Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology

Department of Medicine

Autoimmune disease is frequent in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes, but studies have been inconclusive about how the preexistence of autoimmunity affects survival in these patients. A new study by UVM Cancer Center member Diego Adrianzen Herrera, M.D. uses an epidemiologic analysis to clarify that issue.

(NOVEMBER 17, 2023) In an opinion piece published in VT Digger, infectious disease specialist Lindsay Smith, M.D., and infectious disease pharmacist John Ahern, Pharm.D., warned that antimicrobial resistance is a growing problem everywhere.

A new collaboration between Vermont Medicaid and UVM Medical Center’s Comprehensive Pain Program allows Medicaid members with chronic pain to participate in complementary therapies including health coaching, massage, yoga, nutrition, acupuncture, and meditation. This pilot is an important step toward eliminating disparities in access to effective, integrative care for pain.

(NOVEMBER 7, 2023) Timothy Plante, M.D., M.H.S., assistant professor of medicine, is a co-author of a study offering critical insights into the assessment of orthostatic hypotension among older adults, according to News Medical.

(NOVEMBER 7, 2023) A study by rheumatologist Brendan Thoms, M.B.B.S., assistant professor of medicine, and colleagues shows that key details of patients’ inflammatory arthritis were often missing from rheumatology referral letters, and that only a minority of these patients were seen within the target of six weeks, Healio reports.

There are currently no approved vaccines available to prevent Lyme disease in humans, but one may be on the way. UVM’s Vaccine Testing Center recently launched a clinical study to investigate the efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of a Lyme disease vaccine.

(OCTOBER 2, 2023) Randall Holcombe, M.D., M.B.A., director of the UVM Cancer Center, commented to WCAX about the annual Women’s Health and Cancer Conference held at UVM on September 29.

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.