News Makers 2015
- archived News Makers -- 03 - 03 - 15
Be vigilant with heart health
An op-ed piece written by Ira S. Ockene, MD, professor of medicine, on how education can help reduce cardiac-related deaths.
Worcester Telegram & Gazette - 03 - 02 - 15
UMass Medical researchers unravel hookworm genome, could deal blow to parasite
In a development that could lead to new treatments for parasitic hookworms, Raffi V. Aroian, PhD, professor of molecular medicine, has sequenced the genome of the hookworm Ancylostoma ceylanicum, which infects as many as 400 million people worldwide.
Worcester Telegram & Gazette
Medical Xpress
Genome Web
News Medical
Cornell Chronicle - 03 - 02 - 15
Leominster Credit Union, Grinnell Enterprises honored by Job 1 Youth Employment Coalition
Vice Chancellor for Community and Government Relations Jim Leary, JD, attended last week’s GROW Awards ceremony highlighting employers going above and beyond d to provide workplace experience for local youth.
Sentinel & Enterprise - 03 - 02 - 15
Oncologist's petition is latest salvo, as drug-pricing issue rises to new prominence
An article about the pricing of medications contains quotes from Brian Sullivan, MD, assistant professor of family medicine & community health.
Medical Marketing & Media - 03 - 02 - 15
Out of Detention: How to Stop the School-to-Prison Pipeline
Thomas Grisso, PhD, professor of psychiatry and director of the Law-Psychiatry Program at UMass Medical School, explains why young people struggling with mental health should be treated in a community setting instead of the juvenile justice system.
Harvard Political Review - 03 - 02 - 15
Vaccination rates high in local schools
Christina R. Hermos, MD, MS, assistant professor of pediatrics, explains why children need to receive their measles and other vaccinations.
South Coast Today - 02 - 26 - 15
Dietary intervention needed after gestational diabetes, study suggests
A recent study at UMass Medical School found that women in the US of childbearing age on the average have poor diets.
Fox News - 02 - 25 - 15
Genetic Geometry Takes Shape
Job Dekker, PhD, co-director of the Program in Systems Biology and professor of biochemistry & molecular pharmacology, is quoted in an article about understanding the architectural structure of the human genome.
Quanta Magazine - 02 - 23 - 15
Six Massachusetts organizations working to help find treatments for ALS
Voyager Therapeutics, a gene therapy start-up company co-founded by Phillip D. Zamore, PhD, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, the Gretchen Stone Cook Chair of Biomedical Sciences and professor of biochemistry & molecular pharmacology, and Guangping Gao, PhD, the Penelope Booth Rockwell Chair in Biomedical Research and professor of microbiology & physiological systems, is listed in the Boston Business Journal as one of six Massachusetts firms looking for a cure for ALS.
Boston Business Journal - 02 - 21 - 15
Beating measles: State vaccination rates among nation's highest
Christina R. Hermos, MD, MS, assistant professor of pediatrics, explains why children need to receive their measles and other vaccinations.
Taunton Daily Gazette
Wicked Local Bourne - 02 - 19 - 15
Massachusetts Medical Society's Dr. Richard Pieters calls governor's opioid addiction working group 'positive step'
Richard Pieters, M.D, clinical associate professor of radiation oncology and current president of the Massachusetts Medical Society, voices approval of Governor Baker’s 16-member working group dedicated to combating the state’s opioid addiction crisis.
Masslive - 02 - 19 - 15
New App Promises To Curb Stress Eating
Sherry Pagoto, PhD, associate professor of medicine, explains how the smart-phone app called RELAX will help users better understand why they overeat.
WBZ Channel 4 Boston - 02 - 18 - 15
Doctors Pinpoint Why Child Who Appeared Free of HIV Suffered Relapse
Katherine Luzuriaga, MD, associate provost for global health, is quoted in an article about why the the child known as the “Mississippi baby,” born with the HIV virus, suffered a relapse after a prolonged remission.
US News & World Report - 02 - 18 - 15
The Secret Weapon of CEOs and Basketball Pros to Get in the Zone
Judson A. Brewer, MD, PhD, associate professor of medicine, explains how meditation techniques can help people focus.
