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Kennon Brake, M.D.
PGY 3
Hometown
Montgomery, AL
Undergraduate
Auburn University
Medical School
Heersink School of Medicine
Career/Clinical Interests
General Pediatrics
Why did you choose UAB Peds?
So many reasons!! I knew that I would have excellent training, get to care for highly complex patients, and get to train alongside some of the kindest and most caring people I have ever met.
Hobbies/Special Interests
Spending time with my daughter, husband, and dog :) being active, photography, movies, tennis and pickleball.
Fun Fact
I'm secretly good at rapping.
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Lauren Brewer, M.D.
PGY 3
Hometown
Nashville, TN
Undergraduate
Lipscomb University
Medical School
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Career/Clinical Interests
EM, PHM, and Endocrinology
Why did you choose UAB Peds?
I wanted a program with a free-standing children’s hospital, medium class size, and free lunch! I love that kids from all over Alabama come here, so we truly see things all over the spectrum. When I interviewed at UAB, I could tell these people were serious about patient care and learning, but also supporting each other- in work and in life.
Hobbies/Special Interests
Things I love: Jesus, being outside, softball, volleyball, game nights, trivia nights, good food (especially cheese and anything dessert) and drinks, Diet Coke, coffee shop vibes, and the Braves!
Fun Fact
I’m (mildly) allergic to pineapple but didn’t realize it until college… I thought everyone’s lips and tongue got numb and tingly. Still one of my fav fruits though!
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Zach Brown, M.D.
PGY 3
Hometown
Provo, UT
Undergraduate
Duke University
Medical School
University of North Carolina
Career/Clinical Interests
Cardiology, working with immigrant children
Why did you choose UAB Peds?
Because of how kind and authentic the program directors and atmosphere felt.
Hobbies/Special Interests
Running, tennis, golf
Fun Fact
Even though I went to UNC for med school, I am a HUGE Duke basketball fan - my sister gave us a homemade "Coach K's Lucky Charm" book when our first son was born and it is VERY well loved.
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Katie Fogle, M.D.
PGY 3
Hometown
Harvest, AL
Undergraduate
Auburn University
Medical School
Heersink School of Medicine
Career/Clinical Interests
General pediatrics, endocrinology
Why did you choose UAB Peds?
I knew I would be surrounded by the most caring, supportive, and fun co-residents, program directors and faculty! I also felt valued as a person and knew my training would be excellent. It brings me great joy to walk into a beautiful and extra-special children's hospital each day!
Hobbies/Special Interests
Reading, barre class, walking
Fun Fact
I have seen 2 space shuttle launches in person!
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Kristen Hall, M.D.
PGY 3
Hometown
Texarkana, TX
Undergraduate
Southern Methodist University
Medical School
University of Texas - San Antonio
Career/Clinical Interests
NICU, PICU or PHM
Why did you choose UAB Peds?
Everyone I talked to on my interview day was kind, fun, and truly interested in getting to know me. I also loved the vast amount of exposure you get at Children’s of Alabama and their focus on resident wellness.
Hobbies/Special Interests
I love reading, going to spin class, trying new restaurants and baking!
Fun Fact
I taught myself to knit during my time off in fourth year of medical school!
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Janie Hampton, M.D.
PGY 3
Hometown
Montgomery, AL
Undergraduate
Auburn University
Medical School
Heersink School of Medicine
Career/Clinical Interests
Inpatient Medicine - Critical Care/Acute Care
Why did you choose UAB Peds?
THE People! You won't find a better PD crew, more genuine co-workers, and even better kiddos to care for than the ones we get to learn from, work with, and serve at COA!
Hobbies/Special Interests
Anything sports!
Fun Fact
I'd eat chocolate chip waffles everyday if i could!
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Tara Jehu, M.D.
PGY 3
Hometown
Venice, FL
Undergraduate
University of Florida and George Mason University
Medical School
University of Central Florida
Career/Clinical Interests
Undecided: likely ED or Heme/Onc
Why did you choose UAB Peds?
