Internal Medicine Newsletter

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Department of Internal Medicine The University of Texas Medical Branch

Chairman’s Corner Many people referred to 2020 as ‘a year like no other’ and yet, 2021 has proven to have its own set of trials and tribulations. From a unique Texas Winter Freeze to my arrival as a new Chair to the continued waxing and waning of COVID, 2021 has been full of surprises. What I observed was an incredibly resilient and adaptable UTMB team that time and again met the challenges we were confronted with. You should be extraordinarily proud of your Alma Mater and the Department of Internal Medicine. The faculty, house staff, and staff have once again demonstrated their dedication and ingenuity in the face of uncertain times. This is my first time writing to you as the Chair of Internal Medicine. I am incredibly grateful to the Alumni Network for their commitment to UTMB. Below are some of our accomplishments over the past year: • As of October 21, 2021 we have had a cumulative total of 587,634 Covid-19 tests, 8,989 hospitalizations, 671 deaths and 4,910 monoclonal antibodies administered and over 320,000 vaccine doses given

• Grand Rounds, Morning Report, and other meetings have evolved from virtual to hybrid, as did all our support staff and non-COVID research staff during the height of COVID spread. We hope to be back in person full-time by Spring 2022 • So far this year, UTMB faculty have submitted 225 COVID -19 related grants with 83 proposals being funded for over $28M in research funding • Our Department has published more than 46 peer-reviewed publications • We have begun to respond to the 2020 external review of the Department with several concrete steps including an improved communication strategy, a “citizen of the month” to highlight deeds of selflessness by faculty and staff, and we have launched a search for a new Research Director for our Center for Health-System Improvement (CHI) • Dr. J. Marc Shabot has established the Department of Internal Medicine Mentorship Fund which will provide a focus on faculty development by creating a robust mentorship program by utilizing resources at UTMB to conduct lectures and workshops for our faculty mentors and mentees • Dr. William Calhoun has agreed to lead the Research Mindset Group which ensures fellows are exposed to a wide array of research occurring at UTMB. This program will also link fellows to numerous research training programs that exist across UTMB • The Department has recruited Dr. Gregory Gray, MD, MPH, FIDSA as Professor in Infectious Disease, PMPH and Microbiology/Immunology. Dr. Gray is a retired U.S. Navy Captain and brings with him a diverse background

November 2021 in epidemiological studies of infectious disease for over 25 years within 5 continents. Much of his work has involved identifying risk factors for occupational diseases, particularly respiratory virus infections. Our Department is evolving to meet the needs of our local community, our state, and the nation. None of this would be possible without our tremendous faculty and staff. Since my arrival at UTMB in April, 2021 I have been overwhelmed by the dedication of many of our long-term faculty and our devoted alumni. I would like to thank Dr. Rex McCallum for the tremendous leadership he provided to the Department of Internal Medicine prior to my arrival, and for his assistance during my transition to UTMB. At an institutional level, Dr. Ben Raimer was appointed as UTMB’s President on October 5, 2021. Dr. Raimer has held numerous academic and administrative positions at UTMB over the past four decades. His new title as President reflects his exceptional leadership over the past two years. Removing the interim solidifies Dr. Raimer’s leadership is a competitive advantage in our ability to recruit top caliber people to UTMB. I would like to conclude by thanking you, as Alumni, and our faculty and staff for supporting the Institution and myself as Chairman. It has been a pleasure to lead such a wonderful and dedicated group of individuals.

Peter Cram, MD, MBA

Chair, Department of Internal Medicine Edward Randall and Edward Randall Jr., Distinguished Chair in Internal Medicine Professor of Internal Medicine


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