January 27, 2021

State of the School of Medicine: synopsis with key takeaways

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State of the SchoolOn Wednesday, Jan. 27, Selwyn M. Vickers, M.D., FACS, dean of the School of Medicine, presented the annual State of the School address via Zoom.

Introduced by MS3 president Ally Heng, Vickers opened the presentation by acknowledging leaders and employees in the School of Medicine for their accomplishments, determination, and perseverance through 2020. He thanked President Ray Watts, M.D., Pam Benoit, Ph.D., Allen Bolton, Will Ferniany, Ph.D., Tony Jones, M.D., and Reid Jones for their unfaltering leadership through an unparalleled year. Vickers also paused for a moment of silence to recognize faculty members and former SOM leaders who died in 2020, as well as the 400,000+ individuals who have died due to COVID-19.

Together, we can make an impact
The theme of this year’s presentation, “Together, we make an impact,” hinged on how the school came together in the last year to collaborate on research, clinical care, education, and more through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The theme is also a call to action for how to move forward in 2021. Vickers noted that the pandemic impacted all mission areas, but also shaped new ways to grow, innovate, and collaborate for the future.

Awards and appointments
Also highlighted were new chair appointments in 2020. The Pittman Scholars class of 2021 was announced, and Vickers recognized the new endowed chairs and professorships named in 2020. Moreover, several were honored for their work with national organizations and medical societies related to their field.

COVID-19: year in review
A segment of the State of the School address was dedicated to the school's response to COVID-19. From GuideSafe™ development and rollout to testing in Alabama and on campus, Vickers discussed the school’s impactful efforts across the community. He also recognized molecular testing, entry testing, and sentinel testing—large efforts that were successfully implemented across UAB. Telehealth initiatives were robust and necessary during COVID-19 as well, expanding to over 200,000 visits within the first six months of the pandemic.

Several programs for patient care were created in response to COVID-19, including the COVID-19 Respiratory Clinic, the Post COVID Treatment Program, and the Monoclonal Antibody Clinic.

Vickers also honored current medical students and their brave service, volunteer work, and adaptation to the pandemic.

Advancement
In 2020, several strides in donor gifts were made, including gifts to Precision Medicine and Basic Sciences. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the School of Medicine Advancement team raised more in 2020 than in the previous year—almost $60 million, surpassing 2019’s funds raised of $57 million. Vickers thanked the community for their generosity, and expressed gratitude to the Advancement team for their efforts.

Research
Numerous research triumphs in 2020 were emphasized, including top 25 NIH School of Medicine grant changes, the FY13-FY19 growth of NIH grants, UAB NIH grant funding and rank over time, and the Center for Clinical and Translational Science’s growth—despite the pandemic.

Vickers also reported on several major grants for professors and investigators, as well as centers and programs, throughout the school. In partnership with the Office of Research, Infrastructure and Cores grew in 2020 to provide support and infrastructure to research faculty.

Education
Milestones for education were mentioned in the address, including the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) site visit preparations and the hard work involved in the re-accreditation process. Plus, Wick Many, M.D., was named as interim regional dean of the Montgomery Campus, which became effective Nov. 1, 2020. A national search is ongoing for a permanent regional dean for the campus.

Additionally, the Huntsville Internal Medicine Residency Program launched in 2020. And, the GME Wellness Resource Center is expected to begin construction in June 2021—a project only possible due to efforts from 2020.

Patient care
Many feats for patient care were achieved last year. Two notable mentions included the highest number of kidney transplants in 2020 with 341 kidney transplants and proton therapy, a highly sophisticated radiation technology for treating cancer, arriving in Alabama last year. As of early January 2021, the Proton Therapy Center had 113 patients finish treatment with 33 currently under treatment.

SOTS liveTogether, we can lay the groundwork for change
The school worked hard in 2020 to focus on areas of improvement.

A key area of emphasis is the school’s ongoing commitment to racial justice. 2020 brought forth a reaffirmed commitment to make necessary changes for racial equity across the school. In his address, Vickers pronounced the school’s commitment to rooting out stereotyping, bias, discrimination, prejudice, microaggressions, and other forms of racism, and committed to proactively working to eradicate inequalities.

As well, in June of 2020, Mona Fouad, M.D., MPH, senior associate dean for Diversity and Inclusion, presented a Racial Justice Response Plan to leadership. Workgroups were formed and two Diversity Associations were established: the UAB School of Medicine Black/African American Faculty Association and the UAB School of Medicine Hispanic/Latinx Faculty Association.

Moreover, the school focused on wellness efforts heavily throughout 2020. In partnership with the UAB Medicine Office of Wellness, employees were encouraged to make their own wellness a priority in 2020. The Well-Being Index, a 7-9 question survey that determines wellness levels and is backed by scientific research at the Mayo Clinic, continued to gain participation last year.

Moving forward in 2021
Vickers reminded the audience of multiple takeaways and lessons learned during 2020, including how the school came together united as a team in unique ways; that each employee has a role in growing missional areas when collaborating; and, that the school is always better when working together. He also reminded the audience that the school can make a bold impact in our community and beyond. Circling back to his theme, he discussed how we can continue to impact the future.

“Whether we are living in a pandemic or looking to a world beyond COVID-19, our School of Medicine would not be what it is without every member of our organization,” Vickers said.

If you missed the live address, watch the full replay. For more information on the State of the School, click here.