Brittany Martin is the DOM's Spring 2024 STAR Award Recipient
The Department of Medicine is delighted to celebrate Brittany Martin, clinical research administrator in the Department of Medicine’s Division of Infectious Diseases, as the latest winner of the DOM STAR Award for Staff Excellence. Read more
Eaton Directs DOM Research Award towards Improving Team Morale
Written by: Sarah L. Minor, MS
As a high-performing investigator, Associate Professor Ellen Eaton, M.D., MPH, in the Division of Infectious Diseases, received funds from the DOM Research Awards Program (RAP) to use at her discretion to enhance her research. While grant funding has become increasingly restrictive in its uses, the RAP funds provided Eaton with an opportunity to address three main concerns with one innovative event—bring people together in person who had felt isolated during the pandemic, serve the community, and cultivate partnerships with local non-profits. “The DOM Research Award allowed me to support a research faculty, staff, and trainee ‘Meet and Greet’ where our research team, trainees, and collaborators gathered after work to create harm reduction kits for our community.”
Read moreA Decade of Progress: Has CRPM Transformed Our Understanding of Kidney and Heart Health?
Written by: Sarah L. Minor, MS
The Cardio-Renal Physiology and Medicine (CPRM) team has every reason to celebrate! In their first decade, CRPM has demonstrated extraordinary success, securing over $50.6 million in research funding, leading to 192 publications and over 500 citations. Their oustanding work has also been recognized with over 140 national honors and awards, including three Pittman Scholars, three Endowed Professorships, and two Max Cooper Awardees.Read more
86-year-old patient returns to golf after TAVR procedure
Written by: Kiara Harris
Vibrant. Active. Energetic. Sarah Hazen’s loved ones use these three words to describe her.
Read moreFlorkiewicz Named DOM STAR Awardee for Winter 2023
The Department of Medicine is pleased to celebrate Christina Florkiewicz, M.Ed., as the distinguished recipient of the DOM STAR Award for Staff Excellence in the Winter 2023 quarter.Read more
Tuesday Tidings: 2023 in Review - A Year of Triumphs in the Research Domain
2023 was a whirlwind of groundbreaking discoveries, prestigious awards, and initiatives for the Department of Medicine’s Research Domain. From unraveling the genetic mysteries of osteoarthritis to reimagining cancer care, our investigators have pushed the boundaries of knowledge to make meaningful contributions to human health.
Read moreShould FDA Approve Gene Therapy Exa-cell, 3 Key Implementation Challenges Loom
As an FDA decision approaches and medical communities brace for potential advancements, Julie Kanter, M.D., Co-Director of the Lifespan Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center and Director of the UAB Adult Sickle Cell Clinic, sheds light on the intricate process of implementing new gene therapy treatment for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).
Read moreRodriguez Named Interim Division Director for Infectious Diseases
Martin Rodriguez, M.D., is the Interim Director of the Division of Infectious Diseases (ID), effective September 24, 2023.
Dr. Rodriguez is the Paul W. Burleson, M.D., Endowed Professor of Medicine and Director of Clinical Activities in the Division. An outstanding teacher and physician, he has received many awards including the 2023 President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. He also plays other key roles including Co-director of the UAB Undiagnosed Diseases Program and Director of the Tinsley Harrison General Medicine Service.
Read moreStringer-Reasor named the Vice Chair for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the DOM
Erica Stringer-Reasor, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology and Oncology and Director of the Breast Cancer Program at the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB, will serve as Vice Chair for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Department of Medicine, effective November 1, 2023.
Read moreDOM Research Investment Rewards 60 Exceptional Investigators
In academic medical centers across the nation, the research environment is increasingly complex. While conducting research that generates exciting discoveries can be considered a reward unto itself, department leaders have a responsibility to recognize principal investigators for exceeding expectations in their research.
Read moreFram Named DOM STAR Awardee for Fall 2023
The Department of Medicine is pleased to celebrate Tim Fram, Research Manager in the Division of Infectious Diseases, as the distinguished recipient of the DOM STAR Award for Staff Excellence in the Fall 2023 quarter.
Fram joined the Division of Infectious Diseases in 2017 and currently serves as a lab manager for Nathan Erdmann, M.D., Ph.D; Paul Goepfert, M.D.; and Anju Bansal, Ph.D.
Read moreUAB Expands Kidney Research Enterprise
The footprint of kidney disease research at UAB just expanded through two awards from the NIH
written by Andy Currie, Maria White, and Carolyn Walsh
UAB-UCSD O'Brien Center for Acute Kidney Injury Research has joined the newly formed O’Brien Kidney Consortium as one of its seven National Resource Centers. The $4.4 million U54 grant recognizes the Center’s 15-year legacy of exceptional research in acute kidney injury, or AKI, a health issue that affects more than 13 million people in the U.S.
