MedNotes

A Note from the Chief Physician Officer

Dear Colleagues: 

It’s been just over a year since I joined what is now Brown University Health, and I continue to be impressed by the collective commitment to high-quality patient care, top-level medical education, and pioneering biomedical research—all against the backdrop of a challenging healthcare landscape that is evolving at warp speed. 

In this issue of MedNotes, we highlight some of the advancements in these areas that are making a real impact in our region, including:

• Novel research for faster sepsis and pneumonia diagnoses
• A first-of-its-kind approach to reducing postpartum diabetes
• A new mentoring program for justice-impacted youth led by our own Community Health Institute
• A new collaborative Medication Assisted Treatment program for substance use disorders between Gateway Health and Wood River Health that is improving life for southern Rhode Island and Northern Connecticut patients

Behind each of these stories are the dedicated clinicians, scientists, researchers, and staff who are the driving force powering Brown Health and helping to shape the future of medicine. I’m proud to be part of this outstanding team of medical professionals and look forward to sharing the impressive array of accomplishments, innovations and services in this newsletter, and those to come. 

In partnership, 

Babar Khokhar, MD, MBA 

Brown University Health Executive Vice President and Chief Physician Officer

The Miriam Hospital Secures Its Seventh Consecutive Magnet Designation

The Miriam Hospital has received its seventh consecutive Magnet designation, the highest national honor for professional nursing practice. It is one of only three hospitals worldwide with this distinction. 

The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program is considered the gold standard for nursing excellence and provides patients with the ultimate benchmark for measuring quality of care. Only hospitals that meet rigorous standards for high-quality nursing excellence can achieve Magnet recognition. 

“This recognition reflects our relentless pursuit of excellence and our commitment to providing exceptional care to our patients and community,” said Maria Ducharme, DNP, RN. The Miriam Hospital president and chief quality executive. “Together, we set the standard for innovation, collaboration, and quality in healthcare, proving that extraordinary care is not just our mission but our legacy.” 

This year, the hospital was further commended for demonstrating exemplary nursing, outperforming benchmarks in eight specific areas, including succession planning in nurse manager roles, professional board certifications, advanced nursing degrees, workforce optimization, workforce safety, hospital-acquired pressure injuries, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and surgical errors. 

“Receiving our seventh Magnet designation is not just a recognition of past accomplishments but a challenge to continue raising the bar and inspiring the next generation of nurses and nurse leaders,” said Seanna Zimmerman, DNP, RN, chief nursing officer. 

To achieve Magnet recognition, organizations must pass a rigorous and lengthy process that demands widespread participation from leadership and staff. This process includes an electronic application, written patient care documentation, an on-site visit, and a review by the Commission on the Magnet Recognition Program. To read more about this designation, view the press release.

Rhode Island Hospital Comprehensive Stroke Center Achieves Recertification and Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary from The Joint Commission

Rhode Island Hospital has received recertification from The Joint Commission as a Comprehensive Stroke Center and celebrates ten years of certification. Rhode Island Hospital is the only hospital in the state designated as a Comprehensive Stroke Center and provides care to more than 1,700 patients with stroke or transient ischemic attack annually throughout Rhode Island and southern New England. 

Comprehensive Stroke Centers demonstrate the ability to evaluate and treat the most complex stroke cases and provide comprehensive services focused on acute management, risk factor modification, and recovery. 

“Comprehensive Stroke Centers are recognized as healthcare leaders and are responsible for setting the national agenda in highly specialized stroke care. Such centers require major clinical services,” said Sarah Frost, MBA, president of Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children’s and chief of hospital operations for Brown Health. “This is an invaluable resource to all of Southern New England.” 

“Our team is proud to deliver world-class care to our patients,” said Melissa Harmon, MSN, RN, ASC-BC, manager, Comprehensive Stroke Center. “We are also proud of our involvement with the community and many research programs.”

