Meet the Residents

Hometown: Independence, KY

College: University of Louisville

Medical School: University of Louisville School of Medicine 

Why UPMC: The people during the interview trail were absolutely amazing. And now that I am here I can attest to how supportive, kind, and knowledgeable both my co-residents and faculty are to everyone

Career Plans: Combined Hospitalist 

Walkout song: Bullet with Butterfly Wings by The Smashing Pumpkins 

Latest TV Binge/Favorite TV show: Bones

Favorite coffee in Pittsburgh: Dunkin Drive Thru because I am too lazy to get out of my car on the way into work 

Favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh: Yukiyama 

Favorite place in Pittsburgh: My front porch reading or playing pickleball at Washington Landing

Hometown:  Depends who's asking. Baldwin, MD is the easy answer. But I was born here in Pittsburgh (and am a lifelong Penguins fan), and I lived in Massachusetts for long enough that it felt like home, even as someone who roots for the Yankees.

College:  College of the Holy Cross

Medical School: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Why UPMC: You can find anything you want here. Both the adult and pediatric sides are major academic centers with mentors in any subspecialty you'd be interested in, and they're  both high-volume clinical centers where you'll genuinely see everything. I felt like I would get incredible clinical training and Heme/Onc exposure at both CHP and at Hillman. The people in the program are incredible, make residency a great time, and will always advocate for you. Having family in the area also makes a big difference.

Career Plans: Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology, with a research component in drug development and clinical trials. And finding time to keep skiing.

Walkout song:  This River is Wild - The Killers

Latest TV Binge/Favorite TV show:  Lately?  Survivor, because it's completely normal to get into a show for the first time at Season 48. My all-time favorites are Ted Lasso, Game of Thrones (before the last 4 seasons, obviously), and The Simpsons.

Favorite coffee in Pittsburgh:  Coffee Tree Roasters

Favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh:  By the time anyone reads this, it'll probably change, but for now either Girasole or Tessaro's. Or the nostalgia of an Eat'n Park Smiley Cookie

Favorite place in Pittsburgh: I have to say PPG Paints Arena over PNC Park because it's the Penguins, but PNC is the best ballpark in the US.

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

College: Middlebury College 

Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine

Why UPMC: From the moment I met the residents and faculty, I could tell this was a community where I’d be supported as both a physician and a person. UPMC offers the rigorous, well-rounded Med-Peds training I was looking for – alongside a culture that values authenticity, wellness, and collaboration. I was also surprised by how much I loved Pittsburgh – the neighborhoods, the green spaces, and the overall vibe made it feel like somewhere I could truly build a life.

Career Plans: I’m still exploring, but I’m especially interested in Endocrinology – particularly diabetes care. The field aligns closely with my passions for fitness, public health, and healthy living.

Walkout song: “Nissan Altima” – Doechii

Latest TV Binge/Favorite TV show: National Geographic documentaries narrated by David Attenborough

Favorite coffee in Pittsburgh: Georgie’s Corner

Favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh: I haven’t found one yet!

Favorite place in Pittsburgh: Wandering through Pittsburgh’s cute side streets, admiring (read: judging) people’s houses and gardens, all while pretending I’m on House Hunters with an imaginary budget.

Hometown: San Antonio, Texas

College: Rice University 

Medical School: University of Houston College of Medicine

Why UPMC: I was looking to move north to a place with equally strong categorical programs, where I knew my Peds training would be just as strong as IM. After falling in love with Pittsburgh as a city and meeting all the wonderful people, I know I made the right choice!

Career Plans: Combined Hospitalist 

Walkout song: Bejeweled by Taylor Swift 

Latest TV Binge/Favorite TV show: I've been way too into Love Island since starting residency.

Favorite coffee in Pittsburgh: :  Sadly, my Nespresso machine is really the only coffee I've had so far!

Favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh: Pusadee's Garden

Favorite place in Pittsburgh: Emerald View Park

Hometown: Aurora, CO

College: Tennessee Technological University

Medical School: University of Pittsburgh

Why UPMC: I had the good fortune to work with a number of the med-peds residents and faculty when I was a medical student here at Pitt and thought they were some of the most thoughtful, close-knit, intelligent people I had ever worked with. I was very grateful on match day to find out I got to stick around for residency.

Career Plans: Combined hospitalist

Walkout song: Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac

Latest TV Binge/Favorite TV show: My favorite TV show is Veronica Mars. My current TV binge is Only Murders in the Building. 

Favorite coffee in Pittsburgh: Constellation Coffee in Lawrenceville 

Favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh: Casbah

Favorite place in Pittsburgh: I’m a home body so I really like my house. If I had to choose a non-home place, Phipps Conservatory is beautiful and always worth a visit. 

