Sarah Novara, M.D., assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Neurology, has recently been named program director for the UAB Child Neurology Residency Program. Dr. Novara will take over for Tony McGrath, M.D., associate professor in the Division of Pediatric Neurology, who has served as program director of the residency program since 2008.

Prior to becoming program director, Dr. Novara served as the assistant program director for the residency program. She has been in that role since starting on faculty in October 2017. She has worked closely with Dr. McGrath learning about program directorship and medical education.

“I look forward to working closely with the Child Neurology Education Leaders Committee and all of the child neurology faculty to ensure that trainees have a strong skill set and knowledge base which will allow them to be successful child neurologists upon graduation,” explains Dr. Novara. “I am excited to work together with the UAB pediatric and adult neurology residency programs to make the educational experience the best it can be during each of the five years of training.” In her role as program director, she hopes to expand scholarly and career mentorship, wellness, and quality improvement activities for the child neurology residents.

The Department of Pediatrics and the Division of Pediatric Neurology would like to thank Dr. McGrath for his many years of service to the training and mentoring of our child neurology residents. Dr. McGrath has been a tremendous educator to medical students, residents, and fellows. He is a great mentor to trainees at all levels and is deeply appreciated by his patients and their families. He has helped to grow the residency program in recent years from one to now two residents per year, and he is highly respected by graduates of the program and by child neurologists across the country. Dr. McGrath will now be transitioning to coordinate the UAB School of Medicine MS3 and MS4 child neurology rotations but will continue to serve on the Child Neurology Education Leaders Committee and continue to work closely with child neurology residents throughout their training.