Association of Specialty Professors announces the 2009 T. Franklin Williams scholars

The Association of Specialty Professors (ASP) is pleased to announce the eighth class of T. Franklin Williams Scholars. These scholars are recipients of two- to four-year career development awards funded by a generous grant from the Atlantic Philanthropies (USA) Inc. and the John A. Hartford Foundation, and co-sponsored by 12 internal medicine specialty societies.

The 11 new investigators funded under this initiative will join the 64 previously announced T. Franklin Williams Scholars to achieve the program goal of increasing the capacity of internal medicine subspecialists to care for the aging population.

Williams Scholars conduct a research project and pursue a career development plan focused on a geriatric aspect of their specialty. The program provides the recipients awards of $50,000-$75,000 per year to support the early stages of their academic careers.

"After seven years, the impact of the Williams Scholars Program on Internal Medicine and its subspecialties is undeniable," stated Williams Scholars Program Principal Investigator Kevin P. High, MD. "Recipients of the Williams Scholars awards have gone on to secure more than $20 million in extramural funding from the National Institutes of Health, foundations, and other funding agencies to support their research in geriatrics. They are also going on to become leaders within academic medicine by mentoring numerous students, residents, and fellows, developing geriatric-focused curriculum, and publishing more than 200 aging-focused manuscripts. These recipients have influenced the quality of care delivered to the elderly population."

"Since our initial support of the Williams Scholars Program in 2002, we have been excited about how the Program and award recipients are influencing the science and care of older patients, while raising the visibility and attractiveness of aging-focused medical careers to their peers and students," stated John A. Hartford Foundation Senior Program Officer Gavin W. Hougham, PhD.

ASP, the Atlantic Philanthropies, the John A. Hartford Foundation, and the 12 partnering specialty societies are pleased to present the eighth class of T. Franklin Williams Scholars:

Peter M. Abadir, MD
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Age-Related Change in Angiotensin Receptors and its Contribution on Chronic Inflammation
ASP-American Geriatrics Society Foundation for Health in Aging Award

Kathleen M. Akgun, MD
Yale University School of Medicine
Aging and Critical Illness in HIV Infected Patients
ASP-CHEST Foundation of the American College of Chest Physicians Geriatric Development Research Award

Alison Huang, MD
University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine
The Impact of Urogenital on Functioning and Wellbeing in Women
Society of General Internal Medicine-Association of Chiefs of General Internal Medicine-ASP T. Franklin Williams Scholars Award in Geriatrics

Danelle F. James, MD
University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine
Age-Related Differences in Immunomodulatory Therapy for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
The American Society of Clinical Oncology Cancer Foundation-ASP Young Investigator Award in Geriatric Oncology

Eswar Krishnan, MD
Stanford University School of Medicine
Does Frailty in Old Age Amplify Glucocorticoid Toxicity?
American College of Rheumatology Research and Education Foundation- ASP Junior Career Development Award in Geriatric Medicine

Rohit Loomba, MD
University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine
Sex-Specific Effect of Alcohol and Obesity and Adipocytokines in Geriatric Fatty Liver Disease in a Prospective Population-Based Cohort: Rancho Bernardo Study
American Gastroenterological Association Foundation-Sucampo-ASP Designated Research Award in Geriatric Gastroenterology

Sharmilee M. Nyenhuis, MD
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Identification and Impact of Age-Related Changes in Neutrophilis during an Asthma Exacerbation
ASP-American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Geriatrics Development Initiative Junior Faculty Development Award

Peter P. Reese, MD
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Predictors of Mortality Among Older Renal Transplant Candidates and Recipients: Implications for Organ Allocation Policy in the United States
American Society of Nephrology-ASP Junior Development Award in Geriatric Nephrology

Erik B. Schelbert, MD
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Risk Stratification with Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance
ASP-American Heart Association Career Development Award in Geriatric Cardiology

John M. Stafford, MD, PhD
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Hyperglycemia as a Driver of Altered High-Density Lipoprotein Metabolism after Menopause
American Diabetes Association-ASP Young Investigator Innovation Award in Geriatric Endocrinology

H. Keipp Talbot, MD
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Influenza Vaccine Immunologic Correlates
ASP-Infectious Diseases Society of America Young Investigator Award in Geriatrics

Awards for the 2010 T. Franklin Williams Scholars grant cycle are available with the following partners:

• American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.
• American College of Rheumatology Research and Education Foundation.
• American Diabetes Association.
• American Geriatrics Society Foundation for Health in Aging.
• American Heart Association.
• American Society of Clinical Oncology.
• American Society of Hematology.
• American Society of Nephrology.
• CHEST Foundation of the American College of Chest Physicians.
• Infectious Diseases Society of America.
• Society of General Internal Medicine and Association of Chiefs of General Internal Medicine.