DEVELOPMENT
RESOURCES – DEVELOPMENT
MARTHA ROBINSON TANKERSLEY ENDOWED PROFESSORSHIP IN TRANSPLANT CLINICAL EXCELLENCE
UAB Division of Transplantation Professor and Surgical Director of Kidney Transplantation Michael J . Hanaway , MD , was named the inaugural recipient of the Martha Robinson Tankersley Endowed Professorship in Transplant Clinical Excellence . A specialist in kidney and pancreas transplantation as well as live-donor surgery , Dr . Hanaway has played a key role in the UAB Division of Transplantation since he joined in February 2005 .
Dr . Hanaway oversees all aspects of UAB ’ s Kidney Transplant Program , with a special emphasis on pre-transplant evaluations . He advocates for equitable organ allocation and has served on committees for the United Network for Organ Sharing , including the Membership and Professional Standards Committee .
Upon completing her graduate studies in 2000 , Tankersley served as a nurse practitioner ( 2000-2006 ), kidney and pancreas transplant manager ( 2006-2009 ), and administrative director of transplantation ( 2009-2012 ).
In January 2013 , Tankersley accepted the role of associate vice president , transplant administrator with UAB Medicine , where she directs , integrates , and coordinates all activities necessary to support the growth and delivery of high-quality , cost-effective , and timely services within the UAB Comprehensive Transplant Institute ( CTI ). To date , the CTI has performed nearly 16,200 organ transplants – currently averaging over 400 transplants annually – and its programs rank among the nation ’ s leaders , both in the number of transplants performed and in patient outcomes .
In addition to mentoring surgical trainees , Dr . Hanaway also encourages knowledge-sharing and research in the field of transplantation as a reviewer for the American Journal of Transplantation , Transplantation , and The American Journal of Surgery . Over the past 17 years , he has performed many laparoscopic donor nephrectomies , and his research has focused on induction therapy in kidney transplantation .
Dr . Hanaway says he ’ s proud to receive the professorship established in honor of Martha Tankersley , MSN , RN , and her transformative commitment as the transplant administrator for UAB Medicine .
“ Knowing what Martha Tankersley has done to support the field of transplantation , it is a great honor to have received her endowed professorship ,” Dr . Hanaway says . “ I look forward to representing Martha , UAB Medicine , and the Comprehensive Transplant Institute in this role .”
About Tankersley Tankersley earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Boston College in 1987 and a Master of Science in nursing from UAB in 2000 . She participated in UAB ’ s RN intern program ( 1987-1988 ), and she served as a staff nurse ( 1988-1991 ) and as clinical transplant coordinator ( 1991-2000 ).
Tankersley ’ s years of experience and her commitment to excellence contributed to a strong foundation that fostered growth and stability for the Institute . She views this named professorship as an honor and an acknowledgement of the importance of the CTI ’ s administrative and clinical infrastructure , which supports its physicians and surgeons in achieving success .
In addition to helping retain and recruit top transplant surgeons , the endowment will enhance and support the mission and goals of the UAB Department of Surgery and the UAB Heersink School of Medicine – for the ultimate benefit of UAB , the Birmingham community , and patients from across Alabama and beyond .
“ We are so grateful to Martha for her incredible impact on transplantation surgery here at UAB and across the nation ,” says CTI Director Jayme Locke , MD , MPH . “ Her leadership has ensured that the surgeons , nurses , techs , administrators , and other staff in the UAB Comprehensive Transplant Institute are able to thrive in our clinical mission .”
44 UAB CTI Report