When a rare and aggressive liver tumor began appearing in a Kentucky community, researchers at the University of Louisville School of Medicine recognized a repeating pattern from the city’s own history, and an opportunity to once again push the boundaries of environmental and liver disease research. 

Hepatic hemangiosarcoma, an exceptionally rare form of liver cancer, has been linked to exposure to environmental toxins such as vinyl chloride. Decades ago, UofL physicians and scientists played a vital role in identifying a cluster of these tumors tied to industrial exposure at a Louisville manufacturing site – a discovery that helped shape national understanding of occupational and environmental health risksand formed a key partnership between the community, industry and the National Cancer Institute that benefited Louisville and the entire world by identifying the risks of vinyl chloride exposure. 

Today, that research continues. 

Craig McClain, Matt Cave and Ted Smith, allprofessors of internal medicine and pharmacology and toxicology, and their colleagues are once again applying their knowledge to a community partnership to investigate a new cluster of hemangiosarcoma cases identified in another Kentucky community. The work is part of a broader effort within the school’s hepatobiology and toxicology NIH-funded COBRE center, which focuses on understanding how environmental exposures contribute to liver disease.   

“Environmental liver disease remains an underrecognized but critical public health issue,” McClain said. “By combining what we learned historically with today’s advanced tools, we can better understand not only what is happening but how to prevent it going forward.” 

The current investigation highlights how UofL researchers approach complex health challenges: by working directly with affected communities to understand what is happening, assess the risks and help identify ways to reduce harm. While much of the laboratory-based work occurs in Louisville, the impact of this research reaches across the state through outreach initiatives and partnerships focused on protecting public health and preventing future environmental disease. 

The university’s earlier work in the 1970s helped establish the connection between vinyl chloride exposure and hepatic hemangiosarcoma, influencing workplace safety standards and environmental regulations nationwide. That history provides both context and urgency for today’s efforts. 

“What makes this story powerful is the continuity,” McClain said. “We’re building on foundational discoveries made here at UofL but applying them to new challenges using modern science.” 

The investigation into hepatic hemangiosarcoma stands as a focused example of how UofL researchers are applying decades of expertise to a rare and often overlooked disease. By concentrating on the links between environmental exposure and liver tumors, the team is helping expand scientific understanding of how toxicants can trigger serious illness – knowledge that can help prevent disease, inform policy and enhance patient care far beyond a single community. 

As the University of Louisville looks toward the future of medicine, this research underscores how revisiting a rare tumor through modern tools and perspectives can open new pathways for protecting public health. By building on historic discoveries and applying them to today’s challenges, researchers are continuing to chart new frontiers in both understanding and preventing environmentally driven diseases.  

What if you could step inside the human heart, watch blood surge through its chambers and trace the electrical signals that keep it beating, all without leaving the classroom? Louisville students from Ballard and Atherton High Schools recently had this opportunity during an immersive visit to the UofL School of Medicine (ULSOM), where virtual reality (VR) and hands-on physiology labs brought medicine to life in ways that reflect the evolving future of medical education. 

Through a partnership with Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) and the ULSOM Office of Community Engagement, students rotated through interactive learning stations designed to reinforce cardiovascular concepts with real-world application. The curriculum blended technology, clinical skills and mentorship that gave students a firsthand look at how modern medicine is driven by exploration, innovation and practical experience.  

In the VR and mixed-reality station, students used VXRLabs to explore a 3D anatomy lab, trace the cardiac cycle and view digital cardiac animations layered over their real environment. Additional stations offered hands-on opportunities to interpret ECG traces and arrhythmias, measure blood pressure and observe heart activity before and after exercise. Later, a “simulated patient rounds” retrieval challenge pushed students to think diagnostically by recalling key anatomy and physiology concepts to mock clinical scenarios. 

These experiences were supported by UofL medical and graduate students who volunteered as station leaders, offering mentorship and answering questions about academic pathways, campus life and what it means to pursue a career in medicine. Students also attended a session hosted by the ULSOM Office of Admissions, learning about the journey to medicine and how early exposure can help clarify career goals. 

“Connecting with our local schools through innovative experiences like virtual reality is about more than just technology; it’s about building pathways. We want students to see themselves in these spaces and know that UofL is here to support their journey into health care,” said Kelli Bullard Dunn, vice dean of community engagement. 

Organizers say the program aims to reinforce high school science learning while opening doors for students who may be considering careers in medicine or health care. ”Our Biomedical Science students thoroughly enjoyed visiting the medical and nursing schools,” shared Ashley Smith, teacher at Ballard High School.“Meeting and talking with students who are in the medical and nursing programs, as well as touring the medical school, gave my students a lot of insight into what their future could look like at UofL. I had several students say that this trip helped them see a future in medicine.” 

