2018 Dean's Excellence Awards- Four Pediatrics Faculty Awarded
Four outstanding Department of Pediatrics faculty members were named recipients of the 2018 Dean's Excellence Awards, an honor recognizing exceptional contributions made by the School of Medicine faculty in service, teaching, research, diversity enhancement and mentorship.
Steven Rowe, M.D., Pediatric Pulmonology, has been selected for the 2018 Dean's Excellence Award in Research, Senior Faculty.
Stephanie Berger, M.D., Pediatric Hospital Medicine, has been selected for the 2018 Dean's Excellence Award in Teaching, Junior Faculty.
Michael Barnett, M.D., Palliative Care, has been selected for the 2018 Dean's Excellence Award in Teaching, Junior Faculty.
Jaime McKinney, M.D., Academic General Pediatrics, has been selected for the 2018 Dean's Excellence Award in Diversity Enhancement, Junior Faculty.
Click here to read about each of the 2018 winners and their accomplishments.
A reception to honor the award recipients will be held on Tuesday, June 19 at 5 p.m. at the Barbara and Edward Partridge Atrium at the Wallace Tumor Institute. All Department of Pediatrics faculty and staff are invited to attend in support and celebration of their colleagues. Congratulations to Drs. Rowe, Berger, Barnett and McKinney and all other Department of Pediatrics nominees. Click here to view the reception invitation.
Dr. Stalvey elected to UAB Faculty Senate
Congratulations to Michael Stalvey, M.D., Pediatric Endocrinology, on being elected to the UAB Faculty Senate as a representative for the School of Medicine. Dr. Stalvey will serve as a Senator from September 1, 2018 to August 31, 2020. Thank you for representing the Department and the School of Medicine in the Senate!
Chu Family Educational Scholarship recipients selected
Children's of Alabama and the Department of Pediatrics has been given a generous donation from the Chu Family to support educational initiatives. From this donation, a portion has been set aside for Pediatric Fellows. The selection committee for the Chu Family Educational Scholarship recently met and selected two fellows to receive this educational scholarship. Candidates were selected on a competitive basis. These awards will provide funds for tuition, books and fees related to their educational endeavors.
Please join us in congratulating the recipients for the 2018-2019 academic year:
Aman Wadhwa, M.D. – Rising 3rd year Pediatric Hematology/Oncology fellow
Awarded $5,000. Dr. Wadhwa will use funds towards completing a MSPH degree in Outcomes Research at UAB.
Jeremy Loberger, M.D. – Rising 2nd year Pediatric Critical Care fellow
Awarded $5,000. Dr. Loberger will use funds towards completing a UAB Quality Academy Certificate Course.
Dr. McKinney appointed to Admissions Selection Committee for UAB School of Medicine
Congratulations to Jaime McKinney, M.D., Academic General Pediatrics, on being appointed to the Admissions Selection Committee for the UAB School of Medicine. The Admissions Selection Committee reviews candidates and determines who will be accepted to join the School of Medicine. Thank you Dr. McKinney for your service!
Dr. Ladinsky wins Inclusive Research & Initiative Award
Congratulations to Morissa Ladinsky, M.D., Academic General Pediatrics, on being awarded the Inclusive Research & Initiative Award at the Lavender Celebration on April 11. The Lavender Celebration is an annual event in the spring of each academic year wherein LGBTQ undergraduate, graduate and professional students receive recognition for both their contribution to campus and their success in graduating. During the celebration, awards are given out to students, faculty and staff.
Dr. Ladinsky was honored for her work on a project to make UAB medicine and our trained physicians and healthcare providers better at serving transgender patients.
Read more about Dr. Ladinsky's project
Dr. Rutledge named as new Medical Director for Critical Care Transport
Congratulations to Chrystal Rutledge, M.D., Pediatric Critical Care, on being named the new Medical Director of Critical Care Transport. Dr Rutledge graduated medical school from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She completed a pediatric residency at the University of North Carolina before returning to UAB for a pediatric critical care fellowship. Upon completion of her fellowship she stayed on as faculty at UAB in the Division of Pediatric Critical Care.
We would like to thank Dr. Margaret Winkler for her many years of leadership in this role.
Dr. Feig elected to AAP Section of Nephrology Executive Council
Congratulations to Daniel Feig, M.D., Pediatric Nephrology, on being elected to the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Nephrology Executive Council. Dr. Feig will serve on the council beginning November 1, 2018 and the term will extend through October 31, 2021.
