Over the past decade, Emory University’s research funding has very nearly doubled. With few exceptions, our research enterprise has grown year over year—and, looking at the most recent figures, we can likely expect the same outstanding performance again this fiscal year. But what is the end result of all that funding? What outcomes are we achieving?

A recent article in the Journal of Technology Transfer examined one of many measures of a research program’s success—the development of FDA-approved drugs and vaccines—and found that Emory is top-of-class not only in research funding but also in lifesaving drug discovery. Indeed, the study found that Emory ranks number three worldwide in terms of discovery and development of FDA-approved drugs, behind only the National Institutes of Health and the University of California system (which is comprised of nine institutions).

To rank well ahead of our peer institutions both at home and abroad on this important metric is an extraordinary achievement, which confirms what I already know. The depth of research talent across all the schools and units of the Woodruff Health Sciences Center is unparalleled and distinguishes our institution as a leader on the world stage.

Thank you to all members of our research teams for your superlative efforts!

Kind regards,

Ravi

Ravi I. Thadhani, MD, MPH
Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Emory University
Executive Director, Woodruff Health Sciences Center
Vice Chair, Emory Healthcare Board of Directors

Please direct questions and comments to evphafeedback@emory.edu.

Joon Sup Lee will assume the post of chief executive officer of Emory Healthcare on July 1. As CEO, he will be responsible for overseeing the most comprehensive academic health system in Georgia with 11 hospitals, 250 provider locations and more than 24,000 employees. 

Lee currently serves as the executive vice president at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) and president of UPMC Physician Services, where he is responsible for 5,000 employed physicians and all clinically active faculty. His scope of work includes physician services, quality of care, patient experience, patient access and financial oversight of physician services.

An interventional cardiologist by training, Lee’s research and clinical interests focus on the role of stem cells in the treatment of coronary artery disease, rapid treatment of cardiac emergencies and catheter-based therapy for valvular heart disease. Throughout his more than 25-year tenure, Lee has been integral in the strategic growth of UPMC from a five-campus hospital system to a more than 40-hospital system, supporting and leading integration efforts of the campuses, service lines and practice plans. Read more.

Surgery can be an anxiety-inducing and life-altering experience, but patients who have surgery at Emory Hillandale Hospital have a unique advantage. Corey D. Brown, specialty director of ambulatory surgery and interventional procedures, is in their corner. I had the privilege of meeting Corey recently and was deeply impressed by his skill in managing a complex outpatient surgery program, his powerful and positive leadership style, and his genuine passion for helping our patients and their families, which is abundantly clear in everything he does.

With 15 years of service to the former DeKalb Regional Health System and nearly five years with Emory since the transition, Corey currently oversees outpatient surgery preparation, the operating room, post-anesthesia recovery, special procedures, interventional procedures, and the sterilization, processing, and distribution department. And, he says, he has “the privilege of leading a dynamic team of loyal and dedicated nurses and ancillary staff.”

When asked about the people his team serves, Corey says, “The patient population that we serve at Emory Hillandale suffer from chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, sickle cell anemia, and obesity. Many lack adequate preventative health care maintenance, which results in poor outcomes. My job affords me the opportunity to meet this patient population where they are without judgment, offering encouragement and assisting them when they are most vulnerable.”

“A caring health care provider,” he continues, “regardless of his/her title can exact positive change on the populous served. ALL team members, regardless of their role, should strive to be patient-centered.”

This philosophy shines through in Corey’s work. As Edna Briscoe, vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer at Emory Hillandale says, “Corey is truly amazing! He is a loyal, dedicated, and extremely knowledgeable nurse leader who always goes above and beyond to meet the needs of our patients, our staff, and our community.”

Thank you, Corey, for helping us improve lives and provide hope!

To nominate a colleague to be featured in an upcoming segment of Our People, please email me at evphafeedback@emory.edu and let me know what makes them special.

Tracey Henry, associate professor of medicine, has been awarded the Society of General Internal Medicine's ACLGIM Leadership Award.

Mark Lee, a nurse scholar who works on the 7E Complex Medicine Unit at Emory University Hospital, was recognized as one of 10 statewide awardees this year from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Celebrating Nurses program. Read more.

Mary Newell, associate director of the Emory Breast Imaging Center, was named president of the Society of Breast Imaging. View video.

Millie Sattler, Emory Healthcare corporate director of retention and career development strategy, was honored as the sole nursing leadership awardee this year from the 2023 Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Celebrating Nurses program. Read more.