News

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics and Children’s of Alabama are pleased to announce a leadership change within the Pediatric Simulation Center effective May 1, 2026.Nick Rockwell, M.D., assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Critical Care, has been named the medical director of the Pediatric Simulation Center.

The Dixon Foundation supports the Dixon Pediatric Fellowship training program for fellows who intend to pursue an academic career with a research emphasis (ranging from basic and translational science to education or QI-centric research) in approved pediatric subspecialties.

The Chu Family has generously donated funds to Children's of Alabama and the Department of Pediatrics to support educational initiatives. A portion of this donation has been set aside for the pediatric fellows to fund scholarships for fellows who apply.

We are pleased to announce that Mark Reynolds Jones has joined the Department of Pediatrics leadership team as director of Pediatrics Business Services.

The UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine is proud to announce the winners of the 2026 Dean's Excellence Awards for Faculty, recognizing exceptional faculty members who have demonstrated excellence in teaching, research, service, access and engagement, and mentorship.

The Department of Pediatrics is pleased to honor our 2025-2026 Department of Pediatrics Faculty Achievement Awards. They have attained a level of excellence recognized by their peers due to their exceptional contributions for the development of the department and in turn, the achievers of tomorrow - our children.Please join us in congratulating the winners in each category.

Ortal Resnick, M.D., a third-year fellow in the UAB Department of Pediatrics Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, has been selected as a 2026 RAPID Scholar. 

Experts from UAB, a nationally certified Safe Sleep Hospital, offer tips on keeping infants safe at night.

A stroke is often thought of as a condition of adulthood, yet it remains a significant and underrecognized cause of morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics is pleased to announce leadership changes within the Division of Pediatric Critical Care effective May 1, 2026.

UAB researchers review how senescent “zombie” cells contribute to skeletal muscle weakness with aging and disease, outlining emerging therapies such as senolytics and senomorphics that could help preserve muscle health and extend health span.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics announces with great pleasure the appointment of Chrystal Rutledge, M.D., associate professor in the Division of Pediatric Critical Care, as associate division director, effective May 1, 2026.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics is proud to announce that Randy Q. Cron, M.D., Ph.D., professor in the Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, has been elected to serve on the Executive Committee of the Section on Rheumatology (SORh) within the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)  Department of Pediatrics is proud to announce that Ariel Salas, M.D., MSPH, associate professor in the Division of Neonatology, along with his research team, has secured a National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute R34 award totaling $654,330 over three years.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics is proud to announce that Hope P. Wilson, M.D., assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and founding director of the Pediatric Thrombosis Program, has been awarded a National Institutes of Health K23 Career Development Award totaling approximately $944,000 over five years.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics is proud to announce that David Taylor, M.D., first-year fellow in the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, has been selected as the inaugural Children’s of Alabama Global Health Fellow Scholar, beginning in July 2026.

This is one of the few studies of its kind to look at the use of magnesium sulfate for babies born at 22-24 weeks of gestation in preventing neurodevelopmental outcomes.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics announces with great pleasure the appointment of Kathryn Lalor, M.D., associate professor in the Division of Pediatric Neurology, as division director, effective May 4, 2026.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics is proud to recognize Melinda D. Chance, M.D., third-year pediatric fellow in the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, for being selected as a recipient of the American Society of Hematology Abstract Achievement Award at the ASH Annual Meeting in December 2025.

Shea Duerring, M.D., associate professor in the Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine in the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics, has been appointed by the Secretary of Transportation to serve on the National Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council (NEMSAC).

For more than a decade, Geeta Chhabra has supported research efforts at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics. As a Research Grants Manager, Chhabra works closely with faculty and staff to ensure grant submissions are accurate, timely and compliant.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics welcomes a new faculty member in the month of April. Please join us in making them feel at home!

Recent innovations include a noninvasive external urine collection device, a system designed to simplify how clinicians manage fluid balance in critically ill patients, an ergonomic assist device for ureteroscopy and new ways to prevent kidney stones.

William Harris, M.D., associate professor in the Division of Pediatric Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics, has been elected to serve on the Executive Committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Section on Pediatric Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine.

When Babajide Ojo, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, was completing his doctoral degree at Oklahoma State University, one of his peers had a child with Crohn’s disease.

What began as a way to bring pediatric residents together outside the hospital has grown into one of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Pediatrics’ longest-running traditions. Now celebrating its 20th year, the Spring Scramble 5K continues to bring together residents, faculty and community members in support of children and families across Birmingham and beyond.

In 2025, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, in collaboration with the Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, expanded care, training and research for children with developmental and behavioral challenges.

The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) team at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics and Children’s of Alabama has been named the 2026 recipient of the Patient Safety First Award from the Society of Critical Care Medicine, recognizing its work to reduce unplanned extubations and advance patient safety.

Scott James, M.D., associate professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, has been appointed Treasurer of the Council of Pediatric Subspecialties Executive Committee (CoPS).

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics would like to introduce the 2025 Department of Pediatrics Staff Recognition Awards. These awards were created to honor staff members throughout the department for their contribution and commitment to the department's mission.