John Derzis, DO

Hometown: Birmingham, AL
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Auburn
Career Interest: Hospitalist or Primary Care
Hobbies: Mountain biking, golf, weightlifting, trail running
Thoughts about our program: I chose Baptist Health as my residency because I felt very at home when I did my rotations here. Everyone felt very welcoming and knowledgeable. I appreciate how this program is small to medium in size, so while it is rigorous, it is not overwhelming. I feel very valued as a resident physician and know that my opinions and thoughts matter. Another driving force to choose this program was the location. I have lived in Birmingham most of my life and love what the city has to offer. I knew that I was going to get a good foundation of internal medicine here at this program.

 

Tyler Kilburn, DO

Hometown: Lawrenceburg, TN
Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Career interest: Hospitalist
Hobbies: Hanging out with my wife and new son, cooking, working out, watching sports, golf
Thoughts about our program: Baptist Health offers a family-oriented program that has allowed me to develop lifelong relationships with my co-residents. These relationships allowed me to grow both professionally in my field as well as personally.

 

Jackson Baugh, MD

Hometown: Shawnee, OK
Medical School: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
Career Interest or Chosen Specialty: Hospitalist
Hobbies: Fishing, avid OU football fan, spending time with family and friends, and playing with my dog
Thoughts about our program: During my interview, it was obvious that the culture of the program was like a giant family. I could tell that the faculty genuinely cared about each resident’s education, as well as their well-being, and that has been my experience so far. This program is unique in that it is a community program, but you have the resources and educational components of an academic program. Additionally, the opportunity to work in two hospitals with significantly different patient populations allows this program’s residents to see a breadth of pathology and prepares us to care for all patients we may encounter throughout our careers. Finally, Birmingham is a great place to live, as it offers all the amenities of a major metropolitan city while also having fantastic outdoor activities.

 

Augusto Cama Olivares, M.D.

Hometown: Lima, Peru
Medical School: Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Peru
Career Interest or Chosen Specialty: Nephrology
Hobbies: Reading novels, playing soccer, and collecting wine.
Thoughts about our program: I chose Baptist Health because of its supportive learning environment, strong emphasis on resident autonomy, and the opportunity to train across multiple hospitals with a diverse patient population. What stood out to me most during the interview process was how kind and approachable the residents, faculty, and staff were. It was clear that the program fostered a collaborative culture where people genuinely enjoyed supporting one another. I believed this environment would provide the clinical experience, mentorship, and responsibility needed to grow into an independent physician while preparing me for a career in academic medicine.

 

Courtney Eggleston, DO

Hometown: Oakwood, OH
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Auburn
Career Interest or Chosen Specialty: Primary Care, Hospitalist
Hobbies: Golf, running, foodie
Thoughts about our program: I enjoy our Internal Medicine residency because it offers a strong, supportive core faculty who are genuinely invested in my growth as a physician and as a person. Being in Birmingham is also a huge plus, with great opportunities to enjoy my hobbies outside of residency with family, especially weekend adventures like the zoo and science center, golfing and exploring the city’s food scene.

 

Omar Hamki, MD

Hometown: Atlanta, GA; Birmingham, AL
Medical School: University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine
Career Interest or Chosen Specialty: Internal Medicine

 

Caroline Houston, DO

Hometown: Dallas, GA
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Auburn
Career Interest or Chosen Specialty: Nephrology
Hobbies: Reading, Pilates, baking/cooking
Thoughts about our program: I love this program because not only has it prepared me to be a strong internal medicine physician and apply to fellowship but because of the people. We get to learn at two different hospitals which bring different patient populations and EMRs. I’ve learned not only medicine, but how to be adaptable in different hospital systems and how to care for each unique patient population. On top of that, I also come in everyday knowing I’m working with friends and people who value me as a physician and individual.

