Family Medicine First-Year Residents

Why you chose Family Medicine?  I could never see myself practicing any one area of medicine, as I enjoy working with patients of all ages with all sorts of medical questions and conditions. All the way from ob/peds through geriatrics, I want to have the broadest scope of practice possible. Family medicine provides all that and more for me. It gives me a chance to practice every type of medicine both in outpatient and inpatient settings. It will also provide me with many opportunities as an attending to serve as an educator for both my patients and medical students/residents in the future. 

Why you chose University of Missouri? As someone who plans to practice academic medicine in the future, my top priority in selecting a residency program was finding one where I could gain further experience in teaching. The combination of pre-clinical and clinical med student teaching, academic focuses, and possibilities for an academic medicine fellowship perfectly encapsulated everything I was looking for. I also really looked forward to moving to Columbia as well. I completed my undergraduate degree in a college town and wanted to have a similar kind of living experience during residency. 

Tell us about your hometown, family, pets, hobbies, etc.? I am from Stockton, CA, a decently large city in northern California. My family and I (my parents and two younger brothers) grew up at the edge of the city, giving us a combination of a large city feel and small town vibes. We also got a puppy during covid, who is now a whopping 6 pounds of zoomies. I then went to med school in St. Louis and met my partner there, and we enjoy reading, walking/hiking, tennis, football, board games, and playing with our three cats in our new home! 

What random fact(s) would you like to share about yourself? I am a competitive online Catan player. 

Do you have any specialty interests? I am definitely interested in academic medicine and want to work in a large academic center on both the inpatient and outpatient sides. I am not quite sure yet if I want to do a fellowship in academic medicine, but it is the main route I plan to take. I am also interested in sports medicine and plan to emphasize an MSK focus as an attending.

Why you chose Family Medicine? I chose family medicine because I enjoy the variety of patients and coniditions treated. Additionally, I appreciate the opportunity to create long-term relationships with patients, developing a greater understanding of their situation and becoming further invested in their care. I hope to practice in a rural setting, helping to meet the needs of those with limited access to nearby healthcare. 

Why you chose University of Missouri? I attended the University of Missouri for medical school and had a great experience with the family medicine physicians and staff. Additionally, I was drawn to the excellent reputation of the family medicine residency and their opportunities in rural medicine. 

Tell us about your hometown, family, pets, hobbies, etc.? I am originally from King City, Missouri, a town of around 1000 people located in the northwest corner of the state. My passion for rural medicine stems from the great support that my home town provided and my desire to give back to such a community. Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with my wife and family, and our two dogs. I also have a passion for sports, especially watching the Kansas City Chiefs. 

What random fact(s) would you like to share about yourself? At age 15 I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, so I have a lot of personal experience with some of the struggles involved with managing diabetes and chronic conditions in general. 

Do you have any specialty interests? I have many interests within family medicine. I currently see myself practicing full-scope family medicine in a rural location in northwest Missouri.

Why you chose family medicine? It was important for me to pick a speciality that’s true to myself.  I’m a social person with many interests- so, family medicine felt like a natural fit.  

Why you chose University of Missouri? Mizzou stood out to me because of the faculty collegiality, warm environment, and excellent patient-centered care.  Tell us about your hometown:  I actually grew up in 12 different places in the US. On average, my family and I moved every 2-3 years.  We’re a  tight knit family with a dry sense of humor.  

What random fact would you share about yourself? Anytime I’m offered a stray animal, I  say yes.  Soon, I’ll have more animals than square feet in my home.  

Do you have any specialty interests? I like working with my hands - so anything procedural.  

Why you chose Family Medicine? I am drawn to Family Medicine because I enjoy the challenge of caring for people of all ages and backgrounds. Every day brings unique and rewarding challenges, but what I value most is the opportunity to build long-term relationships with my patients. This continuity of care allows me to truly get to know the people I serve and care for them holistically, seeing them not just as individuals with specific diseases or conditions, but as human beings with complex lives and needs. 

Why you chose University of Missouri? I chose the University of Missouri's Family Medicine Residency Program because it offers an ideal balance of academic rigor and community-based training. During my interview, I was struck by how warm and welcoming everyone was, and I felt a strong sense of community in Columbia, Missouri. Additionally, I am excited to take this next step in my training alongside my wife, Emma, who is a pediatrics resident. Being able to grow both personally and professionally in such a supportive environment makes Mizzou the perfect fit for us. 

