O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center Magazine Spring 2020 | Page 3

INTRODUCING
Anna M. Waters, M.A.
Editor
Anna Waters joined the O’Neal Comprehensive
Cancer Center in December 2019 to manage the
Cancer Center’s magazine, website and branding
efforts.
Waters comes to the Cancer Center from the
UAB departments of Surgery, Neurosurgery and
Orthopaedic Surgery, where she most recently
served as communications specialist.
In 2014, she earned her
bachelor’s degree in visual
journalism from The University
of Alabama, where she focused
primarily on layout design and
print media. She remained in
Tuscaloosa until 2016, when
she earned her master’s degree
in traditional journalism.
COVER STORY
8
Curran Umphrey
Communications Coordinator
As a Birmingham native and former O’Neal
Comprehensive Cancer Center public relations
intern, Curran Umphrey is thrilled to be back in her
hometown working full time as the Cancer Center’s
communications coordinator.
UAB SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
In May 2019, Umphrey
graduated from Auburn
University with a bachelor’s
degree in public relations and
a double minor in Spanish
and marketing. Prior to this
position, she interned at an
Auburn-based PR, marketing
and design agency.
Senior Vice President for Medicine and Dean
Selwyn M. Vickers, M.D., FACS
O’NEAL COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER
MAGAZINE
Editor
Anna Waters
Medical Advisor
Barry Sleckman, M.D., Ph.D.
Writers
Christina Crowe
Holly Gainer
Laura Gasque
Savannah Koplon
Adam Pope
Bob Shepard
Beena Thannickal
Curran Umphrey
Anna Waters
Matt Windsor
Art Director
Erick Guillen
Photographers
Andrea Mabry
Dustin Massey
Mike Strawn
Curran Umphrey
Anna Waters
Steve Wood
UAB Athletics
UAB News
Printing
UAB Print Services
18
22
29
Quick Takes ............................................2
COVER STORY | Great Expectations:
O’Neal Cancer Center Introduces Barry P. Sleckman ....... 8
Connecting the Dots:
UAB Launches Signature Service Line for Cancer .........14
Treatment Meets Tech:
UAB Opens Infusion Therapy, Proton Therapy Facilities ....18
Bouncing Back:
UAB Basketball Player Beats Testicular Cancer ............22
A Bold Move in the Blood Cancer Battle:
Researcher’s Clinical Trial Earns Standing Ovation . .......25
Scientists of Tomorrow:
Shannon E. Meier .....................................28
O’Neal Cancer Center Presents ArtBLINK 2020:
Gala Raises $767K for Fund for Excellence ...............29
Difficultas Ne Deterrem:
O’Neal Steel’s Historic Magnolia Tree
Joins Cancer Center as Art Installation ..................35
Visit go.uab.edu/onealcccmag or email [e-mail]
to receive a free subscription to the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center
magazine or to request a change to your subscription information.
Produced by the Office of Development & Community Relations at the
O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB.
UAB.EDU/CANCER
1