2026-2027 PGY1

Austin was born in Memphis, TN but moved to Birmingham before high school and has been in Alabama ever since. After enjoying four years in Auburn for undergrad, he returned to Birmingham for medical school and is excited to continue his medical education here at UAB. Currently, he is planning to pursue a career in general Internal Medicine with a focus on medical education. Outside of the hospital, Austin loves to do anything food related with his partner and friends, ranging from hosting dinner parties, creating a new ice cream, or trying a new roast from a local coffee shop. In the interest of balance, he also enjoys yoga and exploring the numerous hiking trails around Birmingham.

Jared was born in Metairie, LA and grew up in the New Orleans area through high school. He attended Louisiana State University for his bachelor's degree in kinesiology and returned home for medical school at LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans. He is a New Orleanian through and through, with passions for Mardi Gras, the Saints and Pelicans, and south Louisiana food engrained with his identity and is ecstatic to be bringing a bit of his culture to Birmingham and embracing the vibrant culture of Birmingham itself for residency training. Currently, he has academic interests in cardiology and plans to pursue fellowship following completion of his residency. When spending free time, Jared loves to watch sports, particularly football, basketball, and baseball, play golf, enjoy the outdoors, and cook, especially classic New Orleans meals such as gumbo and jambalaya.

David was born in Mineola, New York before moving to Lawrenceville, Georgia. He studied at Bowdoin College, and worked for the Gwinnett, Newton, and Rockdale County Health Departments in COVID and Tuberculosis Control before attending medical school at the Medical College of Georgia. He is excited to begin his residency in Birmingham. He plans on pursuing a career in Pulmonology and Critical Care. In his free time, he enjoys cooking new recipes and exploring the city.

Elias was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, before completing his undergraduate education at the University of Notre Dame. Interested in a medical career from a young age, he pursued a pre-medical track alongside studies in philosophy and computer science. His background in philosophy ignited an interest in the medical humanities and philosophy of medicine, which he continued to study during medical school at the Indiana University School of Medicine. Outside the hospital, Elias is an avid Notre Dame football fan as well as a lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and Blues. In his free time, he enjoys playing tennis, game nights with friends, and exploring local restaurants and coffee shops.

Will was born in south Louisiana and has two younger siblings. He attended LSU for undergrad before moving to Shreveport for medical school. He intends to pursue a career in either Gastroenterology or Rheumatology and looks forward to exploring the full scope of Internal Medicine at UAB. In his spare time, he enjoys attending LSU football and baseball games, running, cooking, traveling to the beach, and spending time with family and friends.

Ethan was born on Hainan Island, China, and immigrated to the United States at age 11. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Arkansas before earning his medical degree at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He plans to pursue an academic career in internal medicine and is considering various subspecialties. In his free time, Ethan enjoys running, traveling, and watching sports.

Bree was born in Brisbane, Australia and moved to Auburn, AL when she was 8. She loved growing up in Auburn and enjoyed attending Auburn University for her undergraduate degree (War Eagle!). She then journeyed down to Mobile, AL for medical school at USA College of Medicine. She is thrilled to be moving to Birmingham, AL to begin residency at UAB and work towards her goal of being a dual hospitalist! In her free time, Bree loves spending time outside, playing pickleball, reading, and cooking.

Noah was born in Savannah, Georgia. He attended the University of Georgia, where he met many exceptional people, deepened his passion for music, and proudly cheered on the Dawgs between the hedges. He is excited to begin this next chapter in Birmingham, where he looks forward to continuing his training and becoming part of the vibrant community that makes the city special. Noah's professional interests include Hematology/Oncology and Hospital Medicine. In his free time, he enjoys playing guitar, weightlifting, reading, watching college football, and attending stand-up comedy shows.

Avery is from Johnson City, TN and a graduate of the University of Tennessee-Knoxville in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Go Vols! Avery pivoted his career plans towards medicine and graduated medical school at Quillen College of Medicine. He is married to his beautiful wife Emily and has two amazing children, Jameson and Caroline. He enjoys weightlifting, playing golf, and cheering on the Vols in every sport. Avery has a strong interest in pursuing a career in cardiology, but is also interested in pulmonary/critical care. He is so excited to help serve the Birmingham community during residency and beyond.

