Made with FlowPaper - Flipbook Maker
SHP Alumni Research Impacting the Future of Health Care RESEARCH ISSUE UAB // SHP Impressions of Alumni Excellence SNAPSHOTSSNAPSHOTS 2 SNAPSHOTS 2 IN THIS ISSUE FEATURE STORY LETTER FROM THE DEAN 3 Stay Connected Join us on your favorite media outlet 4 UAB COVID-19 Update Learn what’s happening and how you can help 7 SHP Excellence Check out recent awards and accolades 10 SHP Alumni in Research SHP Alumni research seeks answers to health care’s big questions. Hello, We understand, everywhere you turn you are surrounded by COVID-19. And for most of you, it is literally everywhere as you work on the front lines to save and protect. While we do touch on some news of the pandemic, the majority of this issue of Snapshots focuses on research that has nothing to do with airborne viruses. This edition shows you the breadth and depth of our School and our alumni. Inside you will meet some scientists who study and work in the lab, in the clinic, and in cyberspace. You will learn about a “war with no boundaries” that hit nearly 200 million people last year. You will meet an alumna whose work impacts 100,000 people in 40 counties, but continues to push to expand her program’s reach. In addition, we will introduce you to a few members of the Class of 2020. To them, becoming an SHP alum means more “than walking across the stage and getting my degree.” To them, it means setting standards to inspire others. Please know our next issue of Snapshots will focus on our alumni who are the heroes behind the COVID-19 pandemic. We would love to share your story in that issue so please email us a few details at shpalumni@uab.edu. Again, thank you for all your efforts and your sacrifices. Sincerely, Andrew J. Butler, PhD Dean, UAB School of Health Professions SHP ALUMNI E-MAGAZINE • SPRING 2020 33 /uabshp /uab_shpuabshp uab_shp UAB School of Health Professions Stay connected with SHP during this time of social distancing — follow us on your favorite media outlet and stay up-to-date on news, webinars and virtual events. SHP ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT GO because... ◗ You can grow relationships. ◗ You have much to offer and there is so much to do. ◗ The bigger your commitment, the greater the rewards. GIVE because... ◗ It builds stronger programs. ◗ It helps extend your legacy. ◗ Somebody gave back to support you. SERVE because... ◗ It shows gratitude for your gifts and talents. ◗ We are all connected. ◗ It creates a self-sustaining ecosystem in perpetuity. How Blazers Social Distance ➤ uab.edu/shp/alumni ➤ uab.edu/coronavirus PT Alumni Reception at CSM in Denver, CO. ONE MSHA Campaign Council Dinner Rachel Ashcraft (OT,2011) speaking at SHP’s Fall 2019 Commencement. STAY CONNECTEDSNAPSHOTS 4 In the last few weeks, we have all encountered unprecedented challenges. At UAB, we’re working together even though we are safely apart — the energy, passion and creativity of our faculty, staff and students remain strong. T hings might look different on campus, but our resilience and commitment to excellence have not changed. Great things are still happening every day. Social distancing won’t stop us from providing students with an outstanding education. We look forward to welcoming new students to the UAB family so continue to spread the word about why you are proud that you chose UAB. EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ◗ COVID CORNER – Learn about COVID-19 and the implications for PT practice from our Department of Physical Therapy. ➤ uab.edu/pt ◗ WEBINARS – The Department of Health Services Administration is providing monthly webinars for health care leaders. ➤ uab.edu/hsa ◗ NUTRITION TIPS – Learn how to prevent the Quarantine 15 from our Department of Nutrition Sciences. ➤ facebook.com/uabnutrition NEW PROGRAM RANKINGS Our Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy programs move up in the U.S. News & World Report rankings. A big portion of the ranking comes from our outstanding and engaging alumni. Your success and support enhances our national reputations. #23 MS IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY 3rd highest ranked program in Southeast #13 DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY 2nd highest ranked program in Southeast COVID-19 UPDATE SHP ALUMNI E-MAGAZINE • SPRING 2020 5 Join the Fight We’re all apart—but we’re all a part of the fight. We need you. Whether it’s fueling research, helping a student in need, or using our app to track your health, we need your help in the fight against COVID-19. Here are several ways you can support UAB’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. HELP RESEARCHERS FIND A CURE In order to care for those