Rural Residents
Where are you from? DeRidder, LA
Why did you come to Cahaba UAB FMR?
There were several factors that make Cahaba the clear choice for me. When I began looking for a residency program, I knew I wanted to be in a rural setting where I could continue to practice and develop my osteopathic skills. During my fourth year of medical school, I visited here and was amazed by how supportive everyone at this program is - I instantly felt like I belonged. I also appreciate the way the curriculum is designed. Most importantly, seeing a program that is dedicated to serving God through service to the community was huge deciding factor for me.
Undergrad: McNeese State University
Med school: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Louisiana Campus
What does your life outside of medicine look like? I love reading, singing, and spending time with my family, friends, and two dogs.
Where are you from? Cullman, AL
Why did you come to Cahaba UAB FMR? Feel free to include whatever details are relevant to this, and please make this a thoughtful paragraph or however long you need. This is the most substantial and important section of the entire bio.
While looking into family medicine residencies, there was just something about Cahaba that kept drawing me back again and again. Initially, I thought it was just because of the longitudinal curriculum and the emphasis on full-spectrum care. I want to do rural primary care, so training in a rural area is also a huge draw for me. But during recruitment and interview season, all the in-person interactions I had with the residents and faculty at Cahaba were so intentional and uplifting, it really helped solidify my decision. The Lord’s hand was so evident in each step of recruitment and interviewing, my decision to come to Cahaba was an easy one to make.
Undergrad: Jacksonville State University
Med school: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine- Auburn Campus
What does your life outside of medicine look like?
I’m secretly an old lady in my soul. I like to stay at home with my husband— Michael— and three cats, Kirby, Boo, and Cali. My hobbies are crocheting and knitting, and I dabble at embroidery.
What is your favorite food to cook? I like to eat Cajun sausage pasta, so I guess by default I like to cook it.
What is a destination you'd like to visit or live? My husband and I would like to visit the Holy Land at some point in our lives.
What drives you?
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8
What is your (current) post residency plan?
As of right now, I want to practice rural outpatient care with an emphasis on women’s healthcare.
Where are you from? Grand Bay, AL
Why did you come to Cahaba UAB FMR? Feel free to include whatever details are relevant to this, and please make this a thoughtful paragraph or however long you need. This is the most substantial and important section of the entire bio.
- I came to Cahaba for the family atmosphere and well-rounded training. I am someone who switched from General Surgery to Family Medicine so it was very important to me to train somewhere that practices the full scope of family medicine but also supports their residents on whatever path they choose within FM. Additionally, I was previously training in Los Angeles and really wanted to be closer to my family; I am now about a 3 hour drive away from them.
Undergrad: Auburn University
Med school: UAB
What does your life outside of medicine look like? Outside of medicine, I liek to spend time with my family and dog (Mocha Blue). I love to cook and try new foods.
What is your favorite food to cook? Puerto Rican black beans and rice or Mofongo; chicken pot pie
What is a destination you'd like to visit or live?I would love to visit Italy; it has been on my travel list for awhile
What drives you? my faith, I may not always understand the next step but I have peace when I am going the right direction
What is your (current) post residency plan? I would like to work as an FMOB and provide women's health services to underserved communities
Where are you from? Woodstock, AL
Why did you come to Cahaba UAB FMR? Feel free to include whatever details are relevant to this, and please make this a thoughtful paragraph or however long you need. This is the most substantial and important section of the entire bio.
I came to Cahaba UAB FMR because it felt like home and is so close to the place I call home. Growing up in Bibb County, everyone knows of Cahaba and trusts this institution with many aspects of their health care. Choosing here felt like the most perfect and unique opportunity to give back to the community that not only built and shaped me, but also supported me every step of the way on the journey of becoming a physician. I am so thankful to be home.
Undergrad: The University of Alabama
Med school: UAB Heersink School of Medicine
What does your life outside of medicine look like? Outside of medicine, I am a mother, wife, Christ follower, and business owner. I spend most of my free time getting baby cuddles and planning parties for my various clients. I spend Monday nights at bible study with my Life Group from church and love building that connection with Christ and my friends. On Thursdays, you can typically find my little family at the race track. And in the unique moments that I’m alone or the baby is sleeping in my lap, I am typically watching a good show or listening to an audio book.
