Posted on December 3, 2004 at 9:45 a.m.
Updated on December 13, 2004 at 4:19 p.m.

BIRMINGHAM, AL — William J. Koopman, M.D., chairman of the Department of Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, will receive the UAB President’s Medal, which recognizes scholarly distinction and service to the university, during graduation ceremonies 2 p.m. Saturday, December 18. Ceremonies will be held at Bartow Arena, 617 South 13th Street. About half of the 2,134 December graduates will take part in the ceremonies. The commencement speaker will be 2004 Truman Scholar Akofa A. Bonsi, 21, who is graduating with a degree in philosophy with a concentration in bioethics.

William J. Koopman, M.D., who holds the Spencer Chair in Medical Science Leadership, is credited with helping establish UAB as a world-renown academic medical center. He has made crucial discoveries and contributions to the understanding and management of rheumatic diseases. He is known worldwide for recognizing and demonstrating the vital role synovial tissue cells play in the inflammation and joint destruction of rheumatoid arthritis.

Most importantly, Koopman’s pioneering work in the molecular biology of rheumatoid arthritis has created promising new possibilities for treatment. Research on the structure of immunoglobulin and its relationship to rheumatoid disease has helped Koopman translate breakthrough results into breakthrough patient therapies, including arthritis-fighting proteins, a monoclonal antibody, and a T-cell receptor peptide vaccine.

Akofa A. Bonsi is an elected student representative on the National Collegiate Honors Council Executive Committee and chairwoman of the UAB Joint Leadership Council, an Honors Council representative and chairwoman of the Black Student Awareness Association. Through the Honors Program, Bonsi worked with Max Michael, M.D., dean of the UAB School of Public Health, for her project examining the complex issues surrounding health disparities. She explored the available literature related to hypertension and stroke morbidity and mortality among African-Americans, especially in the Deep South. She is a 2001 graduate of Auburn High School.

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	Image Size: 1,500 pixels by 2,100 pixels (5.0" by 7.0") Resolution: 300 dpi Format: JPEG (RGB) File Size: 689 KB Download Now! Caption: UAB will honor William J. Koopman, M.D. (pictured), chairman of the Department of Medicine, during graduation ceremonies.
	Image Size: 1,405 pixels by 2,100 pixels (4.7" by 7.0") Resolution: 300 dpi Format: JPEG (RGB) File Size: 1,048 KB Download Now! Caption: The commencement speaker will be 2004 Truman Scholar Akofa A. Bonsi (pictured), 21, who is graduating with a degree in philosophy with a concentration in bioethics.