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Pictured (L-R): Drs. Shannon Ross, Ricardo Franco and Sonya HeathShannon Ross, M.D., Pediatric Infectious Diseases, along with members of the UAB Division of Infectious Diseases, participated in The Big Idea Infectious Diseases/HIV Education and Advocacy Day in Washington, DC in Oct. 2019. This advocacy day, in conjunction with IDWeek 2019, provided ID and HIV physicians and other health care providers the opportunity to meet with members of Congress to educate them on federal programs critical to preventing and treating infectious diseases and HIV and improving public health in the U.S. and globally. 

Tina Simpson, M.D., Adolescent Medicine, has accepted the position of vice-chair for Faculty Development in the Department of Pediatrics (DOP). Dr. Simpson currently serves as the director of the Office of Faculty Development (OFD) in the DOP and will continue in this role. Through her work in the OFD, Dr. Simpson has helped clinicians, educators and research faculty and also addressed the broad issues of engagement and advancement for all faculty in a meaningful way. As a recognition of her efforts and the fact that she is already relied on for critical advice on a wide range of issues, Dr. Mitch Cohen, chair of the Department of Pediatrics, asked her to become a vice-chair. "Faculty development is important and deserves a voice and a seat at the table and I can think of no one better than Tina to have that seat and that voice," said Dr. Cohen. "I am thrilled she will be taking on this new role."

Congratulations Dr. Simpson!

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.

2019 DOP Faculty Achievement Awards

Community Educator Award

Vera Egorshin, M.D.
Jefferson County Department Of Health

Research Achievement Award

Senior
Randy Cron, M.D.
Pediatric Rheumatology

Junior
Vivek Lal, M.D.
Neonatology

Diversity And Inclusion Award

Brian Sims, M.D.
Neonatology

Educational Achievement Award

Senior
Ann Klasner, M.D.
Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Junior
Sarah Novara, M.D.
Pediatric Neurology

Service Achievement Award

Senior
Joe Chewning, M.D.
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

Junior
Erin Swanson, M.D.
Pediatric Rehab Medicine

Mentoring Achievement Award

David Bernard, M.D.
Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Model of Team Excellence Award

Division Of Pediatric Nephrology- Drs. David Askenazi, Erica Bjornstad, Sahar Fathallah-Shaykh, Daniel Feig, Michael Seifert, and Tennille Webb.

Lifetime Achievement Award in Pediatric Healthcare

Carden Johnston, M.D.
Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Tom Howard, M.D.
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

Members of the TECaN executive council with Dr. Lilly Lou, chair-elect, SoNPM on the far right front row and Dr. John Zupancic, past chair, on the back rowAnisha Bhatia Attawala, M.D., Third Year Fellow, Neonatology, had a very successful experience at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Convention and Exhibition (NCE). As part of her role as membership chair and District 10 representative for Trainees and Early Career Neonatologists (TECaN), a subcommittee of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Section on Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, she took part in an exciting meeting at where TECaN received recognition from leaders from the Section on Neonatal Perinatal Medicine (SoNPM) for the productivity of the group from their recent #NavigatingNAS campaign, a year-long educational campaign focused on neonatal abstinence syndrome. Dr. Attawala helped develop a section of the program and created the informational video. The attached photos show. 

Dr. Attawala also organized a travel grant competition for this meeting generously sponsored through Abbott nutrition for TECaN members attending NCE. We were able to support 10 recipients. She also presented a poster at NCE for my project entitled "Donor Breast Milk Improves Feeding Tolerance in Infants with Critical Congenital Heart Disease."

Vivek Lal, M.D., Neonatology, recently completed the Young Physician​s Leadership Alliance (YPLA). The YPLA is a three-year training program presented by the Section on Early Career Physicians of the American Academy of Pediatrics. It is designed to develop leadership skills and establish a network of ambitious early career pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists. The program uses interactive forums and small group coaching with expert faculty to guide participants through an exploration of their own leadership capacity, learning about leadership principles, behaviors, and tools that can help them achieve their personal and professional goals.

