Celebrating 50 years of neurological innovation
This year marks a significant milestone in the UAB Department of Neurology: the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the department within the Heersink School of Medicine. The past five decades have been marked by exceptional leadership, hardworking faculty and staff, and incredible growth. Join us as we revisit the highlights across 50 years of innovation and discovery in the field of neurology at UAB.
Sincerely,
Department Timeline
-
1933
1933
Dr.Wilmot Littlejohn, the first physician in Alabama formally trained in neurology (and psychiatry), began practicing in Birmingham. He laid the foundation for modern neurology in the region.
-
1946
1946
Dr. Samuel C. Little joined the team after WWII, introducing electroencephalography (EEG) to the Southeastern United States and helping establish the Southern EEG Society.
-
Early 1960s
Early 1960s
Dr. Harry Fang, a specialist in cerebrovascular disease and neuropathology, joined UAB.
-
1964
1964
Dr. Robert Ford (Mayo Clinic trained) and Dr. Irwin Lewis (from Montreal Neurologic Institute) joined—Lewis led neurology at the Birmingham VA Hospital while Ford focused on migraines.
-
1970
1970
Dr. Shin J. Oh, one of Alabama’s earliest neuromuscular specialists and the third full-time neurology faculty at UAB, established the first electromyography and muscle/nerve biopsy labs in the region.
-
1974
1974
James H. Halsey, M.D., became the first official chair following the department’s initial period under Dr. Little, further shaping UAB’s neurology vision.
-
1976
1976
Around 1968, the Division of Neurology became an independent department within UAB, distinct from the former Medical College of Alabama.
-
1979
1979
Dr. Shin Oh leads the Muscular Dystrophy and Myasthenia Gravis Center, (a role he would hold until the year 2000) solidifying UAB’s status as a regional center for neuromuscular diseases.
-
1985
1985
Dr. John Whitaker, recruited from the University of Tennessee/Memphis, took leadership as chair, ushering in a period of significant growth and expansion.
-
June 1992
June 1992
The Kirklin Clinic opens. Neurology clinical operations locate to the fifth floor, sharing with Neurosurgery.
-
August 2001
August 2001
Dr. John Whitaker passes away, and Dr. R. Edward Faught becomes interim chair of the Department of Neurology.
-
July 2003
July 2003
Dr. Ray L. Watts joins UAB from Emory University as chair of the Department of Neurology.
-
July 2010
July 2010
Dr. Ray L. Watts is appointed Senior Vice President and Dean of the School of Medicine at UAB. Dr. David G. Standaert, an internationally acknowledged expert in Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders, is named interim chair of the Department of Neurology.
-
August 2011
August 2011
Dr. David M. Standaert is named chair of the Department of Neurology.
-
February 2013
February 2013
Dr. Ray L. Watts is named seventh president of UAB.
-
January 2026
January 2026
The Department of Neurology celebrates its 50th anniversary with more than 90 faculty members, nine comprehensive divisions, seven centers, and a No. 42 ranking by U.S. News and World Report as a “Best Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery” in 2025.
Your support powers the next 50 years
Your support empowers the UAB Department of Neurology to continue leading the way in advancing clinical care, training the next generation of skilled neurologists, driving groundbreaking research, and improving the lives of patients everywhere.
As we celebrate 50 years of excellence, we invite you to join us in shaping the future of neurological care. Thank you for investing in the UAB Department of Neurology and helping us remain at the forefront of medicine for decades to come.
