Current Residents in Internal Medicine

      View of Bryce Canyon, Utah

Meet the Chief Medical Residents:

Stacy Johnson was born in Richland, Washington.  He graduated from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science/Chicago Medical School.  He received his BS from the University of Washington.  His interests include fly-fishing, mountain biking, climbing, telemark skiing, automotive repair and restoration, and woodworking.   He plans an academic career in hospital medicine.

Christopher Maxwell was born in Kansas City, Missouri.  He graduated from the University of Kansas, School of Medicine.  He received his BS degree from the University of Kansas.  He has moderate fluency in Spanish.  His interests include mountain biking, running, camping, fly-fishing, hunting, home remodeling and computers.   He is currently applying for fellowship in gastroenterology.

Casey Owens was born in Provo, Utah.  He graduated from the University of Virginia, School of Medicine.  He received is BS degree from Brigham Young University.  He is proficient in speaking, reading and writing Korean.  His interests include football, basketball, golf, building and working with computers and designing web pages.

Peter Yarbrough was born in Columbus, Ohio.  He received his BA from Princeton University and graduated from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.  His interests include pitcher men’s baseball team, travel, politics, and sports.  He plans an academic career in hospital medicine.

Meet the PGY-3s:

L. Scott Benson received his M.D. degree from the University of Utah in 2006 along with his MPH in 1995 and his PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Utah State University in 2002.  He has extensive experience in international medicine and water management.  He and his wife, Jill, have two sons.  He plans to pursue further infectious disease training after residency and will likely continue his interests in international medicine.

Melissa Bentley is a graduate from the University of Utah.  She obtained her undergraduate degree from Weber State University.  She has many interests outside of medicine including playing piano and saxophone, creative writing, gymnastics and rock climbing.  She plans to pursue further training in hematology/oncology upon completion of her residency training. 

Cesar Briganti - (Medicine-Pediatrics) was born in Las Palmas, Spain and is currently a permanent resident.  He received his BS from Brigham Young University in Utah and is a graduate from the University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry in New York.  He is a native Spanish-speaker and enjoys sailing (has sailed in international competition) with his wife and children, fishing, camping, nature in general, guitar, writing poetry and reading. 

Shanna Case graduated from Weber State University with a degree in electrical engineering and matriculated to the University of Utah Medical School.  She has many outdoor interests which include running, cross country skiing, and road cycling.  She is currently interested in a career as a hospitalist in a small town.

James Clements – (Medicine-Pediatrics) was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.  He received his BS from Evangel University in Missouri and his MD from the University of Nebraska, College of Medicine.  His hobbies and interests include reading, travel, hiking, camping, running, fitness, mountain biking, wake boarding, snowboarding, and international health.   He is considering an infectious diseases fellowship upon completion of his residency.

Blake Gardner is a graduate from the University of Miami, School of Medicine.  He enjoys basketball and tennis.  He is married.  He plans to pursue a cardiology fellowship upon completion of his residency planning.

Colby Harrison graduated from the University of Oregon.  He enjoys spending his free time playing the guitar, listening to live music, hiking, and running.  His current interests in medicine include critical care medicine and cardiology.  He is interested in underserved populations.

William Hinz is a graduate from the University of Utah.  He enjoys coaching youth track and football as well as participating in intramural sports, fly fishing, camping and playing board games with his wife.   He is interested in rheumatology.

Luke Huerter graduated from the University of Kansas.  He enjoys basketball, golf, hiking and camping.  He plans a career as an oncologist. His wife, Michele Bennett, is a resident in obstetrics ob/gyn.

Brian Johnson is a graduate from the University of Tennessee, College of Medicine.  Outside of medicine he enjoys spending time with his wife, Amanda, scenic photography, playing soccer and the great outdoors.  He is interested in pursuing further training in gastroenterology.  He will be a Chief Medicine Resident 2009-2010.

Barbara Jones earned her undergraduate degree in Philosophy from Dartmouth College and MD from the University of Washington.   She is devoted to becoming an advocate for health care in the underserved.  Her outside interests are many and include trail-running, cross-country and telemark skiing, baking, writing, guitar and piano. She raced on the 2002 Olympic cross-country ski team. 