What is your favorite food to cook? LOOOOVE a good pasta!
What is a destination you'd like to visit or live? Greece
What drives you? I am driven by my mission from God to serve those around me, but also my family which pushes me to be the best version of myself while always reminding me how proud they are of me.
What is your (current) post residency plan? I would love to stay local and work primarily in the outpatient setting.
Where are you from?
Augusta, Georgia
Why did you come to Cahaba UAB FMR?
I chose Cahaba UAB FMR for the outstanding dedication to their community and family culture of the residents. It is such a special honor to be able to live and serve in a rural community where you are able to connect on a deeper level with your patients, community, and peers. I am also excited for the comprehensive training provided in ultrasound, procedures, obstetrics, and gynecologic care, and more that would allow me to become a well-rounded physician. I am thrilled to spend my next few years of training working with underserved populations and developing lasting relationships at Cahaba.
Undergrad:
University of Georgia
Med School:
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Auburn
What does your life outside of medicine look like?
You can typically find me reading a book with my two dogs, Violet and Nala, and my husband Miles. On weekends we enjoy visiting friends and family or hosting game nights.
What is your favorite food to cook?
Do cheese boards count?
What is a destination you'd like to visit or live?
I would love to visit Greece, Yellowstone National Park, Maine, and New Zealand.
What drives you?
I am driven by building lasting relationships with those around me and always providing support to my friends, family, and patients.
What is your (current) post residency plan?
I hope to return home to Georgia to practice as a primary care physician.
Where are you from?
Luling, Louisiana
Why did you come to Cahaba UAB FMR?
Long story short, God has been preparing me for Cahaba for years. I grew up in a small town in southeast Louisiana, and I did my third year medical school rotations in rural East Texas, where I fell in love with the community and the ability to see and meet the needs of those I lived with. I did not know if I would be able to find that same experience in a residency program... but I found it at Cahaba. From a clinical perspective, I was intrigued by the exposure to ultrasound, endoscopy, and comprehensive women's health. Cahaba also emphasizes personal development, integration into the community, and opportunities for medical missions, all things I was looking for in a residency program. Most importantly, they know what it means to live out their mission of showing the love of Christ through medicine. My hope is that I will become a good physician modeled after the Great Physician, and I know that training with Cahaba will help me get there!
Undergrad:
Liberty University
Med school:
Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
What does your life outside of medicine look like?
On my days off, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, cooking, and watching football and baseball. I also love singing, playing guitar, and performing one-woman Broadway shows for my cat (she loves them, trust me).
What is your favorite food to cook?
That's a tie between jambalaya and gumbo. I'm also a stress baker, so I love trying my hand at different desserts.. and sharing them all :)
What is a destination you'd like to visit or live?
I would love to visit Hawaii, Italy, and Israel!
What drives you?
My faith in God is the driving force of my life and ambitions. I would not have made it this far without His guidance (and, at times, His loving correction). The opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus to people at their most vulnerable is one I will never take for granted.
What is your post-residency plan?
My current plan includes an OB fellowship followed by private practice and regular medical mission work, but wherever the Lord leads, I will follow!
Where are you from?
Colorado
Why did you come to Cahaba UAB FMR?
Undergrad:
University of Houston
Med school:
NYITCOM, Jonesboro, AR
What does your life outside of medicine look like?
I like to spend time with family and friends as well as fishing and diving.
What is your favorite food to cook?
Lobster Bisque
What is a destination you'd like to visit or live?
Antarctica and Chili
What drives you?
Smiles for miles.
What is your post residency plan?
To provide the best medical care possible for numerous rural populations.
Where are you from?
I was born in Dinajpur, Bangladesh but have spent most of my adult life in Atlanta, GA.
Why did you come to Cahaba UAB FMR?
The Cahaba UAB FMR program offered a unique and compelling opportunity for aspiring family physicians. Its mission to serve under served communities in Alabama resonates deeply with those passionate about equitable healthcare access. The program’s dual focus approach on rural and urban settings allows residents to develop a well-rounded skill set applicable to diverse patient populations. Furthermore, the global health missions-based foundation of Cahaba Medical Care was another big factor in influencing my decision. Driven by a passion for serving under served communities and a desire to make an impact on patients’ lives, this residency program stands out. The prospect of training alongside a supportive community and becoming an integral part of the program dedicated to transforming primary care fueled my decision to pursue residency at the Cahaba UAB FMR program.
