Wake Forest Baptist October Awards, Recognitions and Announcements

October 14, 2010

Wake Forest Baptist Doctor Wins National Award for Distinguished Service in the Health Field

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – October 14, 2010 – Brenda Latham-Sadler, M.D., associate professor of Family and Community Medicine at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, is the 2010 winner of the National Association of Medical Minority Educator's (NAMME) Award for Distinguished Service in the Health Field.

Latham-Sadler, who is also assistant dean of student services and director of diversity and development initiatives, won the award because of her many contributions and commitment to the health of minority and disadvantaged citizens. In additions, according to a statement issued by NAMME, Latham-Sadler also demonstrates excellence in the practice of medicine, holds an exemplary record of financial support of programs that undergird minority access and retention, and has shown a demonstrated commitment to equal opportunity practices and goals of law relating to minorities.

School of Medicine Student Receives NAMME Scholarship

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – October 14, 2010 – Juan Rodriquez, a third-year medical student at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, has been awarded the 2010 National Association of Medical Minority Educators (NAMME) Scholarship.

The NAMME Scholarship is awarded annually to underrepresented minority students based upon their academic record, community service, financial need and personal statement. Rodriquez is one of only eight recipients from around the country.

Wake Forest Baptist Neuroultrasound Lab is Reaccredited

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – October 14, 2010 – The Neuroultrasound Lab at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center has been reaccredited by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL) for its commitment to providing a high level of patient care and quality testing in the diagnosis of vascular disease.

“We work to ensure that our staff is up-to-date on the most current recommendations and guidelines,” said Mike Waid, administrative director of diagnostic neurology. “Gaining this recognition gives our patients reassurance that we are maintaining our high standards.”

The ICAVL accreditation process reviews every aspect of the laboratory’s daily operations and its impact on the quality of health care provided to the patients. Accreditation is valid for three years.

Maya Angelou Center Participates in the 2010 Minority Health Report Card

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – October 14, 2010 –Ronny Bell, Ph.D., M.S., director of the Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, is a member of the North Carolina Institute of Medicine’s Task Force on Prevention which was involved in the recent 2010 N.C. Minority Health Report Card issued by the state health department.

The report card highlights disparities between the health status of racial and ethnic minorities and whites and found that the minority health gap has widened. According to the report card, published by the N.C. Division of Public Health, minorities continue to experience higher rates of cancer deaths, chronic disease, teen pregnancy, HIV infection and fatal injury. Minority groups represented in the report include African American/Black, American Indian, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Hispanic/Latino.

The Maya Angelou Center is dedicated to the goal of achieving health equity by conducting translational research to impact population health, by developing sustainable and mutually-beneficial community partnerships and by delivering educational initiatives to diversify the clinical, biomedical, and public health workforce.

Wake Forest Baptist HOT Project Receives Beacon Award

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – October 14, 2010 – The Homeless Opportunities and Treatment (HOT) Project, a shelter-based psychiatric care program for the homeless, has been presented the Beacon Award from the Bethesda Center for the Homeless. The project director is Elizabeth Arnold, Ph.D., associate professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

The award is given to the individual, group or organization that has best helped the Bethesda Center fulfill its mission in the past year. Specifically, the Bethesda Center said that HOT provided its clients with extraordinary immediate mental health care. The target population for the program is homeless adults in Forsyth County. Services provided are assessment, medication management, psychotherapy and case management. Care is provided at no cost to participants

Arnold started the HOT Program in July to help meet the unmet mental healthcare needs of the homeless. The project is funded by a grant from the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust.

Wake Forest Baptist Announces New Program Manager for Air Care

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – October 14, 2010 – Holly Mason, R.N., B.S., has been named the new program manager for Air Care Critical Care Transport at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. 

Mason was unit manager of the Pediatric Emergency Department, but has been a part of the Air Care transport medical staff since 2001. 

Wake Forest Baptist Doctor Presents International Lecture on Diastolic Heart Failure Research

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – October 14, 2010 –William C. Little, M.D., McMichael Professor and vice-chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, presented the Konrad Witzig Memorial Lecture concerning the Medical Center’s research on diastolic heart failure research.  The presentation was given on Sept. 25, at the 19th international meeting of the Cardiac System Dynamics Society in Fukuoka, Japan.

Media Relations

Mark Wright: news@wakehealth.edu, 336-713-4587