W. Scott Jennings, CPA, MBA, executive administrator of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Radiology, has been named the 2024 Will Ferniany Academic Medicine Leadership Award recipient.
W. Scott Jennings, CPA, MBA
Named in honor of former Health System chief executive officer Will Ferniany, Ph.D., this award recognizes one administrative executive each year who has provided significant support to the academic mission of UAB Medicine and whose commitment to that mission has inspired others. The award was created in 2021 as Ferniany retired.
“I am extremely honored and most grateful for even being nominated,” said Jennings. “There are so many deserving individuals working at UAB that I find it humbling to be recognized.”
Jennings received his Bachelor of Science and MBA degrees from the University of Alabama. He joined the University of Alabama Health Services Foundation in 1998 while working in finance, and moved to the UAB Hospital in 2006. After a short stint outside of UAB, Jennings returned to his current role in 2014.
“I have been fortunate to work with and for several great leaders here at UAB, including working for Cheri Canon, M.D., for almost 10 years. I have tried to soak as much knowledge from her and others,” Jennings stated.
“I have also had the opportunity to go through several development programs, including the Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Quality and Safety and the UAB Medicine Institute for Leadership programs.”
Jennings believes that several characteristics exemplify being a great leader, qualities that he expressed have helped him in his career at UAB.
“In my opinion, the best qualities about being a leader include vision, commitment, perseverance, and service,” Jennings stated. “For me, I have found that the role of servant leader fits me best. I want to help those around me develop and meet my career goals. When those I work with are successful, I also benefit both professionally and personally.”
During Jennings’ tenure with the Department of Radiology, the department has grown its research grant expenditures from approximately $1.5 million in 2014 to a projection of over $7 million in 2024. During this same time, the department’s NIH funding grew from less than $500,000 to more than $3.5 million.
For Jennings, receiving this award is not just an individual honor.
“While I have the honor of receiving the award, I believe it is truly more a reflection of the exceptional faculty and staff I have the privilege of working with every day,” Jennings stated.
“I would like to thank those who nominated me for the award, including Theresa Caridi, M.D., Mason Frazier, M.D., Suzy Lapi, Ph.D., Srini Tridandapani, M.D., Ph.D., and Morgan Amos. I would also like to thank Dean Agarwal and the selection committee. There are too many others to name, but, in particular, I would like to thank all of the staff I have had the pleasure of working with directly during my time here.”
Although Jennings is grateful for receiving this award, he does look forward to what the future holds at UAB.
“I have always enjoyed working with the faculty here at UAB,” said Jennings. “I hope to continue to do so in the future. UAB is such a great and unique institution, I want to do my part in continuing to make it even better.”