 

Matthew Hudson, MD

Hometown: Birmingham, AL
Medical School: University of Alabama at Birmingham
Career Interest or Chosen Specialty: Fellowship interests: Hospitalist, Graduate Medical Education
Hobbies: Cooking, Braves Baseball, Reality TV, Golf
Thoughts about our program: Baptist Health has been a great fit for me. I love working with residents in transitional/ preliminary years and learning from their interests and experiences in their chosen specialties. I really enjoy having close relationships with all of the core faculty and getting 1:1 mentorship and education from attendings on specialty rotations. Getting experience with 2 community hospitals with distinct patient populations, workflows, staffs, and EMRs has been invaluable in determining what type of career and practice setting I want to have in the future.

 

Walaa Saeed, MD

Hometown: Doha, Qatar; Birmingham, AL
Medical School: University of Medical Sciences and Technology (UMST) Faculty of Medicine, Sudan
Career Interest or Chosen Specialty: Academic Medicine
Hobbies: I love spending time with my son, family and friends. I also enjoy walking, meditating, and trying new food.
Thoughts about our program: I chose our program because of its welcoming and safe teaching environment. The attendings are genuinely interested in our growth and careers.

 

Nicole Stroud, MD

Hometown: Saint Mary’s, GA
Medical School: Mercer University School of Medicine
Career Interest or Chosen Specialty: Undecided
Hobbies: Cooking, big college football girl (Go Dawgs), hanging out with my husband, reading, and walking my cats

Thoughts about our program: Baptist Health emphasized a lot of core values that aligned with my personal values. I enjoyed my interactions with the residents during interviews, and I saw myself getting along with them well. My biggest reason for choosing Baptist Health was Dr. Townsley, our PD. I loved how genuine she was, and that statement stands true after the interview process. I couples-matched here with my husband who is a General Surgery resident. The program has been so supportive of me and my husband as a couple, and that is something that I really looked for in a residency program. Birmingham is such a young and adorable city. Most importantly, I feel safe here. The community has been so welcoming and quick to invite me to lunch or dinner.

 

 

Cole Sullivan, DO

Hometown: Birmingham, AL
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Auburn
Career Interest or Chosen Specialty: Primary Care
Hobbies: Gym, pickleball, my 2 cats

Thoughts about our program: I am from Birmingham and love it here. I did my 3rd and 4th year rotations here. The residents maintain a healthy work environment and the attendings are supportive and enjoy teaching.

 

 

Leanne Wang, DO

Hometown: Auburn, AL
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Auburn
Career Interest or Chosen Specialty: Nephrology
Hobbies: Reading, art, piano, working out, spending time with family and friends

Thoughts about our program: I chose this program because it seemed like a great learning environment and one in which residents receive a well-rounded education, which has been true. During my time here, though, I have found the people are truly what sets this program apart. The residents work well together, and I have made so many wonderful friends through this program. The faculty are so knowledgeable, kind, and supportive, and have facilitated my continued growth as a physician.

 

 

Ahmad Abdalla, M.D.

Hometown: Amman, Jordan
Medical School: Hashemite University Faculty of Medicine
Career Interest or Chosen Specialty: Internal Medicine

 

Joe Boscia, M.D.

Hometown: Spartanburg, SC
Medical School: University of South Carolina School of Medicine – Columbia
Career Interest or Chosen Specialty: Interested in fellowship
Hobbies: Music, playing guitar, walking/running with my dog - Honey, weightlifting
Thoughts about our program: Coming from South Carolina, my wife and I matched together in Birmingham! This program has been a strong fit for me, and I have grown incredibly close to my co-residents and our faculty. I've seen high patient acuity and complexity. Plus, having two hospital systems with distinct patient populations gives me a breadth of training that is hard to find in a single-site program. Birmingham has also been a great place to settle together for training! You can probably catch us at one of the many great restaurants in the city.

 

Eric Carbo, D.O.

