Megan Hays, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, has been awarded the 2022 Dean’s Excellence Award for Service as a junior faculty member.
Hays joined the UAB Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation in 2017 and joined the UAB Medicine Office of Wellness in 2020.
Before finding her passion in physical medicine, Hays received her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of South Florida and subsequently completed her clinical psychology internship and rehabilitation psychology fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Her clinical practice involves assessing and treating adults with a wide range of medical trauma, including fractures, burns, crushes, and amputations. Her primary areas of expertise include adjustment disorders, depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and trauma- and stressor-related disorders.
In addition to her clinical responsibilities, Hays joined the UAB Medicine Office of Wellness and the Professional Development Office in 2020, where she supports faculty, medical students, residents, and APPs by providing a variety of wellness services, including coaching and stress management skills. She also develops wellness programming for the UAB Medicine community with the Executive Director of Wellness and conducts scholarly activity in partnership with the Director of Wellness Research.
Professor and chair Dr. Vu Nguyen, M.D. describes Hays as a clinician’s champion through and through. “She consistently looks for opportunities to engage and improve the well-being of her colleagues. We are tremendously happy to have her as a leader in our department.”