Media contact: Alicia Rohan, arohan@uab.edu
David Kimberlin, M.D., professor in the UAB Department of PediatricsRonald McDonald House Charities honored David Kimberlin, M.D., professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Pediatrics, for his work in the treatment, control and eradication of infectious diseases affecting children.
More than 1,300 RMHC leaders and guests came together to recognize Kimberlin at the annual Awards of Excellence in Rosemont, Illinois, where he was awarded the 2016 Medical Award of Excellence, along with a $100,000 grant that will be given to Camp McDowell.
“The impact of Kimberlin’s leadership in this field is truly significant and helps expand reliable and comprehensive care to critically ill children and their families,” said Sheila Musolino, RMHC president and chief executive officer. “We continually look for ways to improve our capacity to serve those who need it most, and it is an honor to celebrate the extraordinary work that’s been done.”
Past recipients honored at the RMHC Awards of Excellence have included Philip Pizzo, M.D., Catherine DeAngelis, M.D., Ralph Feigin, M.D., and Walter Orenstein, M.D.
Camp McDowell, an affiliate of the Episcopal Church, is the beneficiary of the grant award. Located adjacent to the Bankhead National Forest in northwest Alabama, Camp McDowell has been a respite for children across the Southeast for almost seven decades where they can learn about nature, support one another and gain confidence in themselves.
“I am incredibly honored to receive this award,” Kimberlin said. “The Ronald McDonald Houses and Family Rooms help so many families across the globe during times of unimaginable stress, when their children are hospitalized with very serious conditions. To receive recognition from such a wonderful organization is very humbling.”
Kimberlin holds the Sergio Stagno Endowed Chair in Pediatric Infectious Diseases at UAB and Children’s of Alabama, where he is vice chair for Clinical and Translational Research and co-director of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. He is also the principal investigator for the Collaborative Antiviral Study Group, a network of pediatric academic medical centers that evaluates antiviral therapeutics in rare diseases. Kimberlin is editor of both the 2015 and 2018 editions of the AAP Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases (Red Book), and was associate editor for the 2009 and 2012 editions as well.
| “The Ronald McDonald Houses and Family Rooms help so many families across the globe during times of unimaginable stress, when their children are hospitalized with very serious conditions. To receive recognition from such a wonderful organization is very humbling.” |
Kimberlin has received numerous awards, including recognition as an educator from the University of Alabama at Birmingham: the Ralph E. Tiller, M.D., Distinguished Faculty Award; the Argus Award; and selection by the UAB Gold Humanism Honor Society of third- and fourth-year medical students as the faculty member who models the qualities of integrity, excellence, compassion, altruism, respect and empathy in the care of patients.
Additionally, Kimberlin served as a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases from 2005-2011. Kimberlin also is the AAP Red Book liaison to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, having served in this capacity since 2006.
RMHC is a global nonprofit that creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and families around the world. Through its global network of more than 290 chapters in more than 63 countries and regions, its three core programs — the Ronald McDonald House®, the Ronald McDonald Family Room® and the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile® — and millions of dollars in grants to support children’s programs worldwide, RMHC provides compassionate care and resources to children and families being served by leading hospitals worldwide.
The RMHC Awards of Excellence recognizes individuals for their leadership and contributions to improving the health and well-being of children and their families throughout the world. The event attracts hundreds of business, community and health care leaders who are dedicated to helping the charity support 7 million children and families annually.