UAB has appointed Elaine Broussard to the new position of executive director of Research Safety and Ransom “Randy” Pewitt to the new position of executive director of Emergency Management & Safety.
The announcements came from Richard Marchase and Richard Margison, who are charged with joint executive oversight of the UAB Department of Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S), along with Max Richard. Marchase is vice president for Research and Economic Development; Margison is vice president of Financial Affairs and Administration. Richard is the assistant vice president for OH&S, and Broussard and Pewitt will report to him in their new capacities.
“Ms. Broussard’s appointment comes as a result of her outstanding performance serving as director of Biosafety, a position she has held since 1996,” Marchase said. “In her new role, she will provide executive administrative direction and support for all research safety-related items, including grant/project registration and risk assessment, emerging technologies and regulated research programs. She also will liaise with UAB departments and divisions on research-related safety issues, as well as with federal, state and local agencies on these matters.”
Margison said Pewitt’s appointment comes as a result of his outstanding performance as interim director of Emergency Management, a position he has held since April 2012, and his service as director of Education, Training, and General Safety since 1997.
“Mr. Pewitt will provide executive administrative direction, support and leadership for the UAB Emergency Management program, including the development and implementation of mitigation, response and recovery plans, training and exercises, and other emergency support functions,” Margison said. “He also will help directors, managers and supervisors to identify and support education, training, evaluation and promotional needs and develop programs to meet those needs, as well as manage documentation of training.”
Pewitt also will continue to direct the Fire, Life Safety and Safety programs to prevent loss of life and injury to faculty, staff, patients, students, and visitors and to protect UAB property for the UAB Construction Safety Program, Campus Safety Program and Healthcare Safety Program.
Throughout her more than 25-year career at UAB, Broussard has served in various capacities, including as medical technologist supervisor and staff technologist within UAB Hospital Labs and as assistant biosafety officer. She earned both her bachelor’s degree in medical technology at Erskine College and her MPH in occupational health and safety and master’s in Education both from UAB.
“Her educational background, along with her extensive experience, will serve her and the university well in this new role,” Marchase said.
Throughout his 24-year career at UAB, Pewitt has served in various capacities within the Department of Occupational Health and Safety, including as safety officer, public information advisor for the UAB Injury Control Research Center and, most recently, as director of Education, Training and General Safety, responsible for Hospital, Campus and Construction Safety programs. Pewitt earned both a bachelor’s degree in mass communication and MPH in public health from UAB.
“We wish Mr. Pewitt well as he assumes this important UAB leadership position,” Margison said. “His background and experience will prove invaluable.”