PGY - 3

I was born and raised in the western suburbs of Chicago before moving to Baltimore to attend Johns Hopkins University where I earned a degree in Biomedical Engineering. During my time in Baltimore, I became very involved in a community organization called Thread that worked with underperforming high school students. It was because of this experience that I was inspired to complete an Americorps Year with City Year Baton Rouge where I worked in a 4th grade math classroom. I attended Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine where my clinical experiences at Lurie Children’s solidified my interest in pediatric medicine as an amazing way to balance my academic interests along with patient advocacy. Outside of medicine, I love staying active with my 2 dogs and fiancé who is an ortho resident at Henry Ford!

Michigan Difference: I chose Michigan for its combination of professional and personal fit. I was looking for a large volume children’s hospital that had opportunities for residents in the PICU and medical education. Family in the area also made Michigan the right fit for me!

I grew up outside of Columbus, OH and completed my undergraduate education in Global Health at the University of Iowa. Prior to starting medical school I pursued my interest in public health as a consumer safety officer for the Food and Drug Administration in Colorado. I completed medical school at the University of Michigan, and am excited to stay here in Ann Arbor as a part of the pediatrics team! My professional interests include medical education and bioethics, and I plan to pursue a pediatric critical care fellowship after residency. Outside of work I enjoy being outdoors, whether that be cycling, camping, running, or travel!

Michigan Difference: As a student I was able to experience the strong education and mentorship Michigan is able to provide, as well as the opportunities for me to pursue all my professional interests.

I was born and raised in Michigan and I am thrilled to be here for my pediatrics residency! I attended the University of Michigan for my undergraduate degree in environmental science, and spent my weekends volunteering with Child Life here at Mott. While I initially planned on attending pharmacy school after graduation, I changed my path and earned my Masters of Management from the Michigan Ross School of Business before venturing out of state and starting medical school at the University of Virginia. In Virginia I had the opportunity to become involved in pediatric global health research which I look forward to continuing during residency. I am currently interested in palliative care and developmental pediatrics. Outside of the hospital, you can find me baking banana bread, getting dinner with my co-residents, exploring new book stores, or trying to hike all the national parks with my husband.

Michigan Difference: Michigan has always felt like home, and my interview day this year confirmed that once again. Everyone I met on my interview day was extremely welcoming and it was apparent that they were dedicated to providing residents with a comprehensive education in a supportive environment.

Hello there! My name is Keats and I am so excited to be a part of the University of Michigan Pediatrics Residency Program! I grew up as the middle child of 3 out in Sunny San Diego, crossed coasts to Boston College for my undergraduate studies, and then came out to the Midwest at Loyola University of Chicago for medical school where I have been in love with the Midwest ever since! From working with children with special needs as a kiddo myself, to being a camp counselor, running a high school mentoring program, my work as EMT, and so on, I have always had a passion for working with children and could not be more thrilled to continue that opportunity! Professionally, I am interested in cardiac and critical care medicine and medical student and resident wellness. For fun, I enjoy watching nearly any and all movies (from Marvel and Star Wars movies to small indie films), playing and listening to music, spending time in coffee shops, and trying all the delicious foods.

Michigan Difference: The combination of the tight-knit family feel of the program with the diverse and complex patient population all in such an amazing town!

I grew up in the Metro Detroit area and attended the University of Michigan for my B.S. degree in Microbiology; I loved my time there! Ann Arbor is a vibrant town with an abundance of educational and entertainment opportunities. It was hard for me to leave Ann Arbor after graduation! However, I wanted to experience the big city feel, so I spent a year as an AmeriCorps volunteer in Chicago, but quickly realized that I missed the academic stimulation. I was then off to get a Master of Science degree from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and thrived there. I had decided at that point to pursue a career in Medicine and got into Wayne State University School of Medicine. Four years later, I find myself back at the University of Michigan to start my career as a budding Pediatrician in an intellectually stimulating and rigorous environment, and I could not be happier! For fun, I enjoy reading Science Fiction and Fantasy books (currently reading the Stormlight Archive) and playing board games with friends. I am a huge Star Wars fan and love pretty much anything Star Wars. I enjoy food and good company, and whether it is cooking new dishes or trying out new restaurants or bars, I’m always up for spending a fun and relaxing time with friends!

Michigan Difference: First off, everyone thus far has been friendly and considerate, and I got the sense that they all care for one another. Second, I wanted exposure to a wide range of pathology and specialties which the University of Michigan offers in abundance. Lastly, Ann Arbor is an awesome college town and being a long time Wolverine fan makes this place perfect for me!

I grew up in Iowa and completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Northern Iowa, where I studied biochemistry and the study of religion. After graduating, I took a year off to conduct research in Pediatric Cardiology. I went to the University of Iowa for medical school, where my passion for providing care for children and their families grew immensely. At this point in time, my career interests are vast and include general pediatrics, adolescent medicine, cardiology, and neonatology. In my free time, you can find me spending time outdoors with my family and our crazy dogs, traveling to new places, playing board/card games with my family, cheering on my favorite college sports teams (Go Hawks!), and watching too much Netflix. Fun fact about me: I am obsessed with Diet Coke. 

