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Dr. Michael Good
Interim Dean, College of Medicine
CureVac Signing Press Conference
June 17, 2008
Interim Dean, College of Medicine
CureVac Signing Press Conference
June 17, 2008
Archived News
Dr. Philipp Dahm wins prestigious 2009 Dennis W. Jahnigen Scholar Award with Evidence-based Geriatric Genitourinary Oncology study proposal
Philipp Dahm, MD, MHSc, Associate Professor, and Director of Clinical Research, Department of Urology, University of Florida (UF), and North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System (NF/SGVHS) is one of the recipients of the 2009 Dennis W. Jahnigen Career Development Scholars Award for his proposal, "Evidence-based Decision-Making in Geriatric Genitourinary Oncology". Dr. Dahm will work under the mentorship of Dr. Johannes Vieweg, UF Chairman of the Department of Urology, and Dr. Rebecca J. Beyth, Associate Professor, NF/SGVHS Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) and UF College of Medicine, Institute on Aging to systematically investigate the high quality evidence that guides clinical decision-making in genitourinary oncology and determine its applicability to the older patient. His funding begins in July 2009, and builds on the collaboration between the Department of Urology and NF/SGVHS GRECC geriatrics career development and training program.
The Dennis W. Jahnigen Scholar program was established to address the recognized need for “junior physicians and surgeons to become interested in the geriatric aspects of their discipline as a career focus, including funding career development awards for junior faculty in surgical and medical specialties". The program offers a two-year career development award to support junior faculty in the specialties of anesthesiology, emergency medicine, general surgery, gynecology, ophthalmology, orthopedic surgery, otolaryngology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, thoracic surgery, and urology. It is intended to allow individuals to initiate and ultimately sustain a career in research and education in the geriatric aspects of their discipline. It is supported by the John A. Hartford Foundation and Atlantic Philanthropies.
Each grant provides two-year support of $75,000 per year for salary and fringe benefits and/or the costs of doing research, with a minimum match of $25,000 per year from each scholar’s institution, and a commitment of 50% protected time to the scholar’s award. The Dennis W. Jahnigen Career Development Scholars Program is a tribute to Dr. Jahnigen, who is remembered with respect and reverence for his dedication to improving the care of the elderly and his vision, courage, brilliance and integrity. Dr. Dahm is the first awardee from the University of Florida, and is a fitting recipient of such a prestigious award.
Urology CME Seminar Series: Quality of Care Initiatives in Urology, Feb 20-21, 2009
UF Department of Urology hosted its 09 CME Seminar Series between Feb 20-21, at the Don CeSar Beach Resort, St. Pete Beach, FL. The department is honored to have Dr David 
Penson, MD, MPH from the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, who is also the Vice-Chair of the AUA Health Policy Council as the distinguished keynote speaker. Targeted at practicing urologists and other healthcare professionals, the continuous medical education seminar aims to equip participants with the latest information and know-how on urologic care and management, as well as recent developments in post-treatment survivorship and outcome assessment. Other topics to be discussed include evidence based urology, male infertility, and challenging cases in genitourinary oncology. A special UroGators Alumni Welcome Reception was also hosted on Friday evening between 5:00 – 6:30pm at this scenic beach resort. For enquiries, please contact Ms Ronda O’Boyle at ronda.o’boyle@urology.ufl.edu, or 352.273.7895.
Internationally renowned expert in androgen receptor signaling and prostate cancer delivers important lecture in Genitourinary Cancer progression at UF
Yehia Daaka, PhD, Professor and Vice Chair, Endowed Chair in Oncologic Pathology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA visited UF Urology on January 29th as a distinguished speaker at the UF Urology- Bankhead Coley seminar series sponsored in part by a grant from Bankhead Coley, the Florida Biomedical Research Program. Prof Daaka’s lecture was entitled “G Protein Signaling in GU Cancer Progression”; he was joined by peers at UF with Scott Gilbert, MD, MS, Assistant Professor, Department of Urology, who addressed the audience on “Pre SPORE Proposal for Population Science Project”, and Robert Marsh, MD, FACP, Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Chairman of the Shands Hospital Cancer Committee and Head, Clinical Trials Office at the Florida Clinical Trials Co-operative who presented a summary of all the ongoing and pending clinical trials in the Department. The seminar series was part of an ongoing interdisciplinary interaction between UF and other academic institutions over the impending opening of UF Prostate Disease Center (UFPDC) in 2010.
Chester Algood, MD, FACS won Divisional Superior Achievement Award 2008
Dr Chester Algood, a veteran in open urologic surgery whose excellence in surgical outcomes has won him widespread acclaim and respect among peers and patients alike, has been honored with yet another recognition, this time by the institution in which he serves – the University of Florida. He was named the Superior Achievement Award winner in the category of Academic Personnel for the 2008 academic year. The award is given out by the Vice President for Human Resource Services based on peer nomination in recognition for outstanding and meritorious service, excellence in overall job performance, willingness to assist beyond normal expectations, dedication to job and university, consistent cooperation, initiative and creativity in performing duties. Congratulations Dr Algood!
