PGY-3 

Nicole Kristine Abeyta, MD

I was born and raised in Las Cruces and received my undergraduate and medical degrees at UNM. As a native New Mexican and member of the Combined BA/MD Program, it has always been my goal to practice in my home state and care for underserved populations in a community-based, multidisciplinary setting. I have a husband who will begin his psychiatry residency at UNM and a beautiful, red-headed baby girl. I was ultimately drawn to family medicine because I admired the unique communication between a pediatrician, child, and parent, the empathy and sensitivity of an OB/GYN provider surrounding pregnancy, and the knowledge and critical thinking of internists. I hope to incorporate all these aspects as a family physician and provide comprehensive care including pediatric and obstetrical care. My interests include women’s health, addiction, and preventative medicine. UNM was the perfect location to continue my training because it is a program committed to preparing full scope family physicians dedicated to serving New Mexicans. Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with my daughter, movies, and time outdoors.

Clint Arthur Brayfield, MD

I was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico but grew up in many different parts of the state including Farmington, Bloomfield, and settled down in Las Vegas during high school. I went to the University of New Mexico for undergrad and medical school as a part of the Combined BA/MD Program. On this journey, I was able to learn how to put into words all the health disparities that I saw in my community while growing up. Specifically, I saw how historical trauma, displacement and lack of basic human necessities such as running water on the reservation has impacted the health of my Diné (Navajo) people and me. Tackling these disparities and an emphasis on medicine being more that what takes place in the hospital or clinic is what made choosing Family Medicine the right specialty for me, especially here at UNM. In addition, the breadth of medical knowledge and procedural skills only family medicine trained physicians have enticed me. With my free time I love hanging out with my family and friends. Movies and trying new foods are my favorite pass times, basketball is life, and I hope I can travel to every country on the planet someday.

 
Jeffrey Norris Collins, MD

I grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah where I developed a love for mountains, lakes, and deserts. After finishing undergrad at Westminster College, I worked as an AmeriCorps VISTA at a free clinic in Salt Lake that was mostly run by volunteer Family Physicians. Their kind attitude and resolve to serve Utah’s low-income, uninsured population got me excited about Family Medicine before I started medical school. I was fortunate to go to University of Rochester, where I met my life partner and co-resident here at UNM, Robin. I was a year ahead of Robin in school, so I decided to take a research year during which I lived in Lima, Peru and worked on a tuberculosis project and an HIV project. It was an excellent chance to improve my Spanish and learn about infectious disease care in a resource-scarce setting. I chose UNM for residency because of the program’s mission to bring care where it is most needed, its commitment to diversity, its setting in a beautiful location with an amazing mix of cultures, and the wonderful people I met on my interview day. My interests in Family Medicine include Latinx health, global health, obstetrics, and HIV care/prevention.

 
Yanet Cora Kopnina, MD

I was born and grew up in Cuba, where I became a professional Modern and Contemporary dancer and dance instructor. I came to the United States alone to pursue my dreams of a free country, where I could pursue my calling in medicine. I completed my undergraduate degree at the Arizona State University, and my medical education at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Phoenix. As a first-generation immigrant, I encountered many challenges that gave me a unique perspective and determination to serve under-resourced and immigrant populations. I mentored students from underrepresented backgrounds, lead diabetes education for Spanish-speaking seniors, and brought basic medical care to low-income neighborhoods. Now as a family medicine physician, I plan to become a source of guidance and support to those with limited resources and opportunities. I plan to build lifelong relationships with my patients, serve them across generations and a continuum of settings. I’m very excited to join the UNM Family Medicine program and to explore the beautiful New Mexico.

 
Ellen “Robin” Embick, MD

I grew up in Pennsylvania before moving to New York State to study Environmental Studies at Vassar College. After college I had a myriad of jobs, including working in an ecology research laboratory and then at a rock-climbing gym before landing at the Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers in Camden, New Jersey. In this role, working with patients and primary care doctors, my excitement about medicine grew; from there I went to Bryn Mawr College’s Postbaccalaureate Program to get my science pre-requisites before heading to the University of Rochester for medical school. Everything in medical school affirmed my choice of Family Medicine: I love the broad scope of practice, the commitment to addressing health disparities, and the closeness with patients, families, and communities. My specific interests in Family Medicine include reproductive health, family planning, hospital medicine, addiction medicine, and teaching and education. While in medical school, I met my life partner, Jeffrey Collins; we both couples matched into Family Medicine at the University of New Mexico. We are thrilled to move to the beautiful Southwest and to be in a program with unparalleled strengths in our areas of interest and dedication to caring for all communities in New Mexico.

 
Ricardo Galicia, MD

I grew up in Los Lunas, a rural town south of Albuquerque. I moved to Albuquerque for college and graduated from UNM with a major in French and a minor in chemistry. After graduating from college, I took 5 years off from my educational endeavors to work as a payroll and business tax return specialist, travel, and volunteer at a local non-profit clinic, Casa de Salud. It was through this clinical experience, as well as my background as a first generation Mexican-American, that I developed an interest in working with underserved patients, in particular the Spanish speaking immigrant population.  I chose the UNM Family Medicine Residency because of its diverse population, its emphasis in providing broad spectrum care, and its training in providing socially and culturally competent care to underserved populations. UNM also offers ample exposure to my professional interests which include adolescent health, reproductive health, maternal child health, and immigrant health. In my free time I like to hike with my wife (a fellow FM resident!) and our dog Ollie, explore the craft brew scene in ABQ, eat paletas while gazing at the beautiful Sandia Mountains, attend the theater, and partake in good laughing sessions with family and friends.

