As UAB wraps up Forging the Future, its previous five-year strategic plan for growth, university President Dr. Ray Watts says their plan for the next five years is already prepped for release.

2023 marks the tenth year Watts has served as president of UAB and as AL.com’s Rebecca Griesbach previously reported, he has no plans to leave anytime soon.

This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity. Watts addressed some of the edited subject matter in his previous interview with Griesbach.

What brought you back to your hometown to serve as UAB president?

I am a proud Alabama native, Birmingham City Schools graduate and UAB alum, and it has been the honor of my professional life to return in service of UAB students, patients, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters. I came back because I love my hometown and knew UAB had endless potential to make a real difference in the lives of people in Birmingham, Alabama, and far beyond, and I felt that I could contribute to that difference with UAB’s incredibly talented and collaborative community.