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Michele Holloway Nichols, M.D.
Program Director
Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Director Focus Area
Medical Education
Outreach and Advocacy
Career Development for SubspecialtyHometown
Mobile, AL
Medical School
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Residency
Pediatrics - Cincinnati’s Children Medical Center
Fellowship
Pediatric Emergency Medicine - Cincinnati’s Children Medical Center
Birmingham’s Best Food and/or Drink
Gianmarco’s, Tre Luna, Uptown area, Blueprint on 3rd, Automatic Seafood, Soho Social, Pizzeria GM and Urban Cookhouse.
Birmingham Must-See
Regions Park, The Vulcan, Birmingham Zoo, Railroad Park, Moss Rock, McWane Center, Top Golf, Robert Trent Jones Golf Course, Oak Mountain State Park. Shopping at the Summit, Homewood, Crestline Village, Mountain Brook Village
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Nancy Tofil, M.D., M.Ed.
Senior Associate Program Director
Pediatric Critical Care
Director Focus Area
Simulation
Medical Education
Policies and PromotionHometown
Niskayuna, NY
Medical School
The Ohio State University
Residency
Med-Peds - University of Alabama at Birmingham
Fellowship
Pediatric Critical Care - University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham’s Best Food and/or Drink
Birmingham District Brewing Company’s West Coast IPA
Birmingham Must-See
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Candice Dye, M.D.
Associate Program Director
Academic General Pediatrics
Director Focus Area
Primary Care Clinic
Career Development for General PediatricsHometown
West Memphis, AR
Medical School
University of Arkansas
Residency
Pediatrics - University of Arkansas
Birmingham’s Best Food and/or Drink
Birmingham Must-See
So many things….The outdoors! From Oak Mountain State Park to Ruffner Mountain to the view from The Vulcan.
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Lauren Nassetta, M.D.
Associate Program Director
Pediatric Hospital Medicine
Director Focus Area
Resident Wellness
Resident/ Faculty MentoringHometown
I grew up in Marietta, GA, but Birmingham is home now.
Medical School
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Residency
Pediatrics - University of Alabama at Birmingham (Will and I were in the same class!)
Chief Resident
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham’s Best Food and/or Drink
So many! Ovenbird (go with a group and let the chef choose!), LaPaz, Gianmarco’s Wine Bar and Pizzeria and SoHo Social.
Birmingham Must-See
Legion Soccer!! While you wait for kickoff, visit the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute or any of our amazing parks.
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Will Sasser, M.D.
Associate Program Director
Pediatric Critical Care
Director Focus Area
Resident and Faculty Evaluations
PRIME - Pediatric Residents Interested in Medical EducationHometown
Mt. Pleasant, SC
Medical School
Medical University of South Carolina
Residency
Pediatrics - University of Alabama at Birmingham
Fellowship
Pediatric Critical Care - University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham’s Best Food and/or Drink
Saw’s Sweet Tea Fried Chicken, runner up: Brick and Tin Brisket Panini
Birmingham Must-See
Oak Mountain State Park – amazing hiking/running/biking trails, Botanical Gardens – beautiful (and free!), any of the many city overlooks (Vulcan Park)
Yung Lau, M.D.
Chair, Department of Pediatrics
The training of our residents and fellows has always been—and continues to be—a top priority for the UAB Department of Pediatrics and Children’s of Alabama. We take great pride in our alumni and in the strength of the program that has prepared them for impactful careers in pediatrics. At the same time, we remain deeply committed to continuous improvement—soliciting feedback, refining our approach, and adapting to ensure that our trainees are fully equipped to meet the evolving needs of today’s pediatricians.
Our department occupies an enviable position as part of the only free-standing children’s hospital in a state of over five million people. This unique setting offers an extraordinary breadth and depth of pathology, providing residents and fellows with comprehensive clinical exposure. Each pediatric subspecialty is represented by dedicated faculty who are not only leaders in their fields but also passionate educators eager to inspire the next generation of pediatricians. All of this takes place within state-of-the-art facilities designed to foster learning, collaboration, and innovation.
Looking ahead, our future is bright. We continue to build strength upon strength as we advance our tripartite mission of education, clinical service, and research. As Alabama’s quaternary pediatric center, we recognize our moral obligation to the children and families we serve. We are leveraging new technologies to expand access to high-quality pediatric care—both in Birmingham and across the state and region. Over the next few years, we will further enhance our research enterprise, including the recruitment of a cadre of basic scientists to occupy a full floor of the new Biomedical Research Building, slated for completion in 2027.
Yet, we face a pressing challenge: the waning interest in pediatrics as a career. Those of us who have dedicated our lives to this field know the profound fulfillment and joy it brings. It is incumbent upon us to share that message widely—to help others see pediatrics not only as a calling but as one of the most meaningful, impactful, and rewarding paths in medicine.
