New Faculty
Dr. Elizabeth Barstow joined CCHS as founding director of its new Occupational Therapy Program. In the role, she will lead the development, accreditation and launch of the new doctoral degree program, which is expected to begin enrolling students within the next several years. Barstow earned a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn. She received a master’s degree in occupational therapy from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a PhD in education from UAB.
Dr. Emily Brown joined the Department of Family, Internal, and Rural Medicine as a clinical assistant professor. She received her medical degree from the UAB Heersink School of Medicine in Birmingham, Ala. She completed her residency training at The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa Family Medicine Residency Program, which is operated by CCHS.
Dr. William Brooks Burns joined the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine as a clinical assistant professor. Burns earned his medical degree from the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine at the University of South Alabama in Mobile. He completed his residency at the university’s Psychiatry Residency Program, where he served as chief resident.
Dr. Robert Dale joined CCHS as founding director of its new Physical Therapy Program. In the role, he will lead the development, accreditation and launch of the new doctoral degree program, which is expected to begin enrolling students within the next several years. Dale earned a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from the University of South Alabama in Mobile. He received a master’s degree in education in exercise science from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He earned a PhD in kinesiology from The University of Alabama and a doctoral degree in physical therapy from the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga.
Dr. Dustin Marshall joined the Department of Family, Internal, and Rural Medicine as a clinical assistant professor. Marshall earned his medical degree from the UAB Heersink School of Medicine in Birmingham, Ala. He completed his residency training at Prisma Health Family Medicine Residency in Columbia, S.C., and a sports medicine fellowship at CCHS.
Dr. Ginger Medders joined the Department of Family, Internal, and Rural Medicine as a clinical assistant professor. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from The University of Alabama and her medical degree from the UAB Heersink School of Medicine in Birmingham, Ala. Medders completed her residency training at the UA Tuscaloosa Family Medicine Residency Program and a sports medicine fellowship at the University of South Alabama in Mobile.
Dr. Meghan Meyers joined the Department of Family, Internal, and Rural Medicine as an assistant professor and CCHS Rural Programs as an assistant director. She served previously as project coordinator for the University of Missouri School of Medicine’s Rural Scholars Program. Meyers earned her bachelor’s degree in health science from Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo., and master’s degrees in public health and health administration from Missouri State University in Springfield. She earned a Doctor of Education degree in educational leadership from the University of Missouri in Columbia.
Dr. Madison Peoples joined the Department of Family, Internal, and Rural Medicine as a clinical assistant professor. She earned a master’s degree in rural community health at The University of Alabama. Peoples earned her medical degree from the UAB Heersink School of Medicine and completed her residency training at the UA Tuscaloosa Family Medicine Residency Program, which is operated by CCHS.
Dr. Victoria Smith joined the Department of Family, Internal, and Rural Medicine as a clinical assistant professor. Smith earned her medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine in Sint Maarten and completed her residency training at the UA Tuscaloosa Family Medicine Residency Program, which is operated by CCHS.
Dr. Andy Thomas joined the Department of Family, Internal, and Rural Medicine as a clinical assistant professor. Thomas earned his medical degree from the UAB Heersink School of Medicine in Birmingham, Ala., and completed his residency training at the UA Tuscaloosa Family Medicine Residency Program, which is operated by CCHS.
Dr. Hui Wang joined the Department of Community Medicine and Population Health as an assistant professor. He worked previously as a research data analyst with the CCHS Institute for Rural Health Research. Wang earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in applied statistics from The University of Alabama.
Promotions
Dr. Shawn Cecil was promoted to clinical associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics.
Dr. Nathan Culmer, director of academic technologies and faculty development for CCHS, was promoted to associate professor.
Dr. Marisa Giggie was promoted to clinical full professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine.
Dr. Drake Lavender was promoted to clinical professor in the Department of Family, Internal, and Rural Medicine.
Dr. John McDonald was promoted to clinical full professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Dr. Cheree Melton was promoted to clinical associate professor in the Department of Family, Internal, and Rural Medicine.
Dr. Ashley Steiner was promoted to clinical associate professor in the Department of Family, Internal, and Rural Medicine
Dr. Grier Stewart was promoted to clinical professor in the Department of Family, Internal, and Rural Medicine.
Dr. Ray Stewart was promoted to clinical associate professor in the Department of Family, Internal, and Rural Medicine.
Dr. Lea Yerby was promoted to research professor in the Department of Community Medicine and Population Health.
Appointments
Dr. Meenakshi Arora, associate professor in the Department of Translational Science and Medicine, was appointed chair of the department. In the role, she leads the department’s efforts to develop educational and research opportunities that connect scientific discovery with clinical and healthcare applications.
Dr. Russ Guin, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Family, Internal, and Rural Medicine, was appointed director of The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa Family Medicine Residency Program, which is operated by CCHS. The residency, one of the largest family medicine residencies in the U.S., provides graduate medical education in the specialty of family medicine.
Dr. M.N.V. Ravi Kumar, Distinguished University Research Professor in the Department of Translational Science and Medicine, was appointed associate vice president for Interdisciplinary Research for The University of Alabama. In the role, Kumar provides strategic leadership to promote cross-campus research collaborations, with a particular focus on the life sciences.
Dr. Cecil Robinson, director of learning and evaluation at CCHS, was appointed associate dean for curriculum and evaluation. In the role, he oversees curriculum development, integration and evaluation across the College’s education programs, and he helps ensure the programs meet accreditation standards while supporting learning and program effectiveness.