Emma Albert-Stone, MD

Undergraduate Degree – BS, 2015, The College of William & Mary

Medical School – MD, 2020, University of Massachusetts Medical School

About Me

I grew up in the suburbs of Boston before venturing south to William & Mary for college where I majored in Neuroscience. After graduating, I worked as a medical scribe in Washington, DC. I moved back to Massachusetts for medical school where I found my love for Med-Peds and discovered my interest in caring for complex patients throughout their life. In my free time I can be found playing ultimate frisbee, tubing down the river in Ann Arbor, making breakfast burritos, and frantically trying to keep all of my plants alive.

Why I Chose Michigan?

The main reason I chose Michigan was because of the “feel” of the program! I left my interview day feeling confident that I would I would be happy and supported here at Michigan. The Med-Peds community is like a big family within two incredibly strong categorical programs, so it is truly the best of both worlds. I’m so excited to join the team!

Aidan Berry, MD

Undergraduate Degree – BS, 2014, University of North Carolina

Medical School – MD, 2020, University of North Carolina School of Medicine

About Me

I grew up in Boone, a small town in the western mountains of North Carolina. I attended the University of North Carolina for undergrad where I majored in Biology and Psychology and cheered on the Tar Heel men’s basketball team to several victories against Duke. After graduation, I spent a summer working at a camp for kids with special health needs, where I met my boyfriend, Dustin. I then returned to my hometown where I worked as a medical assistant for two years before heading back to Chapel Hill for medical school. While in medical school I was part of a longitudinal medical Spanish program and traveled to Iquitos, Peru to conduct infectious disease research and improve my Spanish. Other highlights of my time in med school include rushing Franklin Street after UNC won the 2017 National Championship (GO HEELS!), volunteering regularly at the student-run free clinic, discovering my interest in Quality Improvement, and delving into medical education research. At this point, I’m considering a career as a general Med-Peds hospitalist with an emphasis on underserved patient populations and QI research. In my spare time, I enjoy running, hiking, hanging out with my co-residents, traveling, podcasts, cooking, trying out new restaurants, and lounging with my two cats, Quincy and Celia.

 Why I Chose Michigan?

I was initially attracted to Michigan for the stellar reputation of the institution and the Med-Peds program. I couples matched with Dustin (pediatrics), so it was important to find a program that was balanced and couples-friendly. At my interview, the kind and dedicated program directors and the driven, passionate (and somewhat goofy!) residents won me over. Michigan Medicine provides excellent opportunities to learn and grow in a supportive environment while having a little bit of fun throughout the process. I also love working with the diverse patient populations both in the hospital and at my continuity clinic in Ypsilanti. Ann Arbor has also been a wonderful place to live – plenty to do and with a familiar college town vibe. I am so excited to spend the next four years here with my amazing co-residents (even Melissa, and the many other Duke alumni that I’ll be cheering against during basketball season!)

Anne Boldt, MD

Undergraduate Degree – BA, 2016, Grinnell College

Medical School – MD, 2020, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine

About Me

I was born and raised in Stillwater, MN (SKOL VIKES!) and eventually went to college in the middle-of-nowhere, Grinnell, Iowa where I played basketball and studied biochemistry. I also took a few months to study global health and tropical medicine in Costa Rica. Right after college, I decided to keep the Midwest travels alive and ended up at OUWB in Michigan for medical school. I'm passionate about adolescent and young adult oncology, specifically transitional and survivorship care, which I hope to pursue after residency. Outside of medicine, I love a competitive board or card game, playing sports, and going on adventures with my husband and new puppy!

Why I Chose Michigan?

I chose the University of Michigan primarily because of how comfortable I felt during the entirety of the interview day. I felt like I fit in right away with both the current residents and also with many of my fellow interviewees (multiple of whom ended up as my co-residents!). The many opportunities to pursue almost any subspecialty in Med-Peds was also something I was really drawn to at this program. Ann Arbor is such a fun city with so much nature right outside our door!

Joseph Ladines-Lim, MD, PhD

Undergraduate Degree – BS, 2010, University of Maryland

Graduate School – PhD, 2015, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Medical School – MD, 2020, Yale University School of Medicine

About Me

I was born and raised in Baltimore, MD. I majored in chemical engineering and biochemistry at the University of Maryland before going on to a PhD program in chemical engineering at MIT, writing my thesis on enzyme engineering and its applications to the study of reactive oxygen species. Through a series of serendipitous events, I discovered global health during my PhD and followed this new passion into medicine. Before medical school, I spent a year in South Africa, working at the University of Cape Town on case studies in health innovation across locations in Africa, Asia, and South America. I went on to medical school at Yale and took on research projects on Zika in Brazil and HIV/TB and South Africa. Most recently, I rotated in Uganda and came back home just in time before COVID19 shut the world down. In my free time, I like to run, bike, listen to podcasts, cook and eat new recipes, read magazines, watch period films, play games of all kinds, play and watch sports, and travel (when permitted to).

