Kloess Participating in Research Study
Dr. Price Kloess, the Founder and Medical Director of the Alabama Vision Center, is participating in a research study using a new investigational intraocular lens for the correction of near-sightedness (glasses prescription between -6.00 and -16.50 Diopters.) Patients who not eligible for LASIK or other corneal surface procedures may be eligible for this procedure. This investigational lens is currently being evaluated in Europe, Canada, and the United States. The Alabama Vision Center is one of the United States clinical centers that will be participating in this research study.Dr. Kloess, who is Board Certified with the American Board of Ophthalmology and a Fellow with the American Academy of Ophthalmology, recieved his MD from the University of Alabama School of Medicine. He was involved in the original FDA Excimer Laser Study and was the first to perform refractive surgery in the Air Force.
UAB Health System Donates $1 Million to UAB School of Nursing
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Health System has given the UAB School of Nursing $1 million to start an intensive 24 to 36 month master's program for persons who have a bachelor's degree in any field.This second degree program is designed to introduce 45 new nurses annually into the workforce, in addition to the more than 250 students currently graduated annually through the bachelor's and master's programs offered by the UAB School of Nursing.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 1.2 million new and replacement nurses will be needed by 2014 and, of this number, federal analysts project that more than 703,000 will be newly created RN positions that will account for 40 percent of all new jobs in the health care sector.
Alabama will not escape this crisis. The Alabama Hospital Association estimates the demand for nurses will increase by 25 percent over the next five years.
"Nurses are the front line for medical needs," said UAB School of Nursing Dean Doreen Harper, PhD. "These intensive programs have proven to be highly effective in other states in easing the burden of nursing vacancies and adding to the pool of needed nursing faculty. Everyone at the UAB School of Nursing is excited to be partnering with the UAB Health System to respond to the growing nurse shortage."
Children's Hospital Annouces Winners of Nursing Excellence Awards
Winners of the Children's Hospital 2007 Nursing Excellence Awards were honored recently for the outstanding quality of care they provide their young patients. Awards were presented during the hospital's Nursing Excellence Celebration held earlier this month during National Nurses Week.Nominations for each of 13 categories were received from physicians, coworkers and patient families based on specific criteria, and reviewed by a panel of judges. A winner was selected for each category:
· Theresa Rogers, Expert Clinical Advanced
Practical Nurse
· Jamie Kelsey,
Patient/Family Advocate
· Christy Carlson, Nurse Mentor
· Tarrika Everett,
Expert Nurse Leader
· Courtney Allinder,
Outstanding New Graduate
· Cathy Mims,
Expert in Quality Improvement/
Research/Evidence Based Practice
· Lori McAnnally,
Outstanding Assistant
· LaShaunda Ruffin,
Expert Clinical Staff
Nurse Acute Care
· Kenna Anderson,
Expert Clinical Staff Nurse
Ambulatory Care
· June Fahey,
Expert Clinical Staff Nurse
Critical Care
· Tracy Cartwright,
Expert Clinical Staff Nurse
Surgical Services
· Vicki Hill,
Expert Nurse
Non-traditional Role
· Jimmy Barnett,
Expert Nurse Educator
Local Doctors Elected/Recognized by Medical Association
During their annual meeting in April, the Medical Association of the State of Alabama elected Pamela D. Varner, MD, of UAB's Department of Anesthesiology, as president-elect of their organization. Dr. Varner will take office as president in May 2008 and will serve a term of one year. The association also recognized Dr. Varner for her distinguished service as a member of their Board ofCensors. Dr. Varner has served on MASA's Board since 1997 and prior to that was vice president.
Birmingham anesthesiologist Paul M. Nagrodzki, MD, was elected to the Medical Association of the State of Alabama's Board of Censors during their annual meeting in April.
Birmingham physician Juan Johnson, MD, was re-elected for a second term to the Medical Association of the State of Alabama's Board of Censors during their annual meeting in April. Dr. Johnson was first elected to the Board in 2005.
T. Michael Harrington, MD, of UAB's Department of Family and Community Medicine, was appointed secretary/treasurer of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama on April 14 during their annual business meeting. Dr. Harrington previously served MASA as vice president in 2005-2006.
Birmingham obstetrician and gynecologist Davis S. McKee, MD, was elected to the Medical Association of the State of Alabama's Council on Medical Service on April 14 during their annual business meeting. The council serves as the socioeconomic arm of MASA by concentrating on issues such as managed care, medical economics and specialty society issues.
Birmingham pulmonologist Allan R. Goldstein, MD, was recognized by the Medical Association of the State of Alabama for his distinguished service as president of MASA for 2006-2007. Dr. Goldstein has served the association on its Board of Censors since 2001 and served as vice president in 1999-2000. The award was presented during the association's annual business meeting.
Dennis W. Boulware, MD, senior associate dean for education at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, was recognized by the Medical Association of the State of Alabama for his distinguished service as vice president of MASA for 2006-2007. The award was presented during the association's annual business meeting.
Jack H. Hasson, MD, of Birmingham, was recognized for distinguished service to the Medical Association of the State of Alabama's Council on Medical Service on April 14 during their annual business meeting. The council serves as the socioeconomic arm of MASA by concentrating on issues such as managed care, medical economics and specialty society issues.