Med School Minute March 2024

The Chicago Tribune recently published an opinion piece authored by Janet Jokela and Sheldon Jacobson on the increase in measles cases in Chicago. Read more here.

LCME Survey Visit Countdown:  Our limited virtual visit is scheduled for October 28-29, 2024.

The 22^nd Annual Health Innovation Research Day will highlight some of the important research being conducted at CI MED and Carle Health, as well as research by students from our partner university, NYCU in Taiwan. The poster session features 94 entries by representatives of the Carle Health and CI MED communities, along with eight research posters from NYCU students which are not part of the competition. This year’s keynote address is titled “The Role of AI in Behavioral Medicine,” by James Rehg, PhD, Director of the Health Care Engineering Systems Center, a Founder Professor of Computer Science and Industrial and Enterprise Systems Engineering at The Grainger College of Engineering. Please plan to join us on April 5, 2024, at the I Hotel and Conference Center for this important event. The check-in table opens at 11:30 am, with opening remarks at 12:15 pm.

CI MED Capstone team MenoPatch has earned first place in the Founders Forge 2024 startup company pitch competition. MenoPatch is a transdermal skin patch (similar to a nicotine patch or continuous glucose monitor) with a needle-less port through which patients and/or their physicians can administer personalized doses of hormone therapy. The team – consisting of CI MED students David Krist, Anila Mehta, and Lotanna Nwandu, along with MBA candidate Adam Szeremeta ­­–won a  cash prize from venture capitalists in addition to further networking and mentorship opportunities. The team has also entered the Cozad New Venture Challenge, coming up in April.

BMTS faculty members Harlee Sorkin and Ed Moore recently led the Cozad New Venture Challenge workshop aimed at educating students on the significance of implementing clinical translation, the integration of medical devices, digital therapeutics, and point-of-care diagnostics into clinical practice. CI MED sponsors Cozad’s Healthcare Track, supporting aspiring health innovators and entrepreneurs. This year, 54 teams are entered into this track. The workshop also covered the importance of seeking regulatory clearance, conducting pre-clinical testing, and evaluating the feasibility, scalability, and clinical practicality of their proposed solution. TEC’s Cozad Team is seeking industry professionals, faculty members, and university staff to join as judges for Pitch Practice Night in Urbana on April 3, and Demo Day in Champaign on April 11. Your insights, experience, and guidance can help refine startup ideas.

Four  CI MED Capstone teams are entered in the Cozad New Venture Challenge. You can learn more about the 2024 Capstone projects here. Click the Load More button to expand the list. 

Clinical Sciences:
The Department of Clinical Sciences welcomes Claudius Conrad, MD, PhD, FACS, FSSO, Surgical Oncologist, researcher, and expert in minimally invasive procedures to treat liver, pancreatic, and biliary tract cancers. He is a widely published researcher exploring innovative cancer treatments and therapies. He is also a concert pianist who has pioneered investigations into music’s ability to heal.

The Department of Clinical Sciences would like to welcome the following faculty members as Clinical Assistant Professors:

• John Burr
• Nicole del Castillo
• Jack Hou
• Catherine Keller
• Daniel Warren

Dan Rodawig has established a portfolio of over 100 companies and foundations that could help close gaps in funding and support for CI MED. His contacts include principals, board members, executives, and medical industry leaders with jobs in product development, therapeutics, tissue engineering, medical simulation, as well as AI and emerging external innovations. Dan has also identified foundations that could align with the college and may be interested in supporting our faculty and students. Please reach out to Dan for more information on Advancement’s efforts to identify new sources of corporate or foundational support for our faculty and staff.

Nora Few and Sami Roch will represent CI MED Admissions at the AAMC Virtual Exhibitor Booth on April 11. The CI MED team's live chat hours will be 10 am-3 pm central time.

Joshua Chen’s poem Tetralogy of Fallot received an honorable mention in NEOMED's 42nd annual Williams Carlos Williams Poetry Competition from their Department of Family and Community Medicine. The poem, to be published on the Student Blog, imagines the life of a child with a congenital heart condition commonly known as blue baby syndrome.

