The AAMC, the American Hospital Association, and America's Essential Hospitals issued a joint statement following a federal court decision that cuts made to Medicare reimbursements under the 340B Drug Pricing Program were unlawful. “The court’s carefully reasoned decision will allow hospitals and health systems in the 340B Drug Pricing Program to serve their vulnerable patients and communities without being hampered by deep cuts to the program,” the statement said.

The AAMC is now accepting nominations for its 2019 awards to recognize individuals and institutions for their outstanding contributions to academic medicine. Each year, the AAMC strives to attract a robust pool of nominees that reflects the innovation, creativity, and diversity of its medical education, research, and community service missions. There are multiple award opportunities and two deadline periods; the first nomination period ends on Jan. 25 for the Abraham Flexner Award for Distinguished Service to Medical Education, Award for Distinguished Research in the Biomedical Sciences, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation David E. Rogers Award.

The George Washington University Health Workforce Institute, supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, has created a tool that allows medical schools to measure their social missions. The new resource measures criteria such as curriculum and student and faculty diversity and provides a confidential assessment of the school’s social mission, including strengths and areas for improvement. The AAMC was represented on the advisory committee for this initiative.

Stephen I. Katz, MD, PhD, director of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, died on Dec. 20 at the age of 77. He had served as director since 1995. In a statement, AAMC President and CEO Darrell G. Kirch, MD, said, “Having personally worked with [Dr. Katz] over the past two decades, he represents the best in science and in humanity. The AAMC joins the broader scientific community in mourning his loss and honoring his life and legacy.”

Robert Alpern, MD, will step down as dean of the Yale School of Medicine when his term ends later this year. He has served as dean since 2004. A national search will be conducted to find a successor.

Robert J. Corona Jr., DO, MBA, was named CEO of the State University of New York Upstate Medical University, effective Dec. 31. He had served as interim CEO since March 2018.

Sam J. Marzo, MD, was named interim dean of the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, effective Jan. 1. He previously served as professor and chair of the department of otolaryngology - head and neck surgery.