Michigan Difference: I chose Michigan because of the people - every resident/attending I met on my interview day seemed so genuine, supportive, driven, and proud to be at Michigan. I was also drawn to program because of the opportunity to be uniquely trained through exposure to wide range of sub-specialties, the AOC to focus my own training, and the robust resident education. 

I was originally born in Vancouver, Canada but my family moved to Winston-Salem, NC when I was 6 years old. When I was 16, my parents moved again for my dad’s work, this time to Little Rock, AR where I completed high school. I attended college at Johns Hopkins University majoring in chemical engineering before moving to Chicago for medical school. I’ve had a longstanding interest working with children which later became a passion for helping kids become and stay healthy. I’m still unsure exactly what my future career will look like but have interests in critical care (NICU/PICU) and medical education. In my free time, I’m a foodie and couponer and enjoy playing board games and card games, Settlers of Catan and Magic the Gathering to name a few. I couples matched with my partner who is also a University of Michigan resident, and we are so excited to be in Ann Arbor.

Michigan Difference: I’ve never been to Michigan prior to residency but was looking to stay in the Midwest for the lovely seasons and welcoming hospitality. Despite virtual interviews, I easily connected with my interviewers over my interests and hobbies, found what I was looking for in a program, and fit in with the friendly and welcoming residents.

I was born and raised in Arizona and completed my Biochemistry degree at Arizona State University and then went on to medical school at the University of Arizona in Tucson. I am passionate about medical care in rural and underserved communities. I love exploring the outdoors: camping, hiking, and running with friends. I’m a foodie and a huge Chef’s Table fan. In my spare time I also enjoy Catan, audiobooks, and trivia (hopefully back again post covid)!

Michigan Difference: I chose University of Michigan Med-Peds because I was beyond impressed with everyone I met during my interview and the recruitment process. I was also searching for a well-established Med-Peds program that had excellent categorical programs. While I was raised in Arizona, my extended family are all from Michigan, and Michigan feels like a second home. Ann Arbor is also an incredibly fun city with so much art, great food, and beautiful outdoor areas.

I grew up in New Jersey as one of five sisters and moved to Boston to attend Tufts University. I studied Biopsychology as well as Child Development and played on the Tufts women’s lacrosse team (Go Jumbos!). While studying abroad in South Africa I became passionate about public health and after graduation pursued a research assistant position at Massachusetts General Hospital studying health policy. I ultimately had the opportunity to return to Sub-Saharan Africa as a medical student to evaluate community-based HIV medication delivery programs. At Michigan I hope to merge my interests in public health, research and hospital medicine, in whichever form that takes. Outside the hospital, I am excited to find nearby running trails, explore local breweries, host Bachelorette viewing parties and cheer on U of M!

Michigan Difference: At the start of our virtual interview season I wondered how it would be possible to truly get a feel for a program. Those nerves disappeared after my first interview at Michigan, when at the Zoom pre-interview dinner, I could appreciate the genuine enthusiasm and love that residents had for the program. The next morning, Dr. Lukela began the interview day with a reflection on racial health inequities in the context of COVID; this spoke volumes to the program’s mission and resonated with my own values. Altogether, Michigan represented a well-rounded, supportive and fun community that I aspired to join despite never having set foot in Ann Arbor. I am so grateful to be a part of the Michigan Med-Peds family!

I was born and raised in the Metro-Detroit area here in Michigan. I attended college at Oakland University in Rochester, MI where I earned my bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences and met my husband, Andrew. I attended medical school at Wayne State University School of Medicine in the awesome city of Detroit. I loved being able to learn from and serve the Detroit community, as well as explore all that the city has to offer. It was during my third year of medical school that I became certain I wanted to pursue a career in pediatrics. I have a lot of hobbies including exercising, watching sports, being outside, reading books, crocheting, baking, trying new restaurants, playing piano, exploring new places, and hanging out with friends and family. I also enjoy watching Michigan football and basketball games with my husband! Go Blue!

Michigan Difference: Michigan offers everything I wanted in a residency program, including exposure to a large clinical volume, a strong focus on academic development, and an extremely supportive environment. I am confident that Michigan will prepare me for whatever path I take after residency. I couldn’t be more thrilled to live and train here!

I was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, so yes, a much warmer climate than Michigan. I grew up with an incredible pediatrician as a mother so my love for medicine was nurtured from a young age. In college I began my work in advocacy and began exploring ethical considerations involved in the practice of medicine. I married my high school sweetheart my second year of medical school and we have since grown our small family with our two dogs. My passion for the underserved and marginalized grew exponentially during my medical school training as I observed the ways in which the violence in the world works its way out on the bodies of small children. That is when I knew I wanted to be a pediatrician. I want to stand as a voice for the voiceless and advocate for children each and every day of my life. Kids are also just THE BEST! They say whatever is on their mind and make you laugh and smile through each and every day. I am thrilled to be a pediatrician and participate in this relentless joy. In my free time my husband and I love hiking, running, reading, backpacking, playing pickleball/ tennis, and taking our two crazy dogs on walks. 

