On Feb. 6, 2025, several members of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Neurosurgery participated in the Cultural Connections Food Fair, highlighting the diverse cultural backgrounds represented within the department.

The Cultural Connections Food Fair provided an opportunity for faculty, staff, students, residents, fellows and their families to connect while celebrating the many cultures represented across the community. Participating departments showcased dishes that reflected their heritage, competing for the title of Best Table.

Executive Assistant Eva Gilliam showcased the flavors of Guatemala with shrimp ceviche, accompanied by Guatemalan rum. Ceviche, a marinated seafood dish with origins debated between Peru and Ecuador, is a celebrated dish throughout Latin America, with each country incorporating its own unique ingredients and traditions.

Martina Gonzalez Gomez, M.D., MSc, global neurosurgery program manager II, represented Colombia with pandebonos, a soft and airy cheese bread with a crispy crust, along with a Colombian beverage. A staple of Colombian cuisine, pandebonos date back centuries, originating in the Andean region, where indigenous communities have long relied on corn as a dietary staple.

Administrative Office Specialist IV Cassie Shoemaker honored Native American traditions by preparing Chippewa fry bread and chicken wild rice soup. The Chippewa, also known as the Ojibwe, have a deep connection to the land and are known for harvesting wild rice, an integral part of their diet for centuries. While traditionally made with wild turkey, Shoemaker’s dish featured chicken, paying homage to a staple meal within the Chippewa community.

Clinical Research Manager Anastasia Smith, DrPH, MPH, brought a taste of Belarus with honey cake and shortbread cookies. The honey cake, a delicate pastry composed of more than 15 thin layers, is a traditional Belarusian dessert, while the shortbread cookies followed a classic Soviet-era Leningradski tort recipe.

The event, held in the UAB Hospital North Pavilion Atrium, served as the opening to the Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine’s Second Look, an annual initiative that invites potential residents to explore UAB and Birmingham.