It’s hard to believe another year has already come and gone. Now in my sixth year as director of the Department of Medicine, my pride in you and your work has only increased with time. I hope this holiday season brings joy to you and yours, and that the close of 2019 marks the beginning of a prosperous new year.
Here are a few things to look forward to in 2020:
Bayview and Osler Residencies
Beginning July 2020, residents in both the Osler Medical Residency and Bayview Internal Medicine Residency Program will be able to effectively participate in rotations in both programs. Primary care events now include both programs (e.g. GIMboree). Residents in both programs have access to all pathways: Global Health, Patient Safety and Quality, Medical Education and Physician Scientist. The Molina and Grasmick Scholarships are now open to all residents. The programs will participate in joint community engagement events.
Fellowship Match
Another very successful fellowship match attests to the improvement in fellow salaries that has inspired more promising young physicians to remain at Hopkins. We have fortified a pipeline of residents to fellows and fellows to faculty, retaining five out of our six Molina Scholars as well as talented residents who will pursue Hopkins fellowships in addiction medicine, cardiology, gastroenterology, nephrology, oncology, pulmonary & critical care and rheumatology.
New Website
Our website will move to a mobile-first template to allow for better viewing on phones and tablets. The sleeker, more user-friendly design has already been implemented to our education section, and will soon be applied to the rest of the DOM site.
New Strategically Focused Research Network
In an effort to clarify the links between cardiovascular disease and diabetes, the American Heart Association will establish four focused research networks, each examining a specific question. Drs. Chiadi Ndumele (Cardiology) and Rex Ahima (Endocrinology) will be the Hopkins center co-directors studying cardiometabolic health and type 2 diabetes. Stayed tuned to the blog the first week of January for more information about their project.
Growth and Success of GI Services
The Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology has continued its reach in the National Capital Region via the recruitment of Drs. Aline Charabaty (IBD physician) and Alia Dadabhai (Hepatology). Dr. Vivek Kumbhari (therapeutic endoscopist) moved the majority of his practice to Sibley. The division has also recruited three nurse practitioners (Kristen Koller, Laura Macke, Joy Abington) to support its growing program. The endoscopy unit, once flagging and on the verge of closing, is now unable to keep up with demands. The GI division represents more than 70 percent of case volume at the center. The center is now a full-fledged therapeutic unit and has added endoscopic bariatric procedures (ESG + weight loss balloons).
New Infectious Diseases Consult Service
Under the direction of Mark Sulkowski, the Infectious Diseases Consult Service at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center will undergo several changes for the next academic year designed to enhance patient care and the experience of trainees and faculty. The consult service will be named to honor of the former chief of infectious diseases at Johns Hopkins, Professor William “Bucky” Greenough III. Bucky served as the director of the infectious disease division from 1970 to 1976 and pioneered studies of the physiology and lifesaving treatment of cholera in Bangladesh using oral rehydration solutions. He is truly a giant in the field, receiving numerous awards for his work including the UNICEF Maurice Pate Price, the King Faisal International Prize in Medicine and, in 2017, Johns Hopkins Medicine Physician of the Year.
Clinical Excellence Promotions Track
The new year will see the first promotions under the new Clinical Excellence Track for individuals spending more than 60 percent of their effort clinically. This is the first step in building a clinical workforce that rivals the success of our researchers and educators. To learn more about the new track, be sure to attend the information session on Wednesday, January 8 from 4-5 p.m. in the Chevy Chase Auditorium (Zayed 2119A).
This is just a sampling of what we have in motion for 2020, none of which would be possible without your efforts. You make it easy to be joyful not only during the holiday season, but all year round. I hope you have a restful break and come back ready to hit the ground running.
-Mark
