Newsmakers
Behrendt wins talent development recognition
Dr. William “Bill” Behrendt, Vice President of Human Resources at UT Southwestern Medical Center, has been named Talent Development Champion of the Year for 2015 by Skillsoft, a global leader in learning and talent management.
Dr. Behrendt, Professor of Health Care Services, was recognized for being instrumental in advocating for the education and development of the various workforces at UT Southwestern. Dr. Behrendt’s team has been praised by multiple departments for its success in coaching, leadership development, collaboration, integration, and innovation, and was most recently honored with the Silver Collaboration Award by Chief Learning Officer magazine.
"This year’s winners have shown how they are weaving learning into the fabric of their organizational culture to drive business results. They span a range of industries, underscoring the expansive role continuous learning plays in driving innovation across virtually any organization,” said Jerry Nine, Chief Operating Officer at Skillsoft.
The Innovation Award winners announced in late May include NASA, the U.S. Air Force, and the Department of Agriculture, among others. The conference, held in Orlando, Florida, attracted more than 1,200 attendees from best-in-class organizations around the world.
Since joining UT Southwestern in 2003, Dr. Behrendt has been responsible for all “people” issues at the Medical Center and its University Hospitals and Clinics. Dr. Behrendt previously served as Senior Vice President for Human Resources for CareGroup Health System and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. He also held positions as Senior Vice President for Human Resources at the BJC HealthCare System and as President of Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital, both in St. Louis.
Dr. Behrendt graduated from Tulane University and earned his doctorate in clinical psychology from Washington University in St. Louis. He is also a graduate of the Executive Coaching Program at UT Dallas and is an Associate Certified Coach member of the International Coach Federation.
Simmons researcher honored for work with area’s homeless
The faculty awards committee of the UT Health Science Center at Houston’s School of Public Health has selected Dr. Michael Businelle as the recipient of the Annual Award for Excellence in Community Service for 2015. This is the fourth year for the award, and Dr. Businelle was selected for his commitment to community service.
“I am very honored and touched to receive this prestigious award,” said Dr. Businelle, a public health researcher and member of the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center at UT Southwestern. “I believe that working with disadvantaged populations is the most important part of my job, and it is what I enjoy most about my work.” He also is a faculty member of the UTHSC’s Dallas Ph.D. program, housed in the UT Southwestern School of Health Professions building.
In October 2010, Dr. Businelle began volunteering at The Bridge Homeless Recovery Center in Dallas, a privately managed nonprofit collaboration for ending adult long-term homelessness in North Texas. The Bridge works to improve quality of life for about 3,000 people each month through the shelter, homeless recovery programs, and housing services.
Dr. Businelle started a weekly group therapy program for shelter guests, and later developed a Transitional Shelter Orientation group, which he has led weekly since. The primary focus is on education about shelter rules and responsibilities, psychosocial problems, and improving behaviors that affect health – including better nutrition and cessation of smoking.
“The No. 1 cause of death among the homeless population is cancer, and tobacco causes up to one-third of cancer diagnoses,” said Dr. Businelle. “If we can intervene with effective tobacco cessation strategies, the homeless population will be healthier and the public health burden at county hospitals will be lower.”
In recognition of Dr. Businelle’s work at the shelter, The Bridge awarded him the 2013 Milestone Award. The center gives this award to volunteers who have made substantial and sustained contributions to the shelter.
Over the past two years, Dr. Businelle has published 13 papers that have focused on the health, health behavior, and needs of this underserved, understudied, and vulnerable population.
Joshi recognized for excellence in academic medicine
Dr. Girish Premji Joshi, Professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Management, received an Award of Excellence in Academic Medicine, at the Silver Level, from the Texas Medical Association on April 30.
The program, created by the TMA’s Subcommittee for Academic Physicians, recognizes academic physicians who are consummate teachers, role models, and medical professionals. The awards are given at bronze-, silver-, and gold-levels, based on years in an academic position and professional accomplishments.
Dr. Joshi was among 18 physicians who were recognized by TMA this year through the academic award program. Since 2012, a total of 45 academic leaders have been recognized.
Dr. Joshi received his medical degree and Doctor of Medicine degree from B. J. Medical College at the University of Pune, India. He received his Fellow of the Faculty of Anaesthetists from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and then received an M.D. degree from the University College, Dublin.
Dr. Joshi has published extensively. He has authored or co-authored more than 100 peer-reviewed journal articles, case reports, editorials, and abstracts, as well as numerous book chapters.
Maalouf appointed holder of Bartter Professorship
Dr. Naim Maalouf, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine, has been appointed holder of The Frederic C. Bartter Professorship in Vitamin D Research.
Dr. Maalouf, Associate Director of the Endocrinology Fellowship Program, earned his medical degree from the American University of Beirut. He then completed his internal medicine internship and residency at Emory University School of Medicine before coming to UT Southwestern for a Fellowship in endocrinology and metabolism.
TMA recognizes Mercier for work in academia, medicine
Dr. David Mercier, Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Management, received an Award of Excellence in Academic Medicine, at the Silver Level, from the Texas Medical Association on April 30.
In all, 18 physicians were recognized by the TMA this year through the academic award program. A total of 45 academic leaders have been thus recognized.
Created in 2012 by the TMA’s Subcommittee for Academic Physicians, the program recognizes academic physicians who are noted teachers, role models, and medical professionals. The awards are given at three levels – bronze, silver, and gold – and are based on length of service in an academic position and career accomplishments.
Dr. Mercier spends 80 percent of his clinical time either supervising anesthesia residents or teaching students from the medical school and the certified registered nurse anesthetist program. Dr. Mercier also provides mock oral board exams for residents and fellows. Outside of clinical care and teaching, he served as President of the Texas Society of Anesthesiologists.
Dr. Mercier earned his medical degree from UT Health Science Center at Houston before an internship at Saint Joseph’s Hospital and his residency at the University of Washington Medical Center.
Moreland to hold Marsh Pediatric Chair
Dr. Jessica Moreland, Professor of Pediatrics and of Microbiology, has been named holder of the Thomas Fariss Marsh, Jr. Chair in Pediatrics.
A graduate of Duke University, Dr. Moreland earned her medical degree and trained (Pediatrics residency, Critical Care fellowship) at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
Before joining the UT Southwestern faculty, Dr. Moreland served at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital and led a Division of the Critical Care research laboratory within UI’s Inflammation Program.
