Jennifer Hicks, MSHA, MBA, administrator for Palliative Care and Serious Illness Services, has won a Heersink School of Medicine Dean’s Excellence Award for Staff. She was recognized for her exceptional contributions to the school's core mission areas.

Hicks has played a key role in advancing UAB's Age-Friendly Health System initiatives, aligning care with individual patient needs and preferences. She has led the UAB site of the Palliative Care Leadership Center Training Program, helped establish the Southeast Institute for Innovation in Palliative and Supportive Care, and managed the Palliative Research Enhancement Program to support pilot projects across UAB. Additionally, Hicks was crucial in her center’s successful bid for University-Wide Interdisciplinary Research Center status. Kudos on this well-deserved recognition!

Above: DOM supporters celebrate Jennifer Hicks as she receives her award.

Good News for September 6, 2024

Dransfield Assumes Role as DOM Interim Chair

Dr. Mark Dransfield began as interim chair of our department this week, filling the role previously held by Dr. Seth Landefeld for 12 years. Look for his first official email to the department later today.

Study Reveals Higher Risk of SIDD in African Americans

Anath Shalev, M.D., (Professor, EDM) and colleagues reported in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism that African Americans are at higher risk for severe insulin-deficient diabetes, a subtype of Type 2 diabetes. Their findings could lead to more specialized treatment options and improved outcomes.

Does Genetic Predisposition Heighten the Risk of CV Disease?

Cardiovascular Disease associate professor Pankaj Arora, M.D., and fellow Naman Shetty, M.D., reported in Nature Cardiovascular Research, that individuals with high-proportion spliced-in titin truncating variants have a significantly higher risk of developing heart disease, especially when combined with other major risk factors.