New Emory Study to Examine Long COVID

Of the more than 45 million COVID-19 cases in the United States, between 10 percent and 30 percent are “long haulers”—patients who suffer prolonged symptoms or who develop new or recurring symptoms beyond their initial infection. Long COVID—medically known as post-acute sequalae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC)—can affect multiple organs and cause a wide range of serious, persistent symptoms.

Now Emory University and its local partners Morehouse College of Medicine, the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, and Kaiser Permanente of Georgia are leading the Atlanta hub of a nationwide study to identify why some people develop long COVID. Thanks to funding from the National Institutes of Health, the partners are part of a comprehensive initiative called Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER), which brings together scientists, clinicians, patients, and caregivers to identify the risk factors that contribute to long COVID. The investigators will also examine long COVID incidence, prevalence, and outcomes to help inform approaches for treatment and prevention.

As we continue to develop new tools for managing COVID-19, this study promises to address one of the disease’s most perplexing and concerning elements and to begin offering answers and relief to patients. Congratulations to the Emory investigators and their partners on launching this critically important effort.

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

Jonathan S. Lewin, MD, FACR
Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Emory University
Executive Director, Woodruff Health Sciences Center
CEO and Chairman of the Board, Emory Healthcare

Dr. Allan Levey, founding director of the Goizueta Institute @Emory Brain Health and professor of neurology in the Emory University School of Medicine.

Goizueta Institute@Emory Brain Health

The Goizueta Foundation has committed $50 million to Emory to establish the Goizueta Institute @Emory Brain Health, renaming the landmark initiative announced in May 2021 as the Emory Brain Health Personalized Medicine Institute. The Goizueta Institute @Emory Brain Health will leverage the power of large-scale data collection and analysis with patients and the health care community to predict, prevent, diagnose, and treat brain disease. Early plans include working collaboratively across teams in multiple areas including neurology, psychiatry, primary care and sleep medicine. The goal will be to recruit participants and receive their consent to collect data over a six-year period from the more than 50,000 unique patients seen annually at the Emory Brain Health Center. Read more here.

Rollins develops DEI modules for all students

As part of its new student orientation programs, the Rollins School of Public Health (RSPH) Office of Admission and Student Services has collaborated with faculty, student organizations, and alumni to develop the 2021 DEI at RSPH module and discussions. This year, topics included Emory and RSPH mission and values as they relate to diversity, equity, and inclusion; the role of the Rollins citizen; and various topics related to DEI, including anti-racism, cultural humility, positionality and reflexivity in research, and bias, among others. Incoming students across all Rollins programs have completed the two-part series.

In Brief

UK approves Emory-discovered drug for COVID-19

An Emory-invented antiviral treatment for COVID-19 has been authorized by British regulators, making molnupiravir (also known as Lagevrio) the first antiviral pill approved for use against SARS-CoV-2. In early October, Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, which developed the drug after licensing it from Drug Innovation Ventures at Emory (DRIVE), reported that a Phase 3 study showed that molnupiravir significantly reduced the risk of hospitalization or death in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19. Read more here.

Emory collaborates to make clinical trials more accessible

Emory has joined forces with collaborators nationwide to form the Advancing Clinical Trials at the Point of Care (ACT@POC) Coalition. Currently, the complexity and cost of traditional clinical trials pose obstacles to patient and provider participation, identification of effective treatments for diseases, and the acceleration of new clinical insights and knowledge. This multi-stakeholder coalition aims to drive implementation of large-scale clinical trials at the community level—in doctors' offices and care facilities where most of the US population receives care. Read more here.

Emory joins network to improve care of rare diseases

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has named Emory’s Division of Medical Genetics in the Department of Human Genetics, in partnership with the Emory Clinic and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA), as a NORD Rare Disease Center of Excellence. Emory joins a group of 31 medical centers nationwide as part of an innovative network aimed at expanding access, advancing care, and enhancing research for rare disease patients in the United States. Read more here.

Owens named chair-elect of GHA Board of Trustees

Dan Owens, CEO of Emory University Hospital Midtown, has been named chair-elect of the Georgia Hospital Association (GHA) Board of Trustees. Owens, who has served on the GHA board since 2017, will lead the board in developing strategies for GHA hospital members, advocating for the highest quality care for patients, and supporting adequate reimbursement for hospitals. Read more here.

Christian P. Larson (surgery) was presented with the American Medical Association’s 2021 Scientific Achievement Award for his pioneering work that reshaped the field of transplantation.

Carolyn C. Meltzer (radiology) was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the American Medical Association. Meltzer will be leaving Emory in February to become dean for Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern Californa.

Sharon Muret-Wagstaff (surgery) has been named an affiliate member of the American College of Surgeons Academy of Master Surgeon Educators (ACS AMSE), a distinction recognizing preeminent surgeon educators.

Past Issues ● Forward ● Contact Us

emoryhealthsciences.org