Also part of the UPMC family:
Undergrad: Liberty University
Graduate School: Johns Hopkins University
Medical School: Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Personal Information: I grew up in rural northeastern Pennsylvania with my twin sister and younger brother. I attended Liberty University in Virginia and majored in public health and clinical health promotion. I was fortunate to go on two medical mission trips to the Dominican Republic during undergrad. At LU, I met my husband, Matt, who is from a small town outside of Buffalo, NY. After graduation, I went to Johns Hopkins in Maryland to challenge myself academically and gain valuable research experience. With my Masters of Biotechnology, I accepted a position at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, NY in the pathology research department. Just before returning to Virginia to start medical school at Liberty, my husband and I got married in downtown Buffalo. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, exploring the outdoors, taking care of my plants, and making Norwegian food. I also love watching hockey and football – Go Bills!
Why Family Medicine: At LUCOM, I had a mentor who showed me the different roles that family medicine physicians play in the communities that they serve. During my 3rd year family medicine rotation, I got a snapshot of the opportunity that there is to serve generations of families as a family medicine physician. I chose the specialty of family medicine because of my enthusiasm for community service along with my intent to provide a holistic approach to patient care. Family medicine allows me to have a broad scope of practice in pediatrics, obstetrics, and adult medicine while providing education on disease prevention and health promotion to my patients.
Why Williamsport: I chose Williamsport because I wanted an unopposed residency program with a strong obstetrics curriculum and osteopathic recognition. The genuine community and friendships amongst the faculty and residents was clear, even during a virtual interview! It is also conveniently located between both my husband’s family and my family.
Undergrad: Millikin University
Medical School: The Medical School for International Health at Ben Gurion University of the Negev
Personal Information: I grew up straddling the Midwest and the Northeast. My family is from central Illinois, but I spent most of my childhood in southeastern Connecticut. I returned to Illinois for undergrad where I studied biology and philosophy. I fell in love the idea of learning about different cultures and religions, leading me to go to MSIH in Beer Sheva, Israel. I fell in love with running while abroad, almost as deep as my love for anything regarding food; there’s always some type of baked good in my kitchen. My ideal vacations would either be sitting on a beach, exploring historical sites, or skiing.
Why Family Medicine: I’ve had a very convoluted journey to making my decision to be a family physician. Throughout medical school, for almost every new rotation, I had a new passion. I was also interested in the how the relationship between the practice of medicine and the community worked. This led me to taking time to study public health and global health in more detail. When applying to my fourth-year electives and preparing for residency applications, it was like a lightbulb went off in my head. Family medicine is the perfect combination of both. Not only do family doctors work with all ages and areas within medicine, at the core of being a family doctor is understanding, if not becoming one with, the community you serve.
Why Williamsport: When completing two rural family medicine electives in central PA, I instantly fell in love with the area and the people. Some would be surprised at how diverse the population really is. Having the opportunity to work with the Amish, Mennonites, and farmers, among others, allows for a broad education and something I was looking for in a residency having worked with diverse groups during medical school. I also felt Williamsport was the perfect combination of the Mid-West kindness and Northeast vibes I grew up with; I felt welcomed by everyone I spoke with, all the while the city still felt like it belonged to the northeast with outdoor and city activities. After having lived in the desert in Israel for the last 6 years, I was looking for somewhere that felt like home, and that was Williamsport.
Undergrad: University of Wisconsin at La Crosse
Medical School: Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Personal Information: I grew up in the suburbs of Milwaukee and went to the other side of Wisconsin to La Crosse for undergrad. There, I fostered a love for nutrition, exercise, and biology. After graduating, I decided to pursue becoming a physician after working in health care as a nursing aide. I was taken to North Carolina for this pursuit and ended up meeting my now fiancée while I was in school. Our favorite things to do together are watch Bob’s Burgers, have brunch, and hike in nature. I personally enjoy exercise and lifting weights, crashing my computer, and listening to Lofi hip hop.
