News Highlights - July 14, 2026
Kudos
Jain Appointed to Willis C. Maddrey Distinguished Professorship
Raksha Jain, M.D., M.S.C.I., a Professor in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Director of the Adult Cystic Fibrosis Program, has been appointed holder of the Willis C. Maddrey, M.D. Distinguished Professorship in Clinical Science.
An internationally recognized physician-scientist, Dr. Jain leads a nationally accredited adult cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis program and has built a research portfolio focused on improving outcomes for people with chronic airway diseases. Her work spans clinical trials of novel therapies, translational studies examining how sex hormones influence immune responses and lung infections, and investigations into health disparities and women's health in pulmonary disease. She has helped advance understanding of cystic fibrosis and other forms of bronchiectasis while fostering collaboration between clinical and research teams.
“It is especially meaningful to receive a professorship that bears Dr. Maddrey’s name,” Dr. Jain said. “His career demonstrated how scientific discovery, patient care, and mentorship can advance medicine and improve lives. I am grateful for the colleagues, trainees, and patients who have shaped my work.”
Named for Willis C. Maddrey, M.D., a Professor Emeritus in the Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, the professorship honors him as a physician-scientist whose influence extended far beyond hepatology. Internationally recognized for advancing the understanding and treatment of liver disease, Dr. Maddrey combined groundbreaking clinical research with a lifelong commitment to education, mentorship, and academic leadership. Throughout his career, he helped shape the careers of numerous physician-scientists, led major national medical organizations, authored definitive medical texts, and played a pivotal role in building UT Southwestern’s clinical and research enterprise. His legacy is one of advancing clinical science across disciplines, making the professorship a fitting recognition for investigators whose work bridges patient care and discovery, regardless of specialty. ■
Dr. Jain is also a Dedman Family Scholar in Clinical Care.
Bavry Receives Patent for Multifunctional Cardiac Catheter
Anthony Bavry, M.D., a Professor in the Division of Cardiology and Director of the Structural Heart Program, has been awarded a U.S. patent for a catheter designed to streamline cardiac diagnostic procedures. The device integrates multiple functions into a single platform, enabling clinicians to perform coronary angiography, cross the aortic valve, and measure trans-valvular pressure gradients without the need for multiple instruments.
The catheter features a multi-pressure measurement system that allows simultaneous assessment of pressures on both sides of the aortic valve. This approach can improve diagnostic accuracy in conditions such as aortic stenosis, where precise measurement of valve severity is critical.
By consolidating diagnostic capabilities into one device, the technology is designed to reduce procedural complexity, limit the need for additional vascular access, and avoid reliance on specialized console systems. The result is a more efficient workflow with potential benefits for both patient safety and resource utilization. ■
UME Program Honors Faculty and Fellows
Eight faculty members and five fellows received Outstanding Teaching Awards last week in recognition of excellence in medical student education, reflecting their commitment to teaching, mentorship, and patient-centered care.
Faculty honorees are, from upper left, Kylie Cullinan, M.D.; Sandeep Das, M.D. M.P.H., M.B.A.; Anupama Gangavati, M.D.; Ann Marie Navar, M.D., Ph.D.; and, from lower left, Nimesh Patel, M.D.; Christiana Renner, M.D. M.S.; Melanie Sulistio, M.D.; and Dawn Zhao, M.D.
Fellows who were honored are, from left, Naveen Balakrishnan, M.D.; Nora Bismar, M.D.; Bailey Lindenmaier, M.D.; Anandini Rao, M.D.; and Adam Ungemach, M.D. ■
Dr. Abraham holds the Nadine and Tom Craddick Professorship in Medical Education.
Research Report
New Publication Highlights Tool for Studying Mucosal Immunity
Samuel Alvarez-Arguedas, Ph.D., an Instructor, and Michael Shiloh, M.D., Ph.D., a Professor, both in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine of Internal Medicine, have published a study in ImmunoHorizons describing a new genetically engineered mouse model that may help increase understanding how the immune system protects the body’s mucosal surfaces, including the intestine and upper airways.
For the study, the Shiloh Laboratory developed a mouse model known as Pglyrp1-Cre to study cells involved in mucosal immunity. Although the tool was originally designed to target specialized microfold (M) cells, which help detect germs and other foreign substances that enter the body through mucosal tissues, the study showed that the model labels a broader range of epithelial and immune cells. The team also found that its activity differs between the gastrointestinal tract and nasal-associated lymphoid tissue, highlighting important biological differences between mucosal sites.
The findings provide researchers with a new tool for studying Pglyrp1-expressing cells and offer insights into the challenges of developing highly selective genetic models for mucosal immune research. The work lays the groundwork for future studies aimed at understanding how these cells contribute to barrier function, immune defense, and the body's response to infection. ■
Dr. Shiloh holds the James P. Luby, M.D. Professorship in Infectious Diseases.
Education & Training
Residency Program Maintains Top National Standing in Doximity Rankings
The Internal Medicine Residency program continues to rank among the nation’s leading training programs in the 2026-2027 edition of Doximity’s Residency Navigator. The program remained No. 10 nationally by reputation, retained its position as the No. 2 program in the South behind Duke University, and rose to No. 5 nationally when rankings were filtered to large hospitals and urban training sites.
“These results build on the program’s longstanding presence among the nation’s Top 10 internal medicine residencies,” said Salahuddin Kazi, M.D., a Professor in the Division of Rheumatic Diseases, Vice Chair of Education, and Internal Medicine Residency Program Director. “It is especially meaningful to see alumni recognize the qualities that have long defined this program, including clinical rigor, early responsibility, and a culture of support.”
This year, Doximity introduced AI-generated summaries of alumni feedback that provide additional insight into the program’s strengths. Alumni highlighted the breadth of clinical training across all our sites of care, noting exposure to a range of patients and practice settings. Graduates also pointed to early autonomy, rigorous clinical training, strong fellowship preparation, a supportive culture, and abundant research and mentorship opportunities as defining features of the residency experience.
The alumni feedback also acknowledged the demands of the program, including long hours, intensive inpatient and critical care experiences, and high expectations for resident performance. Overall, graduates described the program as particularly effective at developing independent, highly capable clinicians while providing a strong foundation for careers in academic medicine and competitive subspecialty fellowships. ■