Dr. Densmore chosen for competitive Educational Scholars Program
Caroline Densmore, M.D., assistant professor in the Division of Academic General Pediatrics, was recently selected as a 2025 American Pediatric Association (APA) Educational Scholar.
Pediatric Pandemic Network November updates
Dr. Cohen Farewell Event
KultureCity Race
KultureCity held its inaugural race series in Birmingham, AL, on Nov. 16, 2024, featuring a 1-mile run, 5K, and half marathon. The event was supported by more than 180 volunteers who completed KultureCity's Sensory Inclusive Training.
Participants and their families had access to the Sensory Activation Vehicle, a mobile safe space designed to help individuals manage sensory dysregulation, as well as sensory bags containing noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, and other resources.
Runners from across the country joined the event to support KultureCity's mission of promoting inclusion and accessibility for individuals with invisible disabilities.
Youth Advisory Board Meeting-Wilcox County
The Youth Advisory Board in Wilcox County held a meeting on Nov. 13, 2024, led by Jasmine S. Kennedy, clinical research coordinator and Wilcox YAB PPN facilitator. The session focused on emergency and fire preparedness, including fire safety.
Jewon “Joe” Singleton, a recovery boiler operator, industrial fireman, and emergency medical technician at International Paper in Pine Hill, Alabama, served as the meeting’s presenter, sharing insights and safety tips.
Youth Advisory Board Meeting-Birmingham
The Adolescent Medicine Youth Advisory Board held a virtual meeting on Thursday, Nov. 21, where 13 advisors participated in a modified version of FEMA’s “You Are the Help” training. The session focused on five key actions to assist severely injured individuals during the critical moments before professional medical help arrives.
Led by Katy Smith and Auriel Thomas, the meeting emphasized the advisors’ roles as leaders in emergency situations. This marked the first time a Youth Advisory Board cohort received this training. Advisors who participated will complete an anonymous survey to provide feedback on the training’s content and format. Their responses will help shape future disaster preparedness sessions as part of the ongoing development of the Youth Advisory Board curriculum
Injury Prevention Week
The PPN Community Engagement team participated in Injury Prevention Week activities organized by Children’s of Alabama. Katy Smith spoke with grandparents at the Infant & Baby Safety Shower, offering advice on building an emergency kit for households with babies.
The team also distributed emergency preparedness handouts and mini emergency kits to parents visiting the safety awareness table in the second-floor lobby of Children’s. The team appreciated the opportunity to share valuable information on keeping young children safe during emergencies and looks forward to participating again next year.
Meads Miracle Foundation - UAB Complex Care Team 2024
After losing their twin boys to Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation (CDG), a rare genetic condition, Hannah and Jared Meads sought a way to support others affected by the condition. In memory of their boys, they launched the Meads Miracles Charity Golf Tournament. This foundation aims to advance CDG research and provide resources for families navigating life with this challenging disorder.
Read morePediatric HSF Clinical Program Development Grant Awardees
Congratulations to the three Department of Pediatrics faculty members awarded the Pediatric Health Services Foundation (HSF) Clinical Program Development Grant this year. Listed below are the faculty members and their initiatives:
Read moreChildren’s of Alabama/UAB Pediatric Transplant and Heart Failure receives Pediatric Heart Transplant Study Vanguard Award
The Pediatric Heart Transplant Study (PHTS) has recognized the Children’s of Alabama/UAB Pediatric Transplant and Heart Failure Team with the prestigious PHTS VANGUARD CENTER Award. This recognition highlights the outstanding dedication and hard work of the entire team at UAB Pediatrics/Children's of Alabama, whose contributions have significantly advanced the success of the Pediatric Heart Transplant Society Registry. Meeting the rigorous criteria for the award, including reliability, timeliness, and adequate volume, underscores the commitment to excellence in pediatric heart transplant care.
Read more2024 DOP Faculty Achievement Awards
The Department of Pediatrics is pleased to honor these faculty members. They have attained a level of excellence recognized by their peers due to their exceptional contributions for the development of the department and in turn, the achievers of tomorrow - our children.
Please join us in congratulating the winners in each category.
Pediatric Health and Wellness Fair, Camden, AL
On October 19, Katy Smith, community and educational liaison for the Pediatric Pandemic Network, Lonnie Pressley, program director for the PPN and Tamera Coyne-Beasley, M.D., professor in the Division of Adolescent Medicine and co-PI of the PPN, provided emergency preparedness resources to families at the Pediatric Health and Wellness Fair.
