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. More importantly, though, she knows the healing power of feeling seen, heard, and supported. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Heersink School of Medicine sat down with Duke-Pope to learn more about her advocacy journey.

UAB Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Associate Professor Berdale S. Colorado, D.O., MPH was selected to receive the 2025 Innovators & Influencers Award by the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Neurosurgery is pleased to welcome Angelina Unich as an MSHA administrative intern.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Neurosurgery is pleased to welcome Anna Parker as healthcare management undergraduate intern in the Chair’s Office.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) is proud to announce the first Fellow selected for their North American Spine Society (NASS) recognized Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine (ISMM) Fellowship.

The Department of Genetics at UAB Heersink School of Medicine is pleased to announce that Jia Xuas been selected to receive the prestigious Elsa U. Pardee Foundation Award

Johan Latorre, M.D., MS, assistant professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), is the junior faculty winner of the Dean’s Excellence Award for Faculty in Access & Engagement by UAB Heersink School of Medicine.

Following a successful Match Day, the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery welcomes a distinguished group of physicians who will continue their advanced training in specialized fellowship programs.

Schizophrenia is a serious and often misunderstood mental illness that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. It involves a combination of symptoms, including hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and social withdrawal.

Erin Shaughnessy, M.D., professor in the Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, has been announced as the executive vice chair of operations for the Department of Pediatrics, effective June 1, 2025.  

A new era in kidney disease care management has begun with the launch of Dialytix, a pioneering start-up founded by UAB faculty.

Melad Dababneh, M.B.B.S., Assistant Professor, Anatomic Pathology, will serve as section head of Head and Neck Pathology, effective June 1. Dababneh joined the UAB Department of Pathology in 2024 from Cleveland Clinic Foundation’s Robert J. Tomsich Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Institute where he completed his fellowship in head and neck pathology.

Dawn Williams, M.A., has been appointed as the inaugural Director of Internal Administrative Operations. This newly established role aims to strengthen internal alignment of existing administrative resources supporting the department’s expanding number of strategic initiatives.

On May 17, 2025, the UAB Heersink School of Medicine proudly celebrated the graduation of 183 medical students during its annual Commencement ceremony, held at Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Alabama.

It’s no secret exercise is good for your body—but what about your brain?

At the UAB Heersink School of Medicine, more than 1,100 residents and fellows participate in graduate medical education through over 100 training programs—74 of which are exclusive to UAB in the state of Alabama. Representing the voices of these trainees is the House Staff Council (HSC), a body composed of residents and fellows from across all programs that serves as a vital bridge between learners and institutional leadership. 

A stroke can strike without warning, and every minute counts when it does. It happens when the blood supply to your brain is cut off, causing severe damage in a short amount of time. While many of us are familiar with the common warning signs (BEFAST), other, often overlooked symptoms could be just as crucial to spotting a stroke early.

On May 5, 2025, the UAB Heersink School of Medicine Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine hosted its fifth annual Research Day. This event gives faculty, staff, trainees, and CRNAs the opportunity to gather and present on their latest research while celebrating all research efforts within the department. Each year, the clinical trainee and scientific abstract winners give an oral presentation, and a keynote speaker presents on the topic of their choice.

The twelfth annual Blazer Bolt for Brain Cancer 5K and Fun Run was held Saturday, May 17, at Railroad Park in Birmingham, Alabama. Despite the thunderstorms that rolled in early Saturday morning, racers still showed up, participated and made the event a success.

Brain tumor symptoms vary widely and can often resemble other common health conditions. Understanding the risks, symptoms and treatment options can help lead to earlier diagnosis and better outcomes.

Fourteen UAB chief residents recently completed the Chief Residents Leadership Development Workshop. The program, presented by the UAB Medicine Leadership Development Office, was held on May 9, 2025.

The following are monthly updates from the UAB Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine Education Division.

The UAB Department of Radiation Oncology is proud to announce a first-of-its-kind training course dedicated to ethos adaptive radiotherapy (ART), a cutting-edge approach in cancer treatment. This hands-on, case-based program is designed to equip radiation oncology teams with the skills needed to implement and deliver ART using real-world clinical workflows and technologies.

Allie Hulcher, UAB Department of Surgery communications specialist and Trauma Survivors Network coordinator for the UAB Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, was recognized with numerous awards at the UAB Marnix E. Heersink Excellence in Communications Awards.

Future physicians at the University of Alabama at Birmingham are exploring— through a unique course — how personal values, beliefs and spirituality can influence patient care.

UAB Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery Assistant Professor Margaux Mustian, M.D., MSPH, participated in the Society for Surgery of Alimentary Tract (SSAT) Complex General Surgery Fellowship Virtual Grand Rounds Webinar.

Craig Maynard, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, has been named scientific director of the UAB Gnotobiotic Core Facility effective May 15.

The Department of Pediatrics would like to introduce the 2025 Department of Pediatrics Staff Recognition Awards. These awards were created to honor staff members throughout the department for their contribution and commitment to the department's mission. Our staff are essential to making our department run, and this is an opportunity to show our appreciation.

Danielle Godin has been named advanced practice provider (APP) supervisor for the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Neurosurgery.

Danielle Thomason, manager of ambulatory services for the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Neurosurgery, will graduate in May with a Master of Science in Nursing degree.