Hometown: De Pere, Wisconsin

College: UW-Madison 

Medical School: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

Why UPMC: Both the IM and Peds programs are very strong, and as someone who is split 50/50 between IM and Peds having two strong individual programs was important to me. That plus a strong dedication to medical education and being a strong academic medical center fit right into my career plans. Plus, Pittsburgh was a place I knew I could enjoy living. Lastly, all the residents on the interview day and social were a ton of fun and people I knew I could enjoy woroing with.

Career Plans: I'm not sure about critical care or heme-onc, but who knows? Also, not sure, but I might try to do a combined residency. I do want to remain in academic medicine so that I can participate in medical education and clinical research.

Walkout song: Sweet Child O' Mine

Latest TV Binge/Favorite TV show: Avatar the Last Airbender, Sherlock, Arcane, or Peaky Blinders. So many favorites

Favorite coffee in Pittsburgh: Ineffable Cà Phê 

Favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh: Con Alma or Fujiya Ramen so far, but many places to explore

Favorite place in Pittsburgh: Hot Metal Bridge with the sunset over the City

Hometown:  Grosse Pointe, Michigan

College:  Michigan State University

Medical School:  Wayne State University School of Medicine

Why UPMC:  There is a shared genuine commitment to teaching/learning and a shared sense of humility among my colleagues here that I really appreciate. This is a place where I feel safe being a learner while having the opportunity to witness both basic and highly specialized care.

Career Plans: I'm still sorting things out, but lately I've been thinking about likely doing a Palliative Care fellowship in combination with another specialty such as Critical Care or Cardiology. I am really interested in how we make decisions about prognosis and how we engage in conversations with families and patients about the end-of-life, but also want to have the ability to actively treat disease as well.

Walkout song: Art House – Cheekface

Latest TV Binge/Favorite TV show: New Girl (I'm on an approximately q2year re-watching schedule)

Favorite coffee in Pittsburgh: James Cafe

Favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh: Lincoln P&G Dinner 

Favorite place in Pittsburgh: Schenley Park

Hometown: Rochester, Minnesota

College: University of Wisconsin Madison

Medical School: University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Why UPMC: I was so excited when I got the interview invite for such an amazing program with incredibly strong categorical programs! Interview day felt very natural and most importantly, validating. It was clear that the faculty cared deeply about resident training and all aspects of compassionate healthcare delivery. The residents were fun and close, which was important as someone nervous about a smaller program. The best part is that all my very high expectations of the program have only been EVER exceeded over my past few months as a UPMC Med-Peds-er!

Career Plans: Palliative and supportive care, critical care, and complex care, particularly for the adolescent and young adult population.

Walkout song: Anything Janelle Monae

Latest TV Binge/Favorite TV show: Anything and everything reality TV.

Favorite coffee in Pittsburgh: Kaibur coffee for their breaky sandwiches

Favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh: Barcelona because the street is cute and I love me some tapas.

Favorite place in Pittsburgh: I love a good bop around Lawrenceville or really any of the fun Pittsburgh neighborhoods!

Hometown: Carol Stream, IL

College: Loyola University of Chicago

Medical School: Loyola University Chicago Stritch SOM

Why UPMC: I loved the residents and faculty I met at my interview, and I was very impressed by both strong categorical programs. I was also inspired by the community-oriented work being done in our clinic and in the city, especially the Street Medicine opportunities. 

Career Plans: Currently thinking primary care, hospital medicine, or some combination of the two.  

Walkout song: Dynamite- Taio Cruz

Latest TV Binge/Favorite TV Show: Currently watching The Bear. My favorites include The Good Place, Gilmore Girls, and How I Met Your Mother

Neighborhood: Shadyside

Favorite coffee in Pittsburgh: Dobra Tea (not really a coffee drinker)

Favorite sweets in Pittsburgh: Bruester's, Page's Dairy Mart, and La Gourmandine 

Favorite place in Pittsburgh: Schenley Park

Hometown: Larchmont, NY 

College: Mount Holyoke College, BA in English and Biology; New York University, MS in Biology

Medical School: Lewis Katz SOM at Temple University 

Why UPMC: I remember leaving interview day thinking this was the place for me. It was further affirmed by the learning more about the amazing residents, the strengths of categorical programs, and seeing the amazing city of Pittsburgh. 

Career Plans: Still in the process of figuring it out but I know it'll be built around care for both kids and adults! I would also love to keep writing in some capacity!

Walkout song: Run Away With Me- Carly Rae Jepson

Latest TV Binge/Favorite TV show: Currently binging The Bear, all time favorite show may be New Girl.

Neighborhood: Lawrenceville

Favorite coffee in Pittsburgh: Espresso A Mano

Favorite sweets in Pittsburgh: Millie's Ice Cream, but always taking recommendations

Favorite place in Pittsburgh: Still learning Pittsburgh, but so far loved the zoo the most!

Hometown: New York City, NY 

College: Johns Hopkins University

Medical School: Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Jefferson University

Why UPMC: It was the only place that listened to my hopes and dreams and showed me a path in residency to achieve them.

