News

Five new faculty members joined the UAB Department of Surgery in August: Dr. Peter Abraham, Dr. Samantha Lloy, Dr. Jennifer Pappalardo, Dr. Anji Wall, and Dr. Taylor Wallen. We invite you to learn more about them and help us extend a warm UAB welcome!

Saulat Sajjad Sheikh, M.B.B.S., assistant professor and surgical director of the liver transplant program in the UAB Division of Transplantation, has been selected to serve as a member of the core small group faculty for the 2026-2027 Harvard Macy Institute Program for Educators in Health Professions.

UAB Department of Surgery residents swept the awards for residency competitions at the annual Alabama/Mississippi Chapters of the American College of Surgeons Annual Meeting, held July 30 - August 1, 2026, at The Lodge at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Taylor Wallen, M.D., an assistant professor in the UAB Department of Surgery, and Krystal Rivera, a Ph.D. candidate, published “Plasma Regulates Homeostatic Pulmonary Endothelial Signaling to Mitigate Vascular Leak Following Polytrauma and Hemorrhagic Shock” as co-first authors in the journal Shock last month.

The UAB Medicine Leadership Development Office (LDO) recently welcomed 19 individuals in its 13th cohort of Institute for Leadership for fall 2026.

Eight research teams have been selected as the inaugural recipients of the Heersink School of Medicine’s Team Science Grant Program. The funded teams will tackle a wide range of health challenges while laying the groundwork for future large-scale research initiatives.

Andrada Diaconescu, M.D., a research resident in the UAB General Surgery Residency program working under the supervision of Brenessa Lindeman, M.D., MEHP, vice chair of education in the Division of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, has received a $1,500 Career Enhancement Award from the UAB Office of Postdoctoral Education (OPE) to attend the Fundamentals of Surgical...

Lily Gutnik, M.D., MPH, assistant professor and vice chair for global surgery in the UAB Department of Surgery, has been appointed to a three-year term on the editorial board for the Annals of Surgical Oncology (ASO), serving in the journal's breast section.

Demario S. Overstreet, Ph.D., assistant professor in the UAB Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, has received a two-year (L30) Clinical Research Loan Repayment Program (LRP) award from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences.

The UAB Department of Surgery is honored to announce the upcoming arrival of Anji Wall, M.D., Ph.D., who will serve as the Vice Chair of Surgical Ethics and Division of Transplantation Director of Perfusion and Procurement Services, effective August 1, 2026.

Saulat Sajjad Sheikh, M.B.B.S., assistant professor and surgical director of the liver transplant program in the UAB Division of Transplantation, has been appointed to serve as vice chair-elect of the Surgical Skills Committee for the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS).

Britney L.

Aurelio Galli, Ph.D., D.Sc., vice chair of basic research for the UAB Department of Surgery, in collaboration with Angela Carter, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology, has been awarded $10,000 from the O'Neal Cancer Center to support research aimed at improving treatment for glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer.

The UAB Department of Surgery continues to build on its strong tradition of research excellence, celebrating the latest scholarly achievements of its faculty, trainees, and staff.

Adam Lucy, M.D., MSHQS, a chief general surgery resident, begins his days at UAB Hospital reviewing patient charts over caffeine and music. He then leads a team of students and junior residents through early rounds before the operating rooms are fully in motion. Each morning sets the tone for a fast-paced day focused on patient care and surgical training.

Helmets, protective gear and safe riding habits can significantly reduce the risk of serious injuries from bikes, e-scooters and other micromobility vehicles that are popular for summer fun. 

The UAB Department of Surgery General Surgery Residency Program has started the new academic year, welcoming nine new trainees to the department and celebrating the graduation of its chief residents.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery welcomed Lt. Gen. John. J. DeGoes, Surgeon General of the United States Air Force and U.S. Space Force, and Chief Master Sgt. James M. Woods, Chief of the Medical Enlisted Force, for a visit to see firsthand the growth and success of the military-civilian partnership between UAB and the U.S. Air Force.

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.

Annabelle Fonseca, M.D., MHS, an associate professor in the UAB Division of Surgical Oncology, is leading research that uses machine learning to identify patients with pancreatic cancer who are at high risk for not receiving guideline-concordant care, the evidence-based treatment associated with the best outcomes.

It is with great enthusiasm that the UAB Department of Surgery welcomes Teviah Sachs, M.D., MPH, as director for the Division of Surgical Oncology, beginning July 15, 2026.

Karin Hardiman, M.D., Ph.D., the associate vice chair of basic research in the UAB Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, and Eugenia Kharlampieva, Ph.D., professor in the UAB Department of Chemistry, have pioneered a promising new strategy to overcome one of the most persistent challenges in rectal cancer care – resistance to standard chemoradiation therapy.

The UAB General Surgery Residency Program recognized outstanding residents, faculty, advanced practice providers, and staff during its annual Awards Day celebration. 

Without intervention, physician Edwin Villarreal’s prognosis was 100 percent mortality; but he is alive and well after receiving treatment for an often-fatal condition, HLH. 

Jacqueline Garonzik Wang, M.D., Ph.D., director of the UAB Division of Transplantation and co-director of the Comprehensive Transplant Institute, has been named the Arnold G. Diethelm Endowed Chair in Transplantation Surgery, recognizing excellence in academic surgery and leadership in the division.

Anushka Arora, an undergraduate researcher in UAB's Honors College Personalized Pathway program, won first place in her category at the UAB Spring Expo for her poster presentation, “A Pilot Study: Psychosocial Correlates of Pain in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis.”

As appendicitis is more common in the summer months, a UAB expert provides insight on understanding its symptoms and causes for timely diagnosis and treatment. 

A UAB researcher received NIH funding to study whether a ketogenic diet can help preserve muscle mass, strength and physical function in older adults hospitalized with pneumonia, potentially improving recovery and independence after discharge.

The UAB Cardiovascular Institute (CVI) has earned a three-star rating—the highest distinction awarded by the Society for Vascular Surgery's Vascular Quality Initiative (SVS VQI) for the fourth consecutive year through the 2025 Commitment to Vascular Quality Improvement (CVQI) Awards.

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.