The Department is delighted to celebrate three recipients of the inaugural President’s Award for Excellence in Shared Values, which this year honors Blazers who demonstrated one or more of UAB’s shared values in the course of their work during the extraordinary times presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Dr. Cindy Joiner (Associate Vice Chair, DOM) was recognized for her work in the research space to get people safely back to their labs.

• Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo (Professor and Director, Infectious Diseases) demonstrated public health leadership in communicating about the virus.

• Kathy King (Lab Supervisor, Preventive Medicine) organized staff and supplies for mobile community testing sites.

We salute these three exemplars for their display of integrity, respect, diversity and inclusiveness, collaboration, excellence and achievement, stewardship, and accountability.

More Good News for March 5, 2020

Anath Shalev, MD (Professor, Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism) is the latest SOM Featured Discovery recipient. Her study identifies a small molecule that lowers TXNIP and glucagon and shows strong anti-diabetic effects in mouse models of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, making it an attractive novel diabetes drug candidate.

Michal Mrug, MD (Professor, Nephrology) was awarded an AMC21 grant for a project to address the lack of safe, efficient therapeutics for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), the fourth leading cause of end-stage kidney disease. He also hopes to better validate supportive care and lifestyle recommendations for this condition.

Experts tell us that with every dose of vaccine that is administered, lives are being saved. And they urge everyone who is eligible to sign up to receive the vaccine. If you still have concerns about whether vaccination is right for you, you're not alone. Consider these five perspectives from our DOM family who share their stories about why they support vaccination.

Joy Ogunsile, MD (Assistant Professor, Hematology & Oncology) has been named to a list of “1,000 Inspiring Black Scientists,” published in Cell Mentor this winter. Her research seeks to improve clinical outcomes and survival for adults with sickle cell disease by increasing physical activity. Congratulations, Dr. Ogunsile!

Beloved administrative associate in the Division of Nephrology Mozella Kerley passed away on February 19. Celebrated as DOM Employee of the Month in June 2018, those who knew her best considered her a ray of sunshine and a treasure in the Division. Gifts may be made in her honor to the UAB "Mozella Kerley Excellence Fund." Give now.