L to R: Mack Brown, MD, Amanda Brito, MD, Karla Williams, MD, and Rob Smola, MDAs the 2017-2018 Chief Medical Residents, we are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve the Tinsley Harrison Internal Medicine residents, faculty and staff. It is difficult to believe that we are six months into the academic year!  The saying that time flies when you’re having fun has definitely been the common sentiment.

With the new year, we have welcomed forty-four of the best and brightest individuals into our program, and they have already displayed excellence in all that they do for our patients and the UAB internal medicine program. We enjoyed the PGY-2 retreat during which residents were able to view the solar eclipse and prepare for their new roles as team leaders. At the PGY3 legacy dinner, we reflected on the legacy of Tinsley Harrison and our program. We cheered on the Birmingham Barons at our annual Thirsty Thursday gathering, and sipped hot cocoa while watching the Georgia dogs take on the Florida gators during Camp Dismukes at Oak Mountain State Park.

Interview season is in full swing, and we hope to show to applicants why we love UAB and the Birmingham community.  To pay homage to Birmingham’s growing reputation in the culinary arena, we have added new sites for our interview dinners, including East West, Carrigan’s, and Southern Kitchen.  We are excited to highlight our continued tradition of academic excellence by announcing our 2017 ABIM Board pass rate of 100% and our recent 100% fellowship match.  Also highlighted are the ongoing expansion of the health disparities track with planned community immersion activities and increased resident involvement in the PATH clinic, a successful RIME week, and great SSGIM submissions.

We emphasize the fact that we chose UAB Internal Medicine not only for academic excellence but also for the environment of inclusivity and support.   We continue to focus on diversity and cultivating physicians who are culturally competent and responsive to the both the needs of their patients and each other through the work of our Diversity Enrichment Committee and Residency Wellness Committee. 

As chief residents, we look forward to the next six months and the opportunity to serve this program and our Birmingham community in the legacy of Dr. Tinsley Harrison and the UAB Internal Medicine alumni. We hope you enjoy this edition of Letters to Tinsley.

--Amanda, Mack, Karla and Rob