Alabama is the first state in the nation with a comprehensive plan to eliminate cervical cancer. When it comes to cervical cancer, Alabama has one of the highest rates of new cases and mortality. A dire situation to be sure, but there is a silver lining: Alabama also leads the country in the effort to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health threat.

How research enriches the medical school experience. Federico Prokopczuk is in his fourth year as an M.D./Ph.D. trainee. A native of Rancho Cucamonga, California, he graduated from California State University, Northridge with a Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology before joining the Heersink School of Medicine in June 2021.

Sheldon Kushner, M.D., reflects on life as a young trauma surgeon during the Vietnam War. “Wheels are up,” declared the captain of the aircraft carrying Sheldon Kushner, M.D., and other military personnel departing from Tan Son Nhut Air Base in Saigon, Vietnam—ending Kushner’s arduous tour of duty as a trauma surgeon during the height of the Vietnam conflict in 1969.

Kelly Hyndman shares her love of pottery-making. Kelly Hyndman, Ph.D., associate professor in the Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, discovered her passion for pottery in 2015.

Artist with a passion for travel commits bequest to establish scholarship. Gerda Carmichael believed the world was meant to be explored. Born in 1930 to French and German immigrant parents in the heart of New York City, Carmichael knew the importance of hard work. 

The Beard family extends their legacy of compassion and care. How do you celebrate an extraordinary family? One that has devoted themselves to bringing skilled nursing into thousands of homes across Alabama? One that has given generously in support of hospice and palliative care for decades?

Gift from UAB Urology leaders establishes endowed professorship. In 2012, urology care, research, and training at UAB entered a new era when the Division of Urology became a department. 

Honoring the O’Neal family for investing in cancer care and research. The UAB O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center recognized the O’Neal family this past February as the ArtBLINK Gala honorees for their transformative gift to name the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center in 2018. 

Heersink’s thriving start-up culture is producing creative solutions to improve health care outcomes. Academic medical centers (AMCs) are among the United States’ most active hives of biomedical innovation thanks to their often robust research enterprises. Increasingly, AMCs like the Heersink School of Medicine play a central role in another realm of innovation: the biomedical/biotech start-up space.

A powerful philanthropic partnership is transforming research and treatment of intellectual and developmental disabilities. Before there were MRI machines or CT scans—never mind the possibility of using AI to unlock the mysteries of the human brain—there was Civitan International.

Meet some of Heersink’s outstanding new faculty members. Each issue, we introduce you to several of the exceptional new faculty that have joined the Heersink School of Medicine. These outstanding recruits—just a few of the many new faces we welcome to our faculty each year—bring with them a wealth of expertise, impressive research portfolios, and a commitment to excellence in shaping the future of medicine and health care.

The 2025 Medical Alumni Weekend, held February 28-March 1, brought together over 250 alumni and guests for a celebration infused with the spirit of Mardi Gras. This festive gathering provided a unique opportunity for alumni to reconnect, reminisce, and engage with the evolving landscape of the Heersink School of Medicine.