NEWS
8 • Thursday, December 16, 2021
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Dr. James K. Kirklin, director of the James and John Kirklin Institute for Research in Surgical Outcomes, has been given the first Pediatric Heart Transplant Society Lifetime Achievement Award. He received the award in recognition of his dedication to advancing the science and treatment of child heart transplant patients. “This is a great honor to be given this lifetime achievement award,” Kirklin said. “A major part of my career has been dedicated to heart transplantation and pediatric cardiac surgery, and our research and clinical advances will only continue to grow from here.” As director of the institute, Kirklin oversees data collection and analyses for the society’s registry. He is a professor in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery in the UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine and holds the James K. Kirklin Endowed Chair of Cardiovascular Surgery. He formerly held the John W. Kirklin Chair
of Cardiovascular Surgery, as well as the UAB Endowed Chair of Cardiovascular Surgical Research. Kirklin served as director of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery from 2006 to 2016 and was consistently cited in “Best Doctors in America.” He retired from clinical cardiac surgery in 2017, focusing his time on research. His clinical interests focused on surgery for pediatric and adult conDr. James K. Kirklin genital heart disease, heart transplantation and mechanical circulatory support. His research interests involve cardiac transplantation, mechanical circulatory support and outcomes research in cardiac surgery. In 1990, Kirklin and his colleagues at UAB established the Cardiac Transplant Research
New Year, No Fines
O’Neal Library Staff Receives 2022 Tynes Award, Eliminates Fines on Overdue Materials The O’Neal Library will no longer collect fines on materials owned by the library, which is in Crestline Village. According to a release, while there will be no late charges, patrons will still be held accountable for the cost of lost or damaged items. In addition, any current overdue fines will be forgiven. The new policy has been in the works since July, when the library’s staff and members of the board of trustees began discussing the effectiveness of fines. The staff also studied other libraries where late fees had been eliminated, including Brigham Young University and the Salt Lake City Public Library. Their findings included that materials were still returned at the same rate, and the libraries had an increase in borrows and new users.
2022 Tynes Award
Photo courtesy O’Neal Library
Alongside the new policy, the library staff has been recognized for their dedication throughout
the pandemic and efforts to adapt to the needs of a socially distanced community. Each year, the O’Neal Library board and the Mountain Brook Library Foundation choose a recipient for their highest honor, The William Tynes Award. The distinction is given to an individual or group in recognition of their service to the city of Mountain Brook, particularly the O’Neal Library. The 2022 Tynes Award will be presented to the library staff, “for their unwavering dedication to library patrons and the city of Mountain Brook,” according to a statement. This includes their efforts to overcome the challenges of COVID-19 as well as their ability to find creative ways to restore programs and services to patrons. Due to the staff’s tenacity, the library was able to introduce the popular curbside pick-up service and transform activities for children and adults through virtual programming. “It is an honor to lead such a kind, reliable and creative group,” O’Neal Library Director
Database, which generated the first multi-institutional collaborative research in heart transplantation, producing numerous publications over a 20-year span. In 1993, Kirklin and his UAB research group initiated the Pediatric Heart Transplant Study Group, which continues to lead the field in multi-institutional studies. Kirklin was first author on the premier textbook on heart transplantation and co-author of the fourth edition of the Cardiac Surgery textbook. He has written more than 500 scientific publications. In 2020, Kirklin also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. “Dr. James Kirklin is a world-renowned surgical scientist who has truly dedicated himself to the field of cardiothoracic surgery,” said the Fay Fletcher Kerner Endowed Chair, Dr. Herbert Chen. “We are glad that Dr. Kirklin has called UAB surgery home for over 40 years, and I look forward to his continued achievements.”
Lindsy Gardner said. “Through all the crises of the past couple of years, the staff have worked tirelessly and cheerfully to extend our collections and services to library patrons of all ages in very challenging circumstances. I am thrilled that the library board chose to highlight the exceptional efforts of the library staff with the Tynes Award.” Not only was the staff able to overcome the challenges the pandemic presented, they found creative ways to restore programs and services to patrons. For example, the library introduced its curbside pick-up service and transformed many popular activities for children and adults into virtual programming experiences. The award is named for William “Bill” Tynes Jr, who served on the Mountain Brook Library board from 2000 to 2008, including as chairman of the board from 2003 to 2008, as well as the Mountain Brook City Council from 1988 to 1996. Tynes strongly advocated for the library in both positions, and he acknowledged the importance of a love of reading and learning. Past recipients of the Tynes award are Lee Gewin, Forsyth Donald, Dr. John Poynor, Larry Faulkner, Western Supermarkets, Sue DeBrecht, Alice Williams, Tom Carruthers Jr. and Penny Page. —Emily Williams-Robertshaw
Journal file photo by Jordan Wald
Kirklin Chosen for PHTS Lifetime Achievement Award
The Exceptional Foundation has grown from having 18 participants to serving more than 700 people annually under Kirk’s leadership.
Exceptional Foundation’s Tricia Kirk Retiring The Exceptional Foundation announced in November that longtime President and CEO Tricia Kirk plans to retire at the end of the year. An executive search is being conducted to hire her replacement. For more than 40 years, Kirk has worked with individuals with special needs. In 2001, she took on the role of executive director of the Exceptional Foundation. The organization has grown from having For more than 18 participants to serving more than 40 years, Kirk 700 people annualhas worked with ly under Kirk’s individuals with leadership. Additionally, special needs. the foundation expanded to Baldwin County, Auburn and Atlanta, and it consults for other nonprofits throughout the country. Kirk is a Birmingham native and graduate of the University of Alabama with a specialization in behavior management. Before joining The Exceptional Foundation, Kirk spent four years with the Mountain Brook City School System as a special education teacher. After taking time off to raise her three kids, she returned to the school system to help develop an inclusion program for a child with autism. She was later hired by Glenwood to develop inclusion programs for children with autism. Kirk has a decades-long history playing an active role in the greater Birmingham community by serving on local boards, including boards for the Comprehensive Cancer Center and Kappa Delta. She was also a member of the Leadership Birmingham Class of 2011, the Momentum Leadership Training Class of 2008 and now serves on the Momentum Leadership board of directors. She has received special recognition as well, earning the National Kappa Delta Awe-Inspiring Women Over 50 Award, the 2004 Quality of Life award from the mayor of Homewood and was recognized by the Birmingham Junior League for her service and leadership.