By blending immersive technology with hands-on skills and mentorship, the ULSOM is helping students imagine their place in health care’s next chapter. For many, stepping into a virtual heart may be the moment that brings their future into focus.  

The University of Louisville School of Medicine, the Hiram C. Polk, Jr., MD, Department of Surgery, and the Department of Microbiology and Immunology are proud to announce that Neal Bhutiani, Jewish Hospital Distinguished Professor of Cancer Immunology and assistant professor of surgery and microbiology and immunology, has been selected to receive the American Surgical Association (ASA) Foundation Fellowship Research Award for 2026–2028. 

Widely regarded as the most prestigious career development award in all of surgery, the ASA Foundation Fellowship Research Award supports exceptional early-career surgeon-scientists whose work has the potential to transform patient care and advance the field of surgery. 

Bhutiani was selected for his proposal, “Leveraging the IL17-γδT-Neutrophil Axis to Improve Immunotherapy in Colorectal Cancer,” a project that seeks to address one of the most significant limitations of current cancer immunotherapy. While immunotherapy has revolutionized treatment for many cancers, it remains ineffective for approximately 85-90% of patients with colorectal cancer.   

"The proposed work looks to increase immunotherapy efficacy in many patients with colorectal cancer by identifying and exploiting pathways involved in limiting current immune checkpoint blockade efficacy, " Bhutiani said. "If successful, this could represent a significant advance of treatment for these patients." 

By deepening scientific understanding of immune pathways that influence treatment response, Bhutiani's research aims to open a new frontier in colorectal cancer care – one that could expand immunotherapy to a much broader patient population. In the longer term, this work could allow many patients to avoid the toxicities associated with conventional chemotherapy, significantly improving quality of life.  

Funding for the two-year fellowship, $75,000 per year beginning July 1, 2026, will support both laboratory-based research and analysis of patient samples to evaluate the mechanisms behind a proposed combination immunotherapy strategy. The award also provides structured mentorship and national visibility that are critical to advancing this work.   

"This award provides strong support for continuing ongoing preclinical work as well as patient sample analysis," Bhutiani said. "The funding and mentorship supported by the award are critical pieces that allow me to successfully complete the proposed work. It also offers the opportunity to highlight this research to members of the American Surgical Association, some of the most esteemed and influential surgeons in the United States." 

As part of the award, he will also present his findings at the 148th ASA Annual Meeting in April 2028. 

“This recognition reflects not only Dr. Bhutiani’s outstanding promise as a surgeon-scientist but also the strength of our department’s commitment to advancing innovative cancer research,” said Kelly M. McMasters, Ben A. Reid, Sr., MD, Professor and Chair of the Department of Surgery. “We are incredibly proud of this achievement.” 

Bhutiani holds appointments in the Divisions of Surgical Oncology, Colon and Rectal Surgery, and Immunotherapy, has a joint appointment in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and is a key contributor to UofL’s growing emphasis on translational cancer research. 

He credits UofL's collaborative research environment as a key factor in the success of his work.  

"The current research environment at UofL is very collaborative and focused on supporting early-career investigators while building strong teams of researchers with complementary interests," Bhutiani said. "This culture of team science has resulted in grant funding and high-impact publications, and this award strengthens connections among researchers at UofL and the Brown Cancer Center." 

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Bhutiani on this remarkable honor and in celebrating the continued rise of surgical science at UofL as it pushes into new frontiers in medicine. 

When most medical students are focused on anatomy exams and clinical rotations, Connor Centner is also tackling a challenge that could change how childhood cancer is treated.  

For Centner, a third-year medical student, the classroom and research lab share one common goal: improving lives through innovation. With support from a Kosair for Kids Pediatric Oncology Research Grant, Centner is leading pioneering work on “Next-Generation Histotripsy for the Treatment of Neuroblastoma” an emerging therapy that could reshape the future of pediatric cancer care.  

Histotripsy is a cutting-edge therapy that uses focused ultrasound waves to mechanically break down tumors. Unlike traditional approaches that rely on heat, radiation or chemotherapy, histotripsy precisely targets cancerous tissue while sparing healthy tissue. Early evidence suggests it may do even more than just destroy tumors – it may also trigger the immune system, making existing treatments like chemotherapy or immunotherapy more effective. 

