The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics is pleased to announce the 2026-2027 Founders’ Fund recipients.
The Founders’ Fund was established by the Department of Pediatrics to honor three key founders and educators of our department: Drs. Paul Palmisano, Bill Benton, and Ralph Tiller. These physicians epitomized the ideal academic pediatrician. The dream to honor these esteemed individuals became a reality with the generosity of former and current pediatric faculty and residents. For more than a decade, the Founders’ Fund has been used to encourage and support educational endeavors in our Pediatric Residency Program through educational grants.
Financial Foundations: A Systems-Based Financial Wellness Curriculum for Pediatric Residents
Michael Padgett, MD PGY3 (PI)
Michele Nichols, MD (Faculty)
William Sasser, MD (Faculty)
Development of Manikin Prostheses for PedsRheumSim Rheumatology Simulations for Pediatric Residents
Anna Dickson, MD PGY3 (PI)
John Bridges, MD (Faculty PI)
Nick Rockwell, MD (Faculty)
Chrystal Rutledge, MD (Faculty)
Nancy Tofil, MD (Faculty)
Prep for Gen Peds
Tabitha Kearns, MD PGY3 (PI)
Kelsey Staggs, MD PGY2 (PI)
Michele Nichols, MD (Faculty PI)
Candice Dye, MD (Faculty PI)
Caroline Densmore, MD (Faculty PI)
Katie Fogle, MD (Faculty)
Jameson Ragsdale, MD (Faculty)
Improving Firearm Safety Counseling in Primary Care Clinic
Austin Oslock, MD (Faculty PI)
Suzannah Patterson, MD PGY3
Reba Bosch, MD PGY3
Dalton Hall, MD PGY3
Michael Padgett, MD PGY3
Alyssa Goldman, MD PGY2
Shelby Kaup, MD PGY2
Improving Car Seat Screening and Safety in Primary Care Clinic
Jemma Thompson, MD PGY3 (PI)
Danielle Windom, MD PGY3 (PI)
Jeanetta Mistler, MD PGY2 (PI)
Rachel Haley, MD PGY2 (PI)
Kelsey Staggs, MD PGY2 (PI)
Callie Grey, MD (Faculty)
Well Child Check That Is Anything but Well: Use of Simulated Standardized Patients to Practice Empathic Care of a Suicidal Teenager
Candice Dye, MD (Faculty PI)
Increasing Use of Expedited Partner Therapy for Sexually Transmitted Infection Treatment Among Adolescents
Erin Carriker, MD PGY3 (PI)
Daniel Cooper, MD PGY4 (PI)
Lauren Brewer, MD (Fellow PI)
Kara Huls, MD (Faculty PI)
Heather Relyea Ashley, MD (Faculty PI)
Jamie McKinney, MD (Faculty)
Claudette Poole, MD (Faculty)
Deidre Schmidt, MD (Faculty)
Baby Shower for Young Mothers Program
Sarah Hicks, MD PGY3 (PI)
Maddie Southall, MD PGY3 (PI)
Terri Coco, MD (Faculty)
Kathy Monroe, MD (Faculty)
PREP for Fellowship
Sam McCartney, MD (Chief Resident PI)
Anna Seidenburg, MD (Fellow PI)
David W. Taylor, MD (Fellow PI)
Jordan W. Newman, MD (Faculty PI)
Michele Nichols, MD (Faculty PI)
Bereavement Lactation: Identifying and Targeting Knowledge Gaps in the Acute Care Setting
Julia Boullt, MD PGY3 (PI)
Emily C. Dodenhoff, MD (Faculty PI)
Emily Johnston, MD (Faculty)
Natalie Harless, MD (Faculty)
Kathleen Hughes, MD (Faculty)