Chen Awarded as Outstanding Faculty Senate Member for 2019
Dr. Yabing Chen, Professor, Molecular & Cellular Pathology and Vice Chair, Faculty Development and Education, was honored recently as a 2019 Outstanding Faculty Senate Committee Member. Chen celebrated with other School of Medicine award recipients at a reception attended by Dean Selwyn Vickers, M.D. and hosted by President Ray Watts, M.D. at the UAB Woodward House, on August 28, 2019.
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Sixth Annual Listinsky Lecture Features International Heparanese Expert Vlodavsky
UAB Pathology recently welcomed a world-renowned expert on heparanese Israel Vlodavsky, Ph.D., to present the sixth annual John Jay Listinsky Lecture in Glycobiology. On Friday, August 30, Vlodavsky traveled from Israel's Technion Integrated Cancer Center, where he heads the Tumor Biology Lab, to lecture on "Heparanese: From Basic Research to Novel Therapeutics for Cancer Inflammation."
Vlodavsky is the world's leading expert on heparanese, an enzyme that cleaves heparan sulfate, who has authored more than 400 articles mosty related to this remarkable enzyme that plays a key role in cancer progression and inflammation. He has worked for decades on heparanese cancer research with UAB Pathology Division Director Ralph Sanderson, Ph.D., Molecular & Cellular Pathology.
Two New Faculty Join Department in September
The UAB Department of Pathology is excited to welcome two new faculty starting September 3: Farzad Esfahani, M.D., as assistant professor, Anatomic Pathology, and Adam Wilberger, M.D., as assistant professor, Laboratory Medicine.
Dr. Esfahani, an Iranian native, joins UAB Pathology from private practice, moving from Sebastian, Florida, where he was a staff pathologist and independent contractor at Sebastian River Medical Center. He completed undergraduate and medical degrees at the University of Oklahoma, in the state where he has lived since moving to the US. Esfahani became a US resident in 1987.
He completed a residency in general surgery at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Tulsa campus. Esfahani spent time at the University of South Alabama completing residencies in anatomic pathology and cytopathology. There, Esfahani he worked for a year as a clinical assistant professor in the USA College of Medicine, departments of Emergency Medicine and Pathology. Before working as a pathologist, Esfahani worked as an emergency room physician at hospitals in Alabama and Florida.
Read moreDepartment Congratulates Six Faculty on Tenure, Promotions
Congratulations to six of our Department faculty who learned recently that they will receive promotions effective October 1, 2019.
The following faculty were each promoted from assistant to associate professor, tenure-earning track:
Daniel Atherton, M.D., Forensic Pathology
Huma Fatima, M.D., Anatomic Pathology
Rajeskaran Namakkal Soorappan, Ph.D., Molecular & Cellular Pathology
Todd Stevens, M.D., Anatomic Pathology
SOM Students Get a Glimpse into Pathology
On Tuesday evening, August 27, a group of UAB School of Medicine students making up the Pathology Interest Group gathered in the Surgical Pathology conference room in North Pavilion, Room 3554, named in honor of Dr. Vishnu Reddy, Professor, Anatomic Pathology. They came together as part of a co-enrollment course between Forensic Medicine and Public Health, "How the Dead Can Teach the Living," led by Brandi McCleskey, M.D., Assistant Professor, Forensic Pathology. The course invited students in the interest group to come view slides on the room's multi-head microscopes. The session covered cardiac, pulmonary, renal, and gastrointestinal pathology topics, and was taught by residents Danielle Fasciano, Chief Resident, Bo Chen, PGY-4, Taylor Pickens, PGY-3, and Oraine Snaith, PGY-2.
A panel led by pathology residents will be held next month, September 10th, 5-7 p.m. in Volker Hall to discuss pathology as a career.
Research Retreat 2019 at Regions Field a Hit
On Friday, August 16, the Department of Pathology gathered for a daylong Research Retreat at Regions Field near downtown Birmingham. The event was an opportunity for trainees, staff, and faculty to gather to discuss challenges and opportunities in research, including several outstanding presentations.
