Emergency Medicine Residents

Medical school: University of Missouri School of Medicine   

Undergraduate: Xavier University of Louisiana 

I am a city girl, born and raised in St. Louis, MO. After attending undergrad in New Orleans, I wanted to be closer to home, which brought me to Mizzou for medical school. Columbia has many amenities of an average city but few enough to shield from distraction. Staying at Mizzou for residency was a no-brainer not only because of the location, but I appreciated the program's quality and felt the faculty and staff were also invested in my success. Though there is much to explore in Columbia, I love traveling back home and taking weekend trips to Kansas City or the Ozarks during my time off.  

Medical school: Ross University School of Medicine

Undergraduate: Marist College – Poughkeepsie, NY

After growing up in Connecticut, I attended Marist College in the beautiful Hudson Valley of New York State. I became a volunteer firefighter/EMT in Connecticut and New York during undergrad. I split my time between two different departments and was employed as an EMT for two years after I graduated from Marist. In medical school, I called six different states and even another country my home. I started my medical school journey in Knoxville, Tennessee, with my final basic sciences destination being the beautiful island of Barbados. After returning to the states, I lived in South Florida twice, Atlanta twice, the suburbs of D.C., and the South Side of Chicago. Relying on AirBnB became a way of life, and I became an expert in packing everything into my car (including a full-size mattress). After 10,000 miles of traveling later, I was thrilled to match into Emergency Medicine at Mizzou.

In the Northeast, patients have countless options when it comes to medical care. There are multiple tertiary and even quaternary care centers within close proximity. On the contrary, patients come to Mizzou from great distances to receive specialized medical care. This means that the patient population is complex and encompasses a huge area, creating the ultimate experience for a resident. Even over Zoom, I knew immediately that Mizzou was the perfect fit. The program is welcoming, organized and wants the best for its residents. The attendings, senior residents, nurses, and techs support your education and come together as one fantastic team.

Columbia has an incredible dichotomy of activities. On the one hand, if you want good restaurants and breweries to socialize at, you have it. But, on the other hand, if you want to escape to the outdoors and nature trails, you can do that too. I enjoy running, biking, golfing, fishing, and playing trombone in my spare time.

Medical school: University of Nevada School of Medicine

Undergraduate: University of California – Los Angeles

I am from Truckee, CA, and went to med school in Reno, NV. I am now happy to call Mizzou my home! I came to Mizzou because my interview with the faculty was nothing less than inspiring. I sensed that working at Mizzou would provide me with talented coworkers, laughter during shifts, and a program that challenges and cultivates residents into becoming high-quality doctors. I spend my time outside the hospital playing basketball, fishing, golfing, and lounging at the pool with other residents. I am happy to be in an exciting SEC college town with access to the outdoors and fun events in the city. Go tigers!

Medical school: University of Missouri School of Medicine   

Undergraduate: Xavier University of Louisiana 

I am a city girl, born and raised in St. Louis, MO. After attending undergrad in New Orleans, I wanted to be closer to home, which brought me to Mizzou for medical school. Columbia has many amenities of an average city but few enough to shield from distraction. Staying at Mizzou for residency was a no-brainer not only because of the location, but I appreciated the program's quality and felt the faculty and staff were also invested in my success. Though there is much to explore in Columbia, I love traveling back home and taking weekend trips to Kansas City or the Ozarks during my time off.  

Medical school: The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health

Undergraduate: The Ohio State University

Mizzou EM has been a welcoming program from day 1. The faculty are excellent and truly care about teaching the next generation. I love the program for its diverse training opportunities, kind people, and the city of Columbia itself. I knew this was a place my husband and I would enjoy living, given all the outdoor activities it offers. Having never lived outside of Ohio, we’ve found Columbia to be a great community that has exceeded our expectations so far!

This is a picture of myself, my husband, and our two dogs in the South Dakota Black Hills during one of my intern year vacation weeks. In keeping with the EM motto, we work hard to play hard and I wouldn’t want to train anywhere else!

