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Developing a blood clot in the lungs is a relatively common life-threatening condition, and a number of new technologies have emerged that provide multiple options for treatment of such pulmonary emboli. To give our patients at UAB the best possible care for their particular situation, a multi-disciplinary team of physicians have established a PERT, or Pulmonary Embolism Response Team.

The Department is delighted to celebrate three recipients of the inaugural President’s Award for Excellence in Shared Values, which this year honors Blazers who demonstrated one or more of UAB’s shared values in the course of their work during the extraordinary times presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Above: Dr. Stefanie Krick (Assistant Professor, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care) connects Emory University student Noor Abi Rached via the e-Medicine platform to conduct a patient visit in the UAB Adult Cystic Fibrosis Clinic.

In order to give pre-medical students an opportunity to safely observe physicians at work, DOM faculty have piloted a "teleshadowing" educational experience in select clinics. Initial feedback indicates that the students value the opportunity to participate in remote observation, and physicians find it easy to manage. Dr. Carmel McNicholas-Bevensee (Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology) notes that there are currently more than 60 students who have expressed interest in the program. She hopes to enlist more clinicians to meet this need.

Pictured above: Drs. Overton and Hofmann in the COVID-19 Respiratory Clinic.

While working in the UAB COVID-19 Respiratory Clinic, Jo Hofmann, MD (Clinical Assistant Professor, Infectious Diseases) realized that many of her patients had previously received steroid prescriptions that were contraindicated for treating COVID-19 in the first seven days of illness. She began working with Clinic Director Turner Overton, MD (Professor, Infectious Diseases) to address this issue by drafting a set of guidelines to formalize UAB’s approach to managing outpatients with COVID-19. The document contains information based on NIH current guidance, with information about evaluating patients, protocols for using monoclonal antibody therapy, and options for supportive care of symptoms. Read the guidance here.

In 2020, we have not only endured unthinkable suffering and loss, we have also experienced times of caring and brilliance.