News and updates for FCM faculty, staff, residents and fellows
January 2020
FCM SPOTLIGHT:
Dr. Teshia Solomon Inducted as University Distinguished Outreach Faculty
Teshia Solomon, PhD, associate professor, was inducted as a University Distinguished Outreach Faculty, This designation is for members of the general faculty who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to outreach and impact. The induction ceremony took place on Jan. 13 at Crowder Hall. The annual ceremony inducts Regents Professors, University Distinguished Professors and University Distinguished Outreach Faculty. This event recognizes and honors some of the university's most accomplished and impact-generating faculty members.
A member of the Choctaw Nation, Dr. Solomon has focused her career on improving health equity for Native Americans. This includes pushing for culturally competent national health policy that honors tribal sovereignty, working to create pathways for Native American students to careers in STEM fields, and serving in leadership roles for several research projects, including the UArizona-Banner Health All of Us Research Program. Congratulations, Dr. Solomon!
In addition, she is certified in integrative medicine and culinary medicine, a subset of integrative medicine that blends the art of cuisine and cooking with the science of medicine. Consequently, Dr. Micek-Galinat will help patients better understand the important connections between the foods they eat and their overall health.
"Food is an integral part of our daily lives” Dr. Micek-Galinat said. “As physicians, we realize that when patients are required to make dietary sacrifices because of health conditions, it is difficult for them. Culinary medicine is a practice that helps physicians teach their patients to look at food in a different way. I believe it is part of our responsibility as medical professionals to help our patients through dietary change and give them concrete recommendations for leading healthier lives." Read more
AWARDS, ACCOLADES & ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Congratulations to Jim Cunningham, PhD, who was promoted to associate professor, effective Jan. 1, 2020.
Dr. Jacob Hyde Presents at Dept. of Medicine Poster Session
Conference: 4th Annual Department of Medicine PI Poster Session Sponsoring organization: UArizona Department of Medicine Title: Thinking about sweat: Sweat biomarker correlates of physical and mental effort Presenters: Jacob N. Hyde, PsyD; J Ray Runyon, PhD, Esther Sternberg, MD Date: 1/22/20 Location: College of Medicine
EDUCATION
Dr. Mari Ricker Co-Hosts New COM – Tucson Podcast, "FLEXcast"
Mari Ricker, MD, associate professor, is one of the co-hosts on a new podcast for faculty in the College of Medicine – Tucson. The "Faculty Learning EXchange" podcast or "FLEXcast" launched last month by the Dean's Council on Faculty Affairs. "The purpose of the podcast is to share ideas, experiences and knowledge from faculty for faculty," said Allie Min, the college's assistant dean for faculty development and one of the podcast's three co-hosts. Read more | Listen to podcast
RESEARCH
Dr. Alicia Allen Receives Grant from Prevent Cancer Foundation
Alicia Allen, PhD, MPH, assistant professor, was awarded $100,000 from Prevent Cancer Foundation for her study, "A Novel Approach to Help Women of Reproductive Age Quit Smoking." Tobacco use, mostly cigarette smoking, is estimated to cause one out of every three cancers. This is highly concerning for women, since they are more susceptible to the harmful effects of smoking than men. Most smoking cessation medications (e.g. the nicotine patch) are less effective in women compared to men. Ovarian hormones (notably estradiol) may be one of the reasons why women have a more difficult time quitting smoking than men. Dr. Allen's research will examine the effect of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate to help women quit smoking. Read more
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
FCM Faculty and Staff Participate in Service Opportunity at Community Food Bank
On Sat. Jan. 11, FCM faculty, residents and staff kicked off the new year volunteering at the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. They had a great time working together and packaging meals for those in need. View photos
Kelsey Yonnie joined FCM on Jan. 21 as a program coordinator for NARTC's Reach Project. She is from Flagstaff and earned a BS in public health at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health in 2017. Kelsey is interested in using public health and clinical initiatives to promote health and wellness in diverse communities. She enjoys travel, hiking, rock climbing, snowboarding and spending time with people. Welcome, Kelsey!
MEET OUR RESIDENTS
Weston LaGrandeur, MD, 2nd-Year Resident, South Campus Family Medicine Residency Program
Why did you choose South Campus Family Medicine Residency? I feel like this residency was going to prepare me to be the best and most well rounded family medicine doctor. I really like the emphasis on rural and underserved populations. Plus, the residents and faculty are great. What do you like most about Tucson? I love the accessibility to the outdoors and the personality of many of the local areas. Monsoons make the summer bearable!
Leticia Moedano, MD, 2rd-Year Resident, Alvernon Family Medicine Residency Program
Where are you from? Yuma, AZ Why did you choose Alvernon Family Medicine Residency? I chose the UA Family Medicine program because of the talented, supportive, and approachable faculty, residents, and staff. I wanted a program that had a blend of community and academic medicine, diverse patient population and an interest in my personal well-being—UA Family Medicine had it all. What is your favorite thing about living in Tucson? I am thrilled to be continuing my medical training in Tucson—I love the weather, landscape and having family nearby. What are your interests or hobbies outside of medicine? Running, hiking, watching UA basketball, traveling, and spending time with family, friends, and my dog Teddy. What are your professional interests within medicine? Underserved populations, global health, women’s health, adolescent medicine, mental health, and teaching/mentoring.
Gachupin FC, Garcia CA, Romero MD. An American Indian Patient Experience. J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2019;30(4S):62-65. doi: 10.1353/hpu.2019.0116. PubMed PMID: 31735719.
We are happy to welcome Laura Micek-Galinat, MD, MPH, to FCM! Dr. Micek-Galinat will provide primary patient care at 
Congratulations to Jim Cunningham, PhD, who was promoted to associate professor, effective Jan. 1, 2020.
Dr. Jacob Hyde Presents at Dept. of Medicine Poster Session
Dr. Mari Ricker Co-Hosts New COM – Tucson Podcast, "FLEXcast"
Dr. Alicia Allen Receives Grant from Prevent Cancer Foundation 
FCM Faculty and Staff Participate in Service Opportunity at Community Food Bank
Kelsey Yonnie joined FCM on Jan. 21 as a program coordinator for 
Weston LaGrandeur, MD, 2nd-Year Resident, South Campus Family Medicine Residency Program
Leticia Moedano, MD, 2rd-Year Resident, Alvernon Family Medicine Residency Program
