Members of the UAB Department of Pathology gathered for an outgoing reception for residents and fellows on June 5. Faculty, staff, and trainees came together to celebrate at the Marnix E. Heersink Conference Center with dinner and an awards ceremony.
A welcome by Chad Siniard, M.D., Residency Program Director, followed by opening remarks from Cristina Magi-Galluzzi, M.D., Ph.D., Robert and Ruth Anderson Endowed Chair in Pathology, and a presentation by 2026 C. Bruce Alexander Lecturer, Samuel Borak, M.D., an assistant professor in the Community Practice Pathology Program.
The Leonard H. Robinson Award for Resident Education in Anatomic Pathology was presented by Gian Piero Carames, M.D., to Melad Dababneh, M.B.B.S. The Shu T. Huang Award for Excellence in Laboratory Medicine Education was presented by Anne Hylander, D.O., to Katayoun Fomani, M.D., Associate Professor, Laboratory Medicine.
Brandi McCleskey, M.D., presented Excellence in Education Awards to various faculty members:
ANATOMIC PATHOLOGY
Subject Matter Expertise and Effective Communication: Oyedele Adeyi, M.D., FRCPC
Enthusiasm for Education: Valeria Dal Zotto, M.D.
Encourages Active Learning: Frida Rosenblum, M.D.
LABORATORY MEDICINE
Subject Matter Expertise: Vishnu Reddy, M.D.
Enthusiasm for Education and Effective Communication: Megan Amerson-Brown, Ph.D., CIC, MLS
Dr. Adeyi presented the Roger Denio Baker Prize in Anatomic Pathology to Dr. Gian Piero Carames. This award, established in Dr. Baker’s name, is presented to the resident demonstrating excellence in anatomic pathology. Roger Denio Baker became the medical school’s first full-time faculty member on December 1, 1944, and the first departmental chair appointed by Dean Roy D. Kracke. Dr. Ona Faye-Petersen presented the Outstanding Trainee Teaching Award to Ryan Bragiel, M.D.
The PEARL Award endowed by former resident and UAB Heersink School of Medicine MSTP student, Dr. Stephen Brossette, recognizes a resident who demonstrates excellence in patient care, education and research in laboratory medicine. This award was presented by Dr. Siniard to Amy Theriault, D.O.
Dr. McCleskey acknowledged this year’s outgoing chief resident for Education and Outreach, Alyssa Lee, M.D., and announced incoming chief in the same role, Nicholas Eisele, D.O. Dr. Adeyi acknowledged this year’s outgoing chief resident for Anatomic Pathology, Dr. Gian Piero Carames. and announced incoming chief, Dr. Ryan Bragiel. Dr. Siniard acknowledged Dr. Anne Hylander as outgoing chief of Clinical Pathology, and announced incoming chief Edward Chung, D.O.
Neda Wick, M.D., presented the Recognition of Excellence Awards to various junior residents:
Innovation and Quality Focused and Enthusiasm for Education and Learning: Huda Haq, M.D.
Quality Patient Care: Meagan Drury, M.D.
Demonstrating Initiative and Collaborative Team Spirit: Rachel Chang, D.O., M.S.
Effective Communication: Alex Wilson, M.D.
Dr. Siniard presented this year’s RISE-ING Stars Awards to Mayowa Adekiitan, M.D., PGY1 Joshua Morse, M.D., Ph.D., PGY1. Nicholas Eisele, D.O., PGY2, Edward Chung, D.O., PGY3, Imran Ajmal, M.D., PGY4, and Alyssa Lee, M.D., M.S., PGY4.
The following outgoing residents were presented with certificates of completion:
Falone Amoa, M.D., M.S.
Imran Ajmal, M.D.
Sofia Canete-Portillo, M.D.
Gianpiero Carames, M.D.
Ana Franchini Fer, M.D.
Kyle Joseph, D.O., M.S.
Alyssa Lee, M.D., M.S.
Nicholas Paul, D.O., M.A.
Caroline Polska, M.D.
Amy Theriault, D.O.
Fellow certificates were presented by the following faculty in each respective program:
Daneil Dye, M.D., presented the Forensic Pathology Fellow certificate to Michael Webber, D.O.
Dr. Rosenblum presented the Cytopathology Fellow certificate to Mohamed Zedan, M.D.
Dr. Reddy presented the Hematopathology Fellow certificates to Nkechi Arinze, M.D., and Michael Robinson, D.O.
Dr. Fomani presented the Transfusion Medicine Fellow certificate to Deepak Kumar, M.D.
Dr. Adeyi presented the Surgical Pathology Fellow certificates to Sabesan Balasinkam, M.D., and Haneen Salah, M.D.
Dr. Adeyi also presented the GI Pathology Fellow certificates to FNU Kiran, M.D., and FNU Raja, M.D.
Dr. Magi-Galluzzi presented the GU Pathology Fellow certificate to Gopal Kumar, M.D.
Andrea Kahn, M.D., presented the Women’s Health Fellow certificate to Meghan White, M.D.
Dr. McCleskey presented the Research/Clinical Fellow certificate to Dr. Falone Amoa.