E. Libby Kelly was born in Iowa City, Iowa.  She received her BA from the University of Colorado in Boulder and MD from the University of Utah, School of Medicine in May 2006.  She has a young daughter and her hobbies and interests include running, hiking, novels, telemark skiing, camping, guitar, sailing, and water skiing.  She plans a career in immunology/allergy.

Farman Khan was born in Pakistan.  He received his Unk Degree from Edwardes College in Pakistan and graduated from Khyber Medical College in Pakistan.  Prior to residency at the University of Utah, he worked at the University College Hospital in Galway, Ireland.  His interests and hobbies include cricket, social work, and local and international music.  He is pursuing a cardiology fellowship currently.

Chad Kimball has a master's degree in Biological Sciences from MCP Hahnemann University and his medical degree from Drexel University.  He enjoys outdoor sports including snow and water skiing, scuba diving, swimming, and water polo.  He enjoys reading and writing short stories.  He currently plans to pursue additional fellowship training in gastroenterology upon completion of his residency training.

Erin Kurek is a graduate from the University of Vermont.  She earned her MPH from the University of Michigan in 2002.  Her interests outside of medicine include hiking, skiing, camping, climbing, running and travel.  She is interested in continuing to pursue her interests in epidemiology research during residency.  At this time she plans to pursue a career as a hospitalist or in ICU/critical care medicine.

Tobin Lim is a Salt Lake City native and completed his undergraduate work in Medical Laboratory Science at the University of Utah.  He obatined his medical degree from Ross University.  His interests outside of medicine include playing the violin, motor cycling and skiing.  He has had multiple peer reviewed publications on his work in cardiology.  He remains very interested in cardiology and plans a cardiology fellowship following his residency.

Patrick Martin is a graduate from the University of New Mexico.  He earned his undergraduate degree in sociology at the University of Dayton and went on to earn a masters degree in sociology at the University of Arizona.  He enjoys fly-fishing, cycling, and travel.  His current plan is to pursue further training in gastroenterology upon completion of his residency.

John Nord is a graduate from the University of Utah.  He received his undergraduate degree in microbiology and immunology from the University of Miami.  He enjoys spending time with his wife and children, hiking, mountain biking, skiing and playing guitar.  He plans to pursue a pulmonary/critical care fellowship.  He will be a Chief Medicine Resident 2009-2010.

Marc Nuttall graduated from the Oregon Health Sciences University School of Medicine in 2006.  He enjoys spending time with his wife and dogs, cooking, listening to live jazz and playing tennis and racquetball.  He is pursuing a hematology/oncology fellowship upon completion of his residency.

Shayne Palmer was born in Ogden, Utah.  He received his BS from the University of Phoenix in Salt Lake City.  He graduated from the University of Utah, School of Medicine in December, 2005.  He enjoys spending time with his children in sports in addition to bodybuilding.  He was Heavyweight Mr. Utah in 2000 and 2002. 

Jesal Patel is graduate from Indiana University School of Medicine.  He enjoys martial arts, cycling, backpacking/hiking, and storm chasing.  He plans a career in hematology/oncology.

Richard Patten - (Medicine-Pediatrics) is a graduate from the University of Utah School of Medicine May, 2006.  He received his BS in Chemistry from Albertson College of Idaho.  He is fluent in Japanese and enjoys ballroom dancing, computer programming, the guitar, traveling and cooking. 

Barr Peterson is a graduate from the University of Colorado.  Barr enjoys listening to, creating and performing music.  He plays multiple instruments; his most recent are bass guitar and drums.  He is interested in pursuing subspecialty training upon completion of his training.  His wife Megan will start her internship with us in June.

Cheryl Pirozzi obtained her medical degree from Brown University.  She is an outdoors enthusiast who loves to rock climb, mountain biker, hiker, snowboard, and run.  She has climbed throughout the country and internationally.  She has also participated twice in the Boston Marathon.  She enjoys art and loves to paint.  She is fluent in Spanish.  She is interested in serving the underserved medical population either locally or internationally.  She plans to sub-specialize and at this time is most interested in cardiology.  She will be a Chief Medicine Resident 2009-2010.

