One of three Alabama Regional Autism Networks has opened at the UAB Civitan-Sparks Clinics to empower persons of all ages and all levels of functioning who have an autism spectrum disorder, as well as their families.The UAB Civitan-Sparks Clinics were awarded a $75,000 grant to establish the network at UAB that will serve central Alabama by providing connections to resources for those with ASD, and for their families, technical assistance, and consultation services, as well as ASD-education programs to the general public and professional training.
These network centers are a key step in developing a system of care for people with ASD and their families throughout Alabama,” said Fred J. Biasini, Ph.D., director of the UAB Civitan-Sparks Clinics in the UAB Department of Pediatrics, and associate professor in the UAB College of Arts and Sciences Department of Psychology. “In working with Auburn University and the University of South Alabama, we will be able to provide additional resources and promote meaningful public awareness for those with ASD.”
Click here for to continue reading the press release on UAB news.
The UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center just released a video titled, "What If Birmingham was Known as the City that Cured Cancer?" Maaike Everts, PhD, Associate Professor in Pediatric Infectious Disease and Associate Director of the Alabama Drug Discovery Alliance (ADDA) is featured. Take a look by clicking here.
Gregory Friedman, M.D., Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, has been approved as Full Graduate Faculty in the UAB Graduate School.
Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) honored David Kimberlin, M.D., Pediatric Infectious Disease, for his work in the treatment, control and eradication of infectious diseases affecting children. More than 1,300 RMHC leaders and guests came together to recognize Dr. Kimberlin at the annual Awards of Excellence in Rosemont, Ill., where he received the 2016 Medical Award of Excellence, along with a $100,000 grant that will be given to the children’s charity of his choice, Camp McDowell. Dr. Kimberlin and his wife, Kim, are pictured (right) at the ceremony. Past Medical Awards of Excellence recipients include: Agnes Binagwaho, M.D., MPed, Ph.D., Ben Carson, M.D., Catherine DeAngelis, M.D., MPH, Ralph Feigin, M.D., Philip Pizzo, M.D., and Walter Orenstein, M.D. To view a full list of all RMHC Awards of Excellence recipients, click here. Among the non-medical recipients includes: puppeteer and screenwriter Jim Henson (1990); Former U.S. President, Jimmy Carter (1991); Former First Lady Betty Ford (1998); Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan (2002); founder of Southwest Airlines, Herbert D. Kelleher (2010) and many more.
Click here to read the UAB News press release.
Margaux Barnes, Ph.D., Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, has been approved as Full Graduate Faculty in the UAB Graduate School. With this appointment, Dr. Barnes will have the opportunity to expand mentorship opportunities by serving on thesis and dissertation committees to help further promote the growth and development of graduate students within the UAB community.
B-Metro Magazine recently did a series of feature stories dedicated to finding cures. Among the features, is local 11-year-old Duchenne muscular dystrophy patient, Gabe Griffin, in an article discussing the condition, the possible treatments, and the work of our very own, Matthew S. Alexander, Ph.D., Pediatric Neurology, and his lab here at Children's of Alabama and UAB Department of Pediatrics. Click here to read the story.
Matthew S. Alexander, Ph.D., Pediatric Neurology, recently participated in the NIH Early Career Reviewer (ECR) Program. Specifically, he was assigned to the Therapeutic Approaches to Genetic Diseases (TAG) study section.Dr. Alexander comments on the experience. "I think that a lot of new faculty would be interested in the ECR program as it was helpful to get a behind the scenes look at the grant review process," Dr. Alexander said, "Overall, it was a very useful program for learning about what grant review panels are looking for and also how they are dealing with the new NIH guidelines for scientific rigor and reproducibility."
Click here to learn about the program.
The American Society of Hematology (ASH) recently asked Jeffrey Lebensburger, D.O., Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, to serve on the committee to develop new clinical practice guidelines on sickle cell disease-related cardiopulmonary and kidney disease. The ASH anticipates that guideline development will launch in January 2017 and conclude with the publication of guidelines in spring 2019 in the journal, Blood. Congratulations to Dr. Lebensburger on this national leadership position!
Annalise Sorrentino, M.D., Pediatric Emergency Medicine, was selected to serve on the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) Council Steering Committee for 2017. The Steering Committee is a key leadership position in the College. Members typically serve on the committee for two years.
Congratulations to Kim Whelan, M.D., Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, and Shannon Ross, M.D.,Pediatric Infectious Diseases, for being selected to attend the 2016 Mid-Career Women Faculty Professional Development Seminar in Austin, Texas, Dec. 10-13. The Seminar is designed for women who hold medical school appointments at the associate professor level and leadership positions within their discipline, department or institution. The program goal is to enhance knowledge and skills needed to support progress along the path to leadership in academic medicine.