Hometown: Mobile, AL
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Auburn
Career Interest or Chosen Specialty: Gastroenterology, Academic Medicine
Hobbies: Pickleball, golf, exploring new towns with my wife and son
Thoughts about our program: What sets the Baptist Health Internal Medicine Residency Program apart is the dedication of its core faculty, who are deeply invested in each resident’s growth and bring a genuine passion for teaching. The program fosters a collaborative and supportive atmosphere where success is shared, and the close-knit environment creates a strong sense of community.

 

Alexander Hall, D.O.

Hometown: Nashville, TN
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Auburn
Career Interest or Chosen Specialty: Hospitalist
Hobbies: Spending time with friends and family, taking my son to the park, going on walks with my son and our dogs, and enjoying time outdoors.
Thoughts about our program: I enjoy how close-knit our program is. The attendings are excellent teachers and create an environment where learning is encouraged. They understand that residency is a training experience, and everyone is incredibly supportive of maintaining a healthy balance with family.

 

Naziyya Haque, D.O.

Hometown: Memphis, TN
Medical School: Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
Career Interest or Chosen Specialty: Primary Care, Rheumatology
Hobbies: Cooking, baking, reading, video games, and going on outdoor nature walks
Thoughts about our program: Our program has such a warm and welcoming environment. During my interview, I could sense that every person I met, from environmental services to upper-level residents and faculty, really cared about each other and wanted to create and maintain a compassionate, supportive culture where residents feel supported as they develop their clinical and professional skills. This feeling has not changed as a resident. Our attendings care about our learning as well as our personal well-being, and we see (and treat!) so many complex patients in two different hospital systems with varying patient populations. Birmingham also has so much to offer, from the greenway and parks to a thriving food scene with several international grocery stores and proximity to other major southern cities like Atlanta and Memphis. The city is growing and thriving, and there’s something here for everyone!

 

Scott Kohlhepp, D.O.

Hometown: Tampa, FL
Medical School: Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
Career Interest or Chosen Specialty: Gastroenterology
Hobbies in residency: Ice Hockey, pizza & bread baking, software development & networking, weightlifting.
Thoughts about our program: Baptist Health was my top choice for many reasons. Many people will say that the big draw to their program is ‘the people’ but it is especially true here. Every attending is kind and helpful, and the entire program setup allows you to feel comfortable and confident on day 1 as an intern. I appreciate how friendly and supportive everyone in the program is, and the learning opportunities between two hospitals with very different patient demographics provide the perfect foundation for a great internal medicine education. Health and well-being are well supported here, and even as an intern I have plenty of time outside of work to enjoy spending time with my family and living in Birmingham!

 

Cameron Mercer, D.O.

Hometown: Birmingham, AL
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Auburn
Career Interest or Chosen Specialty: Hospitalist or Critical Care
Hobbies: Anything sports, especially soccer, football, and basketball (Inter Miami, Eagles, Lakers, Alabama). I love golfing and weight training when I have the time. I am also an avid gamer. Above all, I love spending quality time with my wife and kids.
Thoughts about our program: Choosing this program was actually very easy for me. I had the pleasure of doing my clinical rotations here as a medical student, and that is when I fell in love with the program. It’s amazing and quite unique how lively, friendly, and supportive the program is. Even as a medical student the residents, attendings, and staff all took the time to get to know me personally and to teach me. I quickly felt like I was a part of this one big happy and supportive family. This program blew me away effortlessly. It’s also convenient that Birmingham is my hometown, and this program serves the very community that I grew up in.

 

Beenish Najam, M.D.

