The University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Family and Community Medicine’s Sumayah Abed, M.D., and Calvin Spellmon Jr., M.D., were promoted to associate professor, effective Oct. 1, 2026.
“We are so proud of the lasting impact Sumayah and Calvin have had on the patients, learners, and communities we serve,” said Irfan Asif, M.D., chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine. “Their promotions to associate professor reflect years of scholarship, leadership, and achievement, and we are proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition of their contributions to both UAB and to countless people throughout Alabama.”
Congratulations to Drs. Abed and Spellmon.
Sumayah Abed, M.D.
Since joining the department in 2020, Sumayah Abed, M.D. has been a leader in community-engaged care, medical education, and women’s health. She currently serves as director of the Equal Access Birmingham (EAB) Gynecology Health Clinic. At EAB, she has expanded reproductive health services for uninsured and underinsured patients while also creating meaningful service-learning opportunities for medical students. She also directs the Dean’s Primary Care Scholars Program and the Community Health Education course, helping learners connect clinical training with service. Through an innovative partnership with the Live HealthSmart Alabama Mobile Wellness Van, students in Abed’s Community Health Education course have contributed nearly 600 hours of service. Known for her compassionate approach to patient care, Abed was recognized as a 2022 Patient Experience Hero. She also routinely earns Patient Experience Excellence Awards, reflecting excellence in key areas such as listening attentively, showing genuine concern, providing clear explanations, and involving patients in decisions about their health. Abed is also a dedicated teacher. In addition to mentoring medical students and residents in a variety of research and quality improvement projects, she serves as core faculty for the Cahaba-UAB Highlands Family Medicine Residency.
Calvin Spellmon Jr., M.D.
In his five years with the department, Calvin Spellmon Jr., M.D, has created new pathways to preventive care, inspired countless young people, and strengthened trust between communities and the medical profession. As medical director for Birmingham City Schools, Spellmon has expanded access to care for student-athletes by leading in-school physical events. Annually, these events provide more than 1,500 students across seven high schools with free pre-participation physicals and critical health screenings. Beyond basic sports clearance, he collaborated with colleagues across UAB to provide students with vision screening, musculoskeletal exams, cardiac and pulmonary evaluations, and general preventive care, removing barriers to care related to cost and transportation. The 2025 American Medical Society of Sports Medicine (AMSSM) Community Advocacy Award recognized Spellmon’s dedication to service at the national level. Spellmon also provides sideline coverage for numerous teams, ranging from local high schools to UAB Athletics and the UFL. He is also committed to mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals through programs such as Mini Med School and the Student National Medical Association’s Integrative Healthcare Summit.