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Cross-Departmental Grant Awarded

Posted on February 24, 2015March 2, 2015 by Carolyn Pennington

Stephen Crocker, Ph.D., from the Department of Neuroscience and Anthony Vella, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Immunology received a two-year R21 exploratory/developmental grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke division of the National Institutes of Health. This multi-PI project entitled, “Proteomic and Functional Analysis of Astrocyte Exosomes” explores the function of exosomes derived from glial cells and tests a role for their contents in assays indicative of central nervous system disease.

UConn Health March Programs, Events

Posted on February 20, 2015April 30, 2018 by Chris DeFrancesco

Here is a list of UConn Health programs scheduled for March and early April 2015. This information will be updated with any additions or other schedule changes. (Updated 3/23)

Nutrition for a Healthy Heart
Wednesday, March 4, 2 to 4 p.m., UConn Health Outpatient Pavilion
The UConn Health’s Healthy Nutrition program invites you on a journey to a lower blood pressure, reduced cholesterol and healthier weight. This workshop is offered on the first Wednesday of the month. Registration fee is $30. Call 800-535-6232 to register or for more information.

Free IVF Information Session
Thursday, March 5, 6 to 8:30 p.m Cell and Genome Science Building, 400 Farmington Ave.
Specialists with the Center for Advanced Reproductive Services lead an informational session about current treatments for infertility, specifically in vitro fertilization (IVF). Each program includes an in-depth explanation of the IVF process, discussion of some of the emotional issues surrounding IVF, and discussion of options for financial planning. Registration is required: 860-679-4580 or www.uconnfertility.com.

UConn Health Center Auxiliary Book/cookie Sale
Friday, March 6, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., UConn Health, Connucopia Gift Shop
The UConn Health Center Auxiliary is holding a book and cookie sale fundraiser. Call 860-679-8004 for more details. More information about the Auxiliary is available at http://auxiliary.uchc.edu.

Bladder Cancer Support Group
Saturday, March 7, 2 to 3 p.m., UConn Health, Onyiuke Dining Room
Patients, family members and caregivers (not limited to UConn Health patients) are invited to join others whose lives have been touched by bladder cancer. This support group, established in partnership with the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network, usually meets on the first Saturday of the month and is the only group of its kind in New England. Call 860-679-4410 or email hackett@uchc.edu for more information.

Celiac Disease Nutrition Class
Monday, March 16, 8 to 9 a.m., UConn Health Outpatient Pavilion
A registered dietitian leads a discussion for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. This program now is scheduled to meet the third Monday of the month. Fee is $20. Call 800-535-6232 or 860-679-7692 to register or for more information.

Free Cosmetology Services for Cancer Survivors
Monday, March 16, 1 to 3 p.m., UConn Health, Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center
“Look Good…Feel Better” is a free program to help improve the self-image and self-esteem of women experiencing appearance-related side effects from cancer treatment. During this hands-on workshop, a trained volunteer certified cosmetologist will offer self-help instruction and education on hairstyling and coping with hair loss, skin care, makeup and nail care. Wigs, turbans and scarves will also be discussed. Classes are offered monthly, generally on the third Tuesday, and are not limited to UConn Health patients. Registration is required: call 800-227-2345 with your name, program date, phone number, and skin color. Kits are available in Light, Medium, Dark and Extra Dark.

New 6-week “Ready to Lose” Weight Management Program Starts
Tuesday, March 17. 5 to 6 p.m., UConn Health Outpatient Pavilion
The introductory session is followed by five weekly sessions through Tuesday, April 21, that include a weigh-in, discussion of progress, and a timely nutrition topic such as eating out strategies, cooking light and right, emotional eating, exercise and activity, smart shopping, and summer holiday eating. Registration fee is $70, $50 for past participants. Call 800-535-6232 for more information.

Free Program: “Non-prescription Ways to Improve Your Cholesterol”
Wednesday, March 18, 7 to 8:30 p.m., UConn Health, Low Learning Center
Physician assistant Bradley Biskup from the UConn Health Lifestyle Modification Program discusses “good” and “bad” cholesterol, the effects of diet and exercise on cholesterol levels, and cholesterol-lowering supplements. Call 800-535-6232 or 860-679-7692 to register or for more information.

Free IVF Information Session
Thursday, March 19, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Cell and Genome Science Building, 400 Farmington Ave.
Specialists with the Center for Advanced Reproductive Services lead an informational session about current treatments for infertility, specifically in vitro fertilization (IVF). Each program includes an in-depth explanation of the IVF process, discussion of some of the emotional issues surrounding IVF, and discussion of options for financial planning. Registration is required: 860-679-4580 or www.uconnfertility.com.

Free Discovery Series: “Is Spirituality Good for Your Health?”
Thursday, March 19, 7 to 9 p.m., UConn Health, Keller Auditorium
Dr. Harold Koenig, an internationally recognized expert in spirituality and medicine at the Duke University Medical Center is the special guest speaker. Register online, for free, at http://discoveryseries.uchc.edu or call 800-535-6232.

