Keneshia Kirksey, M.D., and Laura Kezar, M.D., were recently highlighted as impactful members by the Association of Academic Physiatrists in celebration of National Women in Medicine Month.
Kirksey is the residency program director and medical director of the Spinal Cord Injury inpatient program in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Her clinical interests include spinal cord injury and electromyography (EMG/NCS), and her primary research interests are in acute and chronic spinal cord injured patients. Kirksey is a graduate of the University of South Alabama College of Medicine. She completed her residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Carolinas Rehabilitation in Charlotte, NC where she served as chief resident. Following residency, she joined the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department at the UAB.
Kezar is a professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. She has been active in medical student teaching throughout her career and served as the associate dean for students from 2007-2018. She sees patients with a wide variety of neuromusculoskeletal disorders for acute and chronic care. Kezar received her medical degree from Emory University and completed a transitional internship at Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, VA in 1986 and served in the U.S. Navy for four years and in the Navy reserves until 1994. She completed her residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at UAB in 1994 and served as chief resident. She joined UAB’s faculty in 1995 and has participated in many different aspects of department educational and leadership efforts.
Both women completed interviews that share about their career history, barriers they’ve overcome, advice for young trainees and more. You can read Kirksey’s interview here and Kezar’s interview here.