Penn State College of Medicine

Penn State College of Medicine At Penn State College of Medicine, we define what medicine means. And we’ll never stop. Because we know there is always more work to be done.

At Penn State College of Medicine, we know the power of teaching, discovering, training and innovating. And through rigorous education and innovative research, our impact is felt far beyond Pennsylvania. Strengthened by our university and connected to a health system, educating caregivers and equipping researchers who understand what it truly means to lead. We are the change that health care needs. We define what medicine means.

What if food could be part of the prescription? 🥕🌱Through the Food As Medicine Initiative, Penn State College of Medicin...
09/24/2026

What if food could be part of the prescription? 🥕🌱

Through the Food As Medicine Initiative, Penn State College of Medicine and Penn State Health are connecting people with nutritious food, practical cooking skills and resources to support healthier lives.

From community gardens and free-food fridges to culinary medicine classes, produce prescriptions and research into what works, these efforts are addressing food access while helping prevent and manage diet-related chronic disease.

The initiative now supports 24 gardens and six community fridges across six counties, in partnership with more than 100 community organizations.

➡️ Read more about how Food As Medicine is changing the recipe for better health: https://tinyurl.com/bdkw2srs

🌱 For eight years, Penn State College of Medicine’s MD/PhD program has had a plot at the Hershey Community Garden, where...
09/18/2026

🌱 For eight years, Penn State College of Medicine’s MD/PhD program has had a plot at the Hershey Community Garden, where student volunteers help grow food to enjoy and share with others.

This year, the community garden has helped provide nearly 2,000 pounds of fresh food to food banks serving the greater Hershey community.

For the students who tend the plot, gardening can mean different things. For some, it’s their first experience growing food. For others, it’s a chance to reconnect with something they learned alongside family members. Either way, it offers a meaningful connection to the community beyond the classroom, lab and clinic.

This year’s student leaders include G1 students Biyar Ahmed, who is completing PhD training in the lab of Dawood Darbar, MD, and Alexis Henderson, who is working in the lab of Amanda Nelson, PhD.

We’re proud to see our MD/PhD students growing food, building community and giving back. 💙🌿

Learn more about the MD/PhD program: med.psu.edu/md-phd

Did you know that for some people, an irregular heartbeat can show up 40 years early? 🫀While atrial fibrillation (AFib) ...
09/17/2026

Did you know that for some people, an irregular heartbeat can show up 40 years early? 🫀

While atrial fibrillation (AFib) is often linked to aging and cardiovascular strain, about 20% of cases are genetic. Dawood Darbar, MD, professor and chair of the Department of Medicine at Penn State College of Medicine, recently led a breakthrough study published in Nature Communications exploring the "additive risk" of AFib.

His team discovered how rare genetic mutations and common DNA variations work together to disrupt the heart’s electrical rhythm. The ultimate goal? Identifying at-risk patients and using tools like wearable monitors before they ever suffer a stroke.

“If we can prevent even one stroke, the impact on that person and their family would be huge,” says Dr. Darbar.

Read the full Q&A on the future of proactive heart health: https://tinyurl.com/cdbfb47k

🎉 We’re excited to share that Sinisa Dovat, MD, professor and vice chair for basic science research in the Department of...
09/15/2026

🎉 We’re excited to share that Sinisa Dovat, MD, professor and vice chair for basic science research in the Department of Pediatrics and Four Diamonds researcher at Penn State College of Medicine, received a $400,000 Scholar Hope Grant from Hyundai Hope On Wheels today.

The funding will help to advance Dr. Dovat’s research into new treatments for pediatric acute myeloid leukemia, an aggressive childhood cancer, that could improve outcomes for children diagnosed with the disease.

Hyundai Hope on Wheels also presented a $100,000 Impact Award to the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Penn State Health Golisano Children's Hospital to further support pediatric cancer research and care.

Today during the grant ceremony, young patients and families participated in the signature Hyundai Hope on Wheels Handprint Ceremony, a powerful symbol of courage and hope.

