Samantha Hanna, M.D., MPH, assistant professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, became director of the Alabama Child Health Improvement Alliance (ACHIA) on Sept. 1, 2026, following the retirement of Cason Benton, M.D.
“I’m excited to build on the strong foundation established by Dr. Benton and ACHIA’s team and partners,” said Hanna.
ACHIA brings together pediatric practices, families, community organizations and health care partners to improve children’s health across Alabama. Through quality improvement collaboratives, the alliance helps practices translate evidence into everyday care by providing education, coaching, practical tools and support with using data to measure progress. Previous efforts have addressed developmental screening, asthma care and firearm injury prevention.
As director, Hanna hopes to strengthen ACHIA’s role as a resource and partner for pediatric practices throughout the state.
“My goal is to help teams make meaningful, sustainable improvements in care while ensuring that our work reflects the needs of children, families, and the communities they live in,” said Hanna.
In response to declining childhood vaccination rates, particularly in Alabama, ACHIA will launch its next collaborative, “Quality Starts Early: Improving Infant Immunization Rates,” in November. The initiative will help practices identify barriers to vaccination, strengthen communication with families and develop reliable processes to ensure children receive recommended vaccines on time.
Congratulations Dr. Hanna!