By: Kate McCarty
Originally from rural eastern Kentucky, Dr. Reaford “RJ” Blackburn attended the University of Louisville for medical school. He and his wife, Brandi, completed their internal medicine residency at UAB, where Dr. Blackburn also completed a chief year before returning to Kentucky to practice as a hospitalist. In August 2023, he returned to UAB to take on the role of Director of the Medical Oncology Wards Service. I had the distinct pleasure of sitting down with him to discuss his UAB experience.
By: Ahmed Saleh
Over the centuries, the role of the physician has changed significantly, influenced by shifts in society, advances in technology, and a growing understanding of the human body. It’s fascinating to look back and see how much things have evolved. Historically, physicians were the key link between illness and health, using both their medical knowledge and a humanistic approach. In ancient civilizations like Greece, Egypt, and India, medicine was often tied to magic and religion. Treatments were based on folklore or basic herbology, which seem primitive compared to what we use today.
By: Daniel Cooper
The seven security guards blinked at me as I stood outside the emergency department bathroom. Out of the door blasted a disheveled man, hiking backpack, boots, and a wad of cash in his hand. “Let’s talk,” I asked him as he brushed by me, close enough to make security stand on edge. He returned to his room with his accumulated entourage, all in pursuit. I spoke to him at length about his medical problems, his substance use, and his thoughts of not wanting to be “here” any longer. Our medical team convinced him to stay; three days later, he was discharged to the substance use program that had denied him three admissions prior.
By: DOM Interim Chair Dr. Mark Dransfield
All across the enterprise, people are taking on new leadership roles. Our new slate of “chief” leaders has changed lots of boxes in our administrative org chart:
• Chief Executive Officer for UAB Medicine Dawn Bulgarella, MSHA, CPA,
• Chief Human Resources Officer John Petrov,
• Chief Operating Officer Lou Baverso,
• Chief Financial Officer Susan Jennings, and
• Chief Physician Executive Cheri Canon, M.D.