Congratulations Dr. Lal!

Teresa Magruder, M.D., Pediatric Pulmonology, and Peter Weiser, M.D., Pediatric Rheumatology, have been named among Birmingham Parent's Favorite Kids' Docs 2019. Doctors were nominated by Birmingham Parent readers for providing the best care for their children. They will be recognized along with other honorees in the December issue of Birmingham Parent.

Below is a list of the other pediatricians from Children's of Alabama practices that were also honored. 

Dr. Charlotte Prejean
Dr. Phillip Harmon
Dr. Jamie Powell
Dr. Daniel Carter
Dr. Brian Dudgeon
Dr. Nicholas Smith
Dr. Angela Redmond
Dr. Betsy Crum
Dr. Toren Anderson
Dr. John Cortopassi
Dr. Julia Stewart
Dr. Abby Allen
Dr. Audie Woolley
Dr. Elizabeth Irons
Dr. Stacey Gilbert
Dr. Joseph Jolly
Dr. Garland Youngblood
Dr. Richard Stone
Dr. Diane Dietline
Dr. Judy Habeeb
Dr. Julie Dennis

Each year the Pediatric Residency Program organizes the Coat of Arms 5K Spring Scramble to support a cause selected by the residents - such as Reach Out and Read, Healthy Active Living, and Weight Management. Spring Scramble 2019 was held May 12, 2019 at Railroad Park. This year's race beneficiary was Children's Harbor, specifically Children’s Harbor on Lake Martin, which provides children with serious illnesses and their families a place to have fun and relax. Proceeds from the race were used to purchase two water dispensers that were placed on the two sides of the camp for campers to have easy access to fresh water. We are so delighted that this initiative was met with such excitement by the Children’s Harbor!

The UAB Pediatric Primary Care Clinic (PCC) and Jefferson County Department of Health (JCDH) have joined forces to improve the patient experience. “We are excited about this collaborative effort to improve our patient’s access to medical care outside of normal office hours,” said Candice Dye, M.D., Academic General Pediatrics, Medical Director of Pediatric Primary Care Clinic.

This collaboration began with a mutual goal as the PCC and JCDH both strive to achieve Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) certification.

Extended hours are a core component to PCMH certification. Our practices recognize that patients’ care needs are not confined to normal operating hours. Offering appointments outside typical business hours not only gives patients greater access to care, but it also provides a cost-effective option in today’s current health system where we need to use resources more judiciously. In an effort to work together to address this challenge, the PCC and JCDH have entered into a joint venture in an extended hour model starting in November where we will see each other’s patients two evenings a week, from 5:00-6:45 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Extended hours are by appointment only and available to established patients by utilizing the usual phone coverage for their own primary care practice and then being directed to the designated site. This new collaboration not only helps us achieve PCMH certification, but more importantly, it offers a much needed resource to our patients and families.

The PCC is also accepting new patients. For appointments, call 205-638-9096. To find out more, please visit our website.

Terry Wall, M.D., Academic General Pediatrics, was accepted into the Leadership Development for Physicians in Academic Health Center at Harvard University. The two-week intensive course is hosted by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Dr. Wall attended the course October 13-25 in Boston, Massachusetts. 

Leadership Development for Physicians in Academic Health Centers is designed to serve a wide array of physician leaders and provides the opportunity to study critical leadership and management issues faced by physicians in administrative positions and academic health centers.

Michele Nichols, M.D., Pediatric Emergency Medicine, will receive the 2020 Pediatric Educator Award from the Southern Society for Pediatric Research (SSPR). According to the SSPR nominating committee, this award recognizes an outstanding pediatric educator in pediatric medicine who is widely recognized for their stimulation of pre- and post-doctoral students in the care of children, contributed to the development and administration of programs and curricula for pediatric learners and parents, and recognized as a role model as a pediatric educator. Dr. Nichols will receive this award at the 2020 SSPR Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana February 13, 2020. 

Congratulations Dr. Nichols!

The UAB Department of Pediatrics welcomes two new faculty members during the month of October. 