Why I Chose Michigan?

I was drawn to Michigan because of its stellar reputation, not only in medicine and pediatrics but also as an institution and university. The people here also made a strong impression on me; everyone seemed both brilliant and humble. I was also intrigued by Michigan’s opportunities in global health. And as a lifetime east coaster, I was excited to travel west. Since arriving, I've been delighted to find that not only are all of these things true, Ann Arbor is a lovely place to live (and so affordable!).

Stacy Lang, MD

Undergraduate Degree – BS, 2015, Central Michigan University

Medical School – MD, 2020, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine

About Me

I grew up in Kawkawlin, Michigan, and attended Central Michigan University for college where I majored in Neuroscience and had the opportunity to study abroad in Oaxaca and Denmark. After graduating, I spent a year of service in AmeriCorps helping students from low SES backgrounds apply to college and gain access to scholarships and financial aid. Soon after, I headed down to southeast Michigan for medical school. If my address history hasn't made it clear enough, let it be known I love the Mitten State! In my free time I enjoy low-impact cardio, binge watching Hulu, exploring new restaurants, practicing (and attempting to teach) yoga, and spending time with friends and family.

Why I Chose Michigan?

I was inspired by the culture, community, and mentorship I experienced during my away rotation at Michigan Medicine. The morning reports and noon conferences were dynamic and engaging, rounds were collaborative and intellectually stimulating, and the faculty and residents I worked with were passionate, approachable, and kind. On my interview day, I was moved by Dr. Lukela's speech about creating a community of "builders" and I could sense the program leadership was deeply committed to our success. I knew this was the program where I hoped to continue my training and was so grateful to match here. Go Blue!

Melissa Ross, MD

Undergraduate Degree – BS, 2016, University of Richmond

Medical School – MD, 2020, Duke University School of Medicine

About Me

I was born and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia, where I spent my summers admiring my neighbors alpacas and getting sunburned at our neighborhood pool. I attended college at the University of Richmond, where I studied Biology, swam many 200 Butterflys as a member of the Women's Swimming & Diving team (Go Spiders!), and fell in love with my first city built on a river. After college, I moved a few hours down the road to attend medical school at Duke. During my time in Durham, I developed a passion for North Carolina barbecue, camped out in KVille to watch Zion Williamson dunk in Cameron, and met incredible MedPeds mentors who helped me realize my passion for caring for adolescents and young adults. While the differential for my ultimate career plans remains broad, I hope to create a career that combines my duel interests in high acuity medicine and providing longitudinal care for people of all ages living with chronic childhood conditions. Outside of work you can find me relaxing in the nearest body of water, finding a new state park to camp in, catching up with family and friends, or getting just a little bit too invested in whatever Duke Basketball game is on.

Why I Chose Michigan?

What really set Michigan apart to me was the people I met during my interview; I left Ann Arbor feeling like I had just met 10 of my future closest friends. When I combined that feeling with exceptional clinical training on both sides, the academic opportunities of a large research institution, committed and experienced program leadership, and Ann Arbor's charm (and river!), it became clear that UM was the program for me. My first few months here have only confirmed that feeling, and I am so excited for the next four years with my MedPeds family (even my co-intern Aidan, who was wearing a UNC mask when we first met).

Averey Strong, MD

Undergraduate Degree – BS, 2016, The College of Idaho

Medical School – MD, 2020, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine

 About Me

I grew up in southern Idaho where I enjoyed the outdoors, camping, and skiing. I moved just a few hours away from home to attend the College of Idaho where I received a degree in Biology with minors in Spanish and Psychology. During college, I really enjoyed studying abroad in Ecuador and comparing the health care system there to our own. I grew up dreaming of becoming a doctor because I loved both people and science. I was fortunate enough to attend Washington University in St Louis for medical school. While there, I was deeply involved in student government and medical education. I wish to continue administration and education in my future role as a physician. In my free time, I like to stay active with my partner and friends, enjoy cooking or eating a meal at a new restaurant, and am always on the hunt for the best made Manhattan.

 Why I Chose Michigan?

To be honest, Michigan was a last minute addition to my application. I had been to Ann Arbor just one time for a football game, but otherwise didn't know much about the area. After interviewing here, I was blown away by the caliber of both the Internal Medicine and Pediatric training. Above all though, the Med-Peds program's commitment to values and constant improvement for the betterment of their trainees and patients is what really sealed the deal. An educationally rigorous yet fully supportive program in the midst of a vibrant, friendly, and lively town - what more could I ask for?