Organized by Rakesh Patel, Ph.D., Vice Chair for Research and Professor, Molecular & Cellular Pathology, with the help of staff members Samantha Gromko and Traci Oden, the retreat included more than 100 attendees.
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Pathology Interest Group Lunch & Learn Draws a Crowd
On Wednesday, August 15, more than 60 UAB School of Medicine medical students took part in the Pathology Interest Group Lunch and Learn, held in Volker Hall. This was the group's first meeting of this academic year, organized by Hannah Cutshall (MS2).
Danielle Fasciano, D.O., Chief Resident, Clinical Pathology, (PGY4) gave a presentation introducing the career of a pathologist focusing on the subspecialties, the UAB training program, and elective/scholarly possibilities within the Department of Pathology for medical students.
To learn more about participating in the Pathology Interest Group contact Hannah Cutshall: hcusthall@uabmc.edu.
David Dorn, M.D. (Hemepath fellow, previous Anatomic Pathology Chief Resident, and previous UAB Medical Student) was in attendance as was Christine Arneson, M.D. (PGY3). Faculty advisors Silvio Litovsky, M.D., Professor, Anatomic Pathology, and Brandi McCleskey, M.D., Assistant Professor, Forensic pathology were also attendance and invited attendees to rotate through department as well as other Pathology Interest Group events.
UAB Pathology Hosts Tri-State Pathology Conference October 5
The UAB Department of Pathology is proud to co-sponsor the 2019 Tri-State Pathology Conference, taking place Saturday, October 5, at the Hyatt Regency Birmingham - the Wynfrey Hotel.
The event is a collaboration of the Alabama Association of Pathologists, Louisiana Pathology Society, and the Mississippi Association of Pathologists.
This year's event will highlight speakers from the UAB Department of Pathology. Travis Kidd, Jr., M.D., President of the Alabama Association of Pathologists, will deliver the opening and closing remarks.
Read moreFatima Publishes Book on Practical Approach to Renal Biopsy
Huma Fatima, M.D., Assistant Professor, Anatomic Pathology, and Director, Renal Pathology Laboratory, recently published a book with CAP Press, Medical Kidney Diseases--Morphology-Based Novel Approach to Renal Biopsy.
According to CAP Press, "It presents a simple and practical approach to renal biopsy by providing a pertinent differential diagnosis related to various patterns of injury involving renal parenchyma by light microscopy and reaching a correct diagnosis by assimilating immunofluorescence and electron microscopy findings."
In it, Fatima writes that the book is the outcome of a question nephrology fellows have asked several times since she began practicing in 2011. In a Q&A on the CAP Today website, Fatima states, "I have been teaching renal pathology to medical students, pathology residents, nephrology fellows, and foreign scholars since I joined UAB in 2011. On several occasions, nephrology fellows asked me, Is there any good resource we can use for our boards? I realized that most of the currently available material is quite extensive and may be overwhelming for those who are not renal pathologists. This led me to write the book—keeping in mind those who are outside the realm of renal pathology practice—to provide them pertinent information in a simple way that will be useful to them, not only for their board examination but also in practical life."
This is a 90-page book that contains 66 cases, two of which we are reprints.
To order (PUB129), call 800-323-4040 option 1. CAP member price: $68; for others, $85. The ebook (ebooks.cap.org) is $64. http://ebooks.cap.org/
Former Chair McDonald Celebrated by Department
On Thursday, July 18, the Department of Pathology hosted a celebration of life program for Jay M. McDonald, M.D., Professor Emeritus and former chair of the Pathology Department.
Dr. McDonald passed away on June 5, 2019. He had served as department chair for close to 20 years, leaving the position in 2008. He continued to visit and advise colleagues and friends at UAB up until his passing.
