As the finish line of another year approaches, many in academic medical environments find themselves pressed to meet deadlines, juggle competing priorities, and maintain pace in these final weeks. In honor of the holiday season, the Heersink School of Medicine Office of Access & Engagement explored practical, research-backed strategies to support focus, restore energy, and ease mental strain.

Access to health care remains one of the most pressing challenges in Alabama’s rural communities. Many residents travel long distances to see a doctor or specialist, and shortages of primary care providers continue to affect both patient outcomes and quality of life.

Each year on November 8, colleges and universities across the country recognize National First-Generation College Student Day, a celebration of students who are the first in their families to pursue and complete a college degree.

High-pressure professions not only demand technical skill, composure, and moral clarity, but they also test one’s values and resilience. For Chief Annetta Nunn, Birmingham’s first African American woman Chief of Police, those same pressures became the foundation for a leadership philosophy rooted in courage, self-awareness, and service.

How can Birmingham’s health care leaders work together to break down barriers and improve community health? That’s the central question behind Better Health Outcomes for All: Community Conversations, a panel discussion and reception on October 15 that brings together leaders from across the city to share ideas, experiences, and strategies for lasting change.

Finding your way in academic medicine can feel like a puzzle, with many pieces competing for attention. Daniel Chu, M.D., Division Director of Gastrointestinal Surgery at UAB, has identified ten “threads” that, when woven together, provide guidance and structure.

“Academic medicine is one of the best places for faculty, staff, and students to explore their passions and discover new opportunities,” says Thomas Chi, M.D., MBA, chair of the Department of Urology at UAB. With experience spanning three major universities, Chi has seen how a few guiding principles can shape careers and sustain momentum.

Join the Heersink School of Medicine for the 2025 Juneteenth Commemoration on Tuesday, June 17, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the ALGEN lobby. Enjoy food, music, and reflections as we explore the significance of Juneteenth through community, education, and celebration.

For Donna Duke-Pope, “You’re not alone” isn’t just a cliché phrase—it’s a truth she’s lived and now shares with others. She knows how isolating mental health struggles can be.

In a profession marked by long hours, precision, and high emotional stakes, health care specialists may burn out and disconnect from themselves. To meet demands and care for others, whether through teaching, research, or clinical work, many overlook one of the simplest yet most powerful forms of support: engaging with nature.