When did you graduate from UAB?
I graduated from UAB in 2017.- What city are you located in?
Atlanta, GA - What are your clinical/research interests?
General Urology, Stone Disease and Residency Education - How did you choose to practice this area of urology?
The field of urology has a rare balance of medicine and surgery, by going into general urology I get to enjoy the full breadth of the specialty. As a faculty member at Emory, I have the unique opportunity of practicing general urology but also getting a chance to educate residents. - What aspect of your time at UAB do you believe was most valuable as you started your career?
As I progressed through residency training, I was given increasing responsibility and independence in respect to clinical and surgical decision-making. This concept of graduated responsibility has allowed me to develop my autonomy with confidence as a new attending. - Did you have a particular mentor while at UAB? Why were they a good mentor?
It’s difficult to pinpoint a specific mentor while I was at UAB. I learned so many things from so many people through my 5 years as a resident. Dr. Assimos is single-handedly responsible for my appreciation for clinical and basic science research. In addition, his big heart, generosity and caring nature serve as a framework for how I approach my own patients every day. Though we often think of our attendings as our mentors, I also want to acknowledge Courtney Shepard (now Streur). Two years my senior, I was fortunate to have her as my chief on multiple rotations. In fact, we spent 8 out of 12 months together my first year of Urology. Her optimism, work ethic and respectful nature made her an excellent role model. - What is one of your fondest memories from UAB?
Just one? Some of my favorites are operating alongside my co-chiefs during my final year, Snowpocalypse 2014 when the entire department got snowed in for nearly two days, annual crawfish boils hosted by the chiefs, a tradition I’ve carried with me to Atlanta. - Give one piece of advice you’d like to share with the current residents or those recently graduated.
Write. Down. Everything. How to workup patients in clinic, surgical steps, interesting consults, rare complications, when Dr. So-and-so wants catheters removed - Everything. Also, don’t be afraid to take some time off after graduation. I took off just over 3 months and don’t regret a single day of it. - When you’re not working, how do you spend your time?
Cooking, exercising, reading, hiking, traveling, exploring Atlanta with my husband.
Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Thanmaya Reddy
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- Written by: Morgan Samples