On Thursday, December 19, Washington University’s John T. Milliken Department of Medicine hosted their Medicine Grand Rounds event series at the Clopton Auditorium. During which the first-ever Repa-Eschen Lecture took place with presenting speaker Clay F. Semenkovich, MD, Chief of the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research, Irene E. and Michael M. Karl Professor of Medicine, and Professor of Cell Biology & Physiology.
As a physician scientist who studies the role of lipid and glucose metabolism in physiology and disease, Dr. Semenkovich is also an active clinician and teacher. He is currently director of the NIDDK supported P30 Diabetes Research Center, as well as the T32 research training program in diabetes and metabolic disease for postdoctoral fellows at Washington University.
Dr. Semenkovich’s presentation titled “Diabetes, Obesity and the Quest for Certainty,” was recorded live and is available to watch on the Department of Medicine’s YouTube channel.
The Repa-Eschen Lecture honors Linda Repa-Eschen, who passed away on June 5, 2023.
Linda was a dedicated employee of 40 years and formerly served as the business director for the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research. She worked alongside Louis V. Avioli, MD, founder of the Division of Bone and Mineral Diseases at the School of Medicine, to help establish the Lifestyle & Health Corporation. The nonprofit entity highlighted challenges in health care.
After Avioli’s passing in 1999, Repa-Eschen continued the work of the nonprofit for nearly 25 years, then transferring its assets to Washington University and the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research. The entity has funded this lecture in Repa-Eschen’s name to highlight ethical and complex issues in medicine.