Yulianna Jimenez
Where are you from?
Hattiesburg, Miss. and Daphne, Ala.
What made you want to become a doctor?
Long story short: I had really bad acne in middle and high school. The way my dermatologist cared for me really impacted me and made me want to do the same for others.
What is your favorite Birmingham spot?
I love going to Nana Funks on Thursday night for karaoke!
What is something about being a medical student that more people don’t realize?
You are going to struggle, and that is OK. Do not keep to yourself when you are feeling overwhelmed. Communicate with your close friends and let them be there for you. Take a break and do something that makes you happy!
What made you choose UAB?
I went to UAB for undergrad and knew UAB was a great medical school. There are so many opportunities for us to shadow, do research, and volunteer. I also love the city of Birmingham because there is so much to do whenever you want to take a break from 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?
Shadowing is much easier as a medical student than in undergrad! Take advantage of that.
Jeff Warner
Where are you from?
Cullman
What made you want to become a doctor?
Both of my parents were physicians, and I wanted to improve Alabama’s ranking in health outcomes.
What is your favorite Birmingham spot?
The Vulcan, or plenty of restaurants like MELT or Wasabi Juan’s.
What is something about being a medical student that more people don’t realize?
That it can actually be some of the best times in your life, especially with all of the wonderful personalities that you meet along the way.
What made you choose UAB?
It had the best combination of being the premier academic medical center of the south, while also being very mission-minded about my home state.
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 have noticed that efficiency is everything and that there might be a lot of changes that you need to make to your study habits and style.
Sarah Anderson
Where are you from?
St. Paul, Minn.
What made you want to become a doctor?
I enjoy working with a diverse population, having the opportunity to improve others’ lives and having a space for continued intellectual curiosity.
What is your favorite Birmingham spot?
Railroad Park
What is something about being a medical student that more people don’t realize?
While you are in medical school, you are not only a medical student. You have plenty of time to keep up with hobbies and activities about which you feel passionate.
What made you choose UAB?
UAB’s connection with UAB Hospital allows for unparalleled opportunities. We have to chance to learn from and work with world-class physicians who are leaders in their fields.
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 time commitment in medical school is much greater than in undergrad, and it is very easy to fall behind if you do not keep up with your work.
Shambhavi Anshumali
Where are you from?
Mobile
What made you want to become a doctor?
Growing up, I had watched my grandpa work as a doctor in India and was always intrigued by how he interacted with patients and was able to make such a significant impact in his patients’ lives.
What is your favorite Birmingham spot?
Blue Pacific
What is something about being a medical student that more people don’t realize?
Every person has a unique hobby or interest outside of just being a medical student!
What made you choose UAB?
During interview day I noticed how supportive the faculty and peers were with each other, my family and support system lived close by, it is an esteemed program, and I went to undergrad here so “once a blazer, always a blazer.”
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?
Learning material for a test is really like drinking water out of a hose, but part of being a professional school student is realizing that studying is essentially your full-time job.
Fernando Baquerizo
Where are you from?
I am from Russellville and went to the University of North Alabama for undergrad.
What made you want to become a doctor?
My high school guidance counselor encouraged me to pursue a career that would be challenging and fulfilling.
What is your favorite Birmingham spot?
Railroad Park. It’s such a peaceful place to clear your mind, especially in the mornings when there is a cool breeze.
What is something about being a medical student that more people don’t realize?
I think people believe medical students are always tired and drink a lot of coffee, but it is possible to have a full night’s sleep every day.
What made you choose UAB?
I chose UAB because it is a well-known hospital system with rare and complicated cases.
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 amount of time studying is far greater in medical school than in undergraduate or graduate school. Before starting medical school, I was aware of the “drinking from the firehose” analogy and always took it for granted, but it is so true.
Dan Johnston
Where are you from?
Harvest
What made you want to become a doctor?
I really just had the desire to do something that mattered and made a difference in the world. I also really enjoyed my science classes growing up and had a lot of exposure to the medical field through various injuries and illnesses in the family. Naturally, becoming a doctor was something that I started to have an interest in.
What is your favorite Birmingham spot?
Avondale is a really cool area. There’s a lot of good restaurants like Avondale Common House, Saw’s Soul Kitchen, and Post Office Pies. There’s also Avondale Brewing Co. which has a nice outdoor area where they put up a big projector on Saturdays for big football games. They also have Cookie Dough Magic, which is the bomb.
What is something about being a medical student that more people don’t realize?
I would say people don’t realize the type of friendships and bonds that you form in medical school. I feel like medical school has the reputation of being hypercompetitive and cut-throat, but that has not been my experience at all. Everyone is really awesome and seems to want to help others out whenever they can.
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 that everything is amplified. There is a lot of information thrown at you in a very short amount of time, and it can be overwhelming to stay on top of it. It can also be easy to get caught up worrying about other people and how they did on a test or what they’re using to study. I find it’s best to just stay in your lane and find what works for you.