 
Bethany Elaine Gutfrucht, MD

I’m from Gallup, New Mexico, and I’m excited to continue my training at the University of New Mexico as a family medicine resident. I chose family medicine because of the unique population we are able to work with—families! I look forward to a career in which I can get to know communities over generations. Family medicine allows us to serve adults, deliver and care for children, and continue care when our patients become elderly. Some of my particular interests include Native American health, women’s health, and addiction medicine. I ultimately plan to work with the Indian Health Service in a rural area. I chose UNM because they truly value community medicine and are working to improve the lives of their patients. They value understanding who their patients are as people and see them as more than their disease. I’m honored to join such an incredible group of people and look forward to learning alongside them.

 
Rachel “Ray” Kelley, MD

I grew up in Pittsburgh PA and Denver CO, and have been living in the San Francisco Bay Area for the past ten years. I attended college at Stanford University, where I majored in Human Biology, and attended the UC Berkeley – UCSF Joint Medical Program for graduate and medical school. While at UCB/UCSF, I researched farmworkers’ occupational health and worked to promote diversity and equity in medical education. I was also fortunate to complete clinical rotations with the IHS in Chinle and Gallup, which encouraged me to move to the Southwest for residency! I am excited to join UNM Family Medicine in providing whole-person health care for all ages while building strong relationships with patients and communities. As I continue my training, I aim to live by a saying popularized by disability justice activists – “nothing about us without us!” In this spirit of partnership, I plan to devote my career in Family Medicine to supporting the health and healing of those who historically have been excluded or marginalized, including members of immigrant, indigenous, and LGBTQ communities. Outside of work, I enjoy outdoor adventures, learning languages, and spending time with friends and family.  

 
Anna Kistin, MD

I have been fortunate to live in different cities throughout the U.S. including Chicago, IL, St. Paul, MN, Washington DC, and Bryn Mawr, PA, but am proud to call New Mexico home. I was raised in Albuquerque, returned here to attend medical school at UNM, and could not be more excited to stay at UNM to complete my residency. I was initially drawn to family medicine because it seemed the field of medicine that most overlapped with my undergraduate studies that examined community health from a social science and humanities perspective. These classroom interests were bolstered by collaborations with immigrant communities in my college neighborhood, and also through travels and projects in Latin America. Shortly after starting medical school, I saw that the field of family medicine is one full of providers who are not only expert physicians, but also who work to address the social determinants of health. Outside of medicine I love hiking, reading, baking, trying to keep an herb garden alive, and making people listen to me recount all the podcasts I heard this week. 

 
Kate Andra Kollars, MD

I grew up in Sioux City, IA, with my parents’ examples of hard work, political engagement, and service, which continue to guide my life today. I studied anthropology and biological sciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and I quickly came to appreciate the impact of environmental, social, and political factors on health. After graduation, I moved to Washington, D.C. for a health policy internship and then to Colorado where I worked with low-income high-school students through AmeriCorps. These experiences fostered my passion for public health and primary care, and they set me on my path towards family medicine. During medical school, I continued to be involved in health equity and social justice initiatives, including the University of Michigan’s Student Run Free Clinic. I also pursued an MPH in Health Policy at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. I look forward to forming longitudinal relationships with patients while also working to improve community health. UNM’s broad training and dedication to underserved communities and the state was a perfect fit. And I’m thrilled to be moving to Albuquerque where I can explore local arts, music, and food scenes while also taking advantage of mountains for hiking, skiing, and fresh air.

 
Halea Kala Meese, MD

After spending time on both coasts, Halea is ecstatic to have landed in the back in the west for medical school at the University of Colorado (CU) and is thrilled to continue her southwestern journey at UNM FCM for residency. Halea believes in patient centered care. Her experience as a Spanish medical interpreter and member of CU's rural training track, introduced her to the power of social context, community support, and systems-level advocacy in healing. She is excited to be pursuing a career in family medicine with the goal of practicing in the rural Southwest upon completing her training. At UNM, she looks forward to the opportunities that she will have to care for patients and families while continuing to advocate for her community, fellow residents, and her profession. She chose UNM because of its focus on caring for the whole patient, the opportunities to practice in both rural settings and an academic medical center, and the strong training in full spectrum family medicine. In her free time, you will find her outside, baking elaborate desserts from scratch, listening to audiobook biographies, or perfecting the art of backpacking meal prep.

 
Isabel Nava-Marquez, MD

I was born in California but raised in rural Arizona. I am half Sun Devil and half Wildcat. I completed my undergraduate education at Arizona State University and medical school at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. Making a difference within communities that need it most has been and continues to be a priority throughout this journey. I am a first-generation college graduate and daughter of immigrant parents. I understand the importance of empowering individuals to create lasting changes. I chose Family Medicine because I want to build lasting relationships with my patients and our community. I love that we get to practice full-spectrum medicine but have a soft spot for rural medicine, preventive medicine, and obstetrics. I also have an interest in public health because it allows healing and prevention to go beyond the clinic setting, to where it matters most. My goal is to provide culturally competent care and practice socially responsible medicine. I chose the University of New Mexico to continue my training because it was the program best suited to meet my goals. The amazing people I met during my interview sealed the deal!

 
Alexandra “Alex” Ninneman, MD

I am a first-generation college graduate and physician and hail from Taos, New Mexico (go Tigers!). I completed my undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies at Willamette University in Salem, OR and spent several years working in environmental education before switching gears to pursue medicine. Following a postbac at Portland State University, I completed medical school at Oregon Health & Science University. After 14 years away, I am beyond excited to return to the Land of Enchantment and to continue my training with the Family Medicine team at UNM. I have dedicated myself to medicine because I've seen how critical our health is to every other aspect of our lives. I strive to care for my patients as whole people within the context of their unique stories, values, and communities and have chosen Family Medicine because I don't think any other specialty accomplishes this as well as we do. I look forward to learning with and caring for my fellow New Mexicans in the years ahead and making up for more than a decade without sopapillas and chile! I am also excited to get back out in the SW sunshine and on the ski slopes with family and friends.