Undergrad:
Georgia State University
Med school:
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine – GA campus
What does your life outside of medicine look like?
I love spending time with family and friends. I enjoy playing various sports like ping pong, badminton, and cricket. I also love to spend time cooking and being outdoors.
What is your favorite food to cook?
My favorite dish to prepare would be steak and mashed potatoes. The sizzle of garlic, rosemary, and olive oil as they meet, the burst of flavors from salt and pepper, and the earthy whisper of fresh herbs – the entire process is a sensory adventure.
What is a destination you'd like to visit or live?
I would love to travel to Australia and New Zealand.
What drives you?
A hunger for knowledge fuels my existence. Every interaction, every question, every new piece of data is like a morsel that expands my understanding and refines my abilities. The constant growth mindset allows me to better serve patients, providing them with the information and assistance they seek.
What is your post-residency plan?
Fellowship and then practice full-spectrum family medicine in an under served area.
Where are you from?
Born overseas but raised in the south in Montgomery, AL for the past 25 years!
Why did you come to Cahaba UAB FMR?
I wanted to be in a place where I’d feel heard as a person, not just another residency number turning the conveyor belt for the hospital. Not only that, but having a strong foundation of self and camaraderie and being in a place where that is a shared goal was super important for me in choosing where and how I wanted to further excel my career. What better place than super close to home in my home state than here?
Undergrad:
Auburn University at Montgomery
Med school:
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine— Auburn Campus
What does your life outside of medicine look like?
I love playing music and basketball in my spare time, going to the movies, and traveling if I can.
What is your favorite food to cook?
Steak!
What is a destination you'd like to visit or live?
Swiss Alps or somewhere along Mediterranean Coast
What drives you?
I know I have people and family that love me so I have to keep on going through the darkest times for them!
What is your post residency plan?
It’s fluid— I know I wanna work in an outpatient setting, maybe open my own business while working in the ER on the side.
Where are you from?
Rocky Top, TN
Why did you come to Cahaba FMR?
When looking for a residency program, I knew that I wanted to be trained in a rural medicine. I grew up in a small town in Tennessee. I love the pace of life and familiarity that small towns create. Knowing small, rural living, I am aware of the obstacles present when it comes to getting medical care. I have witnessed, heard stories about, and personally experienced hardships regarding accessing medical care in rural-small towns. While Cahaba FMR fulfilled my desire to be trained in rural medicine and help prepare me to practice post-residency in a small town, I also fell in love with the community Cahaba has. As a medical student, I had the opportunity to rotate with Cahaba FMR. The support and community I felt from the residents alone made me feel as if I was part of the team long before I truly became a team member. Cahaba’s global health program was also a huge factor that drew me to the program. I have experience with global missions pre-medicine, and plan to continue to nurture the calling I have to serve underserved populations both in my back yard and overseas, wherever that may be.
Undergrad:
Lincoln Memorial University
Med school:
Edward via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Carolina campus
What does your life outside of medicine look like?
Outside of medicine I try to spend as much time with my people as I can. This sometimes is as simple as at home pizza and movie nights with my partner, Jonathon. While other times it involves traveling to new places for hiking trails, difference races with my friends, or going to visit family. I enjoy a good book and just about any activity that involves being outdoors.
What is your favorite food to cook?
Any kind of pasta, preferably the kinds stuffed with cheese!
What is a destination you'd like to visit or live?
I would love to visit Hawaii, Thailand, and New Zealand.
What drives you?
My spiritual relationship with God, my personal relationships with my family and friends, and new relationships I form along the way all drive me to celebrate the good times and support me during the hard times.
What is your post residency plan?
My post-residency plan involves working as a primary care physician in a rural setting both domestically and internationally.
Where are you from?
Columbus, Mississippi
Why did you come to Cahaba FMR?
