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UAB Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery Assistant Professor Kristen Wong, M.D., was recently selected as an instructor for the Laparoscopic & Robotic Foregut Surgery Course offered by the Institute for Research into Cancer of the Digestive System (IRCAD).
When a patient undergoes an organ transplant, failure to match the donor and recipient can lead to the recipient's immune system attacking the new organ, a process triggered by a specific HLA (human leukocyte antigen) protein. In a recent study published in Immunity, UAB researchers uncovered consistency in how the immune system decides which part of the foreign HLA protein to attack—information that could help improve transplant success.
Two faculty members in the UAB Department of Urology were recently recognized for a patent related to the treatment of primary hyperoxaluria, a rare genetic condition resulting from an excess of oxalate in the urine that can lead to chronic kidney disease.
In March, several of our colleagues were recognized for their years of service working at UAB and the Department of Pathology. The UAB Service Awards honor employees at each five-year milestone who have completed five or more years of service to UAB.
On Match Day, Brenton Bicknell will join his classmates, eager to share in the excitement to discover where everyone will train in medical residency. Already matched into ophthalmology at UAB Callahan Eye, the day is as much about celebrating his peers’ achievements as it is his own. For the fourth-year medical student at the Heersink School of Medicine’s Huntsville Campus, it marks a milestone shaped by mentors, family, and the camaraderie of classmates who have shared the journey.
Cheri Canon, M.D., FACR, FSAR, FAAWR, president, UA Health Services Foundation; chief physician executive, UAB Health System; professor emerita, UAB Heersink School of Medicine Department of Radiology, recently received the 2026 SAR Gold Medal Award, the highest honor presented by the Society of Abdominal Radiology (SAR). The award recognizes outstanding and sustained contributions to abdominal radiology.
For nearly two years, Lauren Picken has been a steady presence in UAB’s Department of Family and Community Medicine—first caring for patients in the clinic, then supporting primary care research. This fall, she will take the next step in her journey when she leaves Birmingham to begin medical school. It is a path shaped not only by her work at UAB but by her own search for a diagnosis.
Sight Savers America has named Alston Callahan, M.D., FACS, and Michael A. Callahan, M.D., FACS, as the 2026 Hall W. Thompson Heroes for Sight, recognizing two generations whose leadership and dedication have shaped the future of eye care in Alabama and beyond.
Physicians from the UAB Department of Radiation Oncology are bringing advanced cancer care closer to home for patients in east Alabama through their ongoing partnership with Russell Medical Center (RMC).
Eight UAB Heersink School of Medicine students have been selected for the 2026–2027 class of Alabama Albert Schweitzer Fellows, representing the institution among a competitive statewide cohort. Over the next year, they will partner with community organizations to develop and carry out sustainable service initiatives addressing the underlying factors that influence health in communities with limited access to care.
The UAB Cardiovascular Institute (CVI) has released its 2025 Annual Report – celebrating the institute’s accomplishments over the past year and highlighting milestones in patient care, quality recognition, and strategic growth.
The UAB Department of Neurology has established a new procedure clinic at Cooper Green Mercy Health to expand access to botulinum toxin therapy for issues like migraines, cervical dystonia, and other movement disorders.
The emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare has shown robust potential for future utilization. One common application is its ability to provide quality assurance for practitioners in various specialties. This direction is the vision of Daniel Atherton, M.D., an associate professor in the Department of Pathology’s Division of Forensics, who worked with colleagues from the Institute for Biomedical Innovation to develop WoundX, a software tool for gunshot wound classification.
For more than nine years, Elizabeth Alfano has helped support the daily operations of the Division of Academic General Pediatrics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics. As an Administrative Office Specialist IV, Alfano plays a key role in coordinating schedules, maintaining important clinic resources and supporting the teams who care for patients and families.
Cancer treatment, while lifesaving, often comes with a wide range of physical, emotional and social challenges for young patients. Pediatric cancer survivors may face long-term effects from their treatments, impacting everything from mobility and strength to cognitive function and emotional well-being. To address these challenges, Kelli Chaviano, D.O., assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, developed the Integrative Cancer Rehabilitation service line (I CAN Rehab) to provide comprehensive rehabilitation support throughout the cancer care continuum.
