THREE OF JAMA NEUROLOGY’S TOP ARTICLES
OF 2018 AUTHORED BY UF RESEARCHERS
In January, JAMA Neurology announced its Top 10 articles of
2018, three of which were authored by UF Health researchers.
The rankings were determined by a quantitative measure of the
attention each scholarly article received in traditional and social
media. Two of the articles focused on deep brain stimulation —
one discussed its efficacy and safety when applied to Tourette
syndrome, while the other examined its potential use as a
treatment for Parkinson’s disease dementia. The third piece shed
light on an interdisciplinary service and science hub specialty care
model implemented several years ago at UF to improve the patient
experience for those with neurological disorders.
From lab bench to the Senate
UF graduate student educates senators, others on infectious
diseases as an intern in Washington, D.C.
When one embarks on a journey of scientific
research, there’s no telling what twists
and turns the path may take. For Heather
Drew, whose interest in infectious diseases
was sparked as a child by the novel “War
of the Worlds,’’ her road last year led from
Gainesville to the Washington, D.C. office of
then-Sen. Bill Nelson.
Drew, a graduate fellow in immunology
and microbiology in the University of
Florida College of Medicine, spent five
weeks as an intern in Nelson’s office sharing
her expertise on antibiotic resistance with
senators and staffers. She said she learned
firsthand the critical role researchers and
scientists can play in
helping to craft national
policy, a career interest of
hers for many years.
“This internship was
an opportunity for me to
marry my research with
the developing field of
science policy,” Drew
“ This internship was an
opportunity for me to marry
my research with the developing
field of science policy.”
said. “I’ve seen a lot of gaps among policy,
science and the public. This is going to be a
growing problem that students and future
researchers must change.”
Drew was taking part in a National
Institutes of Health-sponsored training
program in basic microbiology and
infectious disease headed by David
Bloom, PhD, a professor in the UF College
of Medicine’s department of molecular
genetics and microbiology. She traded
the lab bench for a seat at the Senate
Committee on Commerce, Science and
Transportation, where she sat in on
meetings with constituents from across
the nation.
“We essentially served as a sounding
board and tried to integrate their feelings
and concerns to develop legislation
reflective of their needs,” she said.
Drew’s duties also included drafting
several congressional memos for Nelson,
including one about the impact of
climate change on human health. Nelson,
a Democrat, lost his re-election bid in
November to Florida Gov. Rick Scott.
“I wanted to highlight the fact that if we
don’t take preventive measures to increase
the resiliency of our environment, it’s going
to impact human health,’’ she said.
Drew was pleased to note that politicians
on both sides of the aisle appeared
supportive of her work.
“I think people like to polarize
environmental issues as not being a
concern of both parties, but human health
should be a nonpartisan issue,” she said.
“Taking varying approaches to maintain
human health is going to be necessary for
the future.”
NEW OB/GYN CHAIR APPOINTED
John Smulian, MD, MPH, began his new role as the B.L. Stalnaker
professor and chair of the UF College of Medicine department
of obstetrics and gynecology in January. He joined UF from
Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley Health Network, where he served
as vice chair, chief of the division of maternal-fetal medicine
and director of research in the department of obstetrics and
gynecology. Smulian, who was named the 2017 Physician of the
Year by the March of Dimes, Northeast Pennsylvania Market,
serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Clinical Ultrasound.
He has received numerous teaching awards and has been active
in educational programs for students, residents, fellows
and practitioners.
DR. ROBERT HATCH RECEIVES 2019 STFM
EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AWARD
Robert Hatch, MD, MPH, has been selected to receive the 2019
Excellence in Education Award from the Society of Teachers
of Family Medicine. The award honors Hatch, who has been
involved with the organization for more than a decade, as an
exemplary medical educator who has demonstrated excellence
in family medicine education through his teaching, curriculum
development, mentoring and leadership in education on local,
regional and national levels. Hatch is a professor and the director
of the H. James Free Center for Primary Care Education and
Innovation and serves as the clerkship director of the family
medicine and ambulatory care clerkship at the UF College of
Medicine. He calls the award an overwhelming honor.
Jamie Conti, MD ’87, FACC
ALUM NAMED CHAIR OF
UF’S DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE
UF cardiologist Jamie Conti, MD ’87, FACC, has been named
chair of the UF College of Medicine department of medicine.
An internationally recognized physician in the field of clinical
cardiac electrophysiology, she joined the UF faculty in the division
of cardiovascular medicine in 1994 and has held a number of
positions that have shaped the division’s clinical and training
programs. Conti, who has received numerous honors and awards
from professional organizations such as the American College
of Cardiology, became chief of the division of cardiovascular
medicine in 2009 and served as interim chair of the department
of medicine for a year prior to her new appointment.
— Heather Drew
Growing up with two environmental engineers for parents, Heather Drew has always
been fascinated by observing and measuring the world around her.
PHOTO BY MINDY C. MILLER
By TYLER FRANCISCHINE
DOCTOR GATOR | 3