Why Family Medicine: The things that drew me to family medicine were the long-term relationships built with patients, preventative medicine, an emphasis on mental health, and the broadness of the specialty. Nutrition, exercise, and mental health often feel like the most important parts for being healthy and preventing disease. Talking about all of these with patients is something I look forward to doing and enjoy walking patients through making simple things to improve their lives. Because of these conversations and the variety that family medicine brings, I always felt like this was a good fit for me.
Why Williamsport: Williamsport initially drew our attention because of its strong reputation and being an unopposed program. Then, we became more interested after our interview day, to the point where we drove over 12 hours to visit. When we first went around the city, I looked at my fiancée and told her how I could imagine us living here for a long time and she agreed. Everyone was extraordinarily nice, the area has our outdoor interests as well as a nice community feel, and we like the overall vibe of Pennsylvania. Williamsport checked all the boxes that we were looking for and we’re excited to be here.
Undergrad: University at Buffalo
Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Personal Information: I was born and raised in the Finger Lakes Region of Upstate New York. While I have only one sibling, my mom is one of nine and my dad is one of three, so it goes without saying that I have a big family! I grew up enjoying outdoor activities with them, like camping, hiking, hunting, and hanging out on Keuka Lake. From my small hometown, I decided to attend college at a university that has a student body exceeding the entire population of my home county! After graduating college at UB, I moved to Philadelphia for seven years to continue my education and gain teaching experience. Aside from pursuing outdoor activities, I also enjoy playing sports, like lacrosse and tennis, cooking new dishes, or just diving into a good book.
Why Family Medicine: Family medicine is a unique specialty where there is great diversity in clinical pathology. I have a wide range of interests, from population health and pediatrics to women’s health and osteopathic manipulative medicine, which can only be fulfilled in this specialty. Family medicine also grants me the honor and privilege of working closely with families and communities, while also being able to utilize education as an empowering tool for my patients. Most of all, I treasure the collaborative patient-physician relationships and the creative opportunities that family medicine cultivates.
Why Williamsport: I was incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to spend time at UPMC Williamsport during my last year of medical school. The residency program has an excellent reputation that preceded itself, with several of my attendings and patients strongly recommending it to me. I felt incredibly fulfilled while working with a cohesive team in a strong program providing comprehensive care to a community where I felt at home. Despite having lived in Philadelphia for the past seven years, it never felt as a “home” to me. Williamsport has the perfect combination of both a city and small town feel, while being so beautifully nestled in the mountains alongside the river. It’s also a short drive to my big family. I am beyond thrilled to join the team and community!
Undergrad: Boston University
Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine
Personal Information: I am the middle of three girls, and I grew up in the seacoast region of New Hampshire in East Kingston (which is the perfect distance to the mountains, the beach, Maine, and Boston). I received my bachelor’s degree in human physiology with a minor in public health at BU. Before starting medical school, I embarked on a 2-month long road trip around the United States in my beloved Subaru, Moose. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, hiking, baking, and traveling in my free time.
Why Family Medicine: When I first started medical school, I was interested in women’s health, pediatrics, and preventative medicine. As I started my clinical rotations in my third year, I found that I enjoyed all my rotations and was having a hard time narrowing down which specialty I wanted to pursue. It wasn’t until I did a rotation at UPMC Williamsport that I officially decided to pursue family medicine. I enjoy the diversity of patient care, caring for whole families, and establishing meaningful relationships with patients.
Why Williamsport: I was fortunate to do a rotation at UPMC Williamsport and fell in love with the residents and faculty I met. Everyone involved with the hospital was genuinely nice and welcomed me with open arms. I was drawn to the well-established program at UPMC Williamsport because of the full-spectrum and unopposed training with strong obstetrics and pediatrics. I was also looking for a program with osteopathic recognition to continue developing my OMM skills.
