UAB 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 moreJust Being a Doctor: Edwin A. Rutsky, M.D., Reflects on 52 Years in Medicine at UAB
By Carolyn Walsh, MA
When Edwin “Ed” Rutsky, M.D., graduated from Case Western Reserve University Medical School in 1965, he wasn’t planning on becoming a career nephrologist. In fact, it would be seven more years before the American Board of Internal Medicine even offered certification in nephrology as a subspecialty of internal medicine.
Read moreIM Resident Offers Perspective on Health Literacy and Representation in Medicine
By Kiara Harris
In Black communities, a lack of health literacy — an individual’s ability to obtain, process, and understand basic health information to make appropriate and timely health decisions — can play a critical role in health disparities. The journal Health Literacy Research and Practice reports that physicians overestimate the health literacy scores of 54% of African American patients, compared with 11% of non-Hispanic White and 36% of patients of another race or ethnicity.
Read more28 UAB Staff Get a New “DEAL” on Professional Development
by Sarah L. Minor, MS
An innovative new program aims to create a pipeline of future administrative leaders across UAB and UAB Medicine. The Developing Emerging Administrative Leaders (DEAL) program offers a custom-designed training experience to equip internal talent for management and leadership roles through an interactive 10-month exploration of finance, human resources, research, education, and clinical operations at UAB.
Read moreSurya Bhatt, M.D., MSPH Elected to American Society for Clinical Investigation
by Sarah L. Minor, MS
Surya Bhatt, MD, MSPH, an associate professor in the UAB Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, has been elected as a member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI). The nonprofit medical honor society comprises over 3,000 physician-scientists from all medical specialties, with a mission to promote the advancement of research that enhances the understanding of diseases and improves their treatment.
Read moreCherrington Named Interim Director of the Division of Preventive Medicine
Andrea Cherrington, M.D., MPH, will serve as the Interim Director of the Division of Preventive Medicine (DOPM), effective February 1, 2023. Dr. Cherrington is Professor of Medicine, Associate Professor of Public Health, and the Triton Endowed Professor in Health Equity Research.
Read moreA Generational Passion for Medicine: The Heudebert Legacy
By Kiara Harris
When the elevator doors opened to the residency hall on the third floor of the Boshell Diabetes Building, a wave of laughter filled the previously quiet hallway. Gustavo “Tavo” Heudebert entered the conference room with a cheerful smile. Following behind were Alonso Heudebert with a Christmas sweater in hand, and JP Heudebert, bashfully amused by the pictures that decorated the walls. One by one, the Heudeberts claimed their seats around the large wooden table. Each sat with their hands resting comfortably on their stomachs and leaned ever so slightly to the left.
Read moreDOM Honors Two Exceptional Research Staff for the Fall 2023 STAR Award for Staff Excellence
The Department of Medicine is thrilled to celebrate its Fall 2023 DOM STAR Award recipients. We received impressive nomination submissions this quarter. The Award Committee recognized two deserving staff members for their outstanding contributions and exemplary display of UAB Shared Values.
Please join us in congratulating Research Manager in the Division of Infectious Diseases, Tim Fram and Research V in the UAB Comprehensive Diabetes Center, Truman Grayson for being the DOM STAR Awardees for Staff Excellence.
DOM Honors Three Exceptional Staff for the Fall 2022 STAR Award for Staff Excellence
The Department of Medicine is thrilled to celebrate its Fall 2022 DOM STAR Award recipients. We received an impressive 68 nomination submissions this quarter. Due to the overwhelming response, the Award Committee recognized three deserving staff members for their outstanding contributions and exemplary display of UAB Shared Values.
Please join us in congratulating Administrative Office Specialist IV in the Division of Nephrology Corene Knight, Program Director II for the UAB Center for AIDS Research in the Division of Infectious Diseases, Mary Thielen, and Program Director II of Global Infectious Diseases in the Division of Infectious Diseases, Jamie White for being the DOM STAR Awardees for Staff Excellence.
Heaner, Carrithers, and Mehra Kick Off Weeklong Celebration of Primary Care
By Kiara Harris
Tinsley Harrison Internal Medicine resident and Primary Care Scholar, Dr. David Heaner, had just begun training at a new primary care clinic when a patient with multiple chronic conditions walked into the office.
The patient had seen several physicians at different institutions, but it was Dr. Heaner who changed her perspective.
Read moreIn Memoriam - Dr. John Holt
The Department is deeply saddened by the death of beloved cardiology professor John H. Holt, Jr., M.D. Dr. Holt served the Division of Cardiovascular Disease for nearly 60 years. He came to UAB as an NIH Cardiovascular Research fellow under the guidance of the legendary Tinsley R. Harrison, M.D. He joined the faculty in 1963.
Read moreLohr Named New Director for the Division of Cardiovascular Disease
We are delighted that Nicole L. Lohr, M.D., Ph.D., FACC, will be the next Director of the Division of Cardiovascular Disease and Co-Director of the UAB Medicine Cardiovascular Institute (CVI), effective November 15, 2022.
Read moreBoockvar Named Director for the Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care
Kenneth (Ken) Boockvar, M.D., M.S., will serve as our next Director of the Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics and Palliative Care and Director, Integrative Center for Aging Research, effective December 1, 2022, pending Provost approval. Dr. Boockvar will also serve the Birmingham/Atlanta Geriatrics Research, Education, and Clinical Center as Core Investigator and leadership team member.
Read more77 Resident and Fellow Volunteers Enhance Experiential Learning for UAB Medical Students
Written by Kiara Harris
Medical school students face unique challenges throughout each phase of their learning process. Principles for maintaining mental wellness and improving professional skills such as ethics or applying for residency are often left out of textbooks.
Read moreElizabeth Westfall is new Division Administrator for PACCM
We are delighted to announce that Elizabeth Westfall, MPH, will be the new Division Administrator for Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine (PACCM), effective June 13, 2022.
Read moreDOM Staff Diversity Liaisons
The Heersink School of Medicine Staff Diversity Liaisons group was established to represent the shared interests of staff in creating a workplace that celebrates equity and inclusion. The group aims to create a community where people of all ages, genders, backgrounds, educational experience, and work responsibility are both recognized and valued.
The Department of Medicine has six staff liaisons serving as a part of the larger group: Claire Auriemma, MBA, MPH, Samuel Boadu, MPH, Tatiana Torres Herman, Ph.D., Carolyn Walsh, MA, Mischell Massey, and Landon Wood. These individuals are committed to making a school-wide difference, and advocating for the interests of the staff within the Department of Medicine.
Read moreDOM Names 2022 Frommeyer Fellows
The Department of Medicine is delighted to announce four recipients of the Walter B. Frommeyer Jr. Fellowship in Investigative Medicine for 2022. This annual research award is designed to foster the development of outstanding physician-scientists by supporting an intensive, mentored research experience.
Read moreWayne Duck is DOM's Spring 2022 Inaugural STAR Award Recipient
Written by Sarah L. Minor
The Department of Medicine is delighted to celebrate Lennard "Wayne" Duck, Scientist I, in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology as the inaugural winner of the DOM STAR Award for Staff Excellence.
With over 29 years experience in laboratory research at UAB, Wayne has truly made a lasting impression on his colleagues as not just a scientist, but also as a friend.
Wayne conducts research in the areas of molecular biology and microbiology. According to Dr. Chuck Elson, two recently awarded NIH grants can be directly attributed to Wayne's efforts, and "he will be essential for the successful completion of both of them."
Read more