The Read moreRecruitment and Retention Teams Open Doors for "All of Us" to Join Research
Snyder Named Interim Division Director for General Internal Medicine
Erin Snyder, M.D., will serve as Interim Division Director for General Internal Medicine effective October 1, 2023. A graduate of our School of Medicine and UAB’s Tinsley Harrison Residency Program, Dr. Snyder has played key roles as a physician, teacher, and leader in the Division and Department. She is Professor of Medicine and Physician Director for Ambulatory Care in the Department of Medicine. She also serves as Medical Director for the Internal Medicine IV Clinic and Assistant Program Director in the Tinsley Harrison Internal Medicine Residency Program.
Read moreUAB Launches Behavioral and Social Sciences Program
Health behaviors and social factors dramatically influence how we develop and manage chronic health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and obesity. First-line treatments for these diseases often include recommendations for behavior change and lifestyle modification, so the entire health care team must understand the social context and unique behavioral patterns of individual patients to provide appropriate and effective care.
Read moreMentors Share Words of Wisdom for Incoming Residents
Last week, the Department of Medicine welcomed the new class of PGY1's to the Tinsley Harrison Internal Medical Residency Program. Embarking on a journey of this magnitude can be exciting and overwhelming. Faculty and current chief medical residents offered words of wisdom to help the incoming interns transition to their new phase of medicine.
Read moreCo-Directors Celebrate the New Adult Sickle Cell Clinic
Last month, co-directors of the UAB Lifespan Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center Julie Kanter, M.D., (Associate Professor, Hematology and Oncology) and Jeffrey Lebensburger, D.O., (Professor, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology) celebrated the opening of the new Adult Comprehensive Sickle Cell Clinic. The new beautifully designed clinic, located in UAB's Russell Clinic, is a spacious multi-professional facility that has more exam rooms, updated infusion spaces, and an increased ability to serve patients with sickle cell disease. Kanter and Lebensburger are excited about what these improvements mean for their lifelong patients.
Read moreUAB KURE Summer Retreat Empowers Trainees to Build Nephrology Careers
The Division of Nephrology’s 2023 Kidney Summer Retreat teaches undergraduate trainees in the UAB Kidney Undergraduate Research Experience (UAB KURE) effective communication skills and provides career development. This year’s retreat focused on communication, service, and community: elements that are essential in a strong, kidney-focused career.
Program founder and director Jennifer Pollock, Ph.D., welcomed the trainees and the retreat continued with programs focused on essential elements of a successful kidney-focused career. Workshops covered topics such as effective communication, team building, scientific publications, outreach, and addressing misconceptions, providing the KURE trainees with valuable networking opportunities and mentorship for their career development.
Read moreSaag and Warriner Shed Light on Osteoporosis: Prevention, Risk, and Treatment
In observance of National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month, the Department of Medicine sat down with Ken Saag, M.D., MSc, Professor in the Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, and Amy Warriner, M.D., Professor in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, to learn more about osteoporosis prevention, risk, and treatment. Read more
Mental Health Spotlight: Helping a Patient at Risk of Suicide
One of the many challenges in providing health care is to be mindful of how a patient’s physical health is deeply connected to their mental outlook. And when a patient reveals an intent to take their own life, it can be an alarming experience for the entire health care team. Read more
DOM Research Development Group Becomes the DREAM Council
by Sarah L. Minor, MS
The DOM Research Development Group (RDG) has undergone a transformation to become the DOM Research Excellence Advancement and Mentoring Council.
However, the DREAM Council's mission remains the same—to recognize and reward research excellence in the Department of Medicine, to foster mentorship, and to facilitate the career development of junior research faculty. This re-branding effort was undertaken to increase the recognition of the Council's work, highlight award opportunities, and increase opportunities to reward investigators at all stages across the Department of Medicine.
Read moreSheikilya Thomas, PhD, MPH, is DOM's Spring 2023 STAR Award Recipient
The Department of Medicine is delighted to celebrate Sheikilya Thomas, Ph.D., MPH, Program Director II in the Division of Preventive Medicine, as the Spring 2023 quarterly winner of the DOM STAR Award for Staff Excellence. Read more
Blood Co-Edits Book on Mechanical Circulatory Support
A new book promises to be a comprehensive guide for care teams who manage patients receiving mechanical circulatory support (MCS). A Guide to Mechanical Circulatory Support: A Primer for Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Clinicians (2022, Springer) is co-edited by Peggy Blood, MSN, RN, who works in the Department of Mechanical Support for the UAB Cardiovascular Institute.
Read moreSharon Harris is DOM's Summer 2023 STAR Award Recipient
The Department of Medicine is thrilled to celebrate Sharon Harris, Patient Services Coordinator II, as the distinguished recipient of the DOM STAR Award for Staff Excellence in the Summer 2023 quarter. Sharon's exceptional dedication and outstanding contributions to her team have earned her this well-deserved recognition. Her colleagues have gone above and beyond to express their admiration for her remarkable abilities and compassionate nature.
Read moreShikany Receives 10-Year Renewal for Decades-Long Cardiovascular Risk Study
James M. Shikany, DrPH, (Oberman Endowed Professor, Preventive Medicine) has received a 10-year renewal as the Coordinating Center for the CARDIA study — Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults. This renewal will provide total funding up to $29 million to the Coordinating Center to facilitate and oversee study activities for the next 10 years.
Read more