Undergrad: University of California, Davis
Medical School: Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Personal Information: I grew up in the East Bay region of California in a town called Castro Valley. I spent my undergrad years as an Aggie at UC Davis where I majored in nutrition science and where I first became interested in preventative care and lifestyle medicine. After living in California for 24 years, I ventured across the country to North Carolina for medical school where I met my fiancé (and fellow resident!), Tom Gignac. Our favorite activities include hiking, hosting game nights, and searching for wholesome TV shows to watch. I personally love all things grandmotherly, including embroidery, crochet, and houseplants. During my free time, I also enjoy swimming, creative writing, planning food crawls, and trying new recipes – specifically finding creative ways to use up leftover puff pastry!
Why Family Medicine: My passions lie in lifestyle medicine and nutrition, both of which play a large role in family medicine. This specialty allows me to utilize my interests in preventative care and patient education while also building meaningful relationships with patients as they move through life milestones. Each day in family medicine offers something different; diverse cases ranging from acute to chronic conditions, procedures, and memorable patient stories. It is a Jack-of-all-trades specialty that requires a broad scope of knowledge and fosters the lifelong learning that makes a strong physician.
Why Williamsport: I was drawn to UPMC Williamsport because of its well-established, unopposed program that placed an emphasis on resident wellness and support. The various areas of concentration and new lifestyle curriculum highlighted the program’s flexibility and the opportunities available for me to pursue my interests. Additionally, after experiencing the city life in California and the countryside living in North Carolina, I knew I wanted to live in a place that was somewhere in between. Williamsport offered that small town vibe with big-city amenities. Tom and I had such an enjoyable interview day that we decided to visit the area. The residents and faculty welcomed us with open arms and made us truly feel like family. We both fell in love with the downtown area, tranquil neighborhoods, and the amazing views of the rolling hills. Williamsport felt like the perfect fit and a place we could envision living in for many years. Plus, what could be more wholesome than a place that hosts the Little League World Series?
Medical School: Poznan University of Medical Sciences
Personal Information: I was born in the United States, but never actually lived here until now. I split my formative years between Taiwan and Vancouver, before uprooting myself to attend medical school in Europe. After 6 years in Poznan, I am extremely excited to be returning to the States! In my free time, I enjoy several different hobbies, including basketball, hiking, and kickboxing. At home, I like to read and cook. When I have the time, I try to travel and enjoy the outdoors as much as possible. I’ve had the opportunity to see much of Europe, and I am very much looking forward to exploring Pennsylvania.
Why Family Medicine: Entering medical school, I always knew I wanted to be involved in primary care. One of the biggest things that attracted me to family medicine is the unique privilege to help otherwise healthy individuals further achieve their health goals. I am hoping to gain more exposure to sports medicine and obesity medicine, and to use this to treat a diverse range of patients. I love that family medicine places a strong emphasis on preventative medicine and allows us to establish long-term relationships with our patients.
Why Williamsport: As someone who never lived in the U.S., I wanted to be part of a program that could make me feel welcome, in a location where I could see myself living. Despite the interviews being virtual, it was obvious that the residents are a tight-knit group and that the faculty truly enjoyed mentoring their residents. UPMC Williamsport offers a strong academic curriculum. Being an unopposed program that offered areas of concentration is also a huge plus, and I am very honored to be able to be a part of this team!
Undergrad: The College of William and Mary
Medical School: Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Personal Information: I grew up in Yardley, PA, which is just outside of Philadelphia. I went down to Virginia for undergrad and returned to PA for medical school. I met my husband during orientation week of medical school (even though we actually grew up in the same town). We got married in 2020 and were so blessed to welcome our daughter into our family a year later. My husband is a Med-Peds resident, and we feel so lucky to have couples matched at such wonderful programs. I took a gap year between 3rd and 4th years of medical school to complete a master’s degree in public health in Philadelphia, and during medical school, I also completed a master’s degree in health care administration online. I love to spend time with my family, try new recipes, go to the beach, and watch football (go Eagles!).