Xanthia Tucker, MD

Undergraduate Degree – BA, 2013, Harvard College

Medical School – MD, 2020, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine

 About Me

I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, the daughter of two French and American seismologists. In pursuit of my dream to become William Carlos Williams, I studied comparative literature at Harvard, where I also acted, sang, wrote poetry, and led outdoor backpacking trips for incoming students. After graduating, I worked as a freelance writer and brief baker before enrolling in a pre-med post-bac program at Bryn Mawr College (plot twist!). I grew my first Midwestern roots in Chicago for medical school, and am so happy to now be in Ann Arbor with my previously long-distance boyfriend, an EM intern, and our two cats. Outside of work, I try to maximize my time outdoors, running or biking on the beautiful “B2B” trail, floating down the Huron, napping with the aforementioned trio, reading, painting, and inhaling ice cream at least once a week at Blank Slate. I am not sure exactly what my future career holds, but I hope to combine my love of general medicine, education, women’s health, adolescent medicine, and care of underserved patients in the pursuit of a more equitable future.

Why I Chose Michigan?

I chose Michigan for its equally strong Medicine and Pediatrics programs, and for its pervasive culture of kindness, humility, and excellence. I was looking for a place where I would be challenged and supported to become the best doctor I could be, while also having the structure and resources available to nurture a life outside of medicine. The University of Michigan offers me the things I need to bring my best self to the challenging and rewarding job of being a very new doctor: a tight-knit, vibrant, and diverse community in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, ready access to nature, delicious food, inspiring friends and colleagues, complex patients from near and far, and top-notch medical educators who are invested in my development. It is also a HUGE deal to be part of a house officers association (the HOA). Please ask me everything you want to know about this program – especially if you are new to the Midwest, are couples matching, or are interested in any of the things I mentioned above!

Katerina Castillo, MD

Undergraduate Degree – AAS, 2015, Northwestern Michigan College; BS, 2015, University of Michigan 

Medical School – MD, 2021, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine

 About Me

I was born in Ukraine but spent most of my life growing up in Traverse City, MI as one of 9 (!) children. I attended the University of Michigan for undergrad, where I spent time abroad in El Salvador, Colombia, and Switzerland. After these travels I thought I would move somewhere warmer, but ended up in Minnesota for medical school. Outside of work, I love to spend time with my baby boy and husband, cook and bake plant based food, and explore new cuisines. 

Why I Chose Michigan?

So many reasons! Coming to Michigan is coming back hoMe, and I am so excited to be back in Ann Arbor. From my interview, it was clear that there was a close community of super fun and kind people, whom I would enjoy working with. The program is very well balanced between Medicine and Pediatrics, and I knew I would get equally strong training on both sides. I also felt the program leadership was focused on training physicians who would work to improve healthcare and care for the underserved. All of this, in addition to all Ann Arbor has to offer, and being close to family, made it the perfect place for me and my family! 

Kathryn Herrera-Theut, MD

Undergraduate Degree – BS, 2017, Arizona State University

Medical School – MD, 2021, University of Arizona College of Medicine

 About Me

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)! 

Why I Chose Michigan?

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. 

Gabrielle Horner, MD, MPH

Undergraduate Degree – BA, 2014, Tufts University; MPH, 2018, Tufts University School of Medicine

Medical School – MD, 2021, Tufts University School of Medicine

 About Me

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! 

Why I Chose Michigan?

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!

Alexa Minc, MD

Undergraduate Degree – BA, 2014, Brown University; BFA, 2014, Rhode Island School of Design

Medical School – MD, 2021, University of Michigan Medical School

 About Me

I grew up in the city of Chicago, about a mile west of Wrigley field. I took after my grandfather, who was a jeweler in Argentina, and started learning metalsmithing in my teenage years. I also loved the sciences, so when it came time to enroll in college, I chose to pursue both, in a 5-year dual degree program with Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design. I majored in cognitive science and jewelry and metalsmithing, respectively. I spent a lot of time during college mentoring teens and adolescents with chronic illnesses, and it was through this that I discovered a passion for medicine. A few years (and a lot of physics and organic chemistry courses) later, I found myself moving to Ann Arbor for medical school at the University of Michigan. During medical school, I continued my work with the disability/chronic illness community, helping found the student organization, Medical Students for Disability Health and Advocacy as well as an American Sign Language elective course for medical students and have continued learning ASL myself. Though I haven’t had a chance to get back to the metals studio, in my free time you can usually find me learning some kind of craft. I have been teaching myself to make clothes, embroider, crochet, or anything I can get my hands on!

Why I Chose Michigan?

During medical school, I was able to get to know the med-peds program at Michigan and found an incredibly warm, open, and welcoming group who were passionate about their work. I was impressed by the fact that even with the academic rigor of the program, residents still had time for serious hobbies and lives outside of the hospital. The faculty members were very supportive and take extra time for teaching and helping students and trainees make steps towards achieving their individual career goals. I could tell how accessible and thoughtful the leadership team was and by the end of interview season I knew that Michigan was the right place for me to continue my training.

Majd Mokbel, MD

Undergraduate Degree – BS, 2016, University of Michigan - Dearborn

Medical School – MD, 2021, University of Michigan Medical School

About Me

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).

Why I Chose Michigan?

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.