Mary Alice was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, and attended the University of Alabama for her undergraduate education. After a gap year working as a medical assistant, she returned to Birmingham to pursue her medical degree at UAB and is excited to continue her training in the city she calls home. Her career goals are currently undecided, but she plans to pursue a career in medical education. In her free time, she enjoys playing mahjong, exploring Birmingham's restaurant scene, cheering on the Alabama Crimson Tide, and attending spin classes.

Hailey was born in Woodward, OK before transplanting to Tulsa. She received a degree in chemical engineering at OU before attending medical school. After completing her training, she hopes to pursue a career in academic medicine. Outside of the hospital, she enjoys taking care of her houseplants, birding, and cooking with her husband.

Jose is a physician from Peru who is excited to begin his internal medicine training at UAB. He has a strong interest in both clinical medicine and medical education, particularly in helping students understand complex concepts in a clear and practical way. Outside of medicine, Jose is passionate about staying active. He is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and former national wrestling champion who continues to train whenever possible. He also enjoys going to the gym, maintaining a consistent routine, and spending time with his fiancée and their two French bulldogs. As he explores his future career path, Jose is considering both cardiology and pulmonary/critical care, while remaining focused on growing as a clinician and making the most of every learning opportunity.

Megan was born and raised in Louisville, KY. She studied biology and chemistry at Western Kentucky University before completing medical school at the University of Kentucky. She is ecstatic to join UAB for residency and explore the city of Birmingham! She is still considering a variety of specialties but is leaning towards hospital medicine. During her free time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with friends, trying new restaurants, and playing with her two cats, Smokey and Ace.

Courtney was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. She attended the University of Alabama for undergraduate where she majored in Biology and Spanish before attending the University of Central Florida for medical school.

Courtney is excited to continue her medical training at UAB and is interested in medical education and pursuing a fellowship in infectious diseases. In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time with her family and friends, finding new adventures with her dog, Bama, and watching sports, especially Alabama football (Roll Tide!).

Melissa is an MD/PhD graduate of the UAB Medical Scientist Training Program. Her doctoral research focused on the interactions between the intestinal immune system and gut commensal microbes, reflecting her strong interest in the scientific foundations of medicine. Outside of the hospital, Melissa enjoys playing video games, solving puzzles, creating art, and spending time with her two cats. Prior to beginning intern year, she completed her first obstacle course race, the Tuscaloosa Gauntlet, and looks forward to taking on many more races in the future.

Morgan comes to us from Indianapolis, Indiana. She attended the University of Notre Dame before completing medical school at Indiana University School of Medicine. She is very excited to continue her medical training at UAB through the combined Internal Medicine-Pediatrics program. Morgan intends to use her training to become an outpatient physician caring for patients across the lifespan, with a particular interest in complex care. Outside of medicine, she enjoys keeping up with the latest reality TV shows, watching college football (Go Hoosiers, Go Irish), and playing pickleball.

Hope is originally from California but has enjoyed the opportunity to live in several different places throughout college and medical school. She loves exploring new cities, trying new restaurants and ice cream shops, spending time with family and friends, and pursuing her interest in interior design. An avid outdoors enthusiast, she also enjoys hiking and has recently taken up pickleball, which she is excited to continue playing in Birmingham. Professionally, Hope is passionate about gastroenterology and medical education, with the goal of becoming a gastroenterologist in the future.

Cody grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and earned an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from LSU. He worked as an engineer for several years before deciding to follow his dream of becoming a doctor. Cody attended LSU New Orleans for medical school and is very excited to continue his training at UAB. He looks forward to exploring Birmingham with his wife and two children. In his free time, he enjoys watching sports, cooking, and spending time with his family.

Samuel was born and raised in East Tennessee and completed his undergraduate studies at Lipscomb University, earning a degree in Bioscience and Philosophy. He went on to attend medical school at East Tennessee State University. He is excited to join the UAB community, where he already has close connections with friends and family in the Birmingham area. While his career plans remain undecided, he is particularly interested in hospital medicine and endocrinology. Outside of medicine, Sam enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time outdoors with his wife and their dog.

