Welcome to the UAB Neurology Residency Program! Thank you for considering UAB Neurology residency for your postgraduate training. We know that the interview season is an exciting but busy time, and we appreciate your taking the time to learn about UAB Neurology. We believe that UAB is a great place to train, not only because of its outstanding academic programs and cutting-edge research opportunities, but also due to the wonderful camaraderie among residents, fellows, faculty, and staff. We know that the residency application and interview process represent one of the most important decisions in a physician's professional development. Over time, a lot has changed in neurology, especially in how we train the next generation of neurologists. However, what has not changed is the UAB Neurology program’s mission to train the next generation of outstanding academic and clinical neurologists and neuroscientists.
UAB Hospital is a state-of-the-art facility with over 1,400 patient care beds. Across the entire statewide network and licensed locations, UAB Health System encompasses over 3,100 licensed beds. UAB Hospital ranks as the fifth-largest hospital system in the U.S. by bed count, according to Becker's Hospital Review. UAB Hospital is ranked among the “Best Hospitals for Neurology and Neurosurgery” by U.S. News and World Report. Our world-class clinical programs include a Joint Commission-certified Comprehensive Stroke Center, Level IV Epilepsy Center, Comprehensive MS Center of Excellence, and NIA-supported Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC), among others. We have specialists in every subspecialty of neurology providing outstanding clinical care, conducting innovative research, and training the next generation of neurologists and neuroscientists. However, in my opinion, the greatest strength of our program is the postgraduate trainees, residents, and fellows, who have chosen to train here. Our residents are genuinely passionate about learning neurology and deeply invested in the success of our program. UAB Neurology places great importance on a good balance between clinical duties, didactic lectures, and research activities. Teaching is not only a vocation but also a passion for us. The clinical services are busy and offer trainees exposure to a wide variety of neurologic diseases, ranging from bread-and-butter neurology to “zebras.” Residents also have opportunities for active engagement in research activities, with many of the residents presenting their research findings at national meetings and publishing them in peer-reviewed journals. Our residents also participate in a variety of teaching endeavors, working with pre-clinical medical students, neurology clerkship students, and students in healthcare-related fields.
At UAB Neurology, we believe that neurology residency education must occur in the context of a clinical learning environment that fosters a spirit of curiosity, problem-solving, intellectual rigor, and discovery. UAB clinical learning and working environment emphasizes excellence in patient care and professionalism. We also believe that this training must occur with a focus on each individual resident’s personal growth and career goals. Residents benefit from close mentorship by dedicated faculty who are invested in their professional development and long-term career success. In addition, we are equally committed to resident wellness and fostering a supportive environment that promotes both professional and personal growth.
All of us at UAB know that Birmingham is a wonderful place to live, work, and train. The city offers a unique blend of small-town charm and big-city amenities. Birmingham is home to Protective Stadium, where the UAB Blazers play football; Regions Field, home of the Birmingham Barons; the Birmingham Museum of Art; and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. The city also boasts a vibrant cultural scene with numerous food and music festivals, marathons, and locally owned breweries throughout the year. Birmingham's culinary landscape has gained national recognition, featuring acclaimed restaurants, talented chefs, and world-famous barbecue. For those who enjoy the outdoors, the area offers abundant parks, trails, and recreational opportunities, perfect for a weekend adventure or a relaxing afternoon. The city is also home to Alabama's largest botanical garden and Railroad Park, both located just minutes from the UAB campus. Many of us originally came to Birmingham to train at UAB or “to begin our careers,” expecting eventually to move elsewhere. Instead, we found a welcoming community, exceptional professional opportunities, and a quality of life that inspired us to stay. Years later, many of us still call Birmingham home because we fell in love with both the city and UAB.
In the end, although UAB offers many compelling reasons to train here, including outstanding clinical experiences, passionate educators, a strong didactic curriculum, diverse research opportunities, and exceptional facilities, the people who make me most proud are our residents and fellows. Our residents support one another, challenge each other to grow, and make this a genuinely enjoyable place to train. Our graduates have successfully pursued careers in academic medicine, private practice, and highly competitive fellowship programs across the country.
We encourage you to get to know our program and our people. We believe you will quickly see why UAB is such a remarkable place to learn Neurology and to call home.
Sincerely,
Khurram Bashir, MD, MPH, FANA
Distinguished Professor and Vice Chair for Education, Department of Neurology
Burton Multiple Sclerosis Endowed Research Professor
Director, Neurology Residency Training Program
Director, Division of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis