It is with heavy hearts that the Heersink School of Medicine mourns the passing of Latesha Elopre, M.D., MSPH. Latesha served in a multitude of roles at UAB since 2015 and made positive impacts throughout many areas of our institution. She is survived by her husband, Chris; two children, Jacob and Gabrielle "Gigi"; brother, Kenneth; and her mother, Glenda.
The imprints of Latesha’s efforts and dedication to UAB Medicine and Heersink School of Medicine are profound. After completing her M.D. degree from the University of Florida College of Medicine, she transitioned to UAB for her residency in Internal Medicine in 2009. In 2012, she became a clinical fellow in the Division of Infectious Diseases and then completed a post-doctoral research fellowship in the division in 2016. She also completed a master of science in Public Health Applied Epidemiology from UAB in 2015. Since 2015, she served as an attending and consulting physician for the UAB university hospital and as attending physician for the 1917 HIV Clinic at Dewberry; since 2018, she also served as attending physician for the 1917 PrEP Clinic.
She additionally held numerous appointments across UAB since 2015, including instructor for the Department of Medicine, Endowed Scholar, associate scientist for the Center for AIDS Research, assistant professor for the Division of Infectious Diseases, assistant dean for Access and Engagement – Resident and Fellow Experience, director for the Center for AIDS Research Clinical Core, associate professor for the Division of Infectious Diseases, scientist for the Center for Outcomes and Effectiveness Research and Education (COERE), adjunct associate professor for the Department of Epidemiology, and senior scientist for the Study of Sexual and Gender Health.
Her indelible impact on Heersink students, residents, fellows, faculty and staff arose from her pioneering drive within our school. One of her visions was for students, residents and fellows to have the support and framework necessary to achieve their education and make further impacts on their society. This vision was reflected in her service as inaugural director of Diversity and Inclusion – Internal Medicine Residency Program and her subsequent role as inaugural Graduate Medical Education (GME) director for Diversity and Inclusion. The change she affected through these roles have resonated in the lives of Heersink students, residents, and fellows over the last decade and will continue to resonate into the future. While paving this path, she also served on dozens of committees throughout her time at UAB, including her role as co-chair for the GME Diversity Committee Dean’s Council.
The legacy she leaves behind is one of leadership and a passion for care. “Latesha dedicated her career to improving the lives of and opportunities for underrepresented and vulnerable populations,” said Alice Goepfert, M.D., associate dean for Graduate Medical Education. “Her commitment to our GME trainees was unwavering. There are no words to adequately express the impact she has made and how much we will all miss her. We are all better people for having had the privilege of knowing and working with Dr. Elopre.”
“Latesha was a dear friend and colleague,” said Martin Rodriguez, M.D., director of the Division of Infectious Diseases. “She was an outstanding investigator with a large impact in our communities, an example of professionalism, a beacon of compassion and hope, a loving mother, wife and daughter, someone who had a full and warm heart always shown with a beautiful smile, who taught us so much not only about science and medicine but also about life.”
“Latesha will be greatly missed by her colleagues and her patients,” said Craig Hoesley, senior associate dean for Medical Education. “Her warmth and kindness radiated to all who came in contact with her. I know she was proud of her many academic accomplishments, but her true career passion was to elevate marginalized individuals and improve their access to care. She loved and cared for her family with similar passion. It has truly been my privilege to know her.”
The excellence Latesha displayed was not only evident in the roles she served but also in the recognitions she earned. She garnered multiple Teaching Excellent Awards in the Department of Medicine since 2022. She earned the Unsung Hero Award for the Department of Medicine in 2018 and the Dean’s Excellence Award in Diversity Enhancement in 2016.
Latesha Elopre dedicated her life and career to improving the lives of those around her, whether family, friend, student, patient, or colleague. She crafted a legacy of researcher, educator, clinician, mentor, and a difference-maker. She will be remembered within Heersink School of Medicine forever, and our thoughts and support go out to her family and the colleagues who worked alongside her each day. Let us cherish her memory and strive to carry on the passion and vision she instilled in our institution throughout her career.