» 2012 News Makers - 05 May
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News Makers 2012

- archived News Makers -

  • 05-31-12
    ALS at 27: Mass. Baseball Player Strikes Back

    A story about Pete Frates, a 27-year-old baseball player from Beverly, Mass., with ALS includes comments from Robert H. Brown Jr., DPhil, MD, chair and professor of neurology.
    ABC News

  • 05-31-12
    President of Liberia to meet local Liberians before UMass Medical speech

    The President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, plans to meet with the Worcester Liberian community prior to delivering the commencement address at UMMS.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 05-31-12
    Pollen piles up

    N.Alan Harris, MD, instructor in pediatrics, talks about the unusually high pollen counts and how it effects people who suffer from allergies and asthma.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette
    Examiner.com

  • 05-31-12
    RXi Pharma gets FDA nod to start clinical trial

    RXi Pharmaceticals Corp. was cleared by the FDA to start a Phase 1 trial of an RNAi compound that reduces skin scarring in planned surgeries. The compound is based on the work of company co-founder Craig Mello, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, Blais University Chair in Molecular Medicine and distinguished professor of molecular medicine and cell biology.
    Mass High Tech

  • 05-31-12
    Hopkinton race tops $1 million in ALS fight

    The annual Sharon Timlin Memorial Race will be held on June 10th in Hopkinton. Proceeds from the race are donated to the Angel Fund, which supports the research of Robert H. Brown Jr., DPhil, MD, chair and professor of neurology, and the Cecil B. Day Neuromuscular Research Laboratory at UMass Medical School.
    MetroWest Daily News

  • 05-31-12
    What to Tell Kids About the Rossini Case

    W Peter Metz, MD, clinical professor of psychiatry and pediatrics, offers advice to parents on what to say to children when someone they know is accused of a crime.
    ShrewsburyPatch

  • 05-30-12
    Rituximab Then CHOP Extends Survival in PTLD

    Andrew Evens, DO, associate professor medicine, is quoted in an article about a recent study showing advances in the treatment of patients with post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD).
    Clinical Oncology

  • 05-30-12
    Bay State likely to see new test for Down syndrome

    A blood test done on maternal serum early in the first trimester of pregnancy to determine if a baby has Down syndrome, Trisomy 13 or Trisomy 18, underwent a clinical trial last year at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Tiffany Anne Moore Simas, MD, MPH, MEd, associate professor of obstetrics & gynecology and pediatrics, lead the trial at UMass Medical School. In the article, she explains how the test, which analyzes fetal DNA in the mother's blood, works.
    The Portland Press Herald
    NECN

  • 05-30-12
    Tips for Preventing and Dealing with Concussions

    Marc C. Restuccia, MD, clinical associate professor of emergency medicine, offers advice on dealing with head injuries.
    GoLocalWorcester

  • 05-29-12
    Trash To Cash

    UMass Medical School and UMass Memorial Health Care are a step ahead with the Department of Environmental Protection’s next step in recycling: banning commercial food waste from being dumped in landfills or incinerators. Quoted in the story is Melissa Lucas, sustainability and energy manager.
    Worcester Business Journal

  • 05-29-12
    Interpreters may help shorten hospital stays

    A new study by Mary S. Lindholm, MD, assistant professor of family medicine & community health, shows that hospitalized patients who aren't fluent in English end up spending fewer days in the hospital when they get help from a language interpreter at certain crucial times.
    Reuters
    Chicago Tribune

  • 05-29-12
    With help from UMass Memorial, schools keep watch on diabetic kids

    A pilot program between UMass Memorial Medical Center's pediatric endocrinology unit and public schools in Leominster, Fitchburg and Worcester uses the Web-based glucometer program, called “My Care Team,” to help school nurses and pediatricians better track blood sugar levels in school children with diabetes. Kim A. Johnson, a registered nurse at UMass Memorial Medical Center who is certified in public health diabetes care, is quoted in the article.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 05-26-12
    Dealing with Arthritis: Do You Need Joint Replacement

