Andrew Allen, M.D., is a physician at UAB Medicine Urgent Care. Below, he answers some questions to help get to know him better.
Where were you educated, and what kind of experience do you have?
I did my undergraduate training at Vanderbilt University, graduating in 1984. I completed medical school at UAB in 1988. My residency training was likewise at UAB in Internal Medicine from 1988 to 1991, then I began working in emergency rooms at Shelby Baptist Medical Center, Ascension St. Vincent’s St. Clair, Ascension St. Vincent’s Blount, and UAB Hospital-Highlands. I did part-time work flying on the LifeSaver Critical Care Transport at Carraway Methodist Medical Center. I started my tenure at UAB Medicine Urgent Care in August 2014.
What are the most rewarding things about working in medicine?
Like many doctors, there are two things that I find to be the most rewarding. One is making a great “catch” – finding that obscure diagnosis or making a diagnosis that saves a patient’s life. In the ER, it was providing care that leads to a successful outcome. The second thing is receiving that “thank you” for going above and beyond, which makes it all worthwhile.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I like working out, and frankly I used to be obsessed with it. I competed in bodybuilding many years ago, but injuries and surgeries put an end to that level of training. I also enjoy skiing; I go once a year or so. Outside of that, I live kind of a boring life!
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