Incredible people have spent time at BHC as interns, pre-med students, and clinical research coordinators as a way point in their educational journeys. As a part of our mission, we hire and train upcoming researchers and medical professionals to help be a product of change in the scientific and medical fields surrounding these illnesses. Ji-Hyun reflects on her time at BHC.
Hello, my name is Ji-Hyun Lee. I spent over 2 years working with the research team at Bateman Horne Center (BHC). I am now working at the Weil Cornell Medical College brain imaging lab conducting studies related to oxidative stress and the pathophysiology in ME/CFS via MR spectroscopy methods.
After completing my Masters of Public Health at the University of Utah I searched for a research position to fulfill my practical training period. Luckily, I met Dr. Vernon’s research team and joined BHC.
BHC is a unique and rare clinic-and-research institution which conducts great collaborating research between clinicians and researchers working very closely in all stages of study phases (which is a very unusual environment). I’m grateful that I could work under two influential leaders such as Drs. Bateman and Vernon who helped me become an investigator that can develop translational medical research that identifies scientific evidence based on a clinical view point.
ME/CFS still has no pathological mechanism, nor treatment, or even a biomarker resulting in the debates about ME/CFS being a validated illness. However, following the COVID-19 pandemic, many infected patients showed severe sequela and among those 5% (which is tremendous number) developed ME/CFS like symptoms which are now referred to as COVID Long Haulers. Surprisingly, previous ME/CFS studies are a good standard for Post-COVID Sequela case definitions. Furthermore, upcoming Long COVID studies will play an important role in revealing ME/CFS pathophysiology. I am glad that I could be part of those meaningful studies.
I’m continuing to grow the seeds of knowledge that I gained at BHC through my research work. I dream of the fruit produced from these seeds leading to relief for those suffering from post-viral illness like ME/CFS and Long COVID.
Our work with Ji-Hyun and others like her are made possible by donations. Help us continue this vital work and donate to BHC.
Lucinda Bateman, MD, is a renowned clinician, researcher, and educator. Her Johns Hopkins University Medical School training instilled an approach to care that she has employed throughout her career - the patient comes first and the unknown or unexplained does not equate to a lack of proper and compassionate care. Since starting her own practice in 2000, she has served on six boards or committees, been the principal investigator for 45 studies, authored/coauthored 40 journal articles, served as adjunct instructor and adjunct assistant professor in the University of Utah Departments of Preventative Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Anesthesiology, and lectured around the world.