Ejiofor Achalu, MD

Home Town: Pelham, NH

Medical Education: University of Uyo College Of Health Science, Nigeria

Personal Bio: I grew up in Nigeria and completed my medical education there. I moved to Massachusetts and enjoyed the cold weather of the northeast before making Alabama my new home on this journey here at SVE/Christ Health, which was my top pick. SVE stood out to me as a place to grow medically and as a person because of the Christ centered environment and caring for a mixed population that represented the world at large. I look forward to constantly giving back in every setting I find myself in and being the change, I want to see around me while sharing God's love and Christ's life on earth.

Medical Interests: Combined inpatient/Outpatient, Women's health, Procedural medicine, and Medical Missions/Global Health

Hobbies: Spending time with family and friends, Tennis/Ping Pong, Volleyball, and traveling

Jennifer Kingsley, MD

Home Town: Chennai, India; now, Birmingham, AL

Medical Education: Christian Medical College, Vellore, India

Personal Bio: My life has been the epitome of Romans 8:28 with all things working together for those who love God and have been called according to His purpose. I have been called and equipped to be a Christian doctor and I have found that St. Vincent’s East/Christ Health Center is the best place for me to grow both academically and spiritually. Working among the underserved has always been my interest, be it in India where I attended medical school and practiced or here in Alabama, which is now home. I am thankful that I can train in a Christ-focused environment.

Medical Interests: Women’s health, Obstetrics, rural health

Hobbies: Reading, painting, crochet, learning new languages

Tamia Lozada Soto, MD

Home Town: Humacao, Puerto Rico

Medical Education: Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara

Personal Bio: I grew up in Humacao, Puerto Rico and studied medicine in Guadalajara, México. I later moved to Arizona to finalize my medical clerkships and worked in a pediatrics clinic as a medical scribe. After graduation, I spent a year working at a rural hospital in Puerto Rico, where I learned that I wanted to have the flexibility of caring for all types of patients, from pediatrics all the way to geriatrics! That is why I chose to specialize in Family medicine. Working in St Vincent's East and Christ Health Center has been a dream come true, as I was looking for a program that had top quality training, that gave me opportunities to care for underserved communities and that helped me grow in my Christian faith, but at the same time allowed me to take care of my baby daughter, who was born just a couple weeks before starting residency!

Medical Interests: Obstetrics, Women’s Health, Pediatrics

Hobbies: Spend time with my family, watch movies and go to the beach!

Abby Grant, MD

Home Town: St Louis, MO

Medical Education: Saint Louis University School of Medicine

Personal Bio: I was drawn to this residency program because of the balance between mission and academic rigor. The people here love Jesus/want to glorify God, and simultaneously the people here care about quality medical training. Family Medicine positions you at such a unique place in people's lives, and this program teaches you how to navigate that position with excellence and grace. If you visit, you will understand! It is a special place, and the PEOPLE will make you fall in love with it! Getting to serve Jesus in the outpatient and inpatient setting with our team has been extremely special. I've seen the depths of darkness and brokenness but have also seen the hope and freedom Christ provides. I've learned how to share that hope and freedom and oftentimes see lives change as a result. I've built meaningful relationships with patients that lead to gushes of joy over quitting a substance, tears of grief with a new cancer diagnosis, moments of satisfaction in continuity and growth - and everything in between. The Lord is so faithful in providing meaning to our work! I learn every single day from our incredible attendings and my amazing co-residents.

Medical Interests: Ethics, palliative care, geriatrics, and chronic disease management

Hobbies: Thrift shopping, the library, the occasional run, pickleball, and being cozy at home with my husband and dog. My husband has a million hobbies that he maintains, including running, pickleball, disc golf, chess, tennis, and just about anything else. You can often find us at a local coffee shop or hanging out with friends!