Career Plans: Combined Heme-Onc clinical trialist

Walkout song: Witching Hour by REZZ

Comfort Show: Chef's Table (favorite episodes: Massimo Bottura and Alex Atala)  

Neighborhood: Shadyside 

Favorite coffee shop: Coffee Tree in Shadyside

Best spot for a sweet treat: Five Points Artisan Bakeshop (but the everything croissant is king)

Favorite place in Pittsburgh: Home sweet home

Hometown: Miami, FL

College: Florida State University

Medical School: A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine Arizona

Why UPMC: The feeling of family I got on interview day was unparalleled, there seemed to be an obvious respect and appreciation for everyone’s different personalities. I truly felt I would be able to remain authentic, while being supported in a strong academic center with unlimited career and extracurricular opportunities.

Travel/Languages: I was born in Cuba and am fluent in Spanish. I’ve lived in a rural village in Nepal, and have traveled to Sri Lanka, India, Peru, Spain, Italy and Greece!

Hometown: Dearborn Heights, MI 

College: University of Michigan  

Medical School: Wayne State University SOM 

Why UPMC: I knew I’d get great training in both Medicine and Pediatrics here with opportunities to explore just about anything. But really it came down to really liking the people I interviewed with and knowing I’d feel supported here.  

What do you want to be when you grow up? I’d like to do a mix of inpatient adult medicine and outpatient med-peds. In particular, I’d like to be involved with medical education as well. 

Walkout song: Don't Stop Me Now - Queen  

Comfort TV show: Derry Girls  

Neighborhood: Lawrenceville  

Favorite coffee in Pittsburgh: Ineffable Cà Phê 

Best spot for a sweet treat: I live walking distance from La Gourmandine, which is honestly dangerous for my health.  

Favorite place in Pittsburgh: I simply won’t shut up about the Aviary

Hometown: New Delhi

College: All India Institute of Medical Sciences 

Medical School: TouroCOM, Middletown, NY

Why UPMC: I felt most connected to UPMC Med-Peds because of the genuine and supportive environment, an energetic and dynamic program that truly demonstrated a deep investment in my learning and growth. Above all, I felt respected, welcomed, and part of a wonderful and intellectual group of members I now fondly call my Med-Peds family.

What do you want to be when you grow up? Deciding between primary care vs cardiology vs mitochondrial medicine. Whatever I choose, my goal is to pursue academic medicine with a research component.

Walkout song: Where My Heart Will Take Me (by Russell Watson)

Latest TV Binge/Favorite TV show: Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mandalorian, Orville

Neighborhood: Shadyside

Favorite coffee in Pittsburgh: Peet's

Favorite sweets in Pittsburgh: Kona Ice of Pittsburgh

Favorite place in Pittsburgh: Phipps, Cathedral of Learning, Walnut Street, Schenley and Ohio Pyle Park 

Hometown: Waco, TX/ Port Gibson, MS

College: Tougaloo College

Medical School: The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University

Why UPMC:  I was attracted by the supportive program leadership. By the end of my interview, I felt like I would always be supported, no matter the situation, and that was a very important aspect of my decision-making process.

What do you want to be when you grow up? A museum curator with some pediatric and adult medicine on the side.

Walkout song: Good as Hell by Lizzo

Latest TV Binge/Favorite TV show: Criminal Minds, Law & Order: SVU

When you’re not at work, where can you be found? Target, I’m always at Target

Neighborhood: South Shore

Favorite coffee in Pittsburgh: Any free coffee!

Best sport for a sweet treat: Duck Donuts

Favorite place in Pittsburgh: My apartment, I’m a very extroverted introvert, and I thrive on my alone time to recharge

Hometown: Fort Smith, AR

College: University of Arkansas

Medical School: The Ohio State College of Medicine 

Why UPMC: My partner and I couples matched and we found that UPMC was the ideal program for both of us. I was really impressed on the interview day by the energy of the facility members and how passionate they were about medical education. During the social hour, I enjoyed how friendly the residents were and knew UPMC was a place where I would quickly make lasting friendships. Lastly, I was excited to have the opportunity to practice at prestigious institutions that are rigorous in both clinic training and research.

What do you want to be when you grow up?: ? I'm currently applying to pulmonary and critical care fellowships. I want to focus on cystic fibrosis and be involved in sexual and reproductive health research. 

Walkout song: Savage by Megan thee Stallion 

Latest TV Binge/Favorite TV show: Vanderpump Rules

Neighborhood: Squirrel Hill

Favorite coffee in Pittsburgh: 61C Cafe

Favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh: Morcilla 

Favorite place in Pittsburgh: The Northshore Trail with views of downtown Pittsburgh 

Hobbies: Reading literary fiction, listening to podcasts, running and biking, playing pickleball, attending flea markets, and collecting houseplants