Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine
Thirty-seven UAB employees recently graduated from the Emerging Leaders Workshop fall 2026 leadership development program. ELW offers a leadership development opportunity for emerging leaders at a manager, director, or similar level. The program, presented by the UAB Medicine Leadership Development Office (LDO), recognized its sixth cohort of graduates at a ceremony on Oct. 29.
Alexander "Alex" Kofskey, M.D., M.S.H.A., joined the UAB Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine as an assistant professor in the Division of Multispecialty Anesthesia on Sept. 1, 2026.
Filip Polenakovik, M.D., joined the UAB Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine as an assistant professor in the Division of Cardiothoracic Anesthesia in August. A familiar face within the department, Polenakovik completed both his anesthesiology residency and cardiothoracic anesthesiology fellowship at UAB before transitioning into his new faculty role.
Sadis Matalon, Ph.D., Dr.Sc. (Hon.), FAPS, professor in the UAB Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, has received a new National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute grant to advance the development of a promising therapy aimed at reducing severe lung injury caused by chlorine gas exposure.
The future of research in the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine is being shaped by a new generation of investigators whose work spans cancer symptom science, maternal-fetal health, vascular biology, and obstetric anesthesia. While their research interests differ, these up-and-coming researchers share a common goal: translating scientific discovery into meaningful improvements for patients.
The UAB Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine shares highlights from 2025-2026 for their clinical divisions.
The UAB Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine is working to establish a new Division of Neuroscience. Tumul Chowdhury, M.D., D.M., professor in the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, has been appointed as the division’s inaugural vice chair.
Olesia Merinova, M.D., Ph.D., joined the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine as an assistant professor in Cardiothoracic Anesthesia in August. She earned her medical degree from Belgorod State University in Russia through an integrated medical education program.
Ahmed Lazrak, Dr.Sc., associate professor in the UAB Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, has been awarded a two-year, $409,750 R21 grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, part of the National Institutes of Health, to investigate a potential treatment for chlorine-induced lung edema. The project, titled “Therapeutic Potential for NPS-2143 as Treatment for Chlorine-Induced Lung Edema,” will run through June 30, 2028.
Jianguo Gu, M.B., Ph.D., professor, Edward A. Ernst, M.D., Endowed Chair and director for pain research in the Division of Molecular and Translational Biomedicine in the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, has received a five-year, $3.06 million R01 competitive renewal from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, part of the National Institutes of Health, to continue investigating the mechanisms behind chronic facial pain.
The Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine recently welcomed Linda Zhang, D.O., Ph.D., as an assistant professor.
Three faculty members in the UAB Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine have received promotions, effective Oct. 1, 2026.
Zasmine Hymes-Green, M.D., joined the UAB Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine as an assistant professor in the Regional Anesthesia and Acute Pain Medicine divisions in August 2026.
The American Society of Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting is Friday, Oct. 16, to Tuesday, Oct. 20, at the San Diego Convention Center.
Twenty-three Heersink School of Medicine faculty were recognized Sept. 22 for their appointment to endowed chairs and professorships during a special reception.
The UAB Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine recently welcomed Joseph Anderson, M.D., as an assistant professor.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham's Center for Addiction and Pain Prevention and Intervention (CAPPI) announces a leadership transition as Karen Cropsey, PsyD, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, Kathy Ireland Endowed Chair for Psychiatric Research, and Vice Chair for Clinical Research, departs UAB to pursue a new opportunity at Oklahoma University Medical Center.
The UAB Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine recently welcomed Savannah Bunnell, M.D., as an assistant professor.
The UAB Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine recently welcomed Cameron Lee, M.D., MSHA, as an assistant professor.
UAB Medicine's Leadership Development Office celebrated the graduation of 18 healthcare leaders from its 12th cohort of the Institute for Leadership during a ceremony held June 24 at the Heersink Conference Center Lobby.
David Miller, M.D., vice chair and director of the Division of Critical Care Medicine in the UAB Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, has been named the inaugural Mali E. Mathru, M.D., Endowed Faculty Scholar for Anesthesiology. The position was established to honor the career of Mali Mathru, M.D., and to provide lasting support for a faculty member advancing research, education, and clinical innovation in anesthesiology and critical care medicine.
Ryan L. Melvin, Ph.D., associate professor in the UAB Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, has been appointed director of the newly-launched Heersink School of Medicine (SOM) Digital Service Unit (DSU), further elevating the department’s leadership role in advancing artificial intelligence initiatives across UAB.
Carrie Atcheson, M.D., MPH, FASA, was recently elected to two prominent statewide bodies: the Board of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama (MASA) and the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners (ALBME) as censor-at-large.
The UAB Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine proudly celebrated its graduating class during a memorable ceremony on May 29, recognizing excellence in clinical care, education, leadership, and service.
The UAB Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine has been recognized among the 10 most-viewed anesthesiology residency programs in the country, according to Becker’s Ambulatory Surgery Review, citing data from the American Medical Association (AMA) Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database Access (FREIDA) program search tool. Out of 179 anesthesiology residency programs nationwide, UAB earned a spot in the top 10, placing the department in the top 6 percent in terms of medical student interest.
The UAB Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine hosted its annual Research Day on May 11, 2026, bringing together faculty, fellows, and residents for an afternoon of scientific exchange, poster presentations, and oral abstracts at the Heersink Conference Center Lobby.