Jessica L. Grady, MD

Home Town: Madison, MS

Medical Education: University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Medicine

Personal Bio: I was born and raised in central Mississippi and attended Mississippi State University (Go Dawgs!) for my undergraduate degree in Microbiology before heading back to central MS for medical school. I knew that family medicine was the field for me as I discovered my love for taking care of entire families in all stages of life. I am thankful the Lord led me to a residency which encourages and supports me to reach my goals, all while providing opportunities to strengthen me in my spiritual journey and pass that along by caring for the spiritual wellbeing of my patients. My husband, Wade, and I are truly blessed and excited to see what the Lord has in store for us here in Birmingham!

Medical Interests: Sports medicine, outpatient medicine, adolescent medicine

Hobbies: Spending time with family and friends (and our dog, Echo), sporting events, cooking

Celia Campos Seegers, DO

Home Town: El Paso, TX

Medical Education: Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine

Personal Bio: I chose this residency program because of the people. From the residents to the attendings, everyone was kind and genuine during my interview and when I came to my first look! My husband (Danny Seegers) and I got married just a few months before I started medical school and met while I was studying for my MCAT and applying to medical school, so he's been on this journey from the very beginning. We had our firstborn in March 2024, baby Eli Daniel. All my family is back in Texas, and the majority of Danny's family is in Colorado. Although we are a long way from home, Alabama has been good to us! We have enjoyed living out here and have attended at least one Alabama football game, Roll Tide!

Medical Interests: Chronic disease management, weight loss, women's health

Hobbies: Spending time with my husband (Danny) and our new baby boy (Eli Daniel, born March 2024). We also like to take walks at Turkey Creek and go to the movie theater. We like to hang out with the other residents and attendings whenever possible.

Meredith Tittle, DO

Home Town: Pelham, AL

Medical Education: Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine

Personal Bio: I grew up in the suburbs of Birmingham and attended the University of Alabama for my undergraduate degree in Communication Studies. St. Vincent’s East/ Christ Health Center was my top choice because it was the program that felt most “at home”. During my in person visit, I saw the support that the residents had from the attendings, staff, and each other, and I knew it was the program for me. Christ Health is what I envisioned my future practice looking like: a ministry that also practiced medicine.

Medical Interests: Inpatient Medicine, OB/GYN, Sports Medicine

Hobbies: Being outdoors, taking my Golden Retriever puppy Annie on adventures, reading Southern mystery books

Carol Ann Gibbs, DO

Home Town: Gordo, AL

Medical Education: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Auburn Campus

Personal Bio: During my third year as a medical student, while trying to decide what specialty to pursue, I did a rotation at Christ Health Center. It gave me the experience I needed to decide on family medicine. I loved the community, attendings, and residents during this rotation and knew I would be supported throughout residency at Christ Health. I am so thankful to learn alongside such great, God-loving fellow residents and from such compassionate physicians who genuinely embody the hands and feet of Jesus. I know that the Lord allowed me to come here not only to grow in my medical knowledge but also to grow more into what He has for me, and I will have the support to pursue whatever God calls me to in the future.

Medical Interests: Obstetrics, missions medicine, procedures, inpatient medicine, and pediatrics

Hobbies: Anything outdoors: hiking, walking, running, or sports, CrossFit, experiencing new adventures with my mini goldendoodle, Willow, and spending time with family and friends.

Richard Chapman, DO

Home Town: Born in Monroeville and grew up in Mobile, AL

Medical Education: Graduated from Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Auburn Campus

Personal Bio: My faith in Jesus has always been the most important part of my life and a large part of why I became a physician. I completed most of my clinical training during medical school at Christ Health Center as part of a new missional track offered at VCOM. During that time, it was so clear to me how much the attendings and residents here care for the patients in our community and serve them in a Christ-like manner. I knew there was something special about the people and the mission here at Christ Health Center and that I wanted to continue to be a part of that mission! Throughout the residency application process, I felt that Christ Health Center was the place where God was calling me to continue my medical training. I am so thankful to be here and to continue serving our patients.

