March 7, 2002

IU Medical Faculty Cited as "Health Care Heroes" by Magazine

INDIANAPOLIS - Four Indiana University School of Medicine faculty and staff members have been recognized for their medical and research contributions by the 2002 Health Care Heroes program, sponsored annually by the Indianapolis Business Journal.

Hal E. Broxmeyer, Ph.D., chairman of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, received the award in the Advancements in Health Care category. Virginia A. Caine, M.D., associate professor in the Division of Infectious Disease, was the winning recipient in Physician category. Pediatricianccassistant dean of medical service-learning, was a finalist in the same category.

Dr. Broxmeyer, who also is the scientific director of the Walter Oncology Center, is an internationally known researcher and is credited for pioneering the use of stem cells from umbilical cord blood to be used in bone marrow transplantations. Under Dr. Broxmeyer's direction, the center and the IU School of Medicine has recruited many talented investigators and researchers. He also is the 2002 recipient of the Karl Landsteiner Memorial Award by the Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics for his work in cord cell transplantation.

Dr. Caine, who conducts clinical research of infectious diseases at the IU School of Medicine, is best known for her role as the director of the Marion County Health Department. In that capacity, she has been in the forefront on such issues as treatment programs for patients with HIV-AIDS, prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, prevention of firearm violence and tackling the problems of teen pregnancy, tobacco use and pediatric asthma.

Dr. Keener, associate chair of the school's Department of Pediatrics and professor of clinical pediatrics, has been responsible for originating or spearheading numerous community health initiatives. In 1980, she started Safe Sitter, Inc. in Indianapolis as a resource for child-care/parenting education, a program that has received international acclaim. Dr. Keener's most recent accomplishment was the publication of Caring for Kids, that is available free to parents and caregivers throughout Indiana.

Also, Lois Bucksot, R.N., a clinical specialist with the school's Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, was a finalist in the Non-Physician category. She is credited with helping IU School of Medicine faculty members Stuart Sherman, M.D., and Glen Lehman, M.D., to develop a specialized endoscopic procedure that diagnoses and treats disorders of pancreas, liver, bile ducts and gall bladder.

"The people and companies that toil day in and day out in health care frequently don't get the recognition for their life-saving and life-enhancing work" noted Chris Katterjohn, president and publisher of the Indianapolis Business Journal. "Our goal with Health Care Heroes was to try to correct that in Central Indiana."

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Media Contact: Joe Stuteville
317-274-7722
jstutevi@iupui.edu

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