Physician Bio

Dr. Sam Douglas

Dr. Sam Douglas

Dr. Douglas on his inspiration for becoming a physician, why he chose his specialty and what inspires him to come to work each day:

“My inspiration to become a physician came from a variety of sources, but can briefly be summarized in these categories: faith, family, and community.

First, my faith in Jesus Christ, the Great Physician, inspired me to pursue a career in medicine as a way to serve God by caring for His creation. In many ways, I am blessed by the opportunity to utilize the talents that God has given to me and find deep fulfillment in being the instrument through which He brings comfort and alleviates the suffering of the sick. It is in this way that I can show love to my neighbors.

Second, my great-grandfather, both my grandfathers, and my father all served honorably in the United States military as medical professionals in WWI, WWII, and Vietnam, and it was an honor to have been given the opportunity to follow in their footsteps. In 2009, when I was accepted into medical school, I also accepted a Commission in the United States Navy. After multiple deployments as a General Surgeon, I received an Honorable Discharge in 2023. Now as a husband and father of two boys, I am reminded daily of the blessings that I have been given. Without my family’s Godly examples and support, I would not be where I am today.

Finally, I was blessed to grow up in a community that encouraged hard work and service to others. As an Eagle Scout, I took an oath to help other people at all times, and in the Navy, I had the opportunity to care for our nation’s finest men and women no matter where we were. Now as a life long Birmingham native, I am so excited about the opportunity to love and serve my neighbors as I would my family.

Cancer is one of the scariest words that you can say. I chose to focus my career on fighting a diseases that frequently brings people to the lowest points in their life. It is often during those lows that we can alleviate some of the greatest suffering a patient is having, and while it is not always possible to defeat cancer entirely, we can always lessen its sting.

Even more specifically, liver and pancreas surgery is one of the most technically difficult areas for a surgeon to work. By dedicating my life to this area, not only do I hope to improve the life of each and every patient that places their trust in me, but I am committed to teaching the next generation of surgeons so that they can go on to make an impacts on tens of thousands of patients.

Being part of a team that is focused on a single goal (alleviating the suffering of our patient) through all of the different skills that we have been given is what inspires me to come to work everyday. It is a true honor to care for our patients as we would any of our family.

Specialization

Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery

Located At

Grandview
Grandview Physician’s Plaza
St. Vincent’s Birmingham

Length of Tenure with Alabama Oncology

Joined in August 2024

Board Certifications

General Surgery, American Board of Surgery
December 2019 - present

Education

July 2023 – June 2024 University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Fellow, Department of Surgery
June 2021 – July 2023 Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Portsmouth, VA Associate Program Director General Surgery
July 2015 – June 2019 Brookwood Baptist Health System, Birmingham, AL General Surgery Residency
June 2014 – June 2015 Brookwood Baptist Health System, Birmingham, AL General Surgery Internship
July 2010 – June 2014 University of Alabama (Birmingham) School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL Medical Doctorate
July 2006 – May 2010 Samford University, Homewood, AL Bachelor of Science
Primary Major: Biochemistry; Secondary Major: Chemistry
Primary Minor: Classics; Secondary Minor: Biology

Accomplishments

Military Honors
Fleet Marine Force Warfare Qualified Officer
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2)
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
Armed Forces Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Sharpshooter Rifle Qualification
Expert Pistol Qualification
Navy and Marine Corps Meritorious Unit Commendation

Professional Honors
2021 - Q2 Officer of the Quarter, NMCP
2021 - Q1 Officer of the Quarter, NMCP
2019 - Hugh Linder Award for Most Outstanding Resident,
BBHS
2019 - Top Performer American Board of Surgery In-service
Training Exam (98th percentile)
2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 Resident Teacher of the Year Award,
BBHS
2019 - Outstanding Resident Award, Society of
Laparoendoscopic Surgeons
2010 - Chemistry Department Most Outstanding Senior,
Samford University
2006 - Eagle Scout

Professional Associations

Fellow, American College of Surgeons
Member, Virginia Chapter, American College of Surgeons
Member, Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons
Member, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic
Surgeons
Member, Americas Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association
Member, International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association