Why Family Medicine: During third-year rotations in medical school, I found myself genuinely enjoying almost every clinical rotation I was on and couldn’t narrow down my interests to a particular specialty or patient population like many of my classmates could. After my first day in family medicine clinic, with the diverse diagnoses, opportunity to spend time learning about my patients, and counseling opportunities, I just knew that family medicine was the right fit. As an added bonus, as I have learned more about the specialty, I find that my other interests related to policy and leadership are particularly well-suited for a career in family medicine. Since family medicine is a specialty that emphasizes care for the whole person and the importance of patient-centered medicine, I see much potential in family doctors as the leaders in improving health care at the community, state, and national levels.
Why Williamsport: As a first-year medical student, I was assigned to a local family physician with whom I spent a few weeks to work on interview and physical exam skills—my physician was in Williamsport! I quickly grew fond of the community and the patients here. Williamsport was already one of my top programs for the great reputation of full-spectrum training, gorgeous geographic location, friendly community, and plethora of outdoor activities. The interview day sealed the deal for me. Despite participating in an entirely virtual interview season, the residents and faculty in this program somehow made my interview dinner and interview day feel welcoming and incredibly comfortable. I’m so happy to be training here!
Undergrad: Gannon University
Medical School: St. George’s University School of Medicine
Personal Information: I was born and raised in Erie, PA. I grew up in the Allegheny Forest, so I like to do anything outdoors, including hiking, hunting, kayaking, skiing, camping, fishing, and exploring. I love to travel so going to Grenada for medical school was pretty exciting. My favorite place I have visited is France. I am a nerd who loves Star Wars, Marvel, and Dr. Who. I love hanging out with my friends and family, but one of my favorite things to do is to be with my husband and my dog, Yoshi.
Why Family Medicine: It is absolutely thrilling to be a part of someone’s life and give them advice on the best life they can possibly live. I enjoy forming relationships with patients and I seek to provide the best care possible. I love the idea of being able to treat most of the population and, therefore, keep an eye out for changes in all fields of medicine. I am passionate about preventive care, quality improvement for health care, and community outreach in the medical field.
Why Williamsport: The residents made me feel so welcome during the meet and greet, and I loved getting to know more about them and their experience within the program. I loved the fact that UPMC Williamsport provided a broad education for residents, as well as the multiple procedural and research opportunities. I appreciate the program’s flexibility towards the residents’ area of concentration as well. I felt a huge sense of family at this program, and I couldn’t wait to become part of this team.
Undergrad: West Virginia Wesleyan College
Medical School: St George’s University
Personal Information: I was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, but I grew up in Sarasota, Florida. I attended West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, WV where I played baseball for the college and majored in biochemistry and psychology. I met my wife at WVWC, and we were married this past spring. I’m a huge nerd and love all things sci-fi, anime, and fantasy. My hobbies range from weight lifting, baseball, and playing the guitar to video games, board games, and playing D&D with my friends. My wife and I are active people and love the outdoors, but don’t be surprised to see us at a brewery or restaurant on our down time.
Why Family Medicine: When I started medical school, I genuinely did not know what exactly I wanted to do. Family medicine was my first clinical rotation of my third year, and I absolutely fell in love with it. Getting that face-to-face connection and establishing a good rapport with my patients really made me feel at home. The diverse nature of the problems you face and the avenues available to you in family medicine as a whole was enticing. I have a distinct interest in sports medicine and family medicine offers one of the best chances to pursue that goal. I personally feel that hearing the patient’s story really helps me get a better picture of who they are and what means of treatment may best suit them as a whole. It honestly was an easy choice for me!
Why Williamsport: When I interviewed with Williamsport, I felt so welcomed. It was like I was already part of the family. Interview season was a little weird being virtual, but Williamsport went above and beyond to make the most of the unique circumstances and provided such an encompassing experience – I felt like I was there. From my conversations with the faculty, to the discussions with other residents, I truly felt that the Williamsport family allotted me with the best chance to pursue my goals and truly become the best physician I can be. I spent my clinical years in Chicago, Atlanta, and Miami and was honestly looking for a change of pace from the big city life. Williamsport offered the change I sought. A beautiful smaller city with big city amenities was just what I was looking for. It was just an added bonus to this retired ball player that it is also the home of the Little League World Series!
