Dr. James Andrews among 12 new inductees to Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame
Reading time: 3 minutes
12 of the state’s top healthcare leaders have been selected for the Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame‘s Class of 2026.
This year’s inductees include nationally-renowned orthopedic surgeon, and founder of Andrews Sports Medicine, Dr. James Andrews. The organization is also honoring a number of accomplished physicians and dentists, a hospital executive, a post-acute care executive, a dean of nursing, and accomplished researchers.
“This is a diverse group of individuals who have unique contributions to healthcare in the state of Alabama and beyond. We are proud to recognize them and to add them to the select group of people who have earned this honor.”
Christy Harris Lemak, PhD, chair of the Hall of Fame Board
Class of 2026
The AHHOF took nominations through mid-December last year before naming this year’s inductees.
Nominees could be living or dead are expected to have made outstanding contributions to, or rendered exemplary service for
healthcare in Alabama. The nominee’s contributions must distinguish him or her from the mainstream of others working in the field.
The Hall of Fame Class of 2026 includes:
- James Andrews, MD, orthopedic surgeon and founder of Andrews Sports Medicine.
- Clarence M. Ball, Jr., LNHA, president and CEO of Ball HealthCare Services.
- Benjamin Joseph Cumbus, DMD, pediatric dentist in Montgomery.
- Carlos “Carl” O. Garner, PhD, vice president of global regulatory affairs for Eli Lilly.
- L. Keith Granger, Alabama CEO for Community Health Systems.
- The late J. Jack Kirschenfeld, MD, professor of UAB School of Medicine and director of the Montgomery Internal Medicine Residency Program.
- The late Robert A. Kreisberg, MD, chairman of the Department of Medicine at the University of South Alabama Hospital.
- Wickliffe J. Many, MD, dean of medicine for the UAB School of Medicine Montgomery Regional Medical Campus.
- Mark R. McIlwain, DMD, MD, oral surgeon and co-owner of Oral and Facial Surgery of the Shoals.
- Dr. Dennis G. Pappas, MD, board certified physician in otolaryngology and neurotology and founder of Pappas Ear Clinic.
- Maria Rodriguez Shirey, PhD, MBA, RN, dean of UAB School of Nursing.
- Ray L. Watts, MD, president of the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
They will be inducted into the Healthcare Hall of Fame at a ceremony Aug. 8 at RSA Activity Center in Montgomery.
Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame
The Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame was founded in 1997 to recognize people, living and dead, who have made outstanding contributions and provided exemplary healthcare service in the state.
Honorees represent a wide range of healthcare professionals including physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, scientists, administrators, educators and other related fields.
You can see a full list of past inductees on the AHHOF website.
Subscribe to our FREE newsletter for the latest news across Alabama.
