At the Heersink School of Medicine, we want to listen, we want to act, and we want to do better.

In recent years, the Office for Diversity and Inclusion has taken a more active role in recruiting people from diverse backgrounds—an important first step in creating an inclusive workplace for all. As we continue to bring more people from underrepresented groups to the Heersink School of Medicine, it becomes equally important that we cultivate an institutional climate that supports and nurtures their professional development.

To help facilitate this, we have identified faculty leaders that can help lead the Heersink School of Medicine's Black/African American Faculty Association and Hispanic/Latinx Faculty Association—bringing ODI’s mission and vision to life. 

Within these associations, members are encouraged to communicate, network, mentor, and serve as a voice for cultural and educational concerns among the faculty. By advocating for each respective community, it is our goal to enhance multicultural awareness, diversity, and inclusion in healthcare.

While the initial faculty association meetings do not include allies, we understand how important the active support of strong allies will be in our success and look forward to working together to build support, establish networks, and move each of us forward. We are excited about the ways these associations can help to improve the experience of current faculty—as well as serve as a resource for recruiting top talent.

If you're interested in attending faculty association meetings, please reach out to one of the respective leaders. 

Black/ African American Association:
• Farah Lubin, Ph.D., Professor in Neurobiology- flubin@uab.edu
• Danielle Powell, M.D., Associate Professor in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation- dkpowell@uab.edu

Hispanic Association
• Marcela Frazier, O.D., MSPH, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology- mfrazier@uab.edu
• Fernando Ovalle, M.D., Professor of Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetes, & Metabolism- fovalle@uab.edu

Asian American and Pacific Islander
• Herbert Chen, M.D., FACS, Chair and Professor, Department of Surgery- hchen@uabmc.edu