Media contact: Adam Pope
Martha Tankersley and Michael Hanaway, M.D. University of Alabama at Birmingham Division of Transplantation Professor and Surgical Director of Kidney Transplantation Michael J. Hanaway, M.D., has been named the inaugural recipient of the Martha Robinson Tankersley Endowed Professorship in Transplant Clinical Excellence.
As the surgical director of the Kidney Transplant Program at UAB, Hanaway oversees all aspects of the program, with particular attention to pre-transplant evaluation. As an advocate for equitable organ allocation, Hanaway served on the United Network for Organ Sharing committees, including the Membership and Professional Standards Committee.
In addition to mentoring surgical trainees, Hanaway encouraged knowledge-sharing and research in the field of transplantation as a reviewer for the American Journal of Transplantation, Transplantation and The American Journal of Surgery.
Over the past 17 years, Hanaway has performed a high volume of laparoscopic donor nephrectomies and is one of the most experiencedn the United States. His research interest has focused on induction therapy in kidney transplantation.
Hanaway is honored to receive the professorship that was established in honor of Martha Tankersley and her transformative commitment as the transplant administrator for UAB Medicine.
“Knowing what Martha Tankersley has done to support the field of transplantation, it is a great honor to receive her endowed professorship,” Hanaway said. “I look forward to representing Martha, UAB Medicine and the Comprehensive Transplant Institute in this role.”
Tankersley completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Boston College in 1987 and her Master of Science in Nursing degree from UAB in 2000. While pursuing her education, Tankersley participated in the UAB R.N. Intern Program (1987-1988) and served as a staff nurse (1988-1991) and clinical care coordinator (1991-2000).
After graduating in 2000, Tankersley served as a nurse practitioner (2000-2006), kidney and pancreas transplant manager (2006-2009), and administrative director of Transplantation (2009-2012).
In January 2013, Tankersley accepted the role of associate vice president, transplant administrator with UAB Medicine, where she directs, integrates and coordinates all activities necessary to support the growth and delivery of quality, cost-effective services in a timely manner within the UAB Comprehensive Transplant Institute.
Under the leadership of Tankersley, UAB’s Comprehensive Transplant Institute has performed more than 16,000 organ transplants with more than 400 organs each year, and the programs rank among the nation’s leaders both in the number of transplants performed and in patient outcomes.
In addition to retaining and recruiting top transplant surgeons, the endowment will enhance and support the mission and goals of the UAB and the UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine for the ultimate benefit of UAB, the Birmingham community, the state of Alabama and beyond.
“We are so grateful to Martha and her incredible impact on transplantation surgery here at UAB as well as across the nation,” said Jayme Locke, M.D., MPH, director of the UAB Comprehensive Transplant Institute. “Her leadership has ensured that the surgeons, nurses, techs, administrators and other staff in the UAB Comprehensive Transplant Institute are able to thrive in our clinical mission.”