Medical school: University of Missouri School of Medicine  

Undergraduate: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

I grew up right here in Columbia, Missouri! I studied modern dance at the University of Illinois and began a professional arts career in New York City. Along the way, I became an EMT, became a paramedic, and finally committed to medicine and worked as an ED Technician while completing a post-baccalaureate program at the City University of New York. I was thrilled to return to Mizzou for medical school and am honored to train as an Emergency Physician in my hometown. It’s simple, but I was excited to stay at MU for residency mainly because of the EM residents (and faculty!) I met seemed like they liked each other and were happy at work. An ideal day off for me consists of a local hike or bike ride followed by an outdoor beer with my husband, our toddler, and our German Shepherd, Lucy.

Medical school: University of Lagos College of Medicine

I grew up in Lagos, Nigeria. Although I was born and raised in a big city, I was always drawn to the countryside (and a bit of adventure). Because of that, I relocated to the town where my parents were born, Makurdi, to practice medicine after school, and it was a fantastic experience. I love Mizzou EM because it combines academic and community EM, has a strong drive for excellence in training and practice and is located in a small city. Moving to another country is daunting, but the support I have received from the program and my co-residents has been overwhelming. In my free time, I enjoy taking walks, hanging out with co-residents, and curling up with a good book/show. I am particularly thrilled to visit the setting of one of my favorite shows, “Ozarks.” Overall, the city of Columbia is beautiful, the cost of living is great, and the people are welcoming. Being a part of this program feels like belonging to a large family.

Medical school: Sackler School of Medicine

Undergraduate: McGill University

Born in Montreal, Canada, I completed my undergrad at McGill University, then moved 9,000 km away to do medical school in Tel Aviv, Israel. So, while I had never even visited the Midwest before starting at Mizzou, the transition to Columbia and EM Residency has been a fantastic and surprisingly smooth experience—all thanks to the outstanding staff, faculty, and residents here that have been so supportive throughout this process. And that’s primarily what drew me to Mizzou’s EM program: you could immediately tell that everyone in the Department is dedicated to building a learning environment with a strong sense of community. Outside of the ED, I enjoy all things nature, so I look forward to exploring all the hiking and biking trails Columbia offers. I also love boxing, painting, and kicking it back with my senior cat.

Medical school: Ross University School of Medicine

Undergraduate: Marist College – Poughkeepsie, NY

After growing up in Connecticut, I attended Marist College in the beautiful Hudson Valley of New York State. I became a volunteer firefighter/EMT in Connecticut and New York during undergrad. I split my time between two different departments and was employed as an EMT for two years after I graduated from Marist. In medical school, I called six different states and even another country my home. I started my medical school journey in Knoxville, Tennessee, with my final basic sciences destination being the beautiful island of Barbados. After returning to the states, I lived in South Florida twice, Atlanta twice, the suburbs of D.C., and the South Side of Chicago. Relying on AirBnB became a way of life, and I became an expert in packing everything into my car (including a full-size mattress). After 10,000 miles of traveling later, I was thrilled to match into Emergency Medicine at Mizzou.

In the Northeast, patients have countless options when it comes to medical care. There are multiple tertiary and even quaternary care centers within close proximity. On the contrary, patients come to Mizzou from great distances to receive specialized medical care. This means that the patient population is complex and encompasses a huge area, creating the ultimate experience for a resident. Even over Zoom, I knew immediately that Mizzou was the perfect fit. The program is welcoming, organized and wants the best for its residents. The attendings, senior residents, nurses, and techs support your education and come together as one fantastic team.

Columbia has an incredible dichotomy of activities. On the one hand, if you want good restaurants and breweries to socialize at, you have it. But, on the other hand, if you want to escape to the outdoors and nature trails, you can do that too. I enjoy running, biking, golfing, fishing, and playing trombone in my spare time.

