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Bethany Acosta
Bethany was born in Miami, FL and moved to Covington, LA when she was one. She grew up in Covington and moved to Waco, TX to complete her undergraduate degree at Baylor University (Sic ‘em, Bears!). She then returned to her home state of Louisiana to attend medical school at LSU in New Orleans. She is so excited to move to Birmingham, AL to begin residency at UAB! She currently has plans to pursue a fellowship in Allergy and Immunology. In her free time, Bethany enjoys playing sports, spending time outdoors, going to concerts, and hanging out with her friends and her dog, Koda.
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Yaser Ahmad
Yaser was born and raised in Orlando, FL. He attended the University of Central Florida for his undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences. He went on to the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine for his medical degree. Yaser is excited to start his residency at UAB and currently hopes to pursue a fellowship in cardiology but is still deciding. He also has an interest in medical education. In his free time, Yaser enjoys spending time with friends and family, trying new cuisines, and traveling.
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Grace Ashbery
Grace was born in Memphis, TN and went on to complete her undergraduate degree at the University of Alabama. She came back home to Tennessee to get her medical degrees at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. She is very excited to head back to Alabama to continue her training at UAB. She enjoys inpatient medicine and is deciding between pursuing a fellowship versus working as a hospitalist after graduation. In her spare time, she loves to go on long walks while listening to a good podcast, watch the Crimson Tide play football, travel, cook, and spend time with family and friends
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Caroline Babin
Caroline was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She attended Louisiana State University for her undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and LSU New Orleans for medical school. She remains a devoted LSU Tiger fan despite her decision to make Alabama her new home. Caroline is particularly interested in academic general medicine and primary care, but she remains open to any specialty. In her spare time, she enjoys watching sports, playing tennis, fishing, and trying new restaurants with friends. She is excited to join the UAB community and explore the city of Birmingham.
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Moussa Berro
Moussa grew up in San Paulo, Brazil, and spent two years in France before moving to Lebanon for his education at the American University of Beirut. He fell in love with nearly every medical specialty, so Internal Medicine ended up being the right fit. He wants to pursue an academic career with an emphasis on teaching, and is eager to discover a new passion at UAB and choose a fellowship. Outside the hospital, Moussa enjoys outdoor activities, playing soccer, and lazy days cooking and playing video games.
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Aashna Bhatia
Aashna was born in Amritsar and grew up in Delhi, India. A proud alumnus of KMC, Manipal, she is excited for her upcoming journey in Birmingham, where she hopes to contribute meaningfully to the healthcare landscape. Aashna has a special interest in both Cardiology and Rheumatology and plans to pursue an academic career in medicine. Beyond her career aspirations, Aashna is a sports fanatic and looks forward to watching any tennis and cricket tournaments she can find the time for. She also has a love for Formula 1 and a particular love for Scuderia Ferrari. An athlete herself, she ran track on her high school and college sports teams. In any time she can find outside of the hospital and sports, she enjoys going to the gym and playing the piano
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Harry Cloud
Harry Cloud was born in Birmingham, AL but grew up in the suburbs of Atlanta, GA. He attended the University of Georgia where he studied Neuroscience and Biology. One gap year turned into 5 when he pursued a career in music as a drummer leading him to Nashville, TN. His interest in medicine was re-invigorated through his day job in interventional cardiology clinical trial research. He completed his medical school at UTHSC in Memphis and Chattanooga, TN. His medical interests include critical care, infectious disease, and domestic/international medical missions with hopes of one day including the next generation of physicians in these passions. In his spare time, Harry enjoys rock-climbing, playing music, and enjoying all the amazing food Birmingham has to offer.
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Joel Cohen
Joel was born and raised in Florida, moving southward from Jacksonville to Gainesville to Tampa. After experiencing all that Florida has to offer, he is thrilled to continue his residency training in Birmingham. He is looking forward to internal medicine and ultimately intends to pursue a career in hematology and oncology. In his time away from the hospital, Joel enjoys exploring the Alabama outdoors, checking out breweries, and listening to music with his friends.
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Brett Cooke
Brett was born in Birmingham, Alabama. He attended Auburn University for his undergraduate education where he received a degree in Biomedical Sciences. He came back to Birmingham for medical school at UAB, and he is thrilled to be staying at UAB for his residency training. His academic interests include cardiology, critical care, and medical education. In his free time, he and his wife, Jessica, stay busy taking care of their twins and golden retriever. He enjoys all things Auburn Athletics, is a huge college football fan, and loves to try new restaurants.
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James Crenshaw Jr.
