Names and Faces

Gustafson Named Co-chair of Partners Center of Expertise

Michael Gustafson, MD, MBA, senior vice president for Clinical Excellence, was recently named co-chair of the newly formed Partners GME Center of Expertise in Academic Medical Center Healthcare Management.

As a co-chair, Gustafson along with MGH Senior Vice President Jean Elrick, MD, will establish a network across Partners of mentors and resources for the next generation of leaders in hospital administration, physician organization management and departmental/hospital leadership roles.

“Developing physician leaders with health care management interest and experience is critical to addressing many of the challenges facing U.S. health care,” said Gustafson. “In many ways, this center will help support trainees to explore their interests in non-traditional paths, much as I was supported by several physician leaders early on in my career at BWH.”

The Partners Centers of Expertise is part of the vision of Partners Physician Education Strategic Planning, which is intended to enable graduate trainees to achieve excellence as clinicians and gain an added valuable experience through coordinated access to outstanding faculty and other resources.

The center recently compiled a list of leaders volunteering to serve as faculty resources. These volunteers will meet with trainees for career discussions and advice, present and lead a discussion at a lunch/dinner session, be shadowed while carrying out leadership responsibilities and formal mentoring of a resident for a specific project.

For more information, contact Gustafson at mgustafson@partners.org

Faculty Resource List

BWH: Michael Gustafson MD, MBA; co-chair, BWH President Gary Gottlieb MD, MBA; Anthony Whittemore MD, CMO; Allen Smith, President BWPO; Jessica Dudley, MD, BWPO CMO; Steve Seltzer, MD, Chair BWPO Board, Radiology Chair; Jon Coblyn, MD; Ramin Khorasini, MD; Michael Zinner, MD; Mitch Harris, MD, MBA; Eric Poon, MD; Dale Adler, MD; Selwyn Rogers, MD; Marcy Carty, MD; Rick Van Pelt, MD; Craig Bunnell, MD, MBA, DFCI Associate CMO; Kate Walsh, COO; Sharon Vitti, VP; Michael Reney, CFO; Sunil Eappen, MD, OR clinical director; O’Neil Britton, MD, Associate Chief of Medicine at Faulkner.

PHS: Christopher Colecchi, Dennis Colling, Matthew Fishman, David McGuire, Brent L. Henry, Sheridan L. Kassirer, Peter Markell and Tom Glynn.

Sorond Named Beeson Scholar

Farzaneh Sorond, MD, PhD, a physician and researcher in Neurology, is one 13 scientists selected as Beeson Scholars this year by the American Federation for Aging Research, the National Institute on Aging, the Atlantic Philanthropies, the John A. Hartford Foundation, the Starr Foundation and other program partners. The award is granted to scholars who are laying clinically relevant groundwork in many areas related to aging, including the biology of aging, age-related diseases, as well as health services and clinical management issues, with the aim of enhancing the health and quality of life of older adults. Sorond will be funded for a three- to five-year period to research her project titled, “Hypoxia-Inducible Transcription Factor 1 (HIF-1) in Vascular Aging.”

Kachalia Named Medical Director for Quality, Safety

Allen Kachalia, MD, JD, in January was promoted to medical director of Quality and Safety for BWH. In this position, he works to create and implement a hospital-wide strategy for reducing preventable complications and mortality. He will also continue to co-lead the hospital’s efforts on the National Patient Safety Goals related to improving anticoagulation practices with Karen Fiumara, PharmD.

“I’m very excited to continue working with the wonderful team in the Center for Clinical Excellence that is focused on improving the care we deliver,” said Kachalia, who previously was associate medical director in the BWPO, where he worked on pay for performance initiatives.

Kachalia, an assistant professor of Medicine at HMS, joined BWH in 2003 as an associate physician. He will continue his duties as director of Quality for the Department of Medicine, where he also serves on the Hospitalist Service.

Kachalia earned his MD from Washington University in St. Louis, his JD from the University of Pennsylvania and his BS from the University of California at Los Angeles.

Klein Receives AES Award

Autumn Klein, MD, PhD, director of the Women’s Neurology Program, is among four medical researchers who will receive the annual American Epilepsy Society’s Milken Family Foundation Early Career Physician Scientist Awards. The awards are geared to encourage the development of new therapies for epilepsy by providing research training for physicians early in their careers. The awards are primarily granted to investigators whose research interests will potentially affect epilepsy patients in the near term.

