Pediatrics Welcomes Nine New Faculty Members in July 2019
The UAB Department of Pediatrics welcomes nine new faculty members during the month of July. Please join us in making them feel at home!
Erica Christen Bjornstad, M.D., MPH, Assistant Professor in Pediatric Nephrology
Matthew Clark, M.D., Assistant Professor in Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care Medicine
Leslie Collins, M.D., Assistant Professor in Pediatric Cardiology
Courtney Crayne, M.D., MSPH, Instructor in Pediatric Rheumatology
Christy Foster, M.D., Assistant Professor in Pediatric Endocrinology
Thanh Summerlin, M.D., Assistant Professor in Neonatology
Colm Travers, M.D., MSPH, Assistant Professor in Neonatology
Aman Wadhwa, M.D., MSPH, Instructor in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
Elizabeth Worthey, Ph.D., Associate Professor in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Erica Christen Bjornstad, M.D., MPH, Assistant Professor in Pediatric Nephrology, earned her medical degree at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and her masters of public health at the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Dr. Bjornstad completed her pediatric residency and pediatric nephrology fellowship at the University of North Carolina Children’s Hospital. Dr. Bjornstad also completed a mini-fellowship in renal ultrasonography at Emory University. Prior to joining UAB, she has worked extensively in Latin America and Africa, publishing a resource guide for healthcare providers in Africa - North Carolina Children's Global Health Handbook. Her research/clinical interests include: epidemiology of acute kidney injury, novel diagnostic tests, and global health, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
Matthew Clark, M.D., Assistant Professor in Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care, earned his medical degree at the University of Missouri. Dr. Clark completed his internal medicine and pediatric residency at the University of Missouri, his pediatric critical care fellowship at Saint Louis University and his pediatric cardiac critical care fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. His major/clinical research interests include: clinical trials and quality improvement.
Leslie Collins, M.D., Assistant Professor in Pediatric Cardiology, earned her medical degree at the East Carolina University – Brody School of Medicine. Dr. Collins completed her pediatric residency and pediatric cardiology fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her research/clinical interests include: imaging, fetal ECHO, and heart failure and transplant.
Courtney Crayne, M.D., MSPH, Instructor in Pediatric Rheumatology, earned her medical degree and master of science in public health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Crayne completed her pediatric residency at Tulane-Ochsner Pediatrics and her pediatric rheumatology fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Crayne is also on the Government Affairs Committee for the American College Rheumatology. Her major research/clinical interests include vaccination outcomes in children with autoimmune disease. She is also active in advocacy efforts with a special interest in legislative affairs and healthcare policy reform.
Christy Foster, M.D., Assistant Professor in Pediatric Endocrinology, grew up in Birmingham, Alabama and earned her medical degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Foster completed her pediatric residency at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and her pediatric endocrinology fellowship at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center this year. Her research/clinical interests include: investigating novel biomarkers in adolescent females with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), developing an endocrinology curriculum for the general pediatrics resident trainees. She is working to develop a PCOS-specific clinic to better address the needs of this population.
Thanh Summerlin, M.D., Assistant Professor in Neonatology, earned her medical degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Summerlin completed her pediatric residency and neonatal-perinatal fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She will join the community neonatology group.
Colm Travers, M.D., MSPH, Assistant Professor in Neonatology, earned his medical degree at the University College in Dublin, Ireland and completed pediatric residency and membership examinations in Medicine of Childhood through the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. Dr. Travers completed his neonatal-perinatal fellowship and pediatric residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. His major research/clinical interests include: reducing major morbidities and mortality among preterm infants, long term outcomes in survivors of prematurity, implementation of evidence based practice, disparities in neonatal-perinatal care, and global neonatal health.
Aman Wadhwa, M.D., MSPH, Instructor in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, earned his medical degree from M.S. Ramaiah Medical College in India and master of science in public health degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Wadhwa completed his pediatric residency at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and recently completed his pediatric hematology and oncology fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. His major research interests include: investigating factors that increase the risk of treatment-related toxicity in children undergoing treatment for cancer, with the eventual goal of reducing the morbidity experienced by these children. His clinical interests are in caring for patients with hematologic malignancies.
