University of Alabama Medical Center Program

The University of Alabama Medical Center Program, specifically the Cahaba Family Medicine Residency, offers an innovative and community-based approach to medical training. Located in Birmingham, AL, this program is noted for its comprehensive approach to preparing physicians to thrive in underserved areas, both domestically and internationally. With a mission deeply rooted in serving the community through a Christ-centered perspective, the residency program emphasizes the physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being of its patients.

The residency follows a unique Longitudinal Integrated Curriculum (LIC) which disperses family medicine training across the first and third years rather than confining experiences to traditional block rotations. This approach aims to foster a more durable mastery of family medicine, integrating outpatient, inpatient, and obstetrics care into a typical workday. This methodology prepares residents for full-scope family medicine practice in underserved communities by offering a broad array of procedures and allowing each resident to spend a block each year for international rotations, fostering a global perspective in medical practice.

Moreover, the program encourages its residents to fully immerse themselves in the communities they serve, promoting a deep understanding of the social determinants of health. This robust community health experience is complemented by diverse opportunities, including international rotations, spiritual health curriculum, and efforts to open new clinics and start new projects in areas with great need.

The Cahaba Family Medicine Residency also offers several fellowships, including Global Health, Sports & Exercise Medicine, Obstetrics & Women’s Health, and Emergency Medicine, each designed to further equip residents with additional skills and knowledge in their specific areas of interest.

For medical students looking to participate in the residency, submitting USMLE or COMLEX examination results along with the Medical School Transcript is necessary. The program values vaccination for vaccine-preventable diseases, highlighting an emphasis on community health and safety.

This residency program is ideal for those medical students and graduates who are motivated by a desire to serve underserved populations and are seeking a deeply integrated, community-focused, and spiritually informed medical training experience. The hands-on approach, combined with a commitment to both local and global health, makes the Cahaba Family Medicine Residency a unique and potentially transformative step in a physician’s career.