Children’s of Alabama and the Kaul Pediatric Research Institute have announced the 2016 awards. The major goal of the KPRI grant program is to allow investigators to obtain data that will advantage applications for additional extramural funding. This will bring new knowledge to the care of children, leverage the investment of the KPRI, and allow projects to be competitive for the very best science on the national stage. A second, but important, goal is to ensure that a dedicated funding source is available to unique segments of the pediatric research, education, and quality improvement enterprise.
This year there were three categories of grants that were funded: Established Investigator Awards, New Investigator Awards, and Quality/Safety/Educational Awards. All funded applications are directed toward the improvement of child health care. Thank you to all who submitted applications. We anticipate another request for applications next September.
This year there were three categories of grants that were funded: Established Investigator Awards, New Investigator Awards, and Quality/Safety/Educational Awards. All funded applications are directed toward the improvement of child health care. Thank you to all who submitted applications. We anticipate another request for applications next September.
Michele Kong, M.D., Pediatric Critical Care and her husband,Julian Maha, M.D., were selected to receive Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award given by Leadership Vestavia Hills at the 26th Annual Community Leadership Awards held on March 3. The event recognizes and celebrates exceptional members of the Vestavia Hills community whom have invested substantial efforts to improve the quality of life throughout the community and beyond. Drs. Kong and Maha are being honored in regards to their work with the non-profit they co-founded, KultureCity.
The issue highlights the school’s efforts in innovation and integration to better serve its tripartite mission, as well as successes from the 2014-2015 academic year. Among the pediatric highlights: the cancer outcomes work of Smita Bhatia, M.D., M.P.H, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, as well as, Waldemar F. Carlo, M.D., Pediatric Cardiology, quoted for a patient care story on hypoplastic left-heart syndrome. Click here to view the report.
At the Center for Genomic Medicine Symposium 2016, you will learn more about the capabilities and benefits surrounding our synergistic approach to genomics. Hear talks from specialists and gain the opportunity to ask questions of a distinguished panel of experts. You will have the chance to tour the innovative HudsonAlpha facility, enjoy a networking lunch with your peers and discuss with colleagues over cocktails at the evening reception. Click here to register. WHEN: Wednesday, May 4, 2016 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (CDT)
WHERE: Jackson Center - 6001 Moquin Drive Northwest Huntsville, AL 35806
During African-American History Month, several pediatrics faculty will engage Birmingham City Schools with a presentation outlining the significant impact of African-Americans in Medicine. The presentation which highlights various doctors and their contributions is titled, “African-Americans in Medicine: The ABCs.” For example, the influence of Dr. Charles Drew (represented by the letter ‘D’) to the science of transfusion medicine and general surgery will be discussed. Dr. Drew developed techniques to improve blood storage during World War II, which led to the formation of the American Red Cross. The presentation is designed to engage students regarding health careers and will end with questions and answers. Drs. Brian Sims, Tom Harris, and Susan Walley welcome any interested faculty or staff to join them during these presentations. It is important that we reflect and celebrate the tremendous contributions of past generations and observe overcoming adversity as a platform and inspiration for future growth.
In honor of African-American History Month, the UAB History Department, Office of Multicultural Affairs & the African American Studies Program is sponsoring an evening with James Meredith. Join the discussion recounting the 1962 integration of the University of Mississippi on Feb, 12 at 6 p.m. in the Hill Center Ballroom.
Click here to view the flyer.
The Alabama Child Health Improvement Alliance (ACHIA) recently published its first newsletter. Click here to read about current quality improvement initiatives, collaborative outcomes and more.
The UAB Department of Pediatrics welcomed Matthew Alexander, PhD, in the month of January. Dr. Alexander earned his PhD in Genetics and Developmental Biology in the laboratory of Dr. Daniel Garry at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. His graduate training focused on the characterization of forkhead transcription factors in skeletal muscle and cardiac progenitor cells. He moved to Boston in 2008 to join the laboratory of Dr. Louis Kunkel as a postdoctoral fellow where he focused on characterizing the role of non-coding RNAs in skeletal muscle diseases. He was promoted to an Instructor in Pediatrics and Genetics & Genomics in 2013. His laboratory in the Department of Pediatrics, division of Neurology, at Children’s of Alabama will be focused on exploring the roles of epigenetic modifiers of human neuromuscular diseases in addition to generating novel zebrafish models of muscular dystrophies for drug library screens.
Thomas Howard, M.D., Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, will deliver the 13th Annual Reid McDaniel Lectureship at noon on Feb. 25, 2016, at Children’s of Alabama. The yearly lecture focuses on progress in treatment of Childhood Blood Disorders and Cancer. Dr. Howard’s talk is titled “State of the Art Care for Sickle Cell Disease: Successes and Challenges to Care Implementation in 2016.” University faculty, students, staff and community supporters are encouraged to attend. Lunch is provided. The lecture is held in the 4th Floor Bradley Lecture Center at Children’s of Alabama.
The ASCO Post recently released a series of interviews by and with leaders in oncology. Smita Bhatia, M.D., MPH, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, discusses long-term and late effects experienced by cancer survivors. To view the video with Dr. Bhatia on the science of survivorship, click here.