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Above: Renee Heffron, Ph.D., MPH, Professor in the UAB Division of Infectious Diseases  

Renee Heffron, Ph.D., MPH, (Professor, Infectious Diseases) is the new director for the Center for AIDS Research at the UAB Heersink School of Medicine, effective July 1. Heffron joins UAB from the Departments of Global Health and Epidemiology at the University of Washington. She succeeds previous director, Mike Saag, M.D., who officially retired from UAB last year. Congratulations on your new role and welcome to UAB, Dr. Heffron!

Above: Drs. Van Gerwen and Van Wagoner at Volker Plaza.  

UAB Division of Infectious Diseases faculty Olivia Van Gerwen, M.D., M.P.H., and Nicholas Van Wagoner, M.D., Ph.D., facilitated a spring workshop for Health Equity Scholars in the Heersink School of Medicine to help students better understand the unique health needs of LGBTQ+ individuals. Learners practiced introducing themselves as providers and explored the reasons for health disparities among the LGBTQ+ community. As a result, one scholar plans to develop a LGBTQ+ mini training module as a scholarly education project. The workshop was part of the Health Equity Scholars Program developed by Assistant Dean for Community Engaged Scholarship Caroline Harada, M.D

Above: Dr. Kate McCarty gets a new photo for the program web site.  

The Tinsley Harrison Residency Program launched its 2022 intern class into clinical rotations on Thursday, with a palpable sense of anticipation and excitement among those gathered in WP-E. Our categorical class of 37 bright young physicians comes from 21 different medical schools, with 4 (11%) underrepresented in medicine, 12 (32%) women, and 9 (24%) UAB students. We look forward to seeing our interns grow over the next three years.

L to R: Drs. Gabriela Gastanadui, John Craver, and Brian Westbrook  

UAB’s Medical Jeopardy Team from the Tinsley Harrison Internal Medicine Residency Program took home the coveted Osler Cup from the Alabama/Mississippi American College of Physicians Doctors Dilemma competition. Second-year residents Drs. Brian Westbrook, John Craver, and Gabriela Gastanadui participated in the contest which is a annual event that brings together the brightest residents from around the world in a “Jeopardy” style medical knowledge battle. The residents will represent the chapter at the national ACP meeting in San Diego next spring. Great job, team!

 Rodney Tucker, M.D., Professor and Interim Director, Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care.

Rodney Tucker, M.D., (Professor and Interim Director, Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care) collaborated with the Heersink School of Medicine Office for Diversity and Inclusion to create an LGBTQ+ Faculty Association. The new association aims to create a safe environment to connect and foster opportunities to promote greater understanding, support, and advocacy for faculty members of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies.

The LGBTQ+ Faculty Association will host its Kick Off Networking Event from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 23 in the Wallace Tumor Institute Lobby.