The Department of Pediatrics is pleased to honor our 2025-2026 Department of Pediatrics Faculty Achievement Awards. They have attained a level of excellence recognized by their peers due to their exceptional contributions for the development of the department and in turn, the achievers of tomorrow - our children.
Please join us in congratulating the winners in each category.
Service Achievement Award
The Service Award recognizes individuals who have exhibited sustained, significant and impactful clinical service or service through leadership, advocacy, or diversity enhancement to the department, university or community. Criteria include significant sustained commitment to providing service to the institution and/or community.
Junior
Justin Schwartz, M.D.
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
Senior
Julie Wolfson, M.D., MSHS
Hematology/ Oncology
Research Achievement Award
The Research Achievement Award is awarded based on research merit and impact on the appropriate field of research. Criteria include attainment of national and international recognition for superior scholarship as indicated through publications, continued productivity over a sustained period of time, extramural funding, professional activities, academic awards and the impact or potential impact on improving child health.
Junior
Michael Lopez, M.D., Ph.D.
Pediatric Neruology
Senior
Ariel Salas, M.D., MSPH
Neonatology
Mentoring Achievement Award
The Mentoring Achievement Award will recognize faculty who are outstanding mentors to junior faculty, fellows and other trainees within the university. Criteria will include a strong commitment to the career development of trainees and junior faculty, excellent mentoring in clinical work, education and clinical/translational/basic research, and evidence of mentees’ success in these fields.
Junior
Spencer Poore, M.D.
Pediatric Pulmonology
Senior
Laurie Marzullo, M.D.
Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Educational Acheivement Award
The Educational Achievement Award is to honor outstanding contributions to the teaching mission of the university. Criteria include commitment to teaching, development of innovative and high-impact educational programs, demonstrated creative approaches to teaching, high standards of performance and outstanding teaching evaluations.
Junior
Mark Anthony Zanni, M.D.
Pediatric Hospital Medicine
Senior
Camden Hebson, M.D.
Pediatric Cardiology
Access and Engagement Achievement Award
The Access & Engagement Award recognizes faculty who have demonstrated sustained dedication to advancing the Department’s commitment to access and engagement. Areas where this commitment may be evident include recruitment and retention efforts, teaching, research, trainee or faculty programming, community outreach activities, or other initiatives.
Junior
Andrew Watson, M.D.
Pediatric Hospital Medicine
Senior
Hannah Hightower, M.D.
Neonatology
Quality Improvement Achievment Award
The Quality Improvement Achievement Award recognizes faculty engaged in quality work designed to improve health outcomes in children of Alabama. Criteria will include representation of quality work at regional and national conferences, continued commitment to QI education, publications, QI related awards and other professional activities.
Junior
Jessica Schmitt, M.D.
Pediatric Endocrinology
Senior
Rachel Kassel, M.D., Ph.D.
Pediatric Gastroenterology
Team Excellence Achievement Award
The Model of Team Excellence award will recognize a team or group of faculty that has demonstrated exceptional leadership and clinical, educational, or research accomplishments at the national/ international level. Criteria will include demonstration that these accomplishments are due to both the team effort and the unique contributions of individual team members.
Teal Complex Care Team:
Marie Pfarr, J. Andrew Watson, Erinn Schmit, Meghan Harrison, Ariel Carpenter, Kennon Ulicney, Tony Fargason, Madhura Hallman, Cherith Parish, Jordan Lowell, Laurel Williams, Nichole Samuy, Erin Scheiter, Hubbs Bottcher, Jackie Chavez and Marleigh Shelby
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achivement Award award recognizes truly outstanding individuals who are making or have made exceptional contributions to pediatric healthcare through clinical services, education or research. Nominees must have been affiliated with the UAB DOP within the last 10 years.
Crayton A. Fargason, Jr., M.D., MM
Academic General Pediatrics