ABC News - 02 - 16 - 15
Focusing on fiber may work for weight loss
A simple diet focused on increasing fiber consumption may be as effective as the multi-component American Heart Association diet, according to a new study by Yunsheng Ma, MD, PhD, associate professor of medicine, and Sherry Pagoto, PhD, associate professor of medicine.
The Atlantic
Boston.com
Yahoo Health
Huffington Post
US News & World Report
WCVB Channel 5 Boston
Everyday Health
Health
Medscape
Glamour Health & Diet
Examiner.com
Reuters
WBZ Channel 4 Boston
Time
Science World Report
Health Day
Daily RX
Headline & Global News
Diabetes Insider
LA Times
MedPage Today
Fox News - 02 - 14 - 15
Worcester colleges earn gold, silver in environmental certification
Suzanne Wood, sustainability and energy manager, is quoted in an article about local colleges and universities constructing new LEED certified facilities, such as the Albert Sherman Center, which achieved LEED gold certification, and the Ambulatory Care Center, which is certified LEED silver.
Worcester Telegram & Gazette - 02 - 13 - 15
Long-awaited biological facility opens in Fall River
Mark S. Klempner, MD, executive vice chancellor for MassBiologics, talks about the opening of MassBiologics SouthCoast, a new biomedical manufacturing facility in Fall River.
The Herald News
South Coast Today
The Herald News - 02 - 11 - 15
Low vitamin D predicts more severe strokes, poor health post-stroke
Nils Henninger, MD, assistant professor of neurology, talks about a recent study which showed that stroke patients with low vitamin D levels were found to be more likely than those with normal vitamin D levels to suffer severe strokes.
Healio
Medscape
Healthcare Professionals Network
Neurology Advisor
Science World Report
Medical Xpress
Irish Health - 02 - 11 - 15
UMass Medical partners with French company on gene therapy treatment
UMass Medical School and Auburn University will collaborate with Lysogene, a French biotechnology company, to develop pre-clinical studies for GM1-gangliosidosis, a rare disorder that causes neurological impairment. Miguel Sena-Esteves, PhD, associate professor of neurology, is quoted in the article.
Worcester Business Journal
Worcester Telegram & Gazette - 02 - 10 - 15
Compound found in broccoli may help treat children with autism
Andrew Zimmerman, MD, clinical professor of pediatrics, talks about a recent study that discovered that a molecule found in foods such as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage may improve some symptoms of autism spectrum disorders.
WNDU
News 4 Jax - 02 - 09 - 15
- 02 - 07 - 15
Allen Foundation responds nimbly as Ebola epidemic shifts
Patricia A. McQuilkin, MD, clinical associate professor of pediatrics, talks about her return to Liberia to begin the process of restoring the country’s health care infrastructure as part of a $7.5 million grant from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.
The Seattle Times - 02 - 07 - 15
Brain Bee crowns regional champ in Worcester
Fourteen-year-old Lexington High School student Snigdha Allaparthi, was the winner of the ninth annual Central Massachusetts Regional Brain Bee. The event was organized by the UMMS psychiatry department and moderated by Sheldon Benjamin, MD, professor of psychiatry.
Worcester Telegram & Gazette - 02 - 05 - 15
‘The Biggest Barrier’ To Preventing Suicide: Not Talking About It
A story about the prevalence of suicide includes comments from Barry Feldman, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry and director of Psychiatry Services in Public Safety, about approaches the health community can take to prevent suicide.
WBUR's Common Health - 02 - 05 - 15
Global Universities' Reputations Vary Greatly Internationally, Regionally
UMMS is listed in the top 25 overperforming schools in the US News & World Report’s Best Global Universities rankings.
US News & World Report - 02 - 05 - 15
UMass Med and WPI to team on healthy-eating app
Researchers at UMass Medical School and Worcester Polytechnic Institute are developing a stress-eating smartphone app that will help users better understand why they overeat. Sherry Pagoto, PhD, associate professor of medicine, explains how the app called RELAX works.