Daniela Sosa, MD

Undergraduate Degree – BS, 2015, Florida International University

Medical School – MD, 2021, Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine

 About Me

I was born in Havana, Cuba and immigrated to Montreal, Canada at 4 years old (where my dad still lives!). One year later, I arrived in the USA where I was raised in Miami, FL. I completed my B.S. in Biology at Florida International University (FIU), and stayed there for medical school. Prior to medical school I was a mathematics tutor and was convinced I would pursue a career in pediatrics due to my love of working with children. However, I discovered a love for adult medicine in med school, but truly could not give up the chance to work with kids. Once I was introduced to the Med-Peds community I immediately knew it was the right choice. Outside of medicine, I enjoy being outdoors and anything fitness related (weightlifting, yoga, running, hiking). I also love to bake bread (newbie), listen to podcasts, and read. Fun fact: I have the cutest dachshund!

Why I Chose Michigan?

I applied to U of M after learning about their strong categorical programs and Med-Peds presence. However, what truly sold me was the program's passion for compassionate care, inclusivity and interest in creating a thriving community. U of M offers a program where I know I will be getting excellent training to not only become a great physician, but also a better human.

Sabrina Wilcox, MD

Undergraduate Degree – BS, 2016, University of Wyoming

Medical School – MD, 2021, University of Washington

 About Me

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.

Why I Chose Michigan?

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.

Julia Witowska, MD

Undergraduate Degree – BS, 2017, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Medical School – MD, 2021, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine

 About Me

I grew up in a southwest suburb of Chicago called Wheaton, IL. I then went to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for my undergraduate studies, where I majored in molecular and cellular biology and minored in chemistry and Spanish. After college, I attended medical school at the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine where I first discovered my passion for Med-Peds! While in medical school I was also very involved in research within the realm of medical education and cultural competence within healthcare, and volunteered as a healthcare provider and Polish interpreter at a local free clinic. While I still remain undecided in terms of career plans, I hope to combine my interests in inpatient medicine, transitions of care, and medical education in my future career. In my free time, I enjoy running, traveling, podcasts, exploring new coffee shops or restaurants, and spending time with my family and friends.

Why I Chose Michigan?

I was initially drawn to Michigan because of the two strong categorical programs that make up the Med-Peds program, but ultimately chose Michigan because of the people. Everyone I met during my interview day was humble, kind, and down-to-earth. I truly felt that this was a supportive community in which I would thrive during my residency training, and it was clear that the program leadership was committed to making sure each resident reached their individual career goals. I knew this was the right program for me after the interview day, and I am so excited to be a part of the Michigan Med-Peds family!

Molly Albrecht, MD

Undergraduate Degree – BA, 2013, Yale University

Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical, 2017, Harvard University

Medical School – MD, 2022, University of Michigan Medical School

 About Me

I was born and raised in Lawrence, KS (Rock Chalk!). I attended Yale where I majored in Economics and was on the swim team.  After college, I spent five years working as an in-house higher education management consultant in New Haven followed by Boston. I did a post-bacc while working in Boston and came to University of Michigan for medical school (Go Blue!). In my free time, I enjoy swimming, running on my injured ankles, cooking new recipes, and hanging out with friends. Recently, my husband and I have been enjoying exploring the best places for ice skating in Ann Arbor, although we still have very little confidence in our abilities to stay upright. 

Why I Chose Michigan?

I came to Michigan four years ago for medical school because I was totally blown away by how supportive and friendly everyone was here, and how many opportunities there were for whatever you wanted to pursue. During my time in medical school, I found amazing mentors in the Med-Peds program, as well as the IM and Peds departments. I also saw how supportive and close-knit the Med-Peds resident community was here, and I could not be more excited to join them (Go Blue, again!).

Abigail (Abby) Hadley, MD

Undergraduate Degree – BS, BA, 2018, Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis

Medical School – MD, 2022, Indiana University School of Medicine

About Me

I was born and raised in Indianapolis, IN where my family still resides. I stayed in Indianapolis for my undergraduate and medical school education. I knew early on that I loved working with children and volunteered for years at Riley Hospital for Children as a Child Life volunteer. When I got to medical school, I found my love for adult medicine and became especially passionate about adolescents and young adults with chronic illness. Within medicine, I love clinical research and transitional care medicine. Outside of medicine, I am an avid hiker, cook, and reader and enjoy coming home to my twenty plus shrimp, four snails, four cats, four fish, and, of course, my partner!

Why I Chose Michigan?

I was pleasantly surprised by how genuinely kind and support the programs, faculty, residents, and other applicants were on the interview trail. Med-Peds is a wonderful and unique specialty. However, University of Michigan stood out to me with its nationally recognized high caliber training and plentiful career and research opportunities, as well as the kind and supportive culture of the residency program. In addition, Ann Arbor is a beautiful, unique, and thriving city that still has features of a small town. Personally, I could see myself and my partner thriving in Ann Arbor and at this program and that is what pulled me towards Michigan.

