UAB Medicine’s Leadership Development Office recognized 16 individuals in its eighth cohort of Institute for Leadership at a graduation ceremony on June 26, 2024. Anupam Agarwal M.D., senior vice president for Medicine and dean of the Heersink School of Medicine, offered congratulatory remarks to the graduates and praised them for their hard work and efforts to improve their leadership skills. He also noted the significance of investing in leaders at UAB Medicine to the sustainable success of UAB. See photos from the event.
UAB Medicine Institute for Leadership is a six-month program designed for high-potential, mid-level leaders. The goal is to enhance existing personal, leadership, and management competencies while leveraging current leadership strategies and trends. Guest speakers from executive-level leadership positions at UAB, including former Institute for Leadership graduates, complete the dynamic curriculum by demonstrating skills-to-practice experiences.
"This program is designed to help already-successful leaders further build their leadership skills and implement new tools, enabling them to develop the leaders who report to them," said Jean Ann Larson, Ed. D., chief leadership development officer for UAB Medicine and senior associate dean for leadership development in the Heersink School of Medicine. "Participants have the opportunity to network and build relationships with leaders from across UAB Medicine. It is truly a joy to observe how each group gels and the impact the program has on each participant."
Learn more about the Institute for Leadership 2024 graduates.
Erica Barnes, DNP, RN, OCN, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Erica Barnes attended the University of Alabama and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1998. After graduation, she began employment at UAB Hospital on the Benign Gynecology/Gynecology Oncology Unit (GYNX). She has been on the unit since her start date of July 13, 1998. Erica has served in the capacity of a registered nurse, charge nurse, hospital education coordinator, and now the nurse manager. During this time, she returned to school to obtain her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). She is also an Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN). Erica has a great love for women’s health and has enjoyed seeing the miraculous changes that her colleagues have been able to provide over the years.
Libby Bollier, MSHA, Director of Medical and Surgical Practice Operations
Libby Bollier has spent her career in hospital operations with a specific passion for academic medicine. Currently serving as the Director of Medical and Surgical Practice Operations at UAB, Libby has played a pivotal role as a bridge between UAB Hospital and the Department of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, and Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine. She possesses a unique blend of strategic vision and hands-on experience, allowing her to navigate complex challenges and drive sustainable results. Libby completed her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences from Auburn University and her Master of Science in Health Administration from UAB before completing her Administrative Fellowship at Emory Healthcare.
Inmi Brandsema, MBA, Hospital Finance Manager
Inmi Brandsema is the Hospital Finance Manager at UAB Hospital. She joined UAB Hospital in 2021 after working for five years in public accounting. She was a senior auditor for Warren Averett, LLC. Her client industries included health care, nonprofit organizations, higher education, private equity, and franchisors. Inmi earned her Bachelor of Business Administration and MBA at the University of Montevallo.
Meagan Fowler, Pharm.D., MSHA, BCPS, Director of Specialty Pharmacy Services and Clinic Operations
Meagan Fowler graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy and completed her PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at Children's of Alabama in Birmingham. She has been a pharmacist in many capacities at UAB since 2010. In 2015, Meagan joined the UAB Specialty Pharmacy team. After working as the CF Specialty Pharmacist, Meagan joined the UAB Specialty Pharmacy leadership team as the Supervisor for Ambulatory Regulatory Affairs and Accreditation. She is now the Director of Specialty Pharmacy Services and Clinic Operations. Meagan also received her Master of Science in Health Administration from UAB in 2020.
Sandeep Gupta, M.D., Department of Pediatrics, Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Dr. Sandeep Gupta is a board-certified pediatric gastroenterologist with long-standing interests in Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diseases (EGIDs). He attended medical school at the University of Ibadan College of Medicine in Ibadan, Nigeria. He completed his pediatrics residency at the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington, Connecticut, and then went on to a fellowship in Infectious Diseases at Northwestern University, followed by a fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology/hepatology/nutrition at Indiana University/James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. He is board-certified in Pediatric Gastroenterology/Hepatology/Nutrition. He came to Riley Hospital for Children/Indiana University in Indianapolis in 1993 and then to Children’s of Alabama/UAB in 2023. Currently, he serves as Chief and Professor of the Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition at COA/UAB. His clinical interests are esophageal diseases including eosinophilic esophagitis and gastroesophageal reflux, nutrition, obesity, and pediatric endoscopy.