Michigan Difference: Michigan was the program on the interview trail that captured my desire for advocacy best. I felt that in addition to being an exceptional place to train, I would also have faculty and fellow residents that spurred me towards both excellence and my deep passions.

I was born in Dearborn, Michigan to a giant Lebanese family that never let you have a dull moment. Then at the tender age of 3, our family decided to spread our wings and moved to the Bay area in California. But after 8 years away from the extended family and our grandmother’s cooking we decided to come back home to Metro-Detroit where I have stayed until moving to Ann Arbor for medical school and residency. I studied Biochemistry and Spanish at the University of Michigan-Dearborn and then served in City Year Detroit as a corps member for a 6th grade math class on the east side of the city. During medical school, outside of studying and hanging out with my family I helped lead our Project H community clinic and the student group Medical Students of Middle Eastern Descent (MSMD). Outside of the medical world, I love to cook, play basketball, garden, and have a newfound passion in baking babkas (inspired by Seinfeld). 

Michigan Difference: Whenever I came across a Med-Peds residents or faculty member during my rotations at Michigan Medicine I could tell that they were my type of people. They were kind, smart, and always willing to help out the medical students. They were also integrated so well into the hospital that it was hard to tell who was Med-Peds at times. Most importantly, the reason I decided to stay at Michigan for my training was the familial feel that residents had with one another. They were in constant contact with each other and would rush to help one another out. That type of supportive environment at the program sealed the deal.

I was born and brought up in the San Francisco Bay Area and attended the University of California-San Diego for college, where I majored in General Biology with a concentration in Theater. This is also where I met my husband, Karan, who will be starting his own residency in Dermatology! I then traveled to Kalamazoo, Michigan for medical school, spending 4 wonderful years at the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine. Here, I made some of the best friends in the world while cultivating my passion for pediatrics, medical education, and the arts in medicine. In my spare time, I absolutely love to read and write, video-chat with my dog (and my whole family), go on fun culinary adventures with Karan, re-watch the Office, play board games, and take spontaneous trips to find all of Michigan's hidden gems! After residency, I hope to pursue a fellowship in Neonatology, and cannot wait for the experiences to come at Michigan Pediatrics.

Michigan Difference:  I felt at home right after my interview day! I think that Michigan Pediatrics, with all of its resources, opportunities, and open-mindedness, will fit me like a glove. I am excited to be lifted up throughout my time here and cannot wait to lift up everyone around me as well!

I was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. I attended undergrad at Dartmouth College, where I majored in psychology, before returning to Cincinnati for medical school at the University of Cincinnati. While in medical school I met my husband, who is an incoming intern in the University of Michigan Family Medicine residency program. In my spare time I enjoy gardening, running, cooking, and playing with my cats!

Michigan Difference: Michigan has everything I was looking for: a free-standing children's hospital with a large and diverse patient population, access to all the subspecialties I'm interested in, and a great location in Ann Arbor.

I grew up in central Massachusetts before heading to Bowdoin College for undergrad, where I majored in Biology and Government. After graduating, I served as an AmeriCorps member in Washington, DC. I moved back to Massachusetts for medical school at Boston University School of Medicine, where I found my love for Pediatrics and for working with underserved families. In my free time I like to read, run, hike, and bake.

Michigan Difference: In addition to being an incredibly warm and welcoming program, it was clear that I would receive fantastic training here at Michigan, ready to care for any and all patients who come through my door.

I grew up in Cheyenne, Wyoming and went to undergrad at the University of Wyoming. I met my husband there, with whom I couples matched for residency. Before starting medical school, I worked as a Forensic Chemist for the Public Health Department of Wyoming. I then went on to medical school at the University of Washington, with my clinical rotations spreading across several northwestern states as part of the decentralized WWAMI program. I always had an interest in pediatrics before medical school, but truly fell in love with medicine during my third year. I sought out wonderful mentors who really validated that Med-Peds would be an excellent fit for my interests, and I am forever grateful for their recommendations! In my spare time, I enjoy doing puzzles (a new hobby since the pandemic), baking, running (because of the baking) and hiking. We have two big dogs at home, Finn and Stella, who also consume most of our time and affection when not at work. Right now, my future career interests are in hematology/oncology, as well as continuing my involvement in global health.

Michigan Difference: There are so many reasons that UM was the absolute best fit for both my husband and I. The strength of the categorical programs and the seamless integration of the Med-Peds program was quite obvious even prior to interviewing. However, on interview day the faculty and residents were truly the selling point. They were all so well-connected with each other, easy-going and thoughtful. I think that interviewing virtually brought several challenges, but despite the platform, their rigorous, top-notch training and collegial culture undoubtedly stood out. Lastly, Ann Arbor seemed like an exciting place to live that went above and beyond satisfying our wants - a smaller size, affordable, and with great access to outdoor recreation.