The UAB Department of Surgery is honored to welcome six new faculty members: Samantha Baker, M.D., MSHPEd, Amy Fernow, D.O., Preston Hewgley, M.D., Mercy Nilda Jimenez, M.D., James Sahawneh, M.D., and Yong Tan, M.D.
About Samantha Baker, M.D., MSHPEd
Dr. Samantha Baker is an assistant professor within the Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery in the Department of Surgery. She earned her undergraduate degree and her medical degree from Louisiana State University. She completed her general surgery residency at UAB, and spent three years as a Veterans Affairs research fellow for the Birmingham VA. While completing her residency, she also earned her M.S. in Health Professions Education from Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions. She then completed her trauma surgery fellowship at LSU before returning to UAB as a faculty member.
About Amy Fernow, D.O.
Dr. Amy Fernow is a clinical assistant professor in the Division of Breast and Endocrine Surgery. She obtained her medical degree from the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her general surgery residency at Mount Carmel Health. Fernow also completed a breast surgical oncology fellowship at Indiana University.
About Preston Hewgley, M.D.
Dr. Preston Hewgley joined UAB as an assistant professor in the Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery following the completion of UAB’s Trauma and Surgical Critical Care Fellowship. Dr. Hewgley attended the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, Tennessee for medical school and then completed his residency at University of Texas Southwestern.
About Mercy Nilda Jimenez, M.D.
Dr. Mercy Nilda Jimenez is a clinical assistant professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology. Dr. Jimenez graduated medical school with high honors at Ross University School of Medicine. She completed her general surgery residency at Flushing Hospital Medical Center and a fellowship in complex general surgical oncology at Roger Williams Medical Center.
About James Sahawneh, M.D.
Dr. James Sahawneh is a clinical assistant professor in the Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery. He completed his medical degree at the University of South Alabama and attended Tulane University, where he obtained a master's degree in cell and molecular biology. Sahawneh completed general surgery residency at the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa, along with two fellowships at Orlando Health in minimally invasive advanced colorectal surgery and colon and rectal surgery.
About Yong Tan, M.D.
Dr. Yong Tan is a clinical assistant professor in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery. Dr. Tan earned his medical degree at the University of Florida. He completed general surgery residency at the University of South Alabama, where he also served as a surgical research fellow. He also completed a cardiothoracic surgery residency at the University of Texas Southwestern.