Brad Hoffman, Ph.D., was awarded a new three-year grant from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in the amount of $570,000. Its title is: In Vivo Induction of Antigen Specific T-Cell Tolerance to a Neuro-Antigen by AAV Hepatic Gene Therapy.
Jason Coleman, Ph.D., was awarded a three-year R21 from the National Institutes of Health in the amount of $275,000. Its title is: Cortical Circuit Formation and Plasticity Following Neonatal Brain Injury.
UF Health Congenital Heart Center Director Mark Bleiweis, M.D., was the 2015 honoree at the recent Alachua American Heart Association Heart Ball. Bleiweis was honored for his work at UF Health and caring for some of the sickest babies and children in Florida and across the country affected by congenital and acquired heart disease.
Price Ward, M.D., and Daphna Barbeau, M.D., who are currently senior residents and will serve as chief residents next year, were elected to the honorary medical fraternity Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA). Election to AOA is a great honor, based on academic achievement, outstanding character traits and contribution to the profession. AOA is the only allopathic medical honor society in the United States.
Shelley Collins, M.D., was inducted into the University of Florida College of Medicine Society of Teaching Scholars. Teaching scholars mentor junior faculty on teaching improvement and serve in an advisory capacity to the Faculty Development Committee and COMEC (College of Medicine Education Center). Current society members select new members based on nominations and a teaching portfolio.
Rene Modica, M.D., and Joanne Lagmay, M.D., were selected as 2015 UF Health Shands Physician Customer Service Award winners, based on patient nominations. The following department members were also honored with nominations from patients: Genie Beasley, M.D., Salvatore Buonaiuto, M.D., Christopher Jolley, M.D., Robert Lawrence, M.D., Jaclyn Otero, M.D., Arwa Saidi, MB, BCh, M.Ed., and the Pediatric Rheumatology team, which includes Melissa Elder, M.D., Ph.D., Pamela Russell and Heather Bell-Brunson, ARNP.
Scott Rivkees, M.D., will serve on the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Board of Scientific Counselors. This group provides external oversight and direction to the NIH institute.
The Ped-I-Care program, which helps to manage the health care of children with medically complex conditions, has been nationally recognized for the excellent care they provide. The management and executive team has been awarded a 2015 Prudential Productivity Award, in honor of their achievements. The program honored 217 individuals and teams of state employees for creating and implementing innovative solutions and productivity improvements in cost savings, cost avoidances and increased revenue for state government.
