Explore UAB

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

Michele Kong, M.D., professor in the Division of Pediatric Critical Care has been named to the Birmingham Business Journal's Top Birmingham Women for 2024. These annual awards highlight women who have established themselves as key leaders in their companies or organizations and have reached career pinnacles.

Congratulations to Madeline Davis, M.D. and Meaghan Smith, M.D., graduating PGY-3 pediatric residents, on receiving the 2024 Carolyn Ashworth, M.D. Pediatric Primary Care Award.

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

The Division of Pediatric Cardiology recognized Zachary Brown, M.D., as the winner of the 2024 Walt “The Rock” Johnson Worthiness in Pediatric Cardiology Award.

The Division of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine's UAB/COA Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis (CF) team has been providing training to CF teams in South America since 2014. The training program primarily focuses on benchmarking visits to demonstrate how multidisciplinary teams function, the use of evidence-based care, and quality improvement methodologies to improve processes and outcomes. The team at UAB has developed a training program that has been highly appreciated by the CF Foundation. As a result, the foundation has provided funding to UAB for training more mentor teams in the US through its International Mentor Training Initiative (IMTI). These newly trained teams are now providing mentorship in Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, and Jordan.

Morissa Ladinsky, M.D., professor in the Division of Academic General Pediatrics, has been selected for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Committee on State Government Affairs. She will serve a six-year term beginning July 1, 2024.

Matthew Stoll, M.D., PhD, professor in the Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, has been elected as the Chair for the Spondyloarthritis Research and Treatment Network (SPARTAN). SPARTAN is a network of health care professionals in North America who are dedicated to research, awareness and treatment of spondyloarthritis. 

David Kimberlin, M.D., professor in the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, has been invited to serve as a co-chair of a “Growth with Purpose” initiative working group, alongside Virginia M. Hedberg.

Namasivayam Ambalavanan, M.D., professor in the Division of Neonatology, Kent Willis, M.D., assistant professor, and Viral Jain, M.D., assistant professor in the Division of Neonatology, and Amy CaJacob, M.D., assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology have been appointed to the UAB Lung Health Center.

Candice C. Dye, M.D., Department of Pediatrics' Associate Professor in the Division of Academic General Pediatrics, graduated from the UAB Healthcare Leadership Academy (HLA).

Top L to R: Alex Broadnax, Gabriel Daniels, Josh Cooper and Aphton LaneEvery year the Department of Pediatrics Subspecialty Fellowship Programs give out achievement awards to graduating pediatric fellows in three separate areas: research, quality improvement and service.

Congratulations to our UAB Pediatric Fellowship Class of 2024. Thank you to all who helped us celebrate the graduates at a reception in their honor on May 23rd.

We are excited to announce that Emily Franklin has joined the Department of Pediatrics as the Communications Coordinator. A Huntsville native and recent graduate from Auburn University with a bachelor's degree in public relations and minor in public health, she brings a passion for communication and healthcare. Franklin had previously worked as the Department of Pediatrics Intern since September 2022. Please join us in welcoming her to the team!

Top L to R: Rahmath Althaf, Carter Barnett, Kulsajan Bhatia, Chloe Braun and Ting WeiThe Dixon Foundation supports the Dixon Pediatric Fellowship training program for fellows who intend to pursue an academic career with a research emphasis (ranging from basic and translational science to education or QI-centric research) in approved pediatric subspecialties.

L to R: Kennon Ulicny and Jeffrey CooteThe Chu Family has generously donated funds to Children's of Alabama and the Department of Pediatrics to support educational initiatives. A portion of this donation has been set aside for the pediatric fellows to fund scholarships for fellows who apply. Candidates were selected on a competitive basis. These awards will provide funds for tuition, books and fees related to their educational endeavors.

Stephen Obaro, M.D., Ph.D., professor in the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, was named a Sparkman Center for Global Health Scholar. His appointment is effective as of April 22, 2024.

Erin Shaughnessy, M.D., professor in the Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, recently graduated from the Executive Leadership in Health Care (ELH) program. The program is offered by Drexel University School of Medicine.

The Department of Pediatrics would like to introduce the 2024 Department of Pediatrics Staff Recognition Awards. These awards were created to honor staff members throughout the department for their contribution and commitment to the department's mission. Our staff are essential to making our department run, and this is an opportunity to show our appreciation.

David Ingram, director of Administrative and Fiscal Affairs for the Department of Pediatrics (HSF), was recently inducted into the Chelsea High School Hall of Fame for his outstanding community involvement. Ingram, a 1991 Chelsea High School graduate, has made a lasting mark on his community.