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Theresa Wright, administrative supervisor in the Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine and Leen Matalka, M.D., assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, have graduated from the Elevate Leadership Academy, an eight-month leadership development program designed to strengthen leadership skills and prepare participants for expanded leadership responsibilities.

For the past several years, Audrey Minter has been a welcoming presence for patients and families visiting the Sparks Center for Development and Learning Disorders at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics. As a Patient Services Coordinator I, Minter helps ensure clinic operations run smoothly while creating a positive experience for those receiving care.

Gary Turner, M.D., a former faculty member in the UAB Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, has continued to support the department through an endowed lectureship that routinely brings internationally renowned experts to share their expertise with residents, fellows, and faculty.

UAB Department of Surgery Fay Fletcher Kerner Endowed Chair Herbert Chen, M.D., has been named a distinguished professor, one of the highest academic honors UAB confers, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to surgical education, clinical care, research, and leadership in academic medicine.

The Department of Urology is proud to spotlight Kaylin Swoboda, MPH, education administrator, who recently joined the department and brings a thoughtful, steady approach to her role. Originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, Swoboda is early in her time with UAB Urology and is already supporting the department’s educational efforts while learning the ins and outs of her position. As she settles into her role, Swoboda emphasizes adaptability and maintaining a level head in fast-paced environments.

After more than two decades of dedicated service, Tracey Cotton-Bickham is retiring from the UAB Department of Radiation Oncology, leaving behind a legacy defined by compassion, mentorship, and a deep commitment to resident education.

Update from Alan TN Tita, M.D., Ph.D., Director, Mary Heersink Institute for Global Health Monday, June 1, 2026: The escalating Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda - caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus - continues to outpace response efforts, with some 1000 cases and 220 deaths suspected. Pending effective vaccines or specific treatments for this strain, urgent action is required.  Priority actions: Strict infection prevention – avoid contact, use hand hygiene, and protective devices - similar to COVID. Intensive contact tracing and monitoring - up to 21 days if exposed. Rapid detection, isolation, and supportive care Safe, dignified burials of victims Strong community engagement, risk communication, and cross-border coordination and logistics are essential for an effective response to contain transmission and save lives.

The UAB Department of Pathology is pleased to announce a new faculty member joining our team, effective June 1.

The UAB Department of Pathology is thrilled to announce a new faculty member joining our team, effective June 1.

Callie Clowdus, LPN, and Laurel Waldrop, NP, of the Division of Surgical Oncology graduated from the UAB Wound Scholars Advanced Program on May 14, 2026.

At the UAB Heersink School of Medicine, more than 1,100 residents and fellows are engaged in graduate medical education across over 100 programs. The House Staff Council (HSC) represents these trainees, bringing together residents and fellows from all programs to serve as a key liaison between learners and institutional leadership.

Irfan Asif, M.D., chair of the UAB Department of Family and Community Medicine and associate dean for Primary Care and Rural Health in the Heersink School of Medicine, has been selected for the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Council of Deans Fellowship program. Asif is the first UAB faculty member to be selected for this prestigious fellowship, which started in 2001.

Mark Hadley, M.D., professor and Charles A. and Patsy W. Collat Endowed Chair of Neurosurgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Neurosurgery, reflected on the history and evolution of spinal neurosurgery at the Society of Neurological Surgeons 2026 Annual Meeting.

The UAB Department of Pathology recently funded travel awards to three trainees, who will present their research at national meetings this year.

James Johnston, M.D., professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Neurosurgery, discussed the evolution of the department's Global Neurosurgery Program at the Society of Neurological Surgeons 2026 Annual Meeting.

Jeffrey Blount, M.D., MPH, professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Neurosurgery, presented on the evolution of transitional care for patients with spina bifida and the development of the UAB and Children’s of Alabama (COA) transition clinic model at the Society of Neurological Surgeons 2026 Annual Meeting.

Jakub Godzik, M.D., MS, associate professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Neurosurgery, discussed the future of spine care and the growing need for integrated and multidisciplinary systems designed to improve patient access, efficiency and coordination of care at the Society of Neurological Surgeons 2026 Annual Meeting.

Behind many of the critical decisions made in the emergency room is a highly specialized team working just out of sight: emergency radiologists. At UAB, these physicians play an essential, around-the-clock role, delivering rapid, precise diagnoses that help guide care when every second matters.

As a leader in her field, Coker has spent decades designing studies and translating research into meaningful change for patients. But in a powerful reversal of roles, Coker recently found herself on the other side of the consent form.

Yuying Chen, M.D., Ph.D., has been named a university professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Heersink School of Medicine Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Before Trey Jemison III reached the NBA Finals, his sports vision care journey began at UAB. Now becoming the first former UAB Blazer to appear on an NBA Finals roster, Jemison's story highlights the importance of eye safety, prevention and specialized care for all athletes.

Nadine Bradley, pediatric neurosurgery nurse at Children’s of Alabama (COA), was recently selected as the winner of a 2026 Nursing Excellence Achievement Award.

Thirty-six members of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Neurosurgery have been recognized through the university’s annual Service Awards for their education, excellence and lasting contributions to UAB.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation hosted a regional conference aimed at introducing medical students to the specialty of PM&R.

Cristina Magi-Galluzzi, M.D., Ph.D., did not initially set out to become Chair of the UAB Department of Pathology. She set out to be the best pathologist she could be. What happened next is a lesson in what leadership actually looks like when it grows from the ground up.

In this installment, Ming Meng, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Neurobiology, explores his research using brain imaging, behavioral experiments, and computational modeling to study how perception, attention, and mental imagery work together to shape conscious experience.

James Markert, M.D., MPH, James Garber Galbraith Endowed Chair of Neurosurgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Neurosurgery, highlighted the growth, innovation and impact of the department at the Society of Neurological Surgeons 2026 Annual Meeting.

The UAB Department of Microbiology achieved a significant national ranking in the 2025 Blue Ridge Rankings, placing No. 15 among microbiology departments nationwide. In addition, five faculty members in the Department of Microbiology ranked among the top 18 percent of principal investigators (PIs) in the Microbiology/Immunology/Virology category for individual funding.

Four surgeons from the UAB Department of Surgery are now providing specialized surgical care to patients in Mobile and Baldwin counties through UAB's partnership with Infirmary Health, which is based out of the Mobile, Alabama area. Katelin Holmes, D.O., Jillian McCabe, M.D. R.D., James Sahawneh, M.D., and Udai Sibia, M.D., MBA, bring fellowship-trained expertise in a variety of fields, including diseases of the breast, skin and soft tissues, and the entire gastrointestinal tract, to Infirmary Health facilities, extending UAB's reach throughout southern Alabama.

For Chris Grijalba, D.O., an assistant professor in the UAB Department of Family and Community Medicine, lacrosse is about speed, skill, and opportunity. One of the fastest games on two feet, lacrosse rewards athletes of all shapes and sizes who bring effort and skill to the field. That blend of intensity and purpose is part of what drew him to the game, and ultimately, helped shape his path into sports medicine. Today, Grijalba has built a career allowing him to care for athletes while staying closely connected to the game.