Residents

Medical School: Loma Linda Medical School

Jaeger joined us from Loma Linda Medical School in Loma Linda, CA where he was selected AOA.  He has also received awards such as the Mayo Clinic Psychiatry and Psychology Departmental Scholarship and authored several papers and presentations. During his senior year he worked on literature review, episode development, content creation and production of a Psychiatry podcast for mental health professionals and mental health enthusiasts. He writes of his experience choosing Psychiatry “As I found myself in the midst of each new rotation, it was these stories and connections with patients that gave me joy. Particularly in Psychiatry, I found myself amazed by the fortitude of the human spirit, mesmerized by the power of human connection, and humbled that I was privileged to share in the experience.” Jaeger is a 3^rd degree Black Belt with a passion for the outdoors, board games, and pour-over coffee.

Medical School: University of Minnesota Medical School

Megan graduated from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN with an undergraduate degree in nutrition and then went on to complete medical school there as well. An avid health and fitness enthusiast, she’s taught group fitness classes, worked as a personal trainer, and self-published a cookbook. She writes about choosing psychiatry, “Working in fitness confirmed my love for learning peoples’ stories and collaborating with them on their health. It has also strengthened my natural ability to form trusting relationships, and fed my curiosity about the ways diet and exercise interact with mental health.” In her spare time during residency, she enjoys reading, weight lifting, hiking, and camping.

Medical School: University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health

Christina wrote in her personal statement about learning about psychiatry while playing Spades and Rummy.  As an undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin Madison, Christina spent her weekends and breaks volunteering on the inpatient psychiatry unit.  As a medical student at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Christina created a student organization that facilitated meetings for students with disabilities and chronic illnesses, worked on the Stop Heroin Now website, and participated in several volunteer experiences. She has a certificate of additional training in sports psychiatry and completed a medical Spanish elective to learn vocabulary for physical exams and clinical histories. Christina enjoys traveling in South America, backpacking in the Porcupine Mountains, reading Russian literature, and paddle boarding in the Northwoods.

Medical School: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University

Dr. Cam Ktytor joins us from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University. During medical school, he volunteered in medical service trips to underserved villages in both Haiti and Nicaragua. He also worked as a medical student tutor for immunology and microbiology. Cam has interests in teaching, and is currently a member of our Clinical Educator Track and Educational Environment Committee. Outside of medicine, Cam enjoys the great outdoors, weightlifting, cooking, and keeping pet saltwater fish and corals.

Medical School: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine

Dolly was raised in Nigeria and graduated  from the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield, IL. In her personal statement, she shared a story about an interaction with a patient, ending with “It is this potential for trust and openness that will get me up in the morning to practice the best psychiatry that I can.” While in medical school Dolly and a classmate planned the first Student Wellness and Meditation Room on campus, including designing and decorating the space and presenting their proposals. She has participated as a Health Education and Leadership Scholar creating resources for students and teachers and served on medical mission to Costa Rica. Dolly is also an actress! She’s been in “The Vagina Monologues” and is using improv to reintegrate marginalized populations in Springfield.

Medical School: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Dawn writes, “As a psychiatrist, I hope to implement the therapeutic strategies that can help all patients live their best lives.”  While a student at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine School and Public Health, she and a classmate conducted a project in which they discussed the 1998 Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study by Vincent Felitti and Robert Anda. She hopes to provide trauma informed care and work with people who have experienced interpersonal violence in the future.

Dawn enjoys traveling, caving, and European and African history.

Medical School: The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School

Alice graduated from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, TX. Her interests in healthcare delivery systems and quality improvement led Alice to work for a venture-backed company that developed a digital platform to support substance use disorder treatments. She has also conducted research and published on the impact of stress and trauma on neuroendocrine mechanisms in chronic alcohol use. In her free time, Alice enjoys photography, hiking, kayaking, reading, and food gardening.