Michael Pirozzi obtained his medical degree from Brown University.  He is an outdoors enthusiast and enjoys rock climbing, skiing, mountain biking, hiking, camping, and whitewater kayaking.  He enjoys art and playing the guitar.  His current plan is to practice hospital medicine.  He is married to Cheryl Pirozzi.

Nathan Ragle is a graduate from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science/Chicago Medical School.  He is originally from Anchorage, AK.  He enjoys many outdoor activities including rock climbing, hiking, canoeing, biking and cross country skiing.  He is interested in pursuing a career in cardiology.

Ryan Ragle is a graduate from Creighton University School of Medicine.  A twin of Nathan Ragle, he too, grew up in Anchorage, AK.  He has many interests outside of medicine including coaching and playing soccer, hiking, rock climbing, canoeing, biking, and cross country skiing.  He will likely return to Alaska to practice upon completion of his residency but he is undecided about subspecialty training.

Melissa Reily is originally from Montana and is a graduate from Texas A and M University College of Medicine.  She enjoys international travel, running, camping, hiking, mountain biking, snow shoeing and skiing.  She intends to practice rheumatology.  She will be a Chief Medicine Resident 2009-2010.

Heather Scott received her M.D. from Jefferson Medical College.  She completed her PGY1 and PGY2 residency in Medicine at Lankenau Hospital (an affiliate of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital).  She will transfer to our program this year to complete her PGY3 residency to be with her husband David who is practicing gastroenterology in Salt Lake City.  She enjoys hiking, skiing, and spending time with her dog.

Magdalena Sikora completed medical school in Poland and moved to the USA in 2004.  She completed her internship at Wright State University and joined this program as a PGY2 on 7/1/07.  She is interested in a nephrology fellowship upon completion of her residency.  Her interests include hiking, skiing, and traveling.

Justin Thomas is a graduate from the University of Washington.  He enjoys competitive sports, piano, traveling, mountain biking, fly fishing, hiking and skiing.  Originally from Montana, he plans to return to Montana upon completion a hematology/oncology fellowship.

Belinda Trieu is a University of Utah Medical School graduate.  She was a PGY-2 resident in pathology at Baylor College of Medicine before she transferred to the University of Utah for Internal Medicine residency training.  She enjoys hiking and running.  She is currently pursuing a career in endocrinology.

S. Blake Wachter graduated from the University of Utah.  She obtained her undergraduate degree from Penn State prior to receiving her PhD in Medical Informatics at the University of Utah.  Outside of medicine, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children, snowboarding, mountain biking and gardening.  She plans to pursue further training in cardiologist upon completion of her residency.

Tyler Williams is a graduate from the Medical College of Wisconsin.  Outside of medicine, he enjoys spending time with his wife and daughters, playing basketball and softball and cycling.  His current plan is to practice general internal medicine upon the completion of his training.  He is considering a career in outpatient primary care internal medicine upon completion of his residency. 

    Hiking up to Sunset Peak

Meet the PGY-2s:

J. Thad Abbott was born in Boise, ID.  He did his undergraduate studies at Brigham Young University and graduated from Ross University School of Medicine, Dominca 12/1/2007.  His off-cycle program started on 12/16/07.  His hobbies and interests include skiing, golf, piano, and wood-working. 

Gerald Denny was born in Henderson, NC.  He graduated from Wake Forest University School of Medicine.  His interests include travel.  He has recently visited Australia (where he was a foreign exchange student) and Costa Rica.  He also enjoys baseball, intramural athletics, and singing.    

Genaro Fernandez was born in Houston, TX.  He obtained his bachelors in psychology at the University of Southern California and remained at USC to complete and masters in public health.  He received his M.D. from the University of Colorado School of Medicine.  Not only is he fluent in Spanish, he instructed undergraduate Spanish courses at USC.  His interests include triathlons, hiking, skiing, travel, and foreign language.  

