The Orientation Leaders (OLs) have been selected! They will be working hard to make sure your orientation is fun, informative, and welcoming. We will introduce the entire group through the next few issues of Vital Signs so you can get to know them before orientation begins in July. Here are our first seven introductions, including your co-directors: Brent Collier and Chelsey Deloney-Hadden.
Brent Collier
Where are you from?
Franklin, Tenn.
What made you want to become a doctor?
Doctors are often seen as superheroes, individuals for whom perfection is the norm and not the exception. I wanted to be a superhero, duh. Joking aside, as it happens, I have not always pursued medical school. My interests have shifted from becoming an astronaut, to a veterinarian, to a physician. However, through my experiences and exposure in the medical field, I found that the role of a physician is a vocation in which my passions, talents, and disposition aligned.
What is your favorite Birmingham spot?
Trimtab Brewery: Beer, outdoor seating, board games, dogs.
What is something about being a medical student that more people don’t realize?
That we aren’t doctors. I can’t tell you why your foot looks like that—you should probably go see a doctor.
What made you choose UAB?
The interview day really stuck with me. The day was incredibly organized, everyone I met was welcoming and helpful, the atmosphere seemed incredibly conducive to my learning experience, and the school’s reputation as a research powerhouse was a strong draw. Plus, it’s the Magic City—simple as that.
What are some of the difference you’ve noticed in being a professional school student (expectations, pressures, visibility, etc.) than those of an undergrad or graduate school student?
Studying becomes your job; you might not get paid, and you will have to work some overtime, but each day you become a step closer to your lifelong goals. With that said, try and treat it like a job: put in your time each day, but make sure to leave time for yourself. Even people who love their jobs don’t work all day and night.
Chelsey Deloney-Hadden
Where are you from? Gardendale
What made you want to become a doctor?
The main reason I wanted to become a doctor was so I could go to underserved areas and provide the care people living in those areas need and deserve.
What is your favorite Birmingham spot?
My favorite Birmingham spot is by far Vulcan. If you go at night, it has the prettiest views!!
What is something about being a medical student that more people don’t realize?
I would say the biggest thing people don’t realize is that if you stay dedicated to your work and don’t procrastinate, you actually have free time to go do other things or hang out with friends. This is huge for your overall mental health.
What made you choose UAB?
I’m from Alabama, so going to UAB has been a dream of mine. I wanted to go to UAB because they are one of the best medical schools in the nation!
What are some of the difference you’ve noticed in being a professional school student (expectations, pressures, visibility, etc.) than those of an undergrad or graduate school student?
Professional school is a different ball game. When I was in undergrad, I didn’t feel like I had to be perfect and make the best grades. I wanted to because that’s how I was raised and because I played Division I softball and had to maintain a certain GPA in order to be eligible.
Now that I am in medical school, I feel a huge amount of pressure to succeed and be perfect at everything. Obviously, everyone that got into medical school is smart, but when it comes to doing the work, family and friends assume that you should be making the best grades, and it shouldn’t be that hard for you.
Alex Harrelson
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Birmingham, ventured away for a bit for college at the University of Alabama, then have been back here in Birmingham since.
What made you want to become a doctor?
I think everyone goes into medicine to make a difference. My dad is a PA ,and my mom is a CRNA, so the interest in pursuing a career in medicine started from a young age. As I got older, I fell in love with medicine for my own reasons. Growing up an athlete, I loved the camaraderie of a team environment, and very few professions have the same cohesive nature where you truly have to rely on your colleagues.
What is your favorite Birmingham spot?
I personally love Avondale. Parkside has a very mellow vibe, and an awesome patio in the back when the weather’s nice. They have an Airstream trailer back there that serves as a stationary food truck called Hotbox, and I think it’s one of the most underrated food joints in Birmingham. Right around the corner is Saturn, which has concerts for some really cool, lesser known artists, and old-school video games like N64 and DDR. There’s also Avondale Brewery and Saw’s Soul Kitchen, which, in my opinion, has the best barbecue in the world!
