2024-2025 Academic Year of Impact

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Welcome from the Chair
Dear colleagues and friends,As we begin the new year, I am filled with gratitude for the enormous contributions our faculty, staff and trainees have made, providing outstanding care for patients, performing groundbreaking research and delivering exceptional educational programs. This has not been an easy year. We have dealt with many challenges including a tornado that impacted many in our community, policy changes negatively impacting research funding and healthcare, budget restrictions and threats to our cherished values of diversity, equity and inclusive excellence.Vicky Fraser, MD
Despite these challenges, our people displayed resilience, fortitude, and hard work which enabled us to thrive. Our faculty, staff and trainees dealt with these challenges by caring for patients impacted by the tornado and volunteering with donations and clean up, increasing our grant submissions and research funding, improving patient access by expanding clinics, booking to the no show rate, adding new clinics and procedure days and providing continued programming to support community outreach and  faculty, staff and trainee engagement. We have a record number of medical students going into internal medicine, our residents had a very successful fellowship match, with many staying on here in the Department and our residents are doing incredibly well. We also have a new affiliation agreement that better aligns WashU Medicine with BJC. This new agreement allows our department’s clinical programs to grow into more BJC hospitals and provides greater opportunity to expand clinical research and educational programs in the region. We are recruiting and growing and we are committed to continue to excel in all aspects of our tripartite mission.Our new “Year of Impact” report highlights many of the outstanding achievements in the Department over the past year. This comprehensive overview showcases our most significant research, significant grants awarded, high impact publications, notable honors and awards and new leadership in the Department. These milestones not only reflect our commitment to excellence but also our continuous drive to innovate and lead in the field of medicine. I invite you to join me in celebrating these accomplishments and take pride in the collective efforts that have made this year extraordinary.Warm regards,
Vicky Fraser, MD, Adolphus Busch Professor of Medicine, Chair, Department of Medicine
$233MResearch Funding876Total Faculty665KOutpatient Visits1649Grants79New Faculty33KInpatient Admissions$61.2MClinical Trial Awards168Fellows$94.73MClinical Growth/sites2068Publications184Residents$15.97MGifts/Donations
Research Highlights
Anuja Java, MD, published in Science Direct (Read article
Hunter Cassidy Cochran, MD, published in Leukemia & Lymphoma (Read article)
In a report published in Science Immunology, co-first authors Jennifer Foltz, PhD and Jennifer Tran, PhD build on prior work from senior author Todd Fehniger, MD, PhD (Read article
Jennifer A. Philips, MD, PhD and Ekansh Mittal, PhD, published in Nature Microbiology (Read article)
Ali Javaheri, MD, PhD, featured in 50th anniversary edition of Cell (Read article
Thomas A. Odeny, MD, MPH, PhD, published in Science Direct with new insights into HIV and cancer research
(Read article)
Polypill proposed to change the heart failure treatment paradigm (Read article
Vaccine Shows Promise Against Aggressive Breast Cancer
(Read article)
Brian Gage, MD, MSc, research on mycophenolic acid in lung transplant recipients, published in the Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation
(Read article
Weight-loss drugs may boost health in many ways
(Read article)
Study reports molecular interaction map of Alzheimer’s disease target TREM2
(Read article)
Abhinav Diwan, MD Lab, published Cover Story in Journal of Clinical Investigation (Read article
Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics Linked To Increased Risk For Adverse Drug Events Among Outpatients With CAP
(Read article)
New drug resistance marker identified in liver fluke parasite (Read article
 New Faculty Leadership
Colin Diffie, MDColin Diffie, MD: Section Chief of Rheumatology at the John Cochran VAMC
(Read article
Michael Durkin, MD, MPHMichael Durkin, MD, MPH: Section Chief of Infectious Diseases at the John Cochran VAMC 
(Read article
Amy McQueen, PhDAmy McQueen, PhD: Director of Master of Science in Clinical Investigation
(Read article
Bryce Montané, MDBryce Montané, MD: Assistant Clerkship Director for the Internal Medicine Clerkship
(Read article
Thomas Nickolas, MD, MSThomas Nickolas, MD, MS: Bone and Mineral Diseases Division Chief 
(Read article
Deborah Parks, MDDeborah Parks, MD: Medical Director of the Medicine Multispecialty Center and Infusion Center 
(Read article
Ian Ross, MDIan Ross, MD: Section Chief of Medical Education at the John Cochran VAMC
