The UAB Heersink School of Medicine welcomed alumni and guests back to campus on March 6–7 for the 2026 Medical Alumni Weekend. A total of 157 alumni and 110 guests attended the event. Notably, the 47th Reynolds-Finley Historical Lecture on Friday attracted 280 participants, with 50 joining virtually.
Eric Lander, PhD, founding director and core institute member of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, delivered a presentation on The Human Genome: Past, Present, and Future. The lecture hall filled quickly, with overflow seating and Zoom options accommodating high interest. Following the lecture, the UAB Historical Collections and Medical Alumni Association hosted a lively Welcome Reception featuring a DJ and the Beyond the Stethoscope showcase highlighting alumni talents outside of medicine.
“Each year we welcome alumni back to reconnect not just with each other, but with the school that was instrumental in building the foundation of their medical careers,” said Beth Eddings, director of Medical Alumni Engagement. “Alumni Weekend allows them to revisit shared memories while witnessing the growth of the university in their absence.”
Saturday began with the popular Breakfast with the Dean, offering alumni personal time to speak with Anupam Agarwal, M.D., senior vice president for Medicine and dean of the UAB Heersink School of Medicine. The breakfast concluded with a brief history of the campus by UAB Historian Tim Pennycuff, who humorously noted that parking challenges have persisted for decades—a reminder of the university’s growth over the past 50 years. Alumni then boarded buses for a 45-minute campus tour, including a stop at Volker Hall to view newly renovated spaces.
The awards luncheon honored six alumni with the Annual Medical Alumni Awards. Recognizing achievements in advanced and early career, service to the school, community service, and inspirational influence. Milestone reunion classes were celebrated throughout the weekend, including 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1996, 2001, and 2006. The Entering Class of 1973 marked their Golden Reunion with a pinning ceremony, sharing life updates both in person and via Zoom.
The following alumni were recognized with awards:
- Distinguished Service Award: P. Drake Lavender, Jr., M.D.
- Hettie Butler Terry Community Service Award: Will S. Rutland, M.D., J.D., MPH
- Garber Galbraith Medical-Political Award: David R. Thrasher, M.D.
- Martha Myers Role Model Award: Groesbeck P. Parham, M.D.
- Young Alumni Award: Rachel A. Lee, M.D., MSPH
- Distinguished Alumnus Award: James R. Stallworth, M.D., FAAP