Through a vote by UAB Medicine’s active medical staff, J. Michael Straughn Jr., MD, was chosen as chief of the medical staff-elect. He will serve a one-year term beginning in January 2023 before assuming the chief of the medical staff (COMS) role in January 2024 for a three-year term.

Dr. Straughn will work closely with current COMS Elizabeth Turnipseed, MD, MSPH, to expand his understanding of this leadership role, become a strong voice for the medical staff, and promote more effective communication between the medical staff and hospital administration.

Dr. Straughn is a professor and the J. Max Austin Jr. Endowed Chair in the UAB Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology’s Division of Gynecologic Oncology. He also serves as the gynecologic oncology fellowship director and vice-chair of Quality and Patient Safety for the department. A senior scientist for the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB and associate chief medical and quality officer for UAB Women and Infants Services, his research interests include surgical outcomes, quality improvement projects, enhanced recovery protocols, and opioid stewardship.

Dr. Straughn has been an active member of the medical staff and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology faculty since 2000. Prior to joining the department, he completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology and a fellowship in gynecologic oncology at UAB.