Mukil Guruparan's Bhangra team just won First Place in the Madtown Bhangra competition hosted in Madison, Wisconsin. Watch a recording of the winning performance here.

Shirley Zhang and her table tennis team took first place in the National Collegiate Table Tennis competition for the Lower Midwest Division. The team is headed to nationals in April.

CI MED students have collaborated with local ophthalmologists to establish the Avicenna Eye Clinic to better connect the local community with free, comprehensive eye and vision care. Co-Directors Eric Moran, Bhargavee Gnanasambandam, and Ben Lee oversee the clinic, with the support of ophthalmologist mentors and preceptors. The Avicenna Eye Clinic is open on select Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Information on how to make an appointment, the full range of services, and upcoming Eye Clinic dates is available on the Avicenna website. Read more here.

Ryann Monahan has been selected to present at the 2024 AAMC Conference for Marketing and Institutional Advancement. She presents "Telling Your Institution’s Story to Promote Your Brand and Engage Your Audiences" in Boston on April 11. 

Congratulations to Taylor Young, Office Administrator, in the Office of Research and Innovation. Taylor is the recipient of the quarterly Outstanding Staff Award 2024!

Interested in nominating a colleague for recognition? Nominations for the June Outstanding Staff Award Nomination are due by May 31 to be considered.

How long have you been at Carle Illinois, and where were you before?
I joined Carle Illinois in December 2023. Prior to this role, I led a Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence at a college in Illinois. In that capacity, I spearheaded innovative faculty development programs that not only enhanced teaching effectiveness but also provided valuable presentation opportunities at both state and national academic conferences. 

Tell us something interesting about yourself. 
I had the privilege of serving Carle Health for 11 years before relocating. In my last position as a Carle Experience Physician Liaison, I had the honor of contributing to the establishment of the Carle Illinois College of Medicine by serving on its inaugural search committee. 

What do you like most about working at CI MED? 
I find a profound sense of belonging at Carle Illinois because I am surrounded by compassionate individuals. From the exceptional staff in the dean's suite to the engaging faculty across CI MED, everyone I've interacted with has shown kindness and provided invaluable support. Working alongside an exemplary leader like Deb Young, who guides our department with grace and wisdom, has been truly inspiring. Additionally, having a longtime friend like Mrs. Lisa "my G" Lahners nearby never fails to bring a smile to my face. 

What are you most looking forward to in the next few months? 
My shameless plug 😊 I am looking forward to the upcoming events hosted by the Office of Faculty Affairs and Development, including the Spring and Fall Retreats, Monthly Lunch and Learns, and the Cohorts, among others. Additionally, I am excited about the CI MED Convocation, where we will have the opportunity to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our students and acknowledge the dedication and hard work of our leaders, faculty, and staff. 

Promotions/Reclassifications/New Hires:

Brian Schumacher joined CI MED on March 21, as a student records associate with Academic Affairs. Brian will be responsible for the coordination of electives, including the design, implementation, assessment/evaluation, and management of academic, evaluative, and administrative activities to ensure fulfillment of learning objectives and experiences.

 Beth Hart has been reclassified to marketing communications coordinator. Beth will participate in strategy development of day-to-day execution of the unit's marketing and communications plans as well as partner with the Director of Marketing and Communications to create content, assist in management of vehicles and channels that drive target audience engagement, and enhance reputation and awareness.

External Events:

• Cozad New Venture Challenge Demo Day – Thursday, April 11, 2024, from 1-5 pm at the I Hotel and Conference Center.
• Black Joy Project meetings - April 14, May 12, June 16, July 14, August 25, September 15, October 13, and November 10 (dates subject to change) from 1:30-4 pm at Spurlock Museum, 600 S. Gregory St., Urbana. Contact Jadyn Laixely for information.
• Healthy Aging of Brain and Mind with AI: 7^th Illinois + AI Summit - Monday, April 15, 2024, from 8:30 am to 4 pm at the Discovery Partners Institute, 200 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago. Register here.
• Addressing Inequity in Community-Engaged Research - April 19, 2024, from noon to 1:30 pm. Register for Zoom details.
• 2024 Boneyard Creek Community Day is Saturday, April 20, from 9 am-noon. More info: http://www.boneyardcreek.org/