Infertility Peer Support Group
Thursday, March 19, 7 p.m., Center for Advanced Reproductive Services, 2 Batterson Park Road, Farmington.
The Greater Hartford chapter of RESOLVE, a national nonprofit resource for those facing the challenges of infertility, offers support, information and confidential, informal, peer-led discussions on the third Thursday of the month. To learn more or to check for weather-related cancellation, call 860-523-8337.

Free Hospital Maternity Tours
Saturday, March 21, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., UConn Health, Main Lobby
A representative will guide you through labor and delivery, postpartum, and the nursery at John Dempsey Hospital. Children and grandparents are welcome. Call 800-535-6232 to register or for more information.

Free Workshop: “Things to Consider Before Joining a Research Study”
Monday, March 30, 5 p.m., UConn Health, Onyuike Dining Room
The UConn Health Human Subjects Protection Office offers an educational session about the rights and responsibilities of participants in research projects on the last Monday of the month. Registration is required: 860-679-8802 or cagganello@uchc.edu.

Free Talk: “Exploring Knee and Hip Replacement”
Tuesday, March 31, 6 to 7 p.m., Southington Library, 255 Main St., Southington
Dr. Vincent Williams, UConn Health orthopedic surgeon, discusses knee and hip osteoarthritis and non-operative treatments, when to consider total knee or hip replacement, and what to expect from total knee or hip surgery. Call 800-535-6232 to register or for more information.

Nutrition for a Healthy Heart
Wednesday, April 1, 2 to 4 p.m., UConn Health Outpatient Pavilion
The UConn Health’s Healthy Nutrition program invites you on a journey to a lower blood pressure, reduced cholesterol and healthier weight. This workshop is offered on the first Wednesday of the month. Registration fee is $30. Call 800-535-6232 to register or for more information.

Free IVF Information Session
Thursday, April 2, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Cell and Genome Science Building, 400 Farmington Ave.
Specialists with the Center for Advanced Reproductive Services lead an informational session about current treatments for infertility, specifically in vitro fertilization (IVF). Each program includes an in-depth explanation of the IVF process, discussion of some of the emotional issues surrounding IVF, and discussion of options for financial planning. Registration is required: 860-679-4580 or www.uconnfertility.com.

Bladder Cancer Support Group
Saturday, April 4, 2 to 3 p.m., UConn Health, Onyiuke Dining Room
Patients, family members and caregivers (not limited to UConn Health patients) are invited to join others whose lives have been touched by bladder cancer. This support group, established in partnership with the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network, usually meets on the first Saturday of the month and is the only group of its kind in New England. Call 860-679-4410 or email hackett@uchc.edu for more information.

(added 3/23)
Free Hospital Maternity Tours
Saturday, April 11, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., UConn Health, Main Lobby
A representative will guide you through labor and delivery, postpartum, and the nursery at John Dempsey Hospital. Children and grandparents are welcome. Call 800-535-6232 to register or for more information.

(added 3/23)
Free Program: “Managing Diabetes with Lifestyle Changes”
Wednesday, April 15, 7 p.m., UConn Health, Low Learning Center
Physician assistant Bradley Biskup from the Lifestyle Medicine Program describes a low-glycemic diet for diabetes, explains how exercise affects blood sugar, and discusses the connection between stress and diabetes. Call 800-535-6232 or 860-679-7692 to register or for more information.

Free IVF Information Session
Thursday, April 16, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Cell and Genome Science Building, 400 Farmington Ave.
Specialists with the Center for Advanced Reproductive Services lead an informational session about current treatments for infertility, specifically in vitro fertilization (IVF). Each program includes an in-depth explanation of the IVF process, discussion of some of the emotional issues surrounding IVF, and discussion of options for financial planning. Registration is required: 860-679-4580 or www.uconnfertility.com.

(added 3/23)
Infertility Peer Support Group
Thursday, April 16, 7 p.m., Center for Advanced Reproductive Services, 2 Batterson Park Road, Farmington
The Greater Hartford chapter of RESOLVE, a national nonprofit resource for those facing the challenges of infertility, offers support, information and confidential, informal, peer-led discussions on the third Thursday of the month. To learn more or to check for weather-related cancellation, call 860-523-8337.

Directions to UConn Health are available at www.uchc.edu/directions/index.html.

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Congratulations to UConn Health’s “Best Docs”

Posted on February 11, 2015February 17, 2015 by Christine Kaminski

UConn Health physicians are well represented in the January issue of Hartford Magazine, which includes their annual “Best Doctors” list. Once again, the list represents the wide range of specialty expertise and world-class care we offer to patients every day.