Worcester Magazine
Boston Business Journal
Boston Herald
Mobile Health News
Worcester News Tonight Update 2-3 (begins at marker 11:10)
Worcester Telegram & Gazette
WPI News - 02 - 04 - 15
UMass-led Team Exploring Dendritic Cells as Model for Gene Expression Research
Jeremy Luban, MD, the David J. Freelander Professor in AIDS Research and professor of molecular medicine, and Manuel Garber, PhD, director of the Bioinformatics Core and associate professor of molecular medicine, will be principal investigators on a three-year, $6.1 million grant to develop a model in dendritic cells for predicting whether a given gene will be turned on or off under specific conditions.
GenomeWeb - 02 - 04 - 15
Wayland scientist involved in revealing study
Heidi A. Tissenbaum, PhD, professor of molecular, cellular & cancer biology and molecular medicine, talks about new research that suggests genes that extend lifespan won’t necessarily improve health in advanced age.
Wicked Local Wayland - 02 - 03 - 15
Flu hospitalizations high; doctors on lookout for measles
Michael P. Hirsh, MD, professor of pediatric surgery, chief of pediatric surgery & trauma and Worcester’s interim commissioner of public health, and Richard T. Ellison III, MD, professor of medicine, are quoted in a story about the flu and the recent resurgence of measles in some parts of the country.
Worcester Telegram & Gazette - 01 - 31 - 15
Sunday Sit-down: Harvey G. Clermont
Harvey G. Clermont, MD, retired assistant professor of surgery, sits down for an interview with the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.
Worcester Telegram & Gazette - 01 - 31 - 15
UMass Memorial names first female surgical director
Jennifer D. Walker, MD, is named chief of the Division of Cardiac Surgery and surgical director of the Heart and Vascular Center of Excellence at UMass Memorial Medical Center. John F. Keaney Jr., MD, the Mary C. DeFeudis Chair in Biomedical Research, professor of medicine and chief of the division of cardiovascular medicine, is quoted in the story.
Worcester Telegram & Gazette - 01 - 31 - 15
UMass nurse runs Boston Marathon to raise money for ALS
Thin Aung, a registered nurse at UMass Memorial Medical Center, will be running the Boston Marathon in hopes of raising $8,000 for the UMass ALS Cellucci Fund.
Community Advocate - 01 - 30 - 15
When it’s all on the line with the Super Bowl
Robert J. Carey, Jr., PhD, clinical associate professor of psychiatry, talks about the emotion and anxiety of rooting for a team playing in the Super Bowl.
Boston Globe - 01 - 29 - 15
Can a candy help you curb overeating?
Sherry Pagoto, PhD, associate professor of medicine, comments on 15-calorie lozenges being marketed to help curb your appetite.
Fast Company - 01 - 29 - 15
Surge in heroin overdoses puzzles health workers
Jeffrey D. Baxter, MD, associate professor, and Philip Bolduc, MD, assistant professor of family medicine & community health, talk about the opioid addiction crisis in Massachusetts.
Boston Globe - 01 - 28 - 15
Bending the Ebola curve
An editorial about the decline in Ebola cases in West Africa references a recent article with Patricia A. McQuilkin, MD, clinical associate professor of pediatrics. Rick Sacra, MD, assistant professor of family medicine & community health, is also mentioned in the article.
Worcester Telegram & Gazette - 01 - 28 - 15
Physicians, patients must work together in treating pain, reducing abuse: Guest viewpoint
Richard Pieters, M.D, clinical associate professor of radiation oncology and current president of the Massachusetts Medical Society, writes an op-ed piece about fighting prescription abuse.
Masslive.com - 01 - 28 - 15
Protein Arginine Deiminases Come Into Focus
Paul R. Thompson, PhD, professor of biochemistry and molecular pharmacology, talks about new research on how to target protein arginine deiminases (PADs). The findings could have implications for treating autoimmune disorders, cancer, and inflammatory diseases.
Chemical & Engineering News - 01 - 26 - 15
A Longer Life Isn't Always A Healthier One
New research by UMass Medical School suggests genes that extend lifespan won’t necessarily improve health in advanced age. Heidi A. Tissenbaum, PhD, professor of molecular, cellular & cancer biology and molecular medicine, is quoted.
