James P. Comer, M.D., Robert Heimer, Ph.D. ’88, Stephen C. Edberg, Ph.D., Paul L. McCarthy, M.D., Patrick G. O’Connor, M.D., Therese R. Rabatsky-Ehr, M.P.H. ’96

James P. Comer, M.D., the Maurice Falk Professor in the Child Study Center and professor of psychiatry, was presented the Distinguished Service Award in November by Covenant to Care Inc., a nonprofit, interfaith organization that connects social workers and other child welfare professionals with faith communities throughout Connecticut in order to provide programs, goods and services to abused, neglected and impoverished children. Comer was recognized for demonstrating leadership, passion and vision through his work in enhancing the quality of life for Connecticut’s most vulnerable children.

The Epidemiology and Public Health Emerging Infections Program was awarded a three-year, $1.2 million grant from the Association of American Medical Colleges and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the study of the causes of acute diarrheal illness among patients receiving primary outpatient care. Robert Heimer, Ph.D. ’88, associate professor of epidemiology, public health and pharmacology, will serve as principal investigator for the Acute Diarrheal Disease Surveillance study in collaboration with Stephen C. Edberg, Ph.D., professor of laboratory medicine and medicine; Paul L. McCarthy, M.D., professor of pediatrics; and Patrick G. O’Connor, M.D., professor of medicine. Therese R. Rabatsky-Ehr, M.P.H. ’96, research associate, will be the study coordinator.