Zinner Named Chair of ACS’ Executive Committee

Michael Zinner, MD, chair of Surgery and surgeon in-chief at BWH and Moseley Professor of Surgery at HMS, in December earned a new position within the leadership of the American College of Surgeons. He was elected to serve as chair of the Executive Committee of the Board of Governors through October 2011.

The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational association of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to improve the quality of care for the surgical patient by setting high standards for surgical education and practice. ACS has more than 76,000 members, with more than 4,000 fellows in other countries, making it the largest organization of surgeons in the world.

Bierer Receives Diversity Award

Winfred W. Williams, Jr., MD, and Barbara Bierer, MD

Barbara Bierer, MD, senior vice president for Research, was honored in March for her contribution toward making the Harvard medical community more diverse and inclusive.

“I’m honored and humbled to receive this award,” said Bierer, who founded and now directs the BWH Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (CFDD). “We still have a lot of work to do, and we will continue with our mission of creating a comprehensive and coordinated approach to professional development and diversity of all BWH faculty and trainees.”

The award was presented to Bierer and four others physicians and researchers in the Harvard Medical School and Harvard Dental School community during the inaugural Howard, Dorsey, Still Lecture last week, where Neil R. Powe, MD, MPH, MBA, professor of medicine and epidemiology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, spoke about eliminating health care disparities.

The Harold Amos Faculty Diversity Awards were established to recognize HMS and HSDM faculty and staff who have made significant achievements in fostering diversity and inclusiveness in the Harvard community. The recipients were selected by a committee that represented the entire Harvard medical community.

Under Bierer’s leadership, the center expanded on the scope and achievements of the BWH Office for Women’s Careers with the creation of an Office for Multicultural Faculty Careers and an Office for Postdoctoral and Research Careers within the CFDD. Ongoing collaboration across the member offices, and within the BWH and Harvard communities, maximizes the opportunities to support and enhance a diverse community of faculty and trainees.

“Dr. Bierer’s work has helped to change the climate to ensure that the environment is inclusive and supports career development at all stages, from trainee to full faculty member,” said Winfred W. Williams, Jr., MD, assistant professor of Medicine at MGH, who presented the award. “This is not an easy task, but Dr. Bierer has shown us that through creativity, innovation and commitment, we can create a culture that is respectful and welcoming of diversity.”

Morrow Named Director of CCU

Elliott Antman and David Morrow

David A. Morrow, MD, MPH, in March was named medical director of BWH’s Coronary Care Unit, the Levine Cardiac Unit. An associate professor of Medicine and attending physician at BWH, Morrow also is a senior investigator in the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) Study Group with a research focus in the management of unstable and stable coronary artery disease. He earned his medical degree from HMS and a master’s degree in public health with a concentration in clinical study design and interpretation from HSPH. He completed his medical residency and a fellowship in cardiovascular medicine at BWH.

Morrow succeeds Elliott Antman as director of the CCU. Antman is assuming a new role with the Catalyst program and remains a senior member of the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and a senior investigator with the TIMI Group.

Kirshenbaum Named Director for Inpatient Cardiovascular Services

James M. Kirshenbaum, MD, in January was named director of Inpatient Cardiovascular Services at BWH. In this role, Kirshenbaum helps develop strategic policies for inpatient care and define metrics to drive efficient, patient-focused care that insures appropriate clinical decision making while acknowledging and achieving research and teaching objectives. He works collaboratively across cardiovascular specialties to enhance the integration of clinical excellence and research innovation. Kirshenbaum joins the Shapiro Center Leadership Council representing inpatient operations, and, on a day-to-day level, he will monitor inpatient volume and interface with service line leaders on admissions and transfers. A graduate of HMS, Kirshenbaum completed both his residency in internal medicine and cardiovascular fellowship at BWH.

Gross Named Director of Cardiovascular Peri-Procedural Services

Wendy L. Gross, MD, MHCM, director of Non-OR Cardiac Anesthesia, in February was named director of Cardiovascular Peri-Procedural Services at BWH. In this role, Gross leads the integration of services for patients undergoing cardiovascular procedures to assure patient safety, optimize quality of care and maximize efficiency. She oversees the processes for pre-procedure evaluation, peri-procedure anesthesia care and post-procedure recovery of patients having procedures or diagnostics in the Cardiac Cath lab, EP lab and nuclear imaging.

A graduate of Tufts University School of Medicine, Gross interned at Boston City and Malden Hospitals and completed her Anesthesiology training and a cardiac anesthesia fellowship at BWH. She also completed a National Institutes of Health-sponsored fellowship in the laboratories of Joanne Ingwall and Thomas Smith.