The UAB Department of Radiation Oncology has launched a new one-day HyperArc Trainee Observation Course designed to introduce Radiation Oncology and Medical Physics residents to the principles and clinical workflow of advanced stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiation therapy.
Robert T. Russell, M.D., MPH, professor in the UAB Department of Surgery and director of the Trauma Program at Children's of Alabama, has been selected by the American Board of Surgery (ABS) to join a newly-formed case writing group for the General Surgery Certifying Examination.
As Heersink School of Medicine continues to improve accessibility throughout its digital platforms, it is crucial to know foundational steps for building materials. Before uploading documents onto the website or into courses within learning management systems, there are a few quick steps you can take to ensure efficient use of accessibility features.
Matthew Garron is a Help Desk Technician for Medical Education Informational Services, where he has served since June 2024. Prior to joining the MEIS team, he worked in the UAB Campus Bookstore. Garron was nominated to the 2025-2026 cohort of Medical Education Unsung Heroes by Adam Agee, director of Information Technology for the Heersink School of Medicine.
The Volker Hall Lecture Tower is now open for use. After more than a year of renovation, the spaces have been refreshed and updated to accommodate the needs of modern medical education.
For families of children with disabilities, accessing health care often means navigating complex systems while managing significant caregiving demands. As more children with complex medical needs require coordinated, long-term care, reducing barriers and wait times has become increasingly important. At the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics, two pediatric faculty members are working to address these challenges by combining clinical care with advocacy, education and system-level change.
The Department of Urology is proud to spotlight Katrina Edmond Taylor, an education administrator in the department, whose energy, organization, and passion for people make a meaningful impact.
For nearly 20 years, the Varian Clinac iX linear accelerator has been a vital part of patient care in the UAB Department of Radiation Oncology. Now, the department is in the process of retiring the iX and installing a new Varian TrueBeam.
Elizabeth Proezna, M.D., PGY-3, and Rafaella Navarro Hoyos, M.D., PGY-2, in the UAB Department of Pediatrics, spent two weeks in Peru and realized a medical truth widely sought after in the UAB community. They learned that sometimes the most powerful medicine isn't just in the treatment, it's in a spirit of collaboration that can cross distance and borders.
UAB Medicine’s Leadership Development Office (LDO) celebrated the graduation of 12 faculty members from the LEading, Advancing, Developing (LEAD) program for spring 2026. The cohort brought together leaders from across clinical and basic science disciplines who are committed to strengthening their leadership impact and advancing academic excellence across the institution.
UAB Medicine’s Leadership Development Office (LDO) recognized eight faculty members who graduated from cohort 8 of the SAIL (Sharing Authentically to Inspire and Lead) program for spring 2026. The program supports junior faculty as they develop authentic leadership approaches, strengthen professional networks, and navigate the unique challenges of early academic careers.
UAB Sports & Exercise Medicine has developed the nation’s first training video on how to perform CPR and defibrillation on athletes with disabilities. The video and accompanying tools are designed for medical professionals and others who provide sideline coverage for adaptive athletes, offering detailed guidance on performing CPR both in and out of a wheelchair.
UAB Department of Surgery faculty members Annabelle Fonseca, M.D., MHS, and Brenessa Lindeman, M.D., MEHP, presented research at the Southern Surgical Association (SSA) Annual Meeting last month, showcasing the department’s leadership in surgical education, workforce development, and health equity-focused outcomes research.
The UAB Heersink School of Medicine is pleased to announce the appointment of Mahmud Mossa-Basha, M.D., as the fourth holder of the prestigious Witten-Stanley Endowed Chair in the Department of Radiology. This appointment was formally approved by the Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama in February 2026.
Hospitals nationwide recognize the dedication, resilience and impact of resident physicians each year on Thank a Resident Day, observed Feb. 27. At the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Neurosurgery, that appreciation runs deep.