UMMC's reputation elevated by faculty, staff achievements

Medical Center faculty and staff often are recognized regionally, nationally and internationally for their academic or medical achievements. These accolades elevate the UMMC brand among health science centers worldwide.

ABMLI certifies UMMC pathologist as diplomate

Dr. Venkat Mannam

Dr. Venkat Krishna R. Mannam, assistant professor of pathology, has been certified as a diplomate of the American Board of Medical Laboratory Immunology (ABMLI), the highest credential that a doctoral-level clinical immunologist can achieve.

To earn the ABMLI credential, Mannam met rigorous educational and experiential eligibility requirements and passed a written examination.

According to the ABMLI, Mannam “has demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to direct laboratories engaged in the microbiological diagnoses of human disease.”

Certification by the ABMLI is recognized by federal and state governmental agencies as a significant component toward meeting licensure requirements for high complexity laboratory directors and is recognized under the final rule of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA).

Cancer Institute receives full AACI membership

The Board of Directors of the Association of American Cancer Institutes has approved the UMMC Cancer Institute for regular membership in the AACI.

Dr. Srinivasan Vijayakumar, director of the UMMC Cancer Institute, was notified of the board's decision in a letter dated Nov. 5 from Barbara Duffy Smith, executive director of the AACI.

"AACI President George Weiner and I are committed to sustaining the impressive growth in AACI activities and to developing creative solutions to meet the burgeoning demand for cancer research and patient-centered care of the highest quality and safety," Smith wrote. "AACI looks forward to you (UMMC Cancer Institute's) participation in our leadership network."

Comprised of 93 leading cancer research centers in the United States, the AACI is dedicated to reducing the burden of cancer by enhancing the impact of the nation's leading academic cancer centers.

Chaplains association selects Murphy for board post

Jeffery Murphy

Rev. Jeffery Murphy, UMMC chaplain, has been appointed a director of the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC), a 5,000-member group whose affiliate, the Board of Chaplaincy Certification, Inc. (BCCI), is the chief certifying body of the chaplaincy profession.

A board-certified chaplain since 1993, Murphy came to UMMC in 2003. Endorsed by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), he has a bachelor of arts from William Carey College and a master of divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

As a board member of the Association of Professional Chaplains, Murphy helps govern the leading interfaith membership organization for professional chaplains, which integrates multicultural and multiethnic perspectives and promotes excellence in pastoral care.