes about her experience as an international exchange student at The Mae Tao Clinic on the Thailand/Burma border.
  Wicked Local Weston

• 01-07-13

  Newtown Update: New Information Contradicts Earlier Reports; Was Adam Lanza Targeting One Teacher?

  Heidi A. Tissenbaum, PhD, associate professor of molecular medicine, is quoted in an article about plans to study the DNA of Sandy Hook shooter Adam Lanza for abnormalities.
  Digital Times
  New York Magazine

• 01-04-13

  Setback for Biogen

  Robert H. Brown Jr., DPhil, MD, Leo P. and Theresa M. LaChance Chair in Medical Research and chair and professor of neurology, is quoted in an article about the disappointing results in dexpramipexole, an experimental drug once considered to be a promising treatment for Lou Gehrig’s disease.
  Boston Herald

• 01-03-13

  Predicting violence is a work in progress

  Gina Vincent, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry, is quoted in an article about whether or not there’s a link between mental illness and violence.
  Washington Post
  Daily Freeman

• 01-03-13

  EVO to host Celebrity Chef Dinner

  Local restaurant EVO will hold its first Celebrity Chef Dinner Party on Feb. 4 to benefit the Colorectal Cancer Alliance of Central Massachusetts, which supports community education and research and treatment at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and UMass Memorial Medical Center. Justin A. Maykel, MD, assistant professor of surgery, is on the alliance’s medical advisory board and brother to EVO co-owners Celeste Maykel-Zack and Albert Maykel III.
  Worcester Telegram and Gazette

• 01-02-13

  UMass Memorial completes lab sale

  UMass Memorial Health Care has confirmed the sale of two laboratory businesses to Quest Diagnostics Inc. for an undisclosed price.
  Worcester Telegram and Gazette
  Worcester Business Journal

• 01-02-13

  New Year's baby: Payton Marie arrives first in 2013

  Mark A. Aversa, MD, instructor in obstetrics & gynecology, is quoted in an article about Worcester’s New Year’s Baby born at UMass Memorial Medical Center.
  Worcester Telegram and Gazette

• 01-02-13

  National Grid awards $1.6M to UMass Medical School

  National Grid has awarded UMass Medical School $1.6 million for the energy-efficient design of the Albert Sherman Center.
  Milford Daily News