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Erin McLeod, M.D.
PGY 5
Hometown
Utica, MS
Undergraduate
University of Alabama
Medical School
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Career/Clinical Interests
Pediatric Neurology
Why did you choose the UAB Pediatric Residency Program?
All of the wonderful people!
Favorite Food and/or Drink (restaurant, brewery, etc.)
Birmingham Must-See
Our thriving performing arts scene! Birmingham has many wonderful theatres (Red Mountain Theatre Company, Virginia Samford Theatre, Birmingham Festival Theatre, and Theatre Downtown just to name a few), a beautiful symphony orchestra, ballet and dance companies, a wonderful art museum, and tons of live music.
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Khaled Al-Robaidi, M.D.
PGY 4
Hometown
Amman, Jordan
Undergraduate
University of Jordan
Medical School
University of Jordan
Career/Clinical Interests
Neonatal neurology, HIE, stroke outcomes, and clinical research
Why did you choose the UAB Pediatric Residency Program?
You feel supported by everyone
Favorite Food and/or Drink (restaurant, brewery, etc.)
Try the Mediterranean food at Taboon Noon O Kabab
Birmingham Must-See
King's Chair hike at Oak Mountain State Park
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Sarah Grace Engel, M.D.
PGY 4
Hometown
Charleston, SC
Undergraduate
Wofford College
Medical School
Medical University of South Carolina
Career/Clinical Interests
Pediatric Neurology- all things brain and nerve related:), medical education and mentorship
Why did you choose the UAB Pediatric Residency Program?
Teamwork and the sense of camaraderie you develop with your individual specialty team, co-residents in the same workspace, and especially co-residents while on MOLE. I really appreciate the support they offer me, and am always reassured to know they're available to bounce ideas off of or help provide direction if I start to feel stuck.
Favorite Food and/or Drink (restaurant, brewery, etc.)
Luna's in Avondale, Ghost Train Brewery
Birmingham Must-See
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Joshua Butler, M.D.
PGY-3
Hometown
Duluth, GA
Undergraduate
University of Georgia
Medical School
Medical College of Georgia
Career/Clinical Interests
Pediatric Neurology
Why did you choose UAB for your Pediatric Residency?
Wonderful people, a beautiful hospital, and unparalleled teaching and clinical exposure - all in a great city that is close to my family and friends.
Hobbies/Special Interests
Playing guitar and piano, hiking, chasing around my corgi, Walter
Fun Fact
My birth certificate says I was born in Minnesota, but in reality I was born over Texas soil. My grandmother wouldn't accept the fact that I was not going to be born in Texas. Therefore, she transported bags of soil from Texas, got them into the hospital, and placed them underneath the bed on which I was born.
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Destini Smith, M.D.
PGY 3
Hometown
Hoover, AL
Undergraduate
Mississippi State University
Medical School
University of South Alabama
Career/Clinical Interests
Epilepsy, headache, neurodevelopmental disabilities
Why did you choose UAB for your Pediatric Residency?
I chose UAB because I wanted to complete my training in the place that sparked my interests in child neurology to begin with.
Hobbies/Special Interests
Cooking, baking, bargain shopping with my mom, playing viola
Fun Fact
I collect vinyl records and enjoy listening to them on my grandmother's vintage record player.
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Katie Barnes, M.D.
PGY 2
Hometown
Alabaster, AL
Undergraduate
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Medical School
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Career/Clinical Interests
General child neurology, epilepsy
Why did you choose UAB for your Pediatric Residency?
The people! The residents are a big family and the faculty are so supportive. I also love how many opportunities for research, service, and community involvement are available to us at UAB and how we are encouraged to explore our interests.
Hobbies/Special Interests
Reading, binging Netflix and Disney shows, hanging out with my husband and daughter
Fun Fact
I was a barista throughout undergrad and I’m always excited to explain the difference between a latte, a cappuccino, and a macchiato to anyone who asks.
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Jordy Roque, D.O.
PGY 2
Hometown
Miami, FL
Undergraduate
University of South Florida
Medical School
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - Bradenton
Career/Clinical Interests
Child neurology
Why did you choose UAB for your Pediatric Residency?
Beautiful hospital, great city, and a very supportive faculty! Most importantly, during interview season UAB made by far the greatest effort in getting to know me as an applicant and as a person.
Hobbies/Special Interests
I enjoy reading, hiking, traveling, and cooking. I especially like trying to make new recipes from other cultures!
Fun Fact
I am slowly working on tracing my family genealogy from when they initially migrated to Cuba all the way from the Canary Islands!
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Hannah Vickland, D.O.
PGY 1
Hometown
Longmont, CO
Undergraduate
Baylor University
Medical School
Des Moines College of Osteopathic Medicine
Career/Clinical Interests
Pediatric Neurology
Why did you choose UAB Med-Peds?
I chose UAB Pediatrics for it's kind, supportive, and fun learning environment! I feel so lucky to have the privilege of working with these amazing people everyday. Oh and the hospital is absolutely beautiful!
Hobbies/Special Interests
Painting, traveling to new places, and discovering amazing restaurants in Birmingham with my fiance, John.
Fun Fact
I grew up on a farm and have competitively shown various livestock animals including cattle and pigs!
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Harshadayani Jagadish Kumar, M.D.
PGY 1
Hometown
India
Medical School
Sapthagiri Institute
Career/Clinical Interests
Pediatric Neurology
Why did you choose UAB Med-Peds?
Great academic program and the people
Hobbies/Special Interests
Badminton, hiking
Fun Fact
I'm a dog person
Recent Alumni

Dr. Brittney Jones: Florida - Pediatric Epilepsy Fellowship in Miami, FL
Dr. Rachel Bass: Arizona – Pediatric Neuromuscular, completed Northwestern for Pediatric Neuromuscular Fellowship
Dr. Neal Sankhla: Georgia – Pediatric Epileptologist at Emory, completed CHOP for Pediatric Epilepsy Fellowship
Dr. Lydia Marcus: Alabama – UAB Child Neurology, subspecializes in Pediatric Onset Demyelinating Disorders following her fellowship at UAB
Dr. Sarah Novara: Alabama – UAB Child Neurology, General Child Neurologist and UAB Child Neurology Program Director
Dr. Ashutosh Kumar: Pennsylvania – Penn State Pediatric Neurology
Dr. Tom Ireland: Tennessee – Pediatric Epileptologist, completed Emory for Pediatric Epilepsy Fellowship
Dr. Sita Paudel: Pennsylvania – Penn State Pediatric Neurology, completed Neurophysiology Fellowship at Wisconsin
Dr. Katherine Hammond: Alabama – UAB Child Neurology, General Child Neurology with special interest in headache