Inside Pediatrics Winter 2021

News, Honors and Awards

SEVEN PHYSICIANS RECEIVE LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM AWARDS FROM NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH Emily Johnston, M.D. , assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology; Melissa Mannion, M.D., MSPH , assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Rheumatology; Spencer Poore, M.D., MSCS , assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine; Robert Richter, M.D. , assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Critical Care; Emily Smitherman, M.D., MSCTR , assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Rheumatology; Tennille Webb, M.D. , assistant professor in the Division of Pediatric Nephrology; and Kent Willis, M.D. , assistant professor in the Division of Neonatology, received Loan Repayment Program (LRP) awards from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). These awards are part of a program established by Congress to help recruit and retain health professionals in the field of biomedical research. The cost of medical education and training may discourage physicians from pursuing careers in research for higher-paying private practice careers. The LRP provides physicians with financial assistance in exchange for a commitment to engage in NIH mission- relevant research. The program will repay up to $50,000 a year for an initial two- year period. Prescott Atkinson, M.D., Ph.D. , professor in the Division of Pediatric Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, has been awarded the inaugural Alabama Avocational Paleontologist Award (ALAP). This award was created to honor amateur paleontologists who have made outstanding contributions to the field of paleontology in Alabama. This award is made available by the Alabama Museum of Natural History and the Department of Museum Research and Collections, both of which are part of the University of Alabama Museums. DR. BHATIA RECEIVES AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TRANSPLANTATION AND CELLULAR THERAPY SURVIVORSHIP SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Smita Bhatia, M.D., MPH , professor in the Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, received the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Survivorship Special Interest Group (SIG). This award recognizes a SIG member for their outstanding work and dedication to survivorship practice in hematopoietic cell transplantation. Dr. Bhatia was recognized for her consistent, high-quality contributions to the field through publications, presentations, mentorship and leadership. DR. ATKINSON RECEIVES INAUGURAL ALABAMA AVOCATIONAL PALEONTOLOGIST AWARD

DR. BHATIA NAMED ASSOCIATE EDITOR OF JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY Smita Bhatia, M.D., MPH , professor in the Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, was appointed associate editor of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

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