The Precision Diagnostics Laboratory effort, led by Craig Mackinnon, M.D., Ph.D., will support surgeons, oncologists and other clinicians with the latest tests and custom assays, starting with gene panels for cancer and drug metabolism that return answers in hours, not weeks.

A decade ago, Liz Worthey’s computational skills saved a life and earned her a profile in a Pulitzer-winning article. Now at UAB, this new recruit is creating tools and building collaborations to transform these extraordinary efforts into a routine part of patient care.

Special contact lenses or eye drops can reduce a patient’s final prescription by half in the School of Optometry’s Myopia Control Clinic. That means thinner lenses and also a much lower risk of serious eye problems, including glaucoma and cataracts.

Physicians in the Complex Contraception Clinic can develop a temporary or permanent contraception plan for women battling other health conditions.

Four medical specialties are ranked in the top 20 in the nation, and six more are ranked in the top 50.