Read moreFaye-Petersen Establishes Educational Support Fund
The UAB Department of Pathology is grateful for the recent establishment of the Ona M. Faye-Petersen, M.D., Educational Support Fund, in support of the education of Pathology residency and fellowship trainees by Ona Faye-Petersen, M.D., professor, Anatomic Pathology.
“I very much believe in paying things forward, and this is one way to do that,” says Faye-Petersen, who started as a as a full-time practicing pediatric pathologist in 1987. “Despite the fact that my personal area of interest is focused, I think it’s crucial that trainees become exposed to and learn about the greatest variety of subjects that are going to be important to them in their immediate and distant future, so that they feel inspired to continue to learn.”
One way to do that, she says, is to provide trainees many opportunities to attend high quality, multidisciplinary conferences in which pathology plays an important role.
“Providing trainees additional funds during a time in their careers when they’re generally more financially limited is key,” she says.
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George Elected SE Representative to APC
The UAB Department of Pathology is proud to announce the election of Kuruvilla George, MBA, as Southeast Regional Representative to the Pathology Department Administrators section of Association of Pathology Chairs (APC), from 2019-2021. The APC will introduce incoming representatives at its upcoming annual meeting in Boston, July 21-24.
For the last five years, Mr. George has worked as the interim executive administrator and business administrator for the Department of Pathology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He is responsible for Pathology Clinical Affairs including maintaining and expanding the Community Practice Pathology Program (CPPP), Pathology Information Systems and oversight of the departmental administrative staff. Mr. George facilitated the acquisition of several new clients in the CPPP program.
“We are fortunate to have Mr. George at the helm of our administrative team, and overseeing the business aspects of the Department’s clinical affairs,” says George Netto, M.D., Robert and Ruth Anderson Endowed Chair, UAB Pathology. “He plays a crucial role in the success of this Department, and his contributions to the APC will be noticeable.”
Prior to his time at UAHSF, Mr. George worked as a consultant. He was also the Laboratory Administrator at King Faisal Specialty Hospital & Research Center in Riyadh, the premier Hospital, in Saudi Arabia, from 2009-2013. As Laboratory Administrator, he oversaw a large, multihospital laboratory and assisted the Hospital COO with streamlining several processes like reducing Emergency Room waiting time.
Conner Earns Emeritus Status
Congratulations to Michael Conner, M.D., on earning emeritus status as professor, Anatomic Pathology. He has a secondary appointment in the School of Dentistry.
Dr. Conner has spent his entire career at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, having earned his bachelor of science and doctorate of medicine degrees both at UAB. He diverged for a one-year pediatric internship at the University of Mississippi, before completing a residency program and then two fellowships, in hematopathology and surgical pathology, at UAB.
Dr. Conner simultaneously had appointments in the UAB Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, working his way up from assistant to full professor in both. He taught coursework in both departments beginning in 1991, including assisting with the residents' didactic lecture series and microscopic workshops from 1993 to present.
Read moreNew Class of Residents and Fellows Welcomed with Orientation Breakfast
On Thursday, June 20, UAB welcomed 2019-20 new residents and fellows into the Pathology department with a breakfast and orientation held at the Wallace Tumor Institute. Incoming residents and fellows gathered with George Netto, M.D., pathology chair, professor and James Hackney, M.D., residency program director, associate professor, neuropathology, as well as Pathology faculty from various divisions and current residents/fellows. The 17 residents and fellows started in the department on Monday, July 1.
Residents and fellows gathered for food and introductions before Netto opened the event, welcoming inocming residents and fellows and shared information about the department. Hackney followed and gave each faculty member a chance to introduce themselves.
Four of the six division directors in the department of pathology were in attendance to welcome the new residents and fellows and help familiarize them: Davis Gregory, M.D., M.S.P.H, division director of forensic pathology, professor; Christina Magi-Galluzzi, M.D., Ph.D., Division Director, Anatomic Pathology, professor; Ryan Miller, M.D., Ph.D., Division Director, Neuropathology, professor; and X. Long Zheng, M.D., Ph.D., Division Director, Laboratory Medicine, professor.