Hometown: San Ramon, CA
Medical School: Karachi Medical and Dental College; Pakistan
Career Interest or Chosen Specialty: Hospitalist/Hematology Oncology
Hobbies: Hiking, reading and spending time with family and friends
Thoughts about our program: I chose this program after seeing how content the residents here truly were. Our program director was another reason why I chose Baptist Health — her authenticity was genuine from the start, and that same sincerity has stayed consistent ever since. I was very impressed seeing how faculty are deeply committed to teaching here and are invested in our training. Our daily noon conferences are a strong plus where most teaching happens. For a research nerd like me, I wanted a program that will support my research, and I am happy to say this program has great emphasis on research with valuable resources if someone is interested in research. I chose Baptist because I trusted it would give me a strong, well-rounded foundation in internal medicine, in a place where I'd be supported the whole way through. So far that's exactly what it's been.

 

Muhammad Rashid, M.D.

Hometown: Muzaffargarh, Pakistan
Medical School: Nishtar Medical University, Multan
Career Interest or Chosen Specialty: Cardiology
Hobbies in residency: Swimming, cycling, playing squash, hiking and cooking
Thoughts about our program: My time in this program has been a meaningful chapter of adjustment to a new country, a new city, and a new clinical system. Since arriving as an intern, and now beginning my PGY-2 year, I have found the residents, faculty, and staff to be consistently supportive, making one of the biggest changes of my life feel manageable and welcoming. The training itself is rigorous and rewarding with daily conferences, hands-on patient care, and a strong emphasis on evidence-based practice that shape our growth as physicians. Rotating through two hospitals exposes us to a broad patient population and a wide spectrum of pathology, while deepening our understanding of the social factors that influence health. For me, the breadth of cardiac cases across both sites has been especially valuable in supporting my interest in cardiology. Beyond the hospital, Birmingham has been a wonderful place to call home. From the downtown skyline views at Vulcan Park to the trails of Oak Mountain State Park, Ruffner Mountain, and Red Mountain Park, there is no shortage of natural beauty to explore. Between the welcoming community, the food, and the people, I am grateful to be training in a program and a city that have made me feel at home.

 

Berkeley Sharpe, D.O.

Hometown: Monroe, GA
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Auburn
Career Interest or Chosen Specialty: Hospitalist
Hobbies in residency: I chose this program for several reasons. The residents were very welcoming, and I immediately felt at home when talking with them. I also found the teaching faculty to be highly knowledgeable and connected with the engaging teaching style emphasized throughout the program. Additionally, I was impressed by the different pathology encountered across the two hospitals, which I knew would prepare me well for my future career. Finally, Birmingham is a wonderful place to live, and I have enjoyed everything the city has to offer!

 

Amado Velasquez, M.D.

Hometown: Magdalena del Mar, Lima, Peru
Medical School: Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Facultad de Medicina Alberto Hurtado
Career Interest or Chosen Specialty: Cardiology, Medical Education
Hobbies: Treasure hunting at thrift stores, home décor, cycling, playing ping pong and guitar, and exploring new places
Thoughts about our program: What I value most about my program is the people. Everyone genuinely cares about you and wants to see you thrive, creating an environment where you feel comfortable asking questions and learning from each other. You work with people from diverse cultural and medical backgrounds, which gives you the opportunity to both learn from their experiences and share your own. At the same time, you truly feel that your work makes a difference in the local community.

 

 

Timothy Adewale, M.D., PhD

Hometown: Ibadan, Nigeria; Birmingham, AL
Medical School: Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine
Career Interest or Chosen Specialty: Rheumatology
Hobbies: Exploring the great outdoors and spending time with friends and family
Thoughts about our program: I had a very positive impression of the supportive environment that the staff and faculty at Baptist Health have created for residents to truly succeed and grow during training. The residents genuinely seemed to enjoy being there, and there was a strong sense of camaraderie during the panel discussions. They were welcoming, thoughtful, and enthusiastic in answering our questions, which made a lasting impression on me. I also really appreciated the dinner ticket that was provided during the interview process. It was a generous gesture and reflected the program’s broader commitment to resident well-being. Knowing that food is consistently available for residents may seem like a small thing, but during residency it becomes one less thing to worry about, and I found that very thoughtful. Dr. Townsley’s commitment to resident wellness was also very evident, both in her words and in the culture of the program itself. In addition, Birmingham offers a very favorable cost of living that allows residents to maintain a comfortable lifestyle during training. Having previously lived in Birmingham, I am genuinely excited to return. I have always appreciated the natural beauty of the area, especially the greenery, rolling hills, and nearby mountainous scenery that make outdoor Alabama refreshing and enjoyable.