Cecilia Valverde, MD

I grew up in the South Valley of Albuquerque. I am a first generation Mexican American and the first in my family to graduate from college. My upbringing and work with underserved populations is what inspired me to become a Family Medicine physician. I want to work both in the hospital and as a provider in a community health center. I want to work in the hospital because for many patients their first encounter with the healthcare system often occurs late into their disease course because they were unaware, undereducated or unable to access care. I want to educate patients about their health and connect them to resources so that they can be successful after discharge. I want to work in community health centers because I want to provide continuity of care and to build relationships with community leaders to empower and improve the condition and health literacy in the underserved communities of New Mexico. I hope to continue working towards establishing a bilingual provider program at UNMH along with pursuing my interests in public health. I am excited to be a part of UNM FCM program in order to serve the communities I grew up in.

 

 PGY-2

Amity Calvin, MD

I grew up in Sisters, a small town in Oregon that thrives on its quaintness. My mother is a family doc who goes on house calls, and as kids, my brother and I would often accompany her to play music for her patients – me on violin, him on guitar. These visits surprised me, because they went beyond my expectations of a doctor’s visit- they would discuss the logistics of getting a hospital bed inside a bedroom. I have strong memories of the interiors of these patient’s houses- seeing their pictures, pieces of their homes, what they’ve chosen to surround themselves with. Family medicine, more than any other specialty, embraces that “I’m a guest in your world” feeling. And as a queer half-Asian privileged kid from a rural town, knowing how to see the parts of a person as intersecting pieces of a greater story has been particularly important in my journey as a learner. I am deeply honored to be joining the UNM family medicine team.

Jesus Guzman Jr., DO

I chose family medicine as my specialty because of its versatility. As an emergency room scribe, I saw firsthand how an FM-trained physician performed deliveries, OMT, and ED procedures while running his personal clinic. During my time in medical school, both my FM preceptors did a combination of inpatient and outpatient work. Beyond being versatile, they enjoyed amazing patient–physician relationships and knew their patients on intimate terms, from their comorbidities and medications to their children’s graduations and career choices. I truly enjoyed those months in clinic, because although they were hard work, I had finally found a specialty that matched my personality. I chose to continue my training at UNM in recognition of its commitment to providing to its underserved population and because it offers nearly a full spectrum of training and is backed by the largest health and university network in New Mexico.

Owen Hamilton, MD

I chose family medicine for several reasons, but mainly because I wanted to be able to serve the most vulnerable members of my community, which requires longitudinal primary care that meets community members where they are at. I am very interested in reproductive healthcare and being able to take care of patients prior to, during, and after their pregnancies, as well as their children. LGBT+ populations have poor health outcomes in several areas and family medicine and primary care will be a huge part of improving those outcomes. Providing inclusive care, including transition related care for transgender patients is another reason why I chose family medicine. The breadth of practice as well as the potential relationships with my patients excite me as I look forward to the next three years.

Elizabeth Hillman, MD

I grew up in East Lansing, Michigan, in the middle of the Great Lakes State. I studied Spanish and Pre-Medicine at the University of Notre Dame, and spent every chance I could combining my two majors in volunteer settings. The personal encounters I had while volunteering deepened both my understanding of the social determinants of health and my desire to know patients as individuals, not just diseases. I attended medical school at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan where I was blessed to live and work in a diverse and underserved community. There, my suspicion that family medicine would best meet my desire to care for the whole person in the context of the community was confirmed. During interview season I was drawn to the University of New Mexico because I saw a team that is passionate about health equity and dedicated to serving the community. My specific interests within medicine include full spectrum family medicine, Latinx health, global health, addiction medicine, and palliative care. I spend the majority of my free time outdoors running, eating, having life chats, or reading a book. 

Lakita Maulson, MD

Boozhoo (Hello)! I am a proud member of the Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe Nation in Northern Wisconsin where I grew up and am a first-generation college graduate of UW-Madison where I obtained my degree in Kinesiology. I then completed a research year prior to starting medical school at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health as a member of the Wisconsin Academy for Rural Medicine. I also obtained a General Management MBA degree from UW-Parkside during a year off of medical school. I am excited to be moving to the Southwest to train in Family Medicine at a program that is highly dedicated to serving the underserved. This is a huge passion of mine, especially as it pertains to Indigenous health and wellbeing. Family Medicine’s approach spoke to me as it prioritizes taking the time to address patients’ underlying psychological and social needs alongside their medical needs. To me this is the best way to care for individuals, families, and an entire community. Specific areas of interest I have include office procedures, addiction medicine, Tribal health, global health, maternal and child health and education/teaching. In my free time, I like to cook/bake, travel, fish, hike, read, play basketball, and hang out with family and friends.

Chance Najera, MD

After spending four years in upstate New York for medical school, I am thrilled to return home to New Mexico for residency! My initial interest in medicine and health equity began while I was a college student at UNM, where I was involved in efforts to improve mental health outcomes for recently resettled refugee families through community advocacy. I was drawn to Family Medicine due to the unique relationships formed with patients over time across various clinical settings, as well as the focus on social context as an integral component of providing high quality healthcare. In addition to immigrant health, my other interests within Family Medicine include pediatrics, outpatient procedures, and medical education. I chose UNM because of its comprehensive training within a large, well-integrated Family Medicine department, and its commitment to producing graduates who intend to practice in underserved areas. Outside of medicine, I enjoy tennis, musical theater, playing the piano, and spending time with my family. I am honored to begin this journey in a place I love!