Elizabeth Worthey, Ph.D., Associate Professor in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, earned her doctorate degree in genetics from the Imperial College London in London, England. Dr. Worthey completed her postdoctoral training at the Seattle Biomedical Research Institute and the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. Prior to joining UAB, Dr. Worthey was a faculty investigator and director of Software Development and Informatics at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville, Alabama. Her research interests include the development and application of omic, informatic, and data science based methods and technologies in order to identify and understand causal molecular variation in rare, undiagnosed or misdiagnosed disease. Her lab also focuses on the identification and study of variation that alters an individual's response to therapeutics or modifies clinical presentation, progression, and/or outcome.
Dr. Gunnett receives Cystic Fibrosis Foundation 1st/2nd Year Clinical Fellowship Award
Mohini Gunnett, M.D., First Year Fellow, Pediatric Pulmonology, was awarded the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation 1st/2nd year Clinical Fellowship Award, which began July 1, 2019 and runs through June 30, 2021.
This competitive award supports fellows who intend to make cystic fibrosis a priority in their academic careers. As part of this award, recipients benefit from salary support and travel funds to attend the North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference each year of the 2-year award period. The award promotes the training of leaders in cystic fibrosis care and research.
Congratulations Dr. Gunnett!
O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center Welcomes New Member
Girish Dhall, M.D., Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, has joined the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB. Dr. Dhall has been appointed as a Senior Scientist in the Neuro-Oncology Program.
Congratulations Dr. Dhall!
KPRI Quality and Safety Awards
Children’s of Alabama and the Kaul Pediatric Research Institute (KPRI) are pleased to announce the 2019 awards. The major goal of the KPRI quality and safety grant program is to allow teams to identify and address specific quality and safety issues that cannot easily be addressed using existing operational resources or structures.
This year, three grants were awarded. All funded applications are directed toward the improvement of child health care. Thank you to all who submitted applications! Congratulations to the following awardees.
Michael Seifert, M.D., Pediatric Nephrology - Reducing residual cardiac risk after pediatric kidney transplantation
Betsy Hopson, MSHA - QI project to improve bowel management in Spina Bifida Clinic
Avi Madan-Swain, Ph.D., Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, and Margaux Barnes, Ph.D., Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition - Improving family centered psychosocial screening
Dr. Hulsey Receives 2018-2019 Spring Research Roundtable/Fellow Core Conference Attendance Award
Hannah Hulsey, M.D., Adolescent Medicine Fellow, received the 2018-2019 Spring Research Roundtable/Fellow Core Conference Attendance Award. This allows Dr. Hulsey to attend a scientific meeting of her choice within the continental United States.
The next award will be presented at the end of December 2019 for the fellow with the highest attendance at Fellows’ Research Roundtable and Fellow Core Conferences from July – December 2019. Thank you to all of the fellows who have been dedicated to attending these conferences.
Congratulations Dr. Hulsey!
Pediatrics Welcomes Two New Faculty Members in June 2019
The UAB Department of Pediatrics welcomes two new faculty members during the month of June. Please join us in making them feel at home!
Jonathan Byrnes, M.D., Associate Professor in Cardiac Critical Care
Girish Dhall, M.D., Professor in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Jonathan Byrnes, M.D., Associate Professor in Cardiac Critical Care, earned his medical degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi. Dr. Byrnes completed his pediatric residency at the University of Mississippi. He completed a combined pediatric cardiology and pediatric critical care fellowship at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock, Arkansas. Prior to joining UAB, Dr. Byrnes was an associate professor in pediatric cardiology and pediatric cardiac intensive care at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital/University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. Byrnes will be the CVICU ECMO medical director. Dr. Byrnes is active in clinical and translational research involving extracorporeal life support that would benefit critically ill children. This research is primarily focused on the biocompatibility of the patient/device interface and the associated interaction of the coagulation and inflammatory pathways. The aim of these endeavors is to ultimately decrease the incidence of end organ dysfunction and stroke associated with these therapies.
Girish Dhall, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics and Director, UAB Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Blood & Marrow Transplantation, earned his medical degree from Grant Medical College in Mumbai, India. Dr. Dhall completed his pediatric residency training New York Medical College in Valhalla, New York followed by pediatric hematology/oncology fellowship at the New York University (NYU) School of Medicine in New York, New York and his pediatric neuro-oncology fellowship at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles, California. Prior to joining UAB, Dr. Dhall was an Associate Professor at the University of Southern California and the Director of Neuro-oncology Program at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles (CHLA)/USC. His major area of research interest is clinical research in CNS germ cell tumors and infant medulloblastoma and designing early phase clinical trials for patients with pediatric brain tumors.