Medical Interests: Sports medicine, primary care, emergency medicine, inpatient medicine

Hobbies: More than anything, I enjoy spending quality time with my friends and family! I am also a mediocre-at-best golfer and cross-fitter.

David Gahan, MD

Home Town: Born in Johnson City, TN. Raised in Collierville, TN

Medical Education: University of South Alabama College of Medicine

Personal Bio: I went to UAB for undergrad and have family in Birmingham, so I consider Birmingham home. I was looking at programs in Alabama and Christ Health caught my eye. I got the chance to rotate here for a month in the middle of interview season and I fell in love! The intentionality of the program to care for the underserved in their own communities was unmatched. And they didn't just offer half-hearted care to this population, but they made it a point to take as good care of them as possible inside the clinic and in the community everyday. When I was making my last decision on my rank list, all I could think of was that I wanted to be exactly like all the attendings and residents at Christ Health, so I knew I wanted to train here to be a part of the amazing kingdom work they were doing to restore the Garden of Eden in their communities. I'm married to a pediatrician who is finishing up her 3rd year of residency in Tucson, AZ during my intern year. She's going to become a pediatric hospitalist. I'm the youngest of 3 in my family. My sister is the oldest. Her husband is in the military, so they've gotten to move around from the US to Korea, Germany, and now Alaska. My older brother is an engineer and lives right down the street from me in Norwood. My parents are trying to move to Birmingham as we speak to be closer to family again.

Medical Interests: I'm a big foodie, so I love exploring all the amazing restaurants in Birmingham! I also love cooking, so I try to take inspiration from the amazing food scene here and add it to my own cooking style. I also love hiking when I can, which is great because Birmingham has several great hiking spots. I'm also a big board game guy. So, hanging out with friends at one of Birmingham's many amazing breweries with great food and a board game is an ideal night for me.

Hobbies: I'm a big foodie, so I love exploring all the amazing restaurants in Birmingham! I also love cooking, so I try to take inspiration from the amazing food scene here and add it to my own cooking style. I also love hiking when I can, which is great because Birmingham has several great hiking spots. I'm also a big board game guy. So, hanging out with friends at one of Birmingham's many amazing breweries with great food and a board game is an ideal night for me.

Isaac Johnson, DO

Home Town: Tazewell, VA

Medical Education: Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Personal Bio: When applying for residency programs, I was looking for a God-centered residency that would give me the experience and knowledge necessary to practice full-scope Family Medicine and to care for patients in rural areas. I am so thankful that the Lord led me to Christ Health Residency! I have been overwhelmed by the support of faculty and fellow residents. There is a culture of comradery, intellectual curiosity, and compassion. I feel like I am cared for as a person, challenged to be a better resident every day, and given an opportunity to develop skills that I will use for the rest of my career! I am one of eight children! I feel close to each of my siblings and am so thankful for my parents' love and hard work to raise each of us in a Christ-centered home.

Medical Interests: I am interested in both inpatient and outpatient medicine. I appreciate the structure of inpatient medicine and the opportunity to develop long-term, meaningful relationships in the outpatient setting. Specific areas of interest include: procedures (OB-GYN and Sports Med), OMT, POCUS, and holistic medicine (seeing the patient as a whole and implementing diet/exercise/spirituality/family/community/etc. into patient care).

Hobbies: Hikes/short runs, playing pickleball, watching movies, and talking with family

Stephanie Hermann, DO

Home Town: Schaumburg, IL

Medical Education: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine

Personal Bio: I chose this residency program because of the quality of training, both inpatient and outpatient, the friendliness and family-like culture and support of the residents and faculty when I visited in person, and the shared motivation of being in medicine for God's glory, the testimony of Jesus Christ, and the care for people's eternal soul in the unique patient population of an FQHC clinic! The patients here provide opportunities to think through socioeconomic barriers and complex chronic medical conditions that require closer monitoring and more frequent follow-up, which fosters increased relationship-building through continuity. Having experienced med school rotations in the suburbs of Chicago, where healthier patients may see their doctor every 6-12 months, I was pleasantly surprised by how much more I could learn here. This program will allow you to grow through exposure to both the bread and butter of family medicine and complex cases, all while being well supported by your faculty and colleagues! Other things I appreciate about the program are its strong inpatient training, encouragement to address patients' spiritual/emotional needs and concerns, strong OMT curriculum with practical application in a limited appointment time, and Bible studies outside of work to help grow and support each other in our walk with God!

