Wake Forest University School of Medicine

10/16/2026

Medical students across both campuses of Wake Forest University School of Medicine recently celebrated Medical Student Research Day.

160 total students displayed posterboards highlighting their research findings across various medical specialties and topics. Most engaged in research projects over the past summer, following their first year in medical school.

During the event, students demonstrated and discussed their projects with clinicians and researchers from across Advocate Health, who served as judges.

Medical Student Research Day has been an annual tradition on the medical school’s Winston-Salem campus since 1980. This was the first year of the event on the Charlotte campus, which welcomed its inaugural class of students at The Pearl CLT last summer.

The event showcases the collaboration and hard work shaping the next generation of physician-researchers and the connections they’re making in the community.

10/12/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Anthony Atala on being chosen President-Elect of the American College of Surgeons, the third from Wake Forest University School of Medicine to be tapped for the role.

A practicing pediatric urologist and globally recognized leader in regenerative medicine, Dr. Atala serves as director of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, where he and his team are helping shape the future of health care through engineered tissues, organs and 3D bioprinting technologies.

This latest honor reflects more than 25 years of leadership and service within the American College of Surgeons and a career dedicated to advancing innovation in medicine. We're proud to celebrate this well-deserved achievement.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/476F3LY

10/09/2026

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded Wake Forest University School of Medicine $22.5 million to the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center to continue its work for another five years. The award, through the NIH’s National Institute on Aging, marks the center’s second renewal as it celebrates a decade of advancing Alzheimer’s research. The center is one of 37 in a national network dedicated to Alzheimer’s disease research.

“This renewal gives us an exciting opportunity to build on a decade of research and discovery and move closer to our goal of helping people maintain healthy brains as they age,” said Suzanne Craft, Ph.D., professor of gerontology and geriatric medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and founding director of the center. “By understanding the factors that put people at risk and identifying changes as early as possible, we hope to develop better ways to diagnose, prevent and treat Alzheimer’s disease.”

Read more: https://bit.ly/4rPVeGS

10/07/2026

Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine found women with larger breast tissue may be more likely to experience chronic migraine, neck pain, certain spinal nerve disorders and obstructive sleep apnea, according to a new study published recently in the journal Headache. The findings suggest breast tissue size may affect more than physical comfort and could play a role in several health conditions that impact quality of life.

"Many people think of enlarged breast tissue primarily as a cosmetic issue, but our findings suggest it may be associated with a broader range of women’s health concerns, including chronic migraine, neck pain and sleep-related breathing disorders," said Kristyn Pocock, M.D., assistant professor of neurology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and lead author of the study. "By better understanding these connections, we can help ensure women receive more comprehensive evaluations and care for symptoms that may affect their daily lives."

Read more: https://bit.ly/3U2x1kb

10/05/2026

Chronic stress and perceived social support may play a role in how memory and thinking abilities change with age, according to a new study by researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and published recently in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia. Researchers examined whether participants’ reported levels of ongoing stress and social support systems at the beginning of the study were associated with changes over time in various markers of brain health like memory. While previous studies have examined stress and social support as they relate to cognitive decline, this study looked at both, along with how different demographic groups compare to one another.

Higher social support at the start of the study was associated with less decline in attention over time, regardless of s*x or race. Women reporting higher chronic stress experienced greater declines in attention and language compared with men, while Hispanic participants reporting higher chronic stress experienced greater memory decline compared with non-Hispanic participants.

“Our findings suggest that chronic stress and social support may be important factors to consider when we think about healthy brain aging,” said Michelle M. Mielke, Ph.D., professor of epidemiology and prevention at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and corresponding author of the study. “Findings also show that the relationship between stress and cognitive change may not be the same for everyone, but there is encouraging evidence about the benefits of social support from family, friends and our communities for all.”

Read more: https://bit.ly/4dgUqEX

10/03/2026

10/01/2026

What if care could meet people where they are?

Wake Forest University School of Medicine MD students Caroline Curtin and Taylor Sabato are helping bring essential wound care directly to unhoused patients in Winston-Salem through a new student-run street medicine program. The initiative is part of their service project as North Carolina Albert Schweitzer Fellows.

In partnership with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and City with Dwellings, the program provides walk-in and follow-up care while working to expand access through a future mobile wound care clinic.

Their work is helping address a critical community health need and showing how medical students can make a meaningful impact beyond the classroom.

Read the full story: https://bit.ly/3UXlL91

09/28/2026

Few people have witnessed the evolution of Wake Forest University School of Medicine quite like Diane.

Over the past 35 years, Diane has built a remarkable career supporting education, research, patient care and philanthropy across what was once Bowman Gray School of Medicine and is now Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Today, she serves as manager of donor relations and stewardship for Wake Forest University School of Medicine and Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, helping connect donors and alumni to the life-changing impact their generosity makes possible.

Diane joined Bowman Gray School of Medicine in 1991 as an administrative secretary in the Department of Psychiatry, supporting the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-funded Dementia Care and Respite Services Program. The nationally recognized initiative helped demonstrate the value of community-based dementia care and caregiver support, influencing care models and best practices across the country.

As the institution grew and evolved into Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Diane's career expanded alongside it. She supported groundbreaking work and mission-driven teams across numerous departments, including the Maya Angelou Research Center for Healthy Communities. She later contributed to neuroscience and addiction research initiatives in the department of physiology and pharmacology, supported nationally recognized leaders in gerontology and aging research and served in the department of obstetrics and gynecology.

In 2013, Diane brought her experience and passion for serving others to the Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Relations, first as a stewardship coordinator and later as manager of donor relations and stewardship.

Today, she leads efforts that ensure donors are thanked, recognized, informed and connected to the impact of their philanthropy. Her work helps strengthen relationships with donors while advancing the organization's missions of education, research and patient care.

"I was drawn to philanthropy because it combines relationship-building with meaningful impact," Diane said. "What I love most about my role is telling impact stories and connecting donors to the purpose and people they care about."

A proud graduate of Winston-Salem State University, Diane believes Winston-Salem offers a unique blend of history, culture, innovation and community partnership that makes it a special place to work.

"I love being part of an organization that is so closely connected to the community while also advancing education, research and patient care," she said. "Our donors and alumni play an important role in helping transform ideas into impact. Their generosity helps support research discoveries, scholarships for future healthcare leaders and resources that benefit our patients and their families."

Reflecting on her decades-long career, Diane encourages others to seek opportunities beyond their immediate role, build relationships across departments and remain curious.

"Never underestimate the impact of your role," Diane said. "Every interaction and contribution matters. Take advantage of opportunities to learn, grow and serve others. Stay curious, ask questions and be willing to keep learning."

For Diane, a career spanning more than three decades has never been about a single department or title. It has been about supporting a mission, building meaningful relationships and helping connect generosity to impact. Thank you, Diane!

09/25/2026

Experiences that blend hands-on learning with cutting-edge technology are helping prepare the next generation of surgeons and healthcare leaders.

We're proud to celebrate Justin's journey and the impact of opportunities like these at IRCAD North America.

09/23/2026

A protein may play a surprising dual role in helping an aggressive form of breast cancer spread to the brain and evade immune defenses.

In a new preclinical study, our researchers found that higher levels of SIRPα made triple-negative breast cancer cells more likely to spread while weakening the brain’s immune response against them.

The findings could help guide future research into treatments for triple-negative breast cancer brain metastases. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4drI0Ks