Dr. Cron to Serve on Content Development Team for the American Board of Pediatrics
Randy Q. Cron, M.D., Ph.D., Pediatric Rheumatology, was nominated to serve on the Content Development Team (CDT) that will write items for the Pediatric Rheumatology in-training, certification, and MOC exams. The term will begin January 1, 2017 and end December 31, 2017 and can be extended annually for up to six years.
Dr. Ramani Receives PRS Young Investigator Program Award
Maran Ramani, M.D., Neonatology, was recently selected for an award by the Perinatal Research Society (PRS) Young Investigator program to attend the upcoming Perinatal Research Society Annual Meeting and the NIH - Abbott Nutrition Pre-meeting Workshop September 21-25, 2016.
Dr. Boppana Awarded Incentive Grant from UAB School of Medicine
Eleven School of Medicine faculty projects were recently funded through an AMC21 initiative giving NIH-funded investigators incentive to submit a second R01. Suresh Boppana, M.D., Pediatric Infectious Disease, received the grant for the project, “The Role of T Cell Responses in Controlling HCMV Transmission via Breast Milk.” The 11 projects, chosen based on scientific merit, were eligible for $50,000 per year, for a project period of up to two years, pending appropriate progress and achieving benchmarks. The goal is to have a new funded R01 by the second year.
Dr. Britt Awarded R21
The NIH Awarded a R21 grant to Bill Britt, M.D., Pediatric Infectious Disease, for his study, “Identification of pre-fusion conformers of HCMV gB,” in the amount of $203,000 for the period 07/01/2016 – 06/30/2018. Dr. Landier Selected as an American Academy of Nursing 2016 Fellow
The American Academy of Nursing selected Wendy Landier, PhD, RN, Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, among 164 highly distinguished nurse leaders, in the 2016 class of Academy fellows. The inductees will be honored at a ceremony held during the Academy's annual policy conference in October 2016 in Washington, D.C. New fellows will be eligible to use the FAAN credential (fellow of the American Academy of Nursing) after the induction ceremony takes place in October. Dr. Landier's credentials will be Wendy Landier, PhD, RN, CRNP, PPCNP-BC,CPON, FAAN.
Dr. Yanik Receives Spring CHIF/Fellow Core Conference Attendance Award
Congratulations to Megan Yanik, M.D., Pediatric Nephrology Fellow, on receiving the 2015-2016 Spring CHIF/Fellow Core Conference Attendance Award. This award supports the attendance of the scientific meeting of her choice, within the United States.
Dr. Friedman Awarded Grant to Support Pediatric Brain Tumor Research
The Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research (Rally) has awarded a $100,000 grant to support the research of Gregory Friedman, M.D., Pediatric Hematology & Oncology. The grant brings funding from Rally to $230,000 since 2013. The grant is co-funded with The Truth 365, a non-profit organization that raises awareness and funding for childhood cancer research by being a voice for all children fighting cancer.The competitive Rally Foundation Grant was awarded to Dr. Friedman to support his research targeting pediatric medulloblastoma with engineered herpes simplex virus. Dr. Friedman was selected as an award recipient because of the importance and quality of his work, the excellence of the candidate and the potential impact of this research to childhood cancer care.
To read the full Children's of Alabama press release, click here.
US News & World Report Names Children's of Alabama Among Top Pediatric Hospitals
U.S. News & World Report has once-again ranked Children’s of Alabama among the best children’s hospitals in the nation. Eight of Children’s pediatric specialty services – cardiology/heart surgery, diabetes/endocrinology, gastroenterology/GI surgery, neonatology, nephrology, neurology/neurosurgery, pulmonology and urology – were ranked among the top 50 in the U.S. in the 2016-17 Best Children’s Hospital rankings. It is Children’s seventh-consecutive year to be ranked. The complete listing and corresponding rankings can be found on the U.S. News and World Report website. Children’s is the only pediatric facility in the state of Alabama to have been ranked and one of just 36 hospitals with eight or more specialties on the list of more than 180 hospitals that were surveyed. Thanks to all UAB Department of Pediatrics and Children's staff for your commitment to improve the health of the children of Alabama.