For children diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a cancer that often affects very young patients and can be difficult to treat, the promise of safer, more effective therapies is significant. Centner explained that his medical training has shaped the way he approaches research: every decision is guided by the question of how new therapies will affect not only survival rates, but the overall well-being of children and their families. His patient-centered perspective pushes him to prioritize treatments that improve both outcomes and quality of life.  

Centner’s path to discovery began with a fascination for the intersection of engineering and medicine, along with a belief that innovation should serve patients first. “Pursuing this research during medical training allows me to see firsthand how lab innovations might one day transform care at the bedside,” explained Centner. 

Receiving the Kosair for Kids grant is more than a milestone;it’s an opportunity. The support provides the resources necessary to generate early data that could accelerate this research towards clinical application. It also reflects the confidence of a community that has long championed children’s health. “This grant is both an honor and a responsibility to move science forward in a way that directly benefits patients,” he said. 

Centner is not doing this work alone. His project brings together faculty mentors and collaborators in engineering, cancer biology, immunology and pediatric oncology, supported by programs like Kosair for Kids and KYNETIC, which help translate promising discoveries into real-world therapies. By taking a transdisciplinary approach, he and his team are tackling neuroblastoma from multiple angles with the shared goal of delivering new hope to patients and families. 

Looking ahead, Centner envisions a career that bridges medicine, research and innovation. His aim is to continue advancing therapies that are not only more effective, but also kinder to the children who endure them. “The ultimate goal is to develop safer, smarter cancer treatments that improve lives everywhere,” said Centner. 

Connor Centner’s work demonstrates that the next wave of breakthroughs in medicine is already being shaped by our students: physician-scientists in training, who refuse to wait until graduation to make an impact. 

To learn more about how UofL researchers and students are driving medical innovations that change lives, visit louisville.edu/medicine/research. 

This year, we didn’t just move forward; we soared. It’s been a year defined by bold innovation, unwavering commitment and a shared vision for excellence. From expanding opportunities for future physicians to pioneering research that changes lives, every milestone reflects the power of collaboration and the heart of our mission: to learn, discover, connect and work for a healthier world.  

LEARN 

Our students are the heartbeat of this institution, and their success drives everything we do. In 2025, we welcomed our largest incoming class yet, increasing medical student enrollment from 165 to 175 and expanded graduate programs to meet the needs of a changing health care landscape. We launched new interdisciplinary degrees, including an MD/MPH and MS in Nanomedicine, and integrated Artificial Intelligence into our curriculum, ensuring our learners are prepared for the future of medicine. 

We also deepened our commitment to student well-being. We added an onsite medical school counselor, expanded tutoring and learning specialist support, strengthened mentorship through new surveys to better align students and faculty and increased wellness efforts during high-stress periods like Step 1 prep. Graduate Medical Education expanded ombuds services, community-building efforts and counseling partnerships through the Greater Louisville Medical Society (GLMS). These efforts paid off, too: more of our graduates are choosing to stay and serve in Louisville, strengthening the health and vitality of our community.  

DISCOVER 

This year also marked a turning point for research at UofL. With a transformative $24.5 million NIH grant, we launched the Louisville Clinical Translational Research Center – an investment that will accelerate breakthroughs and improve patient care across Kentucky and beyond. We expanded Bluegrass Biodesign to eight teams to foster medical device innovation, grew our commercialization pipeline through LaunchIt and I-Corps and established the Kentucky Center for Digital Innovation, positioning UofL as a leader in AI-driven clinical trials.  

Our researchers continue to shape the future of medicine, tackling challenges in cardiometabolic health, environmental health, spinal cord injury and more. Through the CTR-D grant, we awarded six pilot awards, two developmental awards, two Presidential Scholars and two Dean’s Scholars, empowering our faculty and learners to launch bold, new projects that will change lives.  

We additionally obtained renewal of an impactful $11.5 million dollar COBRE grant strengthening our pioneering efforts in Immuno-oncology that has made UofL a leader in targeted and cellular therapeutic approaches that are having significant impact on cancer morbidity and mortality. 

CONNECT 

Our impact is only as powerful as the community surrounding us. This year we strengthened partnerships with more than 100 community organizations and deepened engagement across Kentucky through the Louisville CTR-D Community Engagement and Outreach Core. We expanded alumni involvement through the 1837 society, which now supports students through financial aid, technology resources and enhanced learning opportunities. 

We also celebrated the renewal of our AHEC pipeline, reinforcing our commitment to preparing and diversifying the health care workforce across the commonwealth. And, with a 50% increase in School of Medicine storytelling and major improvements to our digital presence, including oursoon to launch optimized website, we amplified the achievements of our faculty, staff and learners like never before.  

