For faculty in academic medicine, career growth and professional development often come with challenges. To explore these challenges and opportunities for growth, Sima Patel, M.D., FAES, FANA, an Associate Professor of Neurology at the University of Minnesota Medical School, began collaborating in 2021 with Jane B. Allendorfer, Ph.D., FAES, an Associate Professor of Neurology at UAB, and 24 investigators through the Women in Neurology Collaborative Study (WINCS).

The Heersink School of Medicine transformed the UAB North Pavilion Atrium into a vibrant celebration of global traditions on February 6, 2025, during the Cultural Connections Food Fair. From the moment guests arrived, they were immersed in sights, smells, and sounds from around the globe, setting the tone for an evening of celebration, unity, and joy.

The Heersink School of Medicine hosts a variety of events each month to enrich and connect faculty, staff, and students. This February is no exception, with events ranging from a food fair to educational seminars to trivia. Here are six ways to get involved this month!

On Wednesday, Jan. 29, Anupam Agarwal, M.D., senior vice president for Medicine and dean of the Heersink School of Medicine, presented the annual State of the School address in person at Margaret Cameron Spain Auditorium and via live stream (watch a replay).

The Heersink School of Medicine is set to transform the North Pavilion Atrium into a global marketplace of flavors, traditions, and creativity with the Cultural Connections Food Fair on Thursday, Feb. 6, at 4:30 p.m.

Lunar New Year is celebrated across East Asian cultures as the start of the new lunar calendar, with each cycle associated with one of the 12 zodiac animals. This year, the Year of the Snake, is often seen as a time for transformation, renewal, and personal growth. In honor of the holiday, the Heersink School of Medicine spoke with Tom Chi, M.D., MBA, Chair of the Department of Urology, to share his favorite traditions and how the themes of the Year of the Snake resonate in his work.

Money is a significant source of anxiety for people, especially women, due to societal pressures, wage disparities, and financial expectations. Yet, it’s a topic often shrouded in taboo and rarely discussed openly. In January’s American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) lecture, Mary Gresham, Ph.D., examines the intersection of psychology and mental health in her presentation, “Becoming a Money Wise Woman.” The Heersink School of Medicine invites all faculty and staff to attend and learn more about this under-researched area and methods to improve their financial well-being.

Each year, on the third Monday of January, we reflect on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose leadership reshaped history during the Civil Rights Movement. His dedication to justice, equality, and human rights, particularly access to health care, resonates deeply in Birmingham, a city central to the struggle for civil rights. This year, the Heersink School of Medicine will host the MLK Commemoration on January 17 in the Margaret Cameron Spain Auditorium. This annual event provides an opportunity to reflect on Dr. King’s enduring impact on society and celebrate the ongoing work of those who carry his message forward.

UAB Heersink School of Medicine plans to launch two new psychiatry residencies at the Huntsville and Montgomery campuses. By increasing the number of trained mental health providers in the state of Alabama, this expansion will help address the mounting burden of mental illness in the state, particularly in rural and medically underserved areas.

On Friday, November 22, 2024, students from the UAB Heersink School of Medicine came together to honor faculty, courses, and course directors during the annual Argus Awards Ceremony. Voted on and nominated by medical students, the Argus Awards recognize outstanding faculty in various categories. 

The UAB Heersink School of Medicine is pleased to announce the launch of the Distinction in Health Equity. This opportunity for students is part of a larger Heersink School of Medicine initiative called Areas of Distinction. The Distinction in Health Equity is being developed to address a critical area to the mission of the school, equipping students to combat health disparities in their future careers.

The UAB Office of International Medical Education at the Heersink School of Medicine is proud to announce the launch of the Recognition of Distinction in Global Health, an innovative program designed to empower future physicians to think globally, act locally, and lead boldly. Conceptualized by Majd Zayzafoon, M.D., Ph.D., MBA, professor of Medical Education and assistant dean for International Medical Education, the program combines experiential learning with real-world impact to prepare UAB medical students to make lasting changes in healthcare and public service.

This December, the Heersink School of Medicine Office of Access & Engagement sought to connect with the medical community by learning about the season’s rich variety of holidays. In part three of our holiday series, we explore Christmas, celebrated worldwide for its message of love, generosity, and joy. To capture the spirit and significance of the holiday, we spoke with Monica Henderson, Administrative Director in Clinical Simulation, and Dominique McCray, Clinical Program Manager II in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, to learn more about how Christmas' themes of giving and togetherness resonate in their lives and work.

This December, the Heersink School of Medicine Office of Access & Engagement sought to connect with the medical community by learning about the season’s rich variety of holidays. In part two of our holiday series, we explore Kwanzaa, a weeklong celebration of African heritage, community values, and cultural reflection. To better understand the holiday’s significance, we spoke with Kim Ayers, nurse manager at the UAB Center for Psychiatric Medicine, who shared how Kwanzaa’s principles inspire her approach to health care and community building.

For December, the Heersink School of Medicine Office of Access & Engagement set out to learn more about this season’s holidays by connecting with our faculty, staff, and students. In part one of our holiday series, we explored the history and traditions of Chanukah, celebrated on the 25th day of Kislev (the ninth month of the Jewish religious year) in the Hebrew calendar, as light triumphing over darkness. To capture the spirit and significance of the holiday, we spoke with Rabbi Levi Weinbaum from the Chabad of Alabama, first-year social work student David Kirby, postdoctoral fellow Anna Stoll, and former Jewish Medical Student Association President Ben Honan.

The fight against breast cancer is about more than just treatment—it’s about empowering patients to live their best lives throughout their journey. The Heersink School of Medicine Office of Access & Engagement sat down with Gabrielle Rocque, M.D., a breast cancer specialist at UAB, to discuss how her work goes beyond traditional treatment to enhance resilience and quality of life for patients.

In 2015, Chrystal Rutledge, M.D., an associate professor in the Division of Pediatrics, pioneered the idea for the COACHES Program—an initiative that is now transforming pediatric care in Alabama through education and simulation training. The Heersink School of Medicine Office of Access & Engagement is excited to host Rutledge for this month’s American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) lecture, where she will share insights about the inception and impact of this groundbreaking program.

Faculty, staff, students, and their families gathered for an evening filled with cultural traditions, lively music, and a strong sense of community as the Heersink School of Medicine Office of Access & Engagement hosted its inaugural Hispanic Heritage Month Commemoration at University Tacos, located on 5th Avenue North.

The Heersink School of Medicine is looking forward to hosting the next lecture in the Step AHEAD series, “Voices For Our Fathers.” This important panel discussion will feature family members of men who were unwittingly involved in the U.S. Public Health Service Study of Untreated Syphilis in the African American Negro Males, conducted in Tuskegee and Macon County, Alabama, from 1932 to 1972.

Caroline Harada, M.D., associate dean for strategic initiatives in the Heersink School of Medicine Department of Medical Education, has been awarded the 2024 Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism in Medicine Award by the Association of American Medical Colleges.