Tell us about your hometown, family, pets, hobbies, etc.? I grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and have always loved the outdoors. I am an Eagle Scout and enjoy hiking and skiing. I am the first in my family to become a physician, and I have a younger brother who is currently in medical school in Chicago. I met my wife during medical school at A.T. Still University in Kirksville, Missouri. In my free time, I enjoy reading classics as part of a book club, playing Fantasy Football and board games, and going on walks with my wife and our dag, Nelly. 

What random fact(s) would you like to share about yourself? I was born in Singapore and have a close-knit family there that I love visiting. I earned my degree in Mechanical Engineering from Gonzaga University, where I was also a member of the Pep Band. Some of my favorite college memories include traveling for March Madness and dancing on national television with Dick Vitale! I also hold a Master’s in International Health and have a passion for medical mission work, which I plan to continue after completing residency. 

Do you have any specialty interests? Sports medicine

Why you chose Family Medicine? I chose Family Medicine because of its versatility and the many ways it allows me to practice. Whether it’s urgent care, rural emergency medicine, or outpatient continuity clinics, I enjoy the variety of patients and clinical challenges it brings. What I appreciate most is the ability to build lasting relationships with patients while still managing a broad range of medical conditions. I’m especially drawn to working with people from diverse backgrounds and addressing broader social issues like food insecurity and access to mental health care, both of which play a critical role in overall well-being. 

Why you chose University of Missouri? I completed my undergraduate degree at Mizzou, so this place already feels like home to me. During my residency interview, the faculty made a strong impression on me they were welcoming, genuine, and clearly invested in our success. It felt like a place where I woud be supported both professionally and personally, which made choosing Mizzou an easy decision. 

Tell us about your hometown, family, pets, hobbies, etc.? I'm originally from Springfield, Illinois. My father was a primary care physician and my mother is an x ray tech, so medicine has been part of my life since childhood. In my free time I enjoy board games, video games, cars, golf and being around my friends and family. 

What random fact(s) would you like to share about yourself? Click or tap here to enter text. 

Do you have any specialty interests? I am interested in rural emergency medicine, urgent care, and outpatient clinic work. I enjoy the fast pace and variety of acute care settings, but I also value the relationships and continuity that come with primary care. I hope to structure my future career in a way that blends these different settings.

Why you chose Family Medicine? I chose Family Medicine because I the flexibility of the field and how many different types of people and conditions I can treat. Everyday is a new and different adventure. 

Why you chose University of Missouri? I have been at Mizzou for 8 years now, and there are so many reasons to pick Mizzou Family Medicine. I have enjoyed working with the wonderful FM faculty here, I am very excited about the rural communities we serve, and Columbia is a wonderful place to live. I also feel confident in the type of physician I can become due to the comprehensive curriculum and all the specialties we rotate through. 

Tell us about your hometown, family, pets, hobbies, etc.? I am from Farmington, MO which is a small town in Southeast Missouri. I am the oldest child with a brother and sister who are twins, and we have an amazing mom and dad. My husband and I recently got married and we’re very excited to be back in Columbia. In my spare time, I love to read, go on walks or runs, take a workout class, and I recently started needle pointing! 

What random fact(s) would you like to share about yourself? A random fact about me is that I ran a half marathon and would love to complete a full one day! 

Do you have any specialty interests? I am very interested in prenatal care, women’s health, pediatrics, and rural medicine.

Why you chose Family Medicine? I care deeply about all phases of people’s lives and came to realize in my third year of medical school that only one specialty truly cares for all ages in their patient population. Also, having continuity with patients is important to me. I have seen my own Family Medicine physician since I was an infant and I really hope to have this level of continuity with my patients in the future. I also value primary care doctors as the true protectors of people’s quality of life. They have the honor of preventing disease before it happens, caring for it if it does, and truly walking with their patients through anything that happens to them. 

Why you chose University of Missouri? My partner and I wanted to attend residency together, (Neurology for him, Family Medicine for me) so we were looking for a place close to home that could provide the training opportunities we each want, but also an environment where we felt supported. We visited MU & Columbia during our interview season and were struck by how warm and supportive the people in our respective programs were. There was very much a sense that this community helps lift each other up, and everyone had genuinely found true friends among their peers. We also found ample opportunities for learning in all the areas of medicine we want to explore, so we were very excited to find out our small family was moving to Columbia on Match Day! 

