Four doctors are set to join the UAB Division of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery’s Trauma and Surgical Critical Care Fellowship next August: Ben Hazen, M.D., Justin Leavitt, M.D., Paul Shadowen M.D., and Sierra Smith, M.D.

The fellowship is a robust program which allows trainees ample experience in an American College of Surgeons-verified Level I trauma center. The trauma team at UAB evaluates more than 6,000 trauma patients per year and is comprised of 22 trauma surgeons.

“We are delighted to match with this cohort of exceptional clinicians,” said Trauma and Surgical Critical Care Fellowship Program Director, Lauren Tanner, M.D. “Their diverse experiences and dedication to trauma care make them an excellent fit for our program, and we look forward to supporting their growth as the next generation of leaders in trauma and acute care surgery.”

Get to know the fellows who will be starting in August of 2026: 

Ben Hazen, M.D.
Residency: Emory University School of Medicine
Medical School: Northeast Ohio Medical University
Military Service: United States Air Force; has served since 2023 as a Special Operations Surgical Team surgeon based out of UAB

Justin Leavitt, M.D.
Residency: New Hanover Regional – Wilmington, NC
Medical School: University of Utah School of Medicine

 
Paul Shadowen, M.D.
Residency: Tallahassee Memorial Hospital – FSU
Medical School: University of Louisville School of Medicine 

 
Sierra Smith, M.D.
Residency: Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital – Sayre, PA
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Virginia Campus