The UAB Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine has been ranked No. 10 among anesthesiology departments nationwide for National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, according to the 2025 rankings released by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research. The department moved up from No. 18 in the previous ranking, marking a significant rise in national standing. The Blue Ridge rankings are widely used across academic medicine as a benchmark for research productivity and competitiveness. The rankings are based on federal research funding awarded by the NIH to researchers at U.S. medical schools and their departments.
This advancement reflects continued growth in the department’s research portfolio and the expanding impact of its investigators in advancing perioperative medicine, pain management, and critical care.
“This ranking reflects the dedication and scientific impact of our faculty and trainees who are advancing anesthesiology research every day,” said Dan E. Berkowitz, M.D., chair of the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine. “Moving into the top 10 nationally is an important milestone for our department and for the Heersink School of Medicine. Our investigators are tackling critical challenges in perioperative care and patient safety, and this recognition highlights the strength of the collaborative research environment we have built at UAB.”
Faculty in the department conduct research spanning basic science, translational discovery, and clinical investigation to address critical organ injury, pain, and cardiovascular disease with the goal of improving outcomes for patients undergoing surgery and treatment for complex medical conditions.
“Our rise in the Blue Ridge rankings reflects a sustained focus on strengthening our research enterprise and supporting investigators at every stage of their careers,” said Kevin Harrod, Ph.D., vice chair of Research in the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine. “Through strategic collaboration, mentorship, and increased grant activity, our faculty continue to develop highly competitive research programs that expand our national research footprint and ultimately improve patient care.”
Find more information on UAB’s performance in other areas.