Tell us about your hometown, family, pets, hobbies, etc.? I grew up in the suburbs of Kansas City and have been a huge lover of animals my entire life. My partner and I now have four furry friends, a golden retriever named Ellie (aka Smelly Ellie, or the “grand-pup” according to my mom), and three cats: Bandit, Ariel and Chai. My partner grew up in Nepal, so our pets speak a little bit of Nepali (if they decide to listen), and I am slowly learning Nepali through my partner and his parents. (My dad is learning Nepali too!) Our household loves tea and coffee equally, so our home often smells like chai, espresso, momos (Nepali dumplings my mother-in law makes), or fresh sourdough if I get time to do some baking. Outside the hospital, you can find me on a run with Ellie, going to a local yoga studio, or taking dance classes for fun. 

What random fact(s) would you like to share about yourself? I’ve danced all my life, and in high school I fell in-love with Ballroom Dance and helped teach Ballroom at my dance studio! I did everything from Salsa to Viennese Waltz. 

Do you have any specialty interests? I am particularly interested in women’s health, the mother-baby dyad including breastfeeding medicine, culinary medicine, and gender-affirming care.

Why you chose Family Medicine? My mother is a family physician, so growing up I always said that I wanted to be one as well. Still, as I went into medical school I was well-aware that I could have my mind changed, so I tried to keep myself as open to that possibility as humanly possible. There is a little piece of satisfaction knowing that my gut instinct was correct, and family medicine is where I ended up after all! The personal connections and relationships that we make with our patients are deeply unique to family medicine, and it is a large part of why I so dearly love this specialty! I also adore the malleability of FM and the way you can shape a career in family medicine into almost anything you’d like it to be—you don’t find that many places, whether in medicine or outside of it! 

Why you chose University of Missouri? Ultimately, there are many wonderful family medicine residency programs across the country and across Missouri. That being said, I felt—for myself—that I could get the most complete, well-rounded educational training experience here at Mizzou! They really emphasize the importance of creating a curriculum that will serve you, as the individual, best in your post-residency career. Additionally, the stability of the program and its history are not lost on me along with the size of the program which brings a broader example of what exactly a career in family medicine can look like. 

Tell us about your hometown, family, pets, hobbies, etc.? I grew up in Warrensburg, Missouri, about 1 hour southeast of Kansas City and 1.5 hours west of Columbia. My mom is a family physician there, and she was set up with my dad (who worked in our local hospital at the time) on a blind date due to their shared love of cats—and the rest is history! Currently my younger brother, John, is an architecture student at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS. My parents passed down their love of cats to us both, and I currently have 2 cats of my own (Marty and Piper) who I adopted as siblings from the same litter at 10 weeks old! In my free time, I am a general pop culture enthusiast and love watching sports (especially the Royals, the Chiefs, and Formula 1 racing). I also have a penchant for trivia (where the ‘pop culture enthusiast’ comes in handy)—and I have thought more than once about trying out for Jeopardy—but for now I think I’ll stick to my Jeopardy-question-a-day calendar! 

What random fact(s) would you like to share about yourself? I’m a fifth-generation Missourian on my father’s side, and my 8th-great grandfather on my mother’s side (John Witherspoon of New Jersey) signed the Declaration of Independence! Additionally, it’s on my bucket list to visit the Old World homes of my family: Munich, Bavaria, Germany; Torino/Turin, Northwestern Italy; and Kauhava, Western Finland. 

Do you have any specialty interests? I am very passionate about obstetrics and women’s health (likely gearing towards a post-residency fellowship in advanced obstetrics) in addition to patient and physician advocacy!

Why you chose Family Medicine? I chose Family Medicine so that I could have the greatest impact on my patients’ lives over the course of my career. I love being a jack of all trades and taking care of folks from the cradle to the grave. 

Why you chose University of Missouri? One of the best training programs in the country just so happens to be right in our backyard. It was always my number one choice. 

Tell us about your hometown, family, pets, hobbies, etc.? I grew up in Savannah, MO, which is a small town about an hour North of Kansas City. In a few years I intend to return there with my wife, our daughter, and some world-class training in hand to begin my career. I grew up on a farm and love getting my hands dirty- turns out there’s ample opportunity for that when you buy a 100 year old house. I’ve worked just about every manual labor job you can think of. I ran track in college, competing in the decathelon, and I enjoy watching and playing various sports any opportunity I get. We have two dogs, a yellow lab and an Australian shepherd, that love to be outside. When we can’t be outside we enjoy our growing board game collection with nearly 200 games. 

What random fact(s) would you like to share about yourself? I am a sold out follower of Jesus Christ. My goal is to proclaim His life, death, and resurrection with every breath that I breathe. 

