From its vibrant culinary scene to its stunning Appalachian foothills, Birmingham is gaining recognition as both a medical hub and a city where life outside the hospital thrives.
The UAB Department of Surgery series “Loving Life and Work in Birmingham, Alabama” highlights faculty who have recently moved to Birmingham to join our team of surgeons and what they love most about living here.
Our latest spotlight features Sophie Dream, M.D., MPH, associate professor in the Division of Breast and Endocrine Surgery. Dream’s story reflects both a strong connection to UAB and an impressive leadership path in endocrine surgery. She completed her fellowship in Endocrine Surgery at UAB in 2019. She went on to serve as section chief of endocrine surgery in the Department of Surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin and as program director of the Medical College of Wisconsin Comprehensive Endocrine Surgery Fellowship. This year, she has returned to UAB to continue her work as a surgeon, educator, and mentor.
Why did you decide to join the faculty at UAB?
“UAB has a collaborative environment that is hard to find anywhere else. There is a lot of expertise here and we treat so many patients, and we are able to get a lot done since everyone is working together.”
Once you arrived, were there any aspects of being in Alabama that pleasantly surprised you?
“The sense of community is really refreshing here; everyone is really welcoming and willing to help each other out.”
What’s your favorite thing to do outside of the OR in Birmingham?
“Spending time with my family, we love to spend time outdoors.”
Birmingham is known for its culinary scene. What’s your favorite restaurant in the area?
“I don’t think I have a favorite! I don’t think I’ve yet to have a bad meal in Birmingham. I do really love Saw’s. I had to teach my kids about cheese grits and banana pudding when we moved, and it was an easy choice for the lesson.”
About Dr. Sophie Dream
Sophie Dream, M.D., MPH is an associate professor in the Division of Endocrine Surgery and the Endocrine Surgery Section chief. Her clinical practice includes the surgical treatment of thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal disorders, and she pioneered thyroid radiofrequency ablation while expanding the non-surgical thyroid intervention program at MCW. Her research focuses on quantifying the quality-of-life impacts of primary hyperparathyroidism to refine operative indications for parathyroidectomy, and she is active in academic publishing as the associate editor for the American Journal of Surgery and Clinical Thyroidology and is a member of the editorial boards of Surgery, Journal of Surgical Research, and Surgical Oncology Insight.
Stay tuned for more installments of Loving Life & Work in Birmingham, Alabama.