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Mayo Researcher Honored by American College of Physicians
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ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic nephrologist and researcher Rajiv Kumar, M.D., has been selected to receive the highest professional recognition from the American College of Physicians, the John Phillips Memorial Award, one of the most prestigious honors in internal medicine.
Dr. Kumar is internationally recognized for his research accomplishments in nephrology, mineral metabolism and endocrinology, specifically bone disease in the context of kidney failure and the regulation of phosphate and vitamin D metabolism.
"Dr. Kumar helped train a generation of nephrologists and served as chair of nephrology with distinction," says Morie Gertz, M.D., chair of internal medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. "His contributions to the understanding of vitamin D and its effects on bone are important enough to impact daily on the lives of patients."
Dr. Kumar is a leader in major professional organizations and has published more than 250 scientific articles. He is a Distinguished Mayo Clinic Investigator and the Ruth and Vernon Taylor Professor of Medicine, and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Dr. Kumar earned his medical degree at the University of Delhi, India. He completed an internship at New York Medical College, residency at the University of Illinois, and fellowships in biochemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and nephrology at Beth Israel Hospital/Harvard Medical School. He came to Mayo Clinic in 1978 and has conducted laboratory and clinical research at Mayo since then.
"I think the award is a recognition of the work that's been done along with my generous colleagues at Mayo. People collaborate at Mayo like they do at few other institutions," Dr. Kumar says. "It's also a particular source of pride, given the previous awardees."
Three other Mayo physicians have received the Phillips Award: Jesse Bollman, M.D., in 1964; Earl Wood, M.D., Ph.D., in 1983; and Nobel laureate Edward Kendall, M.D., in 1950. Dr. Kumar will receive the award at ceremonies in April in New Orleans.
The John Phillips Memorial Award is bestowed for outstanding work in clinical medicine, which includes all phases of clinical research or practice of medicine.
Media Contact: Robert Nellis, 507-284-5005 (days), newsbureau@mayo.edu
