Current Residents | Recent Alumni
Current Residents
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Katie Barnes, M.D.
PGY 5
Hometown
Alabaster, AL
Undergraduate
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Medical School
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Career/Clinical Interests
General child neurology, epilepsy
Why did you choose UAB for your Pediatric Residency?
The people! The residents are a big family and the faculty are so supportive. I also love how many opportunities for research, service, and community involvement are available to us at UAB and how we are encouraged to explore our interests.
Hobbies/Special Interests
Reading, binging Netflix and Disney shows, hanging out with my husband and daughter
Fun Fact
I was a barista throughout undergrad and I’m always excited to explain the difference between a latte, a cappuccino, and a macchiato to anyone who asks.
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Jordy Roque, D.O.
PGY 5
Hometown
Miami, FL
Undergraduate
University of South Florida
Medical School
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine - Bradenton
Career/Clinical Interests
Child neurology
Why did you choose UAB for your Pediatric Residency?
Beautiful hospital, great city, and a very supportive faculty! Most importantly, during interview season UAB made by far the greatest effort in getting to know me as an applicant and as a person.
Hobbies/Special Interests
I enjoy reading, hiking, traveling, and cooking. I especially like trying to make new recipes from other cultures!
Fun Fact
I am slowly working on tracing my family genealogy from when they initially migrated to Cuba all the way from the Canary Islands!
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Hannah Vickland, D.O.
PGY 4
Hometown
Longmont, CO
Undergraduate
Baylor University
Medical School
Des Moines College of Osteopathic Medicine
Career/Clinical Interests
Pediatric Neurology
Why did you choose UAB Child Neuro?
I chose UAB Pediatrics for it's kind, supportive, and fun learning environment! I feel so lucky to have the privilege of working with these amazing people everyday. Oh and the hospital is absolutely beautiful!
Hobbies/Special Interests
Painting, traveling to new places, and discovering amazing restaurants in Birmingham with my fiance, John.
Fun Fact
I grew up on a farm and have competitively shown various livestock animals including cattle and pigs!
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Sam Delaney, M.D.
PGY-4
Hometown
Cumming, GA
Undergraduate
University of Georgia
Medical School
Mercer University School of Medicine - Savannah
Career/Clinical Interests
Not totally sure, but possibly NICU!
Why did you choose the UAB Pediatric Residency Program?
I heard from so many different people how supporting and kind the residents and faculty were here at UAB. I can now say that they were so right! After learning about all the resources available at this institution on interview day, I was also confident that UAB would provide excellent training in both general pediatrics and numerous sub-specialties.
Hobbies
Hiking, exploring Birmingham, almost any board game, reality TV
Fun Fact
I was once chased by a peacock while traveling in Guatemala.
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Michelle Gautreaux, M.D.
PGY 3
Hometown
Lafayette, LA
Undergraduate
Louisiana State University
Medical School
LSU - New Orleans
Career/Clinical Interests
Child Neurology
Why did you choose the UAB Pediatric Residency Program?
I chose UAB because of how supportive this program is! They are so dedicated to making sure everyone is prepared to succeed. They have incredible programs for pediatrics, child neurology, and adult neurology - I knew I would get the best training possible from my time with all 3 programs!
Hobbies
Running/Hiking, Painting, Building Puzzles
Fun Fact
I've been to 44 states and 20 national parks!
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Harshadayani Jagadish Kumar, M.D.
PGY 3
Hometown
India
Medical School
Sapthagiri Institute
Career/Clinical Interests
Pediatric Neurology
Why did you choose UAB Child Neuro?
Great academic program and the people
Hobbies/Special Interests
Badminton, hiking
Fun Fact
I'm a dog person
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Virginia Quinlan, M.D.
PGY 2
Hometown
New Orleans, LA
Undergraduate
LSU-Baton Rouge
Medical School
LSU-New Orleans
Career/Clinical Interests
Child NeurologyNeuromuscular Disease
Why did you choose the UAB Pediatric Residency Program?
