Sixteen new medical school graduates will begin their graduate education in July 2025 at The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa Family Medicine Residency Program, operated by the College of Community Health Sciences
The UA Tuscaloosa Family Medicine Residency Program was established in 1975 and is one of the oldest and largest family medicine residencies in the United States.
“This new class brings a range of experiences and backgrounds and a shared commitment to providing compassionate, patient-centered care,” said Dr. Tamer Elsayed, residency director and interim chair of the CCHS Department of Family, Internal, and Rural Medicine. “I am confident they will contribute significantly to our program and the communities we serve.”
The three-year residency has a long tradition of working to improve the health of individuals and communities in Alabama and the Southeast. In Alabama, 1 of 7 family medicine physicians is a graduate of the residency, and 90% of graduates practice in the Southeast.
During their time in the program, residents are educated and trained in academic and community environments by physicians in family medicine and other specialties and learn to provide high-quality and patient-centered care. Residents have opportunities to practice in hospitals and continuity and community clinics and connect with patients in the context of their families and communities.
CCHS also offers post-residency fellowships for additional training in behavioral health, emergency medicine, geriatrics, hospital medicine, obstetrics, pediatrics and sports medicine.
The residency Class of 2028 and where they completed medical school:
Justin Cavanaugh, MD: St. George’s University School of Medicine, West Indies, Grenada
Javier Cintron, DO: Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dothan, Ala.
Taylor Cromwell, MD: American University of Antigua College of Medicine, Osbourn, Antigua and Barbuda
Devin Dobbins, MD: UAB Heersink School of Medicine, Tuscaloosa Regional Campus, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Rutger Fury, MD: Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans, La.
Conor Ghobrial, MD: American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Cupecoy, Sint Maarten
Grace Glidden, MD: UAB Heersink School of Medicine, Tuscaloosa Regional Campus, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Georgi Griffin, DO: Lincoln Memorial University-Debusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, Harrogate, Tenn.
Shreya Katti, MD: University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Greenville, S.C.
Gabriel Okwena, MD: St. George’s University School of Medicine, West Indies, Grenada
Katelyn Sanford, DO: Edward Via University (Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine-Auburn), Auburn, Ala.
Emily Stone, MD: St. George’s University School of Medicine, West Indies, Grenada
Mariem Towakoli, DO: A.T. Still University of Health Sciences-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kirksville, Mo.
Zach Tucker, DO: University of North Texas Health Science Center-Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, Fort Worth, Texas
Vincent Volante, MD: University of Miami-Lenoard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Fla.
Valentyna Williams, DO: Edward Via University (Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine-Auburn), Auburn, Ala.