On Match Day, Brenton Bicknell will join his classmates, eager to share in the excitement to discover where everyone will train in medical residency. Already matched into ophthalmology at UAB Callahan Eye, the day is as much about celebrating his peers’ achievements as it is his own. For the fourth-year medical student at the Heersink School of Medicine’s Huntsville Campus, it marks a milestone shaped by mentors, family, and the camaraderie of classmates who have shared the journey.
A Huntsville native, Bicknell attended the University of Alabama, earning a B.S. in psychology with a minor in global and cultural perspectives. His interest in medicine began as a patient, receiving care from UAB-trained physicians and faculty. He recalls being treated by Stanton Davis, M.D., and how calm and steady his reassurance was during a time that felt daunting and uncertain. Mentors during his undergraduate years and post-college training, including Marian Denham, Richard Stone, M.D., Scott Field, M.D., and Richard Thoma, M.D., encouraged and supported him to pursue the path to medicine he had glimpsed as a teenager.
Building on that foundation, Bicknell entered medical school considering pediatrics and explored other fields, including ENT and urology, before finding his calling in ophthalmology, a field that offered the right balance of technical skill and meaningful patient relationships. His clinical experiences confirmed his decision, particularly when he watched a patient uncover their eye after cataract surgery and began to tear up upon seeing clearly for the first time in years. Bicknell described ophthalmology as a career “where skill, trust, and long-term relationships all come together in a very tangible way.”
Training on the Huntsville campus was a defining part of his medical school experience. Being close to family helped him stay grounded as he navigated the demands of third- and fourth-year rotations. Clinically, Bicknell gained hands-on experience in both community and academic settings, learning from clinicians committed to teaching and patient care. Beyond patient care, he found a culture of mentorship and support, with faculty, residents, and staff always available to answer questions, provide guidance, or offer shadowing opportunities. Leaders such as Roger Smalligan, M.D., MPH, regional dean, and Lanita Carter, Ph.D., director of Medical Education and Student Services, offered invaluable advice throughout his clinical rotations and the residency application process, helping him build confidence as both a learner and a future physician.
Bicknell encourages students to focus on building a strong foundation in the early months of medical school and to reflect on the experiences that bring fulfillment. He found that taking time to adjust before diving into research or exploring specialties allowed him to stay grounded while discovering what fit him best. Bicknell highlights the value of finding mentors who model the kind of physicians that students hope to become and the importance of balance and self-care, especially during demanding rotations. He notes that leaning on peers is essential, as students experiencing medical school together can support one another and understand exactly what each faces. Bicknell also reminds students not to lose sight of the patients who shape their growth, adding, “You impact them, and they impact you, and those lessons stick with you for your entire career.”
Matching into ophthalmology marks the beginning of Bicknell’s professional journey. He is eager to return to Birmingham and begin residency at UAB Callahan Eye on June 24. His research experiences deepened his interest in advancing patient care, and he looks forward to continuing to ask questions and contribute to research that improves patients’ lives alongside his clinical training. Bicknell is grateful for the investment mentors and faculty made in him and is excited to contribute to and support medical students, as he was once supported.
As Bicknell prepares for this next step, he is ready to care for patients in a field where restoring vision has an immediate and meaningful impact. He plans to carry forward the lessons of mentorship and patient-centered care, confident that his time at Heersink School of Medicine has prepared him for the responsibilities ahead.
Meet the other Heersink School of Medicine MS4s featured in the Countdown to residency series and explore their journeys toward Match Day.
Read their stories: Audria Wood | Philip Harden | Jordan Beam