Posted on May 3, 2004 at 11:20 a.m.

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Raymond K. Lyrene, M.D., professor of pediatrics at UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham), has been awarded the Karlin Henze Memorial Award presented by the Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center at UAB. The award was created in honor of Karlin Henze, a research assistant at the center until her death from cystic fibrosis in February of 1999.

Eric Sorscher, M.D., professor of medicine and director of the CF center, says Lyrene has long been a stalwart supporter of cystic fibrosis research. “Dr. Lyrene has dedicated nearly 25 years of service at UAB to cystic fibrosis patients and their families, including 14 years as director of the CF Center at The Children’s Hospital of Alabama. He is widely recognized as an outstanding clinician, a meticulous clinical scientist, and a kind and compassionate physician.”

Lyrene has directed a number of important research studies on cystic fibrosis at UAB and has trained many of the leading CF caregivers and scientists in the southern United States.

Karlin Henze, a native of Huntsville, began working at the CF center in 1990, following her graduation from the University of Alabama at Huntsville. She underwent a double lung transplant in 1995 at the University of North Carolina, but returned to her work at UAB until her death at age 30.

“Karlin was a firm believer in the value of research into the causes, effects and treatments of cystic fibrosis, a sentiment we share,” said her parents, William and Reet Henze. “We are gratified by this unique and important way to honor our daughter’s memory.”

Lyrene received the third Karlin Henze Memorial Award at a ceremony at the center on May 3rd.