On August 13, 2023, members from the UAB Heersink School of Medicine incoming MS1 class gathered with friends, family, faculty, and staff to celebrate the White Coat Ceremony.

In April 2023, Alejandra Colón-López, Ph.D., the Department of Medical Education’s first postdoctoral scholar in its history, received a MERIT award from NIH/NIGMS. The Mentored Experiences in Research, Instruction, and Teaching (MERIT) Program is an Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award (K12) that aims to allow postdoctoral scholars opportunity for research and teaching experiences.

In fall 2023, the Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine opened the doors of its Heersink Family Active Learning Center to students, heralding a new era of teaching and learning for UAB medical students.

The Department of Medical Education mourns the recent passing of Robin Lester, Ph.D., Course Director for the Neuroscience Module. Dr. Lester was a pillar of innovative education within the Heersink School of Medicine, and his loss will be felt throughout our department.

The Orientation Leaders (OLs) for your orientation week have been selected! They will be working hard to make sure your orientation is fun, informative, and welcoming. We will introduce the entire group through the final two editions of Vital Signs so you can get to know them before Orientation in July. Meet Group 1 in this page!

The Department of Medical Education lost a significant member of its family with the passing of Shawn Harmon, M.D., Ph.D., Clerkship Director of Montgomery Pediatrics. Dr. Harmon's colleagues and students share memories of their friend and describe the impact he leaves behind.

The Department of Medical Education mourns the recent passing of John Taylor, Director of Medical Education Information Services. Please join us in remembering and honoring the legacy John leaves behind.