Kelli Graziano was born in Grand Forks, ND and received her M.D. from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine (also in Grand Forks, ND).  She entered the Peace Corps in 2001 and served as an English teacher for elementary and high school aged children.  She speaks conversational Spanish and Romanian.  Her interests include travel, reading, exercise, and outdoor activities.  

Susan Hecker was born in Longview, WA.  She studied biology at Pacific Lutheran University obtaining her bachelor's in science.  She graduated from the University of Washington School of Medicine.  She enjoys scrapbooking, reading, hiking and backpacking.  

Chad Kawa is a Utah native, born in Ogden, UT.  He obtained a bachelor's in engineering from the University of Utah and received his M.D. from St. Louis University School of Medicine.  He is fluent in Japanese.  His interests include running, golf, softball, and St. Louis Cardinal's baseball. 

Joseph (Joe) Krezowski was born in Rochester, MN.  He studied biology at Carroll College in Helena, MT.  His hobbies include backpacking, hiking, snowshoeing, and racquetball.  He is a die-hard fan of Minnesota sports teams and particularly enjoys baseball.  He also has an extensive classic rock collection and enjoys traveling to concerts.  He graduated from the University of Washington School of Medicine.  

Nicholas Lewis (Medicine/Pediatric) was born in Twin Falls, ID.  He received his M.D. from the University of Utah School of Medicine.  He enjoys skiing, golf, camping, hiking, mountain biking, video edition, reading, traveling, and intramural sports.  He also was a student athletic trainer during his undergraduate studies.

David Liddle was born in Bountiful, UT and remained in Utah for his undergraduate studies.  He graduated from the University of Utah School of Medicine.  He enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter.  His hobbies include running, hiking, and fly fishing.  He also has performed with the University of Utah Concert Chorale.  

John Linford completed his School of Medicine at the University of Utah.  He completed his internship (PGY1) in Medicine at the University of Colorado and is joining our program on 7/1/08 as a PGY2.

Aaron Luebke was born in Mohall, ND.  He obtained a bachelor's in psychology at the University of North Dakota and remained at UND to complete a masters of science in anatomy and cell biology.  He received his M.D. from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine.  He enjoys spending time with his wife and dog in the outdoors, long-distance running, and jazz music.  

Gangadhar Malasana graduated from medical school in India in 2003.  His interests are reading, cricket and playing strategic based video games.  He is fluent in Hindi and Telugu.  

E. Beth Middleton was born in Montebello, CA.  She obtained her undergraduate degree at the University of Utah in Behavioral Science and Health prior to entering the University of Utah School of Medicine.  She has participated in a science and mentoring outreach program for junior high aged girls.

Kimberly Morley was born in Elmhurst, IL. She obtained her bachelors in economics at the University of Illinois.  She then completed a masters in economics at the University of Washington prior to completing a second masters in engineering transportation systems.  She was the recipient of an NIH Summer Medical Student grant for her research with the University of Utah Division of Cardiology.   She received her M.D. from the University of Utah School of Medicine.  Her hobbies include yoga, travel, and hiking with her two dogs.

Lincoln Nadauld was born in Walnut Creek, CA.  He studied zoology at Brigham Young University prior to entering the University of Utah School of Medicine MD/PhD program.  He received his PhD in Oncological Science in December 2005.  He has lived abroad in Russia and fluently speaks Russian.  He enjoys playing basketball and flag football.  His vacations are usually spent fly-fishing in nearby Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and here in Utah.

Cheryl Nelson was born in Reno, NV and received her M.D. from the University of Nevada School of Medicine.  She took one year off of medical school to perform dedicated research.  She enjoys skiing, hiking, biking, and yoga.  She also is interested in independent film and enjoys reading classic novels.  

Jonathan Newman was born in Petersberg, VA.  He obtained a bachelor's in kinesiology from James Madison University prior to entering the University of Virginia School of Medicine.  He is an active soccer player and has also coached and refereed soccer.  He enjoys cycling and has competed in amateur road racing including century events.  

Andy Nguyen was born in Garden Grove, CA.  He graduated from the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine.  He speaks fluent Vietnamese and enjoys cooking Vietnamese cuisine.  He grew up in Utah and was a childhood snowboarder who took a Missouri hiatus from the sport.  He is excited that he has returned to Utah and is back on the mountain!  