Amanda Nguyen, DO

Hey everyone! Born and raised Southern Californian here. After picking up a degree in psychobiology (and a minor in French) at UCLA, I moved to Erie, PA for medical school. In addition to learning a lot about snow, I had the privilege of working alongside a variety of community organizations who helped me develop a passion for improving health literacy. I love family medicine's holistic approach to care and the opportunities we have to build durable, long-lasting relationships with our patients, which is especially important when working with those who feel disenfranchised by the healthcare system. I am thrilled to join the Family Medicine residency here at UNM, where health equity, advocacy, and full-spectrum practice are at the forefront of our training. I am especially excited to be pursuing my interests in LGBTQ health, rural medicine, and women’s health. When there’s down time, you can catch me working on one of my random hobbies, my favorite at the moment being tropical fish keeping. I also enjoy all things involving food, trying to grow things, and energetically but poorly singing showtunes with my girlfriend and our ornery senior dog.

Veronica Pace, MD

I am so happy to join the UNM Family Medicine Program. I chose a career in medicine to become a PCP for those who need doctors most. At UNM, I will learn the core skills of family medicine with special training to meet the needs of medically underserved populations - mental health, women’s health and obstetrics, addiction medicine, transgender and gender affirming care, and so much more. I was especially drawn to UNM’s exceptional training in family planning, FQHC continuity clinic, and obstetrics fellowship. I am thrilled to connect with the beautiful community of Albuquerque, as I have spent my whole life on the other side of the country - in Massachusetts! I grew up in Newburyport, MA, studied Biology and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at UMass Amherst, and completed medical school at UMass Medical School in Worcester. During my time there, I found so much joy caring for patients at the free clinics and serving as a mentor to incarcerated adolescents and disadvantaged undergraduates working to become physicians through the same pipeline program that supported my journey to medicine. In my spare time, I love to run, spend time with friends and family, cook extravagant Italian dishes, and play music.

Shandiin Sam, MD

Family Medicine allowed me the flexibility to care for everyone from birth to the elderly. I loved the connections Family Physicians have with their patients, asking about their family members and reliving positive moments in their lives. It was heartwarming to know I wouldn’t be just a doctor, but also a trusted confidant to my patients. I want to be the bridge to my patients understanding Western medicine, as my passion is to give back to the Native American and rural communities. Thus, I hope to train broad spectrum or focus on maternal-infant health. Recently, I was introduced to how policies are made, and I hope to explore more of the advocacy side of medicine. UNM was the perfect choice to train for me because it is a “minority-majority” state, I loved that they have a continuity clinic with Indian Health Service, and there are so many opportunities to explore several of my interests. 

Colin Savareid, MD

I chose Family Medicine because I believe the specialty has a unique, holistic perspective on health that views the patient in the context of their goals, values, background, and community. I love that I will have the ability to treat my patients at all stages of their lives. I was drawn to UNM because of the combination of strong academics with a mission to care for the underserved and marginalized, and actively make a difference in the community it serves. It was important to me to choose a program concerned with advancing health equity, and one in which the spectrum of training included opportunities in reproductive health, addiction medicine, and gender-affirming healthcare. I'm also excited to train at UNM because of the location: I'm originally from Los Angeles, but Albuquerque has been a second home to me for several years, as it’s home to my partner, Sarah, and my two stepsons. I love the climate, landscape and culture of New Mexico, and I'm proud to finally make it home to the Land of Enchantment!

Christian Tyler Smith, DO

I am thrilled to join the UNM Family Medicine Residency and continue my medical training in New Mexico. The calling of Family Medicine Physician is truly an honor and something I have worked diligently to prepare for. I moved to Las Cruces in 2017 to attend medical school at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine but the majority of my clerkships were located throughout the state. I feel fortunate to have worked in various hospitals and clinics in Albuquerque, Gallup, Belen, Espanola, Edgewood and the Isleta Pueblo. Each community provided the charm and diversity that make New Mexico so special. While continuing my training at UNM, I hope to impart empowerment in health and wellness to each of my patients. I love Family Medicine because the scope of practice is broad, much like my own interests. These include addiction medicine, chronic pain management, childhood development, nutrition and public health. Beyond medicine, I enjoy spending time with family, hiking, playing guitar and reading.

Hannah Udell, DO

I was born in La Crosse, a beautiful town in the driftless region of southwest Wisconsin and obtained my bachelor’s degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, majoring in anthropology and evolutionary biology. After graduating, I found home in the Cascade mountains, working for three years in infectious disease research at the University of Washington and attending medical school at Pacific Northwest University. My interests in medicine started at a young age and were affirmed by volunteer experiences at a clinic within the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota and a community youth organization in Seattle. Early medical school, I found “my people” within a state family medicine organization, where I became involved in leadership and advocacy, solidifying my understanding of family medicine as a tool for social justice. I am particularly passionate about reproductive justice and adolescent, rural, and community medicine. I chose UNM because of the opportunities to nourish these passions and grow as a compassionate and skilled provider for individuals from a diversity of backgrounds. Outside medicine, I appreciate spending time with nature and staying active biking, hiking, skiing, and running. I am absolutely thrilled to be joining such a wonderful group of talented and passionate individuals.

Carlos Vargas Pavia, MD

I am originally from Albuquerque, NM, where I went to UNM for both college and medical school. I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in medicine because it combined my love for knowledge with helping people. I choose to do family medicine because I knew that I wanted to be able treat everyone and know a little bit about everything. Some of my interests include human development, the musculoskeletal system, and nutrition. In my spare time, I enjoy going on bike rides, walking through the bosque and spending times with friends and family. I am excited to practice medicine in the community that I love. I feel fortunate to be on the path that I am on and am grateful to all those who have helped make it possible. Go Lobos!

Kerry Zimdars, MD

I was drawn to Family Medicine by its focus on getting to know your patients as people and recognizing how the everyday aspects of their lives affect their health and wellbeing. It is the field that provides you the opportunity to care for everyone from a newborn to their great-grandparents and ensure that no matter where you are, you have the tools and the capability to address their needs. As someone with a passion for public health and advocacy, Family Medicine was a natural fit, as was UNM. My interactions with members of UNM Family Medicine always felt so welcoming and open, which is exactly what I hope for in any team I may be on. I couldn’t be more excited to explore life in the Southwest as I relocate from Wisconsin to New Mexico. 

