Year in Review: The Department of Medicine’s top stories of 2014

A scientist’s advice to young investigators, a new group of physicians who are leading the charge to teach quality improvement, a doctor’s response to Typhoon Haiyan. These are just some of the year’s top stories – the most read, the most shared, and the most talked about. Take a look at some of the highlights below.


How important is early support to a research career?

Shirit Einav, MD, assistant professor of medicine (infectious diseases), on the importance of seed funding for young investigators.

2014 Employees of the Month

The Department of Medicine Employee of the Month Awards honor staff members who are exceptionally dedicated and passionate about their work.

2200 – 1840 = 360 x 2 = 720 / 332 = 2.1686747, right?

With just 40 to 42 slots available for first-year residents in the Department of Medicine, how are they selected from the 2,200 medical students who apply for them?

Abraham Verghese: “I was flabbergasted.”

Abraham Verghese, MD, Linda R. Meier and Joan F. Lane Provostial Professor and Vice Chair for Education, describes his reaction to learning that he had won a 2014 Heinz Award.

Finding your way early in a career at Stanford University

Everett Meyer, MD, PhD, assistant professor of medicine (blood and marrow transplantation), offers career advice to aspiring physician scientists.

What one Doctor did when disaster struck

When a typhoon struck the Philippines in late 2013, many people in the United States reacted with dismay. Some resolved to help, sending money to charities that would supply blankets and shelter and food. Others took it more personally, packing up themselves and their colleagues and traveling to Tacloban to render medical care onsite. Julieta Gabiola, MD, clinical associate professor in the Division of General Medical Disciplines, belongs in the latter group.

David C. Chan, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor (Primary Care Outcomes research), received an Early Independence Award.

Sean Wu, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine, received the NIH Director’s Pioneer Award.

When crazy busy intersects a passion, some people retreat. Not these residents.

There is a generally-accepted truism about residents, which is that they are “crazy busy.” They endure this extreme busyness because they are passionate about what they are working toward: careers in medicine or surgery. Two crazy-busy residents, Molly Kantor, MD, and Daniel Fang, MD, describe their interest in quality improvement in medicine.

Stanford scientists use NIH grants to accelerate research on arthritis and lupus

Stanford scientists are using NIH grants to accelerate research on two autoimmune disorders: lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Quality improvement elective promotes systemic mindset in residents

Lisa Shieh, MD, PhD, clinical associate professor (general medical disciplines), and a group of physicians are leading the charge to teach quality improvement skills to a new wave of Stanford residents and students.

Diagnosing the undiagnosed

Euan Ashley, MD, PhD, associate professor of cardiovascular medicine, discusses Stanford’s Center for Undiagnosed Diseases, a multidisciplinary program designed to help patients who suffer from a disease that has resisted diagnosis.

At Stanford Cardiovascular Institute’s annual retreat, a glimpse into the future of cardiovascular medicine

What will the future of cardiovascular medicine look like? A group of scientists, engineers, educators, surgeons, physicians and students explored this question at the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute’s annual retreat.