Dr. Kong Honored by the Women's Fund
Michelle Kong, M.D., Pediatric Critical Care, will be recognized by the Women's Fund at an event at Iron City on Oct. 13. Event information here. Dr. Kong will be celebrated among 10 of Birmingham's Smartest Women. Her bio, which highlights her work at Children's, UAB and her nonprofit, KultureCity, can be found here.
Dr. Barnes Appointed as Associate Scientist in the UAB Center for Exercise Medicine
Margaux Barnes, Ph.D., Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, was recently appointed as an Associate Scientist in the UAB Center for Exercise Medicine. The appointment, effective Sept. 1, will work toward advancing exercise science and medicine through innovative and impactful research and training.
Dr. Seifert Receives Angus Cooper Award
Michael Seifert, M.D., Pediatric Nephrology, received an Angus Cooper Award from The Comprehensive Transplant Institute at UAB. His project titled “The injury-repair response in renal allografts with subclinical inflammation” was awarded for one year at an amount of $50,000. Click here for more information.
UAB Center for Teaching and Learning Recognizes Dr. Nicola
Teodora (Thea) Nicola M.D., Ph.D., MBA, Research Scientist in Neonatology, earned at least 100,000 points in the UAB Center for Teaching & Learning certification program. On Thursday, Sept. 22, she was presented with a CTL Teaching Certificate in recognition of her active participation in the program.
Primary Care Practices Improve HPV Vaccination Rates
While fewer than half of Alabama's teens have completed their HPV vaccine series, practices participating in ACHIA's 2016 learning collaborative "Prevent HPV Cancers Today!" delivered dose 1 to 79% of patients and dose 2 or 3 to 94%. The collaborative wrapped up with 13 practices exceeding their goal to increase HPV vaccine delivery by 10% over 3 months. Doctors received Part IV MOC while improving their strong provider message, reliably identifying patients at acute and well child visits, and strengthening reminder/recall systems. Click here for more about ACHIA.
Children's of Alabama on ESPN Gameday
ESPN Gameday shared the story of Children’s of Alabama pediatric heart transplant patient, Davis Boswell, and his donor John Clarke Perry, on Saturday before the LSU-Auburn game. By sharing their story, the Boswells and Perrys hope more people will register to be organ donors. Watch this inspiring story of two families here. Dr. Kimberlin featured in Miracles we have seen
David Kimberlin, M.D., Pediatric Infectious Disease, is among the contributors to a newly published collection of essays, Miracles We Have Seen – America’s Leading Physicians Share Stories They Can’t Forget. The book includes 85 essays written by renowned specialists in almost every field of medicine. Dr. Kimberlin contributed the story of a patient from many years ago who survived a nearly-always fatal infection that occurred while she was being treated for leukemia. The essays recount, in moving everyday language, clinical events which stunned the physicians and everyone else involved – impossible cures, breathtaking resuscitations, extraordinary awakenings, spectacular serendipities, and recovery from unimaginable disasters.The editor, Harley A. Rotbart, M.D., is donating 100% of net author proceeds to 65 charities chosen by the essayists. To purchase the book, click here.
Dr. Askenazi featured in Children's blog
David Askenazi, M.D., Pediatric Nephrology, was recently featured in the Children's of Alabama blog. He discussed the recently published study by the Neonatal Kidney Collaborative (NKC), which is an international multidisciplinary collaboration of more than 20 centers that Dr. Askenazi leads. Click here to continue reading. In addition, this study was recently featured as the lead article in ASN's Kidney News. Click here to view the September issue.
Dr. Galloway to Serve as Medical Director of Center for Advance Intestinal Rehabilitation
It is my pleasure to announce that David Galloway, M.D., Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, has accepted the position as the Medical Director of the UAB-Children’s of Alabama Center for Advanced Intestinal Rehabilitation (CAIR). He will be joining Dr. Colin Martin who is currently the Surgical Director. David joined the team over a year ago and has demonstrated superb leadership in the areas of patient care, quality improvement, research, and education. I am personally very excited to have Colin and David at the helm as we continue to grow our program both clinical and academically.
Committed to a Cure - Bone Marrow Donor Drive
On August 30 and 31, 2016, Children's of Alabama partnered with UAB Department of Pediatrics and Be the Match to host our annual Committed to a Cure Bone Marrow Donor Drive. The event kicked off with patient, Frances Grace Hirs, meeting her donor for the first time. After the ceremony, people willing to be on the registry were able to sign up. Over the course of the two days, we were able to sign up approximately 200 potential bone marrow donors. This was a fantastic way to kick off the month of September which celebrates Sickle Cell and Childhood Cancer Awareness. To view the Facebook album from the bone marrow donor recipient meeting, click here.
Town Hall meeting with School of Medicine and Children's of Alabama Leadership
Make plans to attend a Town Hall meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 21 from 4 - 5 p.m. in the Bradley Lecture Center. Mike Warren, Mitch Cohen, M.D., Mike Chen, M.D., and Selwyn M. Vickers, M.D., F.A.C.S. will be present for an engaging, informal discussion. This time can be used to address issues that concern you, share feedback you think would be helpful and ask questions about any topics relevant to you and your careers.
