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Rob Smola, M.D., director, and Andy Marshall, M.D., associate director, will lead the new Point-of-Care Ultrasound track for the Tinsley Harrison Internal Medicine Residency Program. In addition to the longitudinal POCUS curriculum for all residents, the POCUS track offers upper-level residents more advanced didactics, additional hands-on experience and personalized learning to enhance their clinical and diagnostic skills in areas like cardiology, pulmonary, abdominal, musculoskeletal ultrasound, and much more. The program supports each participant's individual career goals through customized learning opportunities and mentorship.

Above: Dr. Smola demonstrates POCUS for Dr. Emily Knowling.

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.

Andrew Land, M.D., will assume the role of associate chief medical officer for UAB Medicine, effective Oct. 1, 2024. An ambulatory quality officer for Primary Care and clinical associate professor in the UAB Division of General Internal Medicine, Land has led initiatives to enhance patient safety and standardize care. His work includes developing clinical decision support tools and co-management algorithms. In his new role, Land will continue to advance of UAB Medicine's mission to provide life-changing care. Congratulations, Dr. Land!

Andrea Cherrington, M.D., MPH, will serve as the inaugural director of the new Division of General Internal Medicine and Population Science, effective Oct. 1, 2024. Since 2013, Cherrington has served as the medical director for the Diabetes Clinic at Cooper Green Mercy Health Services, established UAB's Clinical and Population Health Sciences Program, and served as the principal investigator on the $21 million NIMHD P50 grant, Deep South Center to Reduce Disparities in Chronic Diseases, now known as the Forge Ahead Center. She has led the Division of Preventive Medicine as Interim Director for over a year, and she will lead that division as it merges with the Division of General Internal Medicine to launch the new GIMPOP division, uniting the two divisions for a threefold mission of excellence. Congratulations, Dr. Cherrington!

Martin Rodriguez, M.D., has been selected to serve as the Director of the UAB Division of Infectious Diseases. Dr. Rodriguez has displayed exemplary dedication to UAB since 2005 as an outstanding educator and physician. He has played key roles in leadership including Co-director of the UAB Undiagnosed Diseases Program, Director of the Tinsley Harrison General Medicine Service, and most recently, the Interim Division Director for the Division of Infectious Diseases. In this role, he has upheld ID's culture and maintained its programs in patient care, education, and research. The Department of Medicine is thrilled to celebrate Dr. Rodriguez as he assumes his permanent role as Division Director. Congratulations!