Posted on March 20, 2002 at 10:15 a.m.

BIRMINGHAM, AL — James A. Pittman, Jr., M.D., distinguished professor of medicine at UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham), has been awarded the Karlin Henze Memorial Award presented by the Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center at UAB. The award was created in honor of Karlin Henze, a research assistant at the center until her death from cystic fibrosis in February of 1999.

Eric Sorscher, M.D., professor of medicine and director of the CF center, says Pittman has long been a stalwart supporter of cystic fibrosis research. “In his former role as dean of the school of medicine at UAB, Dr. Pittman was instrumental in the creation of UAB’s CF Research Center, which was the first of its kind in the country;” says Sorscher. “He remains a splendid supporter and friend to the center and to CF research in general, through his deep ties with national CF research leadership.”

Karlin Henze, a native of Huntsville, began working at the CF center in 1990, following her graduation from the University of Alabama at Huntsville. She underwent a double lung transplant in 1995 at the University of North Carolina, but returned to her work at UAB until her death last year at age 30.

“Karlin was a firm believer in the value of research into the causes, effects and treatments of cystic fibrosis, a sentiment we share,” said her parents, William and Reet Henze. “We are gratified by this unique and important way to honor our daughter’s memory.”

Pittman received the second Karlin Henze Memorial Award at a ceremony at the center on March 19.