Dr. Kong featured in Birmingham podcast
Michele Kong, M.D., Pediatric Critical Care, was recently interviewed in the podcast, Vulcan Has a Fade (VHAF). Vulcan Has a Fade is an audio broadcast interviewing the people of Birmingham who are making a difference. Dr. Kong discusses her work at UAB and Children's, advocating for autism, and her non-profit, Kulture City. Click here to listen.
Hyundai Hope on Wheels Ceremony at Children's
Children’s of Alabama is one of 30 institutions to receive The Hyundai Scholar Grant or Young Investigators Grant for pediatric cancer research. This $250,000 grant is designed to support the work of Gregory Friedman, M.D., Pediatric Hematology & Oncology. The event was celebrated Tuesday afternoon at Children's with children putting colorful hand prints on a new Hyundai and on the back of Dr. Friedman's coat. To view the Facebook photo album from the event, click here.
Drs. Kong, Madan-Swain and Sims join 2016-2017 HLA Training Program
The UAB Healthcare Leadership Academy (HLA) class roster for 2016-2017 was recently announced. Among the recipients are: Michele Kong, M.D.,Pediatric Critical Care, Avi Madan-Swain, Ph.D., Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, Brian Sims, M.D.,Neonatology. 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. Clickhere to learn more.
Dr. Sasser Receives Prosper Curricular Enrichment and Innovation Awards
The General Endowment Fund of the UA Health Services Foundation (HSF-GEF) has announced its annual PROSPER Curriculum Enrichment and Innovations Awards. Among the recipients is Will Sasser, M.D., Pediatric Critical Care, for his project titled, "Pilot Study: Development of a Pediatric Fourth Year Course Selection Road Map." This award was made possible through a funded HSF-GEF grant within the Office of Undergraduate Medical Education in the SOM Department of Medical Education for the PROSPER Educator Enrichment Faculty Development Program.
Valerie Eubanks Tarn Featured in Dietician Textbook
Valerie Eubanks Tarn, MS, RD, LD, Training Director and Nutrition Faculty in the Pediatric Pulmonary Center (PPC), was recently featured in the 6th Edition of The Profession of Dietetics: A Team Approach. "Profile a Professional" highlights dietitians and dietetic technicians on their experiences and accomplishments. To read the transcript of Valarie's spotlight, which highlights her many accomplishments and involvement in local, state, and national nutrition and dietetics associations, click here.
NBC 13 Interviews Dr. Kimberlin Regarding Flu Vaccines
The American Academy of Pediatrics issued a statement Tuesday urging parents to vaccinate all children over the age of six months this flu season. However, they specify that the injectable vaccine is more effective. The AAP cites a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation that says the nasal spray doesn't protect against the influenza strains that have been the most prominent in the last three years. David Kimberlin, M.D., Pediatric Infectious Disease, was consulted as an expert on this issue. Click here to read more.
Dr. Friedman's Cancer Research Highlighted
St. Baldrick's Foundation, the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants, has funded more than 370 grants addressing the recently released recommendations included in the Cancer Moonshot Blue Ribbon Panel Report. Of those grants funded is the cancer research of Gregory Friedman, M.D., Pediatric Hematology & Oncology.Click here to read more on PRNewswire.
Click here to read the Children's press release.
International Adoption Clinic Welcomes Officials from Africa
The UAB International Adoption Clinic (IAC) welcomed officials from the Republic of Congo in Africa to tour the IAC Clinic and facilities at Children’s South on August 24, 2016. This group of delegates was hosted by the Agape Adoption Agency, a local agency hoping to build an international Congo adoption program. The tour of IAC and subspecialty departments at Children’s South was an effort to demonstrate to the Congolese officials the excellent care that their adopted children can expect to receive through the Agape program. The officials were given the detailed care that children receive for adoption specific issues including nutritional catch-up, emotional adjustment, developmental progression, as well as individualized care regarding their specific medical special needs. Traveling with the officials were the founders of Mwana Villages, an organization in Congo who shelter vulnerable infants and children providing clothing, nutrition and nurturance. Among the governmental officials visiting were: - Alain Michel Opo, President of the First Civil Chamber Great Instance Court – Pointe-Noire;
- Jean Mouanga, President of Second Civil Chamber (Great Instance Court –Pointe-Noire);
- Joseph Bivihou, Country Director of childhood Legal Protection (advisor for intercountry adoption);
- Clault-Aymar Titi-Levis, Legal Advisor for Mwana Villages
Director, International Adoption Clinic
Dr. Bhatia Accepted into AMSPDC’s PLDP Program
Smita Bhatia, M.D., MPH, Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, recently accepted a position as a scholar in the Association of Medical School Pediatric Department Chairs’ (AMSPDC) Pediatric Leadership Development Program for the 2017-2018 term. Click here for more information.