Department of Surgery
This National Social Work Month, social workers from across UAB have a message for the community: medical social workers are an integral part of the health system.
Robert H. Hollis, M.D., MSPH, the leader of the O'Neal Cancer Center Colorectal Cancer Management Team and an assistant professor in the UAB Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, discussed key aspects of colorectal cancer as part of an educational video series produced by the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center.
John Killian, M.D., Ph.D., a volunteer clinical assistant professor in the UAB Division of Transplantation, is working to understand the science behind organ rejection and how it can potentially be avoided.
UAB Division of Surgical Oncology Assistant Professor Kimberly Kopecky, M.D., MSCI, has been awarded the Association for Academic Surgery (AAS) Geoffrey Dunn, M.D., Research Award.
On Feb. 12, 2026, the Heersink School of Medicine Office of Research held its annual Strategic Research Retreat in the Heersink Conference Center. The day brought leaders from across the school and campus together and emphasized collaboration, infrastructure, and the growing impact of interdisciplinary science at UAB.
Jeffrey Kerby, M.D., Ph.D., Brigham Family Endowed Professor and director of the UAB Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, has been named the new medical director of trauma education for the American College of Surgeons (ACS).
UAB Division of Surgical Oncology Assistant Professor Kimberly Kopecky, M.D., MSCI, has been chosen as the recipient of the UAB Department of Surgery’s John D. Kirklin Award.
UAB Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery Assistant Professor Manu Kaushik, M.D., visited the city of New Delhi, India, to share his experience in rural surgery with local healthcare providers and surgeons.
In just a little over a week, the UAB Department of Surgery will travel to Orlando, Florida for the 21st Annual Academic Surgical Congress.
Robert Hollis, M.D.,MSPH, an assistant professor in the Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery and leader of the colorectal cancer management team in the O’Neal Cancer Service Line, was recently featured on a national medical education podcast episode focused on the modern management of diverticulitis for hospitalists and frontline clinicians.
UAB Department of Surgery providers have been recognized by UAB Medicine for their excellence in patient care. This year, 42 providers have received the Provider Excellence Award – based on patient evaluations and feedback.
UAB Division of Transplantation Professor and Surgical Director of Kidney Transplantation, Michael Hanaway, M.D., has recently been featured on UAB MedCast.
On Thursday, Nov. 20., the Heersink School of Medicine honored 20 faculty members at the Fall 2025 Endowed Chairs and Professorships Reception. This event recognizes Heersink faculty who have made major contributions to research, education, and clinical care.
Barber Companies’ gift accelerates innovation and training in vascular surgery
From its vibrant culinary scene to its stunning Appalachian foothills, Birmingham is gaining recognition as both a medical hub and a city where life outside the hospital thrives.
Zain Hashmi, M.D., an assistant professor in the UAB Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, is a 2025 recipient of the President’s Award for Excellence in Support of UAB and Shared Governance.
Abhishek Parmar, M.D., an associate professor in the UAB Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, has been invited to join the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) Continuing Education Committee and to serve as the co-director of the SAGES Train the Trainer Program.
The UAB Department of Surgery is proud to announce that Executive Administrator, Mary McDougal, MPA, has been awarded the 2025 Dean’s Excellence Award for Staff for her role in overseeing the administrative functions of the Department of Surgery and its 650 faculty and staff.
The beginning of August marks the new step in the training process for our incoming fellows and an exciting new chapter for our graduating trainees.
From its vibrant culinary scene to its stunning Appalachian foothills, Birmingham is gaining recognition as both a medical hub and a city where life outside the hospital thrives.
Robert Hollis, M.D., MSPH, assistant professor of the UAB Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, and Ridley Brown, BSN, RN, oncology navigator at the O'Neal Cancer Center, have been featured in the UAB MedCast episode: “What is the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC) and why does it matter?”
Kimberly Hendershot, M.D., a professor in the Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, is now president of the Alabama Chapter of the American College of Surgeons (ACS).
The UAB Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery is pleased to announce a new endowed lectureship to honor the legacy of Loring W. Rue III, M.D., professor emeritus in the UAB Department of Surgery. Dr. Rue’s leadership and dedication to improving trauma care make him an instrumental figure in the history of the trauma program at UAB.
After more than three decades of unwavering service and leadership in trauma care, Holly Waller, RN, BSN, MPH, NE-BC, has been named a recipient of the UAB VIP Award, a recognition reserved for those who exemplify the values, integrity, and performance that define excellence at UAB.
The UAB General Surgery Residency Program has welcomed ten new trainees to the department and celebrated the graduation of its eight chief surgeons.
Christina Lundeen, BSN, RN, a clinical care coordinator in the UAB Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, has been named a 2025 Patient Experience Hero by UAB's Office of Patient Experience and Engagement.
UAB Department of Surgery Assistant Professor Kimberly Kopecky, M.D., MSCI, has been featured in the “What's Brewing with Berman” video series from the Society of Surgical Oncology's president, Russell Berman, M.D., to further discuss her project on eliciting patient values.