The location, mission, and people of Cahaba UAB FMR really stood out while I was searching for a residency program. The location of Cahaba UAB FMR in a rural area provides care to people who may not otherwise be able to find medical care. The small community fosters close relationships with patients, staff, and the community, while providing training in a similar environment to which I envision my career in the future. What interested me even more than the location, was the mission and people of Cahaba UAB FMR. The people of Cahaba UAB FMR are genuine. They truly care about you as a person and want to help you develop into the physician you will be for your career. Cahaba UAB FMR provides training for full-scope family medicine, so residents who graduate from the program are able to provide medical care to people in the most rural areas with the resources available to them. Most of all, you are able to become part of a team of people serving others in the love of Christ, through medical care or other means.
Undergrad:
Millsaps College
Med school:
University of Mississippi Medical Center
What does your life outside of medicine look like?
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, traveling, gardening, going to ball games, cooking out, or watching races on occasion. I also like spending time taking care of my animals, including my dog, cat, and chickens.
What is your favorite food to cook?
I love to cook a variety of desserts, but only when I can share!
What is a destination you’d like to visit or live?
I would love to visit more of the national parks across America.
What drives you?
My God, my family, and the people I serve. They help guide me in big life decisions and the little things everyday and motivate me to continue and improve in my work.
What is your post residency plan?
I plan to practice full-spectrum Family Medicine in a rural area of Alabama or Mississippi.
Where are you from?
Wichita, Kansas
Why did you come to Cahaba FMR?
I originally found out about Cahaba, because some of the physicians in Wichita were trying to live out a similar mission inspired by Cahaba. Here were doctors so passionate about living out their Christian faith that they were living in the underserved communities that they hoped to help. These men and women were sacrificing prestige, wealth, and even safety for the sake of impacting and integrating with their community. I loved that mentality and aspire to be a physician like that. I wanted to be surrounded by like-minded individuals in both my teachers and my fellow learners. So now I am here and could not be more content with the community of which I get to be a part.
Undergrad:
Kansas State University
Med school:
University of Kansas School of Medicine
What does your life outside of medicine look like?
I have been married to my wife, Jada, for 6 years. We have two dogs, Twinkie and Pumpkin. My life outside medicine is spent mostly in their company. My wife and I love to entertain guests and regularly have people over to our house to play board or table-top games. We love seeing new places and trying new foods. I still find time to read, play video games, or play pickleball just to name a few things.
What is your favorite food to cook?
Lemon blueberry scones
What is a destination you'd like to visit or live?
We would love to visit New Zealand at some point
What drives you?
The desire to utilize the gifts, talents, and experiences that I have in the service of helping the less fortunate.
What is your post residency plan?
I do not have a solidified post-residency plan currently. I am considering doing a sports medicine or addiction medicine fellowship. I enjoy teaching, so I may end up in academics as well. The one unifying direction is that I hope to find an underserved community to serve and into which I can integrate once I finish training.
Where are you from?
Originally from Hampton, GA but have been living in beautiful East TN for the last 6 years.
Why did you come to Cahaba FMR?
I was drawn to Cahaba FMR because of the mission of serving rural underserved communities. After doing my 3rd and 4th year medical school rotations in a rural hospital I knew I wanted to practice rural medicine and felt that Cahaba was a great fit for my personal goals. I have a special interest in women's health and global medicine, both of which are strongly supported by this program. During interview day, I had lovely conversations with the residents and faculty. I felt like they truly wanted to get to know me and support my goals.
Undergrad:
Pensacola Christian College in Pensacola, FL
Med school:
Lincoln Memorial University Debusk College of Osteopathic Medicine in Knoxville, TN
What does your life outside of medicine look like?
On my days off I am usually spending time with my husband and my dog, Rico. We love to be outside enjoying nature or trying out new restaurants in the city.
What is your favorite food to cook?
Anything with pasta
What is a destination you'd like to visit or live?
Would love to travel to Switzerland!
What drives you?
My family and I come from very humble beginnings. As an immigrant family and single parent household, there were many barriers to living a healthy and comfortable life. My goal has always been to become the type of physician now that my family needed back then.
What is your post residency plan?
After completing an OB fellowship, I plan to return to rural east Tennessee to practice long-term.