Jennifer Hicks, MSHA, MBA, Administrator for Palliative and Supportive Care
Jennifer Hicks is the Administrator for Palliative and Supportive Care at UAB Hospital. Originally from Tuscaloosa, she received her MSHA and MBA degrees from UAB. Due to her special interests, she also earned a graduate certificate in Gerontology while in the UAB MSHA Program. After completing a residency with Baptist Health in Montgomery, Jennifer took the position of Quality Manager at Prattville Baptist Hospital. After five years in the Montgomery area, she moved back to Birmingham in 2011 and served as the first Program Manager for the UAB Center for Palliative and Supportive Care. In January 2020, Jennifer moved into hospital administration with oversight of the Palliative and Supportive Care Programs at UAB Medicine. These clinical programs include the inpatient Palliative and Comfort Care Unit and consult services, the Supportive Care Clinic (which also houses supportive services for cancer patients at UAB including Cancer Rehab, Nutrition, Psychology and Counseling, Tobacco Treatment, etc.), and the Palliative at Home Program which provides Palliative Care services for home-bound patients. Her focus is on clinical operations, strategic planning, business development, and partnerships.
Patrick Thomas Hussey, M.D., FASE, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine
Born in Alaska, raised in Taiwan, and settled in a small town in Iowa, Dr. Patrick Hussey had an interesting upbringing. With his Chinese schoolteacher mother and father with a Ph.D., anesthesiology didn’t seem the most appropriate choice, but it was what he fell in love with. After a brief hiatus in New York City for his residency, where he discovered his true loves (wife and children), he ended up at UAB in the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, where he became Director of Faculty Scheduling, putting him in charge of the placement of the department’s 150-plus enterprise of anesthesiologists.
Julie Makosky, SHRM-SCP, Interim Vice President of Human Resources for UAB Medicine
Julie Makosky has more than 30 years of experience in human resources, mostly in academic medicine. This experience includes inpatient, ambulatory, and physician group practice settings. She came to UAB in 2004 and currently serves as the Interim Vice President of Human Resources for UAB Medicine. She oversees a team of 100-plus employees and serves on many teams that support and provide leadership for all UAB Medicine. Julie earned her bachelor’s degree in business from UAB with a concentration in Human Resources and was a member of the UAB Honors Program. She also earned the Senior Certified Professional designation from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM-SCP). She is a member of the Vizient CHRO network, the American Society for Health Care Human Resources Administration (ASHHRA), the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM), and serves on the TIAA Healthcare Council.
Leah Pickett, DNP, PMHNP-BC, CRNP, APP Manager for Wellness and Co-Director of the UAB Esketamine Clinic for Treatment-Resistant Depression
Leah Pickett is the APP Manager for Wellness and Co-Director of the UAB Esketamine Clinic for Treatment-Resistant Depression. She previously served as the APP Lead for Psychiatry and has been practicing as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner since 2012. Her areas of specialty include depression, bariatric psychiatry, and eating disorders.
J. Bart Rose, M.D., MAS, FACS, Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology
Dr. J. Bart Rose joined the faculty of the UAB Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology in 2017. He has a combined research and clinical appointment. He earned his undergraduate degree in microbiology at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, his master’s in healthcare leadership from The University of California, San Diego, and his medical degree from the University of Illinois. He completed a general surgery residency at Virginia Mason in Seattle and a fellowship in hepatopancreatobiliary surgery at Washington University in St Louis. At UAB, he is the Section Chief of HPB Surgery and the Director of the Pancreatobiliary Disease Center. He has been engaged in scientific research for more than 20 years. Over this time, he contributed to scientific knowledge in the fields of molecular genetics, enzymology, oncologic biomarkers, and clinical outcomes. His focus since entering the field of surgery has been the mechanisms of cancer development in liver, pancreas, and bile ducts cancers (specifically neuroendocrine tumors). He is currently investigating new ways to treat neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas and GI tract with a focus on racial disparities in care.
Amy Smith, MBA, CMRP, Senior Director of Materials Management
Amy Smith has been in her current role for four years. In this position, she is responsible for the Supply Chain Materials Management operations for the inpatient departments, procedural departments, and ambulatory clinic locations at UAB Medicine Enterprise. She has responsibility for the management of several large outsourced purchased services that include linen, asset management, as well as bariatric bed and durable medical equipment rentals. Amy has a Master of Business Administration degree from UAB and a Bachelor of Science in Business degree from the University of Phoenix, and she has been a Certified Materials Resource Professional (CMRP) since 2013. Amy has been an active member of the Association for Healthcare Resource & Materials Management (AHRMM) since 2010 and the Alabama Society for Healthcare Materiel Management (ASHMM) since 2020. Amy’s career began in Healthcare Supply Chain in 1990, starting as a purchasing clerk. After several promotions during her tenure, she directed her career to work as a Project Manager for a National Medical Surgical Distributor. That later led to the start of her career in Academic Healthcare Supply Chain in 2007 to current (2023). During Amy’s career in health care supply chain, she has grown her knowledge and experience in procurement, inventory management, value analysis, sterile processing, hospital operations, and leadership.
