In a recent article, the 2024 House Staff Council leadership for the Graduate Medical Education (GME) Office reflected on their year of service. In a yearly election, the small group of individuals are selected to serve as support for the 1,100+ residents and fellows training at UAB Heersink School of Medicine, operating as a direct link between trainees and institutional leadership.
In May 2025, the new group of House Staff Council leaders were elected to the positions they will hold for the next year. This year’s leadership team includes: Taylor St. Martin, M.D., President; Ankit Bansal, M.D., Vice President; Ali Eakes, M.D., MPH, Secretary; and Kara Morton, M.D., Wellness Chair.
As the 2025–2026 officers begin their term, several of the cohort reflect on what led them to serve and what they hope to accomplish.
Taylor St. Martin, M.D.
Resident, PGY-3/CA-2 Anesthesiology
2025-2026 HSC Position
President
As the 2025–2026 House Staff Council President, Taylor St. Martin, M.D., is focused on strengthening collaboration and supporting fellow residents. A South Louisiana native—“Geaux Tigers!”—she and her husband are raising two daughters in Birmingham, a city they’ve grown to love and hope to call home long after residency. Outside the hospital, St. Martin enjoys being outdoors, fishing, playing tennis, and spending Saturday mornings at Pepper Place Market.
“I was motivated to join the GME House Staff Council to deepen my understanding of how various residency programs operate and to engage more comprehensively with GME on an institutional level,” St. Martin says. “This involvement is a step toward my long-term career goals in healthcare administration and leadership.”
She is especially passionate about improving support for resident-parents. “I am eager to work with the council to develop accessible, well-equipped and convenient lactation rooms and supportive resources,” St. Martin explains. Drawing from her own experience as a nursing mother, she hopes to make these spaces more practical and easier to use during busy clinical days.
St. Martin also looks forward to enhancing wellness events and creating a strong, supportive environment for residents and fellows.
Ali Eakes, M.D., MPH
Resident, PGY-3 General Surgery
2025-2026 HSC Position
Secretary
As Secretary for the 2025–2026 GME House Staff Council, Ali Eakes, M.D., MPH, brings a strong focus on communication and advocacy. Currently in her first year of research, Eakes sees the council as a valuable platform for residents and fellows to share concerns and create meaningful change.
“The GME House Staff Council serves as a direct line of communication between residents, fellows, and administration,” Eakes explains. “It provides an avenue for us to advocate across all specialties, continuously working to improve our training experience.” She is especially eager to strengthen the connection between house staff across programs and looks forward to improving how information from the HSC is shared with all residents and fellows.
She also hopes to build on recent progress in improving resident resources. “Specifically, I hope to continue making significant strides in areas like retirement, benefits, and access to primary care physicians (PCPs) for our residents and fellows.”
Kara Morton, M.D.
Resident, PGY-5 IM-Cardiovascular Disease
2025-2026 HSC Position
Wellness Chair
Kara Morton, M.D., returns to the House Staff Council as Wellness Chair, continuing her efforts to prioritize the physical and mental well-being of residents and fellows. A general cardiology fellow who also completed her internal medicine residency at UAB, Morton plans to pursue a career in general and preventive cardiology after fellowship.
She first joined the council to stay involved in the ongoing improvements shaping the training environment. “I was thrilled to stay on this year as Wellness Chair, as physical and mental wellbeing have always been my top priorities throughout residency and fellowship,” Morton says. “These are priorities that I want to ensure remain protected for my fellow trainees.” Over the past year, she has helped support several wellness initiatives, including the new lounge and workout space, celebratory meals, and Wellness Week. She looks forward to building on that momentum with new ideas in the year ahead.
Looking forward, Morton emphasizes the importance of responsiveness and transparency in leadership. She and the executive team are focused on identifying areas for improvement based on direct input from house staff—ensuring that the voices of all residents and fellows guide the council’s priorities.