 

Nomin Bold, M.D.

Hometown: Darkhan, Mongolia
Medical School: Istanbul Universitesi
Career Interest or Chosen Specialty: Infectious Disease
Hobbies: Hiking, swimming and spending time with my kids
Thoughts about our program: From my first day at the hospital, everyone—from the GME office to the program director, chief residents, and co-residents—was welcoming, supportive, and committed to helping new interns’ transition smoothly into the hospital and its systems. They provided essential educational lectures that strengthened our medical knowledge and made the learning process more structured and manageable. The Baptist Health Internal Medicine Program truly feels like a close-knit family, where everyone is invested in each other's growth, success, and well-being.

 

Shelby Chapman, D.O.

Hometown: Alabaster, AL
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Auburn
Career Interest or Chosen Specialty: Undecided
Hobbies: Reading, traveling, gardening, and trying new taco trucks and Thai restaurants. Most importantly, I enjoy spending time with my husband, our two cats, and our family.
Thoughts about our program: I fell in love with this program while completing my two years of clinical rotations here during medical school. From the very beginning, it felt like home, and that feeling has only been reinforced since starting residency. The residents and faculty are welcoming, supportive, and genuinely invested in helping each resident become the best physician they can be. The opportunity to train at two hospitals that serve diverse patient populations provides a well-rounded educational experience. As someone from the Birmingham area, it is especially meaningful to train at a program that allows me to give back to the community where I grew up while remaining close to my family and support system.

 

Hannah Cobb, D.O.

Hometown: Auburn, AL
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Auburn
Career Interest or Chosen Specialty: Internal Medicine
Hobbies: Hot Pilates, boating, trying new coffee shops and hanging out with my golden doodle, Brooks!
Thoughts about our program: The faculty are really personable and clearly passionate about teaching, which makes learning enjoyable. And Birmingham is a great city to be in!

 

Jessica Graham, M.D.

Hometown: Moulton, AL
Medical School: University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine
Career Interest or Chosen Specialty: Palliative Care
Hobbies in residency: Reading, video games, camping, and painting
Thoughts about our program: I love what a supportive learning environment we have here at Baptist Health! From coresidents to attendings, everyone is always friendly and helpful. I am very grateful to be at a program with such an amazing culture.

 

Amr Ismail, M.D.

Hometown: Abha, Saudi Arabia
Medical School: Zagazig University Faculty of Medicine
Career Interest or Chosen Specialty: Hematology-Oncology
Hobbies: Reading, movies, cooking, guitar
Thoughts about our program: I chose Baptist Health because I felt it offered a supportive learning environment with diverse clinical exposure. Since starting residency, I've really enjoyed working with the faculty and senior residents and have appreciated the collaborative atmosphere. It's been a great place to learn and grow.

 

Lauren Long, D.O.

Hometown: Tuscaloosa, AL
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Auburn
Career Interest or Chosen Specialty: Undecided
Hobbies in residency: Spending time with my husband, daughter, and dog, camping, hiking, baking, and hanging out with friends!
Thoughts about our program: I completed my medical school rotations alongside the Baptist Health program and was continually impressed with the interactions between residents and attendings. As a resident, we get ample amounts of one-on-one time with attendings and lots of feedback. The program really values each resident’s experience and education on a daily basis. I appreciate that we have the privilege to rotate between two different hospitals, each with different patient populations and EMR’s. Overall, I felt at home from day one with this program and have continued to feel supported academically and personally!

 

Ursula Qureshi, D.O.