We also saw major improvements in our HSC campus neighborhood, through our work with our partners in LOUMED (Louisville Medical and Educational District) with the opening of the LOUMED Commons on Chestnut Street that helps bring an outdoor park, greenspace and event space to our downtown campus. More to come on LOUMED and HSC campus improvements in 2026! 

WORK 

At the heart of our achievements is our people – the ones who are committed to helping each other grow. In 2025, we launched leadership development efforts across faculty, staff and trainees; enhanced onboarding through a standardized faculty onboarding process; and expanded professional development seminars through S.M.A.R.T. Staff programming. We also introduced RISE 360, a new orientation module designed to support faculty promotion pathways and long-term success. These initiatives ensure that our people – our greatest asset – have the tools and support they need to thrive.  

This year, we also celebrated excellence across the School of Medicine with our growing slate of Faculty and Staff Excellence Awards, honoring individuals whose leadership, scholarship and service embody our highest ideals. 

As I reflect on our extraordinary year, I am filled with gratitude for our students who inspire us daily and represent the promise of a bright future, for our faculty and staff whose dedication fuels our progress and is at the heart of our innovation, and for our partners and alumni who believe in our mission. Together, we have built more than programs and partnerships; we have built hope, opportunity, new knowledge, new therapies, new approaches and a future where health and healing are boundless. 

I’m grateful for each of you and your role in this journey. The impact we’ve made in 2025 is just the beginning and significantly launches us forward for great impact in the years to come!  

The most enduring lessons in medicine are often taught not in lecture halls, but in the quiet moments when a physician chooses to honor the humanity of the person before them. For the Stambaugh family, the vision for this series began with one central hope: that future generations of physicians would understand and embrace the values that shaped part of Stambaugh’s life and career. “This series was born out of a desire on the part of his widow to influence students with the hope Dr. Stambaugh’s approach to practicing medicine would be passed down to future generations,” the family shared. “He was an advocate for the patient-physician relationship in clinical care and decision making and had deep concerns over the implications managed care brought to the equation.”  

Stambaugh, an ophthalmologist deeply respected in his community, was known as much for his personal warmth as for his clinical expertise. Patients routinely described him not only as a skilled physician but as someone who made them feel valued, understood and seen. “We constantly heard stories from others who had been under his care,” the family said. “It is our desire to steward this series in order to honor our parents’ mission to remember the patient is a person first, and it is what we humanly bring to the encounter that can make all the difference.”  

Since 1995, the Stambaugh Lecture has invited the School of Medicine community to engage with that mission in fresh and meaningful ways. Over the years, the series has hosted nationally renowned speakers, inspired panel discussions and created opportunities for learners, faculty and staff to reflect on the humane and benevolent dimensions of medical care.Participants routinely remark that what they hear influences not only how they interact with patients, but also how they collaborate with colleagues and navigate ethical challenges. In today’s rapidly evolving medical landscape, a lectureship centered on compassion and ethics signals something vital: that the School of Medicine elevates humanism to the same importance as research or clinical excellence and that empathy can, and should, be strengthened through intentional education. Students and trainees absorb culture from the cues around them, and the Stambaugh Lectureship reinforces that our institution is committed to cultivating healers, not technicians.  

For the family, watching the lecture bring national speakers and local learners together each year reinforces that their father’s mission still resonates deeply. “To know that advocating for compassion and ethics in medicine is a ‘mainstream’ issue, and not just a mantra of a local training program, can inspire each of us,” they shared. “It reminds us we are not alone in our desire to advocate for the patient.” Even if the full impact of the series cannot be measured, the Stambaugh family hopes each year sparks personal reflection and meaningful conversation. “Perhaps a particular anecdote or piece of data informs on a new level and prompts continuing dialogue on what it means to be human and in turn, how that impacts how one practices medicine, and impacts every individual they come in contact with, patient or otherwise,” the family said. 

The series also reflects the school’s broader commitment to fostering generosity and mission-driven engagement. Philanthropy grows when people feel connected and the Stambaugh Lecture Series aligns seamlessly with the school’s strategic priorities. By staying directly connected with the family to bring new voices each year, the school continues to spark ripple effects of giving, reminding the community that shared values can inspire shared action.  

At its core, the Stambaugh Lectureship endures because the heart of medicine has not changed. With technology advancing rapidly and health care systems growing more complex, the family believes the humanities remain essential to professional development. “At its core, medicine is a human-to-human endeavor, and we must intentionally nurture our humanity, protect it and advocate for it in order to become the human healers we are meant to be,” shared the family.  

