Bonner, Vince, M.D.
Hometown: Roanoke, AL
Undergraduate: Auburn University; Auburn, AL
Medical School: UAB Heersink School of Medicine; Birmingham, AL
Why I Chose UAB: I wanted a program to give me the confidence to go out in practice at the end of these five years and take care of any case that may come my way. I'm confident that the high volume of cases here will prepare me for any situation after residency. Also, the mentorship and camaraderie here are second to none. You can be in the trenches with your co-residents in the hospital, but still be super close and have a good time outside of work.
Halstrom, Jared, M.D.
Hometown: Bellmore, NY
Undergraduate: The University of Alabama; Tuscaloosa, AL
Medical School: UAB Heersink School of Medicine; Birmingham, AL
Why I Chose UAB: As a medical student, UAB provided my first exposure to orthopedics. As I started to learn about other programs, I quickly realized how unique UAB is. We have an extremely high volume of orthopedic cases and hardworking faculty who are passionate about teaching.
Andrews, Nicholas, M.D.
Hometown: Titusville, Florida
Undergraduate: University of Florida; Gainesville, FL
Medical School: University of Central Florida; Orlando, FL
Why I Chose UAB: UAB offers the outstanding clinical volume, research infrastructure, and collegial resident culture that I sought in a residency program. I quickly noticed that the faculty here fostered deep bonds with their residents and truly invested in their development as future leaders in orthopaedics.
Farahani, Farzam, M.D.
Hometown: Houston, TX
Undergraduate: The University of Texas, Austin, TX
Medical School: The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX
Why I Chose UAB: The overall structure, with a comprehensive clinical experience and high operative volume really attracted me to the program. The faculty and residents here are undoubtedly hard workers, friendly, and very supportive of each other.
Patch, David, M.D.
Hometown: Macon, GA
Undergraduate: Georgia College; Milledgeville, GA
Medical School: St. George’s University; St. George’s, Grenada
Why I Chose UAB: UAB was my top choice for residency due to the programs cohesive culture, exceptional leadership, and access to top notch academic opportunities. After completing a research fellowship with UAB, I witnessed the work ethic of the program and believe it ensures the highest level of training among mentors, and colleagues, who are committed to the future of orthopaedic surgery.
Starnes, Ellie, M.D.
Hometown: Monroe, LA
Undergraduate: University of Louisiana at Monroe
Medical School: LSU health - Shreveport
Why I Chose UAB: I was very impressed with how well rounded each subspecialty of orthopedics is represented here. I also loved how well the residents got along not only amongst themselves, but also with the faculty. The city of Birmingham also has so much to offer in terms of places to eat, hangout, and explore.
Cimino, Addison, M.D.
Hometown: Huntsville, AL
Undergraduate: Auburn University; Auburn, AL
Medical School: UAB
Why I Chose UAB: I chose UAB for residency because I was fortunate enough to be a medical student here and got to see and work with the finished product in the fifth-year residents.
Lane, Pearce, M.D.
Hometown: Marietta, GA
Undergraduate: University of Georgia; Athens, GA
Medical School: Medical College of Georgia
Why I Chose UAB: When asking residents and attendings from my home program about which programs they regarded most highly, UAB was always on their lists.
Jones, Rush, M.D.
Hometown: Dothan, AL
Undergraduate: Auburn University; Auburn, AL
Medical School: UAB Heersink School of Medicine; Birmingham, AL
Why I Chose UAB: After my first rotation with the orthopedic team at UAB, I knew that I wanted to stay here for several reasons. First, the residents and faculty are all extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and hard-working people that consistently inspired me to be both a better person and physician.
Fortin, Travis, M.D.
Hometown: Pass Christian, MS
Undergraduate: University of Mississippi; Oxford, MS
Medical School: University of Mississippi Medical Center; Jackson, MS
Why I Chose UAB: UAB stood out as my first choice for residency due to the fellowship matches, operative volume and balanced training, and the program’s culture. UAB consistently matched residents into top fellowships with many of the same fellowships matching residents again from subsequent classes.
Atkins, Austin, M.D.
Hometown: Tuscaloosa, AL
Undergraduate: The University of Alabama; Tuscaloosa, AL
Medical School: The University of South Alabama College of Medicine; Mobile, AL
Why I Chose UAB: When looking for the right residency program, I wanted a place that offered excellent clinical opportunities, a high-volume operative experience, and a great sense of camaraderie amongst the residents and faculty. UAB certainly meets all of these criteria, making it an excellent place to train.
Frith, Katie, M.D.