Shaundra Blakemore, M.D., Assistant Professor in Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Khalisa Syeda, D.O., Assistant Professor in Pediatric Cardiology

Shaundra Blakemore, M.D., Assistant Professor in Pediatric Emergency Medicine, earned her medical degree and completed both her pediatric residency and pediatric emergency medicine fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in Birmingham, Alabama. Her research/clinical interests include management of sickle cell pain crisis in the pediatric emergency department and simulation. 

Khalisa Syeda, D.O., Assistant Professor in Pediatric Cardiology, earned her medical degree at the University of North Texas in Fort Worth, Texas. Dr. Syeda completed her pediatric residency at the University of Illinois at Chicago in Chicago, Illinois and her pediatric cardiology fellowship at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, Texas.

This year, Christmas and New Year’s Day occur on Wednesdays and are designated holidays. In addition to Dec. 25, 2019 and Jan. 1, 2020, President Ray Watts and Health System CEO Will Ferniany have decided to observe additional holidays to provide employees additional time to spend with their families and friends. We will also follow this lead in the Department of Pediatrics, however, DOP clinics will be OPEN on Monday, Dec. 23, 2019 to serve our patients. Please see below how this will impact your Workgroup. If you are not sure which Workgroup you are a part of, visit the UAB Workforce Assignment website for more information. 

• Workgroup C: Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 will be designated holidays for staff in Workgroup C. The Kirklin Clinic and other ambulatory clinics, e.g. Children’s of Alabama Clinics, will be open Dec. 23, and staff with clinical and patient care responsibilities will be needed to care for those patients. UAB Department of Pediatrics ambulatory clinics at COA will also be open on Dec. 23.

• Workgroup F (Faculty): Dec. 23, Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 will be designated holidays for faculty in Workgroup F. Faculty with clinical responsibilities should consult with their leadership.  Clinics will be open.

• Workgroup A: Dec. 23, Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 will be designated holidays for staff in Workgroup A.

Erinn Schmit, M.D., Pediatric Hospital Medicine, named the new director of Children's of Alabama/UAB Pediatric Medical Grand Rounds. Dr. Schmit began her new role in October 2019. 

​​​​Dr. Schmit is an assistant professor in the UAB Department of Pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine and an adjunct faculty for Meharry Medical College. She completed her residency and fellowship training at UAB. She will be completing her Master of Education degree from the University of Cincinnati in December 2019. Dr. Schmit has served in many leadership roles in the Department of Pediatrics including chief resident, assistant program director for the Pediatric Hospital Medicine Fellowship Program and chair of COA’s Safe Sleep Task Force. "We are excited to see the educational opportunities she brings to our grand rounds audience," said Dr. Brad Troxler, chair of CME at Children's of Alabama/UAB. 

Congratulations to our faculty who were promoted effective Oct. 1, 2019! 

Promoted to Professor

Cason Benton, M.D., Academic General Pediatrics
Sahar Fathallah-Shaykh, M.D., Pediatric Nephrology
Leslie Hayes, M.D., Pediatric Critical Care
DeeAnne Jackson, M.D., Academic General Pediatrics
Wendy Landier, Ph.D., Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Kimberly Whelan, M.D., Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

Promoted to Associate Professor

Heather Austin, Ph.D., Adolescent Medicine
Stephanie Berger, M.D., Pediatric Hospital Medicine
Tom Harris, M.D., Pediatric Pulmonology
Traci Jester, M.D., Pediatric Gastroenterology
Charitharth Lal, M.D., Neonatology
Maran Ramani, M.D., Neonatology
Will Sasser, M.D., Pediatric Critical Care
Paul Scalici, M.D., Pediatric Hospital Medicine
Hayden Zaccagni, M.D., Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care

The Alabama Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) hosted its annual awards dinner on Saturday, Sept. 28 in Birmingham, Alabama. Cason Benton, M.D., Academic General Pediatrics, and Ed Colvin, M.D., Pediatric Cardiology, were among those honored.

