Dr. Sharmila Makhija Discusses how the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine is Building a New Model
President Jeff Stone, Rotarians Isabel Scarinci, Anupam Agarwal and Past President Sanjay Singh with Dr. Makhija
During this week’s Rotary Club of Birmingham meeting, members heard from Dr. Sharmila Makhija, Founding Dean of the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine. A Montgomery native and University of Alabama at Birmingham alumna, Dr. Makhija shared her journey from medical student to leading the creation of a new medical school built from the ground up. She emphasized that her foundation in education continues to guide her work, with a focus on developing physicians who are not only clinically excellent but also lifelong learners.
Dr. Makhija highlighted the school’s innovative approach, which integrates arts and humanities into medical education to strengthen empathy, communication, and resilience. Built on a “whole health” model, the curriculum prioritizes prevention, wellness, and addressing mental, social, and spiritual well-being alongside physical health. Students engage in hands-on clinical experiences early in their training, while also learning to navigate emerging technologies like AI in a thoughtful and responsible way.
Dr. Makhija also discussed the challenges of launching a new institution—from building a team and culture to recruiting the inaugural class—and the importance of strong partnerships. Collaborations with organizations like Google, Stanford Medicine, and regional health systems are helping shape a forward-looking healthcare campus and workforce pipeline. With a focus on serving rural and underserved communities, the school is intentionally recruiting students with ties to those areas and working to expand residency opportunities to improve long-term health outcomes across the region.
Bio for Dr. makhija
Sharmila Makhija, MD, MBA is the Founding Dean and Chief Executive Officer of Alice L. Walton School of Medicine. Dr. Makhija works with health systems and institutional partners to enhance medical education and prepare students for their future health care roles in the community and country.
An international expert on gynecologic cancer, Sharmila Makhija MD, MBA most recently served as the Department Chair of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Women’s Health, professor of gynecologic oncology and the Chella and Moise Safra Endowed Chair at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Health System in New York. She has held faculty positions at the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Emory University, and the University of Louisville.
Dr. Makhija has received numerous awards for her dedication to women’s health, including the Albert Einstein College of Medicine’s Spirit of Achievement. She’s also been named a Good Housekeeping Humanitarian Hero, a Crain’s NY Business Notable Health Care Leader, and an AAPI Health care Hero Honoree.