Brown Health Center for Advanced Lung Care Expands Services for Pregnant Patients and Those with AFib

The Brown Health Center for Advanced Lung Care (CALC) is expanding its services with the addition of two expert physicians, now offering specialized care for patients who are pregnant and those with atrial fibrillation (AFib). 

Joining CALC are Matthew Ballenberger, MD, a pulmonologist, and Vesna Buntak, MD, a specialist in advanced therapies for obstructive and complex sleep apnea. CALC, a collaboration between Brown University Health and Brown Medicine, provides comprehensive care for patients with advanced lung and heart-lung diseases, as well as those experiencing unexplained breathing difficulties. 

Sleep apnea is closely linked to AFib, but effective treatment can improve outcomes, reduce the risk of recurrence, and help maintain sinus rhythm after cardioversion or ablation. 

For pregnant patients, untreated sleep apnea poses risks to both mother and baby, including preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, fatigue, heartburn, preterm birth, low birth weight, growth restriction, and developmental concerns. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to reducing these risks and ensuring better health outcomes. For more information about CALC’s specialized care and treatments, call 401-606-8250.

Brown University Health Adopts Stryker’s Nico Technologies for Minimally Invasive Intracerebral Hemorrhages and Tumor Resection Procedures

Brown University Health is advancing its neurosurgical and stroke care by adopting Stryker’s newly acquired Nico technologies—innovative, minimally invasive tools designed to help improve outcomes for patients with lobar intracerebral hemorrhages (ICH) and brain tumors. 

Nico’s patented, proven technologies integrate access, illumination, and resection to provide a minimally disruptive approach to intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) clot evacuation and tumor resection. These same technologies were used in the ENRICH clinical tria1, a pivotal study that provides level 1 evidence supporting minimally invasive surgical techniques for lobar ICH, one of the most lethal forms of stroke. 

The ENRICH trial utilized Nico BrainPath and Myriad products to evaluate surgical interventions for lobar ICH in specific brain locations, offering critical insights into treatment efficacy. The multi-centered, randomized trial demonstrated the effectiveness of minimally invasive surgery in improving outcomes for patients with lobar ICH. It is the first positive surgical trial for lobar ICH, marking a major advancement in stroke treatment. 

By integrating Stryker’s Nico technologies, Brown University Health is at the forefront of innovative neurosurgical care for ICH clot evacuation and tumor resection. 

To learn more about this new technology at Brown University Health, call 401-606-8380.

The Spine Center at The Miriam Offers New Endoscopic Spinal Surgery

Endoscopic spinal surgery is an ultra-minimally invasive procedure that replaces the traditional types of surgery for chronic back and neck pain. It is an advanced surgical technique designed to treat various spinal conditions with minimal disruption to surrounding tissues. 

Bryce Basques, MD, is one of only a few surgeons nationwide experienced in endoscopic spinal surgery. Dr. Basques, an orthopedic spine surgeon, performs this specialty at The Miriam Hospital’s Spine Center. He has extensive expertise in advanced spine surgery methods, including endoscopic procedures, robotic spine surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery, ultrasonic spine surgery, outpatient spine surgery, and disc replacement. 

During endoscopic spinal surgery, the surgeon uses a small fiber-optic camera and specialized surgical tools, allowing access to the spine through tiny, sub-centimeter incisions. The procedure is performed under real-time visualization, enhancing precision and safety. 

To learn more about the procedure and its benefits, contact the Spine Center at The Miriam at 401-793-2435 or visit the website.

Hasbro Children’s Cleft and Craniofacial Center Renews ACPCA Approval for Five More Years

Hasbro Children’s Cleft and Craniofacial Center has received five-year approval as a Cross-Specialty Team by the Commission on Approval of Teams of the American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association. 

The standards for approval of cleft palate and craniofacial teams identify essential characteristics of quality for team composition and functioning in order to facilitate the improvement of team care. Cleft palate teams treat patients with cleft lip and/or cleft palate. Craniofacial teams perform transcranial procedures. 

