Joseph’s and Garret’s maternal grandfather

Graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy, New Hampshire, "Cum Laude" and Vanderbilt University "Magna Cum Laude" in 1961. 

He received his M.D. degree from Harvard Medical School specializing in infectious diseases.

“Renown Teacher and Clinician Kirk Avent Steps Down-From the April 1, 2003, edition of the UAB Health System Weekly newsletter of the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

C. Kirk Avent, MD, a respected teacher and clinician in the Division of Infectious Disease, has retired after 33 years on the UAB faculty. 

A graduate of Harvard Medical School, Dr. Avent trained as a resident in Internal Medicine at the University of Alabama Medical Center. After a fellowship in infectious disease at the University of Washington, he returned to UAB in 1970, joining the Department of Medicine as assistant professor. 

In 1981, he became Director of Medicine Clerkships, a position he held for 21 years. He has received many awards from students for his teaching skills, including Best Teaching Resident in 1968 and Best Clinical Professor in 1988 and again in 1999. He was a recipient of the President's Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Arnold P. Gold Foundation Award for Humanism in Medicine in 1999. Medicine residents have chosen him as Outstanding Teacher on several occasions. 

His clinical skills have been recognized by faculty colleagues, who awarded him the Cobbs-Rutsky Award for Clinical Excellence three times. 

Dr. William E. Dismukes, director of the Division of Infectious Disease and a colleague of Dr. Avent's for over 30 years, says, "Dr. Avent is a most wise, thoughtful, and effective clinician-educator. He has exhibited sustained excellence and commitment to our Division and the School of Medicine over the years. All of us in the Medical Center, especially medical students, residents, fellows, and faculty peers will miss him greatly. We wish him well in his new medical endeavor." 

Dr. Avent leaves the University to accept a position as Medical Director of Disease Control at the Jefferson County Department of Health. He will oversee programs in tuberculosis, sexually transmitted disease, bioterrorism, and other communicable diseases.”

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“I was born in Memphis, Tennessee. My father, Harold Avent, was a combat surgeon in the European theater in World War II; he died from complications of high blood pressure two years after returning home.

My mother, Emily Wallace, supported my brother, Rob, and me by working as a secretary. When she remarried, to Julius Berry, we moved to Tupelo.

Phillips Exeter Academy, Vanderbilt, Harvard Medical School, Internal Medicine Residency at UAB, and Infectious Disease Fellowship in Seattle were followed by a return to UAB Medical School in 1970 as Instructor in Medicine.

Bill Dismukes and I joined Glenn Cobbs as the first three members of the Division of Infectious Disease. We were not just colleagues, but deep personal friends. What followed were 37 years as a clinician/educator. For 21 of those years, I was the Director of the Internal Medicine Clerkship, through which all medical students rotate in their third year of medical school. I was honored to receive several teaching and clinical skills awards from students and faculty; I particularly cherish the President's Award for Teaching and the Arthur Gold Foundation Award for Humanism in Medicine.

After retiring from UAB in 2003 as Professor of Medicine Emeritus, I moved down the street to become the Director of Disease Control at the Jefferson County Department of Health for four years.

Although my stuttering made life difficult at times, it gave me a sensitivity for people who were in distress or suffering. (Note: Kirk did not stutter when lecturing to a class-his brother)

My wonderful, profoundly-loved wife, Nancee Neel, andI married in 1983. I cannot imagine life without her love, support, companionship, and encouragement. We moved to Asheville in 2014. Our son, Clayton, and his wife, Elizabeth, live in New Jersey with their daughter,
Eleanor.

My former wife, Rosalie Crispin, and I reared two daughters. Mary (Mezera) lives in Hilton Head with her husband, Joe, and two sons—Joe and Garrett. Another daughter, Emily, died in 2011 leaving three daughters—Gabrielle, May, and Rose. My dear brother Rob lives in Tupelo (MS) with his wife, Sandy.

All-in-all, I have had a rich, fulfilling life. I feel particularly blessed.”