Graduating Residents
The UAB Department of Ophthalmology held its graduation ceremony on June 24, 2017 at the UAB Alumni House. Each of the 5 graduating residents, and 4 graduating fellows, were joined by family and friends.
There were three awards distributed at graduation:
The Brass Apple Award is voted on by first and second-year residents honoring one graduating resident as an outstanding resident and teacher. This year’s recipient of The Brass Apple Award is Elizabeth Keeble, M.D.
The Crystal Apple Award is selected by the graduating residents, and is awarded to one faculty member who has served as a mentor and advisor. This year’s recipient of the Crystal Apple Award is Matthew Vicinanzo, M.D.
The final award is the Class of 2017 Resident Appreciation Award. This award is selected by graduating residents who select a staff member who helped them over the years. The Class of 2017 Resident Appreciation Award was given to Dara Cook, Ophthalmic Technician, UAB Callahan Eye Hospital Lions Clinic.
Congratulations to all of our award recipients, as well as our graduating residents and fellows.
If you would like to see photos from graduation, please click here.
Listed below are our 2017 graduating residents:
William Gannon, M.D.
Undergraduate: The University of Alabama
Medical School: The University of South Alabama College of Medicine
Comprehensive Ophthalmology: Eye Surgical Associates—Dothan, Alabama
Austin Gerber, M.D.
Undergraduate: Indiana Wesleyan University
Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine
Fellowship: University of Louisville, Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Elizabeth Keeble, M.D.
Undergraduate: Huntingdon College
Medical School: The University of South Alabama College of Medicine
Comprehensive Ophthalmology: Institute for Total Eye Care, P.C.—Montgomery, Alabama
Adam Quinn, M.D
Undergraduate: Louisiana State University
Medical School: Louisiana State University School of Medicine—Shreveport, Louisiana
Fellowship: The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Glaucoma
Michael Rolfsen, M.D.
Undergraduate: The University of Notre Dame
Medical School: Louisiana State University School of Medicine—New Orleans, Louisiana
Comprehensive Ophthalmology: Waco Eye Associates—Waco, Texas
Incoming Residents
To the 2017 incoming residency class: Welcome to UAB Ophthalmology!
The UAB Department of Ophthalmology welcomed 5 incoming residents from across the country.
Orientation week was held July 3—July 7, 2017 with a variety of both educational and meet-and-greet opportunities.
This year’s incoming residents are:
Crystal Daigle, M.D.
Hometown: Lafayette, Louisiana
Medical School: The University of Mississippi Medical Center—Jackson, Mississippi
Preliminary Year: The University of Mississippi Medical Center—Jackson, Mississippi
“I was initially interested in UAB for the fellowship opportunities, then I realized it was the best fit for me after interviewing and seeing just how happy all of the residents are here and the comradery they share. Outside of residency, I enjoy running, hiking, basketball, spending time with family and friends, and one day hope to go into oculoplastics.”
Setu Patel, M.D.
Hometown: Carol Stream, Illinois
Medical School: The University of Missouri School of Medicine—Kansas City, Missouri
Preliminary Year: St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital—Indianapolis, Indiana
“Although I don’t yet know what field of ophthalmology I want to practice I am excited for all the different learning opportunities that I will get to experience at UAB. I have always been passionate about eyes and I cannot wait to learn everything I can in the short amount of time I have in the coming years. I wanted to go to a program that gives me maximum amounts of clinical exposure in order to establish a solid base of knowledge. UAB’s 24/7 eye emergency room and the kind and approachable faculty I met during my interview day sold me on this program. I knew this was the place for me to train if I wanted to be an excellent ophthalmologist in the future.”
Amol Sura, M.D.
Hometown: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Medical School: Louisiana State University School of Medicine—New Orleans, Louisiana
Preliminary Year: Baptist Health—Birmingham, Alabama
“I am thrilled to join the UAB family for my ophthalmology residency training. Outside of medicine, my interests include spending time outdoors, playing sports, reading, and traveling. I chose UAB Ophthalmology because of its high clinical volume, national reputation, commitment to resident education, and family-like atmosphere.”
Jeffrey Tapley, M.D.
Hometown: Birmingham, Alabama
Medical School: The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine—Birmingham, Alabama
Preliminary Year: Baptist Health—Birmingham, Alabama
“UAB Ophthalmology offered everything I was looking for in an ophthalmology residency: camaraderie and family-like feel among residents and faculty, top-notch clinical and surgical training, and ample opportunities for research with world-class faculty. Also, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to train in my hometown and give back to the community that raised me. I'm happily married to my wife of 2 years, Natalie. I grew up in a large family with over 30 first cousins right here in Birmingham. In my free time, I enjoy playing golf, watching Alabama football (Roll Tide), playing the piano, and walking my leash-trained cat, Purkinje.”
Robert “Connor” Wann, M.D
Hometown: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Medical School: The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine—Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Preliminary Year: The University of Alabama at Birmingham Internal Medicine Program—Birmingham, Alabama
“I chose UAB Ophthalmology for the mix of world-class training and humble, genuine people. The fantastic food scene in Birmingham is icing on the cake! After residency, I'm hoping to pursue a fellowship and then use my skills to make an impact both internationally and in my own community. Most people think my wife, Taylor, is well out of my league, and I completely agree. We are expecting our first child in September, and we are beyond excited to be parents.”