The team distributed children’s activity books, flyers and mini emergency kits, reaching about 40 children and 60 adults. Attendees were especially interested in guidance on assembling emergency kits and creating communication plans. Information about the Adolescent Medicine Clinic was also shared, and the team assisted another Children’s of Alabama group in distributing free gun locks.
The UAB Adolescent Medicine Youth Advisory Board held a meeting on Oct. 25, 2024, in Wilcox County focused on mental health. The presentation, led by Robbie Cochran, a school mental health specialist from Cahaba Mental Health. Many participants identified anxiety as a personal struggle. The discussion underscored the need for mental health resources and support for local youth.
Four faculty elected to pediatric societies
Congratulations to Viral Jain, M.D., assistant professor in the Division of Neonatology, Melissa Mannion, M.D., instructor in the Division of Pediatric Rheumatology and Christine Stoops, D.O., associate professor in the Division of Neonatology on their elections to the Society for Pediatric Research (SPR).
Dr. Donahue accepted as PPN Research Scholar
Congratulations to Andrew Donahue, M.D., fellow in the Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine on his acceptance into the Pandemic Network Pediatric (PPN) Disaster Science Research Training Program (R25)!
Pediatric Pandemic Network updates
See updates from the Pediatric Pandemic Network from our UAB colleagues.
Read more28 pediatric faculty receive promotions in 2024
Congratulations to the 28 faculty promoted effective October 1, 2024!
Read moreNephrology hosts inaugural International Neonatal Nephrology Symposium
Children’s of Alabama partnered with UAB’s Division of Pediatric Nephrology to host the inaugural International Neonatal Nephrology Symposium (INNS) Sept. 11-15 in Birmingham at the UAB Hilton.
Read morePediatrics welcomes 10 new faculty members in September 2024
The UAB Department of Pediatrics welcomed 10 new faculty members in the month of September. Please join us in making them feel at home!
Read more
Kara Huls, M.D., assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, was featured by the Child Trafficking Solutions Project (Pediatric Pandemic Network: annual meeting held in Birmingham
The Pediatric Pandemic Network (PPN) held its annual meeting in Birmingham from Aug. 27 to 29. The PPN seeks to enhance the nation's preparedness to address public health emergencies that affect children. The network, funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), joins leading pediatric hospitals and partners to focus on pediatric preparedness and treatment in emergencies and disasters. Its goals are to improve collaboration between healthcare systems, create and share best practices, and increase preparedness. The UAB/COA Hub site is lead by Drs. Tamera Coyne-Beasley and Mitchell Cohen.
Read moreInaugural PHM Incubator Scholarship Fair
The Inaugural Pediatric Hospital Medicine Incubator Scholarship Fair was held Friday, August 23. This event served as an opportunity for faculty, staff, and trainees to share knowledge and network. Faculty shared their research, publications, and educational resources, while offering scholarship guidance. Chang Wu, M.D., associate professor in the Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, said, “The event fueled enthusiasm for future collaborations, providing a platform for connecting and advancing pediatric hospital medicine scholarship”.
Pediatrics welcomes one new faculty member in August 2024
The UAB Department of Pediatrics welcomed one new faculty member in the month of August. Please join us in making them feel at home!
Celebrating the Bookworm program and early child literacy
L to R: Anupam Agarwal, M.D., dean of the Heersink School of Medicine, Viral Jain, M.D., creator of the NICU Bookworm program, Senator Katie Britt, Dawn Bulgarella,MSHA, CPA, CEO of the UAB Health System, Brian Massey, government relations at Children's of Alabama, Mitch Cohen, M.D., chair of the Department of Pediatrics, and Wally Carlo, M.D., co-director of the Division of NeonatologyEarly child literacy is an important factor in the development of children setting them up for success in the future. Research has shown that reading and language deficits in a child are fixed by two years of age, so early intervention is crucial, especially for premature and sick newborns who are at a higher risk of neurodevelopmental deficits, including in language and reading.
Dr. Weaver accepted into Thirteenth Annual Myology Course presented by Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Samantha Weaver, DNP, CRNP, CPNP-AC, assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Neurology, has been accepted into the Thirteenth Annual Myology Course presented by Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Ohio State University.
This is a supplemental training course on neuromuscular disease, molecular therapeutics and aspects of career development. This is the only workshop of its sort in the nation, with lectures combining basic and clinical science followed by specialized instruction in basic science laboratory procedures or clinical treatment protocols.
Congratulations Dr. Weaver!
Dr. Gunnett accepted into SAIL: Junior Faculty Leadership Program
Mohini Gunnett M.D., assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine, has been accepted into the Spring 2025: SAIL (Sharing Authentically to Inspire and Lead): Junior Faculty Leadership Program.