Brian C. Moon - May 21, 2026
At the 2026 Albert Schweitzer Fellowship (ASF) of Alabama Celebration of Service, the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) once again sponsored the annual Excellence in Mentorship awards, recognizing outstanding individuals who have made a lasting impact through guidance, leadership, and service to ASF Fellows. 
This year’s honorees included Dr. Tamika Holmes of Community Care Development Network, recipient of the Site Mentor Award, and Dr. Tamika Smith of the UAB School of Public Health, recipient of the Academic Mentor Award. Clifford Kennon, EdS, MPA, CPP, Director of the CCTS Community Engagement Institute, was on hand to present the awards in recognition of the recipients’ dedication and impact on the next generation of health leaders.The 2026 Celebration of Service also marked a major milestone for ASF Alabama as the organization celebrated 10 years of service, leadership development, and community partnership across the state. Since its founding, ASF Alabama has trained 166 Fellows, partnered with more than 89 community organizations, and contributed more than 33,000 hours of service statewide.
CCTS Director Orlando M. Gutiérrez, MD, expressed enthusiasm for continuing the CCTS's partnership with the Schweitzer Fellowship in recognizing exceptional mentorship among graduate students in health disciplines.
“Mentorship is one of the most powerful drivers of growth in the next generation of health leaders,” said Gutiérrez. “At the CCTS, we are deeply committed to advancing health and addressing the complex challenges facing our communities. We know that strong mentor-mentee relationships are essential to that work—connecting experience with emerging talent, and helping translate knowledge into meaningful, community-centered impact.”
“The Schweitzer Fellowship reflects many of the same values we prioritize at CCTS, including community engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and leadership development. Supporting this award is one way we can continue investing in those values while recognizing the mentors who make this work possible.”The awards highlight the strong collaboration between academic institutions, community organizations, and mentorship programs that help support future leaders in healthcare and research. Through sponsorship of these awards and continued engagement with programs like ASF Alabama, the CCTS reinforces its commitment to supporting meaningful mentorship and collaborative approaches that strengthen communities across the region.
Make sure you are subscribed to the weekly CCTS Digest and following the CCTS on LinkedIn to stay informed of all upcoming CCTS news and events. See pictures from the event in the gallery below.