OTMJ OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL u OTMJ.COM
INSIDE Christmas Gift Guide!
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021
Hope
SPORTS
Photo courtesy Children’s of Alabama
for the
Holidays
Dr. Richard J. Whitley
Circle of Love Foundation Offers Opportunities to Provide Gifts for Kids in Need This Christmas
A Lasting Impact
By Emily Williams-Robertshaw
Children’s of Alabama’s Dr. Richard J. Whitley Earns American Pediatric Society’s Highest Recognition
H
oover resident Doris Phillips and her husband, Glenn, spend the holidays giving to those without with the wish that it spreads hope during what can often be a difficult time of year. Many holidays have been spent driving through rural areas near her husband’s hometown delivering food to people in need. Over the years, the couple’s desire to give to those who do not have during the holidays has grown to offer the same opportunity for many others in the community. The Circle of Love Foundation was established by the Phillipses in 2004 with just one donation box as the couple collected gifts for a handful of children in need at a local shelter. Since then, the foundation has collected presents for thousands of children not only in Birmingham but surrounding communities and beyond. “It’s rewarding, it’s amazing. I cry every year, without fail. “I am a giver,” Phillips said. “I think that’s what feeds my soul. It’s my love language, if you will. I have almost 70 employees in this company (Lake House Realty) and I will still cook huge vats of food to bring to my team to feed them. It’s just See HOPE, page 13
Save 15% E n j oy b i r m i n g h a m ’ s fav o r i t e o r i g i n a l h o l i d ay r e v u e at t h e new RMT Arts campus!
By Emily Williams-Robertshaw
Journal photo by Jordan Wald
Growing up Doris Phillips always identified as “the poor kid.”
If Dr. Richard J. Whitley was given a do-over, he’d do it all the same. He’s dedicated his career to changing the way children are treated at Children’s of Alabama and globally through his work in infectious diseases and expertise in antiviral therapies. His contributions have not gone unnoticed, as he recently was named recipient of the American Pediatric Society’s highest honor, the 2022 APS John Howland Award. The award is presented annually to someone who has made significant contributions to advancing child health and the pediatric profession. Whitley’s roles at UAB include vice chair of the Department of Pediatrics and co-director of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the UAB Heersink See WHITLEY, page 8
Save 15% when you use discount code
December 3-19, 2021 Buy Tickets at RedMountainTheatre.org
holiday15 at c h e c k o u t *
*Discount Cannot be combined with other offers or used r e t r o a c t i v e l y. F o r p r i c e l e v e l s 1 o r 2 o n l y. L i m i t e d q u a n t i t i e s .
SOCIAL
