Medical School: UAB School of Medicine
Residency Class: CA-3
Hometown: Chicago, IL/ Huntsville, AL
#WhyIChoseUAB: Graduating CA-3s were fully competent in every facet of anesthesia and felt like they could handle any task that was thrown their way. 
Fun Fact: I ate dinner with Shaquille O'Neal once and he let me call any celebrity I wanted on his phone. So I called Will Ferrell but unfortunately I got his voicemail. So naturally, I called Megan Fox next and we talked for a few minutes. She told me that she loved me, so pretty much everything has been downhill since then. 
Favorite part of the program/UAB or something you love about it: The autonomy we get is second to none. This is a program where you learn by doing things and that's what makes the experience so valuable
Favorite rotation and why: Cardiac anesthesia. The ORs are a well-oiled machine, the patients are sick, and every case provides a new and exciting challenge. 
My neighborhood and why I like it: Highland Park. It's the best place to live because it's a nice neighborhood with multiple restaurants and dog parks, yet it is still a 5-minute drive from downtown and the hospital. 
Best places for soaking up the local culture: Avondale brewery on a sunny Saturday during college football season. It's pretty tough to beat. 
Favorite spots for a date night: Carrigan's
Favorite places to take guests: A Thursday night Baron's game w/ 50% of the Birmingham population is a glorious way to introduce someone to the city. Sit in the outfield, grab a dog and a $2 drink and soak it all in.
Best park, trail, or golf course/Where I take in the scenic views: Railroad park is a super nice place to go walk around with friends and toss a frisbee or football for the afternoon. There's plenty of space to sit down and hang out and there are a few nice restaurants and coffee shops too that you can hit up before or after. 
Why I like Birmingham: It's a medium sized city that has plenty of things to do in the way of music, sports, breweries, and outdoor activities and also is small enough to not feel overwhelmed. Also, Tommy Regan (CA-3, Co-Recruitment Chair) lives here and that is more than enough reason to come here. 
What I wish someone had told me before I moved here: That there is a 10/10 falafel shop 100 yards from the hospital that would receive roughly 25% of my monthly paychecks. 
What I'll miss the most about UAB/Birmingham: Just being surrounded by people who are motivated to be the best people they can be but also people who do not take themselves too seriously. That's something that is hard to find in medicine.  
Plans for after graduation: I am heading out West to do a Cardiothoracic Anesthesia fellowship at UC San Diego.