Illinois Medicine

innovative test designed to monitor the endometrium during the time of implantation, which can be used to increase a couple's likelihood Mark S. Denker of pregnancy via the in vitro fertilization process. Board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, Denker has served the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of California–Irvine as a clinical instructor in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. He has been a guest lecturer for the Nova Southeastern University Physician Assistant Program previously taught at Florida Atlantic University. Denker has traveled extensively throughout the U.S. presenting his research and findings to medical professionals and was featured in a 1990 teaching video titled "Double Laparoscopy," which was presented at the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopist Meeting. Denker is the past president of the Florida Society for Reproductive Endocrinology. Stephen Motew, MD '92, Res '98, MO, FACS, RVT, has been named senior vice president of physician services with Novant Health, where he will use his experience as a leading vascular surgeon to advance growth and care initiatives throughout the greater Winston-Salem, N.C., area. A vascular surgeon at Salem Skin & Vein Specialists, Motew has established the largest and most comprehensive vascular practice in the Triad region of North Carolina. A board-certified vascular surgeon specializing in treatment of varicose veins, spider veins, and vascular disorders, Motew received his undergraduate degree at Emory University in Atlanta. After earning his medical degree and completing his surgical residency at the College of Medicine in Chicago, he returned to Winston-Salem to complete his fellowship in vascular surgery at Wake Forest University Baptist Health. '93 40 | FA LL 2 013 Cassim M. Ingram, MD, Res '93, has served as president of the Iowa Orthopaedic Society. He is entering his 19th year of practice at the Iowa Orthopaedic Center in Des Moines. Kevin Palka, MD, Res '04, a medical oncologist and hematologist with Saint Anthony's Physician Group, has established a new cancer practice in Alton, Ill. A native of Austin, Texas, Palka was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to Stockholm, Sweden, before attending the University of Texas Southwestern Kevin Palka Medical School in Dallas. He went on to a residency in internal medicine at the College of Medicine in Chicago. Palka completed advanced fellowship training in hematology and oncology at Vanderbilt University, treating cancer patients at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Meharry Medical College, where he served as assistant professor of medicine. Palka is board-certified in oncology and hematology and internal medicine. In addition to seeing cancer patients, Palka treats bleeding and clotting disorders. '04 Therese Kirsch, MD, Res '12, is an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the generalist division at the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System. Although her current clinical practice covers the wide range of general obstetrics and gynecology, Therese Kirsch she has particular interests in minimally invasive surgery and female sexual dysfunction. A graduate of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Kirsch received multiple awards for teaching during her residency at the University of Illinois. She has also spent time developing a residency training program in Georgetown, Guyana. Kirsch is a member of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. '12 Behind the Scenes, Vet Boosted Research V eterinarian B. Taylor Bennett, PhD '74, worked for more than three decades to strengthen the research infrastructure at the University of Illinois at Chicago. His impact — first directing animal research at the Biologic Resources Laboratory, then in a broader role with the Research Resources Center — has earned him the University of Illinois Alumni Association's Distinguished Service Award. During Bennett's tenure, the university's National Science Foundation ranking based on research expenditures rose nearly 20 points, placing it among the top 50 U.S. research institutions by the time he retired in 2006, says Eric Gislason, PhD, professor emeritus of chemistry and former vice chancellor of research on the Chicago campus, who nominated Bennett for the award. Bennett for nearly 20 years directed the Biologic Resources Laboratory, which provides support and oversight for animal research, helping to improve the care of laboratory animals and gaining national recognition for the BRL. Then in 1996, Bennett was tapped to lead the Research Resources Center, which provides state-of-the-art equipment and other services for researchers. At the time, the RRC was poorly funded and used by only a small number of faculty on the west side of the campus. But Bennett secured funding to double the RRC's budget, upgrade facilities and equipment and create a new facility to serve scientists working on the east side of the campus. By the time he retired, the RRC was serving 1,000 investigators in a wide range of disciplines, and Chicago campus scientists had made significant advances in dental implants, neonatal care, cancer research and artificial joints. "UIC has an incredible breadth and depth of biomedical as well as basic research," Bennett says. In addition to his direct, specific contributions, Gislason said that through his example, Bennett, who now serves as senior science advisor for the National Association for Biomedical Research, inspired many researchers. "People took a lot of pride in the fact that BRL and RRC were respected around the country," he says. — Bridget Kuehn B. Taylor Bennett

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