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 Pictured Above (L to R): Abby Misdom Johnson, R.N., Garima Arora, M.D., Carrie Lenneman, M.D., Riem Hawi, M.D., Efstathia Andrikopoulou, M.D., and Courtney Estes, CRNP 

The Department of Medicine partnered with UAB Heersink School Medicine and the Office for Diversity and Inclusion to observe Women's History Month. We highlight the all-female team of cardiologists who bridge heart health and cancer care in the emerging specialty of cardio-oncology. Directed by Dr. Carrie Lenneman, the team identifies and treats cardiac side effects caused by cancer treatment. The program recently received Gold Standard accreditation from the International Society of Cardio-Oncology. Congratulations to this group of women medical professionals for making medical history all year long!

While lifestyle factors like diet and exercise play a major role in the risk of serious heart diseases, Drs. Pankaj Arora (Associate Professor) and Vibhu Parcha (Fellow) are working to understand how a patient’s genetic makeup can influence their overall cardiovascular health. They lead patient care and research in the new UAB Medicine Cardiogenomics Clinic to incorporate patient genetic history in predicting cardiovascular risk, developing personalized treatment, and treating common cardiovascular conditions.

Hitesh Batra, M.D., (Associate Professor, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine) and colleagues recently made an exciting advancement for bronchoscopy, using the Siemens Healthineers Cios Spin System. This makes UAB the first hospital in Alabama to offer real-time cone beam CT imaging during bronchoscopies. The system allows physicians to get live images during the procedure to more accurately determine where their instruments are located in relation to their target. The new technology paves the way for UAB to perform ablation of lung cancer via bronchoscopy in the near future.

Jeremey Walker, M.D., Assistant Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases 

Jeremey Walker, M.D., (Assistant Professor, Infectious Diseases) presented “Face Masks: Materials, Fit, and Filtration during the COVID-19 Pandemic,” a webinar co-sponsored by the Deep South Center for Occupational Health and Safety and Alabama Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control Training and Technical Assistance. He addressed important factors to consider when selecting masks and shared his research related to mask use. Great talk, Dr. Walker!

Pictured Above: Cardio-oncology team Garima Arora, M.D., (Associate Professor) Carrie Lenneman, M.D., and Riem Hawi, M.D., (Assistant Professor). Not Pictured: Effie Andrikopoulou, M.D. (Assistant Professor) and Courtney Estes, CRNP

UAB Cardiovascular Institute's cardio-oncology program led by Carrie Lenneman, M.D. (Associate Professor, Cardiovascular Disease) recently received GOLD status—the highest designation of certification from the International Cardio-Oncology Society. The program delivers cardiology expertise to cancer patients whose treatments can sometimes damage the heart and the cardiovascular system. Gold status designates UAB as a center of excellence for patient care in the field of cardio-oncology. Hats off to all who made this certification possible!