In total, around 60 people were in attendance for the breakfast.
Clinical Pathology Residents Enjoy Renovated Workspace
By Hannah Lester
This summer returning and new clinical pathology residents and fellows were welcomed into a newly renovated, modern workspace.
Residents and fellows now have individualized workspaces, with new lighting, computers and phones in a space with natural light and plenty of room in which to work.
In addition to the assistance of several administration and staff members who dedicated their time and effort to providing this space, individuals like Israel Ponce-Rodriguez and the IT team helped equip the new space, installing computers and other technical equipment.
Many former and past chief clinical pathology residents were directly involved in the project. Danielle Fasciano, D.O., current CP Chief Resident, acted as an intermediary between staff and the residents to offer input, and helped relocate residents during the renovation. Former chief residents Erin Baumgartner, M.D., Clinical Pathology, and David Dorn, M.D., Anatomic Pathology helped to configure the space’s design.
Much of the planning of the space occurred during Pathology Leadership meetings where individuals like George Kuruvilla were able to provide input, financial analysis and estimates for the project.
Sandy Cummings acted as project manager for the renovation and kept everyone involved on track.
The fresh, new space is now ready for residents and fellows to enjoy; it would not have been possible without numerous helping hands.
Three Faculty Join Department as Assistant Professors July 1
We are excited to welcome three new faculty members as assistant professors in the Department of Pathology.
Diana Morlote, M.D., is a former UAB Pathology fellow in Hematopathology and Molecular Genetic Pathology who joins the faculty as assistant professor, Genomics Diagnostics & Bioinformatics.
Eason Hildreth, Ph.D., joins the UAB Pathology faculty as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, coming to us from the Medical College of South Carolina.
One new faculty member joins the Division of Anatomic Pathology as assistant professor. Chirag Patel, M.D. was a UAB Pathology fellow before accepting a position as faculty.
Read moreRecognizing Drs. Andra Frost and Gary Simmons on their Retirement
Two longtime faculty members of the Department of Pathology retire on July 1.
Andra Frost, M.D., Professor, Anatomic Pathology, will retire after more than 20 years as a surgical, cyto-and autopsy pathologist at UAB Hospital.
Gary Simmons, M.D., Associate Professor, Anatomic Pathology, retires July 1 after working at UAB in pathology since 1988.
Read moreResident Tiffany Graham Featured in The Pathologist
Tiffany Graham, M.D., recent graduate of the UAB Pathology Anatomic and Clinical Pathology residency program, is featured in an article by The Pathologist magazine this month.
Graham is highlighted for recognition of her educational tweets, which consist of pathology related study tips, artistic renderings and memorization tools. Graham won the inaugural Educational Pathology Tweet Award, or #PathTweetAward, in 2019. She was presented with a certificate by the magazine and recognized by fellow Twitter users in the field of pathology at the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP) annual meeting in March.
Graham began a Twitter account, @HeartPathology, during her residency to share what she was learning or using to memorize educational information. She built a following and was recognized with this award as one of three winners.
Following her completed residency at UAB, Graham will start a fellowship in gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary pathology at the Medical University of South Carolina this fall.
Department Adds Two to Administrative Team
The Department's administrative team recently added two new members to the staff. Please welcome:
Lisa Smoot transferred to the Department of Pathology on May 8, where her role as Financial Officer II consists of space, equipment and post-award grants management.
Read moreHonoring Former Department Chair Jay McDonald, M.D.
It is with heavy hearts that we report the passing of Jay M. McDonald, M.D., Professor Emeritus and former chair of the UAB Department of Pathology, on June 5, 2019.
Dr. McDonald left a legacy of integrity and vision in our Department, where he served as chair for nearly 20 years, and across the institution. His passing is a true loss for the field of pathology.
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