UM School of Medicine Investiture Ceremony Recognizes Dr. Wilbur Chen, Leading Vaccine Researcher, as the Frank M. Calia, MD Professor

Investiture Also Acknowledges the Legacy of UMSOM Pillar and Professor Emeritus, Dr. Frank Calia

On November 14, 2023, before a large audience of University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) faculty and staff, family members, friends and distinguished invited guests, Wilbur H. Chen, MD, MS, was invested as the Frank M. Calia, MD Professor. Internationally recognized as a leading infectious disease physician-scientist with expertise in vaccine research, Dr. Chen is a Professor in the Department of Medicine and serves as Chief of the Adult Clinical Studies section within the Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health (CVD) at UMSOM. He is also Director of the UMB Travel Medicine Practice.

Dr. Chen conducts clinical and translational research on pathogens of global health importance, concentrating on those which primarily afflict vulnerable populations and developing countries. His research portfolio includes developing vaccines against diarrheal and enteric diseases, such as cholera, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), noroviruses, Shigella, Campylobacter, and typhoid and non-typhoidal Salmonella. He was the principal investigator for the pivotal efficacy licensure studies for the only cholera vaccine available in the U.S. Dr. Chen also conducts research in Bangladesh, a region commonly recognized as the ancestral origin of cholera, and in Mali, where his participation in the development of a pentavalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine is anticipated to make major improvements in meningitis for sub-Saharan Africa. He has also led vaccine trials against the 2009 H1N1 pandemic and pre-pandemic influenza (Avian H5N1 and Avian H7N9 influenza) and agents of bioterror, including tularemia, smallpox, and staphylococcal enterotoxin B.

Made possible through the generosity of many friends, colleagues, trainees and organizations, the endowed professorship is named in honor of Frank M. Calia, MD, MACP, Professor Emeritus at UMSOM. “The financial contributions to establish this endowed professorship were inspired by the impact Dr. Calia made on the lives of his students, colleagues, and friends,” said Mark T. Gladwin, MD, the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor and Dean, UMSOM, and Vice President for Medical Affairs, University of Maryland, Baltimore. “It is an absolute testament to their love, gratitude, and admiration for him.”

Dr. Calia’s tenure at the School of Medicine spanned more than four decades. He joined the UMSOM faculty in 1969 and was appointed Chief, Section of Infectious Diseases, at the Baltimore VA Medical Center. He rose through the ranks to Professor of Medicine and Microbiology & Immunology, and Chief of the Medical Service at the Baltimore VA Medical Center. On two occasions during his tenure, he served as Acting or Interim Chairman of the Department of Medicine. He was also Acting Chairman of the Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Ophthalmology, and Radiation Oncology. From 1992-2004, Dr. Calia was Vice Dean and Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for the School of Medicine. In April of 2004, he became Professor Emeritus of Medicine and Microbiology & Immunology. From November 2004-November 2005, he served as Interim Chief Medical Officer at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Dr. Calia returned to service in the School of Medicine as the Theodore E. Woodward Professor of Medicine and Chairman of the Department of Medicine, as well as Physician-in-Chief of the University of Maryland Medical Center in February 2006, a position he held until December 1, 2009. Highly regarded by his students, colleagues, and friends, Dr. Calia served as a mentor to many and has a lasting imprint on nearly every corner of the institution. 

The investiture ceremony was hosted by Kathleen M. Neuzil, MD, MPH, FIDSA, FACP, the Myron M. Levine, MD, DTPH Professor of Vaccinology, Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, CVD Director, and Chief of the Division of Geographic Medicine at UMSOM, along with Dean Gladwin. Dr. Neuzil described Dr. Chen as an infectious disease physician-scientist who demonstrates “the best” of UMSOM and the CVD. “I am so pleased to see Wilbur receive this honor as he is the perfect candidate for the Calia professorship,” she said.

Among the speakers at the ceremony were Alan S. Cross, MD, Professor of Medicine at UMSOM; Grant D. Huang, MPH, PhD, Deputy Chief Research and Development Officer at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; and Gregory Wm. Branch, MD, MBA, CPE, FACP, Director and Health Officer at the Baltimore County Department of Health and Human Service.

“Wilbur has a special gift of being able to clearly and concisely communicate scientific and vaccine issues to the lay public,” said Dr. Cross, a former mentor of Dr. Chen.

As friends for nearly three decades, Dr. Huang offered sentiments about Dr. Chen’s deep level of care for all people, both near and far. “Those close to Wilbur know that he deeply cares for people including his patients, research staff, colleagues, those on the other side of the world whom we may never meet and in places we will never hear of, and especially his friends and his family,” said Dr. Huang.

Dr. Branch, who has known Dr. Chen ever since he was a medical student at Howard University College of Medicine, proudly expressed, “The hope that I had for the third-year medical student that I met so many years ago came to fruition in the infectious disease expert I often turn to for recommendations and assistance.” He continued, “I know that God orchestrated our meeting 25 years ago for such a time as this. I am confident that he [Dr. Chen] will continue to contribute to this work in ways that will have great impact on students, the medical community, and the world.”

In taking the podium, Dr. Chen individually thanked members of his family, mentors, colleagues, and UMSOM leadership. Then, with a great sense of admiration, he directly addressed Dr. Calia: “I want to remind you how highly I regard you for who you are and what you represent throughout your career,” said Dr. Chen. “It is an overwhelming honor for me to take on this endowed professorship in your name.”

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