Hometown: Kaplan, LA
Undergraduate: University of Louisiana at Lafayette; Lafayette, LA
Medical School: LSU Health Sciences- Shreveport; Shreveport, LA
Why I Chose UAB: I could see how close the residents were and how much they genuinely enjoyed working with each other, as well as with faculty & staff. I also love the Birmingham area and the amount of places there are to eat and explore.
Tran, Sterling, M.D.
Hometown: Augusta, GA
Undergraduate: University of Georgia; Athens, GA
Medical School: University of Virginia; Charlottesville, VA
Why I Chose UAB: I chose UAB because of its strong camaraderie and operative experience. The residents are a close-knit group that support one another and enjoy hanging out together. The faculty here are extremely approachable and passionate about resident education.
Patel, Mihir, M.D.
Hometown: Augusta, GA
Undergraduate: University of Georgia; Athens, GA
Medical School: Medical College of Georgia; Augusta, GA
Why I Chose UAB: I chose UAB because the people here, both residents and faculty, are committed not only to the field of orthopaedics but to each other. The sense of community within the program provides an unparalleled environment in which we can help and learn from our patients.
Heatherly, Alex, M.D.
Hometown: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Undergraduate: The University of Alabama; Tuscaloosa, Al
Medical School: The University of Alabama at Birmingham; Birmingham, Al
Why I Chose UAB: I chose UAB Orthopedics because of my memorable experience during my medical school rotation. The group of residents in this program shared a great deal of comradery while working, and their enjoyment in the work provided an unmatched work environment.
He, Jun Kit, M.D.
Hometown: Manhasset, NY
Undergraduate: Brown University; Providence, RI
Medical School: Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
Why I Chose UAB: During my year as a research fellow at UAB, I witnessed an unwavering passion for patient care and innovation as well as strong bonds between residents that fostered a supportive and enjoyable environment. This is a program that will bring out the full potential of any resident and sustain excitement for the field.
Campbell, Collier, M.D.
Hometown: Shreveport, LA
Undergraduate: Louisiana State University; Baton Rouge, LA
Medical School: Emory University; Atlanta, GA
Why I Chose UAB: UAB has a universal reputation for producing confident and outstanding orthopaedic surgeons, and I found this to hold true on my away rotation. The residents that I worked alongside while rotating at UAB were among the most knowledgeable and surgically skilled, in addition to being an extremely cohesive group.
Butler, Reed, M.D.
Hometown: Chattanooga, TN
Undergraduate: Birmingham-Southern College; Birmingham, AL
Medical School: University of Tennessee Health Science Center; Memphis, TN
Why I Chose UAB: I chose UAB primarily because I had such a great experience as an away rotator. It was immediately obvious that the program produces well-trained orthopaedic surgeons in an environment that prioritizes teamwork and camaraderie. I felt at home and found myself getting along well with all the residents, attending, nurses and staff.
Messner, Mitchell, M.D.
Hometown: Hutchinson, MN
Undergraduate: Corncordia College; Moorhead, MN
Medical School: University of North Dakota; Grand Forks, ND
Why I Chose UAB: I immediately felt a strong sense of community amongst the residents when I first visited UAB. I was very impressed with the autonomy the residents had, as well as the volume of cases and operative experience. The faculty are genuinely interested in the lives of the residents on both an educational and personal level. These factors provide a unique, highly supportive educational environment that I did not experience at any of the other programs I considered.
Wall, Kevin, M.D., MPH
Hometown: Winchester, MA
Undergraduate: College of the Holy Cross; Worcester, MA
Medical School: Duke University; Durham, NC
Why I Chose UAB: I chose UAB because of the people, the clinical experience and the city. There is an amazing deal of collegiality among the residents, and the attendings are among the most approachable that I have ever met. Operatively, UAB affords residents a high degree of autonomy, which I believe is the best way to learn. Lastly, I really enjoy Birmingham and all that it has to offer, socially.
Roszman, Alex, M.D.
Hometown: Findlay, OH
Undergraduate: The Ohio State University; Columbus, OH
Medical School: University Toledo; Toledo, OH
Why I Chose UAB: The opportunities provided by UAB’s Orthopaedic Surgery Residency are exceptional. The faculty’s interest in the success of residents, as well as the institution’s resources and facilities, set UAB apart. I immediately felt at home with the residents and faculty during my visit. There was a clear sense of camaraderie within the program. Additionally, Birmingham is a wonderful place to live and work.
McGee, Andrew S., M.D.