Mentor alumni, interview process, such positive interactions with people here
Hobbies/Special Interests
Photography, dancing, food, lap swimming, travel, living abroad, reading
Fun Fact
I was a high school exchange student in the Alps in Bavaria, Germany!
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Natalie King, M.D.
PGY 3
Hometown
Birmingham, AL
Undergraduate
University of Alabama
Medical School
Heersink School of Medicine
Career/Clinical Interests
General Pediatrics
Why did you choose UAB Peds?
Faculty mentorship, community of residents, opportunity to serve Birmingham and broader Alabama
Hobbies/Special Interests
Playing with my kids (although they are quickly exceeding all my athletic ability), good coffee, running, snow skiing, local restaurants, chocolate chip cookies
Fun Fact
According to my 3 year old, he’s a doctor too.
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Brian Kirkwood, M.D.
PGY 3
Hometown
Huntsville, AL
Undergraduate
University of Montevallo
Medical School
Heersink School of Medicine
Career/Clinical Interests
I'm not sure yet, but I know I like taking care of kids in the hospital!
Why did you choose UAB Peds?
As a third year med student, I rotated at Children’s of Alabama during my Peds Clerkship. I loved it so much that I scheduled all of my 4th year rotations to be at Children’s. By the time interviews were done and rank lists were due, I had spent over 7 months rotating at CoA. I knew it was the place for me. I love the enthusiasm that people have for their specialty. I love that I feel supported and considered.
Hobbies/Special Interests
Houseplants, gardening, estate sales, dog parks, and mid-century modern decor.
Fun Fact
I know more about The Office than you do.
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Caroline Lambert, M.D.
PGY 3
Hometown
Hattiesburg, MS
Undergraduate
Mississippi College
Medical School
University of Mississippi School of Medicine
Career/Clinical Interests
General Pediatrics
Why did you choose UAB Peds?
During interview season, I really appreciated the thoughtfulness each person I interacted with at UAB put into the time I spent with them—their desire to support and build relationships with residents was beyond evident, even on Zoom. I knew that choosing this program would ensure me not only the new perspective and excellent training I was seeking but also the opportunity to work with kind and fun people:) I’m absolutely honored to be here and love living in Birmingham so far!
Hobbies/Special Interests
Hiking and adventuring to new places, baking sweet treats, catching up with friends on a walk or at a coffee shop, game nights (Nertz and CatchPhrase are my favs), reading, and jamming out to anything from musicals to mixtapes
Fun Fact
Served popcorn and ice cream in Disney World for a semester!
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Amanda Nelson, M.D.
PGY 3
Hometown
Milwaukee, WI
Undergraduate
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Medical School
Medical College of Wisconsin
Career/Clinical Interests
Neonatology, Transgender health, Health Equity
Why did you choose UAB Peds?
I wanted a resident-focused program with a free-standing children's hospital that would also offer plenty of research opportunities, which UAB is and does. My interview also felt more like I was talking with old friends and was so comfortable. The warm weather is an added bonus!
Hobbies/Special Interests
Irish dance, yoga, cross stitching
Fun Fact
I have a rescue pup named Pancake!
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Nicholas Obremskey, M.D.
PGY 1=3
Hometown
Nashville, TN
Undergraduate
University of South Carolina
Medical School
University of South Carolina School of Medicine - Greenville
Career/Clinical Interests
Pediatric Hospitalist or Infectious Disease
Why did you choose UAB Peds?
The larger program is full of incredible faculty and residents. The hospital serves a large area allowing for greater exposure to a diversity of patients and more learning opportunities. Also my wife and I loved Birmingham.
Hobbies/Special Interests
Soccer, Astronomy, Hanging out with Hannah (my wife), trivia
Fun Fact
When I was a valet, I parked Thomas Rhett's car and didn't realize it was him. Also, I speak German
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KirbyAnne Plessala, M.D.
PGY 3
Hometown
Mobile, AL
Undergraduate
Louisiana State University
Medical School
Louisiana State University - New Orleans
Career/Clinical Interests
Nephrology
Why did you choose UAB Peds?
