Preparing for the Inevitable: COVID-19 in VCU News

Source: VCU News

I prepared a written response to the looming COVID-19 pandemic for the University, posted now on VCU News and available here.

Much of what we are dooming has the feel of preparing for an impromptu speech, which is incidentally the title of a commentary on COVID-19 that we currently have in press in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology.

Stay tuned.

Do You Wash Your Hands Properly? VCU Facebook Live on Hand Hygiene and COVID-19

Do wash you hands properly?

Learn more here, VCU FB live with infection prevention team members Dr. Michael Stevens and  infection prevention nurse Amie Patrick

SHEA Barry Farr Award: Old News, New Posting

Well, our receipt of the 2019 SHEA Barry Farr Award (ID Week 2019) may be old news but it was just posted on the VCU School of Medicine website- available here.

I am honored to share the spotlight with Dr. Hilary Babcock, SHEA Past President.

One of the Many Negative Consequences of Deforestation: Increases in Zoonotic Malaria

Deforestation in Malaysia is associated with malaria.

As recently reported in Clinical Infectious Diseases, despite decreasing cases of human malaria- Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, significant increases in zoonotic malaria cases, Plasmodum knowlesi, were observed over several years.

Why?

A probable driver is increased deforestation for human land use, such as for palm oil plantations, placing human populations closer to zoonotic reservoirs and vectors. Transmission is then from macaques to humans, by way of the Anopeheles mosquito.

Beware the zoonotic ills of deforestation.

Virginia Public Radio (NPR) Interview on the Novel Coronavirus Disease

I am out of  the office this week. I was supposed to attend the International Congress on Infectious Diseases in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia, but this was postponed until September 2020 on account of the novel coronavirus.

I spent part of the week in snowy Syracuse, NY, my teenage proving ground.

The ongoing coronavrius outbreak is never out of mind. 

My recent NPR radio interview is available here.

Precision Infection Prevention: The Next Frontier-Now Published in Journal of Hospital Infection

We feel that precision infection prevention is the next frontier in patient safety. 

Our perspective is now published here in the Journal of Hospital Infection (United Kingdom).

The aim is for individual level infection prevention risk reduction, delivered in real time, to the most vulnerable patients.

Medical Literary Messenger Fall 2019 / Winter 2020 Published!

Our Fall 2019/Winter 2020 Medical Literary Messenger is published! Access the issue in PDF here- free and open access.

Thank you to the  diverse contributors and to the editorial team for another successful publication.

Voices from Richmond’s Hidden Epidemic: Now At The Valentine, Richmond, VA

The exhibit, Voices from Richmond's Hidden Epidemic, on HIV, is now open at The Valentine.

I am honored to be a part of the exhibit. Also included is Bob Higginson, a physician assistant from the VCU Infectious Diseases Clinic, A patient of mine' Anonymous' is also featured in the narrative.

The exhibit was recently highlighted in Style Weekly, available here.

Congratulations Dr. Michelle Doll: VCU Department of Medicine 2020 Celebration of Excellence

With Dr. Michelle Doll

It was a true honor to share the stage last night with Dr. Michelle Doll, my VCU Division of Infectious Diseases colleague, in the 2020 VCU Department of Medicine Celebration of Excellence event.

In just 4 years, as an associate hospital epidemiologist and assistant professor, Dr. Doll has published over 30 papers, written multiple books chapters and has mentored countless learners. 

Dr. Doll was recognized for her research and work in patient quality and safety.  Highly impactful.

Needless to say, I am very proud of my faculty.

VCU Infectious Diseases: Recognition of Dr. Jane Cecil

Last night we celebrated and recognized Dr. Jane Cecil, our VCU Infectious Diseases Fellowship Director.

Dr. Cecil is formally stepping down as the director of our training program after nearly 12 years of service. Jane will continue to serve the ID Division as the Chief of ID at the McGuire VA Medical Center.

In a time when ID fellowships commonly go unfilled, we continue to fully match our program year in and year out. Under Jane's leadership, our board pass rate remains at 100%, for 20 + years. No small feat. Coupled with her passion, dedication and advocacy of the trainees, Jane's impact has been huge.

Thank you, Jane, we owe you a debt of gratitude.

VCU News: Novel Coronavirus Interview

On January 24, 2020 I shot this brief VCU News video. The novel coronavirus outbreak is fluid with changing risk and response so some comments may already be dated.

The YouTube video is available here.