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Alumni Association News
Nation’s Pediatricians Select
UASOM Alumnus as New Leader
The nation’s pediatricians have chosen a new leader, and he’s one of
our own. Carden Johnston, M.D., FAAP, was elected as the vice president
of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) at the organization’s
annual meeting in June 2002. He took office as the president-elect in
October 2002 and recently began serving as president for 2003–2004.
The AAP is the nation’s largest pediatric organization, with more
than 58,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical specialists,
and pediatric surgical specialists.
In taking the office of president, Johnston has identified two issues he
believes are essential to securing optimal child health and well being.
“My first priority is financial access to health care for all grandchildren,”
he says. “As a grandparent myself, I know firsthand how important
grandchildren are to their grandparents. To that extent, I believe pediatricians
and grandparents are natural allies.” With this in mind, Johnston
plans to work with the AARP on several child-related health projects.
Johnston’s other issue of primary importance as he takes office is
obesity prevention in children. Today’s children are heavier than
ever—a trend that shows no sign of slowing down any time soon.
Johnston says, “By tracking body-mass indexes in children, we have an
opportunity for early detection of those who are becoming overweight
or obese. Prevention is the cornerstone of pediatric care, and I believe
we can advance our advocacy efforts by exporting obesity-prevention
strategies into our other prevention activities. This is crucial not only
for our children today but also for our adults tomorrow; adult disease,
after all, begins in childhood.”
Johnston currently practices at Children’s Hospital and has served as
past president of the Alabama chapter of the AAP, chair of their Annual
Chapter Forum Committee, chair of their Section on Pediatric
Emergency Medicine, and a member of the AAP Board of Directors.
WHY BELONG TO THE MEDICAL
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION?
By Paul S. Howard, M.D.
It was February 1975. I was expecting a letter any day from the
UASOM Admissions Committee. Henry Hoffman had assured me
that my acceptance was imminent; nonetheless, I was anxious, uncertain,
and frankly scared of what the next four years might entail. I had
no idea what a doctor-in-training did, nor was I certain that I had
made the correct decision in applying to medical school. Yet even with my personal misgivings,
the notion of becoming a doctor made my parents so very proud that I knew it was my destiny.
The next four years would be the most intense and satisfying of my young life. Not only did
we all learn to be doctors, we were also required to make irrevocable decisions regarding future
training. These decisions shaped our future and were considered without enough information. I
suppose most of us chose well. Regardless, we as a group had achieved greatly. We would then
stumble forward into our careers forever known as the “class of 1979.”
I still see, talk with, and enjoy the company of many of my medical school classmates.
Although we rarely speak of it, we are all proud of our school. Whenever a UAB doctor is
quoted in the national press or UAB is touted as an important place, we all suppress a grin
and find ourselves walking a little taller. Many of us remember when today’s famous surgeon
or internist was a young faculty member or even our junior resident. Whether we will
admit it or not, we take collective pride in our medical school, our achievements, and the
achievements of all alumni.
The ultimate mission of the Alabama Medical Alumni Association is to be a voice for its membership.
We remain proud of who we are and where we come from. I like to think of UAB as an
institution not of bricks and mortar but one built on the history of its medical alumni. Our collective
memories and experiences are the foundation of a great school. Tinsley, Champ, and
Garber still reside in the clinics, labs, and operating rooms where we were created. Their legacy
must be nurtured and protected for the students and residents of today. We, the medical alumni,
are the ones to keep the traditions alive; it should be our charge to be the collective memory
of those who preceded us. Our mission is to remind the leaders of today where we have been and
on whose shoulders we have all ridden.
Is there a better reason to belong to the Medical Alumni Association? I think not.
Alumni, Let Us Hear From You
Please take a few minutes to share with us any personal or professional news for
publication in a future issue of the Alabama Medical Alumni Bulletin.
Name ______________________________________________ Today’s date __________ Year graduated ________ Specialty _______________________
Home address ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Business address ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Phone (H) _____________________ (W) ____________________ E-mail _________________________________________ Fax _________________
Spouse’s name ____________________________________ Children (if recent, include date of birth) __________________________________________
Personal/professional update (List names/dates of recent publications, awards, honors.)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Please return this form to: Elaine Chambless - Director of Alumni Affairs
The University of Alabama Medical Alumni Association - MAB • 811 20th Street South • 1530 3RD AVE S • BIRMINGHAM AL 35294-2140
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