Cynthia Ryan. Photo credit: Jared Bash.This annual award honors individuals who engage in interdisciplinary, collaborative efforts across campus in ways that embody the vision, character and bridge-building talents vital to the future of UAB.Ryan is an educator and creative writer who has used her talents, skills and passion to build bridges across UAB and the community. Ryan’s work has focused on creating collaborations on campus that can address profoundly important issues such as poverty, access to care and cancer survivorship — interests that have taken Ryan not only to urban Birmingham, but also rural India and Nepal. Ryan advocates for homeless cancer survivors through Street Smarts, a breast cancer education program for homeless women in Birmingham.
Kilgo’s career has been dedicated to serving children with special needs. She has brought together investigators from across UAB to explore better ways to meet special education needs through projects like the recently funded Transdisciplinary Evidence-based Preparation of Early Childhood Intervention Teams study. Kilgo also works with community groups like local school districts, Head Start of Jefferson County and the Alabama Pediatric Competency Task Force.