Dr. Colm Travers Wins 2019 Quality Improvement Award
Congratulations to Colm Travers, M.D., Pediatric PGY-3, on winning the 2019 Quality Improvement Project Award for his project titled "Reducing Severe Intracranial Hemorrhage and Death Among Extremely Preterm Infants." His resident team: Drs. Simi Kuye, Gabriel Lugo, Dave Sanford, and Austin Wheeler
His mentors on this project were Drs. Lindy Winters and Vivek Lal Neonatology.
Dr. Kimberlin to Receive Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society Distinguished Service Award
David Kimberlin, M.D., Pediatric Infectious Diseases, will receive the 2019 Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS) Distinguished Service Award at this year's IDWeek in Washington D.C. starting on October 2.
Congratulations Dr. Kimberlin!
Dr. Makwana Receives Friend of the ED Award
The Emergency Department presented Shreyas Makwana, M.D., Plastic Surgery with the Friend of the ED Award. Dr. Makwana is a plastic surgery resident who goes above and beyond for our pediatric patients and families. A thank you note from one of our ED patients is evidence of his excellence
Congratulations Dr. Makwana!
Six Children's of Alabama Pediatric Specialties Recognized Among Nation's Best By U.S. News & World Report
For the 10th consecutive year, Children’s of Alabama is ranked among the nation’s best children’s hospitals by U.S. News & World Report.
Six of Children’s pediatric specialty services – Cancer, Cardiology & Heart Surgery, Neonatology, Nephrology, Neurology & Neurosurgery and Pulmonology – are among the top 50 in the United States in the magazine’s 2019-20 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings. Currently, U.S. News & World Report ranks 10 specialties. The complete listing and corresponding rankings may be found at http://www.usnews.com/best-hospitals.
Read the full story at https://www.childrensal.org/body.cfm?id=1730&action=detail&ref=787.
In Memory of Mark Prichard (1964-2019)
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Mark Prichard, Ph.D., Pediatric Infectious Diseases. He died peacefully at home with his entire family present. We must all remember Mark for the real joy he brought to our lives. His continuing smile through trying times will be remembered by all of us and never forgotten. Further, Mark was a true scholar. As his family loved him, so did all of us. He leaves behind his wife and two sons.
Mark joined the Department of Pediatrics in 2003. He ascended to the rank of Professor and, recently, was awarded Emeritus status by the UA Board of Trustees. He was responsible for the Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory. He directed a laboratory that evaluated new drugs to treat viral infections. He published over 150 peer reviewed publications. He will be greatly missed.
Rich Whitley
2019 Perinatal Conference
Friday, July 19 | 7:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. | Bradley Lecture Center
The 2019 UAB Perinatal Conference will be held Friday, July 19 at the Bradley Lecture Center. This year’s conference is titled "Brains and Things”. This one-day conference will begin at 7:30 a.m. with registration and breakfast and conclude at 5:15 p.m. Click here for the informational brochure and to register.
New Members of the Department Appointment, Promotion and Tenure Committee Announced
Pediatric faculty elected David Kimberlin, M.D., Pediatric Infectious Diseases, to serve a three-year term on the Pediatric Appointment, Promotion and Tenure Committee. Tim Coghill, M.D., Neonatology, was re-elected to serve a second three-year term. The Department thanks you for agreeing to represent our pediatric faculty peers on this important committee!
New Member of the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center Announced
Donna Murdaugh, Ph.D., Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, has been appointed as Associate Scientist in the Cancer Control and Population Sciences Program by the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Congratulations Dr. Murdaugh!
Residency Graduation Banquet Awards
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Dr. Coyne-Beasley selected for the 2020 Adele D. Hofmann Visiting Professor in Adolescent Medicine and Health
Tamera Coyne-Beasley, M.D., Adolescent Medicine, has been selected as the 2020 Adele D. Hofmann Visiting Professor in Adolescent Medicine and Health. The Hofmann Professorship is one of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine's (SAHM) highest honors. Her selection will be announced at the 2020 Annual Meeting in San Diego, California.
Congratulations Dr. Coyne-Beasley!
