Wake Forest Baptist November Awards, Recognitions and Announcements

November 3, 2010

Wake Forest Baptist November Awards, Recognitions and Announcements  

Wake Forest Baptist Physician Honored for Clinical Contributions to Cardiology

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – November 3, 2010 – William C. Little, M.D., chief of cardiology and McMichael Professor of Internal Medicine at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, has been awarded the 2010 Laennec Master Clinician Award for his contributions and achievements in the field of clinical cardiology.

The award is made by the Council on Clinical Cardiology and will be presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions, which will be held in Chicago Nov. 12 - 17.

Little, who is board certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology, has published more than 200 peer-reviewed scientific publications. He is a member of the American College of Cardiology, the American Physiological Society, the American Society for Clinical Investigation, the American Association of Physicians, the Association of University Cardiologists, and the American Heart Association’s Council on Clinical Cardiology.

Wake Forest Baptist Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program Awarded Recertification

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – November 3, 2010 – The Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program (PRP) at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center has been awarded recertification status by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) for its commitment to improving quality of life for its patients and their families.

The PRP provides a comprehensive program of education, exercise, smoking cessation, psychological support and disease management for patients having symptomatic chronic lung diseases that limit their ability to carry out their daily activities.

Program certification is valid for three years. The PRP is one of only 13 certified pulmonary rehab programs in North Carolina. Wake Forest Baptist’s Cardiac Rehabilitation, one of the first in the United States, is also certified by AACVPR.  

Wake Forest Baptist Awarded the 2010 Power Partner Award

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – November 3, 2010 – Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center has been awarded the 2010 Power Partner Award from Duke Energy. This award was created in 1992 to encourage and recognize Duke Energy customers who go "above and beyond" in the areas of customer satisfaction, energy efficiency and business growth.

Winners are chosen based on their commitment to produce positive business results and implement strategic “win-win” energy solutions. The recipients share a commitment to innovative and responsible energy use and to a true partnering relationship that creates value for Duke Energy and the communities we serve.  

Wake Forest Baptist Researcher Speaks at International Conference

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – November 3, 2010 – Floyd “Ski” Chilton, Ph.D., professor of physiology and pharmacology and director of the Center for Botanical Lipids and Inflammatory Disease Prevention, spoke at the inaugural international conference held by the World Council on Genetics, Nutrition and Fitness for Health in Ancient Olympia, Greece, Oct. 5-8. Chilton’s talk was titled, “The Global Impact of the Genetics of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Metabolism.”

The purpose of the World Council is to bring about a change, both in developed and developing countries, so that governments and the public put more emphasis on physical activity and a healthy diet in order to prevent the onset of diseases such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and mental illness.

Mary Lou Voytko Promoted to Associate Dean for Faculty Development

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – November 3, 2010 – Mary Lou Voytko, Ph.D., professor of Neurobiology and Anatomy, has been promoted to associate dean for faculty development at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. Voytko joined the WFU School of Medicine faculty in 1993 following postdoctoral work at The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

Voytko’s primary responsibilities will be to lead the implementation of the WFUBMC Faculty Development Strategic Plan and to work with department chairs and Institute and Center directors to enhance current programs.

In addition to teaching and research activities, Voytko has been extensively involved in increasing faculty development opportunities. She is currently the director of WFUSM’s Women’s Health Center of Excellence for Research, Leadership, Excellence (WHCOE), she also chaired the institution-wide Faculty Development Committee from 2004-2010.

Wake Forest University School of Medicine LaunchesResearch Seminar Series at Livingstone College

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – November 3, 2010 – Researchers from Wake Forest University School of Medicine, in conjunction with officials at Livingstone College in Salisbury, recently formed a collaboration to provide research infrastructure improvement at the college.

As part of the year-long collaboration, School of Medicine faculty will conduct six seminars on the Livingstone campus, three in the Fall semester and three during the Spring semester. In addition to the seminars, Livingstone faculty and students will conduct research in labs on the WFUSM campus.

The first of the six seminars was held on Sept. 27, and was given by Ronny Bell, Ph.D., director of the Maya Angelou center for Health Equity, and professor of Epidemiology and Prevention. Other faculty leading seminars are Donald W. Bowden, Ph.D., director of the Diabetes research Center, associate director of the Genomics and Personalized Medicine Research and professor of Biology; and Debra I. Diz, Ph.D., interim director of the Hypertension and Vascular Research Center and professor of Surgical Sciences.

The initiative will culminate with the two institutions submitting a grant for extramural funding to enhance the research infrastructure on the Livingstone campus.

Sears Completes Continuing Education Examination in Employee Benefits

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – November 3, 2010 – Marc Sears, director of benefits at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, has successfully completed the International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialist’s 2010 Continuing Education examination.

Sears now has fellowship status in the society for two years. His successful completion of the exam, which covered recent changes and developments in employee benefits, compensation and other human resource management areas, demonstrates his and the benefit department’s ongoing commitment to professionalism.

Local Emergency Doctor Serves as Person County EMS Medical Director

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – November 3, 2010 –J. Tripp Winslow, M.D., M.P.H., associate professor of emergency medicine at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, has been named Medical Director for Person County’s Emergency Management Services.

EDITOR'S NOTE:  To download a photo of…William C. Little, click HERE;Floyd "Ski" Chilton, click HERE; Mary Lou Voytko, click HERE; James "Tripp" Winslow, click HERE.

Media Relations

Lisa Davanzo: news@wakehealth.edu, 336-713-4587

Bonnie Davis: bdavis@wakehealth.edu, 336-713-1597