    Ellen M. Gravallese, MD, professor of medicine and cell biology, and David Ayers, MD, the Arthur M. Pappas, MD, Chair in Orthopedics and chair and professor of orthopedics & physical rehabilitation, talk about Osteoarthritis and when to seek total joint replacement.
    GoLocalWorcester

  • 05-26-12
    Worcester Book Drive Collects Over 25,000 Books

    UMMS helps support “Worcester: the City that Reads” by collecting books for their program to promote literacy in the community.
    GoLocalWorcester

  • 05-25-12
    How to be Prepared for a Medical Emergency

    Marc C. Restuccia, MD, clinical associate professor of emergency medicine, offers tips for keeping your children safe as temperatures rise.
    GoLocalWorcester

  • 05-23-12
    United Way raises $5.7M

    John O'Brien, president and CEO of UMass Memorial Health Care, was honored at the United Way of Central Massachusetts annual celebration at Mechanics Hall. The celebration was held to recognize local companies and people for their commitment to the community.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 05-23-12
    Research spending at UMass nears $600 million

    In a recent announcement about research spending at the University of Massachusetts, President Robert L. Caret said UMass Medical School led the five campuses with about $262.7 million. “The millions of research dollars pouring into all five campuses is testament to the University of Massachusetts’s stature as a world-class institution,” he said.
    MassLive.com

  • 05-22-12
    Death Rates for People with Diabetes Drops

    A new study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health and published in Diabetes Care shows that deaths among diabetes patients declined by 23 percent from 1997 to 2006. David M. Harlan, MD, the William and Doris Krupp Professor in Medicine and professor of medicine, is quoted in the story.
    GoLocalWorcester

  • 05-20-12
    New fetal DNA test detects Down syndrome

    A blood test done on maternal serum early in the first trimester of pregnancy to determine if a baby has Down syndrome, Trisomy 13 or Trisomy 18, underwent a clinical trial last year at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Tiffany Anne Moore Simas, MD, MPH, MEd, associate professor of obstetrics & gynecology and pediatrics, lead the trial at UMass Medical School. In the article, she explains how the test, which analyzes fetal DNA in the mother's blood, works.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 05-20-12
    Doctor-patient communication gets technical

    An article about patient-doctor communication explores how David M. Harlan, MD, the William and Doris Krupp Professor in Medicine and professor of medicine, and David McManus, MD, assistant professor of medicine, are developing new technologies to get real-time information from patients.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 05-20-12
    Answering the Call

    The Worcester Telegram and Gazette interviewed Susan Levine, MPH, chief operating officer at UHealthSolutions, about a pilot program UHealthSolutions is operating with Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center to handle patient calls.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 05-20-12
    State could channel $50M to innovative companies

    An article about the Innovation Investment Fund bill, which would establish a $50-million fund that would give research enterprises $1 for every $3 raised from other sources, such as federal grants or private donors, includes quotes from Jim Leary, vice chancellor of community and government relations and Babs R. Soller, PhD, professor of anesthesiology and surgery and founder of Reflectance Medical.
    MetroWest Daily News

  • 05-20-12
    UMass Memorial head sees new era in health care

    UMass Memorial Health Care CEO John O’Brien talked to the Telegram and Gazette about the future of our health care systems and how health reform is impacting UMass Memorial Medical Center.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 05-18-12
    Goldie Michelson, 109, shares Worcester memories

    UMMS benefactor Goldie Michelson shares her memories of growing up in the 20s, attending college and living in Worcester.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette
    Brown Alumni Magazine

  • 05-18-12
    A New Approach to Controlling Your Blood Pressure

    New research by the Task Force on Community Preventive Services shows that patients struggling to control their blood pressure have more success if they’re treated by a team of medical professionals. Robert A. Phillips MD, PhD, professor of cardiovascular medicine, is quoted in the story.
    GoLocalWorcester

  • 05-18-12
    Pedaling is personal for PMC Kids Ride Shrewsbury co-organizer

    The Pan-Mass Challenge Kids Rides will take place tomorrow at the UMMS South Street Campus. Proceeds will benefit the Jimmy Fund.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 05-17-12
    Reports Of Dangers From Synthetic Marijuana Use Increasing

    A story about the dangers of K2, or synthetic marijuana, includes comments from Christopher Rosenbaum, MD, assistant professor of emergency medicine.
    WBUR