Santa Fe 1+2 Interns

Hamza Khudir Altaie, MD

I believe that family medicine is the perfect fit for me as it is one of the most well-rounded specialties. It has just the right amount of excitement and challenges brought about by the wide scope of the practice and its broad patient demographics. Also, what makes family medicine so fulfilling is how it propagates the sense of community and compassion through its nature of providing continuity of care. There are so many opportunities and concentrations found within family care such as inpatient, outpatient, hospitalist only, procedure-heavy (including obstetrics), adults only, pediatrics focus, women’s health focus, geriatrics focus, and community and preventive health. Seeing patients with complaints across multiple organ systems, age groups, and settings keeps you on your toes and in your best form.

Ashten Duncan, MD

As a child, I was a “military brat” and lived outside of the United States for several years. I spent the majority of my childhood in Moore, OK, where I graduated from high school. In 2016, I received my BS in Microbiology from the University of Oklahoma. In 2019, I received my MPH with an interdisciplinary focus from the University of Oklahoma Hudson College of Public Health. In 2021, I received my MD from the OU-TU School of Community Medicine. As an Albert Schweitzer Fellow for Life and National Health Service Corp scholar, I chose family medicine because I want to develop longitudinal, therapeutic relationships with diverse patients that allow for them to thrive within the context of the community. Moreover, I intend to use my skills as a positive psychology researcher and public health professional to expand our understanding of foundational clinical practices in primary care. My specific clinical interests consist of Native American and tribal health, academic medicine, preventive care, and lifestyle medicine. UNM’s FM residency program—and especially its Santa Fe track—will offer excellent opportunities for me to develop as a physician in all of these areas, which is why I chose this program. 

Carlos Martinez, MD

I was born in Sonora, Mexico and grew up in East Los Angeles, California.  My road to medicine was circuitous, which includes a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Portuguese Literature from UCLA, working in my family’s business, teaching English in Spain where I met my wife, and assisting veterans as a case manager in Skid Row.  I never forgot my upbringing in the swap meets of Southern California where I returned as an AmeriCorps member to promote and sign up community members for health care insurance.  Driven to be a provider who is present in every day as well as life-changing events motivated me towards family medicine.  The broad scope of family medicine offers unique opportunities to be involved in the community addressing the social determinants of health and in the hospital.  My professional interests include adolescent health, hospital medicine, and working in underserved immigrant communities.  UNM/Northern NM program offers a diverse population and different settings that will train me to be a full-spectrum bilingual family physician.  My personal interests include camping, playing board games, finding and reading awesome books to my kids, bike riding, and hiking with my family.  

Silvia Santiago Morales, MD

I was born and raised in Guatemala. I received my medical training at Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, one of the best and oldest universities of Central America founded over 300 years ago.  During my medical training, I served a rural community of over 3,000 inhabitants, where I fell in love giving continuity of care to patients and their families. After graduation, I moved to the US to continue my medical education.  I had the opportunity to join the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at Stanford School of Medicine, doing cancer clinical research. During my free time, I volunteered with the Mobile Health Unit for Women of  California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo County, CA. Working for this program, I served the indigenous immigrant community of farmworkers of Santa Maria, CA. I am excited to join the Family Medicine Residency at UNM-Santa Fe and learn from a diverse community of patients, residents, and physicians. I am interested in Global Health, Emergency Medicine, and Wilderness Medicine in austere environments. I am an avid rock climber and mountaineer; New Mexico's diverse terrain makes it the perfect place to be.

Alyssa Vecchio, MD

I was born in New Jersey and spent my earlier years along the east coast, including an undergraduate degree in Behavioral Neuroscience at Lehigh University and internships with global health nonprofits in New York. While working at Primary Care Progress in Boston, I recognized the need to revitalize frontline care, as well as the exciting clinical innovation happening in preventative medicine. These experiences inspired me to attend an international medical school program in Italy (simultaneously having the chance to spend time with my Italian family). I completed electives in couples voluntary counseling and testing in Zambia, pediatric HIV care in Lesotho, and rural medicine in India. Following graduation, I was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of North Carolina, studying the neuropsychological and behavioral aspects of HIV care. Overall, my intention is to understand and to break down the barriers to quality healthcare for underserved and marginalized communities. I believe family medicine is the ideal space to make an impact, with the unique ability to incorporate the patients’ voices into improved care. I am excited to be in NM to learn from and work with the incredible UNM and rural communities. Plus, my blue-heeler pup is thrilled to explore the mountains!

PGY-1

Kathryn Brown, MD

I was born and raised in Cincinnati, OH in a Family Medicine household. I was fortunate enough to watch my father and grandfather, both family physicians who accepted eggs and oil changes as payment, care for multiple generations of families and build trusting relationships with their patients and community. I attended The Ohio State University for undergrad where I studied Environmental Science and researched the intersection of race, place, pollution, and health. I continued pursuing my interests in health disparities, community service, and mentorship in medical school at the University of Cincinnati. There, I had the opportunity to work with a community-led partnership in Tanzania as well as with several mentorship and STEM pipeline programs in Cincinnati. This work, combined with my upbringing in exam rooms and on house calls, lead me to Family Medicine. I chose to go into Family Medicine because of the ability to provide broad-spectrum care to those who need it most while building longitudinal relationships. I am thrilled to be going to UNM for residency because of the mission-driven approach to broad-spectrum, community-minded care. I am excited to receive the training I need to continue serving patients from all backgrounds in a variety of settings.

