Celebrating 50 Years! Contents F E A T U R E S Fall 2016 13 4 Breakthrough Mechanical Devices Are Helping People with Failing Hearts to Survive, and Thrive Developing a Blueprint to Fight HIV 26 Patients make remarkable recoveries from life-threatening heart issues thanks to ventricular assist device (VAD) technology and cardiac surgeon George Batsides, MD, and his team. By Lynda Rudolph The New Jersey Department of Health and Robert Wood Johnson Medical School’s Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine have a 12-year partnership for Rapid HIV Testing that is saving lives. By Lynda Rudolph New Antibiotic Effective Against MRSA Scientists develop a lower dose antibiotic that could decrease side effects from treating deadly MRSA bacteria. By Robin Lally 29 8 Targeting Parkinson’s Disease: Dr. Mouradian Secures Two New Patents, Promoting Research and Hope 16 The Affirmation Journey: Support and Well-Being for Transgender Youth Multidisciplinary expertise, in a clinical academic setting, ensures that transgender youth receive comprehensive, high-level care. By Kate O’Neill Leader on Blood Transfusion Standards Starts Clinical Trial to Help Heart Attack Patients Jeffrey L. Carson, MD, embarks on NIH-supported study to establish evidence-based standards. By Jennifer Forbes Mullenhard and Robin Lally A L U M N I P R O F I L E S Two patents recently secured by M. Maral Mouradian, MD, William Dow Lovett Professor of Neurology, are helping advance her research into promising new treatments. By Kate O’Neill Antonia Chen, MD ’08, MBA: A Young Leader for a New Generation in Health Care By Kate O’Neill 36 D E P A R T M E N T S 1 32 33 35 47 20 Letter from the Dean News Research News Letter from the Alumni Association President Class Notes Like “Manna from Heaven:” How a Rutgers Program Is Bridging Gaps and Improving Health Care Access for N.J. Veterans My Experiences as a Member of the First Graduating Class of Rutgers Medical School By Luis Villa Jr., MD 38 Adam B. Landman, MD ’04: Advancing Patient Care through Health Information Technology By Kate O’Neill 40 Learn how the medical school’s Family Medicine at Monument Square practice is bridging gaps and improving health care access for N.J. veterans. By Beth-Ann Kerber From Cancer to Ebola— Lori A. Pollack, MD ’99, MPH, Is Making Her Mark in Public Health By Lynda Rudolph 42 MEDICINE A Publication for Alumni and Friends of Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School F a l l 2 0 1 6 • Vo l u m e 16 , N u m b e r 2 RobertWoodJohnson Dean Sherine E. Gabriel, MD, MSc Executive Editor Patricia M. Hansen, MA Director, Communications and Public Affairs Editor Jillian Prior Writers Jennifer Forbes Mullenhard Beth-Ann Kerber Robin Lally Kate O’Neill Jillian Prior Lynda Rudolph Copy Editor Richard Slovak Art Direction and Design Barbara Walsh Graphic Design Cover Illustration Barbara Walsh Alumni Association Officers: President Sonia Garcia Laumbach, MD ’99 Vice President Thomas McPartland, MD ’01 Treasurer Hank Lubin, MD ’83 Secretary Paul Weber, MD ’87 Chair, Membership Committee Geza Kiss, MD ’95 Editorial and Advertising Office: Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School • 335 George Street • Suite 2300 • New Brunswick, NJ 08903 • Tel: 732-235-6307 • Fax: 732-235-9570 • rwjms.rutgers.edu Robert Wood Johnson I MEDICINE 3