  • 05-17-12
    Dr. Richard V. Aghababian to lead Mass. Medical Society

    Richard V. Aghababian, MD, founding chair of emergency medicine at UMass Memorial Medical Center and UMass Medical School, is selected to head the Massachusetts Medical Society.
    Boston.com
    MetroWest Daily News
    Boston Business Journal
    Wicked Local Southborough
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 05-16-12
    Team use dual strategy to fight Type 1 diabetes

    David V. Serreze, PhD, research associate professor of medicine, quoted in story of a new combination therapy that reverses established Type 1 diabetes in mice. The study results were reported in the journal of Science Translational Medicine.
    SunSentinel.com

  • 05-16-12
    Local graduates are among the ‘29 Who Shine’

    UMass Medical School student Abraham Jaffe, SOM ’12, who was honored by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education as one of its “29 Who Shine” awardees, talks about becoming a physician and his plans for the future.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 05-16-12
    A breakthrough for the city

    Chancellor Michael F. Collins will be part of a panel discussion focusing on Worcester’s economic development opportunities. The discussion will take place on May 24th as part of a celebration for the progress being made at CitySquare.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 05-16-12
    Guardians of the Data

    Raymond Lefebvre, director of database and reporting systems at UMMS, is quoted in an article about the challenges of keeping data secure.
    Campus Technology

  • 05-15-12
    After Diagnosis, Cellucci Aiming To Help Raise Millions For ALS Research

    Former Gov. Paul Cellucci talks with WBZ’s Beth Germano about his fundraising efforts for the UMass ALS Champion Fund. Chancellor Michael F. Collins and Robert H. Brown Jr., DPhil, MD, chair and professor of neurology, are mentioned in the story.
    WBZ TV Boston

  • 05-15-12
    Grant fights cancer war

    Maryellen D. Brisbois, GSN student and nursing instructor at Worcester State, received a $30,000 grant from the American Cancer Society. The grant will allow her to hire an interpreter to support her efforts working with Hispanic women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 05-14-12
    UVM College of Medicine Announces 2012 Medical Alumni Association Award Honorees

    Mary Elizabeth Maloney, MD, professor of medicine, will be presented with the 2012 Medical Alumni Association Award during the University of Vermont College of Medicine Medical Alumni Reunion, Friday June 8, 2012.
    The University of Vermont

  • 05-14-12
    Extraordinary talents: Twin sisters achieve exceedingly rare feat

    Identical twin sisters, Asia and Ashley Matthew will enroll in the MD/PhD program at the University of Massachusetts Medical School after graduating from Xavier with a 4.0 average in both chemistry and pre-med.
    WWL-TV New Orleans

  • 05-14-12
    Checking Worcester's Business Climate

    An article about the development of the health care industry in Worcester notes that UMass Memorial Medical Center was a critical component in the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences decision to locate to the city over a decade ago.
    Worcester Business Journal

  • 05-14-12
    VA increases research on women’s health issues

    The Department of Veterans Affairs is restructuring its health care services to better serve the needs of woman veterans. Quoted in the article is Kristin Mattocks, PHD, MPH, assistant professor of quantitative health sciences and associate chief of staff for research for VA Central Western Massachusetts Health Care System.
    The Boston Globe

  • 05-13-12
    Former Gov. Paul Cellucci is in toughest contest of his life

    Former Gov. Paul Cellucci talks about his fundraising efforts for the UMass ALS Champion Fund. Chancellor Michael F. Collins is quoted in the story.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 05-12-12
    UMass Memorial Helps Families Coping with Diabetes

    UMass Memorial Medical Center held a Family Diabetes Day on Saturday, May 12, to help educate children and their parents on how to help manage the disease.
    GoLocalWorcester

  • 05-10-12
    Research reveals novel transport mechanism for large ribonucleoproteins

    New evidence published in Cell by Vivian Budnik, PhD, professor of neurobiology, Melissa J. Moore, PhD, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator and professor of biochemistry & molecular pharmacology, and colleagues at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, reveals a novel budding mechanism, similar to the process used by some viruses, capable of exporting large ribonucleoprotein particles from the nucleus to the cytoplasm.
    Science Codex
    Phys.Org.com
    News-Medical
    RedOrbit
    Labspaces.net