The newly approved cross-specialty team is led by Albert S. Woo, MD, director of the center and Hasbro Children’s chief of pediatric plastic surgery, and associate director, Jan C. Groblewski, MD, a pediatric otolaryngologist. For more information, visit the Cleft and Craniofacial Center's website.

Bradley Hospital and Blue Cross & Blue Shield RI Close Gap in Behavioral Health Care

As demand for behavioral health services for children and adolescents continues to strain the capacity of the healthcare system, it has become more apparent that solutions will require innovation, collaboration and trust. 

Ellen Hallsworth, director of Bradley Hospital’s REACH Program and Sarah Fleury, MSW, managing director of behavioral health at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, co-authored an opinion piece for Rhode Island Current describing how their organizations are expanding access to care for Rhode Island’s young people facing behavioral health challenges. 

Together, their organizations are developing initiatives to create a community-based system of care that focuses on prevention and early intervention. Read the full opinion piece and learn about the solutions they are developing to provide these young people and their families better access to expert mental health care.

A Transformative Renovation Is Underway at The Miriam

A transformation is underway at The Miriam Hospital, as the first of three phases of an expected three-year project to enhance patient care and its infrastructure is set to begin. 

The project will update both the emergency department and the hospital’s inpatient units. The three phase project approach is designed to minimize disruptions to ongoing patient care and the surrounding communities. The first phase will involve demolishing the hospital campus's oldest building, more than 100 years old, to create space for a new emergency department and private patient rooms. The renovation project has an estimated cost of $125 million for completion, the majority to be funded through a centennial capital fundraising campaign, currently in its beginning phase. 

Key components of the renovation project include: 

• Increased Privacy: The hospital’s licensed bed capacity will remain the same, but renovations will allow for more private patient rooms, improved infection control measures, and an environment conducive to recovery.
• New Emergency Department: Designed with an emphasis on efficiency and patient flow, the new emergency department will minimize wait times and streamline critical care processes and provider communication.
• Enhanced Geriatric Care: Designed with an emphasis on elements to help achieve a goal of becoming one of only a few emergency departments in New England to be geriatric accredited. 

For more information about the renovation project, including information on upcoming community meetings, please visit the website.

Morton Hospital Earns Second ACS Surgical Quality Partner Distinction and Dr. Madeleine Higgins Joins Bariatric Surgical Team

Morton Hospital of Taunton, MA, a Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP)-accredited hospital, has earned its second consecutive distinction as an ACS Surgical Quality Partner for its bariatric weight loss program. In addition, Madeleine Higgins, MD, has joined its bariatric surgery team. 

“Our recent affiliation with Brown University Health enhances our commitment to provide consistent and trusted quality healthcare to patients in our region,” said Morton Hospital president and vice president of finance Heidi Taylor. “The designation as an MBSAQIP Surgical Quality Partner emphasizes our focus to ensure the highest standards of care and best possible outcomes for our surgical patients.” 

Bariatric Surgical Team Addition 

Dr. Higgins joins foregut, bariatric and general surgeon David Leenen, MD, to offer surgical care including gastric sleeve, gastric bypass and revisional bariatric surgery to patients at Weight Loss Specialists at Northwoods. 

She earned a medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine and completed a general surgery residency at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. She then completed a fellowship in advanced GI/minimally invasive surgery at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

Medical Weight Program 

Weight Loss Specialists at Northwoods also offers a medical weight program led by Deepthi DeSilva, MD, board certified in internal medicine. Providers with patients with weight loss challenges or chronic disease associated with obesity, can make referrals to the Northwoods practice at 508-301-2434. 

Enterra Therapy at Morton Hospital 

As foregut surgery specialists, Drs. Higgins and Leenen offer advanced, minimally invasive treatment options for patients with GERD, hiatal/paraoesophageal hernia, and gastroesophageal motility disorders including gastroparesis and achalasia. 

