VITALS
A p u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e U VA M e d i c a l A l u m n i As s o c i a t i o n a n d M e d i c a l S c h o o l Fo u n d a t i o n
2 Reunion Weekend 2018
4 Grand Rounds
News in Research, Innovation,
and Technology
8 Health System Highlights
22 Doctor Hoo
Laura Carr, MD '11
24 Alum News & Notes
25 Student Perspective
Graduation, Student Spotlight,
White Coat Ceremony
VITALS
16 16 16
10
NAVIGATING THE
COMPLEXITIES
Kari Wright was diagnosed with multiple
sclerosis in 2014. Her medical needs are
complex. That's why she comes to UVA's
James Q. Miller Multiple Sclerosis Clinic,
a place where adults and children with
the chronic autoimmune disease are
supported and treated like family and
have access to the latest therapies.
By Linda J. Kobert
16
FROM TICKS TO
HEART DISEASE
Fifteen years ago, when allergist Thomas
Platts-Mills, MD, saw a patient in his
allergy clinic who insisted she got
hives from eating red meat, he didn't
believe her. That was before he became
sensitized to galactose-alpha-1,3-
galactose—commonly known as alpha-
gal—and discovered the truth himself.
By Linda J. Kobert
1 Vitals Fall 2018
