Dr. Alayne D. Markland Named Chief of Geriatrics
We are pleased to introduce Alayne D. Markland, DO, MSc, as our new Chief for the Division of Geriatrics and Director for the University of Utah Center on Aging.
Dr. Markland received her medical degree from the University of North Texas in Fort Worth and completed her Internal Medicine residency at the University of California, Davis. She continued her training at the University of Texas in San Antonio for a Geriatric Medicine Fellowship and a Master of Science/Clinical Investigation. Dr. Markland was immediately recruited to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), where she rapidly advanced through the ranks to her current position as Professor of Medicine with tenure in the Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care and was awarded the Emmett G. and Beverly S. Parrish Endowed Professorship.
Dr. Markland is an experienced leader and the Director of the highly successful Birmingham/Atlanta VA Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center (GRECC). Her clinical work leverages her innovative research by leading two multidisciplinary clinics for improving incontinence care, one at UAB and the other at the Birmingham VA. Dr. Markland has also served as Medical Director of the Birmingham/Atlanta VA GRECC Continence Clinic since 2018. As a physician investigator, she has dedicated her career to improving the quality of life among older adults; her vision is to improve access to high-quality care for our aging population.
Dr. Markland is an internationally recognized expert in patient-oriented research in lower urinary tract symptoms and urinary incontinence and served as the Research-Core Director of the Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care at UAB. Since completing her fellowship in 2005, she has maintained a well-funded research program related to incontinence with more than 170 publications. She is currently the principal investigator, MPI, or site PI for six grants/awards, including an NIH R01 and a K24 mid-career investigator award in patient-oriented research.
Dr. Markland credits much of her success to a great mentorship team during her early career and focuses her efforts to provide the same opportunity to others. To date, she has provided mentorship to over 20 trainees and faculty. Success has been evident in her mentees with funded career development awards and career paths in academic medicine.
In recognition of her achievements across multiple missions, she has received many awards, including selection as a Tideswell/American Geriatric Society/Association of Directors of Geriatrics Academic Programs Emerging Leaders in Aging Fellow and the Merck/American Geriatric Society New Investigator Award.
The University of Utah Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine is pleased to recruit Dr. Markland to become the 3rd Division Chief of Geriatrics and the Director for the University of Utah Center on Aging.
We would also like to express deep gratitude to Dr. Mark Supiano for his 19 years of selfless service as Division Chief and to Dr. Timothy Farrell for serving as Co-Chief and Interim Chief. Their contributions have been instrumental in the flourishing of the division and the department. Dr. Farrell will continue to serve as Interim Chief until Dr. Markland steps into her new position on December 1, 2024.