James was born and raised in Birmingham, AL. He attended college at the University of Alabama and graduated with bachelor's degrees in Chemical & Biological Engineering. He returned to Birmingham for medical school at UAB and is excited to stay at UAB for residency and serve his hometown for the duration of his medical training. James' academic and career interests include primary care, addressing social determinants of health in the local community, and healthcare policy. In his free time, James enjoys finding new restaurants, traveling with friends and family, pulling espresso shots, cooking after a trip to the farmer's market, and Alabama football games.
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Grant Damico
Grant was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas. He attended The University of Arkansas where he obtained his undergraduate degree in Biology. Prior to attending Baylor College of Medicine he worked as a Housing Case Manager in Fort Worth. Grant is excited to live and work in Birmingham. His professional and academic interests include gastroenterology, oncology, cardiology, and hospital medicine. In his free time Grant enjoys backpacking, cycling, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.
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Benjamin Day
Ben is from Southwest Georgia from the small rural town of Bainbridge. He went to undergraduate at the University of Georgia and completed medical school at Mercer University School of Medicine. He most likely intends to pursue a fellowship in Gastroenterology but is still deciding. Outside of medicine, likes to watch the Georgia Bulldogs, play golf, and go fishing.
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Savannah Elrod
Savannah was born in Montgomery, AL. She then attended Auburn University for undergrad and UAB for medical school. She is beyond excited to be staying in Birmingham for residency, along with her significant other who matched into UAB Anesthesiology residency. She is undecided regarding specialties, but she has a passion for Medical Education and enjoys hospital medicine and caring for the palliative population. In her spare time, she enjoys staying active through running or walks with friends, exploring local live music, reading, baking to satisfy her sweet tooth, and trying new places in Birmingham with friends and family.
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Christopher Forsyth
Born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, Christopher graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in biomedical engineering. He then attended medical school at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, Tennessee. Excited about his move to Birmingham, Christopher is eager to start his residency at UAB. His medical interests are broad but he especially enjoys hospital medicine, medical education, and critical care. Outside of medicine, Christopher enjoys spending time with his wife, Jenna, exploring new places, collecting board games, and cheering for (and occasionally stressing over) the Tennessee Volunteers.
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Connor Griffin
Connor Griffin was born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas where he completed his undergraduate education at Hendrix College, finishing with a degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. He attended medical school at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). Connor traveled to Birmingham every year during his undergraduate education to compete at the regional swimming competition where he first noticed the charm of Birmingham. During his free time, Connor enjoys exploring new restaurants, practicing kendo, fishing, brewing craft beer and traveling.
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Morgan Gurel-Headley
Morgan was born Fayetteville, AR in a hospital that later became part of the medical school campus that she attended - maybe she was destined to be a doctor. After completing undergrad and medical school in Arkansas, she is excited for a change of scenery in Birmingham and to live much closer to the beach. Morgan's career passions include public health and medical education; she is interested in specializing in Pulmonary/Critical Care. Beyond her career, Morgan loves reading, puzzles, reality TV, music, and (most of all) spending time with her husband and dog.
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Shiv Ishpujani
Shiv was born in Saharanpur, India, where he spent his childhood mastering the art of balancing school books and his family shop's ledger. He attended King George's Medical University in Lucknow, a city renowned for its rich cultural heritage and cuisine. He is excited to start a new adventure at UAB and experience the famed southern hospitality—and maybe even figure out what grits are. He is committed to pursuing a fellowship in cardiology and has a deep interest in public health and medical education. When he's not donning a white coat, Shiv can be found playing the flute (his neighbors are very supportive), watching cricket (sometimes simultaneously), and experimenting in the kitchen (where the smoke alarm is his biggest fan). If he's not home, he's probably out with friends, traveling the world, and ticking off items on his ever-growing bucket list.
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Sally Jones
Sally was born and raised in Rome, Georgia. She completed her undergraduate degree in Biology at Samford University and fell in love with Birmingham. Sally moved back to Georgia for medical school at Mercer University and is thrilled to return to Birmingham for residency training. Sally intends to pursue an academic career in Cardiology. In her spare time, she enjoys walking Jemison trail with friends and trying new restaurants.
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Fallon Lalor
Fallon grew up in the rural town of Grant, Alabama. She completed her undergraduate degree in Molecular Biology and medical school training at UAB. UAB feels like home to her, and she is excited to start her residency training here! After residency, she wants to serve patients as a general internist. In her free time, Fallon enjoys reading, gardening, visiting national parks, and hiking with her husband and their two dogs
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Annabel Lu
Annabel was born in Amherst, MA and grew up in the United Kingdom. She attended Emory for college and medical school. She met her partner Abraham during freshman year of undergrad, they are grateful to have couples matched at UAB where he will be a Diagnostic Radiology resident. Her academic interests include medical education and humanism in medicine, and she is considering a career in hospital medicine or critical care. She loves yoga, arts and crafts, and exploring new coffee shops.