The culture! This program pushes you to challenge yourself and grow but supports you so well along the way.
Hobbies/Special Interests
Cooking, painting, playing soccer and volleyball
Fun Fact
I do calligraphy! I love addressing wedding invitations and decorating everything.
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Sarah Prickett, M.D.
PGY 3
Hometown
Kansas City, M.O.
Undergraduate
University of Alabama
Medical School
University of Texas - Southwestern
Career/Clinical Interests
I am still deciding on a future career path but am currently interested in hospital medicine and medical education!
Why did you choose UAB Peds?
Training at UAB provided the opportunity to care for patients from diverse backgrounds with a broad spectrum of medical complexity and acuity all within an incredibly supportive environment of residents, faculty, and staff. There were a handful of institutions I knew would offer excellent clinical experience, but UAB stood out for the people who so clearly enjoyed and supported one another even in the tough and busy moments..
Hobbies/Special Interests
I enjoy reading, trying new restaurants, game nights with friends, traveling to visit family, and spending time outdoors with my husband, Sam.
Fun Fact
I have a minor in Studio Art with special focus in ceramics and painting!
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Rilee Racine, M.D.
PGY 3
Hometown
Gainsville, GA
Undergraduate
University of Georgia
Medical School
Medical College of Georgia
Career/Clinical Interests
Too many things (undecided)
Why did you choose UAB Peds?
I always knew I wanted to stay in the Southeast close to family and be at a big children's hospital where I would be exposed to a high volume and high complexity of patients during my training. This can be found at a lot of programs, but after my interview with UAB, I couldn't really picture myself anywhere else. Everyone here is so kind, eager to teach, and really do love caring for the children and families of Alabama. I have felt an insane amount of support in my first few months of residency and find myself excited to go to work each day. Our administration and faculty invest in us as both future pediatricians and as people, and our intern class already feels like a family away from home. Birmingham itself is also awesome with so many fun things to do, minimal traffic, and amazing weather. Simply put, I would say that at UAB we work hard, but we love what we do. I truly couldn't be happier to be a resident here at Children's!
Hobbies/Special Interests
Anything on the water, outdoor walking or hiking, reading, indoor cycling
Fun Fact
My parents are bigtime water skiiers and taught me how to water ski when I was three (still remember faceplanting and swallowing a whole lot of water that day)
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Jameson Kenerly Ragsdale, M.D.
PGY 3
Hometown
Jesup, GA
Undergraduate
University of Georgia
Medical School
Medical College of Georgia
Career/Clinical Interests
Primary Care
Why did you choose UAB Peds?
I had the incredible opportunity to do an away rotation here and fell in LOVE with the encouraging, supportive culture of the program. The residents and faculty are truly the best!
Hobbies/Special Interests
Hanging with my nephew and niece, SEC football, historical fiction novels, and true-crime podcasts.
Fun Fact
I was the "fire twirler" for UGA! Go Dawgs!
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Rachel Roark, M.D.
PGY 3
Hometown
Little Rock, AR
Undergraduate
Ouachita Baptist University
Medical School
University of Arkansas
Career/Clinical Interests
Undecided, but strongly considering subspecialty training of some kind
Why did you choose UAB Peds?
The people in the program are kind, welcoming, and invested in the futures of the residents. It was obvious to me that this program would be a great place to grow as a physician to take the best care of my patients now and in the future! Also, Birmingham is an incredible city!
Hobbies/Special Interests
I love to host game nights for friends, take walks around town, make homemade lattes and listen to podcasts.
Fun Fact
My husband and I have a 10 year old Border Collie mix named Boots!
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Kevin Roby, M.D.
PGY 3
Hometown
Panama City, FL
Undergraduate
University of Florida
Graduate
University of Central Florida
Medical School
Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine
Career/Clinical Interests
Cardiology, PICU
Why did you choose UAB Peds?