UF Urology MIS and Robotics Surgery Division Chair delivers the Joseph Segura Memorial Lecture at the 2008 FUS Annual Meeting
Change in the field of urology was to be the focus at the 2008 FUS Annual Meeting and the gradual shift towards minimally invasive surgery in urology was among one of the key topics being discussed at the meeting. Dr Li-Ming Su, MD and Chief of the Division of MIS and Robotics Surgery at UF Urology was invited to speak at the Joseph Segura Memorial Lecture at the 2008 FUS on the topic: Robotic Prostatectomy: Current Status and Future Directions. The Segura Memorial Lecture is held in commemoration of Joseph Segura, a Mayo Clinic urologist internationally renowned for his innovative minimally invasive endoscopic technique in treating kidney stones and other urologic disorders. Dr Su’s talk is in keeping with Dr Segura’s vision of continuous innovation in minimally invasive urologic treatment methods.
Dr Li-Ming Su performs robotic prostatectomy live at Prince Of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong
Dr Li-Ming Su, MD and Chief of the Division of MIS and Robotics Surgery at UF Urology was Visiting Professor and International Faculty Member at the Department of Surgery, 
Chinese University of Hong Kong’s Prostate Cancer Symposium between 5 – 7 November, 2008. Besides sharing his thoughts and experience on the subject of robotic prostatectomy in two lectures, Dr Su also performed a robotic prostatectomy along with his assistant Dr. Hany Atalah to a live audience of academic surgeons at the Prince of Wales Hospital at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. The symposium was part of a CME series that focused on benchmarking minimally invasive techniques in endoscopy in Hong Kong. The 3 day event was attended by approximately 100 Hong Kong and overseas urologic surgeons.
UF Urology Unveils UroBest/ Vision for the Next 50 Years & World Report Ranking
In conjunction with the festive celebration of our 50th Anniversary, the UF Department of Urology has unveiled our renewed mission , Urology Best Practice, or UROBest for short. This renewed belief is designed to inspire and empower our team to undertake the following identified missions:
• B -- Break new grounds, challenging conventional thinking and practice
• E --Enterprising and empowered, pushing disciplinary and institutional boundaries
• S -- Service of the highest quality
• T --Technology; find a better way
We will continue to embrace and practice the new scholastic paradigm defined by Integration, Interdisciplinary, and International collaboration. Our UROBest approach and dedication to patient care, research, and innovation will continue to keep the University of Florida’s Urology Department at the forefront of its field for years to come.
The UROBest mission focuses on the Department’s activities in four key areas, all practiced in the UF Urology way:
• In UROCare the department provides BEST Service and solutions for patients, including: a single point of access, an inter-disciplinary approach care platform, traditional to state of the art and clinical trials treatment options, as well as integrated post-surgical care with community urologists.
• UROQuest is our BEST research environment which encourages faculty members to collaborate with other academic institutions, as well as private / commercial enterprises, professional organizations, and funding agencies, on a local, regional, national and international level.
• UROLearn is the BEST training institution to learn and become a UROGator, where our team and graduates carry the torch as a UF Urologist with pride.
• UROPartner: BEST group of urologists to work with: focused, dedicated, enterprising, talented providers who are the local and national leaders in their industry.
The UROBest mission is a testament to the dedication of the University of Florida’s Urology Department and its promise to provide unrivaled quality, service, and innovation in the years to come.
UF Urology Continues Upward Trend in US News & World Report Ranking
The US News & World Report has just released the results of its annual survey of America's Best Hospitals rankings covering 170 hospitals. UF Urology has recorded a significant climb, to a 26th position, up six notches from last year's 32nd. The publication's annual rankings are based on methodology that includes original survey data and secondary analyses of data from the American Hospital Association and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Please visit the US News & World Report site for the complete list of rankings: US News & World Report
Florida Biomedical Research Program Award: Dr. Johannes Vieweg
Dr. Johannes Vieweg, chair, professor and Eminent Scholar of Department of Urology, was recently awarded a $1.5 million grant by the Florida Department of Health Bankhead Coley Program. Dr. Vieweg's application included assembling a multidisciplinary team of investigators to collaborate in the development of a comprehensive prostate cancer program through the integration of basic, applied and clinical research. The proposed program brings together distinguished faculty members with complementary expertise from multiple campuses, departments, centers, and institutes as well as the North Florida Veteran's Health System and Moffitt Cancer Center. For more information about Dr. Vieweg's award, please contact Stephanie Lewis at Stephanie.lewis@urology.ufl.edu.
UF Urology Welcomes New Residents
UF Urology welcomes four new residents, Bryant Whiting, Daniel Willis, Diana Kang and Blake Evans. Drs. Whiting and Willis join from the Department of Surgery and are PGY 2's. They will rotate with the Chief Residents between Shands and the VA. Drs. Kang and Evans join the department as interns.
• Dr. Daniel Willis, also a fluent Spanish-speaker, finished his BA at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He and his family have recently moved to Gainesville from Richmond, VA where he completed his medical degree at the Medical College of Virginia Commonwealth University.
