On Match Day, Philip Harden will stand among his classmates with an envelope in hand, waiting for the countdown to learn where he will train as a resident physician. The moment feels close enough to touch, yet not fully real. For the fourth-year medical student at the Heersink School of Medicine’s Tuscaloosa Regional Campus, it represents the culmination of a goal he began pursuing in high school.
Harden grew up in Montgomery, Alabama, and earned both his undergraduate and master’s degrees in biology from the University of Alabama through the accelerated master’s program. Drawn early to science and teaching, he solidified his interest in medicine through a high school health scholars program. Touring simulation labs and shadowing physicians made the profession tangible. Aware of UAB Heersink’s reputation and the innovations coming out of Birmingham, he says applying felt like a natural next step.
Harden entered medical school drawn to pediatrics, but internal medicine quickly captured his interest as well. Energized by both rotations, he embraced both and applied to Internal Medicine-Pediatrics (med-peds), drawn to what he describes as a passionate and community-minded field.
Medical school shaped Harden academically and professionally. He said the challenges he faced were those common to all students: rigorous coursework and the responsibility of patient care. He felt well prepared through strong faculty instruction and support from Medical Student Services (MSS). The transition from second to third year was pivotal. While the first two years focused on foundational knowledge, the third year allowed him to apply that learning to real patients. Early exposure through the Clinical Reasoning and Integrated Skills Program (CRISP), Equal Access Birmingham (EAB), and the primary care track helped ease that shift.
Mentorship played a defining role in Harden’s journey. Shadowing Wickliffe Joseph Many, M.D., an infectious disease specialist, showed him the value of long-term patient relationships. “He was incredible, so good with his patients, and really sparked my interest in working with historically marginalized populations,” Harden said. Erin Contratto, M.D., an internal medicine physician, helped him connect pathology to patient care during clinical skills training. On the Tuscaloosa campus, Susie Bliss Wright, M.D., a med-peds physician, became a model for the career he now pursues. “I was fortunate to work with her on both the pediatric and adult side, which reflects the balance I hope to achieve in my own career,” Harden said.
Harden adds that the Tuscaloosa Regional Campus offers a unique training environment, with one-on-one time with attendings and longitudinal exposure through the primary care track. Mentors are highly invested in student success, and campus leadership and support staff provide personalized guidance and wellness support. He encourages current MS3s to make the most of these experiences. “There is light at the end of this tunnel,” Harden said. “Make the most of the third year by gaining knowledge and hands-on experience from all of the fields. Sometimes it may be the last time you'll get to do some of these things.” He credits the Tuscaloosa experience with helping him feel confident and well-prepared as he looks ahead.
Harden’s advice to current students emphasizes perspective and support. He encourages students to appreciate relationships with classmates and mentors, and to step away from books when needed. “Some of my best friends from college are engineers or journalists. Hearing about their work and experiences keeps me grounded,” he said.
As Match Day approaches, Harden says what excites him most is that residency marks the pinnacle of more than a decade of steady work. He is eager for patient care to become his full responsibility and to step into the role he has long worked toward. Applying to combined internal medicine and pediatrics allows him to pursue both passions while continuing to learn and grow. Harden looks forward to carrying the mentorship, professionalism, and community-mindedness he experienced at Heersink into residency, confident in the foundation he has built.
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 | Audria Wood | Jordan Beam