The UAB Department of Neurology honored department members for their years of service during a reception earlier this month. Honorees were recognized for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years of service. See the full list of names here.

Certain department members, including Shirley Gibbs, Program Director II in the Division of Neuro-Oncology and Clerkship Coordinator; Sandi Mumfrey-Thomas, Clinical Program Manager II in the Division of Neuromuscular Disease; Burt Nabors, M.D., William Austin Brown Endowed Professor, Vice Chair for Research, and Director of the Division of Neuro-Oncology; and Alan Rushing, MSHA, Director of Administration and Finance, were recognized for exceptionally long periods of dedication and service to the department, with Gibbs and Mumfrey-Thomas celebrating 30 years and Nabors and Rushing celebrating 25 years.

Dr. David Standaert, professor and chair of the Department of Neurology, said, “We are grateful for the dedication and long terms of service of these faculty and staff members. They are an important part of our ‘institutional memory,’ and help make UAB an amazing place to work and develop a career.”

Gibbs, Mumfrey-Thomas, Nabors, and Rushing each reflected on their time spent with the UAB Department of Neurology.

30 Years

“I am thankful for the 31 years at UAB, and the majority of this time has been in the Department of Neurology. If it wasn’t for the help and guidance of those in the past, as well as Dr. Nabors and Dr. (Khurram) Bashir, it would not have been possible. They trusted me with my skills, knowledge, and lots of multitasking to thrive in each of their areas of Neurology! I am very grateful.”

“When asked how or why I’ve stayed for 30-plus years, I can sum it up with a Steve Jobs quote: ‘The only way to do great work is to love what you do.’ It has been amazing to see the department grow and to witness, as well as be a part of, great accomplishments within the department and the Neuromuscular Disease Division over the decades. I believe in UAB and all that it stands for, and I’ve met some great people and formed lifelong friendships along the way!”

25 Years

“I have been here on faculty for 25 years but with the department for 29 as I was a neurology resident and then the first UAB fellow in neuro-oncology. I am very pleased with my decision to stay at UAB and with the department, although it really was not something we specifically decided; it just seems to have happened. It happened because I was with a great group of people to work with doing something extremely worthwhile and important. From my colleagues at the faculty level to all those who make it possible for UAB Neurology to provide some of the highest quality brain cancer care in the country. I will not list all but certainly all in the department, the division, the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, and all those in UAB Hospital and The Kirklin Clinic.”

“These years I have worked in the department have shaped me both personally and professionally. I feel proud to work with such an amazing team of talented staff and faculty. It has been very rewarding to experience the department’s significant growth since I started working here in 2004, and I look forward to seeing what lies ahead.”