  • 05-10-12
    RXi Completes Spin-Off, Names New CEO

    RXi Pharmaceuticals Corp., co-founded by Craig Mello, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, Blais University Chair in Molecular Medicine and distinguished professor of molecular medicine and cell biology, completes spin-off from Galena Biopharma Inc. and names new president and CEO.
    Worcester Business Journal

  • 05-10-12
    29 Massachusetts students who shine

    UMass Medical School student Abraham Jaffe, SOM ’12, was honored by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education as one of its “29 Who Shine” awardees.
    Boston.com

  • 05-10-12
    Education hones biotech edge

    An op-ed by Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Richard Kennedy references UMass Medical School as a leader in life sciences research.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 05-09-12
    Cool the hot flashes

    An article about treatments for hot flashes references a study by James F. Carmody, PhD, associate professor of medicine, which shows that meditation can help reduce the severity of menopausal hot flashes.
    Lahontan Valley News

  • 05-09-12
    UF researchers, colleagues use dual strategy to fight Type 1 diabetes

    David V. Serreze, PhD, research associate professor of medicine, is quoted in an article about a new combination therapy that reverses established Type 1 diabetes in mice.
    HealthCanal.com
    University of Florida

  • 05-09-12
    Westboro to use UMass for emergency dispatch

    Westboro has award a contract to UMass Memorial Emergency Medical Services for emergency medical dispatch services.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 05-08-12
    Conflicting research raises questions about statins

    An article about the health risks associated with cholesterol lowering drugs cites a study by Yunsheng Ma, PhD, MD, MPH, associate professor of medicine, and Annie L. Culver, pharmacy consultant, showing postmenopausal women using cholesterol-lowering statins are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Dr. Ma is also quoted in the story.
    The Greenville News

  • 05-07-12
    Substance abuse on the rise among boomers

    Douglas M. Ziedonis, MD, MPH, chair and professor of psychiatry; Gary S. Moak, MD, clinical associate professor of psychiatry; Patrice M. Muchowski, SciD, affiliate in psychiatry; and David A. Wilner, MD, clinical associate professor of medicine, are quoted in story about the increase in substance abuse among older adults.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 05-07-12
    Area women to receive Erskine Award

    Phyllis Pollack, MD, clinical associate professor of pediatrics and medicine and obstetrics & gynecology, will receive the YWCA’s Katharine F. Erskine Award during the 19th annual Tribute to Women tomorrow at a luncheon at Mechanics Hall.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 05-07-12
    College Endowments - Winners and Losers in Central Mass.

    An article about endowment performance among local colleges and universities references the University of Massachusetts Foundation, which covers all of the UMass campuses, including UMass Medical School. According to the article, the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) reported that UMass experienced a 15.2 percent growth in fiscal year 2011.
    GoLocalWorcester

  • 05-07-12
    Local - Week of May 6

    The Second annual Worcester County Vendor Trade Show will be held today from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the UMass Medical School lobby.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 05-06-12
    Those who donated their bodies for research honored

    A memorial service honoring the donors to the Anatomical Gift Program and their families was held by the School of Medicine class of 2015 on Saturday. John M. Cooke, PhD, associate professor of cell biology, and Dianne M. Person, administrator of the anatomical gift program are quoted in the story.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 05-06-12
    Dr. Michael Hirsh sees his multitasking ways a ‘plus’

    Michael P. Hirsh, MD, professor of surgery and pediatrics, talks about his new role as the city of Worcester’s interim commissioner of public health.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 05-06-12
    Worcester-Boston: A tale of two cities

    James Leary, associate vice chancellor for community affairs, is quoted in an op-ed about opportunities for Massachusetts workers who either work and/or live in Boston and Worcester.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 05-05-12
    Extreme tanning raises concerns

    A story examining indoor tanning salons and the dangers of extreme tanning includes comments from Sherry Lynn Pagoto, PhD, assistant professor of medicine, and David E. Geist, MD, assistant professor of medicine.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 05-04-12
    Pfizer’s arthritis drug tofacitinib to receive positive FDA AdCom recommendation in May, safety concerns to be discussed