Medical School: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Brittany states that her goal is “to advance the field of psychiatry by developing better systems and treatments.” She earned her M.D. from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. She also has a masters degree in neuroscience from the University of Sussex, Brighton in the United Kingdom and an bachelors degree in psychology from Brown University.  She has experience as a special education teacher working with kids with autism, a behavioral activation counselor for patients suffering from fatigue from HIV and related conditions, and a researcher. During medical school, Brittany participated in several volunteer activities including global service trips.  She enjoys gymnastics (she was a Division I gymnast at Brown), dancing, music, reading, and horror films.

Medical School: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Ryan joined us from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, where as a medical student he wrote an action plan to raise awareness for the mental health of high school athletes across Wisconsin and helped created a video about the intersection of mental health and college athletes.  He also worked with Dr. Reardon to co-author textbook chapters and perform literature reviews and Dr. Herringa as part of the Shapiro Summer Research Program.  As a result he has two abstracts and two presentations. Ryan’s leadership skills were showcased as the Co-leader of the Psychiatry Student Interest Group. He also mentored as part of the Big Siblings program and coached youth basketball. His undergraduate work was in biochemistry and biotechnology at Minnesota State University Moorhead, where he played Men’s Basketball. Ryan states that he has, “a strong desire to practice humanistic care.” He enjoys playing and watching sports, reading, trail running, bird watching, and spoiling his cat.

Medical School: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Kristin shares that her passion for psychiatry has grown from her desire to care for others holistically. Before medical school at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Kristin practiced acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in a Traditional Chinese Medicine practice in Minnesota. She holds a master’s degree in Chinese Medicine from Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington, Minnesota and a bachelors degree in Spanish and Ancient Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. While in medical school, she was on the Healthy Classroom Foundation’s Board and served as a TA for an undergraduate pre-health summer global study course in Shanghai. She enjoys spending time with family, cooking, reading, listening to podcasts, ballroom and Latin dancing, yoga, and Tai Chi.

Medical School: University of Minnesota Medical School

Kevin, a member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society, joined us from the University of Minnesota Medical School. Prior to medical school he worked in a residential facility with individuals in psychiatric crisis. While in medical school, Kevin participated in and led organizations that promoted wellness including the Confidential Peer Assistance Program, LGBTQIA+ Symposium, and Soccer for Success. He completed his undergraduate degrees in biopsychology and clinical psychology at Augsburg University in Minneapolis, where he also played soccer. Kevin collects vinyl records and enjoys soccer, camping, hiking, games, and cultivating plants. Kevin says that his path towards psychiatry was predicted by his family ten years ago and the proof is preserved in a time capsule.

Medical School: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Stephen completed his undergraduate degrees in biomedical engineering and computer science at Johns Hopkins University and earned his medical degree from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. Stephen conducted research in the Department of Surgery and presented his work at three conferences and published a paper in the Journal of Surgical Research. He was active with the Medical Student Association as webmaster and notetaker. In addition, he served on the Resident Quality and Safety Council, participated in Wisconsin Alumni Association events, and helped encouraged voter participation.  Before medical school Stephen worked for Epic. In his personal statement Stephen wrote about his engineering background and how it inspired his path to medicine. Stephen speaks Chinese. He enjoys ultimate frisbee and even organized a summer league with his class. He plays guitar, works out, and runs.

Medical School: Rush Medical College of Rush University Medical Center

Erin, a  graduate of Rush Medical College of Rush University Medical Center, served as the delegate for Rush in the Illinois State Medical Society-Medical Student Section, participated in a group that played music in patient wards, was the Co-President of the RMC American Medical Women’s Association, and was the Class Agent for the Rush Medical College Alumni Association. She earned her undergraduate degree in molecular and cellular biology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. A former ballerina, Erin stays active with yoga and barre. She also enjoys dog parks, hiking, canoeing, baking, and art.

Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

Maichoua (Mya) wrote that her goal as a future psychiatrist is “to bridge the gap between underserved patients and their mental healthcare.” She was born and raised in rural Wisconsin and hopes to participate in our Public Health Track. Mya earned her D.O. degree from the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Carolinas Campus. She has a bachelors degree in biology and psychology with an human services emphasis and a chemistry minor from the University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point. While in medical school, she trained for one month in San Salvador, El Salvador, served as a Big Sib, and participated in several student organizations conducting community service and outreach and demonstrating her leadership skills.  She is fluent in Hmong. Mya enjoys creative planning, scrapbooking and journaling, Catan, being a dog mom, and medical mission trips.

Medical School: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Or studied biology at Indiana University before medical school at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. She earned her M.D. and M.P.H. degrees. While in medical school Or served as Co-president for the Latino Medical Student Association, volunteered with the Howard Brown Health Clinic as a bilingual COVID-19 tracer, and developed the Behavior and Emotions Evaluation (BEE) Tool that is used at the Community Groundworks Troy Kids’ Garden for kids mental health data. During her gap year, she shadowed and volunteered in hospitals in Rwanda and Chile. Or wrote about languages and listening in her personal statement and she speaks French, Hebrew, Italian, and Spanish. Her interests include sailing, spending time outdoors, gardening, and photography.

Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine-Rockford

Cesar shares that his interest in psychiatry started with Psychology 101. He earned bachelor’s degrees in general psychology and biological sciences from the University of Illinois Chicago and then attended medical school at the University of Illinois College of Medicine-Rockford. He’s been a member of their urban health program, the Latino Medical Association, the Psychiatry Interest Group, and CAP Interest Group, advocated for mental health care, analyzed research studies, and volunteered with both high school and elementary school kids. He is interested in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. He is fluent in Spanish. Cesar enjoys weightlifting, powerlifting, soccer, boxing, and chess.

Medical School: University of South Dakota, Sanford School of Medicine

Kate (she/her) completed medical school at the University of South Dakota and has her BA in psychology from Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA. Her previous work includes research on sexual assault prevention on college campuses, medical legislative advocacy for reproductive rights, and publications on adolescent substance use and treatment.  She was on the board of directors for USD’s student run-free clinic and co-created their first psychiatry specialty care team to provide greater access to services. Her professional interests include psychotherapy (with special interest in equine-assisted therapies), inclusive care for LGBTQIA+ individuals, and substance use care. She currently serves on the resident planning committee for physician education in collaborative care with psychiatry and pediatrics.

Medical School: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Mitchell grew up in rural Wisconsin, attended the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and earned a bachelors degree in physics and philosophy before joining the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. While in medical school, Mitchell volunteered on a crisis text line, worked with senior citizens, and edited manuscripts. Before medical school he served in AmeriCorps working in an elementary school. He lived in Japan for a year and South Korea for several months, teaching English and conducting research. Mitchell speaks French, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. He enjoys learning languages, building computers, playing classical music, reading fiction, and playing video games.

Medical School: University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences

Mariah joins us from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences. She grew up on the Lac Courte Oreille Ojibwe reservation in rural Wisconsin, and she had an early interest in becoming a physician. One of the most important lessons she states she learned growing up, involved the concept of “minobimaadiziwiin”, an Ojibwe word which describes living a purposeful life and adding positively to the community. She follows minobimaadiziwiin through education, training in Nordic skiing, and being involved with her tribal community and culture. She is interested in pursuing a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry or Sports Psychiatry. She enjoys ballroom dancing, swing dancing, dancing at powwows, fishing and spending time on the lake, sewing ribbon skirts, curling, visiting museums and aquariums, and reading anthropology and history books.

