Members of the UAB Department of Surgery were recognized this year with Patient Experience Hero Awards and Clinical Excellence in Nursing Awards, highlighting their commitment to delivering exceptional patient-centered care across the health system.
The awards honor faculty, nurses, advanced practice providers, and staff members who consistently go above and beyond to support patients and families, demonstrate clinical excellence, and embody UAB's values of compassion, collaboration, and service.
Patient Experience Hero Awards
Presented during Patient Experience Week, the Patient Experience Hero Award recognizes team members who make a meaningful impact on the lives of patients and families through compassion, trust, and exceptional service.
This year's Department of Surgery recipients include:
- Teresa McCool, R.N., Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery
- Lydia Wilson, CNA, Division of Trauma & Acute Care Surgery
- Kelly Chapman, BSN, R.N., Division of Trauma & Acute Care Surgery
- Shea Zablan, OTR/L, Acute Care Therapy
- Hillary Talley, MSN, RN, Division of Plastic Surgery
- Niya Kelley, WCT, CAN, Division of Trauma & Acute Care Surgery
- Amy LeCroy, BSN, R.N., CWOCN, Division of Trauma & Acute Care Surgery
"Teresa's commitment to our patients is truly exceptional," said Daniel Chu, M.D., MSPH, director of the Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery. "She approaches every interaction with compassion and professionalism, and her ability to help patients feel heard and cared for has a tremendous impact on our team and the patients we serve."
“I am incredibly proud of Lydia and Kelly being recognized through these awards,” said Daniel Cox, M.D., chief of trauma service in the Division of Trauma & Acute Care Surgery. “Whether at the bedside, in the clinic, or behind the scenes, they play a vital role in creating a positive experience for our patients. Their professionalism, compassion, and commitment to excellence exemplify the values of our department and our institution.
The department's continued commitment to exceptional patient care is reflected in its strong representation among this year's honorees. In 2025, Christina Lundeen, BSN, R.N., received a Patient Experience Hero Award for her contributions to patient-centered care.
Clinical Excellence in Nursing Awards
Several Department of Surgery-affiliated nurses and clinical staff were also recognized through the 2026 Clinical Excellence in Nursing Awards program. The awards celebrate individuals who demonstrate outstanding clinical expertise, leadership, professionalism, and dedication to improving patient outcomes.
Recipients include:
Transplantation Surgery and General Surgical Services
- Carmen Smith Fisher
- Rasheena Olds, R.N.
- Hye Sung Kim, R.N., Assistant Nurse Manager
- Brittany Anderson
- Linda B. Mack, Transplant Assistant
- Miesha McGlothan, R.N., Transplant Coordinator Lead
“Hye Sung is an outstanding nurse who both leads and does the hard work on the floors to take care of our surgery patients. Her dedication, poise, and professionalism for everyone around her is well-recognized and she is a deserved awardee of the Clinical Excellence Award,” said Daniel Chu, M.D., MSPH, director of the Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery.
“Carmen, Rasheena, Brittany, Linda and Miesha exemplify the compassion, teamwork, and dedication that are essential to exceptional transplant care,” said Jacqueline Garonzik Wang, M.D., Ph.D., Arnold G. Diethelm endowed chair and division director of the Division of Transplantation. “Their commitment to supporting our patients and families, along with the expertise and care they bring to their roles every day, makes a meaningful difference throughout the transplant journey. This recognition is a testament to the important impact they have on our patients, our team, and our transplant program.”
Trauma & Acute Care Surgery
- Tamar Tsuladze, Patient Care Technician
- Dylan Carpenter, MSN, R.N., CWOCN, PCCN, MEDSURG-BC
Together, these recognitions reflect the department’s ongoing dedication to providing exceptional care