Internal Medicine Resident Andrew Girard, M.D. (PGY-2) 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.  

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.

L to R: Christina Florkiewicz, Anitra Baylor, Sheikilya Thomas, Ph.D., MPH, Amy DobelsteinThe 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. 

Peggy Blood, MSN, RN

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.

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. 

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.

By Carolyn Walsh, MA

 R to L: Drs. Orlando Gutierrez, Seth Landefeld, Ed Rutsky, Anupum Agarwal

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.

By Kiara Harris

 Internal Medicine Resident, Malcolm Chapman, M.D., MBA (PGY-1)

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.

by Sarah L. Minor, MS

L to R: Cynthia Joiner, PhD, Jennifer Wilson, and Nisha Patel, MSHA, MBA

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.

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.

Andrea Cherrington, M.D., MPH, Professor of Medicine in the UAB 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.

By Kiara Harris

 The Heudebert family pose in front of a painting of Tavo located in BDB Conference Room 334. L to R: Alonso, Tavo, and JP Heudebert

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.

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.

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.

By Kiara Harris

 Primary Care Scholars Drs. Natasha Mehra, David Heaner, and Bria Carrithers

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. 

 Cardiology Professor 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.

Nicole L. Lohr, M.D., Ph.D., FACC

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.

Kenneth (Ken) Boockvar, M.D., M.S.

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.

Written by Kiara Harris

Pictured Above (L to R): Jeremey Walker, M.D., (Assistant Professor, Infectious Diseases), Aditi Jani, M.D., (Chief Medical Resident), Director of Housestaff Starr Steinhilber, M.D., (Assistant Professor, General Internal Medicine), and Mauricio Khan, M.D., (Infectious Diseases Fellow)  

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.

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. 

Pictured Top (L to R): Landon Wood, Valerie Winston, Samuel Boadu, MPH; Bottom (L to R): Claire Auriemma, MBA, MPH, Tatiana Torres Herman, Ph.D., and Carolyn Walsh, MA

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.

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.

Written by Sarah L. Minor

Pictured Above (L to R): Ladonna Elliott, Dr. Qing Zhao, Wayne Duck, Dr. Doug Morgan, Shane Wiley, and Dr. Chuck Elson

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."

Pictured Above (L to R): Dr. George Solomon, Angela Thomas, RN, deNay Kirkpatrick, DNP, and Dr. Gretchen Winter

The Department of Medicine is delighted to celebrate Angela Thomas, Nurse Coordinator of the UAB Bronchiectasis Program in the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy & Critical Care Medicine, as the Summer 2022 quarterly winner of the DOM STAR Award for Staff Excellence.

Faculty, staff, and colleagues sent raving nomination letters detailing Thomas' impeccable contributions to UAB. Nominator Dr. Marty Solomon explains, "I have never been so impressed with a team member to provide seamless care for complex patients."

Another colleague states, "She forges an atmosphere of trust and respect with each team member and patient."

Thank you, Angela, for your impact on those around you. Congratulations for being named DOM's second quarter STAR!

The Department of Medicine is delighted to celebrate Jamie White, Program Director II in the Division of Infectious Diseases, as the Fall 2022 Quarterly winner of the DOM STAR Award for Staff Excellence.

Faculty, staff, and colleagues sent raving nomination letters detailing White's impeccable contributions to UAB. Nominator Dr. Jodie Dionne explains, "Jamie has excelled in each of her tasks and she consistently goes above and beyond to make sure that every single task is completed with precision and accuracy and on time (if not ahead of time)."

Another colleague, Brittany Martin, states, "Jamie is the program director for a group of Infectious Diseases faculty that each have robust research portfolios in multiple African countries (as well as their domestic projects). As such, many unique issues come up with these projects often. Jamie is constantly seeking innovative, fast, and effective solutions to these problems. She will go to the ends of the Earth to make sure the faculty have everything they need to effectively conduct their research projects to improve the future of global health."

Thank you, Jamie, for your impact on those around you. Congratulations for being named DOM's STAR Award winner for Staff Excellence! This is one of three awards that were given this quarter. We had so many amazing nominations, we couldn't choose just one!