On Nov. 15, 2023, the Heersink School of Medicine, Medical Alumni Association (MAA), and Department of Medical Education partnered to host a combined alumni reception and ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the recently completed Volker Hall renovation and the opening of the Heersink Family Active Learning Center.
The event’s dual purpose was to introduce Anupam Agarwal, M.D., who was named senior vice president for Medicine and dean of the Heersink School of Medicine in February 2023, to Birmingham area alumni while also highlighting the newly named and renovated spaces in Volker Hall. These include the Heersink Family Active Learning Center—made possible by a generous donation from the Heersink Family Foundation—which represents a milestone in UAB’s cutting-edge medical education curriculum. The MAA worked with school leadership to execute the event in a way that would celebrate the accomplishment of providing new and improved spaces for medical students to learn and relax and recognize the supporters that made gifts to name spaces in Volker Hall.
Agarwal spoke first, welcoming attendees and highlighting the transformation that has taken place in Volker Hall. He thanked the MAA for their generous gift toward the renovation and announced the naming of two additional spaces by the Heersinks—a lounge space adjacent to the Active Learning Center named for Gregory Pence, Ph.D., longtime director of UAB’s Early Medical School Acceptance Program, and a sixth-floor space named for their friends, Frank Barefield and his late wife Pamela. Additionally, he extended appreciation to Irfan Asif, M.D., and the Department of Family and Community Medicine for a gift that made possible the distribution of 600 point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) devices for use by students.
Agarwal was followed by Michael Caruso, M.D., president of the MAA, which has been a critical contributor toward Volker Hall’s renovations. Gifts from the MAA named three spaces completed in the sixth floor renovation, including the Medical Alumni Association Study Hub, the Medical Alumni Association Small Group Room, and the Medical Alumni Association Lounge.
“Armed with the knowledge that improving the learning environment was crucial to student success, the MAA was glad to take the opportunity to be a part of Volker Hall renovations by making a gift for spaces on the sixth floor that include a lounge and breakout room but also a group study space that facilitates collaborative learning,” Caruso said. “I’m excited to see the transformations in Volker Hall and proud to know that many current and future students will see the impact of alumni and donor generosity reflected in these spaces for years to come.”
Craig Hoesley, M.D., senior associate dean for Medical Education, spoke to the importance of the Active Learning Center. “The setup and technology within the space is allowing us to transition away from lecture-based learning into a flipped classroom environment that promotes peer-based education and collaboration,” Hoesley said. “We’re thrilled by the opportunity to continue pushing the boundaries of education and what’s possible in the classroom setting as we train the next generations of leaders in medicine.”
Marnix Heersink, M.D., spoke next, sharing how thrilled he is to see the progress within UAB’s medical school. He held a copy of the initial plans for the Active Learning Center that were presented to him several years ago and shared his excitement that those plans have become a reality. “About five years ago, we visited Volker Hall and were given a proposal that detailed how transformative a gift could be for the learning environment,” he recalled. “After some consideration and a few changes to the original plan, I’m so proud of the renovations and technology we are now able to offer our medical students. The students that come through these doors will have a wonderful opportunity to have a more hands-on and collaborative learning experience, resulting in clinicians with a team-minded approach to patient care.”
After remarks, the ceremonial ribbon was cut by Dr. Heersink, Mary Heersink, Dr. Agarwal, Dr. Hoesley, Dr. Asif, and Dr. Caruso. Attendees were then able to tour all of the renovated spaces with the help of current medical student volunteers who shared how impactful the new spaces are to them.
The second floor hosted demonstrations within the Heersink Family Active Learning Center, previewing the room’s technology and cutting-edge learning capabilities. Guests were given the opportunity to participate in a Questions at UAB (QAB) session, one of the collaborative learning methods implemented in the Active Learning Center.
Adjacent to the Active Learning Center, Clinical Practice spaces were set up to demonstrate the new POCUS devices and how basic life support skills are reinforced using rapid cycle deliberate practice teaching. The fourth, fifth, and sixth floors highlighted renovations that have added student relaxation space and collaborative study areas.
Click here to learn more about the opening of the Heersink Family Active Learning Center.