Dr. Wadhwa receives UAB Pediatric Subspeciality Research Achievement Award
Congratulations to Aman Wadhwa, M.D., Third Year Fellow, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology on receiving the UAB Subspecialty Research Achievement Award. Under the guidance of Smita Bhatia, M.D., Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, he has worked on investigating the association of body composition in treatment-related toxicities among children undergoing treatment for cancer. This award honors a graduating fellow who has made achievements and advancements in research during his or her fellowship.
Congratulations to the class of 2019!
Below is what our graduates will be doing after residency:
Matthew Adams, M.D. Fellowship, Cardiology, Indianapolis, IN
Hilary Anderson, M.D. General Pediatrics, Birmingham, AL
A. Reid Burks, M.D. Chief Resident 2019-2020, UAB, Birmingham, AL
Joshua K. Cooper, M.D. Fellowship, Critical Care/ID, UAB, Birmingham, AL
Eunice E. A. Dixon, M.D. Chief Resident 2019-2020, UAB, Birmingham, AL
Austin Doss, M.D. General Pediatrics, Auburn, AL
Emily Foreman, M.D. Fellowship, Critical Care, San Diego, CA
Amelia B. Freeman, M.D. Fellowship, Neonatology, UAB, Birmingham, AL
Maria Gutierrez, M.D. Fellowship, Cardiology, Houston, TX
Spandana Induru, M.D. Chief Resident 2019-2020, UAB, Birmingham, AL
Kristyn Jeffries, M.D. Fellowship, Hospital Medicine, Kansas City, MO
Eric Jorge, IV, M.D. Fellowship, Emergency Medicine, UAB, Birmingham, AL
Ashley Love, M.D. General Pediatrics, Auburn, AL
Anna Magliolo, M.D. General Pediatrics, Birmingham, AL
Margaret Marks, M.D. Fellowship, Endocrinology, UAB, Birmingham, AL
Leen Matalka, M.D. Fellowship, Endocrinology, UAB, Birmingham, AL
S. Taylor McClanahan, M.D. General Pediatrics, Birmingham, AL
Nathan Menaker, M.D. Residency, Adult Emergency Medicine, Austin, TX
Jamie Oakley, M.D. Fellowship, Hematology-Oncology, Atlanta, GA
Nicholas Rockwell, M.D. Fellowship, Critical Care, UAB, Birmingham, AL
Victoria Sivils, M.D. General Pediatrics, UAB, Birmingham, AL
Colm Travers, M.D. Faculty, Neonatology, UAB, Birmingham, AL
Alicia Webb, M.D. Fellowship, Emergency Medicine, UAB, Birmingham, AL
Madeline Eckenrode, M.D. Faculty, Medicine & COA Nocturnist, UAB, Birmingham, AL
Jane Marie F. Freeman, M.D. Fellowship, Allergy Immunology, UAB, Birmingham, AL
Christa R. Nevin, M.D. Faculty, Adolescent & Adult HIV Care, UAB, Birmingham, AL
David W. Windler, M.D. Fellowship, Palliative Care, UAB, Birmingham, AL
The Joe LaRussa interns of the year named
Congratulations to Brad Anding, M.D., and Emily Floyd, M.D., for winning the Joe LaRussa Intern of the Year Award!
Pictured L to R: Drs. Will Sasser, Michele Nichols, Emily Floyd, Brad Anding, Candice Dye and Lauren Nassetta
Dr. Attawala selected to participate in the American Academy of Pediatrics Young Physician Leadership Alliance
Anisha Bhatia Attawala, M.D., Second Year Fellow, Neonatology, has been selected to participate in the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Young Physicians Leadership Alliance (YPLA) presented by the Section on Early Career Physicians (SOECP). The YPLA is designed to develop leaders and build a leadership community among early career pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists. The program incorporates a longitudinal, developmental curriculum that is delivered face-to face annually at three sequential AAP National Conferences and in intersession learning modules held three times a year between conferences.
Congratulations Dr. Attawala!
- Dr. McClanahan awarded The Carolyn Ashworth, M.D., Pediatric Primary Care Award
- Eleven pediatric faculty appointed to Center for Women's Reproductive Health
- Dr. Stoll named to Spondyloarthritis Research and Treatment Network Board of Directors
- Dr. Guimbellot elected to American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Excecutive Committee