Inclusive Endocrine Workforce Requires Diverse Networks, Mentors Feb. 18, 2021 Diversity and inclusion in the science and health care workforce remain low, and endocrinology is no exception. Data show racial and ethnic concordance between health care providers and their patients is associated with important and positive outcomes. “If I look at the majority of my colleagues that I interact with, I can tell you that 95% of them are not endocrinologists of color,” said Ricardo Correa, MD, program director of endocrinology fellowship and director for diversity at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix and the Phoenix Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Healio
Research Looks for Links Between COVID-19 and 'Forever Chemicals' Feb. 18, 2021 Researchers at the University of Arizona Health Sciences are involved in three studies that may shed light on the connection between COVID-19 and "forever chemicals" known as PFAS. PFAS are a group of chemicals that are very persistent in the environment and have been used for decades in all manner of products, from stain-resistant carpets to nonstick pans to fast food packaging. Arizona Public Media (Tucson, AZ)
MHA Honors Black Scientists Making History in Vaccine Development Feb. 18, 2021 As part of its February social-media campaign for Black History Month, the Mental Health Association is emphasizing key contributions of black scientists in the unprecedented research supporting the development of COVID-19 vaccines. Dr. Michael Johnson is an assistant professor of Immunobiology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson. His groundbreaking research involves ways copper could help stop the coronavirus from entering human cells or replicating once it is inside. Health Care News
UArizona Health Sciences Excels in Latest Blue Ridge Rankings on NIH Funding Feb. 17, 2021 Increases in total National Institutes of Health funding have led to higher rankings for several colleges and departments. Read more Image
How the Art of Improv Can Teach Humanistic Care Feb. 17, 2021 Students at the College of Medicine – Phoenix learn how listening and reacting to a partner on stage applies to the doctor-patient relationship. Read more Image
UArizona Health Sciences Excels in Latest Blue Ridge Rankings on NIH Funding Feb. 17, 2021 Increases in total National Institutes of Health funding have led to higher rankings for several colleges and departments. Read more Image
Doctor Addresses Concerns Over Lower Vaccine Efficacy Feb. 17, 2021 Now that multiple COVID-19 vaccinations are on, or are soon to be on the market, there's a percentage of efficacy attached to each of them. Pfizer and Moderna are promising about 95% protection after two doses. And Johnson and Johnson is promising 66% after one dose. But what does that actually mean? "It's not like me, myself, now has 66% immunity. It's more of a population measure," says Dr. Deepta Bhattacharya, University of Arizona College of Medicine. It comes down to clinical trials. KGUN-TV (Tucson, AZ)
University of Arizona Studying COVID-19 Vaccine Efficacy Feb. 17, 2021 The University of Arizona has been studying COVID-19 since the pandemic began. Dr. Jeff Burgess, an Associate Dean for Research and Professor in the College of Public Health, has been leading a study that has followed more than 2,500 people throughout the pandemic. Dr. Burgess has been examining the risk of reinfection to those who are in high-risk environments like nurses and first responders. KGUN-TV (Tucson, AZ)
UArizona Researchers Release Report on the Declining Period of Crisis to One of Elevated Risk Feb. 17, 2021 With the fourth week in a row of declining COVID-19 cases in Pima County, Arizona has evolved from a state of "crisis" to one of "elevated risk," according to Joe Gerald, an associate professor in the University of Arizona's Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health who creates weekly coronavirus epidemiology reports based on Arizona Department of Health Services data. KVOA-TV (Tucson, AZ)
Don’t Look for the “Quick Fix” to Regain Your Sense of Smell After Having COVID-19 Feb. 17, 2021 There are different stages to loss of smell, but what is most commonly reported as a COVID-19 symptom is a complete loss of smell or anosmia. Dr. Eugene Chang, a surgeon-scientist and the vice-chair of the UArizona otolaryngology department at the College of Medicine - Tucson, explains why the loss of smell is one of the first symptoms that can present with COVID- 19 infection. KGUN-TV (Tucson, AZ)