By Sarah Kuper Deborah Kirk Walker did not grow up wanting to be an oncology nurse. “I got out of school, I was looking for a job and a great physician agreed to mentor me,” Walker said. But almost 20 years later, she has won one of the highest honors given by the American Cancer Society. In January, the ACS gave Walker the Lane W. Adams Quality of Life Award for her work … [Read more...]
Public Health Hero: Alabama Federal Prosecutor Honored for Work Combatting Opioid Abuse
By Sarah Kuper The UAB School of Public Health awarded former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance the Lou Wooster Public Health Hero award for her work fighting opioid trafficking and addiction in northern Alabama. Vance until her retirement last month was the U.S. attorney for the northern district of Alabama, which includes Birmingham. The annual award is given by the school’s … [Read more...]
Retrofitting a Neighborhood: Families Expand Homewood Houses to Fit Modern Needs or Start From Scratch
By Sarah Kuper Although space is limited, Homewood real estate is growing – in a manner of speaking. “People add on to the back, build up or start from scratch,” said Willow Design Studios’ Allison Hallman. Hallman is an owner and designer at the firm, which operates in tandem with Willow Construction Company in Homewood. She said her firm last year worked on 25 Homewood … [Read more...]
Magic Kingdom Meets Magic City: New BBG Director Brings Disney Experience to the Gardens
By Sarah KuperFriends of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens have named Tom Underwood its new executive director. Beginning in February, Underwood will bring his varied and impressive experience Over the Mountain, succeeding former Executive Director Fred Spicer. It was a love of the outdoors and a summer job that led Underwood to prominence in the horticultural world. … [Read more...]
Boys Club No Match for Sisterhood: Homewood Runner Reflects on Her Time as First Female President of the Birmingham Track Club
By Sarah Kuper On any given day Over the Mountain, dozens of runners tackle steep hills and brave the heat or cold to stay fit and have fun. But Melinda Underwood, first female president of the Birmingham Track Club, in 1982, said it wasn’t always that way – especially with regard to women. “Back then, women weren’t doing much of anything like that. No one would just go out … [Read more...]