September New Faculty Members
The UAB Department of Pediatrics welcomed four new faculty members during the month of September. Please join us in making them feel at home!
Amy Myers CaJacob, M.D., Assistant Professor in Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
Mike Leonis, M.D., Ph.D., Professor in Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Erika Mendoza, M.D., Assistant Professor in Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care
Megan Yanik, M.D., MSPH, Assistant Professor in Pediatric Nephrology
Amy Myers CaJacob, M.D., Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, earned her Medical Degree from University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH. Dr. CaJacob completed an Internal Medicine Residency and Allergy and Immunology Fellowship at UAB and Children’s of Alabama. She has served as a clinical instructor at various institutions including UAB’s Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care. Dr. CaJacob will serve as the Associate Program Director of the Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Fellowship program. Her research interests include: asthma, food allergy, and eosinophilic gastroenteropathies.
Mike Leonis, M.D., Ph.D., Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition earned his Medical Degree and Doctorate of Philosophy from Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. He completed his Pediatric Residency at Primary Children’s Hospital Medical Center at the University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT and his Fellowship in Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH. Most recently, Dr. Leonis was an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine while also serving as Director of Training and Education and Director of the Gastroenterology Fellowship Training Program in the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. His clinical interests include all areas of Pediatric Hepatology and Pediatric Liver Transplantation and he has participated in NIH-sponsored multicenter clinical research projects in pediatric acute liver failure over the last decade. Dr. Leonis joins UAB Pediatrics and Children's as the Bradford Dean Dixon Endowed Professor in Pediatric Hepatology. In addition, Dr. Leonis will serve as the Medical Director of the Pediatric Liver Care Center and the Medical Director of Pediatric Liver Transplantation.
Erika Mendoza, M.D., Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care, earned her Medical Degree from Universidad Central de Venezuela, Escuela Jose Maria Vargas, Caracas, Venezuela. She completed her Pediatric Residency at Albert Einstein Medical Center/St Christopher’s Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, PA and Pediatric Critical Care Fellowship at Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ and at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center/Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Torrance, CA. Dr. Mendoza completed her Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care Fellowship at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Little Rock, AR. Prior to her fellowship, Dr. Mendoza served as a Pediatric Hospitalist at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, Yakima, WA.
Megan Yanik, M.D., MSPH, Pediatric Nephrology, earned her Medical Degree from the Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH. Dr. Yanik completed her Pediatric Residency and Pediatric Nephrology Fellowship at UAB Department of Pediatrics and Children’s of Alabama. She recently finished her master’s degree in Public Health in Clinical and Translational Research with a concentration in biostatistics at UAB. Her clinical and research interests include: immunosuppressant medications and outcomes in pediatric kidney transplant recipients.
Dr. Liang Becomes New Member of the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center
Wayne Liang, M.D., Pediatric Hematology and Oncology and Member of the UAB Informatics Institute, received an appointment as an Associate Scientist in the Experimental Therapeutics Program of the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center effective Sept. 21, 2017. Congratulations to Dr. Liang on joining the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center!
Children's, UAB Pediatrics, and Birmingham Community Committed to a Cure
The first story features a love story between Hannah Acton andLogan Whitehead who met at Children's and are both childhood cancer survivors. View their story here at 5:10:05.
The second story features 14-year-old Payton Ray who was diagnosed with leukemia and is now cured after a bone marrow transplant because of a donor who is a complete stranger to Payton's family. View his story here at 06:06:34.
Dr. Kong Named as "Woman Who Shapes the State"
Michelle Kong, M.D., Pediatric Critical Care, is among the list of 30 strong women in Alabama making differences in their communities. This year, This is Alabama presents the third annual Women Who Shape the State awards, which are listed on AL.com. Dr. Kong's recognition is due to being the co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of KultureCity, which is changing the state and beyond for the betterment of members of the special needs community. Read the story on AL.com
Dr. Friedman Presents at WHATIFF Symposium for Pediatric Brian Tumor Research
Gregory Friedman, M.D., Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, was invited to attend and speak at the WhatIFF Symposium for Pediatric Brain Tumor Research on Sept. 15-16 in Atlanta, GA. This first ever symposium for pediatric brain tumor research gathered the top clinicians and researchers in the field to present their ideas on how to put an end to brain tumors. Dr. Friedman's talk titled, "Immunovirotherapy to Target Pediatric Brain Tumors” discussed the ongoing oncolytic HSV trial at Children's of Alabama and plans to develop innovative combination approaches to maximize virus killing of cancer cells and the development of an anti-tumor immune response.
