June 2026 Experts Highlights & Announcements

Bell and Montoya to study rural health transformation 

Sue Anne Bell, Ph.D., FNP-BC, FAAN, associate professor of nursing, and Ana Montoya, M.D., M.P.H., M.Sc., associate professor of internal medicine, are recipients of $500,000 in funding from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). Their grant, “Building Community-Based Collaboration to Support Rural Nursing Home Emergency Preparedness,” was chosen because it supports innovative, community-driven solutions to improve health outcomes across rural communities.

Broglio to receive award from National Association of State Head Injury Administrators

Steven Broglio, Ph.D., A.T.C., professor of kinesiology, was named the 2026 Robert L. Moody Prize for Distinguished Initiatives in Brain Injury awardee for his more than 20 years of advancing concussion research, care, and policy. Backed by more than $100 million in research funding and over 300 publications, his work has improved how concussions are identified, treated, and managed for athletes, students, service members, and families. As founder and director of the University of Michigan Concussion Center, a leader in the NCAA–DoD CARE Consortium, and President of the Concussion in Sport Group, Broglio has helped shape national and international concussion guidelines and management protocols. 
 

Haymart and Papaleontiou to receive prestigious awards from the American Thyroid Association

Megan Haymart, M.D., and Maria Papaleontiou, M.D., will be recognized by the American Thyroid Association (ATA) at its 2026 Annual Meeting, to be held in November. Haymart will receive the Valerie Anne Galton Distinguished Lectureship Award in recognition of her collaborative research advancing clinical knowledge of thyroid conditions. Papaleontiou will be honored with the Women in Thyroidology Woman of the Year Award, which recognizes an ATA member’s dedication to the field and commitment to advancing women in thyroidology.