As we look back on a year of impact across the School of Medicine, the Stambaugh Lectureship stands out not only for its longevity, but for its enduring purpose. It is a tradition built on the belief that medicine must never lose sight of compassion, dignity and the sacredness of caring for another person. Through the voices it brings to campus and the conversations it inspires, the Stambaugh family’s gift continues to shape how our learners, leaders and physicians understand their calling. And with each new generation that takes these lessons to heart, Dr. Stambaugh’s legacy of human-centered care grows stronger – one story, one lecture and one learner at a time.  

Each winter, as most students head home for rest and celebration, a group from the University of Louisville School of Medicine returns home for something deeper. Through the Trover Rural Campus’ Home for the Holidays program, these students spend their winter break back in the small towns and clinics that first inspired them to pursue medicine. They stay with family, shadow hometown physicians, reconnect with mentors and rediscover what drew them to rural health care in the first place.  

It's a homecoming defined by gratitude. For students, it’s a chance to thank the physicians and communities that supported them. For rural practitioners, it’s a reminder that their example continues to shape the next generation of healers. 

“Many of these students grew up in small towns where access to care can be limited,” said William Crump, associate dean of the Trover Rural Health campus in Madisonville. “When they come home during the holidays, they’re reminded of why they started this journey in the first place.” 

The Home for the Holidays experience was created in 2001 to help rural students maintain that connection throughout medical school. As Crump explains, students often spend their first two years studying in Louisville’s urban setting – a vital part of their medical education, but one that can lead to what he described as “urban disruption,” a gradual drift away from their rural roots. To counter that, the program offers a three half-day immersion during winter break, pairing students with physicians in their home communities. 

“It’s not just about clinical exposure,” Crump said. “It’s about helping students keep their sense of place. Rural medicine is as much about community as it is care.” 

That sense of place has proven powerful. Nearly 90% of participating students expressed plans to practice in a rural area, and half chose family medicine residencies – a crucial specialty in addressing Kentucky’s rural health care needs, and the only one that distributes as the U.S population does, with 20% in rural areas. The model’s success has drawn attention nationwide as a replicable way to sustain the rural physician pipeline, winning a national awardfor educational innovation in 2020. 

For the students, the impact often goes beyond data. Many describe walking through the doors of their hometown clinics and immediately feeling the familiarity of family, friends and community. They see the physicians who cares  for their parents or grandparents, the nurses who know every patient by name and the patients who remember them as children. It’s an experience that brings gratitude and purpose into sharper focus. 

“It reinforces the appreciation they already feel toward the communities that supported them,” Crump said. “But it also builds a sense of responsibility; an understanding that these communities need them to come back.” 

That mutual gratitude – the exchange between student and mentor, between physician and hometown – lies at the heart of Home for the Holidays. In rural Kentucky, where access to health care can mean driving hours to the nearest provider, physicians volunteer their time to teach these students who may one day fill that critical gap. The students, in turn, bring curiosity, optimism and a renewed sense of purpose.  

As a past participant reflected, “I believe practicing medicine in a small town can be an incredibly unique and rewarding experience. There’s a sensation of heightened responsibility, as many patients are likely to be friends and family.” 

That sense of responsibility carries an even greater weight today. Across rural Kentucky, access to care remains at serious risk as hospitals face financial strain and physician shortages continue to grow. In some counties, the closure of a single hospital can mean the loss of vital emergency services and the nearest care moving hours away. Programs like Home for the Holidays help safeguard the future of those communities by inspiring students to return home and build sustainable access to health care where it’s needed most.  

It’s a cycle that sustains care in communities where even one new family physician can transform the health of thousands. That perspective, Crump noted, is exactly what Home for the Holidays hopes to inspire – a recognition that rural medicine is deeply personal, rooted in relationships and that sense of place that go far beyond the exam room.  

As Thanksgiving approaches and weobserve Rural Health Awareness Month, the University of Louisville School of Medicine celebrates the students, preceptors and community partners who make Home for the Holidays possible. Their shared dedication reflects gratitude in its most meaningful form: appreciation that inspires action.  

This season, Crump’s message is clear: the best way to honor rural communities is to invest in them. By mentoring a student, opening a practice for shadowing or supporting rural training programs, physicians and alumni can help ensure that gratitude grows into opportunity, and that every Kentuckian – no matter their ZIP code – has access to compassionate, high-quality care. 

To learn more about the Trover Rural Campus and our Home for the Holidays program, visit ourTrover Rural Track admissions site. 

