by Jeremey Walker, MD

Chief Medical Residents Drs. Kiki Titer, Jeremey Walker, Joanna Zurko, and James BarriosIf you’ve recently visited the halls of UAB Hospital, you may have noticed our residents’ holiday gifts, new coffee cups with E= hH2 on the side. The simple inscription is a formula that serves as a reminder of Dr. Tinsley Harrison’s definition of medical education. Dr. Harrison saw Education (E) as the combination of medical knowledge, i.e. one’s “head” (h,) with the exponential impact of the Heart (H). We are thankful for all the knowledge we have gained in our time at UAB, but we are truly humbled by the myriad of hearts that have left a lasting impact on us…our program and department leadership, support staff, countless mentors and alumni, and the core of our program—our residents.

This year, we have seen growth in multiple tracks including our clinician-educator, health disparities, and primary care scholars’ tracks. In addition to the didactic and rotation changes we described in the fall, the curriculum has expanded with enhanced opportunities in ultrasound and procedural simulation. Our PGY-3s are well prepared to begin practice or continue their training abroad or at our own beloved institution. Finally, with this transition comes another wonderful class of 36 categorical, 2 ABIM, and 3 preliminary interns that we are excited to welcome in June.

We remain grateful to each of you for your continued investment in us and our program. The culture of mentorship, inclusion, and support has provided a wonderful space for our continued personal and professional growth. Thank you to everyone at UAB for affording us this unique education both in the head and the Heart and to all members of UAB Internal Medicine, past and present, for propelling the “contagious fire” that fuels our program to this day.

James Barrios begin fellowship in Cardiovascular Disease at UAB in July. His wife, Mary, will start fellowship in Neonatology-Perinatal Medicine at UAB/Children’s Hospital of Alabama in July. They have an 18-month-old son, James Jr., and are very excited to be staying in Birmingham.

KeAndrea Titer will stay at UAB to serve as faculty within the Division of General Internal Medicine and Hospital Medicine. She looks forward to greater time to travel with her husband and family.

Jeremey Walker will start an Infectious Diseases fellowship at UAB in July. His wife, Kristan, and 6-month-old, Sylvia, are excited to be staying in Birmingham. Be on the lookout for them amongst the local food scene or at a Legion Football Club game.

 Joanna Zurko will head home to begin a Hematology and Oncology fellowship at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Her husband, Colton Thompson, will pursue a fellowship in Cardiovascular Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin as well. They have an 8-month-old son Rafael. They are very sad to be leaving UAB but are looking forward to being close to family again.

James, Jeremey, Joanna & Kiki