Medical School: Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Pariss shares her goal “as a practicing psychiatrist is to become a patient advocate for people of all backgrounds”. She joins us from Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine. During medical school, she started the Rocky Vista University Student Initiative for Community Outreach Support in coordination with the Highlands Ranch Community Association Therapeutic Recreation Program which allowed medical student volunteers to provide care and support for individuals with physical disabilities. Prior to medical school she worked as an EMT for a mental health crisis team which served 30 counties in Southwest Colorado. She enjoys Painting with Bob Ross, Great British Baking Show inspired baking & water coloring during said show, writing & performing stand-up comedy, reading, listening to podcasts, meditation with intentional breathing, mountain biking, hiking, and camping.

Medical School: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Rigina, a soon-to-be graduate from University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, was elected as Co-President of the American Medical Association’s Medical Student Section UWSMPH Chapter and served as a student volunteer with MEDiC organization. She conducted computational neuroimaging neuroscience research which investigated the utility of NODDI, a novel diffusion-weighted MRI technique, as a marker of pre-clinical Alzheimer’s Disease neurodegeneration which resulted in a Master’s thesis, a first-author publication, an oral presentation, 3 national conference poster presentations. She enjoys hosting AirBnB Experience: “Cooking Authentic Italian Dinner in WI”, co-hosting for AirBnB Travel, creative writing, running, fishing and Greyhound adoption.

Medical School: Howard University College of Medicine

Natasha graduated from Howard University College of Medicine. While in medical school, she was selected to participate in the in the National Institute of Health’s Intramural Research Program, in the Division of Behavioral Endocrinology. Following medical school, she started working as a Postdoctoral Intramural Research Training Award Recipient in the Laboratory of Neuroimagining with Dr. Nora Volkow. She is interested in pursuing a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry She enjoys ballet, swimming, museums, biking, hiking, nature, and people!

Medical School: Wesleyan University

Obhi graduated from Wesleyan University (Middletown, CT) in 2005 with degrees in Biology and Philosophy.  In the decade before enrolling at The Larner College of Medicine at The University of Vermont, he conducted clinical trials in both stroke epidemiology and pediatric anesthesia, designed math and science curricula for bright high schoolers contending with myriad learning differences, founded an NGO, coordinated medical device development, and captained a semi-professional rugby team.  Throughout, Obhi cultivated a commitment to the individual dignity and agency accessible through practical concept- and process-based mastery, often in situations balancing divergent stakeholder interests.  When not in-clinic or teaching, he cooks, reads, drums, takes motorcycle tours, lifts heavy-ish things, and supports live music as the conditions allow.

Medical School: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Brandon joins us from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health with his “desire to care for underserved communities through individualized health advocacy and community engagement.” This commitment is seen in his roles as co-president of Medical Students for Minority Concerns at UWSMPH and engagement in the UW Center for Health Disparities Research. He is also an active member in the Wisconsin Psychiatric Association Legislative Committee, most recently meeting with the Wisconsin Department of Human Services and presenting data about the benefits of the Collaborative Care Model as a way to improve access to care in Wisconsin. In his free time he enjoys playing the clarinet (he is a former member of the UW Marching Band), volleyball, paddle boarding, and cooking paella.

Medical School: Beni Suef University Faculty of Medicine

Maged graduated from Beni Suef University Faculty of Medicine in Egypt. He worked with the Clinical Trials Unit here at the University of Wisconsin and was one of the key staff on an inpatient-based clinical pharmaceutical research program. Maged continues to volunteer with Madison Friends of International Students and Doctors with a Vision. He is interested in contining research “in the areas of Consultation Liaison psychiatry and neuropsychiatry trying to answer the remaining questions about disease pathologies and risk factors and improve strategies for preventing and treating mental and medical conditions through both psych and pharmacotherapies”. He enjoys reading about history & astronomy,playing soccer and biking.

Medical School: San Francisco State University

Tara studied biology-physiology and chemistry at San Francisco State University before attending medical school at Pacific Northwest University in Yakima, WA. Since young-adulthood she found psychiatry to be the perfect intersection of the two things that interest her most: psychology and medicine. She specifically shares an interest in trauma-informed care, medication-assisted psychotherapy, breathwork, and treating marginalized populations such as the LGBTQIA+ community. Prior to medical school Tara co-founded a volunteer organization to work with the San Francisco Veteran population, and was a community healthcare volunteer with the Peace Corps in Madagascar. She enjoys tennis, downhill skiing, painting, and interior and architectural design.

