With the whirlwind of activity surrounding the holidays, it’s easy to lose sight of the true essence of the season: the spirit of giving. I am very proud of the many ways in which our school, the university as a whole, and the UAB Health System give back to our community throughout the year. Here are a few facts illustrating that impact:
• $24.6 million was donated to local charitable organizations by UAB employees and students in FY16.
• The UAB Health System supports more than $144 million in charity care to underserved populations in Birmingham and across the state.
• Equal Access Birmingham, a UAB medical student-run free clinic, serves the uninsured and underinsured in the greater Birmingham community and provides a meaningful, service-learning experience that augments the School of Medicine curriculum.
In addition to these efforts, the staff of the Dean’s Office takes part in an annual “Season of Service” fundraising effort that wrapped up earlier this month. This year, faculty and staff hosted bake sales, organized taco lunches, and paid to participate in an office Jean’s Day, ultimately raising more than $1,700. The funds were used to purchase gifts and other items for a family of five in need -- selected for us by the UAB Benevolent Fund -- and I’m thankful that we as a team can make their holiday a little brighter.
Speaking of service, I was honored to attend a retirement reception for Wick Many Jr., M.D., FACP, on November 30. Dr. Many has served the School of Medicine for more than 30 years, most recently as the inaugural regional dean and the Virginia Loeb Weil Professor of Medical Education at the UAB Montgomery Regional Medical Campus.
Dr. Many’s indefatigable enthusiasm for promoting medical training in Montgomery has been key to the success of the Montgomery campus. He personally recruited the first five third-year medical students to come to the campus in 2014. Since then the program has grown to include 20 third-year and 20 fourth-year medical students, and three classes of Montgomery-trained students have graduated from our school.
Dr. Many’s history with UAB goes back almost 50 years, beginning with his own medical school training. After graduating in 1973, he stayed at UAB as a resident, and later chief resident, before joining the school as a clinical instructor in 1977. He made his way to Montgomery in 1985, where he has practiced infectious disease medicine ever since. As a testament to his profound influence as a physician and mentor, last year Dr. Many was named to the Montgomery Advertiser’s list of 10 influential leaders in the River Region.
Dr. Many’s contributions to medical training and clinical care in Montgomery cannot be overstated, and we are tremendously fortunate to have had him as a partner in both launching the Montgomery medical campus and in growing the Montgomery Internal Medicine Residency Program. To honor his service, the W.J. Many, Sr. Endowed Support Fund—named at Dr. Many’s request for his father, who was his biggest champion—has been established to benefit the UAB Montgomery Regional Medical Campus mission. You can learn more about the fund or make a gift online by clicking here.
From our School of Medicine family to yours, warmest wishes for a happy and peaceful holiday season.
Sincerely,
Selwyn M. Vickers, M.D., FACS
Senior Vice President of Medicine and Dean
James C. Lee Endowed Chair
UAB School of Medicine