Michel Kmeid, M.D., will join the Division of Anatomic Pathology as an assistant professor, effective August 1. Kmeid joins us from the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio, where he served as a head and neck pathology fellow since 2024.

The UAB Heersink School of Medicine Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency Training Program welcomed four new PGY1 residents July 1, 2025.

J. Bart Rose, M.D., MAS, an associate professor in the Department of Surgery, is a spring 2025 O’Neal Invests awardee, along with his research partners Benjamin Larimer, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Radiology, and Michael Niederweis, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Microbiology.

Karen Weeks, psychometrist in the UAB Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, has been selected by UAB's Office of Patient Experience and Engagement as one of the 2025 Patient Experience Heroes.

Robert Russell, M.D., MPH, a professor in UAB’s Department of Surgery and director of the trauma program at Children’s of Alabama, was recently appointed as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Surgical Research (JSR).

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) welcomes Assistant Professor and Clinical Neuropsychologist Candace Marten, PsyD, MBA as a new faculty member effective July 11, 2025.

The UAB Department of Otolaryngology has received additional funding to support the SPEAK OUT!® Therapy Program. This initiative of the Parkinson Voice Project allows the UAB Voice Center to offer free speech therapy to eligible individuals living with Parkinson’s disease.

It starts quietly, a bite or a scratch, and by the time symptoms surface, it’s often too late. Rabies isn’t just a distant threat—it’s alive and present here in Alabama. Prevention remains critical, but once symptoms appear, treatment options are extremely limited. That’s because rabies hides behind a complex molecular shield that makes it nearly impossible to fight.

The Department of Pediatrics is proud to introduce Zach Garmon, a valued staff member of the Pediatric Administration team! 

The residency research track in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology is an innovative program that integrates a research training component within the department’s general psychiatry residency program. The program is known as STEPP, which stands for Supporting Training for Emerging Physician-Scientists in Psychiatry.

Yard work might seem like a low-stakes weekend chore, but beyond mulching flower beds and trimming hedges lies a real risk: back and spine injuries that can last long after the weeds are gone.

Mark N. Hadley, M.D., FAANS, Charles A. and Patsy W. Collat Endowed Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, was the honored guest of the Georgia Neurosurgical Society at their 2025 spring meeting, held May 24-25 at The Cloisters in Sea Island, Georgia.

July 22 marks the 12th annual World Brain Day, a global campaign led by the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) to promote brain health across all stages of life. This year’s theme, “Brain Health for All Ages,” emphasizes the importance of neurological care from preconception through late adulthood.

If you’ve ever wondered who fuels our department’s teaching, research, and creative problem-solving, look no further than Mississippi’s native son, ‘Bill Nye’-enthusiast, and champion to improve outcomes for all patients – Dr. Demario Overstreet.

Cellular health plays a crucial role in your overall well-being. On average, the human body has between 30-40 trillion cells of various types and with various functions. The healthier your cells are, the healthier your body tends to be, since all cells work together. For example, skin cells are one type of cell, but cells are present in every organ and tissue throughout your body. They contribute to digestion, immunity, and muscle function.

In the face of a bacterium that easily resists common antibiotics, members of UAB established testing to identify it in human disease. Mycoplasma, that is. Mycoplasmas are the smallest free-living organisms. They can cause drug-resistant bacterial infections that target various parts of the body, including respiratory and urinary systems and genitalia. Mycoplasmas commonly cause lung infections and often require a special antibiotic to treat the bacterium. Most antibiotics weaken bacteria by penetrating their cell walls. Mycoplasmas, however, don’t have cell walls to weaken.

Genomic sequencing is rapidly changing health care and is becoming a routine part of electronic health records (EHRs). But while today’s EHRs can support common clinical decision support (CDS) tools — like medication or allergy alerts — they often fall short when it comes to using genetic information to guide care.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Neurosurgery is pleased to announce that Terri Epting will join the department as director of fiscal affairs, effective Aug. 11.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Neurosurgery is pleased to welcome Hohyun Cho, Ph.D.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Pediatrics is pleased to welcome the new class of Pediatric Residents Interested in Medical Education Scholars Program (PRIME) Scholars!