Medical Interests: Rural medicine, OMT, mental health, and spiritual care

Hobbies: Hiking and being outdoors, mountain biking, reading, listening to podcasts/music, time with family/friends, playing guitar, and going to church.

Dr. Robert Record, MD

Residency Faculty/Family Med

Dr. Robert Rex Record is a native of Breezy Hill Farm located somewhere near Clinton, LA. With a heart for ministry and an overactive imagination, he attended Rhodes College in Memphis, TN. There he majored in Business Administration, ran track, and met the love of his life, Leland Caley. He also joined a congregation in a transitional neighborhood and developed a clearer vision for serving those facing socio-economic struggles. Though seemingly far from his desire to attend seminary, providence led him to LSU medical school in New Orleans. There he also continued studying community development through work with Desire Street Ministries.

Residency brought him to Birmingham, AL for the faith-based Family Medicine residency at the current St. Vincent’s East Hospital. During training, he and his wife joined a very small congregation called Church of the Highlands as members and, ultimately, pastoral staff. This little church plant has now grown to become one of the largest in the nation.

Dr. Record’s love for the City of Birmingham grew alongside his vision of starting a clinic that would catalyze community transformation in his adopted hometown. In 2009, he realized this long-developed dream with the opening of The Birmingham Dream Center and Christ Health Center in Woodlawn. Dr. Record served five years as Director of The Birmingham Dream Center and continues to work with that team at the intersection of ministry and community development. Now he spends most of his days serving as both CEO and Residency Faculty with Christ Health Center. The growing ministry of Christ Health provides over 50,000 visits a year, primarily to uninsured and underinsured neighbors. More than just a clinic, Christ Health is investing in leaders from around the country to see them replicate this work in their hometowns.

Dr. Record and Leland have 4 children, Tate, Caley, Mimi, and June. The latter two are adopted from China, and the Record family collectively believes adoption may be their greatest call to date. When he’s not running around with work or chasing children, Dr. Record enjoys running, golf, 80’s movies, the occasional good book, and almost anything that makes him laugh.

Dr. Cleon Rogers, MD

Medical Education Director/Residency Faculty/Internal Medicine & Pediatrics

Dr. Cleon was born in 1984 in Dallas, Texas. His life was turned upside down at eight years old when his family moved to Germany to become missionaries. He developed a love for science and the lost during his time overseas, where he met Damaris, his high school sweetheart, with whom he now has five children (4 biological and 1 adopted).

After completing a biology degree at Bryan College in Tennessee, he moved to Birmingham where he attended UAB for medical school and Internal Medicine-Pediatrics residency. At UAB, he was the founding president of Equal Access Birmingham and inducted into the Gold Humanism and AOA honor societies.

The Lord’s calling on his life is to speak truth in hard places. The gospel and disciple-making are at the center of his medical practice and everything he does. He is a committed primary care physician who strives to bring quality specialty level care to even his most vulnerable and under-resourced patients. He has a particular academic interest in community medicine, psychiatric disorders, cirrhosis, hepatitis C, hepatitis B, HIV PREP, and rheumatoid arthritis. He speaks fluent Spanish and also serves as Christ Health Center’s international engagement director. His wife and five kids live, go to school, play sports, and attend church in the community where they serve.

For information on scheduling a medical appointment, click here.