UAB Division of Surgical Oncology Assistant Professor Kimberly Kopecky, M.D., MSCI, has been chosen as a recipient of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Faculty Research Fellowship. The ACS research fellowship will begin in July 2025 and continue through July 2027, with an annual stipend of $40,000.
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.
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.
On February 22 and April 12, members of the Health Pros for the ASO Giving Society gathered for concerts and receptions in support of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra (ASO). Health Pros for the ASO is a giving society made up of medical professionals across all disciplines and roles who support the ASO and seek to preserve it for future generations. As benefits of their support, members of the giving society are invited to attend an ASO concert and enjoy a reception.
Executive Vice Chair of Surgery Gregory Kennedy, M.D., Ph.D., begins his term this month as President of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract (SSAT).
UAB Division of Surgical Oncology Assistant Professor Kimberly Kopecky, M.D., MSCI, will co-moderate the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Symposium for Research in Surgical Palliative Care, which will be hosted on Thursday, May 8, 2025, from 7:00–8:30 p.m.
This year, approximately 1,000 Alabama residents will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. With a trending increase in cases for patients under the age of 55, we can all familiarize ourselves with common signs and symptoms associated with pancreatic cancer to reduce our risk and identify key indicators of the disease.
UAB Clinical Associate Professor in the Division of Vascular Surgery Kyle Mauk, DPM, FACFAS, ABPM, recently appeared on the UAB MedCast podcast to discuss the new Limb Salvage Program at UAB as well as the new Advanced Podiatric Limb Salvage and Reconstruction Fellowship, which he directs.
The Heersink School of Medicine honored the achievements of eight esteemed faculty members during the Fall 2024 Endowed Chairs and Professorships Reception, held Oct. 29 at the Wallace Tumor Institute. Families, faculty, and leaders of the Heersink School of Medicine joined the honorees to celebrate their outstanding contributions to medical education and research. Anupam Agarwal, M.D., dean of the Heersink School of Medicine, opened the event by welcoming guests and recognizing the significance of these prestigious appointments.
Heersink School of Medicine awarded nine staff members as the 2024 Dean’s Excellence Awards for Staff winners. Individuals selected for this honor showcased outstanding accomplishments beyond their daily duties and contributed considerably to Heersink’s core mission areas – education, clinical care, and basic, translational, and clinical research.
The spring 2024 Endowed Chairs and Professorships Reception honored the distinguished faculty members of the Heersink School of Medicine for their outstanding impact on contemporary medicine and medical education. Anupam Agarwal, M.D., the dean of the Heersink School of Medicine, extended a warm welcome to the honorees, their families, and other leaders from the school. The gathering took place at the Wallace Tumor Institute on April 17.
The Heersink School of Medicine Office for Diversity and Inclusion hosted the annual Women in Medicine and Science Promotion Reception April 11, which recognized women faculty promoted at the end of 2023. The honorees and their guests were greeted by Heersink leadership to celebrate their remarkable achievements.
The UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine was honored to welcome National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Monica Bertagnolli, M.D., as the guest lecturer for the Department of Surgery’s annual Kirby I. Bland, M.D., Endowed Lectureship.
Anupam Agarwal, M.D., dean of the Heersink School of Medicine, welcomed 13 esteemed faculty members, their families, and Heersink School of Medicine leaders to the Wallace Tumor Institute on Nov. 14 to honor the new endowed chairs and professorships for their contributions to modern medicine and medical education.
UAB Department of Surgery Administrative & Communications Director Marissa Cabrera Keppley has been elected to the Association of Academic Surgical Administrators (AASA) Board of Directors.
UAB Department of Surgery faculty are leading the way in education for trauma surgeons by creating guides for a new series published in the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery. Both pieces are “need to know” articles on damage control resuscitation (DCR) in both adult and pediatric trauma patient populations.
Jayme Locke, M.D., MPH, professor in the Department of Surgery’s Transplantation Division, has been awarded the 2023 Dean’s Excellence Award in mentoring.
A UAB Heersink School of Medicine student has started a new initiative to help emergency and trauma patients "discharge with dignity."
The Heersink School of Medicine is spotlighting each of the women selected for the Momentum in Medicine at UAB program and hosting one-on-one interviews to learn their stories. In May, Heersink communications sat down with Megann Bates Cain, Donna Bailer, and Dr. Cathy Fuller to hear what the program means to them.
The Best Medicine Show is back with a livestream performance at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 4. Enjoy a night of entertainment while helping support Equal Access Birmingham.
This week, the communications team sat down with Ascension St. Vincent’s CEO Jason Alexander to talk about how he plans to work with UAB in the coming year, what excites him about the Alliance, and how he stays well through stress.
This week in Meet medicine leadership, Reid Jones, CEO of UAB Medicine, talks about about his 30-year career at UAB, what it was like to work with UAB giants Arnold "Gil" Diethelm, M.D., and John Kirklin, M.D., and his vision as the UAB Health System moves forward.
Brenessa Lindeman, M.D., MEHP, FACS, comes from a long line of educators, and she uses her passion for educating others in both the Department of Surgery and in her new role as assistant dean for Graduate Medical Education.