By the time Audria Wood opens her Match Day envelope, she will have spent nearly a decade growing up within UAB’s walls, first as an undergraduate student-athlete, then as a medical student, and now as a future orthopedic surgeon preparing to learn where residency training will take her next.
A native of Gadsden, Alabama, Wood was drawn to medicine early, participating in a high school health class that allowed her to shadow in the community. That experience, combined with the Early Medical School Acceptance Program (EMSAP) at UAB, cemented her path to medicine and introduced her to the Heersink School of Medicine long before she officially matriculated. “Growing up in Alabama, we’re all told that UAB is the place to go for medicine,” Wood says. “Out of high school, it’s super common to go to other state schools, but UAB is the medicine one.”
Wood navigated college athletics alongside academics, earning a degree in biology and completing a master’s in public health through an accelerated program. Even when an MCL tear challenged her physically and mentally, she found growth opportunities, focusing on leadership, volunteering, and tutoring. Her time in the EMSAP provided support and mentorship that helped her stay on track despite the demands of being a student-athlete.
A pivotal experience that shaped her approach to patient care came while shadowing a clinic during undergrad. Wood encountered a young patient's knee injury that was not healing as expected. Initially, she struggled to understand why he was not following medical guidance. Over time, Wood gained insight that there were deeper factors affecting him, including social isolation, depression, and challenges at home, that were prolonging his recovery. This encounter changed her perspective on patient care and inspired her to pursue a master’s degree focused on health behavior.
Medical school offered further formative experiences, including running the volunteer project “Coloring with Care” through the Socially Responsible Surgeons interest group. Wood guided fellow students in communicating compassionately with patients in the ICU and coordinated with nurses to identify patients in need of extra support. Clinically, special topics week in her third year solidified her choice of orthopedic surgery, a specialty that resonated with her hands-on, problem-oriented approach and her experience as an athlete. “Even with ortho, the team has so many different stakeholders — physician assistants, physical therapists, athletic trainers, nutritionists — and everyone inherently cares about what the others have to say. That more holistic, team-focused approach really drew me in,” Wood says.
Throughout medical school, Wood says the Heersink School of Medicine prepared her well for residency both academically and professionally. Under the mentorship of Amit Momaya, M.D., associate professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and section chief of sports medicine, Wood thrived in research, managing multiple projects and strengthening her scholarly foundation. She also credits Medical Student Services (MSS) for playing a critical role in her success. During her father’s battle with stage 4 colon cancer, MSS provided flexibility, consistent communication, and steady support. Academically, Wood relied on its structured programming, performance data, and step-by-step guidance for Step preparation and clerkship responsibilities; resources she says helped her stay focused and confident during an especially demanding season.
Her time on the Birmingham campus further enriched her education. Living within walking distance of the hospital, Wood had experience with the delivery of monoamniotic monochorionic twins, recovery of organs for transplant, and outcomes of advanced procedures like Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC). Wood describes the Birmingham campus as a true quaternary care center, noting that these experiences are not widely available nationally, and she encourages students to take full advantage of these distinctive clinical opportunities.
For current students, Wood stresses the importance of communication and openness to growth. She encourages students to speak up early when facing challenges, seek help when needed, and recognize that even experiences they might not initially enjoy can provide valuable lessons. Wood also highlights the support offered by MSS, noting that attending sessions, using the resources, and following the guidance provided can make a significant difference in academics, Step preparation, and clerkship success.
Wood sees Match Day as a milestone, not the conclusion of her story. “It feels like closing a chapter, but definitely not putting down the book,” she says. Wood plans to carry the lessons she learned into residency and beyond, continuing to address the broader aspects of patient care and applying the insights she gained about navigating the medical system and supporting patients beyond their immediate clinical needs. She also looks forward to building on the mentorship and teamwork experiences she valued at UAB, aiming to foster the same growth and guidance in others that shaped her journey.
Meet the other Heersink School of Medicine MS4s featured in the Countdown to residency series and explore their journeys toward Match Day.
Read their stories: Brenton Bicknell | Philip Harden | Jordan Beam