(Read article
Gregory Sayuk, MD, MPHGregory Sayuk, MD, MPH: Section Chief of Gastroenterology at the John Cochran VAMC (Read article
Marc Sintek, MDMarc Sintek, MD: Director of the BJH Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory   
(Read article
Robert White, MD, PhDRobert White, MD, PhD: Section Chief of Neurology at the John Cochran VAMC 
(Read article
Darcy Wooten, MDDarcy Wooten, MD: Director of ID Fellowship Program (Read article
Alan Zajarias, MDAlan Zajarias, MD: Director, Interventional and Structural Research (Read article
 Professorship Installations
Monica Chang-Panesso, MDMonica Chang-Panesso, MD, as the Roger M. Perlmutter Career Development Assistant ProfessorLi Ding, PhDLi Ding, PhD, as the David English Smith Professor of Medicine
Jennifer Philips, MD, PhDJennifer Philips, MD, PhD, as the Theodore and Bertha Bryan Professor of Environmental Medicine
Sumanth D. Prabhu, MDSumanth D. Prabhu, MD, as the Tobias and Hortense Lewin Distinguished Professor of Cardiovascular Diseases
Alessandro Vindigni, PhDAlessandro Vindigni, PhD, as the Ira M. Lang Endowed Chair
21Professors18Associate Professors31Assistant Professors
View full list of promotions
Large Funded Research GrantsPrincipal InvestigatorDivision/GroupSponsorGrantAward TotalMichael Diamond, MD, PhDInfectious DiseasesNational Institute Of HealthFlavivirus And Alphavirus Revampp33,122,681Bill Powderly, MDInstitute of Clinical & Translational SciencesNational Institute Of HealthAdminCore – WUICTS UL1 YR99,335,360Michael Diamond, MD, PhDInfectious DiseasesVanderbilt UniversityProtect against Emergent Alphaviruses through Computation2,549,992Sanjay Jain, MD, PhDNephrology & Kidney CentersNational Institute Of HealthKidney Single Cell And Spatial Molecular Atlas Project1,819,951Dominic Reeds, MDInstitute of Clinical & Translational SciencesNational Institute Of HealthWUICTS KL2 Y9 – WU Institute Of Clinical And Translational Sciences1,400,164Juliet Iwelunmor, PhDInfectious DiseasesNational Institute Of HealthSustaining Innovative Tools To Expand Youth-Friendly Hiv Self-Testing1,148,574Li Ding, PhDOncologyNational Institute Of HealthWashington University Pdx Development And Trial Center1,076,914Li Ding, PhD
OncologyNational Institute Of HealthHuman Prostate Tumor Atlas Center1,023,935Sanjay Jain, MD, PhDNephrologyNational Institute Of HealthSingle Cell Multiomic And Spatial Atlas Of Acute And Chronic Kidney Injury1,020,430Clay F. Semenkovich, MDEndocrinologyNational Institute Of HealthDiabetes And Related Metabolic Diseases1,010,582View all Department of Medicine grants ≥ $300,000
 Key Honors and Awards
Dr. Michael DiamondDr. Michael DiamondDiamond elected to National Academy of SciencesTwo scientists at Washington University in St. Louis are among the 120 members and 24 international members recently elected to the National Academy of Sciences in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Election to the academy is considered one of the highest honors accorded a U.S. scientist or engineer.Read article
Drs. Ramaswamy Govindan (left) & Nancy SweitzerDrs. Ramaswamy Govindan (left) & Nancy SweitzerWashU Medicine chapter of Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society announces class of 2024The Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society chapter at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has announced 25 inductees for its Class of 2024. The AOA is a national organization with a mission to recognize and support leadership, high educational achievement and effective teaching as well as service to others. The Washington University chapter has more than 450 physicians.Read article
Dr. Gregory LanzaDr. Gregory LanzaLanza named fellow of National Academy of InventorsGregory Lanza, MD, PhD, the James R. Hornsby Family Professor in Biomedical Sciences in the John T. Milliken Department of Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has been named a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). He is an accomplished innovator who has patented numerous nanoparticle-based methods applied in imaging, diagnostics and drug delivery.Read article
Dr. John P. AtkinsonDr. John P. AtkinsonAtkinson, American Academy of Arts & SciencesFour Washington University in St. Louis faculty are among 250 newly elected members of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, one of the nation’s most prestigious honorary societies. Founded in 1780, the academy honors exceptional scholars, leaders, artists and innovators and engages them in sharing knowledge and addressing challenges facing the world. Read article
(top l-r) Drs. Anubha Agarwal, Francesca Ferraro, Michael Paley (bottom l-r) Drs. Ryan B. Day and Max Petersen(top l-r) Drs. Anubha Agarwal, Francesca Ferraro, Michael Paley (bottom l-r) Ryan B. Day and Max PetersenFive DOM Faculty Receive 2025 American Society for Clinical Investigation AwardsAnubha Agarwal, MD, MSc, Francesca Ferraro, MD, PhD and Michael Paley, MD, PhD were among the 2025 Awardees for the Young Physician-Scientist Award. Additionally, Ryan B. Day, MD, PhD and Max Petersen, MD, PhD were recognized as Emerging Scientist Awardees. The American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI) announced the 2025 Awardees for the Young Physician-Scientist Award along with the Emerging Scientist Awards.Read article
Angela C. Hirbe, MD, PhD and  Stephen T. Oh, MD, PhD Drs. Angela C. Hirbe (left) & Stephen T. OhHirbe and Oh elected for American Society for Clinical Investigation 2025 MembersAngela C. Hirbe, MD, PhD along with Stephen T. Oh, MD, PhD were selected for The American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI) 2025 Members. The ASCI is a nonprofit medical honor society composed of more than 3,000 physician-scientists representing all medical specialties. The Society is dedicated to the advancement of research that extends understanding of diseases and improves treatment, and members are committed to mentoring future generations of physician-scientists.Read article
Ten Department of Medicine faculty received 2025 Dean’s Impact awardsThe 2025 Dean’s Impact Awards recognize faculty who have demonstrated an enduring commitment and achievement in community engagement. Read article(top l-r) Drs. Angela Brown, Koushik Das, Seth Eisen, Juliet Iwelunmor, and Barbara Lutey (bottom l-r) Laura Marks, Manasa Metireddy, Nathanial Nolan, Linda Peterson, Jean Wang
Drs. Janice Hanson (left) and Nigar KirmaniDrs. Janice Hanson (left) and Nigar KirmaniHanson along with Kirmani, received the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award Janice Hanson, PhD, EdS, MH, and Nigar Kirmani, MD, received the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award. The Lifetime Achievement Award was established in 2021, and recognizes current Washington University Faculty members with at least twenty years of service as faulty in an academic teaching setting who has shown a lifelong commitment to education and demonstrates excellence in one or more domains or educational service, leadership or scholarship.Read article
Eight Department of Medicine faculty were inducted into the Academy of Educators and honored with educational awardsThe Academy of Educators unites faculty committed to fostering a culture of educational excellence at WashU Medicine. They will collaborate with fellow educators to enhance health science education and contribute to initiatives that elevate teaching and mentorship within the institution.Read article(top l-r) Drs. Ellen Binder, Seth Goldberg, Frank O’Brien, Kaytlin Reedy-Rogier (bottom l-r) Amy Riek, David Vermette, Darcy Wooten, and Lisa Zickuhr
2024 and 2025 Castle Connolly Top Doctors®The Department of Medicine is proud of all our faculty who were selected for the 2024 and 2025 Castle Connolly Top Doctors® lists. The Top Doctors® selection process is entirely merit-based. Doctors cannot pay to be listed. These doctors are best-in-class healthcare providers, embodying excellence in clinical care as well as interpersonal skills. More information can be found at the Top Doctors® website. This list is also published every August by St. Louis Magazine. 
View 2024 ListView 2025 List
Clinical Highlights
Siteman to welcome first patients in new building dedicated exclusively to cancer care (Read article)
Hepatitis C ElimiNATION awareness tour (Read article)
WashU now offers safe and effective, nonsurgical treatment option for benign thyroid nodules  (Read article
St. Louis VA performs WATCHMAN heart implant procedure (Read article)
DOLF Leadership visits clinical trial sites in Liberia and Ivory Coast (Read article)
King-Morris’ Maternal Fetal Medicine Nephrology Program to expand (Read article
WashU Medicine Divisions of Pulmonary and Infectious Diseases selected as Bronchiectasis and NTM Care Center (Read article)
Division faculty promote heart health in school outreach program (Read article)
Hospitalists advancing local and national efforts to enhance diagnostic excellence
(Read article
Nigeria launches sodium reduction guidelines developed with WashU Medicine research
(Read article)
Global studies examine hypertension management and barriers to care (Read article)
Hospitalists form Addiction Medicine Subcommittee to tackle patient care issues
(Read article
Nasal COVID-19 vaccine based on WashU technology to enter U.S. clinical (Read article)
New vaccine developed at WashU Medicine shows promise against aggressive breast cancer (Read article)
Most Viewed Medicine Grand RoundAlveolar Type 2 Cell Rejuvenation as a Window into Reversing Progressive Fibrosis and Promoting Lung HealthspanSpeaker: Paul W. Noble, MD
Professor of Medicine Director, Women’s Guild Lung Institute Vera and Paul Guerin Family Distinguished Chair in Pulmonary Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
I. Jerome Flance Visiting Professor of Medicine LectureView all archived Medicine Grand Rounds