Undergrad: Temple University
Graduate: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Personal information: I grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia in a small town called Morton. Before pursuing higher education, I worked for a few years, first as a construction laborer and then as an Ophthalmic Technician at Wills Eye Hospital. In my free time, I enjoy several hobbies, including gardening, distance running, back woods camping, and working on my old Jeep Wagoneer. With these hobbies, you may not guess that I have five sisters and one brother. Over the years, I have been the proud foster parent of 25 dogs and even one cat. I am also an avid motorcycle rider, and I am very excited to find the best roads in Lycoming County to cruise down!
Why Family Medicine: I want to take care of and be invested in the health of my entire community. I get excited about the thought of being trusted with the care of children, adults, and the elderly alike. I enjoy building fellowship with my community, and I believe the best care is provided by someone who deeply knows their patients. Through family medicine, I hope to become a guide for patients through their health journey by maintaining a wide depth of knowledge and promoting overall well-being. I am excited to help my patients meet their goals and achieve the good mental and physical health they have been striving towards.
Why Williamsport: Something about Williamsport stuck with me after I finished my rotation as a 4th year medical student. The people, the neighborhoods, the forests and mountains nestling the downtown area, everything about the community seemed to be a refreshing change from my current Philadelphia suburb life. My experience with the family medicine residents and teachers sealed the deal. There is so much chemistry between everyone, promoting a fun, innovative, hardworking, intelligent environment that sets itself apart from any other residency program I worked with. But wait, there was more! Once I experienced the residents’ ability to care for obstetrics patients and lead a labor and delivery team, I truly fell in love! I want to practice full scope family medicine and I knew this place would give me everything I needed and more to succeed.
Undergrad: The Pennsylvania State University
Medical School: American University of the Caribbean
Personal information: I am the youngest of 3 boys, born and raised just north of Pittsburgh, PA. I was born into the black and gold and will forever be a Penguins, Steelers, and Pirates fan. I took up swimming at a young age and propelled myself through college riding that wave at the one and only Pennsylvania State University. I spent my 4 years in Happy Valley studying biology and swimming for the varsity team. After undergrad, I found myself soaking up the sun in the Caribbean for medical school. Outside of schooling, my interests include woodworking, hiking, and running; however, after a hard day at work, you can probably find me relaxing to a good movie or playing video games.
Why Family Medicine: At the end of my core clinical rotations, I was faced with having to decide what route of medicine I wanted to pursue further. While reflecting on my experiences in clinicals, it became extremely evident that I enjoyed all aspects of medicine and could only truly pursue them all through family medicine. I have hopes to practice in a more rural setting in the future to help improve our nation’s access to health care.
Why Williamsport: Williamsport has a perfect balance between the big city feels and the small-town vibes. It has just enough to keep you entertained while not being overpopulated or overwhelming. Having experienced both sides of the spectrum during my time spent in St. Maarten and then in New York City, I realized I was looking for a location that was in between those two. The bonus for me, it is a short car ride away from my alma mater where I’ll be able to go visit old friends and, hopefully in the near future, attend the best college football games in the world.
Undergrad: North Carolina State University
Medical School: Trinity Medical Science University - School of Medicine
Personal information: I was raised as the middle of three boys in a northern suburb of Pittsburgh, PA. Growing up, I played multiple sports, including baseball, soccer, and swimming, as well as spending most days outdoors mountain biking. Swimming eventually took me to NC State, where I was a 4-year letter winner and senior captain for the Wolfpack. Currently, my wife and I enjoy hiking, camping, going to the beach, and exploring the many food and craft brewery options of the Baltimore/Annapolis area. We are excited to begin our next great adventure together and to explore a brand-new city!