The Morton Surgical team is one of a select few practices in the region to offer Enterra, a unique kind of therapy known as electrical stimulation (GES). It is the first and only device specifically designed to relieve the nausea and vomiting associated with gastroparesis from diabetes or unknown origins by gently stimulating the stomach. 

For a complete list of surgical services at Morton Hospital, see the Brown University Health website. Providers with referrals for any of the surgical services offered can call Morton Surgical at 508-824-4535.

Gateway Healthcare and Wood River Health Offer Medication Assisted Treatment Program

Two of the region’s respected providers in substance use issues and disorders have joined forces to deliver a new medication assisted treatment program (MAT). Gateway Healthcare, Rhode Island’s largest nonprofit behavioral health organization for treatment, intervention and prevention, and an affiliate of Brown University Health, and Wood River Health, which has been providing compassionate care to residents of Washington County, RI and southeastern Connecticut since 1976, have launched the program together. 

The MAT program offers counseling, support, education, and medication to those struggling with a substance use issue or disorders. The program’s multi-pronged approach is proven to be one of the most effective treatments for opioid and alcohol use disorders. 

Current Gateway Healthcare patients and current Wood River Health primary care patients or those interested in becoming a Gateway patient, are eligible to participate in the program. Call 401-364-7705 for more information about the program.

Free Virtual Presentation on Treatment Options for Essential Tremor and Parkinson’s Disease

Athar N. Malik, MD, PhD, director of restorative neurosurgery at Rhode Island Hospital, presents a patient-centered, virtual education event, “From Dependent to Independent: Treatment Options for Essential Tremor (ET) and Parkinson’s Disease (PD),” on Thursday, May 29, 2025, 4-5 pm. 

Dr. Malik, an assistant professor of neurosurgery at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, will address treatment options tailored specifically to individuals diagnosed with these diseases and how these available choices can significantly enhance the quality of life for patients dealing with ET and PD. 

Providers can register for this informative session and share it with patients and families.

Signa Voyager MRI System Now Available at Brown Health Medical Imaging Warren Avenue Location

Brown University Health Medical Imaging at 900 Warren Avenue in East Providence has recently installed the Signa Voyager, an MRI system that is designed with both patients and providers in mind. 

With a patient-friendly design, the Signa Voyager maximizes comfort and versatility by accommodating patients of all shapes and sizes. For providers, it produces better image quality in less time. It’s better for the environment, too. Its power consumption is up to 46 percent lower, it uses less helium, and it has a lighter magnet than conventional scanners, making it a more sustainable option. 

The Warren Avenue office hours are Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Ample, free parking is available. For referrals, call 401-444-7770. For information on all Brown Health Medical Imaging locations, see the website for details.

Brown University Health Launches a New Text Messaging Platform for Patients

With the launch of a new text messaging platform called “Hello World,” all Brown Health patients now have greater access to communications about their health records. They can receive text messages about important health updates, appointment information, and more. 

Patients who were already receiving texts (as of December 18, 2024) were automatically enrolled into the new platform. If they were not, or became patients after that date, they can receive timely alerts via text message by texting START to 40257. Brown Health providers are encouraged to recommend their patients to opt-in to Hello World. To learn more, see this comprehensive webpage.

Brown Health Mentoring Program Targets Justice-Impacted Youth

With a grant for the Relationships at the Center Initiative (RATC) – a partnership between MENTOR RI and the City of Providence – Brown University Health Community Health Institute will enhance the scope of its mentoring program.

Now in its tenth year, the program has been empowering high school students from underserved communities to pursue careers in healthcare. The RATC grant will support the program's continuation and explore the possibility of a new mentorship track developed for justice-impacted youth, including those with incarcerated parents or caregivers. This track will build on the program’s proven relationship-building and communications skills. New initiatives include enhanced mentor training and partnerships with community programs. This project is a collaboration between Brown Health’s Center for Health and Justice Transformation, the Community Health Institute’s mentoring program, and child and adolescent psychiatry experts. 