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Charles Maggitas Heald
Charles was born in Thomasville, Georgia. He attended Florida State University for both undergraduate and medical school. He is honored and excited to begin his residency training at UAB. In addition to taking care of patients, Charles is passionate about research and medical education. He intends to pursue an academic career in cardiology, most likely interventional and structural cardiology. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time outdoors hiking or kayaking, visiting museums, reading, watching FSU football, and spending time with family and friends.
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Supriya Maheshwari
Supriya was born and raised in Rajasthan, India. She attended medical school at Vardhman Mahavir Medical College, New Delhi. After graduation, she pursued research in Oncology at UAB and is thrilled to be joining UAB’s Internal Medicine family. She hopes to continue outcomes-based clinical research and pursue an academic career in Hematology-Oncology or Gastroenterology. Alongside that, she is passionate about promoting health equity and women’s health. Outside of medicine, she loves cooking (especially North Indian cuisine), painting, event anchoring, traveling to new places, and spending time with friends and family.
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Jorge Nakazaki
Jorge, better known as Naka, was born in Lima, Peru, and grew up in Chiclayo, a city in the north of Peru known for its delicious Peruvian cuisine. He later returned to Lima to continue his studies in Medicine at the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia. After graduating, he worked primarily at the Alexander von Humboldt Institute of Tropical Medicine and completed a Master's in Public Health and Epidemiology. He is thrilled to start training at UAB and is passionate about teaching and research. Naka aims to pursue a fellowship in Nephrology or Infectious Diseases. In his free time, he enjoys working out at the gym, practicing TKD, watching movies (especially suspense and action), cooking for friends and family, and being an avid soccer fan
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Meryl Nath
Meryl Nath was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and grew up in Rochester, Minnesota. She attended St. Olaf College for her undergraduate training and obtained a degree in Biology. She moved to Birmingham for a gap year research position after college and really enjoyed her experiences at UAB and Birmingham. She completed her medical training at UAB and is thrilled to be staying at UAB for internal medicine residency. She is considering an academic career in endocrinology and is also passionate about medical education. In her free time, she loves reading, going on long runs, playing piano, and cooking.
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Preston Nicely
Preston grew up in Knoxville, TN and attended the University of Tennessee where he studied chemical engineering, and yes, he is a vol for life. Preston moved to Rhode Island for medical school at Brown University, and while he loved living in New England, he is excited to be back in the south and close to his family. Preston has many passions within medicine including cardiology, entrepreneurship, innovation and design, and teaching. Outside of medicine, he enjoys spending time with his wife (Anna Kate) and dog (Penny), traveling, eating at new restaurants, playing board games, and endurance exercise.
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Sinead O'Bryant
Sinead O'Bryant was born and raised in the foothills of the Appalachians in Sautee Nacoochee, Georgia. She studied biology and ran NCAA Division II cross-country and track and field at Augusta University before completing medical school at Mercer University School of Medicine in Savannah, Georgia. She is thrilled to be training at UAB for Internal Medicine residency and excited to explore Birmingham. She is undecided on her long term career goals, but she is planning on pursuing a fellowship in subspecialty training (to be determined!). In her free time, Sinead enjoys long distance running, reading, and relaxing with her cat, Basil.
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Trent Ray
Trent grew up in Tuscaloosa, Alabama where he graduated from Hillcrest High School. Although he was born, raised, and remains an ardent Alabama fan, he studied Biochemistry at Mississippi State University and received his medical degree from the University of Mississippi in Jackson, MS. Trent is excited to return to his home state for his residency in Internal Medicine at UAB. His career interests include Cardiology and Global Health. In his free time, Trent enjoys golfing, watching basketball (ThunderUp) and football (Roll Tide), going to church, and spending time with his friends, family, and his dog, Kendall.
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Rya Richardson
Rya was born in Memphis, TN and moved to Moncks Corner, SC when she was six years old. She went on to attend Clemson University and received her bachelor's degree in Biochemistry. She then moved closer to home (her Momma said "Amen") and attended medical school at MUSC in Charleston, SC. She is so excited to continue training at UAB in Internal Medicine for her next adventure! Rya is currently interested in a fellowship in hematology/oncology and palliative care. During her free time, she enjoys going on walks with her husband (Mason) and their dog (Luna), baking, and exploring cafes for the perfect London Fog.