Dean's Excellence Awards Recipients Celebrated
A reception was held on June 15 to honor the award recipients of the 2016 Dean's Excellence Awards at the Wallace Tumor Institute. See all the photos from the event here. Congratulations once again to Drs. Lauren Nassetta and Rich Whitley.Additional congratulations and recognition belongs to all Department of Pediatrics faculty who were nominated for this year's awards.Other nominated faculty include:
Hussein Abdul-Latif, M.D., Teaching, Senior Faculty
Jeffrey Alten, M.D., Service, Senior Faculty
David Askenazi, M.D., Service, Senior Faculty
Maaike Everts, Ph.D., Service, Senior Faculty
Kathy Monroe, M.D., Service, Senior Faculty
William Sasser, M.D., Diversity, Junior Faculty
Brian Sims, M.D., Ph.D., Mentoring, Senior Faculty
Dr. Kimberlin Selected to Receive the RMHC 2016 Medical Award of Excellence
The Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Board of Trustees has selected David Kimberlin, M.D., Pediatric Infectious Disease, to receive the RMHC 2016 Medical Award of Excellence. In 1986, RMHC created this award to honor a child healthcare advocate who made great contributions to improving the quality of life for children. Today, the award continues to honor a true pioneer in the medical community and acknowledges their extraordinary track record of accomplishment and service to medicine and children. The award carries with it a gift of $100,000 that will be contributed to the children’s charity of the awardee's choice.
Dr. Kimberlin to Serve as Chair of Faculty Council
David Kimberlin, M.D., Pediatric Infectious Disease, has been elected to serve as Chair of the UAB School of Medicine Faculty Council effective immediately. The Faculty Council Committee is considered the principal advisory committee to the dean of the School of Medicine and is responsible for providing written review and assessment of appointments, promotion, and tenure award for all clinical and basic science faculty.
Dr. Abdul-Latif Receives the Sam Eichold Camp Seale Harris Award
Hussein Abdul-Latif, M.D., Pediatric Endocrinology, recently received the Sam Eichold Camp Seale award in recognition for his years of service at one of the oldest diabetes camps in the country. Camp Seale Harris is the primary program ofSoutheastern Diabetes Education Services (SDES). The mission of SDES is to educate, encourage, and empower children with diabetes and their families to live well.
The award is named after Dr. Sam Eichold, who established the diabetes camp in Alabama more than 50 years ago. It is given once a year to a medical staff (nurse, physician, or diabetes educator) in recognition of their service for the children with diabetes who come to Camp Seale Harris.
Cancer Outcomes Seminar Series
The Cancer Outcomes Seminar Series is held on the first Thursday of each month from 10 - 11 a.m. in the Wallace Tumor Institute, Conference Room 101. The first seminar will be held on July 7 and will feature Smita Bhatia, MD, MPH. Her presentation is entitled “The Science of Surviving Cancer… Looking Back to Inform the Future."
Former UAB Pediatric Infectious Disease Fellow Serves on CDC's Epidemic Intelligence Service
UAB Medicine Magazine recently featured an alumni profile on 2008 graduate, Sara Oliver, M.D., MSPH. As an Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) officer with Center for Disease Control's (CDC) Division of Viral Diseases, Dr. Oliver works on several projects on the front lines of public health. She is working to evaluate HPV vaccine uptake in vulnerable populations and led the investigation into an outbreak of ocular syphilis. As part of her job, Oliver has opportunities to travel domestically and internationally to support public health efforts. In addition, she is on call during certain weeks, available for “rapid response” to potential public health emergencies, such as Zika virus. The years Oliver spent training at UAB have served her well in her pursuit of a career in public health. She mentions Drs. David Kimberlin, Shannon Ross, and Suresh Boppana as some of the influential faculty who helped mold her clinical and research skills during her fellowship at UAB Department of Pediatrics and Children's of Alabama. Read the full article here.
