Seemant Chaturvedi, M.D., professor of neurology and director of the WSU Stroke Program, recently was appointed to the executive committee of the CAPTURE 2 carotid stenting study. This study aims to evaluate the "real world" outcomes of carotid stenting for stroke prevention. In addition, he has been appointed chairman of the American Academy of Neurology carotid stenting guidelines subcommittee.

The Center to Advance Palliative-Care Excellence (CAPEWAYNE) received the prestigious Crystal Rose Award from the Hospice of Michigan (HOM) on September 28th, 2007. The ceremony took place during the Crystal Rose Ball on board the Ovation Yacht. Past recipients of the award include the Ford Motor Company and Penske Corporation. Dr. Robert Zalenski, the Center's Director, received the award on behalf of the leadership team of CAPEWAYNE, including Drs. Stellini, Campbell, Schim, and Raspa. HOM has been a major supporter of the funding and development of the new Wayne State University Palliative Medicine Fellowship.

School of Medicine Dean Robert Mentzer has named Theodore B. Jones, M.D., as interim chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Dr. Jones, an associate professor, joined the School of Medicine faculty in 1991 and is presently director of the divisions of Maternal Fetal Medicine and Reproductive Genetics in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, as well as chief of Obstetrics at Hutzel Women's Hospital. His special interest focuses on treating pregnant women with medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. Dr. Jones is an active clinical researcher and is an investigator for the NICHD International Pediatric and Perinatal HIV Studies Network. Since joining the faculty, he served as associate chair for education, as well as program director of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Training Program. He is a graduate of Temple University Medical School, and completed his internship and residency at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas.

"Dr. Jones is a skilled and compassionate academic physician with the depth and breadth of experience to lead this exceptional, nationally renowned department," said Dean Mentzer. "I am delighted to welcome Ted Jones to the school's senior leadership as we embark upon 'Vision 2011,' our strategic plan."

Dr. Jones is a resident of Bloomfield Hills. He and his wife Pamela have two children, Denise and Theodore, Jr.

The IOM, established by the National Academies, is recognized as a major resource for independent, scientifically informed analysis and recommendations on issues related to human health. The Institute selects individuals who have made seminal contributions to the advancement of the medical sciences, health care, and public health. Election is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of medicine and health.

"This is a well-deserved recognition of Dr. Romero's contributions, and Wayne State University School of Medicine is proud that Dr. Romero is part of the faculty of the Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.” said School of Medicine Dean Robert Mentzer, M.D. “The work conducted by the Perinatology Research Branch at Wayne State University, the city of Detroit, and the state of Michigan is at the cutting edge of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine.”

This unique branch, formed of clinical and basic scientists, has made contributions to address the health care problems of the population of Detroit. Investigators at the PRB and Wayne State University apply methods at the forefront of science to improve pregnancy outcome to study health and disease. The Perinatology Research Branch of NIH is a major asset for the state of Michigan.

Dr. Romero did his training at Yale University School of Medicine and joined the faculty there, where he remained for 16 years. In 1992, Dr. Romero became a professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Wayne State University School of Medicine and Chief of the Perinatology Research Branch of the NICHD/NIH.

Dr. Romero's work focuses on the prenatal diagnosis of congenital anomalies with ultrasound (three-dimensional and four-dimensional) and the prevention of preterm birth, which is the most important challenge to modern obstetrics, costing the country $26 billion per year. Work done at Wayne State University has established that subclinical infection is a major cause of premature birth, and that the human fetus plays a role in the initiation of labor. Moreover, this work has established that fetal infection/inflammation is a risk factor for neurologic handicap and cerebral palsy. Dr. Romero has developed new tests for the rapid detection of these subclinical infections and is now working on methods to reduce fetal brain injury.