[domweek] DOM Week, September 15-19, 2025

[Department of Medicine weekly newsletter via domweek]

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DOM Week
September 12, 2025
News, information, and events of interest from the Department of Medicine

(if you have items for DOM Week, please email amyf at uw.edu<mailto:amyf at uw.edu>)


Awards
[cid:image002.jpg at 01DC2401.3A17AE70]2025 Seattle Met’s Top Doctors, Physician Assistants and Nurses
Chosen by their peers as the best health care professionals in the region, Seattle Met’s annual list<https://bit.ly/4n0NRcw> features doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and more in over 90 specialties.

Congratulations to 40+ people from the Department of Medicine on this year's list<https://bit.ly/4nnN5pB>.

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Outstanding Educator Award
[Brad Anawalt]The Endocrine Society announced the 12 leading endocrinologists as winners of its prestigious 2026 Laureate Awards<https://bit.ly/4piwe9D>, the top honors in the field. Congratulations to Dr. Bradley Anawalt, professor (General Internal Medicine) who is the recipient of the Outstanding Educator Award, recognizing exceptional achievement as an educator in the discipline of endocrinology and metabolism.

Established in 1944, the Society’s Laureate Awards recognize the highest achievements in the endocrinology field, including groundbreaking research and innovations in clinical care. The Endocrine Society will present the awards to the winners at ENDO 2026, the Society’s annual meeting in June 2026.


DEIB news
[cid:image006.jpg at 01DC2401.3A17AE70]Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month
We celebrate Hispanic American Heritage Month<https://bit.ly/3IkAFA3> each year from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. This year’s theme is “Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Present.”

UW Medicine’s Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month Flag Raising will take place on Sept. 15 at noon on all hospital campuses. Join the Latino Medical Student Association and the Network of Underrepresented Residents and Fellows to celebrate National Latino Physician Day on Oct. 1, 6-8pm, Health Sciences Education Building room 101. All are welcome.

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Women in Medicine & Science faculty leadership workshop
[Abby Hussein]Save the date! The UW Medicine Women in Medicine & Science (WIMS) Committee has announced the 2025-26 Women Faculty Leadership Workshop series. The first one, “Own Your Voice: From Core Values to Confident Communication” will be held on Oct. 15, 4-5pm and will be co-led by Dr. Abby Hussein, clinical assistant professor (Allergy and Infectious Diseases). For more information and to register, please visit the WIMS website<https://bit.ly/3aHoGbp>.


Research news
Archaic gene variant may have aided adaptation to Americas
[Paul Valdmanis]A group of anthropologists and geneticists have been exploring the population distribution and the structure of the Denisovan MUC19 gene variant in people. The variant was originally detected in DNA from bone fossils of humanlike Denisovans, who vanished from the Earth tens of thousands of years ago. Their fossils have been discovered in a Siberian cave and sites in Asia.

Scientists recently discovered that the Denisovan MUC19 variant occurs with greater frequency among people who have regions of their genome inherited from ancient Indigenous Americans. For example, 1 in 3 people of Mexican ancestry are likely to have a copy. In contrast, only 1 in 100 people of Asian ancestry are estimated to have the variant. The research findings and an analysis of their possible implications were reported Aug. 21 in Science<https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adl0882>. Dr. Paul Valdmanis, associate professor (Medical Genetics) is co-author.

Read the full story from UW Medicine Newsroom<https://bit.ly/4mWTjNk>.

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Infection prevention strategies after CAR-T cell therapy
[Joshua Hill]Dr. Joshua Hill, associate professor (Allergy and Infectious Diseases) received a 5-year K24 Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) for his grant entitled “Infection prevention strategies after CAR-T cell therapy.”

This award will provide protected time for Dr. Hill to mentor trainees in patient-oriented research in preventing infections in patients receiving chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapies. The proposed studies will evaluate best approaches for the use of antibody infusions and vaccination to reduce infections after CAR-T cell therapy and improve patient outcomes.

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Pharmacist‑Led E‑Consults Aim to Reduce Pneumonia Risk in People with HIV
[Kristina Crothers and Ken Kunisaki]Drs. Kristina Crothers, professor (Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine) and VA Puget Sound Health Care System Chief of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, has been awarded a 5-year $4.2 million R01 grant by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute to support the OPTIMIZE Lung-HIV program, a multicenter initiative at the Veterans Health Administration designed to improve lung health and reduce pneumonia-related illness among people with HIV. Dr. Ken Kunisaki, director of Clinical and Translational Research at the Boise VA, is also a principal investigator.

Read more on our news site<https://bit.ly/3V71FWx>.

