Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology

Department of Medicine

Katharine Cheung, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of medicine, assumed the role of Interim Director of the Center on Aging, effective September 1. A geriatric and palliative nephrologist, Cheung served on the center’s advisory board from 2017-2023. As interim director, Cheung's top priorities include relaunching pilot grants for faculty who are interested in pursuing research focused on gerontology or geriatric issues.

(SEPTEMBER 14, 2023) Results of a recent study on medicinal cannabis use are consistent with previous findings by Larner researchers Nicole Wershoven, Amanda Kennedy, Pharm.D., and Charles MacLean, M.D., that patients are reluctant to discuss their use of medical marijuana with their doctors, according to Cannabis News World.

Each summer, many rising second-year medical students engage in clinical, basic science or health policy-related research projects under the guidance of expert faculty. The students choose their topics based on personal passions and immerse themselves in projects tackling medical puzzles and unmet health needs. Engaging in research can be among the most valuable experiences during a medical education.

(SEPTEMBER 10, 2023) Infectious disease specialist Kristen Pierce, M.D., professor of medicine, is principal investigator for a clinical study at the Vaccine Testing Center and the UVM Medical Center of a Pfizer vaccine to protect against Lyme disease, VT Digger reports.

Anne Dixon, M.A, B.M.B.Ch., Professor of Medicine, has been appointed Chair of the Department of Medicine in the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont.

(SEPTEMBER 6, 2023) Jennifer Kelly, D.O., professor of medicine and director of the metabolic bone program at the University of Vermont Medical Center, commented to Medscape for a story on fractures in older patients.

(SEPTEMBER 1, 2023) A poster presentation by Daniel Weiss, M.D., Ph.D., professor of medicine, was awarded third place at the 2023 Military Health System Research Symposium in Florida on August 17, the Defense Health Agency reported.

(AUGUST 30, 2023) With a small uptick in new cases recently, epidemiologist Timothy Plante, M.D., assistant professor of medicine, spoke with Vermont Public about COVID-19 in Vermont this fall: its current state, a new vaccine expected in about six weeks, prevention tips, and information about testing.

(AUGUST 28, 2023) Jan Carney, M.D., M.P.H., professor of medicine and associate dean of public health and health policy, was interviewed by The Hill for a story about “heat days” that, similar to their winter counterpart—snow days—cause school closings due to excessive weather conditions.

(AUGUST 26, 2023) A promising single-dose dengue fever vaccine created by the University of Vermont Vaccine Testing Center, the U.S. National Institutes of Health, and Johns Hopkins University is undergoing a clinical trial in Bangladesh, VOA News reports.

(AUGUST 18, 2023) In a study on medicinal cannabis use and reporting, Larner researchers Nicole Wershoven, Amanda Kennedy, Pharm.D., and Charles MacLean, M.D., found that just 18 percent of patients thought their provider was a “good source of information regarding cannabis” and cannabis-related health issues, according to Labroots.

(AUGUST 17, 2023) Epidemiologist Timothy Plante ’06, M.D.’10, M.H.S., assistant professor of medicine, spoke with Vermont Public for a story focusing on the recent uptick in the number of COVID cases and a new, updated vaccine booster that is expected to be available in the fall.

(AUGUST 16, 2023) Hematologist Chris Holmes, M.D., Ph.D., professor of medicine, helped write a recent study that found an anticoagulant pill was just as effective as self-administered blood thinner injections at preventing deadly blood clots in cancer patients, according to WCAX-TV.

(AUGUST 11, 2023) Sherrie Khadanga, M.D., assistant professor of medicine and director of cardiac rehabilitation at the University of Vermont Medical Center, commented to In Profile Daily on an article about the health benefits of walking.

(AUGUST 10, 2023) A study led by principal investigator Elias Klemperer, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology and psychiatry, found that Vermont’s medication program for incarcerated people with opioid use disorder has helped reduce overdoses after release, according to VTDigger.

The Division of Dermatology welcomed Mary Maloney, M.D., to the faculty this spring, for the second time. A medical alum from the University of Vermont class of 1977, Maloney is an expert Mohs surgeon. This procedure, which was relatively new when Maloney began her career as a physician, involves removing skin cancer in layers, looking at the skin under a microscope while the patient waits, then removing more layers as necessary. Maloney was Vermont's first and only Mohs surgeon when she served on the UVM faculty from 1983-88, and the second female Mohs surgeon in the U.S.

(AUGUST 7, 2023) Pulmonologist David Kaminsky, M.D., professor of medicine, says it’s probably best to avoid breathing in polluted air during the cleanup following July’s record-setting flooding, according to WCAX-TV.

(JULY 28, 2023) In an opinion piece in VTDigger, W. Kemper Alston, M.D., M.P.H., chief of infectious disease at the UVM Medical Center and professor of medicine at the Larner College of Medicine, cautioned that climate change could hasten the spread of antibiotic-resistant “superbug” infections. (Click headline for more.)

Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education Christa Zehle, M.D., has announced the appointment of Anthony Williams, M.D., as assistant dean for admissions. In this role, Dr. Williams will provide leadership support for the recruitment and selection of Larner College of Medicine medical students.

(JULY 18, 2023) In the wake of recent severe flooding across Vermont and as cleanup begins, infectious disease expert Timothy Lahey, M.D., M.M.Sc., professor of medicine, spoke to WCAX-TV about the dangers of mold and the risks posed by contaminated water.