NEOMED’s growth trajectory continued in 2023 with a host of strategic initiatives designed to improve the student experience, strengthen partnerships, develop new programs and empower employees to meet a myriad of other goals. Highlights of the initiatives were among some of the most-read stories in The Pulse, though student milestones and leadership changes topped the list.
Here are some of the top stories from The Pulse for 2023:
NEOMED AND UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS EXTEND AFFILIATION AGREEMENT
NEOMED and University Hospitals extended the major affiliation agreement reached in July 2022. The organizations are building on their early successes through their major affiliation and have identified significant opportunities to collaborate throughout this year and beyond. Some goals of the extension include enabling larger class sizes at NEOMED, a faculty scholars program and executive education for UH staff.
Read more the affiliation agreement.
PARKINSON’S AWARENESS AND RESEARCH
In October 2023, clinical faculty member Sara Whittingham, M.D., participated in IRONMAN Kona, a 140.6-mile race including swimming, running and biking, to raise awareness and funds for Parkinson’s disease research at NEOMED. Coverage of the race helped spotlight work being done in the lab of Sheila Fleming, Ph.D., who is investigating whether exercise can stop the progression of Parkinson’s disease.
Read more about Parkinson’s research
NEOMED RESEARCHERS ARE AMONG THE WORLD’S TOP SCIENTISTS
More than 14 NEOMED faculty were recognized in the top 2% of scientists list for career and/or single year citations. The report is based on an Oct. 1, 2023, snapshot from Scopus, updated to the end of citation year 2022. The top 2% are determined by c-score and other factors. Additional researchers who joined the University after 2022, such as Marc Basson, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., dean of the College of Medicine, also ranked in the top 2% of most-cited scientists.
Read more about the rankings
JOINT VENTURE
NEOMED and Bounce Innovation Hub announced a new joint venture to support the commercialization and development of new medical technologies. The joint venture, called Kinetic, Health Care Innovation in Motion, will support ideation, research and translational concept generation; product and intellectual property development and protection; prototyping, testing and regulatory compliance; market analysis; go-to-market strategy; and the securing of venture capital for successful commercialization.
Read more about Kinetic, Health Care Innovation in Motion
LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTS
C. Forrest Faison III, M.D., Sc.D. (hon), FAAP, joined NEOMED as provost, effective April 1, 2023. Dr. Faison, who served as the 38th Surgeon General of the U.S. Navy, provides leadership and strategy in collaboration with the University’s four College deans.
Speaking of College deans, other leadership appointments that garnered attention from readers during the year included Kathryn Tromp, Pharm.D., as interim dean of the College of Pharmacy, and Marc D. Basson, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., as dean of the College of Medicine.
Read more about Dr. Faison’s appointment
COLLEGE OF MEDICINE MATCH DAY
Always a contender for one of the top 10 spots, the College of Medicine Match Day topped the list of most-read stories for last year. On March 17, 2023, medicine students, their families and friends gathered to learn where graduating students would do their residencies. Overall, 141 fourth-year students matched with residencies throughout the U.S. and three fourth-year students opted to pursue a postgraduate research year – for a 100% match rate of all students who completed the match and supplemental offer process.
RENAMING THE NOOK
Walking Whales love to show their school spirit and were anxious for the reopening of the University store in its new location under a new name. The story announcing the new name – The Pod – was among the top-three most read articles in The Pulse for 2023.