Faculty
Dr. Brian Sims
University department: Neonatology
University job title: Assistant Professor
Dr. Sims works diligently to eliminate health care disparities in the Birmingham community and demonstrates his true passion of working with students by mentoring 30 minority students in basic science research projects.
His involvement in the summer medical enrichment program brings promising minority students from across the Southeast to UAB. His commitment to minority students has made the world of academic medicine accessible to the next generation of medical professionals.
His commitment has also been acknowledged through the receipt the Harold Amos Medical Faculty Development Program Scholar grant.
Dr. Isabel Scarinci
University department: Preventive Medicine
University job title: Assistant Professor
Dr. Scarinici of the faculty award has developed groups of peer educators for the prevention of cancer in Latin American immigrants as well as working in African American churches to develop peer support mechanisms to address issues of health disparities of cancer within the community.
She has established international relationships that have opened doors for international collaborations for UAB.
She has also been recognized for her work within diverse communities by the UAB Outstanding Women Faculty and the UAB Odessa Woofolk awards.
Staff
Marsha Kelly-Sutton
University department: School of Medicine Minority Enhancement
University job title: Program Administrator II
Mrs. Kelly-Sutton has been described as being the heart, soul and continuity of the diversity recruitment and retention efforts for students within the School of Medicine. Her motivation and hard work has been demonstrated by her advances from Office Associate III to currently Program Administrator. These promotions were received while she was providing service to the community and advancing her own education. Her efforts to promote social engagement between people of varying backgrounds are noteworthy and exemplify the positives of imagination, hope and determination.
Professional student
Sonia Nkashama
University department: School of Dentistry
University job title: Student Assistant
Ms. Nkashama has spearheaded the Student National Dental Association’s successful fundraising project last year, and has taken the lead in organizing and providing programs for local schools, churches and community groups, such as health fairs and screening at Cahaba Valley Healthcare, Grace House Ministries, Inc., and Hands On Birmingham.
The nominee is also dedicated to increasing awareness of dental careers for high school and college students from underrepresented groups. During the summer following her freshman year, she developed and implemented a pre-adolescent oral health program called “Sammy Shark’s Smile Squad” for semi-rural at risk children aged 8-13 years.
Graduate student
Dr. Irene Tami
Year: Doctoral Candidate
University department: School of Public Health
University job title: Program Coordinator II
Dr. Tami has assisted with numerous global health outreach initiatives to promote educational and social engagement with people throughout the world. She has facilitated communication with nurses and other health providers throughout Latin America, helping to coordinate the Network of Child Health Nurses. In addition, she has also been key in coordinating the International Nursing Leadership Program which will be offered through the School of Nursing’s World Health Organization Collaborating Center for International Nursing which targets nurses from Zambia and Latin America. The nominee also coordinates a weekly Spanish language discussion table.
Undergraduate student
Kelli Money
Major: Chemistry
Year: Senior
Ms. Money’s nomination letters recognized this student as having outstanding commitment to diversity. This commitment has been demonstrated in her work with the Community Engagement Committee, the Alabama Hands-on Activity Science Program as well as being a Spanish Translator at Cooper Green Hospital to name a few.
This first generation college student has consistently placed a priority on service to diverse populations within the University by promoting equitable education and social engagement with and between people of varying ethnic, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds.