Three faculty members in the UAB Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine have received promotions, effective Oct. 1, 2026.
“Faculty promotions reflect a sustained commitment to excellence in research, education and clinical care,” Berkowitz, Dan E., M.B., BCh, chair, Alfred Habeeb Professor and Chair, said. “We are proud to recognize these achievements and grateful for the many contributions our faculty make to advancing the department's mission and improving the lives of our patients.”
Congratulations to the following faculty members:
Elizabeth Baker, Ph.D.
Promoted to professor with tenure
Elizabeth Baker, Ph.D., joined the UAB Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine in 2025 as an associate professor. She earned her doctorate in Sociology from The Pennsylvania State University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in labor and population studies at RAND Corporation. Baker’s research spans public health, health services, sociology, and demography, with a focus on understanding social and behavioral factors that influence health outcomes. She also serves as a scientist with the UAB O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, Lung Health Center, and Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, contributing to interdisciplinary research efforts aimed at improving patient health and quality of care.
Patrick Hussey, M.D.
Promoted to associate professor
Patrick Hussey, M.D., joined the UAB Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine in 2021 as an assistant professor and currently serves as director of clinical faculty assignments and scheduling. He earned his medical degree from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, completed his anesthesiology residency at Columbia University, and went on to complete a fellowship in cardiothoracic anesthesiology at UAB. Hussey’s clinical and research interests include obstetric cardiac anesthesiology, pediatric cardiac anesthesia, neuraxial and regional anesthesiology, transesophageal echocardiography, and ultrasound-guided vascular access. Through his leadership, clinical expertise, and commitment to education, Hussey contributes to the department’s mission of advancing patient care and training the next generation of anesthesiologists.
Brant Wagener, M.D., Ph.D.
Promoted to professor
Brant Wagener, M.D., Ph.D., joined the UAB Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine as an assistant professor in 2015 and was promoted to associate professor in 2019. He earned both his Doctor of Medicine degree and Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from the University of New Mexico before completing residency training in anesthesiology, a research fellowship in anesthesiology, and a critical care medicine fellowship at UAB. Wagener holds the Simon Gelman Endowed Professorship and serves as director of clinical research, director of the Systematic Training in Anesthesia Research (STAR) Program, director of the Resident Mentored Research Experience Track (RMRET), director of the research fellowship, and director of the UAB MPOG Initiative. His research focuses on lung injury and repair, bacterial pneumonia, cognitive dysfunction, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and chronic critical illness. Wagener also holds scientist appointments with the Center for Clinical and Translational Science, Lung Health Center, UWIRC Microbiome Center, and Comprehensive Neuroscience Center, where he advances interdisciplinary research aimed at improving outcomes for critically ill patients.