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Awards

Zernicke receives prestigious biomechanics award

Ronald F. Zernicke, Ph.D., director of the Bone and Joint Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation Center, was honored with the Canadian Society of Biomechanics Career Award in recognition of more than 30 years of research in biomechanics.

Zernicke is a professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Division of Kinesiology. His research focuses on adaptation of bone to exercise, diet, and joint injury and post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Before coming to the Health System in 2007, Zernicke served as the executive director of the Albert Bone and Joint Health Institute. He was the Wood Professor in Joint Injury Research in the Faculty of Medicine and a professor and former Dean of the faculty of Kinesiology. He was also a professor in the Schulich School of Engineering at the University of Calgary. 

Donn awarded for work on mechanical ventilation of newborns

Steven M. Donn, M.D., was recently presented the Douglas K. Richardson Memorial Lectureship Award by the New England Association of Neonatologists for his work on mechanical ventilation of newborns and ways to reduce ventilator-induced lung injury. The lectureship was named for the late Douglas K. Richardson, M.D., a professor of pediatrics at Harvard University, and a long time friend and colleague of Donn. Donn is a professor of pediatrics and the director of the Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine at UMHS. Donn was selected for the award based on his contributions to both clinical research and education.


Burgio receives 2008 Lawton Award

Louis D. Burgio, Ph.D., Harold R. Johnson Professor of Social Work at the School of Social Work and Research Professor at the Institute of Gerontology, was presented the M. Powell Lawton Award at the Gerontological Society of America annual scientific meeting in National Harbor, MD, on Nov. 24. The Lawton Award recognizes outstanding contributions to applied gerontological research.

Burgio is a leading researcher of applied gerontology. He is widely known for his work on developing interventions for the behavioral complications of dementia in long-term care settings, and for the problems faced by family caregivers. His innovative research techniques, which include the pioneering development of real-time measures of patient and staff behaviors, have resulted in improved care and quality of life of the elderly.

Chinnaiyan awarded as distinguished clinical scientist

Arul Chinnaiyan, M.D., Ph.D., was selected by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation to receive the Distinguished Clinical Scientist Award for 2008. The award recognizes exceptional mid-career physician-scientists who apply the latest scientific advances to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of disease.

The program is also intended to support physician-scientists who have well-established translational research programs, appropriately awarded to Chinnaiyan who acts as the director for the Michigan Center for Translational Medicine.   

Chinnaiyan combines his interests in clinical genomics and proteomics, and cancer profiling in his laboratory work, which focuses on using genomic, proteomic and bioinformatic approaches to analyze and understand cancer.

Omenn recognized by the Institute of Medicine

Gilbert S. Omenn, M.D., received the Walsh McDermott Medal for distinguished service from the Institute of Medicine at its annual meeting Monday, Oct. 13. Omenn is a professor of internal medicine, human genetics and public health, and director of the Center for Computation Medicine and Biology at the Health System. Omenn has remained an active member and contributor to the IOM since being elected in 1979. He served as chair of the National Research Council’s Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy from 1982 through 1988, and has been a member of the Report Review Committee since 2001.



Dean Woolliscroft announces Staff Award recipients

The Medical School Dean’s Award Program for Staff recognizes support, professional and administrative staff who provide distinctive service to the Medical School.

This year’s award recipients include:

Janet Hoff, LVT, LATG, Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, is the 2008 Support Staff Member of the Year. She is the coordinator for the Center for Integrative Genomics and has taught several hundred trainees to perform difficult small animal surgical manipulations.

 

 



Carol Standardi, R.M., Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences is the 2008 Professional Staff Member of the Year. She ensures all Ophthalmology areas are continuously ready for onsite surveys and have integrated National Patient Safety Goals into their processes to maintain a safe patient care environment.

James Bell, chief administrator, Department of Surgery, is the 2008 Administrator of the Year, for his leadership skills. According to colleagues, Bell builds others’ confidence and self-esteem, challenges them to set goals and provides the resources needed to achieve these goals.

All three winners receive $1,500 and an invitation to attend the Dean’s Faculty and Staff Awards dinner. Winners were selected by the Dean based on advice from a staff selection committee.

 

Metabolic Fitness Program awarded for innovation

The Metabolic Fitness Program, part of Cardiovascular Medicine at Domino’s Farms, received an Innovation Award from the American Association for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation for its outstanding creativity in patient care and program design. The program’s goal is to provide strategies to reduce the risks of heart disease, stroke and diabetes associated with metabolic syndrome. It combines exercise, nutrition and stress management in a supportive group atmosphere to facilitate lifestyle changes. The program was evaluated based on the definition of disease management outlined by the Disease Management Association of America.

Jakubowiak and Cancer Center awarded for advancing multiple myeloma research

The Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium awarded the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center and Andrzej Jakubowiak, M.D., Ph.D., professor, Department of Internal Medicine, the 2008 MMRC Center of the Year Award. The award recognizes the outstanding efforts of an MMRC Member Institution and its respective principal investigator in advancing the field of multiple myeloma research and drug development.

“We are incredibly proud to be part of the MMRC, a consortium that is committed to advancing high-quality, innovative clinical trials of today’s most promising compounds and novel combinations,” says Jakubowiak. “I have no doubt that their commitment to results, as evidenced by the Center of the Year Award, will lead to the development of the next generation of treatments for multiple myeloma.”

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