Grand opening of new gallery space for UAB Libraries is Sept. 20

Historical collections in the libraries of the University of Alabama at Birmingham have a grand new space for exhibitions, and the public is invited to celebrate its grand opening.

The Dennis G. Pappas Historical Collections Gallery is a 3,000-square-foot space on the second floor of Lister Hill Library of the Health Sciences and the exhibition home to the Alabama Museum of the Health Sciences, Reynolds-Finley Historical Library and UAB Archives. The gallery will house rotating exhibitions featuring the UAB Libraries' historical collections, which boast an invaluable wealth of preeminent historical record and scholarship.

The Dennis G. Pappas Historical Collections Gallery is named for Dennis G. Pappas Sr., M.D., and Dennis G. Pappas Jr., M.D., both of whom specialize in otolaryngology and together have made a significant commitment to name the gallery. They are longtime supporters of the UAB Libraries' historical collections, investing time, resources, and donations of books and artifacts. Read more about the Pappas family.

A grand opening celebration is set for 5-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20. Kasia Gonnerman, dean of UAB Libraries, and Dennis Pappas Sr. will provide remarks beginning at 5:30 p.m., and light refreshments will be served. Parking will be available at no cost in the 9th Avenue Parking Deck.

Visitors can tour the Pappas Gallery's inaugural exhibit, "Navigating Communication: Breaking Invisible Barriers," which explores vision and hearing loss and treatments and offers deeper understanding of the lived experiences of the deaf, blind and deafblind communities. It will be on display through August 2025.

The Dennis G. Pappas Historical Collections Gallery is transformative for UAB Libraries, Gonnerman says.

"It will greatly improve how we can showcase, promote and celebrate the richness and depth of UAB Historical Collections, and champion their educational, research and scholarly applications," she said.

The Pappas Historical Collections Gallery is a hub of both rare historical collections and elements of modern innovation, says Jason Byrd, assistant dean of Historical Collections for UAB Libraries.

"Along with modern display cases and traditional exhibition techniques, an array of touchscreen technology, 3D objects, digital collections and audiovisual components have been selected to promote an interactive, visitor-centered and unique space," Byrd said.

Dennis G. Pappas Sr. was born in Birmingham to Greek immigrant parents and grew up in the city's West End neighborhood. He graduated from the University of Alabama, obtained his medical degree in 1958, and completed a radiology residency at the Mayo Clinic and an otolaryngology residency at New York University and Bellevue Hospital. Following military service in Germany, he returned to Alabama to establish his own practice in the Lakeview neighborhood of Birmingham. He was the first surgeon in the state of Alabama to perform a cochlear implant. Pappas has also served as a member of the clinical faculty at the UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine and wrote numerous books and scientific papers. During 60 years of otolaryngological practice, he has taken every opportunity to promote medical history. He speaks on historical topics and has, alongside his wife, Patti, assembled a monumental collection of medical artifacts.

Dennis G. Pappas Jr. graduated from the University of Alabama and obtained his medical degree in 1988 from what is now the UAB Heersink School of Medicine. He completed residencies in general surgery and ENT at New York's University Hospital, followed by a fellowship in Nashville, Tennessee, where he received training in otology, neurotology and skull base surgery. He joined his father at the Pappas Ear Clinic, now Alabama Ear Specialists, in 1994 and continues to operate the practice.

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