The University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation residency program welcomes the new group of PGY-1 residents into a four-year categorical program effective July 1.
The incoming class of 2030 PM&R residents are Ernesto Barquet, M.D. (University of South Carolina School of Medicine), Jake Doiron, M.D., Ph.D. (Louisiana State University School of Medicine), Jonah Maggard, M.D. (University of Florida College of Medicine), and Emmanuel Ofosu, M.D. (Meharry Medical College).
The residents were asked why they selected the University of Alabama at Birmingham for their residency training.
Ernesto Barquet, M.D. - “The short answer is that I felt at home while there for my away rotation. I love everything the program has to offer: the SCI and TBI model programs, pediatric rehab opportunities, vast involvement with adaptive sports, and in-house orthotics/prosthesis lab to name a few. I could also tell that everyone in the PM&R department and residency truly knew and cared about each other like a family. I saw how much attendings cared about teaching/mentoring and how much the program valued resident feedback. I can’t imagine a better place to train!”
Jake Doiron, M.D., Ph.D. - “While I have not formally attended UAB, I have had multiple prior experiences with the university through an undergraduate summer externship, a predoctoral fellowship program, and a clinical away rotation. In each setting, I found the UAB community to be deeply passionate about their work, enthusiastic about teaching, and consistently accommodating beyond expectations. Additionally, it became evident that the PM&R department is in an exciting phase of growth. The development of a new inpatient rehabilitation hospital, the expansion of outpatient MSK and spine clinics, and the presence of numerous leaders in physiatry within the department made my decision an easy one.”
Jonah Maggard, M.D. - “I chose UAB because of the welcoming culture and the wide variety of subspecialties that we get to train in as residents. I am also excited to be near my wife's family and my family.”
Emmanuel Ofosu, M.D. - “UAB’s commitment to community outreach and addressing the rehabilitation needs of the Southeast initially drew me to the program. I am confident that training here will shape me into both an excellent physician and a future leader in PM&R. The robust mentorship from accessible faculty, particularly those with strong fellowships in Sports Medicine and Cancer Rehabilitation, was a major factor in my decision. Ultimately, the program's comprehensive exposure to Adaptive Sports and Performing Arts Medicine solidified my desire to train at UAB.”
This is one of the first classes to train in the new UAB Rehabilitation Pavilion. During their first year in the 4-year categorical PM&R residency program, PGY-1 residents will rotate with various specialties across UAB including internal medicine, neurology, rheumatology, occupational medicine, geriatrics, psychiatry, and sports medicine to obtain the foundation for general medicine that will prepare them for specialty training in rehabilitation medicine.
Our diverse clinical training program spans Spain Rehabilitation Center, the Birmingham VA, Children’s of Alabama, Andrews Sports Medicine, UAB St. Vincent's Occupational Health, and multiple outpatient specialty clinics, providing exposure to every facet of PM&R. PM&R Vice Chair of Education and Residency Program Director Berdale Colorado, D.O., MPH is excited about the direction and growth of the program, “We are so thrilled to welcome Ernesto, Jake, Jonah, and Manny to the UAB PM&R family and excited for them to begin their journey with us. We would like to thank everyone who has been involved with our residency recruitment. We appreciate their dedication and commitment to training our future PM&R leaders.”