Dr. Seth Landefeld, MD, Professor and Chair, UAB Department of Medicine 

I recently sat down with our Vice Chairs to reflect on things that are going well and areas where we have room for improvement in the Department of Medicine. We have accomplished so much to be proud of in 2019. Here are a few highlights that stand out:

We care for our patients kindly and well. Every day, we care for thousands of people, improving their health and reducing their suffering from the disease. We think outside the box for our patients. We bring them new treatments. We walk with them through their illnesses. We hold tight to our humanity while caring greatly for the people in our charge.

We make discoveries that change lives. Together, we identify biomarkers for type 1 diabetes, find new ways to diagnose and treat cystic fibrosis, reach further into our communities through telehealth, fight sexually transmitted infections, learn why COPD causes inflammation that destroys lungs. Our research is unparalleled and unstoppable, and we boldly aspire to achieve a Grand Challenge.

We train great doctors and scientists. Our postdoctoral scholars work across all domains—basic, clinical, and translational—to acquire the knowledge and skill to drive our research further. Our residency and fellowship programs prepare physicians to care for the sickest among us, and to deliver their medical expertise with true compassion. What's more, we have extended our reach in collaboration with other departments and schools to create a Healthcare Educators Academy that will advance the development of faculty in diverse health professions across the University.

We develop our faculty, staff, and residents as leaders. Our ability to learn, develop, and lead drives our accomplishments. The LeadershipDOM training program has graduated 120 people who gained knowledge, resources, and inspiration to move us forward. We have addressed diversity in multiple domains, and we continue to strive for an inclusive environment. This culture of learning and leadership is a core value in our Department.

We promote inclusion, diversity, and equity.  Our residents, alumni, faculty, and leaders formed the Diversity Enrichment Committee to attract wonderful residents from all backgrounds across the country. We assure salary equity among men and women.  We have established Search Committees whose members represent the full diversity of UAB to select outstanding faculty candidates from diverse backgrounds.

We contribute financially to UAB and Birmingham. The Department employs more than 2,000 people and puts $250 million into Birmingham's economy each year. Plus we bring nearly $150 million in annual research funding from outside Alabama to UAB. At a time in our field when many hospitals find it difficult to keep their doors open, we are on stable ground. Our development team has helped a grateful community provide nearly $100 million in endowments to support our faculty and accelerate our discoveries. 

While I fully recognize that there are much-needed improvements to our systems, resources, and relationships, I know that by working together, we will overcome the obstacles that we face. I ask you to join me in writing another exciting chapter in the year ahead and to contribute your talent and energy to making UAB Medicine the preferred academic medical center for the 21st century.

Best regards,
Seth