August Faculty Features

Thomas E. Eissenberg, Ph.D., Department of Psychology
Eissenberg, associate professor in the Department of Psychology and the VCU Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, has been awarded the 2005 College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD) Joseph Cochin Young Investigator Award. The award is presented annually by the CPDD to recognize research contributions by emerging scientists. CPDD is the largest and oldest organization dedicated to the scientific study of drug dependence and addictions.

Jeffrey J. Ericksen, M.D., Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Ericksen, professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation, has received a two-year grant of $150,000 from the American Geriatrics Society. Ericksen will use the grant to conduct a study on how gynecologic surgery affects a woman’s risk of developing lower back pain later in life. He also will evaluate the efficacy of “movement therapies” for lower back pain. Ericksen was among 10 recipients chosen.

Michael D. Fallacaro, D.N.S., Department of Nurse Anesthesia
Fallacaro, professor and chairman of nurse anesthesia, has been elected to serve as chairman of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Foundation. He will assume the leadership role this month at the 2005 Annual Meeting of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists in Washington, D.C. The AANA Foundation is the research, development and charitable affiliate of the 30,000 member American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. Fallacaro has served as a trustee on the foundation for the past five years.

Ron B. Mitchell, M.D., Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery
Mitchell, director and associate professor of pediatric otolaryngology, recently presented the opening address at the 18th Annual World Congress of International Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies meeting in Rome. He presented, “Quality of Life – Tonsillar Disease in Children and Adults,” to more than 1,000 otolaryngologists. Mitchell has conducted extensive research in obstructive sleep apnea related to adenotonsillar hypertrophy and the quality-of-life in children. His publications are referred to extensively in pediatric literature.

Arun Sanyal, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine
Sanyal, chair of the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, has been elected the next councilor of the governing board of the American Association for Study of Liver Diseases. This is a five-year term that will culminate as president of the organization in 2010. The AASLD is the largest organization focused on liver disease and liver-related biology in the world.

Aradhana Bela Sood, M.D., Department of Psychiatry
Sood, chair of child and adolescent psychiatry and medical director of the Virginia Treatment Center for Children, has been appointed by Virginia Gov. Mark Warner as chair of child and adolescent psychiatry to the State Board of Social Services. The commissioner cited Sood’s unique set of talents and skills that will enable her to help shape the regulations that impact the lives of children and families in the Commonwealth. She will serve a four-year term in which she and the board will examine regulations for assisted-living facilities, foster care and adoption.