Laura Hayward, MD

Undergraduate Degree – BS, 2014, Virginia Commonwealth University

Graduate Degree – 2017 Premedical Graduate Health Sciences Certificate, Virginia Commonwealth University

Medical School – MD, 2022, University of Michigan Medical School

About Me

I was born in Watertown, New York and grew up in an Army family. I have lived in 5 states and on 4 different continents, but I consider myself ‘from’ Virginia. I attended Virginia Commonwealth University and majored in Chemical and Life Science Engineering. Following undergraduate graduation, I moved myself and two very large duffel bags to Brisbane, Australia and to the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology at the University of Queensland. It was there where I studied cancer diagnostics for a year on a Fulbright scholarship. I then returned to Virginia and worked for a year as a scribe in the Emergency Department and then completed a post-baccalaureate program before attending medical school at the University of Michigan. In my spare time I love nothing more than to pile on blankets, put on the ‘Arendelle Castle Yule Log’ on Disney+, and work on my latest knitting or crochet project!

Why I Chose Michigan?

I chose to go to the University of Michigan for medical school because of the support and encouragement I felt to be creative. I chose Medicine-Pediatrics because some of the most support that I received as a student was from the Med-Peds residents that I worked with. I stayed because I wanted to continue to learn from and grow with these amazing residents while following their example when I provide support and encouragement to patients and students

Melissa (Missy) Johnson, MD

Undergraduate Degree – BS, 2018, Georgia Institute of Technology

Medical School – MD, 2022, University of Colorado School of Medicine

About Me

I was born in just outside of Chicago, and in elementary school, I said my Midwestern goodbyes and headed down to Dacula, Georgia for the rest of my childhood. I attended Georgia Tech for my undergraduate degree in biology. My experiences in learning about healthcare inequity, both locally and internationally, during undergrad strengthened my desire to become a physician. During this time, I also found my spirit for outdoor adventure and hiked and/or backpacked on five continents. After graduation, I moved out to Denver for medical school at the University of Colorado and quickly found Med-Peds to be the career for me. After residency, I hope to complete a combined fellowship in a yet-to-be-determined specialty, but for now, I am excited for my full-circle journey back to the Midwest for residency. Outside of medicine, I enjoy running, baking treats, hiking, watching movies, solving puzzles, traveling, indoor cycling, and spending time in nature.

Why I Chose Michigan?

After my Michigan interview day, I knew I had found my people. I wanted to train at a program with strong mentoring, great MedEd opportunities, and a unique Med-Peds community within the bigger internal medicine and pediatrics programs. Michigan not only has all those key things but also such incredible medicine and pediatrics departments. I feel lucky to be part of the Michigan family.

Annika Lee, MD

Undergraduate Degree – BA, 2017, St. Olaf College

Medical School – MD, 2022, Emory University School of Medicine

About Me

I have called a lot of places home- I was born in North Caroline, but moved to Boston at age two, grew up in and around Boston proper, before my family then moved to Switzerland, where I completed high school. I moved to Minnesota for my bachelor's degree in biology, after which I spent one year researching T Cell Immunomodulation in Boston before moving down to Atlanta to complete my medical degree. Outside of medicine, I enjoy traveling, reading, yoga, and staying active outdoors in all kinds of weather, as well as spending time with my cat, Freddie Mercury. 

Why I Chose Michigan?

Beyond the superb training environment for both pediatric and adult medicine at Michigan, I chose the program primarily for its residents and training culture. During and after the interview, the residents were welcoming, happy to answer questions, and easy to connect with, and I am looking forward to working with them in the clinical environment in this next step of training. Plus, I love snow.

Haley Schachter, MD

Undergraduate Degree – BS, 2016, Brandeis University

Medical School – MD, 2022, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School

About Me

I grew up on Cape Cod, MA where I enjoyed the local access to the beautiful beaches. I did my undergraduate studies at Brandeis University majoring in Biology and played for the women’s soccer team. After graduating I worked at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Multiple Myeloma clinical research and spent my vacation time exploring Europe.  My tour de Massachusetts continued with attending University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School and focused on social determinants of health research in my hometown community. I love to fill my free time with cooking, farmers markets, hiking, dogs, traveling, live music, and family.

Why I Chose Michigan?

I chose Michigan for the Med-Peds community. I was looking for a home away from home and felt the support and collaborative environment of the Med-Peds residency program. I am excited to train at a large institute with a strong Med-Peds presence. I am also looking forward to farmers market in my new neighborhood of Kerrytown!

