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School of Health Professions' Dean Andrew Butler joined Amanda Dorsey, faculty member in the Department of Health Services Administration, for their "Quarantine Conversations" recently. This is a series of candid conversations posted on the department's LinkedIn page that captures people in their "natural habitat" during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the Deep South sees a surge in cases of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, experts from the University of Alabama at Birmingham have created a symptom checker to identify hot spots where the virus is spreading. The new website, HelpBeatCOVID19.org, will provide public health officials insight into underserved areas based on the symptomatic data collected from the region and could help inform and enhance public health observation.  

"I want you to know that every day I think of you collectively and individually, as I know you are doing battle in the trenches every day and night without end. On the one hand, I feel proud because we know the stuff you are made of and we know your resilience, passion and dedication to your life’s work. On the other hand, I wish I could see and talk with you individually to assess your situation and provide whatever guidance and support I can.

First-year students in the UAB School of Health Professions’ Master of Science in Health Informatics (MSHI) program, placed second in the Mendix Student App Contest.

Katherine Meese, Ph.D., assistant professor in the UAB Department of Health Services Administration, joined a surgical mission hosted by Hispaniola Medical Charity. She witnessed this dedicated team of American physicians working long hours with limited resources. But at the end of each day, rather than being exhausted, the team felt the exact opposite.

The UAB Departments of Health Services Administration and Nutrition Sciences united for a "Poster & Lightning Talks Session" at the Edge of Chaos. The two departments, each members of the School of Health Professions, used a poster session format to bring together faculty, staff, students and scientists to discuss research and teaching.

Students from three programs in the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Health Professions Department of Health Services Administration won first place at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society Student Case Competition.

Five members of the UAB School of Health Professions faculty earned certificates for completing the National Inclusive Excellence Leadership Academy (NIXLA). Members of the Class of 2019 are Dina Avery, DHSc, Brenda Bertrand, Ph.D., April Rollins-Kyle, MAEd, Sarah Tucker, Ph.D., and Neena Xavier, M.D.

Eta Berner, EdD, professor in the School of Health Professions and director of the Department of Health Services Administration’s Center for Health Informatics for Patient Safety/Quality, is newly elected to the International Academy of Health Sciences Informatics (IAHSI) 2018 and 2019 Class of Fellows.

When students in the top-ranked health administration program in the United States look to apply their training in the real world, they don’t have to go far. One of the nation’s top academic medical centers is just across the street.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham launches the pilot class of the UAB Healthcare Educators Academy at an opening ceremony and reception on September 17, 2019. The HEA is a strategic partnership between the UAB Schools of Medicine, Health Professions, Dentistry, Public Health and Nursing designed to strengthen educators through mentorship that fosters a culture of excellence, develops innovative teaching resources and advances a collaborative environment.

Monica Aswani, DrPH, assistant professor in the UAB School of Health Professions’ Department of Health Services Administration, will receive a UAB National Alumni Society (NAS) Young Alumni Rising Star Award at a ceremony on September 19, 2019, at the UAB Alumni House.

Sue Feldman, RN, MEd, Ph.D., Director, UAB School of Health Professions’ Graduate Programs in Health Informatics, completed the 2019 HERS Institute at Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania. HERS (Higher Education Resource Services) is a leadership development and research organization dedicated to women in higher education.

On August 17, 2019, Sister Almeda Golson, the first and only nun to graduate from the UAB School of Health Professions’ Master of Science in Health Administration program, passed away in Evansville, Indiana.

Mercy Catholic Medical Center announces Christopher Cullom, FACHE, alumnus of the UAB School of Health Professions’ M.S. in Health Administration program (Class 42), as president effective August 12, 2019. He will oversee MCMC – Mercy Fitzgerald Campus and MCMC – Mercy Philadelphia Campus. Mercy Catholic Medical Center is part of Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic.

Enyonam “Enyo” J. Kpomblekou-Ademawou, who is graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Care Management in the pre-professional track from the School of Health Professions is announced as the speaker for UAB's undergraduate ceremony. Kpomblekou-Ademawou has earned presidential and dean’s list honors. 

Tapan Mehta, Ph.D., a scientist with appointments in UAB’s Diabetes Research Center and Nutrition Obesity Research Center (NORC), has been named director of research for the Department of Health Services Administration.

The Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) approved certification of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Graduate Program in Healthcare Quality & Safety. The UAB HQS program, housed in the School of Health Professions, is one of only four programs nationally to earn the initial certification.

“CAHME certification demonstrates our program’s commitment to excellence in educating healthcare quality and safety professionals,” said Allyson Hall, Ph.D., director of UAB’s HQS program and professor in Health Services Administration.

The certification of UAB HQS and the other three programs, represents an important milestone in an almost three-year process. In 2016, David Nash, MD, MBA, founding dean of the Jefferson College of Population Health approached CAHME about the idea of offering certification—and ultimately accreditation—for healthcare quality and safety education. Nash then joined with Christy Harris Lemak, Ph.D., chair of the UAB Department of Health Services Administration to accelerate the process.

A 2017 summit with 20 attendees, plus a survey of programs, demonstrated strong interest that led to a task force of academics from Healthcare Quality & Safety programs across North America designated as Founding Members. Of those 10 programs, only four applied for and passed the initial certification vote.

“We recognized the need for national standards, a defined set of competencies, and a collaborative effort to lead this emerging and important new part of the health care field,” said Lemak who also teaches and conducts research in the areas of health care management and leadership development. “Being a part of this initial group of programs is what UAB is all about – leading for better care for patients and communities around the world.”

For programs to earn certification, they must follow the Board approved standards and pass an independent application review by leading academics, practitioners in quality and safety, CAHME Board members, and staff from the National Association for Healthcare Quality.

CAHME is the only organization recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation to grant accreditation to individual academic programs offering a professional master’s degree in healthcare management education.

“CAHME certification and (eventual) accreditation of HQS instruction broadens our ability to fulfill our mission of improving the quality of healthcare management education, both in North America and globally,” said Anthony Stanowski, DHA, FACHE, president and CEO of CAHME. “We are grateful to the many academic and industry leaders who have worked so hard to achieve this important milestone.”

Michelle Kung, a second-year student in the UAB School of Health Professions’ Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Administration-Health Services program, recently completed the year-long Albert Schweitzer Fellowship and results from her work with middle school students in Alabama show decreases in students’ misuse of prescription medications, and their use of cigarettes, vape and alcohol.

The Alabama Chapter of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (Alabama HIMSS) delivered four merit scholarships in 2019 – all four scholarships were awarded to students in the UAB School of Health Professions’ Graduate Programs in Health Informatics.