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On Saturday, Feb. 18, the Department of Pediatrics Mini Medical School Program had its first field trip. Eighteen 6^th and 7^th graders came to the Pediatric Simulation Center at Children’s of Alabama and spent a half day learning first-hand how healthcare providers work in a hospital setting.

Michele Kong, M.D., professor in the Division of Pediatric Critical Care, has received the Charles C. Shepard Science Award. 

During the February Pediatric Faculty Meeting, Mitch Cohen, M.D., chair of the Department of Pediatrics, held the annual Black History Month quiz. Those who correctly answered questions about Black historical and present day figures received books about Black history in Birmingham and the South.

Tamera Coyne-Beasley and Michele KongTamera Coyne-Beasley, M.D., professor in the Division of Adolescent Medicine, and Michele Kong, M.D., professor in the Division of Pediatric Critical Care, has received the Heersink School of Medicine Professional Excellence Award. 

Top L to R: Cecelia Hutto, Michael Seifert, Emily Johnston, Jesse Jones, James Odum, Veronica Sanchez and Lece WebbChildren’s of Alabama and the Kaul Pediatric Research Institute (KPRI) are pleased to announce the 2023 awards. The major goal of the KPRI grant program is to allow investigators to obtain data that will advantage applications for additional extramural funding. This will bring new knowledge to the care of children, leverage the investment of the KPRI, and allow projects to be competitive for the very best science on the national stage. A second, but important, goal is to ensure that a dedicated funding source is available to unique segments of the pediatric research, education, and quality improvement enterprise.

On Jan. 31, 2023, Kara Huls, M.D., assistant professor in the Division of Emergency Medicine, and Ashley Hodges, Ph.D., CRNP, nurse practitioner and program coordinator for the Sunrise Clinic at Children's of Alabama, received the inaugural Outstanding Victim Protection in Countering Human Trafficking Award by the Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT) within the US Department of Homeland Security.

David Kimberlin, M.D., professor in the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, has been appointed to the NIH Advisory Committee to the Deputy Director for Intramural Research (DDIR).

Hope Wilson, M.D., assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, has been named director of the Pediatric Thrombosis Program. This new role became official as of Feb. 1, 2023. In this capacity, she will continue efforts towards the growth and development of the clinical, research, and educational facets of the program.

Malgorzata Kasztan, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Division of Hematology/Oncology, has been selected as Pittman Scholar in the UAB Heersink School of Medicine. This esteemed group was created to honor the legacy of Dr. James A. Pittman, Jr., the longest-serving dean in our School’s history.

Top L to R: Meghan Harrison, Samantha Hill, Terry Wall and Stephenie WallaceMeghan Harrison, M.D., fellow in the Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Samantha Hill, M.D., assistant professor in the Division of Adolescent Medicine, Terry Wall, M.D., professor in the Division of Academic General Pediatrics, and Stephenie Wallace, M.D., professor in the Division of Adolescent Medicine, were elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society.

L to R: Lece Webb and Jeremy LoebergerAndrew Miller, pediatric section editor for Respiratory Care, recently revealed his top five pediatric articles for 2022.

Two articles authored by faculty in the Division of Pediatric Critical Care were include among the top 5.

The Department of Pediatrics received the Caduceus Club Award for Best Clinical Department – Birmingham Campus at the Argus Awards on Jan. 6, 2023.

L to R: David Ingram and Jimmy AlstonEffective Jan. 2023, David Ingram has transitioned to a new role within the Department of Pediatrics. 

Aman Wadhwa, M.D., assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology has received the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy New Investigator Award. Dr. Wadhwa has been awarded $50,000 per year for two years. 

Please join us in congratulating Julie Wolfson M.D., MSHS, associate professor in the Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, on receiving a grant from Teen Cancer America. Dr. Wolfson has been awarded $507,155 over three years.

Jessica Ward (not pictured: Angelica Rice)

The School of Medicine Office for Diversity and Inclusion established the Staff Diversity Liaisons to represent underrepresented staff (non-faculty) minorities in the school. This group was established to increase support and programming for the professional advancement of staff. Each department was asked to select staff representatives to be liaisons for their department.

L to R: Meagan Reagan, Holly Simpson and Jason TurnerMeagan Reagan, administrator for the Division of Pediatric Neprhology, Holly Simpson, business officer for the Institute for Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship, and Jason Turner, personnel generalist II for the Department of Pediatrics, have been selected for the Developing Emerging Administrative Leaders (DEAL) Program.

Please join us in congratulating Amr Hammouda, M.D., First Year Fellow- Cardiology, on receiving the 2022-2023 Fall Fellow Research Roundtable/Fellow Core Conference Attendance Award. 

Top L to R: Liares Dupree, Kristina Ford, Leah Hayes, Kimberly Jerkins, Peyton McIlwain and Theresa WrightWe are delighted to welcome six new members to serve on the Department of Pediatrics Staff Wellness and Recognition Council! New members to the council include:

The Department of Pediatrics is delighted to announce that Jeffrey Lebensburger, D.O., has agreed to assume the role of director of the Office of Faculty Development, effective Jan., 1, 2023.