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I am excited to share this edition of The CEO’s List, which highlights several individuals at UVA Health who exemplify our mission and vision by leading groundbreaking research initiatives, finding innovative ways to improve patient access to care, sharing their expertise in major medical publications, and through leadership roles in national organizations. Please join me in celebrating their accomplishments.

With gratitude,
K. Craig Kent, MD
Chief Executive Officer, UVA Health

Bradford Worrall, MD, MSc, and Keith Keene, PhD

UVA researchers Dr. Bradford Worrall and Dr. Keith Keene were recently awarded a $3.2 million NIH grant to lead a multidisciplinary team from multiple universities  to study stroke risk and recurrence in multiethnic populations. Both Dr. Worrall, a Harrison Distinguished Teaching Professor of Neurology and Public Health Sciences and Division Head for Vascular Neurology, and Dr. Keene, professor of public health sciences and director of the UVA Center for Health Equity and Precision Public Health, are well equipped to lead this research, which could have groundbreaking implications as we work toward identifying risk of stroke and eliminating disparities across cultures. Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide and a leading cause of serious, long-term disability. Nearly one-quarter of strokes are recurrent attacks. This study will focus on social and structural determinants of health, epigenetic factors, and genetic variants that have traditionally been understudied. I am proud of their dedication to this important research as they lead a talented team of investigators from across the country!

Claire O’Donnell, BA - Public Policy Studies

I am thrilled to share that Claire O’Donnell, Manager for Capacity Management, has received the 2024 Access Champion award from the Patient Access Collaborative, a community that consists of leaders from the nation’s largest and most prestigious health systems. This recognition is a testament to her outstanding work and dedication to the One Team | United on Access project at UVA Health. Claire’s leadership and efforts over the past two years have been nothing short of transformative, as she has tackled the monumental task of improving access across 120 clinics and coordinating with over 1,500 providers. She has been instrumental in establishing system standards, creating effective templates, and fostering best practices to ensure our patients receive timely and efficient care. Claire, your commitment to finding innovative and balanced solutions has set a high standard. Thank you for your relentless pursuit of excellence and for putting our patients first!

Wendy Lynch, PhD

I am excited to share that Dr. Wendy Lynch, an associate professor of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences in the School of Medicine, has been elected president of the College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD). The CPDD is the largest and longest-standing organization in the nation dedicated to advancing a scientific approach to substance use and addictive disorders. Dr. Lynch is an excellent researcher who studies how the brain changes once addiction has developed with the goal of discovering new interventions that can be used to treat substance use disorders. As president of CPDD, she will oversee an organization that serves as a key interface for researchers, clinicians, and academic communities with governmental, industrial, and regulatory organizations, such as the FDA and the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Congratulations on your election, Dr. Lynch!

Lu Q. Le, MD, PhD

Congratulations to Dr. Lu Le, chair of the Department of Dermatology, and his lab for their research on peripheral nerve sheath tumors being featured on the cover of the Journal of Clinical Investigation in May! The Le Lab's study explored an innovative immunotherapy strategy aimed at reducing tumors associated with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1), a prevalent genetic disorder. NF1 patients are at risk of developing deadly nerve sheath cancerous tumors that currently have no effective treatment. Through his research he is testing a new treatment strategy which is now in human clinical trials – an important step toward a possible cure. I am immensely proud of Dr. Le and his exceptional team of research scientists, fellows, students, and research associates for their dedication and remarkable achievements.

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