Medical school: University of Nevada School of Medicine

Undergraduate: University of California – Los Angeles

I am from Truckee, CA, and went to med school in Reno, NV. I am now happy to call Mizzou my home! I came to Mizzou because my interview with the faculty was nothing less than inspiring. I sensed that working at Mizzou would provide me with talented coworkers, laughter during shifts, and a program that challenges and cultivates residents into becoming high-quality doctors. I spend my time outside the hospital playing basketball, fishing, golfing, and lounging at the pool with other residents. I am happy to be in an exciting SEC college town with access to the outdoors and fun events in the city. Go tigers!

Medical School: St. George's University - Grenada 

Undergraduate: University of California - Riverside

I was born and raised in Southern California and lived there for much of my early adult life. As a typical California kid, I grew up on the beach and spent countless days surfing up and down the coast. After my undergraduate years in college, I worked in the medical field as an EMT, EM scribe, and Ophthalmology tech for many years until going to St. George's Medical school in the Caribbean. Taking this alternate route to a life in medicine was not easy. It did, however, give me an appreciation for my accomplishments and instilled in me the belief that most things are possible with hard work. During my clinical years in medical school, I did two rotations at Southern California hospital EDs and never had the time to do an away rotation at MUHC. During my interview, though, I felt a sense of community and opportunity that I hadn't felt before in other interviews, even at places I'd rotated. The people were kind, engaging, and genuinely interested in me as a candidate, which left a lasting impression. This feeling, coupled with all of the opportunities that Mizzou has opened to me as a resident, made the choice to pick it as my top program an easy one.

Medical School: University of Missouri School of Medicine

Undergrad: Southeast Missouri State University

I'm from Southeast Missouri and never really left until medical school. I chose this program because I enjoyed rotating in the department during medical school, and I wanted to stay close to home. I found the residents and faculty welcoming and interested in teaching me. I also found the patient pathologies interesting because you could see anything from rural farming accidents to urban traumas. This program makes me feel at home, and I have already started to make friends that I know will be in my life for a long time. I am so happy to have matched at Mizzou!

Medical School: A.T. Still

Undergraduate: Rockhurst University

I was born and raised in St. Louis, MO. I then went to Rockhurst University in Kansas City, MO, and ended up at A.T. Still in Kirksville, MO, for medical school. Naturally, I chose a different Missouri city for my residency, Columbia. In reality, I chose the University of Missouri because of the people in the program and the multitude of learning opportunities the program has to offer. During my interview, I could tell the faculty and residents had more than just a working relationship; they enjoyed being around each other outside of the E.D. Mizzou’s program offered everything I was looking for: it is an academic center with a level 1 trauma center, has a very diverse patient population, and has faculty that genuinely cares about the residents’ success. I enjoy spending time with friends and family, golfing, and watching football in my free time. MIZ-ZOU!

Medical School: University of Kansas  

Undergraduate: Truman State University

I was born in Massachusetts to a military family, but my family settled in Missouri at a young age. I grew up in Auxvasse, MO, a rural town near Columbia. That being said, I was familiar with Columbia before starting residency. Between undergrad and residency, I spent seven years working and living in Kansas City, where I attended medical school at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to rotate at Mizzou as a visiting student before matching. During my away rotation, the department faculty were all very welcoming, from the EM attendings and residents to the EM administrative staff. They even went out of their way to arrange my schedule so I could have consecutive days off to return home and visit my wife, who was pregnant with our twins at the time. My wife and I were excited to return to Columbia for my residency. Columbia is close to family for us and an area with a lot to offer. As a college town, it’s a perfect size community to raise a family, with unique local businesses and beautiful outdoor spaces (like the MKT trail). In my free time, I like lifting weights, going on coffee dates with my wife, traveling, running with my dog, riding bikes, and competing in ultra-endurance events.

