2023-2024 CMRs from L to R: Drs. Julie England, Brian Westbrook, Mark Cromer, and Christina Cheng

As we begin our new roles as Chief Medical Residents, we have so many new changes to look forward to as the year progresses. A year ago, we were in the midst of yet another COVID surge, and what a difference a year makes! It has been an amazing change over the past year to see maskless residents and interns, with their smiling faces and infectious optimism.

We now feel even more connected to our patients after transitioning back to face-to-face visits without the barrier of face masks. 

We are so fortunate to have finally moved into our new program space for our residents and leadership team on the fourth floor of the Boshell Diabetes Building. With an improved layout, modern space, and fresh amenities, we are inspired to kick off a brand new year with so many other exciting changes and events. We are very fortunate to be working alongside our new leadership team under the direction of Drs. Ryan Kraemer, Karla Williams, Starr Steinhilber, and Jason Morris; we cannot wait to see their ideas and innovations unfold as the year progresses.

This summer also brought us a unique, memorable, and inspiring gift -- the unveiling of the new Legacy Wall. Under the gracious coordination of esteemed former Chief Medical Resident, Dr. George Karam, and facilitated by former Program Director Dr. Lisa Willett, we were honored to receive the gift of 5 unique bronzes that reflect the guiding principles upon which the Tinsley Harrison Internal Medicine Residency was founded. With the bronze sculptures, we celebrate 5 core tenants: the Priesthood of Medicine, Contagious Fire, Thinking, E=hH2, and Moral and Mental Discipline. This was an incredibly special event that brought together alumni, former program leadership, and current residents to commemorate the importance of our program’s legacy and founding principles which are to be passed on to all residents who follow.

The past several years have been difficult for a multitude of reasons, and we have seen a change in our residency as we have adapted to the challenges of a global pandemic. We are optimistic for a return to our roots. We are excited for in-person conferences, morning reports, and social gatherings. We look forward to an even deeper sense of camaraderie that comes with seeing one another’s faces and spending time within 6 feet of each other. Most of our residents have only known UAB through the lens of COVID, and a change to pre-COVID program life will take time. Slowly, however, life is returning to how it should look. We will never again take it for granted.

As we have gained new perspectives in our role as CMRs, we also have a new appreciation for how amazing our residents and our leadership are. Our residents are brilliant and caring physicians at the bedside, but they are also resilient, determined, and incredibly hard-working. They are the type of people who ask to come back to work early when they are sick (we tell them no). They love their jobs, they care deeply about their colleagues, and they always willingly lend a hand during illness or difficult times. Our program leadership puts tireless attention to every detail of the curriculum, but always has open doors and smiling faces for resident concerns. Our program leadership and our residents are world-renowned individuals, but we have a fresh perspective on their excellence without ego. In COVID or out of COVID, UAB’s excellence without ego has never changed, and the people of our program make it truly outstanding. We are honored to work with such amazing people.

- Chief Medical Residents: Drs. Brian Westbrook, Julie England, Christina Cheng, and Mark Cromer