Annual Report Presentation 2005-2006

Director’s Narrative Summary & Lists of Faculty Achievements

 

Evaluation of Progress in 2005-2006

The progress of the division is discussed in the context of the six goals included in the School of Medicine Strategic Plan 2005-2010:

 

Goal 1 (Education):  In 2005-06, the division continued to excel in the area of education.  Faculty members were actively engaged in educational activities for students (e.g., Pathophysiology Course, Clinical Preceptorships), residents, and fellows.  Its commitment to education is highlighted by the fact that 3 faculty members were awarded this year’s DOM Golden Apple Award for excellence in resident training and one was awarded the Pulmonary Best Teacher Award for the education of fellows.  Our division is supported by two T32 NRSA Institutional Training Awards from the NIH (5 slots) and our fellowship program is fully accredited.

 

Goal 2 (Research):  The division is currently 3rd in the DOM based on research funding.  It attracted ~8.5 million dollars this pass year in research funds from federal (e.g., NIH, DOD, DVA) and non-federal organizations (e.g., ALA, AHA).  In addition to an NIAAA-sponsored program project grant in Alcohol and Lung Biology, the program is now one of 11 centers in the nation included in the NHLBI-sponsored Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Network.  We are also one of several centers involved in the NIH-sponsored PIOPED Study that focuses on thromboembolic disease.  Five of our junior faculty were supported by NIH K-Awards and one by a VA Career Development Award.  A total of 15 faculty were funded by the NIH, 4 from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and 1 from the Department of Defense.  At this point in time, all of our faculty involved in basic science research is funded and many of our clinical faculty are involved in industry-sponsored clinical trials.  Research is conducted in ~12,000 sq ft of wet lab space and 2,000 sq ft of clinical research space.   This research has generated over 50 publications this past year.

 

Goal 3 (Patient Care):  The division is doing well in providing services to patients.  Last year, it established new programs including the Interventional Pulmonology Program, and further strengthened its Adult Cystic Fibrosis Program.  It also continued to excel in the areas of interstitial lung diseases, sleep-related disorders, and pulmonary hypertension.  The division currently directs 5 intensive care units and 2 chronic ventilator units distributed across 5 hospitals.  This year, we began to standardize care amongst the units by establishing evidence-based protocols for patient care.  The division has no endowed chairs. 

 

Goal 4 (Leadership):  Several faculty members are actively involved in committees of national and international organizations like the American Thoracic Society and the Society for Critical Care Medicine.  One member served as President-elect of the Georgia Thoracic Society.  Two faculty were full members of NIH Study Sections and two faculty were members of editorial boards in top pulmonary journals. Several of our physicians were selected for “Best Doctors in America”.  Two faculty members were accepted in the Southern Society for Clinical Investigation.   Faculty salaries are at or above the average AAMC salary standards. 

 

Goal 5 (Environment):  The division is proud of its record of recruitment of women and minorities.  Last year, division faculty included 10 women and 9 minorities (Hispanic and African-American) highlighting its diversity; 1 woman and 2 minorities are at the Associate Professor level or higher.  Women and minorities serve as program directors, ICU directors, and conference organizers indicating their involvement in leadership positions.  The terrific

environment of the division is highlighted by the fact that we did not loose faculty in 2005-2006.

 

Goal 6 (Financial Security):  The division is financially sound and is expected to collect $500,000 above expenses this year.  All sections are profitable (VA not included in analysis). 

 

Analysis for 2006-2007             

             

Division Strengths:  The strength of our division resides in its outstanding faculty who is committed to excellence in patient care, teaching and research.  The diversity of its clinical enterprise and the many services it provides are considered assets to the program.  The division has almost doubled in size in the past 5 years, has expanded its fellowship program, and has witnessed an 8-fold increase in its research budget.

 

Opportunities:  A major opportunity will come if the Emory Center for Respiratory Health is funded through the WHSC.  This will re-invigorate our programs, will provide resources for recruitment, will expand our clinical, teaching and research enterprises, and will emphasize collaborations with many partners within and outside Emory.

 

Goals for 2006-2007

●      Recruit 4-6 more faculty (pending new resources)

●      Successful submission of another multi-investigator grant to the NIH

●      Expansion of our research portfolio by recruiting researchers and by engaging in more clinical trials

●      Retention of more fellows in academia

●      Development of team-based specialized clinics in the outpatient arena

●      Maintain fiscal responsibility

 

C.    International Contributions:          Members of the division were engaged in activities (research, lectures, etc.) in other countries including Peru, China, Mexico, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, and Australia.  One member participated in a medical mission trip to Mondova, an old soviet block country.

Contributions to the Local Community:    Multiple faculty members are involved in committee work at Emory including search committees, DOM faculty development committee, and University Research Committee, among many others.  They are also involved in collaborative efforts with local organizations such as the American Lung Association of Georgia and the Centers for Disease Control.