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The UAB Department of Pediatrics welcomed two new faculty members in the month of November. Please join us in making them feel at home! 

Hussein Abdullatif, M.D., professor in the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, and Morissa Ladinsky, M.D., professor in the Division of Academic General Pediatrics, were recipients of the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) Courage Award. The awards were presented at the first in-person Champions for Justice Dinner since 2019.

The Adoption Clinic is an interdisciplinary clinic that offers services for families who are preparing to adopt and for families who have already adopted. The clinic was founded by Jennifer Chambers, M.D., associate professor in the Division of Academic General Pediatrics, in 2002 shortly after completing her pediatric residency. On Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, over 200 guests came together to commemorate 20th year of helping adoptive families with a pumpkin patch celebration at the Helena Hollow Entertainment Farm. Guests received goodie bags, t-shirts, sweet treats, educational handouts, and even got to take home pumpkins to carve. The clinic also shared the top 20 book recommendations that are available to purchase on Amazon.

Smita Bhatia, M.D., MPH, professor in the Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, was named vice-chair of the Heersink School of Medicine Faculty Council.

Congratulations to Girish Dhall, M.D., professor in the Division of Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, and Daniel Feig, M.D., Ph.D., M.S., professor in the Division of Pediatrics Nephrology, on their recent election to membership in the American Pediatric Society (APS).‏

Top Row L to R: David Kimberlin, Kent Willis, Lauren Nassetta, Madhura Hallman and Taylor McClanahan. 2nd Row L to R: Laurie Marzullo, Carlie Stein, Brad Troxler, Jennifer McCain and Tina Simpson. 3rd Row L to R: Joe Philips, Shaundra Blakemore, Cason Benton and Adolfo Molina. Bottom Row: Division of Pediatric Hospital MedicineThe 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.

David Kimberlin, M.D., professor in the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, was named the recipient of the 2022 Walter T. Hughes Distinguished Physician Award. This award is given by the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS) to a pediatrician who has made significant contributions to the field of pediatric infectious diseases and is the society’s highest recognition. The award was recently renamed to honor Walter T. Hughes, who was a founding member of PIDS and the first president of the society.

I am pleased to announce that Chrystal Rutledge, M.D., associate professor in the Division of Pediatric Critical Care, will assume the role of vice chair for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in the Department of Pediatrics, effective Dec. 1, 2022. Dr. Rutledge has already been performing many of the leadership duties associated with this position, and this promotion is a recognition of the importance of DEI to the department as well as her outstanding leadership qualities. 

Michele Kong, M.D., professor in the Division of Pediatric Critical Care, was selected for the Class of 2022-2023 Leadership Alabama.

Top L to R: Ammar Saadoon Alishlash, Ahmed Asfari, Scott James, Colm Travers and Kent WillisCongratulations to the following pediatric faculty on being elected to the Society for Pediatric Research (SPR) membership!

Congratulations to Ashley Moellinger, CRNP; Robert Dabal, M.D., Hayden Zaccagni, M.D., and Santiago Borasino, M.D., on winning Best Poster at the 3rd Annual Safety & Quality Day. They received this award for their poster titled, "A reintervention reduction bundle improves outcomes in patients following a Norwood procedure".

Chinenye Dike, M.D., assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, has been selected for the Rare Diseases Clinical Research Scholar’s Program hosted by the Rare Disease Institute at Children’s National Medical Center.

Top L to R: Jennifer Guimbellot, Robert Richter and Ariel SalasThe UAB Center for Outcomes and Effectiveness Research and Education (COERE) has announced the awardees for the second round of CARES at UAB. Jennifer Guimbellot, M.D., associate professor in the Division of Pediatric Pulmonology & Sleep Medicine, Robert Richter, M.D., assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Critical Care, and Ariel Salas, M.D., associate professor in the Division of Neonatology, were among the 17 awards given out.

L to R: Christy Foster and James OdumChristy Foster, M.D., assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology & Diabetes, and James Odum, M.D., assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Critical Care, were selected for the American Pediatric Society (APS) and Society for Pediatric Research (SPR) Journeys & Frontiers in Pediatric Research program for 2022-2023.

Kyle Bliton, M.D., fellow in the Division of Pediatric Pulmonology & Sleep Medicine, was named a 2022 Tobacco Trainee by the Section on Nicotine and Tobacco Prevention and Treatment (SONTPT) of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Congratulations to the 11 faculty promoted effective October 1, 2022!

L to R: Sunena Chhabra Argo, Karlene Walker and Alicia WebbThe UAB Department of Pediatrics welcomed three new faculty members in the month of September.  Please join us in making them feel at home!   

We are pleased to announce that Michele Kong, M.D., professor in the Division of Pediatric Critical Care, will receive an endowed professorship from Children’s of Alabama on Oct. 1, 2022. This celebrates Dr. Kong’s significant contributions to Children’s of Alabama, UAB and to our larger community.

Two faculty members in the Division of Neonatology were honored at the Perinatal Research Society annual meeting, held in Austin, TX from Sept. 9-11. Ariel Salas, M.D., associate professor, and Vikek Shukla, M.D., assistant professor, both received the Outstanding Paper by an Associate Member/ Best Young Investigator Paper, Perinatal Research Society Award.  

The Alabama Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) hosted its annual awards dinner on Saturday, Sept. 10 in Birmingham, Alabama. Morissa Ladinsky, M.D., associate professor in the Division of Academic General Pediatrics, and Candice Dye, M.D., associate professor in the Division of Academic General Pediatrics, were among those honored.