Medical Xpress
Worcester Business Journal
Science World Report
Science Daily
Phys Org
News Medical - 01 - 26 - 15
Massachusetts doctor who beat Ebola heads back to Liberia
Rick Sacra, MD, assistant professor of family medicine & community health, talks about returning to Africa after recovering from Ebola.
Fosters.com - 01 - 24 - 15
Brushes with gun violence spur Worcester physician into buybacks
Michael P. Hirsh, MD, professor of pediatric surgery, chief of pediatric surgery & trauma and Worcester’s interim commissioner of public health, talks about the “Goods for Guns” program.
Worcester Telegram & Gazette - 01 - 24 - 15
Handling stress at work
Saki Santorelli, EdD, MA, professor of medicine and executive director of the CFM, talks about using mindfulness to improve job focus and effectiveness.
Boston Globe - 01 - 23 - 15
Detecting a silent killer: Officials working to get word, alarms out
Peter R. Chai, MD, medical toxicology fellow, is quoted in an article about treating patients exposed to carbon monoxide poisoning in the Worcester area.
Worcester Telegram & Gazette - 01 - 23 - 15
WNT Live Longer Research
Heidi A. Tissenbaum, PhD, professor of molecular, cellular & cancer biology and molecular medicine, talks to Worcester News Tonight about new research that suggests genes that extend lifespan won’t necessarily improve health in advanced age. Research technician Griffin Walker and GSBS student Michah Belew are also interviewed in the segment.
Worcester News Tonight - 01 - 22 - 15
Doctor's notes: American Ebola survivor is back in Liberia
Rick Sacra, MD, assistant professor of family medicine & community health, blogs for CNN from Liberia.
CNN - 01 - 22 - 15
With name change, new tenants, biomanufacturing center at life science park on track to open
Voyager Therapeutics in Cambridge, which develops treatments for fatal and debilitating diseases of the central nervous system, entered into a collaboration with MassBiologics to open a new facility in the MassBiologics SouthCoast Vector Manufacturing Center, now operated by UMMS in the Southcoast Lifescience and Technology Park in Fall River.
New Bedford Standard Times
Taunton Daily Gazette
The Herald News - 01 - 20 - 15
End-of-Life Medications Draw More Attention, Greater Scrutiny
An article about end of life medications references the study led by Jennifer Tjia, MD, MSCE, associate professor of quantitative health sciences, which found that nursing home residents with advanced dementia often receive medications of questionable benefit.
JAMA - 01 - 20 - 15
Fitness apps lack evidence-based tools
Sherry Pagoto, PhD, associate professor of medicine, talks about health-related apps in comparison to what is used in clinical practice.
Reuters
Huffington Post
Fox News
Health 24 - 01 - 18 - 15
Chilling reaction to the cold: Urticaria can be deadly
Stephen J. Krinzman, MD, clinical associate professor of medicine, discusses cold urticaria, a skin reaction to cold that resembles, and is related to, hives. It causes a patch of reddened, bumpy skin that can be itchy and painful, but it can also be far more serious and cause an anaphylactic reaction.
Worcester Telegram & Gazette - 01 - 17 - 15
Growing tax-exempt bite scrutinized anew in Worcester
James B. Leary, vice chancellor for community and government relations, details how the University of Massachusetts Medical School paid the City of Worcester for support of the One Library initiative as well as municipal services such as water and sewer.
Worcester Telegram & Gazette - 01 - 17 - 15
Philip Chism told details of attack, police say
At the trial of Philip D. Chism in the killing of Danvers teacher Colleen Ritzer, Thomas Grisso, PhD, professor emeritus of psychiatry, provided expert testimony citing his studies on Miranda warnings which found that some adults and “quite a number” of adolescents do not understand the right to remain silent.
Boston Globe - 01 - 16 - 15
I-Team: State Now Tracking ‘Substance Exposed Newborns’
Alan P. Picarillo, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics, has been named co-chair of a state wide collaborative examining the problem of opioid exposed infants. Dr. Picarillo explains that the group is now tracking substance exposed newborns in order to get a better hold of the problem.
WBZ-TV - 01 - 16 - 15
Ludlow police participating in statewide program to help locate missing family members with dementia
UMass Medical School has partnered with the state Executive Office of Elder Affairs to launch the Silver Alert Emergency Response Program in 12 Massachusetts communities. The program helps local police collect information from caregivers that can help them locate family members with dementia should they become confused and lost.
