National Academy of Medicine adds three UAB faculty to its distinguished ranks

UAB News, by Bob Shepard, October 17, 2022

National Academy of Medicine

Three faculty members of the Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have been invited to join the National Academy of Medicine, one of the highest honors that can be bestowed on a physician or scientist in the United States.

Marie-Carmelle Elie, M.D., chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine, James Markert, M.D., chair of the Department of Neurosurgery, and Alan Tita, M.D., Ph.D., professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and associate dean for Global and Women’s Health, join 13 current or former UAB faculty members who have been honored during their careers with selection to NAM. Membership in NAM is widely viewed as one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine, and is limited to individuals who have demonstrated both exceptional professional achievements and outstanding commitment to service.

“We congratulate and thank these outstanding faculty whose pioneering research, patient care and service have earned them this prestigious honor,” said UAB President Ray L. Watts. “UAB is very proud to now have seven faculty in this elite academy (and a total of 16 academy members in our history), which speaks to our leadership role — nationally and globally — in forging the future of medicine.”

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UNC, N.C. A&T Team to Lead Project to Address Social Determinants of Health in Women of Color

UNC Newsroom, July 12, 2022

As part of the American Heart Association’s pledge to address social determinants of health in women of color, Alison Stuebe, MD, and her team of researchers received a $2.4-million grant to develop a curriculum that cultivates trust among patients and health team members.

Read more at the UNC Newsroom website

N.C. A&T, UNC-CH RECEIVE $2.3M GRANT FROM AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION

NCAT AGGIE Newsroom, July 12, 2022

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (July 12, 2022) – A team from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has been awarded a four-year, $2.3 million grant from the American Heart Association to study ways to improve outcomes among women who are more likely to experience pregnancy complications because of poor heart health.

Read more at the NCAT AGGIE Newsroom website

$20 million awarded for research to improve outcomes in pregnancy, infant CVD health

The American Heart Association, Newsroom, July 12, 2022

The American Heart Association’s latest health equity research network will focus on identifying causes and finding solutions to improve outcomes among people who are more likely to experience pregnancy complications due to poor heart health

Read more at The American Heart Association website

American Heart Association awards $20 million for research to improve outcomes in pregnancy, CVD health

UAB News, by Hannah Echols, July 12, 2022

UAB Women and Infants Center
Photography: Steve Wood

More than one in four pregnancy-related deaths in the United States are tied to poor heart health, especially among people of color, putting both parents-to-be and their babies at risk, according to the American Heart Association Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2022 Update. To address this issue, the American Heart Association is funding a new $20 million initiative composed of a network of special projects focused on advancing the understanding of the factors underlying the disproportionate impact of pregnancy complications and deaths among Black and Native American pregnant people and those living in rural areas.

Scientists from University of Alabama at Birmingham Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine will help lead community engagement programs as a part of the American Heart Association’s Health Equity Research Network (HERN) on Disparities in Maternal-Infant Health Outcomes. The programs are part of the multi-pronged approach of the American Heart Association’s unprecedented pledge to aggressively address social determinants of health, while working to improve health equity for all communities.

“Social determinants of health contribute to approximately 80 percent of all cardiovascular risk, and structural racism in the health care system specifically impacts how people of color are treated across the spectrum of pre-conception, pregnancy and postpartum care,” said Michelle A. Albert, M.D., 2022-23 volunteer president of the American Heart Association. “Geographic disparities also exist among people living in rural communities who experience higher pregnancy-related mortality rates than people living in urban communities. We are excited to launch this new research initiative to support the fast-track advancement of science to improve pregnancy-related and infant health through improved health equity.” 

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