Medical School: A.T. Still

Undergraduate: Drury University

I was born in Minnesota but moved to Warrensburg, Missouri, at an early age. I grew up involved with my local community, playing sports, and participating in multiple service clubs. I then went on to undergrad at Drury University, where I also played baseball. I then attended medical school at A.T. Still University in Kirksville, Missouri, where I spent my didactic years. I was based out of Christian Hospital in north St. Louis for clinical. During my interviews, I sensed a strong sense of community, passion, and dedication in this program. I loved the idea of being heavily involved in a rural Missouri community again, with ample opportunities to work at nearby Moberly and Jefferson City. The residents and attendings were open, candid, and compassionate. The experience and background of the attendings were diverse, from people with academic or community backgrounds to people many years into practicing and some fresh out of residency. My fondness for these things, the ability to stay close to family, and the ample opportunities present after completion made choosing Mizzou abundantly clear.

Medical School: Saba University School of Medicine

Undergraduate: North Carolina State University (Go Pack!)

My name is Alexander Hamilton (yes, like that guy on the bills). I am originally from Canada but completed my undergraduate in North Carolina and now call Ponte Vedra Beach, FL home. I am a former college student-athlete and still enjoy swimming, golfing, and football. Outside of the hospital, my hobbies include reading, skiing, days on the beach/lake, and spending time with my family and our dogs. My academic interests include trauma, resuscitation, procedures, and critical care. When looking for where I wanted to complete my residency, I was looking for a program that offered a family feel, placed a lot of importance on creating well-rounded and effective residents, and had a strong trauma/resuscitation curriculum/patient population. I was looking for a site that was not a large city yet not in “the sticks.” Columbia fits that bill, and I love the college town vibe. I knew that Mizzou was the place for me after interviewing (via Zoom) and meeting the attending, residents, and support staff. Their passion, energy, and dedication to teaching ultimately led me to call Mizzou home for three years.

Medical School: University of New Mexico

Undergraduate: University of New Mexico

I grew up in Portales, New Mexico, and completed my undergraduate and medical school at the University of New Mexico. When choosing a program, I wanted to find somewhere with a large catchment area to provide unique pathologies and challenging cases coupled with supportive faculty to help hone my clinical skills. When I interviewed with Mizzou, I knew this program would surpass my expectations. My husband and I knew Columbia would be a perfect fit. As soon as we arrived in Columbia, my husband and I found amazing friends, great food, and lots of activities that made us feel at home.

Medical School: Saba University

Undergraduate: Lewis and Clark College

I was born and raised in Los Alamos, New Mexico. After moving to Oregon for undergrad, I moved to the island of Saba in the Dutch Caribbean for medical school. I then spent the last two years moving around the US (to over five different states!) and rotating in various hospitals.

When selecting a residency program, it was important that I find a place where the residents and faculty were personable, knowledgeable, and supportive and where I could train and evolve into the emergency medicine physician I have always wanted to be.

After an afternoon of Zoom calls encompassing various topics such as ultrasound, my scuba diving endeavors, and my love for candles and fuzzy blankets, I knew Mizzou was where I wanted to train. Even over a computer, it was clear what Mizzou had to offer and that my strengths and values were recognized and appreciated. Mizzou is unique in its wide catchment area with a diverse population and provides excellent exposure to various pathologies.

Since arriving at Mizzou, I have found a home away from home. I am lucky to have made friends quickly and connected easily with the other residents. The faculty are eager to teach and provide feedback to help us learn and grow as physicians. When I’m not at the hospital, I can always be found with my husband and my newborn son — typically in the kitchen cooking and baking, hiking on the trails, or in our garden tending to our various plants.

Medical School: University of Missouri – Columbia 

Undergraduate: Brigham Young University

I grew up on a farm in rural Northeast Missouri. After high school, I lived in Mexico (the country, not the city in Missouri) for two years before moving out West for undergrad. I then returned to Mizzou for medical school and have enjoyed Columbia's safe, small-town vibe.