For fifteen years, the Greater Louisville Medical Society (GLMS) has been a steadfast partner in shaping the future of medicine through its generous scholarship support for University of Louisville School of Medicine (ULSOM) students. With more than $730,000 awarded to date, this ongoing commitment has eased financial burdens, strengthened mentorship and cultivated a culture of gratitude and service among future physicians.  

What began in 2010 with the inaugural Doctor’s Cup golf tournament has grown into a cherished annual tradition and a symbol of community. That first year, GLMS Foundation awarded $20,000 in scholarships to UofL medical students. Fifteen years later, ten students each received $12,500, for a total of $125,000 in awards thanks to the generosity of Louisville’s physicians, local partners and sponsors across the region.  

“The Doctor’s Cup has become so much more than a fundraiser,” shared Bert Guinn, executive vice president and CEO of GLMS. “It’s a celebration of community, mentorship and gratitude that showcases Louisville’s rich tradition of collegiality and compassion in medicine.” 

This year marked the first Doctor’s Cup under the leadership of our very own Jeremy Clark, associate professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. Clark served as the co-chair of the GLMSF Scholarship Committee and volunteer physician leader for the cup itself. His leadership brought new energy and engagement to the tournament, resulting in record participation from major health systems and independent practices across the city. 

The 15th anniversary tournament highlighted the deep roots of that tradition. More than 160 guests, including practicing and retired physicians, students, residents and local sponsors gathered to honor the next generation of physicians. Nine of the ten scholarship recipients attended in person to accept their awards, joined by family and loved ones who celebrated their achievements. 

A particularly moving moment came when former scholarship recipient Travis Shutt, now a practicing ENT with UofL Physicians, returned not only to participate but also to sponsor a team on behalf of his practice. “Moments like these speak volumes,” said Guinn. “When a past student returns as a colleague and supporter, it reminds us that our medical student scholarships plant seeds of service, leadership and gratitude that continue to grow.” 

At the 15th hole, Tony Simms, director of medical student affairs and longtime GLMSF volunteer, welcomed players beside a giant poster displaying photos of all 98 scholarship recipients since the program’s inception. As participants teed off, they were met with a powerful visual reminder of the hundreds of lives touched and the rippled effect of giving that continues to grow. 

“The generosity of our physician community through GLMS reminds us that gratitude is more than a feeling; it’s an action,” said Jeffrey Bumpous, dean of the School of Medicine. “When today’s physicians invest in tomorrow’s, they’re building a legacy of compassion and excellence that will echo through generations of patient care.”   

GLMS leaders see each scholarship recipient as the beginning of a ripple effect, one that extends far beyond the classroom or clinic. “When students feel supported by the physician community ahead of them, it creates a powerful sense of belonging and responsibility,” Guinn said. “It reinforces that medicine isn’t just a profession, it’s a tradition of caring for one another and lifting up the next generation.” 

As the Doctor’s Cup enters its next chapter, its legacy continues to grow, rooted in gratitude, strengthened by mentorship and sustained by the shared belief that supporting future physicians is an investment in the health and well-being of the entire Louisville community. 

Those wishing to contribute to the GLMS Foundation’s medical student scholarship fund or mentorship programs can contact Kimberly Risinger at Kimberly.risinger@glms.org. Every act of giving helps shape the next generation of physicians and the future of medicine in Louisville.  

For Andrew Ray, CA-2 anesthesiology resident at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, the journey to medicine began in an unexpected place: EPCOT. A childhood trip sparked his fascination with science, inspiring a lifelong pursuit of discovery, service and community.  

“Growing up in Louisville, my parents nurtured my curiosity and commitment to service,” Ray said. “Staying here for medical school and residency has allowed me to remain grounded in the city that raised me. From the start, I knew I wanted to give back to this community.” 

His commitment soon expanded beyond the hospital walls. Encouraged by mentors, Ray became active in the Kentucky Medical Association (KMA), where he quickly recognized the importance of resident and student voices in advocacy. “Early on, I saw fellow trainees grappling with debt, mental health pressures and shifting health care policies,” Ray said. “I realized we needed a seat at the decision-making table.” 

Now serving on the KMA Board, Ray uses his platform to advocate for education funding, physician wellness and patient-centered policies. He describes the experience as both humbling and energizing. “I am grateful for KMA’s willingness to empower new voices – including mine – to help chart the future of Kentucky medicine.” 

