Looking for better economic opportunities, Greek immigrants began to arrive in Birmingham in the 1880s. It is debatable who the first Greek immigrant to the state was. By some reports, it was George Cassimus in 1884. Other accounts suggest it was John Kalamares in 1883. Cassimus is also thought to be the first person to start a Greek-owned business, Fish Lunch House (c1902).
In the new documentary “Philoxenia,” Birmingham filmmaker and UAB graduate Jessica Chriesman highlights how Birmingham’s Greek immigrants have shaped the hospitality industry with restaurants such as The Bright Star, Gus’s Hot Dogs, Ted’s Restaurant, Demetri’s BBQ, Johnny’s Restaurant, and The Fish Market.
Tamera Coyne-Beasley, M.D., MPH, professor and division director in the Division of Adolescent Medicine and vice-chair for Community Engagement, has been elected to the American Pediatric Society (APS) Council. Dr. Coyne-Beasley will serve as council member from 2021 to 2026. She joins Wally Carlo, M.D., professor and division director in the Division of Neonatology, who is also on the council and will end his term in 2024.
Traci Jester, M.D., associate professor in the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, has been invited to serve as a member of the Clinical Committee for ImproveCareNow.
March is Irish American Heritage Month
Irish American Heritage Month was established in 1991 to recognize the contributions made by Irish immigrants in the creation of America. The heritage month is held in March to coincide with St. Patrick’s Day which is celebrated each year on March 17. This day of celebration originally began as a religious holiday to honor Saint Patrick, who introduced Christianity to Ireland in the 5th century and is the patron saint of Ireland. The celebration is held on March 17, the supposed date of his death. The first St. Patrick’s Day parade was held in New York City in 1762 and the holiday has evolved into a celebration of all things Irish.
Irish American Heritage Month celebrates the nearly 31 million Americans with Irish ancestry and the contributions and impact that generations of Irish Americans have made to build a better America.
Below are some resources, articles and events to celebrate Women's History Month.
Virtual Events at UAB during March to celebrate Women's History Month
National Women's History Museum Daily Resource Calendar
Women's History Series from the School of Medicine
For Women’s History Month, the School of Medicine is showcasing the intelligence, compassion, and creativity of women who have come before us and who are currently paving the way for the next generation.
Part 1: Celebrating the women who have come before us
Part 2: "Women Making History" in teaching and education
Part 3: "Women Making History" in research and clinical areas
LinkedIn Learning March Challenge: Celebrating Women
March is Women’s History Month. Throughout the month, LinkedIn Learning will explore gender bias, its impact, and how to support & empower women at work. Challenge yourself to participate every day – each one takes ~5 minutes or less.
Nefertiti Harmon Durant, M.D., MPH, associate professor in the Division of Adolescent Medicine, has been named co-chair of the Education & Advocacy Subcommittee for the Women & Girls Bleeding Disorder Learning Action Network (WGBD LAN) of the Foundation for Women & Girls with Blood Disorders.
The UAB Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Blood & Marrow Transplantation and Children’s of Alabama has been accepted into the Pacific Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Consortium (PNOC), a unique clinical trials consortium focusing on personalized therapy approaches for children with malignant brain tumors.
Last Thursday, the Department of Pediatrics hosted the inaugural UAB Pioneers in Pediatrics: Celebrating Black History Month. This event was created as a way to celebrate Black History Month and to provide an opportunity to learn about the history of diversity in the department and ways we can improve diversity, equity and inclusion. A few pioneers in the UAB Department of Pediatrics, Paul Amamoo, M.D., Derrol Dawkins, M.D., and Iris Fancher, M.D., participated in a panel discussion facilitated by Brian Sims, M.D., associate professor in the Division of Neonatology, Tamera Coyne-Beasley, M.D., professor in the Division of Adolescent Medicine, and Tina Simpson, M.D., professor in the Division of Adolescent Medicine.
The Jewish holiday of Purim began last night and concludes tonight.
Top row L to R: Drs. Nitin Arora, Randy Cron and Pallavi Iyer. Bottom row L to R: Drs. Andy Marshall, Joe Philips and Ryan SheetsSix members of the Department of Pediatrics were elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society.