Jennifer Pierce was born in Landstuhl, Germany.  She obtained a bachelor's in engineering at the University of Florida prior to entering the University of Colorado School of Medicine.  She was a National Cancer Institute summer research fellow.  She enjoys rock climbing, camping, skiing, running, cycling and gardening.  

Amy Plagge was born in Charleston, SC.  She obtained a bachelor's in nursing at the University of Utah and worked as an MICU nurse while attending premedical coursework also at the University of Utah.  She also traveled to Peru and worked in number of medical areas assisting for free evaluation and treatment with the Hope Alliance group.  She received her M.D. from the University of Utah School of Medicine.  She enjoys mountain biking, violin, and reading.  

Matthew Rubach (Medicine/Pediatric) graduated from the University of Arizona College of Medicine.  He received his undergraduate from Princeton University in International and Public Affairs in 2002.  He is originally from Arizona and speaks Spanish fluently.  Matthew enjoys long distance running, road cycling, backcountry trekking, euchre, and daily meditation.  He also loves to read and listen to music.

Jason Springer was born in Mesa, AZ.  He studied exercise science at Arizona State University and received his M.D. from the University of Louisville School of Medicine.  He enjoys running, swimming, biking, and reading.  

Matthew Steenblik was born in Phoenix, AZ.  He completed undergraduate training at the University of Utah and then continued his education in the University of Utah School of Medicine.  He lived for two years in Northeastern Brazil and is now fluent in Brazilian and speaks conversational Spanish.  He enjoys fly-fishing, gardening and landscaping, hiking, softball, soccer, and basketball.  

Jason Swigert was born in Caldwell, ID.  He studied violin performance and pedagogy at Brigham Young University before entering Oregon Health Sciences University for medical training.  He has lived abroad in France for three years and is fluent in French.  He is an avid violinist playing throughout the United States and Europe as well as in professional orchestras in Portland, OR.  

Jennifer Vogt (Medicine/Pediatrics) graduated from the University of Iowa College of Medicine.  She received her undergraduate from Truman State University in Biology and English.  She likes to read, especially British literature, run, viewing films, and spend time with family and friends.

Ellen Volker was born in Englewood, CO.  She completed a bachelor's in history at Bucknell, University in Lewisberg, PA.  She received her M.D. from the University of Colorado School of Medicine where she has also earned an MSPH.  She competes in US Masters swimming, USA triathlon, and enjoys British history.  

Benjamin Voorhies is a native of Utah, born in Cedar City, UT.  He double majored in biology and French at the University of Utah.  He graduated from George Washington University School of Medicine.  He lived in France and Switzerland for two years.  He enjoys watching and participating in sporting events including basketball, softball, volleyball, and Frisbee.  He also is very dedicated to his family. 

Zachary Williams was born in Cedar City, UT.  He graduated from the University of Utah School of Medicine this May.  He enjoys outdoor activities and playing sports.  He coached JV high school basketball.  His favorite outdoor activities are horseback riding, hiking, and camping.  He also enjoys time with his family and friends. 

    Residents Enjoying the "Greatest Snow on Earth"

Meet the PGY1 Categorical Interns:

J. Thad Abbott  was born in Boise, ID.  He did his undergraduate studies at Brigham Young University and graduated from Ross University School of Medicine, Dominca 12/1/2007.  His off-cycle program started on 12/16/07.  His hobbies and interests include skiing, golf, piano, and wood-working. 

Nathan Allred completed his undergraduate education at the University of Utah and will graduate from the University of Utah School of Medicine.  He is fluent in Russian and lived and worked in Russia for 18 months.  His interests include bicycling, economics, Russian literature and gardening.

Troy Badger completed his undergraduate education at Columbia University and will graduate from the University of Utah School of Medicine.  His interests include watching his brother play high school football, alpine ski racing (masters), golding and traveling with wife.  He is fluent in Bulgarian.  He will pursue a career in academic cardiology at the completion of his residency.

