A stroke can strike without warning, and every minute counts when it does. It happens when the blood supply to your brain is cut off, causing severe damage in a short amount of time. While many of us are familiar with the common warning signs (BEFAST), other, often overlooked symptoms could be just as crucial to spotting a stroke early.

On May 5, 2025, the UAB Heersink School of Medicine Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine hosted its fifth annual Research Day. This event gives faculty, staff, trainees, and CRNAs the opportunity to gather and present on their latest research while celebrating all research efforts within the department. Each year, the clinical trainee and scientific abstract winners give an oral presentation, and a keynote speaker presents on the topic of their choice.

The twelfth annual Blazer Bolt for Brain Cancer 5K and Fun Run was held Saturday, May 17, at Railroad Park in Birmingham, Alabama. Despite the thunderstorms that rolled in early Saturday morning, racers still showed up, participated and made the event a success.

Brain tumor symptoms vary widely and can often resemble other common health conditions. Understanding the risks, symptoms and treatment options can help lead to earlier diagnosis and better outcomes.

Fourteen UAB chief residents recently completed the Chief Residents Leadership Development Workshop. The program, presented by the UAB Medicine Leadership Development Office, was held on May 9, 2025.

The following are monthly updates from the UAB Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine Education Division.

The UAB Department of Radiation Oncology is proud to announce a first-of-its-kind training course dedicated to ethos adaptive radiotherapy (ART), a cutting-edge approach in cancer treatment. This hands-on, case-based program is designed to equip radiation oncology teams with the skills needed to implement and deliver ART using real-world clinical workflows and technologies.

Allie Hulcher, UAB Department of Surgery communications specialist and Trauma Survivors Network coordinator for the UAB Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, was recognized with numerous awards at the UAB Marnix E. Heersink Excellence in Communications Awards.

Future physicians at the University of Alabama at Birmingham are exploring— through a unique course — how personal values, beliefs and spirituality can influence patient care.

UAB Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery Assistant Professor Margaux Mustian, M.D., MSPH, participated in the Society for Surgery of Alimentary Tract (SSAT) Complex General Surgery Fellowship Virtual Grand Rounds Webinar.

Craig Maynard, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, has been named scientific director of the UAB Gnotobiotic Core Facility effective May 15.

The Department of Pediatrics would like to introduce the 2025 Department of Pediatrics Staff Recognition Awards. These awards were created to honor staff members throughout the department for their contribution and commitment to the department's mission. Our staff are essential to making our department run, and this is an opportunity to show our appreciation.

Danielle Godin has been named advanced practice provider (APP) supervisor for the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Neurosurgery.

Danielle Thomason, manager of ambulatory services for the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Neurosurgery, will graduate in May with a Master of Science in Nursing degree.

UAB Comprehensive Diabetes Center (UCDC) Director Anath Shalev, M.D., was invited to write a mini-review for Endocrinology, the flagship journal of the Endocrine Society.

Originally from Elkmont, Alabama, Perez contributes to multiple projects in the Bhatnagar Lab, which researches insulin secretion from beta cells.

UAB Comprehensive Diabetes Center (UCDC) senior scientists Ananda Basu, M.D., and Rita Basu, M.D., were each honored during the UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine Spring 2025 Endowed Chairs and Professorships Reception, May 7.

Christine A. Curcio, Ph.D., FARVO, and Cynthia Owsley, Ph.D., MSPH, FARVO, were jointly awarded the prestigious 2025 Proctor Medal by the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO).

The UAB Mary Heersink Institute for Global Health proudly announces the fourth cohort of pilot grant awardees. Three innovative projects have received pilot funding to encourage collaboration between UAB investigators and international partners, tackling critical global health challenges. Award recipients were notified on April 22. Congratulations to the 2025 selected teams!

The UAB Department of Otolaryngology hosted its 20th Annual Ann B. & Julius N. Hicks Lectureship in Otolaryngology and 2025 Residents’ Research Day on April 26 at Valley Hotel in Homewood.

Lalita Shevde-Samant, Ph.D., Professor, Molecular & Cellular Pathology, Associate Director for Education and Training, O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, was selected for the 2025-2026 class of the Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine® (ELAM) program at Drexel University College of Medicine.

Brejjette Aljabi, M.Ed., class of 2026 medical student in the Heersink School of Medicine, recently won Best Podium Presentation in the Renal Cancer Podium Session at the Southeastern Section of the American Urological Association Annual Meeting. The meeting was held March 12-15, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Kansas recently confirmed one of the largest Tuberculosis outbreaks in U.S. history. This has prompted renewed focus on prevention efforts and public health preparedness. While the United States maintains low TB incidence rates globally, the country has experienced a significant increase in cases in the last few years.

UAB Division of Breast & Endocrine Surgery Assistant Professor Andrea Gillis, M.D., MSPH, has been selected for the Southern Surgical Association (SSA) Leadership Development Program (LDP) -- a prestigious recognition awarded to emerging surgical leaders.

In a profession marked by long hours, precision, and high emotional stakes, health care specialists may burn out and disconnect from themselves. To meet demands and care for others, whether through teaching, research, or clinical work, many overlook one of the simplest yet most powerful forms of support: engaging with nature. On Tuesday, May 20, from 12-1 p.m. via Zoom, the Heersink School of Medicine invites faculty, staff, students, and trainees to attend “Well-being through connection: How time in nature supports physical and mental health,” presented by Anne Markham Bailey, a teaching artist with UAB Arts in Medicine.

For one family, a difficult genetic diagnosis sparked a mission. With help from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Hugh Kaul Precision Medicine Institute (PMI), they’re now turning their journey into hope for families worldwide.

UAB Comprehensive Diabetes Center (UCDC) researchers joined experts from around the United States to present current topics related to diabetes at the 16th Annual Boshell Research Day on April 4.

The UAB Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery honored survivors of traumatic injury and their families, as well as first responders and healthcare professionals, at the second annual UAB Heroes and Healers Gala on Friday, May 2, 2025.

Paul Benson, M.D., Professor, Autopsy Section Head, Anatomic Pathology, attended the Third Annual International Post-Tuberculosis Symposium at the STIAS Institute in Stellenbosch, South Africa, April 14-16. Benson joined his collaborators Adrie Steyn, Ph.D., Professor, UAB Microbiology, Africa Health Institute, and Threnesan Naidoo, MBChB, MSc, LLM, Professor, Water Sisulu University, Eastern Cape, South Africa. 

Infectious Diseases faculty Bobbie Van Der Pol, Ph.D., MPH, and Olivia Van Gerwen, M.D., MPH, were recognized by the American Sexually Transmitted Diseases Association for their outstanding contributions to the field.