A powerful philanthropic partnership is transforming research and treatment of intellectual and developmental disabilities. Before there were MRI machines or CT scans—never mind the possibility of using AI to unlock the mysteries of the human brain—there was Civitan International.

In football, there are phrases that are as familiar to a player’s ears as the sound of a coach’s whistle: “Suck it up … Fight through it … Shake it off.” Tough words for a tough sport. But even as coaches push players to test their physical limits, they understand that injuries require time and resources to heal.

How research enriches the medical school experience. Federico Prokopczuk is in his fourth year as an M.D./Ph.D. trainee. A native of Rancho Cucamonga, California, he graduated from California State University, Northridge with a Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology before joining the Heersink School of Medicine in June 2021.

Sheldon Kushner, M.D., reflects on life as a young trauma surgeon during the Vietnam War. “Wheels are up,” declared the captain of the aircraft carrying Sheldon Kushner, M.D., and other military personnel departing from Tan Son Nhut Air Base in Saigon, Vietnam—ending Kushner’s arduous tour of duty as a trauma surgeon during the height of the Vietnam conflict in 1969.

Kelly Hyndman shares her love of pottery-making. Kelly Hyndman, Ph.D., associate professor in the Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, discovered her passion for pottery in 2015.

Heersink’s thriving start-up culture is producing creative solutions to improve health care outcomes. Academic medical centers (AMCs) are among the United States’ most active hives of biomedical innovation thanks to their often robust research enterprises. Increasingly, AMCs like the Heersink School of Medicine play a central role in another realm of innovation: the biomedical/biotech start-up space.

Alabama is the first state in the nation with a comprehensive plan to eliminate cervical cancer. When it comes to cervical cancer, Alabama has one of the highest rates of new cases and mortality. A dire situation to be sure, but there is a silver lining: Alabama also leads the country in the effort to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health threat.

Meet some of Heersink’s outstanding new faculty members. Each issue, we introduce you to several of the exceptional new faculty that have joined the Heersink School of Medicine. These outstanding recruits—just a few of the many new faces we welcome to our faculty each year—bring with them a wealth of expertise, impressive research portfolios, and a commitment to excellence in shaping the future of medicine and health care.

The 2025 Medical Alumni Weekend, held February 28-March 1, brought together over 250 alumni and guests for a celebration infused with the spirit of Mardi Gras. This festive gathering provided a unique opportunity for alumni to reconnect, reminisce, and engage with the evolving landscape of the Heersink School of Medicine.