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DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL MEDICINE NEWSLETTER
November 2008
internalmed.slu.edu
SPOTLIGHT ON Raymond G. Slavin, M.D., received the Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honor given by the St. Louis Business Journal, at its Health Care Heroes Recognition Ceremony in October. Dr. Slavin is world renown for his research on allergies and asthma. In a Business Journal interview, he describes his job, which balances research, treating patients and teaching, as the “best of all possible worlds.” An endowed professorship in allergy and immunology was named in his honor marking what Dr. Slavin calls “probably one of the greatest single honors that has been paid to me.” Dr. Slavin was one of four members of the Saint Louis University School of Medicine family, and among 20 area medical professionals, who were recognized for their outstanding professional accomplishments. He is joined by SLU colleagues Richard Bucholz, M.D., director of neurosurgery and winner in the innovation category; William Keenan, M.D., pediatrics professor and pioneer in the field of neonatal resuscitation and physician finalist; and Akwi Asombang, M.D., chief resident in internal medicine and public policy finalist, in receiving recognitions from the Business Journal. Akwi Asombang, M.D., who, in addition to completing her residency, is pursuing a master’s degree in public health at Saint Louis University, was recognized as a hero for her work in helping Africans – in St. Louis and across the globe.
Born in Cameroon, Dr. Asombang is president of Aftrican Refugees and Immigrant Services (ARIS), a non-profit that helps African refugees make the transition to life in St. Louis. “Once I got involved, I realized the barriers they face,” she told the Business Journal. “These are people who come here not of their own choosing, but because of a war that broke out that they have nothing to do with.” Dr. Asombang also has started the Pan-African Organization for Health, Education & Research (POHER), which is building a community center. She recently was honored by the Association of American Medical Colleges for her volunteer work. AWARDS Suzanne Mahon, R.N., D.N.Sc., AOCN®, APNG, received a grant from the Saint Louis Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure to provide community outreach and professional education about hereditary cancer syndromes. The grant will allow Dr. Mahon to provide presentations in the community at churches, support groups, and other community agencies to increase awareness of hereditary breast cancer and the availability of hereditary cancer education, counseling and testing which is available at Saint Louis University through the Division of Hematology/Oncology. Dr. Mahon will also be providing educational programs to physicians and other healthcare providers to increase awareness of when to refer patients for a hereditary cancer syndrome evaluation and