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Cancer treatment, while lifesaving, often comes with a wide range of physical, emotional and social challenges for young patients. Pediatric cancer survivors may face long-term effects from their treatments, impacting everything from mobility and strength to cognitive function and emotional well-being. To address these challenges, Kelli Chaviano, D.O., assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, developed the Integrative Cancer Rehabilitation service line (I CAN Rehab) to provide comprehensive rehabilitation support throughout the cancer care continuum.
The UAB Department of Radiation Oncology has launched a new one-day HyperArc Trainee Observation Course designed to introduce Radiation Oncology and Medical Physics residents to the principles and clinical workflow of advanced stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiation therapy.
As Heersink School of Medicine continues to improve accessibility throughout its digital platforms, it is crucial to know foundational steps for building materials. Before uploading documents onto the website or into courses within learning management systems, there are a few quick steps you can take to ensure efficient use of accessibility features.
Matthew Garron is a Help Desk Technician for Medical Education Informational Services, where he has served since June 2024. Prior to joining the MEIS team, he worked in the UAB Campus Bookstore. Garron was nominated to the 2025-2026 cohort of Medical Education Unsung Heroes by Adam Agee, director of Information Technology for the Heersink School of Medicine.
The Volker Hall Lecture Tower is now open for use. After more than a year of renovation, the spaces have been refreshed and updated to accommodate the needs of modern medical education.
For families of children with disabilities, accessing health care often means navigating complex systems while managing significant caregiving demands. As more children with complex medical needs require coordinated, long-term care, reducing barriers and wait times has become increasingly important. At the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics, two pediatric faculty members are working to address these challenges by combining clinical care with advocacy, education and system-level change.
The Department of Urology is proud to spotlight Katrina Edmond Taylor, an education administrator in the department, whose energy, organization, and passion for people make a meaningful impact.
For nearly 20 years, the Varian Clinac iX linear accelerator has been a vital part of patient care in the UAB Department of Radiation Oncology. Now, the department is in the process of retiring the iX and installing a new Varian TrueBeam.
Elizabeth Proezna, M.D., PGY-3, and Rafaella Navarro Hoyos, M.D., PGY-2, in the UAB Department of Pediatrics, spent two weeks in Peru and realized a medical truth widely sought after in the UAB community. They learned that sometimes the most powerful medicine isn't just in the treatment, it's in a spirit of collaboration that can cross distance and borders.
UAB Medicine’s Leadership Development Office (LDO) celebrated the graduation of 12 faculty members from the LEading, Advancing, Developing (LEAD) program for spring 2026. The cohort brought together leaders from across clinical and basic science disciplines who are committed to strengthening their leadership impact and advancing academic excellence across the institution.
UAB Medicine’s Leadership Development Office (LDO) recognized eight faculty members who graduated from cohort 8 of the SAIL (Sharing Authentically to Inspire and Lead) program for spring 2026. The program supports junior faculty as they develop authentic leadership approaches, strengthen professional networks, and navigate the unique challenges of early academic careers.
UAB Sports & Exercise Medicine has developed the nation’s first training video on how to perform CPR and defibrillation on athletes with disabilities. The video and accompanying tools are designed for medical professionals and others who provide sideline coverage for adaptive athletes, offering detailed guidance on performing CPR both in and out of a wheelchair.
The UAB Heersink School of Medicine is pleased to announce the appointment of Mahmud Mossa-Basha, M.D., as the fourth holder of the prestigious Witten-Stanley Endowed Chair in the Department of Radiology. This appointment was formally approved by the Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama in February 2026.
Hospitals nationwide recognize the dedication, resilience and impact of resident physicians each year on Thank a Resident Day, observed Feb. 27. At the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Neurosurgery, that appreciation runs deep.
The UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology welcomed Ellen Eaton, M.D., MSHP, as a professor in January 2026.
