UAB – Page 3 – P3 EQUATE Network

Tita and Team to Receive 2023 Top Ten Clinical Research Achievement Award from the Clinical Research Forum

UAB, CCTS, February 27, 2023

The research team led by Alan Tita, MD, PhD, will be honored with a 2023 Top Ten Clinical Research Achievement Award by the Clinical Research Forum (CR Forum) at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on April 17, 2023. Dr. Tita is the senior vice chair for Research and Innovation in the UAB Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, associate dean for Global and Women’s Health at the UAB Heersink School of Medicine, and director of the UAB Center for Women’s Reproductive Health. He is a CCTS Co-Investigator for Maternal/Fetal Medicine.

The Top 10 Clinical Research Achievement Awards honor groundbreaking achievements in clinical research from across the nation. The competition seeks to identify major advances in the biomedical field resulting from the nation’s investment in health and welfare. The Top 10 award recipients are selected by a CR Forum panel from among clinical research studies published in peer-reviewed journals in 2022. They are based on the degree of innovation and novelty involved in the advancement of science; contribution to the understanding of human disease and/or physiology; and potential impact upon the diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of disease.

Tita is being honored for his leadership in the CHAP (Chronic Hypertension and Pregnancy) study, the most comprehensive trial of chronic hypertension in pregnancy ever undertaken. “The Chronic CHAP trial addressed a decades’ old question regarding not only the safety but benefits of treating chronic hypertension during pregnancy and led to immediate changes in national guidelines” said Tita. “This award recognizes the power of clinical research and collaboration that took literally more than a village. I am grateful to the CR Forum and to all the investigators, staff, healthcare workers and of course the patients that made this trial successful.”

“The Top 10 Clinical Research Achievement Awards honor and celebrate the innovation, tireless efforts and profound contributions that clinical researchers and advocates have made on the health and wellness of humanity,” said Harry P. Selker, MD, MSPH, Chair of the CR Forum and Dean, Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute at Tufts University. “We congratulate the 2023 winners for their outstanding efforts.”

Single dose of azithromycin reduces maternal sepsis or death

UAB News, by Hannah Echols, February 9, 2023

A-PLUS co-leads Alan Tita, M.D., Ph.D. and Waldemar A. Carlo, M.D. Photography: Andrea Mabry — A-PLUS co-leads Alan Tita, M.D., Ph.D. and Waldemar A. Carlo, M.D.
Photography: Andrea Mabry.

Ten percent of maternal deaths are caused by infections that occur shortly before, during or after delivery. Maternal infections and sepsis, which is a serious complication of infections, are among the top five causes of maternal mortality worldwide. Maternal infection also increases the risk of neonatal sepsis, which accounts for 16 percent of newborn deaths.

A new study published today in the New England Journal of Medicine provides evidence that a single oral dose of azithromycin, a common antibiotic, reduced the risk of maternal sepsis or death by 33 percent in women who delivered vaginally. The results from the Azithromycin Prevention in Labor Use Study, or A-PLUS, trial led by investigators at the University of Alabama at Birmingham enhances information from previous UAB-led trials, which showed azithromycin administered before cesarean delivery reduced maternal infections.

The multi-country, randomized trial was conducted at eight sites in seven low- and middle-income countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and conducted by the NICHD Global Network for Women’s and Children’s Health Research. Published results were presented simultaneously at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s annual meeting in San Francisco, California.

“The World Health Organization and others have prioritized reducing maternal sepsis to reduce maternal deaths,” said Alan Tita, M.D., Ph.D., professor in the UAB Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and director of the UAB Center for Women’s Reproductive Health and Mary Heersink Institute for Global Health, and associate dean for Global and Women’s Health. “Studies confirming the effectiveness of azithromycin for vaginal delivery, which is the most common mode of delivery, were lacking. We wanted to find a low-cost intervention that could be used globally to address this problem.”

