University of Alabama Hospital Birmingham Program

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Analyst Verified · Oct 3, 2026

University of Alabama Hospital Birmingham Program

University of Alabama Hospital Birmingham Program is a residency program specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, located in Birmingham, Alabama, directed by Berdale Colorado, DO, MPH and coordinated by Lauren Hanhauser. The program accepts applications through December 1, 2026 and holds an accreditation status of Continued. International Medical Graduates interested in this program may contact the program coordinator directly at [email protected] or (205) 996-6685. IMGPrep analysts have verified and compiled this program’s IMG acceptance rate, USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 score requirements, Visa Sponsorship Policy, graduation year cutoff, and ECFMG certificate requirements — available to IMGPrep subscribers.

Program Identity & Fit

UAB is a large, academic, university-based four-year categorical PM&R program anchored at the Spain Rehabilitation Center within UAB Hospital, offering broad inpatient and outpatient exposure across spinal cord injury, brain injury, MSK/sports, interventional pain, cancer rehabilitation, wound care, and pediatric/spina bifida populations. The department's research identity is substantial and long-standing, built around three continuously federally funded NIDILRR centers (Spinal Cord Injury Model System since 1972, National SCI Statistical Center since 1983, and TBI Model System since 1998), giving residents access to established research infrastructure beyond typical resident-level projects. With four residents per year (16 total), the program emphasizes close faculty-resident relationships, progressive clinical autonomy, and flexibility for graduates to pursue either general physiatry practice or subspecialty fellowship. The program values collegiality, holistic personal fit, and broad curiosity across physiatric subspecialties over a narrow track-based identity.

Who it fits

An applicant drawn to a comprehensive academic PM&R experience with strong SCI/TBI research infrastructure who wants broad exposure across inpatient and outpatient subspecialties before deciding between fellowship and general practice, and who values a small, tightly-knit residency community.

Research intensity

Strong - anchored by multiple continuously funded federal research centers and active faculty grant funding, with research opportunities emphasized to residents though not mandated as a formal thesis requirement.

Career orientation

Mixed - Academic Medicine, Fellowship, Community Practice

Important

Applicants must have prior experience in PM&R to be considered for an interview, and the program has opted into program signaling.

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