Posted on June 14, 2002 at 9:45 a.m.

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Dr. Samuel J. Tilden, J.D., and Carolyn P. McDowell have been named to compliance positions at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

“As UAB’s research program continues to expand, it is increasingly important that we have resources in place to ensure that we comply with the rules and regulations that govern research at universities,” said Dr. Malcolm Portera, interim president at UAB. “These two individuals will play key roles in that process.”

Tilden, professor of pediatrics at UAB, fills the recently created position of UAB research compliance officer. He will be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the campus research compliance program with federal, state and university regulations and reporting any concerns to the appropriate university officials or compliance committee. Additionally, he will assess the effectiveness of the education and training programs directed toward research and administrative personnel on research compliance policies and procedures. He also will participate in the development of a comprehensive compliance manual.

The search committee for this position was led by Richard Margison, vice president of financial affairs, and Dr. Sarah Morgan, associate dean for research compliance for the School of Medicine.

“We look forward to the expertise Dr. Tilden brings to this vital position,” Margison said. “He has firsthand knowledge of UAB’s research enterprise and understands the complexity of compliance efforts in such a large academic medical center.”

An alumnus of Tulane University, Tilden earned a master’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of California before returning to Tulane to earn his medical degree.

After post-doctoral training at Tulane University, University Hospital in Jackson, Miss., and the University of Florida, Tilden directed the pediatric intensive care unit at the Children’s Health Center of Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix. He joined UAB in 1988 as an associate professor of pediatrics and division director of pediatric critical care medicine. He has served as program director of the pediatric critical care medicine subspecialty training program since 1990.

Tilden graduated as salutatorian from the Birmingham School of Law in 1999 and is a member of the Alabama State Bar McDowell has been named UAB research compliance officer for clinical trial billing. She will oversee, implement and monitor guidelines and processes for appropriate billing of clinical services furnished under clinical trials. This position reports to Tilden.

McDowell earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1990 from the University of Montevallo and her MBA from UAB in 1995. She joined the hospital financial management office as a junior accountant in 1990 and rose steadily through the ranks, becoming a senior accountant in 1996 and business manager for hospital cardiology services in 1998.

“Carolyn McDowell brings a wealth of experience in hospital billing to this position,” Margison said. “She understands how UAB Hospital’s financial system is structured and will be invaluable in providing oversight in this area.”