By Brooke Carbo and Nicole Strickland

Nominations for second-quarter 2025 are open through April 16; submit a nomination online.Mahmood Abdul Gahni, R.N., assistant nurse manager for UAB eMedicine; Danny Lee, clinical research administrator in Neurosurgery-Clinical Research; and Tim Walker, events specialist for University Events, are the first-quarter 2025 honorees for the UAB Values in Action Program.

The UAB VIP Award honors employees whose work exemplifies and embodies one or more of the We CARE Shared Values outlined in the Forging Ahead strategic plan: Collaborate, Act with Integrity, Respect All and Excel. All three honorees have made a lasting impact on the fabric and culture of UAB by exemplifying the university’s shared values.

Honorees are nominated by their colleagues and selected by a committee of individuals from across the campus and UAB Hospital. One of the 2025 VIP honorees will be selected for the annual President’s Award for Excellence in Shared Values. Nominations for second-quarter 2025 are open through April 16, 2025; submit a nomination online.

Meet this quarter’s UAB VIP Award honorees:

Mahmood Abdul Gahni

Known as “Mo” to his co-workers, Mahmood Abdul Gahni is an assistant nurse manager for the Tele-ICU division of UAB’s eMedicine department. Gahni’s commitment to collaboration, integrity, respect and excellence is noticed daily by his peers and patients — something that has contributed to his division’s success since the early days of its launch.

Gahni was hungry to learn everything he could, taking it upon himself to learn the ins and outs of the unit’s programs and platforms in his downtime, recalls Director of Nursing Services Paul Malito. 

“He was looking for the whys behind what we were doing,” Malito said. “He looked for ways of simplifying the processes for the team, [reaching out to] partners and anyone he could find that would be able to give him more information.” 

Within the Tele-ICU’s first couple of years, Gahni’s efforts earned him a reputation as one of the unit’s leaders — so much so, recalls Malito, that when an assistant nurse manager position opened up, his team were the ones to advocate for his promotion. 

Since then, Gahni has led by example, “holding himself and those around him to the highest ethical standards,” said William D. Jones, manager of the Tele-ICU. “Whether handling difficult clinical situations or navigating operational challenges, Mo consistently prioritizes what is best for both patients and staff. His dependability and moral compass set a standard that inspires trust and confidence throughout the Tele-ICU team.”

That is a sentiment shared by many of his colleagues. Gahni was recently named Employee of the Quarter within the Tele-ICU Unit for the second time — an award based on nominations and votes by his peers.

According to Assistant Nurse Manager Anna Robinson, the regard of Gahni’s colleagues is built on mutual respect.

“He listens to others intently and empathetically, which is why many of his co-workers feel comfortable reaching out to him,” Robinson said. “His unwavering kindness, generosity and ability to provide comfort to those around him create an atmosphere of respect and safety.”

Gahni’s dedication to his team was on display recently when one of the unit’s other assistant nurse managers was out for several months on leave. Not wanting his colleague to fall behind, Gahni kept a notebook with him to record every update, change and adjustment made to the unit’s workflows while they were out, Malito recalls. 

“He wasn’t asked to do this,” Malito said. “His goal was to make sure their transition back into their position was as smooth as possible, and it worked. He gave them the notes and they were able to catch up quickly.” 

It’s just one of many ways Gahni embodies what the UAB Shared Values represent, Malito said: “If you ask anyone who has ever worked with him, they will tell you, ‘Mo cares.’”

Danny Lee

In his role as a clinical research administrator II in the Department of Neurosurgery’s Office of Clinical Research, Danny Lee directly contributes to the productivity and success of research projects throughout thedepartment — contributions his colleagues have come to rely on. 

“Danny’s unwavering reliability and dedication have made him a cornerstone of our clinical research operations,” said Assistant Professor Matthew Nelson, Ph.D. “His expertise and proactive approach in managing IRB [institutional review board] processes and coordinating purchases from research accounts ensure that our research endeavors run smoothly and efficiently.”