Yen-Phuong Bui, DO

I am very proud to be called a Vietnamese refugee because my past experience with the disparity in healthcare taught me the importance of providing compassionate care where and when it is most needed. After graduating from the University of Houston-Downtown with a Fine Arts degree and working full time as a graphics designer, I spent my weekends volunteering at MD Anderson Cancer Center. It was there that I realized healthcare, specifically family medicine, would best fit my interests and how I want to contribute to my community. Family medicine best balances my enthusiasm for connecting with patients and practicing evidence-based medicine while allowing me the fulfillment of a career that helps improve patient lives and prevent diseases. Connecting with patients from all backgrounds, critically thinking to make confident clinical judgments to solve medical problems for patients of all ages, improving the health of patients and educating the community on preventative care are important aspirational goals for my medical career. I find these factors to be the most humanistic part of medicine and the Family Medicine Residency Program at UNM would further help achieve my goal of gaining the necessary skills to care for future patients.

Austin Caballero, DO

I was raised in Runge, a small town deep in rural South Texas. I went to Trinity University, where I studied neuroscience, and then completed medical school at UNTHSC-TCOM. During my studies, I discovered my passions while working with marginalized populations and volunteering with individuals living in transitional shelters. I am fortunate to have found family medicine where I could realize my passion for addressing social determinants of health at the population and individual levels. Through my mission to cultivate adaptive and healthy communities, I believe in patient advocacy and facilitating conversations focused on addressing health disparities. I chose UNM because of its commitment to training full-spectrum family physicians who deliver compassionate care to underserved populations. I am happy to call UNM my home alongside caring professionals, their commitment to community health, and being located in the natural beauty of New Mexico. Additionally, my special interests in family medicine include adolescent medicine, minority health, and medical education. In my free time, I enjoy watching the latest films, learning music on the piano, improving my baking skills, and adventuring through parks and trails.

Jacki Castellanos, MD, MS

Jackie is the daughter of immigrants from Korea and Mexico and was raised in Monterey Park, California, an Asian American and immigrant community. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley – University of California, San Francisco Joint Medical Program and holds a Master of Science and Doctor of Medicine. For her Master’s thesis, she was awarded the Emerging Scholars in Family Planning Grant from the Society of Family Planning Research Fund to design a qualitative research study to investigate undergraduate students’ access to abortion services. She authored an op-ed published in The Los Angeles Times (September 2019) based on the preliminary findings of this study to support the successful passage of the College Student Right to Access Act, which mandated that all California public universities offer medication abortions at student health centers. She is also interested in storytelling, both performing live for The A Word: Stories in Reproductive Health and The Nocturnists podcast. As a family medicine physician, she will continue to advocate for policy changes to increase access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare. She is excited to train at UNM’s family and community medicine’s residency program to learn how to practice addiction medicine, full-spectrum reproductive healthcare, and community medicine in a medically underserved area.

Lizzet Castillo, MD

I have lived in New Mexico for most of my life, having attended UNM for my undergraduate education and then medical school at the UNM SOM. I grew up in a small rural town in Chihuahua, Mexico where the community had little to no access to healthcare. Thus, I experienced first-hand the important role that primary care plays in the health outcomes of individuals and communities. Family medicine is often the primary access point for patients, especially marginalized populations who are affected by health disparities. I chose Family Medicine because I want to serve the most vulnerable members of my community, while also building life-long relationships with patients and serving them across generations. As I continue my training at UNM, I hope to continue advocating for patients and striving to break down the barriers to healthcare access. I am excited to join the UNM Family Medicine Residency where I plan to continue pursuing my interest in caring for the underserved and learning more about addiction medicine, women’s health and much more.

Emma Connelly, MD

Hello! I’m from Kansas City, Missouri and attended UMKC’s combined BA/MD program. My parents are both teachers in the arts, so choosing a career in medicine took me in quite a different direction. From a very young age I have been passionate about women’s health and think Family Medicine is the best path to pursue a holistic approach to women’s health care and advocacy. I love the flexibility of family medicine and the ability to do a little bit of everything that you are passionate about! One the reasons I was drawn to UNM’s program was the large Hispanic and Native American population they serve as well as the strong women’s health and outreach opportunities the program offers. In addition, I am interested in pursuing Global Health opportunities, working with underserved populations, community medicine, and any way to keep improving my Spanish speaking skills! In my spare time, you can always find me hanging out with my pets, learning a new craft, exploring the town, or chilling with friends and family.

Julia McIntyre, MD

I grew up in the Bay Area and moved to northern Ohio to attend Oberlin College, where I majored in economics.  I returned to San Francisco after college to work at the UCSF Trauma Recovery Center, a free clinic that provides mental health and case management services to survivors of interpersonal violence and traumatic loss.  During my time there, I discovered that I wanted to become a physician.  I went back to Ohio to go to the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine for medical school.  I chose family medicine because I am interested in the longitudinal relationships between patients and physicians, and I think primary care providers are uniquely situated to use medicine as a tool for social justice.  A lot of my specific interests in family medicine are a reflection of the time I spent working before medical school, such as trauma-informed care, reproductive health and family planning, mental health, and care for underserved populations.  I was drawn to UNM for residency because I saw my personal values mirrored in the program.  I am thrilled to train at UNM.

Lily McKoy, DO, MPH

My first year of medical school, I often asked myself which organ system I found most interesting and which age group I felt most drawn to serving (my answer seemed frustratingly constant: all of them!). It wasn’t until my second year that I realized my attraction to Family Medicine is less about the type of medicine practiced, but the way it is practiced. The philosophy deeply resonates with its more encompassing approach of preventing disease, treating the whole person from birth to death, the continuity of care between inpatient and outpatient settings, the focus on underserved populations and a history of advocacy and community engagement. But more than anything, I love the way Family Medicine prioritizes relationships: building partnership and honoring patient autonomy through shared decision-making rooted in quality communication. My future dream is to use these skills (along with my MPH degree and my previous work experience in health policy research and advocacy) and practice full-spectrum Family Medicine in an FQHC for underserved communities. My medical interests include chronic disease management, addiction medicine, women’s health and obstetrics, osteopathic manipulative treatment, and community medicine. I am passionate about health equity and social justice and look forward to using my research skills and understanding of healthcare policy to help improve the clinical care, health system coordination, and better advocate for my future patients. I am excited to further develop these skills through the incredible training opportunities that the University of New Mexico will offer me. And on top of that, my husband and I are thrilled to explore the beautiful Southwest!

