Barry Byrne, M.D., Ph.D.,University of Florida pediatrics professor, appointed to FDA committee
Barry Byrne, M.D., Ph.D., director of the UF Powell Gene Therapy Center and professor of pediatrics in the UF College of Medicine, has been selected to serve on the FDA’s Cellular, Tissue and Gene Therapies Advisory Committee. Nominated for his expertise in the field of molecular genetics and pediatrics, Byrne will join 12 other committee members who report directly to FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D.
The Cellular, Tissue and Gene Therapies Advisory Committee reviews and evaluates data relating to the safety, effectiveness and appropriate use of human cells, human tissues, gene transfer therapies and xenotransplantation products for transplantation, implantation, infusion and gene transfer. These determinations are imperative to prevent and treat a broad spectrum of human diseases, as well as to reconstruct, repair or replace tissues for various conditions.
Byrne’s term began April 1 and will last through March 2018.
UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital PICU Nurses Selected as the National ADVANCE for Nurses 2014 Best Nursing Team
Our very own UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit’s nursing team has been selected as the national ADVANCE for Nurses 2014 Best Nursing Team! The team submitted an essay describing its work to quickly train for, plan, facilitate and implement nursing care for a young girl who would be the first in the U.S. to receive the Syncardia Total Artificial Heart, a total heart replacement.
A panel of prestigious nurses and the past award winners selected the winning entry.
STOP! Children’s Cancer of Palm Beach County, Inc. Awards $30,000 to UF Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
On Friday, May 2, board members from STOP! Children’s Cancer of Palm Beach County, Inc. awarded William Slayton, M.D., with a $30,000 check at their annual luncheon. This award is benefits the STOP! Children’s Cancer of Palm Beach County endowment at the University of Florida which supports the UF College of Medicine Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology Oncology.
Sharda Udassi, M.D., Elected to the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Executive Board
Sharda Udassi, M.D., was elected treasurer of the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FCAAP) at the end of April. Her term begins this year and will last two years, through 2016.
There are more than 2,150 Florida Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics members who promote the health and welfare of Florida’s children and support pediatricians and pediatric specialists as the best qualified provider of their healthcare.
Two UF Health Volunteers Recipients of E.T. Your Work of Heart Awards
UF Health volunteers, Ron Farb and Betty Woodward, received the E.T. York Work of Heart Award this year. Since 1971 the award has celebrated the best examples of volunteerism in Alachua County.
Farb co-founded the Climb for Cancer Foundation, a local not-for-profit whose mission is to ease the pain and suffering of those affected by cancer. The organization has worked with UF Health Shands Hospital for several years, supporting various areas of patient care and well-being, ranging from nursing education and training to gift cards for gas and food during treatment.The foundation has raised more than$1.5 million for cancer research and related support programs.
.