Marshfield Clinic Research Institute epidemiologist receives 2018 Sebold fellowship

MARSHFIELD – Jim Donahue, Ph.D., a nationally recognized vaccine safety researcher known for his work with influenza and human papillomavirus vaccines, was awarded the Gwen D. Sebold Fellowship for Outstanding Research in October.

Donahue, a project scientist at Marshfield Clinic Research Institute’s Center for Clinical Epidemiology & Population Health, was honored Oct. 10 during a presentation at Marshfield Medical Center.

“Epidemiology is a team sport and Jim is the quarterback for much of our research,” said Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Population Health Director Dr. Edward Belongia, in a Marshfield Clinic Health System news release. “It’s a privilege and honor to have worked with you the past 15 years, and I hope for the next 15 years.”

The fellowship has been given since 1988 to recognize an outstanding medical researcher and support continued research in his or her field. Sebold is a former president and CEO of Tombstone Pizza. He also has served on the boards of many organizations, including as an original member of Marshfield Clinic’s National Advisory Council.

Recipients of the award receive $5,000 for continuing research in their field and a memorial plaque presented by Sebold in memory of his sister, Gwen, who grew up in Dorchester, about 30 miles north of Marshfield. She joined Marshfield Clinic as a medical stenographer in 1955 and died in July 1974.

Donahue, who specializes in vaccine safety research, joined the Research Institute in 2003 to work on the Vaccine Safety Datalink. This is a long-term, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-funded project to conduct vaccine safety research using large linked databases at health care systems across the U.S.

Over the past 15 years, Donahue has become a leading vaccine safety investigator with more than 36 published research articles since joining the Research Institute. He recently led a near-real time analysis to assess the safety of a new human papillomavirus vaccine. He was invited to present the study results to the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices in February 2018.

In 2015, Donahue was recognized nationally with the Margaret Kolczak Award for his dedication and outstanding performance in epidemiology and biostatistics that contributed significantly to the Vaccine Safety Datalink. He received attention from prominent national media when the results were shared from the CDC-funded study he led that assessed the risk of miscarriage after receiving the flu vaccine.

Photo courtesy Marshfield Clinic Health System. Jim Donahue, Ph.D., a project scientist at Marshfield Clinic Research Institute’s Center for Clinical Epidemiology & Population Health, right, receives the Gwen D. Sebold Fellowship for Outstanding Research Oct. 10 from D. David “Dewey” Sebold.