Eliana Otero-Bell, MD

 I grew up in Northern New Mexico and completed my undergraduate and medical school at UNM, and am so excited to have the opportunity to stay for residency! I am grateful for the opportunity to work with all types of patients of all different ages and backgrounds, each with a unique story. Throughout medical school, I realized what a privilege it is to care for people, working with them to identify what exactly it is that the medical system can provide, while also addressing social needs and advocating on behalf of our patients and for the health of our communities, and learned that oftentimes the best medicine is not “medicine” at all. I plan on becoming a full spectrum rural physician and to one day work in a critical access hospital, providing primary care, with specific focus on obstetrics, emergency stabilization and procedural medicine. I am truly honored to be staying in my home state working with the population I care so deeply about and am excited to learn so many things over the next few years that will prepare me for life as a Family Medicine Physician in rural New Mexico! 

Danielle Pohl, MD

I grew up in Iowa and completed my undergraduate education at Iowa State University and my medical education at the University of Iowa. I entered family medicine because the opportunities are genuinely never ending, I am interested in practicing rural full-spectrum FM. My specific interests include rural/underserved and addiction medicine, procedures, reproductive health, and emergency/acute care. I’m thrilled to train at UNM because I know I am able to explore all of my interests in a supportive environment with excellent training and the program is committed to caring for (and actively improving care at an individual and systemic level) underserved populations. I am so excited to explore the beauty of NM and get to know as many people as possible! Outside of medicine I love spending time with my dog Rocco, attending concerts, camping, hiking, and rock climbing.

Claire Sava, MD

I am a proud New Mexican and am grateful to continue my medical training at UNM. Growing up, I was provided such a wonderful view of medicine through my mother’s work as an RN and my father’s as a family physician. Seeing how they cared for others through their work piqued my interest in medicine from a young age. While completing my undergraduate degree in Denver, I became interested in harm reduction and began volunteering at a needle exchange. I also spent time working on a campaign for universal healthcare. Through these experiences my understanding of how multifaceted health is began to grow. Returning to UNM for medical school and seeing how impactful providing good primary care is, especially in an underserved state like NM, further propelled me towards family medicine. Family medicine excites me because it is versatile and looks at the broader picture of what affects one's health and quality of life. Through family medicine, I will be able to provide broad spectrum care while building relationships with my patients, which I find to be the most rewarding part. I look forward to continuing to pursue my interests which include addiction medicine, reproductive health, OB and health advocacy. 

Meagen Twyeffort, MD

I grew up in Sandia Park, New Mexico and attended UNM for my undergraduate and medical school through the Combined BA/MD Program. During medical school, I had the opportunity to do clinical rotations in Taos, Shiprock, and Santo Domingo Pueblo. I also explored topics that I am passionate about such as helping to develop and teach health literacy classes for patients. I chose family medicine because it incorporates the ecosystem of each patient and allows me to serve as a partner and advocate for patients. I look forward to serving as a resource for patients who lack access to medical services and helping reduce barriers to health through community engagement. I am excited to educate and empower patients to become masters of their own health. My small-town background, combined with my patient care experiences in our state, has fueled my passion to train at UNM and serve our communities. I enjoy traveling with my husband, playing with our corgi-heeler pup, and RV camping with my mom. 

Eve Wiggins, MD

Before starting medical school at the University of Washington, my now-husband and I took time off from work to drive 3800 miles from Anchorage, Alaska to Las Cruces, New Mexico (and 3800 miles back). After just a few days spent in the Land of Enchantment, I knew that I needed to come back someday to spend more time in this beautiful and interesting place. Four years later, it feels like a dream come true to be making the trip south once again, and I am thrilled that my husband and I are both returning to New Mexico to join UNM – him in emergency medicine, and me in family medicine. I chose family medicine because I want to take care of people of all ages, with a wide variety of medical concerns, and to develop relationships with my patients over time. I am especially interested in adolescent medicine, geriatric medicine, addiction medicine, reproductive health, and obstetrics.

Margaret Wisniewski, MD, MPH

I’m excited to be joining the University of New Mexico Family Medicine Residency! I decided to pursue family medicine so that I could build long term relationships with my patients. I hope to be able address social determinants and lifestyle factors in the primary care setting to improve health. I completed a Master in Public Health before medical school and I really admired that this program prioritizes community based medicine. I am passionate about women's health and appreciate that this program has excellent exposure to obstetrics and family planning. Finally, I really valued that University of New Mexico offers truly broad spectrum family medicine training so that I can graduate well prepared! 

Diana R Cardero, MD

When I was 5 years old, I moved to the United States with my mother and father in search of a better future. I always knew I wanted to become a doctor, just not what type. From a very young age, I have enjoyed working with my hands, from craftsmanship to sewing a full wardrobe for the one Barbie doll my parents were able to afford. I thought a surgical specialty would be the best fit for me.  I completed my first two years of residency in General Surgery. These two years have helped me grow tremendously in many areas of life, however, I realized I was often a part of putting out fires that could have been prevented (i.e., advanced cancers, peripheral vascular disease, complications of obesity, etc.). With the opportunity to identify health disparities and intervene earlier, I will prevent patients from presenting with such advanced diseases as are often seen in underserved communities. As an immigrant and native Spanish speaker who lost her mother to advanced colorectal cancer, I look forward to providing care for such communities in New Mexico.