Chandramouli Banerjee completed his undergraduate education at Creighton University and will graduate from Ross University School of Medicine.  His interests include music (guitar, bass guitar, sitar, sarod and tablas) and enjoys reading philosophy and history.  He is fluent in Bengali.

Lyle Berry completed his undergraduate education at the University of Colorado and will graduate from the University of Kansas School of Medicine.  His interests include basketball, racquetball, running, snowboarding, hiking, camping, fly fishing, reading, cooking, traveling (particularly in Latin America).  He is fluent in Spanish.

Christopher Brown completed his undergraduate education at Utah State University and will graduate from the University of Virginia School of Medicine.  His interests include cycling, mountain biking, rock climbing, mountaineering, fly fishing, skiing, snowboarding, hiking, backpacking, and surfing.  Traveling is also a passion and he has visited Brazil, Peru Venezuela, Argentina, Mexico, Costa Rica, Japan, Greece, Turkey, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and much of Western Europe.  He also enjoys reading and is fluent in Spanish.

David Chu completed his undergraduate education at Swarthmore College and will graduate from the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Pennsylvania State University.  His interests include weight-lifting, running, cello, computers, Asian culture/history.  He is fluent in Chinese (Cantonese).

William Daines completed his undergraduate education at Harvard University and will graduate from Cornell University Medical College.  His interests include water and snow skiing, backpacking, carpentry, triathlon, piano, choral music, and reading.  He is fluent in Russian.

V.R. Gopala Damera graduated from Andhra Medical College in India.  He enjoys traveling and has visited most of the sought after destinations in India and England.  His interests include cricket, volleyball, college football and fishing.  He is fluent in Telugu, Hindi and Sankrit.

Alexis Harrison completed her undergraduate education at Vanderbilt University, received her Masters in Medical Sciences from the University of Florida and will graduate from the University of South Florida College of Medicine.  Her interests include time with her family, reading literature, kayaking, swimming, studying art history and traveling.  

Heather Howe completed her undergraduate education at the University of Colorado and will graduate from the University of Colorado School of Medicine.  Her interests include mountain biking, long distance running, and spending time with family and friends. She also enjoys playing the cello.  She is able to understand and speak Spanish.  Her husband will join our emergency medicine program.

Jessica Johnson completed her undergraduate education at Eckerd College, received her M.S. from the University of South Florida of Medicine and will graduate from the University of South Florida College of Medicine.  Her interests include running, dog training, landscaping, scuba diving, kayaking, jewelry making, painting and traveling.  She is fluent in Spanish and proficient in American Sign Language.

David Kaplan completed his undergraduate education at Arizona State University and will graduate from the University of Arizona College of Medicine.  His interests include hiking, camping, mountain biking, studying evolutionary biology, reading philosophy, being a low-budget audiophile, and appreciating obscure music.  He knows some Spanish.

Matthew Kime completed his undergraduate education at Southern Utah University and will graduate from the University of Utah School of Medicine.  His interests include snowboarding, rock climbing and playing the piano, guitar and banjo.

Eric Lindley completed his undergraduate education at the University of Utah and will graduate from the George Washington University School of Medicine.  His interests include multiple sports and enjoys spending time with his wife jogging, playing football and just watching TV.

Tiffany Milner (Medicine-Pediatrics) completed her undergraduate education from Duke University and will graduate from the University of Texas Medical School at San Antonio.  Her interests include ultimate frisbee, running, yoga, guitar, photography and gardening.  She is able to speak Spanish and Portuguese.

Scott Moulton completed his undergraduate education at the University of Utah and will graduate from the Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine.  His interests include spending time with his family, golf, photography, sports, computers, reading and film.  He is fluent in Bulgarian.

Mark Mulcaire-Jones completed his undergraduate education at Gonzaga University and will graduate from the Medical College of Wisconsin.  His interests include soccer, hockey, rock climbing, camping, hiking, reading, travel, Frisbee and golf.

Sujata Narayanan graduated from Kasturba Medical College in India and then received her M.S. from Columbia University.  She is currently completing her PGY1 year in medicine/pediatrics at Jefferson University in Philadelphia.  Her interests include hiking, rafting, rock climbing, traveling, writing, watching movies, and reading good fiction/non-fiction.  She is fluent in Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam.

