Weekly Updates: Week of Sept. 28
Estate of College of Medicine professor emeritus establishes $1 million endowed scholarship for diverse students
The estate of Dr. Alphonse Leure-duPree, former associate dean for academic achievement and professor emeritus of neural and behavioral sciences at the College of Medicine, is donating $1 million to establish an endowed scholarship for diverse students. Leure-duPree, who passed away in 2014, spent more than three decades with the College of Medicine, from 1973 to 2010.
This scholarship reflects what Leure-duPree was committed to during his tenure at the College of Medicine: Promoting diversity, ensuring that minority students found mentors and helping them achieve success in medical school and throughout their careers.
It will help students who are historically underrepresented in higher education find resources, connect with peers who have shared experiences and secure jobs. Based on current rates, the endowment will yield approximately $45,000 each year to award to medical students.
Local jewel: Reading farm stand serves up fresh produce in food desert
Welcome to one of Reading’s more recent gold mines — the Blue Mountain Academy farm stand outside the Penn State Health St. Joseph Downtown Campus.
Piles of produce on a handful of tables might not attract tourists, but for local residents it’s something more important — a solution. The farm stand offers more than healthy snacks for low prices. It’s a difference-maker for diabetics. It’s an answer for the many neighborhood families worried what they will have for dinner tonight or whether there will be dinner at all.
And it’s one of many ways St. Joseph, the College of Medicine and others are changing lives in Berks County.
National Institutes of Health, other organizations fund College of Medicine faculty research
Faculty at the College of Medicine were awarded 175 grants totaling more than $52 million between May and July to fund their research. They will seek out new therapeutic targets for cancer treatments, analyze the harmful effects of tobacco use and gain an understanding of the cellular processes that contribute to diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, lupus and other diseases.
Machtay named Penn State Cancer Institute associate director for clinical research
Dr. Mitchell Machtay has joined Penn State Cancer Institute as associate director for clinical research. He also serves the College of Medicine in the newly created position of associate dean for clinical cancer research and as a professor of radiation oncology and medicine.
Machtay, a board-certified radiation oncologist, previously served as professor and chair in the Department of Radiation Oncology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and associate director for clinical research at the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. As a member of its cancer imaging program, he oversaw numerous investigator-initiated clinical trials and served as mentor for many junior investigators who developed and conducted their own clinical trials.
Farrelly named director of operations and strategic initiatives at College of Medicine
Cassie Farrelly joins the Office of the Dean of the College of Medicine as director of operations and strategic initiatives.
For the past three years, she served as director of operations and planning for the Office of the Vice Dean for Research and Graduate Studies.
“Her demonstrated track record of strategic planning and execution to improve goal achievement will be a huge asset to my office and to the overall success of the College of Medicine,” said Dr. Kevin Black, interim dean of the College, in a memo to faculty and staff.
AAMC honors Wolpaw with distinguished teacher award
The Association of American Medical Colleges selected Dr. Daniel Wolpaw, professor of medicine and humanities at the College of Medicine, as a winner of the 2020 Alpha Omega Alpha Robert J. Glaser Distinguished Teacher Award. The award recognizes outstanding contributions by teachers to medical education.
Since arriving at the College of Medicine in 2013, Wolpaw has developed and co-directed the Systems Navigation Curriculum, developed and co-directed an innovative course in critical thinking and served as the design lead for educational innovation for the University Park Curriculum. He strives to integrate the humanities in medicine through scholarship, teaching and clinical practice.
“Dan is a champion for patient-centered medical education. His approach is to teach learners not only to seek answers, but to ask the right questions,” said Dr. Kevin Black, interim dean of the College of Medicine.
Thomas elected chair of pediatric critical care clinical research network
Dr. Neal Thomas, associate dean for clinical research at the College of Medicine, was elected chair of the Pediatric Acute Lung Injury and Sepsis Investigators (PALISI) clinical research network.
Under his leadership for the next three years, the international research network will continue its work to improve the care and health outcomes of critically ill infants and children worldwide through multi-center research studies.
“PALISI is unlike any other research network,” Thomas said. “The passion, drive and willingness to collaborate to improve the outcomes of critically ill children have greatly impacted how we treat children in pediatric intensive care units across the world every day.”
Hughey named Human Genetics Scholar
College of Medicine Bioinformatics and Genomics PhD candidate Jordan Hughey was named a Human Genetics Scholar by the American Society of Human Genetics. The program was launched to advance diversity and inclusion in the human genetics research workforce.
“I’m grateful and humbled to be recognized by a professional community that is driving the field of human genetics and genomics,” Hughey said. “It’s truly an honor to receive their award that champions diversity and inclusion in not only the human genetics workforce, but also the populations we study.”
St. Joseph Medical Center Foundation raises $58,000 to benefit emergency department
The St. Joseph Medical Center Foundation raised $58,000 during its 2020 golf tournament to benefit the Medical Center’s emergency department.
One hundred ten players participated in the Sept. 14 tournament at LedgeRock Golf Club in Mohnton, Pa. This year, the event implemented changes to protect participants from coronavirus, such as serving boxed lunches instead of a buffet and eliminating the cocktail hour.
The tournament has raised more than $1.2 million since its founding 35 years ago. Net proceeds support St. Joseph programs and services.
If you're having trouble accessing this content, or would like it in another format, please email Penn State Health Marketing & Communications.