The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics is proud to announce that Smita Bhatia, M.D., MPH, distinguished professor in the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, has been named the 2026 recipient of the American Cancer Society Trish Greene Quality of Life Award.
This prestigious national honor recognizes individuals whose careers have significantly advanced efforts to improve the well-being of cancer patients and their families.
Bhatia, who holds the White Endowed Chair in Pediatric Oncology at the UAB Heersink School of Medicine, is internationally recognized for her work examining the long-term health challenges faced by cancer survivors and developing strategies to lessen those burdens.
“I am deeply honored to be selected as the 2026 recipient of the American Cancer Society Trish Greene Quality of Life Award,” said Bhatia. “I am fully committed to ensuring that people with cancer live long and healthy lives through research and compassionate care.”
Since 2000, Bhatia has maintained continuous funding from the National Cancer Institute and has authored more than 550 peer-reviewed manuscripts, making significant contributions to the field of cancer survivorship. She also serves as associate editor for the Journal of Clinical Oncology and is an elected member of both the American Society for Clinical Investigation and the Association of American Physicians.
In addition to her research accomplishments, Bhatia serves as director of the Institute for Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship at the UAB Heersink School of Medicine, where she has recruited and mentored a multidisciplinary team of scientists dedicated to advancing survivorship science. Her leadership reflects a commitment to fostering collaboration and improving long-term outcomes for individuals affected by cancer.