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Pictured above L to R: Drs. Ron Banerjee, MD, PhD (Assistant Professor, Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism), Subhashini Bolisetty, PhD (Assistant Professor, Nephrology), Ellen Eaton, MD, MSPH (Assistant Professor, Infectious Diseases), and Merry-Lynn McDonald, PhD (Assistant, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine).

Congratulations to four awardees who have been selected as the School of Medicine's 2021 Pittman Scholars. Named for the late James A. Pittman, MD, longtime dean of the School of Medicine, these junior faculty are nominated by their department chairs based on their research achievements and their potential for continued discovery in the basic or clinical sciences. We are proud to celebrate these awardees!

Pictured above: Dr. Troy Randall (Professor, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology) is director of the Single Cell and Cytometery Core at UAB.

New single cell genomics instruments can differentiate the cellular composition of a sample tissue at an astonishing speed of 25,000 cells per second. This technology impressed former UA Athletics Director Bill Battle and his wife Mary, whose daughter Kayla Smeraglia has rheumatoid arthritis. This year, the Battles directed their philanthropic support to accelerate cytometry-based research at UAB.

National news reports are pointing out that many in our community are grappling with uncertainty over whether to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Given the fact that the virus is unlike any health threat we've seen before, some hesitancy is only natural. This week, the Department of Medicine has shared a series of messages to address these common concerns and to explore how our own DOM faculty, staff, and trainees have answered these questions—for themselves, and for their patients.

Pictured above: Dr. Cindy Joiner receives her vaccination.

Many in our Department were part of UAB Medicine's Phase 1 vaccine distribution plan which aims to provide vaccine for all UAB Medicine employees by the end of the month. From the initial shipment, nearly 7,000 UAB Medicine employees have received a vaccination, and additional vaccine is arriving soon. We are grateful to be part of the first wave of people receiving the safe and highly effective Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. For a primer on the science behind the COVID vaccines, take a moment to watch the JAMA video. 

Above: Drs. Joseph Park (OMFS), Graham Husband, Winter Williams (Attending), and Joseph Granade staff Tinsley Harrison Surge Team A.

The Department of Medicine is working with partners all across the clinical enterprise to respond to the latest increase in hospitalizations due to COVID-19. Both intensive care (MICU) and acute care teams are rapidly deploying extra coverage to provide care for all who need it. The latest predictive models forecast a continued rise in infections that may last for the next four to six weeks. The Department is tremendously grateful for everyone who is making sure we stay on top of this surge. We urge everyone to stay vigilant and take all safety precautions to stay healthy in the days and weeks ahead.