Sentara Healthcare is donating $10 million to Eastern Virginia Medical School to support two initiatives that will build on EVMS' strength in medical simulation and the treatment and safety of older patients.

The donation represents the largest endowed gift in the school's history.

This gift will create two $5 million endowments to support operations in the newly renamed Sentara Center for Simulation and Immersive Learning at Eastern Virginia Medical School and in the EVMS Glennan Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology. EVMS is a pioneer in adapting simulation to medical and health-care training, and the Glennan Center is a focal point for care, research and education focused on older adults.

The French Academy of Surgery has elected L.D. Britt, MD, MPH, EVMS Brickhouse Professor and Chair of Surgery, as an honorary member.

The honor will be bestowed upon Dr. Britt at the Academy's annual ceremony in January.

Dr. Britt also recently received an honorary degree from Tuskegee University and was awarded honorary fellowships by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

EVMS teamed up with the Norfolk Admirals to raise awareness of the diabetes epidemic during the team's Nov. 25 victory over the Providence Bruins, a game attended by more than 300 EVMS faculty, staff, students and their families.

Volunteers from the Strelitz Diabetes Center screened more than 80 hockey fans for elevated blood sugar — a possible indication of diabetes. Provost and Dean Gerald J. Pepe, PhD, dropped the game puck and EVMS School of Health Professions alumna Dana Nunez, MPH, sang the national anthem.