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Pediatrics is pleased to announce the Pediatric Underserved and Global Health (PUGH) Scholars program for the 2025-2026 academic year. The PUGH Scholars Program is a longitudinal opportunity for UAB pediatric residents to receive focused education and hands-on experience in global and undeserved health during three-years of residency training.

The following was sent on behalf of Dan E. Berkowitz, M.D. Dear Colleagues,  I am excited to announce the appointment of Hanna Hussey, M.D., to associate vice chair of the Division of Obstetric Anesthesiology in the Heersink School of Medicine Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine.  Dr. Hussey earned her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Doctor of Medicine from Florida State University. She completed her residency at Columbia University and went on to pursue dual fellowships in Obstetric Anesthesia and Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesia at UAB. Dr. Hussey brings deep expertise in cardio-obstetrics, clinical education, and high-risk maternal care with a sustained commitment to advancing patient care. Under the guidance of the division’s Interim Vice Chair Yasser Sakawi, M.D., Dr. Hussey will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of obstetric anesthesia at UAB. As expressed in her vision statement, Dr. Hussey will focus on quality and safety, collaborative research and scholarship, and innovation and adaptation. She and Dr. Sakawi will partner to oversee the provision of obstetric anesthesia services across all clinical locations affiliated with our academic faculty practice; develop and execute a strategic vision for the division; and collaborate with the UAB Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology to implement clinical pathways, foster multi-disciplinary research, and enhance educational opportunities. This associate vice chair role is a truly unique opportunity, as Dr. Hussey will step into a mentored leadership role, gaining valuable experience in administrative, strategic, and operational decision-making within a premier academic institution. We are confident she will be instrumental in driving innovation and excellence while working alongside top-tier faculty and leaders. Please join me in congratulating Dr. Hussey on her new appointment. Sincerely,  Dan E. Berkowitz, M.D. Alfred Habeeb Professor and Chair

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Pediatrics has announced the appointment of three faculty members to serve on the Pediatrics Appointment, Promotion and Tenure Committee (APTC).

Jan Novak, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor in the UAB Department of Microbiology, has been named the Inaugural Holder of the Jiri Mestecky Endowed Professorship in Microbiology.

  The University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Pediatrics David Askenazi, M.D., professor in the Division of Pediatric Nephrology, was recently recognized with the Nephrology Kidney Collaborative (NKC) Founder’s award at this year’s Pediatric Academic Society Membership dinner.

The UAB Department of Microbiology welcomed Hongjin Zheng, Ph.D., as associate professor in June 2025.

Following the Medical Education Committee (MEC) faculty retreat in May 2025, the committee has continued discussions relating to medical student experience. One current initiative focuses on how medical students face difficulties distinguishing themselves when applying for residency. To address this challenge, the MEC has recently approved the establishment of a Clinical Commendation designation for MS1–MS3 students.

Toria N. Pettway, LMSW, a psychiatric social worker for the UAB Division of Trauma & Acute Care Surgery, has been named the 2025 recipient of the UAB Social Work Partnership in Community Service Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to patient care, mental health advocacy and community engagement.

Researchers in the UAB Department of Otolaryngology recently occupied a new, 3,400-square-foot lab space in the newly renovated McCallum Basic Health Science Building. Renovations to the McCallum Building involved revitalizing the historic building, creating more modern and collaborative research spaces, with floors three through nine dedicated to departments in the Heersink School of Medicine.

Peripheral artery disease is a severe form of cardiovascular disease affecting more than 230 million individuals worldwide. The correlation of peripheral artery disease with diminished blood flow in one or more major arteries has prompted numerous studies aimed at developing therapies that promote the formation of new mature blood vessels, known as neovessels, to restore blood flow. However, despite years of investigations, the medical therapies designed to do so have lacked therapeutic significance.