Pictured: Drs. Marsha Raulerson and Cason BentonDr. Benton received the Marsha Raulerson Advocacy Award. This award recognizes service to children through dedication to better policies for improved child health. The award is named in honor of Marsha Raulerson, M.D., FAAP, of Brewton, who has worked tirelessly for children in Alabama during her more than 30 years of practicing community pediatrics through consistent and effective advocacy for children’s programs and policies at the local, state and national levels. Dr. Benton states, “It is both an honor and humbling to receive an award named for Dr. Raulerson, one of my pediatric heroes. I hope to continue in her footsteps.” 

Pictured: Drs. Sergio Stagno and Ed ColvinDr. Colvin received the Wallace Alexander Clyde Distinguished Service Award. "To have my name on a list with the previous recipients, my teachers and heroes, my esteemed colleagues with whom I have shared patients over the years, is a great honor," said Dr. Colvin. "I am proud to be a member of the Alabama Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. I’m extremely proud that the Children’s Hospital, started by pediatricians, supported by the University, and the community, has grown to be such a fabulous resource for the children of our state and the region."

Kristin Deneen, 2019 Russell Cunningham Memorial Research Scholar, received second place for her poster in the category of Public Health at the UAB Medical Student Research Day Wednesday, Sept. 18. The title of her poster was “Differences in time to diagnosis among cSLE patients with and without lupus nephritis within the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) Registry."

As part of her Russell Cunningham Memorial Research scholarship, Kristin worked on the “Evaluating Care and Outcomes in Childhood-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus” project in Rheumatology with Emily Smitherman, M.D., Pediatric Rheumatology. 

Congratulations Kristin!

David Kimberlin, M.D., Pediatric Infectious Diseases, has been named chair of the newly established Human Research Advisory Committee (HRAC) at UAB. Dr. Kimberlin will serve a two-year term as committee chair. The HRAC will provide a forum for increasing transparency and seeking input from stakeholders engaged in human subjects research at UAB in order to identify opportunities for improvement in our human research protection program.

Congratulations Dr. Kimberlin!

Randy Cron, M.D., Pediatric Rheumatology, and his former trainee, Ed Behrens, M.D., Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, are co-editors of the first-ever textbook devoted to Cytokine Storm Syndrome. This textbook, titled "Cytokine Storm Syndrome" consists of 35 chapters and 617 pages and covers the history, clinical and lab features, diagnosis, immunology, genetics, murine models, associated diseases and infections, and treatment of macrophage activation syndrome, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, and related cytokine storm syndromes.

The UAB Department of Pediatrics welcomes one new faculty member during the month of September. 

Stephanie Moore, Ph.D., Instructor, in Pediatric Infectious Diseases

Stephanie Moore, Ph.D., Instructor in Pediatric Infectious Diseases, earned her Bachelor of Science at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Moore completed her Doctor of Philosophy in molecular and cellular pathology at UAB. She is also the associate director of the Alabama Drug Discovery Alliance. Her research interests include facilitating drug discovery initiatives to my fellow researchers. 

Stephanie Berger, M.D., Pediatric Hospital Medicine, received the Caduceus Club Award for Excellence in Clinical Education on the Birmingham Campus at the Argus Award Ceremony on Friday, Sept. 20. For the second year in a row, the Department of Pediatrics has received the Argus Award for Best Clinical Department on the Birmingham campus.  This prestigious award is a great acknowledgment for all of the faculty in pediatrics who inspire, motivate and teach our medical students. "I am proud to celebrate our faculty and educators. They are a bedrock of what we do and part of our fundamental mission," said Mitch Cohen, chair of the Department of Pediatrics about the department's recognition. "Thank you and congratulations to the Hussein Abul-Latif, Stephenie Berger, Will Sasser and ALL of the faculty who make our clinical clerkship teaching program so strong. We are not only best in Birmingham, we are also among the best in the country." 

The Argus Awards were created in 1996 to give medical students the chance to honor their mentors, professors, courses and course directors for outstanding service to medical education. Faculty members are nominated by course evaluations, and students vote to select award winners in each category.