Citing his on-point and timely responses to all requests and transparent handling of complex administrative tasks, Nelson said Lee has been “a tremendous support to my research lab’s function, along with I am sure many other labs in the department.” 

Appreciation for Lee’s exemplary work is not limited to his department. Robbie Burrell, a program manager II in the department chair’s office, says he regularly hears praise from researchers across UAB who have worked with Lee. The most recent example is a pair of researchers from the Department of Pathology whose annual IRB renewal process was handled by Lee.

“Danny has been instrumental in acquiring approved consent for their Brain Biorepository, and he is also working on a Spanish consent as well as a component for iPad consent,” Burrell explained. “They were impressed with his hard work and dedication to the project, considering it to be invaluable.”

Director of Clinical Research Administration Anna Munger has worked closely with Lee for the last three years. In that time, she says, she has come to consider him an expert in his field. 

“He has worked with extremely difficult investigator-initiated studies and has done so with accuracy and precision,” Munger said. “He provides outstanding care and support to every member of our team and encourages collaboration across campus.”

Lee has recently started sharing that expertise, taking on a mentorship role for junior members of the research team. It is a responsibility Munger says he treats as seriously as all his other duties.

“He comes prepared to every training session, provides vast numbers of examples and what-if scenarios, and takes time to answer questions,” Munger said. “Danny continuously provides guidance and expertise with regulatory applications and navigating the myriad software requirements to perform his role.” 

This commitment to fostering a culture of mutual respect makes all members of the department feel valued and supported, Nelson adds.

“He is not only a trusted colleague,” Nelson said, “but also an example of the high standards we all strive to meet in our work.” 

Tim Walker

Since joining UAB’s Office of Advancement in 2013, University Events Specialist Tim Walker has proved himself to be an invaluable asset to UAB, working on more than 700 events and — according to his manager and peers — ensuring their success.

“Tim’s passion for UAB and its mission shines through in everything he does,” said Brian Burnett, Ph.D., former senior vice president for Finance and Administration. 

Burnett recalled Walker’s efforts on groundbreaking ceremonies and grand openings for some of the largest buildings on campus, including the Biomedical Research and Psychology Building, the UAB Early Learning Center, and the College of Arts and Sciences Science and Engineering Complex, saying that his “dedication for creating events that emphasized the importance of these buildings is remarkable.” 

According to Kay Simon, executive director of University Events, Walker handles the largest, most complex and sensitive projects covered by her team. That includes UAB’s past five bowl games and 10 previous VIVA Health Arts galas, each of which, Simon said, “were highly successful and moved the institution forward.” 

Simon credits Walker’s ability to anticipate needs and solve problems under pressure as some of the reasons he is so sought-after. Plus, she added, “he does all of this with a positive outlook and a bit of humor mixed in.”

In 2023, Walker played a key role in organizing and accompanying a delegation of UAB leaders to the Netherlands, managing travel arrangements, ground transportation, meals, timelines and agendas for the nine-day international trip. Senior Vice President for Medicine and Dean of the Heersink School of Medicine Anupam Agarwal, M.D., who was among the leaders who joined President Ray Watts on the trip, recalls with appreciation Walker’s handling of an unexpected challenge when a member of the delegation became ill.

“He made sure they received proper medical care while also ensuring the rest of the group’s schedule stayed on track,” said Agarwal, adding that the impact of Walker’s efforts reached far beyond their nine days abroad. “His careful planning and communication ensured that the delegation’s visit was a success, leading to significant collaborations which resulted in a partnership on AI in medicine and an ARPA-H grant.”

Walker is the definition of a team player, says Assistant Vice President of Alumni Affairs Jennifer Breland, who has worked with Walker on a number of big, multi-department events.

“He’s always thinking ahead and making sure everyone is set up to do their best, which is why every project he touches seems to run more smoothly,” Breland said. “Even when things get tough, Tim is the one who can find the silver lining and come up with a plan. His optimism and drive for excellence help make each event not only a success but something we can all be proud of.”

There is no question Walker’s work has had a significant impact on UAB’s success and reputation, Simon added: “He takes to heart ensuring UAB shines no matter how big or small the event or interaction.”