July 2, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - LaTamia White, M.D., has been named director of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Civitan-Sparks Clinics, effective July 15. She succeeds Alan Percy, M.D., who is returning to a full time faculty position in the UAB Department of Pediatrics.

The Civitan-Sparks Clinics provide clinical services for individuals and families throughout Alabama with or at risk for neurodevelopmental disabilities such as autism spectrum disorders, Rett syndrome, cerebral palsy, inherited metabolic diseases, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and Downs syndrome. The clinic takes a multi-disciplinary approach and involves faculty from pediatrics, psychology, speech pathology, audiology, physical and occupational therapy, special education, nutrition, dentistry, optometry and social work.

White is an assistant professor in the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Neurobiology. Her clinical interests include autism and other developmental disorders; her current research focuses on autism spectrum disorders.

"Dr. White is an excellent clinician and compassionate caregiver," said James Meador-Woodruff, M.D., chairman of the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology. "Her work, in both research and in the clinical setting, with not only autism, but a variety of developmental disorders, makes her an excellent choice for this position. She is personally committed to helping patients and families and will honor the center and its history with the course she sets for the future."

White is uniquely positioned to lead the Civitan-Sparks Clinics. Not only is she a clinician specializing in autism and other developmental disorders and a member of Alabama Gov. Bob Riley's Autism Task Force, she has a child with high functioning autism. Her 13-year-old son Teddy was diagnosed when he was three.

"Originally, my specialty was going to be obstetrics and gynecology. My great-grandmother was a midwife and I felt it was just in my DNA," White said. "But after Teddy's evaluation, I decided to pursue a specialty that would allow me to help children and families living with autism and other developmental disorders. I knew how overwhelming it was for me, being a third year resident and making sure he got the services he needed. After my residency I knew I wanted to stay here and be involved with the Sparks Clinics and everything the clinics do for patients and families."

White said she is excited about the opportunity to lead the clinics and with the faculty, staff and other leadership, hopes to bring even more services to the people of Alabama.

"Everything the clinics have done for nearly 40 years has been amazing," she said. "Its clinical, educational and research-oriented leaders have been instrumental in shaping the lives of so may people with developmental delays and other diseases and disorders. I hope to continue that excellent work, adding to and streamlining services to help those who need us most."

White earned her bachelor's degree in biology from Florida A&M University and M.D. from the University of South Florida. She completed residency training in both the adult and child and adolescent psychiatry programs at UAB and is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in general psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry. White is a member of the American Psychiatric Association, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Autism Society of Alabama.