Do you have any specialty interests? Within medicine I most enjoy rural healthcare, in-office surgical procedures, and endoscopy.

Why you chose Family Medicine? I chose Family Medicine because I love the large variety of patients and pathologies that I am able to see and treat daily. I can also pursue some of my different medical passions including women’s health, prenatal care, and pediatrics. I also enjoy being able to get to know my patients and their families and really build a strong connection with them as we work together to improve their overall health and wellness. 

Why you chose University of Missouri? I was born and raised a Mizzou Tiger fan! Growing up, my family attended many Mizzou sporting events, and I knew very early that I wanted to go to Mizzou for undergrad. During undergrad, I joined the Bryant Scholars Program and was accepted into Mizzou’s School of Medicine. I have fallen in love with the University of Missouri more and more at each education level that I have completed, so it only seemed fitting to stay at Mizzou for residency! Additionally, during Medical School, I was drawn to Family Medicine and felt the most at home with the Residents and Faculty at the University of Missouri! 

Tell us about your hometown, family, pets, hobbies, etc.? I am from California, Missouri, which is a small town located southwest of Columbia. I was raised on a farm where we had cattle and hay fields. I grew up in a household with my mom, dad, and older sister. They are my strongest support system! I also have a husky and a Pomeranian at home named Jack and Louis along with a Himalayan cat named Archie. Some of my favorite things to do in my spare time include camping and boating at Truman Lake in Warsaw, Missouri. I also love to bake desserts and watch movies. 

What random fact(s) would you like to share about yourself? My favorite color is pink, which I try to coordinate into my outfits each day! 

Do you have any specialty interests? I am interested in working in a rural area following my completion of residency where I can practice full-scope family medicine. Some specific areas of interest for me include women’s health and obstetrics, pediatrics, and general preventive care.

Why you chose Family Medicine? I chose family medicine because I loved the diversity it offers. With interests in preventive health, diabetes management, women’s health, and pediatric care, I wanted a career where I could do it all. I also knew I would be most fulfilled in a role where I could form lasting relationships with my patients and their families. 

Why you chose University of Missouri? I chose the University of Missouri because I could truly see myself belonging here. During my interview, I felt an immediate connection with the faculty and residents. Their approach to patient care and the field of family medicine aligned so closely with my own values. I could tell there was a strong sense of community and support within the program, and I knew I wanted to be part of a place that felt so collaborative, welcoming, and committed to full-spectrum care. 

Tell us about your hometown, family, pets, hobbies, etc.? I am from Bradford, Ohio, a small rural community where I grew up with my younger brother and our parents. I moved to Columbus for undergrad and have called it my second home ever since. My boyfriend and I recently welcomed a mini dachshund named Woodstock into our family. Outside of medicine, I enjoy exploring local farmers and makers markets, cheering on my favorite sports teams (especially Buckeye football and the Royals!), curling up with a good book, and trying new cooking and baking recipes. 

What random fact(s) would you like to share about yourself? I once watched baby sea turtles hatch on the beach in Aruba, and I’ve never rooted harder for tiny animals awkwardly waddling toward the ocean. 

Do you have any specialty interests? I am interested in full-spectrum care with an emphasis on prevention and lifestyle management, chronic disease, maternal child health/women’s health, and community/rural health.

Why you chose Family Medicine? I love the comprehensiveness of Family Medicine. I enjoy building long-term, meaningful connections with patients and playing a vital role in their overall well-being. I am drawn to the diverse nature of the field and having the opportunity to see and treat a wide variety of patients and pathologies, all while empowering everyone to take ownership of their health. Family Medicine has given me the opportunity to embrace my passion for preventative medicine, advocacy and education, and I am so grateful to call this specialty my home! 

Why you chose University of Missouri? Columbia, MO has become my second home! I came to Mizzou for undergrad, was grateful to stay for medical school (and now residency!) and truly couldn’t imagine a greater place to continue my training as a Family Medicine physician. Every single person I have interacted with in the department here is excellent, and I know I am going to get the best training and education possible to become a well-rounded, full-scope physician. 

Tell us about your hometown, family, pets, hobbies, etc.? I grew up in Saint Peters, MO, a suburb of St. Louis. I’m the oldest in my family with two younger brothers who are twins. I enjoy watching a variety of reality TV shows, traveling to new places, gardening, reading, listening to podcasts and spending time with my pals. Catch me learning to needlepoint soon! 

