O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center Magazine Spring 2019 | Page 17

GIVING BACK
CANCER CENTER ADDS DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNICATIONS AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Danya H. Segrest, MPA
Hilary Murrell
Kendra Carter, MPA
The O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB
recently added new staff members to its administrative
team and Office of Development and Community
Relations.
Joining the Cancer Center as director of corporate
development and special events is Danya H. Segrest,
MPA. She is responsible for the cultivation and
stewardship of corporate and individual donors in
support of the Cancer Center’s major fundraising events,
including the annual ArtBLINK Gala and Fiesta Ball, and
serves as the liaison for the center’s Advisory Board and
Young Supporters Board. Segrest is a proud graduate
of UAB, where she received both her bachelor’s and
master’s degrees. Prior to joining the Cancer Center,
she worked as a development director for the American
Heart Association.
As corporate development and special events
coordinator, Hilary Murrell will also support the
Cancer Center’s signature events, including ArtBLINK,
Fiesta Ball and Lace Up for a Cure. Murrell, who
joined the Cancer Center in December 2018, earned
a bachelor’s degree in Communication & Journalism
from Auburn University in 2013 and a master’s degree in
Communication Management from UAB in 2017. She has
been a UAB employee since March 2015.
HYNSON RECOGNIZED AS VOLUNTEER
OF THE YEAR
The Advisory Board of the O’Neal Comprehensive
Cancer Center at UAB honored board member Lessley
Hynson as its Volunteer of the Year. Hynson, who joined
the Advisory Board in 2014, is a dedicated volunteer on
the Patient and Family Services Committee who faithfully
devotes her time to activities that benefit cancer
patients.
Pictured L-R are Lessley Hynson, 2017-2018 Advisory
Board President Mitzi Davis and Cancer Center Director
Michael J. Birrer, M.D., Ph.D.
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O ’ N E A L CO M PR EH EN S I V E C A N C ER C EN T ER AT UA B
Karen Beeching
Brenda Evans
Also new to the Cancer Center is Kendra Carter, MPA. In
her role as marketing specialist, she serves as the editor
of the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center Magazine
and is responsible for executing communications
strategy on the Cancer Center website and its social
media channels. Carter is a graduate of both Auburn
University and UAB, and previously served for five years
as a communications specialist in the UAB School of
Medicine.
Karen Beeching joined the Cancer Center in April 2018
as executive assistant to the director, Michael J. Birrer,
M.D., Ph.D. Beeching has been part of the UAB team for
the past 12 years before her move to the Cancer Center.
With her she brings extensive experience in project
management, human resources and finance.
Brenda Evans joined the Cancer Center team as
receptionist in July 2018. In her role, Brenda is the
welcoming face for the Cancer Center, responsible for
greeting and assisting guests who arrive at the front
desk and tackling myriad administrative tasks. Prior
to her role in the Cancer Center, Evans served at UAB
for three years in the Office of Gift and Biographical
Records.
MAYOR WOODFIN
VISITS THE
CANCER CENTER
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin saw first-hand
how the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at
UAB advances its mission of cancer research and care
during a visit and tour of the center on October 31,
2018. During his visit, Woodfin met with Cancer Center
Director Michael J. Birrer, M.D., Ph.D., and Advisory
Board President Robert Carr, as well as Board members
Mitzi Davis and Trisha Dodson.
He also got an inside look at some of the facilities that
make the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center among
the nation’s best cancer research institutions, including
the breast cancer research lab of Rajeev Samant, Ph.D.,
and Lalita Shevde-Samant, Ph.D., and the Advanced
Imaging Facility, including the cyclotron, led by
Jonathan McConathy, Ph.D. and Suzanne Lapi, Ph.D.
UAB.EDU/CANCER
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