Celebrate Women's History Month with the women who shape UAB

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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 helping bring UAB’s medical and academic prowess to the national and international forefront throughout 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.

UAB isn’t just powered by will — it’s also powered by women.

Women in Medicine

Dew's i2b2 research helps answer questions about spina bifida and reproduction

Many women with spina bifida were leaving pediatric care unaware they could become pregnant. Now, nurse Morgan Dew’s groundbreaking data on this phenomenon has been compiled using a new informatics framework for translational research.

Barstow and Vogtle spearhead new OT doctorate programs

Proposed several years ago by Elizabeth Barstow, Ph.D., and Laura Vogtle, Ph.D., the new online, post-professional doctorate program enrolled its first cohort of students in fall 2018. 

Children’s book encourages quality family time amid hectic lifestyles

In “The Overworked Shoes,” Barbie Randall, who's worked in the Division of Nephrology for more than 20 years, tells the story of a couple whose busy lifestyle left little quality time for their family and a strange encounter that would change their lives forever.

4 women honored for excellence in postdoctoral work

Katie Alexander, Ph.D., Samantha Martin, Ph.D., Jodi Paul, Ph.D., and Tingting Yuan, Ph.D., were selected to receive Outstanding Postdoctoral Awards for their exceptional accomplishments.

Mona Fouad is 2018 Distinguished Faculty Lecturer

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.


Women in the Arts

McPherson received Ireland Prize for Scholarly Distinction

McPherson received Ireland Prize for Scholarly Distinction

Heather McPherson, Ph.D., was awarded the 2018 Ireland Prize for Scholarly Distinction for her passion for and scholarship in art history.
Holloway to design, create sculpture for systemwide art trail

Holloway to design, create sculpture for systemwide art trail

Sculptor Stacey Holloway, MFA, will lead a team to design and create a public sculpture as part of the new University of Alabama System Art Trail, the inaugural recipient of the McMahon-Pleiad Prize, which will aesthetically link the campuses of UAB, UAH and UA.
Adoption sets philosopher on a path to celebrating a world of differences

Adoption sets philosopher on a path to celebrating a world of differences

Philosophy’s Brynn Welch, Ph.D., turned a real-life experience, the adoption of son Ben, into practical change — first through scholarly research, then a children’s book and now the classroom.
Madden-Lunsford’s new book pays homage to her ‘mountain mother’

Madden-Lunsford’s new book pays homage to her ‘mountain mother’

“Ernestine’s Milky Way,” authored by Kerry Madden Lunsford, MFA, tells the story of a determined 5-year-old girl in the early 1940s, who sets off on a journey to deliver two Mason jars of milk to her neighbors in the holler.
Smith’s ‘How to Know the Flowers’ explores natural dyeing, healing processes

Smith’s ‘How to Know the Flowers’ explores natural dyeing, healing processes

English Instructor Jessica Smith wrote the book of poetry as she was leaving a job, helping a student learn to trust again, and discovering a new skill.








Women in Science

  • Sisiopiku says her greatest accomplishment is seeing students succeed
  • Two-time graduate pairs research skills with a desire to help others
  • Art therapy helps liberate emotions when words fail
  • Amsler is passionate about a place where penguins outnumber people
  • Raut takes cutting-edge education technology to India, Peru
  • Kharlampieva honored for contributions to research, entrepreneurship
  • 2 CAS researchers build interdisciplinary teams to tackle big issues in their field


Women in the Community

Meet 9 women faculty fellows developing service-learning curriculums

Krista Casazza, Ph.D.; Nicole Gravitt; Robin Lanzi, Ph.D.; Josie Prado, Ph.D.; Ling Ma; Stacy Moak; Ana Oliveira, DrPH; Angela Stowe, Ph.D.; and Erika Austin, Ph.D., developed ideas for service-learning to promote active and ethical citizenship, social responsibility and engagement in courses across disciplines.

Selleck gives back to community through nursing collaborations

School of Nursing’s Cynthia Selleck, Ph.D., has spent years giving back to Birmingham’s most diverse and under-served populations, earning her the 2018 Odessa Woolfolk Community Service Award.