Kristen Waddell Receives Young Alumni Merit Award
Kristen Waddell, MSN, CPNP-AC, CRNP, CCRN, recently received a Young Alumni Merit Award from the UAB School of Nursing Alumni Association at their Alumni Awards Night on Sept. 14, 2017. Kristen has worked as a RN in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Children's for six years and a PICU PNP for four years. She is also co-developer and the program coordinator for the Children's of Alabama Community Healthcare Education Simulation (COACHES) program.Hyundai Hope on Wheels Grant Goes to Dr. Wolfson
Hyundai Hope On Wheels presented Children's of Alabama with a $250,000 Hyundai Scholar Hope Grant on Monday, Sept. 18, 2017 in honor of National Childhood Cancer Awareness month. The grant funds will support the research of principal investigator Julie Wolfson, M.D., Pediatric Hematology & Oncology. Children's of Alabama patients battling cancer participated in the program’s signature Handprint Ceremony, in which they dipped their hands in paint and placed their handprints on a white 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe and Dr. Wolfson's white coat. To view photos, click here.
Faculty Honored at Annual Argus Awards Ceremony
Winners of the 2017 Argus Awards were announced at the ceremony held Friday, Sept. 8. The awards are given each year by medical students to honor their professors and course directors for excellence in medical education. Click here to view this year's winners. Nominees from Pediatrics includes: Hussein Abdul-Latif, M.D., Pediatric Endocrinology, Robb Romp, M.D., Pediatric Cardiology, William Sasser, M.D., Pediatric Critical Care, and Kim Whelan, M.D., Pediatric Hematology & Oncology. To view all nominees, click here.
Dr. Wallace Selected to be Vice President/President Elect for the Southeast Region of the SAHM
Stephenie B. Wallace, M.D., FAAP, Adolescent Medicine, has been selected to serve as Vice President aka President Elect for the Southeast Regional Chapter of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM). The Southeast Regional Chapter includes members from six states: Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. More information.
Dr. Chewning Joins 2017-2018 HLA Training Program
The UAB Healthcare Leadership Academy (HLA) class roster for 2017-2018 was recently announced. Joseph Chewning, M.D., Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, is among the incoming members. The purpose of the HLA is to establish a cohesive and comprehensive program that offers training opportunities and helps develop essential skills for leaders in the 21st century academic health center. Click here to learn more. The UAB HLA is celebrating the 10th anniversary of this program!
Cathy Turner Joins Momentum, Alabama's Premier Women's Leadership Program
Thirty women have been selected to join Momentum, Alabama's premier women's leadership program. Among these is Cathy Turner, CPA, CGMA, Executive Administrator of UAB Pediatrics. The class, which Momentum leaders said is the largest and most diverse in its 15 years, will kick off this week and culminate with a luncheon. Following orientation, the class will begin the nine-month program of training and mentoring. Monthly sessions will include topics such as emotional intelligence, negotiation, healthy conflict, organizational and team development, branding and communication as well as mentoring.
More information.
Communications Intern Joining Pediatrics This Fall
We are happy to introduce Purnima Kasthuri Janarthanan as our Communications Intern for this fall semester. A native of Coimbatore, India, Purnima is a communication management graduate student at UAB. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Computer Science Engineering in 2014. Due to her passion for Public Relations, she gravitated toward activities related to PR during her sophomore year and chose to stick to the field ever since. Most recently Purnima completed an internship with UAB University Relations where she worked with various PR specialists writing news releases and briefs for UAB News, simultaneously pitching them to the external media.Purnima will assist Sara Davies, communications specialist, with developing content for the website, newsletter, media relations outreach, and new communications initiatives.
Rylie Hightower Selected as a Civitan International Research Center Emerging Scholar
Rylie Hightower, BSN, RN, a graduate student in Pediatric Neurology, has been selected as a 2017-2018 Civitan Emerging Scholar by the Civitan International Research Center (CIRC). This one-year award is granted to graduate students or postdoctoral fellows whose research is helping to advance the mission of the CIRC, enhancing our current understanding of brain development, impaired cognitive and intellectual development, and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. Rylie is a Neuroscience PhD graduate student in the laboratory of Matthew S. Alexander, Ph.D. Her newly-funded research will explore the function of an important non-coding RNA in the clinical and pathological disease progression of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.