By: Mark T. Dransfied M.D., Chair of the Department of Medicine
As we head into the final stretch of the year, I find myself thinking about the many residents who have passed through our program and the remarkable work you're doing now. Your success extends the legacy of Dr. Tinsley Harrison, and I’m delighted to update you on how things are going here at UAB.
I'll start with news I know will mean a lot to you: we are preparing for the long-overdue expansion of our residency program. Beginning in AY27, we will add three new trainees per year for three years, growing from 116 to 125 residents. That may not sound like dramatic growth, but it represents a significant investment in addressing the physician shortage in our state. The staged rollout also gives us time to implement changes thoughtfully while maintaining the rigorous approach to clinical training that shaped each of you. Many of you have gone on to serve communities across Alabama and beyond, and this expansion builds on the legacy you've helped create. We are also very thankful to the Health System for their investment to make this possible.
On the education front, we've launched a new and improved Medical Grand Rounds format, and it's off to a strong start. The lunch is better, the room is better, but most importantly, the content is better. If you can attend on Wednesdays at noon, we would love to see you there! Join in person or by Zoom. Subscribe to our MGR notifications for details.
Our research enterprise is also continuing to excel despite what has been a challenging 18 months for the funding landscape. On Aug. 19, we held our first department-wide research retreat since early 2020, bringing together more than 100 faculty and staff to focus on investigator development, research priorities, and infrastructure. We're also using new AI and machine learning tools to help turn that input into recommendations for action.
Clinically, we’ve been on an “Epic Journey” for the past 18 months and we are rapidly closing in on our launch of Epic EHR in February 2027. We are among the last academic medical centers in the country to make the switch, and we see it as an opportunity not only to modernize our electronic health record, but also to improve efficiency and access across UAB Medicine.
Finally, please join me in congratulating the 51 faculty who received promotions and awards of tenure this year, effective October 1. Many of them taught, mentored, or trained alongside you, and I hope you'll celebrate these milestones with us.
Our alumni remain among our greatest strengths. Whether it's mentoring a current resident, speaking at a conference, or referring your patient to UAB, we are grateful for your continued support.
Warmly, Mark