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Congratulations to our UAB Pediatric Fellowship Class of 2021. Thank you to all who helped us celebrate the graduates at a reception in their honor on May 20th.

Please see below where they will be going after completing fellowship training.

L to R: Drs. Kylee Miller, Walt Johnson and Jon GilmoreKylee Miller, M.D., PGY-3 Pediatric Resident, and Jon Gilmore, M.D., PGY-2 Pediatric Resident were named the inaugural Walt “The Rock” Johnson Award winners by the Division of Pediatric Cardiology. 

Adrianne Marbury, MPA, program manager in the Division of Adolescent Medicine, has been selected to serve on the Core Leadership Team for the Birmingham Women’s Initiative.

Cary Cavender and Byron LaiThe UAB Department of Pediatrics welcomes two new faculty members who have recently joined the department. Please join us in making them feel at home! 

Cary Cavender, M.D., professor in the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition

Byron Lai, Ph.D., MS, assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine

Katie Six and Lece WebbThe Chu Family has generously donated funds to Children's of Alabama and the Department of Pediatrics to support educational initiatives. A portion of this donation has been set aside for the pediatric fellows to fund scholarships for fellows who apply. Candidates were selected on a competitive basis. These awards will provide funds for tuition, books and fees related to their educational endeavors.

The Dixon Foundation supports the Dixon Pediatric Fellowship training program for fellows who intend to pursue an academic career with a research emphasis (ranging from basic and translational science to education or QI-centric research) in approved pediatric subspecialties.

The UAB Pediatric Residency Program is pleased to announce the addition of Chrystal Rutledge, M.D., assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Critical Care, as an assistant program director.

Each year the MS3 and MS4 medical students rotating in pediatrics vote on this award to honor the pediatric residents who provide the best educational experience for the. Pediatrics has many amazing residents who work hard to provide meaningful educational opportunities and teaching moments with the students. The students, as well as the Pediatric Clerkship and 4th Year Acting Internship directors are extremely appreciative of everyone’s dedication to the education of these future doctors.

L to R: Drs. Adolfo Molina, Isabella Masler, Meghan Harrison, Adria Luk and Erinn SchmittCongratulations to Meghan Harrison, M.D., Pediatric Resident PGY-3, Adria Luk, M.D., Pediatric Resident PGY-3, Kathryn Cyrus, M.D., Pediatric Resident PGY-2 and Isabell Masler, M.D., Pediatric Resident PGY-1 on receiving the 2021 Quality Improvement Project Award.

Ariel Salas, M.D., assistant professor in the Division of Neonatology, is among three recipients of the 2021 Travel Award grant for Early Career Investigators from the International Pediatric Research Foundation (IPRF) and the journal, Pediatric Research.

Stephen Russell, M.D., professor in the Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, has been named to the 2021-2022 class of the Harvard Macy Institute Art Museum-based Health Professions Education Fellowship.

Ginny Karle, M.D., professor in the Division of Neonatology, has retired after 28 years serving the UAB Department of Pediatrics, Children’s of Alabama and the greater Birmingham community.

Drs. Margaret Marks and Jessica SchmittSeveral faculty and trainees from the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes presented at the Pediatric Endocrinology Society (PES) meeting held virtually April 30 through May 3, 2021.

Two posters presented by members of the division received Presidential Poster Awards and were highlighted in the Presidential Poster Session on April 30.

Orthodox Easter, also called Greek Easter, is celebrated this Sunday, May 2. It is the most important religious holiday for the world's 300 million Orthodox Christians. In addition to the religious events, food and family is also a big part of the observance. 

Happy Easter to those who are celebrating this week.

Mitch

Traci Jester, M.D., associate professor of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, has been selected to serve as chair of the Pediatric Affairs Committee of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. The Pediatric Affairs Committee is a subcommittee of the National Scientific Advisory Committee for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation. The committee is responsible for identifying and creating resources to assist with the educational needs of children and adolescents living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Rylie Hightower, BSN, was named one of 10 recipients of the 2021 UAB Samuel B. Barker Award for Excellence in Graduate Studies. This award, named for Dr. Samuel Booth Barker the first graduate dean at UAB, is given each spring to graduate students who represent the highest level of student achievement in the UAB graduate program.

National Volunteer Month is held each April to promote and celebrate volunteerism. In addition this year, April 18-24, 2021 was National Volunteer Week which gave us an opportunity to recognize and appreciate those who serve our community. The Department of Pediatrics at UAB and Children’s’ of Alabama are committed to community engagement and the further expansion of our community engagement efforts.

April has been an important and busy month for the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) community for over 50 years, with the initial emphasis on promoting awareness of autism by the Autism Society of America in the 1970s. In recent years, as a reflection of the neurodiversity movement and increased inclusion of self-advocates and family members in the development of these initiatives, the emphasis of April has shifted to acceptance of autism. However, this perspective has been voiced for much longer than it has been embraced and implemented. Although this may seem a subtle distinction, the terminology and semantics are extremely important as we strive to support individuals with ASD and their families using a person-centered approach. 

Amy CaJacob, M.D., assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, has been named the clinical director for the division.

Marjorie Lee White, M.D., professor in the Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, has been elected chair elect for the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Simulation and Innovative Learning Methods (SILM).