Ray’s journey has been guided by many mentors who introduced him to advocacy and continue to provide encouragement and support as he continues to navigate the complexities of advocacy and clinical training. “I’ve been incredibly fortunate to learn from generous mentors and colleagues,” he said. “They’ve modeled humility, service and lifelong learning in ways I strive to emulate.” 

For Ray, leadership in medicine has reinforced a lesson he also lives daily in anesthesiology: progress is never a solo achievement. “Every success in medicine, whether in the operating room or drafting policy, is the product of diverse talents working toward a common goal,” he said. “Trust, open communication and recognition of each team member’s strengths are what allow us to innovate and overcome challenges.” 

Practicing gratitude is one of Ray’s guiding principles, especially in the demanding field of anesthesiology. He finds joy in small moments: the patient who gently emerges with little pain, landing a challenging arterial line in a big trauma case alongside his peers or celebrating how far they’ve have come in residency together. “I try every day to express gratitude – to my patients for their bravery and to my colleagues for their dedication,” he said. “These intentional moments help me savor the privilege of this work.” 

When looking ahead, Ray hopes to carry these lessons of gratitude, collaboration and advocacy into his career as an anesthesiologist. His vision is one rooted in empathy, innovation and service. “Anesthesiology is about trust and adaptability,” he said. “My leadership experiences have shown me the importance of elevating others’ voices and shaping a future where every patient feels seen, and every provider finds meaning in their practice.” 

To the next generation of physicians, Ray offers this advice: “Believe your voice matters. Engage early, seek mentors and advocate for change. Medicine evolves, but values like compassion, service and excellence endure. The future of medicine belongs to those willing to lead, listen and collaborate.” 

As Louisville continues to shape him, Ray remains grateful for the city, the mentors who guide him and the medical community that surrounds him. “Medicine is a collective endeavor,” he said. “It’s through collaboration and gratitude that we can make the greatest impact.” 

Emily Schulman-Geltzer first learned of the MD/PhD path as a college sophomore in Knoxville, Tennessee. While pursuing an engineering degree, she found herself drawn to research and intrigued by the idea of combining scientific research with medical technology to address gaps in clinical care.The program offered a way to merge her passion for problem-solving and innovation with her lifelong dream of becoming a physician. 

After a pandemic-related pause from research, Emily returned with renewed energy. In 2021, she joined the Collins Lab, where she worked alongside Helen Collins, assistant professor in the Division of Environmental Medicine, for more than three years as a full-time researcher. Their work focused on exploring the basic metabolic changes that occur in normal pregnancy and applying those findings in various disease models.  

“Dr. Collins and I were the ‘dream team’ for years,” Emily said. “In a smaller laboratory setting, I learned newtechniques, helped manage the lab, set up her new space, mentored rotating members and more. I had the opportunity to be her right-hand woman in running a lab and conducting studies. That experience strengthened my commitment to pursuing an MD/PhD and gave me both the confidence and foundation to succeed.” 

Emily’s undergraduate background in engineering fostered a curiosity for device design and biomedical applications, and she intends to bring this same spirit of innovation to her PhD studies. On the medical side, she has been captivated by human anatomy this semester and looks forward todeepening her understanding of disease and patient care.  

“Our physician-scientist program was designed for students just like Emily, who want to combine their love for medicine with their passion for solving complex issues through innovation,” explained Kenneth Palmer, associate dean of research and co-director of the MD/PhD program. “The program capitalizes on the explosive growth of the high-quality research that is being conducted at the University of Louisville, providing an exceptional training environment for students interested in following this rigorous path. We are proud to support our extremely bright physician-scientist students along the way.” 

One statistic from the National Center for Biotechnology Information especially motivates her: at least two-thirds of patients born with cleft palates undergo additional palatal repairs later in life. For Emily, this highlights the urgent need for medical innovation to reduce adverse outcomes and improve quality of life.  

“Advocacy grounded in compassion will be the cornerstone and driving force of my medical career, guiding me to promote equity, improve patient outcomes and inspire systemic change,” said Emily.“I dream of the day when I can use my research and technological advancements to help establish new standards of practice, recognizing my patients’ needs firsthand and addressing them directly in the laboratory for the benefit of all.” 

From her early engineering studies to her years as a full-time researcher, Emily has built a career foundation on curiosity, persistence and innovation. Now, as an MD/PhD candidate, she is readyto transform that drive into real-world impact.  

Every major advance in cancer care begins with a question, and at the University of Louisville School of Medicine (ULSOM), our scientists are fearless in asking them. Across our labs, researchers are challenging the limits of what is known about cancer: how it begins, how it spreads and most importantly, how it can be stopped.  

