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SPRING 2023 THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMING ® A DECADE OF GROWTH President Ray L. Watts celebrates 10 years of UAB achievements 2013-202310 YEARS SUCCESS DOESN’T JUST HAPPEN. It takes vision, courage and collaboration. It takes leadership and teamwork. It takes determination. And it takes careful planning. A decade ago, when Ray L. Watts, M.D., was named the seventh president of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the time was ripe for more audacious goals, more aggressive investments and more dramatic change. In 2023, as Dr. Watts becomes the longest-serving president in UAB history, the results are incontrovertible: UAB is bigger by every measure, more diverse than nearly every other peer institution and more prestigious than ever. Guided by our strategic plan, Forging the Future, and fueled by the passion and commitment of our people, this remarkable institution has only greatness ahead. This special edition of UAB Magazine commemorates the 10-year anniversary of Dr. Watts’ presidency and highlights our aspirations in 2013, our achievements in the ensuing decade and our ambitions for the future. nBe a part of the best. Be a part of UAB. #1 America’s Best Large Employer and #1 Best Employer for Diversity among colleges and universities Forbes, 2021 #1 Cybersecurity program in the U.S. Fortune, 2023 #1 Young U.S. University two years in a row 12 Young University worldwide Young University Rankings Times Higher Education, 2018, 2019 #1 Master of Science in health administration U.S.News & World Report, 2023 1st Health Promoting University in the nation International Health Promoting Campuses Network Top 8% of universities worldwide Best Global Universities, U.S. News & World Report, 2022-2023 11 Best Online Programs Best Online Colleges, U.S. News & World Report, 2023 UAB Online is #15 in the U.S. America’s Top Online Colleges, Newsweek, 2023 16 programs in Top 25 America’s Best Graduate Schools list, U.S. News & World Report, 2023 17th among all public universities for federal research funding NSF Higher Education Research and Development Survey, 2020 5 straight years Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award and Diversity Champion INSIGHT into Diversity magazine 8th largest hospital in the U.S. Becker’s Hospital Review, 2021 8 specialties ranked among top 50 programs of their kind Best Hospitals, U.S. News & World Report, 2021-2022 Rated highest among Best Hospitals for Maternity Care U.S.News & World Report, 2022-2023 Obstetrics and Gynecology is #5 in the nation U.S.News & World Report, 2022-2023 #10 and #CONTENTS ON THE COVER: Photo of President Ray L. Watts by Lexi Coon 6 ASPIRATIONS: 2013 In early 2013, UAB was on the rise. Led by a new president, kickstarted by a collaborative strategic planning process and fueled by the innovation of its people, the institution began its most successful decade to date. 14 ACHIEVEMENTS: 2013-2023 Grounded by the clear objectives outlined in Forging the Future, UAB’s strategic plan, the university has surpassed its goals across every institutional pillar. Explore the remarkable achievements of the past 10 years. 16 Education 24 Research, Innovation & Economic Development 34 Patient Care 44 Community Engagement 54 Economic Impact 56 Athletics 58 Diversity 60 Campus Master Plan 64 Advancement 68 AMBITIONS: 2023 AND BEYOND What does UAB’s future hold? The outlook is more than bright: more growth, more influence, and more transformative education, patient care, research and service to improve people’s lives. UAB MAGAZINE 3 MAGAZINE Vol. 41/1 Spring 2023 EDITOR, ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT OF CONTENT STRATEGY Julie Keith CREATIVE DIRECTOR Amy R. Bickell ART DIRECTOR Hagen Stegall DESIGN & ILLUSTRATION Jody Potter EDITORIAL TEAM Jim Bakken, Tucker Dillard, Tyler Greer, Linda Gunter, Haley Herfurth, Julie Keith, Katie McDowell, Bria Morgan, Alicia Rohan, Matt Windsor PHOTOGRAPHERS Lexi Coon, Andrea Mabry, Steve Wood DIGITAL ASSET MANAGER Amanda Abbett EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CREATIVE OPERATIONS Andrea Reiber PROJECT COORDINATOR Scarlett Miller PROOFREADER Diane Roberts ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT OF PR AND MARKETING Tyler Greer WEB/MULTIMEDIA UAB Digital Strategy & Marketing CHIEF DIGITAL STRATEGY & MARKETING OFFICER Rosie O’Beirne CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER Jim Bakken EXCELLENCE BEYOND HIGH EXPECTATIONS IN THE 10 YEARS since the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees chose Ray Watts to serve as president, he has led UAB to unprecedented and monumental success alongside dedicated and talented UAB students, faculty and staff, as well as passionate alumni, donors and fans. At its core, UAB exists to serve our state and improve lives through education, research, patient care and public service— a mission that deserves a leader whose standard is excellence. After President Watts transformed the School of Medicine as dean and senior vice president of Medicine, the Board knew he could take the university and Health System to new heights as president. While we had high expectations, it would have been hard—if not impossible—to imagine the tremendous level of success UAB has achieved in the past 10 years. Under his leadership—and with the full support and partnership of our Board and System Office—UAB is realizing its endless potential in every area of its mission. I hope you will enjoy this publication that highlights the often-astounding examples of growth UAB has delivered for its campus, city, state, country and beyond in the last 10 years, as well as President Watts’ aspirations for the future. As a son of Birmingham and graduate of UAB whose passion for improving lives is evident in everything he does, the successes of the last decade have only made him eager to achieve more. The University of Alabama System and our Board of Trustees look forward to many more years of working with President Watts as he and his extraordinary team continue to expand the institution’s influence for the greater good. On behalf of a grateful System Office and Board—and for the millions of people who benefit from his passion to improve lives—I sincerely thank and congratulate Ray on overseeing the most successful, influential decade in UAB’s history. Go, Blazers! Finis St. John Chancellor University of Alabama System UAB Magazine is published by UAB University Relations. Send questions, story suggestions and address changes to UAB Magazine, AB 1370, 1720 2ND AVE., S., BIRMINGHAM AL 35294-0113; (205) 975-6577; uabmagazine@uab.edu © 2023 The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama for the University of Alabama at Birmingham. UAB is an EO/AA/Disability/Veteran Employer. 4 UAB MAGAZINE A DECADE OF GROWTH RESEARCH FUNDING ECONOMIC IMPACT $ 715M FY2023 FY13: $379M 89% INCREASE $ 12.1B FY2022 CLINICAL TRIALS EXPENDITURES 3x since 2013 Total Industry Awards (including grants, funded clinical trials and services) 2013-2022 240 % FY08: $4.6B 163% INCREASE Total Revenues FY12-13: $3.14B +76 % FY21-22: $5.52B UAB Workforce 2013: 20.600+ +26 % 2022: 27,900+ PATIENT CARE FY13: $44.5M FY22: $151.3M Patient Visits 35 % 2013: 1.29M+ 2022: 1.97M+ +13 HOSPITALS SINCE 2013 Afliation or management agreements INNOVATION Harbert Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (HIIE) 3.3 STARTUPS LAUNCHED YEARLY +43 % OVER HISTORIC GROWTH RATE Commercialization Revenue $ 5.24 M PER YEAR +106 % OVER HISTORIC GROWTH RATE improve care and access across Alabama FACILITIES $ 1.1B+ SPENT ON NEW CONSTRUCTION AND MAJOR RENOVATIONS SINCE 2013 ENROLLMENT GROWTH TOTAL 17 % 18,568 FALL 2013 21,639 FALL 2022 HONORS COLLEGE 196 % 888 FALL 2013 2,631 FALL 2022 ONLINE-ONLY 73 % 3,467 FALL 2013 5,984 FALL 2022 UNDERREPRESENTED 10 % 34.7% FALL 2013 44.4% FALL 2022 UAB MAGAZINE 5 6 UAB MAGAZINEUAB MAGAZINE 7 ASPIRATIONS CAPITALIZING ON OPPORTUNITIES: 2013 WHEN RAY L. WATTS, M.D., was named UAB’s seventh president in February 2013, the institution, like others across the nation, was facing significant headwinds in its education, research and patient care missions. State appropriations to public universities and federal research budgets were declining. Online education models were proliferating. And the Affordable Care Act was reshaping the practice of medical care in the United States. The world was still stumbling through the aftershocks of the Great Recession. Optimism was in short supply, yet Watts had it in abundance. Old sources of funding and models of growth were no longer reliable? Watts was always more interested in trying new things: His research specialty as a neurologist is experimental therapeutics. “The state and community want us to develop our ideas and capitalize on (continued)Next >