Heersink ODI Celebrates Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Virtual Grand Rounds featuring keynote speaker Dr. Alan Tita

Heersink School of Medicine, Written by Alex Isaacs, February 7, 2023

The Heersink School of Medicine Office for Diversity and Inclusion (Heersink ODI) recently held its virtual Diversity Grand Rounds, featuring Alan T. N Tita, M.D., Ph.D. as the keynote speaker. The annual event, held virtually during Second Look Weekend, was open to current faculty, staff, and potential UAB residents.

Mona Fouad, M.D., MPH—Associate Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Senior Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion at the Heersink School of Medicine—gave a warm welcome to attendees and emphasized the importance of creating a diverse and inclusive environment for students, trainees, faculty, and staff.

The Professional Excellence Awards

Before the keynote speaker, Fouad highlighted one way in which the successes of our diverse faculty at Heersink School of Medicine are recognized– the Professional Excellence Awards. The award recognizes one member from each of the four faculty associations who have excelled in research, teaching, and service within the past three years. Nominations are submitted by department chairs and division directors and then judged by the Heersink ODI Advisory Council.

This year, Heersink ODI received 33 nominees from 14 departments, the highest in the award program’s three-year existence. After review, the council selected four outstanding individuals as recipients of the 2023 Professional Excellence Award: Tamera Coyne-Beasley, M.D., MPH; Isabel Scarinci, Ph.D., MPH; Michele Kong, M.D., and Rodney O. Tucker, M.D., MMM, as the winners.

Fouad concluded the announcement by reiterating the importance of awards and events, such as this one, in continuing growth and understanding of the diverse world around us.

Fouad then turned the program over to Raegan Durant, M.D., MPH, associate dean for Diversity and Inclusion at the Heersink School of Medicine, to introduce the day’s speaker.

Unlocking Innovative Solutions for Local and Global Health: Join Dr. Alan Tita at Heersink ODI’s 2023 Diversity Grand Rounds

Office for Diversity and Inclusion, Heersink School of Medicine, February 1, 2023

The Heersink School of Medicine Office for Diversity and Inclusion (Heersink ODI) is excited to announce their upcoming virtual Diversity Grand Rounds, featuring Alan T. N. Tita, M.D., Ph.D, UAB Mary Heersink Endowed Chair of Global Health, Director of the Mary Heersink Institute of Global Health, and the Heersink School of Medicine Associate Dean for Global Health.

What are the Heersink ODI Diversity Grand Rounds?

Diversity Grand Rounds is an annual event hosted by Heersink ODI during Second Look Weekend. The event—which is open to current faculty, staff, and potential UAB residents—features a highly anticipated keynote speaker. This year, Dr. Tita will be welcomed to the virtual stage.

Following the lecture, Dr. Mona Fouad, Associate Vice President for UAB Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Senior Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion at the Heersink School of Medicine, will announce the winners of the 2023 Professional Excellence Awards.

This award recognizes one member from each of Heersink ODI’s faculty associations for their excellence in research, teaching, or service.

Congratulations to Dr. Alan Tita for their inductions into the National Academy of Medicine.

UAB Center for Women’s Reproductive Health, January 27, 2023

Congratulations to Dr. Marie-Carmella Ellie, Dr. James Markert and Dr. Alan Tita for their inductions into the National Academy of Medicine.

Tita named Mary Heersink Endowed Chair in Global Health

The Heersink School of Medicine, Written by Emily Liming Johns, January 25, 2023

Alan T. N. Tita, M.D., Ph.D., associate dean for Global and Women’s Health and inaugural director of the Mary Heersink Institute for Global Health was recently named the Mary Heersink Endowed Chair in Global Health.

Tita is a professor in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and senior vice chair of Research and Innovation for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He also serves as director of the UAB Center for Women’s Reproductive Health.

A leader in the field of obstetrics and gynecology, maternal-fetal medicine, and perinatal epidemiology, Tita strives to find solutions to shared global health challenges through research and innovative approaches. Tita is dedicated to providing excellent education for the next generation of health workers globally.

The Heersink School of Medicine communications staff sat down with Dr. Tita to discuss his new endowed chair position.