Medical School: Tecnológico de Monterrey Escuela de Medicina

Carolina graduated from Tecnológico de Monterrey Escuela de Medicina from Mexico. While in medical school, she had significant volunteer experience and showed compassion and advocacy for underserved patients. After medical school she worked as a doctor at an addiction center while working closely with a global research organization. As she states, she is “committed to continue growing as a physician and employing the latest advances in science and medicine to treat complex mental health issues”. She enjoys ballet, pilates, yoga, meditation, journaling, listening to music, and much more!

Medical School: Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine

Alyssa earned her M.D. from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine in January of 2023. She is originally from Texas where she worked for Spectrum of Hope, a mental health clinic for children with autism and other developmental disorders. She was the first recipient of the AMA Foundation’s Dream MD Equity award. Alyssa currently serves as the Policy Co-Chair for Filipinx/a/o Community Health Association. She also volunteers with Senator Durbin for immigration reform lobbying, and Loyola Stritch Pride to inform communities on LGBTQ+ health issues. Alyssa is a classically trained soprano, and in her free time she enjoys singing, attending live music shows, and spending time with her dog.

Medical School: Obafemi Awolowo University College of Health Sciences

Oghenetega earned her medical degree in 2012 from Obafemi Awolowo University College of Health Sciences, Nigeria. Since then she has worked very hard to be able to train as a psychiatry resident in the United States and has a significant and meaningful work history. In this process she completed an M.Sc. in the UK and an MPH in the US. She worked extensively in public health while living in Texas. Some of her other experiences in psychiatry include Graceland Psychiatric & Neuromodulation Center, Lone Star Behavioral Health, and many more locations spanning the United States. Outside of her work experiences, she has also volunteered with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). She brings an important perspective and “seeks the goodness in life even in the face of challenges”. Oghenetega’s hobbies include hair crocheting, making ‘suya’ (steak kabobs), and watching fantasy movies.

Medical School: University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine

Brandon earned his medical degree from the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A Carver College of Medicine in May of 2023. He returned to Madison after attending University of Wisconsin for his undergraduate degree (During his undergraduate years, he also worked as a UW Health volunteer on B6/5!). During his time in Iowa, Brandon has been a part of research in which the “aim was to identify potential mechanisms by which ketamine and its metabolites influence neuronal plasticity”. He has volunteered a lot of his time during medical school to the Short Coat Podcast, Iowa City Free Mental Health Clinic, and for the Carver College of Medicine in which he was eliciting student feedback and reporting it to the Medical Arts and Sciences Committee “for implementation and management of future curricula”. Outside of work he enjoys parenting, practicing mindfulness meditation, and playing video games.

Medical School: Faculdade de Medicina de Bahia, Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA)

Gabriel earned his medical degree from the Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA) School of Medicine, Brazil. Gabriel has since had significant work and volunteer experience in Brazil. He completed a residency in psychiatry at Hospital Professor Edgard Santos – UFBA and received a Master’s Degree in psychoanalysis from the Universidade Estadual do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ). His career as a psychiatrist in Brazil was remarkable for being a pioneer in the field of C-L psychiatry, as he broke new ground in his region by founding the psychiatric service of a traditional general hospital in his country. He completed a C-L Psychiatry Fellowship at Hennepin Healthcare in 2022. He had such a positive experience in this fellowship position he “decided to take a step forward and apply for a residency in Psychiatry in the U.S.”. Outside of work, you can find Gabriel spending time with his family, listening to music, playing the guitar, enjoying nature, and reading.

Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine

Max earned his M.D. from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in May 2023. Before starting his medical career, Max was an undergraduate and graduate political science major and worked in financial policy within the Federal Reserve System. He believes his time in that field will offer a unique perspective to his work as a doctor. He was active in his medical school’s student government, and served on the school’s Executive Committee, Accreditation Monitoring Committee, and Student Mental Health Task Force. Other volunteer experience includes the time he has spent with Project SHORT, which provides “pro-bono admissions consulting to students from diverse and underrepresented populations in STEM”. Max loves to read and travel and he looks forward to getting to know Madison’s food (and bookstore!) scene.

Medical School: Meharry Medical College

Mika Galiher earned her M.D. from Meharry Medical College in May of 2023. She grew up on Moloka’i which is a rural outer island and houses Hawaii’s last leper colony. Mika says this influenced her view on patient care because she “learned to see patients’ struggles and disability, instead as strength to persevere”. Mika’s research experience includes working with Meharry Medical College Family Medicine Department on researching opioid overdose prevention. She has made Naloxone education and awareness a very important part of her career. She has also volunteered as a mentor for Revive Detox Los Angeles and a member of her medical school’s Covid-19 Task Force. In her free time, Mika takes pie baking very seriously and loves to spend time with her dog, Hamlet.

Medical School: New York University Long Island School of Medicine

Anna earned her M.D. from New York University Long Island School of Medicine in May 2023. She comes from a multidisciplinary background starting as an economics major at Harvard University, moving to a humanities fellowship with the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, before moving on to medical school. She brings an extensive research background, notably working on a NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme Grant for an international conference on PTSD. Other scholarly experiences include an ACLP poster presentation on Moderate Depression in Patients with COPD and a textbook chapter on the Neurobehavioral Aspects of Acute Care Surgery in Geriatric Patients. Her hobbies include hiking with friends and listening to podcasts.

Medical School: Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine

Dave earned his M.D., M.P.H. from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine.  Before going to medical school, he completed an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry at Gonzaga University, followed by a graduate degree in Physiology and Biophysics at Georgetown University.  Prior to medical school he worked as a medical scribe at a Rheumatology Clinic & a Community/Technical Specialist with a healthcare company whose product was an online clinical tracking portal.  Prior to and during medical school, Dave was involved in a variety of volunteer experiences which included working with a community organization to conduct a health needs assessment for the region and push forth development of a mobile health clinic in Spokane.  He is an avid student at Aloft Circus Arts (swinging on the trapeze weekly), enjoys dancing, singing, reading playing strategic board games, and exploring nature and green spaces in his free time.

Medical School: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

David earned his M.D. from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.  He completed his undergraduate degree in Theology and Psychology at Creighton University.  During medical school he conducted a quality improvement project with the Department of Academic Affairs & Dr. Elizabeth Petty to evaluate the effectiveness of an undergraduate module on suicide prevention and presented his findings at the University of Wisconsin Research Forum.  He has organized and ran the MEDiC Mental Health clinic and successfully transitioned the clinic to virtual during Covid, served as a co-leader of the Psychiatry Student Interest Group, was an ambassador with the Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association, and participated in the Wisconsin Psychiatric Association.  In his free-time, he enjoys camping, hiking, reading, biking, playing piano, playing video games, and collecting Legos.

Medical School: University of Minnesota Medical School

Billy earned his M.D. from the University of Minnesota Medical School.  Prior to medical school, he earned his Masters of Public Health followed by working as a program coordinator at a non-profit where he partnered with adolescents from marginalized communities to foster interpersonal communication skills for success in the workplace and helped them navigate the college application process.  During medical school, he continued to seek out opportunities to directly serve marginalized communities from teaching a class to inmates at the Hennepin County jail, volunteering at the student-run Phillips Neighborhood free clinic, and coordinating a research project aimed at reducing disparties of Hmong people living with diabetes.  His hobbies and interests include NCAA volleyball, video games, hiking, kayaking, tennis, trying new foods, and asking pet parents to share pictures and stories of their fur babies.