Springfield Republican - 01 - 15 - 15
RNA Interference w/ Nobel Laureate Craig Mello
Craig C. Mello, PhD, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator and distinguished professor of molecular medicine and cell and developmental biology, was the featured scientist on “You’re the Expert” hosted by the EcoTarium last month.
You're the Expert - 01 - 15 - 15
Study Finds That Opioids Administered in the ER Don't Influence Patient Satisfaction
A new study co-authored by Kavita Babu, MD, associate professor, found that there is no correlation between opioids administered in the emergency room setting and Press Ganey ED patient satisfaction scores, one of the most commonly used metrics for measuring patient satisfaction.
Science Blog
Science Newsline
News Medical
Medical Xpress - 01 - 15 - 15
US doctor to return to Liberia after Ebola recovery: 'I need to give something back'
In a recent interview, Assistant Professor Rick Sacra, MD, who contracted Ebola while serving in Liberia and underwent successful treatment in the U.S., talks about his decision to return to West Africa.
The Guardian - 01 - 14 - 15
Caseloads still key for state child protection agency
The Department of Children and Families is collaborating with the University of Massachusetts Medical School to hire a medical director who will oversee evaluations of all children entering foster care and ensure that all children under the watch of DCF receive immunizations.
Masslive.com - 01 - 14 - 15
Ebola: What you need to know!
Infectious disease specialist Robert Finberg, MD, chair and professor of medicine, explains the difference between Ebola and the flu.
KSAT Channel 12 San Antonio - 01 - 14 - 15
The Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act: : Because getting pregnant in MA shouldn't mean losing your job
Tiffany A. Moore Simas, MD, MPH, MEd, FACOG, associate professor of obstetrics & gynecology and pediatrics and director of the Division of Research in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, is quoted in an article about the Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), which would combat discrimination by ensuring that pregnant workers are not forced out of their jobs unnecessarily, or denied reasonable job modifications that would allow them to continue working and supporting their families.
Huffington Post - 01 - 13 - 15
Health Matters #154 UMass Medical School
Chancellor Michael F. Collins, MD, was the featured guest on the latest Health Matters, a program from the Worcester District Medical Society hosted by Dr. Bruce Karlin, to discuss ongoing projects at UMass Medical School such as the Allen Foundation grant to help restore the health infrastructure in Liberia.
WCCA TV13 - 01 - 13 - 15
Warren: U.S. research fund cuts could be 'real problem'
In an article about potential federal funding cuts, Senator Elizabeth Warren makes the case for medical research. The article references the $131 million in NIH funding awarded to UMass Medical School annually.
Worcester Business Journal - 01 - 12 - 15
American Ebola Survivor Dr. Rick Sacra Returning to Africa
SIM Missionary and UMass Mass Medical School Assistant Professor Rick Sacra, MD, who contracted Ebola while serving in Liberia and underwent successful treatment in the U.S., talks about his decision to return to West Africa. Also interviewed for the story for their work in Liberia as part of a $7.5 million grant from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation to begin the process of restoring the country’s health care infrastructure were Patricia A. McQuilkin, MD, clinical associate professor of pediatrics and Jeffrey Bailey, MD, PhD, assistant professor of medicine.
ABC News
Worcester News Tonight
WBUR CommonHealth
WBUR Radio Boston
NBC News
WBZ TV4 Boston
Boston Globe
WCVB Channel 5
NECN
WGBH
WHDH Channel 7 Boston
New England Public Radio
Masslive.com
Boston.com
Worcester Telegam & Gazette
Worcester Telegram & Gazette
US News Health Day
Fox Boston
Boston Herald
Huffington Post
WWLP 22 News
LA Times
New York Daily News
The Detriot News - 01 - 12 - 15
Launching a vital link in the Ebola-response effort
As part of UMass Medical School’s Ebola relief efforts in Liberia a $1.7 million shipment of personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers was flown to Monrovia, Liberia. Funding for the aid came from a $7.5 million grant from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.