“We want to keep the elements that make our program unique and successful, while meeting the needs of this specific population,” said Carrie Bridges, Brown Health vice president for community health and equity. “The children who have experienced the stress and trauma of an incarcerated parent can experience positive outcomes from mentoring.” 

Learn more about the Brown Health Community Institute and watch a recent NBC10 Health Check feature story.

Rhode Island Blood Center Awards the 2025 Dr. Charles Drew Lifesaver Award to the Brown University Health Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center

Brown University Health Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, led by Patrick T. McGann, MD, PhD, has earned the 2025 Dr. Charles Drew Lifesaver Award from the Rhode Island Blood Center (RIBC) for raising awareness about the need for diverse blood donations. 

The Father of Blood Banking

Dr. McGann is the director of the pediatric and adult sickle cell and hemoglobinopathy program at Rhode Island Hospital and its Hasbro Children’s. The award honors Charles Richard Drew, MD, “Father of Blood Banking” and a prominent African American surgeon, medical researcher, and pioneer in the preservation of lifesaving blood products. It is presented during Black History Month to honor outstanding leaders across the nation and celebrate the importance of their accomplishments in this area. 

A Call for Student Action 

Over the past year, Dr. McGann and his team have partnered with the RIBC to inform high school and college students about sickle cell disease and the vital role blood donors have in patient care. “This collaboration has opened new opportunities for us to engage with schools and has provided a powerful perspective to our donor recruitment practices,” said Dr. McGann. “Our presentations emphasize the need for diverse donors and how their contributions can help save lives within their own communities.” 

A Critical Need 

Diverse blood donations are critical for patients who require specific blood types for transfusions. Patients with sickle cell disease, an inherited red cell disorder that is most common among African Americans, require very closely matched blood products because their bodies make antibodies directed towards transfused red blood cells. 

Dr. McGann is also a pediatric hematologist within the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Program at Hasbro Children’s.

 The Brown University Health Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center at Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children’s has provided exceptional care to both adults and children living with sickle cell disease, since 2021.

Brown Health Awarded $10,000 Grant to Host Olmstead Listening Sessions

Brown University Health is helping develop a more inclusive and supportive environment for Rhode Islanders with disabilities. 

With a $10,000 grant from the Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) and its Olmstead planning partner, JSI Research and Training Institute, Inc, Brown Health hosted Olmstead community listening sessions earlier this year as part of Rhode Island’s Olmstead plan development. 

Olmstead (Olmstead v. LC) is a 1999 US Supreme Court decision based on the Americans with Disabilities Act and remains one of the most important civil rights decisions for people with disabilities in US history. 

“It is a priority to support the needs and priorities of Rhode Islanders with disabilities, their families and the organizations that serve them,” says Carrie Bridges, Brown Health vice president of community health and equity. “We are encouraged by the participation of our community members and their providers who joined us for these important sessions.”

Coming Soon to Barrington: Brown Health Urgent Care and Walk-in Clinic

Brown University Health is expanding its Urgent Care and Walk-in Clinic service with a new location in Barrington, RI scheduled to open later in 2025. 

Brown University Health Urgent Care, a program of Brown Health Medical Group, is a convenient option for adults and children 18 months and older in need of immediate care. Patients get the benefit of seamless access to their medical records on MyChart, as well as to Brown University Health emergency services, primary care providers, and specialists if needed. 

The Barrington clinic joins Brown Health Urgent Care and Walk-in Clinics in Johnston, Middletown, Providence, and Warwick. For more information about current locations, services and hours, see the Brown Health Urgent Care and Walk-in Clinics webpage.

Expanded Hours for ACT: Addiction Care Today

ACT: Addiction Care Today at Rhode Island Hospital, which offers walk-in and same-day appointments for persons with substance and alcohol use disorders, has expanded its hours to Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4 pm. 

ACT provides compassionate, non-judgmental and immediate care through personalized treatment, guidance, and support to help patients achieve their recovery goals. It is located at the Medical Office Center, 2 Dudley Street, Suite 375, Providence, RI. 