During my rotation in the emergency department, it was clear the attendings were deeply invested in my success and were excited to help me improve as a future physician. Interview day solidified my thoughts on the program, and I knew Columbia would be a place where I could thrive. I am happy to stay in CoMo and look forward to developing the amazing relationships that began during my rotation.

I enjoy hunting and fishing, baseball, and traveling with my family in my free time.

Medical School: University of Missouri – Columbia 

Undergraduate: University of Missouri – Kansas City

I grew up in the small town of Warsaw, Missouri, and l have always cherished the values of community and compassion instilled by my small-town upbringing. After graduating from Lincoln High School, I moved to Kansas City, where I completed my undergraduate at the University of Missouri - Kansas City.

 While in Kansas City, I worked as an ED scribe, where I discovered my passion for Emergency Medicine. This pivotal experience kindled a deep sense of purpose and a commitment to impacting the lives of those in need during critical moments.

 I was accepted into the University of Missouri - Columbia School of Medicine through the Bryant Rural Scholars program. Being from a small town in Central Missouri, I’ve known that I wanted to practice medicine in this area, so I am very excited to be able to continue my training at University Hospital in Columbia and learn from the physicians providing exceptional care to people living in the heart of our state. While doing my Emergency Medicine rotations at Mizzou, I identified many attendings and residents with whom I share similar values. I knew this program could help me become the physician I’ve always dreamed of being. Additionally, I recognized the same sense of community and compassion within this residency program as the community I was raised, which made me more excited to spend the next three years training at Mizzou.

 Outside of residency, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I have an amazing husband and two wonderful children, Calvin and Josephine. At any given time, you’ll find us watching sports (we’re a Royals/Cardinals divided home, but Go Chiefs!), gardening, playing outdoors, or enjoying some great food.

Medical School: University of Missouri – Columbia

Undergraduate: High Point University, High Point, NC

I grew up in Washington, MO, before deciding to branch out and attend college in North Carolina, where I majored in biology and minored in Spanish. I also worked in a nursing home as a CNA, where I truly gained an appreciation for what a team sport healthcare is. After college, I worked for a year as an ER tech, where I first fell in love with emergency medicine. I attended Mizzou for medical school and loved every opportunity to work with the ER residents and see what a tight-knit group they were. In my free time, my boyfriend and I enjoy spending time with our three dogs, grabbing a beer at Logboat or biscuits at the Ozark Mountain Biscuit Co., hanging out with friends, or binge-watching a good show.

Medical School: Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine - Ivins, Utah

Undergraduate:  Truman State University

I grew up in a small community near Peoria, Illinois, and have always loved being outside. Traveling to Utah for medical school was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity I will forever be thankful for. I combined my love of nature with my love of medicine through Rocky Vista’s Rural and Wilderness Track. While searching for a residency program, my husband and I had our hearts set on Mizzou EM. We spent many date nights in Columbia eating at Seoul Taco and rock climbing at Capen Park, so matching at Mizzou felt like coming home. I’m excited about Mizzou’s EM program because it combines the best of high-acuity care with opportunities for rural work. The faculty and staff have been incredibly supportive, and I look forward to continuing my training while exploring the mid-Missouri wilderness!

Medical School: University of Nebraska College of Medicine

Undergraduate: University of Nebraska

Hello everyone; I’m Alex Tagart. I was born and raised in Nebraska (Go Big Red!). I wanted to stay in the Midwest for residency training, and at the same time, my wife and I were looking for a new adventure. We loved the idea of moving to Columbia for my residency training and were ecstatic when we learned where I matched! Everyone in the program made me feel right at home. One thing that stood out to me was the family atmosphere in the Emergency department; everyone was friendly and had each other’s back. Since our time in Missouri, my wife and I have enjoyed taking our dog, Frankie, on walks through new hiking trails and have loved trying the different restaurants here. I enjoy flying, weightlifting, magic tricks, and watching new movies in my free time. I’m also a big sports fan and look forward to having another college team to root for!