Sara Settle, MD

Undergraduate Degree – BS, 2017, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)

Medical School – MD, 2022, Drexel University College of Medicine

About Me

I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area as the middle child of three. I spent most of my childhood enjoying everything from the Sierra ski slopes and Pacific beaches to Disneyland and camping. I also became a very loyal San Francisco sports fan (Go 49ers, Giants, Warriors, and Sharks!!) despite my parents' original Midwest roots. I eventually moved to Los Angeles to attend UCLA for my undergraduate education and completed a degree in Human Biology & Society with a minor in Global Health. I loved spending my spare time at the hospital as a Child Life volunteer as well as at local elementary schools and non-profit organizations. After 4 years in the sun, I moved east to Boston where I scribed at a pediatric office for a year while I applied to medical school and my partner completed his masters at BU. Eventually, we remained out east for medical school in Philadelphia! While there, I played an active role in student government, health outreach projects, and the Boys & Girls club. My favorite hobbies include spending time with my soon to be husband David, running, traveling, hiking, finding the best scenic routes/vistas, brewery trivia, and of course watching/playing sports.

Why I Chose Michigan?

I chose Michigan because of the incredible interview day I had, even in its virtual form! I could sense from the residents and faculty I talked to, as well as Dr. Lukela's closing remarks, that Michigan Medicine, and specifically Michigan Med-Peds, was special. Michigan Med-Peds places a clear emphasis on compassionate and inclusive care that strives to not only recognize the ways medicine falls short but to also be an active member in the solution. As an aspiring primary care physician that hopes to focus their career on advocacy work, this mission fits nicely with my goals. Of course, the well-respected categorical programs as well as the larger Med-Peds family size (8 per year!) were welcomed bonuses. I cannot wait to move to the Midwest and see what the next chapter holds - I have only heard positive things about Ann Arbor (& the Big House)!

Micaela Witte, MD

Undergraduate Degree – BS, 2018, University of St. Thomas

Medical School – MD, 2022, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine

About Me

I was born and raised in Rochester, MN, but spent a lot of time with my extended family in Wisconsin (Go Pack Go!). I attended the University of St. Thomas for undergrad where I majored in neuroscience and then returned to Rochester, MN to attend medical school at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine. In my spare time, I enjoy knitting, going for runs, gardening, watching Disney movies, spending time with my husband and friends, and playing with my dog Winston.

Why I Chose Michigan?

As I was deciding where to apply for residency, I kept hearing such wonderful things about Michigan from current and former residents as well as family and friends. The more I looked into the program and talked with current residents and faculty, the more impressed I became. The people were not only extremely passionate and clinically competent, but also friendly and compassionate. I feel so blessed to be able to continue my training here!

Andrew Campbell, MD, MPH

Undergraduate Degree – BS, 2019, Southwest Baptist University 

Graduate Degree – MPH, 2023, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Public Health 

Medical School – MD, 2023, University of Arkansas College of Medicine

About Me

I was born and raised in Russellville, Arkansas with 4 siblings and parents who loved competing in a variety of games and events. Frequent familial competition cultivated a love for sports and eventually led me to play basketball at Southwest Baptist University (Bolivar, MO). While at SBU, I studied biology and spent time working for a few rural medical clinics. My time in these clinics combined with volunteer experience at free/charitable health organizations forged a passion within me to pursue primary care and to practice in an underserved setting. Around that time, I met my wife Morgan, who also played basketball and was pursuing a career in medicine. We married and then attended medical school together at UAMS (University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences).

While in medical school, I became passionate about health education and health equity, which led me to enroll in the combined MD/MPH program. I chose to focus my MPH degree on rural and global public health, which allowed me to participate in a global health rotation in Northern Africa to work on an HIV/AIDS initiative with local physicians. My capstone project for the MPH program was an endeavor designed to increase access to health insurance by providing education and application assistance to a population of uninsured patients in Arkansas. While at UAMS, I also became a pilot member of the Honors Program in Underserved Primary Care (HUPC) which provided me the opportunity to work with pediatricians to improve pediatric mental healthcare across the state during the post-COVID mental healthcare crisis.

I love spending time with my wife Morgan! I love hiking, running, biking, hunting, fishing, kayaking, camping, playing sports (lately pickleball), playing board games, watching movies, and eating great food. I also have eight nieces and nephews and enjoy spending time with them any chance I get.

Why I Chose Michigan?

After completing my zoom interview with Michigan, I ran to the other room to tell my wife we were moving north. The program ticked every box for me. Large catchment area, incredible facilities, top-notch training, beautiful area to live, the list goes on. However, with all these positives, I think the biggest factor that convinced me to choose Michigan was the personable faculty and the obvious family-like culture amongst the residents. I feel truly blessed to be a part of the UofM Med-Peds team!

Alexandra Capellini, MD, MSCR

Undergraduate Degree – BA, 2013, Johns Hopkins University

Graduate Degree – MSCR, 2023, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Medical School – MD, 2023, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

About Me

I was born in New York City and grew up in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York with my parents and younger sister. I received a BA in Public Health Studies from Johns Hopkins University. After college, I spent one year working at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (I enjoyed living in Baltimore!) I returned to NYC to attend the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. During medical school, I took a scholarly year to earn a Master of Science in Clinical Research while working with a hematologic malignancies translational research team. 

