Dr. Anna Parks Receives K76 Beeson Award from NIH and NIA
Anna Parks, MD, an Assistant Professor in the Division of Hematology & Hematologic Malignancies and a faculty member of the Center on Aging at the University of Utah, has been awarded the prestigious K76/Beeson Award by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institute on Aging (NIA). This five-year award is designated for developing leaders in aging research. It will fund her research project titled "Advancing Patient-Centered Decision Making in Older Adults with Venous Thromboembolism (VTE)." This recognition is a testament to Dr. Parks' outstanding contributions to improving care for older adults with hematologic disorders.
Dr. Parks' research addresses a significant gap in the current treatment paradigms for older adults with venous thromboembolism (VTE). VTE, which includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), is a life-threatening condition that disproportionately affects older adults. However, current treatment approaches often fail to account for the unique challenges faced by older patients, particularly those who are frail or managing multiple chronic conditions.
The project is structured around three key aims:
1. Engage Stakeholders: Dr. Parks will work with patients, caregivers, and clinicians to identify the core components for individualized treatment decisions in older adults with VTE.
2. Examine Aging-centric Outcomes: Utilizing two large cohorts of older adults from the Utah Population Database and national VA data, Dr. Parks will analyze how aging-related factors, such as frailty, influence VTE outcomes and how current treatments impact aging-related outcomes like physical function.
3. Risk Prediction Model: She will develop a clinical risk model incorporating geriatric syndromes to predict better bleeding risks associated with anticoagulation treatments in older adults.
Beyond her research, Dr. Parks is known for her dedication to clinical practice and education. Specializing in non-malignant hematologic disorders with a focus on thrombotic conditions, she is passionate about mentoring the next generation of leaders in hematology.
Dr. Parks' educational background is equally impressive. A graduate of Yale University, she earned her medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where she also completed her internal medicine residency, served as a Chief Resident, and pursued a hematology fellowship.
This award will enable Dr. Parks to build the foundational data needed to develop future interventions to enhance treatment decisions for older adults with VTE. Her work can transform the management of this common and dangerous condition, improving clinical outcomes and quality of life for older patients.