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Optimizing Opioid Use Disorder Treatment in Prisons
[Helen Jack]Dr. Helen Jack, assistant professor (General Internal Medicine) has received an R01 funded by NIDA for her project “Optimizing Opioid Use Disorder Treatment in Prisons: Strategies for Diagnosis and Shared Decision-Making.” This five-year $3.4 million grant will focus on improving opioid use disorder care in Washington State prisons, focusing on the early steps in opioid use disorder care.

Read more on our news site<https://bit.ly/4nynN8C>.

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New grant will supercharge breast cancer vaccine trial
[A supersized grant check for cancer vaccine research. Left to right: Kiran Dhillon, Will Gwin, Kristen Dahlgren and Nora Disis. Photo: Leila Gray]More cancer patients will soon be able to enroll in a Phase 2 clinical trial of a therapeutic breast cancer vaccine because of a $500,000 grant from the Cancer Vaccine Coalition.

The inaugural grant funds the expansion of the UW’s clinical trial of WOKVAC, an advanced therapeutic vaccine for breast cancer. The trial will assess the vaccine's potential to help prevent cancer recurrence and to transform patient outcomes.

“Cancer vaccines are real and at a tipping point,” said Dr. Nora Disis, professor (Hematology and Oncology) and director of the Cancer Vaccine Institute<https://www.uwcvi.org/>. “This financial support puts us closer to a future where we can activate our own immune systems to fight cancer.”

Read the full story from UW Medicine Newsroom<https://bit.ly/4mfNkSX>.

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[Khai Tram]Spatial approaches for optimizing TB
Dr. Khai Hoan Tram, acting instructor (Allergy and Infectious Diseases) has been awarded a K01 career development award from NIAID to study spatial approaches for optimizing TB active case finding in Kenya.


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K and career development grant awardee networking event
Save the date! A networking event designed to foster community, connection, and collaboration among K-awardees in the Department of Medicine will be held on Oct. 16, 3-5pm at the Vista Café in the Foege Building. The event will be kicked off by Dr. Trish Kritek, interim chair of the Department of Medicine. Attendees will have an opportunity to learn more about departmental research resources from Drs. Conrad Liles (vice chair of research) and Nisha Bansal (assistant vice chair of clinical research). Drinks, appetizers and a light dinner will be served. Register by Sept. 26<https://bit.ly/4mbkbYY> to reserve your spot.


Recent publications
Dr. Helen Chu, professor (Allergy and Infectious Diseases) is lead author of “Improving the evidence base for COVID-19 vaccines<https://go.nature.com/3VJL3V1>” in Nature Medicine.

Dr. Ajay Gopal, professor (Hematology and Oncology) is senior author of “Impact of immunophenotype on clinical disease characteristics and outcomes in T-cell prolymphocytic leukaemia<https://bit.ly/4nr3VUv>” in the British Journal of Haematology. DOM co-authors are Jerlin Dizon, Mazyar Shadman, Ryan Lynch, Brian Till, Chaitra Ujjani, Mengyang Di, Vikram Raghunathan, Edus Warren, and Stephen Smith.

Drs. Ajay Gopal, professor, Shivaprasad Manjappa, assistant professor, and Mazyar Shadman, professor (Hematology and Oncology) are co-authors of “CD19 Directed CAR T Therapy for Transformed Follicular Lymphoma: A CIBMTR Analysis<https://bit.ly/48bus3O>” in the American Journal of Hematology.

Dr. Rachel Issaka, associate professor (Gastroenterology) is lead author of “Modeled Cost-Effectiveness of a Rideshare Program to Facilitate Colonoscopy Completion<https://bit.ly/4ph2tWy>” in JAMA Network Open.

Dr. Andrew Portuguese, assistant professor, is lead author and Dr. Andrew Cowan, associate professor (Hematology and Oncology) is senior author of “Impact of Gamma-Secretase Inhibition on Outcomes Following BCMA CAR-T Therapy in Multiple Myeloma: A Comparison of Two Phase 1 Trials<https://bit.ly/3VIC8TK>” in Transplantation and Cellular Therapy. DOM co-authors are Emily Liang, Filippo Milano, Stanley Riddell, Aude Chapuis, Edward Libby, David Maloney, and Mazyar Shadman.

Dr. Matthew Rivara, associate professor (Nephrology) is co-author of “International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis Journal Club: Bridging the Gap between Trainee Education and Home Dialysis Demand<https://bit.ly/4mcWY8y>” in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

Dr. Namrata Singh, associate professor (Rheumatology) is co-author of “Comparative Safety of JAK Inhibitors vs TNF Antagonists in Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis<https://bit.ly/3VN7Jnk>” in JAMA Network Open.