The funding comes during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, when the need for continued investment in pediatric cancer research takes on added significance. Every advance brings researchers closer to more effective treatments and better outcomes for children and their families. 🎗💛

Read the full story: https://tinyurl.com/yc7enjv4

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. 🎗️At Penn State College of Medicine, pediatric cancer researchers are wor...
09/14/2026

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. 🎗️

At Penn State College of Medicine, pediatric cancer researchers are working to better understand childhood cancers and develop new approaches to treatment.

From the laboratory to the clinic, research is helping turn questions into discoveries, discoveries into new possibilities, and hope into progress for children and families facing cancer.

This month, we’re recognizing the researchers and partners who are advancing pediatric cancer research and working toward a future where more children can grow up cancer-free. 💛

Learn more about our pediatric cancer research at med.psu.edu/research

Last night, Penn State College of Medicine hosted its inaugural Eminence in Action Showcase, bringing together researche...
09/12/2026

Last night, Penn State College of Medicine hosted its inaugural Eminence in Action Showcase, bringing together researchers, clinicians, students and partners to celebrate what happens when discovery meets opportunity.

The evening honored outstanding contributions across the College:

🧠 Dr. James Connor — Dean's Award for Eminence in Action, recognizing his field-defining work in iron metabolism and neurodegenerative disease
💉 Dr. Todd Schell and collaborators — Interdisciplinary Research Team Impact Award for advancing melanoma immunotherapies
🌟 Alexandra Nusawardhana and Karl Bohnenberger — 2026 Rising Star Awards for Research and Innovation
🍎Dr. Leesha Helm — Advocate Award for her leadership in rural health education
💛 Hospice Foundation of America and Beat Childhood Cancer Foundation — 2026 Partner of the Year honorees

Together, these honorees embody what it means to put eminence in action, turning discovery and innovation into meaningful impact.

Today, we pause to remember. We remember those we lost 25 years ago on Sept. 11, 2001.We remember the courage of the her...
09/11/2026

Today, we pause to remember.

We remember those we lost 25 years ago on Sept. 11, 2001.

We remember the courage of the heroes who stepped forward to help.

We remember the resilience of the families and communities affected by that day.

In remembrance, we honor them all. 🇺🇸

Happy Labor Day! 💙 Today is a chance to recognize the people who make our work possible: the faculty, staff and students...
09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day! 💙 Today is a chance to recognize the people who make our work possible: the faculty, staff and students of Penn State College of Medicine and our colleagues across Penn State Health. Your dedication, collaboration and care make a difference every day in the lives of our learners, patients and communities. We’re grateful for all you do and hope you enjoy a well-deserved holiday.

🔬🌟 This summer, 22 undergraduate and first-year medical students spent 10 weeks exploring the world of cancer research t...
09/04/2026

🔬🌟 This summer, 22 undergraduate and first-year medical students spent 10 weeks exploring the world of cancer research through the PROMISE (Penn State Research training in Oncology and Medicine to Inspire Student Engagement) program.

The program concluded with a symposium at the University Conference Center, where students presented their summer research findings through oral and poster presentations.

Experiences like PROMISE give aspiring physicians and scientists the opportunity to engage directly in research, explore the complexities of cancer and begin building the foundation for future careers in oncology and biomedical research.

We’re proud of what this group accomplished this summer and we can’t wait to see what comes next for these future cancer researchers and oncologists.

➡️ Learn more about the PROMISE program: https://tinyurl.com/486xw7e6

Great research starts with great connections. 🔬🤝Researchers from Penn State College of Medicine and the Baruch S. Blumbe...
09/02/2026

Great research starts with great connections. 🔬🤝

Researchers from Penn State College of Medicine and the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute came together recently for a Faculty Connect event designed to spark new ideas, build relationships and lay the groundwork for future research collaborations.

The event featured a discussion on public health and more than a dozen faculty flash talks showcasing research interests, expertise and capabilities across both institutions.

Here’s to the conversations that can turn shared interests into new partnerships and new discoveries. 💡

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