Dr. English Gonzalez, MD

Family Medicine/Associate Director

Dr. Gonzalez, also nick-named “Sonshine” around the residency, would likely be the first to offer a joyful smile and a welcoming word if you visited our program. She attended medical school and completed her master’s in public health at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. There she served as the family medicine clerkship director and the FMIG president. She was awarded membership into AOA & earned the Pisacano Leadership Foundation scholarship. From Birmingham she headed to Washington DC to complete her residency training at Georgetown University. During her time in training she served as the resident member on the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Family Physicians and was awarded the community service outreach award at her residency program.

After completing residency training, she moved back to “sweet home Alabama” to start the job of her dreams as a faculty member at the St. Vincent’s East family medicine residency program. During her first year as faculty, she also served as the family physician for the rural town of Vincent, Alabama and completed a fellowship in academic family medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Dr. Gonzalez continues to thank the Lord every day for the privilege of teaching and equipping those God has chosen to be family physicians. In 2019, the residents chose her as the “Preceptor of the Year.” Having now achieved this highest award to her personal and professional heart, her sole desire is to encourage, lift up, and mentor young family physicians. “Encourage one another” from Hebrews 10:25 is her guiding life verse and summarizes her teaching approach.

Dr. Gonzalez is passionate about resident wellness and resilience, physician leadership, scholarly activity, and curriculum innovation. Her academic interests include community medicine, public and population health, dermatology, and geriatric and palliative medicine. She also serves as a medical director for Encompass Home Health and Hospice. Additionally, she is an item writer for the American Board of Family Medicine and regularly consults for various law firms and research entities.

While all of these roles are a blessing and privilege, her most humbling role is that of a mother to a very special young lady, her daughter Talia Grace. On any given day, they might be found dancing and singing to praise music, showing miniature Hereford cows, making crafts, serving at Church of the Highlands, or praying for the residents. While Dr. Gonzalez only has one biological child, she is delighted that most of the residents invite her to be their “work mama” 🙂

For information on scheduling a medical appointment, click here.

Dr. David Villanueva, DO

Residency Assistant Program Director/Family Medicine

David grew up in rural North Carolina. He studied biology at Bryan College in TN, where he also played soccer and met his wife Jana. He studied medicine at VCOM in Blacksburg, VA and graduated in 2014. He completed family medicine training at Wake Forest School of Medicine in NC while Jana completed PA school. After residency, David worked for two years in urgent care while praying about next steps and investing in time with his family.

The Villanueva family moved to AL in the summer of 2019 to join the Christ Health family in serving the underserved through faith-based primary care at their Woodlawn clinic in inner-city Birmingham. He completed a faculty development fellowship at UAB and joined the St. Vincent’s East Family Residency faculty in 2020. David has a special interest in sports medicine, osteopathic manipulative therapy, exercise and nutrition, outpatient procedures, faith in medicine, and medical missions. He is passionate about helping others live out their God-given design as they discover how their gifts and passions meet the world’s significant needs.

David’s favorite scripture passage is the sermon on the mount in Matthew 5-7 which reminds him that the Kingdom of God is central to who we are and all we do in this life. His favorite verse is Jesus’ opening line “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

David and Jana enjoy playing with their 3 rambunctious boys and doing anything active in the outdoors. Some of his favorite activities include trail running, mountain biking, triathlons, soccer, backpacking and just being in the woods.

For information on scheduling a medical appointment, click here.

Dr. Rebecca Newton, MD

OB Director/Residency Faculty/Family Medicine with OB

The STVE Family Medicine Residency Program and Christ Health Center are blessed to have Dr. Rebecca Newton as a faculty member and medical provider. Dr. Newton spent seven years as a missionary kid in Australia, but to simplify things, she now considers herself from Auburn, Alabama.