For more information, call 401-606-8100. To learn more about its services, see the program webpage.

No Referral Required for Patients to Sign Up for the Adult Partial Hospital Program at Rhode Island Hospital

The Adult Partial Hospital Program at Rhode Island Hospital is accepting new patients without a physician referral. Patients can sign up for the program independently. 

The program provides intensive, short-term treatment designed for individuals with acute psychiatric concerns. Patients participate in multiple groups per day, as well as speak to a therapist and a psychiatrist for individual sessions every day. All major insurances are accepted. 

Patients can contact the program directly to make an appointment by calling 401-444-3748. 

Physician referrals will continue to be accepted. Learn more about the program here.

Brown Health Cardiovascular Institute Opens South County Office 

The Brown University Health Cardiovascular Institute has opened a new office in South County providing patients with comprehensive cardiology services close to home. 

Led by cardiologist Aaron Weisbord, MD, and assisted by Lisa Borge, PA, the office will provide cardiology care and testing services that include clinical cardiac consultation, echocardiography and cardiac monitoring. 

The office is located at 25 South County Commons Way, Suite B6, Wakefield, RI. For more information or to schedule an appointment please call 401-606-1004.

Brown University Health Cardiovascular Institute Opens New Cath Lab and Dr. David J. Shim Joins Arrhythmia Services Team

The Brown University Health Cardiovascular Institute at Rhode Island Hospital expands patient access to advanced and compassionate cardiac arrhythmia care with the addition of a third and new cardiac catheterization laboratory (cath lab) and new member to its arrhythmia services team, David J. Shim, MD, PHD. 

For inpatient referrals to the Brown University Health Cardiovascular Institute, call 401-606-1004. 

Outpatient referrals can be made by contacting the Advanced Cardiac Care Center, 593 Eddy Street, also in the George Building at Rhode Island Hospital at 401-444-5803.

The Miriam Hospital Welcomes Dr. Seanna Zimmerman as Chief Nursing Officer

The Miriam Hospital is proud to announce the appointment of Seanna Zimmerman, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, as its new vice president and chief nursing officer. Zimmerman brings over 23 years of distinguished nursing leadership experience in both inpatient and outpatient care settings, with a proven track record of fostering clinical excellence, operational efficiency, and staff engagement. 

“Seanna’s dedication to advancing nursing practice and her heartfelt commitment to patient-centered care make her an incredible asset to our leadership team,” said Maria Ducharme, DPN, RN, president and chief quality executive, The Miriam Hospital. “With her leadership, we’re confident we can continue providing the compassionate, high-quality care that our community expects.” 

In her new role, Zimmerman oversees nursing operations at The Miriam Hospital, driving strategic initiatives that enhance patient care, clinical outcomes, and staff satisfaction. Known for her collaborative leadership style, she is adept at uniting multidisciplinary teams to implement innovative solutions, creating a culture of safety and quality. 

"I am honored to join The Miriam Hospital, an institution known for its commitment to excellence in patient care and innovation,” said Zimmerman. “I look forward to collaborating with the incredible nursing team, physicians, and staff to continue advancing quality, safety, and the overall patient experience. Together, we will build upon The Miriam Hospital’s legacy of compassion and leadership in healthcare, ensuring the best outcomes for the community we serve." 

Zimmerman holds a doctor of nursing practice degree in executive nurse leadership from Baylor University and dual master’s degrees in nursing and business administration from Elms College. She is also a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Newport Hospital Names Sarah Nekrasz Chief Nursing Officer

Sarah Nekrasz, MSN, RN, BC, FPCC has been named chief nursing officer at Newport Hospital. She had previously served in the role on an interim basis since September 2024. 

“Over her decades of service at Newport Hospital, Sarah has demonstrated consummate nursing professionalism, exemplary leadership, and a powerful commitment to patient care,” said Nicholas Dominick, interim president, Newport Hospital and senior vice president of clinical services, Brown University Health. “Sarah’s compassion for patients and staff alike, and her relentless pursuit of exceptional care makes her the perfect fit to lead our nursing department moving forward.” 