As an above-knee amputee, I am an active advocate for the adaptive community. I love to ski, swim, rock climb, write, travel, explore the outdoors, and scope out new restaurants. Other things that I enjoy: lots of iced coffee, ice cream, and Law & Order: SVU.

Why I Chose Michigan?

On interview day, the residents and faculty made a meaningful effort to learn more about my interests in and outside of medicine. It was easy to envision myself thriving in Michigan’s vibrant, passionate, and driven community. The institution carries a strong sense of pride and enthusiasm that I find motivating. I finished my interview day excited about the environment and opportunities that Michigan could offer for training. I continue to feel welcomed, seen, and supported by Michigan for who I am, what I have done, and what I plan to do. And of course, I look forward to exploring the outdoor beauty of the Midwest! 

Gaelen Dwyer, MD, PhD, MS

Undergraduate Degree – BA, 2012, University of Alaska

Graduate Degree – MS, 2015, University of Alaska

Graduate Degree – PhD, 2021, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Medical School – MD, 2022, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

About Me

I was born and raised in Ketchikan, Alaska. After receiving my BA in French and biology from the University of Alaska, I stayed to complete a MS in immunology and public health. For my thesis I studied the innate immune reaction and public health messaging surrounding a smokeless tobacco product, Iqmik, that is used by Alaska Natives in Southwest Alaska. After completing my masters, I moved to Pittsburgh, PA to attend the University of Pittsburgh medical school. Through the Medical Scientist Training Program I completed a PhD in transplant immunology studying graft vs. host disease following an allogeneic bone marrow transplantation alongside my medical degree. I am attracted to Med-Peds because from my training I will have a wealth of knowledge from two specialties to use to provide care over a lifespan, with the versatility to apply that training in many settings. In the future, I hope to focus on chronic conditions that arise in childhood and last a lifetime. I plan to utilize my research background to perform research relevant to my patients and improve their health outcomes through translatable therapies. In my free time, I like to go on adventures with my family (husband and twin children), run, bike, cook, and garden.

Why I Chose Michigan?

I was drawn to Michigan for its equally strong Medicine and Pediatric programs and for its stellar reputation as an institution that invests in its missions. It was clear from my first interaction with the Med-Peds program, and all subsequent interactions, that Michigan Medicine is invested in fighting inequities and supporting trainees to become exceptional physicians. It was also clear from my interview that the Med-Peds program is a close knit community that I will connect with and it will be a place for me to grow, learn, and be inspired. I am also looking forward to exploring the great outdoors around Ann Arbor with my family!

Mallory Evans, MD

Undergraduate Degree – BS, 2019, University of Michigan

Medical School – MD, 2023, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine

About Me

I was born in Indiana, but my family relocated to Ann Arbor when I was 3 years old and I consider AA my hometown. I came up through Ann Arbor Public Schools and was given my first informal tutoring role in Mrs. Miller’s 5th-grade class, which began my love of teaching.  I eventually found myself studying cell biology and German at the University of Michigan (becoming the “blue sheep” in my Purdue-filled family). After graduation, I attended OUWB for medical school which provided many opportunities to work in and research medical education. The vision of a career filled with diverse patients and passionate people drew me to Med-Peds, and, much less importantly, it allowed me to continue living my life in 4-year blocks.

Some of my non-medical goals include running all of the world marathon majors with my husband, learning to garden, and keeping a journal consistently. 

Why I Chose Michigan?

The UM physicians who cared for me and my family members growing up inspired me to pursue medicine and made me want to train here. Michigan is a place where I knew I would be challenged and encouraged as I began my career, and that opportunities to explore nearly any aspect of internal medicine or pediatrics would be endless. Also, Ann Arbor continues to overwhelm me with its loveliness, even after 20+ years.

Fatima Haidar, MD

Undergraduate Degree – BS, 2018, University of Michigan

Medical School – MD, 2023, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth

About Me

I spent my childhood growing up between western Michigan and southern Lebanon, where I learned to climb fig trees, swim in the Mediterranean Sea, and chase after street cats. During college, I spent time volunteering in the Middle East. I interned in the social work department of the largest public hospital in Morocco, located in the capital city of Rabat. There, I spent my weekends learning Darija and exploring the country, including Chefchaouen (the blue city) and Marrakesh (the red city). The next year, I taught Syrian refugees at a local high school in the small town of Ansariyeh, Lebanon. During medical school, I dedicated myself to working with underserved and minority patient populations, the most recent of which being Afghan refugees following the collapse of the Afghan government in 2021. To this day, I remain passionate about global health and social justice. One of my goals as a doctor and as a person is to follow this quote by Dr. Brené Brown: “In order to empathize with someone's experience, you must be willing to believe them as they see it, and not how you imagine their experience to be.” 