    Jonathan Kay, MD, professor of medicine, is quoted in article about an investigational drug called tofacitinib, which is expected to receive a positive recommendation from the FDA for the treatment of moderate-to-severely active rheumatoid arthritis.
    Financial Times

  • 05-04-12
    Big Y Raises $161,000 for Breast-cancer Support Groups

    Big Y Supermarkets raised $161,000 during its October initiative, "Partners of Hope". A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Comprehensive Breast Center at UMass Memorial Health Care.
    Health Care News

  • 05-04-12
    UMass Medical quietly gaining star quality

    A front-page story in the Boston Globe touts UMass Medical School’s ‘star quality,’ in describing recent recruits to the faculty from the ranks of the world’s top scientists.
    The Boston Globe
    WBUR

  • 05-04-12
    Eye clinic part of $5M health center planned for Worcester

    A new grant-funded optometry clinic at the Family Health Center is formed, in part, by a collaboration including UMass Medical School, UMass Memorial Health Care and others. The story includes quote from Frances M. Anthes, MSW, president of the Family Health Center and instructor in family medicine & community health.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 05-04-12
    Money will go to fund for sons of fallen Worcester firefighter Jon D. Davies Sr.

    The University of Massachusetts Medical School and UMass Memorial Health Care help to raise funds for the family of fallen Worcester firefighter Jon D. Davies, Sr.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette

  • 05-03-12
    Effects of mindfulness training in asthma ‘comparable to inhalers’

    Patients in a recent study who received mindfulness training showed clinically significant improvements in asthma-related quality of life compared to those patients with inhalers. Lori Pbert, PhD, professor of medicine, who lead the study is quoted in the story.
    Pulse Today

  • 05-02-12
    Gene Transfer Stable and Persistent in HIV-Infected Patients

    Guangping Gao, PhD, the Penelope Booth Rockwell Chair in Biomedical Research and professor of microbiology & physiological systems, is quoted in an article about a recent study which used a retroviral vector to directs a patient's T cells to recognize HIV.
    Medscape Medical News

  • 05-02-12
    Patriots Players Visit UMass Children’s Center

    New England Patriot receivers Julian Edelman and Matt Slater visit UMass Memorial Children’s Medical Center as part of the Patriots’ “Celebrate Volunteerism” campaign.
    GoLocalWorcester

  • 05-02-12
    Hospital partners with Marlborough Triathlon

    Marlborough Hospital, a member hospital of UMass Memorial Health Care, has partnered with the Marlborough Triathlon in an effort to promote active and healthy lifestyles. Hospital CEO Karen Moore, is quoted in the story.
    Metrowest Daily News

  • 05-02-12
    Doctors debate recommended age for mammogram screening

    Sarwat Hussain, MD, professor of radiology, discusses various recommendations and the need for routine mammography screenings in women ages 40-49.
    NECN

  • 05-02-12
    Jackson Street School joins national move using meditation, mindfulness

    Florence Meleo-Meyer, head of the Mindfulness Education Project at UMMS, talks to Northampton students about the benefits of meditation and mindfulness. The school recently received a $2,000 Mindfulness in Education Initiative grant from the Northampton Education Foundation.
    Daily Hampshire Gazette

  • 05-01-12
    FDA Orders Halt To Sale Of Popular Diet Supplements

    A story about the dangers of diet supplements containing dimethylamylamine (DMAA) includes comments from Christopher Rosenbaum, MD, assistant professor of emergency medicine.
    WCVB TV Boston

  • 05-01-12
    The Menopause Map: New Guide For Navigating The Post-Fertility Life

    Machelle M. Seibel, MD, clinical professor of obstetrics & gynecology, comments on Menopause Map, a new interactive tool helping women make decisions about hormone therapy.
    WBUR

  • 05-01-12
    Partnerships are key to cities’ growth

    Chancellor Michael F. Collins, speaking at the second annual Massachusetts Bar Association Gateway Cities Forum, talked about creating a diverse health care workforce by forging strong partnerships.
    Worcester Telegram and Gazette
    Worcester Business Journal