Inside Pediatrics Winter 2019

WEBB, LOPEZ RECEIVE NIH LOAN REPAYMENT AWARDS Tennille Webb, M.D. , Pediatric Nephrology, and Michael Lopez, M.D., Ph.D. , Pediatric Neurology, received Loan Repayment Program (LRP) awards from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Webb received her award through the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Lopez received his award through the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. The awards are for a period of two years. According to the LRP website, “The NIH Loan Repayment Programs (LRPs) are a set of programs established by Congress and designed to recruit and retain highly qualified health professionals into biomedical or biobehavioral research careers. The escalating costs of advanced education and training in medicine and clinical specialties are forcing some scientists to abandon their research careers for higher- paying private industry or private practice careers. The LRPs counteract that financial pressure by repaying up to $50,000 annually of a researcher’s qualified educational debt in return for a commitment to engage in NIH mission-relevant research. Since tomorrow’s medical breakthroughs will be made by investigators starting in their research careers today, the LRPs represent an important investment by NIH in the future of health discovery and the well-being of the Nation. Amy CaJacob, M.D. , Pediatric Allergy & Immunology, will serve as the president of the Alabama Society of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology for the 2019-2020 term. In 2020, the Alabama Society of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology will celebrate its 41st year. Among CaJacob’s responsibilities as president is planning the annual conference. “Our largest event is an annual conference in Sandestin, Florida, with nationwide representation. I am looking forward to planning a successful, diverse meeting focused on food allergy, oral immunotherapy and eosinophilic gastroenteropathies,” CaJacob said. PERCY NAMED BATEH ENDOWED PROFESSOR Alan Percy, M.D. , Pediatric Neurology, has been appointed the first holder of the Sarah Katherine Bateh Endowed Professorship for Rett Syndrome in the UAB School of Medicine. Dr. Percy is a leading expert on this neurodevelopmental disorder and is a national leader in pediatric neurology and genetics. He runs the UAB Rett Syndrome Clinic at Children’s of Alabama, one of the few centers in the United States that specializes in the diagnosis and care of individuals with the disorder, conducts clinical and basic research, and works to educate and promote Rett Syndrome awareness. “We have been investigating Rett syndrome for more than 35 years, particularly since 1992 at UAB,” Percy said. “This honor recognizes both this dedication and our continued progress and provides us with a pathway to promoting exemplary care and exploring effective disease-modifying treatment.” Children’s of Alabama, together with the Suki Foundation, provided the supporting funds. The Suki Foundation was established in 2012 in honor of Sarah Katherine Bateh with the goal of making a difference in the lives of children diagnosed with Rett syndrome through the raising of funds to expand and accelerate research efforts and work toward a better understanding, new treatments and a potential cure. CAJACOB ELECTED PRESIDENT OF ALABAMA SOCIETY OF ALLERGY ASTHMA AND IMMUNOLOGY

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