I could see and feel the sense of family and support at UAB from the beginning of my interview. Having a residency program where I would have a family and a home away from home while I was learning and growing was the most important thing to me while choosing a program.
Hobbies/Special Interests
Anything supporting LSU sports, attending live music events.
Fun Fact
I spent a summer at a classical ballet intensive in Prague where none of the teachers spoke English. All of ballet is spoken in French so the instruction translates in all countries!
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Sarah Kate Roberts, M.D.
PGY 2
Hometown
Amman, Jordan
Undergraduate
University of Jordan
Medical School
University of Jordan
Career/Clinical Interests
Child Neurology
Why did you choose the UAB Pediatric Residency Program?
The people - from residents to faculty to support staff, everyone is dedicated to making sure were cared for and that we have strong education!
Hobbies/Special Interests
Ballet, hiking, camping,fishing.
Fun Fact
I’ve gone free diving with sharks in Hawaii!
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Gisseth Mora Scarpetta, M.D.
PGY 1
Hometown
Lilburn, GA
Undergraduate
Georgia State University
Medical School
Northeast Ohio Medical University
Career/Clinical Interests
Neuro-oncology or Neurocritical Care
Why did you choose the UAB Pediatric Residency Program?
I loved the warmth I felt from just the interview. I knew I would fit in well in this program. Everyone has been very kind and supportive. I couldn’t have asked to join a better residency.
Hobbies/Special Interests
Reading, Crocheting, Plants, and Painting.
Fun Fact
I love training my dog and teaching him new tricks. He has learned to distinguish blue and yellow.
Recent Alumni from the Past 10 Years
Dr. Joshua Butler: Pennsylvania - currently completing epilepsy fellowship at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Dr. Destini Smith Byrd: Tennessee - currently completing epilepsy fellowship at Vanderbilt Health
Dr. Sarah Grace Engel: South Carolina - Pediatric epileptologist in South Carolina; completed pediatric epilepsy fellowship at University of Utah School of Medicine
Dr. Khaled Al-Robaidi: Ohio - pediatric epileptologist in Dayton, Ohio; completed pediatric epilepsy fellowship at Cleveland Clinic.
Dr. Erin McLeod: Alabama - pediatric neuromuscular specialist with UAB Child Neurology, completed UAB neuromuscular fellowship
Dr. Matt Lustig: Georgia - pediatric Neurohospitalist at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia.
Dr. Katherine Thaggard: Alabama - Pediatric epileptologist with UAB Child Neurology, completed Emory University pediatric epilepsy fellowship
Dr. Brittney Jones: Alabama - pediatric epileptologist at Huntsville Hospital; completed University of Miami pediatric epilepsy fellowship.
Dr. Rachel Bass: Michigan - pediatric neuromuscular specialist in Grand Rapids, Michigan; completed pediatric neuromuscular fellowship at Northwestern University.
Dr. Neal Sankhla: Georgia – pediatric epileptologist at Emory, completed CHOP pediatric epilepsy fellowship
Dr. Lydia Marcus: Alabama – UAB Child Neurology, subspecializes in Pediatric Onset Demyelinating Disorders following her fellowship at UAB
Dr. Sarah Novara: Alabama – General Child Neurologist at UAB Child Neurology with special interest in pediatric vascular disorders and UAB Child Neurology Residency Program Director
Dr. Ashutosh Kumar: Pennsylvania – Penn State Pediatric Neurology
Dr. Tom Ireland: Tennessee – Pediatric Epileptologist, completed Emory pediatric epilepsy fellowship
Dr. Sita Paudel: Pennsylvania – Penn State Pediatric Neurology, completed neurophysiology fellowship at Wisconsin
Dr. Katherine Hammond: Alabama – General Child Neurology with special interest in headache at UAB Child Neurology