In the news
Dr. Helen Chu, professor (Allergy and Infectious Diseases) joined the KUOW Seattle Now Podcast to discuss “Confused about how vaccines will work this year? Here's some clarity<https://bit.ly/4nmOeh8>.”

Dr. Timothy Dellit, professor (Allergy and Infectious Diseases), dean of the School of Medicine, CEO of UW Medicine and EVP for medical affairs, is profiled in "Academic Medical Center CEOs to Know<https://bit.ly/4m7vFfS>" from Becker's Hospital Review.

Dr. William Gwin, assistant professor (Hematology and Oncology) is quoted in “$500,000 grant expands UW Medicine’s breast cancer vaccine trial<https://bit.ly/3VKk6jY>” from KING 5 News.

Dr. Rachel Issaka, associate professor (Gastroenterology) is quoted in “House bill would expand colorectal cancer awareness, early detection<https://bit.ly/463EWRE>” from WLNS.

Dr. Helen Jack, assistant professor (General Internal Medicine) contributed to “The opioid epidemic is a persistent problem. These researchers think they have a solution<https://bit.ly/4nacxz6>.” in USA Today.

Dr. Nicolae Leca, professor (Nephrology) is quoted in “By donating a kidney to a stranger, WA woman forged an immediate bond<https://bit.ly/3IkY5Fp>” in the Seattle Times.

Dr. John Lynch, professor (Allergy and Infectious Diseases) is quoted in “West coast states form vaccine recommendation alliance amid CDC instability<https://bit.ly/48dSnj6>” in the Spokesman-Review.

Drs. Michael Schwartz, professor, and Irl Hirsch, professor (Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition) are quoted in “Could Harnessing This Hunger Hormone Help Counter Diabetic Ketoacidosis?<https://bit.ly/4nlKj4m>” in Health Central.


Events of interest
Wellbeing session with Dr. Charisse Williams
All are welcome to attend a wellbeing session with Dr. Charisse Williams on Sept. 15, 10-11 am, via zoom<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/washington.zoom.us/j/96539233975?pwd=ZahBwRN9Cqc06kQs5UjFXB1CXgMZdM.1__;!!K-Hz7m0Vt54!jS1SqL3Iiw-0jXnB2FtBK3bAQwuO_HEBp7pm8kf2cNEI1AblBlm26J7kZb4POUqYz6Wy2x0jqB5t$>

. Dr. Williams is the director of the Center for Restorative Practices at UW Medicine and a licensed psychologist with over 18 years at UW. She leads efforts to build equity and healing through restorative practices and has spoken nationally on inclusion, justice, and well-being.

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24 hours to save AIDS Research
For over 40 years, HIV research – largely driven by U.S. federal investment – has saved tens of millions of lives. But recent attacks on science and federal institutions threaten those gains.

On Sept. 16, a 24-hour global virtual event will spotlight the impact of decades of federal support and what’s at risk. Scientists, researchers, and advocates from around the world will share their insights. Speakers from the DOM include Drs. Rachel Bender Ignacio, Connie Celum, Larry Corey, Grace John-Stewart, and UW alum Jeanne Marrazzo.

Learn more and register for this event<https://bit.ly/45Yqf26>.

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Medicine Grand Rounds
Dr. Douglas White (University of Pittsburgh) will give the Butler Lecture, “Achieving Patient-centered Care in Advanced Critical Illness” at Medicine Grand Rounds on Sept. 19, 12-1pm, D-209 Turner Auditorium, and via zoom<https://washington.zoom.us/j/812197730>
.


Weekly Calendar, September 15-19, 2025
Our events calendar is posted on our website<https://medicine.uw.edu/news/trumba-calendar>.


Coming up
Federal Policy Town Hall
The next federal policy town hall<https://bit.ly/4mbo4gw> will be held on Sept. 26. In addition to discussing research, federal funding, the status of legal action and more, Dr. John Lynch will discuss COVID-19 vaccines.

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New faculty welcome and orientation
New faculty who have joined the Department of Medicine since October 1, 2024, are welcomed and encouraged to attend a new faculty welcome and orientation workshop. Topics include career development perspectives and resources, clinical programs introduction, and opportunities and resources for educators. Breakout sessions will be available based on career interests.

We are offering two sessions: Oct. 9, 1-4:30pm and Oct. 31, 8:30-12pm. Both sessions will be held on the UWMC-Montlake Campus, South Campus Center 301. Please RSVP<https://bit.ly/4g8AS5V> and contact Dr. Cynthia Ko<mailto:cwko at uw.edu>, associate chair for faculty affairs, if you have any questions.

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Amy Fields, Editor
amyf at uw.edu<mailto:amyf at uw.edu>


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