Andrea Nelson  completed her undergraduate education at the University of Minnesota and will graduate from the University of Minnesota Medical School.  She is a sports enthusiast and enjoys marathons, morning runs, intramural basketball, softball, ultimate Frisbee and kickball.  She also enjoys kayaking, backpacking, camping and cooking.  She is proficient in American Sign Language.

Anil Pandit graduated from Manipal College of Medical Sciences in Nepal.  He is fluent in Nepali and Hindi.  He is currently completing his PGY1 year in Baltimore , Maryland.  His interests include trekking at high altitudes, swimming and soccer.

Kathryn Piercy (Medicine-Pediatrics) completed her undergraduate education at the Southern Nazarene University and will graduate from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine.  Her interests include the piano, sewing, knitting, hosting dinner parties, camping and snow skiing.

Gopi Penmetsa graduated from Andhra Medical College in India.  His interests include traveling, exploring different cultures and places, English football and was an active philatelist as a child.  He is fluent in Hindi and Telugu.

Michelle Regruto completed her undergraduate education at Westminster College in Salt Lake City and will graduate from the University of Utah School of Medicine.  Her interests include camping, hiking and fishing.

Jeffrey Sindt completed his undergraduate education at the Colorado State University and will graduate from the University of Colorado School of Medicine.  His wife will join our anesthesia program .  His interests include cycling, fly-fishing, hiking, basketball, skiing, swimming and traveling in his free time.

Samuel Slomowitz completed his undergraduate education at the University of California Los Angeles in both Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology and Anthropology.  He will graduate from Saint George’s University.  His interests include traveling, surfing, fishing, hiking, camping, mountain biking and scuba diving.

Melissa Sugar completed her undergraduate education at the University of Michigan and will graduate from Tulane University School of Medicine.  Her interests include cooking, bicycling, triathlons, and home improvement projects.  

Matthew Taintor completed his undergraduate education at Bethel University and will graduate from the University of Minnesota Medical School.  His interests include teaching, coaching, reading, talking politics, hanging out with his wife Shireen, hiking, biking, jogging, backpacking, camping, hunting, fishing, mountaineering, making maple syrup, fly-fishing and fly-tying.  

Srinivas Tantravahi graduated from Guntur Medical College in India.  He also spent a year at the Royal College of Physicians in the United Kingdom.  His interests include traveling, painting, reading, music, badminton, and cricket.  He is fluent in Hindu and Telugu.

Michael Walker completed her undergraduate education at the University of Utah and will graduate from the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science/Chicago Medical School.  His interests include soccer, running, tennis, reading, serving in local church and spending time with his wife and family.  He is fluent in Spanish.

Chesley Wells completed her undergraduate education at the University of Georgia and will graduate from the Medical College of Georgia.  Her interests include running, tennis, sailing, traveling, piano and reading.

Oleg Zbirun completed his undergraduate education in both Biochemistry and Philosophy at the University of Washington and will graduate from the University of Washington School of Medicine.  His interests include medical ethics, photography, drawing, chess, biking, skiing, rollerblading and travel.  He is fluent in Ukrainian and Russian.

    Residents Mountain biking above the University

Meet the PGY1 Preliminary Interns:

Natalie Best completed her undergraduate education at Indiana University and will graduate from Indiana University School of Medicine.  Her interests include soccer, running, hiking, traveling and watching football.

Jacob Brubaker completed his undergraduate education at Brigham Young University and graduated from McGill University Faculty of Medicine in Canada.  His interests include mountain biking, waterskiing, downhill and cross-country skiing, backpacking, hiking, camping, cooking, gardening, photography, movie editing, speaking and improving  my French, travel, attending art museums, and spending time with his family.  He is fluent in French.

Donald Cannon completed his undergraduate education at Brigham Young University and a post-baccalaureate at the University of Utah.  He will graduate from Cornell University Medical College.  His interests include running, basketball, skiing, hiking, playing the guitar, singing, playing piano, camping and reading.

