News

June is recognized as Migraine and Headache Awareness Month, and this year, the city of Birmingham helped shine a light on a condition that affects millions but is often misunderstood.

Adolfo Molina, M.D., associate professor in the Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics, has been selected to serve on the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Pediatric Acute Care Cardiology Collaborative Quality Network (PACCQN) Steering Committee.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics is pleased to announce the 2026-2027 Founders’ Fund recipients.

Maria Rueda-Altez, M.D., assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics, has been appointed to the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Microbiology and Immunology Test Material Development Committee.

For the past year, Emma Nichols, R.N., has served patients and families in the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics Primary Care Clinic. As a registered nurse with seven years of nursing experience, Nichols provides compassionate care to children while helping families feel informed and supported throughout their visits.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics has named Steven Marchman director of financial research.

The Department of Pediatrics congratulates Anna Paige Crumbley, M.D., and Jacob Wurst, M.D., on being named the 2025-2026 Joe LaRussa Interns of the Year.

The Department of Pediatrics congratulates Madelaine Southall, M.D., Stefan Raicevic, M.D., Chris Turley, M.D., Carson Huynh, M.D., and David Wolff, M.D., on receiving the 2026 Outstanding Resident Quality Improvement Project Award.

Ambika Ashraf, M.D., professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Pediatrics’ Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, has been appointed to the American Heart Association’s Young Hearts Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Committee.

For more than 23 years, Karen Brooks has played an important role behind the scenes in the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics. As administrative supervisor in Pediatrics Administration-Human Resources, Brooks helps support faculty and staff through a variety of human resources responsibilities that keep the department running smoothly.

The UAB Medicine Leadership Development Office (LDO) is proud to honor the latest graduates of the Emerging Leaders Series (ELS) — 24 accomplished professionals who represent the breadth and strength of our institution.

Please join us in celebrating the retirement of Walter H. Johnson, Jr., M.D., professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Cardiology, after a distinguished career of extraordinary service, leadership, and dedication to children with congenital heart disease. Johnson will be retiring at the end of June 2026.

Congratulations to Daniel Cooper PGY-3 Med-Peds resident and David Wolff PGY-2 pediatric resident for receiving the 2026 Walt “The Rock” Johnson Award.

Congratulations to Chris Turley, pediatric resident PGY-3, on being selected as the recipient of the 2026 Carolyn Ashworth, M.D. Pediatric Primary Care Award.

Heather Watts, M.A., communications manager in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Pediatrics, has received the 2025 Senior Communicator of the Year Award from the UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine Excellence in Communications Awards.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Pediatrics is pleased to welcome Rich Lee, MHA, as its new executive administrator.

Emily Gantz, D.O., associate professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics’ Division of Pediatric Neurology, has been named associate program director for the UAB Child Neurology Residency Program.

UAB Department of Pediatrics Professor Ambika Ashraf, M.D., has co-edited a comprehensive textbook highlighting the latest research findings and clinical guidance for managing diabetes in children and adolescents.

Buse Baykoca-Arslan, M.D., first-year fellow in the Division of Pediatric Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, has received the 2025-2026 Spring Pediatric Research Roundtable and Fellow Core Conference Attendance Award.

For more than a decade, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics has been helping residents do more than learn medicine, it has been teaching them how to improve it.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics is proud to announce that Tamera Coyne-Beasley, M.D., MPH, professor in the Division of Adolescent Medicine, has begun her term as the 138th president of the American Pediatric Society (APS), one of the most prestigious academic pediatric organization in North America.

For the past several years, Audrey Minter has been a welcoming presence for patients and families visiting the Sparks Center for Development and Learning Disorders at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics. As a Patient Services Coordinator I, Minter helps ensure clinic operations run smoothly while creating a positive experience for those receiving care.

Theresa Wright, administrative supervisor in the Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, and Leen Matalka, M.D., assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, have graduated from the Elevate Leadership Academy, an eight-month leadership development program designed to strengthen leadership skills and prepare participants for expanded leadership responsibilities.

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4, making prevention one of the most important steps families can take during warmer months.

As temperatures rise and families head to pools, lakes and beaches, pediatric experts are reminding parents that water safety starts long before children step into the water. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages one to four, making prevention one of the most important steps families can take during warmer months.

With great pride and excitement, we announce the appointment of John Bridges, M.D., M.S., assistant professor, in the Division of Pediatric Rheumatology as assistant program director for the Combined Medicine-Pediatrics Residency Program, effective Oct. 1, 2026.

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.

A three-year grant awarded to Ariel Salas, M.D., and his team at UAB will fund innovative research in early milk nutrition in preterm infants. 

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics and Children’s of Alabama are pleased to announce a leadership change within the Pediatric Simulation Center effective May 1, 2026.Nick Rockwell, M.D., assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Critical Care, has been named the medical director of the Pediatric Simulation Center.

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.