About - School of Medicine

Important updates to UAB's COVID-19 health and safety policies and our mission to help fight COVID-19

Welcome to UAB, the heartbeat of Birmingham

At UAB, we're training the next generation of physicians and physician-scientists, answering basic scientific questions that lead to medical innovations, and bringing the highest quality health care to all of our patients.

UAB is the heartbeat of Birmingham and an integral medical leader in the Southeast. The Birmingham campus is within walking distance of some of the best parks, entertainment, and dining in the region. Our regional campuses—in Huntsville, Montgomery and Tuscaloosa—expand our academic reach and responsibilities in addition to educating physicians in rural and underserved areas of the state.

The School of Medicine is made up of nearly 800 students, more than 1,000 residents, and 1,400 full-time faculty in 27 academic departments. We are the home of The Kirklin Clinic, a multi-disciplinary medical home; University Hospital, one of the largest academic hospitals in the country; and our faculty serve the Children's of Alabama hospital.

At a Glance

799 medical students enrolled based on 2019-2020 academic year

1,071 residents currently enrolled based on 2019-2020 academic year

186 medical students in the most recent entering class

9,093 physicians trained to date

The first and one of only 36 proton therapy centers in the US, Proton International at UAB

More than 2 million patients treated at UAB and Children's of Alabama in 2019

Largest and only magnet-designated infusion therapy center in the state of Alabama

One of the first in the US to offer clinical trial of the treatment of patients with severe COVID-19 using nitric oxide

5,000 new cancer patients seen each year at the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB

One of only two Level 1 ocular trauma eye centers in the US

Only adult Level I trauma center in the state of Alabama (as verified by American College of Surgeons)

One of eight national Udall Centers of Excellence in Parkinson’s disease

One of eight inuagural NIH-designated Centers for AIDS research

107% growth in clinical trials expenditures over the past 5 years ($36.2M to $75M)

Leadership

Selwyn M. Vickers, MD, FACS

Senior Vice President and Dean
Chair, University of Alabama Health Services Foundation Board

Dr. Vickers returned to UAB in 2013 to lead the School of Medicine. He is a world-renowned surgeon, pancreatic cancer researcher, pioneer in health disparities research, and a native of Alabama.

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The UAB Proton Therapy Center, home to the most powerful particle accelerator to treat cancer, iterative cone-beam CT imaging and high-definition pencil-beam scanning technology

Wellness

Supporting our people

Health care is a demanding field in a number of ways: physically, emotionally, mentally, and more. The UAB Office of Wellness exists to provide many different types of support for all of our employees and is constantly expanding its programs and reach. Our institution is at the forefront of proactive wellness efforts among academic medical centers.

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Diversity and Inclusion

Valuing diverse perspectives

Here at UAB, we believe that diversity and inclusion play an important role in our pursuit of excellence in medicine. Our Office for Diversity and Inclusion works to cultivate an accepting and affirming environment for all of our faculty, staff, and students while enhancing our efforts in recruitment, career development, and retention of employees and students.

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A vibrant, growing UAB community

UAB is a thriving campus that has experienced unprecedented growth in recent years. Strong partnerships with other prestigious organizations, such as Southern Research and HudsonAlpha, help the university expand its impact and cultivate opportunities for groundbreaking research and learning.

Mission and Vision

Mission

The School of Medicine is dedicated to excellence in the education of physicians and scientists in all of the disciplines of medicine and biomedical investigation for careers in practice, teaching, and research. Central to this educational mission are the provision of outstanding medical care and services and the enhancement of new knowledge through clinical and basic biomedical research. We embrace the University of Alabama at Birmingham's commitment to creating an inclusive environment that values differing perspectives and experiences. This diversity is essential to fulfilling the enduring mission of our medical school.

Vision

The School of Medicine will be recognized by its faculty, students, graduates and patients and by faculty members in other schools of medicine and research universities as one of the nation's premier institutions for research, training and patient care. Excellence in each of its primary missions—education, clinical care, and basic, translational and clinical research—is essential to this recognition.