infected, find a vaccine, and protect our own lives, we need to build up our supplies and technology. Donate to the UAB Coronavirus Response Support Fund to treat patients as well as support our research for a COVID-19 cure. GIVE RELIEF TO STUDENTS IN CRISIS This pandemic has hit our students hard - from lost wages to unforeseen moving expenses and more. Your gift to the Student COVID-19 Emergency Fund can offset some of these financial burdens for our Blazer s. SUPPORT STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS The impact of COVID-19 won’t end when students return to campus. They will need financial assistance more than ever. Support the students following in your footsteps by donating to one of your program’s scholarship funds. FLATTEN THE CURVE WITH OUR APP SHP faculty, Sue Feldman and Mohanraj Thirumalai, along with Sarah Parcak (College of Arts and Sciences) created an app to track the progression of health in communities in real time. Report your symptoms to help flatten the curve. helpbeatcovid19.org FIND MORE WAYS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AGAINST COVID-19 AT ➤ uab.edu/coronavirus UAB COVID-19 UPDATESNAPSHOTS 6 SNAPSHOTS 6 ANNIE HO (Biomedical Sciences) As a first generation student, becoming part of the UAB alumni family means more to me than walking across the stage and getting my degree. It means setting the standard of education in my family and inspiring my younger cousins to value higher education. RACHEL THOMPSON (Healthcare Management) I hope to one day give back to the university as much as it has given me. As a first generation student, the impact that UAB has had on my life and my family is incomprehensible. Becoming a UAB alum will forever be a reminder of what I stand for and what I am capable of accomplishing. JASON O’DOWD (Physical Therapy) I am proud that my program stands for advocacy and leads in the advancement of our profession. I will join a long, diverse line of alumni who are passionate about increasing a patients’ quality of life. UAB instilled concrete leadership skills of respect, servant leadership, and lifelong learning that I will use in my career every day. CAITLIN MCMASTER (Occupational Therapy) To say that I am a UAB alum will mean that I am a graduate of a top 25 occupational therapy program and that I was given the education and resources to confidently step into a role as an OT. I can confidently say that my experiences here have helped me attain a degree in which I will truly make an impact. Let my journey begin and forever Blaze On! Student Today Blazer Forever Four SHP students share what it means to see their dream of earning a degree from UAB in 2020 come true. They cannot wait to join you as members of the SHP alumni family. SHP EXCELLENCE SHP ALUMNI E-MAGAZINE • SPRING 2020 7 Kidada Hawkins (MSHA Class 41) earned Becker’s - 70 African American leaders in healthcare to know. Kyle Akins (MSHA Class 41; MSHI, 2008) received the BBJ Women of Impact. Amanda Willig (NS, 2010) - 2020 Mentoring the Mentors Training Cohort, led by UCSF Center for AIDS Research. Alumni Accolades Our alumni are consistently recognized for service to their professions and to others — here are some of our most recent honorees. ➤ Share your achievements with us at shpalumni@uab.edu or 205-975-8415. Michelle Cardel (NS, 2009, 2012) is the 2019 Faculty Honoree, Anderson Scholar Award, University of Florida (UF). Jason Alexander (MSHA Class 28), Will Ferniany (MSHA Class 9 & PhD, 1983), Mazi Rasulnia (PhD, 2006) were named BBJ Most Influential Executives. David Williams (PhD, 2003) was a Fulbright Scholarship recipient. 2019 PT Clinical Specialists ◗ Meredith Anne Allan, 2012 ◗ Roslyn DeVonne Burton, 2008 ◗ Kristen Empfield, 2013 ◗ Amanda Fields, 2013 ◗ Jamie Anne Fisher, 2016 ◗ Caitlin Fockele, 2016 ◗ Cory Ryan Fuller, 2013 ◗ Dallas Dixon Gibson, 2016 ◗ Lacey Hill, 2017 ◗ Catherine A. Jones, 2010 ◗ Emily Peters McCombs, 2016 ◗ Brandon Pendegraft, 2016 ◗ Krysta Jeanette Posid, 2016 ◗ Colleen Renee Sandro, 1991 ◗ Dhara Shah, 2015 ◗ William D. Temple, 2010 ◗ Nolan Steven Williams, 2009 Jason Alexander (MSHA Class 28) Greg Hulsey (MSHA Class 30) Brenna Powell (MSHA Class 35) Ben Youree (MSHA Class 41) Congratulations to the 2020 UAB National Alumni Society Excellence in Business Top 25! SHP EXCELLENCEIDEAS SHP Alumni research seeks answers to health care’s big questions. RESEARCH FEATUREOur School has five distinctly different departments, yet our alumni have one thing in common – they never stop. They never stop wondering, questioning, or searching. They never stop amazing, answering, or finding. Meet four alumna with big ideas who will never stop searching for big answers until they succeed.Next >