Johan Latorre, M.D. and Rachel Cowan, Ph.D., both faculty members in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, have been elected to represent Heersink School of Medicine on the 2023-2025 UAB Faculty Senate.

The Faculty Senate represents UAB’s faculty in matters of shared governance. The Senate is made up of faculty representatives from all of UAB’s academic units, as well as four officers elected at large by the faculty. Through participation in various councils and committees, the senators will convey the faculty’s views and concerns in matters that affect our University.

“I have been a part of multiple large organizations within institutions such as the Resident Physician Union at the University of Michigan that helped improve the lives of the residents. Now as faculty at UAB, I want to do the same. Being a Senator allows me to have a say in the direction UAB takes and not just the health system/medical school community but the campus as a whole,” Dr. Latorre said.

The incoming Chair of the Faculty Senate, Karen Cropsey, will assign every Senate member to serve as a member of a Faculty Senate Standing Committee. Some senate members may also be asked to serve on University-wide Committees. This two-year service term begins September 1, 2023, and ends August 31, 2025.

“I’m honored to serve as a faculty senator for UAB. It gives me the opportunity to learn more about university operations at a higher level outside my area of research. I’m glad I can be a voice for the concerns of researchers not heard outside Heersink School of Medicine.” Dr. Cowan stated.