THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
Resolution
Appointment of Ray L. Watts, M.D. to the
John N. Whitaker Endowed Professorship of Neurology
WHEREAS, a resolution formally establishing the John N. Whitaker Endowed Professorship of Neurology has been submitted to The Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama for approval at its next meeting on September 19, 2003; and
WHEREAS, as recommended by William B. Deal, M.D., Vice President and Dean of The University of Alabama School of Medicine, with the concurrence of the leadership of The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), UAB administration now wishes to appoint Ray L. Watts, M.D., Professor and Chairman of Neurology, as the first holder of this endowed professorship; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Watts was born in Alabama and graduated from The University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1976 with a Baccalaureate in Biomedical and Electrical Engineering; received his medical degree in 1980, with honors, and as valedictorian from Washington University in St. Louis; began his postgraduate training and completed his residency at that institution as chief neurological resident at Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital; and completed a fellowship in Motor Control and Movement Disorders at the National Institutes of Health; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Watts’ former professorial appointments included Emory University, where he was the A. Worley Brown Professor and Vice Chairman in the Department of Neurology and Director of the Movement Disorders Program; Attending Neurologist for Emory University Affiliated Hospitals, the Emory Clinic and the Wesley Woods Geriatric Center; Affiliate Scientist in the Division of Neurobiology at the Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center; Medical Director of the American Parkinson Disease Association Information and Referral Center; Co-Director of the APDA Advanced Center for Parkinson Research; Chief of Neurology Service at Emory University Hospital and the Wesley Woods Geriatric Center; Associate Section Head in the Section of Neurology at The Emory Clinic, Inc.; Director of the Clinical Trials Office at Emory University School of Medicine; and Member of Emory University’s Institutional Review Board Executive Committee; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Watts was recruited to the faculty of The University of Alabama at Birmingham as Professor and Chairman of the Department of Neurology in 2003; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Watts is a member of numerous professional organizations including the American Neurological Association, the American Academy of Neurology, the Society for Neuroscience, Alpha Omega Alpha, Movement Disorders Society, International Brain Research Organization, the American Medical Association, the Medical Association of Georgia, and the Medical Association of Atlanta; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Watts has been cited for numerous postgraduate awards and honors including the Dr. George Cotzias Memorial Research Fellowship Award presented by the American Parkinson Disease Association, Favorite Neurobiology Professor presented by the Emory University School of Medicine 1991 freshman class, Outstanding Neurology Professor, Best Doctors in America, 1999 Health Care Hero Award, America’s Top Doctors; and Atlanta’s Best Doctors; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Watts is internationally known as an expert neurologist, skilled in the neurologic principles and practice of movement disorders; and
WHEREAS, members of this Board concur with the selection of Dr. Watts as the first holder of this prestigious professorship;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by The Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama that Ray L. Watts, M.D., hereby is appointed as the first holder of the John N. Whitaker Endowed Professorship of Neurology in The University of Alabama School of Medicine at UAB, with all rights and privileges thereunto appertaining.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be spread upon the permanent minutes of this Board, and that copies be sent to Ray L. Watts, M.D., to share with members of his family; to William B. Deal, M.D., Vice President and Dean of The University of Alabama School of Medicine at UAB, and to other appropriate officials of UAB.