Started by a physician's wife in 1933, National Doctors’ Day is now a national holiday celebrated each year on March 30 to show doctors appreciation for the hard work and sacrifices they make.
Sal Kamal, M.D., chief medical resident in the Tinsley Harrison Internal Medicine Residency Program, is a UAB alumni and was raised in Alabama. Originally from Chicago, Kamal’s family moved to Tuscaloosa, Ala. when he was two years old in search of warmer weather.
Currently, Kamal is practicing general internal medicine and will complete his fellowship in public health research and advocacy in 2023. Kamal originally considered a career in public health research after his undergraduate studies at Princeton. Realizing he wanted direct human contact, practicing medicine became his passion.
“Meeting with patients, listening to them, and providing care for them helps me stay grounded in every aspect of my life,” he said.
The combination that medicine provides of direct patient care, critical thinking, and science also inspired Kamal to become a doctor.
When asked why he chose UAB, Kamal said, “I chose UAB for residency because of its blend of excellent patient care, strong emphasis on medical education, extensive research infrastructure, and deep commitment to achieving health equity in the surrounding community.”
He also finds that his co-residents and program directors are “exceptionally kind and supportive,” leading them to become a second family to him.
Kamal said he loves Birmingham for the city’s ever-changing food scene, rich Civil Rights history, and beautiful urban spaces and state parks.
In his free time, Kamal spends time with his wife Sushma and their five-month-old daughter Saadiya. They enjoy hiking, backpacking, and watching Marvel movies together.
Join us in celebrating Kamal and all of the amazing, hard-working physicians and physicians in training in the UAB Heersink School of Medicine.