Why Family Medicine: Family medicine provides a unique opportunity to not only treat a wide variety of conditions, but to also connect with patients on a more personal note and develop a level of care that they feel a part of. My own passions lie in preventive care, specifically utilizing nutrition from an educational standpoint, as well as teaching the benefits of lifestyle modifications for the management of long-term conditions. I highly value the chance to develop long-term relationships with patients and to get to know them personally; I believe this is at the core of providing excellent care and is a key principle of family medicine in general.
Why Williamsport: Being at a residency program that is unopposed allows the greatest opportunity for continued learning. We will get chances to be front and center in every learning environment throughout our three years, allowing us ample opportunity to develop into the most well-rounded physicians and gain exposure to the many aspects of family medicine. In addition, Williamsport is centrally located between both my family (Pittsburgh) and my wife’s (Annapolis), which will allow us many chances to continue to spend time with them. Lastly, it doesn’t hurt that my brother, Jon (the other Dr. Seiferth), interviewed with the program and turned me on to the many great things UPMC Williamsport has to offer its residents.
Undergrad: Bucknell University
Medical School: Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Personal Information: I was born and raised in Harrisburg, PA and haven’t been able to leave the state since! I received my bachelor’s degree in biology in Lewisburg (not far from Williamsport) before moving to Scranton for my master’s degree and medical school. In my free time, I enjoy yoga, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.
Why Family Medicine: Family medicine is the only field that allows you to care for patients during all stages of life, including before and during birth. I love the variety that FM brings and, most importantly, the patient continuity. As a family doctor, I’m looking forward to building relationships with patients and helping them improve all aspects of their health.
Why Williamsport: I chose Williamsport because I wanted an unopposed residency program with a strong OB curriculum that was close to home. The faculty members and residents I met during my interview day also made me feel like I was already a part of this tight-knit community (despite our interactions being only virtual).
Undergrad: Le Moyne College
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Virginia Campus
Personal Information: I am a small-town kid from a rural northern New York town called Chaumont. It is located on the Northeastern corner of Lake Ontario, about 1.5 hours north of Syracuse near the Canadian border. I am married to my high school sweetheart who is a wonderful Registered Dietitian. We love doing all things active, traveling when we can, and trying new foods. My undergraduate years were spent in Syracuse, NY majoring in Biology and minoring in Philosophy at Le Moyne College. I then took a gap year where I traveled across the U.S. on a six-week trip, tended bar, played music, and enjoyed my time before starting medical school. After my gap year, I was lucky enough to call beautiful Southwest Virginia my home, where I spent four years studying medicine. My wife and I fell in love with the mountains and are glad to still have mountains here in Pennsylvania; it doesn’t hurt that we are closer to home either. I am a die-hard fan of the Super Bowl LII champion Philadelphia Eagles, and love watching all sports. I really enjoy playing recreational sports such as basketball, baseball, and golf; being outdoors in any capacity makes me happy. When inside, I enjoy playing my guitar, watching movies, and reading a good book.
Why Family Medicine: I knew going into medical school that I wanted to work in primary care, but I wasn’t sure exactly what specialty. Through my rotations, I learned that I loved the complexities that came with adult medicine, the joy that came with pediatrics, and the miracle that happened in obstetrics and thought that I would love the opportunity to do all three. One of my mentors in medical school said, “few professions allow you to do more for your fellow man than medicine, and perhaps no other specialty gives you the latitude to choose the way in which you contribute than family medicine.” I understand the value in forming long lasting connections with my patients and their families, and I’m not sure there is a better avenue for that than family medicine. Family physicians not only take care of the families they serve, but they also become a part of those families.
Why Williamsport: I interviewed at Williamsport early on in my interview trail, and it set a benchmark for my expectations that no other program surpassed. It was located in a wonderful community, was a long-standing program that offered full-spectrum, unopposed training, had osteopathic recognition, was full of dedicated and knowledgeable faculty, and had residents who displayed a great balance between working hard and having fun. The hospital system also made it evident that they value the Residency Program. The facility has fantastic space for the residents while working during inpatient months, and a beautiful, state-of-the-art outpatient residency office attached to the hospital with gorgeous views of the surrounding area. The people you meet here instantly make you feel like you are home, and I couldn’t be more excited and grateful to be a part of this training program.