With a distinguished 26-year career at Newport Hospital, she was most recently the director of the Center for Professional Practice and Innovation and Magnet program coordinator. In these positions, she played a key role in advancing clinical excellence, improving patient outcomes, and guiding the hospital's journey toward maintaining Magnet designation. Prior to this, Sarah held leadership roles overseeing medical-surgical, critical care, rehabilitation, and wound care nursing departments, and played an active role on the hospital’s clinical quality and safety council. 

"I am deeply honored to be named chief nursing officer at Newport Hospital," said Nekrasz. "Throughout my career here, I've seen firsthand the impact that dedicated, compassionate care can have on our patients and their families. I am committed to continuing our mission of providing the highest quality care, supporting our exceptional nursing team, and fostering a culture of excellence." 

A graduate of Salve Regina University and the Community College of Rhode Island, Sarah earned a master of science degree in nursing leadership from Walden University. She is a certified medical-surgical nurse and a member of the Rhode Island State Nurses Association, the American Nurses Association, and the American Organization of Nurse Leaders.

Curt Beckwith, MD, Appointed Director of the Division of Infectious Diseases

Curt Beckwith, MD, FACP, FIDSA, has been appointed as the director of the division of Infectious Diseases at Brown University Health and The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. 

Prior to this appointment, Dr. Beckwith served as the program director of the Infectious Diseases Fellowship at Brown for 11 years. He was then named interim director of the division in 2023. Dr. Beckwith provides ambulatory care for patients with HIV at the Infectious Diseases and Immunology Center at The Miriam Hospital, along with attending to the inpatient Infectious Diseases consultation services of the division. He is a member of the US Department of Health and Human Services Panel on Antiretroviral Guidelines for Adults and Adolescents. 

Research 

Dr. Beckwith leads a research portfolio funded by the National Institutes of Health focused on improving the diagnosis, treatment, and longitudinal care of HIV and hepatitis C virus among those who use drugs and those involved with the criminal legal system in the United States. He is the director of the Brown University Health/Brown Criminal Justice Research Training Program on Substance Use and HIV funded by the National Institute on drug abuse. He is also the associate director of the Providence/Boston Center for Aids Research. 

Education 

Dr. Beckwith earned his undergraduate degree at Colby College in Waterville, Maine, and his medical degree from The Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University after completing the Dartmouth-Brown Program in Medicine. Dr. Beckwith completed his residency in internal medicine, including serving as chief resident, and his infectious diseases fellowship at Brown University. He joined the faculty of the division of Infectious Diseases in 2005.

Anupriya Gogne, MD, Appointed Division Director of Outpatient Psychiatry

Anupriya Gogne, MD, a board-certified addiction medicine psychiatrist, has been named the division director of Outpatient Psychiatry at Brown University Health. Dr. Gogne is also an assistant professor of psychiatry and human behavior at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. 

Reflecting on her new role, which combines clinical and administrative responsibilities, Dr. Gogne acknowledges the support she has received from leadership and colleagues. “I appreciate the work-life balance that is afforded to my colleagues and me so that we can provide high-level care at our many outpatient psychiatry clinics across Rhode Island,” Dr. Gogne says. “Our large group of providers combine a range of expertise within psychiatry including geriatrics, neurodevelopmental, perinatal, substance use disorders, and more, enabling us to manage complex psychopathology with medication management as well as psychotherapy.” 

Prior to joining Brown University Health Outpatient Psychiatry, Dr. Gogne was the director of Moms MATTER, an outpatient Buprenorphine clinic for perinatal women at Women & Infants Hospital in Rhode Island. 

Dr. Gogne completed undergraduate studies at Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi, India, and pursued a general adult psychiatry residency at SUNY Downstate Medical Center and Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. She also completed a fellowship in addiction psychiatry at the New York University Grossman School of Medicine, followed by a fellowship in women’s mental health at Women and Infant’s Hospital, affiliated with The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. 

