As our time as chief medical residents draws to a close, we find ourselves reflecting on the past year—a year filled with growth, camaraderie, and unforgettable moments. It has been an honor to serve our residents and the program in this role. In our welcome address this fall, we reflected on new beginnings—a new leadership team, new office spaces, new interns, and a fresh start after the COVID years. This year, those new beginnings blossomed with strength and beauty. We are proud and joyful to have been a part of that growth. Notably, we were excited to revive several experiences that highlight our program’s rich culture, both in and out of the hospital.
We kicked off the year by welcoming an energetic group of new interns. Their enthusiasm and eagerness reminded us of our own beginnings, and we were inspired by their dedication to learning and patient care. We expanded our intern boot camp and developed a more robust, longitudinal curriculum to aid our PGY1s as they begin their transition into senior roles.
We expanded our focus on curriculum development to other avenues this year, beginning with piloting the “Intro to MICU” lecture series during intern orientation, which continued throughout the year. We also collaborated with our sim center colleagues to develop improved ultrasound and procedural skill training. With the elimination of 24-hour calls in the MICU and CCU, we hope to continue to improve resident wellness. On the outpatient side, we planned and implemented an overhaul of the Ambulatory Morning Report curriculum for the coming academic year, redirecting the focus on high-yield ambulatory management with practical clinical and board-relevant knowledge. We believe these initiatives will enrich our residents’ educational experience, and we’re excited about the impact they will have on future residents’ learning and patient care. We hope our beloved program always maintains a culture that fosters an environment of support, mentorship, learning, and growth.
Our focus on resident wellness meant the revitalization of several beloved social events. This year marked the triumphant return of “Liver Rounds”—a legend shared during many interviews of ages long past. As a program embedded in Southern culture, we would be remiss to exclude culinary events as a staple of our residency experience. Who knew that a simmering pot of chili or a pile of spicy crawfish could bring us all together? The program’s annual Chili Cookoff and Crawfish Boil went beyond food—they became opportunities for friendly competition, laughter, and shared memories. The time spent together in the company of our residency family always makes for cherished memories of good times, bonding, and joy during the years of training.
The unveiling of the Legacy Wall marked a monumental event of our chief year, and it was an indescribable privilege to be a part of it. The five specially crafted bronze sculptures reflect the residency program’s core tenets. These artistic representations—depicting the Priesthood of Medicine, the Contagious Fire, Thinking, E=hH2 (imbuing heart alongside knowledge), and Moral & Mental Discipline—will forever remind us of our duty as healers. We carry these values in our hearts. Mounting these five works of art in our new BDB office space became symbolic of this program’s long-standing traditions and principles being carried into a new future.
Despite much success, this year was not without its hardships. We saw the unfortunate toll that illness and personal loss took on many of our residents and their families. Yet, we witnessed their incredible resilience—the way they rallied around each other, providing support, coverage, and compassion. They are not just our colleagues; they are family. Our residents are without a doubt some of the strongest individuals we have had the privilege to work with, and we are so proud to have been a small part of their training and UAB family.
To the residents, we want to say thank you. Your unwavering commitment during the busy interview season made all the difference. Whether hosting applicants virtually in your homes or joining interview day Zoom chats, you showcased our program’s excellence. Because of you, we were able to match a diverse and stellar group of applicants from 23 medical schools, 12 states, and 4 countries. We owe much of the successful match of our residency program to your admirable efforts.
To the incoming chiefs, we challenge you to embrace this journey. Cherish the late-night calls, the opportunity to watch your fellow residents grow, the shared victories, and the joys of medicine. The future holds challenges and triumphs—may you face them with the same excellence without ego that defines our residency family.
As we step down from our roles, we are profoundly grateful for the patients we’ve cared for, the friendships we’ve forged, and the growth we’ve experienced. The Tinsley Harrison Internal Medicine Residency Program has shaped us as physicians, leaders, teachers, and individuals. We hope we have left a positive mark on this program through our efforts to carry its esteemed legacy forward. No matter where our careers take us, we are honored that we will always be able to call UAB home.
Brian Westbrook will be staying at UAB for his fellowship in hematology and oncology. He, his wife Keri, and his son Eli consider it a privilege to remain at “home” at such an amazing and impactful institution with so many great people. He will miss his co-chiefs but looks forward to the next chapter.
Mark Cromer will be moving with his wife and three kids back to their home state of South Carolina to begin his fellowship in gastroenterology and hepatology at Prisma Health/University of South Carolina School of Medicine-Greenville. Training at UAB was beyond the best experience he could have hoped for in a residency program, and he was honored to become part of the “lineage” and legacy of all the chief medical residents at UAB who have gone before, upholding and passing on the guiding core principles embedded in our program by Dr. Tinsley Harrison.
Christina Cheng will be starting her pulmonary/critical care fellowship at the University of California, San Diego. UAB has been a formative experience for her growth as an individual and a physician—she will always call this place home.
Julie England will be moving to Dallas to start her infectious diseases fellowship at UT Southwestern. She is excited to be closer to her family and fiancé, and she will definitely miss her UAB family.