MIT News
Supply Chain Management Review
Health Canal - 01 - 11 - 15
Money from the sun: Solar developer links financing, buyers
Suzanne E. Wood, sustainability and energy manager, is quoted in an article about the demand for renewable energy. The article explains that UMMS has a 30-year agreement with First Wind and two other solar companies to purchase up to 12 megawatts of power. Over the course of the agreement UMMS is projected to save a third off its current energy costs—an equivalent of $715,000 annually at today’s rates.
Worcester Telegram & Gazette - 01 - 11 - 15
UMass Medical sends supplies, shares expertise to help Liberians fight Ebola
As part of UMass Medical School’s Ebola relief efforts in Liberia a $1.7 million shipment of personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers was flown to Monrovia, Liberia. Funding for the aid came from a $7.5 million grant from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.
Worcester Telegram & Gazette - 01 - 10 - 15
As demand rises, so does price of overdose reversal drug
Marc A. Gautreau, MD, clinical associate professor of emergency medicine, is quoted in an article about the rising cost of Narcan, which reverses the lethal effects of an opioid overdose and has been used to save the lives of over 300 people in Worcester County over the past three years.
Worcester Telegram & Gazette - 01 - 10 - 15
Warning: That Tan Could Be Hazardous
An article about the cancer risks posed by indoor tanning references a recent study from Sherry Pagoto, PhD, associate professor of medicine, which showed that about half of the country’s top 125 colleges have tanning beds on campus or in off-campus housing.
New York Times
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Miami Herald - 01 - 10 - 15
WPI to Develop New Technologies for Mobile Treatment Tents to Help in the Fight Against Ebola
Two teams of researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) recently received Rapid Response Research awards from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop new technologies to help protect workers caring for patients with Ebola and other infectious diseases. Jeffrey A. Bailey, MD, PhD, assistant professor of medicine and collaborator on the project, is quoted in the article.
PressZoom - 01 - 08 - 15
The science of funny: ‘You’re the Expert’ to tape at EcoTarium
The EcoTarium will be hosting a taping of WBUR's “You’re the Expert” radio program on Jan. 15. The show features comedians who try to guess what the guest scientist studies all day. Craig C. Mello, PhD, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator and distinguished professor of molecular medicine and cell and developmental biology, will be the featured scientist.
Worcester Magazine - 01 - 07 - 15
Team to develop a model for predicting gene expression in dendritic cells
Jeremy Luban, MD, the David J. Freelander Professor in AIDS Research and professor of molecular medicine, and Manuel Garber, PhD, director of the Bioinformatics Core and associate professor of molecular medicine, will be principal investigators on a three-year, $6.1 million grant to develop a model in dendritic cells for predicting whether a given gene will be turned on or off under specific conditions.
Pharmabiz
PhysOrg
GenomeWeb - 01 - 07 - 15
UMass Medical School receives renewed Carnegie Community Engagement Classification
UMass Medical School has been selected to receive a renewed Community Engagement Classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Chancellor Michael F. Collins, MD, and Jim Leary, JD, vice chancellor for community and government relations, are quoted in the article.
Worcester News Tonight
Worcester Magazine - 01 - 07 - 15
Why D is the must-take vitamin all year long
An article about the benefits of taking vitamin D supplements references a study at UMass Medical School which found that taking the supplement for 8 to 16 weeks reduced blood sugar levels by 10 percent.
Delicious Living - 01 - 06 - 15
How One Woman Used Meditation to Quit Smoking
Judson A. Brewer, MD, PhD, associate professor of medicine, explains how mindfulness techniques can help patients to quit smoking.
ABC News
KMBZ Business Channel
East Idaho News - 01 - 05 - 15
Officials see many benefits in planned VA health care site
UMMS Chancellor Michael F. Collins, MD, is quoted in an article about the recently announced collaboration between federal and state partners and UMass Medical School to improve and expand health services for veterans in Central Massachusetts.
Worcester Business Journal - 01 - 05 - 15
Weight Loss 2015: How To Get A Little Help From Your (New) Friends
Using social media can help you maintain a new fitness regimen according to Sherry Pagoto, PhD, associate professor of medicine.
CommonHealth
Stay Connected with UMassMedNow
