2025 Annual Report

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

NATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND LOCAL IMPACT

Wozow recently participated in the ACGME Summit on Fostering Disability- Inclusive Health Care and Resident Education, which brought together individuals with lived disability experience and health care leaders from across the country. The summit focused on developing a framework to integrate disability education into residency training and improve access to timely, inclusive care. Locally, Wozow and Kassel serve on committees focused on accessibility, engagement, and inclusion within UAB and Children’s of Alabama. Their efforts address practical needs such as accessible clinical spaces, appropriate equipment, and accommodations for patients, families, and trainees, helping ensure children with disabilities receive care without unnecessary delays. They are also involved in advocacy related to insurance coverage, including ongoing conversations around Medicaid access for children with medical complexity. Securing appropriate coverage can reduce financial strain for families and allow caregivers to focus on meeting their child’s needs rather than navigating barriers to care.

“Disability should never compromise the quality of care someone receives.”

RACHEL KASSEL, M.D., PH.D.

RESEARCH INFORMED BY CAREGIVER VOICES

In addition to clinical and advocacy work, Wozow and Kassel are collaborating on an ongoing research project focused on caregiver well-being across Alabama. The study examines stress, isolation, and access to mental health and financial resources among caregivers whose primary responsibility is caring for a child with medical complexity. By engaging caregivers in community settings such as therapy centers and day cares, the research aims to better understand their needs while identifying ways to make caregiving more sustainable. The long-term goal is to help improve quality of life for caregivers by connecting them with resources that support both their mental well-being and financial stability.

LOOKING AHEAD

Wozow and Kassel share a vision of a health care system where disability-inclusive care reduces wait times, meets the full spectrum of patient needs, and recognizes caregivers as essential partners in care. Their work reflects the Department of Pediatrics’ commitment to advancing clinical excellence, education, and research while supporting families beyond the exam room.

“Disability should never compromise the quality of care someone receives,” said Kassel.

Through sustained efforts in clinics, classrooms, research initiatives, and community partnerships, Wozow and Kassel continue working to create a more accessible, compassionate health care experience for children with disabilities and the caregivers who support them every day. ●

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CHILDREN’S OF ALABAMA | UAB MEDICINE