Women on Campus

  • What 6 women mentors learned from graduate students and postdocs
  • Pollinator garden puts the ‘bee’ in UAB
  • 2 women faculty create new experiences as Honors Faculty Fellows
  • Meet 4 women faculty making the campus and world more sustainable
  • Forbes and Parente help students learn to care for themselves, others on the road to a degree
  • 5 women faculty develop team-based research courses for undergrads
  • 7 women honored for excellence in teaching
  • 4 women faculty fellows foster community, academic enrichment for honors students
  • McBride and Jacob revitalize lab-safety program with trickle-down training
  • Erdmann and Raut help save students $1.1 million on course materials
  • Celebrate books authored by Arts and Sciences women faculty in 2018






Women in UAB History

  • Livingston one of WBHM's earliest voices
  • Meet the first woman graduate of the future School of Medicine
  • Meet 3 women clinicians whose names grace the renovated Hilton’s meeting spaces


Employees of the Month

Barham is ‘the heart’ of Materials Sciences and Engineering

Barham is ‘the heart’ of Materials Sciences and Engineering

Cynthia Barham, administrative associate in the department, is UAB’s Employee of the Month for April 2018. “Everything that Cynthia does is done well,” a colleague said. “Everything."
Clisby helps UAB ‘grow, adapt and take on the opioid epidemic’

Clisby helps UAB ‘grow, adapt and take on the opioid epidemic’

Debra Clisby has worked at UAB for nearly 30 years, and the dedication she’s shown during her tenure in the UAB Substance Abuse Center for 13 of those has earned her the respect and admiration of her co-workers — plus the title of UAB’s Employee of the Month for May 2018.
Disability Support Services’ Johnson ‘never lets any student down’

Disability Support Services’ Johnson ‘never lets any student down’

Ashleigh Johnson, the unit’s program coordinator, is UAB’s Employee of the Month for June 2018. “She influences students to speak up and challenge stigmas on campus," said one colleague.
Bowen’s ‘positive attitude and smiling face’ endear her to colleagues

Bowen’s ‘positive attitude and smiling face’ endear her to colleagues

Environmental Specialist Bernice Bowen is UAB’s July 2019 Employee of the Month. “I’ve never heard anything more than praise for her work,” a colleague said.
Sharp is the 'person who will not let you down,' colleagues say

Sharp is the 'person who will not let you down,' colleagues say

Tammy Sharp, a financial officer in the Department of Neurosurgery, is UAB’s Employee of the Month for September 2018. “Tammy is keen, a stickler for details, accurate and bright and ever kind and understanding,” one colleague wrote.
Freeman says UAB has ‘inspired me to be better’

Freeman says UAB has ‘inspired me to be better’

Cheryl Freeman, material transfer specialist in the Office of the Vice President for Research, is UAB’s Employee of the Month for September. "UAB has inspired me to be better," she said.
Hardy ‘never shirks from putting in her best’ into each of her roles

Hardy ‘never shirks from putting in her best’ into each of her roles

Sonya Hardy, clinical trials manager for the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, is UAB’s Employee of the Month for October 2018. "The work you do is a contribution to the success of your team," she said.
Customers appreciate Cooper’s ‘tireless work ethic and wonderful attitude’

Customers appreciate Cooper’s ‘tireless work ethic and wonderful attitude’

Sandra Cooper, an environmental services specialist at UAB for seven years, said she doesn’t really have bad days. Why? Because she takes pride in her work — something she learned from her mother. That dedication to her job earned her the title of UAB’s Employee of the Month for November.
Boyle is ‘a rock’ for the Collat School of Business

Boyle is ‘a rock’ for the Collat School of Business

Kris Boyle, manager of administration and operations in the Collat School of Business, is UAB’s Employee of the Month for January 2019. “Kris is a fabulous employee and a huge asset to our school,” a colleague said.
‘Every office needs a Stacey,’ Smith’s colleagues say

‘Every office needs a Stacey,’ Smith’s colleagues say

Stacey Smith, program administrator in the School of Nursing’s Office of Student Success, is UAB’s Employee of the Month for February 2019. “When someone is coming to this university, it’s life-changing,” she said.
‘If you want a job done right, give it to Sheila,’ Dentistry colleagues say

‘If you want a job done right, give it to Sheila,’ Dentistry colleagues say

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