Tuskegee University conferred an honorary degree on L.D. Britt, MD, MPH,EVMS Brickhouse Professor and Chair of Surgery, at the 12th Annual Biomedical Research Symposium on Sept. 23.

Hosted by Tuskegee's College of Veterinary Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health, the symposium's theme was "Passion and Compassion in Eliminating Health Disparities." Dr. Britt was a keynote speaker at the symposium.

Tuskegee University President Gilbert L. Rochon presented Dr. Britt with a Doctor of Humane Letters.

Dr. Britt is the president of the American College of Surgeons and also was recently awarded honorary fellowships by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

Aaron I. Vinik, MD, PhD, FCP, MACP, professor and director of the research and neuroendocrine unit of EVMS' Strelitz Diabetes Center, is currently featured in a video about diabetes foot care on WebMD.

 The video features Dr. Vinik and Strelitz patient J. Pat Walden demonstrating a foot exam. Dr. Vinik is a leading expert in neuropathy. To view the video, follow this link and then click on Fitness Tips. Hit the orange "continue" button at the bottom of the window and click on the diabetes and fitness link. The video is titled, "Diabetes Foot Care."

Stephen I. Deutsch, MD, PhD, the Ann Robinson Chair and professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciencse, and Maria R. Urbano, MD, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences edited a new book on how genetics affects autism identifcation and treatment. 

The book, "Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Role of Genetics in Diagnosis and Treatment," is published as a hard-copy text and is also available on-line as an open-access medical publication. The text includes the most up-to-date data available since it is available within months of the latest information being received and edited.

Due to the potential impact of Hurricane Irene, student classes are cancelled for Friday, August 26. Students on clinical rotations should follow the instructions of their clinical program directors. Residents assigned to non-EVMS facilities should follow the policies/procedures of their hosting facility.

EVMS will be open tomorrow, August 26 (except for student classes).  Supervisors may grant liberal leave for employees needing to make personal preparations in advance of Hurricane Irene. Liberal leave means that an employee must use his or her leave time, and it is granted at the supervisor’s discretion. All offices, however, must have coverage.

EVMS will be closed this Saturday and Sunday, August 27 and 28, including clinical operations and student classes.