Isabel Diaz-Morfin, MD

I was born and raised in Michoacan, Mexico. I studied Medicine in la Universidad de Colima and on the side, I volunteered as an EMT for several years. I have always been curious about the world and this motivated me to pursue medical training in Spain before and after graduation. I enjoy traveling locally and abroad and have had the opportunity to meet people of many different backgrounds. Family Medicine is the specialty that will allow me to practice full scope, from primary care to hospital medicine. My philosophy for patient treatment is one of education and mutual understanding. I strongly believe that a patient must understand that their doctor values their wellbeing and views them as more than just another 15-minute appointment. I am thrilled to participate in a program that shares my values like UNM and CSV Family Medicine in Santa Fe. My specific areas of interest are hospital medicine, emergency medicine and the social determinants of health. During my free time I operate a small business selling Mexican hot chocolate, I am constantly experimenting with flavors and textures. I also enjoy learning about investing and the stock market and growing my own vegetables.

Cameron Kilpatrick, MD, MPH

In my previous career working in international development, I was fortunate to see how medicine could be used to engage with families and foster beneficial relationships. After seeing this modelled for me, I began pursuing my MD/MPH in Tropical Medicine at Tulane University with the goal of providing long-term, relational care for families in diverse settings.  Family Medicine provided a human connection which I seldom saw in other areas of medicine, caring for entire families and sharing in both their joyous and sorrowful experiences. With my specific interests in serving underserved and rural populations through primary care, reproductive health, obstetrics, and pediatrics, I am thrilled to continue my training at the University of New Mexico - Rural Santa Fe Program, which offers full-spectrum care for families and their diverse communities. I look forward to the privilege of working with members of my community every day and providing care for them exactly where they are. 

Nora E Kratz, MD

I have always enjoyed stories, especially when they come directly from the source. In family medicine we are given the opportunity to experience life through the eyes of the community members we serve. Transforming these experiences into individual and societal services, prevention and treatments that aim to improve health is an honor, a challenge, and a provocative, ever-evolving puzzle! I studied medicine in an environment that was entirely new to me in Havana, Cuba. That setting has informed my views of equitable delivery of medical care and demonstrated the great impact that education, prevention and screening, and accessibility offer to public health. As a part of the LGBTQ+ community, I aspire to be a source of recognition and validation to those who have felt marginalized. My special interests are in sports medicine, wilderness medicine, and behavioral health. I am so pleased to be a part of the medical family here at UNM, in Santa Fe, and in New Mexico. Con gusto!

Alexander C Lin, MD

I was born in Mississippi and spent my childhood in Florida before moving to my hometown of San Diego. I studied Molecular and Cell Biology at UC Berkeley, where I discovered my love for working with diverse and underserved populations while volunteering at nursing homes, children’s hospitals, and the local student-run free clinic. I worked as a scribe for several years in a primary care office after college, which inspired me to pursue training in broad-spectrum primary care. While attending medical school at the University of Central Florida, I found my strengths in advocacy through the American Medical Association, diversity initiatives through the Asian Pacific Medical Association, and developed a passion for burnout prevention in medicine through leadership roles in our school’s peer support program. I chose to train at UNM because of the unique rural medicine training through the Santa Fe track, the program’s dedication to resident wellness and mentorship, and opportunity to build strong relationships with a very diverse patient population through serving the community. In my free time, I love rock climbing, spending time outdoors, and discovering the local food scene – I’m looking forward to experiencing all New Mexico has to offer.

Reshmy Sandeep, MD

I grew up in India and have lived in different parts of the country. Following successful completion of residency in anesthesiology, I had the opportunity to work in various hospitals across the country in both urban and rural setting for over 8 years. I moved to the United States in 2015. I came here as a post-doctoral research fellow and worked at Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles. My research was around sudden cardiac arrest victims, and this shifted my focus to the potential role a physician can play in public health approaches like screening for risk factors and strategies for prevention. I realized the role family physicians play in uncovering hidden health conditions and preventing adverse health outcomes. While doing clinical rotations during the pandemic, I saw that in situations of fear and panic, patients count on their family doctors for information, advice, and reassurance. I am excited to join the UNM-Santa Fe family medicine program and believe it as a great opportunity to advance my clinical knowledge and skills which will help me serve the diverse patient population of New Mexico. Outside medicine, I like to travel, read, and spend time with my family and friends.

Fatima Rodriguez Romay, MD

I grew up in Maracaibo, Venezuela. During medical school, I had the opportunity to take care of low-income and indigenous populations. Our indigenous groups are called “Guajiros.” These patients suffered from controllable and preventable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension with no treatment whatsoever. It impressed on me the absolute need for adequate healthcare. I chose Family Medicine for its diversity. Family physicians can see various medical issues, from behavioral health to well-child checks to shoulder pain. Each day is different, and there will always be something to learn. I enjoy continuity of care. I understand the value of a very long-term relationship; having the opportunity to know the patient can provide essential support in their management. Also, As Lean Six Sigma Greenbelt certified, I am looking forward to working on quality improvement projects to help the patients and the community. I am thrilled to begin residency at UNM – Specially Shiprock, the first federal Indian Health Service residency program in the country, working with the underserved and rural population. Outside my medical journey, I found cooking an excellent way to relax, that travel is my favorite thing, and quality time with family and friends is a must.

Marcus Couldridge, MD

My medical school career was fortunate to begin with a family medicine rotation in rural Wyoming. A morning started with rounds in the hospital, followed by clinic across the street, and a lunch to check in on a laboring patient. The rest of the day often included a few clinic procedures, a stop at the nursing home and a return to the hospital to welcome in a new life. After a quick game of basketball with local community members, I was back to the hospital for a ED coverage. I was able to experience the full scope of practice within FM, as well as the role of providers in small communities. This inspired me to follow a path with a focus on rural family medicine. I feel honored to be among the first class of RTT students at Shiprock, where I hope to hone both my medical and basketball skills.