VCU news

By Frances Dumenci

Virginia Commonwealth University researcher and physician, John N. Clore, M.D., has been honored with the Laureate Award from the Virginia chapter of the American College of Physicians (ACP).

The award is presented to those who have rendered distinguished service to their state chapters and community and have upheld the high ideals and professional standards for which the ACP is known.

“I am grateful to receive this award by the Virginia Chapter of the American College of Physicians,” said Clore. “To be recognized by colleagues within the ACP is truly a special honor.”

Clore is the associate vice president for Clinical Research at VCU and is professor of Internal Medicine at VCU Medical Center. His medical specialty is endocrinology and metabolism, including the treatment of patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. His research is focused on the regulation of glucose production by the liver in Type 2 diabetes patients and the role of fatty acid composition in insulin sensitivity or responsiveness.

In 2007, Clore was appointed the founding director of the VCU Center for Clinical and Translational Research (CCTR). The center’s mission is to enhance research infrastructure and promote collaboration.

Profoundly dedicated to medical research and providing better health care to the community, Clore spearheaded the university’s effort to receive a Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) from the National Institutes of Health to support the CCTR.

In 2010, VCU received the largest federal grant in its history when it was awarded a $20 million CTSA grant and became part of a nationwide consortium of research institutions. These institutions seek to advance science and foster community partnerships to accelerate laboratory discoveries into treatments for patients.

“The research supported through the VCU Center for Clinical and Translational Research and the CTSA grant will foster innovative and advanced scientific research that will ultimately improve the delivery of health care that helps patients in our community and around the world,” said Clore.

“We’re building and strengthening the bridge between basic science research and clinical applications by promoting collaboration among faculty, creating and nurturing community partnerships and training tomorrow’s translational scientists. It is very exciting work, and I’m proud to be leading the center.”

Clore accepted the Laureate award at the ACP’s annual state meeting in Charlottesville on March 17.

The ACP is a national organization of internists – physicians who specialize in the prevention, detection and treatments of illnesses in adults. It is the largest medical-specialty organization and second-largest physician group in the United States. Its membership of 132,000 includes internists, internal medical subspecialists and medical students, residents and fellows. For more information, visit http://www.acponline.org/about_acp/who_we_are/.