From national television appearances to hands-on mentoring events, faculty, alumni and students of the School of Engineering demonstrate that innovation and leadership have no boundaries.

Each year the UAB Commission on the Status of Women presents these awards during Women’s History Month to honor women in the UAB and Birmingham communities who have mentored or served other women, taken a courageous stance or overcome adversity to achieve a goal. They will be honored during a special ceremony March 20.

From traveling to Antarctica to publishing children’s books, from taking biology educational tools to India to planting pollinator gardens on campus, women have been integral to shaping UAB’s reputation its 50-year history. As part of its annual coverage of Women’s History Month, the UAB Reporter has gathered examples of its more recent coverage of women at UAB.

Mona Fouad, M.D., a pioneer whose landmark research helped create the UAB Minority Health & Health Disparities Research Center and pave the way for millions of dollars in health disparities research in the Southeast, will receive the highest honor of the Academic Health Center.

Donna Slovensky will become the interim dean April 1, when Harold Jones officially retires, to ensure continuity in senior leadership until the dean search is completed.

Sheila Turner, program coordinator in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, is UAB’s Employee of the Month for March.

Richard Davis, M.D., came to UAB in 1973 as a resident. Now, he’s being honored March 1 for 45 years of service — in the same unit.

The public presentations are complete and feedback for the four candidates for dean of the School of Health Professions is being accepted. 

Four individuals and one student organization were honored with the President’s Diversity Champion awards, and UAB was recognized for excellence in diversity among higher education institutions by INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.

Rob Blanton, Ph.D., an expert on international political economy and current professor in the department, will begin his new role Aug. 1.

Stacey Smith, program administrator in the School of Nursing’s Office of Student Success, is UAB’s Employee of the Month for February.

More than 300 employees with 20-plus years of service to UAB will be honored March 1.

Joe Appleton, Ph.D., founding dean of UAB’s School of Engineering, died Jan. 17. The school was created in 1971, two years after UAB became an independent university in 1969, and Appleton helmed the school until 1978.

Greg Parsons, who has served as UAB’s assistant vice president for planning, design and construction since 2014, will become associate vice president and chief facilities officer Feb. 1.

Kris Boyle, manager of administration and operations in the Collat School of Business, is UAB’s Employee of the Month for January.

Business Dean and Trinidad native Eric Jack, Ph.D., was honored during the Central Alabama Caribbean American Organization’s annual dance in December.

The UAB Reporter wants to know how people in your unit volunteer. Submit a publicity request with the details and a group selfie for a chance to be featured.

Russell Taichman, DMD, DMSc, will become the UAB School of Dentistry dean in July 2019.

Rich Searles, information systems specialist with the Division of Preventive Medicine, is UAB’s Employee of the Month for December

Sandra Cooper, environmental services specialist, is UAB’s Employee of the Month for November.