Jordan earned his M.D. at the University of North Dakota, where he was part of the Native Americans into Medicine program. After graduation, he completed a year of Internal Medicine residency. Jordan has strong Wisconsin ties, having completed his undergraduate education at the University of Wisconsin – Superior. Jordan made the decision to leave Internal Medicine and has been committed to pursuing psychiatric training. In the intervening time, he has been working and learning clinical skills in therapy and dual diagnosis treatment at the Leech Lake Behavioral Health in Northern Minnesota. Having been raised on a reservation, and now working with the indigenous population, he is highly aware of health disparities, and is committed to treating psychiatric conditions, particularly substance use disorders. He was involved with compiling data on the opioid crisis that was presented at the US Senate and part of the effort that passed the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA). Jordan additionally has interests in choral singing and his pets.

Ryan is earning his medical degree from The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. He was raised just north of Milwaukee in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. His early interest in medicine came from his older brother being diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease at a young age. He gained a passion for public and global health while spending time working in Riverton City, Kingston, Jamaica. He completed a Bachelor of Science in public health at the University of South Carolina and went on to pursue a Master of Public Health in epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of Cape Town in Cape Town, South Africa as a Rotary Global Grant Fellow. Completion of his MPH was disrupted by the COVID pandemic around which time he enrolled in medical school back in his home state. Ryan loves the science of medicine, but his biggest passion comes from making genuine human connections with others. He enjoys finding common ground with others and using empathy and humor to form lasting relationships. Ryan believes strongly in being well rounded and has many hobbies including spending time with his wife and chocolate lab, gardening, disc golf, pickleball, rock climbing, weightlifting, running, backpacking, reading, wood carving, pub trivia and supporting any and all Wisconsin sports teams.

Carter will be earning his medical degree from Rush Medical College of Rush University Medical Center. He has worked as a Curriculum Developer at Rush Medical Center and piloted an “Innovation in Medicine” elective for first- and second-year medical students in 2020, to delve into subjects such as human-centered design, market analysis, and intellectual property. As a refugee from the Vietnam War, his mother instilled the value of family heritage and resiliency above all else. Volunteering at a local community crisis hotline, he quickly learned that a person’s mental health could be influenced by a variety of external factors that can cause harm. Carter was elected by his class at Rush Medical College to serve as a representative to deliberate on the consequences for medical students who potentially violated the Rush Medical College’s Honor Code.

Alex will be earning his medical degree from University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. Alex served in the US Navy, including service as the Assistant Leading Petty Officer of the Naval Hospital Jacksonville’s Color Guard. His experience included community outreach and scheduling armed forces ceremonies as well as managing “25 enlisted sailors in military bearing, impeccable uniform standards, and military drill”. Alex gained skills in teamwork, professionalism and an attention to detail and an invaluable lesson in mentorship. During his medical student surgical rotation, Alex encountered a patient that asked him why he went into medicine. He realized that not all healing occurs under a knife. This motivated him to pursue psychiatry. In an early part of his career in the US Navy, Alex witnessed shipmates deploy and return as different individuals and while listening, both as a medic and friend, he realized the importance of mental health care.

Ahmad will be earning his medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School. During his time in Minnesota, he acted as a Food Bank Clerk at the CAPI-Immigrant Opportunity Center & Food Shelf a volunteer/service/advocacy organization. CAPI operates as a steppingstone for BIPOC refugees and immigrants in Minneapolis, guiding them towards self-empowerment, financial stability, and food security. Volunteering provided him with a humbling opportunity to give back to the immigrant population of Minneapolis. The resilience, wisdom, and determination he saw daily was inspiring. He has worked as a Hobbyist in music/guitar and music is meaningful to him. Ahmad has strong Madison ties, having completed his undergraduate degree at UW and living and working in the area. He worked as an Applied Behavioral Analyst in Verona WI at ACT (Achieving Collaborative Treatment) and a Volunteer Coordinator at a Fundraiser for Orphaned Children in Egypt.

