Latest News

Technology Developed By DRC Researcher Could Preserve Vision for Diabetes Patients

University of Iowa Health Care patients are the first in the nation to have access to a new technology that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to diagnose diabetic retinopathy.

The technology, known as IDx-DR, is the only medical device authorized by the Food and Drug Administration that uses AI for the autonomous detection of diabetic retinopathy. The device’s algorithm makes the diagnosis based on imaging of the patient’s retina without the need for an eye specialist to interpret the results.

Dallas Aerie #3108 Dedicates BBQ Competition to Fighting Human Trafficking

For the past six years, Dallas Aerie #3108 has hosted their annual BBQ competition. However, last September, they decided that everyone’s love of BBQ should be leveraged to help a good cause.

Due to fellow Eagles member Chad Frymire’s involvement with Dallas Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and his board position on the North Texas Coalition Against Human Trafficking (NTCAHT), Dallas #3108 decided that all funds raised during the BBQ would be donated to NTCAHT.

Tarentum #699 Donates $10,000 For Fire Training Room

During a regular Auxiliary meeting last February, Tarentum Eagles Auxiliary #699 decided as a group that they wanted to make a big impact in their local community. Looking for a large project to help fund, local firefighter Bill Williams from Citizens Hose Fire/Rescue/EMS told Auxiliary Treasurer Ruth Jordan about the station’s plan to build a fire safety training room.

Jordan then spoke with Station Chief Sean Jones about the project. Jones said the station had been wanting to build a training facility for a couple of years since there are no proper facilities in the area, and others are expensive and can be difficult to get access to. 

DRC Investigators Continue To Excel In Research

DRC Director's Report - May 2018

This month I feature two additional grant awards that have been received by faculty members in the FOEDRC.

Dr. Lira Vitor, Assistant Professor in Health and Human Physiology and member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Center and the Obesity Research and Education Initiative at the University of Iowa, received an American Heart Association (AHA) Scientist Development Grant.  This 3-year $308,000 award is for a project entitled, Molecular insights into the exercise-mediated protection against diabetic cardiomyopathy. 

2018 Early Bird Contest Winners

The Grand Aerie would like to thank everyone who participated in this year's Early Bird Membership Contest by renewing their dues for 2018-19 by March 26. Membership is the driving force behind the Fraternal Order of Eagles and it is only with your help and participation that we can remain one of North America's most storied and influential fraternal organizations. Thank you for showing your loyalty by renewing early!

FOE DRC Investigators Continue To Excel In Research

Faculty members in the FOEDRC continue to excel in their ability to obtain competitive extramural funding for their research projects. In this month’s newsletter I will highlight new grant awards obtained by two of our members and next month I will feature another two.

Dr. Julien Sebag, Assistant Professor of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics and member of the FOEDRC was recently awarded a 5-year $1.9M grant from the NIDDK for a project entitled: Investigating the requirement of MRAP2 for ghrelin function.

DRC Researcher Sah Awarded Grant From ADA

Rajan Sah, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine Cardiology Division and member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center was recently awarded a Research Grant from the American Diabetes Association (ADA). The project entitled: SWELL1 regulation of ß-cell excitability and insulin secretion will be supported by the $345,000 award over the next three years. Also, this leading edge experimentation was published in the January issue of Nature Communication.

Eagles Celebrate 120 Years of Community Service

On February 6, The Fraternal Order of Eagles (F.O.E.) celebrates 120 years of community service.

The F.O.E. began in 1898, when six Seattle-area theater owners came together to share their passion for social progress and a dedication to philanthropy with the greater community.

120 years later, the F.O.E. continues to work hard to bring citizens together in the name of bettering communities and raising funds to assist friends and neighbors in need. From the creation of Mother’s Day, Social Security and Medicare to the hundreds of millions of dollars donated to various research and assistance organizations across North America, no life has been left untouched by the actions of an Eagle.

Technology Developed By DRC Enhances Detection of Eye Disease in Diabetics

DRC Director's Report, February 2018

Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a complication of diabetes, is the leading cause of preventable blindness in the developed world, and it is one of the most feared complications for people with diabetes. In the US, at least 25,000 people with diabetes go blind every year from this almost entirely preventable disease, and there are 25 million Americans with diabetes at risk for the disease, projected to increase to 50 million over the next 10 years. There is extensive proof that an annual eye exam to detect the retinopathy early and treat it before the onset of symptoms can prevent almost all permanent visual loss, unfortunately the annual eye exam is expensive and access may be difficult.

Eagles And Justin Haley Join Forces Again in 2018

GMS Racing announced that Justin Haley would once again pilot the No. 24 Chevrolet Silverado in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) in 2018. Long-time sponsor Fraternal Order of Eagles will also rejoin the group as a primary sponsor throughout the season.