Anesthesiology	Cardiovascular Disease	Dermatology	Endocrinology	Gastroenterology	Geriatrics	Hand Surgery
Dr. Edward Grimes	Dr. Steven R. Bergmann	Dr. Jane M. Grant-Kels	Dr. Andrew Arnold	Dr. Joel B. Levine	Dr. Patrick P. Coll	Dr. Craig M. Rodner
Dr. Marc Paradis	Dr. Peter Schulman	Dr. Hanspaul S. Makkar	Dr. Carl Malchoff		Dr. Anne M. Kenny
Dr. Amir Tulchinsky		Dr. Marti J. Rothe	Dr. Pamela Taxel		Dr. Margaret Rathier
Dr. James Charles Wickwire		Dr. James D. Whalen			Dr. Gail M. Sullivan
		Dr. Diane Whitaker-Worth

Internal Medicine	Medical Oncology & Hematology	Nephrology	Neurology	Ob/Gyn	Ophthalmology
Dr. Richard Abraham	Dr. Frank M. Torti	Dr. Andre A. Kaplan	Dr. Agnes Jani-Acsadi	Dr. Ramzi Alkass	Dr. William H. Ehlers
Dr. Rebecca Andrews			Dr. Louise Deborah McCullough	Dr. Claudio A. Benadiva
Dr. Elizabeth Appel				Dr. Molly A. Brewer
Dr. Lynn Kosowicz				Dr. Winston A. Campbell
Dr. Thomas M. Manger				Dr. Anthony A. Luciano
Dr. Michael Steinberg				Dr. John C. Nulsen
Dr. Gail M. Sullivan				Dr. Anne-Marie Prabulos
				Dr. Phillip P. Smith

Orthopaedic Surgery	Otolaryngology	Pathology	Pediatric Dermatology	Pediatric Neonatal Medicine	Psychiatry
Dr. Robert A. Arciero	Dr. Denis Lafreniere	Dr. Jane M. Grant-Kels	Dr. Hanspaul S. Makkar	Dr. Naveed Hussain	Dr. David C. Steffens
Dr. Bruce D. Browner	Dr. Gerald Leonard		Dr. Diane Whitaker-Worth		Dr. Andrew Winokur
Dr. Thomas M. DeBerardino	Dr. Jeffrey D. Spiro
Dr. Augustus D. Mazzocca
Dr. Vinayak M. Sathe
Dr. Kevin Shea

Pulmonary Medicine	Radiation Oncology	Rheumatology	Surgery	Surgical Oncology	Urology
Dr. Nausherwan K. Burki	Dr. Robert J. Dowsett	Dr. Micha Abeles	Dr. Peter J. Deckers	Dr. David W. McFadden	Dr. Peter C. Albertsen
			Dr. David W. McFadden		Dr. Carl K. Gjertson
					Dr. John A. Taylor III

Vascular Surgery
Dr. James O. Menzoian

Anthony Vella Named Immunology Chair

Posted on January 15, 2015January 16, 2015 by Chris DeFrancesco

Anthony Vella has been named chair of the Department of Immunology at UConn Health. (click photo for high-res)

Anthony Vella has been named chair of the Department of Immunology at the UConn School of Medicine. A professor of immunology, Vella is a national leader in innovative research centered on T cell biology. His work has examined how adjuvants and costimulation enhance or modulate immune responses. Using a wide spectrum of technologies these studies have helped define mechanisms that control CD4 and CD8 T cell activation, tolerance, cytokine production, cell differentiation and survival.

Vella is also closely involved in multiple collaborative research projects designed to uncover new ways to diagnose and treat inflammatory-based diseases, as well as developing cancer immunotherapies and conducting biodefense research. He holds several NIH grants, serves on national grant review panels, is a member of AAI and other professional societies, previously served as director of the Immunology Graduate Program at UConn Health, and has mentored a number of Ph.D. and M.D./Ph.D. students and postdoctoral fellows.

In 1986 Vella received his B.A. in Biology from SUNY Buffalo State, and in 1989 an M.S. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy, N.Y.). His doctoral thesis was completed in 1993 in the laboratory of Dr. Edward Pearce, Cornell University (Ithaca, N.Y.), and conducted postdoctoral training in the laboratory of Drs. Philippa Marrack and John Kappler at National Jewish Health (Denver, Col.). After joining the UConn School of Medicine he was promoted to full professor in 2013, and has served on a variety of university administrative and education-related committees.

Free Shoes, Foot Exams for Homeless

Posted on November 26, 2014April 30, 2018 by Chris DeFrancesco

Dr. Lauren Geaney, UConn Health foot and ankle specialist, provides a foot exam at the Salvation Army shelter in New Britain Nov. 25. Foot care providers volunteered at shelters throughout the country in the days leading up to Thanksgiving as part of the national Our Hearts to Your Soles campaign to provide shoes and foot care to those in need. (Chris DeFrancesco/UConn Health Photo)

The nationwide “Our Hearts to Your Soles” campaign was organized locally for the eighth year by Dr. Michael Aronow, former UConn Health physician who now practices privately. Joining him from UConn Health were cast technician Kathleen York, medical assistant Lori Engengrro, administrative program assistant Carmen Propiescus, and Dr. Lauren Geaney, foot and ankle surgeon.

Retailers donated the footwear and socks. Between the two shelters, the volunteers provided 33 pairs of shoes and left behind 69 additional pairs. They also took information from 10 other would-be recipients whose sizes weren’t immediately available so the proper sizes could be provided in the coming days