What is something about being a medical student that more people don’t realize?
Medical school is actually a ton of fun, and the UAB School of Medicine does an amazing job at prioritizing life outside of the classroom. From Learning Communities to the Best Medicine Show, there are so many avenues to be a human outside of the classroom and have fun, and that starts from the administration. From orientation on, there is such a priority on the fact that you aren’t just a student, and there is life outside of medical school, and that’s incredibly reassuring as you think about the daunting journey ahead.
What made you choose UAB?
Growing up in Birmingham, I always viewed UAB was always the gold standard for healthcare, and it was my dream school. The atmosphere is one of excellence, and something I wanted to be a part of for a long time. Admittedly, I’m biased, but this perception has only been reinforced since starting in July.
What are some of the difference you’ve noticed in being a professional school student (expectations, pressures, visibility, etc.) than those of an undergrad or graduate school student?
The biggest difference I’ve seen is the lack of forced structure, which is phenomenal, but also requires self-discipline. While there are some mandatory activities, most lectures are not mandatory. This promotes an academic setting where you can study and learn however you feel suits your style best. Some people attend class religiously, and others haven’t been to a single non-mandatory lecture. Some people are in a coffee shop at 6 a.m. and done by 3 p.m., and others don’t start their day until 11a.m. As long as you’re learning and retaining the material, your study method is entirely your choice!
Kayla Steed
Where are you from?
Originally from Charleston, S.C., but I’ve been in Birmingham since 2014.
What made you want to become a doctor?
I’ve always wanted to be a physician, but it was really solidified for me after working with Susan G. Komen in graduate school. I realized that in order to have fulfillment in what I do, I need to be working directly with patients.
What is your favorite Birmingham spot?
For food, it’s Ovenbird! It’s the perfect date night spot, and the menu is constantly rotating. For hangout, it’s The Woolworth! It’s so much fun with all the games, and the food is good (get a flatbread!)
What is something about being a medical student that more people don’t realize?
It’s a lot of fun! You’re sharing this massive learning experience with nearly 200 people. There will be an abundance of inside jokes, study-induced delirium, and free food to last a lifetime.
What made you choose UAB?
I already have an established research network at UAB, and I was still working on some things related to my dissertation, so I really wanted to stay here! In-state tuition and my husband having a job here were clearly important factors, but it was my desire to build a strong network as a future physician-scientist that was a personal goal for medical school.
What are some of the difference you’ve noticed in being a professional school student (expectations, pressures, visibility, etc.) than those of an undergrad or graduate school student?
In my Ph.D. program, I was my own motivator. My PI was very hands off, and as long as we got our work done, it didn’t matter if we were there every day. In medical school, it’s really hard to be on your own timeline, which I appreciate. I enjoy having the medical school make my schedule for me and tell me where I need to be at any given point in time.
Sai Patel
Where are you from?
Gulf Shores
What made you want to become a doctor?
I have always loved being able to take on the responsibility of taking care of people. Being that person that a patient can come to and have faith in is something I have always strived to be. Combine that with my love for science and the human body, I think being a doctor was my only option.
What is your favorite Birmingham spot?
The Atomic Lounge: great drinks and a fun atmosphere. You can dress up in costumes as well. I usually go with the Cookie Monster outfit because it comes with a free cookie.
What is something about being a medical student that more people don’t realize?
You become a giant family with your classmates. Coming in, I thought everyone would be super competitive. I could not have been more wrong. Everyone is going through all the same things you are, so there is really no choice but to become close with everyone and rely on them during the good and bad times in med school.
What made you choose UAB?
Coming into medical school, I had no idea what specialty I wanted to do (and I still don’t know). The tremendous amount of opportunities that are here at UAB were a huge factor in me choosing to come here. Anything you want to do is here at UAB. You can shadow and work with probably any specialty that you can think of and learn more about that field. The opportunities never stop, and they allow you to grow as an up-and-coming physician.
What are some of the difference you’ve noticed in being a professional school student (expectations, pressures, visibility, etc.) than those of an undergrad or graduate school student?