Joanne Murphy-Ullrich, Ph.D., a professor emeritus in the Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, was recently elected by the British Society for Matrix Biology (BSMB) as its 2026 recipient of the BSMB Medal Award. This award is given in recognition of outstanding contributions to the field of matrix biology through a distinguished career. Murphy-Ullrich will be recognized at the 2026 BSMB Spring Meeting in Manchester.
Ashley Battarbee, M.D., associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, has been appointed as director for the Center for Research in Women’s Health at UAB, effective March 1.
Peter Anderson, D.V.M., Ph.D., a professor emeritus in the Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, has recently been awarded the Edward Patrick Finnerty Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Association of Medical Science Educators (IAMSE). This award is given to an individual who has demonstrated sustained commitment to the advancement of the IAMSE through exceptional contributions to the organization. Anderson will be recognized at the 30th Annual IAMSE Conference in June.
In this month's UAB Department of Surgery Access & Engagement Spotlight, Dr. Sergio Acuna Mancilla shares his experience as an assistant professor in the UAB Division of Transplantation and the pathway that led him to becoming an academic surgeon.
Katie Ellison, Ph.D., RDN, LDN, a postdoctoral scholar in the UAB Department of Family and Community Medicine, recently received the Science for Public Good Fund Award from the Union of Concerned Scientists on behalf of the Science Policy Advocacy Network (SPAN) at UAB, where she serves as treasurer. The award funding supports activities and events that highlight the role of science in informing public policy, with a focus on understanding and addressing local impacts.
Behind every successful study is a network of people willing to participate, share their experiences, and contribute to knowledge that can improve health outcomes. At the Comprehensive Healthy Living Research Center, that critical connection between investigators and participants is supported by the Participant Access to Research Core (PARC).
For a quarter century at UAB and the past decade within the Department of Urology, Liranda Howard, Education Administrator Senior, has focused on people and processes. Upon her retirement at the end of this month, she looks back with deep gratitude, having strengthened the residency program and created a supportive, organized environment for trainees and faculty.
UAB Nephrology is participating in a Phase I/II clinical trial of an investigational gene therapy for patients with classic Fabry disease. The multi-center study is exploring the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of this one-time intravenously administered, investigational gene therapy.
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) has named Ellen Konadu Antwi-Adjei, OD, MPH, a Ph.D. candidate in the lab of Lyne Racette, Ph.D., at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, as a recipient of its 2026 Emerging Advocate Award.
One fellow and two residents were elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society (AΩA) in the UAB Heersink School of Medicine. Falone Amoa, M.D., M.S., (left), Gian Piero Carames, M.D., (middle), PGY4, and Alyssa Lee, M.D., M.S., (right), PGY4, were selected to join the Honor society in February.
The UAB Department of Urology recently launched its new Section of Academic Community Urology, which seeks to integrate aspects of academic urology into community-focused care and initiatives. Care is delivered to communities while maintaining strong ties to UAB as an academic medical center. Karishma Gupta, M.D., assistant professor, and Dustin Hyatt, M.D., clinical associate professor, both in the Department of Urology, are leading the charge in these efforts.
Recognizing the importance of emotional and physical well-being, the UAB Heersink School of Medicine Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation launched a wellness initiative to support its faculty and staff.
The UAB Department of Radiation Oncology recently launched a unique osteoarthritis program that uses low-dose radiation therapy as an additional treatment option for patients with debilitating joint pain. Delivered over six short sessions following an initial consultation, the therapy aims to reduce inflammation and alleviate discomfort without the side effects typically associated with cancer radiation treatments.
James George, Ph.D., a professor of UAB Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery for over 30 years, has been appointed to the prestigious role of professor emeritus for the UAB Department of Surgery.
After more than 25 years at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and nearly a decade with the UAB Department of Pediatrics, Cathy Turner, MSHA, CPA, CGMA, is retiring as executive administrator, concluding a career defined by steady leadership, operational strength and an unwavering commitment to the people who power pediatrics.