Dear Colleagues,
It has been an eventful start to the academic year, and I am truly honored to lead a department whose faculty and staff have such incredible heart, talent and dedication to our mission. This was on full display at this year’s UMass Chan Convocation Ceremony on September 16th, where we had three faculty members honored with Chancellor’s Awards. Deborah DeMarco, MD, Professor of Medicine, Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, and Associate Dean of Graduate Medical Education, was awarded the Chancellor’s Medal for Distinguished Service; Melissa Fischer, MD, Professor of Medicine and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education, curriculum innovation and iCELS, was awarded the Chancellor’s Medal for Distinguished Teaching; and Ira Ockene, MD, the David J. and Barbara D. Milliken Professor in Preventive Cardiology and Professor of Medicine, awarded the Chancellor’s Medal for Distinguished Clinical Excellence. Also honored were the newly invested professors, Roberto Caricchio, MD, Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Rheumatology, invested as the Myles J. McDonough Chair in Rheumatology and Alan C. Mullen, MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine and Academic Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology, invested as the Mary C. DeFeudis Chair in Biomedical Research.
I am also pleased to announce that Read Pukkila-Worley, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, and Ann Moormann, PhD, MPH, Professor of Medicine, both of the Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology and Program in Innate Immunity, were recently awarded tenure. This is an incredible accomplishment for these individuals and for their research teams.
I want to thank all who have been attending the Department’s Grand Rounds. We will be able to offer food and beverages – so please come in person to support your colleagues and our community!
In other news, please take some time to read the October Chair’s Spotlight, featuring Dr. Peter Rice, Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology and Program in Innate Immunity. I am grateful for Dr. Rice’s contributions to the Department of Medicine as a researcher, clinician, advisor and friend. I also want to offer my sincere gratitude for his many years of service as Chair of the Department Personnel Action Committee. He will be honored with the Citizen’s Award at today’s Department of Medicine’s Town Hall Meeting.
To our colleagues who observe Rosh Hashana, we hope you had a wonderful celebration with your family and friends.
I hope you can get outside and enjoy a fall hike, apple picking, and all that our beautiful region has to offer during the crisp and colorful autumn season.
Thank you for your tireless commitment to our department.
Sincerely,
Dave