Ji Won will earn her medical degree from Medical College of Wisconsin. She is a member of several professional societies including the American Psychiatric Association and the Wisconsin Psychiatric Association. She is a Project Leader in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, at Medical College of WI and did research in Defining Immunological Characteristics of Kabuki Syndrome. She learned during this experience how research can directly improve patients’ lives. Ji Won worked at Student Doctor in Milwaukee at a Saturday Clinic for the Uninsured (SCU). Along with her experiences after immigrating from Korea as a teenager, these experiences have fueled her commitment to advocacy work, aiming to reduce mental health stigma and improve access to mental health care services to underserved and diverse communities.

Sheps will be earning his M.D., Ph.D., from University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine. Sheps served as the Co-Organizer for the University of Iowa at the 3rd Annual Mental Health Equity Grand Rounds, coordinating efforts with the Department of Psychiatry and Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. His experiences include post-doctoral research, teaching and mentoring as a Graduate Teaching assistant during a Microbiology Lab. Sheps grew up in Georgia, and completed his undergraduate education at Morehouse, where he was “accustomed to being surrounded by people who look like me”. Sheps was accepted into the MSTP at the University of Iowa where he experienced “the challenges of adjusting to my new environment” in a very different community. Joining a professional student co-op for most of his MD/PhD training, encouraged him to connect with fellow residents to engage the broader academic community.

Rheiner earned her M.B.B.S. from Abia State University Faculty of Medicine in Nigeria and attended Grad school at University of Limpopo, South Africa. She grew up In Nigeria and as a child took trips to her father’s busy clinic, where he was a practicing physician, and hoped to follow in his footsteps. After graduating with a master’s in public health she worked as a physician providing care to patients in underserved communities in Cape Town, South Africa. She worked with those of the “Ubuntu” culture which emphasizes humanity and actively promotes mental health. She has worked as a Clinical Extern in Chicago, IL and has done extensive work as a Clinician in South Africa and Nigeria. Rheiner received the FEDCOL award as a recognized athlete and represented her school in multiple marathons and other long-distance races.

Madeleine earned her M.D. from Medical College of Wisconsin. One of her most recent experiences is working as a Patient Activity Assistant at a hospital in Wauwatosa WI where she volunteers 2-3 times per month in the adult inpatient units. This experience gave her a deeper understanding of what a psychiatric hospital is like “off hours” when many physicians have left for the night. She experienced building meaningful relationships with patients by spending time in a non-clinical role. Madeleine has worked as a researcher, peer mentor and in Student Doctor where she worked for the Uninsured and the Bread of Healing Free Clinic. She has experienced personal loss familiarizing her with the devastating effects of mental illness. She has a profound commitment to walk alongside patients with empathy.

Jonathan earned his M.D., from Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine in Michigan. He was raised in a rural WI homeschooling community. He did his undergrad work at University of WI-Stevens Point. Jonathan was a highly awarded competitive swimmer through college. One of Jonathan’s most recent experiences is with the WI Alzheimer’s Institute and was instrumental in a novel study aimed at disseminating educational interventions on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia to primary care physicians. This project addressed the need for effective treatments for diverse and underserved populations. He has worked as a swim coach, a hospice volunteer, and a crisis counselor. Jonathan is looking forward to returning to Wisconsin, and living in Madison will reinforce his commitment to fostering inclusivity both within his family and the community.

Claudia will be earning her M.D. from University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. She grew up in WI. One of her most recent experiences was working as a volunteer/service/advocacy, Southside Intake Coordinator at MEDiC Clinics in Madison, the SMPH Student-run free clinic. She learned through this experience that many of the patients avoid searching for providers for fear of discrimination or deportation which gave her understanding of the value of trust when establishing rapport with patients. Claudia has engaged in work with many community-based organizations and research projects demonstrating her commitment to the well-being of others. She processes her experiences through poetry, short stories, and journaling, which she can then share with her grandparents.