UAB Division of Surgical Oncology Assistant Professor Kimberly Kopecky, M.D., MSCI, has been awarded the Association for Academic Surgery (AAS) Geoffrey Dunn, M.D., Research Award.
The recognition is intended for faculty in their first ten years after training who are members of both the AAS and the Surgical Palliative Care Society. Funds received are expected to support research initiatives spanning a range of palliative care topics, and a report of the findings shall be presented at the 2028 Academic Surgical Congress (ASC).
“Receiving an award named after Dr. Dunn is a great honor, as he inspires palliativists nationwide. My patients and their quality of life are my primary motivations to make progress in research and continue to improve our field of practice,” says Kopecky.
During her time at UAB, Kopecky has received various recognitions for her contributions. Most notably, she was recognized as the 2026 UAB Department of Surgery Kirklin award recipient. She was also spotlighted by the institution for encouraging surgical trainees to enhance their communication skills through empathy and thoughtfulness. An exemplary surgeon scientist and clinician, Kopecky has also achieved a 100% satisfaction rate among the patients she served.
Kopecky earned her medical degree from Harvard Medical School and then completed her surgical residency at Stanford University. Influenced by her interest in surgical oncology, she pursued a fellowship in hospice and palliative care at the University of Wisconsin.
“We greatly appreciate the Association for Academic Surgery's efforts in supporting Dr. Kopecky as she advances in the field of palliative care. Dr. Kopecky is committed to providing the best possible care for her patients, and it shows in each of her interactions in the clinic, the OR, and beyond. The Dr. Geoffrey Dunn Research Award will significantly contribute to her progress in the field of surgical oncology,” says UAB Division of Surgical Oncology Interim Division Director Sushanth Reddy, M.D.
About the Association for Academic Surgery Geoffrey Dunn MD Research Award
The Geoffrey Dunn, M.D., Research Award was established to honor Dr. Geoffrey Dunn, a retired burns surgeon who made significant contributions to the practice of palliative care in surgery. This award, created by the Association for Academic Surgery (AAS), offers $20,000 in funding to researchers investigating palliative care, specifically focusing on communication, surgical decision-making, and symptom management in surgical patients.