The UAB Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine has been ranked No. 10 among anesthesiology departments nationwide for National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, according to the 2025 rankings released by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research. The department moved up from No. 18 in the previous ranking, marking a significant rise in national standing.
The Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine is thrilled to announce the results of our 2026 residency match!
In March, several of our colleagues were recognized for their years of service working at UAB and the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine. The UAB Service Awards honor employees at each five-year milestone who have completed five or more years of service to UAB.
As the flu lingers late into the season, many are asking how it spreads so easily and which precautionary steps actually help. To separate the science from the noise, three UAB experts, representing the departments of Microbiology and Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, outline what happens in the body during infection and how to slow transmission.
UAB Medicine has been named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s 2025 list of “100 Great Neuro and Spine Programs,” which recognizes hospitals and health systems that demonstrate excellence in neuroscience and spine care.
D. Matthew Sherrer, M.D., associate professor in Anesthesiology, has been named assistant dean for Faculty Affairs at the Heersink School of Medicine. In this role, he will lead initiatives to strengthen clinical faculty development, advancing a key mission area for the school and UAB Health System.
UAB Medicine’s Leadership Development Office would like to welcome 19 individuals in its 12th cohort of the Institute for Leadership in the spring of 2026. The goal of the UAB Medicine Institute for Leadership is to enhance existing personal, leadership, and management competencies while leveraging current leadership strategies and trends. The 6-month program features guest speakers from executive-level leadership positions at UAB, including former graduates of the Institute for Leadership.
UAB Medicine’s Leadership Development Office (LDO) honored 33 graduates of the Emerging Leaders Series (ELS) fall 2025 Cohort 4 during a ceremony held on Thursday, Nov. 12. The cohort completed a multi-session program designed to strengthen leadership capability for emerging leaders across the enterprise.
At 4:30 a.m., while much of Birmingham is still asleep, Taylor St. Martin, M.D., is already moving through the quiet rhythm of her morning. With bottles prepared for her daughter and her scrubs on, she heads out the door before sunrise. By 5:30, she is at UAB Hospital, ready to begin another day in anesthesiology residency — a role that demands focus and precision.
I am excited to announce the appointment of Hanna Hussey, M.D., to associate vice chair of the Division of Obstetric Anesthesiology in the Heersink School of Medicine Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine.
The UAB Heersink School of Medicine Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine is proud to announce its spring 2025 cohort of REINVENT Grant awardees.
UAB Hospital has been reverified as a Level I adult trauma center by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Committee on Trauma (COT) and remains the only ACS-Level I adult trauma center in the state of Alabama. Learn what it takes to meet the rigorous standards set by the ACS.
Twelve UAB employees recently graduated from the Emerging Leaders Series (ELS) spring 2025 leadership development program. The program, presented by the UAB Medicine Leadership Development Office (LDO), recognized its third cohort of graduates at a ceremony on June 5.
Dawn Williams, M.A., has been appointed as the inaugural Director of Internal Administrative Operations. This newly established role aims to strengthen internal alignment of existing administrative resources supporting the department’s expanding number of strategic initiatives.
On May 5, 2025, the UAB Heersink School of Medicine Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine hosted its fifth annual Research Day. This event gives faculty, staff, trainees, and CRNAs the opportunity to gather and present on their latest research while celebrating all research efforts within the department. Each year, the clinical trainee and scientific abstract winners give an oral presentation, and a keynote speaker presents on the topic of their choice.
The following are monthly updates from the UAB Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine Education Division.
The UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine recognized 15 faculty members for their outstanding contributions to research, education, and clinical care at the Spring 2025 Endowed Chairs and Professorships Reception.
Two UAB Medicine leaders have been recognized for excellence in perioperative services. Jeff Simmons, M.D., MSHQS, vice president of UAB Health System and lead physician for community practices; and Brooke Vining, MNA, CRNA, MSHA, vice president of Clinical Operations, are among 31 people named to the Becker’s Hospital Review list of “Perioperative Service Leaders to Know in 2025.”
The UAB Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine and the UAB Leadership Development Office (LDO) graduated the first cohort of the “Lead Infinitely” workshop series.
Thirty individuals comprising eight teams recently graduated from the UAB Medicine High Performing Care Collaborative (HPCC) spring 2025 program. The program, presented by the UAB Medicine Leadership Development Office, recognized its graduates at a ceremony on March 6, 2025.
Twenty-two UAB leaders graduated among the ninth cohort of the UAB Medicine Institute for Leadership on Dec. 11, 2024. Institute for Leadership is a flagship program of the UAB Medicine Leadership Development Office, an organization dedicated to providing tools and training to empower UAB Medicine’s leaders and the individuals and groups they manage.
The AI in Medicine and Nursing Symposium, hosted by the UAB Heersink School of Medicine, UAB Medicine, UAB School of Health Professions, UAB School of Nursing, and Maastricht University Faculty of Science and Engineering, concluded successfully, bringing together leading experts, researchers, and industry representatives to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care.
Twenty-two UAB employees recently graduated from the Emerging Leaders Series (ELS) fall 2024 leadership development program. The program, presented by UAB Medicine’s Leadership Development Office (LDO), recognized its second cohort of graduates at a ceremony on Nov. 7.
In Fall 2024, UAB Heersink School of Medicine announced the winners of the 2024 Dale J. Benos Medical Student Research Day (MSRD). All medical students were invited to present the results of their research projects and submit posters for judging.