Children's of Alabama and Department of Pediatrics go to Dixie N.E.R.D. Camp
On Wednesday, June 8, General Pediatrics faculty members Morissa Ladinsky and Jaime McKinney with Pediatric residents Danielle Franklin, Christen Roth (2nd years), Karlene Walker and Jamie Powell (interns) traveled to Livingston, AL, to teach 50 regional high school students attending the West Alabama Health Education Center’s Summer Enrichment program aka Never Ending Road to Discovery or N.E.R.D. Camp. These students were attending a week long career exploration program for teens with a genuine interest in health professions. Most all hail from disadvantaged or rural backgrounds and the majority will be first in their family to attend college. Following the session, the doctors visited Anderson Family Practice, one of a few primary care centers serving the western section of the Black Belt region. While the teens learned a great deal from our group and saw first hand that yes, their potential is real, our residents left with inspiration derived from being a true role model and with insights into health disparities that will guide and inspire them to better the health for the children of Alabama and beyond.
Dr. Yee Receives Marshall Klaus Neonatal-Perinatal Research Award
Aaron Yee, M.D., Neonatology fellow, is the recipient of the 2016 Marshall Klaus Neonatal-Perinatal Research Award. This award is initiated by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Section on Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine (SoNPM), and Johnson & Johnson Pediatric Institute with the goal of enhancing and supporting development of research skills among physicians training in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. This is a highly competitive national award for Neonatology fellows, Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellows, and other fellows doing perinatal research. Congratulations to Dr. Yee!
Dr. Salas Receives Gerber Foundation Novice Research Grant
Ariel Salas, M.D., Neonatology, recently received a $20,000 Novice Research grant from the Gerber Foundation. The purpose of the Novice Research Program is to encourage the development of medical research in infant and early childhood health and nutrition by awarding small grants to new researchers. Up to 10 awards may be given per year. These awards follow the Foundation's current focus on clinical/translational research in infant and early childhood health and nutrition. Congratulations to Dr. Salas!
Dr. Wallace Appointed to AAP Committee on Adolescence
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently appointed Stephenie B. Wallace, M.D., FAAP, Pediatric Adolescent Medicine, to the AAP Committee on Adolescence. As an appointed member of an AAP National Committee, Dr. Wallace will serve a 6-year term effective July 1, 2016. Congratulations to Dr. Wallace!
UAB Developing Training Program on Ebola for First Responders in Deep South
Investigators at UAB recently received a grant to provide safety and health training to health care and public safety workers through the UAB Deep South Biosafety and Infectious Disease Response Training Consortium. Co-program directors, Lisa McCormick, Dr.P.H., associate professor at the UAB School of Public Health, and Marjorie Lee White, M.D., associate professor at the UAB Department of Pediatrics, will develop and implement a training program to equip workers with the skills and knowledge needed to protect themselves and their communities from potential exposure to contaminated materials or infected individuals they may encounter.Read more at UAB News.
View segment on ABC 3340.
Dr. Stagno's Grand Rounds Presentation Receives Media Attention
Sergio Stagno, M.D., former chair of the Department of Pediatrics, presented at ground rounds on Thursday, May 26. Several media outlets covered the topic, "Zika Virus (ZIKV): An Emerging Infection with Dire Consequences." Click here to view a short interview. For a full interview, click here. WSFA NBC 12, WTVM ABC 9, WBRC Fox 6, CBS 46 Atlanta, WVTM NBC 13 all provided coverage from the presentation. To watch the grand rounds presentation, click here.
For a breakdown on the history of Zika virus, public health warnings and medical concerns, as well as updates on research and vaccinations, view the UAB Zika Experts website, which features several Department of Pediatrics Faculty.