She graduated from Auburn University and then attended UAB School of Medicine for medical school. Before joining Christ Heath as faculty in late 2019, she spent 4 years in family medicine residency and then FMOB fellowship at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas. She is enthusiastic about providing compassionate care to women, and gets especially excited about pregnant mothers. She is excited and challenged to be teaching not only OB but also clinic and inpatient medicine. She particularly enjoys seeing residents grow in knowledge and confidence doing OB and GYN related procedures and ultrasounds. She has a particular interest in immigrant populations and speaks fluent Spanish.

Her favorite verse is in Lamentations 3: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness”. Her smile lights up the room, and her patients sense the peace of the Lord in her heart.

Dr. James Arnold, DO

Residency Faculty/Family Medicine with OB

Dr. James J Arnold, DO, FACOFP, FAAFP, is a Family Medicine with Obstetrics Physician who has recently retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Air Force. During his 20 years of military service, he developed expertise in surgical/high-risk obstetrics, women and newborn health, osteopathic manipulation, and acupuncture.

He is a leader in osteopathic medical education within the military and national family medicine communities and has created enduring osteopathic training for both DOs and MDs.

Dr. Arnold feels immensely Blessed to now share his skills and knowledge with the Family Medicine Residents of Christ Health Center.

For information on scheduling an appointment, click here.

Dr. Nathan DeWitt, MD

Residency Faculty/Family Medicine with OB

Dr. Dewitt is a certified family medicine physician from Toledo, Ohio. Prior to moving to Birmingham, he practiced medicine in a rural area of Tennessee for eleven years. He associates his move to Birmingham with, “Desiring to follow God’s calling on my life”. At Christ Health he enjoys being able to practice the full scope of family medicine & working with like minded physicians. His heart to serve people with the gifts, talents, and resources the Lord has given him has opened doors to creating long-lasting relationships with many of his patients. During his free time, Dr. Dewitt enjoys running, reading, playing guitar, and playing with his kids.

For information on scheduling an appointment, click here.

Dr. Gavin Brunsvold, MD

Director of Psychiatry/Psychiatrist

Dr. Brunsvold is the Director of Psychiatry for Christ Health Center’s Live Oaks Clinic located in Woodlawn, AL. He is helping to create an innovative and integrated health care model to address the mental health crisis in Alabama. In 2008, Dr. Brunsvold founded Christian Psychiatry and Associates, an outpatient private practice located in Vestavia Hills, AL, which merged into The Live Oaks Clinic in 2019. Dr. Brunsvold has been published in The Psychiatric Times and spoken across the southeast on topics including ADHD and Comorbid Conditions. He has been happily married for 25 years with two surprisingly well-adjusted children, despite the fact that their father is a psychiatrist.

For information on scheduling a medical appointment, click here.

Dr. Elissa Handley Tyson, MD

Residency Faculty/Family Medicine

Home Town: Birmingham, AL

Medical Education: University of Alabama School of Medicine (UAB)

Personal Bio: There is an amazing connection between physical and spiritual healing that we get to be part of in healthcare. In Luke 5, a leper wanting to be healed says to Jesus, “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” Jesus responds, “I am willing, be healed!” This verse was big for me in my faith when I had grown discouraged. God is willing for me to be healed, and through medical interactions, I hope to show others He is more than willing for them to be healed, as well.

Medical Interests: Global health, women’s health, addiction/psych, adolescents

Hobbies: Jesus, running, people

Dr. Byron Berry, DO

Residency Faculty/Family Medicine

Home Town: Birmingham, AL

Medical Education: Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, Fellowship in OMM from ACOM

Personal Bio: I am a Birmingham native that graduated from Birmingham Southern College before spending some years in ministry and loft building in downtown Montgomery. I completed my medical degree through the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine and am delighted to be back home practicing and serving in this community. I strive to listen well and with kindness to the whole person, working with my patients in their care and treatment.