Bertagnolli Elected CALGB’s Group Chair

Monica M. Bertagnolli, MD, chief of Surgical Oncology at DF/BWCC, was elected group chair of the Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) for a five-year term beginning April 1, 2010.

“I am delighted to be elected to the position at such an exciting time in its history,” said Bertagnolli. “Because of its effective multidisciplinary structure, CALGB is positioned to achieve greater success than ever before.”

The CALGB is a national research group sponsored by the National Cancer Institute founded in 1956 to bring together clinical oncologists and laboratory investigators to develop better treatments for cancer. The group has a national network of 29 university medical centers, more than 225 community hospitals and 3,000-plus oncology specialists.

Bertagnolli, who is professor of surgery at HMS, most recently held the vice chair position and has been involved with CALGB since 1996, serving the group in many capacities, including as a member of the CALGB Board of Directors since 2007.

“We are very pleased to have Dr. Bertagnolli as the next group chair, as she is poised to take CALGB to even greater scientific heights,” said Richard L. Schilsky, MD, CALGB Group chair and professor of Medicine at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. “She is highly dedicated and talented and is one of the many reasons why CALGB continues to improve the outcomes of cancer patients through research, providing tomorrow’s cancer treatments today.”

Bertagnolli’s research examines gastrointestinal tumor biology in relation to cancer prevention and treatment strategies. In her laboratory, she works on identifying markers of early cancer development or cancer progression that can then be modulated to prevent tumors or to treat existing cancers more effectively. Currently, she is investigating the APC (adenomatous polyposis coli) gene, which is an important factor in colorectal cancer. She has published nearly 100 articles, book chapters, reviews and editorials.

Friedlander appointed to NANDS Council

Robert M. Friedlander, MD, vice chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery at BWH and professor of Neurosurgery at HMS, was appointed to the major advisory panel of the National Advisory Neurological Disorders and Stroke Council, part of the National Institutes of Health. The council is responsible for reviewing applications from scientists seeking financial support for biomedical research and research training on disorders of the brain and nervous system. The Council also advises the Institute on research planning and priorities. Friedlander will serve on this role through July 2012.

Iversen Receives Advocacy Award

Maura Daly Iversen, DPT, SD, MPH, Division of Rheumatology/Immunology and Allergy, Section for Clinical Sciences, received the Ann Kunkel Award from the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals in October at the association’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C. The Ann Kunkel Award recognizes an individual who demonstrates outstanding advocacy on behalf of patients, providers and the public in the field of rheumatology. Iversen received this award for her work on the Arthritis Prevention Control and Cure Act as well as local advocacy efforts with the Massachusetts Chapter Arthritis Foundation.

Martel Named RSO and Director of Health Physics

Christopher Martel, MS, in January joined BWH as radiation safety officer and director of Health Physics. In his new role, Martel oversees radiation safety compliance for clinical and research uses of radiation and radioactive materials at BWH.

“I’m looking forward to offering all my professional skills to help BWH maintain radiation safety,” said Martel, who had served in a similar position at Boston University Medical Center. “I am thankful for the opportunity to step into a larger institution, where a lot of new and exciting things are happening.”

Martel succeeds the late Frank Castronovo Jr., PhD, who was well-known and highly regarded for his kind and gentle demeanor during the 20-plus years he served as BWH’s radiation safety officer.

“I knew Dr. Castronovo, and I will work to maintain the exemplary oversight and support the Radiation Safety Program has delivered for decades under his leadership,” said Martel.

He also was an assistant professor at Boston University and previously worked for Duke Engineering Services Inc. and Arthur D. Little Inc. During his career, Martel has written, edited, authored and contributed to many trade journals and books.

He expects to complete a doctorate in Public Health from Boston University in 2011.

AAAS Recognizes BWH Physicians

Michael B. Brenner, MD, chief of the Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, and Thomas Kupper, MD, chairman of the Department of Dermatology were awarded the distinction of American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellow. AAAS is the world’s largest general scientific society, and publisher of the journal, Science. Election as a Fellow is an honor bestowed upon AAAS members by their peers. This year, 486 members have been awarded this honor by AAAS because of their scientifically or socially distinguished efforts to advance science or its applications. Brenner is honored for defining insights in innate and adaptive immunity, including discovery of T cells and the CD1 system of lipid antigen presentation in host defense. While Kupper is recognized for establishing keratinocyte as a significant component of the innate immune response in the skin and characterizing trafficking patterns of skin homing T cells. New Fellows received an official certificate in February at the AAAS Fellows Forum during the 2009 AAAS Annual Meeting in Chicago.