I am deeply grateful for the dedication of our faculty, staff, trainees, and alumni who embody the spirit of this department every day. Together, we share a common purpose—to improve the lives of children through learning, discovery, and care. I invite you to join us in this ongoing journey of service and excellence as we build an even brighter future for the children and families we are privileged to serve.
Sincerely,
Yung Lau, M.D.
Professor and Chair
UAB Department of Pediatrics
Physician-in-Chief, Children's of Alabama
Chief Residents
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Claire Doss, M.D.
2026-2027 Chief Resident
Hometown
Morris, AL
Undergraduate
Auburn University
Medical School
Heersink School of Medicine
Career/Clinical Interests
General Pediatrics or Nephrology
Why did you choose UAB for your Pediatric Residency?
As a UAB medical student I had the opportunity to witness firsthand the hard work and dedication that the UAB pediatrics residents bring to their work everyday. They stood out to me as such thoughtful, compassionate, and knowledgeable physicians. As a native of the Birmingham area, having the opportunity to serve the children of my home state alongside such physicians was the perfect opportunity!
Hobbies/Special Interests
Reading, playing board games, and spending time on/near water with family
Fun Fact
I was a patient of Children’s of Alabama when I was just a few months old!
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Meredith Goldenberg, M.D.
2025-2026 Chief Resident
Hometown
Bossier City, LA
Undergraduate
Louisiana Tech University
Medical School
LSU Shreveport
Career/Clinical Interests
Pediatric Hospital Medicine and/or Pediatric Intensive Care
Why did you choose UAB for your Pediatric Residency?
UAB offers a wide variety of clinical experiences that I believe will help me become the best physician possible for my future patients. Also, the people and atmosphere here are one of a kind.
Hobbies/Special Interests
Baking, reading, outdoor activities
Fun Fact
My first language was Greek!
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Sam McCartney, M.D.
2026-2027 Chief Resident
Hometown
Augusta, GA
Undergraduate
University of Georgia
Medical School
Medical College of Georgia
Career/Clinical Interests
NICU/Intensive Care
Why did you choose UAB for your Pediatric Residency?
UAB stood out to me as a perfect blend of a large volume program with huge amounts of support and personalization in my training as a resident. It was clear that both attendings and administrative staff viewed residents as peers, spending time in not only educating, but also in building relationships with their teams. The UAB pediatrics program is a place that encourages the building up of others, and it creates an amazing culture of both professional and individual growth!
Hobbies/Special Interests
I enjoy games in any form, from sports like soccer and tennis to board games with friends! I also love cooking with my wife, Maggie, as well as going on hikes with my dog, Clementine!
Fun Fact
I have a severe bee allergy but for some reason I love beekeeper videos. I guess you want what you can't have.
Upcoming Chief Residents
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Margaret Forshag, M.D.
2027-2028 Chief Resident
Hometown
New Orleans, LA
Undergraduate
Davidson College
Graduate
Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health
Medical School
Louisiana State University – New Orleans
Career/Clinical Interests
Hospital Medicine, Infectious Disease, General Pediatrics
Why did you choose UAB Peds?
UAB has so much to offer! The education, patient care, and variety of specialties available are all top notch. Most importantly, I picked UAB because I loved the friendly and welcoming atmosphere!
Hobbies/Special Interests
Baking, reading, and travel.
Fun Fact
On a trip to Iceland, I got to stand on two continents at once!
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Sarah Hicks, M.D.
2027-2028 Chief Resident
Hometown
Saint Cloud, FL
Undergraduate
Auburn University
Medical School
Florida State University – Orlando
Career/Clinical Interests
Pediatric Hospital Medicine, Infectious Disease, General Pediatrics
Why did you choose UAB Peds?
I wanted to be at a program that would expose me to diverse patient populations with a broad spectrum ofmedical complexity and acuity to best prepare me for my future career. After an away rotation here, I knew UAB would provide me with endless learning opportunities and the opportunity to train alongside residents and faculty who genuinely cared for me and my success as an individual. The community and culture that has been created at the program is incredibly unique and I’m so grateful to be a part of it!
Hobbies/Special Interests
College football (war eagle!), running, reading, embroidery, and needlepoint.
Fun Fact
My family has two pet tortoises! We have raised them since they were babies, and they will actually outlive my parents!
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Stephanie Stringer, M.D.
2027-2028 Chief Resident
Hometown
Waco, TX
Undergraduate
Texas A&M University
Medical School
Texas Tech University
Career/Clinical Interests
General Pediatrics
Why did you choose UAB Peds?
Throughout my interview season, I found myself always thinking back to my experience interviewing with UAB and remembered how welcoming, supportive, and fun my day was with them. I came for the second look event and loved seeing just how close the residents were not only to each other, but also with program leadership and other faculty. I was also impressed with all the opportunities UAB offered for my professional growth. I left without a doubt that this is where I wanted to be for the next (at least) three years!
Hobbies/Special Interests
Hiking, cycling, cooking, spending time with my dog, Aggie football
Fun Fact
My family loves to cruise, and I've been on more than 12 cruises spanning over 20 countries
