“It was one of those moments where I just knew what I wanted to do.”

Samantha Giordano-Mooga, Ph.D., assistant professor and director of undergraduate research in the UAB biomedical sciences program, was selected as the winner of the 2024 Provost’s Award for Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Research.

The UAB Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) has awarded Seung-Yup (Joshua) Lee, assistant professor in the UAB Department of Health Services Administration, a 2024 CCTS Pilot Award.

Shannon H. Houser recently received the AHIMA Triumph Influencer Award.

Nancy Borkowski received the 2024 Regent’s Senior-Level Healthcare Executive Award from the Alabama Healthcare Executives Forum, an officially designated chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE).

José Fernández, Ph.D., FTOS, was named a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Distinction from The Obesity Society (TOS) for “leadership and scholarship in the field of obesity that has inspired a more diverse group of scientists and clinicians.”

Five students have been awarded a UAB School of Health Professions Blazer Forever Scholarship. The award is given to SHP students during Homecoming Week based on an essay answer. This year, we asked students to talk about the ways classroom collaborations and/or team-based learning has made them stronger teammates.

Each summer, the Department of Occupational Therapy joins with UAB Arts in Medicine to host two 4-week virtual magic camps for children with disabilities. It’s a unique skill-building opportunity for both the children and graduate students in UAB’s Entry-Level Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy program, who complete one of their Level I Fieldwork experiences as camp coaches.

A multidisciplinary group of low vision practitioners and people with visual impairments gathered in Johannesburg, South Africa, in early September at the Low Vision Matters conference. There, they heard Beth Barstow, PhD, OTR/L, and Jason Vice, PhD, OTR/L, speak about low vision evaluation, assessment, and intervention, and spent a day in hands-on labs.

Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy Rachel Ashcraft, MS, OTR/L, TBRI Practitioner, received the Alabama Occupational Therapy Association’s (ALOTA) highest honor, the Elsie Holmes McKibbin Award, at its 2024 Annual Fall Conference in Gulf Shores, AL.

Redemption Earned, an Alabama-based nonprofit, has appointed UAB Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy Sarah Tucker, PhD, OTR/L, to its board of directors.

The UAB Graduate Programs in Health Informatics has announced a new scholarship, dedicated to the memory of Eta S. Berner, Ed.D., University Professor Emeritus.

Welcome back for the next installment of trending news and stories in the disability community. This edition features articles on the United States Deaf Women's National Team, advances in accessible travel and gaming, and much more.

Dr. Chris Ballmann grew up a prolific multi-instrument musician, so it was no surprise he attended Auburn University to pursue a scholarship in music performance and participated in the AU Symphony Orchestra. The surprise, though, came when he decided to pivot after a single semester.

The UAB Department of Physical Therapy Department Chair, David Morris, has been recognized by UAB as a Distinguished Professor. This is the highest rank a faculty member can achieve at UAB.

Bunyamin Ozaydin, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Health Services Administration and scientist at the Heersink School of Medicine Informatics Institute, was selected as a winner of the 2024 Graduate Dean’s Award for Excellence in Mentorship.

Alanis Stansberry, a student in our PhD in Nutrition Sciences program, developed recipes for individuals with common chronic illnesses utilizing foods available in Live HealthSmart Alabama's Mobile Market. The project was for her service as a 2023-24 Alabama Schweitzer Fellow.

Third year Physical Therapy student, Natasha Brooks, has always had an interest in PT advocacy. In anticipation of Capitol Hill Day 2024, we asked Brooks a few questions about her Capitol Hill Day Student Scholarship.

Krystle W. Glasgow, MIS, CNMT, NMTCB(CT), NMAA, FSNMMI-TS, clinical coordinator in our M.S. in Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Sciences program, is being recognized for continuing to excel in a growing and evolving profession while standing and fighting for all things nuclear medicine. Much of her motivation comes from a drive to help her students succeed.

Jewell J. Dickson-Clayton, OTD, MPH, OTR/L, ATP, FAOTA, and M. Tosi Gilford, MD, PA-C, each received a First Award from the UAB African American Faculty Association (AAFA) at an event on February 22, 2024.