Hometown: Mobile, AL
Undergraduate: Auburn University; Auburn, AL
Medical School: UAB Heersink School of Medicine; Birmingham, AL
Why I Chose UAB: I chose UAB because the program fosters an environment of genuine, strong relationships among co-residents and attendings who motivate and educate each other to continually improve the care they provide and the field of orthopaedics as a whole. Furthermore, UAB offers great hands-on operative experience with tremendous volume to ensure the development of well-rounded and proficient surgeons.
Debell, Hank, M.D.
Hometown: Tuscaloosa, AL
Undergraduate: University of Alabama; Tuscaloosa, AL
Medical School: UAB Heersink School of Medicine; Birmingham, AL
Why I Chose UAB: The residents at UAB were the most cohesive and fun group to work with during my medical school rotations. The excellent clinical experience and operative volume makes UAB an ideal place to train, and the faculty are great to work with. Birmingham is a great city and will be a fun place to live for five years.
Davis, Will, M.D.
Hometown: Montgomery, AL
Undergraduate: Princeton University; Princeton, NJ
Medical School: UAB Heersink School of Medicine; Birmingham, AL
Why I Chose UAB: UAB offers comprehensive training, combining high-volume operative experience with ample academic opportunities in all orthopaedic subspecialties. Beyond the training itself, UAB's resident camaraderie is unsurpassed, creating a truly enjoyable work environment.
Cone, Brent, M.D.
Hometown: Roswell, GA
Undergraduate: University of Georgia; Athens; GA
Medical School: Medical College of Georgia; Augusta, GA
Why I chose UAB: The collaborative atmosphere of the program. The residents support one another across the board, and enjoy spending time with each other in and out of the hospital. All subspecialties are represented by multiple, approachable faculty members that emphasize learning by doing. Also, Birmingham is a solid place to spend 5 years with a great food, beer and music scene.
Conway, Yvonne, M.D.
Hometown: Huntsville, AL
Undergraduate: Auburn University; Auburn, AL
Medical School: UAB Heersink School of Medicine; Birmingham, AL
Why I chose UAB: I chose UAB because of the diversity and high volume of surgical experiences it offers and the genuine camaraderie amongst residents and faculty. Hands-on involvement in surgical cases and patient care covering all subspecialties in one location created my ideal learning environment. Throughout my various rotations at UAB, I consistently witnessed mentorship, encouragement, friendship, and teaching amongst all levels of residents and faculty that is very unique. I believe that the people we work with and the people who train/mentor us ultimately play a role in shaping the type of surgeon we become. This belief played a very important role in my decision to complete my training at UAB.
McLynn, Ryan, M.D.
Hometown: Johns Creek, GA
Undergraduate: University of Georgia; Athens, GA
Medical School: Yale School of Medicine; New Haven, CT
Why I chose UAB: I chose UAB because it provides an incredibly balanced and resident-centered training. The program has high expectations from the first day on the job but provides broad clinical exposure and a great balance of autonomy and mentorship in order to succeed. Faculty are serious about teaching, and research opportunities are in available across a variety of subspecialties and interests. The residents enjoy coming to work each day and genuinely enjoy spending time together in and outside of the hospital.
Smith, Walt, M.D.
Hometown: Mobile, AL
Undergraduate: University of Alabama; Tuscaloosa, AL
Medical School: UAB Heersink School of Medicine; Birmingham, AL
Why I chose UAB: UAB offers an incredible operative experience with high volume among all sub-specialties, as well as plenty of opportunities for research. However, what ultimately made me want to stay at UAB was the camaraderie amongst the residents and faculty. Additionally, Birmingham is great place to live and work.
Hess, Matthew, M.D.
Hometown: Augusta, GA
Undergraduate: University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Medical School: UAB Heersink School of Medicine; Birmingham, AL
Why I chose UAB: It was very apparent early and throughout my time as a medical student at UAB, that the program embodies a unique, collegial atmosphere. The residents are a family and are supportive and passionate about educating one another while taking great care of patients. UAB also offers high operative volume and case diversity. Graduated autonomy produces residents who can confidently and proficiently treat any patient. I loved my time in Birmingham and was eager to continue to explore this hidden gem of a city.
Lameka, Megan, M.D.
Hometown: Cedartown, GA
Undergraduate: Shorter University; Rome, GA
Medical School: Medical College of Georgia; Augusta, GA
Why I chose UAB: The two main reasons that I chose UAB were the people and the operative experience. The camaraderie between the residents was unlike anywhere else. The faculty and staff are approachable, great to work with, and make it evident that resident education is a high priority. Every rotation has a high volume of cases that allows for the graduating residents to leave with the skill, confidence, and capability to pursue community practice or any fellowship of their choice.