Medical Interests: Emergency medicine, procedures, OMM

Hobbies: Home improvement, camping, cooking, baking

Dr. Kayla Westerman, MD

Family Medicine

Home Town: Saginaw, TX

Medical Education: University of Texas Medical Branch

Personal Bio: I was born and raised in Saginaw, TX. I went to undergrad at Dallas Baptist University, and then headed south to the beach for medical school in Galveston. I never thought I would leave Texas, but the Lord had other plans. I knew from a young age I wanted to be a doctor. After my Family Medicine rotation during medical school in a small town in West Texas, I knew without a doubt I wanted to do Family Medicine. I strive to combine my faith with medicine and am passionate about caring for the least of these.

Medical Interests: underserved populations, primary care, procedures, women’s health

Hobbies: Baking, hiking, board games, crafts

Brandon Slagley, MD

Hometown

Greenville, AL

Practice Location

Traditional Inpatient/Outpatient with procedures Endoscopy and GXT/Nursing home Medical Director
Greenville, AL

Mission Trips

• Honduras
• Dominican Republic (medical school and residency)

St. Vincent East FP Residency was the perfect place for me to train for my current practice setting. High outpatient and inpatient volume throughout training prepared me to jump into a very busy solo practice including lots of ICU/critical care. I used my elective time to learn extra procedures like Colonoscopy and Stress Tests that are valuable skills to offer in the small town setting and have been in high demand. More important than the medical knowledge was the professional, personal and spiritual growth during my three years. I wouldn’t trade this for training anywhere in the country.

Brooke Uptagrafft, MD

Hometown

Huntsville, AL

Practice Location

Gleneagles Family Medicine, Ambulatory/Inpatient FM
Huntsville, AL

Mission Trips

• Honduras
• Dominican Republic (medical school and residency)

St Vincent’s East is a one of a kind residency! Throughout residency I was able to develop my own style of being a physician with the guidance of a diverse and excellent group of attending physicians. I was prepared academically for exceptional patient care. I had the opportunity to be trained by experts on any procedure I wanted to be able to offer in my private practice. I was able to balance my family and spiritual life with my medical career. But, what I take with me most every day in my work is the Christ-like attitude displayed consistently by the physicians I trained with. My fellow residents, faculty physicians and specialists that I rotated with were a unique group of people that I am forever thankful. Quality mentorship is one of the MOST important aspects of any resident’s training with this program ensuring it is provided daily in a meaningful way.

Dr. Ankrehah Trimble Johnson, DO

Medical School: Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences

Current Practice: Dr.Johnson works in direct primary care as sole owner of Brownstone Healthcare and Aesthetics in Trussville, AL. She is in the 2020 Class of The Birmingham Business Journal’s Top 40 under 40. She has earned the titles of B- Metro Magazine Top Doctors in Medicine, B- Metro Magazine Top Women in Medicine, and Trademark Women of Distinction Honors for her dedication to answering questions about common medical conditions and bringing awareness to the importance of healthy lifestyles.

I’m Glad I Chose SVEFMR Because: The St. Vincent’s East Family Medicine Residency is deeply rooted in Christian and family ties. The program is unopposed, which allowed us to first assist on all surgeries and even deliver babies. St. Vincent’s East prepared me for the real world in a great way!

Meredith Pickett, DO

Medical School: West Virginia Osteopathic Medicine

Current Practice: I serve as a palliative medicine consultant at Northeast Georgia Medical Center where I assist medical and surgical services with symptom management, goals of care discussions, and transitions to hospice care. I enjoy teaching residents, and I take particular interest in the fields of delirium and pain management.

I’m Glad I Chose SVEFMR Because: Rather than challenging residents to compete against each other, St. Vincent’s East Family Medicine Residency program taught me the value of teamwork and encouraging others. More than spoon-feeding facts, they taught me how to search out answers to my own questions and how to apply that new information to the patients in front of me. I was pleased to learn the flexibility family medicine physicians can have (even years after graduation), and I feel the faculty made extra effort to connect residents with established providers with similar interests and practice goals.

