UAB Heersink School of Medicine is pleased to announce several new individuals joining the Department of Medical Education team. Four new staff members have started their roles since May, and a new staff member will join us at the end of June. The department also has a few members who are departing for other opportunities. Please join us in providing a warm welcome to these new additions and well wishes to those who have been pivotal to our team for many years.
Welcoming new team members
Madilyn DuBose joins UAB Heersink School of Medicine from HEAL United, where she served as Engagement Coordinator. She earned a bachelor’s degree in 2023 from UAB.
Madilyn will serve as a Program Coordinator II in Undergraduate Medical Education. She will handle administrative duties for UME while also coordinating the Learning Communities mentors and Project AHEAD. She began work in this role on May 18, 2025.
Jennifer Handrop, Ed.D. joins UAB Heersink School of Medicine from Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah, where she served as Manager of Admissions Operations. She holds a master’s degree from The University of Texas at El Paso and an Ed.D. from the University of Utah.
Dr. Handrop will serve as a Program Director II in the Office of Admissions and Enrollment Management. She will oversee admissions operations for the school’s M.D. program and will manage the admissions team to provide quality service to prospective and current medical students. She began this role on June 3, 2025.
Melanie Hurd joins the Department of Medical Education from Kid’s First Day School, where she served as a daycare teacher. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan in the Philippines. She has a background in clinical instruction, staff nursing, and extensive experience as a civil defense officer.
Melanie will serve in the Physician Scientist Development Office as a Program Coordinator I. She will assist with administrative duties for MSTP and PSDO projects. Additionally, she will coordinate the poster printing service for student and faculty researchers across campus, providing customer service. She will begin this role on June 30, 2025.
Megan Ruggiero joins UAB Heersink School of Medicine from the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership at UAB, where she served as Assistant Director of Student Success. She earned a master’s degree in English from Appalachian State University in 2011.
Megan will serve as a Senior Learning Specialist on the Academic Success team in Medical Student Services. She will provide learning support to students in the Finley, Hamilton, and McCallum learning communities and lead our peer education program, including MS1 study groups, large group sessions, and one-on-one tutoring. She began this role on June 2, 2025.
Stefanie Varghese, Ph.D., joins the Department of Medical Education from the Office of Interdisciplinary Graduate and Professional Studies at UAB, where she served as an instructor. She holds an MBA in Business Administration and a Ph.D. in Vision Science from UAB.
Dr. Varghese will serve as a Program Director II in the Physician Scientist Development Office (PSDO). She will provide primary administrative oversight for the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) and the PSDO. She will provide advising and mentorship medical students completing their training in MSTP. She will also assist students in the PSDO from their time as a medical student through their time as a resident. She began this role on May 19, 2025.
Wishing departing team members well
Laura Johnson has retired from the Department of Medical Education after serving as a Senior Learning Specialist for the Academic Success team in Medical Student Services since 2021. She provided crucial support to UAB medical students through one-on-one sessions and coordination of small and large group learning sessions. She was honored at the 2024 Argus Awards for winning Excellence in Medical Student Support.
Colin Quinn, M.D., Ph.D., has departed the Department of Medical Education, where he has served as a Postdoctoral Fellow since January 2025. He joined Heersink School of Medicine on the MSTP track and has served on the Medical Education Committee, Continuous Quality Improvement Committee, MSTP Admissions Community, Graduate Student Advisory Board, among others. He earned his M.D., Ph.D. degree in 2024 and is attending Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri to complete his surgery residency. He earned his M.D., Ph.D. degree in 2024 and has started his surgical residency at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.