When Shaundra Blakemore, M.D., and Brian Sims, M.D., Ph.D., step into a Birmingham City Schools classroom, they see more than bright, eager faces—they see themselves.
Both are proud graduates of the district, and today, as co-directors of the UAB Mini Medical School, they are building a pathway for young scholars who may one day follow their footsteps into careers in healthcare.
The program, launched in 2022 by the UAB Department of Pediatrics and overseen through the Division of Adolescent Medicine, was created to increase exposure to science, technology, engineering, and math among middle school students.
What began with 25 students from Birmingham and Jefferson County quickly grew into a districtwide partnership with Birmingham City Schools. Now, the program partners with 15 area middle schools, with additional programming available through the YMCA for learners beyond Birmingham City Schools.
The Mini Medical School program has been under the leadership of Tamera Coyne-Beasley, M.D., vice chair for Community Engagement in the Department of Pediatrics. Her guidance has been key to the success of the program.
The growth and continued success of the program is a result of the simple belief that exposure to careers in the healthcare community leads to opportunity, and opportunity can change the course of a young person’s life.
Hands-on learning with real impact
Mini Medical School brings healthcare to life in a way that textbooks simply cannot. During monthly in-person sessions, students rotate through hands-on stations and simulations led by UAB physicians, nurses, and healthcare professionals.
Each month, students are exposed to a different area of the healthcare profession. Healthcare professionals from various fields give lessons, answer student questions, and lead hands-on activities.
Excited students learn to take blood pressure, examine vital signs, try CPR, test out lifelike models used for medical training, and even practice procedures like venipuncture, all in a safe, engaging, and supervised environment.
Students also participate in virtual sessions with medical professionals from across the country, giving them the chance to hear directly from surgeons, pediatricians, dermatologists, emergency medicine physicians, and more. Each of the virtual speakers has a connection to UAB, giving students a unique opportunity to learn from leaders who are shaping the future of healthcare locally and nationally.
The program doesn’t just introduce students to healthcare; however, it helps them see what is possible for their own lives. As co-director, Blakemore explains that returning to Birmingham City Schools to help students discover their potential has been deeply meaningful.
“As a proud graduate of the Birmingham City School system, it has been amazing giving back to these students who remind me so much of myself. This is a valuable program that provides exposure to a variety of healthcare careers. I hope that it continues long into the future,” Blakemore said.
Her perspective embodies the spirit of Mini Medical School, one built on giving back, lifting up, and opening doors.
A growing program with growing needs
Now in its fifth year, the program’s growth has been encouraging, but the need for support grows along with it. Mini Medical School relies on specialized supplies that must be maintained or replaced, such as simulation equipment, CPR manikins, and medical task trainers used for skill practice. Additional funding will allow the program to keep its hands-on activities vibrant, accurate, and safe.
Beyond equipment, donor support can expand the number of schools served each year, increase transportation options for on-campus visits, and create more opportunities for students to engage directly with UAB’s medical community.
For Co-Director Sims, seeing the program flourish has been one of the most rewarding parts of his work. “It has been great to see the growth of the UAB Mini Medical School, and it has been a great investment of time. To see the young scholars gain knowledge and exposure about the medical field is a rewarding experience. I am looking forward to this program continuing for many years,” said Sims.
His hope is that this opportunity continues to grow and reach even more young scholars across Birmingham.
A promise to the next generation
Support for the Mini Medical School means more than funding a program; it means investing in the future of Birmingham’s healthcare workforce by investing in Birmingham-area city schools.
Mini Medical School makes it possible for students to discover interests they never knew they had or to dive deeper into burgeoning healthcare aspirations. This unique program removes barriers to exposure, opportunity, and mentorship and ensures that young people can see themselves in the profession.
Ultimately, Mini Medical School is more than an academic enrichment program. It is a pipeline, a mentorship network, a spark of inspiration, and a bridge between Birmingham’s classrooms and its world-class medical community.
As it continues to grow, so does its impact. And with your support, this impact can reach more students, more schools, and more families—building a healthier, brighter future for everyone. Give now to the Department of Pediatrics Mini Medical School Giving Days project.
Learn more about UAB Giving Days and all of the 2026 projects.