FACULTY MENTOR AWARD , PROFESSORSHIP ESTABLISHED IN HONOR OF DR . DEIERHOI
In early June 2020 , the UAB Department of Surgery family lost a giant in the field of surgery , transplantation , and medicine : Mark Deierhoi , MD . Dr . Deierhoi joined UAB in 1986 and was instrumental in the rich history of transplantation at UAB – especially in the renal transplant program – and across Alabama .
In honor of Dr . Deierhoi and his dedication to education , the department created the Mark Deierhoi Faculty Mentor Award . Voted on by the PGY3 & PGY4 classes , this annual award will recognize a surgical faculty member who exhibits the characteristics of mentorship , patience , and dedication to surgical training that Dr . Deierhoi exemplified during his 34 years of service to the UAB Department of Surgery . The established award comes with a cash stipend that winners can designate to the charity of their choice . Director of Pancreas Transplantation Carlton Young , MD , was the first recipient .
DEVELOPMENT
This year , in lieu of the annual chief celebration , the 2020 general surgery chief residents donated to the newly established award and ask that the department and community do the same . If you would like to donate to the Mark Deierhoi Faculty Mentor Award , please visit go . uab . edu / markdeierhoifacultymentorshipaward .
PROFESSORSHIP Prior to his death , the Department of Surgery created the Mark H . Deierhoi , MD , Endowed Professorship . Professor of Transplantation and Comprehensive Transplant Institute Director Jayme Locke , MD , MPH , was selected as the inaugural recipient . She was honored at the UAB School of Medicine ’ s Endowed Chairs and Professorships Reception in late 2019 .
“ I am both humbled and honored to hold this title ,” says Dr . Locke , one of his mentees . “ Without question , Dr . Deierhoi has positively impacted my career , and I will be forever grateful .”
Formally approved by the UAB Board of Trustees in April , the endowment supports the recruitment or retention of an experienced national leader in the field of surgery and seeks to enhance the academic stature and mission of the department .
Mark H . Deierhoi , MD
LEGACY Dr . Deierhoi primarily served in UAB ’ s kidney transplant program , where he performed roughly 2,500 kidney transplants over the course of his 34-year career . That ’ s about 25 % of all kidney transplants performed at UAB to date .
He left an indelible mark on practitioners , surgeons , trainees , and patients across the globe . Dr . Deierhoi has been described as a wonderful educator , mentor , and role model , and his residents admired his patient nature and commitment to teaching . Walking into a room , he brought with him a sense of calmness and strength that was felt by those around him . His superb technical skills in the operating room , compassion for patients , and enthusiasm for resident training allowed him to touch the lives of many , reminding us that one person has the capability to positively impact countless individuals and communities .
uabmedicine . org / refertransplant 7