Tita named associate dean for Global and Women’s Health

Alan Tita, M.D., Ph.D.
(Photography: Steve Wood)
Alan Tita, M.D., Ph.D., has been named associate dean for Global and Women’s Health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine.

Tita received his medical degree from the Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in Cameroon, Master of Public Health in International Health from the University of Leeds in England, and his Ph.D. from the University of Texas Health Science Center School in Houston.

He went on to complete his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine and his maternal-fetal medicine fellowship at UAB.

Tita currently serves as the John C. Hauth, M.D., Endowed Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, senior vice-chair for Research and Innovation, director of the university-wide interdisciplinary Center for Women’s Reproductive Health, and principal investigator of the NICHD Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units (MFMU) Network Center.

With a background emphasizing maternal-fetal medicine, global health and perinatal epidemiology, Tita has led and continues to lead, the design and conduct of collaborative multi-site and single-site clinical trials and observational studies that influence practice and global policy. He also co-leads the Cameroon Health Initiative at UAB, a multidisciplinary venture to improve health care in collaboration with Cameroon partners. His ongoing work is funded by National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. He serves on the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Council and has participated in several World Health Organization guideline development groups. 

“Dr. Tita’s dedication to the school’s mission made him an excellent choice for this leadership role,” said Selwyn M. Vickers, M.D., FACS, senior vice president for Medicine and dean of the School of Medicine. “His extensive knowledge of both global and women’s health will be vital in helping guide our innovative and comprehensive global health program.” 

Tita will be stepping in for Michael Saag, M.D., who will retire from UAB on June 30. Saag has served the UAB community as an internationally renowned physician, researcher and even as a patient as he helped guide Alabama and the rest of the country through COVID-19. 

As the current associate dean for Global Health, director of the UAB Center for AIDS Research, the founding director of the UAB 1917 HIV Clinic, and a professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases, Saag has left a lasting impact on our community, state and beyond. In 1996, he was listed as one of the top ten cited HIV researchers by Science and received seven Argus Awards for Best Lectures to the first-year medical students. Additionally, in 2014, he was selected as the Castle-Connelly Physician of the year and was inducted into the Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame.

“I am excited by this opportunity to collaborate with leaders and multidisciplinary investigators and teams in the School of Medicine, UAB and around the world to improve the health and survival of underserved populations.” said Tita. “Together, we will identify innovative solutions for the most significant local and global health problems and inspire and train the next generation of scholars addressing these problems.”

Tita will assume the role of associate dean for Global and Women’s Health on July 1, 2021.