In a study published in the July 28 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, UW researchers and colleagues report that primary angioplasty may be the preferable therapy for elderly Americans in the early treatment of heart attack.
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Berg named chair of family medicine

Alfred O. Berg has been named chair of the Department of Family Medicine, pending approval by the University of Washington Board of Regents.
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Pellegrini elected to leadership positions in two surgical organizations

Carlos Pellegrini, Henry N. Harkins professor and chair of the Department of Surgery, was recently elected to leadership positions in two national surgical organizations.
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Briefly

The Department of Molecular Biotechnology has received a four-year, $500,000 grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) to fund a project that will help schools throughout the state teach fundamental genetics, as well as related ethical, legal and social issues, at all grade levels.

Students establish Operation Smile chapter

UW medical students have formed an Operation Smile student chapter. Operation Smile is a not-for-profit, volunteer organization that provides reconstructive facial surgery for indigent children and young adults worldwide. Since 1982, the organization has treated 50,000 young people in the United States and abroad.