Judy Aschner, M.D.
Aschner, Dermody elected to American Pediatric Society
Terence Dermody, M.D.
Two Vanderbilt physicians were recently elected to the American Pediatric Society (APS), one of the nation's oldest and most prestigious academic societies.
Judy Aschner, M.D., professor of Pediatrics and director of the Division of Neonatology, and Terence Dermody, M.D., professor of Pediatrics and Microbiology and Immunology, will be inducted at the society's annual meeting in May.
“Selection to the APS indicates a long and outstanding career in research, patient care and education dedicated to children,” said Arnold Strauss, M.D., chair of Pediatrics and medical director of the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. “Drs. Aschner and Dermody are highly deserving of this honor.”
Aschner's laboratory research focus is the regulation of neonatal pulmonary circulation and the factors contributing to pulmonary hypertension in infants with lung and heart disease. Her clinical research interests include optimizing ventilator management of infants to prevent chronic lung disease, treatment of infants with pulmonary hypertension, and the nutritional management of premature infants. Aschner has a long-standing interest in fellowship education, serving on several national committees.
Dermody, who also serves as director of the Elizabeth B. Lamb Center for Pediatric Research and the Vanderbilt Medical Scientist Training Program, studies the pathogenesis of reovirus and poxvirus infections. The main focus of his work is on the attachment and cell entry strategies employed by these viruses, as these viral replication steps play key roles in target cell selection in the infected host. Dermody is also working to develop antiviral vaccines.
The APS, founded in 1888, is the oldest honorary society for academic pediatricians. Members are recognized for leadership, teaching, research, and contributions at a national and international level.