On a personal note, I enjoy reading books on anti-racism and decolonialism, learning to cook foods from different cultures, and pretending I’m good at pickup basketball. I speak Arabic fluently and I’m currently learning Medical Arabic. I don’t have children, but my partner and I would like to one day have fur babies of our own. Last, but not least, my Meyers-Briggs personality type is INFJ.

Why I Chose Michigan?

I am thrilled to be training in the combined Internal Medicine and Pediatrics (Med-Peds) program at U of M! There are so many reasons why, and they won’t all fit in this paragraph, but my #1 reason is the culture at U of M. The faculty, staff, and trainees have dedicated themselves to building a welcoming, caring, and supportive culture that has made me feel right at home! Please reach out to me if you’d like to hear my speech on all the things I love about this program!

Sofie Kjellesvig, MD

Undergraduate Degree – BBmE, 2019, University of Minnesota

Medical School – MD, 2023, Medical College of Wisconsin

About Me

I was born near Minneapolis, MN and moved to Eau Claire, WI for high school before returning to Minnesota for my degree in Biomedical Engineering. I was lucky enough to sneak in a summer study abroad program on French multiculturalism, which was an amazing experience aside from the worst sunburn of my life! At the end of undergrad, I spent two years taking care of adults with disabilities and found I loved working with people more than being in the lab doing math (which I genuinely do enjoy!). I went back to Wisconsin for medical school, where I had the opportunity to co-found and pilot a peer support program aimed at wellness and suicide prevention with several of my classmates. My current medical interests are GI (especially IBD transition care) and combined hospital medicine, but I still really enjoy primary care as well, so everything’s still on the table at this point. Outside of medicine, I love reading, downhill skiing, coffee, snacks, and music, especially listening to it really loudly in the car on long drives.  

Why I Chose Michigan?

It was super important to me to find a program that treats residents like whole human beings and feels like a family and Michigan definitely lives up to those expectations. During my interview, I loved the easygoing, comfortable way people interacted with each other and with me! People seemed to have lots of passion for medicine (as well as their lives outside of medicine) and that’s exactly the kind of people with whom I love to work. I also valued the clear commitment to advancing health equity, the med ed training program, and the well-established Med-Peds presence at Michigan. 

Stana Nickolich, MD

Undergraduate Degree – BS, 2017, University of Florida

Medical School – MD, 2023, Brown University 

About Me

I was born and raised in Miami, Florida. I am the daughter of Cuban and Dutch immigrants and the first person in my family to earn a college degree. Before starting medical school, I was part of a research team at Harvard University where I worked on the development of a potential therapeutic for acute myeloid leukemia. I am passionate about medical education, working with kids who have disabilities and complex medical needs, and advocating for first-gen college students. 

Outside of medicine, I love to spend time outdoors (hiking, skiing, going on walks, and gardening), figure skating, and photography. I have a cat named Dandy and several house plants!

Why I Chose Michigan?

I was amazed by how warm and welcoming the residents, faculty, and staff were on my interview day. I knew that I wanted to train in a supportive environment where I would get excellent training in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. Michigan Med-Peds is a close-knit community with incredibly kind and genuine people. I am so thrilled to be doing my residency here!

Alexa Pinsky, MD

Undergraduate Degree – BA, 2018, Barnard College of Columbia University

Medical School – MD, 2023, University of Michigan Medical School

About Me

I was born in New York, but moved to Ann Arbor when I was in elementary school. I consider myself very lucky to have been raised in Ann Arbor - it is a perfect mix of youthful energy, incredible academics, and fun townies! For college, I headed back east to Barnard College, the all women’s college affiliated with Columbia University where I studied neuroscience. I loved spending my days tucked away in massive libraries and tiny coffee shops, as well as the weekends spent going around New York City trying new restaurants & snagging cheap (or free!) Broadway tickets.

Outside of school, I loved teaching high school health classes throughout the city. It was during the summers between college semesters where I really became interested in cardiovascular research, coming home nearly every summer to work in a lab at the University of Michigan. After college, I was fortunate to return home full time to attend the University of Michigan’s medical school where I had the opportunity to continue to hone my interests in teaching & research. Between my third and fourth years of medical school, I received the Sarnoff Cardiovascular Research fellowship, which allowed me to move to Rochester, MN for a year to study genetic heart diseases in youth, women, and transgender individuals at the Mayo Clinic. 

In my free time, I love doing art projects, hanging out with my family (+our many dogs), and listening to audiobooks. Fun fact - last year I read over 75 books (mostly of the auditory variety)! 

Why I Chose Michigan?

As fate would have it, for nearly every rotation on both medicine and pediatrics throughout my medical school training here, I was constantly paired with Med-Peds residents. Not only were the residents and faculty fabulous and top notch, but I realized that I loved the longitudinal and forward thinking way they took care of patients. It is also an immense privilege to continue to learn medicine and practice in the city that raised me. With my family nearby and the incredible opportunities at Michigan, Michigan’s Med-Peds stole my heart and I can’t wait to be a Michigan Wolverine for another four years!