The UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine hosted the Spring 2025 Endowed Chairs and Professorships Reception Wednesday, May 7, to recognize 15 faculty members for their outstanding contributions to research, education, and clinical care.
The event celebrated faculty honorees and their endowed chairs and professorships, which provide critical support for academic medicine and innovation. Dean Anupam Agarwal, M.D., praised the honorees for their leadership and dedication to advancing the school’s mission.
“Today’s distinguished honorees are advancing life-changing medicine and research, tackling some of the most urgent health challenges of our time,” Agarwal said. “Their efforts embody our school’s commitment to innovation, leadership, and impact—values that drive every step of our mission.”
An endowed chair or professorship is one of the most prestigious honors an academic institution can bestow. It recognizes the exceptional achievements of its holder and provides vital support to advance their work through funding for innovative research, protecting time for mentorship and scholarship, or enabling travel to conferences that foster collaboration and connection.
The reception brought together colleagues, family members, and supporters to acknowledge the impact of academic endowments in fostering long-term growth and excellence in medical education and discovery.
The faculty recognized includes:
Jennifer J. DeBerry, Ph.D.
Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine
David Hill Chestnut Endowed Professorship
Carlos J. Orihuela, Ph.D.
Department of Microbiology
Triton Endowed Professorship in Microbiology
Rita Basu, M.D.
Department of Medicine
Endowed Professorship in Diabetes Science
Ananda (Andy) Basu, M.D.
Department of Medicine
S. Richardson Hill, Jr. Endowed Professorship in Endocrinology
Robert Edwards, M.D.
Department of Medicine
Benjamin Russell Endowed Chair in Geriatrics
J. Martin Rodriguez, M.D.
Department of Medicine
C. Glenn Cobbs, M.D., Endowed Chair in Infectious Diseases
Justin Turner, M.D., Ph.D.
Department of Otolaryngology
John S. Odess Endowed Chair in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Cristina Magi-Galluzzi, M.D., Ph.D., FCAP
Department of Pathology
Robert and Ruth Anderson Endowed Chair in Pathology
Thomas Chi, M.D., MBA
Department of Urology
Anton J. Bueschen, M.D., Endowed Chair of Urologic Surgery and Research
Baleed Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, M.D.
Department of Pathology
Wyatt and Susan Haskell Endowed Chair for Medical Excellence
Majd Zayzafoon, M.D., Ph.D., MBA
Department of Medical Education
Heersink Family Endowed Professorship in International Medical Education
Andrew McDonald, M.D., MS
Department of Radiation Oncology
Regional Oncology Active Research (ROAR) Southeast Cancer Foundation Endowed Chair in Radiation Oncology
Daniel Rocke, M.D., J.D.
Department of Otolaryngology
Julius N. Hicks Endowed Chair of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Minae Niwa, Ph.D.
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology
Hill Crest Foundation Endowed Professorship
Erin W. DeLaney, M.D.
Department of Family and Community Medicine
Neil E. Christopher, M.D. Endowed Chair in Family and Community Medicine
Click here to view photos from the event.