Undergrad: Bucknell University
Medical School: Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
Personal Information: I grew up along the Susquehanna River in Duncannon, Pennsylvania. I attended Bucknell University where I was a biomedical engineering major. I met my spouse while attending Bucknell and we have been married for 5 years. Our lives have been blessed with a young daughter and an adorable Australian Shepherd (creatively named “Shep”). Our favorite activities are hiking, biking, kayaking, and lawn games. In the winter, you can find me curled up on a couch reading a book or inviting friends over to play board games.
Why Family Medicine: I have been passionate about rural medicine for as long as I can remember. Family medicine will allow me to best serve this patient population because I will be able to offer a wide variety of services to my patients, including adult, geriatric, obstetric, gynecologic, and pediatric care. I would like to be a doctor of families, providing care across generations. I find preventative medicine incredibly rewarding, and helping patients to adopt healthy practices is one of the most satisfying experiences in medicine for me.
Why Williamsport: First of all, I was impressed with the program itself. The faculty and residents exuded kindness and competence, which is exactly the type of environment I want to train in. The Williamsport area also has some of the best outdoor activities in the state. Pine Creek Rail Trail is a 63-mile bike trail through one of the most scenic areas of the state and is located 20 minutes from the hospital. The Susquehanna River is perfect for kayaking or floating in an inner tube. There is a plethora of amazing state parks public lands nearby as well. My spouse, who is a huge outdoorsman, can fly fish in many Class A trout streams and hunt on expansive state game lands. Living in Williamsport also allows us to be closer to our families, including my wonderful parents who live just down the river in Duncannon.
Undergrad: Loyola Marymount University
Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Personal Information: I am the oldest of three children and was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. After living in the City of Angels until 25, I decided it was time for change and moved to Philadelphia. I love to cook and spend my free time experimenting in the kitchen. Traveling is very important to me and I make time for it as much as possible. Recently I have ventured to Europe, hiked all of the Utah “Mighty 5” and backpacked Southeast Asia. My love for JRR Tolkien has even taken me to New Zealand! I enjoy reading, and my favorite books are “The Hobbit” and “The Alchemist.”
Why Family Medicine: At the end of my third year of medical school, I loved obstetrics, many medicine specialties and palliative care - so all roads lead to family medicine! My mom owned a board & care and my dad is an internal medicine physician. It was through this lens of empathy and cultured listening that grew my passion for continuity of care and need to be part of a community. Continuity of care is my favorite part of family medicine and I cannot wait to be a physician to many generations in one family.
Why Williamsport: My fiance went to Lycoming College and quickly turned a city girl into a lover of this small town! Apart from the peace and tranquility that comes with living in the valley, the town has a lot of things to do and places to eat. I did an obstetrics rotation at UPMC Susquehanna and fell in love with the program. The part of this experience that impacted me most was the eagerness of everyone to teach. Along with set teaching times, many residents and attendings utilized pockets of time to teach me medicine that mattered.
Undergrad: East Carolina University
Medical School: Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Personal Information: I grew up in southcentral PA, and I taught music in the Lehigh Valley before returning to school to become a doctor. My wife, three daughters, and I now live in Lewisburg. I continue to sing with area music groups, and I enjoy home projects and cooking when I can.
Why Family Medicine: The ideas of building long-term relationships with my patients, helping them navigate through the medical system, and serving as a coach and teacher are at the core of family medicine. I have always seen myself as a teacher, and family medicine allows me to have a varied practice with patients of all ages and in many stages of health.
Why Williamsport: Williamsport feels like coming home for me in several ways, not least of which is that I was born in the hospital. When I rotated here, I was impressed with how close the residents and attending physicians were. I wanted to train in a cooperative environment, and I already felt like part of the team. The program and area are both very welcoming to families, and my wife and I look forward to staying in the area after residency for practice.
