Dr. Birdwell graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Texas and received his medical doctorate from the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas, TX with Alpha Omega Alpha honors. Dr. Birdwell completed his internship and residence in internal medicine at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, TX, followed by a medical oncology and hematology fellowship at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC. During his 42-year tenure with CHRISTUS Southeast Texas St, Elizabeth, he served many roles including Chairperson of Cancer Committee, a member of the Bylaws Committee ad Tumor Registry Board, and the co-director of the Breast Cancer Navigation Program.

He has also served as a Fellow for the American College of Physicians and the American Society of Clinical Oncology, President of the Texas Club of Internists, and President of the Texas Society of Clinical Oncology. He has served on the boards of The American Cancer Society, Life Share Blood Center, Ubi Caritas Medical Mission, and The Anayat House. For 12 consecutive years, he was recognized by Texas Monthly as a Super Doctor.

Dr. Birdwell was instrumental in the development and fundraising efforts for the Mamie McFaddin Ward Cancer Center, which is now the home of Texas Oncology. Dr. Birdwell has been a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Beaumont for over twenty years. He has also served on the Vestry of St. Mark's Church for many years and is a current Lay Eucharistic Minister.