Hometown: Chicago, IL
Medical School: Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Career Interest or Chosen Specialty: Internal Medicine
Hobbies in residency: Reading, going for a run, hiking
Thoughts about our program:Baptist Health originally landed on my radar as I was looking at programs near Birmingham, where my husband was completing his training, and I quickly fell in love with the good sense of community and camaraderie between residents. It feels like a place where I can grow as a physician while still feeling at home.

 

Karl Vanbergen, M.D.

Hometown: New Orleans, LA
Medical School: Louisiana State University School of Medicine – New Orleans
Career Interest or Chosen Specialty: I am considering primary care, rheumatology, and endocrinology, currently, but am interested in many specialties!
Hobbies: I am excited to possibly storm chase around the area, hiking, college football, and learning to cook more variety of things!
Thoughts about our program: As someone who spent most of his childhood between kindergarten and 8th grade in Birmingham, this was a place I have wanted to move back to for many years. On top of that, I felt a strong impression about the culture of this program as being very supportive, welcoming, and really enjoyed my interview. I am already experiencing these things and am happy I ended up here!

 

 

Gbutue Vorkpor, D.O.

Hometown: Lexington, KY
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Auburn
Career Interest or Chosen Specialty: Cardiology
Hobbies: Gym, pickleball, watching sports, and running
Thoughts about our program: I chose Baptist Health because I wanted a program that emphasized both strong clinical training and a collaborative culture. After starting residency, that impression has only been reinforced. One of the things that has impressed me most about Baptist Health is how invested everyone is in resident education. From day one, the attendings and senior residents have created an environment where questions are encouraged, teaching is prioritized, and you are constantly challenged to grow while feeling supported. The faculty genuinely care about our development, my co-residents are always willing to help one another, and the atmosphere is one where everyone wants each other to succeed.

 

 

Carlton Faulk Jr., M.D.

Hometown: Talking Rock, GA
Medical School: Mercer University School of Medicine
Career Interest or Chosen Specialty: Dermatology
Hobbies in residency: Sommelier training, running, and piano

Thoughts about our program: I chose Baptist Health because of the kind and intentional community demonstrated by faculty and residents

 

 

Safiya Haque, M.D.

Hometown: Montgomery, AL
Medical School: University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine
Career Interest or Chosen Specialty: Dermatology
Terminal Program: University of Alabama at Birmingham
Hobbies in residency: Spending time with my family especially my baby girl
Thoughts about our program: Love the community and being in Birmingham

 

Ian Sellars, M.D.

Hometown: Alpharetta, GA
Medical School: Mercer University School of Medicine
Career Interest or Chosen Specialty: Dermatology
Hobbies in residency: Hanging out with my dog, running, hiking, and trying new food spots
Thoughts about our program: Everyone was incredibly nice during the interview process, and any previous resident I met talked about how supportive the program is!

 

Raja Ullah, M.D.

Hometown: Oklahoma City, OK
Medical School: Mercer University School of Medicine
Career Interest or Chosen Specialty: Diagnostic Radiology
Terminal Program: University of Oklahoma at Oklahoma City
Hobbies in residency: Playing sports, traveling, spending time with family and friends, trying new foods
Thoughts about our program: I've been impressed by the program's strong clinical training, supportive faculty, and collegial resident culture. The balance of hands-on experience with mentorship has stood out to me, and I appreciate the emphasis on both clinical excellence and resident wellbeing. I'm excited about the opportunities for growth here, and I believe the program's values align well with the kind of physician I'm working to become.

 

Mallory Von Lotten, M.D.

Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Medical School: University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine
Career Interest or Chosen Specialty: Dermatology
Hobbies in residency: Exercising, traveling, and building Legos!
Thoughts about our program: I was drawn to Baptist Health for its supportive, close-knit environment and the opportunity to grow as a physician while serving the diverse and underserved communities of Birmingham!