Six more members of the University of Louisville Department of Medicine have been accepted for membership in the prestigious Southern Society for Clinical Investigation, a regional academic society dedicated to the advancement of medical research.

That brings the total membership from the University of Louisville to 24, making the U of L contingent the fastest growing group in the SSCI.

The SSCI and the Southern Region-American Federation for Medical Research are committed to supporting the development of young investigators and students.

In addition, the group is also committed to encouraging students, residents and fellows to enter academic medicine and to support junior faculty success in clinical investigation.

"The SSCI is an honorary society that promotes scholarship, research, education, and mentorship," Dr. Jesse Roman, Chair of the University of Louisville Department of Medicine said. "The fact that our department houses 24 SSCI members speaks loudly about the quality of our faculty and about their leadership role in academic medicine."

The latest group of new members includes:

• Steven McClave, M.D., of the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition

• Emma Birks, MBBS, Ph.D., of the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine

• Barbara Casper, M.D., FACP, Jennifer Koch, M.D., Nancy Kubiak, M.D., and Amy Holthauser, M.D., of the Division of General Internal Medicine, Palliative Medicine & Medical Education

This most recent group of newly elected members will be announced in February at the SSCI annual meeting in New Orleans.