Dr. Kimberly F. Owens, MD

Medical School: University of Alabama School of Medicine

Current Practice: Auburn University Medical Clinic – we are a community-based outpatient practice located on the campus of Auburn University. We provide student health services as well as general primary care services to faculty and staff members of Auburn University and the surrounding community.

I’m Glad I Chose SVEFMR Because: I am thankful for attending St. Vincent’s East Family Medicine Residency for personal and professional reasons. The faculty helped me grow in my walk with the Lord and develop my skills as a Christian physician. The education was outstanding, and I felt extremely prepared and qualified to practice inpatient and outpatient medicine, including ICU care, in the small rural community in which I practiced for six years following residency.

Nathan Shepard, MD

Medical School: University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis

Current Practice: I currently work as a Hospitalist in a rural regional hospital in Lindsay, Ontario, Canada.

Why I’m Glad I Chose SVEFMR: St Vincent’s East Family Medicine Residency profoundly impacted my life in almost every way possible. Not only did I receive excellent training to do the things that I loved most about medicine, but I was mentored and grew as a person more than any other time in my life. It is not an exaggeration to say that my family and I will continue to be blessed by those three years for all of eternity.

Jarod E. Speer, MD

Medical School: University of Alabama Birmingham

Current Practice: I have been in a private practice, outpatient only setting in Childersburg, AL since graduating from residency in 2008. Now, I experience those same challenges, rewards, highs and lows that I saw as a child, and I love it.

Why I’m Glad I Chose SVEFMR: I chose to do my family residency at St. Vincent’s East for two reasons. First, I was confident that the faculty and 3rd-year residents would provide me with the education I needed to prepare for a career in family medicine. Second, there was a closeness among the faculty and residents that I had not seen in other programs. The St. Vincent’s East Family Medicine Residency surrounded me with kindness and support during these critical years of training and allowed me to develop meaningful friendships and relationships.

Colleen Tobe-Donohue, MD

Medical School: Pikeville University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Pikeville, Kentucky

Current Practice: Colleen currently practices in Birmingham, AL. Her practice includes management of diabetes as well as thyroid conditions. Patient care is a whole person approach trying to not only manage their high blood pressure and diabetes but also nutrition and physical activity. Favorite aspect is preventive care and establishing a relationship with the patient. We usually see the entire family and that is so rewarding and exciting.

Why I’m Glad I Chose SVEFMR: II still draw on my time at St Vincent’s East. I was a hospital physician and clinic physician for the first three years of practice. I felt so comfortable with patient care after graduating from the St Vincent’s East Family Medicine Residency. The residency prepared me for all aspects of medicine: treating patients, managing a practice, and understanding how to balance both. The residents and attendings have outstanding communication as well as a similar mindset of work ethic and support.

Sonny Hodge, MD

Home Town: Taylorsville, MS

Medical Education: University of Mississippi Medical Center

Personal Bio: I grew up surrounded by baseball and outdoor activities the majority of my childhood and teenage life. After initially beginning my college studies in finance, I was moved toward medicine after consideration of God’s call on my life. I was accepted into a rural medicine scholarship program in Mississippi and was able to continue my medical studies.

Medical Interests: Sports medicine, rural medicine

Hobbies: Fly fishing, bass fishing, hunting, lawn maintenance

Annie Collins, DO

Home Town: Birmingham, AL

Medical Education: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Auburn Campus

Personal Bio: I obtained both my undergraduate and graduate degrees from The University of Alabama. I worked for a period of time at UA as a graduate assistant in health promotion and as a health coach, where I realized God was calling me to a different career path through medicine. I went on to complete medical school at VCOM-Auburn. I have a special interest in geriatric medicine and hospice and palliative medicine, for which I plan to pursue a fellowship.

Medical Interests: Community wellness, exercise is medicine, geriatric medicine, and hospice and palliative medicine.

Hobbies: Anything outdoors, bird dogs, shed hunting