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Erik Roepke
Erik was born and raised in Bowling Green, Kentucky. There, he attended Western Kentucky University and majored in chemistry. Staying in the Bluegrass State, he attended the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. He is thrilled to join the UAB family and live in the great city of Birmingham! Although currently undecided, Erik’s clinical interests include gastroenterology, oncology, and general internal medicine. Outside of the hospital, he enjoys local restaurants, live music, cycling, and sending his wife videos of dogs on Instagram.
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Jordan Saag
Jordan was born in Plano, Texas but spent most of his childhood in Omaha, Nebraska. He studied Chemistry at the University of Florida and quickly became a huge Gator Football fan. He attended medical school at the University of Central Florida and is thrilled to attend UAB for his internal medicine residency training. Professionally, he is interested in medical education and intends to pursue an academic career in cardiology. In his free time, he enjoys reading, hiking, fishing, and cheering on the Chicago Bears.
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Corey Shamley
Corey was born in Morristown, NJ, but grew up in Tampa, FL. He attended University of Florida for his undergraduate degree in Business and Florida International University for medical school. He is excited to be a part of the UAB community and plans to pursue a fellowship in Gastroenterology. Outside of medicine, he loves to golf, root for the Gators and Bolts, and spend time with his girlfriend, Mackenzie.
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Hayden Shuster
Hayden was born in New Jersey (Go Birds!) but was raised in North Idaho. He played lacrosse and majored in chemistry at Wells College, before returning home to obtain his PharmD at the Idaho State University College of Pharmacy. After a brief stint as a rheumatology focused Medical Science Liaison, he made the switch to medicine and attended the University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Greenville. He is ecstatic to be a part of UAB and to explore Birmingham with his family! His academic interests include medical education and novel therapeutics, and he hopes to pursue a fellowship in gastroenterology. In his free time, he enjoys gardening, DIYing anything and everything, making craft cocktails, and all types of fishing.
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Jack Simmons
Jack was born and raised in Tupelo, Mississippi. He graduated from Mississippi State University with a degree in Biological Engineering and attended medical school at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He is excited to stay close to home for residency and looks forward to exploring and serving Birmingham. Jack's professional interests include pursuing a career in Cardiology and Medical Education. In his free time, Jack enjoys watching the Mississippi State Bulldogs, playing golf, trying new restaurants, and hanging out with family and friends.
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Will Southall
Will was born in Fort Lauderdale, but spent his early childhood in Gainesville, Florida. His family then moved to the small town of Versailles, Kentucky (home of Woodford Reserve Distillery) where he completed middle and high school. He attended Samford University for undergrad and University of Louisville for medical school. Will couples matched with his wife Maddie who will be completing her residency in Pediatrics at UAB. He intends to stay in academic medicine as a general medicine attending or pursue fellowship in gastroenterology. In his free time, Will enjoys attending his local church, playing disc golf at George Ward Park, mountain biking at Oak Mountain State Park, and eating at his favorite restaurant in Birmingham, Bottega.
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Juliana Spanova
Juliana was born in Slovakia and grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. She lived in Huntsville, Alabama for a few years in her childhood before moving back to Louisville. She attended the University of Louisville for both undergrad and medical school. She is so excited to move to Birmingham and start her residency training at UAB. She intends to pursue an academic career in cardiology or pulmonary critical care. In her spare time, she enjoys cycling, reading, solving sudoku puzzles, playing pickleball, and building Lego sets.
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Elizabeth Statham
Elizabeth was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. After completing her undergraduate degree in Spanish at the University of Mississippi, she pursued her medical degree from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine. While there, she also completed a graduate certificate in Spanish for Healthcare Professionals. As a Birmingham native with family and friends still residing in the area, she could not be more excited to return home for internal medicine residency at UAB! She has a strong clinical interest in gastroenterology. During her free time, she enjoys exercising, art, and spending time with her family and friends.
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Caleb Streitmatter
Caleb was born in Sarasota, FL. For his college years he was a Florida Gator and after that moved down to Tampa for medical school at the University of South Florida. Through medical school, he found his passion in Internal Medicine and is excited to pursue this career at UAB. In his spare time, he enjoys exploring the outdoors through hiking, biking, and kayaking.
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Colin Yarid
Colin grew up in a small town in East Tennessee and attended ETSU for undergrad. He then moved across the state to obtain his medical degree from UTHSC in Memphis, TN. He is very excited to start his professional career at UAB and is very excited to see what the city has to offer. He is undecided in his specialty but is leaning towards either hospital medicine or rheumatology. Colin's interests include Liverpool FC, the Miami Dolphins, the Beatles, and travel!