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L to R: David Ingram and Jimmy AlstonEffective Jan. 2023, David Ingram has transitioned to a new role within the Department of Pediatrics. 

Aman Wadhwa, M.D., assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology has received the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy New Investigator Award. Dr. Wadhwa has been awarded $50,000 per year for two years. 

Please join us in congratulating Julie Wolfson M.D., MSHS, associate professor in the Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, on receiving a grant from Teen Cancer America. Dr. Wolfson has been awarded $507,155 over three years.

Jessica Ward (not pictured: Angelica Rice)

The School of Medicine Office for Diversity and Inclusion established the Staff Diversity Liaisons to represent underrepresented staff (non-faculty) minorities in the school. This group was established to increase support and programming for the professional advancement of staff. Each department was asked to select staff representatives to be liaisons for their department.

L to R: Meagan Reagan, Holly Simpson and Jason TurnerMeagan Reagan, administrator for the Division of Pediatric Neprhology, Holly Simpson, business officer for the Institute for Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship, and Jason Turner, personnel generalist II for the Department of Pediatrics, have been selected for the Developing Emerging Administrative Leaders (DEAL) Program.

Please join us in congratulating Amr Hammouda, M.D., First Year Fellow- Cardiology, on receiving the 2022-2023 Fall Fellow Research Roundtable/Fellow Core Conference Attendance Award. 

Top L to R: Liares Dupree, Kristina Ford, Leah Hayes, Kimberly Jerkins, Peyton McIlwain and Theresa WrightWe are delighted to welcome six new members to serve on the Department of Pediatrics Staff Wellness and Recognition Council! New members to the council include:

The Department of Pediatrics is delighted to announce that Jeffrey Lebensburger, D.O., has agreed to assume the role of director of the Office of Faculty Development, effective Jan., 1, 2023. 

Our Pediatric Subspecialty Programs recently completed their match for fellows beginning July 2023.

Top L to R: Hussein Abdullatif, Michael Barnett, Stephanie Berger, Swetha Pinninti, Robb Romp, Will Sasser and Chang WuThe Department of Pediatrics and seven Pediatrics faculty have been nominated for multiple 2022 Argus Awards. Created in 1996, the Argus Awards give medical students the chance to honor their mentors, professors, courses and course directors for outstanding service to medical education. Faculty members are nominated by course evaluations, and students vote to select award winners in each category.

The UAB Department of Pediatrics welcomed two new faculty members in the month of November. Please join us in making them feel at home! 

Hussein Abdullatif, M.D., professor in the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, and Morissa Ladinsky, M.D., professor in the Division of Academic General Pediatrics, were recipients of the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) Courage Award. The awards were presented at the first in-person Champions for Justice Dinner since 2019.

The Adoption Clinic is an interdisciplinary clinic that offers services for families who are preparing to adopt and for families who have already adopted. The clinic was founded by Jennifer Chambers, M.D., associate professor in the Division of Academic General Pediatrics, in 2002 shortly after completing her pediatric residency. On Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, over 200 guests came together to commemorate 20th year of helping adoptive families with a pumpkin patch celebration at the Helena Hollow Entertainment Farm. Guests received goodie bags, t-shirts, sweet treats, educational handouts, and even got to take home pumpkins to carve. The clinic also shared the top 20 book recommendations that are available to purchase on Amazon.

Smita Bhatia, M.D., MPH, professor in the Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, was named vice-chair of the Heersink School of Medicine Faculty Council.

Congratulations to Girish Dhall, M.D., professor in the Division of Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, and Daniel Feig, M.D., Ph.D., M.S., professor in the Division of Pediatrics Nephrology, on their recent election to membership in the American Pediatric Society (APS).‏

Top Row L to R: David Kimberlin, Kent Willis, Lauren Nassetta, Madhura Hallman and Taylor McClanahan. 2nd Row L to R: Laurie Marzullo, Carlie Stein, Brad Troxler, Jennifer McCain and Tina Simpson. 3rd Row L to R: Joe Philips, Shaundra Blakemore, Cason Benton and Adolfo Molina. Bottom Row: Division of Pediatric Hospital MedicineThe Department of Pediatrics is pleased to honor these faculty members. 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.

David Kimberlin, M.D., professor in the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, was named the recipient of the 2022 Walter T. Hughes Distinguished Physician Award. This award is given by the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS) to a pediatrician who has made significant contributions to the field of pediatric infectious diseases and is the society’s highest recognition. The award was recently renamed to honor Walter T. Hughes, who was a founding member of PIDS and the first president of the society.

I am pleased to announce that Chrystal Rutledge, M.D., associate professor in the Division of Pediatric Critical Care, will assume the role of vice chair for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in the Department of Pediatrics, effective Dec. 1, 2022. Dr. Rutledge has already been performing many of the leadership duties associated with this position, and this promotion is a recognition of the importance of DEI to the department as well as her outstanding leadership qualities. 

Michele Kong, M.D., professor in the Division of Pediatric Critical Care, was selected for the Class of 2022-2023 Leadership Alabama.

Top L to R: Ammar Saadoon Alishlash, Ahmed Asfari, Scott James, Colm Travers and Kent WillisCongratulations to the following pediatric faculty on being elected to the Society for Pediatric Research (SPR) membership!