L to R: Alana Nichols and Marjada TuckerOn March 18, Alana Nichols, M.D., and Marjada Tucker, M.D., medicine-pediatrics residents represented UAB and the Med-Peds and Pediatric Residency Programs the Howard Residency Fair.

Please read Dr. Alana Nichols’ reflection:

The Howard Residency Fair provides an opportunity for residencies and organizations around the country to meet in one location and network with medical students in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia (DMV) area, with free access granted to Howard medical students. There were more than 80 residencies and organizations present at this annual event. Yet again, UAB was well represented with residents from anesthesiology, internal medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics, pathology and pediatrics attending the fair. It was a great experience. 

Over the years, I've realized that many students are unaware of med-peds as a specialty, until later in their medical education. Furthermore, under-represented in medicine (URiM) students express feeling intimidated by the potential competitiveness of the field. I truly enjoyed being able to not only introduce students to the field, but to UAB as well. Also, I'm pretty sure we will start seeing other programs with socks integrated into their swag at recruitment events in the future. 

When I started residency, I had many conversations with my program leadership about how important it was for me to continue being involved in URiM recruitment and retention efforts and Dr. Stein Somerville has made sure that I have been able to stay true to this mission and I look forward to continuing these efforts in the future.

Alana Nichols, M.D.