CHAP trial named a Notable Article of 2022 by the NEJM

The Heersink School of Medicine, Written by Shawna Masters, January 25, 2023

The UAB-led Chronic Hypertension and Pregnancy (CHAP) trial has been named one of the New England Journal of Medicine’s (NEJM) Notable Articles of 2022.

Each year, NEJM editors select a collection of articles to be recognized as “notable” from the previous year. Many of the 2022 articles selected received extensive news coverage, one being the CHAP trial.

The CHAP trial, led by principal investigator Alan Tita, M.D., Ph.D., was initially published in the NEJM in April 2022. The study provides, for the first time, evidence that treating mild chronic hypertension with medications is both safe and beneficial for the mother and the baby.

Congratulations to Dr. Rachel Sinkey for being named one of five 2023 James A. Pittman Jr., M.D., Scholars.

The Heersink School of Medicine, Written by Teresa Hicks, January 25, 2023

2023 Pittman Scholars Announced

The Heersink School of Medicine is pleased to announce the five faculty members being named the 2023 James A. Pittman Jr., M.D., Scholars.

The Pittman Scholars program recognizes the impacts of junior faculty and supports the recruitment and retention of highly competitive scientists and physician-scientists. The program is named for the late James A. Pittman, Jr., M.D., longtime dean of the medical school from 1973 to 1992. Pittman is considered a principal architect of the school for his ability to recruit top scientists and physicians to UAB.

Nominations are conducted by their department chairs based on their astounding research achievements and discoveries.

Tita inducted into National Academy of Medicine

Written by Shawna Masters, Heersink School of Medicine News, October 21, 2022

Alan T. Tita, M.D., Ph.D., professor and senior vice chair of Research and Innovation in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN), has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine (NAM).

Induction into NAM is considered one of the highest honors in health and medicine. Membership within the Academy recognizes those who have made major contributions to advance health care, medical sciences, and public health and have demonstrated a dedication to service.

“I am thankful to the Academy and the members who nominated me for this recognition,” says Tita. “This is the result of the support of our department and institution and extensive collaborations.”

The Academy specifically praised Tita as “an innovative and impactful perinatal epidemiologist and clinical trialist.” They noted his leadership of “large, collaborative, multi-center national and international trials and observational studies that have shifted practice and policy and improved the quality of national and global obstetric care.”

Tita, who was recently named the Mary Heersink Endowed Chair in Global Health, also serves as associate dean for Global and Women’s Health and director of the Center for Women’s Reproductive Health at UAB.

“This is amazing and humbling,” says Tita. “I have benefitted from the support and collaboration of so many colleagues and mentors. This is crucial for successful clinical research, and I think this honor rewards that collaboration.”

In 2022, alone, Tita led the groundbreaking Chronic Hypertension and Pregnancy (CHAP) trial that was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, and he was selected to lead the Coordinating Center of the P3 (Pregnancy and Postpartum/Postnatal) EQUATE (Enhancing Access and QUAlity To Achieve Equitable Maternal and Infant Health) Network.

National Academy of Medicine adds three UAB faculty to its distinguished ranks

UAB News, by Bob Shepard, October 17, 2022

Three faculty members of the Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have been invited to join the National Academy of Medicine, one of the highest honors that can be bestowed on a physician or scientist in the United States.

Marie-Carmelle Elie, M.D., chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine, James Markert, M.D., chair of the Department of Neurosurgery, and Alan Tita, M.D., Ph.D., professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and associate dean for Global and Women’s Health, join 13 current or former UAB faculty members who have been honored during their careers with selection to NAM. Membership in NAM is widely viewed as one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine, and is limited to individuals who have demonstrated both exceptional professional achievements and outstanding commitment to service.

“We congratulate and thank these outstanding faculty whose pioneering research, patient care and service have earned them this prestigious honor,” said UAB President Ray L. Watts. “UAB is very proud to now have seven faculty in this elite academy (and a total of 16 academy members in our history), which speaks to our leadership role — nationally and globally — in forging the future of medicine.”