Internal Medicine

The Department of Internal Medicine offers a complete range of teaching — students, residents, fellows, research — and consultative and inpatient services covering all areas of internal medicine and its subspecialties.

The department has faculty working both in the VCU Medical Center and the Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Affairs Administration Center. The total number of faculty is close to 300.

Functionally, the department is comprised of 11 divisions.

Cardiology

The Division of Cardiology provides excellent care for every aspect of cardiovascular disease, from early detection of heart disease to treatment of the most complex cardiac conditions. Clinical program areas include non‐invasive cardiology, interventional cardiology, cardiac arrhythmias (electrophysiology), acute chest pain management, heart failure, advanced heart failure, cardiac transplantation and cardiac devices.

Chair:  W. Gregory (Greg) Hundley, MD

Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

The Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism provides a complete range of state of the art services for patients with metabolic and hormonal disorders and was ranked as “High Performing” in Diabetes & Metabolism care in 2012 by US News and World Report. Our faculty and staff provide inpatient services on the campus of VCU Medical Center and at Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center.

Interim-Chair:  Diane Biskobing, MD

Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition

The Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition has a long tradition of excellence in clinical practice, education and research, and remains dedicated to this pursuit of excellence. The scope of clinical operations and faculty expertise cover the entire spectrum of gastrointestinal health and diseases. Special programs focus on esophageal disorders, gastrointestinal cancer, women's health, inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal failure, obesity, pancreatic disorders, fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis and liver transplantation and are part of some of the premiere services offered here at VCU Medical Center.

Chair:  Arun J. Sanyal, MD

General Internal Medicine

The Division of General Internal Medicine plays an integral role in our award winning medical center. The Division is comprised of approximately 20 highly talented faculty members engaged in all aspects of academic medicine. These faculty members practice in a variety of clinical settings, educate students and residents of all levels, and engage in important research that covers a wide array of clinical interests.

Chair:  Jeffrey Kushinka, MD, FACP

Geriatric Medicine

The two-campus Division of Geriatric Medicine offers a multi-faceted program led by 16 physicians and 14 nurse practitioners who work together with an extensive interprofessional staff of clinicians and administrators to create a comprehensive program of education, research, administration and clinical care. Ten of the faculty leaders have worked at VCU for 10 years or more, and there is a wealth of experience and sustained excellence of performance. We are growing rapidly, having added 5 faculty members and 3 new programs in the past thee years. The interprofessional nature of our program is reflected in close collaboration and leadership initiatives with 5 well-known VCU schools including Medicine, Nursing, Social Work, Pharmacy, and Allied Health (Physical and Occupational Therapy as well as Health Administration). We have a truly team-based approach to education, research and clinical care.

Chair:  Peter A. Boling, MD

Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care

The Division of Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care is a specialized group of physicians, healthcare providers, researchers and professors that provides for the unique medical and supportive care needs of patients in the greater Richmond area and throughout the state of Virginia. As part of VCU Massey Cancer Center, a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center, division members are also involved in developing the latest cancer treatments by conducting research and translating their discoveries into cutting-edge patient care. And as part of the VCU School of Medicine, division faculty, each member of our diverse faculty contributes his or her expertise and experience to our patient care, research and teaching missions. A collaborative environment among division faculty, and with other specialists from multiple disciplines, provides a comprehensive approach to patient care and physician training.

Interim-Chair:  Renato G. Martins, MD, MPH

Hospital Medicine

Welcome to the Division of Hospital Medicine, the youngest (created in July 2017) and the largest Division within the Department of Internal Medicine. The faculty within the Division specializes in the comprehensive care of hospitalized patients from the moment the decision is made that a patient needs to be admitted through discharge. Faculty within the Division evaluates patients holistically and make treatment decisions with the whole patient in mind and coordinate care with other specialists when needed. With more than 75 physician and advanced care providers within the VCU Health System, we are available to meet the needs of our patients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. The Division is committed to providing the highest quality of clinical care, the highest value clinical care, and the most cost-effective clinical care to our patients with great compassion.

Chair:  Alan W. Dow, MD, MSHA

Infectious Diseases

The Division of Infectious Diseases provides clinical care to patients with all types of infectious processes in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. Eighteen faculty members make up the division. Housestaff participate as integral members of consultation services, where they are part of a team consisting of infectious diseases attending physicians and fellows, medical students and clinical pharmacists.

Chair:  Gonzalo Bearman, MD, MPH, FACP

Nephrology

Ranked 32nd in U.S. News and World Report Best Hospitals 2018-2019, the Division of Nephrology consists of 16 full-time clinical and research faculty, a nurse practitioner, two RNs, and one physician assistant. With a commitment locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, the Division of Nephrology serves the needs of a diverse adult nephrology patient population. Conversely, training and educating future physicians and remaining a leader in the field of nephrology, hypertension, and clinical pharmacology research are one of the passions of the faculty in the Division of Nephrology. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) education and its treatment modalities are an integral part of the teaching curriculum in the Division of Nephrology.

Chair:  Gaurav Gupta, MD

Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine

The Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine Division is a multi-faceted Division with full time faculty who provide care for any form of acute or chronic lung disease or critical Illness.

The mission of the Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care Medicine Division is to provide the best clinical care available for patients with lung disease and associated medical illnesses in the Commonwealth of Virginia. We feel that this care can best be delivered within the VCU Health System. Our mission is further to provide the best teaching of lung disease and associated disorders to future physicians. Finally, we strive to explore critically important lung and vascular and metabolic diseases through organized research.

Chair:  Patrick Nana-Sinkam, MD

 

Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology

The Virginia Commonwealth University Health System programs in Rheumatology and in Allergy and Immunology are among the oldest clinical in the USA. This unit comprises a combined division with allergy/immunology and rheumatology sections working towards the goal of improving outcomes for patients with autoimmune, musculoskeletal, allergic, mast cell, eosinophil and primary immune deficiency disorders through clinical care, research, and public service, including philanthropy.

The clinical practice in the Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology is mostly in the ambulatory care setting. This division has the responsibilities for patient care and teaching in two clinical subspecialties:

  • Rheumatology: Including rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases in both children and adults
  • Allergy and Immunology: Including asthma, allergic, mast cell, eosinophilic and primary immunodeficiency diseases

Chair:  Lawrence B. Schwartz, MD, PhD