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March 2025 Pediatric Pandemic Network updatesMarch 20, 2025
Mini Medical School
Dr. David Osula and Dr. Eva Ingram, along with cardiology fellows and UAB Imaging, hosted the Mini Medical School on March 12, 2025. The team led sessions on dissecting a pig heart, CPR training, and performing ultrasounds on the human heart.
Youth Advisory Board Service Project Central Alabama
On Saturday, March 8, members of the Central Alabama Youth Advisory Board (YAB) volunteered at HUB Worldwide, a local nonprofit that diverts surplus medical supplies from landfills to individuals and organizations in need. YAB members helped organize the HUB warehouse, gaining first hand insight into the scope of products the organization distributes.
Equally as important as the hands-on work was hearing from HUB staff about how they source and distribute products to communities ranging from the mountains of Ecuador to rural clinics in Alabama to flood-stricken areas of North Carolina. Inspired by these stories, some YAB members made plans for future service at the HUB.
Youth Advisory Board Service Project Black Belt Region
The UAB Pediatric Pandemic Hub’s eighth Adolescent Medicine Youth Advisory Board meeting in Wilcox County for the 2024-2025 term was a success. Jasmine S. Kennedy, clinical research coordinator II and PPN YAB facilitator, led an interactive activity focused on a service project centered on mental health and social-emotional resilience.
Students designed a flyer conveying their message, featuring a QR code linked to a self-designed interactive app conceptualized as a "virtual diary." They also developed questions for the Daily Feelings Journal Form. The app can be added to a home screen.
MCH Hopes
Maternal Child Health HOPES participants from Jackson-Olin, Parker, and Carver high schools took part in simulation exercises at Children's of Alabama under the leadership of Dr. Chrystal Rutledge and the hospital’s simulation team.
Students performed simulations in hyponatremic seizures, coding, anaphylaxis, respiratory issues, and suturing. Marsha Sutton Kelly, MPA, clinical research manager, facilitated the group.
PARCA Annual Forum
The 2025 Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA) held its annual forum on Friday, March 7, at the Harbert Center, bringing together policymakers, business leaders, nonprofit executives, educators, and mental health professionals to address mental health challenges in schools and the workforce.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey delivered the keynote address. Children’s of Alabama’s Lou Lacey spoke on “Where Do We Go From Here?” Attendees included Lonnie Pressley, MPH, MSEM, PPN director; Jasmine Kennedy, MA, clinical research coordinator II; and Katy Smith, MPA, educational liaison.
Blood Drive
The Pediatric Pandemic Network partnered with Children’s of Alabama and the Red Cross for a March blood drive. Free A1C testing was available, and donors received a $10 Amazon gift card. Special thanks to Dr. Elizabeth Baker, Dr. Mark Baker, Lonnie Pressley, and Marsha Kelly Sutton for their participation.
Reality Check
Marsha Kelly-Sutton, program manager for UAB Medicine, staffed the “Life Happens” table for the Reality Check program at Ramsay High School on March 18, 2025. Approximately 120 students in 10th through 12th grade participated. While some were satisfied with their outcomes, others faced financial challenges. The event was engaging, and many students realized the importance of adaptability in navigating life’s uncertainties.
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Dr. Kong presents at Birmingham Kiwanis ClubMarch 20, 2025Michele Kong, M.D., professor in the Division of Critical Care, recently presented at the Kiwanis Club in Birmingham. -
Dr. Coyne-Beasley appointed APS PresidentMarch 20, 2025Tamera Coyne-Beasley, M.D., MPH, professor in the Division of Adolescent Medicine, has been appointed 2025-2026 president of the American Pediatric Society (APS), beginning June 1, 2025. -
Cybersecurity dangers of sharenting and how to protect your childMarch 20, 2025UAB experts says posting online can be a meaningful way to celebrate family life, but it requires striking the right balance between sharing and safeguarding children’s privacy. -
Yung Lau, M.D., nationally recognized expert in pediatric electrophysiology, named chair of Department of PediatricsMarch 18, 2025After a national search, Yung Lau, M.D., has been named chair of the UAB Department of Pediatrics and physician in chief of Children's of Alabama, effective March 24, 2025. -
How to help children develop heart-healthy habitsFebruary 27, 2025Helping children develop healthy habits at a young age can help lower their risk for heart disease, stroke and other major health problems later in life. -
Pediatrics welcomes one new faculty member in February 2025February 27, 2025The UAB Department of Pediatrics welcomed three new faculty members in the month of January. Please join us in making them feel at home! -
Neonatology SSPR Travel AwardsFebruary 27, 2025Members from the Division of Neonatology research team were awarded the Southern Society for Pediatric Research travel award. -
Dr. Salas named SSPR president electFebruary 27, 2025Ariel Salas, M.D., MSPH, associate professor in the Division of Neonatology, has been named as the 2026-2027 Southern Society for Pediatric Research (SSPR) president-elect. -
Lal expands treatment of neutrophilic inflammation in various lung diseasesFebruary 24, 2025Charitharth Vivek Lal, M.D., associate professor in the Division of Neonatology at the UAB Heersink School of Medicine, has been named the latest recipient of the school's Featured Discovery award. -
Southern Society for Pediatric Research awardees 2025February 20, 2025Annalise Sorrentino, M.D., professor in the Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, and Sam McCartney, M.D., second-year pediatric resident, received awards from the Southern Society for Pediatric Research (SSPR). -
Department of Pediatrics residents elected to Alpha Omega AlphaFebruary 13, 2025Alana Nichols, M.D., and Gillian Garver, M.D., fourth year Med-Peds residents, have been elected for membership into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society (AΩA). -
Department of Pediatrics places second at the 2025 Cultural Connections Food FairFebruary 13, 2025The UAB Department of Pediatrics participated in the 2025 Heersink School of Medicine Cultural Connections Food Fair, highlighting a diverse array of delicious dishes representing various cultures. -
Grand Rounds top 10 articles of 2024February 6, 2025Top 10 articles of 2024, as presented in Grand Rounds on 2/6/2025
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February 2025 Pediatric Pandemic Network updatesFebruary 6, 2025Congratulations to Michele Kong, Kulture City Congratulations to Michele Kong, M.D., professor in the Division of Pediatric Critical Care and Co-Founder of Kulture City. Kulture City was recently recognized for the training it provides for first responders.