From decoding the earliest steps of cancer formation to discovering new treatments and improving survivorship, our transdisciplinary teams are leading innovations that are reshaping the future of cancer care. Our pioneers of science aren’t waiting for change – they’re creating it. 

PREVENTING CANCER BEFORE IT BEGINS 

The Dean Lab, led byDouglas Dean, professor in the Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, is actively investigating how—and why—cells turn cancerous.  Dean is studying the earliest steps of cancer formation bylooking at how healthy cells lose their normal control and start to multiply uncontrollably. In particular, he is examining how cancer-initiating cells form and how the immune system’s T-cells get into tumors. Dean’s work is illuminating the very first steps of cancer development – knowledge that could lead to preventing cancer before it even starts.   

DETECTING THE DEADLIEST CANCERS SOONER 

Early detection saves lives, andPrakash Radhakrishnan, professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, is the head of a lab that is doing exactly that. His lab is developing ways to use the unusual sugar patterns found on pancreatic cancer cells to create a new, early detection test for one of the deadliest types of cancer: pancreatic cancer. By studying the unique traits of pancreatic cancer cells to find their vulnerabilities, Radhakrishnan is also aiming to create new methods to target them, giving patients more treatment options beyond chemotherapy.  

TRAINING THE IMMUNE SYSTEM TO FIGHT BACK 

In the Yan lab, Jun Yan, endowed chair in translational research, is focused on training your own body’s immune system to be a better cancer fighter. His work looks for new ways to make the body’s natural defenses smarter and stronger. His lab has even developed promising natural compounds for cancer, which give the immune system a “kick,” training it to recognize and attack cancer, even in places where the body’s defenses are typically weak.  

TARGETING THE TOUGHEST-TO-TREAT CANCERS 

As novel as this research is, cancer is still a powerful disease that often requires treatment. Denada Dibra, assistant professor in the Department of Microbiology, is focusing on finding new ways to treat those tough-to-beat cancers, especially triple-negative breast cancer. Her work looks at the problem through the lens of immunotherapy and she has found that by removing the protective shield that keeps cancer cells from dying naturally, doctors could potentially use drugs to force tumors to self-destruct.  

PROTECTING SURVIVORS FOR LIFE BEYOND TREATMENT 

Leah Siskind, professor in the Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, noticed a separate critical issue in cancer care. Long-term side effects of cancer treatments, specifically chemotherapy-induced kidney damage, are plaguing cancer survivors. Her research aims to improve the overall quality of life and long-term health for cancer survivors by developing new treatments that are less damaging to healthy organs, especially the kidneys.  

“We are proud to be at the forefront of transformative cancer research, where each of our labs is tackling a different piece of the cancer care puzzle,” said Christopher States,  vicedean of research. “From prevention to detection, to novel treatments and improved survivorship, our transdisciplinary approach ensures that we are not only advancing scientific knowledge but also delivering hope for a future where cancer is no longer a leading cause of death.” 

Across every lab, one truth drives our work: progress in cancer research begins with courage – the courage to question, to test, to fail and to try again. Our scientists are not just studying cancer; they are rewriting the story of what’s possible. 

The University of Louisville School of Medicine is proud to announce the appointment of Adolfo Ramirez-Zamora as chair of the Department of Neurology, effective December. 

In this role, Ramirez-Zamora will oversee the department’s clinical, research and educational programs, working to advance excellence in neurological care and foster collaboration across the university and with health care partners.  

“It is a true honor to be welcomed into the University of Louisville School of Medicine community,” said Ramirez-Zamora. “I look forward to working collaboratively to bring innovation, expertise and new opportunities that will advance the field of neurosciences and grow our outstanding Department of Neurology.” 

Ramirez-Zamora joinsthe School of Medicinefrom the University of Florida, where he served as Division Chief of the Movement Disorders Division in the Department of Neurology. He has also held key leadership positions at Albany Medical Center.  

A native of México, Ramirez-Zamora earned his medical degree from the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara in Guadalajara, México. His extensive postgraduate training includes three residencies: Surgery at Mercy Catholic Medical Center, Internal Medicine at Bassett Healthcareand Neurology at Loyola University Chicago, followed by a Movement Disorders Fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco.  

“With his remarkable expertise in the neurological sciences and his dedication to patient care, Dr. Ramirez-Zamora will be an outstanding addition to our leadership team,” said Jeffrey Bumpous, dean of the School of Medicine. “We look forward to the advancements in care, research and training that will take place under his leadership.” 

The School of Medicine is pleased to welcome Dr. Ramirez-Zamora to the UofL community as he begins this important role.