Herbert Chen, M.D., the Fay Fletcher Endowed Chair of the UAB Department of Surgery, gave the 2026 State of the Department presentation earlier this week, spotlighting achievements from the past year and reflecting on the 80 year history of the department.

UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine medical students Thanushri Srikantha, Neil Chaudhary, and Alison Levine were awarded among the best projects of the 2025 UAB Medical Student Research Day (MSRD).

The Empathy Project helps trainees respond to the emotions beneath patients’ tough questions. Creator Kimberly Kopecky, M.D., MSCI, a UAB surgeon specializing in high-risk abdominal procedures, understands why doctors often substitute facts for feelings. But it is possible to have better doctor-patient conversations, she said: “It is a skill you can practice.”

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 Medicine’s Leadership Development Office would like to welcome 19 individuals in its 12th cohort of the Institute for Leadership in the spring of 2026. The goal of the UAB Medicine Institute for Leadership is to enhance existing personal, leadership, and management competencies while leveraging current leadership strategies and trends.

The DATA coordinating and Collaborative Research Unit (DATA CRU) at UAB will lead the Data Coordinating Center (DCC) for the United States arm of the international WARRIORS trial (Women’s Aneurysm Research: Repair Immediately Or Routine Surveillance).

Researchers at UAB recently received a grant to help develop a plan aimed at reducing crash fatality in Central Alabama through evidence-based enhancements.

After a devastating car accident, Garry Taylor, 71, had nearly a zero percent chance of survival. Pre-hospital blood extended his survival to allow him to get the lifesaving care he needed at UAB Hospital.

UAB Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery and the Cardiovascular Institute patient services were recently recognized in Newsweek’s list of the World’s Best Specialized Hospitals 2026, highlighting its position as a leading institution in treatment and care.

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.

The UAB Department of Surgery is honored to congratulate five faculty members who have recently graduated from the UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine Emerging Leader Series (ELS) professional development program, which was developed by UAB Medicine's Leadership Development Office (LDO).

UAB Division of Transplantation Professor and Surgical Director of Kidney Transplantation, Michael Hanaway, M.D., has recently been featured on UAB MedCast.

Angela M. Carter, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology, was selected to chair a minisymposium at Neuroscience 2025, the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience (SfN) and the largest international gathering of neuroscientists.

University of Zambia General Surgery Resident Kebby Mazyamuna, M.D., recently shared his experience as an international scholar visiting the UAB Department of Surgery and shadowing multiple surgeons across all oncology specialties. 

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The UAB Department of Surgery Faculty Exchange Program hosted its latest cohort of participants in 2025 – featuring visits to partnering institutions across the United States.

Andrea Gillis, M.D., MSPH, an assistant professor in the UAB Department of Surgery, and the team from the Neuroendocrine Cancer Research Laboratory have been awarded for the best basic science oral presentation at the North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (NANETS) Multidisciplinary Neuroendocrine Tumor (NET) Medical Symposium.

As a pediatric surgeon and director of the Trauma Program at Children’s of Alabama, Robert Russell, M.D., MPH, cares for the youngest, smallest, and most innocent patients of Alabama. Learn about Russell’s journey to becoming a pediatric surgeon, the cutting-edge research he’s leading, and why he loves his job.

The UAB Department of Surgery is proud to highlight the outstanding research achievements of faculty, trainees, and researchers over the past quarter.

Even in the colder months, it is important to keep an eye out for any unusual skin changes as some discolorations may not appear immediately after sun exposure.

Angela Carter, Ph.D., assistant professor in the UAB Division of Surgical Oncology, has been selected to receive an O’Neal Invests Catalyst Award from the UAB O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center.

On World Pancreatic Cancer Day, the UAB Pancreatobiliary Disease Center (PDC) hosted an awareness booth in The Kirklin Clinic (TKC), engaging patients, caregivers, and staff in meaningful conversations about one of the most lethal cancers affecting Alabama and the nation.

Sarah B. Bateni, M.D., MSW, MAS, an assistant professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology, was recently featured on the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO) Education Series podcast. 

Adam Beck, M.D., director of the UAB Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy, has been elected as the Chief of Medical Staff-elect (COMS-elect) for UAB Medicine. 

UAB Neurosurgery and Trauma experts discuss the importance of taking precautions when decorating this holiday season.

The award, totaling over $2 million through 2030, will support Overstreet’s investigation aimed at uncovering the factors that determine patients’ experiences of acute and chronic pain during their healing journeys after surgery.

A UAB expert provides recommendations on how to drink responsibly during the holidays.

Experts at UAB are providing insight into some of the top preventable injuries they see on a regular basis and some practical advice for how to avoid them.

The Compassion Closet opened in January 2023 to provide trauma and emergency patients at UAB with clothes when their own clothes have been cut off or ruined before or during care — so they do not have to go home in paper scrubs. It has helped thousands of patients since. See which items are needed most with winter approaching.

Mohammad Zain Hashmi, M.D., assistant professor in the UAB Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery and director of an innovative teletrauma program providing care in rural areas of Alabama, has received the 2025 President’s Award for Excellence in Support of UAB and Shared Governance.