Congratulations to our newest class of graduating residents on their completion of the UAB Heersink School of Medicine Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency program. Our 2023 graduates include Lendrum Morrow, M.D., Jacob Schultz, M.D., Ashley Steffens, M.D., and Brea Willeford, D.O.
The department is excited to watch each graduate create their own path for success in medicine. Lendrum Morrow, M.D. is doing an Interventional Spine and MSK Fellowship at OrthoAlabama Spine and Sport in Birmingham, AL. Jacob Schultz, M.D. will continue as an assistant professor and attending physician at Frazier Rehabilitation Institute Dept. of Neurosurgery in Louisville, KY. Ashley Steffens, M.D. is relocating to Mobile, AL to be an attending inpatient physician at JL Bedsole Rotary Rehabilitation Hospital. Brea Willeford, D.O. will remain at UAB to do a Pain Medicine Fellowship with UAB Department of Anesthesia.
The graduation ceremony took place on July 15, 2023 at The Fennec in downtown Birmingham. In addition to celebrating our graduates, awards were given to staff and residents who have gone above and beyond in PM&R.
Resident Anchor Award - This annual award is given to a non-faculty member who goes above and beyond their regular duties to best support the residents. This person exemplifies a high level of dedication to the residents, as well as their normal role and responsibilities. This award is voted on by the residents and given annually to a non-faculty member that the residents feel best exemplifies the spirit of this award in all that they do in their daily role.
Recipient: Savannah Tinsley, PM&R Residency Program Education Coordinator
Laura B. Kezar Award for Dedication and Commitment to the Residency Program - This annual award is named for Dr. Laura B. Kezar who served as a valued member of the PM&R Faculty as well as the PM&R Residency Program Director from 1996 to 2007, and the Assistant Program Director from 2007 to 2014. Throughout her tenure with the department, Dr. Kezar has always made the PM&R Residency Program and education for all a top priority. Her dedication and commitment was noted by every residency class. She served not only as a teacher and educator, but also mentor to a countless number of residents over the years. This award is voted on by the residents and given annually to a faculty member that the residents feel best exemplifies the spirit of this award in all that they do in their daily practice.
Recipient: Berdale Colorado, D.O.
Samuel L. Stover Excellence in Teaching Award - This annual award is named for Dr. Samuel L. Stover who served as a valued member of the PM&R Faculty as well as Chair of the Department of PM&R from 1976 to 1994. Dr. Stover was known as a lifelong learner and throughout his career placed great emphasis on education. He felt the education of our residents should be a top priority for the department and instilled this expectation in all of our faculty members through the years. This award is voted on by the residents and given annually to a faculty member that the residents feel best exemplifies the spirit of this award.
Recipient: Vu Nguyen, M.D.
C.T. Huang Award - This award is intended to go to the resident that the department feels best exemplifies high clinical excellence during their training.
Recipient: Ashley Steffens, MD
Outstanding PGY2 Award - This award is given to a deserving second year resident who consistently displays excellence in professionalism, patient care, accountability, integrity and leadership during his or her initial year of training at Spain Rehabilitation Center.
Recipient: Cynthia Francis, M.D.
Matthew T. Smith Humanism in Medicine Award - This award is given to a PM&R Faculty Member and a PM&R Resident who has excelled in service to others during his/her tenure with the Department of PM&R. It is intended to honor those who exemplify Dr. Smith’s qualities of compassionate caring, support for others, teamwork, involvement in community and UAB activities and upholding the highest standards of practice.
Resident Recipient: Brea Willeford, D.O.
Faculty Recipient: Cassandra Renfro, D.O.
Resident Research Award - This a newly developed award collaborated by the Research department and Residency Education Office. This award is given to a resident who has demonstrated exemplary overall research efforts. Recipient: Daniel McBride, M.D. PGY 4 Research Presentation Award – This a newly developed award collaborated by the Research department and Residency Education Office. This award is voted by attendees of Grand Rounds following the PGY4 poster presentations and is given to the senior resident with the most outstanding research poster.
Recipient: Lendrum Morrow, M.D.
Highest SAE Score Award Recipients
PGY2 – Darien McNeill, M.D.
PGY3 – Sarah Lopes, D.O.
PGY4 – Brea Willeford, D.O.