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2025 Kaul Pediatric Research Institute grant awardees announcedFebruary 6, 2025L to R: Alishlash, Dike, Mackay, Richter, Stafman, Alexander, WolfsonCongratulations to the 2025 Kau Pediatric Research Institute grant awardees! -
Heersink Grand Rounds recap: The Time to be BornFebruary 5, 2025Louis Muglia, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of the Burroughs Wellcome Fund and medical geneticist and pediatrician known for his groundbreaking research on preterm birth and prenatal testing, delivered "The Time to Be Born" at the Heersink Grand Rounds on Jan. 30.. -
Dr. Oduru receives National Pancreas Foundation travel grantJanuary 30, 2025Olawale Oduru, M.D., fellow in the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition has received a travel grant to attend the National Pancreas Foundations (NPF) Fellows Symposium in Orlanda, FL in April 2025. -
Pediatrics welcomes three new faculty members in January 2025January 30, 2025Acosta, Boone and OjoThe UAB Department of Pediatrics welcomed three new faculty members in the month of January. Please join us in making them feel at home! -
2024-2025 Fall Research Roundtable & Fellow Core Conference Attendance AwardJanuary 23, 2025Please join us in congratulating Mary Margaret Barr M.D., second year fellow in the Division Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, on receiving the 2024-2025 Fall Fellow Research Roundtable/Fellow Core Conference Attendance Award. -
Checking In with Dr. Ye: Updates on the Global Health Research Methods CourseJanuary 16, 2025Cynthia Ye, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Alan T. N. -
Heartfelt homecoming: NICU families unite to thank UAB care teamDecember 19, 2024Three families traveled from across Alabama to share their gratitude for UAB physicians and nurses who made an impact in their NICU journey. -
Hand in Hand donationsDecember 19, 2024Hand in Hand Early Intervention (EI) is a vital program that supports infants and toddlers with developmental delays, diagnosed disabilities, or those at risk of developmental delays during their first three years of life. -
Pediatrics welcomes one new faculty member in December 2024December 19, 2024The UAB Department of Pediatrics welcomed one new faculty member in the month of December. Please join us in making them feel at home! -
Dr. Densmore chosen for competitive Educational Scholars ProgramDecember 12, 2024Caroline Densmore, M.D., assistant professor in the Division of Academic General Pediatrics, was recently selected as a 2025 Academic Pediatric Association (APA) Educational Scholar. -
Meads Miracle Foundation - UAB Complex Care Team 2024December 5, 2024After losing their twin boys to Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation (CDG), a rare genetic condition, Hannah and Jared Meads sought a way to support others affected by the condition. In memory of their boys, they launched the Meads Miracles Charity Golf Tournament. -
Keep the holidays happy and safe with these toy safety tipsDecember 4, 2024Learn how to pick out the perfect toys and avoid dangerous hazards this holiday season. -
UAB adds new MEG technology to enhance research and clinical care for epilepsy and other brain diseasesNovember 21, 2024UAB was among the first medical centers in the country to obtain a MEG, having done so originally in 2001; however, evolving technology has created a need for replacing the old technology with a new one. -
Inaugural AI in Medicine and Nursing Symposium hosted at UABNovember 18, 2024The AI in Medicine and Nursing Symposium, hosted by the UAB Heersink School of Medicine, UAB Medicine, UAB School of Health Professions, UAB School of Nursing, and Maastricht University Faculty of Science and Engineering, concluded successfully, bringing together leading experts, researchers,...