After nearly three decades of leadership, Carl Coghill, M.D., professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, will step down as medical director of the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Children’s of Alabama as he prepares for retirement in May 2026. Stepping into the role is Allison Black, M.D., professor in the Division of Neonatology, who previously served as associate medical director.
Coghill’s tenure as NICU medical director began in 1998, shortly after he joined the unit in 1990, when it had just 16 beds. Today, the NICU has expanded to 54 beds and serves some of the most medically complex newborns in the region, reflecting decades of growth, innovation and collaboration.
“I had the good fortune to be the NICU medical director for 28 years, but the story really begins with the people,” said Coghill. “What started as a small team has grown into a highly specialized, unit-based care model that includes social workers, pharmacists, dieticians, therapists, care coordinators and an incredible nursing staff. That team-based approach is what truly defines the NICU today.”
Under Coghill’s leadership, the NICU advanced its clinical capabilities significantly, including the expansion of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), the introduction of dialysis for newborns, new surgical procedures and improved survival outcomes for infants born as early as 22 weeks gestation. He also played a key role in planning the current NICU space, which continues to function efficiently more than a decade after the hospital’s opening.
“When I think about what I am most proud of, it really comes down to the culture of genuine care,” said Coghill. “The relationships with staff, patients and families are what I will treasure most as I prepare to retire. I am incredibly proud of what this unit has become and grateful for the support of the Department of Pediatrics and Children’s of Alabama administration throughout my time as director.”
As Coghill steps aside from the medical director role, he does so with confidence in the future of the unit under Black’s leadership.
“Black is a superb choice for moving the NICU forward,” said Coghill. “She has already been doing much of this work as associate medical director and brings strong national leadership experience through the Children’s Hospital Neonatal Consortium. I can only see the unit becoming even stronger and more nationally prominent under her guidance.”
For Black, assuming the role of NICU medical director is both a professional milestone and a deeply personal moment.
“Assuming the role of NICU medical director at Children’s of Alabama is a huge honor and a significant responsibility,” said Black. “Coghill has been a mentor to me throughout my training and early career, which makes stepping into this role especially meaningful.”
As Alabama’s only Level IV NICU and a referral center for the tri-state area, the unit plays a critical role in caring for the region’s most vulnerable patients.
“This role provides the opportunity to give back to my community while caring for patients from across Alabama and the Southeast,” said Black. “The NICU has grown exponentially under Coghill’s leadership, not only in size, but in the complexity of care we provide.”
Looking ahead, Black is focused on continued growth, access and collaboration while preserving the culture that defines the NICU.
“I am most excited about further expanding access to the cutting-edge services we provide and continuing to improve the quality of care for our patients and families,” Black explained. “There is a long-standing culture of collaboration and family-centered care in this NICU and I want to see that continue to thrive and expand.”
As the NICU marks this leadership transition, the foundation built under Coghill’s decades of service positions the unit for continued excellence. With Black stepping into the role of medical director and Coghill preparing for retirement, the NICU enters its next chapter grounded in legacy, strengthened by collaboration and focused on the future of neonatal care.