Zane was born and raised in Chicago, IL. He attended University of Illinois for undergrad followed by Wayne State University School of Medicine. He is excited about the opportunity to begin residency training in Birmingham and escape the cold weather. He intends to pursue an academic career in Cardiology in the future. Outside of the hospital, he enjoys playing golf, pickleball, and tennis with his wife and trying new restaurants!

Matthew was born and raised in Mobile, AL. He completed his undergraduate studies at Auburn University (War Eagle!) before attending the University of Alabama at Birmingham for medical school. He is excited to continue his medical training at UAB and looks forward to serving the people of his home state. His academic interests include general internal medicine and medical education, and he hopes to pursue a career in Hematology & Oncology. Outside of the hospital, Matthew enjoys spending time with his wife and family, hiking, playing pickleball, and watching all things Auburn sports.

Garett has lived in both Texas and Oklahoma but is excited for a new experience in living in Alabama. He and his wife met during undergraduate in Tulsa Oklahoma, and they share a dog named Bella. His wife is a cardiovascular critical care nurse. Garett enjoys golfing, gaming, watching all kinds of professional sports, and playing pickleball with his wife. He is considering a career in Pulmonary/Critical Care and enjoys the inpatient side of medicine. He wants to stay academic and eventually work closely with residents and medical students.

Akash grew up in Macon, Georgia. He later went onto attend the University of Georgia, earning his undergraduate degree before continuing his medical education at the Medical College of Georgia. He is excited to complete the next part of his medical journey at UAB! After completion of his internal medicine residency training, he intends to pursue a career in hematology/oncology. In his free time, he loves traveling, watching the Atlanta Falcons and UGA Bulldogs, playing board games, and spending time with friends and family.

Alyssa is a Georgia native, born in Atlanta. She attended the University of West Georgia and graduated with a BS in Anthropology and Biology before attending medical school at Mercer University. She is very excited to train here in Birmingham at UAB. She is currently considering specialties like Hematology-Oncology or Rheumatology but is also passionate about general internal medicine and primary care. Outside of the hospital, Alyssa loves to try new foods, with an emphasis on desserts and coffee. She also loves painting, rock climbing, long boarding, and finding new hiking trails around Birmingham!

Valerie is originally from Austin, Texas. She attended the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), where she earned a BS in Pharmaceutical Sciences and completed one year of pharmacy school. She went on to pursue her MD/MPH at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. She plans to pursue a career in hospitalist medicine or gastroenterology, with an additional interest in public health. Outside of medicine, Valerie enjoys cooking, hosting dinner parties, spending time outdoors, and staying active through barre and Pilates; she is also a certified barre instructor!

Michael was born in Slidell, Louisiana and was raised in Diamondhead, Mississippi along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. He earned his degree in Biology from the University of Mississippi before attending the University of Mississippi Medical Center for medical school. Michael's clinical interests include gastroenterology and medical education. His favorite part of medicine is the relationships he forms with his patients. Outside of the hospital, Michael enjoys running, attending country music concerts, and traveling.

Helen was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. She earned her undergraduate degree in Anthropology and Biology from Washington University in St. Louis before attending medical school at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. She is excited to begin her residency training at UAB, where she couples matched with her husband, an incoming anesthesiology resident. She is interested in pursuing a career in academic medicine and is currently considering pulmonology/critical care, hematology/oncology, or hospital medicine. In her free time, Helen enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, trying new recipes, and spending time with family and friends.

Noah was born and raised in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He attended the University of Arkansas for his undergraduate studies and remained in state for medical school at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock. He is excited to begin the next phase of his training at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He has a strong interest in cardiology and global health. Outside of medicine, Noah enjoys spending time on the golf course, being out on the lake, playing pickleball, and spending time with friends and family.