What random fact(s) would you like to share about yourself? Polish is my first language, I’m a lefty with no middle name, I have visited every state east of the Mississippi River, and my husband is a radiology resident at Mizzou! 

Do you have any specialty interests? I genuinely love all of the different areas in Family Medicine but am interested in Women’s Health, Global Health, and Preventative Medicine.

Why you chose Family Medicine?I want to be an advocate for all aspects of my patients care.

Why you chose University of Missouri? I wanted to learn from my community and be able to give back to Missouri.

Tell us about your hometown, family, pets, hobbies, etc.? I'm a cat mother to 2 kitties, Carl and Midi. We're from Branson, MO. While there's lots to do in Branson, I enjoy spending time with my family, gardening, playing video games, and being a home-body!

What random fact(s) would you like to share about yourself? I have a freckle in my eye!

Do you have any specialty interests? Nutrition, drug addiction, cosmetics

Why you chose Family Medicine? I chose Family Medicine because of the variety of patients and the full-spectrum care that it involves. The long-term relationships that I can make with my patients and community isn’t found in any other specialty. I especially enjoy chronic disease management and preventive care and hope to practice in an outpatient setting in the future. 

Why you chose University of Missouri? I chose Mizzou mainly because of the people! After my interview and meeting residents and faculty, I knew that this was the place for me. I am also interested in pursuing a Sports Medicine fellowship, which is one of the specialties that the University of Missouri is known for. 

Tell us about your hometown, family, pets, hobbies, etc.? I grew up in St. Charles, Illinois which is in the west suburbs of Chicago. I have an older brother who is also a physician! When I have free time, I enjoy playing/watching sports (a huge Chicago Bears fan), playing video games, and getting food with friends. I completed my undergraduate/medical school in Kansas City, which has become my 2nd home! 

What random fact(s) would you like to share about yourself? I was on a South Asian Fusion Dance team while in Kansas City and we competed across the country at various Universities! I still dance when I have free time, mainly learning Bhangra choreography. 

Do you have any specialty interests? Sports Medicine

Why you chose Family Medicine? I chose family medicine for the breadth and scope of the field as well as for the opportunity to build longitudinal relationships with patients. Throughout my clinical years in medical school, I encountered family medicine residents and attendings in every corner of our health system, which helped me realize that pursing a career in family medicine would uniquely capture all of my broad interests in medicine within one specialty. 

Why you chose University of Missouri? My experience with the family medicine department as a medical student at Mizzou was a major factor in my decision to pursue family medicine. After being taught by amazing residents and attendings who inspired me and modeled characteristics I hope to embody myself in my career, I couldn’t imagine training anywhere else. 

Tell us about your hometown, family, pets, hobbies, etc.? I am originally from a small town near Effingham, Illinois. My husband and I spend much of our time chasing around our 2-year-old daughter – she is the light of our lives! My hobbies include gardening, running/working out, hiking, and photography. 

What random fact(s) would you like to share about yourself? One time in grade school, I got recess detention for doing too much homework. 

Do you have any specialty interests? I have a broad range of interests within the realm of family medicine. I enjoy both inpatient and outpatient medicine. I am also interested in lifestyle medicine, women’s health and obstetrics, and providing care to underserved populations

Why you chose Family Medicine? I chose family medicine because I love continuity of care and working with patients of all ages. The family physician is truly the “jack of all trades” and I wanted to be well rounded and prepared for a wide variety of situations. I am passionate about preventative healthcare, and caring for geriatric patients. 

Why you chose University of Missouri? I felt at home at Mizzou during my interview day. I grew up in a college town, and the staff/faculty made Mizzou feel like the perfect fit. Columbia will allow me to explore rural and academic medicine. I am still close to family and friends while getting to explore healthcare outside my home state. 

Tell us about your hometown, family, pets, hobbies, etc.? I am from Fayetteville, AR, and have been an Arkansan all my life. My parents still live there, and along with many of my friends. I have a goddaughter, who calls me “Juju” and I will find any excuse to go visit her in Arkansas. Joining me in Columbia is my cat, Freddy. My hobbies include, reading, working out, visiting museums, and singing in choirs when I have the chance.

What random fact(s) would you like to share about yourself? I am a singer, and have been a member of several choirs throughout college and medical school. Prior to starting residency, I was a substitute teacher for the Little Rock School District and worked in special education classes. 

Do you have any specialty interests? I am interested in Geriatrics, and potentially palliative care. I would love to complete a fellowship after my residency training!