Speaking to the high demand for behavioral health professionals, she says, “This a privilege that I do not take lightly. With the guidance and support of my leadership, dyad partner, and staff, we work together to optimize clinician job satisfaction and meet the community needs, specifically in terms of psychiatric care.”

A $10 Million Study Intends to Reduce Postpartum Diabetes

A $10 million study intended to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes in women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is underway at Brown University Health. Titled Healthy Moms/Mamis Saludables: Partnership to Prevent Maternal Diabetes in US Home Visiting Programs, the study takes an innovative approach to addressing maternal health disparities by exploring the impact of medically tailored meals within home visiting programs. 

Leading the research are Rena Wing, PhD, director of The Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center at The Miriam Hospital and Stephanie Parade, PhD, director of early childhood research at Bradley Hospital. The study examines how healthy eating can lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes or prediabetes within the first year postpartum. Medically tailored meals provide nutritious foods in appropriate portions and ease the challenges of purchasing and preparing healthy meals. 

The study focuses on Black and Hispanic women from low-income backgrounds, a group disproportionately affected by GDM and type 2 diabetes. Since many of these women participate in home visiting programs, integrating this behavioral intervention with these services offers a promising opportunity to improve maternal health outcomes.

Time-Saving Technology Delivers Faster Sepsis and Pneumonia Diagnoses

Sean F. Monaghan, MD, FACS, a surgeon at Rhode Island Hospital and a longtime researcher and faculty member at Brown University, has secured more than $1 million for further research in RNA biology of patients with sepsis and pneumonia. 

Faster Sepsis Diagnosis 

A $180,000 grant he received from the National Institutes of Health enables Rhode Island Hospital to become the first hospital in North America to install a QIAcuityDx, a diagnostic machine that delivers results for digital PCR tests in a few hours. Typically, culture results for infectious diseases take several days to complete. Dr. Monaghan and team are translating RNA sequencing findings to this digital PCR machine to identify the pathogen causing sepsis. 

Faster Pneumonia Diagnosis and Type 

Dr. Monaghan and colleagues Alger Fredericks, PhD and Gerard Nau, MD, were also awarded $1 million from CARB-X, an organization focused on fighting antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The goal of the funding is to explore a faster way to diagnose pneumonia and determine its specific type. 

The research will focus on demonstrating a proof-of-concept—essentially an early-stage test—to show that a PCR-based approach, guided by RNA sequencing, can be used to detect bacterial pneumonia directly from whole blood. This method could potentially speed up diagnosis compared to traditional approaches, leading to faster and more effective treatments. 

The machine and RNA sequencing informed targets are undergoing testing before they can be used with patients (locally as a laboratory developed test first), but Dr. Monaghan hopes it can soon be used in clinical practice more broadly with appropriate approvals and collaboration with industry. 

To watch local media coverage, see NBC10’s story on research into sepsis and pneumonia.

Surgical Spine Team Publishes Paper on Preoperative Patient Optimization Pathway in The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery

Although spine surgery is effective in reducing pain and improving functional status, it is associated with unacceptably high rates of complications, thus necessitating comprehensive preoperative patient optimization. 

Alan H. Daniels, MD, chief, division of spine surgery, and a team published a summary of The Miriam Hospital Spine Center's preoperative optimization pathway in The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. The article is titled "Preoperative Optimization Strategies in Elective Spine Surgery." 

The paper discusses numerous risk factors that can impact long-term surgical outcomes, including malnutrition, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, substance use, and more. 

It explores preoperative screening and how personalized, evidence-based interventions to manage medical comorbidities and optimize medications can enhance clinical outcomes and improve patient satisfaction following spine surgery. 

Insight is offered about how multidisciplinary team-based approaches, such as enhanced recovery after surgery protocols and multidisciplinary conferences, can further facilitate coordinated care from across specialties and reduce overall hospital length of stay.