Undergrad: Florida Atlantic University
Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine- Georgia Campus
Personal Information: I am originally from Wellington, FL. I was born and raised in South Florida (Yes, the crazy state where everything you see/hear on the news is ACTUALLY true) and spent all of my life there until I moved to Georgia for medical school for first and second year. I then moved to Pennsylvania for third and fourth year clerkships. Clearly, I loved the state and stayed for residency! I have a laundry list of hobbies and interests, but mainly I love all things outdoors where I can bask in the sun, traveling, and cooking. I am also an adrenaline junkie so don’t be surprised if you see me jumping out of planes and parasailing, just to name a few.
Why Family Medicine: I chose Family Medicine because it allows me to tailor towards my interests, such as: Women’s Health, Psychiatry, Dermatology, and Addiction Medicine. We get to treat both acute and chronic conditions, emphasize what we like throughout our training, and practice broad-spectrum medicine in any patient demographic. I have always appreciated the good nature of Family Medicine where you can joke, laugh, and relate with your patients, while remaining engaged and attentive towards their concerns. I feel like the world is my oyster and I take comfort in knowing that this profession has so much variety. Family Medicine is crucial, and I am privileged to help eliminate the deficit of primary care doctors in this country.
Why Williamsport: I chose Williamsport so that I could experience training in an unopposed academic setting and receive the full-spectrum experience I am looking for. This program has so much to offer with its curriculum and location- a beautiful state filled with mountains, nature, and history. During my fourth-year clerkships, I was able to do a month long “audition” rotation and enjoyed being in a close-knit environment where meshing with everyone came easily. I constantly felt motivated to do better and stay on my game. I know here, I will get that extra push I need to excel throughout residency. I take comfort in knowing I will always have the support of faculty and fellow residents. I know I will thrive here and receive training that will not only provide a unique educational experience, but also prepare me to work with rural or underserved populations.
Undergrad: Rochester Institute of Technology
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine: Carolinas Campus
Personal Information: I’m a very family oriented individual. Spending time with my four siblings and parents has always been what I enjoyed the most. Now, I have a beautiful daughter and loving wife and they make life even more rich and enjoyable. I can’t leave out our dog Leo either, playing with him at home or taking him for walks with my wife and daughter is a great way to relax. Between all these family members my days are never dull and that’s how I want my life to be!
Why Family Medicine: The main components for my choice to pursue a career in family medicine are as follows. I love the variation it provides on a daily basis, both in the scope of medicine and in the people you are privileged to meet. I also think that family medicine gives you the greatest ability to make a positive impact on the largest number and variety of people.
Why Williamsport: After living twelve hours away from our family during the four years of medical school, my wife and I were looking to move to be closer. This became even more important to us when our daughter was born. Williamsport was exactly what we were looking for. It had the geography that we were missing in the southeast, plenty of things to do to keep us busy as a family, and still had that close community feel we enjoyed in Spartanburg. The UPMC Williamsport Family Medicine Residency also played a large role in the decision as it hit most of the check boxes I put on my residency wish list. More than that, the people who I met were incredibly friendly, helpful, and felt like the professional family I was looking for. Now, over halfway through residency, we are still happy that we chose Williamsport and are planning to stay.
Undergrad: West Chester University Honors College
Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Personal Information: I am very passionate about art and minored in studio art in undergrad. My favorites include drawing, painting, and sculpting, and I love applying these to homemade gifts!
Why Family Medicine: The variety within Family Medicine always keeps things interesting. You can tailor your experience to fit your interests and learn skills that make it possible to work in any environment or clinical setting. Some of my favorites include procedures, OMM, and patient counseling.
Why Williamsport: I was looking for a well-established program with strong academics and an even stronger community. When I came to Williamsport, I immediately felt a connection to the program and the people, and I knew that warm and supportive environment was what I needed to grow into the physician I am meant to be.
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