I think the biggest difference is the pace at which things are presented to you. You will need to have a solid understanding of a lecture on Monday in order to understand the lecture on Tuesday and so on. Studying a little every day is definitely not something I did in undergrad but I would say it is a must during medical school. I also think the amount of freedom we get as med students is different than undergrad. Too tired to go to the 8 a.m. lecture? Sleep in and watch it later. The biggest thing is to just have self-discipline and not fall behind.
Andrew Canto
Where are you from?
Lakeland, Fla. It’s a small town in Central Florida right between Tampa and Orlando. Our claim to fame is that we’re where Publix was founded.
What made you want to become a doctor?
While working and living in a community based, low-income family resource center for a year, I encountered a large volume of people whose lives and wellbeing were dramatically impacted by their health status. I saw the path to becoming a physician as a critical way that I could personally work to bridge the gap in care I witnessed by striving to provide the high-quality medical care I recognized was absent in our community.
What is your favorite Birmingham spot?
I live for a solid meal and I think Birmingham is definitely underrated for our food culture. I am known by our classmates for seeking out a delicious bowl of ramen at Bamboo on 2nd as a reward for some hard work. It’s a great go to spot!
What is something about being a medical student that more people don’t realize?
I think people forget that you’re a real person too sometimes and that it’s possible to have a life beyond just studying. I have a dog named Oliver, and he’s honestly the best. As a medical student, I feel like having a pet is often perceived by others as wildly hard to balance. I believe, however, if you are committed to your vision of what you desire in life, you can make anything possible! Even having a pet in medical school.
What made you choose UAB?
UAB is one of the premiere medical and research institutions in the country. It is committed to excellence in all areas of developing well-rounded physicians, and I could not imagine a better place to be surrounded by others committed to and empowered by that same strong core value system. I believe UAB has a vibrant and welcoming community and it was an attractive place to want to call home.
What are some of the difference you’ve noticed in being a professional school student (expectations, pressures, visibility, etc.) than those of an undergrad or graduate school student?
I noticed that when I come home to hang out with loved ones outside of medical school that they seem to think I can help them with all their medical problems already. We often get a laugh when I tell them I’m obviously still learning over here, and although I’m in professional school, I am not quite a professional (yet)!
Karleigh Johnson
Where are you from?
Trussville
What made you want to become a doctor?
In 2011, I had a torn labrum and had to undergo hip surgery. While at the physician’s office I could not stop touching all of the displays and tools in the room or asking the physician a million questions! I remember being rolled back to the OR and thinking “This is what I want to do” (Not the surgery part, but definitely the doctor part.) I graduated from high school in 2014, shadowed my orthopedic surgeon that summer, and the rest is history!
What is your favorite Birmingham spot?
Dreamland BBQ. Yes, I know this is a restaurant and not a super cool place, but I love food! FIVE is also another favorite restaurant of mine.
What is something about being a medical student that more people don’t realize?
Being a medical student is difficult, like everyone believes, but it is possible to have fun!! You meet so many people with interests similar to yours and there are events held throughout the year like Halloween parties, a “med school prom,” and so many others! You work hard, but you also play hard.
What made you choose UAB?
I grew up 30 minutes from here, and both my parents and brother graduated from UAB. As soon as I decided that medicine was what I wanted to go into nine years ago, I knew UAB was the place. It was a gut feeling for me.
What are some of the difference you’ve noticed in being a professional school student (expectations, pressures, visibility, etc.) than those of an undergrad or graduate school student?
With being an undergraduate student, most all of your friends are there with you. However, being a graduate student, most of my friends are out working, making money, getting off at 5 p.m., and have the rest of the night to do what they need or want to do. Taking out loans and long hours of studying while my friends are making money and relaxing can be difficult to justify at times, but I know this is what I’ve wanted to do for a long time and will be worth every sleepless night!
To me, there is really no difference in the pressures and expectations between undergraduate and graduate school. I am still expected to make good grades and be involved, but I am now getting to study super cool things and really enjoy every minute of it!