The UAB Department of Surgery is highlighting faculty, residents and staff who have an intriguing out-of-the-office hobby. The goal of the series is to connect individuals across the department by helping illuminate out-of-the-office moments and achievements.

Samantha Baker, M.D., is a PGY-3 research resident in the lab of Melanie Morris, M.D., and the Birmingham VAMC Quality Scholar fellow. Hailing from New Orleans, LA, Baker went to Louisiana State University (LSU) for undergraduate studies. She then attended the LSU Health Sciences Center for Medical School. Baker matched with the UAB Department of Surgery for residency in 2015 and is currently completing her third research year before returning to clinical duties this fall...

She's also a record-holding powerlifter.

What inspired you to start this hobby?

“I was a collegiate powerlifter for LSU (2007-2011) and a Team USA Junior World Powerlifting competitor (2007, 2009, 2010). Powerlifting is three lifts (squat, bench, and deadlift), each competitor gets three attempts to make a successful lift (there are a bunch of rules on if a lift counts or not), and the highest successful lift from each of the three categories (squat, bench, and deadlift) are added together. The highest total in each weight class wins.

I seriously transitioned to Olympic lifting and training about two years ago while in research. Weightlifting has two lifts (the snatch and the clean and jerk), and again, competitors get three attempts to get a successful lift. Then, the highest successful lift for snatch is added to the highest successful lift for clean and jerk. The highest total wins for each weight class.

I currently train out of a gym close to UAB Hospital called Wheelhouse Academy, and we have a barbell club- a group of people who train in weightlifting and compete under the gym name.”

What does participating in this hobby mean to you?

“I like powerlifting or weightlifting because even though it is an individual effort, the training is really a team sport. We lift each other up, hold each other accountable, coach each other, and celebrate with each other when we get a new personal record (PR)! On an individual level, I enjoy practicing a skill and trying to perfect a technique, knowing that no matter how good I am at something there is always a part of it to improve on.

I also enjoy the pressure of the platform and the dedication it takes to train on bad days, to make weight for weigh-ins, to continue to improve. I really enjoy the friends I have made and helping them as well as watching them succeed. I would say that training and competing after 30 is very different than it was in college.”

What are the competitions or awards you are most proud of?

“In powerlifting in college, I was a three-time National Collegiate Champion, was awarded a bronze medal at the 2010 Junior World Powerlifting Championship, and silver medal at the 2009 Bench World Championship, and still currently hold a few National Records.

Now as a weightlifter, I am proud that I was able to qualify for a National meet after a few years from training while in residency. Recently, I have competed in several local competitions- in Alabama and Georgia- and qualified and competed in the Nike American Open Series III National Weightlifting competition in Daytona, FL back in September 2019 placing in the top 25 for my weight-class.”

By the Numbers:

• Five current Louisiana state records
• 17 retired records (eight of which are national records)
• As a 148lb lifter, Baker squatted 448lbs, benched 248lbs, and deadlifted 397lbs
• Won five team national championships
• Won three individual national championships
• Competed with Team USA in 2007, 2009, and 2010
• Won a silver medal in 2009 World Bench Championships in Killeen, Texas
• Won a bronze medal in 2010 at the Junior Powerlifting World Championships in Prague, Czech Republic
• Transitioned to Olympic Lifting and Training about two years ago

Baker’s next competition is the American Open National Series I, the Arnold Classic, in March 2020.

Are you part of the UAB Department of Surgery and have an interesting hobby? Then we would love to know about it. Please reach out to our communications team.