Besides the people!! UAB is the perfect mix of location, culture and career opportunities. Coming from metro Detroit, I wanted to be in a diverse city, without crazy winters and where my wife and I could own a home. The opportunity is unlike many places, to be an integral member of the care team at a large stand alone children’s hospital that sees all sorts of rare, complex and common cases. Best of all, was the gut feeling I got during interview day and how genuine all the people were that made UAB feel like home, even from a zoom meeting!
Hobbies/Special Interests
Playing tennis, cooking, gardening/ plants, hiking
Fun Fact
I was born and lived in Mexico for 9 years
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Anna Seidenburg, M.D.
PGY 3
Hometown
Lena, MS
Undergraduate
Mississippi State University
Medical School
University of Mississippi School of Medicine
Career/Clinical Interests
PICU, Heme/Onc, Hospitalist
Why did you choose UAB Peds?
I felt an instant connection with the people I met on my interview day at UAB. I grew up in a big, very close family and I knew that I wanted a residency program that would feel like a family to me. I felt so at home so quickly and felt like I’d found a perfect fit for me. The program would give me the opportunity to care for and learn from some of the sweetest, most complex patients in the Southeast since Children's has patients from all over the United States but also allow me to do it with people who would support me and invest in me outside of just the work environment over the next three years.
Hobbies/Special Interests
Traveling, specifically to the beach, cooking with my grandmother and mom, reading
Fun Fact
I have an irrational fear of birds! (For no good reason that I can figure out!)
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Nancy Claire Smith, M.D.
PGY 3
Hometown
Franklin, TN
Undergraduate
Carson-Newman University
Medical School
East Tennessee State University - Quillen College of Medicine
Career/Clinical Interests
Hospital Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Rehab medicine/ortho, Global Health
Why did you choose UAB Peds?
The program offers a strong training environment surrounded by a supportive team that is like a family. All the clinical opportunities, teaching, simulation experiences also appealed to me. And, of course, the people!
Hobbies/Special Interests
Hiking, biking, swimming, running, game nights, farmers’ markets, trivia nights
Fun Fact
I am a published children’s book author.
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Keehn Strange, M.D.
PGY 3
Hometown
Birmingham, AL
Undergraduate
Trinity University
Medical School
Heersink School of Medicine
Career/Clinical Interests
Cardiology
Why did you choose UAB Peds?
To train at an amazing institution and the people.
Hobbies/Special Interests
Playing guitar, golf, hiking with my dogs, fishing
Fun Fact
I’m 6’8” but still the shortest guy in my family.
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Kevin Varghese, M.D.
PGY 3
Hometown
Montgomery, AL
Undergraduate
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Medical School
University of Mississippi School of Medicine
Career/Clinical Interests
PHM, GI, or Neuro
Why did you choose UAB Peds?
I ranked UAB #1 because it’s the whole package. Genuinely kind faculty, great facilities, close knit residents, and windows in the resident lounge.
Hobbies/Special Interests
Hiking (Oak Mountain is great), tennis, breweries, video games, and board games
Fun Fact
I’ve been skydiving before and definitely want to go again.
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Shannon Walker, M.D.
PGY 3
Hometown
Madison, AL
Undergraduate
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Medical School
Heersink School of Medicine
Career/Clinical Interests
Undecided
Why did you choose UAB Peds?
Working with the pediatric residents as a medical student showed me how genuinely kind the people here are. The faculty took a genuine interest in my learning, and the residents treat each other like family.
Hobbies/Special Interests
Music, movies, video games, yoga, and conversations with my dogs
Fun Fact
I played bass in a touring rock band while applying to medical school.
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Stacy Young, M.D.
PGY 3
Hometown
Ponte Vedra, FL
Undergraduate
University of North Florida
Medical School
Florida Atlantic University
Career/Clinical Interests
Not exactly sure yet:)
Why did you choose UAB Peds?
It was program where I felt like I would be both challenged and supported! The residents and faculty I met throughout the interview process were all so welcoming and were truly interested in getting to know me as a person.
Hobbies/Special Interests
Baking, ballet, traveling, reading and spending time with my dog!
Fun Fact
I used to have my own baking business.