Charles Khoury, M.D.

I spent most of my childhood in Alabama and attended Auburn University (War Eagle!) prior to moving to Birmingham for medical school. I attended the UAB Heersink School of Medicine and enjoyed my time so much at UAB that I stayed for emergency medicine residency, finishing in 2011 and serving as a Chief Resident. I joined the UAB faculty in 2011 and have never looked back. As my interest in medical education, health administration, and healthcare leadership developed, I pursued a master’s degree in health administration through UAB’s Executive MSHA program. As an attending physician, I served as a Lead Mentor in UAB Heersink School of Medicine’s Learning Community Program and as a Clinical Skills Scholar in UAB’s Introduction to Clinical Medicine course. Prior to being named residency director, I served as the associate residency director. I’ve had the privilege of lecturing both nationally and internationally on numerous emergency medicine topics and I really enjoy the international emergency medicine community. But most importantly, I’m passionate about resident mentorship and development and am particularly interested in the areas of leadership development, resilience, and team building. I can’t say enough good things about Birmingham, particularly the food scene. Birmingham has some of the best restaurants in the world (literally). I really enjoy traveling and trying new restaurants, but I’m always down for vegging out and finding a new series to binge watch (and I’m always down for recommendations). My favorite thing about UABEM is the camaraderie between the faculty and residents, so I’ll never say no to a group outing to a local brewery.

Sherell Hicks, M.D.

I’ve spent most of my life in Tennessee growing up in Memphis, going to Vandy in Nashville for undergrad, and returning to Memphis for medical school at UTHSC. It was time to switch it up and head somewhere new, so I moved to Birmingham for EM residency at UAB. I fell in love with the city, the hospital system, and most importantly, the emergency department. What makes our department special is not only the patient population but the close-knit community that has been created over the years.  I loved UAB so much that I talked it up to my husband enough that he chose to come here for IM residency. After serving as Chief Resident and completing residency in 2019, I stayed on as faculty, and the rest is history. My academic interests include medical education, championing diversity and inclusion efforts, mentorship, and participating in residency recruitment. I currently serve as the Faculty Lead Mentor for the Lyons Learning Community within the UAB Heersink School of Medicine. Within the residency program, I am the director of our mentorship program and recently became one of the Assistant Program Directors. I like to think of Birmingham as a hidden gem, and you will definitely understand once you come here to explore. It is truly a special place with great food and plenty of fun activities.  In my free time, I’m always down to hang out¾going out to dinner, meeting friends at breweries, or having people over for a game night. My husband and I love our life in Birmingham with our super sweet, exceptionally energetic dog, Zoe. 

Jaron Raper, M.D.

I’m originally from Auburn, Alabama, where my wife and I both grew up and first met. We attended Auburn University together before traveling to Birmingham to complete medical school at the UAB Heersink School of Medicine. Following medical school, we traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina where we had our first two children, and where I served as chief resident prior to completing residency in 2018. My wife and I had the opportunity to return to UAB in 2018, where we had our third child just before COVID in 2020. In my professional career since my return, I served as clerkship director for two years, prior to becoming an assistant program director for the residency in 2021. My favorite aspect of residency leadership is the longitudinal relationship building, but the continued development and life-long mentorship we offer here are close seconds. I’ve found numerous academic interests in the last several years, including research in pulmonary embolism risk stratification and rapid cycle deliberate practice to teach cardiopulmonary resuscitation. In my leisure time, my favorite moments are spent with my wife and kids. As a group, our favorite activities are karate class (I’m a very advanced blue belt), and watching Bluey (Bandit is my role model).

Heather Kirk

Hi! My name is Heather Kirk and I currently serve as the Education Administrator for the Department. I was born in Montgomery, AL and moved to the small town of Morris, AL when I was 2 years old. I grew up in Morris AL and never left! I began my career at UAB in September 2010 when I worked as a temporary employee for a few years. I was then hired by Gastrointestinal Surgery in October 2012 as a Surgery Scheduler. I worked with GI Surgery for the next 5 years until I had my youngest daughter and took some time off with her. I came back to UAB in March 2018 to work with the General Surgery Residency Program and that’s where I developed a love for all things residency and GME! I have since worked with the Department of Pediatrics as the Education Coordinator for the Peds Hem/Onc and Hospital Medicine Fellowship Programs. I transferred from Pediatrics in October 2023 to Emergency Medicine as the Education Coordinator for the Emergency Medicine Fellowship Programs and Grand Rounds Speaker Series. I was promoted to Education Administrator in July 2024. I have always had a love of working with residents and watching all they accomplish during their training years. I look forward to what this next chapter will bring! I still live in small town Alabama, about 20 minutes north of Birmingham. I have been married to my wonderful husband, Jacob, for 16 years and we have 3 beautiful children. In my free time, you will most likely find me at a softball park or enjoying the outdoors.