Lukas Clark completed his undergraduate education at Brigham Young University and will graduate from Medical College of Wisconsin.  His interests include reading, running, hiking, soccer, computer programming, creative writing, studying languages, history and mathematics.  He is fluent in German and Mandarin Chinese.

Timothy Dance completed his undergraduate education at the University of Utah and will graduate from the University of California San Francisco.  His interests include running, skiing, basketball, hockey, hiking, golf, reading, traveling and puzzles.

Don Davis  completed his undergraduate education at Ricks College (Pre-Med) and Brigham Young University (Zoology).  His interests include baseball, basketball, football, camping, fishing, gardening, reading, sketching, and upholstery.

Anne Estares completed her undergraduate education at Colorado State University and received her Emergency Medicine Technician Certificate from Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado.  She will graduate from the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Midwestern University.  Her interests include tennis, hiking, biking, snowboarding and professional sports. 

Summer Gibson completed his undergraduate education at Rice University and will graduate from the University of Texas Medical School at San Antonio.  Her interests include running, rock climbing, swimming, skiing, biking, and breeder of poison dart frogs.

Jeffrey Hick completed his undergraduate education at Brigham Young University and will graduate from Wake Forest University School of Medicine.  His interests include the guitar, music, reading, strength train, run, intramural sports (football and soccer) and is learning fly fishing.  He lived in Spain for 2 years and is fluent in Spanish.

Bethany Lewis completed her undergraduate education at Harvard University, attended one year at the Universite de Paris, received her M.P.H. from the University of Iowa and will graduate from the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine.  Her interests include running, reading, biking, swimming, knitting, hiking, camping, languages and travel.  She is fluent in French, proficient in Spanish and some background of Zulu, German and Chinese.

Bethany McClenathan completed her undergraduate education from Olney Central College (2 yrs) then University of Illinois (B.S.).  She will graduate from Rush Medical College.  Her interests include camping, hiking nature photography, flower gardening, traveling reading fiction and belly dancing.

Jay Meyer completed his undergraduate education from Weber State University, received his M.P.H. from the University of Utah, and will graduate from the University of Utah School of Medicine.  His interests include traveling, basketball, golf, tennis, photography, cooking, and camping.  He is fluent in Russian and conversational in Spanish.

Lucinda Myers completed her undergraduate education from St. Edwards University and will graduate from the University of Texas Medical School of San Antonio.  Her interests include swimming, running, biking, and participating in triathlons/marathons. 

Richard Mordhedi (Medicine/Ophthalmology) completed his undergraduate education from Hendrix College and will graduate from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.  His interests include running, basketball, golf, tennis, softball, camping, canoeing, hiking, spending time with family & friends, music (play and write & record on guitar).

Megan Petersen completed her undergraduate education from the University of Colorado and will graduate from the University of Colorado School of Medicine.  Her interests are homemaking, spending time with her family, gardening, cooking, sewing, reading, hiking, backpacking, water-alpine-cross country skiing, competic running, marathons, triathlons and animal rescue.

Jason Tobler completed his undergraduate education from Washington University and will graduate from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine.  His interests include rowing, water polo, hiking, surfing, and running.

Natalie Weathered completed her undergraduate education the University of Notre Dame and will graduate from the University of Utah School of Medicine.  Her interests include road biking, hiking, camping, white water rafting, playing with my dog, reading, spending time with family and friends and international medicine.

Nicole Wilde completed her undergraduate education from Weber State University, received her M.P.H. from the University of Utah and will graduate from the University of Utah School of Medicine.  Her interests include traveling, learning from other cultures, soccer, fishing, camping, spending time with her family and cooking.  She is fluent in Spanish.

Brice Williams (Medicine/Ophthalmology) completed his undergraduate education at Brigham Young University and will graduate from the Medical University of South Carolina.  His interests include amateur motocross racing, competitive swimming, private pilot and the jazz saxophone.

Lloyd Williams (Medicine/Ophthalmology) completed his undergraduate education from Purdue University, University of Arizona and Indiana University.  He will graduate from Tufts University School of Medicine.  His interests include rock/ice climbing, spelunking & cave exploration, orchid botany and bass guitar.