• Dr. Diana Kang is a home-grown Gator, having completed her undergraduate and medical studies at the University of Florida. Dr. Kang is an avid volunteer and has completed two separate medical mission trips to the Yucatan region of Mexico.
• Dr. Blake Evans, a Florida alum, attended medical school at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio. He is a sporting enthusiast, and finds time to play competitive golf, basketball, tennis and baseball. Dr. Evans has also had the opportunity to attend a Super Bowl and two Final Fours.
The 2008 College of Medicine Research Day Presentation: Dr. Johannes Vieweg
Held this April 22 and 23, the College of Medicine's 2008 Research Day offered a valuable opportunity for faculty and residents to reflect on the outstanding progress the college has made over the past year in its research efforts. UF Urology department chair, Dr. Johannes Vieweg was selected to present on "Translational Research: Lessons Learned from Cancer Immunotherapy Applications." Dr. Vieweg is an internationally-recognized researcher in urologic oncology, specializing in prostate cancer immunotherapy.
Geriatrics Education for Specialty Residents Program Award: Dr. Philipp Dahm
Dr. Philipp Dahm, Associate Professor, was recently awarded a two-year, $40,000 grant in recognition of his vision to bring geriatrics expertise into the UF Urology residency program. Designed to improve both the quantity and quality of of geriatric education received by medical and surgical residents, the Geriatrics for Specialty Residents (GSR) program, funded by the American Geriatric Society, provides grant support to further this goal. Dr. Dahm's winning proposal includes developing an educational curriculum for UF urology residents that deepens their understanding of Geriatrics, developing an infrastructure that promotes the collaborative multidisciplinary care of elderly patients, and fostering future educational and research collaborations between both specialties . For more information on the UF Urology GSR program, contact Susan Fesperman at 352-273-8239 or susan.fesperman@urology.ufl.edu.
UF Urology Faculty and Shands at UF Welcome World-Renowned Urologist: Dr. Li-Ming Su
Dr. Li-Ming Su joins UF as the David A. Cofrin Professor and Chief of the Division of Robotic and Minimally Invasive Surgery. Dr. Su has also been appointed as Associate Chair for Clinical Affairs to provide assistance to the Chair in defining priorities, allocating fiscal resources, and space planning for the clinical operations of the Department of Urology at all sites within the Shands HealthCare system in the greater Gainesville area.
Dr. Su joins UF Urology from the Brady Urological Institute at Johns Hopkins University where he has served as the Director of Laparoscopic and Robotic Urologic Surgery for the past eight years. Dr. Su is recognized as a world expert in minimally invasive techniques for the treatment of prostate and kidney cancer and has published extensively on nerve-sparing robotic and laparoscopic prostatectomy. In his new position, Dr. Su is charged to develop an internationally recognized Robotic and Minimally Invasive Surgery Program within the Division as well as assume administrative responsibility for an Endourological Society-approved fellowship program. To contact Dr. Su, please email him at li-ming.su@urology.ufl.edu.
American Cancer Society Award: Dr. Zhen Su
Dr. Zhen Su, assistant professor, is the recipient of a $23,000 grant funded by professional golfer and UF alumnus, Chris DiMarco. Established through a partnership with the American Cancer Society, the American Cancer Society Chris DiMarco Institutional Research Grant Junior Investigator Award is an annual award given to the University of Florida Cancer Center to fund cancer research. Dr. Su will use the funds to support his ongoing research in the identification and targeting of prostate cancer stem cells. For more information about Dr. Su's research, please contact him at: zhen.su@urology.ufl.edu.
Elsa U. Pardee Foundation Research Grant: Dr. Zhen Su
The Elsa U. Pardee Foundation has awarded Dr. Zhen Su, assistant professor, a $100,000 research grant to further investigate stem cell derived vaccines for prostate cancer. Since it was established in1944, the Else U. Pardee Foundation has given over $82 million in grants to support research programs directed toward discovering new approaches for cancer treatments as well as financial support for patients diagnosed with all forms of the disease. For more information about Dr. Su's research, please contact him at: zhen.su@urology.ufl.edu.
Editor for BMC's Cancer and Urology Journals: Dr. CJ Rosser
Dr. Charles Rosser, assistant Professor, was recently named editor for two prestigious online research journals: BioMed Central Cancer Journal and BioMed Urology Journal. The BMC-series of journals are a collection of 61 journals published by BioMed Central. All BioMed Central journals have a policy of open access to the research articles they publish. Between them, they cover all major subject areas within biology and medicine.
Events
2008 American Urological Association Annual Meeting: Phenomenal Representation by UF Urology
The American Urological Association (AUA) is the premier professional association for the advancement of urological patient care, with more than 16,000 members worldwide. This year, the AUA held their Annual Meeting in Orlando, FL. UF Urology saw an impressive presence at the meeting with more than 22 papers and presentations made by department faculty and residents. The near week-long scholarly meeting also included some R&R activities sponsored by our newly formed UroGators Alumni Society. Saturday, the UroGators were enthusiastically represented in the AUA's Walk.Run.Win charity race, followed by Tuesday evening's first UroGators Alumni cocktail reception at the Peabody Hotel.