Bethany Tidwell, DNP, WHNP-BC, Senior Director of Clinical Operations for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Bethany Tidwell is a seasoned health care professional and leader with more than a decade of experience. She currently holds the position of Senior Director of Clinical Operations for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UAB. Bethany's educational journey is deeply rooted in UAB, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2010, a Master of Science in Nursing in 2014, and completed her Doctorate of Nursing in 2019. Bethany brings a unique perspective to clinic leadership, having served in various roles, including staff nurse, Advanced Practice Provider supervisor, and department manager. Her contributions extend beyond her immediate responsibilities, as evidenced by her active involvement in the APP Executive Council. Bethany has not only been a dedicated member but has also taken on the roles of co-chair and chair, demonstrating her leadership acumen and commitment to quality initiatives within the organization.
Sherri Wall, MSHA, BSN, RN, CNOR, LSSGB, Senior Director for UAB Medicine Heart and Vascular Center
Sherri Wall currently serves as the Senior Director for UAB Medicine Heart and Vascular Center. She is an experienced operational consultant for Cardiovascular, Perioperative, and Endovascular services. Sherri has 40 years of experience in health care and 20-plus years in professional leadership with extensive knowledge in strategic planning in health care operations and financial performance. Previous leadership roles include System Vice President Perioperative Services, Endoscopy and Anesthesia Services, Executive Director Perioperative, Cardiovascular, Endoscopy services and Interventional Radiology. She is also experienced in team building and interprofessional collaboration. Her credentials include a Master of Science (MS) focused on Healthcare Administration Management and a Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. Sherri’s professional end goal is to work as an executive leader in an organization driving excellence and highly reliable teams in providing optimum patient care.
Yajing Wang, M.D., Ph.D., Vice Chair for Research, Department of Biomedical Engineering 
Dr. Yajing Wang’s academic journey began at Shanxi Medical University in China, where she earned her M.D. and master’s degrees. She then pursued her Ph.D. at Shanghai Jiao Tong University Medical School in medical research. Driven by her passion for cardiovascular health, she completed postdoctoral training in the Cardiovascular Program at Thomas Jefferson University in Pennsylvania from 2007-2010. Dr. Wang’s academic appointments started at the TJU Emergency Medicine department, where she worked for 15 years while being promoted to associate professor. In 2023, Dr. Wang was appointed Vice Chair for Research at UAB. Prior to this, she served as professor and Director for Basic and Translational Research in the Department of Emergency Medicine at TJU. Her research work is further reflected in her active participation in various professional organizations, such as the American Heart Association, BCVS, APS, and ACRE.
Sarita Womack, B.A. Operations Manager at UAB Medicine 1917 Clinic
Sarita Womack is currently an Operations Manager at UAB Medicine 1917 Clinic. She was inspired to pursue a career in health care after meeting a UAB employee who encouraged her to apply for better opportunities for career growth. Prior to working as the Operations Manager, she was the Administrative Supervisor for the Department of Surgery, Transplantation Division where she was responsible for managing the very busy calendar and travel for Jayme E. Locke, M.D., MPH, FACS, FAST, Division Director, Arnold G. Diethelm Endowed Chair in Transplantation Surgery.
Anisa Xhaja, MHA, MSHQS, LSSBB, Director for Program Planning and Performance Improvement, Cancer Service Line
Anisa is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma where she received a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. After graduation, Anisa pursued and completed a master’s in healthcare administration from the University of Oklahoma at Health Sciences Center and a Master of Science in Healthcare Quality and Safety from UAB. Upon completion of the Administrative Fellowship at UAB Hospital in 2014, Anisa joined and led the Clinical Effectiveness program (UAB Care) and the Advanced Enterprise Analytics (AEA) team in the Department of Quality, Patient Safety, and Clinical Effectiveness. Her focus was on redesigning patient care through evidence-based medicine, aiming at improving quality, decreasing variation, and controlling cost. In that role, Anisa led several performance improvement and care redesigns at UAB Hospital in sepsis, orthopedic, solid organ transplant, GI, urology, gynecological oncology, ECMO, critical care, ERAS, intermediate care management, and pain management. In addition to clinical redesign, she built and established the first Sepsis Program and the first Opioid Stewardship Program at UAB. Anisa’s passion, commitment, and record of creating change and achieving performance improvement metrics led her to join the Clinical Practice Transformation (CPT) team in November 2019. In this role, she was responsible for successfully leading a large portfolio of clinical practice transformation initiatives throughout UAB Medicine, utilizing system-based transformational principles and techniques with the goal of elevating the care experience for our patients and staff. In March 2020, Anisa was instrumental in UAB Medicine’s response to establish a COVID-19 testing infrastructure that was safe, efficient, and patient-centered for patients, staff, and the community at large. Within one week, she went from her regular job in the Clinical Practice Transformation department to standing up and leading one of the first and largest COVID-19 drive-thru testing sites in Birmingham. In her current role within the Cancer Service Line, Anisa is responsible for building a quality and patient safety program for oncology, regulatory organizations like the Commission on Cancer, CMS value-based programs, analytics, and leading several patient-centric performance improvement projects and programs.
Learn more about the Leadership Development Office and its programs at Leadership Development Office - Heersink School of Medicine | UAB.