Sam grew up in Fayetteville, AR. He went to UVA for undergrad and came back to Arkansas for medical school. He has a passion for rock climbing and is excited to be less than an hour away from some of the best stone in the south. He is humbled to have the opportunity to train in Birmingham and intends to pursue an academic career with interests in goals of care conversations and physiology. Outside of the hospital he enjoys learning Spanish, rock climbing, and catching local live music shows.

Subash grew up in Abilene, Texas, before attending Southern Methodist University. He then returned to West Texas to earn his medical degree at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. He is excited to begin this next chapter in Birmingham, where he looks forward to continuing his training and becoming part of the city’s vibrant community. He plans to pursue a career in cardiology and looks forward to further exploring this interest during residency. Outside of medicine, he enjoys watching sports, especially the NBA, playing basketball and pickleball, and spending time exploring new restaurants and watching movies with his wife, fellow internal medicine intern Vivie Tran.

Abigail "Abby" Smith is a proud Georgia native, born and raised in Macon. She earned her MD/MBA at the Medical College of Georgia, where she discovered her passion for internal medicine, mentorship, and healthcare leadership. She is excited to continue her training at UAB and become part of the Birmingham community. She plans to pursue a career in cardiology with an emphasis on patient-centered care and education. In her free time, she enjoys running, playing pickleball, traveling, trying new restaurants, and attending live concerts. During football season, you can find her cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs and Atlanta Falcons.

Vivie was born and raised in Lake Jackson, TX. She attended Texas A&M University before completing medical school at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, where she was part of an interdisciplinary MD&E program and earned a master’s degree in bioengineering. She is excited to begin residency at UAB alongside her husband, Subash Swarna, a fellow Internal Medicine intern. She plans to pursue a career in Hematology/Oncology and looks forward to further exploring this interest during residency. In her spare time, she enjoys baking, trying new restaurants, spending time with her husband, and playing pickleball.

Greg was born and raised in Mississippi and spent most of his early life in Jackson. He attended Ole Miss for undergrad and returned home for medical school at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He is excited to continue his training deep in SEC enemy territory, and he is planning to pursue an academic career in cardiology. Outside of the hospital, he and his wife, Grace, enjoy running on scenic trails, watching the newest series on Apple TV, and attending Ole Miss football games.

Gabby grew up in south Louisiana, though her family originally hails from western Pennsylvania. She left Louisiana to attend Baylor University for college before returning home to pursue her medical degree at LSU in New Orleans. While she is still deciding between fellowship training and a career in hospital medicine, she has recently been leaning toward pulmonary and critical care medicine. Outside of medicine, Gabby enjoys attending concerts, trying new coffee shops, and keeping up with reality TV.

Elizabeth was born and raised in Bowling Green, KY. There, she completed her undergraduate degree in Biology at Western Kentucky University. She then earned her medical degree from the University of Kentucky. She will always be a Kentucky girl at heart, but she is excited for her new adventure in Birmingham. Elizabeth is open-minded about her future as a physician, but she has a particular interest in hospital medicine. Her passions outside of medicine include needlepoint, exercising (especially outdoors), antiquing, and trying local cuisine. When she's not at the hospital, you can probably find her relaxing with her two cats, Luna and Lola.

Richard (Zhidong Wang) moved from China to the United States for his undergraduate education. Although he initially aspired to become a teacher, he later found his calling in medicine. After marrying his wife from Georgia, he attended the Medical College of Georgia and continued pursuing his passion for patient care. Outside of medicine, Richard enjoys spending time with his family, cooking, reading, gardening, biking, and participating in a variety of outdoor activities. During residency, he looks forward to learning alongside talented colleagues who inspire him to become a better physician, providing excellent care to his patients, and being a supportive friend to those around him. Richard plans to pursue a career in primary care, where he hopes to serve as both an advocate and trusted partner for his patients while delivering compassionate, high-quality care.

Carey is from Lexington, MS. He started his academic career at the illustrious Tougaloo College. Afterwards, he attended medical school at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. He is excited to be completing his internal medicine residency at UAB where he intends to begin building a career in academic medicine. He has an interest in cardiology and critical care medicine. In his spare time, he enjoys gardening, spending time in nature, going for runs, and spending time with loved ones.